bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of oral submucous fibrosis on oral health‐related quality of life: A condition‐specific OHRQoL‐OSF instrument analysis
Authors: Gondivkar Shailesh M. , Bhowate Rahul R. , Gadbail Amol R. , Gondivkar Rima S. , Sarode Sachin C. , Sarode Gargi S. , Patil Shankargouda
Published: June 2018

Objective

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) could have a significant impact on daily life activities of affected individuals. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of OSF on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Materials and Methods

A total of 206 clinically diagnosed OSF patients were recruited and subjected to the condition‐specific OHRQoL‐OSF instrument and global self‐ratings of oral health and overall well‐being.

Results

“Discomfort and functional impairment” dimension was highly prevalent among patients with all stages (p < 0.001). OSF also has impacts on other domains, namely “psychological wellness” (82.35%) and “social wellness” (61.16%). Stage IV OSF (25.94 ± 4.05) patients reported higher OHRQoL‐OSF scores as compared to stage III (16.20 ± 2.58) and stage II OSF (7.26 ± 1.70) patients. However, stage I OSF patients reported significantly better OHRQoL (p < 0.001). A significant trend demonstrating overall OHRQoL‐OSF scores increasing with advancing stages of OSF was observed. The majority of the participants rated their overall oral health status “fair” (34.95%) to “very poor” (26.21%), whereas overall well‐being was rated as moderate (33.00%) to good (31.55%).

Conclusion

OSF has a significant impact on OHRQoL. Increasing severity of OSF is associated with the worsening QoL.
Combining ability and gene action controlling yield and yield components in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions
Authors: Mwadzingeni Learnmore , Shimelis Hussein , Tsilo Toi J.
Published: June 2018

This study determined the combining ability and gene action controlling yield and yield‐related traits in wheat under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions. Twelve parents possessing Rht‐B1b and Rht‐D1a genes and their 66 half‐diallel crosses were evaluated under field and glasshouse conditions. Plant height (PH), productive tiller number (TN), kernels per spike (KPS), thousand seed weight (TSW) and grain yield (GY) were recorded. Analysis of variance, heritability, correlation and combining ability analyses were performed. Heritability estimates ranged from 53.00% (TN) to 63.07% (KPS). Yield showed positive correlations with all other traits under all test conditions. Significant GCA effects were observed for all traits recorded across test conditions, except for yield in the glasshouse. All Baker's ratios were less than a unit, indicating predominance of nonadditive gene action. Consistently high positive GCA effects were observed on LM02 for GY; LM02 and LM23 for KPS; and LM04 and LM09 for TSW, while LM17 and LM21 had negative effects for PH. Good general and specific combiners will be used for further breeding and selection.
A novel MYB transcription factor regulates ascorbic acid synthesis and affects cold tolerance
Authors: Xing Caihua , Liu Yue , Zhao Liangyi , Zhang Shaoling , Huang Xiaosan
Published: June 2018

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) plays an important role in stress responses, but the transcriptional regulation of DHAR in response to abiotic stress is still poorly understood. In this study, we isolated a novel R2R3‐type MYB transcription factor from Pyrus betulaefolia by yeast one‐hybrid screening, designated as PbrMYB5. PbrMYB5 was localized in the nucleus and could bind specifically to the promoter of PbrDHAR2. PbrMYB5 was greatly induced by cold and salt but slightly by dehydration. Overexpression of PbrMYB5 in tobacco conferred enhanced tolerance to chilling stresses, whereas down‐regulation of PbrMYB5 in P. betulaefolia by virus‐induced gene silencing resulted in elevated chilling sensitivity. Transgenic tobacco exhibited higher expression levels of NtDHAR2 and accumulated larger amount of ascorbic acid (AsA) than the wild‐type plants. Virus‐induced gene silencing of PbrMYB5 in P. betulaefolia down‐regulated PbrDHAR2 abundance and decreased AsA level, accompanied by an increased sensitivity to the chilling stress. Taken together, these results demonstrated that PbrMYB5 was an activator of AsA biosynthesis and may play a positive role in chilling tolerance, at least in part, due to the modulation of AsA synthesis by regulating the PbrDHAR2 expression.
Misspecification of Multimodal Random-Effect Distributions in Logistic Mixed Models for Panel Survey Data
Authors: Marquart Louise , Haynes Michele
Published: June 2018

Logistic mixed models for longitudinal binary data typically assume normally distributed random effects, which may be too restrictive if an underlying subpopulation structure exists. The paper illustrates the ease of implementing diagnostic tests and fitting random effects as a mixture of normal distributions to detect and address distributional misspecification of the random effects in a potential mover–stayer scenario. Methods are illustrated by using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia panel survey. The robustness of the normality assumption to violations characterized by a three-component mixture of normal distributions was assessed via a simulation study. Adverse inferential impact of incorrectly assuming normality was identified for parameters directly related to the random effects, resulting in biased estimates and poor coverage rates for confidence intervals. The results support the general robustness of fixed effect parameters to non-extreme distributional violations of the random effects.
Functions of Parental Intergenerational Narratives Told by Young People
Authors: Merrill Natalie , Booker Jordan A. , Fivush Robyn
Published: June 2018

Family stories help shape identity and provide a foundation for navigating life events during adolescence and early adulthood. However, little research examines the types of stories passed onto adolescents and emerging adults, the extent to which these stories are retained and accessible, and the potentially influential parental‐ and self‐identity content constructed in telling these stories. Across three samples, we investigate the accessibility and functions of intergenerational narratives that adolescents and emerging adults know of their parents. By examining adolescents’ open‐ended intergenerational stories, emerging adults’ intergenerational stories of parents’ transgression and proud moments, and emerging adults’ intergenerational stories of parents’ self‐defining moments, we systematically describe the functions of various intergenerational stories during adolescence and early adulthood, when identity is in formation. We found that adolescents and emerging adults can readily recount intergenerational stories from parents, and that many of these stories serve to build relationships with the parent, provide insights about parents, provide insights about self, and transmit life lessons. The specific findings by narrative topic and by gender of both participant and parent are discussed.
Antenatal prevention of cerebral palsy and childhood disability: is the impossible possible?
Authors: Ellery Stacey J. , Kelleher Meredith , Grigsby Peta , Burd Irina , Derks Jan B. , Hirst Jon , Miller Suzanne L. , Sherman Larry S. , Tolcos Mary , Walker David W.
Published: June 2018

This review covers our current knowledge of the causes of perinatal brain injury leading to cerebral palsy‐like outcomes, and argues that much of this brain damage is preventable. We review the experimental evidence that there are treatments that can be safely administered to women in late pregnancy that decrease the likelihood and extent of perinatal brain damage that occurs because of acute and severe hypoxia that arises during some births, and the additional impact of chronic fetal hypoxia, infection, inflammation, growth restriction and preterm birth. We discuss the types of interventions required to ameliorate or even prevent apoptotic and necrotic cell death, and the vulnerability of all the major cell types in the brain (neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, cerebral vasculature) to hypoxia/ischaemia, and whether a pan‐protective treatment given to the mother before birth is a realistic prospect.

image
Transverse cardiac slicing and optical imaging for analysis of transmural gradients in membrane potential and Ca2+ transients in murine heart
Authors: Wen Q. , Gandhi K. , Capel Rebecca A. , Hao G. , O'Shea C. , Neagu G. , Pearcey S. , Pavlovic D. , Terrar Derek A. , Wu J. , Faggian G. , Camelliti Patrizia , Lei M.
Published: June 2018

Key points

A robust cardiac slicing approach was developed for optical mapping of transmural gradients in transmembrane potential (Vm) and intracellular Ca2+ transient (CaT) of murine heart.

Significant transmural gradients in Vm and CaT were observed in the left ventricle.

Frequency‐dependent action potentials and CaT alternans were observed in all ventricular regions with rapid pacing, with significantly greater incidence in the endocardium than epicardium.

The observations demonstrate the feasibility of our new approach to cardiac slicing for systematic analysis of intrinsic transmural and regional gradients in Vm and CaT.

Transmural and regional gradients in membrane potential and Ca2+ transient in the murine heart are largely unexplored. Here, we developed and validated a robust approach which combines transverse ultra‐thin cardiac slices and high resolution optical mapping to enable systematic analysis of transmural and regional gradients in transmembrane potential (Vm) and intracellular Ca2+ transient (CaT) across the entire murine ventricles. The voltage dye RH237 or Ca2+ dye Rhod‐2 AM were loaded through the coronary circulation using a Langendorff perfusion system. Short‐axis slices (300 μm thick) were prepared from the entire ventricles (from the apex to the base) by using a high‐precision vibratome. Action potentials (APs) and CaTs were recorded with optical mapping during steady‐state baseline and rapid pacing. Significant transmural gradients in Vm and CaT were observed in the left ventricle, with longer AP duration (APD50 and APD75) and CaT duration (CaTD50 and CaTD75) in the endocardium compared with that in the epicardium. No significant regional gradients were observed along the apico‐basal axis of the left ventricle. Interventricular gradients were detected with significantly shorter APD50, APD75 and CaTD50 in the right ventricle compared with left ventricle and ventricular septum. During rapid pacing, AP and CaT alternans were observed in most ventricular regions, with significantly greater incidence in the endocardium in comparison with epicardium. In conclusion, these observations demonstrate the feasibility of our new approach to cardiac slicing for systematic analysis of intrinsic transmural and regional gradients in Vm and CaT in murine ventricular tissue.
Rising bedrock may delay ice sheet collapse
Authors: Langin Katie
Published: June 2018

Its burden lightening, crust beneath West Antarctic glaciers is rebounding at a fast pace.
NIH kills alcohol trial, starts hunt for other suspect studies
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: June 2018

Agency says research protocol was skewed to find benefits of moderate drinking.
Locally coordinated synaptic plasticity of visual cortex neurons in vivo
Authors: El-Boustani Sami , Ip Jacque P. K. , Breton-Provencher Vincent , Knott Graham W. , Okuno Hiroyuki , Bito Haruhiko , Sur Mriganka
Published: June 2018

Rebalancing strength between synapses

Activation of a neuronal pathway is often associated with inhibition of surrounding pathways. How locally coordinated synaptic plasticity occurs in vivo is not known, nor is its role in shaping neuronal responses. El-Boustani
et al.
paired optogenetic stimulation of single neurons with a visual input and were able to shift the neuron's receptive field toward the target location. Spines that expressed structural long-term potentiation had receptive fields overlapping the target stimulus but were surrounded by spines that expressed receptive fields away from the target.

Science
, this issue p.
1349
A molecular mechanism for choosing alcohol over an alternative reward
Authors: Augier Eric , Barbier Estelle , Dulman Russell S. , Licheri Valentina , Augier Gaëlle , Domi Esi , Barchiesi Riccardo , Farris Sean , Nätt Daniel , Mayfield R. Dayne , Adermark Louise , Heilig Markus
Published: June 2018

Finding the vulnerable minority

“Only” about 10 to 15% of people exposed to alcohol develop alcohol-related problems. The behavioral repertoire of people confronted with opportunities to consume alcohol involves numerous choices between this drug reward and healthy alternatives. Augier
et al.
established a choice procedure that begins to address alcohol addiction in rats (see the Perspective by Spanagel). They found that a minority of outbred rats continued to self-administer alcohol even when a high-value alternative (such as sugar) was available. That minority displayed a remarkable constellation of behavioral traits resembling the human clinical condition, including a high motivation to obtain alcohol and continued use despite adverse consequences. The cause was impaired GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) clearance in the central amygdala. Postmortem tissue analysis supported the possibility of a similar pathology in human alcoholism.

Science
, this issue p.
1321
; see also p.
1298
Orientation-dependent stereo Wigner time delay and electron localization in a small molecule
Authors: Vos J. , Cattaneo L. , Patchkovskii S. , Zimmermann T. , Cirelli C. , Lucchini M. , Kheifets A. , Landsman A. S. , Keller U.
Published: June 2018

Time and place of electron exit

Until about a decade ago, laser-induced ionization was considered instantaneous. Since then, applications of attosecond laser pulses have shown multiple subtle and complex factors that influence the precise timing of electron ejection from atoms and surfaces. Vos
et al.
measured the corresponding attosecond dynamics of dissociative photoionization in a diatomic molecule, carbon monoxide. By imaging the charged fragments, the timing could be correlated with the specific spatial portion of the molecule from which the electron wave packet emerged.

Science
, this issue p.
1326
Mediator and RNA polymerase II clusters associate in transcription-dependent condensates
Authors: Cho Won-Ki , Spille Jan-Hendrik , Hecht Micca , Lee Choongman , Li Charles , Grube Valentin , Cisse Ibrahim I.
Published: June 2018

Phase separation and gene control

Many components of eukaryotic transcription machinery—such as transcription factors and cofactors including BRD4, subunits of the Mediator complex, and RNA polymerase II—contain intrinsically disordered low-complexity domains. Now a conceptual framework connecting the nature and behavior of their interactions to their functions in transcription regulation is emerging (see the Perspective by Plys and Kingston). Chong
et al.
found that low-complexity domains of transcription factors form concentrated hubs via functionally relevant dynamic, multivalent, and sequence-specific protein-protein interaction. These hubs have the potential to phase-separate at higher concentrations. Indeed, Sabari
et al.
showed that at super-enhancers, BRD4 and Mediator form liquid-like condensates that compartmentalize and concentrate the transcription apparatus to maintain expression of key cell-identity genes. Cho
et al.
further revealed the differential sensitivity of Mediator and RNA polymerase II condensates to selective transcription inhibitors and how their dynamic interactions might initiate transcription elongation.

Science
, this issue p.
eaar2555
, p.
eaar3958
, p.
412
; see also p.
329
Adaptive introgression underlies polymorphic seasonal camouflage in snowshoe hares
Authors: Jones Matthew R. , Mills L. Scott , Alves Paulo Célio , Callahan Colin M. , Alves Joel M. , Lafferty Diana J. R. , Jiggins Francis M. , Jensen Jeffrey D. , Melo-Ferreira José , Good Jeffrey M.
Published: June 2018

Hybrid camouflage variation

Snowshoe hares molt from a brown coat to a white coat in winter. In some populations, however, where winter snow is less extensive, hares molt from a brown coat to a brown coat. Jones
et al.
show that regulation of the pigmentation gene
Agouti
is responsible for the winter coat color change. Hybridization with jackrabbits has led to introgression around this gene that facilitates the brown winter morph. Hybridization appears to have provided important adaptive variation to the snowshoe hare.

Science
, this issue p.
1355
Comment on “Sterilizing immunity in the lung relies on targeting fungal apoptosis-like programmed cell death”
Authors: Aouacheria Abdel , Cunningham Kyle W. , Hardwick J. Marie , Palková Zdena , Powers Ted , Severin Fedor F. , Váchová Libuše
Published: June 2018

Shlezinger
et al
. (Reports, 8 September 2017, p. 1037) report that the common fungus
Aspergillus fumigatus
, a cause of aspergillosis, undergoes caspase-dependent apoptosis-like cell death triggered by lung neutrophils. However, the technologies they used do not provide reliable evidence that fungal cells die via a protease signaling cascade thwarted by a fungal caspase inhibitor homologous to human survivin.
Genistein and Ascorbic Acid Reduce Oxidative Stress-Derived DNA Damage Induced by the Antileishmanial Meglumine Antimoniate
Authors: de Jesus Luís Cláudio Lima , Soares Rossy-Eric Pereira , Moreira Vanessa Ribeiro , Pontes Raissa Lacerda , Castelo-Branco Patrícia Valéria , Pereira Silma Regina Ferreira
Published: June 2018

Meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) is a pentavalent antimonial used to treat leishmaniasis, despite its acknowledged toxic effects, such as its ability to cause oxidative damage to lipids and proteins. Recently, our group demonstrated that meglumine antimoniate causes oxidative stress-derived DNA damage.
Nitrogen Addition Decreases Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium in Rice Paddies
Authors: Pandey Arjun , Suter Helen , He Ji-Zheng , Hu Hang-Wei , Chen Deli
Published: June 2018

This study provides evidence that nitrogen addition reduces nitrogen retention through DNRA and increases nitrogen loss via denitrification in a paddy soil ecosystem. DNRA is one of the major NO3−reduction processes, and it can outcompete denitrification in NO3−consumption when rice paddies are low in nitrogen. A significant level of DNRA activity in paddy soils indicates that DNRA plays an important role in retaining nitrogen by reducing NO3−availability for denitrification and leaching. Our study shows that by reducing N addition to rice paddies, there is a positive effect from reduced nitrogen loss but, more importantly, from the conversion of NO3−to NH4+, which is the favored form of mineral nitrogen for plant uptake.
Marginal Effects of Systemic CCR5 Blockade with Maraviroc on Oral Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission to Infant Macaques
Authors: Brocca-Cofano Egidio , Xu Cuiling , Wetzel Katherine S. , Cottrell Mackenzie L. , Policicchio Benjamin B. , Raehtz Kevin D. , Ma Dongzhu , Dunsmore Tammy , Haret-Richter George S. , Musaitif Karam , Keele Brandon F. , Kashuba Angela D. , Collman Ronald G. , Pandrea Ivona , Apetrei Cristian
Published: June 2018

We have previously suggested that the very low levels of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) maternal-to-infant transmissions (MTIT) in African nonhuman primates that are natural hosts of SIVs are due to a low availability of target cells (CCR5
+
CD4
+
T cells) in the oral mucosa of the infants, rather than maternal and milk factors. To confirm this new MTIT paradigm, we performed a proof-of-concept study in which we therapeutically blocked CCR5 with maraviroc (MVC) and orally exposed MVC-treated and naive infant rhesus macaques to SIV. MVC had only a marginal effect on oral SIV transmission. However, the observation that the infant RMs that remained uninfected at the completion of the study, after 6 repeated viral challenges, had the lowest CCR5 expression on the CD4
+
T cells prior to the MVC treatment appears to confirm our hypothesis, also suggesting that the partial effect of MVC is due to a limited efficacy of the drug. New, more effective CCR5 inhibitors may have a better effect in preventing SIV and HIV transmission.
Maternal weight and infections in early childhood: a cohort study
Authors: Videholm Samuel , Silfverdal Sven-Arne , Reniers Georges
Published: June 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine this association between maternal weight during pregnancy and the incidence of hospitalisations for infectious diseases during early childhood.

Design

A population-based cohort study.

Setting

A national cohort was created by combining data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, the National Inpatient Register, the Cause of Death Register, the Total Population Register and the Longitudinal integration database for health insurance and labour market studies.

Patients

693 007 children born in Sweden between 1998 and 2006.

Main outcome measures

Number of hospitalisations for infectious diseases during the first 5 years of life, overall and for categories of infectious diseases (lower respiratory, enteric, upper respiratory, genitourinary, perinatal, skin and soft tissue, neurological and eye, digestive tract, bloodstream and other infections).

Results

Overweight (body mass index (BMI) 25.0–29.9) and obesity (BMI≥30) during pregnancy were associated with a higher overall incidence of hospitalisations for infectious diseases, adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.05 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.06) and adjusted IRR 1.18 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.21). Overweight and obesity during pregnancy were strongly associated with perinatal infections, adjusted IRR 1.34 (95% CI 1.25 to 1.44) and adjusted IRR 1.72 (95% CI 1.57 to 1.88). In contrast, we found no association between maternal weight during pregnancy and infections of skin and soft tissue, the nervous system, the digestive tract or the bloodstream.

Conclusions

We observed an association between overweight and obesity during pregnancy, and hospitalisations for infectious diseases during early childhood.
Cycloplegic refraction by 1% cyclopentolate in young adults: is it the gold standard? The Anyang University Students Eye Study (AUSES)
Authors: Sun Yun-Yun , Wei Shi-Fei , Li Shi-Ming , Hu Jian-Ping , Yang Xiao-Hui , Cao Kai , Lin Cai-Xia , Du Jia-Ling , Guo Ji-Yuan , Li He , Liu Luo-Ru , Morgan Ian G , Wang Ning-li
Published: June 2018

Aims

To document the difference between non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic refraction and explore its associated factors in Chinese young adults. 

Methods

A school-based study including 7971 undergraduates was conducted in Anyang, Henan Province, China. Cycloplegia was achieved with two drops of 1% cyclopentolate and 1 drop of Mydrin P (Tropicamide 0.5%, phenylephrine HCl 0.5%) with a 5 min interval. Non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic refractions were measured by an autorefractor. A paired-sample t-test and Spearman correlation analysis were used for analysis with data from only the right eyes included. 

Results

Of the 7971 students examined, 7793 (97.8%) with complete data were included, aging 20.2±1.5 years. Male students accounted for 36.8%. Overall, there was a significant difference between non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic SE (spherical equivalent) of 0.83±0.81D (p<0.01). The difference was 1.80±1.11D, 1.26±0.93D and 0.69±0.69D for those with cycloplegic hyperopia, emmetropia and myopia, respectively (p<0.01 for all). Those with a hyperopic shift less than 0.25D and 0.5D accounted for 11.1% and 34.1%, respectively. A significant relationship was found between difference in SE and cycloplegic refraction (r=0.33, b=0.11, p<0.01). Without cycloplegia, prevalence of hyperopia and emmetropia would be underestimated by 6.2% (1.0% vs 7.2%) and 5.7% (3.8% vs 9.5%), respectively, with prevalence of myopia and high myopia overestimated by 12.1% (95.3% vs 83.2%) and 6.1% (17.2% vs 11.1%). 

Conclusion

Lack of cycloplegia will lead to significant misclassification of myopia, emmetropia and hyperopia in Chinese young adults. Cycloplegia is therefore essential for this age-group in epidemiological studies.
MR signal intensity: staying on the bright side in MR image interpretation
Authors: Bloem Johan L , Reijnierse Monique , Huizinga Tom W J , van der Helm-van Mil Annette H M
Published: June 2018

In 2003, the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded for contribution to the invention of MRI, reflecting the incredible value of MRI for medicine. Since 2003, enormous technical advancements have been made in acquiring MR images. However, MRI has a complicated, accident-prone dark side; images are not calibrated and respective images are dependent on all kinds of subjective choices in the settings of the machine, acquisition technique parameters, reconstruction techniques, data transmission, filtering and postprocessing techniques. The bright side is that understanding MR techniques increases opportunities to unravel characteristics of tissue. In this viewpoint, we summarise the different subjective choices that can be made to generate MR images and stress the importance of communication between radiologists and rheumatologists to correctly interpret images.
Primary prevention of contact sports-related concussions in amateur athletes: a systematic review from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma
Authors: Enniss Toby M , Basiouny Khaled , Brewer Brian , Bugaev Nikolay , Cheng Julius , Danner Omar K , Duncan Thomas , Foster Shannon , Hawryluk Gregory , Jung Hee Soo , Lui Felix , Rattan Rishi , Violano Pina , Crandall Marie
Published: June 2018

Background

Awareness of the magnitude of contact sports-related concussions has risen exponentially in recent years. Our objective is to conduct a prospectively registered systematic review of the scientific evidence regarding interventions to prevent contact sports-related concussions.

Methods

Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology, we performed a systematic review of the literature to answer seven population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes (PICO) questions regarding concussion education, head protective equipment, rules prohibiting high-risk activity and neck strengthening exercise for prevention of contact sports-related concussion in pediatric and adult amateur athletes. A query of MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Embase was performed. Letters to the editor, case reports, book chapters, and review articles were excluded, and all articles reviewed were written in English.

Results

Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and were applicable to our PICO questions. Conditional recommendations are made supporting preventive interventions concussion education and rules prohibiting high-risk activity for both pediatric and adult amateur athletes and neck strengthening exercise in adult amateur athletes. Strong recommendations are supported for head protective equipment in both pediatric and adult amateur athletes. Strong recommendations regarding newer football helmet technology in adult amateur athletes and rules governing the implementation of body-checking in youth ice hockey are supported.

Conclusion

Despite increasing scientific attention to sports-related concussion, studies evaluating preventive interventions remain relatively sparse. This systematic review serves as a call to focus research on primary prevention strategies for sports-related concussion.

Level of evidence

IV.

PROSPERO registration number

#42016043019.
Coefficient of performance and its bounds of minimally nonlinear irreversible refrigerator at arbitrary optimal value
Authors: Zhang Min , Liu Qin , He Jizhou , Wang Jianhui
Published: June 2018

We study the performance of minimally nonlinear irreversible refrigerators which works between a hot and cold heat reservoir of constant temperatures [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. Applying optimization criterion [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], we analyze the coefficient of performance (COP) at arbitrary value of [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] and thus obtain the upper and lower bounds of the COP. Our results show that, for the optimized, tightly-coupled refrigerators, a small loss away from the maximum value of either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] figure of merit means a larger gain in the COP.
Bifurcations and Synchronization of Delay-Coupled Neuronal Networks with Autaptic Connections
Authors: Mao Xiaochen
Published: June 2018

This paper focuses on the dynamic behaviors of delay-coupled networks consisting of an arbitrary number of nonidentical neurons with unidirectional connections and an electrical synapse from one neuron onto itself. The stability criteria and different types of bifurcations are discussed by decomposing and analyzing the associated characteristic equation. Then, the study turns to the validation of theoretical results through numerical simulations and various interesting neural activities are observed, such as nontrivial equilibria, different patterns of oscillations, multistability coexistence, multiple switches between the quiescent and different periodic states, and transitions between the coexisting equilibria and the coexistence of equilibria and periodic oscillations. It is shown that time delays play important roles in the system performance and can be used to control neural activities.
Quasi-Periodic Orbits in the Five-Dimensional Nondissipative Lorenz Model: The Role of the Extended Nonlinear Feedback Loop
Authors: Faghih-Naini Sara , Shen Bo-Wen
Published: June 2018

A recent study suggested that the nonlinear feedback loop (NFL) of the three-dimensional nondissipative Lorenz model (3D-NLM) serves as a nonlinear restoring force by producing nonlinear oscillatory solutions as well as linear periodic solutions near a nontrivial critical point. This study discusses the role of the extension of the NFL in producing quasi-periodic trajectories using a five-dimensional nondissipative Lorenz model (5D-NLM). An analytical solution to the locally linear 5D-NLM is first obtained to illustrate the association of the extended NFL and two incommensurate frequencies whose ratio is irrational, yielding a quasi-periodic solution. The quasi-periodic solution trajectory moves endlessly on a torus but never intersects itself.

While the NFL of the 3D-NLM consists of a pair of downscaling and upscaling processes, the extended NFL within the 5D-NLM additionally introduces two new pairs of downscaling and upscaling processes that are enabled by two high wavenumber modes. One pair of downscaling and upscaling processes provides a two-way interaction between the original (primary) Fourier modes of the 3D-NLM and the newly-added (secondary) Fourier modes of the 5D-NLM. The other pair of downscaling and upscaling processes involves interactions amongst the secondary modes. By comparing the numerical simulations using one- and two-way interactions, we illustrate that the two-way interaction is crucial for producing the quasi-periodic solution. A follow-up study using a 7D nondissipative LM shows that a further extension of NFL, which may appear throughout the spatial mode-mode interactions rooted in the nonlinear temperature advection, is capable of producing one more incommensurate frequency.
An Improvement on the Number of Limit Cycles Bifurcating from a Nondegenerate Center of Homogeneous Polynomial Systems
Authors: Yu Pei , Han Maoan , Li Jibin
Published: June 2018

In the two articles in Appl. Math. Comput., J. Giné [2012a, 2012b] studied the number of small limit cycles bifurcating from the origin of the system: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are homogeneous polynomials of degree [Formula: see text]. It is shown that the maximal number of the small limit cycles, denoted by [Formula: see text], satisfies [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]; and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. It seems that the correct answer for their case [Formula: see text] should be [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we apply Hopf bifurcation theory and normal form computation, and perturb the isolated, nondegenerate center (the origin) to prove that [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]; and [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], which improve Giné’s results with one more limit cycle for each case.
Superhydrophobic Ag–Cu Composite Metal Film as Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate
Authors: Wang Jianchao , Luo Hongsheng , Song Xuliang , Zu Xihong , Zhang Jie , Gu Yuxin , Yi Guobin
Published: June 2018

In this paper, a superhydrophobic Ag–Cu composite metal film was fabricated as surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate. Ag–Cu composite metal film was prepared from galvanic displacement on commercial copper foil. The prepared silver films were modified by PFDT to create a stable superhydrophobic SERS platform. Superhydrophobic substrates were characterized by a variety of characterization methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis, XPS and Raman spectra. The superhydrophobic substrate could enrich probing molecules with the volatilization of solvent. Mathematical model was presented and applied to investigate concentration factor of hydrophobic substrate. The measurements were in good agreement with the calculation results. The superhydrophobic Ag–Cu composite metal film can reduce the detection limits and provide a new way to prepare efficient SERS substrates for ultra-low concentration detection.
Motion Control of Bionic Robots via Biomimetic Learning
Authors: Li Chenzui , Cao Jiawei , Ouyang Wenjuan , Ren Qinyuan
Published: June 2018

Locomotion of animals is highly coordinating, efficient and full of maneuverability. Such outstanding and unique characteristics are acquired through millions of years of evolution. It is highly desirable to enhance robots with such characteristics, which is one of the ultimate objectives of biomimetic research. To achieve this goal, in this paper, a biomimetic learning approach for locomotion generation of bionic robots is proposed. The main feature of the learning approach is adopting multiple general internal models (GIMs) to learn and regenerate coordinated animal behaviors. This work discusses the basic mechanism of the proposed GIM-based learning approach. Moreover, two cases with different bionic robots are studied to explore the effectiveness and the generality of the proposed approach. This paper summarizes the recent development of biomimetic learning. It is noted that this work is devoted to the contribution of Late Professor Jian-xin Xu in this area.
High-Precision Tracking of Piezoelectric Actuator Using Iterative Learning Control
Authors: Huang Deqing , Jian Yupei
Published: June 2018

Piezoelectric actuators (PEAs) have been widely used in industrial applications. In this paper, by assuming that the dynamic model of PEA takes a linear or Hammerstein structure, three iterative learning control (ILC) schemes are exploited to perform high-performance tracking control for PEA, including a sampled-data feed-forward ILC, a sampled-data feedback-based ILC and a sampled-data feed-forward ILC in combination with some hysteresis compensation techniques. The convergence conditions for each ILC algorithm have been developed. By selecting appropriate R-filter and learning filters, these three ILC algorithms have been implemented. The experimental results show the effectiveness of these three algorithms.
Development of clinical risk models for diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in a Chinese population using logistic regression analysis
Authors: Jiang Lin , Wu Genlong , Fang Ping , Xu Zhensheng , Tang Zihui
Published: June 2018

Background: We developed clinical risk models for predicting diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (DCAN) in Chinese diabetic patients.

Methods: A Chinese cohort of 455 diabetic participants underwent a short heart rate variability (HRV) test which was recruited between 2011 and 2013. Clinical risk models were developed that included independent and significant risk factors by using multiple variable stepwise regressions. These clinical risk models were tested in another independent cohort of Chinese individuals.

Results: The clinical risk models included age, fasting plasma glucose, 2-h plasma blood glucose, triglycerides, resting HRs, and duration of diabetes mellitus. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the study group was 0.794. In the model with the continuous variables, the area under the ROC curve was 0.810. A cutoff score of 12.54 which produced the optimal sensitivity (68.20%) and specificity (76.80%) and identified the percentage (35.77%) of the population that required subsequent testing.

Conclusions: The clinical risk models showed high sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of DCAN in Chinese diabetic patients.
Parallel Ellipsoidal Perfectly Matched Layers for Acoustic Helmholtz Problems on Exterior Domains
Authors: Bunting Gregory , Prakash Arun , Walsh Timothy , Dohrmann Clark
Published: June 2018

Exterior acoustic problems occur in a wide range of applications, making the finite element analysis of such problems a common practice in the engineering community. Various methods for truncating infinite exterior domains have been developed, including absorbing boundary conditions, infinite elements, and more recently, perfectly matched layers (PML). PML are gaining popularity due to their generality, ease of implementation, and effectiveness as an absorbing boundary condition. PML formulations have been developed in Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical geometries, but not ellipsoidal. In addition, the parallel solution of PML formulations with iterative solvers for the solution of the Helmholtz equation, and how this compares with more traditional strategies such as infinite elements, has not been adequately investigated.

In this paper, we present a parallel, ellipsoidal PML formulation for acoustic Helmholtz problems. To faciliate the meshing process, the ellipsoidal PML layer is generated with an on-the-fly mesh extrusion. Though the complex stretching is defined along ellipsoidal contours, we modify the Jacobian to include an additional mapping back to Cartesian coordinates in the weak formulation of the finite element equations. This allows the equations to be solved in Cartesian coordinates, which is more compatible with existing finite element software, but without the necessity of dealing with corners in the PML formulation. Herein we also compare the conditioning and performance of the PML Helmholtz problem with infinite element approach that is based on high order basis functions. On a set of representative exterior acoustic examples, we show that high order infinite element basis functions lead to an increasing number of Helmholtz solver iterations, whereas for PML the number of iterations remains constant for the same level of accuracy. This provides an additional advantage of PML over the infinite element approach.
The Contemporary American Jury
Authors: Diamond Shari Seidman , Rose Mary R.
Published: June 2018

The contemporary American jury is more inclusive than ever before, although multiple obstacles continue to make racial and ethnic representation a work in progress. Drastic contraction has also occurred: The rate of jury trials is at an all-time low, dampening the signal that jury verdicts provide to the justice system, reducing the opportunity for jury service, and potentially threatening the legitimacy of judgments. At the same time, new areas of jury research have been producing important explanations for how the jury goes about reaching its verdict in response to challenging questions, like how to assess damages. Yet the persistent focus on individual juror judgments as opposed to decision making by the jury as a group leaves unanswered important questions about how jury performance is influenced by a primary distinctive feature of the jury: the deliberation process.
Liver HFE protein content is posttranscriptionally decreased in iron-deficient mice and rats
Authors: Frýdlová Jana , Rogalsky Daniel W. , Truksa Jaroslav , Traeger Lisa , Steinbicker Andrea U. , Vokurka Martin , Krijt Jan
Published: June 2018

Although the relationship between hereditary hemochromatosis and mutations in the HFE gene was discovered more than 20 years ago, information on the in vivo regulation of HFE protein expression is still limited. The purpose of the study was to determine the response of liver HFE protein content to iron deficiency in mice and rats by immunoblotting. Attempts to visualize the HFE protein in whole liver homogenates were unsuccessful; however, HFE could be detected in liver microsomes or in plasma membrane-enriched fractions. Five-week-old male C57BL/6 mice fed an iron-deficient diet for 4 wk presented with a significant decrease in liver iron content and liver Hamp expression, as well as with a significant decrease in liver HFE protein content. Rats fed an iron-deficient diet for 4 wk also displayed significant decrease in liver Hamp expression and liver HFE protein content. These results suggest that the downregulation of HFE-dependent signaling may contribute to decreased Hamp gene expression in states of prolonged iron deficiency. It has recently been proposed that HFE protein could be a potential target of matriptase-2, a hepatocyte protease mutated in iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia. However, immunoblot analysis of HFE protein in the livers from Tmprss6-mutated mask mice did not show evidence of matriptase-2-dependent HFE protein cleavage. In addition, no indication of HFE protein cleavage was seen in iron-deficient rats, whereas the full-length matriptase-2 protein content in the same animals was significantly increased. These results suggest that HFE is probably not a major physiological target of matriptase-2.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Feeding of iron-deficient diet for 4 wk decreased liver HFE protein content in both mice and rats, suggesting that decreased HFE-dependent signaling may contribute to hepcidin downregulation in iron deficiency. There was no difference in HFE protein band appearance between matriptase-2-mutated mask mice and wild-type mice, indicating that HFE is probably not a major physiological substrate of matriptase-2-mediated protease activity in vivo.
Hepatic ZIP8 deficiency is associated with disrupted selenium homeostasis, liver pathology, and tumor formation
Authors: Liu Liu , Geng Xiangrong , Cai Yihong , Copple Bryan , Yoshinaga Masafumi , Shen Jian , Nebert Daniel W. , Wang Hua , Liu Zijuan
Published: June 2018

Zrt/Irt-like protein 8 (ZIP8) (encoded by Slc39a8) is a multifunctional membrane transporter that influxes essential metal cations Zn2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, and nonmetal inorganic selenite (HSeO3−). Physiological roles of ZIP8 in different cell types and tissues remain to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate ZIP8 functions in liver. Two mouse models were used in this study: 1) 13- to 21-mo-old Slc39a8(+/neo) hypomorphs having diminished ZIP8 levels and 2) a liver-specific ZIP8 acute knockdown mouse (Ad-shZip8). Histology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were used to investigate ZIP8-deficiency effects on hepatic injury, inflammatory changes, and oxidative stress. Selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were quantified in tissues by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrophotometry. We found that ZIP8 is required to maintain normal liver function; moderate or acute decreases in ZIP8 activity resulted in hepatic pathology. Spontaneous liver neoplastic nodules appeared in ~50% of Slc39a8(+/neo) between 13 and 21 mo of age, exhibiting features of inflammation, fibrosis, and liver injury. In Ad-shZip8 mice, significant hepatomegaly was observed; histology showed ZIP8 deficiency was associated with hepatocyte injury, inflammation, and proliferation. Significant decreases in Se, but not Zn, were found in Ad-shZip8 liver. Consistent with this Se deficit, liver expression of selenoproteins glutathione peroxidases 1 and 2 was downregulated, along with decreases in antioxidant superoxide dismutases 1 and 2, consistent with increased oxidative stress. Thus, ZIP8 plays an important role in maintaining normal hepatic function, likely through regulating Se homeostasis and redox balance. Hepatic ZIP8 deficiency is associated with liver pathology, including oxidative stress, inflammation, proliferation, and hepatocellular injury.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Zrt/Irt-like protein 8 (ZIP8) is a multifunctional membrane transporter that facilitates biometal and mineral uptake. The role of ZIP8 in liver physiology has not been previously investigated. Liu et al. discovered unique ZIP8 functions, i.e., regulation of hepatic selenium content and association of ZIP8 deficiency in mouse liver with liver defects.
Rats with higher intrinsic exercise capacities exhibit greater preoptic dopamine levels and greater mechanical and thermoregulatory efficiencies while running
Authors: Rabelo Patrícia C. R. , Cordeiro Letícia M. S. , Aquino Nayara S. S. , Fonseca Bruno B. B. , Coimbra Cândido C. , Wanner Samuel P. , Szawka Raphael E. , Soares Danusa D.
Published: June 2018

The present study investigated whether intrinsic exercise capacity affects the changes in thermoregulation, metabolism and central dopamine (DA) induced by treadmill running. Male Wistar rats were subjected to three incremental exercises and ranked as low-performance (LP), standard-performance (SP), and high-performance (HP) rats. In the first experiment, abdominal (TABD) and tail (TTAIL) temperatures were registered in these rats during submaximal exercise (SE) at 60% of maximal speed. Immediately after SE, rats were decapitated and concentrations of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were determined in the preoptic area (POA). In the second experiment, oxygen consumption was measured and mechanical efficiency (ME) was calculated in these rats during an incremental exercise. HP rats ran for longer periods and were fatigued with higher TABDvalues, with no difference in TTAIL. Nevertheless, thermoregulatory efficiency was higher in HP rats, compared with other groups. DA and DOPAC concentrations in the POA were increased by SE, with higher levels in HP compared with LP and SP rats. V̇o2also differed between groups, with HP rats displaying a lower consumption throughout the incremental exercise but a higher V̇o2at fatigue. ME, in turn, was consistently higher in HP than in LP and SP rats. Thus, our results show that HP rats have greater TABDvalues at fatigue, which seem to be related to a higher dopaminergic activity in the POA. Moreover, HP rats exhibited a greater thermoregulatory efficiency during exercise, which can be attributed to a lower V̇o2, but not to changes in tail heat loss mechanisms.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our findings reveal that rats with higher intrinsic exercise capacities have greater thermoregulatory efficiencies and increased dopaminergic activity in the preoptic area, a key brain area in thermoregulatory control, while exercising. Moreover, higher intrinsic exercise capacities are associated with decreased oxygen consumption for a given exercise intensity, which indicates greater mechanical efficiencies. Collectively, these findings help to advance our knowledge of why some rats of a given strain can exercise for longer periods than others.