bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incipient and Subclinical Tuberculosis: a Clinical Review of Early Stages and Progression of Infection
Authors: Drain Paul K. , Bajema Kristina L. , Dowdy David , Dheda Keertan , Naidoo Kogieleum , Schumacher Samuel G. , Ma Shuyi , Meermeier Erin , Lewinsohn David M. , Sherman David R.
Published: July 2018

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of mortality worldwide, due in part to a limited understanding of its clinical pathogenic spectrum of infection and disease. Historically, scientific research, diagnostic testing, and drug treatment have focused on addressing one of two disease states: latent TB infection or active TB disease. Recent research has clearly demonstrated that human TB infection, from latent infection to active disease, exists within a continuous spectrum of metabolic bacterial activity and antagonistic immunological responses. This revised understanding leads us to propose two additional clinical states: incipient and subclinical TB. The recognition of incipient and subclinical TB, which helps divide latent and active TB along the clinical disease spectrum, provides opportunities for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to prevent progression to active TB disease and transmission of TB bacilli. In this report, we review the current understanding of the pathogenesis, immunology, clinical epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of both incipient and subclinical TB, two emerging clinical states of an ancient bacterium.
Oral Prion Neuroinvasion Occurs Independently of PrP
C
Expression in the Gut Epithelium
Authors: Marshall Alison , Bradford Barry M. , Clarke Alan R. , Manson Jean C. , Mabbott Neil A.
Published: July 2018

The accumulation of orally acquired prions within Peyer's patches in the small intestine is essential for the efficient spread of disease to the brain. Little is known of how the prions initially establish infection within Peyer's patches. Some gastrointestinal pathogens utilize molecules, such as the cellular prion protein PrP
C
, expressed on gut epithelial cells to enter Peyer's patches. Acute mucosal inflammation can enhance PrP
C
expression in the intestine, implying the potential to enhance oral prion disease susceptibility. We used transgenic mice to determine whether the uptake of prions into Peyer's patches was dependent upon PrP
C
expression in the gut epithelium. We show that orally acquired prions can establish infection in Peyer's patches independently of PrP
C
expression in gut epithelial cells. Our data suggest that the magnitude of PrP
C
expression in the epithelium lining the small intestine is unlikely to be an important factor which influences oral prion disease susceptibility.
Uptake of
l
-Alanine and Its Distinct Roles in the Bioenergetics of Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Girard Richard M. B. M. , Crispim Marcell , Alencar Mayke Bezerra , Silber Ariel Mariano
Published: July 2018

It is well known that trypanosomatids such as the etiological agent of Chagas’ disease,
Trypanosoma cruzi
, produce alanine as a main end product of their energy metabolism when they grow in a medium containing glucose and amino acids. In this work, we investigated if under starvation conditions (which happen during the parasite life cycle) the secreted alanine could be recovered from the extracellular medium and used as an energy source. Herein we show that indeed, in parasites submitted to metabolic stress, this metabolite can be taken up and used as an energy source for ATP synthesis, allowing the parasite to extend its survival under starvation conditions. The obtained results point to a dual role for Ala in the parasite’s bioenergetics, by being a secreted end product of glucose catabolism and taken up as nutrient for oxidative mitochondrial metabolism.
2nd Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Symposium in Physical Therapy, Madrid, Spain, 3–5 June 2016
Authors: S Fernández-Carnero , C Calvo-Lobo , A Garrido-Marin , JL Arias-Buría
Published: July 2018

BackgroundThe scientific evidence proposed by Ikai & Fukunaga1may be considered as a key point to use other techniques different from conventional ultrasound, such as the ultrasound imaging in the physical therapy field. Since the first reported use of USI by physical therapists, there has been a significant growth in ways in which physical therapists are using USI technology1.
Cross-sectional analysis of ethnic differences in fall prevalence in urban dwellers aged 55 years and over in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study
Authors: Alex Deepa , Khor Hui Min , Chin Ai Vyrn , Hairi Noran Naqiah , Othman Sajaratulnisah , Khoo Selina Phaik Kin , Bahyah Kamaruzzaman Shahrul , Tan Maw Pin
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Falls represent major health issues within the older population. In low/middle-income Asian countries, falls in older adults remain an area which has yet to be studied in detail. Using data from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR), we have estimated the prevalence of falls among older persons in an urban population, and performed ethnic comparisons in the prevalence of falls.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis was carried out using the first wave data from MELoR which is a longitudinal study.

Setting

Urban community dwellers in a middle-income South East Asian country.

Participants

1565 participants aged ≥55 years were selected by simple random sampling from the electoral rolls of three parliamentary constituencies.

Outcome measures

Consenting participants from the MELoR study were asked the question ‘Have you fallen down in the past 12 months?’ during their computer-assisted home-based interviews. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to compare the prevalence of falls among various ethnic groups.

Results

The overall estimated prevalence of falls for individuals aged 55 years and over adjusted to the population of Kuala Lumpur was 18.9%. The estimated prevalence of falls for the three ethnic populations of Malays, Chinese and Indian aged 55 years and over was 16.2%, 19.4% and 23.8%, respectively. Following adjustment for ethnic discrepancies in age, gender, marital status and education attainment, the Indian ethnicity remained an independent predictor of falls in our population (relative risk=1.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.85).

Conclusion

The prevalence of falls in this study is comparable to other previous Asian studies, but appears lower than Western studies. The predisposition of the Indian ethnic group to falls has not been previously reported. Further studies may be needed to elucidate the causes for the ethnic differences in fall prevalence.
Short-term postoperative outcomes of colorectal cancer among patients with chronic liver disease: a national population-based study
Authors: Lee Ko-Chao , Chung Kuan-Chih , Chen Hong-Hwa , Cheng Kung-Chuan , Wu Kuen-Lin , Lu Chien-Chang
Published: July 2018

Objective

Patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) with pre-existing chronic liver disease (CLD) had a significantly higher 30-day mortality after CRC surgery compared with healthy controls. This study investigated the factors associated with postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality in patients with CRC with coexisting CLD (excluding cirrhosis) who underwent colorectal surgery.

Design

A retrospective, observational, population-based study.

Setting

Data were sourced from the National Inpatient Sample database, a part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project.

Participants

This study analysed 7463 inpatients with CRC who underwent colorectal surgery on admission between 2005 and 2014.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary endpoint of this study was the prevalence of postoperative complications, and the secondary endpoint was in-hospital mortality.

Results

In the CLD group, 36.27% of patients had chronic hepatitis C, 28.36% had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and 31.19% had other types of CLD. The median hospital stay was 7.0 (5.0–10.0) days in patients with no postoperative complications vs 17.0 (10.0–26.0) days, 8.0 (6.0–12.0) days, 8.0 (6.0–17.0) days, 9.0 (8.0–14.0) days and 10.5 (7.0–17.0) days for patients with postoperative infection, postoperative bleeding, cardiac arrest/heart failure, respiratory complications and digestive complications, respectively (all p<0.05). The presence of CLD was significantly associated with higher risk of postoperative bleeding (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.64, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.34, p=0.007). The presence of CLD (aOR=1.98, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.82, p<0.001) and length of hospital stay (aOR=1.06, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.08, p<0.001) were significantly associated with higher risk of in-hospital mortality. However, hyperlipidaemia was associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality (aOR=0.46, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.75, p=0.002).

Conclusions

Postoperative complications prolonged the length of hospital stay. The presence of CLD and hyperlipidaemia were important factors impacting postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality in patients with CRC with underlying CLD.
Short-term and long-term revision rates after lumbar spine discectomy versus laminectomy: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Kao Feng-Chen , Hsu Yao-Chun , Wang Chang-Bi , Tu Yuan-Kun , Liu Pao-Hsin
Published: July 2018

Background/objective

Degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine were managed with discectomy or laminectomy. This study aimed to compare these two surgical treatments in the postoperative revision rates.

Design

A population-based cohort study from analysis of a healthcare database.

Setting

Data were gathered from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Participants

We enrolled 16 048 patients (4450 women and 11 598 men) with a mean age of 40.34 years who underwent lumbar discectomy or laminectomy for the first time between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2007. All patients were followed up for 5 years or until death.

Results

Revision rate within 3 months of the index surgery was significantly higher in patients who underwent discectomy (2.75%) than in those who underwent laminectomy (1.18%; p<0.0001). This difference persisted over the first year following the index surgery (3.38% vs 2.57%). One year afterwards, the revision rates were similar between the discectomy (9.75%) and laminectomy (9.69%) groups. The final spinal fusion surgery rates were also similar between the groups (11.25% vs 12.08%).

Conclusion

The revision rate after lumbar discectomy was higher than that after laminectomy within 1 year of the index surgery. However, differences were not identified between patient groups for the two procedures with respect to long-term revision rates and the proportion of patients who required final spinal fusion surgery.
Addressing multiple modifiable risks through structured community-based Learning Clubs to improve maternal and infant health and infant development in rural Vietnam: protocol for a parallel group cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fisher Jane , Tran Tuan , Luchters Stanley , Tran Thach D , Hipgrave David B , Hanieh Sarah , Tran Ha , Simpson Julie , Nguyen Trang , Le Minh , Biggs Beverley-Ann
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Optimal early childhood development is an international priority. Risks during pregnancy and early childhood have lasting effects because growth is rapid. We will test whether a complex intervention addressing multiple modifiable risks: maternal nutrition, mental health, parenting capabilities, infant health and development and gender-based violence, is effective in reducing deficient cognitive development among children aged two in rural Vietnam.

Methods and analysis

The Learning Clubs intervention is a structured programme combining perinatal stage-specific information, learning activities and social support. It comprises 20 modules, in 19 accessible, facilitated groups for women at a community centre and one home visit. Evidence-informed content is from interventions to address each risk tested in randomised controlled trials in other resource-constrained settings. Content has been translated and culturally adapted for Vietnam and acceptability and feasibility established in pilot testing.

We will conduct a two-arm parallel-group cluster-randomised controlled trial, with the commune as clustering unit. An independent statistician will select 84/112 communes in Ha Nam Province and randomly assign 42 to the control arm providing usual care and 42 to the intervention arm. In total, 1008 pregnant women (12 per commune) from 84 clusters are needed to detect a difference in the primary outcome (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Cognitive Score <1 SD below standardised norm for 2 years of age) of 15% in the control and 8% in the intervention arms, with 80% power, significance 0.05 and intracluster correlation coefficient 0.03.

Ethics and dissemination

Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Certificate Number 20160683), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and the Institutional Review Board of the Hanoi School of Public Health (Certificate Number 017-377IDD- YTCC), Hanoi, Vietnam have approved the trial. Results will be disseminated through a comprehensive multistranded dissemination strategy including peer-reviewed publications, national and international conference presentations, seminars and technical and lay language reports.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12617000442303; Pre-results.
Women undergoing assisted fertilisation and high-intensity interval training: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kiel Ida Almenning , Lundgren Kari Magrethe , Mørkved Siv , Kjøtrød Sigrun Beate , Salvesen Øyvind , Romundstad Liv Bente , Moholdt Trine
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Overweight and obese women often seek assisted fertilisation. In the obese population, pregnancy rates are 30%–75% below that of normal weight women who undergo assisted fertilisation. We hypothesised that high-intensity interval training (HIT) would improve fertility by improving insulin sensitivity and thus affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and ovarian androgen production. Our aim was to assess whether HIT prior to assisted fertilisation would increase pregnancy rate.

Methods

Eighteen overweight and obese women (body mass index>25.0 kg/m2) were randomised to HIT (n=8) or usual care (control, n=10) before assisted fertilisation. HIT was undertaken three times weekly for 10 weeks; two sessions of 4×4 min HIT and one session of 10×1 min HIT. Primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included insulin sensitivity, reproductive hormones, oxygen uptake and body composition.

Results

Four women got pregnant in both the HIT group (50%) and in the control group (44%), no between-group difference (p=0.6). Insulin sensitivity (glucose infusion rate) improved significantly after HIT, from 264.1 mg/m2/min (95% CI 193.9 to 334.4) at baseline to 324.7 mg/m2/min (95% CI 247.2 to 402.2) after 10 weeks (between-group difference, p=0.04). Fasting glucose, visceral fat, waist circumference and VO2peak were significantly improved in the group that undertook HIT.

Conclusions

HIT significantly improved insulin sensitivity, VO2peak and abdominal fat. Low statistical power makes it difficult to conclude on whether HIT prior to assisted fertilisation could increase pregnancy rate. Larger trials are needed to determine if improvements in insulin sensitivity are clinically relevant for assisted fertilisation success rates in this population.
Sleep quality with WHO Step III opioid use for cancer pain
Authors: Jakobsen Gunnhild , Engstrøm Morten , Fayers Peter , Hjermstad Marianne J , Kaasa Stein , Kloke Marianne , Sabatowski Rainer , Klepstad Pal
Published: July 2018

Objective

Sleep is often disturbed in patients with advanced cancer. There is limited knowledge about sleep in patients with cancer treated with strong opioids. This study examines sleep quality in patients with advanced cancer who are treated with a WHO Step III opioid for pain.

Methods

An international, multicentre, cross-sectional study with 604 adult patients with cancer pain using WHO Step III opioids. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score (range; 0–21; score >5 indicates poor sleep). PSQI includes sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medications and daytime dysfunction. Pain and quality of life were assessed by Brief Pain Inventory and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core30.

Results

The median age was 62 years, 42% were female, mean Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was 62.5 (±14.2) and mean oral daily morphine equivalent dose was 303 mg/24 hours (±543.8 mg). The mean PSQI global score was 8.8 (±4.2) (range 0–20). Seventy-eight per cent were poor sleepers. All PSQI components were affected, and 44% reported trouble sleeping caused by pain. In the multiple regression model, predictors of PSQI global scores were pain intensity, emotional function, constipation, financial difficulties and KPS (adjusted R2=0.21).

Conclusion

The majority (78%) of these patients with cancer treated with Step III opioids experienced poor sleep quality. Pain intensity, emotional function, constipation, financial difficulties and KPS predicted poor PSQI global scores. The clinical implication is that healthcare personnel should routinely assess and treat sleep disturbance in patients with advanced cancer disease.
Features of free particles system motion in noncommutative phase space and conservation of the total momentum
Authors: Gnatenko Kh. P. , Laba H. P. , Tkachuk V. M.
Published: July 2018

Influence of noncommutativity on the motion of composite system is studied in noncommutative phase space of canonical type. A system composed by N free particles is examined. We show that because of the momentum noncommutativity free particles of different masses with the same velocities at the initial moment of time do not move together. The trajectory and the velocity of a free particle in noncommutative phase space depend on its mass. So, a system of the free particles flies away. Also, it is shown that the total momentum defined in the traditional way is not integral of motion in a space with noncommutativity of coordinates and noncommutativity of momenta. We find that in the case when parameters of noncommutativity corresponding to a particle are determined by its mass, the trajectory and the velocity of the free particles are independent of the mass. Also, the total momenta as integrals of motion can be introduced in noncommutative phase space.
Atom-field interaction in optical cavities: Calibration of the atomic velocities to obtain a list of field states with preselected properties
Authors: Ferreira C. J. S. , Valverde C. , Baseia B.
Published: July 2018

We investigate statistical properties of a single mode field that interacts with a two-level atom inside an optical cavity. The whole system is described by dispersive Jaynes–Cummings Hamiltonian, both subsystems starting from superpositions of two states. We consider properties of the field states only at the moment each atom is detected in the ground state immediately after it has crossed the cavity. This allows us to get a list of atomic velocities corresponding to field states with preselected properties. The scheme is exemplified for excitation inversion and sub-Poissonian statistics.
Experimental and computational (DFT) studies on induced orthogonal smectic A∗ phase in hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric liquid crystals
Authors: Subhasri P. , Jayaprakasam R. , Vijayakumar V. N.
Published: July 2018

Hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric liquid crystals (HBFLC) are designed and synthesized from nonmesogenic chiral proton donor compound of (R)-([Formula: see text])-Methylsuccinic acid (MSA) and mesogenic proton acceptor compound of 4-undecyloxybenzoic acid (11OBA) in a different mole ratio. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds (H-bond) between the nonmesogenic and mesogenic compounds have been confirmed through experimental Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and density functional theory (DFT) computational studies. The steric hindrance and inductive effects of the present complex and its influence on the structure are discussed. A rich phase polymorphism in the liquid crystalline complex has been studied using polarizing optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The chiral phases observed in the present complex are due to the presence of lone pair (n) to anti-bonding ([Formula: see text]) transition symmetry which is validated by DFT studies. A noteworthy observation of induced smectic A[Formula: see text](Sm A[Formula: see text]) by quenching of traditional phase (nematic) has been identified and the reason for the same has been discussed by DFT studies. The unusual phase order of Sm A[Formula: see text], smectic C[Formula: see text](Sm C[Formula: see text]) and smectic G[Formula: see text][Formula: see text](Sm G[Formula: see text]) mesogenic phases are observed. The other liquid crystalline parameters are evaluated by experimental and theoretical calculations and the same has been compared. Increased tilt angle in liquid crystal (LC) molecules has been theoretically analyzed by natural bond orbital (NBO) studies. Stability of the HBFLC phases and its origination mechanism have been discussed with the help of highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) energies.
Photoluminescent properties of nanocrystalline Sm3+-doped CaO–CeO2system synthesized by an auto-igniting combustion synthesis technique
Authors: Aswathy S. V. , Venugopal Meenu , Kumar H. Padma
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the optical properties of samarium-doped microstructured and nanostructured CaO–CeO2mixed solutions. Conventional solid state method and auto-igniting combustion synthesis were used for the preparation of the samples. The as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. A mixed phase formation with phases of CaO, CeO2and Ca(OH)2was observed form X-ray diffraction studies. The transmission electron microscopic studies have shown that the average particle size of the as-prepared powder was in the range of 30–40 nm. A blueshift is observed in the bandgap of the nanocrystalline samples. Strong orange–red emission was observed for Sm[Formula: see text]-doped samples and the chromaticity values were calculated using CIE chromaticity diagram.
Topological Horseshoe Analysis, Ultimate Boundary Estimations of a New 4D Hyperchaotic System and Its FPGA Implementation
Authors: Dong Enzeng , Yuan Mingfeng , Zhang Cong , Tong Jigang , Chen Zengqiang , Du Shengzhi
Published: July 2018

This paper constructs a new four-dimensional (4D) hyperchaotic system. Firstly, the influence of parameter variation on the dynamic behavior of the system is analyzed in detail using Lyapunov exponents and the bifurcation diagram. Additionally, the topological horseshoe finding algorithm is based on three-dimensional (3D) hyperchaotic mapping. Through searching for the 3D topological horseshoe with two-dimensional stretching on the Poincaré section, the existence of the 4D hyperchaotic system is proved in the mathematical sense. Next, Lyapunov stability theory and optimization method are used to further analyze the ultimate boundary of the proposed 4D hyperchaotic system. Thus, the 3D ellipsoidal boundary of the hyperchaotic system is found. Finally, this paper also takes the hyperchaotic system as an example and presents the experimental results of generated hyperchaotic attractors by FPGA technology. The experimental results show that the phase diagram of hyperchaotic system is consistent for the simulated results. Due to the more complex dynamic behavior, the proposed system is suitable for engineering application, such as in chaotic secure communications.
Vibrational Resonance in an Overdamped System with a Fractional Order Potential Nonlinearity
Authors: Yang Jianhua , Huang Dawen , Sanjuán Miguel A. F. , Liu Houguang
Published: July 2018

We investigate the vibrational resonance by the numerical simulation and theoretical analysis in an overdamped system with fractional order potential nonlinearities. The nonlinearity is a fractional power function with deflection, in which the response amplitude presents vibrational resonance phenomenon for any value of the fractional exponent. The response amplitude of vibrational resonance at low-frequency is deduced by the method of direct separation of slow and fast motions. The results derived from the theoretical analysis are in good agreement with those of numerical simulation. The response amplitude decreases with the increase of the fractional exponent for weak excitations. The amplitude of the high-frequency excitation can induce the vibrational resonance to achieve the optimal response amplitude. For the overdamped systems, the nonlinearity is the crucial and necessary condition to induce vibrational resonance. The response amplitude in the nonlinear system is usually not larger than that in the corresponding linear system. Hence, the nonlinearity is not a sufficient factor to amplify the response to the low-frequency excitation. Furthermore, the resonance may be also induced by only a single excitation acting on the nonlinear system. The theoretical analysis further proves the correctness of the numerical simulation. The results might be valuable in weak signal processing.
A Modified Multistable Chaotic Oscillator
Authors: Wei Zhouchao , Pham Viet-Thanh , Khalaf Abdul Jalil M. , Kengne Jacques , Jafari Sajad
Published: July 2018

In this paper, by modifying a known two-dimensional oscillator, we obtain an interesting new oscillator with coexisting limit cycles and point attractors. Then by changing this new system to its forced version and choosing a proper set of parameters, we introduce a chaotic system with some very interesting features. In this system, not only can we see the coexistence of different types of attractors, but also a fascinating phenomenon: some initial conditions can escape from the gravity of nearby attractors and travel far away before being trapped in an attractor beyond the usual access.
Cryptanalysis of a Chaotic Stream Cipher and Its Improved Scheme
Authors: Lin Zhuosheng , Yu Simin , Feng Xiutao , Lü Jinhu
Published: July 2018

In this paper, the security performance for an 8D self-synchronous and feedback-based chaotic stream cipher with the low 8 bits of state variables for encryption is analyzed. According to known-plaintext attack and divide-and-conquer attack, only the second plain-pixel and its corresponding cipher-pixel are required to decipher the secret keys [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] by properly setting 64 different kinds of initial conditions. Then, according to chosen-ciphertext attack and divide-and-conquer attack, it is found that under the condition of selecting the ciphertext as zero, the original chaotic equation is degenerated as a linear one. So, by setting appropriate initial conditions, the secret keys [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] can be deciphered with only four iterative operations. As for the secret keys [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] multiplied by ciphertext and the secret keys [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] related to nonlinear functions, maybe a more powerful attack method is required for these secret keys to be deciphered. Finally, an improved chaotic stream cipher scheme equipped with the low 8 bits derived from nonlinear operation of multiple state variables for encryption is proposed for improving the ability to resist divide-and-conquer attack and chosen-ciphertext attack.
Conservative Chaos in a Class of Nonconservative Systems: Theoretical Analysis and Numerical Demonstrations
Authors: Cang Shijian , Wu Aiguo , Zhang Ruiye , Wang Zenghui , Chen Zengqiang
Published: July 2018

This paper proposes a class of nonlinear systems and presents one example system to illustrate its interesting dynamics, including quasiperiodic motion and chaos. It is found that the example system is a subsystem of a non-Hamiltonian system, which has a continuous curve of equilibria with time-reversal symmetry. In this study, the dynamical evolution of the example system with three different kinds of external excitations are fully investigated by using general chaotic analysis methods such as Poincaré sections, phase portraits, Lyapunov exponents and bifurcation diagrams. Both theoretical analysis and numerical simulations show that the example system is nonconservative but has conservative chaotic flows, which are numerically verified by the sum of its Lyapunov exponents. It is also found that the example system has time-reversal symmetry.
Nonlinear Analysis of the Tristable Energy Harvester with a Resonant Circuit for Performance Enhancement
Authors: Yan Bo , Zhou Shengxi , Litak Grzegorz
Published: July 2018

The tristable energy harvesters (TEH) can achieve broadband energy harvesting performance from low frequency and low level excitations. Previous studies mainly focused on the tristable energy harvesting structure that is connected to a pure resistor. This paper presents an enhanced TEH with a series resistor-inductor resonant (RL) circuit connected to the piezoelectric layers. The influence of the resonant frequency of the circuit, the excitation level, and equilibrium positions on dynamic responses is analyzed using modern methods of nonlinear dynamics. The results demonstrate that the proposed TEH undergoes the periodic and chaotic motions alternatively along with the increase of the resonant frequency of the RL circuit. Furthermore, the TEH with a RL circuit dramatically enhances the energy harvesting efficiency, and simultaneously slightly decreases the vibration response. The presented TEH with a RL circuit will open a new page in the nonlinear energy harvesting technology.
A pair of kinematically related space curves
Authors: Bhat Vishesh S. , Haribaskar R.
Published: July 2018

We investigate the relation between two types of space curves, the Mannheim curves and constant-pitch curves and primarily explicate a method of deriving Mannheim curves and constant-pitch curves from each other by means of a suitable deformation of a space curve. We define a “radius” function and a “pitch” function for any arbitrary regular space curve and use these to characterize the two classes of curves. A few non-trivial examples of both Mannheim and constant pitch curves are discussed. The geometric nature of Mannheim curves is established by using the notion of osculating helices. The Frenet–Serret motion of a rigid body in theoretical kinematics is studied for the special case of a Mannheim curve and the axodes in this case are deduced. In particular, we show that the fixed axode is developable if and only if the motion trajectory is a Mannheim curve.
Performance of the Bond Graph Approach for the Detection and Localization of Faults of a Refrigerator Compartment Containing an Ice Quantity
Authors: Sellami Abderrahmene , Aridhi Emna , Mzoughi Dhia , Mami Abdelkader
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a robust fault diagnosis for a refrigerator compartment containing a quantity of ice using the bond graph (BG) approach is performed by linear fractional transformations (LFTs). The BG model describes heat transfers supported by the amount of ice placed in the refrigerator compartment, as well as a water container. The LFT modeling of BG elements offers advantages from the point of view of structural analysis and data processing implementation. We have introduced four faults, which consist of ice temperature rise, water leakage, insulation failure at the hot walls of the refrigerator and an increase of the internal temperature due to poor door sealing. The faults are in the form of additional heat fluxes. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method for detecting and localizing faults. In addition, the lack of door sealing has the most influence on the temperatures in the internal cooling space, water, and ice compared to the other faults.
Completeness Management for RDF Data Sources
Authors: Darari Fariz , Nutt Werner , Pirrò Giuseppe , Razniewski Simon
Published: July 2018

The Semantic Web is commonly interpreted under the open-world assumption, meaning that information available (e.g., in a data source) captures only a subset of the reality. Therefore, there is no certainty about whether the available information provides a
complete
representation of the reality. The broad aim of this article is to contribute a formal study of how to describe the completeness of parts of the Semantic Web stored in RDF data sources. We introduce a theoretical framework allowing augmentation of RDF data sources with statements, also expressed in RDF, about their completeness. One immediate benefit of this framework is that now query answers can be complemented with information about their completeness. We study the impact of completeness statements on the complexity of query answering by considering different fragments of the SPARQL language, including the RDFS entailment regime, and the federated scenario. We implement an efficient method for reasoning about query completeness and provide an experimental evaluation in the presence of large sets of completeness statements.
The National Cancer Institute Cohort Consortium: An International Pooling Collaboration of 58 Cohorts from 20 Countries
Authors: Swerdlow Anthony J. , Harvey Chinonye E. , Milne Roger L. , Pottinger Camille A. , Vachon Celine M. , Wilkens Lynne R. , Gapstur Susan M. , Johansson Mattias , Weiderpass Elisabete , Winn Deborah M.
Published: July 2018

Cohort studies have been central to the establishment of the known causes of cancer. To dissect cancer etiology in more detail—for instance, for personalized risk prediction and prevention, assessment of risks of subtypes of cancer, and assessment of small elevations in risk—there is a need for analyses of far larger cohort datasets than available in individual existing studies. To address these challenges, the NCI Cohort Consortium was founded in 2001. It brings together 58 cancer epidemiology cohorts from 20 countries to undertake large-scale pooling research. The cohorts in aggregate include over nine million study participants, with biospecimens available for about two million of these. Research in the Consortium is undertaken by >40 working groups focused on specific cancer sites, exposures, or other research areas. More than 180 publications have resulted from the Consortium, mainly on genetic and other cancer epidemiology, with high citation rates. This article describes the foundation of the Consortium; its structure, governance, and methods of working; the participating cohorts; publications; and opportunities. The Consortium welcomes new members with cancer-oriented cohorts of 10,000 or more participants and an interest in collaborative research. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(11); 1307–19. ©2018 AACR.
Protein Kinase D2 Modulates Cell Cycle By Stabilizing Aurora A Kinase at Centrosomes
Authors: Roy Adhiraj , Veroli Maria Victoria , Prasad Sahdeo , Wang Qiming Jane
Published: July 2018

Aurora A kinase (AURKA) is a master cell-cycle regulator that is often dysregulated in human cancers. Its overexpression has been associated with genome instability and oncogenic transformation. The protein kinase D (PKD) family is an emerging therapeutic target of cancer. Aberrant PKD activation has been implicated in tumor growth and survival, yet the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study identified, for the first time, a functional crosstalk between PKD2 and Aurora A kinase in cancer cells. The data demonstrate that PKD2 is catalytically active during the G2–M phases of the cell cycle, and inactivation or depletion of PKD2 causes delay in mitotic entry due to downregulation of Aurora A, an effect that can be rescued by overexpression of Aurora A. Moreover, PKD2 localizes in the centrosome with Aurora A by binding to γ-tubulin. Knockdown of PKD2 caused defects in centrosome separation, elongated G2 phase, mitotic catastrophe, and eventually cell death via apoptosis. Mechanistically, PKD2 interferes with Fbxw7 function to protect Aurora A from ubiquitin- and proteasome-dependent degradation. Taken together, these results identify PKD as a cell-cycle checkpoint kinase that positively modulates G2–M transition through Aurora A kinase in mammalian cells.

Implications: PKD2 is a novel cell-cycle regulator that promotes G2–M transition by modulating Aurora A kinase stability in cancer cells and suggests the PKD2/Aurora A kinase regulatory axis as new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Mol Cancer Res; 16(11); 1785–97. ©2018 AACR.
ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ІНВАЛІДНОСТІ ДИТЯЧОГО НАСЕЛЕННЯ УКРАЇНИ
Authors: Slabkiy G. O. , Dzyuba O. M. , Dzyuba O. M. , Dudina O. A. , Dudina O. A. , Gaborets Yu. Yu. , Gaborets Yu. Yu.
Published: July 2018

Мета: вивчити та проаналізувати показники інвалідності дитячого населення в Україні.Матеріали і методи. Матеріалами дослідження слугували дані державної статистичної звітності за період 2013–2017 рр. У ході дослідження використано статистичний метод дослідження.Результати. При зниженні загального показника інвалідності дітей підвищується показник поширеності інвалідності, яка зумовлена ендокринними хворобами, розладами харчування та порушеннями обміну речовин; хворобами шкіри та підшкірної клітковини; розладами психіки та поведінки; хворобами системи кровообігу. У структурі інвалідності у дітей лідирують природжені вади розвитку, деформації та хромосомні аномалії, хвороби нервової системи, розлади психіки і поведінки.Висновки. Високі показники загальної та первинної інвалідності дітей потребують прийняття державної програми їх реабілітації.
МЕДИЧНА ЕКСПЕРТИЗА ЯК ОСНОВА СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ЗАХИСТУ ГРОМАДЯН, ЯКІ ПОСТРАЖДАЛИ ВНАСЛІДОК ЧОРНОБИЛЬСЬКОЇ КАТАСТРОФИ
Authors: Tatarenko O. M. , Kolosinska O. O. , Sushko V. O. , Nezgovova G. A.
Published: July 2018

Мета: провести аналіз показників інвалідності постраждалих внаслідок аварії на ЧАЕС.Матеріали і методи. У дослідженні використовували дані, надані ДЗ «Центр медичної статистики МОЗ України» та експертних комісій із встановлення зв’язку захворювань з наслідками аварії на ЧАЕС.Результати. Загальна кількість постраждалих внаслідок аварії на ЧАЕС за останнє десятиріччя зменшилась на 26 %. Водночас зростають показники інвалідності серед постраждалого населення. Дві групи захворювань залишаються основними причинами інвалідності постраждалих внаслідок аварії на ЧАЕС – новоутворення та хвороби системи кровообігу. Завдяки діяльності експертних комісій більше 380 тис. постраждалих внаслідок Чорнобильської катастрофи змогли отримати матеріальну підтримку.Висновки. Показники здоров’я постраждалого внаслідок аварії на ЧАЕС населення продовжують погіршуватися, що свідчить про необхідність впровадження в практику нових методів діагностики, лікування та реабілітації вказаної популяції, а також оновлення існуючої системи медико-соціальної експертизи.
Qualitative Evaluation of a Complex Intervention to Improve Rheumatic Heart Disease Secondary Prophylaxis
Authors: Read Clancy , Mitchell Alison G. , de Dassel Jessica L. , Scrine Clair , Hendrickx David , Bailie Ross S. , Johnston Vanessa , Maguire Graeme P. , Schultz Rosalie , Carapetis Jonathan R. , Ralph Anna P.
Published: July 2018

Background

Rheumatic heart disease is a high‐burden condition in Australian Aboriginal communities. We evaluated a stepped‐wedge, community, randomized trial at 10 Aboriginal communities from 2013 to 2015. A multifaceted intervention was implemented using quality improvement and chronic care model approaches to improve delivery of penicillin prophylaxis for rheumatic heart disease. The trial did not improve penicillin adherence. This mixed‐methods evaluation, designed a priori
,
aimed to determine the association between methodological approaches and outcomes.

Methods and Results

An evaluation framework was developed to measure the success of project implementation and of the underlying program theory. The program theory posited that penicillin delivery would be improved through activities implemented at clinics that addressed elements of the chronic care model. Qualitative data were derived from interviews with health‐center staff, informants, and clients; participant observation; and project officer reports. Quantitative data comprised numbers and types of “action items,” which were developed by participating clinic staff with project officers to improve delivery of penicillin injections. Interview data from 121 health‐center staff, 22 informants, and 72 clients revealed barriers to achieving the trial's aims, including project‐level factors (short trial duration), implementation factors (types of activities implemented), and contextual factors (high staff turnover and the complex sociocultural environment). Insufficient actions were implemented addressing “self‐management support” and “community linkage” streams of the chronic care model. Increased momentum was evident in later stages of the study.

Conclusions

The program theory underpinning the study was sound. The limited impact made by the study on adherence was attributable to complex implementation challenges.
Notes on taxonomic identity and typification of Fagraea coromandelina (Gentianaceae)
Authors: VENUGOPAL DIVYA K. , FRANCIS DANI , MOHAN VISHNU , NAMPY SANTHOSH
Published: July 2018

The genus Fagraea Thunberg (1782: 132), belonging to the family Gentianaceae, is represented by 70 species in the world (Struwe et al. 2002). It is distributed in India, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, New Guinea, French Polynesia, China, Philippines and Australia. Clarke (1885) reported 5 species from the present political boundary of India, of which 2 species were recorded by Gamble (1921) from South India. The genus includes glabrous epiphytic trees or shrubs, with simple, opposite and coriaceous leaves, fragrant flowers and pulpy berries with a persistent calyx.
Agave maria-patriciae (Polycephalae Group: Asparagaceae), a new species from Central Coastal Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: ARZABA-VILLALBA CARLOS , CHÁZARO-BASÁÑEZ MIGUEL , VIVEROS-COLORADO CÉSAR
Published: July 2018

Agave maria-patriciae Cházaro & Arzaba is described and illustrated here as a new species from the central coast of the state of Veracruz in Mexico. It belongs to the subgenus Littaea and Polycephalae group, which contains tropical and subtropical species from the American continent. Agave maria-patriciae is closely related to A. pendula, but differs from the latter by having smaller rosettes, shorter and suberect stems and smaller and subsessile flowers. It is only known from a small population in the oak forest from the mountains of Sierra de Monte de Oro in the municipality of Alto Lucero in eastern Mexico.
Description of a new alpheid shrimp, Automate isabelae sp. nov. (Decapoda, Caridea, Alpheidae) found in fish stomach contents of the lane snapper Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758), from the west coast of Florida, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: RAMOS-TAFUR GABRIEL E.
Published: July 2018

A new species of caridean shrimp of the family Alpheidae, Automate isabelae sp. nov., found in stomach analysis contents of the lane snapper Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Keys and SW coast of Florida, Gulf of Mexico, is described. The abdomen and portions of the cephalic appendages were damaged in holotype, but remainder of the body and the chelipeds, whith the most important diagnostic characters are in decent or perfect condition, the description was further supplemented based on intact morphological parts of the paratypes. The presence of tubercles on the dorsal and ventral margins of the major chela palm, shows this new species to be related to the eastern Pacific Automate rugosa Coutière, 1902. Both congeners can be easily discriminated by the proportions and shape of the third maxilliped, the proportions and ornamentation of the carpus, merus, and chela of the major cheliped, the ventral seta of the carpus of the minor cheliped, the presence of a distoventral spine on the propodi of third and fourth pereopods, the armature of dorsal surface of telson, and their geographical distribution. The description of this new species increases the number of worldwide valid species known of the genus Automate to 12.
Integrative taxonomy identifies Macrobiotus papei, a new tardigrade species of the Macrobiotus hufelandi complex (Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae) from the Udzungwa Mountains National Park (Tanzania)
Authors: STEC DANIEL , KRISTENSEN REINHARDT MØBJERG , MICHALCZYK ŁUKASZ
Published: July 2018

In this paper we describe Macrobiotus papei, a new species of the Macrobiotus hufelandi complex from the Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Tanzania. Our research included the traditional morphology-based taxonomic analysis, supported by morphometrics, light and scanning electron microscopy imaging, as well as analysis of nucleotide sequences of three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2) and one mitochondrial (COI) marker. The molecular sequences provided a more accurate description and independent verification of the taxonomic status of M. papei sp. nov. Such integrative approach requires a considerable number of individuals and eggs, which we obtained by establishing a laboratory culture of the new species. Our analyses revealed that M. papei sp. nov., by having the flexible filaments on the terminal discs of the egg processes, is most similar to Macrobiotus paulinae Stec et al., 2015 from Africa and Macrobiotus polypiformis Roszkowska et al., 2017 from South America. However, the new species can be easily distinguished from both these species by patches of cuticular granulation on the external and internal surface of legs I–III (only external patches present in in M. paulinae and M. polypiformis), two separate lateral transversal ridges with a rounded median tooth between instead of a single thin ventral transverse ridge in the third band of teeth in the oral cavity, smooth terminal discs and filaments on the egg processes (terminal discs and filaments covered by aggregations of small microgranules in M. paulinae and M. polypiformis), and by some morphometric characters of both adults and eggs.
Tracking Drought Perspectives: A Rural Case Study of Transformations Following an Invisible Hazard
Authors: Jedd Theresa , Bathke Deborah , Gill Duane , Paul Bimal , Wall Nicole , Bernadt Tonya , Petr Jacob , Mucia Anthony , Wall Milan
Published: July 2018

Rural towns are especially susceptible to the effects of drought because their economies are dependent on natural resources. However, they are also resilient in many ways to natural hazards because they are rich in civic engagement and social capital. Because of the diverse nature of drought’s impacts, understanding its complex dynamics and its effects requires a multidisciplinary approach. To study these dynamics, this research combines appreciative inquiry, the Community Capitals Framework, and a range of climatological monitoring data to assess the 2012–14 Great Plains drought’s effect on McCook, Nebraska. Community coping measures, such as water-use reduction and public health programs, were designed to address the immediate effects of heat and scant rainfall during the initial summer and the subsequent years. Residents generally reported the community was better prepared than in previous droughts, including the persistent multiyear early-2000s drought. However, the results highlight wide variation in community perspectives about the drought’s severity and impacts, as well as divergent experiences and coping responses. Despite these factors, we find evidence of the transformative potential of moving from drought coping to drought mitigation. We attribute the city’s resilience to the ability to draw upon prior experience with droughts, having a formal municipal plan, and strong human and social capital to coordinate individual knowledge and expertise across agencies. We suggest that droughts have served a catalytic function, prompting the community to transform land-use practices, water conservation planning, and built infrastructure in lasting ways.