bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ventriloquism effect with sound stimuli varying in both azimuth and elevation
Authors: Hendrickx Etienne , Paquier Mathieu , Koehl Vincent , Palacino Julian
Published: December 2015

When presented with a spatially discordant auditory-visual stimulus, subjects sometimes perceive the sound and the visual stimuli as coming from the same location. Such a phenomenon is often referred to as perceptual fusion or ventriloquism, as it evokes the illusion created by a ventriloquist when his voice seems to emanate from his puppet rather than from his mouth. While this effect has been extensively examined in the horizontal plane and to a lesser extent in distance, few psychoacoustic studies have focused on elevation. In the present experiment, sequences of a man talking were presented to subjects. His voice could be reproduced on different loudspeakers, which created disparities in both azimuth and elevation between the sound and the visual stimuli. For each presentation, subjects had to indicate whether the voice seemed to emanate from the mouth of the actor or not. Results showed that ventriloquism could be observed with larger audiovisual disparities in elevation than in azimuth.
Do Running Activities of Adolescent and Adult Tennis Players Differ During Play?
Authors: Hoppe Matthias W. , Baumgart Christian , Freiwald Jürgen
Published: December 2015

Purpose:

To investigate differences in running activities between adolescent and adult tennis players during match play. Differences between winning and losing players within each age group were also examined.

Methods:

Forty well-trained male players (20 adolescents, 13 ± 1 y; 20 adults, 25 ± 4 y) played a simulated singles match against an opponent of similar age and ability. Running activities were assessed using portable devices that sampled global positioning system (10 Hz) and inertial-sensor (accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer; 100 Hz) data. Recorded data were examined in terms of velocity, acceleration, deceleration, metabolic power, PlayerLoad, and number of accelerations toward the net and the forehand and backhand corners.

Results:

Adult players spent more time at high velocity (≥4 m/s2), acceleration (≥4 m/s2), deceleration (≤–4 m/s2), and metabolic power (≥20 W/kg) (P ≤ .009, ES = 0.9–1.5) and performed more accelerations (≥2 m/s2) toward the backhand corner (P < .001, ES = 2.6–2.7). No differences between adolescent winning and losing players were evident overall (P ≥ .198, ES = 0.0–0.6). Adult winning players performed more accelerations (2 to <4 m/s2) toward the forehand corner (P = .026, ES = 1.2), whereas adult losing players completed more accelerations (≥2 m/s2) toward the backhand corner (P ≤ .042, ES = 0.9).

Conclusions:

This study shows that differences in running activities between adolescent and adult tennis players exist in high-intensity measures during simulated match play. Furthermore, differences between adolescent and adult players, and also between adult winning and losing players, are present in terms of movement directions. Our findings may be helpful for coaches to design different training drills for both age groups of players.
Player Activity Profiles in the Australian Second-Tier Rugby League Competitions
Authors: Hausler Joanne , Halaki Mark , Orr Rhonda
Published: December 2015

Purpose:

To investigate activity profiles of Australian rugby league players during match play by competition, position, and match outcome in the New South Wales (NSW) second-tier competitions.

Methods:

Eighteen NSW Cup (NSWC) and 22 National Youth Competition (NYC) players, participating in this prospective cohort study, were categorized into 3 positional groups: forwards, adjustables, and outside backs. Global positioning system devices were used to examine activity profiles (distance and relative distance covered in walking, jogging, moderate, high, very high, and sprinting speed zones and quantification of high-speed movement) during match play in 21 NSWC and 22 NYC matches (N = 339 files).

Results:

NSWC players performed more sprints (36.5 ± 9.3 vs 28.4 ± 9.2) and greater relative distance in moderate speed zones (18.4 ± 3.2 vs 15.8 ± 3.1 m/min) than NYC. NSWC outside backs covered greater relative distance in jogging (29.4 ± 2.9 vs 24.8 ± 2.7 m/min) and moderate speed zones (17.0 ± 2.6 vs 12.8 ± 2.8 m/min) than their NYC counterparts. Adjustables performed more sprints (39.4 ± 10.1 vs 27.0 ± 9.2), high-intensity accelerations (3.7 ± 1.4 vs 1.9 ± 1.4), and relative distance (84.8 ± 4.3 vs 88.6 ± 4.8 m/min) than forwards and greater relative distance (81.5 ± 3.8 m/min) and sprints (31.0 ± 8.0) than outside backs. Adjustables recorded greater relative distance (19.8 m/min) in moderate speed zones than forwards (16.7 ± 3.1 m/min) and outside backs (14.9 ± 2.7 m/min). Adjustables covered ~685 m more than outside backs during a win.

Conclusions:

This is the first study to document the activity profiles of the NSW second-tier rugby league competition. The findings underscore the elevated match demands of adjustables and indicate higher intensity of play in NSWC than NYC that may more closely resemble the demands of National Rugby League match play.
Cardiac Autonomic and Neuromuscular Responses During a Karate Training Camp Before the 2015 Pan American Games: A Case Study With the Brazilian National Team
Authors: Nakamura Fabio Y. , Pereira Lucas A. , Abad César C. Cal , Franchini Emerson , Loturco Irineu
Published: December 2015

Purpose:

To quantify the training loads reported by karate athletes of the Brazilian national team in the week immediately before their participation in the 2015 Pan American Games.

Methods:

Eleven elite karate athletes (7 men and 4 women, 24.42 ± 3.75 y, 1.70 ± 0.09 m, 69.6 ± 13.2 kg) from the Brazilian national team took part in this study. Session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) was quantified in all training sessions. Moreover, resting heart-rate variability (HRV), as analyzed through the natural log of the root-mean-square difference of successive normal RR intervals (lnRMSSD), and countermovement-jump (CMJ) performance before and after 8 training sessions were assessed throughout the week. The differences based on magnitudes were calculated comparing pre- and posttraining session, as well as measures performed every morning during the week.

Results:

The weekly s-RPE was 2608.5 ± 431.2 a.u. The lnRMSSD was very likely higher on Monday than on the following days of the week, remaining stable during this period. CMJ height did not change during the week. Almost certain differences were observed in lnRMSSD pre- and posttraining session, while CMJ height did not change.

Conclusions:

The national karate-team athletes did not present signs of fatigue accumulation, as indicated by relatively steady HRV and unchanged CMJ during the week, as planned by the coaches for precompetition technical and tactical refinement.
How surface composition and meteoroid impacts mediate sodium and potassium in the lunar exosphere
Authors: Colaprete A. , Sarantos M. , Wooden D. H. , Stubbs T. J. , Cook A. M. , Shirley M.
Published: December 2015

The Moon's time-variable exosphere

Earth's Moon does not have a conventional gaseous atmosphere, but instead an “exosphere” of particles ejected from the surface. Colaprete
et al.
have used NASA's LADEE orbiter to investigate how the exosphere varies over time, by using the glow from sodium and potassium atoms as a probe (see the Perspective by Dukes and Hurley). The exosphere composition varies by a factor of 2 to 3 over the course of a month, as different parts of the Moon are exposed to sunlight. There are also increases shortly after the Moon passes through streams of meteoroids.

Science
, this issue p.
249
; see also p.
230
Complete Genome Sequence of Aneurinibacillus migulanus E1, a Gramicidin S- and
d
-Phenylalanyl-
l
-Propyl Diketopiperazine-Deficient Mutant
Authors: Belbahri Lassaad , Alenezi Faizah N. , Luptakova Lenka , Rateb Mostafa E. , Woodward Steve
Published: December 2015

We report here the complete genome sequence of the
Aneurinibacillus migulanus
E1 mutant deficient in gramicidin S (GS) and
d
-phenylalanyl-
l
-propyl diketopiperazine (DKP) formation. The genome consists of a circular chromosome (6,301,904 bp, 43.20% G+C content) without any plasmid. The complete genome sequence enables further investigation of the biosynthetic mechanism and the biological function of gramicidin S.
Draft Genome Sequence of Thermophilic
Geobacillus
sp. Strain Sah69, Isolated from Saharan Soil, Southeast Algeria
Authors: Bezuidt Oliver K. I. , Makhalanyane Thulani P. , Gomri Mohamed A. , Kharroub Karima , Cowan Don A.
Published: December 2015

Geobacillus
spp. are potential sources of novel enzymes, such as those involved in the degradation of recalcitrant polymers. Here, we report a
Geobacillus
genome that may help reveal genomic differences between this strain and publicly available representatives of the same genus from diverse niches.
Draft Genome Sequences of Six
Pseudoalteromonas
Strains, P1-7a, P1-9, P1-13-1a, P1-16-1b, P1-25, and P1-26, Which Induce Larval Settlement and Metamorphosis in
Hydractinia echinata
Authors: Klassen Jonathan L. , Wolf Thomas , Rischer Maja , Guo Huijuan , Shelest Ekaterina , Clardy Jon , Beemelmanns Christine
Published: December 2015

To gain a broader understanding of the importance of a surface-associated lifestyle and morphogenic capability, we have assembled and annotated the genome sequences of
Pseudoalteromonas
strains P1-7a, P1-9, P1-13-1a, P1-16-1b, P1-25, and P1-26, isolated from
Hydractinia echinata
. These genomes will allow detailed studies on bacterial factors mediating interkingdom communication.
Next-Generation Whole-Genome Sequencing of Eight Strains of Bacillus cereus, Isolated from Food
Authors: Krawczyk Antonina O. , de Jong Anne , Eijlander Robyn T. , Berendsen Erwin M. , Holsappel Siger , Wells-Bennik Marjon H. J. , Kuipers Oscar P.
Published: December 2015

Bacillus cereus
can contaminate food and cause emetic and diarrheal foodborne illness. Here, we report whole-genome sequences of eight strains of
B. cereus
, isolated from different food sources.
Draft Genome Sequence of Francisella tularensis Strain 410108 from Tibet, China
Authors: Song Lihua , Yu Yonghui , Feng Le , Wang Tao , He Jun , Zhu Hong , Duan Qing
Published: December 2015

Francisella tularensis
is the etiological agent of the potentially fatal disease tularemia. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a virulent human isolate from Tibet, China in 1962,
F. tularensis
strain 410108, an intermediate-genotype strain of
F. tularensis
subsp.
holarctica
between biovar
japonica
and non-
japonica
strains in the world.
Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome not related to G6PD deficiency
Authors: Schulkes Karlijn J G , Tervaert J W Cohen , Rijken Feiko , Haas Lenneke E M
Published: December 2015

Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) is a rare, but potentially life-threatening reaction to dapsone. We describe a 55-year-old Caucasian woman with normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels presenting with an extensive skin eruption, high-grade fever, pneumonitis and hepatitis, which occurred within 3 weeks after initiation of dapsone. In addition to supportive care, the patient was successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroids and antibiotics. The combination of high-grade fever, skin rash, lung and liver involvement made a dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome very likely.
Under seize: neurocysticercosis in an immigrant woman and review of a growing neglected disease
Authors: Bock Meredith , Garcia Hector H , Chin-Hong Peter , Baxi Sanjiv M
Published: December 2015

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a significantly neglected tropical disease and, with increasing globalisation, a notable emerging infection in the developed world. We describe a case of ventricular NCC in a 22-year-old Mexican-American woman with a history of seizures, who presented with 2 weeks of headaches and intermittent fevers progressing to altered mental status and vomiting. Initial imaging revealed a cystic mass at the posteroinferior aspect of the third ventricle superior to the aqueduct of Sylvius, calcifications scattered throughout the parenchyma, and enlargement of the lateral and third ventricles. Initial laboratories were unrevealing and serum investigations forTaenia soliumantibody were negative, butT. soliumantibody was subsequently returned positive from cerebrospinal fluid. This case highlights important issues regarding the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and treatment of NCC relevant to providers not only in areas with endemic disease but, importantly, in locales with diverse immigrant populations.
Ziv-aflibercept: a novel option for the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
Authors: Videkar Chetan , Kapoor Aditya , Chhablani Jay , Narayanan Raja
Published: December 2015

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is an exudative maculopathy usually treated using photodynamic therapy (PDT) and antivascular endothelial growth factor agents. However, these cases may sometimes be refractory to both PDT and ranibizumab or bevacizumab, and may have persistent intra-retinal fluid. Recently, studies have reported that aflibercept may be effective in such resistant cases. However, high cost and limited availability has restricted its use to only a few countries. Ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap), a systemic analogue of aflibercept, has been tried recently and it has been effective in macular oedema. We report a case of PCV resistant to PDT and ranibizumab, which responded well to intravitreal ziv-aflibercept.
Early postdisaster health outreach to modern families: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Haga Jon Magnus , Stene Lise Eilin , Wentzel-Larsen Tore , Thoresen Siri , Dyb Grete
Published: December 2015

Objectives

This study investigated whether the early outreach programme following the Utøya massacre reached out to the parents of the young survivors. Additionally, we explored whether specialised mental healthcare services were provided to parents presenting elevated levels of PTSD and depression reactions.

Design

Cross-sectional survey, face-to-face interviews and questionnaires.

Setting

Norway, aftermath of the Utøya massacre, 4–7 months postdisaster.

Background

Following the Utøya massacre, proactive early outreach programmes were launched in all municipalities that were affected, facilitating access to appropriate healthcare services.

Participants

A total of 453 parents of the Utøya survivors aged 13–33 years took part. Overall, 59.8% of the survivors were represented by one or more parent in our study.

Main outcome measures

Engagement with the proactive early outreach programme (psychosocial crisis teams and contact persons in the municipalities), utilisation of healthcare services (general practitioner and specialised mental healthcare services) and mental distress (UCLA PTSD-RI and HSCL-8).

Results

A majority of the participants reported contact with the proactive early outreach programme (crisis team, 73.9%; and contact person, 73.0%). Failure of outreach to parents was significantly associated with non-intact family structure (crisis team: OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.72, p=0.032) and non-Norwegian origin (crisis team: OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.14 to 4.98, p=0.021). Gender of the parent was not significantly associated with failure of the outreach programme (p≥0.075). Provision of specialised mental healthcare services was significantly associated with higher levels of PTSD (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.79, p<0.001) and depression (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.71 to 3.43, p<0.001) and not with the sociodemography (p≥0.122).

Conclusions

Proactive early outreach strategies may be helpful in identifying healthcare needs and facilitating access to the required services in a population struck by disaster. Our findings prompt increased attention to the complexity of family structures in reaching out universally to modern families following a disaster.
An evaluation of case completeness for New Zealand Coronial case files held on the Australasian National Coronial Information System (NCIS)
Authors: Lilley Rebbecca , Davie Gabrielle , Wilson Suzanne
Published: December 2015

Large administrative databases provide powerful opportunities for examining the epidemiology of injury. The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) contains Coronial data from Australia and New Zealand (NZ); however, only closed cases are stored for NZ. This paper examines the completeness of NZ data within the NCIS and its impact upon the validity and utility of this database. A retrospective review of the capture of NZ cases of quad-related fatalities held in the NCIS was undertaken by identifying outstanding Coronial cases held on the NZ Coronial Management System (primary source of NZ Coronial data). NZ data held on the NCIS database were incomplete due to the non-capture of closed cases and the unavailability of open cases. Improvements to the information provided on the NCIS about the completeness of NZ data are needed to improve the validity of NCIS-derived findings and the overall utility of the NCIS for research.
Effects of asphalt concrete characteristics on cohesive zone model parameters of hot mix asphalt mixtures
Authors: Pirmohammad S. , Khoramishad H. , Ayatollahi M.R.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, the effects of the main asphalt concrete characteristics including the binder type and the air void percentage on the cohesive zone model (CZM) parameters were studied. Experimental tests were conducted on semi-circular bend (SCB) specimens made of asphalt concrete and the fracture behavior was simulated using a proper CZM. The CZM parameters of various hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures were determined using the SCB experimental results. Five types of HMA mixtures were tested and modeled to consider the effects of binder type and air void percentage on the CZM parameters. The results showed that as the binder in HMA mixture softened, the cohesive energy strength increased, whereas enhancing the air void percentage led to reduction of the cohesive energy and strength values. Among the studied HMA mixtures, the highest values of CZM parameters were found for the HMA mixture containing a copolymer called styrene-butadiene-styrene.
Neo-Tethys geodynamics and mantle convection: from extension to compression in Africa and a conceptual model for obduction
Authors: Jolivet Laurent , Faccenna Claudio , Agard Philippe , Frizon de Lamotte Dominique , Menant Armel , Sternai Pietro , Guillocheau François
Published: December 2015

Since the Mesozoic, Africa has been under extension with shorter periods of compression associated with obduction of ophiolites on its northern margin. Less frequent than “normal” subduction, obduction is a first order process that remains enigmatic. The closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean, by the Upper Cretaceous, is characterized by a major obduction event, from the Mediterranean region to the Himalayas, best represented around the Arabian Plate, from Cyprus to Oman. These ophiolites were all emplaced in a short time window in the Late Cretaceous, from ∼100 to 75 Ma, on the northern margin of Africa, in a context of compression over large parts of Africa and Europe, across the convergence zone. The scale of this process requires an explanation at the scale of several thousands of kilometres along strike, thus probably involving a large part of the convecting mantle. We suggest that alternating extension and compression in Africa could be explained by switching convection regimes. The extensional situation would correspond to steady-state whole-mantle convection, Africa being carried northward by a large-scale conveyor belt, while compression and obduction would occur when the African slab penetrates the upper–lower mantle transition zone and the African plate accelerates due to increasing plume activity, until full penetration of the Tethys slab in the lower mantle across the 660 km transition zone during a 25 Myr long period. The long-term geological archives on which such scenarios are founded can provide independent time constraints for testing numerical models of mantle convection and slab–plume interactions.
Trophic roles determine coral reef fish community size structure
Authors: Robinson James P.W. , Baum Julia K.
Published: December 2015

Relationships between abundance – body size and trophic position – body size can reveal size structuring in food webs and test ecological theory. Although there is considerable evidence of size structuring in temperate aquatic food webs, little is known about the structure of tropical coral reef food webs. Here, we use underwater visual-census data and nitrogen stable isotope analysis to test if coral reef fish communities (i) are size structured and (ii) follow metabolic scaling rules. After examining individuals from over 160 species spanning four orders of magnitude in body size, we show that abundance scaled negatively with body size and, as predicted, individuals sharing energy through predation (carnivorous fishes) scaled more steeply than those individuals sharing a common energy source (herbivorous fishes). Estimated size spectra were, however, shallower than predicted by metabolic theory. Trophic position scaled positively with body size across species and across individuals, providing novel evidence of size structuring in a diverse tropical food web. Size-based approaches hold great promise for integrating the complexities of food webs into simple quantitative measures, thus providing new insights into the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems.
Invention and Diffusion of Water Supply and Water Efficiency Technologies: Insights from a Global Patent Dataset
Authors: Conway Declan , Dechezleprêtre Antoine , Haščič Ivan , Johnstone Nick
Published: December 2015

This paper identifies over 50,000 patents filed worldwide in various water-related technologies between 1990 and 2010, distinguishing between those related to availability (supply) and conservation (demand) technologies. Patenting activity is analyzed — including inventive activity by country and technology, international diffusion of such water-related technologies, and international collaboration in technology development. Three results stand out from our analysis. First, although inventive activity in water-related technologies has been increasing over the last two decades, this growth has been disproportionately concentrated on supply-side technologies. Second, whilst 80% of water-related invention occurs worldwide in countries with low or moderate water scarcity, several countries with absolute or chronic water scarcity are relatively specialized in water efficiency technologies. Finally, although we observe a positive association between water scarcity and local filings of water patents, some countries with high water availability, in particular Switzerland or Norway, nevertheless appear as significant markets for water-efficiency technologies. This suggests that drivers other than local demand, like regulation and social and cultural factors, play a role in explaining the global flows of technologies.
Late Maastrichtian foraminiferal response to sea-level change and organic flux, Central Graben area, Danish North Sea
Authors: Rasmussen Jan A. , Sheldon Emma
Published: December 2015

Foraminiferal palaeoecological analyses were carried out on 124 upper Maastrichtian chalk samples from the M-10X and E-5X wells of the Danish Central Graben. The two wells demonstrate similar trends, with some notable differences. Both are strongly dominated by planktic foraminifers, of which the small, biserial
Heterohelix globulosa
is by far the most common species. Based on variations within five significant, benthic foraminiferal morphogroups and the plankton/benthos ratio, eight specific foraminiferal intervals have been described. The faunal and palaeoenvironmental changes observed during the late Maastrichtian period were, in most places and especially in the lower part, not very distinct, and it is believed that the palaeoenvironment during the majority of the interval was a mostly stable, deep outer-shelf environment characterized mainly by pelagic sedimentation under temperate, suboxic conditions. More unstable conditions characterized the latest Maastrichtian. The analyses show that the sediments in the M-10X well were deposited in a generally deeper palaeoenvironment than those from E-5X. The influx of common
Pseudotextularia elegans
(three acmes), together with scattered specimens of the typical Tethyan species
Abathomphalus mayaroensis
and
Pseudoguembelina hariaensis
(in E-5X only), indicate that relatively warm conditions prevailed, at least periodically, during the latest part of the late Maastrichtian in both areas.
The gas membrane sensor (GMS) method: a new analytical approach for real-time gas concentration measurements in volcanic lakes
Authors: Zimmer Martin , Tassi Franco , Vaselli Orlando , Kujawa Christian , Cabassi Jacopo , Erzinger Joerg
Published: December 2015

The primary goal of this study was to apply an innovative analytical method based on a gas membrane sensor (GMS) to quantify the concentrations of CO
2
and CH
4
gas in water columns from volcanic lakes. For this purpose, dissolved CO
2
and CH
4
from the Monticchio Grande and Piccolo (Mt Vulture, Italy) and Pavin (Massif Central, France) lakes, characterized by depths of 35, 38 and 92 m, respectively, were measured using two different approaches: GMS and SH (single hose), the latter being an independent conventional method.

The CO
2
and CH
4
concentrations recorded via the GMS and SH techniques were within the analytical errors of the two methods. These test measurements demonstrated that the GMS method can be successfully used to produce highly accurate
in situ
measurements of dissolved gas composition along the vertical profiles of lakes.
Bounds on Direct and Indirect Effects of Treatment on a Continuous Endpoint
Authors: Luo Peng , Geng Zhi
Published: December 2015

Direct effect of a treatment variable on an endpoint variable and indirect effect through a mediate variable are important concepts for understanding a causal mechanism. However, the randomized assignment of treatment is not sufficient for identifying the direct and indirect effects, and extra assumptions and conditions are required, such as the sequential ignorability assumption without unobserved confounders or the sequential potential ignorability assumption. But these assumptions may not be credible in many applications. In this article, we consider the bounds on controlled direct effect, natural direct effect, and natural indirect effect without these extra assumptions. Cai et al. [2008] presented the bounds for the case of a binary endpoint, and we extend their results to the general case for an arbitrary endpoint.
On Estimation of Functional Causal Models
Authors: Zhang Kun , Wang Zhikun , Zhang Jiji , Schölkopf Bernhard
Published: December 2015

Compared to constraint-based causal discovery, causal discovery based on functional causal models is able to identify the whole causal model under appropriate assumptions [Shimizu et al. 2006; Hoyer et al. 2009; Zhang and Hyvärinen 2009b]. Functional causal models represent the effect as a function of the direct causes together with an independent noise term. Examples include the linear non-Gaussian acyclic model (LiNGAM), nonlinear additive noise model, and post-nonlinear (PNL) model. Currently, there are two ways to estimate the parameters in the models: dependence minimization and maximum likelihood. In this article, we show that for any acyclic functional causal model, minimizing the mutual information between the hypothetical cause and the noise term is equivalent to maximizing the data likelihood with a flexible model for the distribution of the noise term. We then focus on estimation of the PNL causal model and propose to estimate it with the warped Gaussian process with the noise modeled by the mixture of Gaussians. As a Bayesian nonparametric approach, it outperforms the previous one based on mutual information minimization with nonlinear functions represented by multilayer perceptrons; we also show that unlike the ordinary regression, estimation results of the PNL causal model are sensitive to the assumption on the noise distribution. Experimental results on both synthetic and real data support our theoretical claims.
Coarse-Grained Architecture for Fingerprint Matching
Authors: Xu Jinwei , Jiang Jingfei , Dou Yong , Shen Xiaolong , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: December 2015

Fingerprint matching is a key procedure in fingerprint identification applications. The minutiae-based fingerprint matching algorithm is one of the most typical algorithms achieving a reasonably correct recognition rate. This study proposes a coarse-grained parallel architecture called fingerprint matching core (FMC) to accelerate fingerprint matching. The proposed architecture has a two-level parallel structure (i.e., parallel among groups (PAG) and parallel in group (PIG)). A multirequest controller is added to the PAG structure to obtain a concurrent operation of the multiple processing element group (PEG). The DDR3 controller is used in the PIG structure to read eight minutiae from eight different fingerprints and realize the simultaneous computation of the eight PEs. The whole system is implemented on a Xilinx FPGA board with a Virtex VII XC7VX485T chip. The 16-PEG FMC achieves a throughput of about 9.63 million fingerprint pairs per second, which is larger than that achieved on a Tesla K20c platform. The software execution times are also measured on the 2.93GHz Intel Xeon 5670, 2.3GHz AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 6376, and Tesla K20c platforms. The Intel Xeon 5670 has two processors with 12 cores, and the AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 6376 has two processors with 16 cores. Moreover, the throughput is about 31 times that achieved on a 2.93GHz Intel Xeon 5670 single core.
Influence of muscle metabolic heterogeneity in determining the V̇o2p kinetic response to ramp-incremental exercise
Authors: Keir Daniel A. , Benson Alan P. , Love Lorenzo K. , Robertson Taylor C. , Rossiter Harry B. , Kowalchuk John M.
Published: December 2015

The pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇o2p) response to ramp-incremental (RI) exercise increases linearly with work rate (WR) after an early exponential phase, implying that a single time constant (τ) and gain (G) describe the response. However, variability in τ and G of V̇o2p kinetics to different step increments in WR is documented. We hypothesized that the “linear” V̇o2p-WR relationship during RI exercise results from the conflation between WR-dependent changes in τ and G. Nine men performed three or four repeats of RI exercise (30 W/min) and two step-incremental protocols consisting of four 60-W increments beginning from 20 W or 50 W. During testing, breath-by-breath V̇o2p was measured by mass spectrometry and volume turbine. For each individual, the V̇o2p RI response was characterized with exponential functions containing either constant or variable τ and G values. A relationship between τ and G vs. WR was determined from the step-incremental protocols to derive the variable model parameters. τ and G increased from 21 ± 5 to 98 ± 20 s and from 8.7 ± 0.6 to 12.0 ± 1.9 ml·min−1·W−1 for WRs of 20-230 W, respectively, and were best described by a second-order (τ) and a first-order (G) polynomial function of WR (lowest Akaike information criterion score). The sum of squared residuals was not different ( P > 0.05) when the V̇o2p RI response was characterized with either the constant or variable models, indicating that they described the response equally well. Results suggest that τ and G increase progressively with WR during RI exercise. Importantly, these relationships may conflate to produce a linear V̇o2p-WR response, emphasizing the influence of metabolic heterogeneity in determining the apparent V̇o2p-WR relationship during RI exercise.
Central nervous system integration of sensorimotor signals in oral and pharyngeal structures: oropharyngeal kinematics response to recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion
Authors: Gould Francois D. H. , Ohlemacher Jocelyn , Lammers Andrew R. , Gross Andrew , Ballester Ashley , Fraley Luke , German Rebecca Z.
Published: December 2015

Safe, efficient liquid feeding in infant mammals requires the central coordination of oropharyngeal structures innervated by multiple cranial and spinal nerves. The importance of laryngeal sensation and central sensorimotor integration in this system is poorly understood. Recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion (RLN) results in increased aspiration, though the mechanism for this is unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect of unilateral RLN lesion on the motor coordination of infant liquid feeding. We hypothesized that 1) RLN lesion results in modified swallow kinematics, 2) postlesion oropharyngeal kinematics of unsafe swallows differ from those of safe swallows, and 3) nonswallowing phases of the feeding cycle show changed kinematics postlesion. We implanted radio opaque markers in infant pigs and filmed them pre- and postlesion with high-speed videofluoroscopy. Markers locations were digitized, and swallows were assessed for airway protection. RLN lesion resulted in modified kinematics of the tongue relative to the epiglottis in safe swallows. In lesioned animals, safe swallow kinematics differed from unsafe swallows. Unsafe swallow postlesion kinematics resembled prelesion safe swallows. The movement of the tongue was reduced in oral transport postlesion. Between different regions of the tongue, response to lesion was similar, and relative timing within the tongue was unchanged. RLN lesion has a pervasive effect on infant feeding kinematics, related to the efficiency of airway protection. The timing of tongue and hyolaryngeal kinematics in swallows is a crucial locus for swallow disruption. Laryngeal sensation is essential for the central coordination in feeding of oropharyngeal structures receiving motor inputs from different cranial nerves.
Paradoxical Roles of Antioxidant Enzymes: Basic Mechanisms and Health Implications
Authors: Lei Xin Gen , Zhu Jian-Hong , Cheng Wen-Hsing , Bao Yongping , Ho Ye-Shih , Reddi Amit R. , Holmgren Arne , Arnér Elias S. J.
Published: December 2015

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are generated from aerobic metabolism, as a result of accidental electron leakage as well as regulated enzymatic processes. Because ROS/RNS can induce oxidative injury and act in redox signaling, enzymes metabolizing them will inherently promote either health or disease, depending on the physiological context. It is thus misleading to consider conventionally called antioxidant enzymes to be largely, if not exclusively, health protective. Because such a notion is nonetheless common, we herein attempt to rationalize why this simplistic view should be avoided. First we give an updated summary of physiological phenotypes triggered in mouse models of overexpression or knockout of major antioxidant enzymes. Subsequently, we focus on a series of striking cases that demonstrate “paradoxical” outcomes, i.e., increased fitness upon deletion of antioxidant enzymes or disease triggered by their overexpression. We elaborate mechanisms by which these phenotypes are mediated via chemical, biological, and metabolic interactions of the antioxidant enzymes with their substrates, downstream events, and cellular context. Furthermore, we propose that novel treatments of antioxidant enzyme-related human diseases may be enabled by deliberate targeting of dual roles of the pertaining enzymes. We also discuss the potential of “antioxidant” nutrients and phytochemicals, via regulating the expression or function of antioxidant enzymes, in preventing, treating, or aggravating chronic diseases. We conclude that “paradoxical” roles of antioxidant enzymes in physiology, health, and disease derive from sophisticated molecular mechanisms of redox biology and metabolic homeostasis. Simply viewing antioxidant enzymes as always being beneficial is not only conceptually misleading but also clinically hazardous if such notions underpin medical treatment protocols based on modulation of redox pathways.
Decreased Motor Function Is Associated with Poorer Cognitive Function in Elderly with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Guerrero-Berroa Elizabeth , Ravona-Springer Ramit , Heymann Anthony , Schmeidler James , Silverman Jeremy M. , Sano Mary , Koifmann Keren , Preiss Rachel , Hoffman Hadas , Schnaider Beeri Michal
Published: December 2015

Background/Aims: Impaired motor function has been associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, but this relationship is poorly understood in elderly with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We thus investigated it in a large sample (n = 726) of cognitively normal elderly with T2D. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, hierarchical linear regressions assessed correlations of 3 motor measures (timed walk, grip strength, and self-reported motor difficulties) with episodic memory, attention/working memory, semantic categorization, executive function, and overall cognition controlling for demographics. Results: Longer timed walk and weaker grip strength were associated with poorer performance in all cognitive domains except episodic memory. Conclusions: Associations of motor and cognitive functions in T2D and non-T2D samples are consistent. A lack of association of motor function with episodic memory may suggest non-Alzheimer's disease-related underlying mechanisms.
Screening for Impaired Cognitive Domains in a Large Parkinson's Disease Population and Its Application to the Diagnostic Procedure for Parkinson's Disease Dementia
Authors: Ohta Kouichi , Takahashi Kazushi , Gotoh Jun , Yamaguchi Keiji , Seki Morinobu , Nihei Yoshihiro , Iwasawa Satoko , Suzuki Norihiro ,   on behalf of the Keio Parkinson's Disease Database
Published: December 2015

Background: Dementia is a new focus of research on improved treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). In 2007, a screening tool for PD dementia (PD-D) was developed by the Movement Disorder Society (Level I testing), which still requires verification by a large population study. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional and multicenter study including 13 institutions administering the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to 304 PD patients (mean age: 70.6 ± 8.3 years; mean Hoehn and Yahr stage: 2.7 ± 0.7). Results: In all, 34.5% of the patients had MMSE scores <26; 94.3% of these patients had impairments in ≥2 cognitive domains and met the criteria for probable PD-D by Level I testing. Executive dysfunction combined with attention and memory impairment was most common (51.4%). In the Level I subtests of executive function, the score for phonemic fluency declined by <50% in patients with high MoCA scores (24-30 points) and lacked specificity for PD-D. No patient had visuospatial impairment (measured by the pentagon copying subtest) alone, and the score for pentagon copying stayed at ≥70% even in patients with low MMSE scores (12-25 points), therefore lacking sensitivity for PD-D. Conclusions: Level I testing with administration of the MMSE and MoCA is a practical and efficient screening tool for PD-D. However, the phonemic fluency and pentagon copying tests should be replaced by more specific/sensitive ones when screening for PD-D.
Variable Phonological Rules and ‘Quantal' Perception as a Source of Probabilistic Sound Change: The Case of Intervocalic Voicing in Old Tuscan
Authors: Canalis Stefano
Published: December 2015

The origin and nature of ‘irregular', ‘sporadic' sound changes have been debated by different theories of phonological change since at least the Neogrammarians. They are often attributed to non-phonological factors, as analogy or borrowing, or to the non-(purely)-phonological mechanism of lexical diffusion. The aim of this paper is to show that an irregular sound change in the historical phonology of Tuscan - namely the voicing of some intervocalic voiceless stops - is not due to borrowing (as often argued), but to a variable and allophonic voicing rule, whose output was only partially subject to phonological recategorization. The most likely causes for this irregular outcome are the variable strength intervocalic voicing had in different environments, the interaction with another lenition process and the perceptual ambiguity of the lenited stops.
Portuguese Lexical Clusters and CVC Sequences in Speech Perception and Production
Authors: Cunha Conceição
Published: December 2015

Thi s paper investigates similarities between lexical consonant clusters and CVC sequences differing in the presence or absence of a lexical vowel in speech perception and production in two Portuguese varieties. The frequent high vowel deletion in the European variety (EP) and the realization of intervening vocalic elements between lexical clusters in Brazilian Portuguese (BP) may minimize the contrast between lexical clusters and CVC sequences in the two Portuguese varieties. In order to test this hypothesis we present a perception experiment with 72 participants and a physiological analysis of 3-dimensional movement data from 5 EP and 4 BP speakers. The perceptual results confirmed a gradual confusion of lexical clusters and CVC sequences in EP, which corresponded roughly to the gradient consonantal overlap found in production.
A Single-Center, Case-Control Study of Low-Dose-Induction Oral Immunotherapy with Cow's Milk
Authors: Yanagida Noriyuki , Sato Sakura , Asaumi Tomoyuki , Okada Yu , Ogura Kiyotake , Ebisawa Motohiro
Published: December 2015

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose-induction oral immunotherapy (OIT) with 3 ml of milk, which is a lower target volume than is conventionally used. Methods: Children aged ≥5 years with milk allergies [confirmed by oral food challenge (OFC) against 3 ml of milk] were enrolled. The OIT group was admitted to the hospital for 5 days for build-up. Subsequently, at home, the volume was gradually increased by up to a maximum of 3 ml every 5 days. While the OIT group ingested a small amount of milk every day, the control group completely eliminated their milk intake. Both groups underwent OFCs approximately 1 year later in order to assess their responsiveness to 3 ml and 25 ml of cow's milk. Results: The OIT and control groups had no background differences; the proportion of patients unresponsive to 3 ml of milk after 1 year was 58.3% (7/12) and 13.8% (4/25), respectively (p = 0.018), while the proportion unresponsive to 25 ml of milk was 33.3% (4/12) and 0.0% (0/25), respectively (p = 0.007). Furthermore, a significant decrease in the casein-specific immunoglobulin E levels was seen after 12 months when compared to baseline in the OIT group (p = 0.033). Adverse allergic reactions were rare and most symptoms were mild. Conclusion: This study of a high-risk population reacting to very low amounts of milk showed that low-dose-induction OIT appeared effective for acquiring unresponsiveness to 3 ml and 25 ml of milk, with severe symptoms being rare, indicating that for improvement of food allergies, continuous intake of small amounts may be as effective as intake of larger amounts.
Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 1 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Vandenberghe Wim , Gevaert Sofie , Kellum John A. , Bagshaw Sean M. , Peperstraete Harlinde , Herck Ingrid , Decruyenaere Johan , Hoste Eric A.J.
Published: December 2015

Background: We evaluated the epidemiology and outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with cardiorenal syndrome type 1 (CRS-1) and its subgroups: acute heart failure (AHF), acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and after cardiac surgery (CS). Summary: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. CRS-1 was defined by AKI (based on RIFLE, AKIN and KDIGO), worsening renal failure (WRF) and renal replacement therapy (RRT). We investigated the three most common clinical causes of CRS-1: AHF, ACS and CS. Out of 332 potential papers, 64 were eligible - with AKI used in 41 studies, WRF in 25 and RRT in 20. The occurrence rate of CRS-1, defined by AKI, WRF and RRT, was 25.4, 22.4 and 2.6%, respectively. AHF patients had a higher occurrence rate of CRS-1 compared to ACS and CS patients (AKI: 47.4 vs. 14.9 vs. 22.1%), but RRT was evenly distributed among the types of acute cardiac disease. AKI was associated with an increased mortality rate (risk ratio = 5.14, 95% CI 3.81-6.94; 24 studies and 35,227 patients), a longer length of stay in the intensive care unit [LOSICU] (median duration = 1.37 days, 95% CI 0.41-2.33; 9 studies and 10,758 patients) and a longer LOS in hospital [LOShosp] (median duration = 3.94 days, 95% CI 1.74-6.15; 8 studies and 35,227 patients). Increasing AKI severity was associated with worse outcomes. The impact of CRS-1 defined by AKI on mortality was greatest in CS patients. RRT had an even greater impact compared to AKI (mortality risk ratio = 9.2, median duration of LOSICU = 10.6 days and that of LOShosp = 20.2 days). Key Messages: Of all included patients, almost one quarter developed AKI and approximately 3% needed RRT. AHF patients experienced the highest occurrence rate of AKI, but the impact on mortality was greatest in CS patients.
Effects of Vitamin D and Exercise on the Wellbeing of Older Community-Dwelling Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Patil Radhika , Karinkanta Saija , Tokola Kari , Kannus Pekka , Sievänen Harri , Uusi-Rasi Kirsti
Published: December 2015

Background: Evidence for the effects of exercise and vitamin D supplementation on quality of life (QoL), fear of falling (FoF) and mental wellbeing in older adults is conflicting. Objective: To study the effects of vitamin D supplementation and multimodal group exercise on psychosocial functions of wellbeing, including QoL, mental wellbeing and FoF. Method: This is a 2-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled vitamin D and open exercise intervention trial with 409 older Finnish women (70-80 years of age) randomized to 4 treatment arms: (1) placebo without exercise, (2) vitamin D (800 IU/day) without exercise, (3) placebo and exercise, and (4) vitamin D (800 IU/day) with exercise. Exercisers participated in group exercise twice per week for 12 months and once per week for the subsequent 12 months, plus home exercises. Results: When comparing with the placebo without exercise group, there were no statistically significant differences between groups receiving either vitamin D, exercise or both treatments for changes in QoL or mental wellbeing (although a slight decline was seen in mental wellbeing in those receiving vitamin D only, p = 0.044). The initial slight reduction in FoF was significant in all intervention groups compared with controls (p < 0.05), but this was only temporary. Conclusion: Neither vitamin D nor exercise contributes to better QoL, FoF or mental wellbeing in community-dwelling healthy older women with sufficient vitamin D levels.