bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Influence of Thrust Bearings on the Nonlinear Rotor Vibrations of Turbochargers
Authors: Chatzisavvas Ioannis , Boyaci Aydin , Lehn Andreas , Mahner Marcel , Schweizer Bernhard , Koutsovasilis Panagiotis
Published: September 2016

This work investigates the influence of hydrodynamic thrust bearings on the lateral rotor oscillations. Four thrust bearing models are compared in terms of their predictions of the oil-film pressure (Reynolds equation), the oil-film temperature (energy equation) and the load capacity. A detailed thrust bearing model using the generalized Reynolds equation and the 3D energy equation, a model using the standard Reynolds equation with a 2D energy equation, a model where the standard Reynolds equation and the 2D energy equation are decoupled and finally an isothermal thrust bearing model are presented. It is shown that in lower rotational speeds, the four models produce almost the same results. However, as the rotational speed is increased, the necessity for a thermo-hydrodynamic model is demonstrated. Run-up simulations of a turbocharger rotor/bearing system are performed, using an isothermal thrust bearing model with different inlet oil-temperatures. The influence of the oil-temperature of the thrust bearing on the subsynchronous rotor oscillations is investigated. Finally, a thermo-hydrodynamic model is compared with an isothermal in run-up simulations, where the influence of the variable oil-viscosity is discussed.
Evaluation of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors grown on ZrTi buffer layers with sapphire substrates
Authors: Ren Fan , Pearton Stephen J. , Ahn Shihyun , Lin Yi-Hsuan , Machuca Francisco , Weiss Robert , Welsh Alex , McCartney Martha R. , Smith David J. , Kravchenko Ivan I.
Published: September 2016

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) have been grown on sapphire substrates, using ZrTi buffer layers to provide in-plane lattice-matching to hexagonal GaN. X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as cross-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to assess the quality of the HEMT structure. The XRD 2θ scans showed full-width-at-half-maximum values of 0.16°, 0.07°, and 0.08° for ZrTi alloy, GaN buffer layer, and the entire HEMT structure, respectively. TEM studies of the GaN buffer layer and the AlN/ZrTi/AlN stack showed the importance of growing thin AlN buffer layers on the ZrTi layer prior to growth of the GaN buffer layer. The density of threading dislocations in the GaN channel layer of the HEMT structure was estimated to be in the 108 cm−2 range. The HEMT device exhibited a saturation drain current density of 820 mA/mm, and the channel of the fabricated HEMTs could be well modulated. A cutoff frequency (fT) of 8.9 GHz and a maximum frequency of oscillation (fmax) of 17.3 GHz were achieved for HEMTs with gate dimensions of 1 × 200 μm.
Thin layer etching of silicon nitride: A comprehensive study of selective removal using NH3/NF3 remote plasma
Authors: Posseme N. , Ah-Leung V. , Pollet O. , Arvet C. , Garcia-Barros M.
Published: September 2016

Silicon nitride spacer etching realization is considered today as one of the most challenging processes for the fully depleted silicon on insulator devices realization. For this step, the atomic etch precision to stop on silicon or silicon germanium with a perfect anisotropy (no foot formation) is required. In a recent study, the authors demonstrated the benefit of an alternative etch chemistry based on silicon nitride film modification by H2 or He plasma followed by a removal step of this modified layer using hydrofluoric acid based wet cleaning. In this paper, the authors investigate the silicon nitride modified layer removal by mixing fluorine based gas (NF3) with hydrogen based gas (NH3) performed in a remote plasma followed by an annealing step. The interaction mechanisms between modified silicon nitride and the NF3-NH3 plasma have been understood, thanks to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy analyses. Finally, the efficiency of the best NF3-NH3 plasma process to remove the modified silicon nitride layer has been evaluated on pattern structures.
Adaptive Runge–Kutta integration for stiff systems: Comparing Nosé and Nosé–Hoover dynamics for the harmonic oscillator
Authors: Graham Hoover William , Clinton Sprott Julien , Griswold Hoover Carol
Published: September 2016

We describe the application of adaptive (variable time step) integrators to stiff differential equations encountered in many applications. Linear harmonic oscillators subject to nonlinear thermal constraints can exhibit either stiff or smooth dynamics. Two closely related examples, Nosé's dynamics and Nosé–Hoover dynamics, are both based on Hamiltonian mechanics and generate microstates consistent with Gibbs' canonical ensemble. Nosé's dynamics is stiff and can present severe numerical difficulties. Nosé–Hoover dynamics, although it follows exactly the same trajectory, is smooth and relatively trouble-free. We emphasize the power of adaptive integrators to resolve stiff problems such as the Nosé dynamics for the harmonic oscillator. The solutions also illustrate the power of computer graphics to enrich numerical solutions.
Elementary derivation of the quantum propagator for the harmonic oscillator
Authors: Shao Jiushu
Published: September 2016

Operator algebra techniques are employed to derive the quantum evolution operator for the harmonic oscillator. The derivation begins with the construction of the annihilation and creation operators and the determination of the wave function for the coherent state as well as its time-dependent evolution, and ends with the transformation of the propagator in a mixed position-coherent-state representation to the desired one in configuration space. Throughout the entire procedure, besides elementary operator manipulations, it is only necessary to solve linear differential equations and to calculate Gaussian integrals.
RNAs Containing Modified Nucleotides Fail To Trigger RIG-I Conformational Changes for Innate Immune Signaling
Authors: Durbin Ann Fiegen , Wang Chen , Marcotrigiano Joseph , Gehrke Lee
Published: September 2016

Invading pathogen nucleic acids are recognized and bound by cytoplasmic (retinoic acid-inducible gene I [RIG-I]-like) and membrane-bound (Toll-like) pattern recognition receptors to activate innate immune signaling. Modified nucleotides, when present in RNA molecules, diminish the magnitude of these signaling responses. However, mechanisms explaining the blunted signaling have not been elucidated. In this study, we used several independent biological assays, including inhibition of virus replication, RIG-I:RNA binding assays, and limited trypsin digestion of RIG-I:RNA complexes, to begin to understand how RNAs containing modified nucleotides avoid or suppress innate immune signaling. The experiments were based on a model innate immune activating RNA molecule, the polyU/UC RNA domain of hepatitis C virus, which was transcribed
in vitro
with canonical nucleotides or with one of eight modified nucleotides. The approach revealed signature assay responses associated with individual modified nucleotides or classes of modified nucleotides. For example, while both
N-
6-methyladenosine (m6A) and pseudouridine nucleotides correlate with diminished signaling, RNA containing m6A modifications bound RIG-I poorly, while RNA containing pseudouridine bound RIG-I with high affinity but failed to trigger the canonical RIG-I conformational changes associated with robust signaling. These data advance understanding of RNA-mediated innate immune signaling, with additional relevance for applying nucleotide modifications to RNA therapeutics.

IMPORTANCE
The innate immune system provides the first response to virus infections and must distinguish between host and pathogen nucleic acids to mount a protective immune response without activating autoimmune responses. While the presence of nucleotide modifications in RNA is known to correlate with diminished innate immune signaling, the underlying mechanisms have not been explored. The data reported here are important for defining mechanistic details to explain signaling suppression by RNAs containing modified nucleotides. The results suggest that RNAs containing modified nucleotides interrupt signaling at early steps of the RIG-I-like innate immune activation pathway and also that nucleotide modifications with similar chemical structures can be organized into classes that suppress or evade innate immune signaling steps. These data contribute to defining the molecular basis for innate immune signaling suppression by RNAs containing modified nucleotides. The results have important implications for designing therapeutic RNAs that evade innate immune detection.
High-Risk Human Papillomavirus E7 Proteins Target PTPN14 for Degradation
Authors: White Elizabeth A. , Münger Karl , Howley Peter M.
Published: September 2016

The major transformation activity of the high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) is associated with the E7 oncoprotein. The interaction of HPV E7 with retinoblastoma family proteins is important for several E7 activities; however, this interaction does not fully account for the high-risk E7-specific cellular immortalization and transformation activities. We have determined that the cellular non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN14 interacts with HPV E7 from many genus alpha and beta HPV types. We find that high-risk genus alpha HPV E7, but not low-risk genus alpha or beta HPV E7, is necessary and sufficient to reduce the steady-state level of PTPN14 in cells. High-risk E7 proteins target PTPN14 for proteasome-mediated degradation, which requires the ubiquitin ligase UBR4, and PTPN14 is degraded by the proteasome in HPV-positive cervical cancer cell lines. Residues in the C terminus of E7 interact with the C-terminal phosphatase domain of PTPN14, and interference with the E7-PTPN14 interaction restores PTPN14 levels in cells. Finally, PTPN14 degradation correlates with the retinoblastoma-independent transforming activity of high-risk HPV E7.

IMPORTANCE
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the cause of cervical cancer, some other anogenital cancers, and a growing fraction of oropharyngeal carcinomas. The high-risk HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins enable these viruses to cause cancer, and the mechanistic basis of their carcinogenic activity has been the subject of intense study. The high-risk E7 oncoprotein is especially important in the immortalization and transformation of human cells, which makes it a central component of HPV-associated cancer development. E7 oncoproteins interact with retinoblastoma family proteins, but for several decades, it has been recognized that high-risk HPV E7 oncoproteins have additional cancer-associated activities. We have determined that high-risk E7 proteins target the proteolysis of the cellular protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN14 and find that this activity is correlated with the retinoblastoma-independent transforming activity of E7.
Use of aspirin as sole oral antiplatelet therapy in acute flow diversion for ruptured dissecting aneurysms
Authors: Chiu Albert Ho Yuen , Ramesh Rajalakshmi , Wenderoth Jason , Davies Mark , Cheung Andrew
Published: September 2016

Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to rupture of a circumferential dissecting aneurysm continues to be a treatment dilemma. Vessel sacrifice, when possible, continues to be the safest option but in certain cases this is not possible due to lack of collateral supply. In such cases, coil assisted endovascular flow diversion has become a potential option but the requirement for dual antiplatelet therapy in an unsecured intracranial aneurysm continues to raise concern.

We present a 48-year-old man with a World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grade 5 subarachnoid hemorrhage, secondary to a ruptured intradural left vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm, who was treated successfully with a pipeline embolization device with Shield technology using aspirin and a single intravenous loading dose of abciximab. To our knowledge, this is the first case of an acute flow diversion performed using only aspirin as the sole oral antiplatelet agent.
Antipsychotic prescribing in care homes before and after launch of a national dementia strategy: an observational study in English institutions over a 4-year period
Authors: Szczepura Ala , Wild Deidre , Khan Amir J , Owen David W , Palmer Thomas , Muhammad Tariq , Clark Michael D , Bowman Clive
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To assess associations between the launch of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) and antipsychotic prescribing in long-term residential care (LTC) in England.

Setting and participants

Retrospective analysis of prescribing patterns in 616 LTC institutions (31 619 residents) following launch of the NDS, using information from electronic medicines management system.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Antipsychotic prescribing point prevalence (PP) for all residents in a cross section of LTC settings over a 4-year period following NDS launch. Secondary outcomes included dosages, length of treatment and use of recommended second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) versus first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs). Associations between facility-level PP values and institutional characteristics, resident demographics were explored. Variations across geographical areas examined. Prescription net ingredient costs calculated.

Results

No statistically significant difference was observed in overall prescribing rates over the 4-year period (Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test p=0.60), and there was no significant shift towards newer SGAs (KS test p=0.32). Dosages were above the maximum indicated in only 1.3% of cases, but duration of prescribing was excessive in 69.7% of cases. Care homes in the highest prescribing quintile were more likely to be located in a deprived area (rate ratio (Q5/Q1) RR=5.89, 95% CI 4.35 to 7.99), registered for dementia (RR=3.38, 95% CI 3.06 to 3.73) and those in the lowest quintile were more likely to be served by a single general practitioner (GP) practice (RR=0.48; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.63); p<0.001 all. A sixfold variation in PP levels was observed between geographical areas. The average annual expenditure on antipsychotics was £65.6 per person resident (2012 prices).

Conclusions

The NDS in England was not associated with reduced PP levels or the types of antipsychotic prescribing in care homes. Further research is needed to explore why. Clear standards specifying recommended agents, dosages and length of treatment, together with routine monitoring and greater accountability for antipsychotic prescribing, may be required.
Decision analytic model of the diagnostic pathways for patients with suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using non-invasive transient elastography and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Blake Laurence , Duarte Rui V , Cummins Carole
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The mortality associated with liver disease continues to increase, despite the improvements implemented in the UK healthcare as does the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), given the escalating prevalence of obesity. The currently available methods to assess and monitor the stage of liver disease present several limitations. Recently, multiparametric MRI has been developed to address these limitations. The aim of this study is to develop a decision analytic model for patients with suspected NAFLD, to investigate the effect of adding multiparametric MRI to the diagnostic pathway.

Perspective

The model takes the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS) as the service provider.

Methods

A simple decision-tree model was developed to compare the costs associated with 3 diagnostic pathways for NAFLD that use non-invasive techniques. First, using transient elastography alone; second, using multiparametric MRI as an adjunct to transient elastography and third, multiparametric MRI alone. The model was built to capture these clinical pathways, and used to compare the expected diagnostic outcomes and costs associated with each.

Results

The use of multiparametric MRI as an adjunct to transient elastography, while increasing screening costs, is predicted to reduce the number of liver biopsies required by about 66%. Used as the sole diagnostic scan, there remains an expected 16% reduction in the number of biopsies required. There is a small drop in the overall diagnostic accuracy, as in the current model, liver biopsy is presumed to give a definitive diagnosis.

Conclusions

The inclusion of multiparametric MRI, either as an adjunct to or replacement of transient elastography, in the diagnostic pathway of NAFLD may lead to cost savings for the NHS if the model presumptions hold. Further high-quality clinical evidence and cost data are required to test the model's predictions.
Nutrition interventions for children aged less than 5 years following natural disasters: a systematic review
Authors: Pradhan Pranil Man Singh , Dhital Rolina , Subhani Huma
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The objective of this paper was to review various nutritional interventions targeted at under-five children in countries that had suffered from natural disasters and to analyse their effect on nutrition-related outcomes.

Design

Systematic review.

Setting

Countries that had suffered from natural disasters.

Participants

Children aged <5 years who were given any nutritional intervention to improve overall nutritional status after a natural disaster.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary nutrition-related outcomes were stunting, wasting and underweight. The secondary nutrition-related outcome was anaemia.

Results

Of the 1218 studies that the reviewers agreed on, five matched the inclusion criteria and were included in this narrative synthesis. Four studies were longitudinal and one was cross-sectional in design. Food supplementation was an integral part of nutritional interventions in all the included studies. The most consistent nutritional outcome in all five included studies was reduced prevalence of wasting, followed by reduced prevalence of underweight in four, stunting in three and anaemia in one of the five included studies. The largest reduction in the prevalence of wasting and underweight was reported by the study in Sri Lanka. Overall, the quality of evidence ranged from moderate to weak.

Conclusions

Integrated nutrition interventions using locally available health resources yielded the best results. However, sound evidence on the most effective interventions is still lacking. Intervention studies with comparison groups are necessary to obtain more robust evidence on the effectiveness of nutrition interventions.
The highly neglected burden of resistant hypertension in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nansseu Jobert Richie N , Noubiap Jean Jacques N , Mengnjo Michel K , Aminde Leopold Ndemnge , Essouma Mickael , Jingi Ahmadou M , Bigna Jean Joel R
Published: September 2016

Objective

The hypertension epidemic in Africa collectively with very low rates of blood pressure control may predict an incremented prevalence of resistant hypertension (RH) across the continent. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of RH and associated risk factors in Africa.

Data sources

We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Africa Wide Information and Africa Index Medicus) completed by manual search of articles, regardless of language or publication date.

Methods

We included studies which have reported the prevalence and/or risk factors for RH in Africa from inception to 19 May 2016. Forest plots were drawn to visualise the combined prevalence of RH and extent of statistical heterogeneity between studies.

Results

Out of 259 retrieved studies, only 5 from Cameroon, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Lesotho and Algeria with a total population of 4 068 patients were finally included in this review. There was no study from the Eastern part of Africa. Though the definition of RH was not similar across studies, its prevalence was respectively 11.7%, 4.9%, 14.6%, 14.3% and 19.0%, with an overall pooled prevalence of 12.1% (95% CI 8.0% to 17.7%). Potential risk factors were: non-compliance to treatment, ageing, male sex, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome, previous cardiovascular events, physical inactivity and stress, but not excessive salt intake, alcohol and coffee ingestions. Moreover, diabetes, smoking, obesity and renal insufficiency yielded discrepant results.

Conclusions

There is a huge dearth of research on the epidemiology of RH in Africa. Thereby, an extensive study of RH prevalence and risk factors is still largely warranted to curtail the high and continuously increasing burden of hypertension across Africa.
Uptake and efficacy of a systematic intensive smoking cessation intervention using motivational interviewing for smokers hospitalised for an acute coronary syndrome: a multicentre before–after study with parallel group comparisons
Authors: Auer Reto , Gencer Baris , Tango Rodrigo , Nanchen David , Matter Christian M , Lüscher Thomas Felix , Windecker Stephan , Mach François , Cornuz Jacques , Humair Jean-Paul , Rodondi Nicolas
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To compare the efficacy of a proactive approach with a reactive approach to offer intensive smoking cessation intervention using motivational interviewing (MI).

Design

Before–after comparison in 2 academic hospitals with parallel comparisons in 2 control hospitals.

Setting

Academic hospitals in Switzerland.

Participants

Smokers hospitalised for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Intervention

In the intervention hospitals during the intervention phase, a resident physician trained in MI systematically offered counselling to all smokers admitted for ACS, followed by 4 telephone counselling sessions over 2 months by a nurse trained in MI. In the observation phase, the in-hospital intervention was offered only to patients whose clinicians requested a smoking cessation intervention. In the control hospitals, no intensive smoking cessation intervention was offered.

Primary and secondary outcomes

The primary outcome was 1 week smoking abstinence (point prevalence) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were the number of smokers who received the in-hospital smoking cessation intervention and the duration of the intervention.

Results

In the intervention centres during the intervention phase, 87% of smokers (N=193/225) received a smoking cessation intervention compared to 22% in the observational phase (p<0.001). Median duration of counselling was 50 min. During the intervention phase, 78% received a phone follow-up for a median total duration of 42 min in 4 sessions. Prescription of nicotine replacement therapy at discharge increased from 18% to 58% in the intervention phase (risk ratio (RR): 3.3 (95% CI 2.4 to 4.3; p≤0.001). Smoking cessation at 12-month increased from 43% to 51% comparing the observation and intervention phases (RR=1.20, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.46; p=0.08; 97% with outcome assessment). In the control hospitals, the RR for quitting was 1.02 (95% CI 0.84 to 1.25; p=0.8, 92% with outcome assessment).

Conclusions

A proactive strategy offering intensive smoking cessation intervention based on MI to all smokers hospitalised for ACS significantly increases the uptake of smoking cessation counselling and might increase smoking abstinence at 12 months.
Motor vehicle crashes during pregnancy and cerebral palsy during infancy: a longitudinal cohort analysis
Authors: Redelmeier Donald A , Naqib Faisal , Thiruchelvam Deva , R Barrett Jon F
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To assess the incidence of cerebral palsy among children born to mothers who had their pregnancy complicated by a motor vehicle crash.

Design

Retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis of children born from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2012 in Ontario, Canada.

Participants

Cases defined as pregnancies complicated by a motor vehicle crash and controls as remaining pregnancies with no crash.

Main outcome

Subsequent diagnosis of cerebral palsy by age 3 years.

Results

A total of 1 325 660 newborns were analysed, of whom 7933 were involved in a motor vehicle crash during pregnancy. A total of 2328 were subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy, equal to an absolute risk of 1.8 per 1000 newborns. For the entire cohort, motor vehicle crashes correlated with a 29% increased risk of subsequent cerebral palsy that was not statistically significant (95% CI −16 to +110, p=0.274). The increased risk was only significant for those with preterm birth who showed an 89% increased risk of subsequent cerebral palsy associated with a motor vehicle crash (95% CI +7 to +266, p=0.037). No significant increase was apparent for those with a term delivery (95% CI −62 to +79, p=0.510). A propensity score-matched analysis of preterm births (n=4384) yielded a 138% increased relative risk of cerebral palsy associated with a motor vehicle crash (95% CI +27 to +349, p=0.007), equal to an absolute increase of about 10.9 additional cases per 1000 newborns (18.2 vs 7.3, p=0.010).

Conclusions

Motor vehicle crashes during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy among the subgroup of cases with preterm birth. The increase highlights a specific role for traffic safety advice in prenatal care.
Using serum urate as a validated surrogate end point for flares in patients with gout: protocol for a systematic review and meta-regression analysis
Authors: Morillon Melanie B , Stamp Lisa , Taylor William , Fransen Jaap , Dalbeth Nicola , Singh Jasvinder A , Christensen Robin , Lassere Marissa
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in men over 40 years of age. Long-term urate-lowering therapy is considered a key strategy for effective gout management. The primary outcome measure for efficacy in clinical trials of urate-lowering therapy is serum urate levels, effectively acting as a surrogate for patient-centred outcomes such as frequency of gout attacks or pain. Yet it is not clearly demonstrated that the strength of the relationship between serum urate and clinically relevant outcomes is sufficiently strong for serum urate to be considered an adequate surrogate. Our objective is to investigate the strength of the relationship between changes in serum urate in randomised controlled trials and changes in clinically relevant outcomes according to the ‘Biomarker-Surrogacy Evaluation Schema version 3’ (BSES3), documenting the validity of selected instruments by applying the ‘OMERACT Filter 2.0’.

Methods and analysis

A systematic review described in terms of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines will identify all relevant studies. Standardised data elements will be extracted from each study by 2 independent reviewers and disagreements are resolved by discussion. The data will be analysed by meta-regression of the between-arm differences in the change in serum urate level (independent variable) from baseline to 3 months (or 6 and 12 months if 3-month values are not available) against flare rate, tophus size and number and pain at the final study visit (dependent variables).

Ethics and dissemination

This study will not require specific ethics approval since it is based on analysis of published (aggregated) data. The intended audience will include healthcare researchers, policymakers and clinicians. Results of the study will be disseminated by peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

CRD42016026991.
Sing Your Lungs Out: a qualitative study of a community singing group for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Authors: McNaughton Amanda , Aldington Sarah , Williams Gayle , Levack William M M
Published: September 2016

Objective

To explore the ways in which participation in a community singing group contributed to the health and well-being of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design

Qualitative description, based on transcripts from individual interviews and a focus group meeting with people with COPD participating in the singing group, regarding their experience.

Setting

Urban community, Wellington, New Zealand.

Participants

23 people (13 women and 10 men), 51–91 years with COPD (21) or interstitial lung disease (2).

Results

The weekly singing group was a well-attended activity, with self-reported benefits to health and well-being. 4 key themes were identified: being in the ‘right space’, connection, purpose and growth, and participation in a meaningful physical activity.

Conclusions

This study helps us to better understand how participation in a community singing group can benefit the health and well-being of patients with COPD.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615000736549; Results.
Exercise prescription to reverse frailty
Authors: Bray Nick W. , Smart Rowan R. , Jakobi Jennifer M. , Jones Gareth R.
Published: September 2016

Frailty is a clinical geriatric syndrome caused by physiological deficits across multiple systems. These deficits make it challenging to sustain homeostasis required for the demands of everyday life. Exercise is likely the best therapy to reverse frailty status. Literature to date suggests that pre-frail older adults, those with 1–2 deficits on the Cardiovascular Health Study-Frailty Phenotype (CHS-frailty phenotype), should exercise 2–3 times a week, for 45–60 min. Aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance training components should be incorporated but resistance and balance activities should be emphasized. On the other hand, frail (CHS-frailty phenotype ≥ 3 physical deficits) older adults should exercise 3 times per week, for 30–45 min for each session with an emphasis on aerobic training. During aerobic, balance, and flexibility training, both frail and pre-frail older adults should work at an intensity equivalent to a rating of perceived exertion of 3–4 (“somewhat hard”) on the Borg CR10 scale. Resistance-training intensity should be based on a percentage of 1-repetition estimated maximum (1RM). Program onset should occur at 55% of 1RM (endurance) and progress to higher intensities of 80% of 1RM (strength) to maximize functional gains. Exercise is the medicine to reverse or mitigate frailty, preserve quality of life, and restore independent functioning in older adults at risk of frailty.
Study of hydrostatic pressure effect on structural, mechanical, electronic and optical properties of KMgF3, K0.5Na0.5MgF3 and NaMgF3 cubic fluoro-perovskites via ab initio calculations
Authors: Sahli B. , Bouafia H. , Abidri B. , Bouaza A. , Akriche A. , Hiadsi S. , Abdellaoui A.
Published: September 2016

The importance of fluoro-perovskites, especially KMgF3 and NaMgF3, for the industrial technology is indisputable. The flagrant lack of adequate information on K[Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text]MgF3 motivated us to undertake a comprehensive study of their behavior under the effect of hydrostatic pressure. The scope of the study includes theoretical prediction in order to analyze and provide more information on the structural, mechanical, electronic and optical properties under the effect of pressure and their mechanical stability using all-electron self-consistent full-potential linearized augmented plane waves plus local orbital (FP-(L)APW[Formula: see text]lo) method. Structural and elastic properties such as the lattice parameter, bulk modulus, its pressure derivative and the cohesive energy of KMgF3, K[Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text]MgF3 and NaMgF3 as well as the effect of pressure on the values of lattice parameter, elastic constants and their related parameters have been predicted using GGA-PBE and GGA-PBEsol. These functionals have shown great success in the prediction of such properties and the related found results are closer to those available. The modification of the Becke–Johnson potential developed by Tran and Blaha has remedied the problem of underestimation of bandgap calculation by the GGA. This gave us an opportunity to predict bandgaps of these materials using this potential. For KMgF3, the found result (using this potential) is very close to that of experimental and we firmly believe that our values for K[Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text]MgF3 and NaMgF3 (using this same potential) will also be closer once their bandgaps will be calculated. Dielectric functions of KMgF3, K[Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text]MgF3 and NaMgF3 under hydrostatic pressure have been studied with several functionals (GGA-PBE, GGA-PBEsol and GGA-EV).
Effect of uniaxial strain on the electronic transport through disordered graphene p–n junctions
Authors: Deng Min , Wang Yong-Jian , Gang Yu , Chen Jian-Fei
Published: September 2016

Using the non-equilibrium Green’s function method, we investigated theoretically the electron transport through a disordered graphene p–n junction under a perpendicular magnetic field. A uniaxial strain is applied to the graphene sheet. It is found that the conductance versus the on-site energy of the right electrode exhibits the successive step-like structure in the n–n region, however, a zero value plateau followed by the successive oscillation peaks in the p–n region. When the longitudinal or transverse strain is applied, the zero value plateau almost remains intact, while the oscillation peaks are greatly enhanced with increasing the strain strength, and depending on the orientation of the applied strain, the oscillation peaks shift towards the positive or negative energy upon increasing the strain. In the presence of the disorder, the characteristic conductance plateaus emerge at [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], etc. for the appropriate disorder strength. With the rise of the strain, the original plateau structure is destroyed, instead, the conductance exhibits new plateaus whose amplitude and position strongly depend on the strain strength and direction.
On Square and 2-path Signed Graph
Authors: SINHA DEEPA , SHARMA DEEPAKSHI
Published: September 2016

A signed graph is an ordered pair [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a graph G = (V, E), called the underlying graph of S and [Formula: see text] is a function from the edge set E of Su into the set {+, -}, called the signature of S. In this paper, we characterize all those signed graphs whose 2-path signed graphs are isomorphic to their square signed graph along with algorithm to check the same. In other sections we find the characterization of signed graph S such that [Formula: see text] where D is a derived signed graph of the signed graph S such as: line signed graphs, total signed graphs, common edge signed graphs, splitting signed graphs. Also each characterization is supported by algorithms for the same.
Noise effects on conflicting interest quantum games with incomplete information
Authors: Situ Haozhen , Huang Zhiming , Zhang Cai
Published: September 2016

Noise effects can be harmful to quantum information systems. In the present paper, we study noise effects in the context of quantum games with incomplete information, which have more complicated structure than quantum games with complete information. The effects of several paradigmatic noises on three newly proposed conflicting interest quantum games with incomplete information are studied using numerical optimization method. Intuitively noises will bring down the payoffs. However, we find that in some situations the outcome of the games under the influence of noise effects are counter-intuitive. Sometimes stronger noise may lead to higher payoffs. Some properties of the game, like quantum advantage, fairness and equilibrium, are invulnerable to some kinds of noises.
Synthesis and electromagnetic absorption properties of micro-nano nickel powders prepared with liquid phase reduction method
Authors: Yu Ying , Ma Hua , Tian Xiao-Xia , Du Hong-Liang , Xia Song , Qu Shao-Bo
Published: September 2016

Monodisperse micro-nano nickel powders have been prepared by chemical reduction of aqueous solution NiSO4, NaOH and NaH2PO2, and the influence of pH value and initial concentration of NiSO4 on the size, structure, morphology and microwave absorption properties of nickel powders were investigated. The crystal structure of nickel powders was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). And the morphology of the as-synthesized products was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microwave absorption properties of the composite materials were characterized by network analyzer. The result indicates that the growth of nickel powders produced by NiSO4 and NaH2PO2 at alkaline condition deeply relies on pH value and initial concentration of NiSO4 in reaction system. Different sizes of nickel powders with the diameter of 1.5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and 180[Formula: see text]nm were produced at the pH value of 10 and initial concentration of NiSO4 at 0.5[Formula: see text]mol/L. The network analyzer showed definite microwave absorption properties of nickel powders with different sizes in the range of 0.5–18.0[Formula: see text]GHz.
Revised hazard assessment for Afulilo Dam, Samoa
Authors: Goldsmith R. , McCue K.
Published: September 2016

Afulilo Dam was built as part of a hydroelectric scheme to augment the power supply for the island of Upolu, Samoa. The 23 m high concrete gravity dam sits on the crest of a waterfall that once drained an intermontane basin. Initially, concerns were expressed about a possible active fault through the dam site linked with a larger fault across the island. This assertion was refuted but not tested by the owners, and the dam came into operation as planned. This issue was again reviewed in 2009–10 as part of an environmental and power augmentation study. The opportunity was also taken to test the compliance of the dam with accepted international practices. Additional regional geological assessments, a review of the seismic data and further drilling at the dam site provided data to improve the geological model for the dam site. It is concluded and confirmed that there is no clear evidence for the existence of such faults. If they do exist, they are not active and therefore not significant for the safety of the dam.
Engineering geology model for seismic vulnerability assessment of critical infrastructures
Authors: Fabbrocino S. , Paduano P. , Lanzano G. , Forte G. , Santucci de Magistris F. , Fabbrocino G.
Published: September 2016

The development of reliable subsoil models is one of the key points for the assessment of the seismic performance of existing strategic infrastructures, especially in many European countries where the seismic hazard varies from moderate to high. The strategic infrastructures are structures and components which have a crucial role in the social and economic development of a modern country, and include lifelines and industrial plants. Lifelines frequently have a linear development and can be affected by very heterogeneous and complex geological setting. Industrial plants, on the other hand, frequently treat toxic and flammable materials. This paper deals with the definition of an effective geological and geotechnical three-dimensional model of the Biferno River coastal plain in the Molise region (Italy) as a key for a quantitative assessment of real performances of strategic infrastructures. Some remarks on the site seismic vulnerability and on the regional and local geological, geomorphological and hydrogeological conditions are given. The key objective of the seismic vulnerability assessment is discussed in relation to the spatial variability of the geological and geotechnical characteristics.
Effect of porewater salinity on residual shear strength of clays and their mixtures
Authors: He L. , Wen B.-P.
Published: September 2016

It has been long recognized that the residual shear strength of clayey soil is influenced by porewater chemistry due to physico-chemical interactions between clay and porewater. However, although the correlation between the residual shear strength of clayey soils and salinity of porewater has been discussed by many researchers, it has not been quantitatively specified either in theory or experiment. In this study, the residual shear strength of pure and mixed clays made of smectite, interlayered illite/smectite and kaolinite were investigated after being saturated with NaCl solutions of various concentrations. It was found that the residual shear strength of smectite significantly increased when the concentration of the NaCl was in the range of 0–1 mol L
−1
and showed little change when the NaCl concentration was higher. The residual shear strength of kaolinite displayed insignificant change when NaCl concentration varied. Variation of the residual shear strength of interlayered illite/smectite with porewater salinity was quite similar to that of smectite, but with much less magnitude. Moreover, the residual shear strength of the clay mixtures also displayed great variation with the porewater salinity, and the variation may be mainly attributed to aggregation when porewater salinity varied as a result of change in double-layer thickness among clay particles.
The Glasgow (Scotland) geotechnical GIS: a desk study tool
Authors: Entwisle David C. , Culshaw Martin G. , Hulbert Andrew G. , Shelley Wayne A. , Self Suzanne J. , Dobbs Marcus R.
Published: September 2016

Desk study is an essential part of all civil engineering project ground investigations. It is usually a collation and review of existing data and information about a site and, in some cases, the surrounding area, and carried out at an early stage of the ground investigation to inform and guide the ground investigation. It should provide suitable data and information to assess the ground conditions and the implications for the proposed engineering design. A similar approach can be taken to inform local, regional or national government with regard to development and the redevelopment of urban areas where ground investigation data and information are available. This paper describes a spatially defined geotechnical information system (GIS) designed to provide geological, geotechnical and geoenvironmental data and information for Glasgow City Council (Scotland). The system contains three main parts: the geology (bedrock, Quaternary and artificial deposits and the thickness and depth of these deposits); the data are presented as various summary graphs illustrating the variation of various parameters as well as a geotechnical and geoenvironmental database; and tools specifically developed to present the data. As undermining is a hazard in part of Glasgow, a dataset showing the distribution of mining is included. Further interpretation of the characteristics of the geological units has produced an engineering geological classification which may be used to provide rapid assessment of the engineering geological conditions.
Performance and Security Improvements for Tor
Authors: Alsabah Mashael , Goldberg Ian
Published: September 2016

Tor [Dingledine et al. 2004] is the most widely used anonymity network today, serving millions of users on a daily basis using a growing number of volunteer-run routers. Since its deployment in 2003, there have been more than three dozen proposals that aim to improve its performance, security, and unobservability. Given the significance of this research area, our goal is to provide the reader with the state of current research directions and challenges in anonymous communication systems, focusing on the Tor network. We shed light on the design weaknesses and challenges facing the network and point out unresolved issues.
A Truthful Incentive Mechanism for Emergency Demand Response in Geo-Distributed Colocation Data Centers
Authors: Zhang Linquan , Ren Shaolei , Wu Chuan , Li Zongpeng
Published: September 2016

Data centers are key participants in demand response programs, including emergency demand response (EDR), in which the grid coordinates consumers of large amounts of electricity for demand reduction in emergency situations to prevent major economic losses. While existing literature concentrates on owner-operated data centers, this work studies EDR in geo-distributed multitenant colocation data centers in which servers are owned and managed by individual tenants. EDR in colocation data centers is significantly more challenging due to lack of incentives to reduce energy consumption by tenants who control their servers and are typically on fixed power contracts with the colocation operator. Consequently, to achieve demand reduction goals set by the EDR program, the operator has to rely on the highly expensive and/or environmentally unfriendly on-site energy backup/generation. To reduce cost and environmental impact, an efficient incentive mechanism is therefore needed, motivating tenants’ voluntary energy reduction in the case of EDR. This work proposes a novel incentive mechanism, Truth-DR, which leverages a reverse auction to provide monetary remuneration to tenants according to their agreed energy reduction. Truth-DR is computationally efficient, truthful, and achieves 2-approximation in colocation-wide social cost. Trace-driven simulations verify the efficacy of the proposed auction mechanism.
Designing Self-Stabilizing Systems Using Game Theory
Authors: Yen Li-Hsing , Huang Jean-Yao , Turau Volker
Published: September 2016

Self-stabilizing systems tolerate transient faults by always returning to a legitimate system state within a finite time. This goal is challenged by several system features such as arbitrary system states after faults, various process execution models, and constrained process communication means. This work designs self-stabilizing distributed algorithms from the perspective of game theory, achieving an intended system goal through private goals of processes. We propose a generic game design for identifying a maximal independent set (MIS) or a maximal weighted independent set (MWIS) among all processes in a distributed system. From the generic game several specific games can be defined which differ in whether and how neighboring players influence each other. Turning the game designs into self-stabilizing algorithms, we obtain the first algorithms for the MWIS problem and also the first self-stabilizing MIS algorithm that considers node degree (including an analysis of its performance ratio). We also show how to handle simultaneous moves of processes in some process execution models. Simulation results indicate that, for various representative network topologies, the new algorithm outperforms existing methods in terms of MIS size and convergence rate. For the MWIS problem, the new algorithms performed only slightly worse than centralized greedy counterparts.
An Improved Approximation Algorithm for the Edge-Disjoint Paths Problem with Congestion Two
Authors: Kawarabayashi Ken-Ichi , Kobayashi Yusuke
Published: September 2016

In the maximum edge-disjoint paths problem, we are given a graph and a collection of pairs of vertices, and the objective is to find the maximum number of pairs that can be routed by edge-disjoint paths. An
r
-approximation algorithm for this problem is a polynomial-time algorithm that finds at least OPT/
r
edge-disjoint paths, where OPT denotes the maximum possible number of pairs that can be routed in a given instance. For a long time, an
O
(
n
1/2
-approximation algorithm has been best known for this problem even if a congestion of two is allowed, that is, each edge is allowed to be used in at most two of the paths. In this article, we give a randomized
O
(
n
3/7 ċ poly(log
n
))-approximation algorithm with congestion two. This is the first result that breaks the
O
(
n
1/2
)-approximation algorithm. In particular, we prove the following:

(1) If we have a (randomized) polynomial-time algorithm for finding Ω(OPT1/p /polylog(
n
)) edge-disjoint paths for some
p
> 1, then we can give a randomized
O
(
n
1/2
-α)-approximation algorithm for the edge-disjoint paths problem by using Rao-Zhou’s algorithm for some α > 0.

(2) Based on the Chekuri-Khanna-Shepherd well-linked decomposition, we show that there is a randomized algorithm for finding Ω(OPT
1/4
/(log
n
)
3/2
) edge-disjoint paths connecting given terminal pairs with congestion two.

Our framework for this algorithm is more general in the following sense. Indeed, the above two ingredients also work for the maximum edge-disjoint paths problem (with congestion one) if there is a (randomized) polynomial-time algorithm for finding Ω(OPT1/p) edge-disjoint paths connecting given terminal pairs for some
p
> 1.