bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interference pricing in 5G ultra‐dense small cell networks: a Stackelberg game approach
Authors: Wang Zeng , Hu Bo , Wang Xin , Chen Shanzhi
Published: August 2016

Being one of core characteristics for 5G cellular networks, ultra‐dense small cell network is an effective approach to reuse the spectrum and achieve high data rate transmission in the wireless communication networks. However, because of sharing the spectrum resources, the interference problem among the macrocell base stations (MBS) and the small cell base stations (SCBSs) is hard to address. In this study, the authors model the scenario as a Stackelberg game, where the MBS act as the leader and all SCBSs act as followers. In the game, the MBS set its interference penalty price first, based on the prices the MBS then determines its channel allocation schemes to all SCBSs. Observing the interference penalty price and the amount of allocated channels performed by the MBS, each SCBS then determines its transmit power to achieve its optimal utility. Because of the first‐move advantage, the MBS is able to predict the reactions of each SCBS and make optimal strategies. Simulation results show the correctness of the analysis and the significant benefits when the power control and channel allocation are jointly considered in the proposed schemes.
Merge‐and‐forward: a cooperative multimedia transmissions protocol using RaptorQ codes
Authors: Talha Gul Muhammad , Ali Amjad , Singh Deepak Kumar , Imtinan Umera , Raza Imran , Hussain Syed Asad , Suh Doug Young , Lee Jong‐wook
Published: August 2016

Recently, nodes cooperation has emerged as a popular means for improving the quality of multimedia delivery over fifth‐generation cellular networks. However, in the conventional relaying scheme such as amplify‐and‐forward (AaF), there is a higher probability of duplicate packets at the receiver node which affect the decoding probability and consequently deteriorate the quality of multimedia transmission. In this study, the authors propose a cooperative multimedia transmission protocol based on a novel merge‐and‐forward relaying and the best relay selection (RS) schemes. Their best RS scheme is based on two important parameters: (i) two‐hop link distances and (ii) minimum block error rate value. Moreover, to combat the packet loss for enhanced and reliable video delivery, they adopt application layer forward error correction scheme which is based on the most improved and advanced version of fountain codes (i.e. RaptorQ codes). They evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme under different time‐sharing scenarios between the direct and best indirect transmission links in terms of decoding failure probability, decoding overhead, peak signal‐to‐noise ratio, and mean opinion score. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms the conventional AaF relaying scheme.
Bidirectional dynamic networks with massive MIMO: performance analysis
Authors: Xin Yuanxue , Yang Liuqing , Wang Dongming , Zhang Rongqing , You Xiaohu
Published: August 2016

To cope with the growing trend of asymmetric data traffic, the bidirectional dynamic networks (BDNs) dynamically allocate the number of uplink and downlink remote radio heads (RRHs), which facilitates simultaneous uplink and downlink communications. In this study, the authors derive the asymptotic approximations of the achievable uplink and downlink rates using maximum ratio transmission precoder and maximum ratio combination receiver, as the RRH antenna number (M) approaches infinity. Considering an optical fibre connected backhaul network, a practical power consumption model is presented to study the system energy efficiency (EE). Based on the asymptotic analysis, they exploit the power scaling laws that both the uplink and downlink powers should scale down to 1/M to maintain a desirable uplink or downlink rate. Numerical results verify that when M is large, the BDN system outperforms the dynamic time division duplex system in both the spectral efficiency and EE.
Enhancing the performance of the T-peel test for thin and flexible adhered laminates
Authors: Padhye Nikhil , Parks David M. , Slocum Alexander H. , Trout Bernhardt L.
Published: August 2016

Symmetrically bonded thin and flexible T-peel specimens, when tested on vertical travel machines, can be subject to significant gravitational loading, with the associated asymmetry and mixed-mode failure during peeling. This can cause erroneously high experimental peel forces to be recorded which leads to uncertainty in estimating interfacial fracture toughness and failure mode. To overcome these issues, a mechanical test fixture has been designed, for use with vertical test machines, that supports the unpeeled portion of the test specimen and suppresses parasitic loads due to gravity from affecting the peel test. The mechanism, driven by the test machine cross-head, moves at one-half of the velocity of the cross-head such that the unpeeled portion always lies in the plane of the instantaneous center of motion. Several specimens such as bonded polymeric films, laminates, and commercial tapes were tested with and without the fixture, and the importance of the proposed T-peel procedure has been demonstrated.
Novel plant development for a high performance 3 kW integrated wind and solar system
Authors: Chai Hsing-Sheng , Chen Chang-An , Chen Chiun-Hsun
Published: August 2016

This research describes a novel system of four Savonius wind rotors, aligned in parallel. A solar panel system, generating power by solar energy, was positioned in front of the parallel system to guide the airflow impinging on the rotors. This array was installed in rural areas to generate electric power. The effect of the solar panel deflector arrangements, used to guide the air stream, was investigated. This type of plant development has not previously been examined. We employed a computational fluid dynamics software, Fluent, to analyze the flow fields and system performance prior to experimentation, then compared these simulations to our experimental data. The parameters studied include wind velocity, wind direction (with/without solar panel deflector), and the rotational speed of the rotors to identify the relationship between the tip-speed ratio (TSR) and power coefficient (Cp). For the numerical simulation results at TSR 0.8, the maximum Cp value of the parallel system without a solar panel deflector was 0.289, whereas at the optimal spacing between the parallel systems with a deflector (50 cm), the Cp was 0.389. This represents a difference factor of 1.35 between the two Cp values. The velocity vector distribution showed that the deflector could guide the airflow to impinge on the rotors from below, gaining extra wind power. The experimental results show that the wind velocity and rotational speed of the wind rotors exhibit large fluctuations in open fields. To combat this, experiments were repeated in both day and night conditions, in different seasons, to gather a range of Cp and TSR values. The average measured wind speed was 6.99 ± 1.52 m/s. Four Savonius wind rotors in a parallel system can generate 8.25 kW h of energy per day, with an optimal power generation efficiency of 20.7%. Our 3-kW hybrid wind and solar system, which used optimal simulation conditions to determine its experimental design, can generate 14.55 kW h of power per day, with a corresponding optimal power generation efficiency of 21.7%. Our measured Cp curve shows that a deflector can improve the system performance by up to 10.1%.
First-principles determination of band-to-band electronic transition energies in cubic and hexagonal AlGaInN alloys
Authors: Freitas F. L. , Marques M. , Teles L. K.
Published: August 2016

We provide approximate quasiparticle-corrected band gap energies for quaternary cubic and hexagonal AlxGayIn1–x–yN semiconductor alloys, employing a cluster expansion method to account for the inherent statistical disorder of the system. Calculated values are compared with photoluminescence measurements and discussed within the currently accepted model of emission in these materials by carrier localization. It is shown that bowing parameters are larger in the cubic phase, while the range of band gap variation is bigger in the hexagonal one. Experimentally determined transition energies are mostly consistent with band-to-band excitations.
Facile preparation of porous alumina through-hole masks for sputtering by two-layer anodization
Authors: Yanagishita Takashi , Masuda Hideki
Published: August 2016

Highly ordered porous alumina through-hole masks were fabricated on a substrate by combining two-layer anodization with subsequent through-holing by selective etching. This process allowed the fabrication of porous alumina masks without an increase in pore size during the etching performed for through-holing. Additionally, the process contributed to improved operability in the setting of the masks on substrates because the second anodizing layer acts as a supporting layer for the handling of the mask. The fabrication of ordered Au nanodot arrays was demonstrated as an example application of the through-hole masks obtained by the present process.
Common pathogens found in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi during aquaculture in Australia
Authors: Stephens Fran J
Published: August 2016

Yellowtail kingfish aquaculture in sea-cages is an emerging industry in Australia. Monogenean, myxozoan and bacterial pathogens sometimes cause health issues that require diagnosis or monitoring.
Changes in testicular function proteins and sperm acrosome status in rats treated with valproic acid
Authors: Sukhorum Wannisa , Iamsaard Sitthichai
Published: August 2016

Valproic acid (VPA), an anti-epileptic drug, reduces testosterone levels and sperm quality. However, the degree to which testosterone levels and sperm quality are decreased under VPA treatment needs to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the testicular proteins involved in testosterone synthesis and spermatogenesis, histopathology and sperm acrosome status in VPA-treated rats. Adult rats were divided into control and experimental groups (n = 8 in each). Rats in the experimental group were treated with 500 mg kg–1, i.p., VPA for 10 consecutive days. Expression of Ki-67, tyrosine phosphorylated proteins and testicular steroidogenic proteins was examined. As expected, VPA-treated rats exhibited adverse changes in almost all reproductive parameters, particularly an increase in precocious acrosome reactions, compared with the control group. In addition, fibrosis of the tunica albuginea and tubule basement membrane was observed in testes from VPA-treated rats. Moreover, the expression of testicular Ki-67, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and phosphorylated proteins (41, 51 and 83 kDa) was decreased significantly in VPA-treated rats compared with control. In contrast, the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory proteins in the VPA-treated group was significantly higher than in the control group. In conclusion, VPA treatment changes the expression of testicular proteins responsible for spermatogenesis and testosterone production, resulting in male infertility.
Critically evaluating the theory and performance of Bayesian analysis of macroevolutionary mixtures
Authors: Moore Brian R. , Höhna Sebastian , May Michael R. , Rannala Bruce , Huelsenbeck John P.
Published: August 2016

Significance

We show that Bayesian analysis of macroevolutionary mixtures (BAMM)—a method for identifying lineage-specific diversification rates—is flawed. Exposing the problems with BAMM is important both to empiricists (to avoid making unreliable inferences using this method) and to theoreticians (to focus their efforts on solving the problems that we identify).
miR-322/-503 cluster is expressed in the earliest cardiac progenitor cells and drives cardiomyocyte specification
Authors: Shen Xiaopeng , Soibam Benjamin , Benham Ashley , Xu Xueping , Chopra Mani , Peng Xiaoping , Yu Wei , Bao Wenjing , Liang Rui , Azares Alon , Liu Peijun , Gunaratne Preethi H. , Mercola Mark , Cooney Austin J. , Schwartz Robert J. , Liu Yu
Published: August 2016

Significance

Compared with microRNAs (miRNAs) enriched in cardiac and skeletal muscles, little is known about miRNAs expressed in early cardiac progenitors. Here, we show that mesoderm posterior 1 (Mesp1) transactivates a large number of miRNAs that may promote cardiomyocyte formation. The miR-322/-503 cluster has the highest enrichment in the Mesp1 lineage of cardiac progenitor cells, is specifically expressed in the developing heart tube, and drives precocious cardiomyocyte formation by targeting an RNA-binding factor, CUG-binding protein Elav-like family member 1 (Celf1). This study fills a gap in our knowledge about miRNAs acting early in the cardiac program and identifies previously unreported candidates in promoting cardiac regeneration.
Cellular normoxic biophysical markers of hydroxyurea treatment in sickle cell disease
Authors: Hosseini Poorya , Abidi Sabia Z. , Du E , Papageorgiou Dimitrios P. , Choi Youngwoon , Park YongKeun , Higgins John M. , Kato Gregory J. , Suresh Subra , Dao Ming , Yaqoob Zahid , So Peter T. C.
Published: August 2016

Significance

There exists a critical need for developing biomarkers reflecting clinical outcomes and for evaluating the effectiveness of treatments for sickle cell disease patients. Prior attempts to find such patient-specific markers have mostly relied upon chemical biomarkers or biophysical properties at hypoxia with limited success. We introduce unique biomarkers based on characterization of cellular biophysical properties at normoxia and show that these markers correlate sensitively with treatment using hydroxyurea (HU), the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for sickle cell disease patients. Our unique choice of cellular biophysical markers strongly correlates with mean cellular volume rather than fetal hemoglobin level, which provides insights into possible mechanisms through which HU treatment results in beneficial clinical outcomes.
The subtitling of offensive and taboo language into Spanish of Inglourious Basterds
Authors: Ávila-Cabrera José Javier
Published: August 2016

The transfer of offensive and taboo language in subtitling may position translators’ choices in a challenging and controversial situation, given the effect that such terms can cause on the audience (Díaz Cintas 2001a). Nowadays, it seems that dealing with this type of language starts to gain more attention in academic circles, as it belongs to colloquial language within a low register, and as such we do speak in diverse manners depending on the context we are in. This paper delves into the way offensive and taboo language has been subtitled into European Spanish. In order to conduct this study, the subtitling of the DVD version of Quentin Tarantino’s multilingual film Inglourious Basterds (2009) has been described and analyzed, resorting to a multi-strategy design (Robson 2011) which combines quantitative with qualitative data, under the umbrella of the descriptive translation studies paradigm. Accordingly, the main purpose of this analysis is to determine any regularities in the way in which offensive and taboo language has been dealt with in this particular case study, considering the technological restrictions of subtitling as well as the translational strategies employed. Thus, this study aims to shed some light on the way this type of language has been transferred on the screen.
Chindamaniand reconstruction of Thai tones in the 17th century
Authors: Pittayaporn Pittayawat
Published: August 2016

Chindamani,the oldest surviving text about the Thai language, contains a direct but equivocal description of Thai orthography and prosody. Combining careful textual study with findings and analytical tools from Comparative Tai, I argue that 17th century Thai had already established a five-tone system that only differs from present-day Thai in two respects. First, some tones were pronounced differently from their present-day counterparts. While Tone 2 and Tone 3 are now low falling and high falling respectively, they were both pronounced with medium pitch. Second, the set of tones allowed on syllables ending in stop consonants was smaller than today. Currently, Tones 2, 3 and 4 can occur in stop-final syllables, but only the first two were allowed in the 17th century.
Tone and registrogenesis in Quiaviní Zapotec
Authors: Uchihara Hiroto
Published: August 2016

Tone and phonation type are known to show complex interactions. I argue that breathy vowels in one Central Zapotec variety, San Lucas Quiaviní Zapotec (Otomanguean, Mexico), has resulted from an original tonal contrast between the low and rising tones (registrogenesis), based both on language-internal and comparative evidence with other closely-related Central Zapotec varieties. The case of Central Zapotec is unusual in that the direction of the sound change is from a tonal contrast to a phonation contrast, while in other known cases the direction is usually the opposite.
Content profiling and translation scenarios
Authors: Castilho Sheila , O'Brien Sharon
Published: August 2016

Today’s companies are overwhelmed with the need to create a huge amount of content, faster, customized, and for numerous media platforms, in order to support their products. Struggling with managing this amount of information, companies have now realised that the strategic management of multilingual enterprise content has become essential. Strategic management involves profiling content, its uses, its end readers and deciding what should be translated, into which languages, using which translation processes and technology. Profiling enterprise content is necessary in order to maximize the quality of the content and its translation at minimum effort and cost by reducing complexity. By targeting the audience, content could be categorized according to the expectation of the end-users, and so, different translation scenarios can be applied to different content types. This article will discuss the challenges of profiling content within the enterprise, as well as translation scenarios focusing on the decisions that push content in one or another direction.
Norms governing the localization of video games
Authors: Sharifi Hamid
Published: August 2016

Garshasp: Temple of the Dragon (2012) is a 3D, 3rd person action-adventure hack ‘n’ slash indie game developed by Dead Mage for English gamers and Fanafzar Sharif for local use. It was one of the early Persian forerunners to be majorly localized and distributed throughout the English community. It takes a mythology that westerners are probably not familiar with and presents it in a third person action setting that most audiences can understand (MetaCritic 2012). This and more is what Garshasp offers from its home country demonstrated through its lovely art design, pompous music, and a great narrator (GameSpot 2012). The present research investigates the norms governing the ‘language’ of Garshasp: Temple of the Dragon; a prequel to its 2011 Garshasp: The Monster Slayer. Toury (1978/2000) proposed various categories of norms among which ‘initial norms’ is our concern. These norms represents the side translators subject themselves to; source (adequacy) or target (acceptability). In other words, the initial norm refers to “the translator’s (conscious or unconscious) choice as to the main objective of his translation, the objective which governs all decisions made during the translation process” (van Leuven- Zwart 1989, 154). Van Leuven-Zwart (1989) also contents that, as is the case with most other norms, the initial norm is not directly observable, but may be inferred by identifying the shifts contained in target text. Using Toury’s categorization (1978/2000) and a modified Vinay and Darbelnet’s model (1958/1995), we found that the language of the video game under study tends to be more acceptable than adequate.
The dialogic construction of justifications and arguments of a seven-year-old child within a ‘democratic’ family
Authors: Pontecorvo Clotilde , Arcidiacono Francesco
Published: August 2016

The paper focuses on arguing and reasoning processes occurring at dinnertime family conversations. Our goal is to highlight the interplay between two sides of argumentative practices: the justification as social need to provide evidences for an assertion; the dialogic function of argumentation that refers to the goals arguers want to achieve during discussions. Through the analysis of a case study we discuss a sequence in which a child resists his father’s directive by an elaborated argumentative strategy in order to achieve his goal. Results show how participants engage in opposing the other’s standpoint and are socialized to argumentative dialogues.
Feasibility of Tagging Walleye Pollock Captured with Hook and Line using External Tags
Authors: Rutecki Thomas L. , Ianelli J. N.
Published: August 2016

We evaluated methods of minimizing mechanical injury to Walleye Pollock Gadus chalcogrammus when tagging them with external identification tags. Walleye Pollock (20–62 cm FL) were captured with hook and line near Auke Bay, Southeast Alaska, and were tagged with either T-bar anchor tags or lock-on tags, which were anticipated to be used for tagging studies in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. The tested handling procedures included transferring the tagged fish between live tanks either by using a dip net (dipnetted group) or with wet, bare hands (non-dipnetted group). Sixty percent of the dipnetted fish (63 of 105) died, whereas 12% of the non-dipnetted fish (17 of 138) died. Overall, 50% of the deaths occurred within 7 d after capture, and 89% of the deaths occurred within 10 d after capture. Of the dipnetted fish that died, 68% (n = 43) died from dermal infection due to scale loss, whereas 30% of the non-dipnetted fish mortalities were from dermal infection. Additionally, injuries that were recorded as potential mortality factors included fin loss, torn jaws, internal dysfunction, and unknown. All of the fish that received lock-on tags and 93% of the fish that were anchor-tagged developed an infection at the point of tag insertion. Tag retention rates were 99.5% for lock-on tags and 93.7% for anchor tags, and tag type did not affect survival. Use of hook-and-line capture is an effective method for reducing mechanical injury and mortality in Walleye Pollock. Recommended procedures for capturing and tagging Walleye Pollock include the use of hook and line and the use of wet, bare hands (or a similar low-abrasion approach) when handling the fish.

Received July 13, 2015; accepted March 7, 2016
Frequency importance function for monosyllables in Malayalam
Authors: Narne Vijaya Kumar , Prabhu Prashanth , Thuvassery Priyanka , Ramachandran Resmitha , Kumar Akriti , Raveendran Revathi , Gafoor Shezeen Abdul
Published: August 2016

Objectives:

The phonetic content of Malayalam is different from English and other Indian languages as it may contain more low frequency energy. The present study aimed to determine the frequency importance function (FIF) for monosyllables of Malayalam Language.

Study design:

Nineteen monosyllables spoken by a native female Malayalam speaker was used for the study. The speech stimuli were digitally filtered into 20 high pass and 20 low pass conditions. Speech noise was added to create nine conditions with SNRs of +8, +6, +4, +2, 0, −2, −4, −6 and −8 dB. The filtered stimuli were presented at these SNRs to 10 normal-hearing Malayalam speakers and were asked to identify the phonemes.

Results:

The FIF estimated in Malayalam language was compared with the FIF in English obtained from the published literature. The result shows that Malayalam has more weightage for low frequencies compared to English. The probable reason could be because of the inherent phonetic differences. The use of more nasalized speech which has low frequency content might have led to this result.

Conclusions:

The results of the study suggest that hearing aid fitting in Malayalam speakers should focus on providing more gain at low frequencies for better hearing aid benefit. The study needs to be performed on a larger population for better generalization of the results.
BK Channels in Rat and Human Pulmonary Smooth Muscle Cells are BKα‐β1 Functional Complexes Lacking the Oxygen‐Sensitive Stress Axis Regulated Exon Insert
Authors: Detweiler Neil D. , Song Li , McClenahan Samantha J. , Versluis Rachel J. , Kharade Sujay V. , Kurten Richard C. , Rhee Sung W. , Rusch Nancy J.
Published: August 2016

A loss of K+ efflux in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) contributes to abnormal vasoconstriction and PASMC proliferation during pulmonary hypertension (PH). Activation of high‐conductance Ca2+‐activated (BK) channels represents a therapeutic strategy to restore K+ efflux to the affected PASMCs. However, the properties of BK channels in PASMCs—including sensitivity to BK channel openers (BKCOs)—are poorly defined. The goal of this study was to compare the properties of BK channels between PASMCs of normoxic (N) and chronic hypoxic (CH) rats and then explore key findings in human PASMCs. Polymerase chain reaction results revealed that 94.3% of transcripts encoding BKα pore proteins in PASMCs from N rats represent splice variants lacking the stress axis regulated exon insert, which confers oxygen sensitivity. Subsequent patch‐clamp recordings from inside‐out (I‐O) patches confirmed a dense population of BK channels insensitive to hypoxia. The BK channels were highly activated by intracellular Ca2+ and the BKCO lithocholate; these responses require BKα‐β1 subunit coupling. PASMCs of CH rats with established PH exhibited a profound overabundance of the dominant oxygen‐insensitive BKα variant. Importantly, human BK (hBK) channels in PASMCs from human donor lungs also represented the oxygen‐insensitive BKα variant activated by BKCOs. The hBK channels showed significantly enhanced Ca2+ sensitivity compared with rat BK channels. We conclude that rat BK and hBK channels in PASMCs are oxygen‐insensitive BKα‐β1 complexes highly sensitive to Ca2+ and the BKCO lithocholate. BK channels are overexpressed in PASMCs of a rat model of PH and may provide an abundant target for BKCOs designed to restore K+ efflux.
Interaction of external n  =  1 magnetic fields with the sawtooth instability in low-q RFX-mod and DIII-D tokamaks
Authors: Piron C. , Martin P. , Bonfiglio D. , Hanson J. , Logan N.C. , Paz-Soldan C. , Piovesan P. , Turco F. , Bialek J. , Franz P. , Jackson G. , Lanctot M.J. , Navratil G.A. , Okabayashi M. , Strait E. , Terranova D. , Turnbull A.
Published: August 2016

External n  =  1 magnetic fields are applied in RFX-mod and DIII-D low safety factor Tokamak plasmas to investigate their interaction with the internal MHD dynamics and in particular with the sawtooth instability. In these experiments the applied magnetic fields cause a reduction of both the sawtooth amplitude and period, leading to an overall stabilizing effect on the oscillations. In RFX-mod sawteeth eventually disappear and are replaced by a stationary m  =  1, n  =  1 helical equilibrium without an increase in disruptivity. However toroidal rotation is significantly reduced in these plasmas, thus it is likely that the sawtooth mitigation in these experiments is due to the combination of the helically deformed core and the reduced rotation. The former effect is qualitatively well reproduced by nonlinear MHD simulations performed with the PIXIE3D code. The results obtained in these RFX-mod experiments motivated similar ones in DIII-D L-mode diverted Tokamak plasmas at low q
95. These experiments succeeded in reproducing the sawtooth mitigation with the approach developed in RFX-mod. In DIII-D this effect is correlated with a clear increase of the n  =  1 plasma response, that indicates an enhancement of the coupling to the marginally stable n  =  1 external kink, as simulations with the linear MHD code IPEC suggest. A significant rotation braking in the plasma core is also observed in DIII-D. Numerical calculations of the neoclassical toroidal viscosity (NTV) carried out with PENT identify this torque as a possible contributor for this effect.
Fine structure zonal flow excitation by beta-induced Alfvén eigenmode
Authors: Qiu Zhiyong , Chen Liu , Zonca Fulvio
Published: August 2016

Nonlinear excitation of low frequency zonal structure (LFZS) by beta-induced Alfvén eigenmode (BAE) is investigated using nonlinear gyrokinetic theory. It is found that electrostatic zonal flow (ZF), rather than zonal current, is preferentially excited by finite amplitude BAE. In addition to the well-known meso-scale radial envelope structure, ZF is also found to exhibit fine radial structure due to the localization of BAE with respect to mode rational surfaces. Specifically, the zonal electric field has an even mode structure at the rational surface where radial envelope peaks.
Nonlinear evolution of multi-helicity neo-classical tearing modes in rotating tokamak plasmas
Authors: Wei Lai , Wang Zheng-Xiong , Wang Jialei , Yang Xuefeng
Published: August 2016

Plasma perturbations from the core and/or boundary regions of tokamaks can provide seed islands for the excitation of neo-classical tearing modes (NTMs) with negative

Δ

′

, where

Δ

′

is the linear instability parameter of the classical tearing mode. In this work, by means of reduced magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we numerically investigate the nonlinear evolution of multi-helicity NTMs in rotating tokamak plasmas with these two types of plasma perturbations with different boundary conditions. In the first case of initial plasma perturbations from the core region with a zero boundary condition, the meta-stable property of seed-island triggered NTM with negative

Δ

′

is verified in the single helicity simulation. Nevertheless in the multiple helicity simulation, this seed-island triggered NTM with negative

Δ

′

can be suppressed by a spontaneous NTM with positive

Δ

′

through the competitive interaction between NTMs with different helicities. If a fixed poloidal rotation is taken into account in the first case, two different helicity NTMs could coexist in the saturation stage, which is different qualitatively from the process without plasma rotation. In the second case of initial plasma perturbations from the boundary region with a nonzero boundary condition, as the amplitude of plasma perturbations on the boundary increases, the mode with negative

Δ

′

gradually changes from the driven-reconnection state to the NTM state, accompanied by an enhancement of magnetic island width in the single helicity simulation. Nevertheless in the multi-helicity simulation, the spontaneous NTM with positive

Δ

′

can make the driven-reconnection triggered NTM with negative

Δ

′

transfer from the NTM state back to the driven-reconnection state again. The underlying mechanism behind these transitions is analyzed step by step. Effects of fixed and unfixed poloidal rotations on the nonlinear interaction processes are also investigated in detail. In addition, the appearance and disappearance of the magnetic stochasticity resulting from the nonlinear coupling among the multi-helicity NTMs are discussed in the second case.
Family-friendly Employment Laws (Re)assessed: The Potential of Care Ethics
Authors: James Grace
Published: August 2016

In light of various reforms in recent years, this article provides a (re)assessment of the broad package of family-friendly employment rights and relevant dispute resolution procedure now available to pregnant workers and working carers. It exposes how the realities of working life for many pregnant workers and carers and the long standing desire to promote gender equality in informal care-work remain at odds with the legal framework. An argument is presented in favour of an approach that, based upon the concept of care ethics, better engages with the impact of the provisions upon crucial interdependent care relationships.
Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing Among United States Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Authors: Sanchez Guillermo V. , Hersh Adam L. , Shapiro Daniel J. , Cawley James F. , Hicks Lauri A.
Published: August 2016

We examined US nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA) outpatient antibiotic prescribing. Antibiotics were more frequently prescribed during visits involving NP/PA visits compared with physician-only visits, including overall visits (17% vs 12%, P < .0001) and acute respiratory infection visits (61% vs 54%, P < .001). Antibiotic stewardship interventions should target NPs and PAs.
Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak at a Resort in Cozumel, Mexico
Authors: Hampton Lee M. , Garrison Laurel , Kattan Jessica , Brown Ellen , Kozak-Muiznieks Natalia A. , Lucas Claressa , Fields Barry , Fitzpatrick Nicole , Sapian Luis , Martin-Escobar Teresa , Waterman Stephen , Hicks Lauri A. , Alpuche-Aranda Celia , Lopez-Gatell Hugo
Published: August 2016

Background.  A Legionnaires' disease (LD) outbreak at a resort on Cozumel Island in Mexico was investigated by a joint Mexico-United States team in 2010. This is the first reported LD outbreak in Mexico, where LD is not a reportable disease.

Methods.  Reports of LD among travelers were solicited from US health departments and the European Working Group for Legionella Infections. Records from the resort and Cozumel Island health facilities were searched for possible LD cases. In April 2010, the resort was searched for possible Legionella exposure sources. The temperature and total chlorine of the water at 38 sites in the resort were measured, and samples from those sites were tested for Legionella.

Results.  Nine travelers became ill with laboratory-confirmed LD within 2 weeks of staying at the resort between May 2008 and April 2010. The resort and its potable water system were the only common exposures. No possible LD cases were identified among resort workers. Legionellae were found to have extensively colonized the resort's potable water system. Legionellae matching a case isolate were found in the resort's potable water system.

Conclusions.  Medical providers should test for LD when treating community-acquired pneumonia that is severe or affecting patients who traveled in the 2 weeks before the onset of symptoms. When an LD outbreak is detected, the source should be identified and then aggressively remediated. Because LD can occur in tropical and temperate areas, all countries should consider making LD a reportable disease if they have not already done so.
Utilization of Weather Data in Predicting Bread Loaf Volume by Neural Network Method
Authors: Karki David , Glover Karl D. , Bondalapati Krishna , Krishnan Padmanaban G.
Published: August 2016

The unique ability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour to produce cohesive dough has helped to make it the most widely used cereal crop for bread and other baked food products. Measurement of end‐use qualities, such as loaf volume, is ideally carried out through assessing loaves of bread; however, this is resource intensive. Predictive testing methods are more often utilized to identify wheat genotypes with potentially acceptable loaf volume, although more accurate predictive methods would be beneficial. Our objectives were to study the influence of weather observations on bread loaf volume and flour and dough quality data, to use a neural network (NN) model to predict loaf volume with select input data, and to compare the best multiple regression models identified with their NN counterparts. Weather data collected at 20 days after heading (DAH) showed the highest correlations with bread loaf volume when compared with prior intervals. A NN model containing maximum, minimum, and nighttime temperatures produced the highest coefficient of determination for predicting loaf volume. Our results showed that the NN model explained up to 20% more loaf volume variation than a similar regression model. Weather parameters representing conditions at 20 DAH played a significant role in loaf volume prediction.
Psychometric Properties of the Numerical Rating Scale to Assess Self-Reported Pain Intensity in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Castarlenas Elena , Jensen Mark P. , von Baeyer Carl L. , Miró Jordi
Published: August 2016

Objectives:

The Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) is one of the most widely used scales to assess self-reported pain intensity in children, despite the limited information on its psychometric properties for assessing pain in pediatric populations. Recently, there has been an increase in published findings regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the NRS-11 as a measure of pain in youths. The purpose of this study was to review this research and summarize what is known regarding the reliability and validity of the NRS-11 as a self-report measure of pediatric pain intensity.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection from their inception to February 2016.

Results:

A total of 382 articles were retrieved, 301 were screened for evaluation, and 16 were included in the review. The findings of reviewed studies support the reliability and validity of the NRS-11 when used with children and adolescents.

Discussion:

Additional research is needed to clarify some unresolved questions and issues, including (1) the minimum age that children should have to offer valid scores of pain intensity and (2) the development of consensus regarding administration instructions, in particular with respect to the descriptors used for the upper anchor. On the basis of available information, the NRS-11 can be considered to be a well-established measure for use with pediatric populations.
Evaluation of Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block in Hernia Surgery
Authors: Gao Tao , Zhang Juan-Juan , Xi Feng-Chan , Shi Jia-Liang , Lu Yi , Tan Shan-Jun , Yu Wen-Kui
Published: August 2016

Background:

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block reduces opiate requirements and pain scores in abdominal surgery, but the effect has not been evaluated in hernia surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of TAP block in hernia surgery.

Methods:

A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of TAP block in adults undergoing hernia surgery was performed. The primary outcomes were morphine requirements 24 hours after surgery and the number of rescue analgesia patients. Secondary outcomes were pain scores on rest and on movement at 24 hours after surgery, postoperative nausea and vomiting and general postoperative complications.

Results:

The search strategy yielded 231 articles after duplicates have been removed, and finally 8 RCTs with a total of 791 patients were included. In patients who received a TAP block, the cumulative morphine utilization was significantly reduced at 24 hours (weighted mean difference [WMD] −11.40 mg, −22.41 to −0.39; P=0.04). The number of patients needing a rescue analgesia (relative risk: 0.35, 0.22 to 0.55; P<0.001), the pain scores on rest 24 hours after surgery (WMD: −0.29, −0.55 to −0.04; P=0.02) and the pain scores on movement or coughing 24 hours after surgery (WMD: −0.70, −1.33 to −0.06; P=0.03) were all lower in patients who received a TAP block. There was also significant reduction in the postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the general postoperative complications in TAP block group.

Conclusions:

Within a heterogeneous group of RCTs, TAP block reduces postoperative morphine requirements and the severity of pain after hernia surgery.
Sebacoyl Dinalbuphine Ester Extended-release Injection for Long-acting Analgesia
Authors: Yeh Chien-Yuh , Jao Shu-Wen , Chen Jinn-Shiun , Fan Chung-Wei , Chen Hong-Hwa , Hsieh Pao-Shiu , Wu Chang-Chieh , Lee Chia-Cheng , Kuo Yi-Hung , Hsieh Meng-Chiao , Huang Wen-Shih , Chung Yuan-Chiang , Liou Tian-Yuh , Chiu Hsi-Hsiung , Tseng Wen-Ko , Lee Ko-Chao , Wang Jeng-Yi
Published: August 2016

Objectives:

This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of single sebacoyl dinalbuphine ester (SDE) injection (150 mg/2 mL) when administered intramuscularly to patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy for postoperative long-acting analgesia.

Methods:

A total of 221 patients scheduled for hemorrhoidectomy from 6 centers in Taiwan were randomly divided into SDE group and placebo group, and received the treatment, vehicle or SDE, 1 day before the surgery. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was recorded up to 7 to 10 days. Pain intensity using VAS AUC through 48 hours after surgery was calculated as the primary efficacy endpoint.

Results:

Area under the curve of VAS pain intensity scores (VAS AUC) through 48 hours after hemorrhoidectomy was significantly less in SDE group than those in placebo group (209.93 vs. 253.53). VAS AUC from the end of surgical procedure to day 7 was also significantly different between SDE and placebo group (630.79 vs. 749.94). SDE group consumed significantly less amount of other analgesics, such as PCA ketorolac and oral ketorolac. Median time from the end of surgery to the first use of pain relief medication was also shortened in the placebo group than in the SDE group. Most adverse events were assessed as mild and tolerable in both groups.

Discussion:

SDE injection demonstrated an extended analgesia effect, with a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity through 48 hours and 7 days after hemorrhoidectomy.
Evaluation of Long-Term Cochlear Implant Use in Subjects With Acquired Unilateral Profound Hearing Loss: Focus on Binaural Auditory Outcomes
Authors: Mertens Griet , De Bodt Marc , Van de Heyning Paul
Published: August 2016

Introduction:

Cochlear implantation (CI) in subjects with unilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss was investigated. The authors of the present study demonstrated the binaural auditory outcomes in a 12- and 36-month prospective cohort outcome study. The present study aimed to do a long-term (LT) evaluation of the auditory outcomes in an analogous study group.

Design:

LT evaluation was derived from 12 single-sided deaf (SSD) CI recipients and from 11 CI recipients with asymmetric hearing loss (AHL). A structured interview was conducted with each subjects. Speech perception in noise and sound localization were assessed in a CIOFF and in a CION condition. Four binaural effects were calculated: summation effect (S0N0), squelch effect (S0NCI), combined head shadow effect (SCIN0), and spatial release from masking (SRM). At the LT evaluation, the contribution of a CI or a bone conduction device on speech perception in noise was investigated in two challenging spatial configurations in the SSD group.

Results:

All (23/23) subjects wore their CI 7 days a week at LT follow-up evaluation, which ranged from 3 to 10 years after implantation. In the SSD group, a significant combined head shadow effect of 3.17 dB and an SRM benefit of 4.33 dB were found. In the AHL group, on the other hand, the summation effect (2.00 dB), the squelch effect (2.67 dB), the combined head shadow effect (3.67 dB), and SRM benefit (2.00 dB) were significant at LT testing. In both the spatial challenging configurations, the speech in noise results was significantly worse in the condition with the bone conduction device compared with the unaided condition. No negative effect was found for the CION condition. A significant benefit in the CION condition was found for sound localization compared with the CIOFF condition in the SSD group and in the AHL group.

Conclusion:

All subjects wore their CI 7 days a week at LT follow-up evaluation. The presence of binaural effects has been demonstrated with speech in noise testing, sound localization, and subjective evaluation. In the AHL group, all investigated binaural effects were found to be significant. In the SSD group on the other hand, only SRM and the head shadow, the two most robust binaural effects, were significantly present. However, it took 12M before the SSD and the AHL subjects significantly benefit from the head shadow effect. These reported results could guide counseling of future CI candidates with SSD and AHL in general.
Age-Dependent Changes in the Pulmonary Renin-Angiotensin System Are Associated With Severity of Lung Injury in a Model of Acute Lung Injury in Rats
Authors: Schouten Laura R. A. , Helmerhorst Hendrik J. F. , Wagenaar Gerry T. M. , Haltenhof Tom , Lutter René , Roelofs Joris J. T. H. , van Woensel Job B. M. , van Kaam Anton H. L. C. , Bos Albert P. , Schultz Marcus J. , Walther Thomas , Wösten-van Asperen Roelie M.
Published: August 2016

Objectives:

A growing body of evidence suggests that age affects the main pathophysiologic mechanisms of the acute respiratory distress syndrome. This may imply the need for developing age-tailored therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, underlying molecular mechanisms governing age-related susceptibility first need to be unraveled. In a rat model of acute lung injury, we investigated whether age affects the balance between the two key enzymes of the pulmonary renin-angiotensin system, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. We hypothesized that aging shifts the balance toward the lung injury–promoting angiotensin-converting enzyme, which may form an explanation for the differences in severity of lung injury between different age groups.

Design:

Prospective, randomized controlled animal study.

Setting:

University medical research laboratory.

Subjects:

Infant (15 ± 2 d), juvenile (37 ± 2 d), adult (4 ± 0.2 mo), and elderly (19.5 ± 0.5 mo) male RCCHan Wistar rats.

Interventions:

Lung injury was induced by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg) and 4 hours of mechanical ventilation (15 mL/kg).

Measurements and Main Results:

In lipopolysaccharide-exposed and mechanical ventilated rats, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased 3.2-fold in elderly when compared with infants. No changes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity were found. In addition, membrane-bound angiotensin-converting enzyme activity decreased. Together with the presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme-sheddase ADAM9 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain–containing protein 9) and an age-dependent increase in tumor necrosis factor-α, an activator of ADAM9, these results indicate increased shedding of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the alveolar compartment, thereby shifting the balance toward the injurious pathway. This imbalance was associated with an increased inflammatory mediator response and more lung injury (wet-to-dry ratio and histology) in elderly rats.

Conclusions:

Increasing age is associated with an imbalance of the pulmonary renin-angiotensin system, which correlates with aggravated inflammation and more lung injury. These changes might form the ground for new therapeutic strategies in terms of dosing and effectiveness of renin-angiotensin system–modulating agents for treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome.