bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study (Swelogs): design and methods of the epidemiological (EP‐) track
Authors: Romild Ulla , Volberg Rachel , Abbott Max 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSwelogs (Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study) epidemiological (EP‐) track is a prospective study with four waves of data‐collection among Swedish citizens aged 16–84 years at baseline. The major objectives of this track are to provide general population estimates of the prevalence and incidence of problem and at‐risk gambling and enable comparisons with the first Swedish national study on gambling and problem gambling (Swegs) conducted in 1997/1998. The overall study (Swelogs) comprises three tracks of data collection; one epidemiological, one in‐depth and one follow‐up. It is expected to provide information that will inform the development of evidence‐based methods and strategies to prevent the development of gambling problems. This paper gives an overview of the design of the epidemiological track, especially of its two first waves. The baseline wave, performed between October 2008 and August 2009, included 8165 subjects, of whom 6021 were re‐assessed one year later. A stratified random sampling procedure was applied. Computer‐supported telephone interviews were used as the primary method. Postal questionnaires were used to follow‐up those not reached by telephone. The response rate was 55% in the first wave and 74% in the second. The interview and questionnaire data are supplemented by register data. © 2014 The Authors. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
New Quenching Method for Improving Large‐Scale Stopped‐Flow Technique
Authors: Thakur Ashutosh , Poonpong Supawadee , Terano Minoru , Taniike Toshiaki 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe stopped‐flow (SF) technique has been extensively used for active site analyses and kinetic investigations in heterogeneous Ziegler‐Natta olefin polymerization catalysis, whereas a poor polymer yield due to a short polymerization period has been a major drawback of the conventional SF system, which later has been improved by the development of a large‐scale SF (LSF) technique. In order to further improve the scalability of the LSF technique, the present paper reports a new polymerization quenching method, which has been established by applying a three‐vessel‐type analogue of the LSF system. The new quenching method endows identical kinetic profiles, but the scalability is successfully improved.
Effect of Agitation on Density of Poly(vinyl acetate) Particles Produced in Suspension Polymerization Reactions
Authors: Cordeiro Felipe B. , Peixoto Luciana S. , Oliveira Marco A. M. , Pinto José Carlos 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPoly(vinyl acetate) particles are produced through suspension polymerization reactions at different agitation speed. As expected, particle size distributions are strongly affected by the increasing speed of agitation. Surprisingly, the latter also causes the decrease of particle densities, which can be explained by encapsulation of small water droplets by the viscous reacting medium. Encapsulation of water droplets can lead to the formation of hollow particles that can be observed through microscopic analyses.
Real‐time 4D phase unwrapping applied to magnetic resonance elastography
Authors: Barnhill Eric , Kennedy Paul , Johnson Curtis L. , Mada Marius , Roberts Neil 
Published: June 2014

PurposePhase amplitude is a source of signal in magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) experiments but its exploitation in experimental design has been limited due to the challenges of phase wrap. This study addressed this aspect of MRE through new developments in algorithms, heuristic strategy, and user interface.MethodsA test dataset with systematic variation of three parameters—nested wrap, gradient, and noise level—was developed to choose phase‐unwrapping algorithms and to analyze their performance. A new application, PhaseTools, was developed that implemented three phase‐unwrapping algorithms that adhere to a “real‐time” criterion of less than 3 min for a four‐dimensional MRE acquisition. Two of the algorithms extend previously published algorithms and one was newly developed. The algorithms were then applied to five datasets from MRE, two typical cases and three edge cases that were particularly challenging in one of the three parameters.ResultsThe performance of the PhaseTools algorithms on the test dataset was comparable to two widely cited algorithms that take hours or days to complete. Guidelines for the optimal use of each algorithm are established.ConclusionPhaseTools enables the substantial increase of signal‐to‐noise in MRE experiments at negligible additional computational cost. PhaseTools is freely released with this study, making robust real‐time phase unwrapping available to any group using phase‐based imaging. Magn Reson Med 73:2321–2331, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical assessment of the macroscopic strength criterion of reinforced soils using semidefinite programming
Authors: Gueguin M. , Hassen G. , de Buhan P. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYThe macroscopic strength properties of reinforced soils, regarded as periodic composite materials, are investigated by means of a FEM‐based formulation of both static and kinematic approaches of yield design applied to the reinforced soil's unit cell. Because the reinforced soil's individual constituents obey a 3D Mohr–Coulomb strength condition, such a numerical problem can be treated through an optimization procedure using semidefinite programming. The whole numerical procedure is applied to the derivation of both lower bound and upper bound estimates to the macroscopic yield surface of a soil reinforced either by columnar inclusions (stone columns) or a double array of trenches (cross trench reinforcement). The so‐obtained results highlight the efficiency of the proposed numerical method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interrelations between translation and general mRNA degradation in yeast
Authors: Huch Susanne , Nissan Tracy 
Published: June 2014

Messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation is an important element of gene expression that can be modulated by alterations in translation, such as reductions in initiation or elongation rates. Reducing translation initiation strongly affects mRNA degradation by driving mRNA toward the assembly of a decapping complex, leading to decapping. While mRNA stability decreases as a consequence of translational inhibition, in apparent contradiction several external stresses both inhibit translation initiation and stabilize mRNA. A key difference in these processes is that stresses induce multiple responses, one of which stabilizes mRNAs at the initial and rate‐limiting step of general mRNA decay. Because this increase in mRNA stability is directly induced by stress, it is independent of the translational effects of stress, which provide the cell with an opportunity to assess its response to changing environmental conditions. After assessment, the cell can store mRNAs, reinitiate their translation or, alternatively, embark on a program of enhanced mRNA decay en masse. Finally, recent results suggest that mRNA decay is not limited to non‐translating messages and can occur when ribosomes are not initiating but are still elongating on mRNA. This review will discuss the models for the mechanisms of these processes and recent developments in understanding the relationship between translation and general mRNA degradation, with a focus on yeast as a model system. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:747–763. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1244This article is categorized under:

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability
Effect of diagnostic criteria on prevalence of frontotemporal dementia in the elderly
Authors: Gislason Thorsteinn B. , Östling Svante , Börjesson‐Hanson Anne , Sjögren Magnus , Simoni Michela , Pantoni Leonardo , Skoog Ingmar 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is believed to be rare in the elderly, and the influence of different criteria on the prevalence of FTD is unclear.MethodsPopulation‐based samples of 70‐ to 95‐year‐olds (n = 2462) in Gothenburg, Sweden, underwent neuropsychiatric examinations. Behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) was diagnosed according to the International Behavioural Variant FTD Criteria Consortium (FTDC), the Frontotemporal Lobe Degeneration Consensus criteria, and the Lund‐Manchester Research Criteria. A subset (n = 1074) underwent computerized tomography (CT) of the brain.ResultsThe prevalence of bvFTD varied between 0.2% and 0.5% at age 70 to 79 years, between 2.5% and 3.6% at age 80 to 89 years, and between 1.7% and 2.2% at age 90 to 95 years. The agreement between different criteria was low to moderate (κ = 0.20–0.42). Among those with bvFTD according to FTDC, 93.3% had frontal and/or temporal lobar atrophy on CT, compared with 12.6% of those without bvFTD (P < .001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of bvFTD was higher than expected in this population. To a large extent, different criteria captured different individuals.
Comparison of performance and intestinal morphology of broilers using step-down supplementation with a mannan-rich fraction versus bacitracin methylene disalicylate
Authors: Brennan K.M. , Paul M.A. , Samuel R.S. , Lumpkins B. , Pierce J.L. , Collett S.R. , Mathis G.F. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted to compare effects of utilising step-down dosing of a mannan-rich fraction (MRF) of yeast cell wall or the antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP) bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) when chicks were raised on built-up litter. Chicks were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (12 pen replicates; 50 birds per pen): basal diet (control) or basal diet plus MRF (Actigen™; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) or BMD (Alpharma Inc., Fort Lee, NJ). In experiment two, intestinal morphology and litter scores were determined on d 42. In experiment one, MRF and BMD increased BW gain at d 21 and d 42 compared with control (P ≤ 0.05) and d 42 BW was greater in BMD birds than controls (P ≤ 0.05). Adjusted FCRs were lower in MRF and BMD birds from d 0 to d 42 (P = 0.06). In experiment two, there was no effect of treatment on d 21 BW, but MRF and BMD improved adjusted FCR (P = 0.02) compared with control. By d 35, both MRF and BMD birds had greater BWs than controls (P = 0.04). At d 42, MRF-supplemented birds had greater BW than controls (P ≤ 0.05). D 35 and d 42 FCR improved with MRF or BMD compared with control (P ≤ 0.01). Litter conditions improved (P ≤ 0.05) when birds were fed diets with BMD and MRF compared with control-fed birds. Jejunal morphology, including villi height (P ≤ 0.05), villi height: crypt depth ratio (P ≤ 0.05), and goblet cell numbers (P ≤ 0.05) improved with MRF and BMD compared with control. Both MRF and BMD improved broiler performance, potentially related to the improvements observed in intestinal morphology. In conclusion, step-down supplementation with MRF may offer a potential alternative to AGP to improve performance in broilers raised in commercial settings.
Inertial wave excitation and focusing in a liquid bounded by a frustum and a cylinder
Authors: Klein Marten , Seelig Torsten , Kurgansky Michael V. , Ghasemi V. Abouzar , Borcia Ion Dan , Will Andreas , Schaller Eberhard , Egbers Christoph , Harlander Uwe 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe mechanism of localized inertial wave excitation and its efficiency is investigated for an annular cavity rotating with $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\Omega _0$. Meridional symmetry is broken by replacing the inner cylinder with a truncated cone (frustum). Waves are excited by individual longitudinal libration of the walls. The geometry is non-separable and exhibits wave focusing and wave attractors. We investigated laboratory and numerical results for the Ekman number $E\approx 10^{-6}$, inclination $\alpha =5.71^\circ $ and libration amplitudes $\varepsilon \leq 0.2$ within the inertial wave band $0 < \omega < 2\Omega _0$. Under the assumption that the inertial waves do not essentially affect the boundary-layer structure, we use classical boundary-layer analysis to study oscillating Ekman layers over a librating wall that is at an angle $\alpha \neq 0$ to the axis of rotation. The Ekman layer erupts at frequency $\omega =f_{*}$, where $f_{*}\equiv 2 \Omega _0 \sin \alpha $ is the effective Coriolis parameter in a plane tangential to the wall. For the selected inclination this eruption occurs for the forcing frequency $\omega /\Omega _0=0.2$. For the librating lids eruption occurs at $\omega /\Omega _0=2$. The study reveals that the frequency dependence of the total kinetic energy $K_{\omega }$ of the excited wave field is strongly connected to the square of the Ekman pumping velocity $w_{{E}}(\omega )$ that, in the linear limit, becomes singular when the boundary layer erupts. This explains the frequency dependence of non-resonantly excited waves. By the localization of the forcing, the two configurations investigated, (i) frustum libration and (ii) lids together with outer cylinder in libration, can be clearly distinguished by their response spectra. Good agreement was found for the spatial structure of low-order wave attractors and periodic orbits (both characterized by a small number of reflections) in the frequency windows predicted by geometric ray tracing. For ‘resonant’ frequencies a significantly increased total bulk energy was found, while the energy in the boundary layer remained nearly constant. Inertial wave energy enters the bulk flow via corner beams, which are parallel to the characteristics of the underlying Poincaré problem. Numerical simulations revealed a mismatch between the wall-parallel mass fluxes near the corners. This leads to boundary-layer eruption and the generation of inertial waves in the corners.
How flexibility affects the wake symmetry properties of a self-propelled plunging foil
Authors: Zhu Xiaojue , He Guowei , Zhang Xing 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe wake symmetry properties of a flapping-foil system are closely associated with its propulsive performance. In the present work, the effect of the foil flexibility on the wake symmetry properties of a self-propelled plunging foil is studied numerically. We compare the wakes of a flexible foil and a rigid foil at a low flapping Reynolds number of 200. The two foils are of the same dimensions, flapping frequency, leading-edge amplitude and cruising velocity but different bending rigidities. The results indicate that flexibility can either inhibit or trigger the symmetry breaking of the wake. We find that there exists a threshold value of vortex circulation above which symmetry breaking occurs. The modification of vortex circulation is found to be the pivotal factor in the influence of the foil flexibility on the wake symmetry properties. An increase in flexibility can result in a reduction in the vorticity production at the leading edge because of the decrease in the effective angle of attack, but it also enhances vorticity production at the trailing edge because of the increase in the trailing-edge flapping velocity. The competition between these two opposing effects eventually determines the strength of vortex circulation, which, in turn, governs the wake symmetry properties. Further investigation indicates that the former effect is related to the streamlined shape of the deformed foil while the latter effect is associated with structural resonance. The results of this work provide new insights into the functional role of passive flexibility in flapping-based biolocomotion.
Kinematics and cooperative control of a robotic spinal surgery system
Authors: Jin Haiyang , Hu Ying , Tian Wei , Zhang Peng , Song Zhangjun , Zhang Jianwei , Li Bing 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYSpinal surgery is considered a high-risk surgery. To improve the accuracy, stability, and safety of such operations, we report the development of a novel six-degrees-of-freedom Robotic Spinal Surgical System that can assist surgeons in performing transpedicular surgery, one of the most common spinal surgeries. After optimization performed using Response Surface Methodology, the largest available workspace of the robot is determined and is found to easily cover the entire operation area. Cooperative control and navigation-based active control are implemented for different processes of the operation. We propose a hybrid control approach based on the speed and torque interface at the joint level. In this mode, the robot is compliant in Cartesian space, benefitting both the accuracy and efficiency of the operation. A comprehensive assessment index, combining the subjective and objective criteria in terms of positioning and operation efficiency, is proposed to compare the performance of cooperative control in speed mode, torque mode, and hybrid control mode. Active fine adjustment experiments are carried out to verify the positioning accuracy, and the results are found to satisfy the requirements of operation. As an application example, a pedicle screw insertion experiment is performed on a pig vertebral bone, demonstrating the effectiveness of our system.
Nasopharyngeal vs. adenoid cultures in children undergoing adenoidectomy: prevalence of bacterial pathogens, their interactions and risk factors
Authors: KORONA-GLOWNIAK I. , NIEDZIELSKI A. , KOSIKOWSKA U. , GRZEGORCZYK A. , MALM A. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYStreptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the adenoids and nasopharynx in 103 preschool children who underwent adenoidectomy for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections was examined. Bacterial interactions and risk factors for bacterial colonization of the nasopharynx and adenoids, separately, were analysed statistically. The prevalence of simultaneous isolation from both anatomical sites was 45·6% for S. pneumoniae, 29·1% for H. influenzae, 15·5% for M. catarrhalis and 18·4% for S. aureus. Three pathogens were significantly more frequent together from adenoid samples; nasopharyngeal swabs more often yielded a single organism, but without statistical significance. M. catarrhalis and S. aureus significantly more frequently co-existed with S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae than with each other and a positive association of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in adenoid samples was evident. Several differences between risk factors for nasopharyngeal and adenoid colonization by the individual pathogens were observed. We conclude that the adenoids and nasopharynx appear to differ substantially in colonization by pathogenic microbes but occurrence of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in the nasopharynx could be predictive of upper respiratory tract infections.
Analysis of potential changes in seriousness of influenza A and B viruses in Hong Kong from 2001 to 2011
Authors: WONG J. Y. , WU P. , GOLDSTEIN E. , LAU E. H. Y. , IP D. K. M. , WU J. T. , COWLING B. J. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYContinued monitoring of the seriousness of influenza viruses is a public health priority. We applied time-series regression models to data on cardio-respiratory mortality rates in Hong Kong from 2001 to 2011. We used surveillance data on outpatient consultations for influenza-like illness, and laboratory detections of influenza types/subtypes to construct proxy measures of influenza activity. In the model we allowed the regression coefficients for influenza to drift over time, and adjusted for temperature and humidity. The regression coefficient for influenza A(H3N2) increased significantly in 2005. The regression coefficients for influenza A(H1N1) and B were relatively stable over the period. Our model suggested an increase in seriousness of A(H3N2) in 2005, the year after the appearance of the A/Fujian/411/2002(H3N2)-like virus when the drifted A/California/7/2004(H3N2)-like virus appeared. Ongoing monitoring of mortality and influenza activity could permit identification of future changes in seriousness of influenza virus infections.
Laser light triggers increased Raman amplification in the regime of nonlinear Landau damping
Authors: Depierreux S. , Yahia V. , Goyon C. , Loisel G. , Masson-Laborde P. -E. , Borisenko N. , Orekhov A. , Rosmej O. , Rienecker T. , Labaune C. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractStimulated Raman backscattering (SRS) has many unwanted effects in megajoule-scale inertially confined fusion (ICF) plasmas. Moreover, attempts to harness SRS to amplify short laser pulses through backward Raman amplification have achieved limited success. In high-temperature fusion plasmas, SRS usually occurs in a kinetic regime where the nonlinear response of the Langmuir wave to the laser drive and its host of complicating factors make it difficult to predict the degree of amplification that can be achieved under given experimental conditions. Here we present experimental evidence of reduced Landau damping with increasing Langmuir wave amplitude and determine its effects on Raman amplification. The threshold for trapping effects to influence the amplification is shown to be very low. Above threshold, the complex SRS dynamics results in increased amplification factors, which partly explains previous ICF experiments. These insights could aid the development of more efficient backward Raman amplification schemes in this regime.
Effect of Mechanical Loads on Stability of Nanodomains in Ferroelectric Ultrathin Films: Towards Flexible Erasing of the Non-Volatile Memories
Authors: Chen W. J. , Zheng Yue , Xiong W. M. , Feng Xue , Wang Biao , Wang Ying 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIntensive investigations have been drawn on nanoscale ferroelectrics for their prospective applications such as developing memory devices. In contrast with the commonly used electrical means to process (i.e., read, write or erase) the information carried by ferroelectric domains, at present, mechanisms of non-electrical processing ferroelectric domains are relatively lacking. Here we make a systematical investigation on the stability of 180° cylindrical domains in ferroelectric nanofilms subjected to macroscopic mechanical loads and explore the possibility of mechanical erasing. Effects of domain size, film thickness, temperature and different mechanical loads, including uniform strain, cylindrical bending and wavy bending, have been revealed. It is found that the stability of a cylindrical domain depends on its radius, temperature and film thickness. More importantly, mechanical loads have great controllability on the stability of cylindrical domains, with the critical radius nonlinearly sensitive to both strain and strain gradient. This indicates that erasing cylindrical domain can be achieved by changing the strain state of nanofilm. Based on the calculated phase diagrams, we successfully simulate several mechanical erasing processes on 4 × 4 bits memory devices. Our study sheds light on prospective device applications of ferroelectrics involving mechanical loads, such as flexible memory devices and other micro-electromechanical systems.