bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Roasting on Fatty Acids, Tocopherols, Phytosterols, and Phenolic Compounds Present inPlukenetia huayllabambanaSeed
Authors: Chirinos Rosana , Zorrilla Daniela , Aguilar-Galvez Ana , Pedreschi Romina , Campos David
Published: April 2016

The effect of roasting ofPlukenetia huayllabambanaseeds on the fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds was evaluated. Additionally, the oxidative stability of the seed during roasting was evaluated through free fatty acids, peroxide, andp-anisidine values in the seed oil. Roasting conditions corresponded to 100, 120, 140, and 160°C for 10, 20, and 30 min, respectively. Results indicate that roasting temperatures higher than 120°C significantly affect the content of the studied components. The values of acidity, peroxide, andp-anisidine in the sacha inchi oil from roasted seeds increased during roasting. The treatment of 100°C for 10 min successfully maintained the evaluated bioactive compounds in the seed and quality of the oil, while guaranteeing a higher extraction yield. Our results indicate thatP. huayllabambanaseed should be roasted at temperatures not higher than 100°C for 10 min to obtain snacks with high levels of bioactive compounds and with high oxidative stability.
Multistage Warning Indicators of Concrete Dam under Influences of Random Factors
Authors: Yang Guang , Yang Meng
Published: April 2016

Warning indicators are required for the real-time monitoring of the service conditions of dams to ensure safe and normal operations. Warnings are traditionally targeted at some “single point deformation” by deformation measuring points of concrete dam, and scientific warning theory on “overall deformation” measured is nonexistent. Furthermore, the influences of random factors are not considered. In this paper, the overall deformation of the dam was seen as a deformation system of single interactional observation points with different contribution degrees. The spatial deformation entropy, which describes the overall deformation, was established and the fuzziness indicator that measures the influence of complex random factors on monitoring values according to cloud theory was constructed. On this basis, multistage warning indicators of “spatial deformation” that consider fuzziness and randomness were determined. Analysis showed that the change law of information entropy of the dam’ overall deformation is identical to the real change law of the dam; thus, it reflects the real deformation state of the dam. Moreover, the identified warning indicators improved the warning ability of concrete dams.
Impact of Block Length and Temperature over Self-Assembling Behavior of Block Copolymers
Authors: Kosa Samia A. , Al-Harbi Laila M. , Baloch Musa Kaleem , Ullah Irfan , El-Mossalamy Elsayed H.
Published: April 2016

Self-assembling behavior of block copolymers having water-soluble portion as one of the blocks plays key role in the properties and applications of the copolymers. Therefore, we have synthesized block copolymers of different block length and investigated their self-assembling behavior with reference to concentration and temperature using surface tension and conductance measurement techniques. The results obtained through both techniques concluded that critical micelles concentration (CMC) was decreased from 0.100 to 0.078 g/dL with the increase in length of water insoluble block and 0.100 to 0.068 g/dL for the increased temperature.ΔGmicwas also decreased with the increase in temperature of the system, concluding that the micellization process was encouraged with the increase in temperature and block length. However,ΔHmicvalues were highest for short block length copolymer. The surface excess concentration obtained from surface tension data concluded that it was highest for short block length and vice versa and was increased with the increase in temperature of the system. However, the minimum area per molecule was largest for highest molecular weight copolymers or having longest water insoluble block and decreases with the increase in temperature.
Recurrence and Treatment after Renal Transplantation in Children with FSGS
Authors: Kang Hee Gyung , Ha Il-Soo , Cheong Hae Il
Published: April 2016

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of end-stage renal disease and a common pathologic diagnosis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS), especially in steroid-resistant cases. FSGS is known to recur after kidney transplantation, frequently followed by graft loss. However, not all patients with FSGS suffer from recurrence after kidney transplantation, and genetic and secondary FSGS have a negligible risk of recurrence. Furthermore, many cases of recurrence achieve remission with the current management of recurrence (intensive plasmapheresis/immunosuppression, including rituximab), and other promising agents are being evaluated. Therefore, a pathologic diagnosis of FSGS itself should not cause postponement of allograft kidney transplantation. For patients with a high risk of recurrence who presented with classical symptoms of NS, that is, severe edema, proteinuria, and hypoalbuminemia, close monitoring of proteinuria is necessary, followed by immediate, intensive treatment for recurrence.
Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome following Head Injury in a Child Managed Successfully with Fludrocortisone
Authors: Chaudhary Nagendra , Pathak Santosh , Gupta Murli Manohar , Agrawal Nikhil
Published: April 2016

Cerebral salt wasting (CSW) syndrome is an important cause of hyponatremia in head injuries apart from syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Proper diagnosis and differentiation between these two entities are necessary for management as the treatment is quite opposite in both conditions. Fludrocortisone can help in managing CSW where alone saline infusion does not work. We report a 17-month-old female child with head injury managed successfully with saline infusion and fludrocortisone.
Prevalence of Coccidiosis in Free-Range Chicken in Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
Authors: Kaboudi Khaled , Umar Sajid , Munir Muhammad Tanveer
Published: April 2016

Background. Enteric diseases are an important concern to the poultry industry and coccidiosis is imposing a significant economic burden worldwide.Objectives. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of coccidiosis in free-range chicken in Sidi Thabet, northeast Tunisia.Methods. Six hundred and thirty free-range chickens along with fecal samples were collected from 15 flocks in this region and two hundred chickens were found positive for oocysts ofEimeriaspp. Intestines were dissected and examined for macroscopic lesions. The mucosa of small intestine and the caeca were examined for the presence and identification of parasitic forms using parasitology methods. The mean lesion scores were usually low (<2+) in different intestinal portions of different types of chicken and high scores (>2+) were attributed mainly to the caeca.Results. The overall rate of coccidiosis was 31.8%:E.tenella(61.5%),E.maxima(12%), andE.acervulina(1.5%). MixedEimeriaspecies infection was observed with overall prevalence 26.5%. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) among infection rates, age groups, season, diarrhea, and type of chicken.Conclusion. This is the first report of coccidiosis rate in free-range chicken in this region. Further additional studies are needed to develop better preventive measures against coccidiosis in the country.
Availability of Medical and Recreational Marijuana Stores and Neighborhood Characteristics in Colorado
Authors: Shi Yuyan , Meseck Kristin , Jankowska Marta M.
Published: April 2016

Objective. To examine the availability of marijuana stores in Colorado and associations with neighborhood characteristics.Methods. The addresses for 650 medical and recreational marijuana stores were geocoded and linked to the characteristics of 1249 census tracts in Colorado. Accounting for spatial autocorrelations, autologistic regressions were used to quantify the associations of census tract socioeconomic characteristics with the availability of marijuana stores.Results. Regardless of store types, marijuana stores were more likely to locate in neighborhoods that had a lower proportion of young people, had a higher proportion of racial and ethnic minority population, had a lower household income, had a higher crime rate, or had a greater density of on-premise alcohol outlets. The availability of medical and recreational marijuana stores was differentially correlated with household income and racial and ethnic composition.Conclusions. Neighborhood disparities existed in the availability of marijuana stores, and associations between availability of stores and neighborhood characteristics varied by store types. This study highlighted the need for regulatory measures to prevent marijuana related outcomes in high risk neighborhoods.
Correlation between Focal Nodular Low Signal Changes in Hoffa’s Fat Pad Adjacent to Anterior Femoral Cartilage and Focal Cartilage Defect Underlying This Region and Its Possible Implication
Authors: Antony Chermaine Deepa , George John , Ng Wuey Min , Subramaniam Manimalar Selvi Naicker
Published: April 2016

Purpose. This study investigates the association between focal nodular mass with low signal in Hoffa’s fat pad adjacent to anterior femoral cartilage of the knee (FNMHF) and focal cartilage abnormality in this region.Method. The magnetic resonance fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition sequence (MR FIESTA) sagittal and axial images of the B1 and C1 region (described later) of 148 patients were independently evaluated by two reviewers and categorized into four categories: normal, FNMHF with underlying focal cartilage abnormality, FNMHF with normal cartilage, and cartilage abnormality with no FNMHF.Results. There was a significant association (p=0.00) between FNMHF and immediate adjacent focal cartilage abnormality with high interobserver agreement. The absence of focal nodular lesions next to the anterior femoral cartilage has a very high negative predictive value for chondral injury (97.8%). Synovial biopsy of focal nodular lesion done during arthroscopy revealed some fibrocollagenous tissue and no inflammatory cells.Conclusion. We postulate that the FNMHF adjacent to the cartilage defects is a form of normal healing response to the cartilage damage. One patient with FHMHF and underlying cartilage abnormality was rescanned six months later. In this patient, the FNMHF disappeared and normal cartilage was observed in the adjacent region which may support this theory.
Effect of High, Medium, and Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronan on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in anIn VitroModel of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Albano Giusy Daniela , Bonanno Anna , Cavalieri Luca , Ingrassia Eleonora , Di Sano Caterina , Siena Liboria , Riccobono Loredana , Gagliardo Rosalia , Profita Mirella
Published: April 2016

IL-17A is involved in the activation of oxidative stress and inflammation in nasal epithelial cells. Hyaluronan (HA) in its high molecular weight form (HMW-HA) shows anti-inflammatory responses in contrast to low and medium molecular weight HA (LMW-HA and MMW-HA). The aim of this study was to investigate the pro- or anti-inflammatory biologic function of HA at different molecular weight in anin vitromodel of nasal inflammation IL-17A mediated. We evaluated the ERK1/2 and IκBαphosphorylation, NF-κB signal pathway activation, ROS production, IL-8 and NOX-4 protein, and mRNA levels, in nasal epithelial cells RPMI 2650 stimulated with recombinant human (rh) IL-17A. Furthermore, the cells were treated with HMW-HA, MMW-HA, LMW-HA, and U0126. Our results showed that rhIL-17A increased the ERK1/2, IκBαphosphorylation and NF-κB signal pathway activation, ROS production, IL-8 and NOX-4 proteins, and mRNA levels. The addiction of HMW-HA or U0126 showed a significant downregulatory effect on inflammation due to the rhIL-17A stimulation in nasal epithelial cells. IL-17A is able to generate oxidative stress and inflammation via the activation of ERK1/2/NF-κB pathway in nasal epithelial cells. The HMW-HA might represent a coadjuvant of the classic anti-inflammatory/antioxidative treatment of nasal epithelial cells during IL-17A nasal inflammation.
A Study of Rockburst Hazard Evaluation Method in Coal Mine
Authors: Wen Zhijie , Wang Xiao , Tan Yunliang , Zhang Hualei , Huang Wanpeng , Li Qinghai
Published: April 2016

With the increasing of coal mining depth, the mining conditions are deteriorating, and dynamic hazard is becoming more likely to happen. This paper analyzes the relations and differences between rockburst in the coal mine and rockburst in the metal mine. It divides coal mine rockburst into two types including static loading type during roadway excavation process and dynamic loading type during mining face advancing. It proposes the correlation between the formation process of rockburst and the evolution of overlying strata spatial structure of the stope, criterion of rockburst occurrence, new classification, and predictive evaluation method for rockburst hazard that rockburst damage evaluation (RDE) = released energy capacity (REC)/absorbed energy capacity (AEC). Based on the relationship between RDE value and its corresponding level of rockburst hazard, the rockburst hazard can be divided into five types and evaluation index of each type can be achieved. Then the ongoing rockburst damage level can be classified in one of the five types, and the relative parameters, such as hazard extent, controlling measures also can be achieved. This new quantitative method could not only assess the impacting direction of rockburst occurrence, but also verify the effect of preventive measures for rockburst.
Evaluation of a Home Biomonitoring Autonomous Mobile Robot
Authors: Dorronzoro Zubiete Enrique , Nakahata Keigo , Imamoglu Nevrez , Sekine Masashi , Sun Guanghao , Gomez Isabel , Yu Wenwei
Published: April 2016

Increasing population age demands more services in healthcare domain. It has been shown that mobile robots could be a potential solution to home biomonitoring for the elderly. Through our previous studies, a mobile robot system that is able to track a subject and identify his daily living activities has been developed. However, the system has not been tested in any home living scenarios. In this study we did a series of experiments to investigate the accuracy of activity recognition of the mobile robot in a home living scenario. The daily activities tested in the evaluation experiment include watching TV and sleeping. A dataset recorded by a distributed distance-measuring sensor network was used as a reference to the activity recognition results. It was shown that the accuracy is not consistent for all the activities; that is, mobile robot could achieve a high success rate in some activities but a poor success rate in others. It was found that the observation position of the mobile robot and subject surroundings have high impact on the accuracy of the activity recognition, due to the variability of the home living daily activities and their transitional process. The possibility of improvement of recognition accuracy has been shown too.
Word Sense Clustering and Clusterability
Authors: McCarthy Diana , Apidianaki Marianna , Erk Katrin
Published: April 2016

Word sense disambiguation and the related field of automated word sense induction traditionally assume that the occurrences of a lemma can be partitioned into senses. But this seems to be a much easier task for some lemmas than others. Our work builds on recent work that proposes describing word meaning in a graded fashion rather than through a strict partition into senses; in this article we argue that not all lemmas may need the more complex graded analysis, depending on their partitionability. Although there is plenty of evidence from previous studies and from the linguistics literature that there is a spectrum of partitionability of word meanings, this is the first attempt to measure the phenomenon and to couple the machine learning literature on clusterability with word usage data used in computational linguistics.

We propose to operationalize partitionability as clusterability, a measure of how easy the occurrences of a lemma are to cluster. We test two ways of measuring clusterability: (1) existing measures from the machine learning literature that aim to measure the goodness of optimal k-means clusterings, and (2) the idea that if a lemma is more clusterable, two clusterings based on two different “views” of the same data points will be more congruent. The two views that we use are two different sets of manually constructed lexical substitutes for the target lemma, on the one hand monolingual paraphrases, and on the other hand translations. We apply automatic clustering to the manual annotations. We use manual annotations because we want the representations of the instances that we cluster to be as informative and “clean” as possible. We show that when we control for polysemy, our measures of clusterability tend to correlate with partitionability, in particular some of the type-(1) clusterability measures, and that these measures outperform a baseline that relies on the amount of overlap in a soft clustering.
Changes in the Euphrates River: Ecology and Politics in a Rural Ottoman Periphery, 1687–1702
Authors: Husain Faisal H.
Published: April 2016

Between 1687 and 1702, the Euphrates River changed course and jeopardized the stability of the eastern Ottoman Empire when a large segment of it changed course. The abrupt channel shift became entangled in a complex web of troubles (climatic, epidemiological, political, and financial) that reinforced each other and left behind a profoundly altered ecological and political landscape in a rural region southwest of Baghdad. It facilitated the fall of a traditional center of power in the region and accelerated the rise of the Khaza’il tribe.
Alpinia austrosinense (Zingiberaceae), a new combination from China and its relationship with A. pumila
Authors: P. ZOU , Y.-S. YE , J.-P. LIAO
Published: April 2016

Erratum
Molecular genetic evidence for allotetraploid hybrid speciation in the genus Crocus L. (Iridaceae)
Authors: MOSOLYGÓ-L ÁGNES , SRAMKÓ GÁBOR , BARABÁS SÁNDOR , CZEGLÉDI LEVENTE , JÁVOR ANDRÁS , MOLNÁR V. ATTILA , SURÁNYI GYULA
Published: April 2016

Although dysploidy and polyploidisation events are known to be important drivers in the evolutionary history of the genus Crocus, only a few examples of natural hybrid origins have so far been documented. Here, we describe the phylogenetic affinities of five taxa in the Crocus vernus species complex from the Carpathian Basin in Central Europe. Genetic variability was evaluated using chloroplast DNA sequences of the accD-psaI intergenic spacer and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) in combination with karyological observations. Genetic diversity and differentiation of the seven investigated Crocus species were also evaluated using AFLP data. We created a phylogenetic hypothesis using both sequences and AFLP fingerprinting data under maximum parsimony (MP). AFLPs were also analysed by means of multivariate statistics using principal coordinate (PCoA) analysis and Bayesian clustering (BC) to test for hybridity. Both the AFLP and plastid phylogenetic trees separated the taxa into two groups: (1) a ‘Balkan’ clade, and; (2) an ‘Adriatic’ clade. The Balkan clade contained Crocus heuffelianus samples and one Crocus vittatus from Croatia as well as Crocus tommasinianus samples from Hungary; the Adriatic clade included Crocus vittatus and Crocus vernus samples from Hungary and Croatia as well as Crocus neapolitanus from Italy. A hard incongruence was found in the placement of the Slovakian Crocus scepusiensis which clustered inside the Balkan clade on our plastid tree, while it fell in the Adriatic clade on the AFLP tree. The same populations occupied intermediate position on the PCoA plot. The BC analysis assigned all Crocus scepusiensis specimens as F1 hybrids, while Crocus vernus and Crocus heuffelianus were assigned as parental species. Together with our cytological investigation that determined a 2n=18 chromosome number of Crocus scepusiensis, we conclude an allopolyploid hybrid origin for this Northern Carpathian taxon as the result of a cross between members of the 2n=10 Balkan clade (e.g., Crocus heuffelianus from Transylvania) and the 2n=8 Adriatic clade (Crocus vernus). A similar origin is postulated for the North Balkan Crocus vittatus (2n=18), which was clustered as an F1 hybrid in the BC analysis; thus, parallel evolution may have taken place in the northern and southern part of the Carpathian Basin beginning from the same parental species but leading to different allopolyploid derivatives.
Sorbus prunifolia (Rosaceae), a new species from Yunnan Province, China
Authors: JING HUIJUAN , FAN QIANG , GUO WEI , LIAO WENBO
Published: April 2016

Sorbus prunifolia W. B. Liao & H. J. Jing (Rosaceae), a new species of Sorbus sect. Micromeles from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. The new species is closely related to S. aronioides Rehder but can be distinguished by the epiphytic habit; smaller leaves (2.5(3)–5 × 1–2 vs. 6–8 × 2.5–5 cm) that are ovate-lanceolate, oblong-elliptic, or elliptic-lanceolate with distinctly rusty-brownish tomentose along veins when young; gradually glabrescent, densely brownish hairy rachis and pedicels when young; sparsely brownish hairy hypanthium and sepals; smaller inflorescence (2–3.5 vs. 3.5–5 cm in diam.); fewer lateral veins (6–8 vs. 7–10 pairs); shorter petioles (3–6 vs. 5–10 mm) and styles (2 vs. 2 or 3, rarely 4); and subglobose pomes with small lenticels (vs. ovoid, usually without lenticels).
A new species of Tamenes Gounelle, 1912 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: BEZARK LARRY G. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO , GALILEO MARIA HELENA M.
Published: April 2016

After the original description of Tamenes sarda Gounelle, 1912, based on a single male from Panama, the species was rarely mentioned in the literature except in catalogues and checklists. An exception appeared in Monné & Martins (1973) who speculated that Palaeotrachyderes Tippmann, 1960 may be equal to Tamenes (translated): “In 1960 Tippmann described Palaeotrachyderes, relating it with Lissonotini. The type species, P. laticornis, is also from Chiriqui [the type locality of T. sarda]. Those facts lead us to assume that the genera may be very close or even synonyms, which must be proven upon examination of material of that area.” However, the scutellum of P. laticornis is notably small, while in T. sarda it is distinctly large. This feature makes it unlikely that those genera are synonymous.
Turning Ocean Mixing Upside Down
Authors: Ferrari Raffaele , Mashayek Ali , McDougall Trevor J. , Nikurashin Maxim , Campin Jean-Michael
Published: April 2016

It is generally understood that small-scale mixing, such as is caused by breaking internal waves, drives upwelling of the densest ocean waters that sink to the ocean bottom at high latitudes. However, the observational evidence that the strong turbulent fluxes generated by small-scale mixing in the stratified ocean interior are more vigorous close to the ocean bottom boundary than above implies that small-scale mixing converts light waters into denser ones, thus driving a net sinking of abyssal waters. Using a combination of theoretical ideas and numerical models, it is argued that abyssal waters upwell along weakly stratified boundary layers, where small-scale mixing of density decreases to zero to satisfy the no density flux condition at the ocean bottom. The abyssal ocean meridional overturning circulation is the small residual of a large net sinking of waters, driven by small-scale mixing in the stratified interior above the bottom boundary layers, and a slightly larger net upwelling, driven by the decay of small-scale mixing in the boundary layers. The crucial importance of upwelling along boundary layers in closing the abyssal overturning circulation is the main finding of this work.
Holding African states to task on gender and violence: Domesticating UNSCR 1325 in the Sierra Leone National Action Plan
Authors: Beoku-Betts Josephine
Published: April 2016

This article assesses efforts to combat sexual violence in Sierra Leone through its National Action Plan (SILNAP) passed in 2010 to implement UN Resolution 1325. The article examines specifically pillars two and three, which address protection of women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence and prevention of violence against women through strengthening women’s legal rights and supporting women’s local peace initiatives. In spite of legislative measures and sustained activism by women’s NGOs, efforts to promote gender equality and reduce institutionalized violence affecting women’s daily lives are limited. Failure to account for structural inequalities such as poverty, illiteracy, income disparities, violence against women in private and public spheres, and limited budget allocation to implement the plan are contributing factors. The article is informed by feminist scholarship on sexual violence and implementation of UNSCR 1325 in national action plans. Implementation mechanisms, monitoring, evaluation, and enforcement measures, and accomplishments and shortfalls are discussed.
Recasting the Vision for Achieving Equity
Authors: Walker T. Anthony
Published: April 2016

This article explores past and current education testing frameworks as a pretext for constructing a policy platform with the efficacy to transform systems and structures that hinder opportunities and resist equitable practices. The rise of accountability in education public policy has brought about intended and unintended outcomes. As prescribed, it has facilitated a significant measure of uniform clarity regarding standards of learning and mechanisms for measuring teacher and leadership impacts on student outcomes. However, perverse incentives, such as persistent or widening group outcome achievement disparities, demonstrate the need for policy work that extends beyond the identification of expected performance to address the execution of deliverables. More recently, scholars have suggested the need to move from a standards-based reform agenda to a supports-based reform agenda. The policy exploration in this study articulates the presence of an expectation gap—a disconnection between accountability expectations and support availability, identifying and analyzing the components necessary to transform a system of public education, which prioritizes accountability for results to one that also emphasizes the implementation of sound processes, which align the support structures and practices necessary to achieve results.
Biomechanics of Pharyngeal Deglutitive Function following Total Laryngectomy
Authors: Zhang Teng , Szczesniak Michal , Maclean Julia , Bertrand Paul , Wu Peter I. , Omari Taher , Cook Ian J.
Published: April 2016

Objective

Postlaryngectomy, pharyngeal weakness, and pharyngoesophageal junction (PEJ) restriction are the candidate mechanisms of dysphagia. The aims were, in laryngectomees, whether (1) hypopharyngeal propulsion is reduced and/or PEJ resistance is increased, (2) dilatation improves dysphagia, and (3) whether symptomatic improvement correlates with reduced PEJ resistance.

Design

Multidisciplinary cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Tertiary academic hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Swallow biomechanics were assessed in 30 laryngectomees. Patients were stratified into severe dysphagia (Sydney Swallow Questionnaire >500) and mild/nil dysphagia (Sydney Swallow Questionnaire ≤500). Average hypopharyngeal peak (contractile) pressure (hPP) and hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressure (hIBP) were measured from high‐resolution manometry with concurrent videofluoroscopy based on barium swallows (2.5 and 10 mL). In consecutive 5 patients, measurements were repeated after dilatation.

Results

Dysphagia was reported by 87%, and 57% had severe and 43% had mild/nil dysphagia. hIBP increased with larger bolus volumes (P <. 0001), while hPP stayed stable and PEJ diameter plateaued at 9 mm. Laryngectomees had lower hPP (110 ± 14 vs 170 ± 15 mm Hg; P =. 0162) and higher hIBP (29 ± 5 vs 6 ± 5 mm Hg; P =. 156) than controls. There were no differences in hPP between patient groups. However, hIBP was higher in severe than in mild/nil dysphagia (41 ± 10 vs 13 ± 3 mm Hg; P =. 02). Predilation hIBP (R2 = 0.97) and its decrement postdilatation (R2 = 0.98) well predicted symptomatic improvement.

Conclusions

PEJ resistance correlates better with dysphagia severity than peak pharyngeal pressure and is more sensitive to bolus sizes than PEJ diameter. Both baseline PEJ resistance and its decrement following dilatation are strong predictors of treatment outcome. PEJ resistance is vital to detect, as it is reversible and can predict the response to dilatation regimens.
Instrumental teachers’ instructional strategies for facilitating children’s learning of expressive music performance: An exploratory study
Authors: Meissner Henrique
Published: April 2016

This article presents findings from an action research project that investigated instrumental teachers’ strategies for facilitating children’s learning of expressive music performance. Nine teachers and 14 pupils (aged 9–15) participated in this project, which consisted of 10 weeks of teaching. At the beginning and end of this period pupils’ concerts were held and performances were audio-recorded. Participating teachers used various strategies for improving students’ expressive performance: teacher’s enquiry, discussion, explanation of expressive devices, gestures and movements, singing, imagery, modelling, “projected performance” and listening to own recordings. According to teachers these strategies had been useful in lessons. However, analysis of assessments of students’ performances did not show a significant improvement. Four out of five pupils who did improve their expressiveness were taught by teachers who used enquiry and discussion of musical character and instruction about modifying expressive devices. This project influenced the practice of participating tutors as they focused more on teaching expressive performance.
Are Pulley Exercises Initiated 6 Weeks After Rotator Cuff Repair a Safe and Effective Rehabilitative Treatment?
Authors: Baumgarten Keith M. , Osborn Roy , Schweinle Will E. , Zens Matthew J. , Helsper Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2016

Background:

There are few level 1 or 2 evidence studies that examine rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair. Pulleys have been used in postoperative shoulder rehabilitation with the intention of improving range of motion and developing strength. There is a concern that the use of pulleys in rehabilitation of rotator cuff repairs may contribute to excessive scapular motion (scapular substitution) and potentially inferior outcomes.

Hypothesis:

Rotator cuff repair patients treated with pulley exercises would have increased scapular substitution and inferior patient-determined outcome scores, range of motion, and strength compared with patients treated with an alternative rehabilitation program without pulleys.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

A total of 27 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair were randomized to a rehabilitation group that used pulleys initiated 6 weeks postoperatively, and 26 patients followed a rehabilitation protocol without pulleys. Inclusion criteria were patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Exclusion criteria were large to massive rotator cuff tears, revision rotator cuff repair, glenohumeral osteoarthritis, adhesive capsulitis, and a symptomatic contralateral shoulder. Outcomes of intervention were patient-determined outcome scores (Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index [WORC], American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] Shoulder Score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation [SANE], Shoulder Activity Level, and Simple Shoulder Test [SST]), range of motion, scapular substitution, and strength. Outcomes were determined at 6, 12, 18, 26, and 52 weeks. A power analysis determined that 22 patients were needed per group to have a power of 0.80, α = 0.05, and effect size of f = 0.5.

Results:

Both groups had statistically significant improvements in WORC, ASES Shoulder Score, SST, and SANE scores over time after rotator cuff repair ( P < .0001). There were no differences between the interventions for WORC ( P = .18), ASES Shoulder Score ( P = .73), SANE ( P = .5), Shoulder Activity Level ( P = .39), or SST ( P = .36). Both interventions demonstrated improvements in shoulder flexion ( P = .002), abduction ( P = .0001), external rotation ( P = .02), strength ( P ≤ .0002), and scapular substitution ( P ≤ .07) over time after rotator cuff repair. However, there was no difference in range of motion ( P ≥ .26), strength ( P ≥ .20), or scapular substitution ( P ≥ .17) between interventions.

Conclusion:

A rotator cuff repair rehabilitation program that uses pulleys does not result in inferior outcomes, as determined by patient-determined outcome scores, measurements of scapular substitution, range of motion, and scaption strength.

Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01819909
Hydrogen-rich gas production via fast pyrolysis of biophysical dried sludge: Effect of particle size and moisture content on product yields and syngas composition
Authors: Han Rong , Liu Jinwen , Zhao Chenxi , Li Yuliang , Chen Aixia
Published: April 2016

After biophysical drying, a novel biophysical dried sludge particle was obtained. This work aims to investigate the function and effects of particle sizes and moisture contents on the fast pyrolysis of biophysical dried sludge particles. The results showed that large particles (>4 mm) favoured the oil generation with a maximum value of 19.0%, and small particles (<0.27 mm) favoured the char yield with a maximum value of 60.6%. Medium particle fractions (between 0.27 mm and 4 mm) benefited syngas production and induced higher H2 and CO emission, owing to the well-developed microstructure, enrichment of cellulose, and enhanced catalytic effects during the charring process. The introduction of proper moisture content (53.9% to 62.6%) to biophysical dried sludge was found to dramatically enhance syngas yield, hydrogen production, and carbon conversion efficiency. H2 molar concentration reached a maximum of 46.02% at a moisture content of 53.9%, which was attributed to the steam reforming and steam gasification accompanying the initial biophysical dried sludge pyrolysis.
Potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of bacteriogenically synthesized gold–silver nanoparticles against pathogenic bacteria and their physiochemical characterizations
Authors: Ramasamy Mohankandhasamy , Lee Jin-Hyung , Lee Jintae
Published: April 2016

The objective of this study was to develop a bimetallic nanoparticle with enhanced antibacterial activity that would improve the therapeutic efficacy against bacterial biofilms. Bimetallic gold–silver nanoparticles were bacteriogenically synthesized using γ-proteobacterium, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. The antibacterial activities of gold–silver nanoparticles were assessed on the planktonic and biofilm phases of individual and mixed multi-cultures of pathogenic Gram negative ( Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram positive bacteria ( Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus), respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of gold–silver nanoparticles was 30–50 µM than that of other nanoparticles (>100 µM) for the tested bacteria. Interestingly, gold–silver nanoparticles were more effective in inhibiting bacterial biofilm formation at 10 µM concentration. Both scanning and transmission electron microscopy results further accounted the impact of gold–silver nanoparticles on biocompatibility and bactericidal effect that the small size and bio-organic materials covering on gold–silver nanoparticles improves the internalization and thus caused bacterial inactivation. Thus, bacteriogenically synthesized gold–silver nanoparticles appear to be a promising nanoantibiotic for overcoming the bacterial resistance in the established bacterial biofilms.
The Perception of History
Authors: Chen Yi-Chia , Scholl Brian J.
Published: April 2016

The perception of shape, it has been argued, also often entails the perception of time. A cookie missing a bite, for example, is seen as a whole cookie that was subsequently bitten. It has never been clear, however, whether such observations truly reflect visual processing. To explore this possibility, we tested whether the perception of history in static shapes could actually induce illusory motion perception. Observers watched a square change to a truncated form, with a “piece” of it missing, and they reported whether this change was sudden or gradual. When the contours of the missing piece suggested a type of historical “intrusion” (as when one pokes a finger into a lump of clay), observers actually saw that intrusion occur: The change appeared to be gradual even when it was actually sudden, in a type of transformational apparent motion. This provides striking phenomenological evidence that vision involves reconstructing causal history from static shapes.
Gender and support for expert advisers and elected officials in the US public sphere
Authors: O’Brien Timothy L.
Published: April 2016

This article uses data from the US General Social Survey to examine the relationship between gender and support for different forms of cultural authority. An analysis of public attitudes about expert advisers and elected officials involved in policy decisions related to science reveals that women assign more influence than men to experts in decisions about global warming and stem cell research but not genetically modified food. In contrast, men assign more influence than women to elected leaders across policy domains. Importantly, gender differences in support for expert advisers and elected leaders are independent of variation in more general attitudes about science and politics. Overall, this article suggests that there are underlying differences in men’s and women’s attitudes about cultural authority and it highlights the importance of gender in understanding the political legitimacy of scientists in the United States.
Exploring how social poetics can be used to understand processes of management learning
Authors: Larsen Mette V , Madsen Charlotte Ø
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this article is to explore what can be learned about management learning when social poetics is used as a perspective to make sense of how seven leaders, during a year-long top leader competence development course, constructed meaning with each other, with consultants and with researchers about what leading in ‘Cullinan ways’ means. The article is based on a relational constructionism perspective, and we bring in two aspects of social poetics – the notion of metaphors and engaging in reflexive critique – to present and discuss how the understanding and use of the concept ‘Cullinany’ continually changed and was reworked based on the conversations the seven leaders had with each other. The purpose of this presentation is to initiate a discussion about how formal management learning programmes can be understood (and possibly also designed) from a perspective in which the ontological and social poetic aspects of language are assigned primacy.
NEDA status in highly active MS can be more easily obtained with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation than other drugs
Authors: Sormani Maria Pia , Muraro Paolo A , Saccardi Riccardo , Mancardi Gianluigi
Published: April 2016

The no evidence of disease activity (NEDA) composite measure has emerged as one attractive new target of therapies in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), consisting of the following features: (1) no relapses, (2) no disability progression, and (3) no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity (new or enlarging T2 lesions or Gd-enhancing lesions). Achievement of NEDA status in patients receiving a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) seems to be an ambitious but ideal goal for therapies in RRMS. Recently, published post hoc analyses of clinical trials reported percentages of RRMS patients maintaining the NEDA status after 2 years of therapy ranging between 13% and 46%. Long-term assessment of NEDA patients in real-life settings showed very low probability to be NEDA in the long run. Against this scenario, immunoablative therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) demonstrated the potential to maintain a much higher proportion of NEDA patients at 2 years (ranging from 78% to 83%) and also at 5 years (ranging from 60% to 68%). This is even more relevant when considering that MS patients who underwent aHSCT are much more active than patients usually enrolled in clinical trials. The emerging evidence of the efficacy of this therapeutic approach in early aggressive and treatment-resistant RRMS calls for the organization of a randomized comparative trial to fully evaluate the risk–benefit profile of aHSCT in patients with highly active MS not responding to DMTs.
Research on drag reduction performance of turbulent boundary layer on bionic jet surface
Authors: Li Fang , Zhao Gang , Liu Weixin
Published: April 2016

Based on the fact that jet formed in outer gill of sharks can reduce the wall friction during the breath process, a bionic jet surface model was established. The numerical simulations were carried out using shear stress transport k−ω model, and the simulation results accorded with that of experiments. First, in the case of fixed flow-velocity ratio, the drag reduction performance would be better with the smaller jet’s angle, and the impact that the angle has on the drag reduction would be greater with the increase in jet hole’s aperture. Second, in the case of fixed jet’s angle, the drag reduction had a nearly linear relationship with flow–velocity ratio. Namely, the drag reduction would be better as the flow–velocity ratio increased, and the larger the jet hole’s aperture, the better the drag reduction. In addition, compared with the case of smoothing surface, the flow structure in turbulent boundary layer was changed by jet, increasing the thickness of viscous bottom layer and decreasing the gradient of normal velocity perpendicular to wall. Finally, the drag reduction mechanism was proposed based on the increased velocity effect of turbulent core, isolation effect of wall and the increased turbulent damping effect.
Underwater explosion approximate method research on ship with polymer coating
Authors: Zhang Zhen-Hua , Chen Yong , Huang Xiu-Chang , Hua Hong-Xing
Published: April 2016

Battle damage survivability is the prime design criterion of naval ships. Composites and hybrid structures such as polymer coating attract much attention to increase the ship survivability. Aiming to develop the parameter optimization design of the coating and to assess the underwater explosion shock environment and the blast-resistant effect of polymer coating efficiently, an approximate numerical method was performed in this preliminary study. An equivalent continuum model based on the homogenization theory was introduced to simulate the dynamic behavior of the coating. The test data of full-scale underwater explosion tests and the numerical simulation results were investigated. The blast-resistant property of the polymer coating was elaborated. The core strength had an important influence on the ship dynamic response: under low-intensity underwater explosion shock load, “soft” core had greater blast-resistant effect than the other ones, while under high-intensity underwater explosion shock load, “ordinary” core and “hard” core had better blast-resistant effect than the “soft” core.
MS-1 magA
Authors: Pereira Sofia M. , Williams Steve R. , Murray Patricia , Taylor Arthur
Published: April 2016

Bacterial genes involved in the biomineralization of magnetic nanoparticles in magnetotactic bacteria have recently been proposed as reporters for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In such systems, the expression of the bacterial genes in mammalian cells purportedly leads to greater concentrations of intracellular iron or the biomineralization of iron oxides, thus leading to an enhancement in relaxation rate that is detectable via MRI. Here, we show that the constitutive expression of the magA gene from Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum is tolerated by human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells but induces a strong toxic effect in murine mesenchymal/stromal cells and kidney-derived stem cells, severely restricting its effective use as a reporter gene for stem cells. Although it has been suggested that magA is involved in iron transport, when expressed in HEK cells, it does not affect the transcription of endogenous genes related to iron homeostasis. Furthermore, the magA-induced enhancement in iron uptake in HEK cells is insignificant, suggesting this gene is a poor reporter even for cell types that can tolerate its expression. We suggest that the use of magA for stem cells should be approached with caution, and its efficacy as a reporter gene requires a careful assessment on a cell-by-cell basis.
Coagulation, Fibrinolysis, and Platelet Activation Following Open Surgical or Percutaneous Angioplasty Revascularization for Symptomatic Lower Limb Chronic Ischemia
Authors: Rayt Harjeet S. , Merker L. , Davies Robert S. M.
Published: April 2016

Introduction:

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is associated with a prothrombotic diathesis that involves a complex balance between the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. Knowledge of this is essential when considering revascularization procedures but is often overlooked. The aim of this review is to summarize the available literature and provide an overview of the effects of lower limb angioplasty and open surgical revascularization on coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet activation.

Methods:

A MEDLINE and EMBASE search was conducted between 1973 and 2014 for articles relating to the effects of revascularization for patients with CLI on the fibrinolytic and coagulation pathways. Studies with a small cohort of patients (<5) were rejected.

Results:

Many of the studies included in this analysis had small cohorts. Multiple markers were assessed across the published literature including von Willebrand factor, tissue factor, prothrombin fragments 1 and 2, platelets, soluble platelet selectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, tissue plasminogen activator, and thrombin–antithrombin complex. Percutaneous intervention causes an exaggerated prothrombotic and a disturbed fibrinolytic effect. Surgery seems to cause a similar prothrombotic derangement with reduced fibrinolysis and platelet hyperactivity, but this appears to be maintained for a considerable amount of time postoperatively.

Conclusion:

There is a sparse amount published on the effects of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in patients undergoing intervention for CLI. Much of these studies are small, historical, and completely heterogeneous, making it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions. The literature does identify a prothrombotic state in patients with CLI, which appears to be exacerbated by any form of intervention and prolonged in those having surgery. Understanding this may allow us to tailor the intervention offered to patients and prevent limb loss.