bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling, analysis and simulations of MERS outbreak in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Asuoad Nofe , Shillor Meir
Published: March 2018

This work describes a continuous differential equations model for the dynamics В of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and provides its computer simulations.В It is a continuation of our previous paper Al-Asuoad et al. (Biomath, 2016) and it extends the simulations results provided there, which were restricted to the city of Riyadh, to the whole of Saudi Arabia. In addition, it updates the results for the city of Riyadh itself.В Using an optimization procedure, the system coefficients were obtained from published data, and the model allows for the prediction of possible scenarios for the transmission andВ В spread of the disease in the near future. This, in turn, allows for the application of possible disease control measures. The model is found to be very sensitive to the daily effective contact parameter, and the presented simulations indicate that the system is very close to the bifurcation of the stability of the Disease Free Equilibrium (DFE) and appearance of the Endemic Equilibrium (EE), which indicates that the disease will notВ decay substantially in the near future. Finally, we establish the stability of the DFE using only the stability number $\mathcal{R}_c$, which simplifies and improves one of the main theoretical results in our previous paper.
Tapering Courses of Oral Vancomycin Induce Persistent Disruption of the Microbiota That Provide Colonization Resistance to Clostridium difficile and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Mice
Authors: Tomas Myreen E. , Mana Thriveen S. C. , Wilson Brigid M. , Nerandzic Michelle M. , Joussef-Piña Samira , Quiñones-Mateu Miguel E. , Donskey Curtis J.
Published: March 2018

Vancomycin taper regimens are commonly used for the treatment of recurrent
Clostridium difficile
infections. One rationale for tapering and pulsing of the dose at the end of therapy is to reduce the selective pressure of vancomycin on the indigenous intestinal microbiota. Here, we used a mouse model to test the hypothesis that the indigenous microbiota that provide colonization resistance against
C. difficile
and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is repopulated during tapering courses of vancomycin. Mice were treated orally with vancomycin daily for 10 days, vancomycin in a tapering dose for 42 days, fidaxomicin for 10 days, or saline. To assess colonization resistance, subsets of mice were challenged with 10
4
CFU of
C. difficile
or VRE at multiple time points during and after completion of treatment. The impact of the treatments on the microbiome was measured by cultures, real-time PCR for selected anaerobic bacteria, and deep sequencing. Vancomycin taper-treated mice developed alterations of the microbiota and disruption of colonization resistance that was persistent 18 days after treatment. In contrast, mice treated with a 10-day course of vancomycin exhibited recovery of the microbiota and of colonization resistance by 15 days after treatment, and fidaxomicin-treated mice maintained intact colonization resistance. These findings demonstrate that alteration of the indigenous microbiota responsible for colonization resistance to
C. difficile
and VRE persist during and after completion of tapering courses of vancomycin.
The Ethanolamine Permease EutH Promotes Vacuole Adaptation of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes during Macrophage Infection
Authors: Anderson Christopher J. , Satkovich John , Köseoğlu Volkan K. , Agaisse Hervé , Kendall Melissa M.
Published: March 2018

Ethanolamine is a ubiquitous and essential molecule within a host. Significantly, bacterial pathogens exploit ethanolamine during infection to promote growth and regulate virulence. The ethanolamine permease EutH is dispensable for growth
in vitro
under standard conditions, whereas EutH is required for ethanolamine utilization at low pH. These findings suggested a model in which EutH facilitates diffusion of ethanolamine into the bacterial cell in acidic environments. To date, the ecological significance of this model has not been thoroughly investigated, and the importance of EutH to bacterial growth under physiologically relevant conditions is not known. During infection, immune cells internalize invading bacteria within an acidic, nutrient-depleted vacuole called the phagosome. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that EutH promotes bacterial survival following phagocytosis. Our findings indicate that EutH is important for survival and replication of the facultative intracellular pathogens
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium and
Listeria monocytogenes
during prolonged or transient exposure to the phagosome, respectively. Furthermore, in agreement with EutH being important in the acidic environment, neutralization of the vacuole abolished the requirement for EutH. Significantly, consistent with a role for EutH in promoting intramacrophage survival, EutH was not required during
S
. Typhimurium local intestinal infection but specifically conferred an advantage upon dissemination to peripheral organs. These findings reveal a physiologically relevant and conserved role for EutH in spatiotemporal niche adaptation during infection.
Future Technologies
Authors: Cano Raúl J. , Toranzos Gary A.
Published: March 2018

Microbiome analysis of environmental samples may represent the next frontier in environmental microbial forensics. Next-generation sequencing technologies significantly increased the available genetic data that could be used as evidentiary material. It is not clear, however, whether the microbiome can scale across institutions using forensic-based evidence due to the data resource requirements and the associated costs of maintaining these databases. A successful microbiome study is impacted by the quality of the information gathered and the steps in sample processing and data analysis. To ascertain the validity of methods and the results obtained, there needs to be a stringent procedure to validate the methods and ensure that the results are comparable and reproducible, not only within the laboratory but also between laboratories conducting similar research. Of primary importance for meaningful microbiome studies is an experimental design that leads to carefully executed, controlled, and reproducible studies. The microbiome literature contains a fair share of anecdotal descriptions of microbial community composition and “diagnostic” relative abundance of the taxa therein. These studies are now being supplemented by experimental designs that feature repeated measurements, error estimates, correlations of microbiota with covariates, and increasingly sophisticated statistical tests that enhance the robustness of data analysis and study conclusions. It is imperative to be careful, especially when carrying out attribution studies, to be fully aware of the possible biases included in a specific sample being analyzed.
Definitions and Historical Perspectives in Environmental Forensics
Authors: Toranzos Gary A. , Cano Raúl J.
Published: March 2018

Environmental forensics is a tool that uses chemical, physical, and statistical techniques to investigate contaminants in the environment as a means to determine attribution for legal purposes. Environmental microbiology is a branch of science that has benefited from the use of metagenomics. The term microbial forensics, which includes nucleic acid sequencing methods, is now used to investigate the sources of microorganisms for attribution purposes as well. Environmental microbial forensics can fully address the questions that must be answered for attribution of causation and subsequent remedial actions within a reasonably short time frame. Although
sensu stricto
forensics refers to obtaining scientific evidence to be presented during legal proceedings, the term
sensu lato
is used as a description of the procedures used to reconstruct previous events, such as contamination. The term microbial forensics was first used to describe a forensic science approach for attribution purposes, specifically for bioterror as a purposeful release of pathogen microorganisms, but it also especially refers to investigations on the inadvertent or accidental release of pathogenic agents. However, microbial forensics can be used to determine the source of a microorganism or a group of microorganisms, regardless of whether they are pathogenic or not. Microbial forensics has limitations, but it should be used as part of a toolbox of methods to be relied upon when doing forensic studies. Environmental microbial forensics can only benefit from the development of new methods, and we already are experiencing a paradigm change in terms of approaches to the forensic sciences.
Incidence of delirium in the Canadian emergency department and its consequences on hospital length of stay: a prospective observational multicentre cohort study
Authors: Émond Marcel , Boucher Valérie , Carmichael Pierre-Hugues , Voyer Philippe , Pelletier Mathieu , Gouin Émilie , Daoust Raoul , Berthelot Simon , Lamontagne Marie-Eve , Morin Michèle , Lemire Stéphane , Minh Vu Thien Tuong , Nadeau Alexandra , Rheault Marcel , Juneau Lucille , Le Sage Natalie , Lee Jacques
Published: March 2018

Objective

We aim to determine the incidence of delirium and describe its impacts on hospital length of stay (LOS) among non-delirious community-dwelling older adults with an 8-hour exposure to the emergency department (ED) environment.

Design

This is a prospective observational multicentre cohort study (March–July 2015). Patients were assessed two times per day during their entire ED stay and up to 24 hours on hospital ward.

Setting

The study took place in four Canadian EDs.

Participants

338 included patients: (1) aged ≥65 years; (2) who had an ED stay ≥8 hours; (3) were admitted to hospital ward and (4) were independent/semi-independent.

Main outcome(s) and measure(s)

The primary outcomes of this study were incident delirium in the ED or within 24 hours of ward admission and ED and hospital LOS. Functional and cognitive status were assessed using validated Older Americans Resources and Services and the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status tools. The Confusion Assessment Method was used to detect incident delirium. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate outcomes.

Results

Mean age was 76.8 (±8.1), 17.7% were aged >85 years old and 48.8% were men. The mean incidence of delirium was 12.1% (n=41). Median IQR ED LOS was 32.4 (24.5–47.9) hours and hospital LOS was 146.6 (75.2–267.8) hours. Adjusted mean hospital LOS was increased by 105.4 hours (4.4 days) (95% CI 25.1 to 162.0, P<0.001) for patients who developed an episode of delirium compared with non-delirious patient.

Conclusions

An incident delirium was observed in one of eight independent/semi-independent older adults after an 8-hour ED exposure. An episode of delirium increases hospital LOS by 4 days and therefore has important implications for patients and could contribute to ED overcrowding through a deleterious feedback loop.
Patterns and trends of potentially inappropriate high-density lipoprotein cholesterol testing in Australian adults at high risk of cardiovascular disease from 2008 to 2014: analysis of linked individual patient data from the Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Authors: Hajati Farshid , Atlantis Evan , Bell Katy J L , Girosi Federico
Published: March 2018

Objectives

We examine the extent to which the adult Australian population on lipid-lowering medications receives the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) testing recommended by national guidelines.

Data

We analysed records from 7 years (2008–2014) of the 10% publicly available sample of deidentified, individual level, linked Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) electronic databases of Australia.

Methods

The PBS data were used to identify individuals on stable prescriptions of lipid-lowering treatment. The MBS data were used to estimate the annual frequency of HDL-C testing. We developed a methodology to address the issue of ‘episode coning’ in the MBS data, which causes an undercounting of pathology tests. We used a published figure on the proportion of unreported HDL-C tests to correct for the undercounting and estimate the probability that an HDL-C test was performed. We judged appropriateness of testing frequency by comparing the HDL-C testing rate to guidelines’ recommendations of annual testing for people at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Results

We estimated that approximately 49% of the population on stable lipid-lowering treatment did not receive any HDL-C test in a given year. We also found that approximately 19% of the same population received two or more HDL-C tests within the year. These levels of underutilisation and overutilisation have been changing at an average rate of 2% and −4% a year, respectively, since 2009. The yearly expenditure associated with test overutilisation was approximately $A4.3 million during the study period, while the cost averted because of test underutilisation was approximately $A11.3 million a year.

Conclusions

We found that approximately half of Australians on stable lipid-lowering treatment may be having fewer HDL-C testing than recommended by national guidelines, while nearly one-fifth are having more tests than recommended.
Agreement between electronic and paper Epworth Sleepiness Scale responses in obstructive sleep apnoea: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial undertaken in a specialised tertiary care clinic
Authors: Chen Lily , Chapman Julia L , Yee Brendon J , Wong Keith K H , Grunstein Ronald R , Marshall Nathaniel S , Miller Christopher B
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Originally developed as a paper questionnaire, the electronic Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is widely used in sleep clinics and sleep population research. Despite potential differences between computer-based and conventional questionnaire delivery, studies have not evaluated the agreement between electronic and paper versions of the ESS. Given the widespread use of the ESS, a bias between results would present considerable data concerns. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine agreement between electronic and paper ESS responses in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Design

We undertook a secondary analysis of baseline data from a randomised controlled trial (ANZCTR: ACTRN12611000847910).

Setting

Data were collected in a tertiary sleep research laboratory located in Sydney, Australia.

Participants

Data were analysed from 112 adult patients with OSA.

Measurements

Patients were given the English version of the ESS as part of a battery of sleep laboratory questionnaires. They completed electronic and subsequently paper ESS questionnaires on the same day.

Results

We found no significant difference between electronic and paper ESS questionnaires (mean=0.1, SD=2.1, 95% CI −0.3 to 0.5, P=0.57) or heteroscedasticity. There was no evidence of bias along the range of the measure. 95% limits of agreement at 4.3 and −4.1 were comparable with previous data.

Conclusions

We found no evidence of bias between electronic and paper ESS questionnaires in this sample of patients with OSA, as the two formats displayed sufficient agreement to be clinically comparable. Regardless of severity, patients reported the same level of daytime sleepiness with the same level of accuracy across both measures.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12611000847910; Pre-results.
What integrated care means from an older person’s perspective? A scoping review protocol
Authors: Mittinty Manasi Murthy , Marshall Amy , Harvey Gillian
Published: March 2018

Introduction

According to the 2013 WHO Global Forum on Innovation for Ageing Populations, disabilities and morbidities associated with ageing could be minimised by accessing preventive care. One way of improving the management of multimorbidity in the older population is through the provision of ‘integrated care’. Although integrated care means different things to different people, it typically symbolises continuity in care, thus preventing older patients' from falling through gaps in the health care system. Many initiatives have attempted to improve the integration of care; however, these are typically designed from a particular policy or system perspective. Relatively little is known about patient expectations and experiences of integrated care, which is vital for developing and implementing better models of care. The proposed scoping review aims to map literature on older patients'’ views, expectations, experiences and perspectives of integrated care.

Methods and analysis

Multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsychInfo, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and ProQuest Dissertations will be searched for appropriate articles between August and December 2017. Reference lists of selected articles will also be searched for similar articles. Two experienced researchers will conduct an initial search of the literature to identify relevant articles. Abstracts of the identified articles will be reviewed collectively by two researchers to identify potential further studies. Full texts of the potential studies will be sourced and screened for the inclusion criteria. Appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to extract data from each included study.

Ethics and dissemination

The scoping review will synthesise findings from studies reporting on patients’ views and expectations of integrated care. This review expects to find information relating to facilitators and barriers of integrated care from an older person’s perspective. The findings from the review will be applied when working with stakeholders representing older people, healthcare, aged care and community providers, researchers and policy makers to develop and evaluate a more locally tailored and person-centred approach to integrated care.
Long-term clinical parameters after switching to nocturnal haemodialysis: a Dutch propensity-score-matched cohort study comparing patients on nocturnal haemodialysis with patients on three-times-a-week haemodialysis/haemodiafiltration
Authors: Jansz Thijs Thomas , Özyilmaz Akin , Grooteman Muriel P C , Hoekstra Tiny , Romijn Marieke , Blankestijn Peter J , Bots Michael L , van Jaarsveld Brigit C
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Nocturnal haemodialysis (NHD), characterised by 8-hour sessions ≥3 times a week, is known to improve clinical parameters in the short term compared with conventional-schedule haemodialysis (HD), generally 3×3.5–4 hours a week. We studied long-term effects of NHD and used patients on conventional HD/haemodiafiltration (HDF) as controls.

Design

Four-year prospective follow-up of patients who switched to NHD; we compared patients with patients on HD/HDF using propensity score matching.

Setting

28 Dutch dialysis centres.

Participants

We included 159 patients starting with NHD any time since 2004, aged 56.7±12.9 years, with median dialysis vintage 2.3 (0.9–5.1) years. We propensity-score matched 100 patients on NHD to 100 on HD/HDF.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Control of hypertension (predialysis blood pressure, number of antihypertensives), phosphate (phosphate, number of phosphate binders), nutritional status and inflammation (albumin, C reactive protein and postdialysis weight) and anaemia (erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) resistance).

Results

Switching to NHD was associated with a non-significant reduction of antihypertensives compared with HD/HDF (OR <2 types 2.17, 95% CI 0.86 to 5.50, P=0.11); and a prolonged lower need for phosphate binders (OR <2 types 1.83, 95% CI 1.10 to 3.03, P=0.02). NHD was not associated with significant changes in blood pressure or phosphate. NHD was associated with significantly higher albumin over time compared with HD/HDF (0.70 g/L/year, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.30, P=0.02). ESA resistance decreased significantly in NHD compared with HD/HDF, resulting in a 33% lower ESA dose in the long term.

Conclusions

After switching to NHD, the lower need for antihypertensives, phosphate binders and ESA persists for at least 4 years. These sustained improvements in NHD contrast significantly with the course of these parameters during continued treatment with conventional-schedule HD and HDF. NHD provides an optimal form of dialysis, also suitable for patients expected to have a long waiting time for transplantation or those convicted to indefinite dialysis.
A tailored strategy for designing the Walk-Copenhagen (WALK-Cph) intervention to increase mobility in hospitalised older medical patients: a protocol for the qualitative part of the WALK-Cph project
Authors: Kirk Jeanette Wassar , Bodilsen Ann Christine , Tjørnhøj-Thomsen Tine , Pedersen Mette Merete , Bandholm Thomas , Husted Rasmus Skov , Poulsen Lise Kronborg , Petersen Janne , Andersen Ove , Nilsen Per
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Older medical patients (>65 years) represent 54% of the admissions to Danish medical and emergency departments. Acute admissions and bed-rest during hospitalisation are independent risk factors for death and dependency in older patients. Even short hospitalisations are associated with increased dependency in activities of daily living after discharge. Interventions that increase mobility during hospitalisation are therefore important. The purpose of this protocol is to describe the intervention design of the WALK-Copenhagen project, aimed at increasing 24 hours mobility in older medical patients during acute hospitalisations and following discharge.

Methods and analysis

This study is based on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews. Workshops are used to develop and co-design the intervention in collaboration with key stakeholders (patients, relatives, health professionals and researchers). The theory of cultural learning processes, and the cultural historical activity theory will be used to help us understand the interaction between health professionals, structures and objects in relation to mobility in the medical departments.

Ethics and dissemination

The project will adhere to the directives of the Helsinki Declaration. Ethical approval was not required for the study since formal ethical approval is not mandatory for studies that do not involve biomedical issues (I-Suite no: 05078) according to Danish law. Informed consent was obtained for all participants. The results will be disseminated to health professionals, managers, patients and relatives, who will be invited to afternoon meetings where the project will be discussed. The results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at scientific conferences.
Evaluation of spine MRIs in athletes participating in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympic Games
Authors: Wasserman Michael S , Guermazi Ali , Jarraya Mohamed , Engbretsen Lars , AbdelKader Mohamad , Roemer Frank W , Hayashi Daichi , Crema Michel D , Mian Asim Z
Published: March 2018

Background/aim

In high-level Olympic athletes, many spinal pathologies arise from overuse, while others are the result of acute injury. Our aim is to analyse the epidemiology of spinal pathologies detected on MRI in athletes participating in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.

Methods

In this retrospective study, all spine MRIs performed during the 2016 Rio Games were analysed. Descriptive data from the MRIs were tabulated and analysed for disc degeneration, spinal canal and/or neural foraminal narrowing, and acute/chronic fractures. Data were analysed by sport, continent of origin, age and sex.

Results

Of 11 274 athletes participating in the Olympic games, 100 received spine MRI. Fifty-two of the 100 (52%) athletes who received cervical, thoracic and/or lumbar spine MRI showed moderate to severe spinal disease. The highest sport-specific incidence of moderate to severe spine disease was seen in aquatic diving athletes (67%, 3 per 100 divers). Weightlifting had the second highest sport-specific incidence of spine disease (67%, 1.5 per 100 weightlifters). Athletics used the most spine MRIs (31 of 107 MRIs, 29%). European athletes had more spine MRIs than all other continents combined (55 of 107 MRIs, 51%). Athletes over 30 years old had the highest rate of moderate to severe spine disease on MRI (24 of 37 athletes >30 years old, 65%).

Conclusions

A high number of the world’s premier athletes demonstrated moderate to severe spine disease on MRI during the 2016 Summer Olympics, including moderate/severe degenerative disc changes with varying degrees of disc bulges and herniations.
MRSA nares swab is a more accurate predictor of MRSA wound infection compared with clinical risk factors in emergency department patients with skin and soft tissue infections
Authors: Acquisto Nicole M , Bodkin Ryan P , Brown Jack E , Graman Paul S , Jones Courtney Marie Cora , Li Timmy , Hardy Dwight J , Dodds Ashley Elizabeth
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) caused by methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) are prevalent in the emergency department (ED). We determined whether MRSA nasal carriage better identifies patients with MRSA wound infection than clinical risk factors or emergency medicine (EM) provider’s choice of discharge prescriptions.

Methods

Adult patients presenting to a large academic medical centre ED in the USA with SSTI between May 2010 and November 2011 were screened. Research assistants administered a questionnaire regarding MRSA risk factors, and MRSA nares swab PCR testing, wound culture results and information on antibiotics prescribed at discharge were collected. Measures of classification accuracy for nares swab, individual risk factors and physician’s prescription for MRSA coverage were compared with gold standard wound culture.

Results

During the study period, 116 patients with SSTI had both wound cultures and nares swabs for MRSA.S. aureuswas isolated in 59.5%, most often MRSA (75.4%). Thirty patients (25.9%) had a positive MRSA nares swab and culture for a sensitivity of 57.7% and specificity of 92.2%. Positive predictive value (PPV) for MRSA nares swab was 85.7% and positive likelihood ratio was 7.4, while negative predictive value was 72.8% and negative likelihood ratio 0.5. None of the individual risk factors nor EM provider’s prescription for MRSA coverage had a PPV or positive likelihood ratio higher than nares swabs.

Conclusions

MRSA nares swab is a more accurate predictor of MRSA wound infection compared with clinical risk factors or EM provider’s choice of antibiotics. MRSA nares swab may be a useful tool in the ED.
Early Activation of Peripheral Monocytes with Hallmarks of M1 and M2 Monocytic Cells in Excessive Alcohol Drinkers: A Pilot Study
Authors: Walline Crystal C , Blum Janice S , Linton Tobyn , Mangiacarne Darrin , Liangpunsakul Suthat
Published: March 2018

Excessive drinking can lead to the development of immune dysfunction. Our aim is to investigate the effect of alcohol on immune activation from circulating peripheral blood monocytes in excessive drinkers (EDs). Twenty-two EDs and healthy controls were enrolled. Time line follow-back was used to quantify the amount of alcohol consumed in the past 30 days before enrollment. Peripheral blood-derived CD14+ monocytes were isolated for gene expression analyses. Serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were also measured. We found that serum LPS concentrations were significantly higher in EDs compared with controls (P<0.05). While no differences in the levels of circulating IL-6 and IL-10 were observed, the relative levels of gene transcripts (RQ) for Il6 (an M1-polarizing cytokine) and Il10 (an M2-polarizing cytokine) were significantly higher in peripheral blood-derived monocytes from EDs compared with controls ( Il6: P<0.01. Il10: P<0.05). EDs exhibit early immune activation of peripheral blood monocyte mRNA transcripts, notably Il6 and Il10. Future studies are needed to explore the clinical implications of our findings and determine whether the levels of Il6 and Il10 mRNA expression can be used to identify those with excessive drinking and to monitor for alcohol abstinence.
Evaluation of radiography as a screening method for detection and characterisation of congenital vertebral malformations in dogs
Authors: Brocal Josep , De Decker Steven , José‐López Roberto , Guevar Julien , Ortega Maria , Parkin Tim , Ter Haar Gert , Gutierrez‐Quintana Rodrigo
Published: March 2018

Congenital vertebral malformations (CVM) are common in brachycephalic ‘screw‐tailed’ dogs; they can be associated with neurological deficits and a genetic predisposition has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiography as a screening method for congenital thoracic vertebral malformations in brachycephalic ‘screw‐tailed’ dogs by comparing it with CT. Forty‐nine dogs that had both radiographic and CT evaluations of the thoracic vertebral column were included. Three observers retrospectively reviewed the images independently to detect CVMs. When identified, they were classified according to a previously published radiographic classification scheme. A CT consensus was then reached. All observers identified significantly more affected vertebrae when evaluating orthogonal radiographic views compared with lateral views alone; and more affected vertebrae with the CT consensus compared with orthogonal radiographic views. Given the high number of CVMs per dog, the number of dogs classified as being CVM free was not significantly different between CT and radiography. Significantly more midline closure defects were also identified with CT compared with radiography. Malformations classified as symmetrical or ventral hypoplasias on radiography were frequently classified as ventral and medial aplasias on CT images. Our results support that CT is better than radiography for the classification of CVMs and this will be important when further evidence of which are the most clinically relevant CVMs is identified. These findings are of particular importance for designing screening schemes of CVMs that could help selective breeding programmes based on phenotype and future studies.
Clinical presentation and pathology of suspected vector transmitted African horse sickness in South African domestic dogs from 2006 to 2017
Authors: O'Dell Nicolize , Arnot Luke , Janisch Chris Eric , Steyl Johan CA
Published: March 2018

African horse sickness (AHS) is a fatal vector transmitted viral disease of horses caused by the African horse sickness virus (AHSV). This disease is characterised by circulatory and respiratory failure, resulting from vascular endothelial injury affecting many organs. The susceptibility of dogs to AHS has been demonstrated in the past following experimental infection through consumption of infected horse meat. Thirty three clinical cases of AHS in dogs (cAHS) have been documented, without a history of ingesting infected horse meat, over a period of 12 years. The clinical cases included in this study presented with a history of acute respiratory distress syndrome or sudden death. The macroscopic and histological changes were mostly characterised by acute interstitial pneumonia, serofibrinous pleuritis and mediastinal oedema. Confirmation of cAHS was obtained by AHS specific NS4 antibody immunohistochemistry and/or AHSV specific duplex real time RT‐quantitative PCR. Here, we document the clinical and postmortem diagnostic features of confirmed cAHS cases with no history of ingestion of AHS infected horse meat.
Injury and mortality in broilers during handling and transport to slaughter
Authors: Cockram Michael S. , Dulal Ketan Jung
Published: March 2018

Multiple factors affect the risk of broiler injury and mortality during loading, transport, and lairage. These include the physical and pathophysiological condition of broilers before loading and the type of handling procedures used. The external environmental conditions have a major influence on the risk of mortality. Combinations of high stocking density, insufficient ventilation, and high temperature and humidity pose a risk of hyperthermia. Combinations of wet conditions, cold temperature, and air movement, increase the risk of hypothermia. However, protection from cold and wet conditions involves the use of side protection that restricts the trailer ventilation that can cause heat and moisture to build up in the load, increasing the risk of hyperthermia. Modular systems reduce the risk of injury and facilitate unloading into a lairage where temperature and ventilation can be controlled. The duration of loading, transport, and lairage increases the mortality risk. Deaths can occur during each stage and interactions between the duration of the preslaughter stages, the thermal environment, fasting, ill-health, and injury can reduce the physiological capacity of the birds to maintain homoeostasis resulting in exhaustion and death. Quality control and action on the identified risk factors should reduce injury and mortality during preslaughter handling and transport.
The stratigraphic position and the age of the Ordovician organic-rich intervals in the northern Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, and Foxe basins—evidence from graptolites
Authors: Zhang Shunxin , Riva John F.
Published: March 2018

Graptolites recovered from the organic-rich intervals, previously named the Boas River Formation in the Upper Ordovician succession on Southampton, Akpatok, and southern Baffin islands provide a reliable age assessment for the Upper Ordovician petroleum source rocks in the northern Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, and Foxe basins. They are characterised by Anticostia lata and Anticostia hudsoni in the lower Red Head Rapids Formation on Southampton Island; Anticostia decipiens and Rectograptus socialis in the lower Foster Bay Formation on Akpatok Island; and Diplacanthograptus spiniferus and Amplexograptus praetypicalis in the lower Amadjuak Formation on southern Baffin Island. These data suggest that the organic-rich intervals in the northern Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait basins can be correlated to the Dicellograptus anceps and Paraorthograptus pacificus zones of the upper Katian, and the horizon in the Foxe Basin to the Diplacanthograptus spiniferus Zone of the lower Katian. The Boas River Formation is not deemed appropriate to use as it occurs as an organic-rich interbed in different stratigraphic units in different basins; therefore, it is suggested to abandon it as a stratigraphic term.
Risk versus reward: interactions, depredation rates, and bycatch mitigation of dolphins in demersal fish trawls
Authors: Santana-Garcon Julia , Wakefield Corey B. , Dorman Stacey R. , Denham Ainslie , Blight Stuart , Molony Brett W. , Newman Stephen J.
Published: March 2018

An improved understanding of interaction dynamics between dolphins and trawlers is essential for improving bycatch mitigation strategies. In-situ observations using video at increasing distances from the net opening during 50 commercial fish trawls, recorded 5908 common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821)) interactions and provided details on their duration, depredation rates, and behaviours. Dolphin interactions with trawls were very common (98% of day-trawls, 118 ± 16 interactions per trawl), with durations and prey consumption positively correlated with the distances ventured into the net. Acoustic deterrents (pingers) had no effect on interaction numbers or durations. Based on in-situ observations, the factors that contribute toward dolphin bycatch in demersal fish trawls were likely associated with (i) risky dolphin behaviour (i.e., entering net during hauling, residing deep within trawl for extended periods or social aggression) and (or) (ii) instability of fishing gear resulting in entrapment. Given the high level of dolphin attendance during most day-trawls, mitigation strategies that focus on improving and monitoring the stability of trawl gear would be more effective than current acoustic deterrent devices aimed at modifying dolphin behaviour.
Composite system in rotationally invariant noncommutative phase space
Authors: Gnatenko Kh. P. , Tkachuk V. M.
Published: March 2018

Composite system is studied in noncommutative phase space with preserved rotational symmetry. We find conditions on the parameters of noncommutativity on which commutation relations for coordinates and momenta of the center-of-mass of composite system reproduce noncommutative algebra for coordinates and momenta of individual particles. Also, on these conditions, the coordinates and the momenta of the center-of-mass satisfy noncommutative algebra with effective parameters of noncommutativity which depend on the total mass of the system and do not depend on its composition. Besides, it is shown that on these conditions the coordinates in noncommutative space do not depend on mass and can be considered as kinematic variables, the momenta are proportional to mass as it has to be. A two-particle system with Coulomb interaction is studied and the corrections to the energy levels of the system are found in rotationally invariant noncommutative phase space. On the basis of this result the effect of noncommutativity on the spectrum of exotic atoms is analyzed.
M2- and M5-branes in E11 current algebra formulation of M-theory
Authors: Shiba Shotaro , Sugawara Hirotaka
Published: March 2018

Equations of motion for M2- and M5-branes are written down in the [Formula: see text] current algebra formulation of M-theory. These branes correspond to currents of the second and the fifth rank antisymmetric tensors in the [Formula: see text] representation, whereas the electric and magnetic fields (coupled to M2- and M5-branes) correspond to currents of the third and the sixth rank antisymmetric tensors, respectively. We show that these equations of motion have solutions in terms of the coordinates on M2- and M5-branes. We also discuss the geometric equations, and show that there are static solutions when M2- or M5-brane exists alone and also when M5-brane wraps around M2-brane. This situation is realized because our Einstein-like equation contains an extra term which can be interpreted as gravitational energy contributing to the curvature, thus avoiding the usual intersection rule.
Visualizing Research Impact through Citation Data
Authors: Wang Yong , Shi Conglei , Li Liangyue , Tong Hanghang , Qu Huamin
Published: March 2018

Research impact plays a critical role in evaluating the research quality and influence of a scholar, a journal, or a conference. Many researchers have attempted to quantify research impact by introducing different types of metrics based on citation data, such as
h
-index, citation count, and impact factor. These metrics are widely used in the academic community. However, quantitative metrics are highly aggregated in most cases and sometimes biased, which probably results in the loss of impact details that are important for comprehensively understanding research impact. For example, which research area does a researcher have great research impact on? How does the research impact change over time? How do the collaborators take effect on the research impact of an individual? Simple quantitative metrics can hardly help answer such kind of questions, since more detailed exploration of the citation data is needed. Previous work on visualizing citation data usually only shows limited aspects of research impact and may suffer from other problems including visual clutter and scalability issues. To fill this gap, we propose an interactive visualization tool,
ImpactVis
, for better exploration of research impact through citation data. Case studies and in-depth expert interviews are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of
ImpactVis
.
Efficient LDPC Code Design for Combating Asymmetric Errors in STT-RAM
Authors: Li Bohua , Pei Yukui , Wen Wujie
Published: March 2018

Spin-transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM) is a promising emerging memory technology in the future memory hierarchy. However, its unique reliability challenges, i.e., the asymmetric bit failure mechanism at different bit flippings, have raised significant concerns in its real applications. Recent studies even show that the common memory error repair “remedies” cannot efficiently address them. In this article, we for the first time systematically study the potentials of the strong low-density parity-check (LDPC) code for combating such unique asymmetric errors in both single-level-cell (SLC) and multi-level-cell (MLC) STT-RAM designs. A generic STT-RAM channel model suitable for the SLC/MLC designs, is developed to analytically calibrate all the accumulated asymmetric factors of the write/read operations. The key initial information for LDPC decoding, namely asymmetric log-likelihood ratio (A-LLR), is redesigned and extracted from the proposed channel model, to unleash the LDPC’s asymmetric error correcting capability. LDPC codec is also carefully designed to lower the hardware cost by leveraging the systematic-structured parity check matrix. Then two customized short-length LDPC codes—(585,512) and (683,512)—augmented from the semi-random parity check matrix and the A-LLR based asymmetric decoding, are proposed for SLC and MLC STT-RAM designs, respectively. Experiments show that our proposed LDPC designs can improve the STT-RAM reliability by at least 10
2
(10
4
) when compared to the existing error correction codes (ECCs) for the SLC (MLC) design, demonstrating the feasibility of LDPC solutions on STT-RAM.
A Quantum Computing Performance Simulator Based on Circuit Failure Probability and Fault Path Counting
Authors: Rynbach Andre Van , Ahsan Muhammad , Kim Jungsang
Published: March 2018

Quantum computing performance simulators are needed to provide practical metrics for the effectiveness of executing theoretical quantum information processing protocols on physical hardware. In this work, we present a tool to simulate the execution of fault-tolerant quantum computation by automating the tracking of common fault paths for error propagation through an encoded circuit block and quantifying the failure probability of each encoded qubit throughout the circuit. Our simulator runs a fault path counter on encoded circuit blocks to determine the probability that two or more errors remain on the encoded qubits after each block is executed, and it combines errors from all the encoded blocks to estimate performance metrics such as the logical qubit failure probability, the overall circuit failure probability, the number of qubits used, and the time required to run the overall circuit. Our technique efficiently estimates the upper bound of the error probability and provides a useful measure of the error threshold at low error probabilities where conventional Monte Carlo methods are ineffective. We describe a way of simplifying the fault-tolerant measurement process in the Steane code to reduce the number of error correction steps necessary. We present simulation results comparing the execution of quantum adders, which constitute a major part of Shor’s algorithm.
A Holistic Approach for Collaborative Workload Execution in Volunteer Clouds
Authors: Sebastio Stefano , Amoretti Michele , Lafuente Alberto Lluch , Scala Antonio
Published: March 2018

The demand for provisioning, using, and maintaining distributed computational resources is growing hand in hand with the quest for ubiquitous services. Centralized infrastructures such as cloud computing systems provide suitable solutions for many applications, but their scalability could be limited in some scenarios, such as in the case of latency-dependent applications. The
volunteer cloud
paradigm aims at overcoming this limitation by encouraging clients to offer their own spare, perhaps unused, computational resources. Volunteer clouds are thus complex, large-scale, dynamic systems that demand for self-adaptive capabilities to offer effective services, as well as modeling and analysis techniques to predict their behavior. In this article, we propose a novel holistic approach for volunteer clouds supporting collaborative task execution services able to improve the quality of service of compute-intensive workloads. We instantiate our approach by extending a recently proposed ant colony optimization algorithm for distributed task execution with a workload-based partitioning of the overlay network of the volunteer cloud. Finally, we evaluate our approach using simulation-based statistical analysis techniques on a workload benchmark provided by Google. Our results show that the proposed approach outperforms some traditional distributed task scheduling algorithms in the presence of compute-intensive workloads.
Mesoscopic Modelling of Pedestrian Movement Using C
arma
and Its Tools
Authors: Galpin Vashti , Zoń Natalia , Wilsdorf Pia , Gilmore Stephen
Published: March 2018

In this article, we assess the suitability of the
Carma
(Collective Adaptive Resource-sharing Markovian Agents) modelling language for mesoscopic modelling of spatially distributed systems where the desired model lies between an individual-based (microscopic) spatial model and a population-based (macroscopic) spatial model. Our modelling approach is mesoscopic in nature because it does not model the movement of individuals as an agent-based simulation in two-dimensional space, nor does it make a continuous-space approximation of the density of a population of individuals using partial differential equations. The application that we consider is pedestrian movement along paths that are expressed as a directed graph. In the models presented, pedestrians move along path segments at rates that are determined by the presence of other pedestrians, and make their choice of the path segment to cross next at the intersections of paths. Information about the topology of the path network and the topography of the landscape can be expressed as separate functional and spatial aspects of the model by making use of C
arma
language constructs for representing space. We use simulation to study the impact on the system dynamics of changes to the topology of paths and show how C
arma
provides suitable modelling language constructs that make it straightforward to change the topology of the paths and other spatial aspects of the model without completely restructuring the C
arma
model. Our results indicate that it is difficult to predict the effect of changes to the network structure and that even small changes can have significant effects.
Engineering Resilient Collective Adaptive Systems by Self-Stabilisation
Authors: Viroli Mirko , Audrito Giorgio , Beal Jacob , Damiani Ferruccio , Pianini Danilo
Published: March 2018

Collective adaptive systems are an emerging class of networked computational systems particularly suited for application domains such as smart cities, complex sensor networks, and the Internet of Things. These systems tend to feature large-scale, heterogeneity of communication model (including opportunistic peer-to-peer wireless interaction) and require inherent self-adaptiveness properties to address unforeseen changes in operating conditions. In this context, it is extremely difficult (if not seemingly intractable) to engineer reusable pieces of distributed behaviour to make them provably correct and smoothly composable.

Building on the field calculus, a computational model (and associated toolchain) capturing the notion of aggregate network-level computation, we address this problem with an engineering methodology coupling formal theory and computer simulation. On the one hand, functional properties are addressed by identifying the largest-to-date field calculus fragment generating self-stabilising behaviour, guaranteed to eventually attain a correct and stable final state despite any transient perturbation in state or topology and including highly reusable building blocks for information spreading, aggregation, and time evolution. On the other hand, dynamical properties are addressed by simulation, empirically evaluating the different performances that can be obtained by switching between implementations of building blocks with provably equivalent functional properties. Overall, our methodology sheds light on how to identify core building blocks of collective behaviour and how to select implementations that improve system performance while leaving overall system function and resiliency properties unchanged.