bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Live-action mass-casualty training and virtual world training
Authors: Shubeck Keith T. , Craig Scotty D. , Hu Xiangen
Published: September 2016

Live-action training simulations with expert facilitators are considered by many to be the gold-standard in training environments. However, these training environments are expensive, provide many logistical challenges, and may not address the individual’s learning needs. Fortunately, advances in distance-based learning technologies have provided the foundation for inexpensive and effective learning environments that can simultaneously train and educate students on a much broader scale than live-action training environments. Specifically, intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) have been proven to be very effective in improving learning outcomes. The Virtual Civilian Aeromedical Evacuation Sustainment Training (VCAEST) interface takes advantage of both of these technologies by enhancing a virtual world with a web-based ITS, AutoTutor LITE (Learning in Interactive Training Environments). AutoTutor LITE acts as a facilitator in the virtual world by providing just-in-time feedback, presenting essential domain knowledge, and by utilizing tutoring dialogues that automatically assess user input. This paper will discuss the results of an experimental evaluation of the VCAEST environment compared to an expert-led live-action training simulation.
Fundamentals for a Turing Test of Virtual Reality
Authors: Renshaw Tyler J. , Sonnenfeld Nathan A. , Meyers Matthew D.
Published: September 2016

Alan Turing developed the imitation game – the Turing Test – in which an interrogator is tasked with discriminating and identifying two subjects by asking a series of questions. Based on subject feedback, the challenge to the interrogator is to correctly identify those subjects. Applying this concept to the discrimination of reality from virtual reality is essential as simulation technology progresses toward a virtual era, in which we experience equal and greater presence in virtuality than reality. It is important to explore the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of the Turing Test in order to avoid possible issues when adapting the test for virtual reality. This requires an understanding of how users judge virtual and real environments, and how these environments influence their judgement. Turing-type tests, the constructs of reality judgement and presence, and measurement methods for each are explored. Following this brief review, the researchers contribute a theoretical foundation for future development of a Turing-type test for virtual reality, based on the universal experience of the mundane.
A prognostics approach based on the evolution of damage precursors using dynamic Bayesian networks
Authors: Rabiei Elaheh , Droguett Enrique Lopez , Modarres Mohammad
Published: September 2016

During the lifetime of a component, microstructural changes emerge at its material level and evolve through time. Classical empirical degradation models (e.g. Paris Law in fatigue crack growth) are usually established based on monitoring and estimating well-known direct damage indicators such as crack size. However, by the time the usual inspection techniques efficiently identify such damage indicators, most of the life of the component would have been expended, and usually it would be too late to save the component. Therefore, it is important to detect damage at the earliest possible time. This article presents a new structural health monitoring and damage prognostics framework based on evolution of damage precursors representing the indirect damage indicators, when conventional direct damage indicator, such as a crack, is unobservable, inaccessible, or difficult to measure. Dynamic Bayesian network is employed to represent all the related variables as well as their causal or correlation relationships. Since the degradation model based on damage precursor evolution is not fully recognized, the methodology needs to be capable of online-learning the degradation process as well as estimating the damage state. Therefore, the joint particle filtering technique is implemented as an inference method inside the dynamic Bayesian network to assess both model parameters and damage states simultaneously. The proposed framework allows the integration of any related sources of information in order to reduce the inherent uncertainties. Incorporating different types of evidences in dynamic Bayesian network entails advance techniques to identify and formulate the possible interaction between potentially nonhomogenous variables. This article uses the support vector regression in order to define generally unknown nonparametric and nonlinear correlation between the input variables. The methodology is successfully applied to damage estimation and prediction of crack initiation in a metallic alloy under fatigue. The proposed framework is intended to be general and comprehensive so that it can be implemented in different applications.
Is nine weeks of complex training effective for improving lower body strength, explosive muscle function, sprint and jumping performance?
Authors: Talpey Scott W , Young Warren B , Saunders Natalie
Published: September 2016

There is currently minimal evidence from training studies that document the effectiveness of complex training to elicit gains in explosive muscle function that are greater than those obtained from a more conventional approach. Over nine weeks of training, 20 recreationally trained athletes with a minimum of one year of resistance training experience were randomly assigned to either a complex training group (n = 9) or a conventional training group (n = 11). In an attempt to capitalise on muscles post-activation potentiation response, the complex training group performed all sets of ½ back squats prior to sets of jumps squats, while the conventional training group performed jump squats prior to sets of ½ back squats. Lower body explosive muscle function and jump performance improved significantly in both groups. The complex training group’s improvement in running vertical jump performance was significantly greater than in the conventional groups. Sprint performance was not significantly improved in either training group.
Role of NOD2 and RIP2 in host–microbe interactions with Gram-negative bacteria: insights from the periodontal disease model
Authors: Souza Joao AC , Medeiros Marcell C , Rocha Fernanda RG , de Aquino Sabrina G , Ávila-Campos Mario J , Spolidorio Luis C , Zamboni Dario S , Graves Dana T , Rossa Carlos
Published: September 2016

NOD2 is a member of the NLR family of proteins that participate in the activation of the innate immune response. RIP2 is a downstream kinase activated by both NOD1 and NOD2. There is scarcity of information regarding the relevance of NOD2 in periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by inflammatory bone resorption. We used NOD2-KO and RIP2-KO mice in a model of microbial-induced periodontitis. Heat-killed Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was injected in the gingival tissues three times/wk for 4 wk. Bone resorption was assessed by μCT analysis; osteoclasts were identified by immunohistochemical staining for TRAP and inflammation was assessed using a severity score system in H/E-stained sections. In vitro studies using primary macrophages assessed the response macrophages using qPCR-based array and multi-ligand ELISA. Bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis were significantly reduced in NOD2-KO mice. Severity of inflammation was not affected. qPCR-focused arrays and multi-ligand ELISA showed that expression of pro-inflammatory mediators was reduced in NOD2- and RIP2-deficient cells. RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis was impaired in NOD2- and RIP2-deficient macrophages. We conclude that NOD2 is important for osteoclast differentiation and inflammatory bone resorption in vivo and also for the macrophage response to Gram-negative bacteria.
Randomized Cross-Over Study Comparing Two Infusion Sets for CSII in Daily Life
Authors: Freckmann Guido , Arndt Stephan , Fießelmann Albrecht , Klausmann Gerhard , Pralle Kristina , Künsting Thomas , Petersen Bettina
Published: September 2016

Background:

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy is a valuable option especially for people with type 1 diabetes. Although insulin infusion sets (IIS) are essential components of most insulin pump systems, only few studies have been conducted on their performance and safety. In this study 2 IIS with soft cannulas were compared.

Methods:

In an open-label, randomized, crossover, multicenter 8-week study 80 type 1 diabetic subjects on CSII (20-74 years, mean 46.5 ± 12.9 years, 58.8% male) were enrolled to evaluate the use of 2 IIS. The Accu-Chek® FlexLink Plus (FL Plus) and the Accu-Chek® FlexLink infusion set (FL) were used 4 weeks each under real-life conditions at home. All patients had to record details about every IIS change in a diary. Insertion-related pain was assessed by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results:

The mean pain noted during insertion was similar for both IIS (VAS 6.1 ± 6.4 mm for the FL Plus and 5.8 ± 6.3 mm for the FL, P = .92). 20.0% of the 895 IIS changes with FL Plus and 16.0% of the 854 with FL were unplanned. During the 4243 patient days of the study, 13 patients had adverse events. Among these, 2 serious adverse events occurred. Both serious events and 1 nonserious adverse event were considered as related to the IIS. Of the patients, 18.7% had kinked cannulas. Most patients were satisfied with both IIS.

Conclusion:

Both IIS are safe and effective. The 2 IIS did not differ from each other with respect to pain observed during insertion.
The Problems Encountered in a CTEV Clinic
Authors: Agarwal Anil , Kumar Anubrat , Shaharyar Abbas , Mishra Madhusudan
Published: September 2016

Background. The aim of the study is to create awareness in the practicing health care workers toward the problems encountered during casting and bracing of clubfoot following Ponseti method, and in turn avoid them. Material and Patients. Retrospective audit of 6 years’ clubfoot clinic records to analyze problems associated with Ponseti method. Observations. Problems were encountered in 26 cast and in 6 braced patients. Just 4 patients out of 71 syndromic (5.6%) experienced problems during casting compared with 3% overall incidence. The common problems encountered in casted patients were moisture lesions, hematoma, dermatitis due to occlusion, pressure sores, and fractures. There was excessive bleeding in 1 patient at time of tenotomy. In braced patients, pressure sores and tenderness at tenotomy site were major problems. None of the syndromic patients experienced difficulties during bracing. Conclusions. Problems were encountered with Ponseti method during casting, tenotomy, or bracing. Syndromic children had lesser complication rate than idiopathic clubfeet. It is important to be aware of these problems so that appropriate intervention can be done early.

Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective
Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Transfer Fixation
Authors: Lee Jessica , Williams Chad , Lowrey Charles , Gould Greg , Markert Ronald , Laughlin Richard
Published: September 2016

Introduction. Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer to the calcaneus is commonly used in the surgical treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. This study assesses the integrity of FHL tendon biotenodesis screw fixation with respect to 2 variables: incorporation of a terminal whipstitch and tunnel depth. Materials and methods. A total of 60 fresh-frozen cadaver FHL tendons and 28 calcanei were harvested for analysis in 4 sets of fixation constructs; 14 whipstitched tendons were compared against their nonwhipstitched paired tendon via pull-out strength load testing, and 16 tendon pairs were randomized for fixation in either a full-depth tunnel (bicortical) or a 25-mm partial tunnel (unicortical). All comparisons were carried out in native bone and synthetic models. Results. Whipstitched tendons demonstrated significantly stronger mean clinical load (253.68 vs 177.24 N, P = .008) and maximum load to failure (294.31N vs 194.57 N, P = .001) compared with the nonwhipstitched tendons in synthetic bone. There were no statistical differences in mean clinical load (200.96 vs 228.31 N, P = .63) and maximum load to failure (192.69 vs 217.74 N, P = .73) between full and partial tunnel groups. There were no significant differences found in trials carried out in cadaveric bone. Conclusion. Use of a terminal whipstitch achieves greater fixation strength in FHL tendon biotenodesis transfers. Complete and partial tunnel constructs are equivocal in their pull-out strength. Data produced in a homogeneous bone substitute model demonstrate the biomechanical superiority of the whipstitch as well as the noninferiority of the partial tunnel technique.

Levels of Evidence: Level IIb
Bilateral Posterior Tibial Tendon and Flexor Digitorum Longus Dislocations
Authors: Padegimas Eric M. , Beck David M. , Pedowitz David I.
Published: September 2016

The authors present a case of a previously healthy and athletic 17-year-old female who presented with a 3.5-year history of medial left ankle pain after sustaining an inversion injury while playing basketball. Prior to presentation, she had failed prior immobilization and physical therapy for a presumed ankles sprain. Physical examination revealed a dislocated posterior tibial tendon (PTT) that was temporarily reducible, but would spontaneously dislocate immediately after reduction. She had pain and snapping of the PTT with resisted ankle plantar flexion and resisted inversion as well as 4/5 strength in ankle inversion. The diagnosis of dislocated PTT was confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patient underwent suture anchor repair of the medial retinaculum of the left ankle. At the time of surgery both the PTT and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) were dislocated. Three months postoperatively, the patient represented with PTT dislocation of the right (nonoperative) ankle confirmed by MRI. After failure of immobilization, physical therapy, and oral anti-inflammatory medications, the patient underwent suture anchor repair of the medial retinaculum of the right ankle. At 6 months postoperatively, the patient has 5/5 strength inversion bilaterally, no subluxation of either PTT, and has returned to all activities without limitation. The authors present this unique case of bilateral PTT dislocation and concurrent PTT/FDL dislocation along with review of the literature for PTT dislocation. The authors highlight the common misdaiganosis of this injury and highlight the successful results of surgical intervention.

Levels of Evidence: Level V: Case report
Prognostic factors for long-term outcomes in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Traboulsee Anthony L , Cornelisseª Peter , Sandberg-Wollheim Magnhild , Uitdehaag Bernard MJ , Kappos Ludwig , Jongen Peter J , Constantinescu Cris S , di Cantogno Elisabetta Verdun , Li David KB
Published: September 2016

Objective

The objective of this article is to investigate potential clinical and MRI predictors of long-term outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

This was a post hoc analysis using data from all 382 patients in the PRISMS long-term follow-up (LTFU) study collected up to eight years after randomisation. An additional analysis was performed including only those patients originally randomised to receive early subcutaneous interferon (IFN) β-1a ( n = 259). Baseline/prestudy variables, indicators of early clinical and MRI activity (baseline to month 24), and indicators of IFN β-1a treatment exposure (including medication possession ratio (MPR)) were investigated as candidate prognostic factors for outcomes measured from baseline and from month 24 to LTFU. Explanatory variables identified from univariate regression models ( p ≤ 0.15) were selected for inclusion in stepwise multiple regression models.

Results

Candidate prognostic factors selected by the univariate analysis ( p ≤ 0.15) included age, MS duration, baseline brain volume, EDSS score, and log(T2 burden of disease (BOD)). In most of the multivariate regression models applied, higher baseline brain volume and MPR predicted better long-term clinical outcomes, while higher baseline and greater early increase in EDSS score predicted worse outcomes.

Conclusion

Identification of markers that may be prognostic for long-term disability could help identify MS patients at higher risk of disability progression.
Changes in Parental Emotional Support and Psychological Control in Early Adulthood
Authors: Desjardins Tracy , Leadbeater Bonnie J.
Published: September 2016

Early adulthood is a critical period during which real-world adjustment sets the stage for lifelong well-being. However, little is known about how the emotional quality of parental relationships may help or hinder adjustment. This longitudinal study investigated (a) changes in mother and father emotional support and psychological control during early adulthood, (b) whether such changes predicted young adults’ educational and occupational adjustment, and (c) whether these associations occurred indirectly through young adults’ depressive and anxiety symptoms. Participants were 240 youth assessed at four time points over a 6-year period. Multilevel modeling showed that on average, parental emotional support increased and psychological control decreased over time. Latent growth curve mediation analyses revealed significant direct associations between parental emotional support and psychological control and adjustment outcomes as well as indirect effects through mental health symptoms. Findings particularly highlight the negative effects of parental psychological control on young adults’ academic and occupational adjustment.
Cognitive Profiling Useful for Unraveling Cross-Disorder Mechanisms
Authors: Rommelse Nanda N. J. , van der Meer Jolanda M. J. , Hartman Catharina A. , Buitelaar Jan K.
Published: September 2016

Cognitive subtyping may be essential for understanding shared mechanisms underlying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants from a population-based sample ( n = 360) and an ASD/ADHD clinic-based sample ( n = 254), ages 5 to 17 years, were administered a broad cognitive battery. Latent class analyses revealed a similar four-cognitive-class solution in both samples mainly characterized by speed–accuracy tradeoff differences instead of specific strengths and weaknesses. The classes were strongly predictive of both ASD and ADHD (and comorbid) symptoms in the clinical, but not the population, sample. Results support the hypothesis that both disorders are manifestations of the same overarching disorder and illustrate the effectiveness of subtyping based on cognitive profiles. Results also support a step-function endophenotype model, in which cognitive problems mediate the gene–psychopathology associations but only in a clinically relevant way in the subgroup of children with high genetic susceptibility. Pre-onset longitudinal research is needed to corroborate this.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Efforts and Affected Community Perception: An Empirical Study with Special Reference to a CSR Project Implemented by a Multinational Corporation (MNC) in Sri Lanka
Authors: Samarakoon S.M.G.P.K. , Arachchige Bhadra J.H.
Published: September 2016

Many criticisms are being made relevant to the effectiveness of the community-oriented corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects implemented by business organizations today. This study has been carried out with special reference to the community-oriented CSR project implemented by a local subsidiary of a multinational company in Sri Lanka with the purpose of investigating the targeted community’s perception of the project. The qualitative approach was used as the main research method using the case study approach. For the purpose of data collection, interviews, observations, and documentary reviewing were used. The findings reflect that the targeted community perceives that the renovation of wells project is just a gesture of good work, but it brings fewer benefits to them. The concept “community partnership” can play a significant role with regard to the effectiveness of the project. This study concludes that companies should design their CSR projects in the way that meets the needs and expectations of the target social actors in order to create win–win outcomes for both company and target community.
Femoral Aperture Fixation Improves Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Function When Added to Cortical Suspensory Fixation
Authors: Porter Mark D. , Shadbolt Bruce
Published: September 2016

Background:

Recommendations for bone tunnel placement during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have become more precise. However, these recommendations differ neither with the choice of graft nor with the method of fixation used. The influence of the method of femoral fixation used on the biomechanical function of a soft tissue ACL graft remains unknown.

Hypothesis:

Our null hypothesis was that adding femoral aperture fixation to femoral cortical fixation, using the same bone tunnels, will not alter the control of anterior translation (AT) and internal rotation (IR) during ACL reconstruction using a hamstring graft.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 22 patients with an acute isolated ACL rupture underwent reconstruction using a single-bundle autologous hamstring graft. Computer navigation was used intraoperatively to plot the AT and IR during the pivot-shift test before reconstruction, after ACL reconstruction using cortical suspensory fixation, and after the addition of femoral aperture fixation. Statistical analysis (analysis of variance) was used to compare the AT and IR during the pivot shift at each stage in the procedure.

Results:

Before ACL reconstruction, the mean (±SD) AT was 14.2 ± 7.3 mm and mean IR was 17.2° ± 5.5°. After reconstruction using femoral cortical suspension, these figures were significantly reduced to 6.2 ± 3.5 mm and 12.5° ± 3.20°, respectively ( P < .001). The addition of the aperture fixation was associated with a further significant reduction to 4.6 ± 3.2 mm and 10.4° ± 2.7°, respectively ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

The addition of femoral aperture fixation to suspensory fixation results in a significant reduction in both the AT and IR that occurs during the pivot-shift assessment immediately after ACL reconstruction using autologous hamstring graft.

Clinical Relevance:

The most precise positioning of bone tunnels during soft tissue ACL reconstruction needs to take into consideration the type of fixation being used.
MicroRNA-139-5p regulates proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors and is repressed during BCR-ABL–mediated leukemogenesis
Authors: Choi Jinwook , Kim Young-Kook , Park Kyungsoo , Nah Jinwoo , Yoon Sung-Soo , Kim Dong-Wook , Kim V. Narry , Seong Rho Hyun
Published: September 2016

Key Points

Expression of miR-139-5p is downregulated in BCR-ABL–mediated CML patients. miR-139-5p regulates proliferation and differentiation activities by targeting Brg1 in early hematopoiesis.
High-quality draft genome sequence of Sedimenticola selenatireducens strain AK4OH1T, a gammaproteobacterium isolated from estuarine sediment
Authors: Louie Tiffany S. , Giovannelli Donato , Yee Nathan , Narasingarao Priya , Starovoytov Valentin , Göker Markus , Klenk Hans-Peter , Lang Elke , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Woyke Tanja , Bini Elisabetta , Häggblom Max M.
Published: September 2016

Sedimenticola selenatireducens strain AK4OH1T (= DSM 17993T = ATCC BAA-1233T) is a microaerophilic bacterium isolated from sediment from the Arthur Kill intertidal strait between New Jersey and Staten Island, NY. S. selenatireducens is Gram-negative and belongs to the Gammaproteobacteria. Strain AK4OH1T was the first representative of its genus to be isolated for its unique coupling of the oxidation of aromatic acids to the respiration of selenate. It is a versatile heterotroph and can use a variety of carbon compounds, but can also grow lithoautotrophically under hypoxic and anaerobic conditions. The draft genome comprises 4,588,530 bp and 4276 predicted protein-coding genes including genes for the anaerobic degradation of 4-hydroxybenzoate and benzoate. Here we report the main features of the genome of S. selenatireducens strain AK4OH1T.
Activation of G0S2 is coordinated by recruitment of PML/RARα and C/EBPɛ to its promoter during ATRA-induced APL differentiation
Authors: Zhang Fang , Zhu Yong Lan , Deng Wang Long , Zhu Jiang , Zhang Ji
Published: September 2016

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) binds the promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor α (PML/RARα) fusion protein and is an effective oncogene-targeted therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, the molecular basis of PML/RARα-mediated transcriptional control during ATRA-induced differentiation is unclear. Previous studies have shown that the PML/RARα fusion protein behaves as a type II nuclear receptor, binding to DNA regardless of ligand status. Here, we performed a series of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-quantitative PCR (qPCR) experiments, demonstrating that there is an additional mode of action of PML/RARα, wherein PML/RARα does not bind DNA in the absence of ATRA but binds DNA and activates adjacent genes in the presence of ATRA. This mode of action is similar to that of a type I nuclear receptor and is highlighted by activation of G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) during ATRA-induced neutrophil differentiation of leukemia cell lines (NB4 and PR9) and primary human APL cells. C/EBPɛ occupancy of the G0S2 promoter was elevated in parallel with recruitment of PML/RARα in ATRA-treated NB4, PR9, and primary APL cells. Furthermore, we verified that the p30 isoform of C/EBPɛ is crucial for activation of G0S2 and that PML/RARα interacts physically and cooperates functionally with C/EBPɛ to up-regulate G0S2. Our data not only demonstrate a new mode of action of PML/RARα but also suggest a novel model in which PML/RARα synergizes with C/EBPɛ to reactivate the C/EBPɛ target G0S2, thereby contributing to ATRA-mediated APL differentiation and potentially, clinical remission.
Fluid substitution for thinly interbedded sand-shale sequences using the mesh method
Authors: Dejtrakulwong Piyapa , Mavko Gary
Published: September 2016

Gassmann’s fluid substitution model is intended for a monomineralic, homogeneous porous rock, in which pore pressures induced by applied loads can equilibrate throughout the pore space. These assumptions are violated when Gassmann’s equations are applied to measurements that represent effective medium averages over subresolution layers of alternating sand and shale. The conventional procedure for treating this problem has been to first downscale; i.e., estimate the properties of the fine-scale sand and shale endmembers from the coarse-scale measurements, apply Gassmann’s fluid substitution to the sand only, and then Backus average back to the original scale. This procedure, however, is very sensitive to errors in estimated sand fraction and shale properties and becomes particularly unstable at small sand fractions. A new method for fluid substitution combines rock-physics models for dispersed and interbedded sand-shale systems, which are often approximated with Reuss or lower Hashin-Shtrikman interpolations between endmembers quartz mineral, clean sand, and shale. When expressed as P-wave compliance versus porosity, these trends become approximately linear. The Backus average of the normal incidence P-wave compliance of thinly layered mixtures of various sand-shale facies is also a linear trend with porosity. As a result, the upscaled fluid substitution change of compliance of any point within the dispersed or layered sand-shale system is approximately proportional to the fluid-substituted change of compliance of the clean sand endmember, scaled by the ratio of effective porosity to clean sand porosity. The result is a fluid substitution procedure that operates directly at the measurement scale, without the need to downscale the measurements, while still changing fluid in the sand layers only.
Full-wave seismic illumination and resolution analyses: A Poynting-vector-based method
Authors: Yan Zhe , Xie Xiao-Bi
Published: September 2016

Illumination and resolution analysis provides vital information regarding the response of an imaging system to subsurface structures. However, generating the resolution function is often computationally intensive, which prevents it from being widely used in practice. This problem is particularly severe for the time-domain migration method, such as reverse time migration (RTM). To solve this problem, we have developed a fast full-wave-based illumination and resolution analysis method. The source- and receiver-side waves are extrapolated to the subsurface for simulating the imaging process. To create the relations linking the incident and scattering directions to the target wavenumber components, we have adopted an efficient Poynting-vector-based method for wavefield angle decomposition. By taking the approximation that the time-domain wavefield preserves the source spectrum during propagation, massive input/output and trace-by-trace Fourier transform can be avoided and the finite-frequency calculated broadband signal can be directly converted to the wavenumber domain for calculating the point spreading functions (PSFs). Combining these approaches, the resulting method avoids intensive calculations, massive input/output, and huge storage requirements commonly involved in generating the illumination and resolution functions. The method is highly efficient and particularly suitable to team with RTM for resolution analysis. Numerical examples are used to validate this method. We have determined how to calculate the acquisition dip response and PSFs, based on which, the quality of the depth image can be significantly improved.
Fast 3D frequency-domain full-waveform inversion with a parallel block low-rank multifrontal direct solver: Application to OBC data from the North Sea
Authors: Amestoy Patrick , Brossier Romain , Buttari Alfredo , L’Excellent Jean-Yves , Mary Theo , Métivier Ludovic , Miniussi Alain , Operto Stephane
Published: September 2016

Wide-azimuth long-offset ocean bottom cable (OBC)/ocean bottom node surveys provide a suitable framework to perform computationally efficient frequency-domain full-waveform inversion (FWI) with a few discrete frequencies. Frequency-domain seismic modeling is performed efficiently with moderate computational resources for a large number of sources with a sparse multifrontal direct solver (Gauss-elimination techniques for sparse matrices). Approximate solutions of the time-harmonic wave equation are computed using a block low-rank (BLR) approximation, leading to a significant reduction in the operation count and in the volume of communication during the lower upper (LU) factorization as well as offering great potential for reduction in the memory demand. Moreover, the sparsity of the seismic source vectors is exploited to speed up the forward elimination step during the computation of the monochromatic wavefields. The relevance and the computational efficiency of the frequency-domain FWI performed in the viscoacoustic vertical transverse isotropic (VTI) approximation was tested with a real 3D OBC case study from the North Sea. The FWI subsurface models indicate a dramatic resolution improvement relative to the initial model built by reflection traveltime tomography. The amplitude errors introduced in the modeled wavefields by the BLR approximation for different low-rank thresholds have a negligible footprint in the FWI results. With respect to a standard multifrontal sparse direct factorization, and without compromise of the accuracy of the imaging, the BLR approximation can bring a reduction of the LU factor size by a factor of up to three. This reduction is not yet exploited to reduce the effective memory usage (ongoing work). The flop reduction can be larger than a factor of 10 and can bring a factor of time reduction of around three. Moreover, this reduction factor tends to increase with frequency, namely with the matrix size. Frequency-domain viscoacoustic VTI FWI can be viewed as an efficient tool to build an initial model for elastic FWI of 4C OBC data.
Wavefield reconstruction in attenuating media: A checkpointing-assisted reverse-forward simulation method
Authors: Yang Pengliang , Brossier Romain , Métivier Ludovic , Virieux Jean
Published: September 2016

Three-dimensional implementations of reverse time migration (RTM) and full-waveform inversion (FWI) require efficient schemes to access the incident field to apply the imaging condition of RTM or build the gradient of FWI. Wavefield reconstruction by reverse propagation using final snapshot and saved boundaries appears quite efficient but unstable in attenuating media, whereas the checkpointing strategy is a stable alternative at the expense of increased computational cost through repeated forward modeling. We have developed a checkpointing-assisted reverse-forward simulation (CARFS) method in the context of viscoacoustic wave propagation with a generalized Maxwell body. At each backward reconstruction step, the CARFS algorithm makes a smart decision between forward modeling using checkpoints and reverse propagation based on the minimum time-stepping cost and an energy measure. Numerical experiments demonstrated that the CARFS method allows accurate wavefield reconstruction using less timesteppings than optimal checkpointing, even if seismic attenuation is very strong. For RTM and FWI applications involving a huge number of independent sources and/or applications on architectures with limited memory, CARFS will provide an efficient tool with adequate accuracy in practical implementation.
Seismic Fragility Analysis of the Smithsonian Institute Museum Support Center
Authors: Chu Xin , Ricles James M. , Pakzad Shamim N.
Published: September 2016

This paper presents the seismic fragility assessment of the Smithsonian Institute Museum Support Center (MSC), which sustained appreciable damage during the 2011 Virginia earthquake. A three-dimensional (3-D) finite element model (FEM) for the building was created and validated using measured dynamic characteristics determined from field vibration test data. Two suites of bidirectional ground motions at different hazard levels were applied to the FEM to generate fragility curves for structural as well as nonstructural (storage cabinets) damage. The effect of brace yielding strength on structural and nonstructural damage is also investigated to provide recommendations for future retrofit. The fragility curves show that the spectral acceleration to cause structural damage to the building is not high. Due to low seismicity, however, the probability for the structure to be damaged at the design basis earthquake is small. Nevertheless, the probability for nonstructural damage is considerable, which is an important issue related to the seismic performance of the building.
Proceedings of the Strategy Meeting for the Development of an International Consortium for Chinese Medicine and Cancer
Authors: White Jeffrey D. , Lin Hongsheng , Jia Libin , Wu Roy S. , Lam Stephen , Li Jie , Dou Jinhui , Kumar Nagi , Lin Lizhu , Lao Lixing
Published: September 2016

On November 3, 2014, in Bethesda, MD, the Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Cancer Institute held a meeting to examine the potential utility and feasibility of establishing an international consortium for Chinese medicine and cancer. There is significant interest in the West in using components of Chinese medicine (CM) —such as botanicals and herbal medicines, acupuncture and acupressure, and qigong—in the field of oncology, as potential anticancer agents, for symptom management, and to improve quality of life. The proposal for a consortium on CM came from the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, with the aims of improving scientific communications and collaborations and modernizing the studies of CM for cancer. The US National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine agreed to work with Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences to explore the feasibility of establishing an international consortium for Chinese medicine and cancer. At the meeting, participants from the United States, China, Canada, Australia, and Korea discussed issues in CM and cancer research, treatment, and management, including potential mechanisms of action, proof of efficacy, adverse effects, regulatory issues, and the need for improving the quality of randomized clinical trials of CM treatments and supportive care interventions. Presented in these proceedings are some of the main issues and opportunities discussed by workshop participants.
US National Anesthesia Workload on Saturday and Sunday Mornings
Authors: Dexter Franklin , Epstein Richard H. , Campos Javier , Dutton Richard P.
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

In order to provide guidance to organizations considering elective weekend surgical case scheduling, we analyzed data from the American Society of Anesthesiologist’s Anesthesia Quality Institute. We determined the US anesthesia workload on Saturdays and Sundays.

METHODS:

The American Society of Anesthesiologist’s Anesthesia Quality Institute data were from all US anesthesia groups that submitted cases to the National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry for 2013. For each of the N = 2,075,188 cases, we identified the local date and time of the start of anesthesia care and the duration of anesthesia care. Anesthesia workload was measured as the time from the start to the end of continuous anesthesia care. Because elective cases are rarely scheduled on Sundays, we considered the difference in workload between Saturday and Sunday to estimate elective case scheduling. This difference would be an overestimate if some patients’ scheduled cases were postponed from Friday to Saturday. Data are reported as mean ± standard error; N = 13 four-week periods.

RESULTS:

The difference in the anesthesia minutes between Saturdays versus Sundays 7:00 am to 2:59 pm (ie, elective caseload) represented just 0.38% ± 0.02% of the total minutes nationwide; Saturday 1.57% ± 0.03% versus Sunday 1.19% ± 0.02%. The P < .00001 comparing the 0.38% with 1.0% and, also, with 0.5% (upper 99% confidence interval = 0.42%).

CONCLUSIONS:

The imputed Saturday elective schedule represents a tiny percentage of overall anesthetic workload nationwide. Saturday elective surgery is currently an uncommon practice in the United States. Based on this prior knowledge, organizations considering changes to their current scheduling strategies should perform a thorough statistical analysis of their local workload prior to implementation and apply evidence-based criteria to guide their decision-making process.
Structural Integrity of a Simple Method to Repair Disrupted Tracheal Tube Pilot Balloon Assemblies
Authors: Dayan Amir C. , Epstein Richard H.
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

An intact pilot balloon assembly is crucial to the proper function of a cuffed tracheal tube. Disruption of the pilot balloon, transection of the inflation line, or valve incompetence results in cuff deflation, which may lead to inadequate ventilation and aspiration of secretions. Such failures typically result in tracheal tube replacement, but this may be a safety risk if a difficult reintubation is anticipated. We recently encountered such a patient who remained intubated postoperatively and in whom the inflation line was transected, causing a large leak. We describe a method to reconstitute the inflation line and report on the structural integrity of the repair. We hypothesized that the repaired assembly would maintain cuff pressure not statistically different from an intact device, but that the inflation line would be weaker.

METHODS:

The distal (tapered) portion of a 22-gauge intravenous (IV) catheter was partially inserted into the severed end of the inflation line. A new pilot balloon was cut from an intact tracheal tube with the tubing attached, the end of which had been dilated using a 22-gauge IV catheter. The new tubing was then guided over the protruding portion of the catheter, creating an internal stent. We measured the drop in cuff pressure after 8 hours in an artificial trachea for repaired and intact tracheal tubes. We tested the integrity of the repaired segments, underwater, to high-pressure inflation. We measured the static tensile strength of the inflation line from intact and repaired tracheal tubes. Data are presented as the mean ± standard error. Differences were assessed using the unpaired, 2-sided Student t test, with P < .05 required to claim statistical significance.

RESULTS:

Eight-hour interval measurements in 10 intact versus 10 repaired tracheal tubes demonstrated no significant difference in pressure drop (mean difference = 0.5 cm H2O; 95% confidence interval, −2.2 to 1.2 cm H2O; P = .54). There was no visible air leak from 10 repaired inflation line segments when the cuff was inflated to 120 mm Hg. The force needed to break the repaired inflation line was lower than for the intact tubing (n = 7 of each; mean difference = −21.9 N; 95% confidence interval, −25.7 to −18.1 N; P < 10–6). Repairs to tracheal tubes from various manufacturers with inner diameters ranging from 3.0 to 8.0 mm were successful.

CONCLUSIONS:

Repairing a disrupted pilot balloon assembly using an IV catheter as a stent inside the inflation line is an effective temporizing measure in situations where ventilation is impaired and where tracheal tube replacement may present an excessive patient risk.
Method-centered digital communities on protocols.io for fast-paced scientific innovation
Authors: Kindler Lori , Stoliartchouk Alexei , Teytelman Leonid , Hurwitz Bonnie L.
Published: September 2016

The Internet has enabled online social interaction for scientists that previously happened only in physical meetings and conferences. Yet despite these innovations in communication, dissemination of methods is often relegated to the slow process of academic publishing. Further, these methods remain static, with subsequent advances published elsewhere and unlinked. For communities undergoing fast-paced innovation, researchers need new capabilities to share, obtain feedback, and publish methods at the forefront of scientific development. For example, a renaissance in virology is now underway given the new metagenomic methods to sequence viral DNA directly from an environment. Metagenomics makes it possible to “see” natural viral communities that could not be previously studied through culturing methods. Yet, the knowledge of specialized techniques for the production and analysis of viral metagenomes remains in a subset of labs.  This problem is common to any community using and developing emerging technologies and techniques. We developed new capabilities to create virtual communities in protocols.io, an open access platform, for disseminating protocols and knowledge at the forefront of scientific development. To demonstrate these capabilities, we present a virology community forum called VERVENet. These new features allow virology researchers to share protocols and their annotations and optimizations, connect with the broader virtual community to share knowledge, job postings, conference announcements through a common online forum, and discover the current literature through personalized recommendations to promote discussion of cutting edge research. Virtual communities in protocols.io enhance a researcher’s ability to: discuss and share protocols, connect with fellow community members, and learn about new and innovative research in the field.  The web-based software for developing virtual communities is free to use on protocols.io. Data are available through public APIs at protocols.io.
Review: Persistent pioneers; Borassus L. and Corypha L. in Malesia
Authors: EAGLETON GRAHAM E.
Published: September 2016

Eagleton G.E. 2016. Review: Persistent Pioneers; Borassus L. and Corypha L. in Malesia. Biodiversitas 17: 716-732. This review traces advances in taxonomic and ethnobotanic understanding of the genera Corypha L. and Borassus L. gained from research since the time of publication of â€œHarvest of the Palm; Ecological Change in Eastern Indonesiaâ€™â€™ by James J. Fox in 1977. It posits testable hypotheses arising from the literature: firstly, that both genera were present in the furthest parts of island Southeast Asia prior to a definitive Indianized cultural expansion in the first millennium CE.; secondly, that two of their species Ì¶ â€œlontarâ€ Borassus flabellifer L. and â€œgewangâ€ Corypha utan Lam. Ì¶ were significant components of pre-agricultural economies of the archipelago, but that their full economic exploitation benefited from later cultural stimuli from the Indian subcontinent. To test these hypotheses, lines of research with potential benefits for local economies in semi-arid Indonesia are proposed.
Predictive factors for recurrent febrile seizures in children
Authors: Marudur Pengekuten , Herini Elisabeth , Satria Cahya Dewi
Published: September 2016

Background One􀁡third of children who experience febrile seizureshave a recurrence, '\.Vith rates of75% in the first year, and 90% mthinthe second year following the first febrile seizure. Predictive factorsfor recurrent febrile seizures have been reported in studies from othercountries, but there have been few of these studies in Indonesia.Objective To determine predictive factors for the recurrence offebrile seizures in children.Methods Children w i t h first􀁡time febrile seizures wereprospectively followed up, for at least 12 months. Subjects wererecruited consecutively from August 2008 to April 20 1 0 from twohospitals in Yogyakarta and one hospital in Klaten. We monitoredrecurrences of febrile seizure by telephone or home visits to parentsevery 3 months. Time to first recurrence of febrile seizures wasanalyzed using the Cox regression model.Results T here were 196 children v,ith first􀁡time febrile seizures whocompleted the follow up. Recurrent seizures were observed in 56children (28.6%). Me811 follow up time was 21.7 (SD 6.6) months.Temperature of <40"C at the time of seizure (RR=2.29, 95%CI 135to 3.89, P=0.OO2), history of febrile seizures in first􀁡degree relatives(RR=330, 95%CI 1.25 to 8.08, P<O.OOl), age at first febrile seizureof <12 months (RR􀁢2.40, 95%CI 1.42 to 4.06, P􀁢O.OOI) andduration of fever before the seizure of:51 hour (RR=4.62, 95%CI:1.35 to 15.80, P=0.015) were significantly associated v,ith recurrenceof febrile seizures. Furthermore, Cox regression analysis revealedthat the age of < 12 months, history of febrile seizures in first􀁡degreerelatives and temperature of < 40" C were significantpredictive factorsfor the recurrence of febrile seizures.Conclusion Age at first seizure of < 12 months, history of febrileseizures in first􀁡degree relatives, and seizure v,ith temperature of<40"C were independent predictive factors for recurrent febrileseizures in children. [Paediatr lndones. 2012;52:317,23].
Peripheral giant cell granuloma: a case repo
Authors: Ahmed Saad Shahnawaz , Zaman Hira , Bin Abrar Fahad , Khalid Sadia
Published: September 2016

Peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) is a common benign gingival lesion in the oral cavity of unknown origin, believed to be stimulated by local irritation or chronic trauma. It is also known as giant cell epulis, giant cell reparative granuloma, or giant-cell hyperplasia, presenting as purplish-red soft tissue nodule clinically and histologically consisting of multinucleated giant cells in a background of mononuclear stromal cells and extravasated red blood cells. This case report describes a 40 year old male previously reported with peripheral giant cell granuloma 2 years back which on excision reoccurred after 3-4 months and persistently growing since then. The gingival lesion between his maxillary central incisors was excised and the Biopsy specimen sent in 10% formalin to histopathological lab and was diagnosed as PGCG. There was good healing of tissue of the surgical site during the 9 months follow-up.