bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving protein–protein interactions prediction accuracy using protein evolutionary information and relevance vector machine model
Authors: An Ji‐Yong , Meng Fan‐Rong , You Zhu‐Hong , Chen Xing , Yan Gui‐Ying , Hu Ji‐Pu
Published: July 2016

Predicting protein–protein interactions (PPIs) is a challenging task and essential to construct the protein interaction networks, which is important for facilitating our understanding of the mechanisms of biological systems. Although a number of high‐throughput technologies have been proposed to predict PPIs, there are unavoidable shortcomings, including high cost, time intensity, and inherently high false positive rates. For these reasons, many computational methods have been proposed for predicting PPIs. However, the problem is still far from being solved. In this article, we propose a novel computational method called RVM‐BiGP that combines the relevance vector machine (RVM) model and Bi‐gram Probabilities (BiGP) for PPIs detection from protein sequences. The major improvement includes (1) Protein sequences are represented using the Bi‐gram probabilities (BiGP) feature representation on a Position Specific Scoring Matrix (PSSM), in which the protein evolutionary information is contained; (2) For reducing the influence of noise, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method is used to reduce the dimension of BiGP vector; (3) The powerful and robust Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) algorithm is used for classification. Five‐fold cross‐validation experiments executed on yeast and Helicobacter pylori datasets, which achieved very high accuracies of 94.57 and 90.57%, respectively. Experimental results are significantly better than previous methods. To further evaluate the proposed method, we compare it with the state‐of‐the‐art support vector machine (SVM) classifier on the yeast dataset. The experimental results demonstrate that our RVM‐BiGP method is significantly better than the SVM‐based method. In addition, we achieved 97.15% accuracy on imbalance yeast dataset, which is higher than that of balance yeast dataset. The promising experimental results show the efficiency and robust of the proposed method, which can be an automatic decision support tool for future proteomics research. For facilitating extensive studies for future proteomics research, we developed a freely available web server called RVM‐BiGP‐PPIs in Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) for predicting PPIs. The web server including source code and the datasets are available at http://219.219.62.123:8888/BiGP/.
Black hole based quantum computing in labs and in the sky
Authors: Dvali Gia , Panchenko Mischa
Published: July 2016

Analyzing some well established facts, we give a model‐independent parameterization of black hole quantum computing in terms of a set of macro and micro quantities and their relations. These include the relations between the extraordinarily‐small energy gap of black hole qubits and important time‐scales of information‐processing, such as, scrambling time and Page's time. We then show, confirming and extending previous results, that other systems of nature with identical quantum informatics features are attractive Bose‐Einstein systems at the critical point of quantum phase transition. Here we establish a complete isomorphy between the quantum computational properties of these two systems. In particular, we show that the quantum hair of a critical condensate is strikingly similar to the quantum hair of a black hole. Irrespectively whether one takes the similarity between the two systems as a remarkable coincidence or as a sign of a deeper underlying connection, the following is evident. Black holes are not unique in their way of quantum information processing and we can manufacture black hole based quantum computers in labs by taking advantage of quantum criticality.
Direct optical interfacing of CVD diamond for deported sensing experiments involving nitrogen‐vacancy centres
Authors: Mayer Ludovic , Debuisschert Thierry
Published: July 2016

Nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) colour centre in diamond is a very promising tool for sensing applications from magnetometry to thermometry. In this paper, we demonstrate a compact and convenient device for magnetic‐field sensing where a commercial single‐mode photonic crystal fibre is directly coupled to a commercial high quality diamond sample synthesised by means of chemical vapour deposition process and containing a residual nitrogen impurity rate smaller than 1 part per million. We managed to excite and detect efficiently the photoluminescence from an ensemble of NV centres and to perform electron spin resonance experiments where the NV hyperfine structure is perfectly resolved under continuous measurement.
Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract EGb‐761 on Neuropathic Pain in Mice: Involvement of Opioid System
Authors: Zhu Chao , Li Wei , Xu Fan , Li Mo , Yang Liu , Hu Xue‐Yu , Ye Zheng‐Xu , Wang Zhe , Luo Zhuo‐Jing
Published: July 2016

Neuropathic pain is considered as one of the most difficult types of pain to manage with conventional analgesics. EGb‐761 is extracted from leaves of Ginkgo biloba and has analgesia and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study aimed to examine the effect of EGb‐761 on chronic constriction injury (CCI)‐induced neuropathic pain behaviors, including thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, and to explore the possible mechanisms underlying this action. To this end, CCI mice were intraperitoneally injected with EGb‐761 (10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg), and thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, cytokines, and mu‐opioid receptor expression were measured. Results showed that EGb‐761 attenuated thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia dose‐dependently and the best delivery time window was from day 7 to day 14 after CCI. Additionally, EGb‐761 treatment significantly decreased pro‐inflammatory cytokines and enhanced mu opioid receptor (MOR) expression in the sciatic nerve. Moreover, the opioid antagonist naloxone prevented the effect of EGb‐761 on thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia but did not influence the effect of EGb‐761 on inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, this study suggests that the potential of EGb‐761 as a new analgesic for neuropathic pain treatment, and opioid system may be involved in the EGb‐761‐induced attenuation of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Copulas to Model and Simulate Two‐dimensional Warranty Data
Authors: Anderson Boyd , Chukova Stefanka , Hirose Yuichi
Published: July 2016

This study focuses on the simulation of automotive warranty data, using a two‐dimensional (2D) parametric approach based on copulas. We start with the description of a real automotive warranty database and follow it through to the building of 2D parametric model for warranty prediction. The task of parameter fitting and measuring the quality of the fit is also addressed. The accuracy of the model proposed is compared with previously published non‐parametric models. Finally, using this 2D parametric model, data are generated and compared with the original data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Data‐driven multivariable ILC: enhanced performance by eliminatingLandQfilters
Authors: Bolder Joost , Kleinendorst Stephan , Oomen Tom
Published: July 2016

Iterative learning control (ILC) algorithms enable high‐performance control design using only approximate models of the system. To deal with severe modeling errors, a robustness filterQis typically employed. Irrespective of the large performance enhancement, these approaches thus require a modeling effort and are subject to a performance/robustness tradeoff. The aim of this paper is to develop a fully data‐driven ILC approach that does not require a modeling effort and mitigates the performance/robustness tradeoff. The main idea is to replace the use of a model by dedicated experiments on the system. Convergence conditions are developed in a finite‐time framework, and insight in the convergence aspects is presented using a frequency‐domain analysis. Extensions to increase the convergence speed are proposed. The developed framework is validated through experiments on a multivariable industrial flatbed printer. Both increased performance and robustness are demonstrated in a comparison with closely related model‐based ILC algorithms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Manage incidents involving self‐injury, while complying with laws, policies
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: July 2016

When students engage in self‐injurious behaviors, it can be challenging to find appropriate ways to provide them with support and keep them safe, all while trying to prevent a lawsuit. These types of situations are often made more complicated by the many, often‐conflicting, frequently changing governmental policies addressing these issues. And then there's your own institution's policies and protocols to consider in the process.
Did student‐athletes' discrimination claims survive university's motion to dismiss?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: July 2016

Haley Videckis and Layana White were members of the Pepperdine University women's basketball team, and Ryan Weisenberg was the team's head coach. Videckis and White were in a dating relationship while they were on the basketball team. They sued Pepperdine, alleging they were subjected to intrusive and discriminatory actions, and that Weisenberg and his staff harassed them in an effort to force them to quit the team because of their lesbian relationship.
Integrating independent spatio‐temporal replications to assess population trends in disease spread
Authors: VanBuren John , Oleson Jacob J. , Zamba Gideon K. D. , Wall Michael
Published: July 2016

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the USA. A visual field test (perimetry) is used to sample and quantitate visual field function in preselected regions in the eye. These regions can be considered a spatial field with replications across independently measured individuals. At return visits, a new set of visual field measurements is obtained producing a subject specific spatio‐temporal dataset. We develop a Bayesian hierarchical modeling framework to analyze these spatio‐temporal datasets both for individual level spread and as aggregate population level trends. Our model extends previous research utilizing a dimension reduction matrix and individual specific latent variables. Human characteristics are incorporated into the model to help explain glaucoma progression. One beneficial product of our model is smoothed estimates for individuals. We also specify how progression rates are computed for monitoring purposes so that clinicians can track changes and predict forward in time. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From Amino Acids to High‐Energy Dense Oxidizers: Polynitro Materials Derived from β‐Alanine andL‐Aspartic Acid
Authors: Klapötke Thomas M. , Krumm Burkhard , Scharf Regina
Published: July 2016

New oxygen‐rich compounds starting from the amino acids β‐alanine andL‐aspartic acid were synthesized and comprehensively analyzed including multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopy. Thermal stabilities were measured and the behavior towards external stimuli like friction or impact were determined. Detonation and combustion parameters were predicted by using the EXPLO5 V6.02 code and were compared with common explosives. In addition, crystal structures were obtained for two compounds.
Natural History of Pneumoperitoneum After Laparotomy: Findings on Multidetector‐Row Computed Tomography
Authors: Malgras Brice , Placé Vinciane , Dohan Anthony , Lo Dico Réa , Duron Sandrine , Soyer Philippe , Pocard Marc
Published: July 2016

Background

Postoperative pneumoperitoneum after abdominal surgery represents a diagnostic challenge. This study was designed to analyze the appearance of pneumoperitoneum on computed tomography after uncomplicated abdominal surgery through laparotomy.

Methods

The database of the department of digestive surgery was retrospectively queried to identify all patients who underwent abdominal surgery through laparotomy during a 13‐month period. This initial search retrieved a total of 384 consecutive patients. Criteria for inclusion in this study were: (a) the operation was performed in our institution, (b) the patient had computed tomography examination postoperatively, and (c) the patient had no postoperative grade ≥3 complication.

Results

Postoperative pneumoperitoneum was visible in 38/80 patients (47.5 %), with a mean volume of 15 ± 22.8 (SD) cm3 and multiple locations in 32/38 patients (84 %). Postoperative pneumoperitoneum was observed in 22/26 patients (85 %) until day 5 postoperative, 14/34 patients (41 %) between day 6 and day 15 postoperative, and in 2/21 patients (9.5 %) after day 15 postoperative. Its volume decreased when the time interval between surgery and computed tomography increased. Results of multivariate analysis showed that the time interval between surgery and computed tomography was the single independent variable that was associated with the presence of postoperative pneumoperitoneum.

Conclusions

Postoperative pneumoperitoneum is a frequent finding on computed tomography in the early period following abdominal surgery and commonly with multiple locations. Although commonly observed before day 5 postoperative, its presence must be considered as an alarming finding after day 7 postoperative, if present in a single location with a volume >20 cm3.
Risk Factors for Predicting Occult Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Clinical Stage I Non‐small Cell Lung Cancer Staged by Integrated Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography
Authors: Kaseda Kaoru , Asakura Keisuke , Kazama Akio , Ozawa Yukihiko
Published: July 2016

Background

Lymph nodes in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are often staged using integrated 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT). However, this modality has limited ability to detect micrometastases. We aimed to define risk factors for occult lymph node metastasis in patients with clinical stage I NSCLC diagnosed by preoperative integrated FDG‐PET/CT.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 246 patients diagnosed with clinical stage I NSCLC based on integrated FDG‐PET/CT between April 2007 and May 2015. All patients were treated by complete surgical resection. The prevalence of occult lymph node metastasis in patients with clinical stage I NSCLC was analysed according to clinicopathological factors. Risk factors for occult lymph node metastasis were defined using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Occult lymph node metastasis was detected in 31 patients (12.6 %). Univariate analysis revealed CEA (P = 0.04), SUVmax of the primary tumour (P = 0.031), adenocarcinoma (P = 0.023), tumour size (P = 0.002) and pleural invasion (P = 0.046) as significant predictors of occult lymph node metastasis. Multivariate analysis selected SUVmax of the primary tumour (P = 0.049), adenocarcinoma (P = 0.003) and tumour size (P = 0.019) as independent predictors of occult lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions

The SUVmax of the primary tumour, adenocarcinoma and tumour size were risk factors for occult lymph node metastasis in patients with NSCLC diagnosed as clinical stage I by preoperative integrated FDG‐PET/CT. These findings would be helpful in selecting candidates for mediastinoscopy or endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration.
Missed Opportunities for Loco‐Regional Treatment of Elderly Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Bhoo‐Pathy Nirmala , Balakrishnan Nanthini , See Mee‐Hoong , Taib Nur Aishah , Yip Cheng‐Har
Published: July 2016

Background

Factors associated with surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy, and chemotherapy and whether there were missed opportunities for treatment in elderly patients were determined in an Asian setting.

Methods

All 5616 patients, diagnosed with breast cancer in University Malaya Medical Centre from 1999 to 2013 were included. In 945 elderly patients (aged 65 years and above), multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with treatment, following adjustment for age, ethnicity, tumor, and other treatment characteristics. The impact of lack of treatment on survival of the elderly was assessed while accounting for comorbidities.

Results

One in five elderly patients had comorbidities. Compared to younger patients, the elderly had more favorable tumor characteristics, and received less loco‐regional treatment and chemotherapy. Within stage I–IIIa elderly breast cancer patients, 10 % did not receive any surgery. These patients were older, more likely to be Malays, have comorbidities, and bigger tumors. In elderlies with indications for adjuvant radiotherapy, no irradiation (30 %) was associated with increasing age, comorbidity, and the absence of systemic therapy. Hormone therapy was optimal, but only 35 % of elderly women with ER negative tumors received chemotherapy. Compared to elderly women who received adequate treatment, those not receiving surgery (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.30, 95 %CI: 1.10–4.79), or radiotherapy (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.56, 95 %CI: 1.10–2.19), were associated with higher mortality. Less than 25 % of the survival discrepancy between elderly women receiving loco‐regional treatment and no treatment were attributed to excess comorbidities in untreated patients.

Conclusion

While the presence of comorbidities significantly influenced loco‐regional treatment decisions in the elderly, it was only able to explain the lower survival rates in untreated patients up to a certain extent, suggesting missed opportunities for treatment.
Biosurfactant from Lysinibacillus chungkukjangi from Rice Bran Oil Sludge and Potential Applications
Authors: Bhardwaj Garima , Cameotra Swaranjit Singh , Chopra Harish Kumar
Published: July 2016

A newly discovered bacterium, Lysinibacillus chungkukjangi, was isolated from the sludge of rice bran oil processing. When the bacterium was grown on rice bran, it produced biosurfactant which reduced the surface tension of the media to 27.9 from 72 mN/m. The biosurfactant was recovered by a solvent extraction method and characterized with the help of various structure elucidation techniques viz. FTIR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy and LC–MS analysis. The combined results of FTIR and NMR revealed the presence of carbonyl, olefinic and aliphatic groups, with the typical spectra of lipids. Moreover, LC–MS analysis also supported the same information. The biosurfactant was also studied for its anti‐oxidant and microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) potential. The anti‐oxidant activity was observed by the DPPH free radical scavenging method using ascorbic acid as the standard. The IC50 (the half maximal inhibitory concentration) was calculated and for standard, it was 0.056 mg/mL and for the biosurfactant it turned out to be 1.3 mg/mL which shows its good anti‐oxidant potential. The sandpack test was performed to check its MEOR potential and kerosene was recovered up to 90 %, which shows its excellent applicability in the MEOR processes.
Effect of Roasting on Physicochemical Properties of Wild Almonds (Amygdalus scoparia)
Authors: Hojjati Mohammad , Lipan Leontina , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A.
Published: July 2016

Roasting enhances sensory quality of wild almonds (Amygdalus scoparia). The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of microwaves (480 W for 3 or 4 min) in roasting of wild almonds in comparison with traditional Spanish (165 °C for 20 min) and Iranian (soaking in 20 % NaCl in water for 30 min, drying at 60 °C for 2 h and roasting at 135 °C for 20 min) hot‐air processes. The influence of roasting wild almonds on moisture and oil contents, crispness, fatty acid profile, volatile compounds, and odour intensity was investigated. Roasting causes changes in appearance, texture and flavour, due to dehydration, browning, lipid oxidation, and diverse structural changes. The moisture content and hardness of the samples significantly decreased with all roasting methods. Roasting resulted in higher amounts of characteristics aroma compounds and only microwave roasting increased the oil content. The final recommendation is that microwave roasting at 480 W for 4 min led to roasted almonds of high physicochemical [dark and intense colour (L*44.9, a*8.4, and b*19.6), the highest content of total volatile compounds (132 mg kg−1), 85.2 % of unsaturated fatty acids], and sensory (high intensity of “roasted almond” aroma) quality. Microwaves can be used for roasting wild almond as a quick, safe, and economical method.
Coupling the Kolmogorov diffusion: maximality and efficiency considerations
Authors: Banerjee Sayan , Kendall Wilfrid S.
Published: July 2016

This is a case study concerning the rate at which probabilistic coupling occurs for nilpotent diffusions. We focus on the simplest case of Kolmogorov diffusion (Brownian motion together with its time integral or, more generally, together with a finite number of iterated time integrals). We show that in this case there can be no Markovian maximal coupling. Indeed, there can be no efficient Markovian coupling strategy (efficient for all pairs of distinct starting values), where the notion of efficiency extends the terminology of Burdzy and Kendall (2000). Finally, at least in the classical case of a single time integral, it is not possible to choose a Markovian coupling that is optimal in the sense of simultaneously minimizing the probability of failing to couple by time t for all positive t. In recompense for all these negative results, we exhibit a simple efficient non-Markovian coupling strategy.
Probabilistic aspects of critical growth-fragmentation equations
Authors: Bertoin Jean , Watson Alexander R.
Published: July 2016

The self-similar growth-fragmentation equation describes the evolution of a medium in which particles grow and divide as time proceeds, with the growth and splitting of each particle depending only upon its size. The critical case of the equation, in which the growth and division rates balance one another, was considered in Doumic and Escobedo (2015) for the homogeneous case where the rates do not depend on the particle size. Here, we study the general self-similar case, using a probabilistic approach based on Lévy processes and positive self-similar Markov processes which also permits us to analyse quite general splitting rates. Whereas existence and uniqueness of the solution are rather easy to establish in the homogeneous case, the equation in the nonhomogeneous case has some surprising features. In particular, using the fact that certain self-similar Markov processes can enter (0,∞) continuously from either 0 or ∞, we exhibit unexpected spontaneous generation of mass in the solutions.
The sound of silence: equilibrium filtering and optimal censoring in financial markets
Authors: Gietzmann Miles B. , Ostaszewski Adam J.
Published: July 2016

Following the approach of standard filtering theory, we analyse investor valuation of firms, when these are modelled as geometric-Brownian state processes that are privately and partially observed, at random (Poisson) times, by agents. Tasked with disclosing forecast values, agents are able purposefully to withhold their observations; explicit filtering formulae are derived for downgrading the valuations in the absence of disclosures. The analysis is conducted for both a solitary firm andmco-dependent firms.
Time-varying copula models for financial time series
Authors: Kiesel Rüdiger , Mroz Magda , Stadtmüller Ulrich
Published: July 2016

We perform an analysis of the potential time inhomogeneity in the dependence between multiple financial time series. To this end, we use the framework of copula theory and tackle the question of whether dependencies in such a case can be assumed constant throughout time or rather have to be modeled in a time-inhomogeneous way. We focus on parametric copula models and suitable inference techniques in the context of a special copula-based multivariate time series model. A recent result due to Chanet al.(2009) is used to derive the joint limiting distribution of local maximum-likelihood estimators on overlapping samples. By restricting the overlap to be fixed, we establish the limiting law of the maximum of the estimator series. Based on the limiting distributions, we develop statistical homogeneity tests, and investigate their local power properties. A Monte Carlo simulation study demonstrates that bootstrapped variance estimates are needed in finite samples. Empirical analyses on real-world financial data finally confirm that time-varying parameters are an exception rather than the rule.
Existence of moments of a counting process and convergence in multidimensional time
Authors: Klesov Oleg , Stadtmüller Ulrich
Published: July 2016

Starting with independent, identically distributed random variables X1,X2... and their partial sums (Sn), together with a nondecreasing sequence (b(n)), we consider the counting variable N=∑n1(Sn>b(n)) and aim for necessary and sufficient conditions on X1 in order to obtain the existence of certain moments for N, as well as for generalized counting variables with weights, and multi-index random variables. The existence of the first moment of N when b(n)=εn, i.e. ∑n=1∞ℙ(|Sn|>εn)<∞, corresponds to the notion of complete convergence as introduced by Hsu and Robbins in 1947 as a complement to Kolmogorov's strong law.
Approximating the Laplace transform of the sum of dependent lognormals
Authors: Laub Patrick J. , Asmussen Søren , Jensen Jens L. , Rojas-Nandayapa Leonardo
Published: July 2016

Let (X1,...,Xn) be multivariate normal, with mean vector 𝛍 and covariance matrix 𝚺, and letSn=eX1+⋯+eXn. The Laplace transform ℒ(θ)=𝔼e-θSn∝∫exp{-hθ(𝒙)}d𝒙 is represented as ℒ̃(θ)I(θ), where ℒ̃(θ) is given in closed form andI(θ) is the error factor (≈1). We obtain ℒ̃(θ) by replacinghθ(𝒙) with a second-order Taylor expansion around its minimiser 𝒙*. An algorithm for calculating the asymptotic expansion of 𝒙*is presented, and it is shown thatI(θ)→ 1 as θ→∞. A variety of numerical methods for evaluatingI(θ) is discussed, including Monte Carlo with importance sampling and quasi-Monte Carlo. Numerical examples (including Laplace-transform inversion for the density ofSn) are also given.
A direct approach to the stable distributions
Authors: Pitman E. J. G. , Pitman Jim
Published: July 2016

The explicit form for the characteristic function of a stable distribution on the line is derived analytically by solving the associated functional equation and applying the theory of regular variation, without appeal to the general Lévy‒Khintchine integral representation of infinitely divisible distributions.
Asymptotic normality of degree counts in a preferential attachment model
Authors: Resnick Sidney I. , Samorodnitsky Gennady
Published: July 2016

Preferential attachment is a widely adopted paradigm for understanding the dynamics of social networks. Formal statistical inference, for instance GLM techniques, and model-verification methods will require knowing test statistics are asymptotically normal even though node- or count-based network data are nothing like classical data from independently replicated experiments. We therefore study asymptotic normality of degree counts for a sequence of growing simple undirected preferential attachment graphs. The methods of proof rely on identifying martingales and then exploiting the martingale central limit theorems.
Barriers to point-of-care ultrasound use in rural emergency departments
Authors: Micks Taft , Sue Kyle , Rogers Peter
Published: July 2016

Over the past few decades, point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has come to play a major role in the practice of emergency medicine. Despite its numerous benefits, there has been a slow uptake of PoCUS use in rural emergency departments. Surveys conducted across Canada and the United States have identified a lack of equipment, training, funding, quality assurance, and an inability to maintain skills as major barriers to PoCUS use. Potential solutions include expanding residency training in ultrasound skills, extending funding for PoCUS training to rural physicians in practice, moving PoCUS training courses to rural sites, and creating telesonography training for rural physicians. With these barriers identified and solutions proposed, corrective measures must be taken so that the benefits of PoCUS are extended to patients in rural Canada where, arguably, it has the greatest potential for benefit when access to advanced imaging is not readily available.
Risk Factors for Carbapenemase-Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CP-CRE) Acquisition Among Contacts of Newly Diagnosed CP-CRE Patients
Authors: Schwartz-Neiderman Anat , Braun Tali , Fallach Noga , Schwartz David , Carmeli Yehuda , Schechner Vered
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE

Carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae(CP-CRE) are extremely drug-resistant pathogens. Screening of contacts of newly identified CP-CRE patients is an important step to limit further transmission. We aimed to determine the risk factors for CP-CRE acquisition among patients exposed to a CP-CRE index patient.

METHODS

A matched case-control study was performed in a tertiary care hospital in Israel. The study population was comprised of patients who underwent rectal screening for CP-CRE following close contact with a newly identified CP-CRE index patient. Cases were defined as positive tests for CP-CRE. For each case patient, 2 matched controls were randomly selected from the pool of contacts who tested negative for CP-CRE following exposure to the same index case. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

In total, 53 positive contacts were identified in 40 unique investigations (896 tests performed on 735 contacts) between October 6, 2008, and June 7, 2012.blaKPCwas the only carbapenemase identified. In multivariate analysis, risk factors for CP-CRE acquisition among contacts were (1) contact with an index patient for ≥3 days (odds ratio [OR], 9.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0–48.9), (2) mechanical ventilation (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.4–11.9), and (3) carriage or infection with another multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO; OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.0–7.1). Among patients who received antibiotics, cephalosporins were associated with a lower risk of acquisition.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient characteristics (ventilation and carriage of another MDRO) as well as duration of contact are risk factors for CP-CRE acquisition among contacts. The role of cephalosporins requires further study.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2016;1–7
Stability of an isolated pancake vortex in continuously stratified-rotating fluids
Authors: Yim Eunok , Billant Paul , Ménesguen Claire
Published: July 2016

This paper investigates the stability of an axisymmetric pancake vortex with Gaussian angular velocity in radial and vertical directions in a continuously stratified-rotating fluid. The different instabilities are determined as a function of the Rossby number $Ro$, Froude number $F_{h}$, Reynolds number $Re$ and aspect ratio ${\it\alpha}$. Centrifugal instability is not significantly different from the case of a columnar vortex due to its short-wavelength nature: it is dominant when the absolute Rossby number $|Ro|$ is large and is stabilized for small and moderate $|Ro|$ when the generalized Rayleigh discriminant is positive everywhere. The Gent–McWilliams instability, also known as internal instability, is then dominant for the azimuthal wavenumber $m=1$ when the Burger number $Bu={\it\alpha}^{2}Ro^{2}/(4F_{h}^{2})$ is larger than unity. When $Bu\lesssim 0.7Ro+0.1$, the Gent–McWilliams instability changes into a mixed baroclinic–Gent–McWilliams instability. Shear instability for $m=2$ exists when $F_{h}/{\it\alpha}$ is below a threshold depending on $Ro$. This condition is shown to come from confinement effects along the vertical. Shear instability transforms into a mixed baroclinic–shear instability for small $Bu$. The main energy source for both baroclinic–shear and baroclinic–Gent–McWilliams instabilities is the potential energy of the base flow instead of the kinetic energy for shear and Gent–McWilliams instabilities. The growth rates of these four instabilities depend mostly on $F_{h}/{\it\alpha}$ and $Ro$. Baroclinic instability develops when $F_{h}/{\it\alpha}|1+1/Ro|\gtrsim 1.46$ in qualitative agreement with the analytical predictions for a bounded vortex with angular velocity slowly varying along the vertical.
A scaling law for the shear-production range of second-order structure functions
Authors: Pan Y. , Chamecki M.
Published: July 2016

Dimensional analysis suggests that the dissipation length scale ($\ell _{{\it\epsilon}}=u_{\star }^{3}/{\it\epsilon}$) is the appropriate scale for the shear-production range of the second-order streamwise structure function in neutrally stratified turbulent shear flows near solid boundaries, including smooth- and rough-wall boundary layers and shear layers above canopies (e.g. crops, forests and cities). These flows have two major characteristics in common: (i) a single velocity scale, i.e. the friction velocity ($u_{\star }$) and (ii) the presence of large eddies that scale with an external length scale much larger than the local integral length scale. No assumptions are made about the local integral scale, which is shown to be proportional to$\ell _{{\it\epsilon}}$for the scaling analysis to be consistent with Kolmogorov’s result for the inertial subrange. Here${\it\epsilon}$is the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) that represents the rate of energy cascade in the inertial subrange. The scaling yields a log-law dependence of the second-order streamwise structure function on ($r/\ell _{{\it\epsilon}}$), where$r$is the streamwise spatial separation. This scaling law is confirmed by large-eddy simulation (LES) results in the roughness sublayer above a model canopy, where the imbalance between local production and dissipation of TKE is much greater than in the inertial layer of wall turbulence and the local integral scale is affected by two external length scales. Parameters estimated for the log-law dependence on ($r/\ell _{{\it\epsilon}}$) are in reasonable agreement with those reported for the inertial layer of wall turbulence. This leads to two important conclusions. Firstly, the validity of the$\ell _{{\it\epsilon}}$-scaling is extended to shear flows with a much greater imbalance between production and dissipation, indicating possible universality of the shear-production range in flows near solid boundaries. Secondly, from a modelling perspective,$\ell _{{\it\epsilon}}$is the appropriate scale to characterize turbulence in shear flows with multiple externally imposed length scales.
Investigations of non-hydrostatic, stably stratified and rapidly rotating flows
Authors: Nieves David , Grooms Ian , Julien Keith , Weiss Jeffrey B.
Published: July 2016

We present an investigation of rapidly rotating (small Rossby number $Ro\ll 1$) stratified turbulence where the stratification strength is varied from weak (large Froude number $Fr\gg 1$) to strong ($Fr\ll 1$). The investigation is set in the context of a reduced model derived from the Boussinesq equations that retains anisotropic inertia-gravity waves with order-one frequencies and highlights a regime of wave–eddy interactions. Numerical simulations of the reduced model are performed where energy is injected by a stochastic forcing of vertical velocity, which forces wave modes only. The simulations reveal two regimes: characterized by the presence of well-formed, persistent and thin turbulent layers of locally weakened stratification at small Froude numbers, and by the absence of layers at large Froude numbers. Both regimes are characterized by a large-scale barotropic dipole enclosed by small-scale turbulence. When the Reynolds number is not too large, a direct cascade of barotropic kinetic energy is observed, leading to total energy equilibration. We examine net energy exchanges that occur through vortex stretching and vertical buoyancy flux and diagnose the horizontal scales active in these exchanges. We find that the baroclinic motions inject energy directly to the largest scales of the barotropic mode, implying that the large-scale barotropic dipole is not the end result of an inverse cascade within the barotropic mode.
Minimal short-term effect of dietary 2'-fucosyllactose on bacterial colonisation, intestinal function and necrotising enterocolitis in preterm pigs
Authors: Cilieborg Malene S. , Bering Stine B. , Østergaard Mette V. , Jensen Michael L. , Krych Łukasz , Newburg David S. , Sangild Per T.
Published: July 2016

Human milk decreases the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a severe gastrointestinal disease that occurs in 5–10 % of preterm infants. The prebiotic and immune-modulatory effects of milk oligosaccharides may contribute to this protection. Preterm pigs were used to test whether infant formula enriched with α1,2-fucosyllactose (2'-FL, the most abundant oligosaccharide in human milk) would benefit gut microbial colonisation and NEC resistance after preterm birth. Caesarean-delivered preterm pigs were fed formula (Controls, n 17) or formula with 5 g/l 2'-FL (2'-FL, n 16) for 5 d; eight 2'-FL pigs (50 %) and twelve Controls (71 %) developed NEC, with no difference in lesion scores (P=0·35); 2'-FL pigs tended to have less anaerobic bacteria in caecal contents (P=0·22), but no difference in gut microbiota between groups were observed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation and 454 pyrosequencing. Abundant α1,2-fucose was detected in the intestine with no difference between groups, and intestinal structure (villus height, permeability) and digestive function (hexose absorption, brush border enzyme activities) were not affected by 2'-FL. Formula enrichment with 2'-FL does not affect gut microbiology, digestive function or NEC sensitivity in pigs within the first few days after preterm birth. Milk 2'-FL may not be critical in the immediate postnatal period of preterm neonates when gut colonisation and intestinal immunity are still immature.
The use of multiple imputation method for the validation of 24-h food recalls by part-time observation of dietary intake in school
Authors: Kupek Emil , de Assis Maria Alice A.
Published: July 2016

External validation of food recall over 24 h in schoolchildren is often restricted to eating events in schools and is based on direct observation as the reference method. The aim of this study was to estimate the dietary intake out of school, and consequently the bias in such research design based on only part-time validated food recall, using multiple imputation (MI) conditioned on the information on child age, sex, BMI, family income, parental education and the school attended. The previous-day, web-based questionnaire WebCAAFE, structured as six meals/snacks and thirty-two foods/beverage, was answered by a sample of 7–11-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren (n602) from five public schools. Food/beverage intake recalled by children was compared with the records provided by trained observers during school meals. Sensitivity analysis was performed with artificial data emulating those recalled by children on WebCAAFE in order to evaluate the impact of both differential and non-differential bias. Estimated bias was within ±30 % interval for 84·4 % of the thirty-two foods/beverages evaluated in WebCAAFE, and half of the latter reached statistical significance (P<0·05). Rarely (<3 %) consumed dietary items were often under-reported (fish/seafood, vegetable soup, cheese bread, French fries), whereas some of those most frequently reported (meat, bread/biscuits, fruits) showed large overestimation. Compared with the analysis restricted to fully validated data, MI reduced differential bias in sensitivity analysis but the bias still remained large in most cases. MI provided a suitable statistical framework for part-time validation design of dietary intake over six daily eating events.
To proceed or not to proceed: ENT surgery in paediatric patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection
Authors: Shemesh S , Tamir S , Goldfarb A , Ezri T , Roth Y
Published: July 2016

Background:

Upper respiratory tract infection is the most common non-preventable cause of surgery cancellation. Consequently, surgeons and anaesthesiologists involved in elective ENT surgical procedures frequently face a dilemma of whether to proceed or to postpone surgery in affected children.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted and a practical assessment algorithm proposed.

Conclusion:

The risk–benefit assessment should take into consideration the impact of postponing the surgery intended to bring relief to the child and the risks of proceeding with general anaesthesia in an inflamed airway. The suggested algorithm for assessment may be a useful tool to support the decision of whether to proceed or to postpone surgery.
Connectivity of the anterior insula differentiates participants with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders from controls: a machine-learning study
Authors: Mikolas P. , Melicher T. , Skoch A. , Matejka M. , Slovakova A. , Bakstein E. , Hajek T. , Spaniel F.
Published: July 2016

Background

Early diagnosis of schizophrenia could improve the outcomes and limit the negative effects of untreated illness. Although participants with schizophrenia show aberrant functional connectivity in brain networks, these between-group differences have a limited diagnostic utility. Novel methods of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses, such as machine learning (ML), may help bring neuroimaging from the bench to the bedside. Here, we used ML to differentiate participants with a first episode of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (FES) from healthy controls based on resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC).

Method

We acquired resting-state functional MRI data from 63 patients with FES who were individually matched by age and sex to 63 healthy controls. We applied linear kernel support vector machines (SVM) to rsFC within the default mode network, the salience network and the central executive network.

Results

The SVM applied to the rsFC within the salience network distinguished the FES from the control participants with an accuracy of 73.0% (p = 0.001), specificity of 71.4% and sensitivity of 74.6%. The classification accuracy was not significantly affected by medication dose, or by the presence of psychotic symptoms. The functional connectivity within the default mode or the central executive networks did not yield classification accuracies above chance level.

Conclusions

Seed-based functional connectivity maps can be utilized for diagnostic classification, even early in the course of schizophrenia. The classification was probably based on trait rather than state markers, as symptoms or medications were not significantly associated with classification accuracy. Our results support the role of the anterior insula/salience network in the pathophysiology of FES.
Multifaceted impairments in impulsivity and brain structural abnormalities in opioid dependence and abstinence
Authors: Tolomeo S. , Gray S. , Matthews K. , Steele J. D. , Baldacchino A.
Published: July 2016

Background

Chronic opioid exposure, as a treatment for a variety of disorders or as drug of misuse, is common worldwide, but behavioural and brain abnormalities remain under-investigated. Only a small percentage of patients who receive methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for previous heroin misuse eventually achieve abstinence and studies on such patients are rare.

Method

The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and T1weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to study a cohort of 122 male individuals: a clinically stable opioid-dependent patient group receiving MMT (n= 48), an abstinent previously MMT maintained group (ABS) (n= 24) and healthy controls (n= 50).

Results

Stable MMT participants deliberated longer and placed higher bets earlier in the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) and showed impaired strategic planning compared with healthy controls. In contrast, ABS participants showed impairment in choosing the least likely outcome, delay aversion and risk adjustment on the CGT, and exhibited non-planning impulsivity compared with controls. MMT patients had widespread grey matter reductions in the orbitomedial prefrontal cortex, caudate, putamen and globus pallidus. In contrast, ABS participants showed midbrain–thalamic grey matter reductions. A higher methadone dose at the time of scanning was associated with a smaller globus pallidus in the MMT group.

Conclusions

Our findings support an interpretation of heightened impulsivity in patients receiving MMT. Widespread structural brain abnormalities in the MMT group and reduced brain structural abnormality with abstinence suggest benefit of cessation of methadone intake. We suggest that a longitudinal study is required to determine whether abstinence improves abnormalities, or patients who achieve abstinence have reduced abnormalities before methadone cessation.
On a Method of Calculating the Force of Mortality in Select Life Tables; with Some Notes on Continuous Benefits
Authors: Sprague A. E.
Published: July 2016

A mortality table shows the number living at each age x, and the number dying in the following year; and the ratio of the latter to the former, is the probability of dying in a year, and is called the rate of mortality at age x. This function varies from age to age by finite steps; but it is not to be supposed that the actual intensity of mortality remains constant throughout each year and changes suddenly at the end of each completed year of life. On the contrary, it is a function which varies by an indefinitely small amount with each indefinitely small interval of time; and the measure of its value at any instant, like that of any other varying rate, is the change that would be produced in a unit of time if the rate were to remain constant throughout that unit, and equal to its value at the instant in question. For example, when we speak of a railway train travelling at the rate of 60 miles an hour, we do not mean that it has travelled 60 miles in the past hour, or that it will travel 60 miles in the next; but that, if its rate were to remain the same for an hour, it would travel 60 miles in that time, the unit of time in this case being one hour. Similarly, the intensity of mortality at any instant among a large number of persons, is not measured by the number who actually die in the following year (the unit of time in the case of a mortality table being one year), but by the number who would die in that year if all the conditions remained unchanged throughout the year; that is to say, it is measured by the number who would die if they did not deteriorate in any way with their increasing age or otherwise, and if the number of persons under observation remained unaltered, the places of those who died being constantly filled by fresh lives subject to the same intensity of mortality.
The Use of Select Tables for the Calculation of Survivorship Benefits
Authors: Buchanan James
Published: July 2016

It is generally admitted that select tables should be used for the calculation of office premiums, the tendency of aggregate tables being to underestimate the risk for the younger and to overestimate it for the older ages, so that, in the case of survivorship benefits, where the risk is that of a young life predeceasing an old one, a double error is introduced. In one of the earliest papers read before the Faculty (T. F. A., i, 49), Mr. A. E. Sprague considered the applicability of select tables to the calculation of continuous benefits; but it seems that the ordinary method of approximation, if applied without modification, may lead to an error of some importance. Most of the well-known quadrature formulas can be obtained by direct integration from Everett's Interpolation Theorem, which assumes that the law is continuous throughout; but it is well known that the rate of mortality changes very quickly during the few years following selection, and that it in fact follows a different law from that which prevails later on. The H[M] table is not a very good one by which to test this method of approximation, for the graduation of the HM(5) portion is not very smooth; and, as the method depends on selected values of the function, any irregularities of the table will be reflected in the final result, and it is not possible to say to what extent an error is due to this cause.