bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coupled Dynamic Analysis of a Tension Leg Platform Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Wang Teng , Jin Hui , Wu Xiaoni
Published: June 2019

The dynamic response of a tension leg platform (TLP) floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) was analyzed with considering the aero-hydro characteristic of the whole floating wind turbine system including the wind turbine, TLP platform, and tethers. The “aero-hydro” coupled dynamic analysis was conducted in ansys-aqwa with a dynamic link library (DLL) calculating the aerodynamics loading at every steptime based on the blade element momentum theory. Results from the coupled dynamic analysis of TLP FOWT under the condition of turbulent wind and regular wave show that the wind loads influence mainly the low-frequency response of the TLP FOWT. The wind loads have a large impact on the offsets of the TLP away from the initial position while the wave loads influence mainly the fluctuation amplitude of the TLP FOWT. The average TLP pitch response under the wind load is significantly larger due to the large wind-induced heeling moment on the wind turbine. In addition, the tension of tethers at the upwind end is greater than that at the downwind end. The wind loads could reduce effectively the average tension of the tethers, and the tension of tethers is significantly affected by the pitch motion. Results from the coupled dynamic analysis of TLP FOWT under the condition of turbulent wind and irregular wave show that the surge and pitch of TLP result in an obvious increase of thrust of the turbine and the amplitude of torque fluctuation, more attention should be paid to the pitch and surge motion of TLP FOWT.
High-speed black phosphorus field-effect transistors approaching ballistic limit
Authors: Li Xuefei , Yu Zhuoqing , Xiong Xiong , Li Tiaoyang , Gao Tingting , Wang Runsheng , Huang Ru , Wu Yanqing
Published: June 2019

Hole velocity in black phosphorus exceeds most other semiconductors at room temperature and is even higher at low temperatures.
Molecular insights into the surface-catalyzed secondary nucleation of amyloid-β
40
(Aβ
40
) by the peptide fragment Aβ
16–22
Authors: Bunce Samuel J. , Wang Yiming , Stewart Katie L. , Ashcroft Alison E. , Radford Sheena E. , Hall Carol K. , Wilson Andrew J.
Published: June 2019

Combined experiment and simulation reveals a structural mechanism of surface-catalyzed nucleation in Aβ amyloid formation.
Highly efficient sky blue electroluminescence from ligand-activated copper iodide clusters: Overcoming the limitations of cluster light-emitting diodes
Authors: Xie Mingchen , Han Chunmiao , Liang Qianqian , Zhang Jing , Xie Guohua , Xu Hui
Published: June 2019

A ligand activation strategy enables sky-blue cluster light-emitting diode with record 7000 nits brightness and ~8% efficiency.
High-resolution, reconfigurable printing of liquid metals with three-dimensional structures
Authors: Park Young-Geun , An Hyeon Seok , Kim Ju-Young , Park Jang-Ung
Published: June 2019

High-resolution, 3D reconfiguration method using liquid metals is studied for stretchable 3D integrations in electronics.
Visualization of vermilion degradation using pump-probe microscopy
Authors: Yu Jin , Warren Warren S. , Fischer Martin C.
Published: June 2019

Pump-probe microscopy identifies metacinnabar and metallic mercury as possible degradation product of vermilion (α-HgS).
Isoniazid Resistance in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Is a Heterogeneous Phenotype Composed of Overlapping MIC Distributions with Different Underlying Resistance Mechanisms
Authors: Ghodousi Arash , Tagliani Elisa , Karunaratne Eranga , Niemann Stefan , Perera Jennifer , Köser Claudio U. , Cirillo Daniela Maria
Published: June 2019

MIC testing using the Bactec mycobacteria growth indicator tube system 960 of 70 phylogenetically diverse, isoniazid-resistant clinical strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
revealed a complex pattern of overlapping MIC distributions. Whole-genome sequencing explained most of the levels of resistance observed.
Limited Sampling Strategies Using Linear Regression and the Bayesian Approach for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Moxifloxacin in Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: van den Elsen Simone H. J. , Sturkenboom Marieke G. G. , Akkerman Onno W. , Manika Katerina , Kioumis Ioannis P. , van der Werf Tjip S. , Johnson John L. , Peloquin Charles , Touw Daan J. , Alffenaar Jan-Willem C.
Published: June 2019

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of moxifloxacin is recommended to improve the response to tuberculosis treatment and reduce acquired drug resistance. Limited sampling strategies (LSSs) are able to reduce the burden of TDM by using a small number of appropriately timed samples to estimate the parameter of interest, the area under the concentration-time curve.
Efficacy of Aerosolized Rifaximin versus Tobramycin for Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia in Mice
Authors: Kirby Brandon D. , Al Ahmar Roy , Withers T. Ryan , Valentine Meagan E. , Valentovic Monica , Long Timothy E. , Gaskins James R. , Yu Hongwei D.
Published: June 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterial pathogen that can cause chronic lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The current preferred treatment for CF lung infections includes inhaled tobramycin (TOB); however, studies suggest TOB cannot effectively inhibit biofilm formation.
Comparative Analysis of Gene Expression in Virulent and Attenuated Strains of Infectious Bronchitis Virus at Subcodon Resolution
Authors: Dinan Adam M. , Keep Sarah , Bickerton Erica , Britton Paul , Firth Andrew E. , Brierley Ian
Published: June 2019

IBV is a major avian pathogen and presents a substantial economic burden to the poultry industry. Improved vaccination strategies are urgently needed to curb the global spread of this virus, and the development of suitable vaccine candidates will be aided by an improved understanding of IBV molecular biology. Our high-resolution data have enabled a precise study of transcription and translation in cells infected with both pathogenic and attenuated forms of IBV and expand our understanding of gammacoronaviral gene expression. We demonstrate that gene expression shows considerable intraspecies variation, with single nucleotide polymorphisms being associated with altered production of sgmRNA transcripts, and our RiboSeq data sets enabled us to uncover novel ribosomally occupied ORFs in both strains. The numerous cellular genes and gene networks found to be differentially expressed during virus infection provide insights into the host cell response to IBV infection.
Annular pancreas in a 24-year-old woman with persistent abdominal pain
Authors: de la Rosa Rodriguez Randolph , Fogarty Alexandra , Israel Gary M , Sanchez Mayra J
Published: June 2019

Annular pancreas (AP) is a rare diagnosis in the adult population but can cause significant morbidity if not correctly identified. In adults, the most common symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. While these are not specific to AP, they are important clues to this diagnosis in the right clinical context. We present the case of a 24-year-old woman presenting with a 6-year history of progressive abdominal pain and dyspepsia in the context of an extensive negative workup. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and MRI revealed partial duodenal obstruction, concerning for AP. While patients with chronic abdominal pain and vague GI complaints may be diagnosed with functional bowel disorders, it is important to appropriately address the possibility of an underlying structural lesion such as AP. This strategy is not only cost-effective but also saves the patient discomfort associated with unnecessary procedures and allows a timely intervention.
Induction of labour in case of premature rupture of membranes at term with an unfavourable cervix: protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing double balloon catheter (+oxytocin) and vaginal prostaglandin (RUBAPRO) treatments
Authors: Devillard Eric , Delabaere Amélie , Rouzaire Marion , Pereira Bruno , Accoceberry Marie , Houlle Céline , Dejou-Bouillet Lydie , Bouchet Pamela , Gallot Denis
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs at term in 8% of pregnancies. Several studies have demonstrated that the risk of chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis increases with duration of PROM. Decreasing the time interval between PROM and delivery is associated with lower rates of maternal infections. In case of an unfavourable cervix, the use of prostaglandin for cervical maturation demonstrates some advantages over oxytocin. The use of double balloon catheter in reduction of PROM duration has not been evaluated in the literature.

Methods and analysis

We are conducting a prospective, monocentric, randomised clinical trial on pregnant women with an unfavourable cervix showing PROM at term (RUBAPRO).

After 12–24 hours of PROM, women are randomly assigned to one group treated with a double balloon catheter for 12 hours, with oxytocin administered after 6 hours or to the control group treated with 24 hours of vaginal prostaglandin followed by oxytocin infusion alone. Patients (n=80) are randomised at a 1:1 ratio with stratification on parity.

The inclusion criteria are a Bishop score of <6, cephalic presentation at term and confirmed PROM. Women with suspected chorioamnionitis; group B streptococcus (GBS) carrier; a history of caesarean delivery or any contraindication for vaginal delivery are excluded.

The time from induction to delivery is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were mode of delivery, maternofetal morbidity and the effect of parity on strategies for reduction of PROM duration.

To sufficiently demonstrate a difference (10 hours) between groups—with a statistical power of 90% and a two-tailed α of 5%—40 patients per group will be required.

Ethics and dissemination

Written informed consent is required from participants.

National Ethics Committee approval was obtained in August 2017. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences. Access to raw data will be available only to members of the research team.

Trial registration number

NCT03310333.
Comparing the effects of two spasticity management strategies on the long-term outcomes of individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy: a multicentre cohort study protocol
Authors: Munger Meghan E , Chen Brian Po-Jung , MacWilliams Bruce A , McMulkin Mark L , Schwartz Michael H
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Spasticity is one of the primary pathologies associated with cerebral palsy (CP), yet no definitive evidence exists to guide the appropriate level of spasticity management for an individual. Spasticity management strategies often differ by center. On one end of this strategy spectrum is a highly-interventional approach, characterized by treatments such as a selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), intrathecal baclofen pump (ITB), and anti-spasticity injections and medications. On the other end of the spectrum is a less interventional approach, involving minimal use of these treatments, and no SDR.

Methods and analysis

A retrospectively-matched, multi-center study protocol is described that comprehensively compares the long-term outcomes of a highly-interventional versus a minimally-interventional spasticity management strategy. We will analyze two groups of adults with spastic bilateral CP (≥21 years). In one group are individuals who underwent an SDR between the ages of 4 and 10 years, along with ongoing spasticity management during childhood and adolescence. In the other group are individuals who received minimal spasticity management and did not undergo an SDR. Individuals with prolonged use of an intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump will be excluded. The two groups will be matched for spasticity and other important clinical characteristics at baseline. This study design improves on many of the limitations found in the existing outcome literature.

Ethics and dissemination

This study received necessary approval from the University of Minnesota and Western Institutional Review Boards. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT03789786.
Effect of physical exercise on cognitive function and brain measures after chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer (PAM study): protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Witlox Lenja , Schagen Sanne B , de Ruiter Michiel B , Geerlings Mirjam I , Peeters Petra H M , Koevoets Emmie W , van der Wall Elsken , Stuiver Martijn , Sonke Gabe , Velthuis Miranda J , Palen Job A M van der , Jobsen Jan J , May Anne M , Monninkhof E M
Published: June 2019

Introduction

After treatment with chemotherapy, many patients with breast cancer experience cognitive problems. While limited interventions are available to improve cognitive functioning, physical exercise showed positive effects in healthy older adults and people with mild cognitive impairment. The Physical Activity and Memory study aims to investigate the effect of physical exercise on cognitive functioning and brain measures in chemotherapy-exposed patients with breast cancer with cognitive problems.

Methods and analytics

One hundred and eighty patients with breast cancer with cognitive problems 2–4 years after diagnosis are randomised (1:1) into an exercise intervention or a control group. The 6-month exercise intervention consists of twice a week 1-hour aerobic and strength exercises supervised by a physiotherapist and twice a week 1-hour Nordic or power walking. The control group is asked to maintain their habitual activity pattern during 6 months. The primary outcome (verbal learning) is measured at baseline and 6 months. Further measurements include online neuropsychological tests, self-reported cognitive complaints, a 3-tesla brain MRI, patient-reported outcomes (quality of life, fatigue, depression, anxiety, work performance), blood sampling and physical fitness. The MRI scans and blood sampling will be used to gain insight into underlying mechanisms. At 18 months online neuropsychological tests, self-reported cognitive complaints and patient-reported outcomes will be repeated.

Ethics and dissemination

Study results may impact usual care if physical exercise improves cognitive functioning for breast cancer survivors.

Trial registration number

NTR6104
‘Links2HealthierBubs’ cohort study: protocol for a record linkage study on the safety, uptake and effectiveness of influenza and pertussis vaccines among pregnant Australian women
Authors: Sarna Mohinder , Andrews Ross , Moore Hannah , Binks Michael J , McHugh Lisa , Pereira Gavin F , Blyth Christopher C , Van Buynder Paul , Lust Karin , Effler Paul , Lambert Stephen B , Omer Saad B , Mak Donna B , Snelling Thomas , D’Antoine Heather A , McIntyre Peter , de Klerk Nicholas , Foo Damien , Regan Annette K
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Pregnant women and infants are at risk of severe influenza and pertussis infection. Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (dTpa) are recommended during pregnancy to protect both mothers and infants. In Australia, uptake is not routinely monitored but coverage appears sub-optimal. Evidence on the safety of combined antenatal IIV and dTpa is fragmented or deficient, and there remain knowledge gaps of population-level vaccine effectiveness. We aim to establish a large, population-based, multi-jurisdictional cohort of mother-infant pairs to measure the uptake, safety and effectiveness of antenatal IIV and dTpa vaccines in three Australian jurisdictions. This is a first step toward assessing the impact of antenatal vaccination programmes in Australia, which can then inform government policy with respect to future strategies in national vaccination programmes.

Methods and analysis

‘Links2HealthierBubs’ is an observational, population-based, retrospective cohort study established through probabilistic record linkage of administrative health data. The cohort includes births between 2012 and 2017 (~607 605 mother-infant pairs) in jurisdictions with population-level antenatal vaccination and health outcome data (Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory). Perinatal data will be the reference frame to identify the cohort. Jurisdictional vaccination registers will identify antenatal vaccination status and the gestational timing of vaccination. Information on maternal, fetal and child health outcomes will be obtained from hospitalisation and emergency department records, notifiable diseases databases, developmental anomalies databases, birth and mortality registers.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Western Australian Department of Health, Curtin University, the Menzies School of Health Research, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and the West Australian Aboriginal Health Ethics Committees. Research findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, at scientific meetings, and may be incorporated into communication materials for public health agencies and the public.
JAK selectivity for inflammatory bowel disease treatment: does it clinically matter?
Authors: Danese Silvio , Argollo Marjorie , Le Berre Catherine , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent
Published: June 2019

The two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic immune-mediated conditions characterised by an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that act as critical drivers of intestinal inflammation. Anti-cytokine therapy has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in IBD. Janus kinases (JAKs) are tyrosine kinases that bind different intracellular cytokine receptors, leading to phosphorylation of signal transducer and activation of transcription molecules implicated on targeted gene transcription. Four isoforms of JAKs have been described: JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2. Oral JAK inhibitors (JAKi) have been developed as synergic anti-cytokine therapy in IBD, showing different selectivity towards JAK isoforms. Tofacitinib, a pan-JAK inhibitor, has been recently approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe UC. With the aim of improving the benefit: risk ratio of this drug class, several second-generation subtype-selective JAKi are under development. However, whether selective inhibition of JAK isoforms is associated with an increased clinical efficacy and/or a better safety profile remains debatable. The aim of this review is to critically review the preclinical and clinical data for the differential selectivity of JAK inhibitors and to summarise the potential clinical implications of the selective JAK inhibitors under development for UC and CD.
Risk of hospital-treated injury in children with cerebral palsy: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Määttänen Laura , Ripatti Liisi , Rautava Päivi , Koivisto Mari , Haataja Leena
Published: June 2019

Aim

To study whether cerebral palsy (CP) increases the risk of hospital-treated injuries in children up to 13 years of age.

Methods

A Finnish population-based cohort (n=328 903) of children born during 2001 to 2006 was followed up for hospital-treated injuries until the end of 2014 via linkage of nation-wide registers. The rate of first injury was compared in children with and without CP. The effect of CP type, gender, severe comorbidities (intellectual disability, epilepsy, hearing or visual impairment), and the type of injury was evaluated.

Results

Children with CP had an increased risk of injury compared with children without CP (unadjusted HR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0 – 1.4, p=0.40). Girls with CP (n=191) had a higher risk of injury compared with girls without CP (29% vs 22%, HR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.8, p = 0.01). Any comorbidity increased the risk of injury (HR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.2, p = 0.015) among children with CP. Children with CP had a higher risk of traumatic brain injury (HR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.4, p = 0.002) than children without CP.

Conclusion

Girls with CP had the highest risk of hospital-treated injury. Children with CP are particularly prone to traumatic brain injuries.
‘Voice of resistance’: Rim Banna, cancer and Palestine’s body politic
Authors: Hamdar Abir
Published: June 2019

This essay offers a cultural anatomy of Palestinian artist Rim Banna’s post-illness body, from her cancer diagnosis, through her death and into the commemorations that ensued. The essay draws on Banna’s music, her interviews, as well as the public obituaries in the wake of her death, to argue that her cancer (and other chronic health issues) have not only been transformed into an allegory or metaphor for the colonial situation of Palestine but into the site for a poetics of Palestinian unity and resistance. In conclusion, the essay observes how the posthumous release of Banna’s last album is the culmination of this becoming-political of cancer.
Echocardiographic subtypes of heart failure in consecutive hospitalised patients with dyspnoea
Authors: Nielsen Olav Wendelboe , Valeur Nana , Sajadieh Ahmad , Fabricius-Bjerre Andreas , Carlsen Christian Malchau , Kober Lars
Published: June 2019

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) involves half of hospitalised patients with heart failure (HF), but estimates vary due to unclear diagnostic criteria. We performed a prospective observational study of hospitalised patients admitted with dyspnoea. The aim was to apply contemporary guidelines to diagnose HF due to valvular disease (HFvhd), HF due to reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HF due to midrange EF (HFmrEF) and HFpEF in relation to presumed cardiac or non-cardiac dyspnoea.

Methods

We included consecutive hospitalised patients with presumed HF or dyspnoea and excluded patients with acute coronary syndrome, estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m² or low NT-proBNP (<296 ng/L). Higher age-adjusted NT-proBNP values excluded patients with presumptive non-cardiac dyspnoea. Contemporary criteria for HFpEF and diastolic dysfunction were assessed, and we adjudicated whether acute decompensated HF (ADHF) had been the primary diagnosis.

Results

Of 707 eligible patients, we included 370 patients of whom 75 had non-cardiac dyspnoea. Of these, 10% (38/370) had no cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac dysfunction consisted of 18.4%, HFvhd, 30.1% HFrEF, 10.2% HFmrEF and 41.3% HFpEF. HFpEF was twice as common in presumptive non-cardiac dyspnoea versus cardiac dyspnoea (71% vs 34%, p<0.0001). However, adjudicated ADHF was the primary diagnosis in 80% of HFrEF, 62% of HFmrEF and just 28% of HFpEF.

Conclusion

HF according to contemporary criteria applied to 90% of patients admitted with dyspnoea and elevated NT-proBNP irrespective of the presumptive cause of dyspnoea, of whom 10% had HFmrEF and 41% HFpEF. However, significant non-cardiac diagnoses related to 9 out of 10 with HFpEF with pulmonary disease as the predominant adjudicated problem.
Cost-effectiveness of an insertable cardiac monitor in a high-risk population in the UK
Authors: Rinciog Claudia I , Sawyer Laura M , Diamantopoulos Alexander , Elkind Mitchell S V , Reynolds Matthew , Tsintzos Stylianos I , Ziegler Paul D , Quiroz Maria E , Wolff Claudia , Witte Klaus K
Published: June 2019

Objective

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) compared with standard of care (SoC) for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients at high risk of stroke (CHADS2>2), using a UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective.

Methods

Using patient characteristics and clinical data from the REVEAL AF trial, a Markov model assessed the cost-effectiveness of detecting AF with an ICM compared with SoC. Costs and benefits were extrapolated across modelled patient lifetime. Ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes, intracranial and extracranial haemorrhages and minor bleeds were modelled. Diagnostic and device costs were included, plus costs of treating stroke and bleeding events and costs of oral anticoagulants (OACs). Costs and health outcomes, measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), were discounted at 3.5% per annum. One-way deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were undertaken.

Results

The total per-patient cost for ICM was £13 360 versus £11 936 for SoC (namely, annual 24 hours Holter monitoring). ICMs generated a total of 6.50 QALYs versus 6.30 for SoC. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £7140/QALY gained, below the £20 000/QALY acceptability threshold. ICMs were cost-effective in 77.4% of PSA simulations. The number of ICMs needed to prevent one stroke was 21 and to cause a major bleed was 37. ICERs were sensitive to assumed proportions of patients initiating or discontinuing OAC after AF diagnosis, type of OAC used and how intense the traditional monitoring was assumed to be under SoC.

Conclusions

The use of ICMs to identify AF in a high-risk population is cost-effective for the UK NHS.
Additive effect of cerebral atrophy on cognition in dementia-free elderly with cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Xu Xin , Phua April , Collinson Simon L , Hilal Saima , Ikram Mohammad Kamran , Wong Tien Yin , Cheng Ching Yu , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Chen Christopher
Published: June 2019

Objective

To explore the additive effect of neurodegenerative diseases, measured by atrophy, on neurocognitive function in Asian dementia-free elderly with cerebrovascular disease (CeVD).

Methods

The present study employed a cross-sectional design and was conducted between 2010 and 2015 among community-dwelling elderly participants recruited into the study. Eligible participants were evaluated with an extensive neuropsychological battery and neuroimaging. The weighted CeVD burden scale comprising markers of both small- and large-vessel diseases was applied, with a score of ≥2, indicating significant CeVD burden. Cortical atrophy (CA) and medial temporal atrophy (MTA) were graded using the global cortical atrophy scale and Schelten’s scale, respectively. Global and domain-specific (attention, executive function, language, visuomotor speed, visuoconstruction, visual memory, and verbal memory) neurocognitive performance was measured using a locally validated neuropsychological battery (Vascular Dementia Battery, VDB).

Results

A total of 819 dementia-free participants were included in the analysis. Among none-mild CeVD subjects, there was no significant difference in the global cognitive performance across atrophy groups (no atrophy, CA, and CA+MTA). However, in moderate-severe CeVD subjects, CA+MTA showed significantly worse global cognitive performance compared with those with CA alone (mean difference=−0.35, 95% CI −0.60 to −0.11, p=0.002) and those without atrophy (mean difference=−0.46, 95% CI −0.74 to −0.19, p<0.001, p<0.001). In domain-specific cognitive performance, subjects with CA+MTA performed worse than other groups in visual memory (p=0.005), executive function (p=0.001) and visuomotor speed (p<0.001) in moderate-severe CeVD but not in none-mild CeVD.

Conclusions and relevance

Atrophy and moderate-severe CeVD burden showed an additive effect on global and domain-specific cognitive performance. This study highlights the importance of investigating the mechanisms of clinico-pathological interactions between neurodegenerative processes and vascular damage, particularly in the pre-dementia stage.
High-resolution MRI of intracranial large artery diseases: how to use it in clinical practice?
Authors: Xu Weihai
Published: June 2019

High-resolution MRI (HRMRI) has emerged as a useful tool for clinical research in recent years. Compared with traditional cranial and vessel imaging, HRMRI provides more additional valuable pathophysiology information that is helpful for the differential diagnosis of intracranial atherosclerosis, dissection and vasculitis. However, there are some points that a neurologist should keep in mind. First, although enhanced vessel wall imaging is widely applied for research purposes, it is not appropriate for routine clinical use. Any injury or inflammation within vessel wall can result in enhancement, which is unspecific for a diagnosis. Second, although plaque components identified on HRMRI arouse researchers’ interest, they may have limited positive predictive value for future stroke. Ruptured plaques may have higher prevalence in asymptomatic patients than expected. More prospective observational studies are required. Third, the vessel wall morphology features remain the useful and reliable clue for a diagnosis. It is true that eccentric vessel wall lesions most likely represent atherosclerosis if vessel dissection is easily excluded. For concentric wall lesions, however, the underlying pathophysiology is complicated, either atherosclerotic or non-atherosclerotic. Fourth, HRMRI can show luminal thrombus directly and provide valuable details. All in all, when HRMRI is used by a neurologist, it should not be viewed as the only key for a diagnosis. The diagnosis should be made based on patient history, lab works, other imaging technique and even genetic examinations.
Changes in microbial communities of a passive coal mine drainage bioremediation system
Authors: Roth Hannah , Gallo Samantha , Badger Paul , Hillwig Melissa
Published: June 2019

Drainage from abandoned mines is one factor greatly affecting the streams and vegetation in and around Pittsburgh and the Appalachian Mountains where coal mining occurred. This drainage may be more acidic, alkaline, or metal based. Different methods for remediation exist. Passive remediation is one method used to naturally allow the metals to precipitate out and aid in cleaning up the water. The goal of this study is to sample different holding ponds in a sequential passive remediation system and determine microbial communities present at each site of an abandoned coal mine drainage site. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of the sediment indicated the most abundant phyla at each of the 5 ponds and wetland area included Proteobacteria (36%–43%), Bacteroidetes (12%–37%), Firmicutes (3%–11%), and Verrucomicrobia (6%–11%). Analysis of genera between the first, and most polluted, pond included Solitalea, Pedosphaera, and Rhodocyclus, whereas the microbial community from the wetland site at the end of the remediation system included Ignavibacterium, Pelotomaculum, and Petrimonas. The results of our microbial community composition study of sediment from a passive treatment system are in line with organisms commonly found in sediment regardless of iron oxide precipitation, while others are preferentially found in the less polluted wetland site.
Estimating the annual distribution of monarch butterflies in Canada over 16 years using citizen science data
Authors: Tyler Flockhart D. T. , Larrivée Maxim , Prudic Kathleen L. , Ryan Norris D.
Published: June 2019

Monarch butterflies ( Danaus plexippus, Linnaeus, 1758) are comprised of two migratory populations separated by the Rocky Mountains and are renowned for their long-distance movements among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Both populations have declined over several decades across North America prompting all three countries to evaluate conservation efforts. Monitoring monarch distribution and abundance is a necessary aspect of ongoing management in Canada where they are a species at risk. We used presence-only data from two citizen science data sets to estimate the annual breeding distribution of monarch butterflies in Canada between 2000 and 2015. Monarch breeding distribution in Canada varied widely among years owing to natural variation, and when considering the upper 95% of the probability of occurrence, the annual mean breeding distribution in Canada was 484 943 km2 (min: 173 449 km2; max: 1 425 835 km2). The area of occurrence was approximately an order of magnitude larger in eastern Canada than in western Canada. Habitat restoration for monarch butterflies in Canada should prioritize productive habitats in southern Ontario where monarchs occur annually and, therefore, likely contribute most to the long-term viability of monarchs in eastern North America. Overall, our assessment sets the geographic context to develop successful management strategies for monarchs in Canada.
Theoretical photoneutron cross-section calculations on Osmium isotopes by Talys and Empire codes
Authors: Sarpün İsmail Hakki , Özdoğan Hasan , Taşdöven Kemal , Yalim Hüseyin Ali , Kaplan Abdullah
Published: June 2019

In this study, the level density parameter and the gamma ray strength function effects on photoneutron reaction cross-section calculations for Osmium isotopes were investigated by employing available level density models and gamma ray strength functions within Talys v1.8 and Empire v3.1 nuclear codes. A relative variance analysis was done to determine the best gamma ray strength function. Then, the effect of level density models for the photoneutron reactions was investigated by using the best gamma ray strength function. The results were compared with each other and also with the experimental data taken from the literature.
A digital interface integration circuit design for high precision quartz-gyro
Authors: Di Xinpeng , Chen Weiping , Liu Xiaowei
Published: June 2019

A design of digital application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) of quartz-gyro is proposed in this paper. The digital drive circuit with fast-start oscillation and digital detection circuit with low noise are adopted to implement the digital output of the main circuit node and high precision angular velocity detection. The interface circuit is fabricated in a standard 0.35 [Formula: see text]m CMOS technology and test result shows the angular random walk and zero stability are [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]/h ([Formula: see text]), respectively. The bias-instability is [Formula: see text]/h (Allen). The nonlinearity is limited to 0.035% and the zero temperature drift is [Formula: see text]/h from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. The chip exhibits great superiority on the aspects of high precision angular velocity digital detection and temperature characteristics of overall system.
Thermodynamics of rotating weakly interacting Bose gases in a harmonic trap
Authors: Li Yushan
Published: June 2019

The analytical expressions of particle number, critical temperature, condensate fraction, total energy, specific heat and spatial distribution of particle current for rotating weakly interacting Bose gases in a harmonic trap are derived by using the local density approximation (LDA). The effects of weakly repulsive interaction on the above thermodynamics are discussed by introducing a positive scattering length. Our results completely coincide with those for the case of rotating ideal Bose gases when the weak interaction disappears.
Correlation Between Error Factors, Visual Perception, and Interface Layout — Taking Digital Instrument Control Equipment of Nuclear Power Safety Injection System as an Optimization Example
Authors: Wu Xiaoli , Chen Yan
Published: June 2019

One of the effective ways to improve task performance is to trace the sources of the task failures, that is, error factors, and take them into consideration for the optimization design of the system interactive interface. In this study, the digital instrument control equipment of a nuclear power safety injection system plant was taken as an example to construct an error factor–visual perception–interface layout (EF–VP–IL) correlation model. The visual perception intensity (VPI) levels in the functional sections of the interface were obtained by extracting the error factors and performing weight analysis on each functional section. A set of optimal solutions of the interface layout was obtained using the genetic algorithm, and the interface layout was optimized accordingly. The calculation results showed that the proposed method increased the visual communication index (VCI) of the original interface from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] after optimization, which is an improvement of 23.36%.
Texture Analysis and Genetic Algorithms for Osteoporosis Diagnosis
Authors: Yousfi Laatra , Houam Lotfi , Boukrouche Abdelhani , Lespessailles Eric , Ros Frédéric , Jennane Rachid
Published: June 2019

Early diagnosis of osteoporosis can efficiently predict fracture risk. There is a great demand to prevent this disease. The goal of this study was to distinguish osteoporotic cases from healthy controls on 2D bone radiograph images, using texture analysis and genetic algorithms (GAs). Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), Run length Matrix (RLM) and Binarized Statistical Image Features (BSIF) were used for texture analysis. Features are numerous and parameter-dependent. The related experts can pick out the useful input features for the classifier. It however remains a difficult task and may be inefficient or even harmful as the data pattern is not clear. In this paper, GAs were used to optimize the two parameters of the co-occurrence matrix (distance parameter or pixel separation, orientation or direction) and the number of gray levels used in the preprocessing quantification step. GAs were also used to select the best combination of features extracted from GLCM and RLM matrices. Experiments were conducted on two populations composed of Osteoporotic Patients and Control Subjects. Results show that GAs combined with GLCM and BSIF features can improve the classification rates (ACC = 87.50%) obtained using GLCM (ACC = 77.8%) alone.
NOVEL NATURAL DYE EXTRACTION METHODS AND MORDANTS FOR TEXTILE APPLICATIONS
Authors: NAVEED TAYYAB , REHMAN FAISAL , SANBHAL NOOR , ALI BABAR AIJAZ , YUEQI ZHONG , FAROOQ OMER , WANG WEI
Published: June 2019

The present study deals with the extraction of eco-friendly natural dye from pomegranate peel through the pre-mordanting method and its application on Tencel fabric. The investigation was made for the evaluation of the best extraction processes (solvent, ultrasonic and aqueous) with the use of three mordants (stannous chloride, ferrous sulfate and alum) and to compare the effect of different color shades and fastness properties. The experimental result indicated that solvent extraction method delivered better effects on Tencel fabric as compared to ultrasonic and aqueous (solvent[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]ultrasonic[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]aqueous). It was due to the extraction of excessive and pure pomegranate peel dye in 100 min time. Furthermore, the fabric samples dyed using mordants have a good effect in color shade. However, amongst all, mordant stannous chloride has an efficient color shade in all extraction methods (stannous chloride[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]ferrous sulfate[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]alum[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]no mordant). Dyed Tencel fabric has excellent washing (4–5), light (5–6), rubbing (4–5) and perspiration (4–5) fastness properties with and without mordants in all extraction methods. FTIR results revealed that the structure of Tencel fabric remained unchanged after dyeing through different extraction methods with pomegranate extract. The overall outcome implied that solvent extraction process with mordant stannous chloride delivered the best effects.
Level Hashing
Authors: Zuo Pengfei , Hua Yu , Wu Jie
Published: June 2019

Non-volatile memory (NVM) technologies as persistent memory are promising candidates to complement or replace DRAM for building future memory systems, due to having the advantages of high density, low power, and non-volatility. In main memory systems, hashing index structures are fundamental building blocks to provide fast query responses. However, hashing index structures originally designed for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) become inefficient for persistent memory due to new challenges including hardware limitations of NVM and the requirement of data consistency. To address these challenges, this article proposes
level hashing
, a write-optimized and high-performance hashing index scheme with low-overhead consistency guarantee and cost-efficient resizing. Level hashing provides a sharing-based two-level hash table, which achieves constant-scale worst-case time complexity for search, insertion, deletion, and update operations, and rarely incurs extra NVM writes. To guarantee the consistency with low overhead, level hashing leverages log-free consistency schemes for deletion, insertion, and resizing operations, and an opportunistic log-free scheme for update operation. To cost-efficiently resize this hash table, level hashing leverages an in-place resizing scheme that only needs to rehash 1/3 of buckets instead of the entire table to expand a hash table and rehash 2/3 of buckets to shrink a hash table, thus significantly improving the resizing performance and reducing the number of rehashed buckets. Extensive experimental results show that the level hashing speeds up insertions by 1.4×−3.0×, updates by 1.2×−2.1×, expanding by over 4.3×, and shrinking by over 1.4× while maintaining high search and deletion performance compared with start-of-the-art hashing schemes.
Marine Microbial Assemblages on Microplastics: Diversity, Adaptation, and Role in Degradation
Authors: Oberbeckmann Sonja , Labrenz Matthias
Published: June 2019

We have known for more than 45 years that microplastics in the ocean are carriers of microbially dominated assemblages. However, only recently has the role of microbial interactions with microplastics in marine ecosystems been investigated in detail. Research in this field has focused on three main areas: ( a) the establishment of plastic-specific biofilms (the so-called plastisphere); ( b) enrichment of pathogenic bacteria, particularly members of the genus Vibrio, coupled to a vector function of microplastics; and ( c) the microbial degradation of microplastics in the marine environment. Nevertheless, the relationships between marine microorganisms and microplastics remain unclear. In this review, we deduce from the current literature, new comparative analyses, and considerations of microbial adaptation concerning plastic degradation that interactions between microorganisms and microplastic particles should have rather limited effects on the ocean ecosystems. The majority of microorganisms growing on microplastics seem to belong to opportunistic colonists that do not distinguish between natural and artificial surfaces. Thus, microplastics do not pose a higher risk than natural particles to higher life forms by potentially harboring pathogenic bacteria. On the other hand, microplastics in the ocean represent recalcitrant substances for microorganisms that are insufficient to support prokaryotic metabolism and will probably not be microbially degraded in any period of time relevant to human society. Because we cannot remove microplastics from the ocean, proactive action regarding research on plastic alternatives and strategies to prevent plastic entering the environment should be taken promptly.
The Emerging Ecological and Biogeochemical Importance of Sponges on Coral Reefs
Authors: Pawlik Joseph R. , McMurray Steven E.
Published: June 2019

With the decline of reef-building corals on tropical reefs, sponges have emerged as an important component of changing coral reef ecosystems. Seemingly simple, sponges are highly diverse taxonomically, morphologically, and in terms of their relationships with symbiotic microbes, and they are one of nature's richest sources of novel secondary metabolites. Unlike most other benthic organisms, sponges have the capacity to disrupt boundary flow as they pump large volumes of seawater into the water column. This seawater is chemically transformed as it passes through the sponge body as a consequence of sponge feeding, excretion, and the activities of microbial symbionts, with important effects on carbon and nutrient cycling and on the organisms in the water column and on the adjacent reef. In this review, we critically evaluate developments in the recently dynamic research area of sponge ecology on tropical reefs and provide a perspective for future studies.
Assembly and Subcellular Localization of Bacterial Type VI Secretion Systems
Authors: Wang Jing , Brodmann Maj , Basler Marek
Published: June 2019

Bacteria need to deliver large molecules out of the cytosol to the extracellular space or even across membranes of neighboring cells to influence their environment, prevent predation, defeat competitors, or communicate. A variety of protein-secretion systems have evolved to make this process highly regulated and efficient. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is one of the largest dynamic assemblies in gram-negative bacteria and allows for delivery of toxins into both bacterial and eukaryotic cells. The recent progress in structural biology and live-cell imaging shows the T6SS as a long contractile sheath assembled around a rigid tube with associated toxins anchored to a cell envelope by a baseplate and membrane complex. Rapid sheath contraction releases a large amount of energy used to push the tube and toxins through the membranes of neighboring target cells. Because reach of the T6SS is limited, some bacteria dynamically regulate its subcellular localization to precisely aim at their targets and thus increase efficiency of toxin translocation.
Small Is Mighty—Chemical Communication Systems inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ahator Stephen Dela , Zhang LianHui
Published: June 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a variety of acute and chronic infections. Usually a commensal on the host body, P. aeruginosa is capable of transforming into a virulent pathogen upon sensing favorable changes in the host immune system or stress cues. P. aeruginosa infections are hard to eradicate, because this pathogen has developed strong resistance to most conventional antibiotics; in addition, in chronic infections it commonly forms a biofilm matrix, which provides bacterial cells a protected environment to withstand various stresses including antibiotics. Given its importance as a human pathogen and its notorious antimicrobial tolerance, P. aeruginosa has been the subject of intensive investigations internationally. Research progress over the last two decades has unveiled a range of chemical communication systems in this pathogen. These diversified chemical communication systems endow P. aeruginosa a superb ability and remarkable flexibility to coordinate and modulate accordingly the transcriptional expression of various sets of genes associated with virulence and other physiologic activities in response to environmental changes. A fair understanding of the chemical signaling mechanisms with which P. aeruginosa governs virulence gene expression may hold the key to developing alternative therapeutic interventions that control and prevent bacterial infections.
Two-Component Sensing and Regulation: How Do Histidine Kinases Talk with Response Regulators at the Molecular Level?
Authors: Buschiazzo Alejandro , Trajtenberg Felipe
Published: June 2019

Perceiving environmental and internal information and reacting in adaptive ways are essential attributes of living organisms. Two-component systems are relevant protein machineries from prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes that enable cells to sense and process signals. Implicating sensory histidine kinases and response regulator proteins, both components take advantage of protein phosphorylation and flexibility to switch conformations in a signal-dependent way. Dozens of two-component systems act simultaneously in any given cell, challenging our understanding about the means that ensure proper connectivity. This review dives into the molecular level, attempting to summarize an emerging picture of how histidine kinases and cognate response regulators achieve required efficiency, specificity, and directionality of signaling pathways, properties that rely on protein:protein interactions. α helices that carry information through long distances, the fine combination of loose and specific kinase/regulator interactions, and malleable reaction centers built when the two components meet emerge as relevant universal principles.