bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Sliding Humeral Osteotomy (SHO) on Frontal Plane Thoracic Limb Alignment: An Ex Vivo Canine Cadaveric Study
Authors: Breiteneicher Adam H. , Norby Bo , Schulz Kurt S. , Kerwin Sharon C. , Hulse Don A. , Fox Derek B. , Saunders W. Brian
Published: October 2016

Objective

To determine the effect of sliding humeral osteotomy (SHO) on frontal plane thoracic limb alignment in standing and recumbent limb positions.

Study Design

Canine cadaveric study.

Sample Population

Canine thoracic limbs (n=15 limb pairs).

Methods

Limbs acquired from healthy Labrador Retrievers euthanatized for reasons unrelated to this study were mounted in a limb press and aligned in a standing position followed by axial loading at 30% body weight. Frontal plane radiography was performed in standing and recumbent positions pre‐ and post‐SHO. In the standing position, lateralization of the foot was measured pre‐ and post‐SHO using a textured grid secured to the limb press base plate. Twelve thoracic limb alignment values (mean ± SD and 95% CI) were determined using the center of rotation of angulation (CORA) method were compared using linear mixed models to determine if significant differences existed between limb alignment values pre‐ or post‐SHO, controlling for dog, limb, and limb position.

Results

Six of 12 standing or recumbent alignment values were significantly different pre‐ and post‐SHO. SHO resulted in decreased mechanical lateral distal humeral angle and movement of the mechanical humeral radio‐ulnar angle, radio‐ulnar metacarpal angle, thoracic humeral angle, and elbow mechanical axis deviation toward coaxial limb alignment. In the standing position, the foot underwent significant lateralization post‐SHO.

Conclusion

SHO resulted in significant alteration in frontal plane thoracic limb alignment. Additional studies are necessary to determine if the changes reported using our ex vivo model occur following SHO in vivo.
New Graduate Nurses’ Developmental Trajectories for Capability Beliefs Concerning Core Competencies for Healthcare Professionals: A National Cohort Study on Patient‐Centered Care, Teamwork, and Evidence‐based Practice
Authors: Ehrenberg Anna , Gustavsson Petter , Wallin Lars , Boström Anne‐Marie , Rudman Ann
Published: October 2016

Background

This study aimed to describe the developmental trajectories of registered nurses’ capability beliefs during their first 3 years of practice. The focus was on three core competencies for health professionals—patient‐centered care, teamwork, and evidence‐based practice.

Methods

A national cohort of registered nurses (n = 1,205) was recruited during their nursing education and subsequently surveyed yearly during the first 3 years of working life. The survey included 16 items on capability beliefs divided into three subscales for the assessment of patient‐centered care, teamwork, and evidence‐based practice, and the data were analyzed with linear latent growth modeling.

Results

The nurses’ capability beliefs for patient‐centered care increased over the three first years of working life, their capability beliefs for evidence‐based practice were stable over the 3 years, and their capability beliefs for teamwork showed a downward trend.

Linking Evidence to Action

Through collaboration between nursing education and clinical practice, the transition to work life could be supported and competence development in newly graduated nurses could be enhanced to help them master the core competencies. Future research should focus on determining which factors impact the development of capability beliefs in new nurses and how these factors can be developed by testing interventions.
Including scattering within the room acoustics diffusion model: An analytical approach
Authors: Foy Cédric , Picaut Judicaël , Valeau Vincent
Published: October 2016

Over the last 20 years, a statistical acoustic model has been developed to predict the reverberant sound field in buildings. This model is based on the assumption that the propagation of the reverberant sound field follows a transport process and, as an approximation, a diffusion process that can be easily solved numerically. This model, initially designed and validated for rooms with purely diffuse reflections, is extended in the present study to mixed reflections, with a proportion of specular and diffuse reflections defined by a scattering coefficient. The proposed mathematical developments lead to an analytical expression of the diffusion constant that is a function of the scattering coefficient, but also on the absorption coefficient of the walls. The results obtained with this extended diffusion model are then compared with the classical diffusion model, as well as with a sound particles tracing approach considering mixed wall reflections. The comparison shows a good agreement for long rooms with uniform low absorption (α = 0.01) and uniform scattering. For a larger absorption (α = 0.1), the agreement is moderate, due to the fact that the proposed expression of the diffusion coefficient does not vary spatially. In addition, the proposed model is for now limited to uniform diffusion and should be extended in the future to more general cases.
Low-frequency temporary threshold shift not observed in spotted or ringed seals exposed to single air gun impulses
Authors: Reichmuth Colleen , Ghoul Asila , Sills Jillian M. , Rouse Andrew , Southall Brandon L.
Published: October 2016

Underwater hearing thresholds were measured at 100 Hz in trained spotted (Phoca largha) and ringed seals (Pusa hispida) before and immediately following voluntary exposure to impulsive noise from a seismic air gun. Auditory responses were determined from psychoacoustic data and behavioral responses were scored from video recordings. Four successive exposure conditions of increasing level were tested, with received unweighted sound exposure levels from 165 to 181 dB re 1 μPa2 s and peak-to-peak sound pressures from 190 to 207 dB re 1 μPa. There was no evidence that these single seismic exposures altered hearing—including in the highest exposure condition, which matched previous predictions of temporary threshold shift (TTS) onset. Following training at low exposure levels, relatively mild behavioral responses were observed for higher exposure levels. This demonstrates that individuals can learn to tolerate loud, impulsive sounds, but does not necessarily imply that similar sounds would not elicit stronger behavioral responses in wild seals. The absence of observed TTS confirms that regulatory guidelines (based on M-weighting) for single impulse noise exposures are conservative for seals. However, additional studies using multiple impulses and/or higher exposure levels are needed to quantify exposure conditions that do produce measurable changes in hearing sensitivity.
Evaluation of smartphone sound measurement applications (apps) using external microphones—A follow-up study
Authors: Kardous Chucri A. , Shaw Peter B.
Published: October 2016

This follow-up study examines the accuracy of selected smartphone sound measurement applications (apps) using external calibrated microphones. The initial study examined 192 apps on the iOS and Android platforms and found four iOS apps with mean differences of ±2 dB of a reference sound level measurement system. This study evaluated the same four apps using external microphones. The results showed measurements within ±1 dB of the reference. This study suggests that using external calibrated microphones greatly improves the overall accuracy and precision of smartphone sound measurements, and removes much of the variability and limitations associated with the built-in smartphone microphones.
Self-renewal of a purified
Tie2
+
hematopoietic stem cell population relies on mitochondrial clearance
Authors: Ito Kyoko , Turcotte Raphaël , Cui Jinhua , Zimmerman Samuel E. , Pinho Sandra , Mizoguchi Toshihide , Arai Fumio , Runnels Judith M. , Alt Clemens , Teruya-Feldstein Julie , Mar Jessica C. , Singh Rajat , Suda Toshio , Lin Charles P. , Frenette Paul S. , Ito Keisuke
Published: October 2016

Purified hematopoietic stem cells reveal that mitophagy plays a key role in their expansion.
RNA interference is essential for cellular quiescence
Authors: Roche B. , Arcangioli B. , Martienssen R. A.
Published: October 2016

RNAi soothes the path to quiescence

Cells, such as those in stem cell niches and immunity memory cells, can exist in a nondividing, quiescent state, from which they can be aroused with the appropriate signal. RNA interference (RNAi) is an important epigenetic pathway in many organisms. Roche
et al.
found that in fission yeast, RNAi was an essential regulator of the quiescent state. RNAi promoted proper chromosome segregation during entry into quiescence. It also prevented inappropriate silencing of the ribosomal DNA during quiescence.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aah5651
Draft Genome Sequence of Three Endophyte Strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens Isolated from
Miscanthus giganteus
Authors: Moreira António S. , Germaine Kieran J. , Lloyd Andrew , Lally Richard D. , Galbally Paul T. , Ryan David , Dowling David N.
Published: October 2016

We report here the draft genome sequence of three
Pseudomonas fluorescens
strains (L111, L228, and L321) isolated from
Miscanthus giganteus
. The draft genome analyses uncovered a group of genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and for plant growth promotion.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Polychlorinated Biphenyl Degrader
Rhodococcus
sp. WB1
Authors: Xu Yuxin , Yu Man , Shen Alin
Published: October 2016

Rhodococcus
sp. WB1 is a polychlorinated biphenyl degrader which was isolated from contaminated soil in Zhejiang, China. Here, we present the complete genome sequence. The analysis of this genome indicated that a biphenyl-degrading gene cluster and several xenobiotic metabolism pathways are harbored.
Genome Sequence of vB_AbaS_TRS1, a Viable Prophage Isolated from Acinetobacter baumannii Strain A118
Authors: Turner Dann , Wand Matthew E. , Sutton J. Mark , Centron Daniela , Kropinski Andrew M. , Reynolds Darren M.
Published: October 2016

A novel temperate phage, vB_AbaS_TRS1, was isolated from cultures of
Acinetobacter baumannii
strain A118 that had been exposed to mitomycin C. Phage TRS1 belongs to the
Siphoviridae
family of bacteriophages and encapsulates a 40,749-bp genome encoding 70 coding sequences and a single tRNA.
Genome Sequences of Polyomaviruses from the Wild-Living Red Colobus (
Piliocolobus badius
) and Western Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes
verus
)
Authors: Ben Salem Nicole , Leendertz Fabian H. , Ehlers Bernhard
Published: October 2016

We identified with PCR and sequencing the full genomes of the recently discovered
Pan troglodytes
verus
polyomavirus 8 and
Piliocolobus badius
polyomavirus 2 in a western chimpanzee and a western red colobus free-ranging in Taï National Park of Côte d'Ivoire.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Benthic Cyanobacteria,
Oscillatoriales
USR 001 and
Nostoc
sp. MBR 210, Isolated from Tropical Freshwater Lakes
Authors: Te Shu Harn , Tan Boon Fei , Thompson Janelle R. , Gin Karina Yew-Hoong
Published: October 2016

Genomes of two filamentous benthic cyanobacteria were obtained from cocultures obtained from two freshwater lakes. The cultures were obtained by first growing cyanobacterial trichome on solid medium, followed by subculturing in freshwater media. Subsequent shotgun sequencing,
de novo
assembly, and genomic binning yielded almost complete genomes of
Oscillatoriales
USR 001 and
Nostoc
sp. MBR 210.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Brazil-Type
Avian coronavirus
Detected in a Chicken
Authors: Brandão Paulo E. , Ayres Giselle R. R. , Torres Carolina A. , Villarreal Laura Y. B. , Hora Aline S. , Taniwaki Sueli A.
Published: October 2016

Avian coronavirus
is the causative agent of infectious bronchitis in chickens, leading to multisystemic disease that might be controlled if adequate vaccine strains are used. This paper reports the first complete genome sequence of a Brazil type of this virus (27,615 nucleotides [nt]) isolated from the kidneys of a chicken.
Genome Sequence of the Photoarsenotrophic Bacterium
Ectothiorhodospira
sp. Strain BSL-9, Isolated from a Hypersaline Alkaline Arsenic-Rich Extreme Environment
Authors: Hernandez-Maldonado Jaime , Stoneburner Brendon , Boren Alison , Miller Laurence , Rosen Michael , Oremland Ronald S. , Saltikov Chad W.
Published: October 2016

The full genome sequence of
Ectothiorhodospira
sp. strain BSL-9 is reported here. This purple sulfur bacterium encodes an
arxA
-type arsenite oxidase within the
arxB2AB1CD
gene island and is capable of carrying out “photoarsenotrophy” anoxygenic photosynthetic arsenite oxidation. Its genome is composed of 3.5 Mb and has approximately 63% G+C content.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Novel Isolates of Human Parainfluenza Virus 1 Associated with Acute Respiratory Infection
Authors: Denson J. L. , Kennedy J. L. , Dehority W. N. , Eickman M. M. , Schwalm K. S. , Stoner A. N. , Kincaid J. C. , Abramo T. J. , Thompson T. M. , Ulloa E. M. , Burchiel S. W. , Young S. A. , Dinwiddie D. L.
Published: October 2016

Using target capture of viral nucleic acid and next-generation sequencing, we generated the complete genomes of two novel human parainfluenza virus 1 isolates. Isolates AR001 (accession no. KX570602) and NM001 (accession no. KX639498) were collected 3 months apart from pediatric patients with acute respiratory infection from Arkansas and New Mexico, respectively.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Arenibacter
sp. Strain C-21, an Iodine-Accumulating Bacterium Isolated from Surface Marine Sediment
Authors: Ito Kohei , Nakajima Nobuyoshi , Yamamura Shigeki , Tomita Masaru , Suzuki Haruo , Amachi Seigo
Published: October 2016

Arenibacter
sp. strain C-21, isolated from surface marine sediment of Japan, accumulates iodine in the presence of glucose and iodide (I
-
). We report here the draft genome sequence of this strain to provide insight into the molecular mechanism underlying its iodine-accumulating ability.
Ageing with cerebral palsy; what are the health experiences of adults with cerebral palsy? A qualitative study
Authors: Mudge Suzie , Rosie Juliet , Stott Susan , Taylor Denise , Signal Nada , McPherson Kathryn
Published: October 2016

Objective

To enhance understanding of the experiences of ageing with cerebral palsy (CP) in adulthood with a particular focus on experiences with health services.

Design

A qualitative descriptive methodology was applied to capture adults' views of ageing with CP and related interactions with health services. Semistructured interviews were undertaken with data systematically coded and interpreted by grouping information into categories. Themes that encompassed the categories were identified through thematic analysis.

Setting

All healthcare settings.

Participants

28 adults (14 women) with CP, aged 37–70 years.

Results

5 themes covered the breadth of participants' experiences: (1) acceptance of change; (2) exploring identity: cerebral palsy as only one part of self; (3) taking charge of help; (4) rethinking the future and (5) interacting with health professionals. Being seen and being heard were the features described in positive healthcare interactions. Participants also valued health professionals who reflected on who holds the knowledge?; demonstrated a willingness to learn and respected participants' knowledge and experience.

Conclusions

Our findings could, and arguably should, inform more responsive strategies for disabled people in health services and, indeed, all health consumers. Our study supports other findings that impairments related to CP change and, for many, severity of disabling impact increases with age. Increased interactions with health and rehabilitation professionals, as a consequence of these changes, have the potential to impact the person's healthcare experience either positively or negatively. A ‘listening health professional’ may bridge their knowledge gap and, in recognising the person's own expertise, may achieve three things: a more contextualised healthcare intervention; a better healthcare experience for the person with CP and positive impact on the person's sense of autonomy and identity by recognising their expertise. Future research should identify whether this approach improves the healthcare experience for adults living with CP.
The psychological health and well-being of emergency medicine consultants in the UK
Authors: Fitzgerald Katherine , Yates Philip , Benger Jonathan , Harris Adrian
Published: October 2016

Objective

To explore the experience of psychological distress and well-being in emergency medicine (EM) consultants.

Methods

A qualitative, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study based on 1:1 semistructured interviews with EM consultants working full time in EDs across South West England. Eighteen EM consultants were interviewed across five EDs, the mean (SD) age of participants being 43.17 (5.8) years. The personal meanings that participants attached to their experiences were inductively analysed.

Results

The analysis formed three superordinate themes: systemic pressures, physical and mental strain and managing the challenges. Pressures within the ED and healthcare system contributed to participants feeling undervalued and unsatisfied when working in an increasingly uncontrollable environment. Participants described working intensely to meet systemic demands, which inadvertently contributed to a diminishing sense of achievement and self-worth. Consultants perceived their experience of physical and emotional strain as unsustainable, as it negatively impacted; functioning at work, relationships, personal well-being and the EM profession. Participants described how sustainability as an EM consultant could be promoted by social support from consultant colleagues and the ED team, and the opportunity to develop new roles and support ED problem solving at an organisational level. These processes supported a stigma-reducing means of promoting psychological well-being.

Conclusions

EM consultants experience considerable physical and mental strain. This strain is dynamically related to consultants' experiences of diminishing self-worth and satisfaction, alongside current sociopolitical demands on EM services. Recognising the psychological experiences and needs of EM consultants and promoting a sustainable EM consultant role could benefit individual psychological well-being and the delivery of emergency care.
Validity of segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis for estimating fat-free mass in children including overweight individuals
Authors: Ohta Megumi , Midorikawa Taishi , Hikihara Yuki , Masuo Yoshihisa , Sakamoto Shizuo , Torii Suguru , Kawakami Yasuo , Fukunaga Tetsuo , Kanehisa Hiroaki
Published: October 2016

This study examined the validity of segmental bioelectrical impedance (BI) analysis for predicting the fat-free masses (FFMs) of whole-body and body segments in children including overweight individuals. The FFM and impedance (Z) values of arms, trunk, legs, and whole body were determined using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and segmental BI analyses, respectively, in 149 boys and girls aged 6 to 12 years, who were divided into model-development (n = 74), cross-validation (n = 35), and overweight (n = 40) groups. Simple regression analysis was applied to (length)2/Z (BI index) for each of the whole-body and 3 segments to develop the prediction equations of the measured FFM of the related body part. In the model-development group, the BI index of each of the 3 segments and whole body was significantly correlated to the measured FFM (R2 = 0.867–0.932, standard error of estimation = 0.18–1.44 kg (5.9%–8.7%)). There was no significant difference between the measured and predicted FFM values without systematic error. The application of each equation derived in the model-development group to the cross-validation and overweight groups did not produce significant differences between the measured and predicted FFM values and systematic errors, with an exception that the arm FFM in the overweight group was overestimated. Segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis is useful for predicting the FFM of each of whole-body and body segments in children including overweight individuals, although the application for estimating arm FFM in overweight individuals requires a certain modification.
Effects of the vertical distribution of a root-feeding insect (Anomala cuprea) on the yield, mortality, and size structure of Lolium perenne populations at different plant densities
Authors: Tsunoda Tomonori , Kachi Naoki , Suzuki Jun-Ichirou
Published: October 2016

The vertical distribution of belowground herbivores plays an important role in determining the performance of an individual plant, but we still do not know the effects of this distribution on plant populations. A grass (Lolium perenne L.) was, therefore, grown at two densities with three vertical distributions of the belowground herbivore Anomala cuprea Hope (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The population yield decreased significantly in the treatments with a herbivore, and decreased most when the herbivore was in the top feeding zone (i.e., the shallowest soil). Plants only died when the herbivore was in the top zone or was free to move within the pot. At low plant density, the biomass of the three largest shoots decreased significantly in the presence of a herbivore, but that of shoots in the fourth and smaller ranks did not. At high plant density, shoot biomass was not significantly affected by herbivory, irrespective of plant size. The standard deviation of shoot size was larger at low densities than at high densities. At low, but not high plant densities, the standard deviation decreased when herbivory occurred in the shallowest soil layer. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that the vertical distribution of a belowground herbivore can markedly affect the size dynamics of a plant population.
An alternative approach to site factors for NBCC 2015
Authors: Dowling Jason , Finn W.D. Liam , Ventura Carlos E. , Bebamzadeh Armin , Fairhurst Mike
Published: October 2016

The site amplification factors in the 2015 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC 2015) for South Western British Columbia (SWBC) were developed using only the single site term associated with the ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) for crustal sources. The seismic hazard in SWBC is derived from three source types; crustal, subduction intraplate, and subduction interface sources. Therefore site factors based only on a crustal site term are approximate. This study was conducted to assess the degree of approximation. Alternative site amplification factors for Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia were calculated using site specific look-up tables incorporating all the GMPEs associated with each seismic source type and their associated site terms. The alternative site factors are significantly greater than those given in NBCC 2015 for periods 0.3 s, 0.5 s, and 1.0 s. These results suggest that the process for calculating site amplification factors should be reassessed by the committee currently reviewing seismic hazard for NBCC 2020.
Developing a cost normalization framework for phase-based performance assessment of construction projects
Authors: Choi Jiyong , Yun Sungmin , de Oliveira Daniel P.
Published: October 2016

Capital project benchmarking requires an effective cost normalization process to achieve reasonable comparisons of cost-related performance for projects that are executed at different times and locations. Traditionally, cost normalization approaches were developed for ex post facto analysis of project performance and assume that all required information is fully available from a completed project. However, practitioners have expressed the need for cost normalization techniques to evaluate phase-level outcomes during ongoing projects. This paper aims to provide a cost normalization framework tailored to phase-based performance assessment. The framework involves three main steps: currency conversion, location adjustment, and time adjustment with considerations for various scenarios where the required information is not fully available. Case studies are conducted to demonstrate how the proposed cost normalization framework has been applied to phase-based performance assessment for capital projects. The proposed framework can benefit both researchers and industrial professionals interested in cost estimation, feasibility analysis, and performance assessment.
Species-level identification of the blowflyChrysomya megacephalaand other Diptera in China by DNA barcoding
Authors: Qiu Deyi , Cook Charles E. , Yue Qiaoyun , Hu Jia , Wei Xiaoya , Chen Jian , Liu Dexing , Wu Keliang
Published: October 2016

The blowfly Chrysomya megacephala, or oriental latrine fly, is the most common human-associated fly of the oriental and Australasian regions. Chrysomya megacephala is of particular interest for its use in forensic entomology and because it is a disease vector. The larvae are economically important as feed for livestock and in traditional Chinese medicine. Identification of adults is straightforward, but larvae and fragments of adults are difficult to identify. We collected C. megacephala, its allies Chrysomya pinguis and Protophormia terraenovae, as well as flies from 11 other species from 52 locations around China, then sequenced 658 base pairs of the COI barcode region from 645 flies of all 14 species, including 208 C. megacephala, as the basis of a COI barcode library for flies in China. While C. megacephala and its closest relative C. pinguis are closely related (mean K2P divergence of 0.022), these species are completely non-overlapping in their barcode divergences, thus demonstrating the utility of the COI barcode region for the identification of C. megacephala. We combined the 208 C. megacephala sequences from China with 98 others from public databases and show that worldwide COI barcode diversity is low, with 70% of all individuals belonging to one of three haplotypes that differ by one or two substitutions from each other, reflecting recent anthropogenic dispersal from its native range in Eurasia.
Identification of species adulteration in traded medicinal plant raw drugs using DNA barcoding
Authors: Nithaniyal Stalin , Vassou Sophie Lorraine , Poovitha Sundar , Raju Balaji , Parani Madasamy
Published: October 2016

Plants are the major source of therapeutic ingredients in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, species adulteration in traded medicinal plant raw drugs threatens the reliability and safety of CAM. Since morphological features of medicinal plants are often not intact in the raw drugs, DNA barcoding was employed for species identification. Adulteration in 112 traded raw drugs was tested after creating a reference DNA barcode library consisting of 1452 rbcL and matK barcodes from 521 medicinal plant species. Species resolution of this library was 74.4%, 90.2%, and 93.0% for rbcL, matK, and rbcL + matK, respectively. DNA barcoding revealed adulteration in about 20% of the raw drugs, and at least 6% of them were derived from plants with completely different medicinal or toxic properties. Raw drugs in the form of dried roots, powders, and whole plants were found to be more prone to adulteration than rhizomes, fruits, and seeds. Morphological resemblance, co-occurrence, mislabeling, confusing vernacular names, and unauthorized or fraudulent substitutions might have contributed to species adulteration in the raw drugs. Therefore, this library can be routinely used to authenticate traded raw drugs for the benefit of all stakeholders: traders, consumers, and regulatory agencies.
A Near-Threshold Voltage Startup Monolithic Boost Converter with Adaptive Sleeping Time Control
Authors: Liu Lianxi , Zhou Yiyang , Mu Junchao , Liao Xufeng , Zhu Zhangming , Yang Yintang
Published: October 2016

A novel near-threshold voltage startup monolithic boost converter is presented in this paper using an adaptive sleeping time control (ASTC) scheme for low-power applications. The proposed ASTC scheme can promote the power efficiency of the current-mode boost converter under light load by automatically adjusting the sleep time of the converter, and the converter's quiescent current drops down to 4[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A during the sleeping period. In addition, a new soft-start method is introduced to make the boost converter start up with a near-threshold input voltage. The proposed boost converter was fabricated in a standard 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS process and occupies a small chip area of 0.50[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm. Experimental results show that the boost converter achieves the minimum 0.5-V startup voltage when the output voltage is set to 1.8[Formula: see text]V. After startup, the input voltage range can be expanded from 0.3[Formula: see text]V to 1.5[Formula: see text]V with a switching frequency of 1[Formula: see text]MHz. In addition, a peak efficiency of 94% and a minimum efficiency of 81% are measured at the 1.5-V input voltage as the load current ranges from 0.1[Formula: see text]mA to 100[Formula: see text]mA.
Direct Low Order Rational Approximations for Fractional Order Systems in Narrow Frequency Band: A Fix-Pole Method
Authors: Liang Yinshan , Lu Jiangling
Published: October 2016

Rational approximations for fractional order systems are discussed in this paper. A fix-pole method is derived whereby a fractional order system is efficiently approximated by a low order integer system via simple algebraic algorithms. An adjacent congruent triangle (ACT) criterion is presented to analyze our method and compare it with existing results in a unified framework. The proposed fix-pole method has a trade-off that sacrifices partly the fitting error in exchange for simple approximations of complicated fractional order systems. The quality of the fix-pole approximations can be improved to be acceptable in practical or numerical implementations by narrowing the fitting frequency band. Finally, numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of our methods.
Splittings of link concordance groups
Authors: Martin Taylor , Otto Carolyn
Published: October 2016

We establish several results about two short exact sequences involving lower terms of the [Formula: see text]-solvable filtration, [Formula: see text] of the string link concordance group [Formula: see text]. We utilize the Thom–Pontryagin construction to show that the Sato–Levine invariants [Formula: see text] must vanish for 0.5-solvable links. Using this result, we show that the short exact sequence [Formula: see text] does not split for links of two or more components, in contrast to the fact that it splits for knots. Considering lower terms of the filtration [Formula: see text] in the short exact sequence [Formula: see text], we show that while the sequence does not split for [Formula: see text], it does indeed split for [Formula: see text]. This allows us to determine that the quotient [Formula: see text].
Natural cutoffs effect on charged rotating TeV-scale black hole thermodynamics
Authors: Soleimani M. J. , Abbasvandi N. , Gopir G. , Ibrahim Zainol Abidin , Radiman Shahidan , Wan Abdullah W. A. T.
Published: October 2016

We study the thermodynamics of charged rotating black hole in large extra dimensions scenario where quantum gravity effects are taken into account. We consider the effects of minimal length, minimal momentum, and maximal momentum as natural cutoffs on the thermodynamics of charged rotating TeV-scale black holes. In this framework, the effect of the angular momentum and charge on the thermodynamics of the black hole are discussed. We focus also on frame dragging and Sagnac effect of the micro black holes.
QCD, with strings attached
Authors: Güijosa Alberto
Published: October 2016

In the nearly 20 years that have elapsed since its discovery, the gauge-gravity correspondence has become established as an efficient tool to explore the physics of a large class of strongly-coupled field theories. A brief overview is given here of its formulation and a few of its applications, emphasizing attempts to emulate aspects of the strong-coupling regime of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). To the extent possible, the presentation is self-contained, and does not presuppose knowledge of string theory.
A Multi Release Cost Model in Distributed Environment
Authors: Singh Ompal , Kapur P. K. , Shrivastava A. K. , Mishra Gaurav
Published: October 2016

Software industry has reached far beyond since its origin. Technical advancements are taking place at a speed faster than ever. This has further enhanced the pressure on software developers. They are trying hard to keep a pace with these rapid developments by coming out with strategies to increase the pace of their work without significantly affecting the software quality and reliability. One such strategy is distributed development of software in which the software is composed of two different types of components viz. newly developed and re-used component. Software developed in Distributed Development Environment (DDE) is characterized by enhanced availability and reliability. At the same time, the ever growing contention in the market and increasing needs of customers obligate the developers to come out with enhanced functionalities in the software from time to time leading to multiple releases of a software. The added functionalities further enhance the existing complexity of the software and testing team may not be able to perfectly remove the faults leading to imperfect debugging or add more bugs due to lack of knowledge about the software in the initial phase known as error generation. In this paper, we incorporated this real-life phenomenon to come out with a multi up-gradations modeling for removal of software fault in a distributed environment. In the present framework we described a cost model to obtain optimal release time in multi up-gradation of software under distributed environment. To validate the analytical results of the proposed framework, numerical illustration is provided.
A Procedure for Collecting and Labeling Man-in-the-Middle Attack Traffic
Authors: Calvert Chad , Khoshgoftaar Taghi M. , Najafabadi Maryam M. , Kemp Clifford
Published: October 2016

In this work, we outline a procedure for collecting and labeling Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack traffic. Our capture procedure allows for the collection of real-world representative data using a full-scale network environment. MITM attacks are typically performed with the purpose of intercepting information amongst two networked machines. This enables the attacker to gain access to otherwise confidential communications and potentially alter said communications maliciously. MITM attacks are still a very common attack that can be implemented with relative ease across a variety of network environments. Our work establishes experimental procedures for enacting three prevalent MITM attack variants through penetration testing. The process for data collection is defined, along with our approach on gathering real-world, representative data. We also present a novel labeling procedure based on the inherent behaviors of each MITM attack variant. Our work aims to address the challenges associated with collecting such data within a live production environment, as well as identify the impact MITM attacks have on traffic behavior. We also present a case study to provide some quantitative analysis regarding the data collected.
A Merge Search Approach to Find Minimal Path Vectors in Multistate Networks
Authors: Lin Yi-Kuei , Chen Shin-Guang
Published: October 2016

A new approach namely merge search (MS) is proposed to search for minimal path vectors (MPV) in multistate networks (MSN). Also, a new advance in solving integer programming problems namely fast enumeration (FE) is integrated in this approach. Such an integrated approach can greatly improve the time efficiency of searching for MPV in MSN. Traditionally, searching for MPV in MSN involves three steps: (a) enumerate all feasible flow vectors; (b) transform these vectors to corresponding state vectors; (c) filter out MPV from these state vectors. Steps (a) and (c) are bottlenecks. Explicit enumeration is usually engaged in solving Step (a), and pairwise comparison is usually employed in solving Step (c). The integrated approach uses FE to solve Step (a), and MS to solve Step (c) instead. Some numerical examples are explored to show the superior time efficiency of the proposed approach. The results show that the proposed new approach is valuable in solving the search of MPV in MSN.
Path-dependent BSDEs with jumps and their connection to PPIDEs
Authors: Kromer Eduard , Overbeck Ludger , Röder Jasmin A. L.
Published: October 2016

We study path-dependent backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs) with jumps. In this context path-dependence of a BSDE is the dependence of the BSDE-terminal condition and the BSDE-generator of a path of a càdlàg process. We study the path-differentiability of BSDEs of this type and establish a connection to path-dependent PIDEs in terms of the existence of a viscosity solution and the respective Feynman–Kac theorem.
Truncated moment-generating functions of the NIG process and their applications
Authors: Ivanov Roman V. , Temnov Grigory
Published: October 2016

In this paper we obtain expressions for truncated moment-generating functions of the normal-inverse Gaussian (NIG) process in closed forms. The result is derived without any additional martingale-type restriction on the initial probability measure. Applications to option pricing and risk measuring in the NIG model are given. The established formulas depend on values of the Humbert series.
Commutative rings and modules that are Nil*-coherent or special Nil*-coherent
Authors: Ismaili Karima Alaoui , Dobbs David E. , Mahdou Najib
Published: October 2016

Recently, Xiang and Ouyang defined a (commutative unital) ring [Formula: see text] to be Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent if each finitely generated ideal of [Formula: see text] that is contained in Nil[Formula: see text] is a finitely presented [Formula: see text]-module. We define and study Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent modules and special Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent modules over any ring. These properties are characterized and their basic properties are established. Any coherent ring is a special Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent ring and any special Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent ring is a Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent ring, but neither of these statements has a valid converse. Any reduced ring is a special Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent ring (regardless of whether it is coherent). Several examples of Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent rings that are not special Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent rings are obtained as byproducts of our study of the transfer of the Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent and the special Nil[Formula: see text]-coherent properties to trivial ring extensions and amalgamated algebras.
Alumina coated nano silicon synthesized by aluminothermic reduction as anodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Xu Kaiqi , Zhang Zhizhen , Su Wei , Wei Zengfu , Zhong Guobin , Wang Chao , Huang Xuejie
Published: October 2016

Alumina (Al2O[Formula: see text] coated nano silicon was synthesized by aluminothermic reduction for the first time. It was realized by preoxidation of the nano silicon followed by a aluminothermic reduction that transformed the surface silicon oxide into Al2O3. The thickness of Al2O3 can be controlled by regulating the preoxidized temperature and the processing time. The nano silicon coated with 2–4[Formula: see text]nm Al2O3 showed a more stable cycling performance and a higher coulombic efficiency than the uncoated nano silicon. It is believed that the improved electrochemical performance was benefited from the Al2O3 coating, which could hinder the side chemical reactions during the cycling process. This work provides an alternative method for surface coating on nanomaterials by safe and flexible solid state chemical reaction.
Transgenic Mouse Models of Tumor Virus Action
Authors: Lambert Paul F.
Published: October 2016

Genetically engineered mice (GEMs) have provided valuable insights into the carcinogenic properties of various human tumor viruses, which, in aggregate, are etiologically associated with over 15% of all human cancers. This review provides an overview of seminal discoveries made through the use of GEM models for human DNA tumor viruses. Emphasis is placed on the discoveries made in the study of human papillomaviruses, Merkel cell carcinoma–associated polyomavirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus, because GEMs have contributed extensively to our understanding of how these DNA tumor viruses directly contribute to human cancers.
Viruses as Winners in the Game of Life
Authors: Cobián Güemes Ana Georgina , Youle Merry , Cantú Vito Adrian , Felts Ben , Nulton James , Rohwer Forest
Published: October 2016

Viruses are the most abundant and the most diverse life form. In this meta-analysis we estimate that there are 4.80×1031 phages on Earth. Further, 97% of viruses are in soil and sediment—two underinvestigated biomes that combined account for only ∼2.5% of publicly available viral metagenomes. The majority of the most abundant viral sequences from all biomes are novel. Our analysis drawing on all publicly available viral metagenomes observed a mere 257,698 viral genotypes on Earth—an unrealistically low number—which attests to the current paucity of viral metagenomic data. Further advances in viral ecology and diversity call for a shift of attention to previously ignored major biomes and careful application of verified methods for viral metagenomic analysis.
Similar mitochondrial signaling responses to a single bout of continuous or small-sided-games-based exercise in sedentary men
Authors: Mendham Amy E. , Duffield Rob , Coutts Aaron J. , Marino Frank E. , Boyko Andriy , McAinch Andrew J. , Bishop David John
Published: October 2016

This study assessed the mitochondrial related signaling responses to a single bout of noncontact, modified football (touch rugby), played as small-sided games (SSG), or cycling (CYC) exercise in sedentary, obese, middle-aged men. In a randomized, crossover design, nine middle-aged, sedentary, obese men completed two, 40-min exercise conditions (CYC and SSG) separated by a 21-day recovery period. Heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected during each bout. Needle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were collected at rest and 30 and 240 min postexercise for analysis of protein content and phosphorylation (PGC-1α, SIRT1, p53, p53Ser15, AMPK, AMPKThr172, CAMKII, CAMKIIThr286, p38MAPK, and p38MAPKThr180/Tyr182) and mRNA expression (PGC-1α, p53, NRF1, NRF2, Tfam, and cytochrome c). A main effect of time effect for both conditions was evident for HR, RPE, and blood lactate ( P < 0.05), with no condition by time interaction ( P > 0.05). Both conditions increased PGC1-α protein and mRNA expression at 240 min ( P < 0.05). AMPKThr172 increased 30 min post CYC ( P < 0.05), with no change in SSG ( P > 0.05). CYC increased p53 protein content at 240 min to a greater extent than SSG ( P < 0.05). mRNA expression of NRF2 decreased in both conditions ( P < 0.05). No condition by time interactions were evident for mRNA expression of Tfam, NRF1, cytochrome c, and p53. The similar PGC-1α response between intensity-matched conditions suggests both conditions are of similar benefit for stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis. Differences between conditions regarding fluctuation in exercise intensity and type of muscle contraction may explain the increase of p53 and AMPK within CYC and not SSG (noncontact, modified football).
Efficacy of Adoptive T-cell Therapy Is Improved by Treatment with the Antioxidant N-Acetyl Cysteine, Which Limits Activation-Induced T-cell Death
Authors: Scheffel Matthew J. , Scurti Gina , Simms Patricia , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Mehrotra Shikhar , Nishimura Michael I. , Voelkel-Johnson Christina
Published: October 2016

Although adoptive transfer of autologous tumor antigen–specific T-cell immunotherapy can produce remarkable clinical efficacy, most patients do not achieve durable complete responses. We hypothesized that reducing susceptibility of T cells to activation-induced cell death (AICD), which increases during the rapid in vitro expansion of therapeutic T cells before their infusion, might improve the persistence of adoptively transferred cells. Our investigations revealed that repetitive stimulation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) induced AICD, as a result of activating the DNA damage response pathway through ATM-mediated Ser15 phosphorylation of p53. Activation of this DNA damage response pathway also occurred upon antigen-specific restimulation in TCR-transduced TIL1383I T cells prepared for adoptive transfer to patients as part of a clinical trial. Notably, treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) significantly reduced upregulation of the DNA damage marker γH2AX, subsequent ATM activation, and cell death. In the Pmel mouse model of melanoma, the presence of NAC during ex vivo T-cell expansion improved the persistence of adoptively transferred cells, reduced tumor growth, and increased survival. Taken together, our results offer a preclinical proof of concept for the addition of NAC to current therapeutic T-cell expansion protocols, offering immediate potential to improve the quality and therapeutic efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapeutics infused into patients. Cancer Res; 76(20); 6006–16. ©2016 AACR.
Novel Genetic Causes of Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Caimari Francisca , Korbonits Márta
Published: October 2016

Recently, a number of novel genetic alterations have been identified that predispose individuals to pituitary adenomas. Clinically relevant pituitary adenomas are relatively common, present in 0.1% of the general population. They are mostly benign monoclonal neoplasms that arise from any of the five hormone-secreting cell types of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and cause disease due to hormonal alterations and local space-occupying effects. The pathomechanism of pituitary adenomas includes alterations in cell-cycle regulation and growth factor signaling, which are mostly due to epigenetic changes; somatic and especially germline mutations occur more rarely. A significant proportion of growth hormone- and adrenocorticotrophin-secreting adenomas have activating somatic mutations in the GNAS and USP8 genes, respectively. Rarely, germline mutations predispose to pituitary tumorigenesis, often in a familial setting. Classical tumor predisposition syndromes include multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and type 4 (MEN4) syndromes, Carney complex, and McCune-Albright syndrome. Pituitary tumors have also been described in association with neurofibromatosis type 1, DICER1 syndrome, and SDHx mutations. Pituitary adenomas with no other associated tumors have been described as familial isolated pituitary adenomas. Patients with AIP or GPR101 mutations often present with pituitary gigantism either in a familial or simplex setting. GNAS and GPR101 mutations that arise in early embryonic age can lead to somatic mosaicism involving the pituitary gland and resulting in growth hormone excess. Senescence has been suggested as the key mechanism protecting pituitary adenomas turning malignant in the overwhelming majority of cases. Here we briefly summarize the genetic background of pituitary adenomas, with an emphasis on the recent developments in this field. Clin Cancer Res; 22(20); 5030–42. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Endocrine Cancers: Revising Paradigms.”