bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Ambient Temperature and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Hospital‐Based Cross‐Sectional Analysis
Authors: SHIM Sung Ryul , KIM Jae Heon , DOO Seung Whan , YANG Won Jae , SONG Eun Seop , SONG Yun Seob
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To date, there is no overall agreement as to risk of ambient temperature for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Thus, we focused on ambient temperature as an environmental factor affecting LUTS and attempted to explain the temperature differences in LUTS severity in cases in real clinical practice.

Methods

This was a multicenter, cross‐sectional survey. The study involved 1612 men aged 40 years and older who visited 23 university hospitals in 10 major areas in South Korea between September 2010 and December 2011. The participants who had good overall mental and physical health, and complaint of LUTS were included. Korea Meteorological Administration data were used to determine daily average temperatures and daily temperatures on the interview dates at each site.

Results

The average age of the 1612 men was 66.57 ± 10.03 years. The mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and symptom duration were 18.51 ± 6.77 and 3.79 ± 3.89 years, respectively. Daily average temperature and temperature difference ranged from −13.1 to 28.5 °C and 0 to 20.6 °C, respectively. Age was a significant risk factor for IPSS, symptom duration, prostate volume (PV), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), average urinary flow rate (Qave) and total voiding volume (P < 0.001) but not QOL. Logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age and PV revealed that Qave and total voiding volume were increased as the temperature declined. However, IPSS and Qmax did not show a statistically significant difference as the temperature declined.

Conclusion

Our findings did not demonstrate an increased clinically significant risk of LUTS severity in connection with ambient temperature in clinical practice.
Brief cognitive behavioural intervention for depression and anxiety symptoms improves quality of life in chronic haemodialysis patients
Authors: Lerma Abel , Perez‐Grovas Héctor , Bermudez Luis , Peralta‐Pedrero María L. , Robles‐García Rebeca , Lerma Claudia
Published: July 2016

Objectives

Psychological treatment of depression in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) has focused on severely depressed patients. We designed and tested a brief (5 weeks) cognitive behavioural intervention (CBI) to reduce mild and moderate depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with ESRD.

Design

For the purpose of this study, a single‐blind, randomized controlled design was used to compare patients with ESRD under haemodialysis treatment with and without the CBI.

Methods

Depression and anxiety symptoms were screened in 152 subjects (18–60 years old, 84 male). Sixty participants (age 41.8 ± 14.7, 29 males) with mild or moderate scores of depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory) were randomly assigned to CBI or the control group. CBI techniques consisted of positive self‐reinforcement, deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and cognitive restructuring. Depression, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), and cognitive distortion scores were evaluated at baseline, after 5 weeks (end of treatment) and after 4‐week follow‐up. All scores were compared by ANOVA for repeated measures with post‐hoc tests adjusted by Bonferroni's method (p < .05 was considered significant).

Results

At follow‐up, depression, anxiety, and cognitive distortions had decreased, and QoL had increased in the intervention group, and there were no changes in the control group. Clinical utility was 33% for depression and 43% for anxiety.

Conclusions

A brief CBI of 5 weeks is effective for decreasing mild or moderate depression and anxiety symptoms and improving QoL in ESRD haemodialysis patients.

Practitioner points

A brief, systematic and structured cognitive behavioural intervention (CBI) decreases anxiety and depression symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) who are being treated with haemodialysis. These benefits are not achieved when anxiety and depression symptoms are identified but not treated psychologically.

This CBI consisted of cognitive restructuring of the distorted thoughts (perfectionism, catastrophic thinking, negative self‐labelling, and dichotomous thinking) that are correlated with depression and anxiety symptoms and that can be assessed by a validated questionnaire designed for patients with ESRD.

The handbooks that were developed for this study are structured and systematic. They could be valuable in supporting the efforts and participation of non‐specialized health professionals in CBI such as nurses, physicians, social workers, and psychologists, raising the possibility of further application in a variety of clinical populations. Both the therapy and the client workbooks are available in Spanish upon request.
The effects of works councils on overtime hours
Authors: Gralla Rafael , Kraft Kornelius , Volgushev Stanislav
Published: July 2016

This study analyzes the relation between works councils and overtime hours in Germany. The estimated effects differ considerably in dependence of standard contracted working time. Furthermore, we find differences across the quantiles of the overtime hours distribution and these differences between quantiles also vary between employees of establishment with and without works councils. By considering contracted working time effects and comparing conditional quantiles we find in some quantiles that employees of establishments with a works council have a higher amount of overtime hours if an employee regularly works 35 hours per week. This effect diminishes with increasing quantiles of the distribution of overtime hours. If an employee of a codetermined establishment regularly works 40 hours per week, overtime hours are reduced. This reduction becomes larger if higher quantiles are analyzed.
Impact Loading of Single Lap Joints of Dissimilar Lightweight Adherends Bonded With a Crash-Resistant Epoxy Adhesive
Authors: Avendaño R. , Carbas R. J. C. , Chaves F. J. P. , Costa M. , da Silva L. F. M. , Fernandes A. A.
Published: July 2016

The use of lightweight materials in the automotive industry for structural parts has been increasing in recent years in order to reduce the overall vehicle's weight. New innovative lighter materials are being developed nowadays to accomplish that objective. In order to keep or even increase passenger's safety, structural parts made of these materials need to withstand static and impact loads within a range of different temperatures along the vehicle's life. The effect of these conditions when joining these dissimilar lighter materials is a critical issue to be considered when designing the car's body. In this paper, the strength under real car conditions of single lap joints (SLP) made of aluminum alloy (AA) bonded to carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) adherends was studied. A new crash-resistant epoxy adhesive was used to bond these lightweight materials and an extended characterization of its cohesive properties was carried out. The single lap joints were tested at temperatures of −30, +23, and +80 °C under quasi-static and impact loading. The data obtained was used to perform simple numerical models of the single lap joints under static and impact loads. The experimental results showed an expected increase of the joints strength with the strain rate. The joints behavior was highly influenced by the adherends, especially by the aluminum yielding at high and room temperatures. Delamination of the composite was obtained at low and room temperatures, which explained the strain rate dependence of the failure load. The numerical models predicted with good accuracy the strength of the joints under both static and impact loads.
Reliability Analysis With Monte Carlo Simulation and Dependent Kriging Predictions
Authors: Zhu Zhifu , Du Xiaoping
Published: July 2016

Reliability analysis is time consuming, and high efficiency could be maintained through the integration of the Kriging method and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). This Kriging-based MCS reduces the computational cost by building a surrogate model to replace the original limit-state function through MCS. The objective of this research is to further improve the efficiency of reliability analysis with a new strategy for building the surrogate model. The major approach used in this research is to refine (update) the surrogate model by accounting for the full information available from the Kriging method. The existing Kriging-based MCS uses only partial information. Higher efficiency is achieved by the following strategies: (1) a new formulation defined by the expectation of the probability of failure at all the MCS sample points, (2) the use of a new learning function to choose training points (TPs). The learning function accounts for dependencies between Kriging predictions at all the MCS samples, thereby resulting in more effective TPs, and (3) the employment of a new convergence criterion. The new method is suitable for highly nonlinear limit-state functions for which the traditional first- and second-order reliability methods (FORM and SORM) are not accurate. Its performance is compared with that of existing Kriging-based MCS method through five examples.
Robust Optimization With Parameter and Model Uncertainties Using Gaussian Processes
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Li Mian , Zhang Jun , Li Guoshu
Published: July 2016

Uncertainty is unavoidable in engineering design, which may result in variations in the objective functions and/or constraints. The former may degrade the designed performance while the latter can even change the feasibility of the obtained optimal solutions. Taking uncertainty into consideration, robust optimization (RO) algorithms aim to find optimal solutions that are also insensitive to uncertainty. Uncertainty may include variation in parameters and/or design variables, inaccuracy in simulation models used in design problems, and other possible errors. Most existing RO algorithms only consider uncertainty in parameters, but overlook that in simulation models by assuming that the simulation model used can always provide identical outputs to those of the real physical systems. In this paper, we propose a new RO framework using Gaussian processes, considering not only parameter uncertainty but also uncertainty in simulation models. The consideration of model uncertainty in RO could reduce the risk for the obtained robust optimal designs becoming infeasible even if the parameter uncertainty has been considered. Two test examples with different degrees of complexity are utilized to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of our proposed algorithm.
Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis to Support Simulation-Based Design Under Uncertainty
Authors: Opgenoord Max M. J. , Allaire Douglas L. , Willcox Karen E.
Published: July 2016

Sensitivity analysis plays a critical role in quantifying uncertainty in the design of engineering systems. A variance-based global sensitivity analysis is often used to rank the importance of input factors, based on their contribution to the variance of the output quantity of interest. However, this analysis assumes that all input variability can be reduced to zero, which is typically not the case in a design setting. Distributional sensitivity analysis (DSA) instead treats the uncertainty reduction in the inputs as a random variable, and defines a variance-based sensitivity index function that characterizes the relative contribution to the output variance as a function of the amount of uncertainty reduction. This paper develops a computationally efficient implementation for the DSA formulation and extends it to include distributions commonly used in engineering design under uncertainty. Application of the DSA method to the conceptual design of a commercial jetliner demonstrates how the sensitivity analysis provides valuable information to designers and decision-makers on where and how to target uncertainty reduction efforts.
Design of Stretchable Electronics Against Impact
Authors: Yuan J. H. , Pharr M. , Feng X. , Rogers John A. , Huang Yonggang
Published: July 2016

Stretchable electronics offer soft, biocompatible mechanical properties; these same properties make them susceptible to device failure associated with physical impact. This paper studies designs for stretchable electronics that resist failure from impacts due to incorporation of a viscoelastic encapsulation layer. Results indicate that the impact resistance depends on the thickness and viscoelastic properties of the encapsulation layer, as well as the duration of impact. An analytic model for the critical thickness of the encapsulation layer is established. It is shown that a commercially available, low modulus silicone material offers viscous properties that make it a good candidate as the encapsulation layer for stretchable electronics.
On Boundary Condition Implementation Via Variational Principles in Elasticity-Based Homogenization
Authors: Wang Guannan , Pindera Marek-Jerzy
Published: July 2016

Convergence characteristics of the locally exact homogenization theory for periodic materials, first proposed by Drago and Pindera (2008, “A Locally-Exact Homogenization Theory for Periodic Microstructures With Isotropic Phases,” ASME J. Appl. Mech., 75(5), p. 051010) and recently generalized by Wang and Pindera (“Locally-Exact Homogenization Theory for Transversely Isotropic Unidirectional Composites,” Mech. Res. Commun. (in press); 2016, “Locally-Exact Homogenization of Unidirectional Composites With Coated or Hollow Reinforcement,” Mater. Des., 93, pp. 514–528; and 2016, “Locally Exact Homogenization of Unidirectional Composites With Cylindrically Orthotropic Fibers,” ASME J. Appl. Mech., 83(7), p. 071010), are examined vis-a-vis the manner of implementing periodic boundary conditions. The locally exact theory separates the unit cell problem into interior and exterior problems, with the separable interior problem solved exactly in cylindrical coordinates and the inseparable exterior problem tackled using a balanced variational principle. This variational principle leads to exceptionally fast and well-behaved convergence of the Fourier series coefficients in the displacement field representation of the unit cell's different phases. Herein, we compare the solution's convergence behavior based on the balanced variational principle with that based on the constrained energy-based principle originally proposed by Jirousek (1978, “Basis for Development of Large Finite Elements Locally Satisfying All Fields Equations,” Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng., 14, pp. 65–92) in the context of locally exact finite-element analysis. The relevance of this comparison lies in the recently rediscovered implementation of Jirousek's constrained variational principle in the homogenization of periodic materials.
A New Approach for Model-Based Monitoring of Turbine Heat Rate
Authors: Wang Jizhou , Zhang Yanping , Li Jianlan , Xiao Pengcheng , Zhai Zhaoyin , Huang Shuhong
Published: July 2016

In this paper, a new approach for model-based monitoring of turbine heat rate is developed, where the superheat steam flow is calculated according to the output power of the turbine generation instead of the flow of feed water. A regenerative system model is built based on the operating state and historical data to predict the parameter values in the heat rate calculation. The results of the model calculation also verify the turbine operating parameters that are measured on site. The new approach in this paper was applied in a 660 MW generation unit. The monitoring results of this approach are more stable and accurate than traditional monitoring results.
Apparent critical layer thickness in ZnSe/GaAs (001) heterostructures and the role of finite experimental resolution
Authors: Kujofsa Tedi , Cheruku Sushma , Sidoti David , Xhurxhi Sirjan , Obst Francis , Correa Juan P. , Bertoli Brandon , Rago Paul B. , Suarez Ernesto N. , Jain Faquir C. , Ayers John E.
Published: July 2016

The critical layer thickness hc for the onset of lattice relaxation has important implications for the design of pseudomorphic and metamorphic II–VI device structures on lattice-mismatched substrates. Several theoretical models have been developed for the critical layer thickness, including the well-known force-balance model of Matthews and Blakeslee [J. Cryst. Growth 27, 188 (1974)]. Experimentally measured critical layer thicknesses in ZnSe/GaAs (001) heterostructures are often at variance with one another as well as the Matthews and Blakeslee model. By assuming that the lattice relaxation is a fixed fraction of the equilibrium relaxation (constant γ/γeq), Fritz [Appl. Phys. Lett. 51, 1080 (1987)] has shown that the measured hc may be much larger than the equilibrium value when using a finite experimental resolution. However, the assumption of constant fractional relaxation is not applicable to any heterostructure exhibiting kinetically limited lattice relaxation. In order to reconcile the conflicting results for II–VI materials, the authors applied a general dislocation flow model to determine the apparent critical layer thickness as a function of the experimental resolution for ZnSe/GaAs (001) heterostructures. The authors show that the Matthews and Blakeslee model is consistent with several measured values of hc once the kinetically limited relaxation and finite experimental strain resolution are taken into account.
Gauge transformations and conserved quantities in classical and quantum mechanics
Authors: Berche Bertrand , Malterre Daniel , Medina Ernesto
Published: July 2016

We are taught that gauge transformations in classical and quantum mechanics do not change the physics of the problem. Nevertheless, here we discuss three broad scenarios where under gauge transformations: (i) conservation laws are not preserved in the usual manner; (ii) non-gauge-invariant quantities can be associated with physical observables; and (iii) there are changes in the physical boundary conditions of the wave function that render it non-single-valued. We give worked examples that illustrate these points, in contrast to general opinions from classic texts. We also give a historical perspective on the development of Abelian gauge theory in relation to our particular points. Our aim is to provide a discussion of these issues at the graduate level.
Effect of several acoustic cues on perceiving Mandarin retroflex affricates and fricatives in continuous speech
Authors: Zhu Jian , Chen Yaping
Published: July 2016

Relatively little attention has been paid to the perception of the three-way contrast between unaspirated affricates, aspirated affricates and fricatives in Mandarin Chinese. This study reports two experiments that explore the acoustic cues relevant to the contrast between the Mandarin retroflex series /tʂ/, /tʂh/ and /ʂ/ in continuous speech. Twenty participants performed two three-alternative forced-choice tasks, in which acoustic cues including closure, frication duration (FD), aspiration, and vocalic contexts (VCs) were systematically manipulated and presented in a carrier phrase. A subsequent classification tree analysis shows that FD distinguishes /tʂ/ from /tʂh/ and /ʂ/, and that closure cues the affricate manner. Interactions between VC and individual cues are also found. The FD threshold for separating /ʂ/ and /tʂ/ is susceptible to the influence of the following vocalic segments, shifting to lower values if frication is followed by the low vowel /a/. On the other hand, while aspiration cues /tʂh/ before /a/ and //, this acoustic cue is obscured by gesture continuation when /tʂh/ precedes its homorganic approximant /ɻ/ in natural speech, which might cause potential confusion between /tʂh/ and /ʂ/.
Theranostic nanoparticles give the best of both worlds
Authors: Evans Conor
Published: July 2016

A fluorescent nanoparticle delivering gene-silencing therapies shows promise for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Insulin delivery never tasted so good
Authors: Ulery Bret D.
Published: July 2016

Dual-functionalized nanocarriers survive digestion and trafficking to the bloodstream, suggesting that one dose per day controlled oral insulin delivery may be possible in the future.
Energy Taxis toward Host-Derived Nitrate Supports a
Salmonella
Pathogenicity Island 1-Independent Mechanism of Invasion
Authors: Rivera-Chávez Fabian , Lopez Christopher A. , Zhang Lillian F. , García-Pastor Lucía , Chávez-Arroyo Alfredo , Lokken Kristen L. , Tsolis Renée M. , Winter Sebastian E. , Bäumler Andreas J.
Published: July 2016

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium can cross the epithelial barrier using either the invasion-associated type III secretion system (T3SS-1) or a T3SS-1-independent mechanism that remains poorly characterized. Here we show that flagellum-mediated motility supported a T3SS-1-independent pathway for entering ileal Peyer’s patches in the mouse model. Flagellum-dependent invasion of Peyer’s patches required energy taxis toward nitrate, which was mediated by the methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein (MCP) Tsr. Generation of nitrate in the intestinal lumen required inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which was synthesized constitutively in the mucosa of the terminal ileum but not in the jejunum, duodenum, or cecum. Tsr-mediated invasion of ileal Peyer’s patches was abrogated in mice deficient for
Nos2
, the gene encoding iNOS. We conclude that Tsr-mediated energy taxis enables
S
. Typhimurium to migrate toward the intestinal epithelium by sensing host-derived nitrate, thereby contributing to invasion of Peyer’s patches.

IMPORTANCE
Nontyphoidal
Salmonella
serovars, such as
S. enterica
serovar Typhimurium, are a common cause of gastroenteritis in immunocompetent individuals but can also cause bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals. While the invasion-associated type III secretion system (T3SS-1) is important for entry,
S
. Typhimurium strains lacking a functional T3SS-1 can still cross the intestinal epithelium and cause a disseminated lethal infection in mice. Here we observed that flagellum-mediated motility and chemotaxis contributed to a T3SS-1-independent pathway for invasion and systemic dissemination to the spleen. This pathway required the methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein (MCP) Tsr and energy taxis toward host-derived nitrate, which we found to be generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the ileal mucosa prior to infection. Collectively, our data suggest that
S
. Typhimurium enhances invasion by actively migrating toward the intestinal epithelium along a gradient of host-derived nitrate emanating from the mucosal surface of the ileum.
Multiplexed Metagenomic Deep Sequencing To Analyze the Composition of High-Priority Pathogen Reagents
Authors: Wilson Michael R. , Fedewa Greg , Stenglein Mark D. , Olejnik Judith , Rennick Linda J. , Nambulli Sham , Feldmann Friederike , Duprex W. Paul , Connor John H. , Mühlberger Elke , DeRisi Joseph L.
Published: July 2016

Both the integrity and reproducibility of experiments using select agents depend in large part on unbiased validation to ensure the correct identity and purity of the species in question. Metagenomic deep sequencing (MDS) provides the required level of validation by allowing for an unbiased and comprehensive assessment of all the microbes in a laboratory stock.
Subduction zone interaction: Controls on arcuate belts
Authors: Király Ágnes , Capitanio Fabio A. , Funiciello Francesca , Faccenna Claudio
Published: July 2016

The interaction of neighboring subducting lithospheres is a characteristic feature of many tectonically complex areas. Here we use numerical modeling to study the interactions between two oppositely dipping, adjacent subducting lithospheres and to understand their impact on the subduction evolution, mantle flow, and stress propagation through the mantle. As slabs subduct, rollback, and approach, they strongly affect each other if plate edges are at distances <∼600 km. In this case the mantle flow around slabs combines into a single, large convective cell, trench migration is delayed, and stress increases progressively with decreasing slabs distance. The stress increases at depth as the slabs approach each other, and it shallows up to the near surface as the slabs diverge. A similar setting, with two neighboring slabs migrating and passing each other, is found in areas such as the Alps-Apennines (Europe) and the Ryukyu-Manila subduction zones around Taiwan, where the arcuate trenches suggest the controls of deep slab interactions.
Air entry into the anterior chamber post intravitreal injection of Eylea
Authors: Lim Wei Sing , Sikandar Munir , Jackson Heather
Published: July 2016

An 84-year-old man had air entry into the anterior chamber following intravitreal injection. The air bubble was reabsorbed over time without any complications. No further problems occurred with subsequent intravitreal injections.
Determinants of intention to leave among non-medical employees after a nuclear disaster: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Takeda Saeka , Orita Makiko , Fukushima Yoshiko , Kudo Takashi , Takamura Noboru
Published: July 2016

Objective

To conduct a survey among non-medical employees working at the time of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, in order to determine the factors associated with their intentions to leave their jobs during the nuclear disaster.

Participants

We asked 287 employees (166 men and 121 women) in the study.

Methods

We asked about their intentions to leave their jobs after the nuclear disaster. We also asked about relevant factors, including the participants’ demographic factors, living situations and working environments.

Results

We found that in employees younger than 40 (OR=4.73, 95% CI 1.74 to 12.85, p=0.002), being married (OR=3.18, 95% CI 1.03 to 9.79, p=0.044), measurements of the ambient dose rates in their homes after the accident (OR=5.32, 95% CI 1.65 to 17.14, p=0.005), anxiety about their relationships with their colleagues after the accident (OR=3.91, 95% CI 1.51 to 10.16, p=0.005) and the influence of radiation on the workplace (OR=0.33, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.80, p=0.014) were independently associated with the non-medical employees’ intentions to leave their jobs after the nuclear disaster.

Conclusions

Our results suggest the need for continuous risk communication regarding such factors and the provision of information about the health effects of radiation exposure to non-medical employees after nuclear disasters.
Ionised calcium levels in major trauma patients who received blood in the Emergency Department
Authors: Webster Stacey , Todd Samuel , Redhead Julian , Wright Chris
Published: July 2016

Background

Exsanguination and coagulopathy remain one of the leading causes of preventable trauma related death. Low ionised calcium levels have been associated with hypotension and increased mortality and may inhibit clot formation. Blood product contains citrate that acts as a chelating agent. We hypothesised that trauma patients who have bled are at risk of hypocalcaemia and that receiving any amount of blood product can exacerbate this state.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on all trauma patients who had received early blood product in the ED of a single urban major trauma centre in the UK between 2013 and 2014. Ionised calcium levels were taken from venous blood gases from before and after blood product had been transfused.

Results

The study included 55 patients; 36 male (65%), age 33 (16–92) years, median injury severity score (ISS) 24 (4–50), units of blood product received 2 (1–16), overall mortality 18%. Fifty-five per cent patients were hypocalcaemic on arrival, 89% patients were hypocalcaemic after receiving any amount of blood product. There was a statistically significant difference in ionised calcium levels after receiving blood product, pretransfusion 1.11 mmol/L (95% CI 1.09 to 1.14), post-transfusion 0.98 mmol/L (95% CI 0.93 to 1.02) (p<0.001). A fall in calcium was seen after receiving just one unit and the more units of blood product received the greater the fall seen.

Conclusions

Trauma patients that have sustained blood loss are at risk of hypocalcaemia. Ionised calcium levels fall significantly further even after receiving a small amount of blood product. Prompt recognition and early targeted treatment is needed from arrival.
Thrombocytosis and STAT5 activation in chronic myelogenous leukaemia are not associated withJAK2V617F or calreticulin mutations
Authors: Turakhia Samir K , Murugesan Gurunathan , Cotta Claudiu V , Theil Karl S
Published: July 2016

Aims

Marked thrombocytosis is uncommon in chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) but may be associated with mutation ofJAK2V617F, calreticulin (CALR) and/or phospho-STAT5 (p-STAT5) activation in other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), particularly essential thrombocythaemia (ET). We investigated theJAK2V617F,CALRand STAT5 activation status in patients with CML and thrombocytosis (CML-T) that mimicked ET, trying to identify a common mechanism for thrombocytosis in MPN.

Methods

Blood and bone marrow morphological findings were reviewed from seven CML-T, four otherwise typical CML and one CML in blast phase. All cases were analysed forBCR-ABL1,JAK2V617F andCALRexon 9 mutation and p-STAT5 expression.

Results

Four of seven cases of CML-T had marked thrombocytosis (>1000×109/L). Eleven of 12 cases had megakaryocyte morphology typical for CML. All cases wereBCR-ABL1positive. Eleven of 12 cases were negative forJAK2V617F, while STAT5 was activated in six of seven CML-T and in four of five CML cases. No case had a detectableCALRexon 9 mutation. One case of CML developed ET-like morphology and hadJAK2V617F detected while in molecular remission for CML.

Conclusions

Detection ofBCR-ABL1is critical in the distinction of ET from CML. Thrombocytosis and STAT5 activation in CML-T are not consistently associated withCALRexon 9 orJAK2V617F mutation.
Republished: The transclival artery: a variant persistent carotid–basilar arterial anastomosis not previously reported
Authors: Kirkland Jared D , Dahlin Brian C , O'Brien William T
Published: July 2016

During embryological development, primitive anastomoses exist between the carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries. These anastomoses typically regress or are incorporated into the developing vasculature. Persistence beyond fetal development, however, results in vascular anomalies that alter haemodynamic flow with a predisposition for aneurysm formation. The carotid–vertebrobasilar anastomoses mirror the primitive communications and include (from most to least common) the trigeminal, hypoglossal, proatlantal and otic arteries. The hypoglossal and proatlantal variants extend through the hypoglossal canal or foramen magnum, respectively. We present a previously undescribed variant of these persistent fetal anastomoses, the ‘transclival artery’, which courses through its own transclival skull base canal/foramen.
Novel Wideband Single-Layer 90∘ Phase Shifter Based on Radial-Stub and Weak Coupled-Line
Authors: Liu Qiang , Li Yong , Liu Yuanan
Published: July 2016

This paper proposes a novel wideband 90[Formula: see text] phase shifter, which comprises a radial stub, a uniform transmission line, and a weak coupled-line (coupling coefficient [Formula: see text] dB). The circuit configuration and theoretical analysis equations of the phase shifter are presented. Results demonstrate that the bandwidth (BW) with acceptable phase deviation can be obviously improved by increasing the spanning angle of the radial-stub and the coupling strength of the coupled-line. For return loss better than 10 dB, insertion loss less than 1.05 dB, and phase deviation of [Formula: see text] 8.5[Formula: see text], the fabricated microstrip single-layer phase shifter exhibits BW of 118% from 0.65 GHz to 2.51 GHz. Compared with existing structures, the proposed phase shifter not only has the largest BW but also features simple structure, low-cost, convenient installation, and good portability.
A High Efficiency Self-Powered Rectifier for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems
Authors: Wang Jingmin , Yang Zheng , Zhu Zhangming , Yang Yintang
Published: July 2016

A high efficiency self-powered rectifier for piezoelectric (PE) energy harvesting systems is proposed. The rectifier in this paper increases the harvested power from the PE transducer by using two switches to reset the transducer capacitor when appropriate. The control circuit for the proposed rectifier is simple and does not require an external supply voltage. Furthermore, the passive diode of the conventional full-bridge (FB) rectifier is replaced by active diode to reduce the voltage drop along the conduction path and thereby increases the power extraction and conversion capability. Based on SMIC 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m standard CMOS technology, the simulation results show the voltage conversion efficiency can reach up to 98.9% and the maximum power efficiency is 93.1% when the input current source [Formula: see text]A in parallel with internal capacitor [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nF and internal resistor [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M[Formula: see text].
Scalar-Gauss–Bonnet gravity and cosmic acceleration: Comparison with quintessence dark energy
Authors: Heydari-Fard M. , Razmi H. , Yousefi M.
Published: July 2016

The late-time cosmic acceleration of the universe is explained in the framework of the Einstein-scalar-Gauss–Bonnet (GB) theory by considering different appropriate forms for the GB coupling parameter and the scalar field. The physical quantities such as the potential energy, the GB coupling parameter, the energy density, the pressure and the deceleration parameter are obtained in an exact parametric form of the volume scale factor of the universe. The behavior of the deceleration parameter shows a transition from the deceleration phase to the acceleration phase at the late times in agreement with the observational data. Finally, the GB energy density ratio is compared to the matter energy density and the scalar (the quintessence) field energy density in the early and late times.
Relationships between Market and Entrepreneurial Orientation and Organizational Performance: Empirical Evidence from Small and Medium Scale Garment Manufacturers in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wijesekara W. A. D. S. , Samantha Kumara P. A. P. , Gunawardana T. S. L. W.
Published: July 2016

The literature indicates that small and medium scale firms are quite different with respect to their utilization of business practices. Thus, the study endeavours to address the relationships between the market and entrepreneurial orientation, and organizational performance. The study derived two hypotheses in relation to the relationship between market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation, and organisational performance in the attempt to examine how both the orientations contribute to the organizational performance of small and medium entrepreneurs in garment industry at Southern province, Sri Lanka. The sample of the study consisted of 175 respondents representing small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the Southern Province Sri Lanka. A structured questionnaire was administered to the sample respondents to collect data. The data were analyzed with Partial Least Squares path modeling (PLS) to test the hypotheses of the study. The results indicated that the hypotheses were statistically significant and all effects were in the expected direction.
Knowledge Sharing and Learning in Organizations: Role of Incentives and Information Systems
Authors: Sundaresan Shankar , Zhang Zuopeng Justin
Published: July 2016

Knowledge sharing and learning play a fundamental role in the success of knowledge management (KM). While information technologies facilitate learning and sharing of knowledge in organizations, incentive systems help to align organizational and individual goals. Applying a modeling framework that captures the characteristics of both information systems and incentives in a team-based organization, we demonstrate that an output allocation rule linear in output, and sharing-learning incentive rewards linear in the amounts being shared and learned can be optimally designed. Broad conditions for implementing such incentive systems are derived. The incentives facilitate desirable KM goals such as knowledge sharing (learning) alignment and full-knowledge transfer. Deriving an optimal level of knowledge management systems (KMS), we determine a threshold level required to achieve complete-knowledge enablement to facilitate high performance teams. We explore how investment in information technologies impacts incentives and their combined role, and find conditions under which they substitute or complement each other. Moreover, we demonstrate that IT can help organizations narrow the gap between the profits the firm can make under the two cases — when worker’s knowledge levels are known and unknown. We extend the model to multiple dimensions of knowledge, study a mandatory learning policy, and compare the team-based results to a non-team based setting. Our research provides guidelines for matching investments in information technology with appropriate incentives.
Liver glycogen metabolism during and after prolonged endurance-type exercise
Authors: Gonzalez Javier T. , Fuchs Cas J. , Betts James A. , van Loon Luc J. C.
Published: July 2016

Carbohydrate and fat are the main substrates utilized during prolonged endurance-type exercise. The relative contribution of each is determined primarily by the intensity and duration of exercise, along with individual training and nutritional status. During moderate- to high-intensity exercise, carbohydrate represents the main substrate source. Because endogenous carbohydrate stores (primarily in liver and muscle) are relatively small, endurance-type exercise performance/capacity is often limited by endogenous carbohydrate availability. Much exercise metabolism research to date has focused on muscle glycogen utilization, with little attention paid to the contribution of liver glycogen.13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy permits direct, noninvasive measurements of liver glycogen content and has increased understanding of the relevance of liver glycogen during exercise. In contrast to muscle, endurance-trained athletes do not exhibit elevated basal liver glycogen concentrations. However, there is evidence that liver glycogenolysis may be lower in endurance-trained athletes compared with untrained controls during moderate- to high-intensity exercise. Therefore, liver glycogen sparing in an endurance-trained state may account partly for training-induced performance/capacity adaptations during prolonged (>90 min) exercise. Ingestion of carbohydrate at a relatively high rate (>1.5 g/min) can prevent liver glycogen depletion during moderate-intensity exercise independent of the type of carbohydrate (e.g., glucose vs. sucrose) ingested. To minimize gastrointestinal discomfort, it is recommended to ingest specific combinations or types of carbohydrates (glucose plus fructose and/or sucrose). By coingesting glucose with either galactose or fructose, postexercise liver glycogen repletion rates can be doubled. There are currently no guidelines for carbohydrate ingestion to maximize liver glycogen repletion.
K+ channel mechanisms underlying cholinergic cutaneous vasodilation and sweating in young humans: roles of KCa, KATP, and KV channels?
Authors: Fujii Naoto , Louie Jeffrey C. , McNeely Brendan D. , Zhang Sarah Yan , Tran My-An , Kenny Glen P.
Published: July 2016

Acetylcholine released from cholinergic nerves is involved in heat loss responses of cutaneous vasodilation and sweating. K+ channels are thought to play a role in regulating cholinergic cutaneous vasodilation and sweating, though which K+ channels are involved in their regulation remains unclear. We evaluated the hypotheses that 1) Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa), ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP), and voltage-gated K+ (KV) channels all contribute to cholinergic cutaneous vasodilation; and 2) KV channels, but not KCa and KATP channels, contribute to cholinergic sweating. In 13 young adults (24 ± 5 years), cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) and sweat rate were evaluated at intradermal microdialysis sites that were continuously perfused with: 1) lactated Ringer (Control), 2) 50 mM tetraethylammonium (KCa channel blocker), 3) 5 mM glybenclamide (KATP channel blocker), and 4) 10 mM 4-aminopyridine (KV channel blocker). At all sites, cholinergic cutaneous vasodilation and sweating were induced by coadministration of methacholine (0.0125, 0.25, 5, 100, and 2,000 mM, each for 25 min). The methacholine-induced increase in CVC was lower with the KCa channel blocker relative to Control at 0.0125 (1 ± 1 vs. 9 ± 6%max) and 5 (2 ± 5 vs. 17 ± 14%max) mM methacholine, whereas it was lower in the presence of KATP (69 ± 7%max) and KV (57 ± 14%max) channel blocker compared with Control (79 ± 6%max) at 100 mM methacholine. Furthermore, methacholine-induced sweating was lower at the KV channel blocker site (0.42 ± 0.17 mg·min−1·cm−2) compared with Control (0.58 ± 0.15 mg·min−1·cm−2) at 2,000 mM methacholine. In conclusion, we show that KCa, KATP, and KV channels play a role in cholinergic cutaneous vasodilation, whereas only KV channels contribute to cholinergic sweating in normothermic resting humans.
Noninvasive brain stimulation enhances sustained muscle contractions by reducing neuromuscular fatigue: implications for rehabilitation
Authors: Cunningham David A.
Published: July 2016

Neuromuscular fatigue is due, in part, to central processes that involve failure of the nervous system to drive muscles maximally during exercise. A recent study by Abdelmoula, Baudry, and Duchateau ( Neuroscience 322: 94–103, 2016) showed that noninvasive brain stimulation can mitigate neuromuscular fatigue, however, does not rely on enhanced corticospinal excitability of the primary motor cortex. These findings are of high clinical importance because rehabilitative therapies are necessary to mitigate neuromuscular fatigue for patients with central nervous system disorders.
Bias Magnetic Field of Stack Giant Magnetostrictive Actuator: Design, Analysis, and Optimization
Authors: Yang Zhaoshu , He Zhongbo , Li Dongwei , Rong Ce
Published: July 2016

Many novel applications using giant magnetostrictive actuators (GMA) require their actuators output bidirectional strokes to be large enough to drive the load. In these cases, the sophisticated method to form such a sufficient bias field with minimum power and bulk consumption should be considered in the principal stage of GMA design. This paper concerns the methodology of bias field design for a specific GMA with stack PMs and GMMs (SGMA): both loop and field models for its bias field are established; the optimization method for given SGMA structure is outlined; a prototype is fabricated to verify the theory. Simulation and test results indicate that the bias field could be exerted more easily using SGMA structure; the modeling and optimization methodology for SGMA is valid in practical design.
Potential of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase as a Therapeutic Target for Allergen-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness: A Critical Connection to Nitric Oxide Levels and PARP Activity
Authors: Ibba Salome’ V. , Ghonim Mohamed A. , Pyakurel Kusma , Lammi Matthew R. , Mishra Anil , Boulares A. Hamid
Published: July 2016

Although expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in the lungs of asthmatics and associated nitrosative damage are established, iNOS failed as a therapeutic target for blocking airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation in asthmatics. This dichotomy calls for better strategies with which the enzyme is adequately targeted. Here, we confirm iNOS expression in the asthmatic lung with concomitant protein nitration and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation. We show, for the first time, that iNOS is highly expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of asthmatics with uncontrolled disease, which did not correspond to protein nitration. Selective iNOS inhibition with L-NIL protected against AHR upon acute, but not chronic, exposure to ovalbumin or house dust mite (HDM) in mice. Supplementation of NO by nitrite administration significantly blocked AHR in chronically HDM-exposed mice that were treated with L-NIL. Protection against chronic HDM exposure-induced AHR by olaparib-mediated PARP inhibition may be associated with the partial but not the complete blockade of iNOS expression. Indeed, L-NIL administration prevented olaparib-mediated protection against AHR in chronically HDM-exposed mice. Our study suggests that the amount of iNOS and NO are critical determinants in the modulation of AHR by selective iNOS inhibitors and renews the potential of iNOS as a therapeutic target for asthma.
Flight Tests of Autopilot Integrated with Fault-Tolerant Control of a Small Fixed-Wing UAV
Authors: Wang Shuo , Zhen Ziyang , Jiang Ju , Wang Xinhua
Published: July 2016

A fault-tolerant control scheme for the autopilot of the small fixed-wing UAV is designed and tested by the actual flight experiments. The small fixed-wing UAV called Xiang Fei is developed independently by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The flight control system is designed based on an open-source autopilot (Pixhawk). Real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS is introduced due to its high accuracy. Some modifications on the longitudinal and lateral guidance laws are achieved to improve the flight control performance. Moreover, a data fusion based fault-tolerant control scheme is integrated in altitude control and speed control for altitude sensor failure and airspeed sensor failure, which are the common problems for small fixed-wing UAV. Finally, the real flight experiments are implemented to test the fault-tolerant control based autopilot of UAV. Real flight test results are given and analyzed in detail, which show that the fixed-wing UAV can track the desired altitude and speed commands during the whole flight process including takeoff, climbing, cruising, gliding, landing, and wave-off by the fault-tolerant control based autopilot.
Prognostication of Learning Curve on Surgical Management of Vasculobiliary Injuries after Cholecystectomy
Authors: Hafeez Bhatti Abu Bakar , Dar Faisal Saud , Zia Haseeb , Rafique Muhammad Salman , Khan Nusrat Yar , Salih Mohammad , Hassan Shah Najmul
Published: July 2016

Background. Concomitant vascular injury might adversely impact outcomes after iatrogenic bile duct injury (IBDI). Whether a new HPB center should embark upon repair of complex biliary injuries with associated vascular injuries during learning curve is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine outcome of surgical management of IBDI with and without vascular injuries in a new HPB center during its learning curve.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent surgical management of IBDI at our center. A total of 39 patients were included. Patients without (Group 1) and with vascular injuries (Group 2) were compared. Outcome was defined as 90-day morbidity and mortality.Results. Median age was 39 (20–80) years. There were 10 (25.6%) vascular injuries. E2 injuries were associated significantly with high frequency of vascular injuries (66% versus 15.1%) (P=0.01). Right hepatectomy was performed in three patients. Out of these, two had a right hepatic duct stricture and one patient had combined right arterial and portal venous injury. The number of patients who developed postoperative complications was not significantly different between the two groups (11.1% versus 23.4%) (P=0.6).Conclusion. Learning curve is not a negative prognostic variable in the surgical management of iatrogenic vasculobiliary injuries after cholecystectomy.