bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angioarchitecture of arteriovenous fistulas at the craniocervical junction: a multicenter cohort study of 54 patients
Authors: Hiramatsu Masafumi , Sugiu Kenji , Ishiguro Tomoya , Kiyosue Hiro , Sato Kenichi , Takai Keisuke , Niimi Yasunari , Matsumaru Yuji
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective multicenter cohort study was to assess the details of the angioarchitecture of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) at the craniocervical junction (CCJ) and to determine the associations between the angiographic characteristics and the clinical presentations and outcomes.

METHODS

The authors analyzed angiographic and clinical data for patients with CCJ AVFs from 20 participating centers that are members of the Japanese Society for Neuroendovascular Therapy (JSNET). Angiographic findings (feeding artery, location of AV shunt, draining vein) and patient data (age, sex, presentation, treatment modality, outcome) were tabulated and stratified based on the angiographic types of the lesions, as diagnosed by a member of the CCJ AVF study group, which consisted of a panel of 6 neurointerventionalists and 1 spine neurosurgeon.

RESULTS

The study included 54 patients (median age 65 years, interquartile range 61–75 years) with a total of 59 lesions. Five angiographic types were found among the 59 lesions: Type 1, dural AVF (22 [37%] of 59); Type 2, radicular AVF (17 [29%] of 59); Type 3, epidural AVF (EDAVF) with pial feeders (8 [14%] of 59); Type 4, EDAVF (6 [10%] of 59); and Type 5, perimedullary AVF (6 [10%] of 59). In almost all lesions (98%), AV shunts were fed by radiculomeningeal arteries from the vertebral artery that drained into intradural or epidural veins through AV shunts on the dura mater, on the spinal nerves, in the epidural space, or on the spinal cord. In more than half of the lesions (63%), the AV shunts were also fed by a spinal pial artery from the anterior spinal artery (ASA) and/or the lateral spinal artery. The data also showed that the angiographic characteristics associated with hemorrhagic presentations—the most common presentation of the lesions (73%)—were the inclusion of the ASA as a feeder, the presence of aneurysmal dilatation on the feeder, and CCJ AVF Type 2 (radicular AVF). Treatment outcomes differed among the angiographic types of the lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Craniocervical junction AVFs commonly present with hemorrhage and are frequently fed by both radiculomeningeal and spinal pial arteries. The AV shunt develops along the C-1 or C-2 nerve roots and can be located on the spinal cord, on the spinal nerves, and/or on the inner or outer surface of the dura mater.
Voxel-based lesion mapping of meningioma: a comprehensive lesion location mapping of 260 lesions
Authors: Hirayama Ryuichi , Kinoshita Manabu , Arita Hideyuki , Kagawa Naoki , Kishima Haruhiko , Hashimoto Naoya , Fujimoto Yasunori , Yoshimine Toshiki
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

In the present study the authors aimed to determine preferred locations of meningiomas by avoiding descriptive analysis and instead using voxel-based lesion mapping and 3D image-rendering techniques.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance images obtained in 248 treatment-naïve meningioma patients with 260 lesions were retrospectively and consecutively collected. All images were registered to a 1-mm isotropic, high-resolution, T1-weighted brain atlas provided by the Montreal Neurological Institute (the MNI152), and a lesion frequency map was created, followed by 3D volume rendering to visualize the preferred locations of meningiomas in 3D.

RESULTS

The 3D lesion frequency map clearly showed that skull base structures such as parasellar, sphenoid wing, and petroclival regions were commonly affected by the tumor. The middle one-third of the superior sagittal sinus was most commonly affected in parasagittal tumors. Substantial lesion accumulation was observed around the leptomeninges covering the central sulcus and the sylvian fissure, with very few lesions observed at the frontal, parietal, and occipital convexities.

CONCLUSIONS

Using an objective visualization method, meningiomas were shown to be located around the middle third of the superior sagittal sinus, the perisylvian convexity, and the skull base. These observations, which are in line with previous descriptive analyses, justify further use of voxel-based lesion mapping techniques to help understand the biological nature of this disease.
Utility of intraoperative rotational thromboelastometry in thoracolumbar deformity surgery
Authors: Guan Jian , Cole Chad D. , Schmidt Meic H. , Dailey Andrew T.
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

Blood loss during surgery for thoracolumbar scoliosis often requires blood product transfusion. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) has enabled the more targeted treatment of coagulopathy, but its use in deformity surgery has received limited study. The authors investigated whether the use of ROTEM reduces transfusion requirements in this case-control study of thoracolumbar deformity surgery.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected on all patients who received ROTEM-guided blood product management during long-segment (≥ 7 levels) posterior thoracolumbar fusion procedures at a single institution from April 2015 to February 2016. Patients were matched with a group of historical controls who did not receive ROTEM-guided therapy according to age, fusion segments, number of osteotomies, and number of interbody fusion levels. Demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative transfusion requirements were collected on all patients. Univariate analysis of ROTEM status and multiple linear regression analysis of the factors associated with total in-hospital transfusion volume were performed, with p < 0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients who received ROTEM-guided therapy were identified and matched with 15 non-ROTEM controls. The mean number of fusion levels was 11 among all patients, with no significant differences between groups in terms of fusion levels, osteotomy levels, interbody fusion levels, or other demographic factors. Patients in the non-ROTEM group required significantly more total blood products during their hospitalization than patients in the ROTEM group (8.5 ± 4.2 units vs 3.71 ± 2.8 units; p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the use of ROTEM (p = 0.016) and a lower number of fused levels (p = 0.022) were associated with lower in-hospital transfusion volumes.

CONCLUSIONS

ROTEM use during thoracolumbar deformity correction is associated with lower transfusion requirements. Further investigation will better define the role of ROTEM in transfusion during deformity surgery.
Topectomy versus leukotomy: J. Lawrence Pool’s contribution to psychosurgery
Authors: Holland Ryan , Kopel David , Carmel Peter W. , Prestigiacomo Charles J.
Published: September 2017

Surgery of the mind has a rather checkered past. Though its history begins with the prehistoric trephination of skulls to allow “evil spirits” to escape, the early- to mid-20th century saw a surge in the popularity of psychosurgery. The 2 prevailing operations were topectomy and leukotomy for the treatment of certain mental illnesses. Although they were modified and refined by several of their main practitioners, the effectiveness of and the ethics involved with these operations remained controversial.

In 1947, Dr. J. Lawrence Pool and the Columbia-Greystone Associates sought to rigorously investigate the outcomes of specific psychosurgical procedures. Pool along with R. G. Heath and John Weber believed that nonexcessive bifrontal cortical ablation could successfully treat certain mental illnesses without the undesired consequences of irreversible personality changes. They conducted this investigation at the psychiatric hospital at Greystone Park near Morristown, New Jersey.

Despite several encouraging findings of the Columbia-Greystone project, psychosurgery practices began to decline significantly in the 1950s. The uncertainty of results and ethical debates related to side effects made these procedures unpopular. Further, groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union condemned the use of psychosurgery, believing it to be an inhumane form of treatment. Today, there are strict guidelines that must be adhered to when evaluating a patient for psychosurgery procedures. It is imperative for the neurosurgery community to remember the history of psychosurgery to provide the best possible current treatment and to search for better future treatments for a particularly vulnerable patient population.
Optimal stimulation parameters for intraoperative bulbocavernosus reflex in infants
Authors: Hwang Hyeoncheol , Wang Kyu-Chang , Bang Moon Suk , Shin Hyung-Ik , Kim Seung-Ki , Phi Ji Hoon , Lee Ji Yeoun , Choi Jinwoo , Cha Seungwoo , Kim Keewon
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to establish optimal electric stimulation parameters for intraoperatively monitoring the bulbocavernosus reflexes (BCRs) in infants.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all infants (age < 24 months) who had undergone an untethering operation for tethered cord syndrome between May 2013 and February 2014 at a single institution and whose baseline BCR had been elicited during surgery. Using different combinations of stimulation parameters—number of stimulation pulses: 4 or 8 pulses, interpulse interval: 1, 2, or 5 msec, and polarity of stimulation: biphasic or monophasic—the authors compared the relative mean amplitude of 10 BCR responses (rmaBCRs) to each combination of parameters.

RESULTS

The rmaBCRs were larger with the 8-pulse stimulations than with the 4-pulse stimulations (p < 0.0001). There was a tendency, though not statistically significant, for larger rmaBCRs to be obtained with the longer interpulse interval in the 8-pulse stimulation (p = 0.1289). The biphasic stimulation produced larger rmaBCRs than the monophasic stimulation (p = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

Biphasic 8-pulse stimulations with 5-msec or 2-msec intervals yield the largest BCR responses. Considering that an 8-pulse stimulation with 5-msec intervals may overlap the onset of the BCR, a biphasic 8-pulse stimulation with 2-msec intervals is recommended as the optimal stimulation paradigm to monitor intraoperative BCRs in infants.
Decrease in grip and knee extension strength with age in American women
Authors: Bohannon Richard W.
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To describe and compare decreases in grip and knee extension strength accompanying aging.

METHOD:

Eighty-five community-dwelling women (20 to 79 years of age) participating in the validation phase of the NIH Toolbox for the Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function contributed data to this study. Their strength was measured bilaterally-grip with a hand dynamometer and isometric knee extension with an isokinetic dynamometer. Grip and knee extension strength measures of the left and right sides were combined and analyzed.

RESULTS:

Both combined grip strength and combined knee extension strength decreased with age. The decreases were significant between the 60–79 year age group and the 20–39 year age group. Strength of the 60–79 year age group, described as a percentage of the 20–39 year age group, was significantly less for knee extension than for grip.

CONCLUSION:

Grip strength declines less than knee extension strength with age. Grip strength, therefore, may not fully capture the effect of age on muscle strength.
Risk Factors, Neuroanatomical Correlates, and Outcome of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Poulin Stéphane P. , Bergeron David , Dickerson Bradford C. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: September 2017

Background:

An integrative model of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is lacking.

Objective:

In this study, we investigated the risk factors, anatomy, biology, and outcomes of NPS in AD.

Methods:

181 subjects were included from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Study (ADNI). NPS were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire at baseline and 6 months. NPI >3 was used as a threshold for NPS positivity. Three NPS courses were characterized: 1) minimal/absent (negative at 0 and 6 months, n = 77); 2) fluctuating (positive only at one time point, n = 53); 3) persistent (positive at both time points, n = 51). We examined the association between NPS course and family history of dementia, personal history of psychiatric disorders, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, atrophy patterns, as well as longitudinal cognitive and functional measures at 12 and 24 months (MMSE, CDR-SOB, FAQ).

Results:

AD subjects with absent, fluctuating, or persistent NPS had similar CSF amyloid-β and tau levels. AD subjects with minimal/absent NPS had less personal history of psychiatric disorders (35%) than those with fluctuating (57%; p = 0.015) or persistent NPS (47%, not significant). At 24 months, AD subjects with persistent NPS had worse cognitive (MMSE; p = 0.05) and functional (CDR-SOB; p = 0.016) outcomes. Dorsolateral prefrontal atrophy was seen in persistent NPS, but not in fluctuating NPS.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that individuals with personal history of psychiatric disorders might be more vulnerable to develop NPS throughout the course of AD. The worst cognitive and functional outcomes associated with NPS in AD underscores the importance of monitoring NPS early in the disease course.
Association of Gait Speed, Psychomotor Speed, and Dementia
Authors: Kuate-Tegueu Callixte , Avila-Funes José-Alberto , Simo Nadine , Le Goff Mélanie , Amiéva Hélène , Dartigues Jean-François , Tabue-Teguo Maturin
Published: September 2017

Background:

Gait speed (GS) and psychomotor speed (PS) could be considered as two different dimensions of age-related slowness and both measures are associated with higher risk of adverse health-related outcomes among elderly people.

Objective:

To determine the association between GS, PS, and incident dementia among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods:

Twelve-year longitudinal study of 1,265 participants in the Bordeaux Three-City Study, a French prospective cohort designed to determine the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment attributable to cardiovascular risk factors. Participants completed a battery of cognitive tests, including time to complete the Trail Making Test A, and a walking speed test. The incidence of dementia was determined over the 12-year follow-up period. Cox proportional hazards models with delayed entry were used to estimate the cumulative risk of dementia and were adjusted for sex, education, and ApoE4 genotype.

Results:

Mean age of participants was 74.0 years (SD 4.8). Over the 12-year follow-up, 203 participants developed dementia. GS and PS were both independent predictors of incident all-cause dementia after 12 years of follow-up. For a one SD increase of either GS or PS, the hazard ratio (HR) for Alzheimer’s disease was 1.2 (95% CI = 1.02–1.32) and 1.4 (95% CI = 1.2–1.61), respectively; whereas for incident vascular dementia, the HR was 1.3 (95% CI = 1.05–1.71) and 1.5 (95% CI = 1.16–2.08), respectively. No significant interaction between GS and PS was observed.

Conclusions:

In older French people aged 65+, our findings showed that both low GS and PS were independently associated with risk of incident Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin Increase Grey Matter Volume in Older Adults: A Brain Imaging Study
Authors: Tao Jing , Liu Jiao , Liu Weilin , Huang Jia , Xue Xiehua , Chen Xiangli , Wu Jinsong , Zheng Guohua , Chen Bai , Li Ming , Sun Sharon , Jorgenson Kristen , Lang Courtney , Hu Kun , Chen Shanjia , Chen Lidian , Kong Jian
Published: September 2017

The aim of this study is to investigate and compare how 12-weeks of Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin exercise can modulate brain structure and memory function in older adults. Magnetic resonance imaging and memory function measurements (Wechsler Memory Scale-Chinese revised, WMS-CR) were applied at both the beginning and end of the study. Results showed that both Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin could significantly increase grey matter volume (GMV) in the insula, medial temporal lobe, and putamen after 12-weeks of exercise. No significant differences were observed in GMV between the Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin groups. We also found that compared to healthy controls, Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin significantly improved visual reproduction subscores on the WMS-CR. Baduanjin also improved mental control, recognition, touch, and comprehension memory subscores of the WMS-CR compared to the control group. Memory quotient and visual reproduction subscores were both associated with GMV increases in the putamen and hippocampus. Our results demonstrate the potential of Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin exercise for the prevention of memory deficits in older adults.
Design and optimization of Lorentz motors in a precision active isolator
Authors: Qian Junbing , Yuan Ruibo , Bao Liping , Yang Xiaojing
Published: September 2017

In a precision active isolator, Lorentz motors (LM), a permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM), often are used as an actuator. As a key equipment, the performance of the precision active isolator is directly affected by the LM. In the design of LM, many factors must be considered, a comprehensive analysis including active isolation system, structural dynamics, magnetic field and cooling, should be integrated to optimize a LM. First, a dynamical model about an active isolator is built. A measurement method of eccentricity in the precision active isolator is presented for the LMs. A simple decoupling magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) is proposed to predict MFD distribution of the air-gap in the design of LM, and an water cooling system is presented and analysed. Finally, an optimization combining effective cost function is used to find the optimal motor dimensions. The performance of the optimized LM is described by simulation and experimental results, which also confirm effectiveness of the optimized design.
Design of switched reluctance motor with four controllable radial force degrees of freedom for self-bearing application
Authors: Wang Huijun , Pang Mingqi , Qu Zheng , Tang Shaofei
Published: September 2017

In this paper, one modular switched reluctance motor (SRM) with four degrees of freedom (DOF) for self-bearing application is investigated and designed. Different from the conventional SRM, proposed modular SRM consists of two motors, in which each motor has one torque control and two radial control DOFs. Biased flux is supplied by the axial permanent magnet, which can reduce the copper loss. Firstly, basic structure and operating principle are briefly introduced. Basic design is presented and analysis model for the suspending force is developed. Furthermore, parametric analysis is implemented for showing the effect of sizes on the performances. Finally, finite element analysis and experimental results verifies the validity of proposed method.
Multi-objective parameter optimization of permanent magnetic eddy-current couplings using multiple population genetic algorithm
Authors: Wang Dazhi , Shi Tongyu , Wang Xingyu , Wang Xinghua
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this paper is to obtain a 3D analytical model of permanent magnetic eddy-current couplings and optimize several parameters by using the multiple population genetic algorithm (MPGA). Firstly, on the basis of the analytical model, the formulas of key parameters are deduced. By using permanent magnet thickness, pole-arc coefficient and copper plate thickness as variables and taking output torque in steady state, rotational inertia and the volume of the couplings as optimization goals, this paper proposes a multi-objective optimization function with entropy coefficients and uses the MPGA to optimize structure parameters. The validity and feasibility of the proposed method is proved through 3D finite element analysis (3D-FEA) and experimental results. The results confirm that compared with another two optimization algorithms from the papers which had already published, optimization by the multiple population genetic algorithm based on the 3D analytical model has good effect on optimization of structural parameters.
A unified design and the current ripple characteristic analysis of digital switching power amplifier in active magnetic-levitated bearings
Authors: Cheng Xin , Wang Bo , Chen Qiang , Zhang Lin , Liu Han , Song Shao
Published: September 2017

Power amplifier is a crucial part of the active magnetic bearing system, and its precision characteristic is decisive to the overall systematic performance. The bi-state and tri-state modulations are both widely used in the design of DSPA, and generally there are many approaches to realize the design. DSPA will have different output performance under different modulations. In this paper, we propose a unified design of digital switching power amplifier (DSPA), which can be compatible with different modulations by configuration of hardware only. As many factors will influence the current ripple characteristic of DSPA, an approach based on Fourier series has been proposed to establish the equivalent mathematical model of DSPA under both bi-state and the tri-state modulations. We analyze the approximated theoretical ripple characteristic of DSPA with the unified architecture design discussed, and provide the simulation based on the equivalent mathematical model, then establish the experimental platform to verify the analysis of current ripple characteristic under different conditions. Experimental results show that the ripple characteristic has been influenced mainly by bus voltage, modulation frequency and time constant of load, and the approach proposed in this paper can effectively describe the ripple characteristic of DSPA under different modulations.
An improved quantum particle swarm optimizer for electromagnetic design problem
Authors: Rehman Obaid Ur , Yang Shiyou , Khan Shafiullah
Published: September 2017

The expansion of global optimum methods for electromagnetic design optimization has been successful in the last few years. However, there is no any universal algorithm to be equally successful for all engineering inverse problems. In this regard, inspired from the classical particle swarm optimization (PSO) method and quantum mechanics, this paper presents an improved quantum particle swarm optimizer (MQPSO) by using a tournament selection strategy. Also, a new index, called the torment best ( tbest), is incorporated into the QPSO to further enrich its performance. In addition, a new parameter updating strategy is proposed to tradeoff between the exploration and exploitation searches. The feasibility and merit of the proposed approach are verified by the numerical results on mathematic test functions and an electromagnetic inverse problem, namely the TEAM workshop problem 22.
A Review of Pupillometry for Human-computer Interaction Studies
Authors: Köles Máté
Published: September 2017

The most commonly used methods in human-computer interaction (HCI) are based on behavioral data, interviews and questionnaires. While these practices are able to provide reliable results, they are influenced by subjective factors arising both from the experimenter’s and the user’s side. Many of these methods also have poor temporal resolution, limiting their range of use. Approaches based on physiological responses should not have these inherent shortcomings. Although there exist many methods based on different signals (EEG, ECG, EDA), pupillometry has its distinct advantages. The basic set of devices needed is cheap compared to most other methods and it is also the least intrusive option. It is well established that cognitive and affective processes can be monitored by recording changes in pupil dilation. While emotions are an important aspect of HCI and overall user experience, changes in mental effort levels are easier to interpret in case of software and webpage evaluation or interactions with automated systems. As a result, the present paper will focus on the measurement of mental effort, only mentioning other possible uses briefly. The goal of this review is to provide a brief insight on the issues that might arise during HCI studies and factors that should be controlled to gather valid data for mental effort calculations.
Formulation and Evaluation of Microsponge Based Nicorandil Sustained Released Tablet
Authors: Patel S. S. , Patel M. R. , Patel M. J.
Published: September 2017

The aim of the present work was to develop once-daily sustained release microsponges formulations of Nicorandil, a potent potassium channel opener used in cardiovascular diseases and it has low oral bioavailability (70%) and half-life 1 h. So, it is good candidate for sustained release formulations based on microsponge technology. The microsponges were prepared by using quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the microsponges of nicorandil with Eudragit - RSPO and HPMC K100M were smooth, porous, glossy and discrete spherical. The actual drug content and encapsulation efficiency of batch M1 to M9 were obtained in range of 62.05 ± 0.31 to 80.69 ± 0.43 and 64.41 ± 1.71 to 70.58 ± 1.12, respectively. The microsponges formulations were subjected to in-vitro release studies and the results were evaluated kinetically and statically. The best fitted model was found to be Korsmeyer - Peppas model (R2 = 0.9992) for M6 batch.  The n value for Korsmeyer - Peppas model was between 0.5 and 1.0 which is indicative of non-Fickian diffusion. Statistical analysis using ANOVA yielded a p value of 0.572 for all the formulations, indicating that there was no significant difference among them.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of 7-Hydroxy-3',4'-Methylenedioxy- and 7-Benzyloxy-3',4'-Methylenedioxy Flavanones
Authors: Ali R. , Rahim A. , Islam A.
Published: September 2017

7-Hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy- and 7-benzyloxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy flavanones have been synthesized starting from 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone. Subsequently biocidal activities of the flavanones have been investigated along with their corresponding chalcones against some bacterial and fungal strains. 2'-Hydroxy-4'-benzyloxy-3,4-methylenedioxy chalcone (5) and its corresponding flavanone (7) showed good antibacterial and antifungal activities against some selected bacterial and fungal strains. On the other hand, 2',4'-dihydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxy chalcone (4) showed no antibacterial and antifungal activities while its corresponding flavanone (6) showed a little antibacterial activity only at higher concentration but did not show antifungal activity. The synthesized chalcones and flavanones have been characterized using UV-Vis, IR and 1H NMRspectral data together with elemental analysis.
Prevalence and Antibiogram of Bacterial Uropathogens of Urinary Tract Infections from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh
Authors: Sanjee S. A. , Karim M. E. , Akter T. , Parvez M. A. K. , Hossain M. , Jannat B. , Pervin S.
Published: September 2017

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most frequently occurring infections majority of which are caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) uropathogens. Hence, the present study was designed to find out the prevalence of bacterial pathogens causing UTIs and to determine their antibiotic resistance patterns against different classes of antibiotics. Clean-catch midstream urine samples were collected from 200 UTI patients of different sex and age groups. The uropathogens were isolated using Hi-Chrome UTI agar, Blood agar, MacConkey agar and then subjected to antibiotic susceptibility analysis against nine antibiotics of different classes using Kirby-Bauers disc diffusion method. From 55.08% positive samples, it was found that females were more prone to UTIs than males and in both cases; the prevalence rate was higher in the age group 21-40 years (33%). Among the uropathogens, E.coli was the predominant etiological agent (57.38%) followed by Enterococcus sp. (36.06%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.28%) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.28%). The pathogens showed remarkable amount of sensitivity against Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin. The present experiment can be helpful for the clinicians in finding proper drugs in the developing countries like Bangladesh where multi-drug resistance problem has just complicated the treatment of UTIs.
Near-Term Pathways for Achieving Forest and Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the U.S.
Authors: Galik Christopher , Murray Brian , Parish Meredith
Published: September 2017

U.S. forests and agriculture present unique opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. U.S. forests currently remove a large amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year and store it as a terrestrial carbon sink, a trend that is projected to continue, although at a decreasing rate over time. Agriculture is and will continue to be a net source of GHGs. To encourage additional mitigation, analyses suggest addressing forest loss, forest aging, wildfire, and encouraging greater forest growth. In agriculture, analyses suggest addressing animal operation methane emissions and nitrous oxide from fertilizer use. Absent new targeted policies to encourage mitigation practices such as these, existing programs may need to be better leveraged for GHG mitigation, even if that is not their explicit objective. Leveraging existing programs requires coordinated outreach efforts to ensure that practices are not cross-purposed. Development of standards and verification practices is also necessary to ensure desirable outcomes. Finally, greater mitigation may be possible by maximizing the effectiveness of voluntary efforts from private and non-governmental organizations, and not necessarily the implementation of new policies. This conclusion represents a departure from traditional commentary on the subject, but arguably represents a more realistic path forward to achieving climate mitigation objectives in the near-term.
Decomposition of the Inequality of Income Distribution by Income Types—Application for Romania
Authors: Andrei Tudorel , Oancea Bogdan , Richmond Peter , Dhesi Gurjeet , Herteliu Claudiu
Published: September 2017

This paper identifies the salient factors that characterize the inequality income distribution for Romania. Data analysis is rigorously carried out using sophisticated techniques borrowed from classical statistics (Theil). Decomposition of the inequalities measured by the Theil index is also performed. This study relies on an exhaustive (11.1 million records for 2014) data-set for total personal gross income of Romanian citizens.
Physical Universality, State-Dependent Dynamical Laws and Open-Ended Novelty
Authors: Adams Alyssa , Berner Angelica , Davies Paul , Walker Sara
Published: September 2017

A major conceptual step forward in understanding the logical architecture of living systems was advanced by von Neumann with his universal constructor, a physical device capable of self-reproduction. A necessary condition for a universal constructor to exist is that the laws of physics permit physical universality, such that any transformation (consistent with the laws of physics and availability of resources) can be caused to occur. While physical universality has been demonstrated in simple cellular automata models, so far these have not displayed a requisite feature of life—namely open-ended evolution—the explanation of which was also a prime motivator in von Neumann’s formulation of a universal constructor. Current examples of physical universality rely on reversible dynamical laws, whereas it is well-known that living processes are dissipative. Here we show that physical universality and open-ended dynamics should both be possible in irreversible dynamical systems if one entertains the possibility of state-dependent laws. We demonstrate with simple toy models how the accessibility of state space can yield open-ended trajectories, defined as trajectories that do not repeat within the expected Poincaré recurrence time and are not reproducible by an isolated system. We discuss implications for physical universality, or an approximation to it, as a foundational framework for developing a physics for life.
Evaluating Forecasts, Narratives and Policy Using a Test of Invariance
Authors: Castle Jennifer , Hendry David , Martinez Andrew
Published: September 2017

Economic policy agencies produce forecasts with accompanying narratives, and base policy changes on the resulting anticipated developments in the target variables. Systematic forecast failure, defined as large, persistent deviations of the outturns from the numerical forecasts, can make the associated narrative false, which would in turn question the validity of the entailed policy implementation. We establish when systematic forecast failure entails failure of the accompanying narrative, which we call forediction failure, and when that in turn implies policy invalidity. Most policy regime changes involve location shifts, which can induce forediction failure unless the policy variable is super exogenous in the policy model. We propose a step-indicator saturation test to check in advance for invariance to policy changes. Systematic forecast failure, or a lack of invariance, previously justified by narratives reveals such stories to be economic fiction.
Radar and Radio Signal Processing
Authors: Ball John , Younan Nicolas
Published: September 2017

Radar is a technology used in many aspects of modern life, with many diverse civilian and military applications.[...]
Properties of Gasoline Stored in Various Containers
Authors: Jeon Cheol-Hwan , Park Cheon-Kyu , Na Byung-Ki , Kim Jae-Kon
Published: September 2017

Recently, consumers in rural areas have complained about the reduction of the octane number for gasoline stored in storage containers made of polyethylene (PE) in Korea. In addition, problems have been found in gasoline that has not been used for a long time in dual-fueled cars that use liquefied petroleum gas and gasoline at the same time. The reduction of the octane number has caused problems in the quality of fuels. To understand the fuel quality problems, the fuel properties of gasoline for automobiles were investigated in this study by storing gasoline for a long time in various simplified storage containers (tin-coated steel, PE, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) in a laboratory scale. For the four months of the storage period, the storage containers were kept indoors and outdoors to monitor the research octane number (RON), vapor pressure, oxidation stability, and the content of all the components to evaluate the fuel properties. In addition, the surfaces of containers were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the PE storage containers that were kept outdoors under extremely harsh conditions. Depending on the storage period, some of the PE storage containers kept indoors and outdoors failed to satisfy the specification of quality standards of the gasoline as the samples with high octane numbers and low boiling points evaporated. In addition, the octane number of the gasoline in PE storage container stored indoors decreased as the content of n-paraffin and olefins having low boiling point components decreased during the storage period. The surface analysis of the PE storage containers kept indoors showed that the gasoline permeated into the surface of the containers. In this study, it has been showed that tin-coated steel material storage containers for gasoline storage are less affected by external influences than PE material storage containers and thus are more advantageous for maintaining stable fuel quality.
Investigation on Slot–Pole Combinations of a PM Vernier Motor with Fractional-Slot Concentrated Winding Configurations
Authors: Kim Byungtaek
Published: September 2017

This paper presents a new method to find available slot–pole combination of a permanent magnet (PM) vernier motor with fractional-slot concentrated winding (FSCW) configurations instead of the conventional design rule. To this aim, for a common structure of PM vernier machines with FSCW, the air gap flux densities including modulation flux due to vernier effects are investigated from the magnetic view points and then a general condition to effectively use the modulation flux is derived. Under the obtained condition, the specific design condition for slot–pole combinations are established for the most popular FSCW configurations with the coil spans of ±2π/3. Using the established condition, all available vernier structures including those which could not be found by the previous rule are obtained, and the back-electromotive force (EMF) of each structure is analytically estimated to check the vernier effects. During these procedures, it is also revealed that some of general FSCW-PM motors possess vernier effects and thus can be classified into vernier motors. To verify the proposed ideas, the characteristics of back EMF are analyzed through finite element (FE)-simulations for various models, and compared with their analytical calculation results. Finally, the characteristics of torque regarding to slot–pole combinations of the vernier motors are discussed.
A New Approach for Retaining Mercury in Energy Generation Processes: Regenerable Carbonaceous Sorbents
Authors: Fernández-Miranda Nuria , Rodríguez Elena , Lopez-Anton Maria , García Roberto , Martínez-Tarazona Maria
Published: September 2017

The energy production processes from fossil fuels represent the first anthropogenic source of mercury emissions in Europe and the second in the world. Among the different possibilities that can be posed to reduce these emissions, this work focuses on the use of regenerable sorbents based on gold nanoparticles dispersed on activated carbon foam. The use of regenerable sorbents would not only allow the objective of reducing mercury emissions, but also avoiding the generation of new toxic wastes. The results showed a retention efficiency of 100% and a retention capacity close to 600 µg·g−1 over several cycles of regeneration. Moreover, acid gases did not poison the support. It was observed that mercury capture in this simulated oxy-combustion atmosphere was a consequence of two mechanisms: (1) the amalgamation of elemental mercury and elemental gold and (2) the oxidation of elemental mercury in the presence of HCl, with the subsequent retention of the oxidized mercury on the surface of the activated carbon foam. The nanodispersion of gold on such supports involves a high initial investment. However, this would be counterbalanced by the remarkable regeneration capacity of the sorbent and the possibility of recovering all the materials used.
Thermal Behaviour under Service Loads of a Thermo-Active Precast Pile
Authors: Badenes Borja , Magraner Teresa , De Santiago Cristina , Pardo de Santayana Fernando , Urchueguía Javier
Published: September 2017

A research project was developed in Spain to undertake some studies on the geothermal use of pile foundations (PITERM PROJECT). The experiment consists of a specifically designed, constructed and fully monitored geothermal precast pile driven at Polytechnic University of Valencia. An important distinctive feature of the developed pile was the fact that it was assembled from two identical sections connected with a specific joint, developed by Rodio-Kronsa. This allows the installation of much longer precast piles into the ground. The pile is under two types of loads: mechanical and thermal. The mechanical load was applied by means of a mechanical frame anchored to the ground and three additional anchors used to induce an active compressive force. The thermal load was produced by means of a thermal rig able to inject heat or extract heat from the pile at any desired programable heat injection/extraction rate. One of the features of this precast pile is its geometry, similar to a single U borehole heat exchanger (BHE) which is not common in thermoactive piles, usually equipped with probes attached to the armatures. In our study, we have characterized the thermal behaviour of the precast pile experimentally and simulated its temperature response by means of a TRNSYS model. This article describes part of a test series carried out where the mechanical and thermal behaviour of a pile subjected to thermal and mechanical loads simulating a real pile in a building was studied. Therefore, this publication has only focused on the thermal performance of the pile and its thermal modelling by computer. From this model, the thermal parameters of the soil–pile system have been extracted and compared with those of a single standard single U BHE. In essence, our assessment points to a quite similar thermal behaviour of the studied precast pile compared to a conventional single U borehole heat exchanger of the same length and equivalent diameter, while the installation costs of such elements would be substantially lower due to its double, structural and thermal, function.
Economic Valuation of Low-Load Operation with Auxiliary Firing of Coal-Fired Units
Authors: Wang Gang , You Daihai , Lou Suhua , Zhang Zhe , Dai Li
Published: September 2017

It is often claimed that coal-fired units are highly inflexible to accommodate variable renewable energy. However, a recently published report illustrates that making existing coal-fired units more flexible is both technically and economically feasible. Auxiliary firing is an effective and promising measure for coal-fired units to reduce their minimum loads and thus augment their flexibility. To implement the economic valuation of low-load operation with auxiliary firing (LLOAF) of coal-fired units, we improve the traditional fuel cost model to express the operating costs of LLOAF and present the economic criterion and economic index to assess the economics of LLOAF for a single coal-fired unit. Moreover, we investigate the economic value of LLOAF in the power system operation via day-ahead unit commitment problem and analyze the impacts on the scheduling results from unit commitment policies and from extra auxiliary fuel costs. Numerical simulations show that with the reduction of the extra auxiliary fuel costs LLOAF of coal-fired units can remarkably decrease the total operating costs of the power system. Some further conclusions are finally drawn.
The Effect of Taichi Practice on Attenuating Bone Mineral Density Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zou Liye , Wang Chaoyi , Chen Kevin , Shu Yankai , Chen Xiaoan , Luo Lin , Zhao Xitang
Published: September 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of practicing Taichi on attenuating bone mineral density (BMD) loss. Methods: Both electronic and manual searches were performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining Taichi for bone health. Two review authors independently performed study selection and data extraction according to inclusion criteria. A third party (Lin Luo) emerged to discuss with the two review authors and resolve a disagreement. Results: Twenty RCTs were found to meet the inclusion criteria and used for meta-analysis with a total effective sample of 1604. The aggregated results from this systematic review have shown significant benefits in favour of Taichi on BMD at lumbar spine (Standard Mean Difference, SMD) = 0.29; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.43; p < 0.0001), femur neck (SMD = 0.56; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.75; p < 0.00001), femur trochanter (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.07; p = 0.007), total hip BMD (SMD = 0.46; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.76; p = 0.003). Conclusions: The aggregated results from this systematic review suggests that Taichi is effective on attenuating BMD loss at the regions of lumbar spine and proximal femur neck in special populations (e.g., older adults, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, people with osteoarthritis, and cancer survivors). Researchers should further examine the effect of Taichi on the proximal femur trochanter and total hip so that a more definitive claim can be made regarding the beneficial effects for attenuating BMD loss in these musculoskeletal regions.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor-Induced Autophagy in Tumor Cells: Implications for p53
Authors: Mrakovcic Maria , Kleinheinz Johannes , Fröhlich Leopold
Published: September 2017

Autophagy is an essential process of the eukaryotic cell allowing degradation and recycling of dysfunctional cellular components in response to either physiological or pathological changes. Inhibition of autophagy in combination with chemotherapeutic treatment has emerged as a novel approach in cancer treatment leading to cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis. Suberoyl hydroxamic acid (SAHA) is a broad-spectrum histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) suppressing family members in multiple HDAC classes. Increasing evidence indicates that SAHA and other HDACi can, in addition to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, also promote caspase-independent autophagy. SAHA-induced mTOR inactivation as a major regulator of autophagy activating the remaining autophagic core machinery is by far the most reported pathway in several tumor models. However, the question of which upstream mechanisms regulate SAHA-induced mTOR inactivation that consequently initiate autophagy has been mainly left unexplored. To elucidate this issue, we recently initiated a study clarifying different modes of SAHA-induced cell death in two human uterine sarcoma cell lines which led to the conclusion that the tumor suppressor protein p53 could act as a molecular switch between SAHA-triggered autophagic or apoptotic cell death. In this review, we present current research evidence about HDACi-mediated apoptotic and autophagic pathways, in particular with regard to p53 and its therapeutic implications.
IGF-1 Attenuates Hypoxia-Induced Atrophy but Inhibits Myoglobin Expression in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Myotubes
Authors: Peters Eva , Van der Linde Sandra , Vogel Ilse , Haroon Mohammad , Offringa Carla , De Wit Gerard , Koolwijk Pieter , Van der Laarse Willem , Jaspers Richard
Published: September 2017

Chronic hypoxia is associated with muscle wasting and decreased oxidative capacity. By contrast, training under hypoxia may enhance hypertrophy and increase oxidative capacity as well as oxygen transport to the mitochondria, by increasing myoglobin (Mb) expression. The latter may be a feasible strategy to prevent atrophy under hypoxia and enhance an eventual hypertrophic response to anabolic stimulation. Mb expression may be further enhanced by lipid supplementation. We investigated individual and combined effects of hypoxia, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and lipids, in mouse skeletal muscle C2C12 myotubes. Differentiated C2C12 myotubes were cultured for 24 h under 20%, 5% and 2% oxygen with or without IGF-1 and/or lipid treatment. In culture under 20% oxygen, IGF-1 induced 51% hypertrophy. Hypertrophy was only 32% under 5% and abrogated under 2% oxygen. This was not explained by changes in expression of genes involved in contractile protein synthesis or degradation, suggesting a reduced rate of translation rather than of transcription. Myoglobin mRNA expression increased by 75% under 5% O2 but decreased by 50% upon IGF-1 treatment under 20% O2, compared to control. Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation using rapamycin restored Mb mRNA expression to control levels. Lipid supplementation had no effect on Mb gene expression. Thus, IGF-1-induced anabolic signaling can be a strategy to improve muscle size under mild hypoxia, but lowers Mb gene expression.