bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in repeated sprint ability
Authors: Soydan T. Alper , Hazir Tahir , Ozkan Ali , Kin-Isler Ayse
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND:

Despite the fact that there is considerable research in gender related differences in athletic performance, limited studies have been found related with the gender differences in repeated sprint ability (RSA).

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gender related differences in RSA.

METHODS:

Forty team sport athletes participated in this study voluntarily and RSA was determined by a 5 [Formula: see text] 6 s cycling RSA test with 24 s recovery. Participants’ peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and performance decrement (PD%) were determined as performance variables. Maximal blood lactate (La[Formula: see text], heart rate (HR[Formula: see text] and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE[Formula: see text] were determined as physiological responses.

RESULTS:

Results indicated higher relative PP and MP for men ([Formula: see text] 0.05) while no significant gender differences was observed in PD% ([Formula: see text] 0.05). Men had higher La[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] 0.05), while there were no gender differences in HR[Formula: see text] and RPE[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] 0.05). In addition, the highest values was observed in the first sprint for both relative PP and MP regardless of gender and men performed higher than women in each cycle repetitions.

CONCLUSIONS:

In conclusion gender related differences were observed in RSA except for PD%, HR[Formula: see text] and RPE[Formula: see text] which indicated that men and women were not different in terms of fatigue resistance and experienced the same physiological strain during the RSA test.
Oxidative Stress, Amyloid-β Peptide, and Altered Key Molecular Pathways in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Butterfield D. Allan , Boyd-Kimball Debra
Published: March 2018

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its earlier stage, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). One source of oxidative stress in AD and aMCI brains is that associated with amyloid-β peptide, Aβ1-42 oligomers. Our laboratory first showed in AD elevated oxidative stress occurred in brain regions rich in Aβ1-42, but not in Aβ1-42-poor regions, and was among the first to demonstrate Aβ peptides led to lipid peroxidation (indexed by HNE) in AD and aMCI brains. Oxidatively modified proteins have decreased function and contribute to damaged key biochemical and metabolic pathways in which these proteins normally play a role. Identification of oxidatively modified brain proteins by the methods of redox proteomics was pioneered in the Butterfield laboratory. Four recurring altered pathways secondary to oxidative damage in brain from persons with AD, aMCI, or Down syndrome with AD are interrelated and contribute to neuronal death. This “Quadrilateral of Neuronal Death” includes altered: glucose metabolism, mTOR activation, proteostasis network, and protein phosphorylation. Some of these pathways are altered even in brains of persons with preclinical AD. We opine that targeting these pathways pharmacologically and with lifestyle changes potentially may provide strategies to slow or perhaps one day, prevent, progression or development of this devastating dementing disorder. This invited review outlines both in vitro and in vivo studies from the Butterfield laboratory related to Aβ1-42 and AD and discusses the importance and implications of some of the major achievements of the Butterfield laboratory in AD research.
Metals and Alzheimer’s Disease: How Far Have We Come in the Clinic?
Authors: Adlard Paul A. , Bush Ashley I.
Published: March 2018

It is estimated that by the year 2050 there will be more than 1.5 billion people globally over the age of 65 years. Aging is associated with changes to a number of different cellular processes which are driven by a variety of factors that contribute to the characteristic decline in function that is seen across multiple physiological domains/tissues in the elderly (including the brain). Importantly, aging is also the primary risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. As such, there is an urgent need to provide a greater understanding of both the pathogenesis and treatment of these devastating neurodegenerative disorders. One of the key cellular processes that becomes dysregulated with age and participates both directly and indirectly in age-related dysfunction, is metal homeostasis and the neurochemistry of metalloproteins, the basic science of which has been extensively reviewed in the past. In this review, we will focus on the human clinical intervention trials that have been conducted over approximately the last four decades that have attempted to establish the efficacy of targeting metal ions in the treatment of AD.
The Rationale Behind the New Alzheimer’s Disease Conceptualization: Lessons Learned During the Last Decades
Authors: Molinuevo José Luis , Minguillon Carolina , Rami Lorena , Gispert Juan Domingo
Published: March 2018

In the last decades, progress in neuroimaging techniques and cerebrospinal fluid assays has enabled the characterization of several Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers. This knowledge has shifted the conceptualization of AD from a clinical-pathological construct, where its diagnosis required the presence of dementia with distinct pathologic features, toward a clinical-biological one that recognizes AD as a pathological continuum with a clinical picture that ranges from normal cognition to a dementia stage. Specifically, AD is now divided into three stages: preclinical (abnormal biomarkers and no or only subtle cognitive impairment), mild cognitive impairment or prodromal AD (abnormal pathophysiological biomarkers and episodic memory impairment), and dementia (abnormal biomarkers and clear cognitive and functional impairment). The possibility of assessing AD pathophysiology in vivo before the onset of clinical symptoms in the preclinical stage provides the unprecedented opportunity to intervene at earlier stages of the continuum in secondary prevention trials. Currently, large cohort studies of cognitively healthy participants are undergoing with the main aim of disentangling the natural history of AD to identify individuals with an increased risk of developing AD in the near future to be recruited in these clinical trials. In this paper, we review how the concept of AD has changed over the years as well as discuss the implications of this conceptual change.
Role of Genetics and Epigenetics in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Fenoglio Chiara , Scarpini Elio , Serpente Maria , Galimberti Daniela
Published: March 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) represent the first cause of dementia in senile and pre-senile population, respectively. A percentage of cases have a genetic cause, inherited with an autosomal dominant pattern of transmission. The majority of cases, however, derive from complex interactions between a number of genetic and environmental factors. Gene variants may act as risk or protective factors. Their combination with a variety of environmental exposures may result in increased susceptibility to these diseases or may influence their course. The scenario is even more complicated considering the effect of epigenetics, which encompasses mechanisms able to alter the expression of genes without altering the DNA sequence. In this review, an overview of the current genetic and epigenetic progresses in AD and FTD will be provided, with particular focus on 1) causative genes, 2) genetic risk factors and disease modifiers, and 3) epigenetics, including methylation, non-coding RNAs and chromatin remodeling.
A Long Journey into Aging, Brain Aging, and Alzheimer’s Disease Following the Oxidative Stress Tracks
Authors: Mecocci Patrizia , Boccardi Virginia , Cecchetti Roberta , Bastiani Patrizia , Scamosci Michela , Ruggiero Carmelinda , Baroni Marta
Published: March 2018

The Editors of the Journal of Alzheimer’ s Disease invited Professor Patrizia Mecocci to contribute a review article focused on the importance and implications of her research on aging, brain aging, and senile dementias over the last years. This invitation was based on an assessment that she was one of the journal’s top authors and a strong supporter of the concept that oxidative stress is a major contributor to several alterations observed in age-related conditions (sarcopenia, osteoporosis) and, more significantly, in brain aging suggesting a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of one of the most dramatic age-related diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Her first pioneering research was on the discovery of high level of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (OH8dG), a marker of oxidation in nucleic acids, in mitochondrial DNA isolated from cerebral cortex. This molecule increases progressively with aging and more in AD brain, supporting the hypothesis that oxidative stress, a condition of unbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants, gives a strong contribution to the high incidence of AD in old age subjects. OH8dG also increases in peripheral lymphocyte from AD subjects, suggesting that AD is not only a cerebral but also a systemic disease. The role of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and zinc, were also studied in longevity and in cognitive decline and dementia. This review shows the main findings from Mecocci’s laboratory related to oxidative stress in aging, brain aging, and AD and discusses the importance and implications of some of the major achievements in this field of research.
Update on Vascular Cognitive Impairment Associated with Subcortical Small-Vessel Disease
Authors: Wallin Anders , Román Gustavo C. , Esiri Margaret , Kettunen Petronella , Svensson Johan , Paraskevas George P. , Kapaki Elisabeth
Published: March 2018

Subcortical small-vessel disease (SSVD) is a disorder well characterized from the clinical, imaging, and neuropathological viewpoints. SSVD is considered the most prevalent ischemic brain disorder, increasing in frequency with age. Vascular risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, elevated homocysteine, and obstructive sleep apnea. Ischemic white matter lesions are the hallmark of SSVD; other pathological lesions include arteriolosclerosis, dilatation of perivascular spaces, venous collagenosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, microbleeds, microinfarcts, lacunes, and large infarcts. The pathogenesis of SSVD is incompletely understood but includes endothelial changes and blood-brain barrier alterations involving metalloproteinases, vascular endothelial growth factors, angiotensin II, mindin/spondin, and the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Metabolic and genetic conditions may also play a role but hitherto there are few conclusive studies. Clinical diagnosis of SSVD includes early executive dysfunction manifested by impaired capacity to use complex information, to formulate strategies, and to exercise self-control. In comparison with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), patients with SSVD show less pronounced episodic memory deficits. Brain imaging has advanced substantially the diagnostic tools for SSVD. With the exception of cortical microinfarcts, all other lesions are well visualized with MRI. Diagnostic biomarkers that separate AD from SSVD include reduction of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β (Aβ)42 and of the ratio Aβ42/Aβ40 often with increased total tau levels. However, better markers of small-vessel function of intracerebral blood vessels are needed. The treatment of SSVD remains unsatisfactory other than control of vascular risk factors. There is an urgent need of finding targets to slow down and potentially halt the progression of this prevalent, but often unrecognized, disorder.
The 20-Year Voyage Aboard the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease: Docking at ‘Type 3 Diabetes’, Environmental/Exposure Factors, Pathogenic Mechanisms, and Potential Treatments
Authors: de la Monte Suzanne M. , Tong Ming , Wands Jack R.
Published: March 2018

The Journal of Alzheimer’ s Disease (JAD), founded in 1998, played a pivotal role in broadening the field of research on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by publishing a diverse range of clinical, pathological, molecular, biochemical, epidemiological, experimental, and review articles from its birth. This article recounts my own journey as an author who contributed articles to JAD over the 20 years of the journal’s existence. In retrospect, it seems remarkable that a considerable body of work that originated from our group marks a trail that began with studies of vascular, stress, and mitochondrial factors in AD pathogenesis, exploded into the concept of ‘Type 3 Diabetes’, and continued with the characterization of how environmental, exposure, and lifestyle factors promote neurodegeneration and which therapeutic strategies could reverse the neurodegeneration cascade.
A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease by Neurotrophic Support During the Period of Synaptic Compensation
Authors: Baazaoui Narjes , Iqbal Khalid
Published: March 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), at present, is considered an incurable disease and a major dilemma with no drug to stop or slow down its progression. Drugs that are currently available in the market are able to only transiently improve the clinical symptoms. The repeated failures in developing an effective drug has led to the suggestion that the medical intervention was probably too late to be effective since the pathology starts many years before the appearance of the clinical symptoms. Probably, at the time of the appearance of clinical symptoms the brain has undergone major neuronal and synaptic loss. Because of the uncertainty on when to use a prevention therapy, especially targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies, interventions that rely on the regenerative capacity of the brain such as the modulation of the inherent neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity represent a promising therapeutic strategy. Such an approach can act both at early as well as late stages of the disease and remove the barrier of the time of intervention. In this article, we review studies mainly from our laboratory that show the merit of early intervention during the synaptic and neuronal compensation period where the brain still has the capacity to self-repair by offering neurotrophic support in reversing cognitive impairment, neuronal and synaptic deficits, Aβ, and tau pathologies and decreasing mortality in a transgenic mouse model of AD.
Amsterdam Dementia Cohort: Performing Research to Optimize Care
Authors: van der Flier Wiesje M. , Scheltens Philip
Published: March 2018

The Alzheimer center of the VU University Medical Center opened in 2000 and was initiated to combine both patient care and research. Together, to date, all patients forming the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort number almost 6,000 individuals. In this cohort profile, we provide an overview of the results produced based on the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort. We describe the main results over the years in each of these research lines: 1) early diagnosis, 2) heterogeneity, and 3) vascular factors. Among the most important research efforts that have also impacted patients’ lives and/or the research field, we count the development of novel, easy to use diagnostic measures such as visual rating scales for MRI and the Amsterdam IADL Questionnaire, insight in different subgroups of AD, and findings on incidence and clinical sequelae of microbleeds. Finally, we describe in the outlook how our research endeavors have improved the lives of our patients.
Different Cognitive Frailty Models and Health- and Cognitive-related Outcomes in Older Age: From Epidemiology to Prevention
Authors: Panza Francesco , Lozupone Madia , Solfrizzi Vincenzo , Sardone Rodolfo , Dibello Vittorio , Di Lena Luca , D’Urso Francesca , Stallone Roberta , Petruzzi Massimo , Giannelli Gianluigi , Quaranta Nicola , Bellomo Antonello , Greco Antonio , Daniele Antonio , Seripa Davide , Logroscino Giancarlo
Published: March 2018

Frailty, a critical intermediate status of the aging process that is at increased risk for negative health-related events, includes physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains or phenotypes. Cognitive frailty is a condition recently defined by operationalized criteria describing coexisting physical frailty and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), with two proposed subtypes: potentially reversible cognitive frailty (physical frailty/MCI) and reversible cognitive frailty (physical frailty/pre-MCI subjective cognitive decline). In the present article, we reviewed the framework for the definition, different models, and the current epidemiology of cognitive frailty, also describing neurobiological mechanisms, and exploring the possible prevention of the cognitive frailty progression. Several studies suggested a relevant heterogeneity with prevalence estimates ranging 1.0–22.0% (10.7–22.0% in clinical-based settings and 1.0–4.4% in population-based settings). Cross-sectional and longitudinal population-based studies showed that different cognitive frailty models may be associated with increased risk of functional disability, worsened quality of life, hospitalization, mortality, incidence of dementia, vascular dementia, and neurocognitive disorders. The operationalization of clinical constructs based on cognitive impairment related to physical causes (physical frailty, motor function decline, or other physical factors) appears to be interesting for dementia secondary prevention given the increased risk for progression to dementia of these clinical entities. Multidomain interventions have the potential to be effective in preventing cognitive frailty. In the near future, we need to establish more reliable clinical and research criteria, using different operational definitions for frailty and cognitive impairment, and useful clinical, biological, and imaging markers to implement intervention programs targeted to improve frailty, so preventing also late-life cognitive disorders.
The Coming of Age of the Angiotensin Hypothesis in Alzheimer’s Disease: Progress Toward Disease Prevention and Treatment?
Authors: Kehoe Patrick Gavin
Published: March 2018

There is wide recognition of a complex association between midlife hypertension and cardiovascular disease and later development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cognitive impairment. While significant progress has been made in reducing rates of mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular disease over the last thirty years, progress towards effective treatments for AD has been slower. Despite the known association between hypertension and dementia, research into each disease has largely been undertaken in parallel and independently. Yet over the last decade and a half, the emergence of converging findings from pre-clinical and clinical research has shown how the renin angiotensin system (RAS), which is very important in blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular disease, warrants careful consideration in the pathogenesis of AD. Numerous components of the RAS have now been found to be altered in AD such that the multifunctional and potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II, and similarly acting angiotensin III, are greatly altered at the expense of other RAS signaling peptides considered to contribute to neuronal and cognitive function. Collectively these changes may contribute to many of the neuropathological hallmarks of AD, as well as observed progressive deficiencies in cognitive function, while also linking elements of a number of the proposed hypotheses for the cause of AD. This review discusses the emergence of the RAS and its likely importance in AD, not only because of the multiple facets of its involvement, but also perhaps fortuitously because of the ready availability of numerous RAS-acting drugs, that could be repurposed as interventions in AD.
Alzheimer’s Disease: A Journey from Amyloid Peptides and Oxidative Stress, to Biomarker Technologies and Disease Prevention Strategies—Gains from AIBL and DIAN Cohort Studies
Authors: Martins Ralph N. , Villemagne Victor , Sohrabi Hamid R. , Chatterjee Pratishtha , Shah Tejal M. , Verdile Giuseppe , Fraser Paul , Taddei Kevin , Gupta Veer B. , Rainey-Smith Stephanie R. , Hone Eugene , Pedrini Steve , Lim Wei Ling , Martins Ian , Frost Shaun , Gupta Sunil , O’Bryant Sid , Rembach Alan , Ames David , Ellis Kathryn , Fuller Stephanie J. , Brown Belinda , Gardener Samantha L. , Fernando Binosha , Bharadwaj Prashant , Burnham Samantha , Laws Simon M. , Barron Anna M. , Goozee Kathryn , Wahjoepramono Eka J. , Asih Prita R. , Doecke James D. , Salvado Olivier , Bush Ashley I. , Rowe Christopher C. , Gandy Samuel E. , Masters Colin L.
Published: March 2018

Worldwide there are over 46 million people living with dementia, and this number is expected to double every 20 years reaching about 131 million by 2050. The cost to the community and government health systems, as well as the stress on families and carers is incalculable. Over three decades of research into this disease have been undertaken by several research groups in Australia, including work by our original research group in Western Australia which was involved in the discovery and sequencing of the amyloid-β peptide (also known as Aβ or A4 peptide) extracted from cerebral amyloid plaques. This review discusses the journey from the discovery of the Aβ peptide in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain to the establishment of pre-clinical AD using PET amyloid tracers, a method now serving as the gold standard for developing peripheral diagnostic approaches in the blood and the eye. The latter developments for early diagnosis have been largely achieved through the establishment of the Australian Imaging Biomarker and Lifestyle research group that has followed 1,100 Australians for 11 years. AIBL has also been instrumental in providing insight into the role of the major genetic risk factor apolipoprotein E ɛ4, as well as better understanding the role of lifestyle factors particularly diet, physical activity and sleep to cognitive decline and the accumulation of cerebral Aβ.
Occupational therapists’ perspectives on binocular diplopia in neurorehabilitation: A national survey
Authors: Burgess Gillian , Jewell Vanessa D.
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND:

Oculomotor dysfunction affects a significant number of adults with neurological conditions and binocular diplopia is a common symptom which impacts an individual’s ability to participate in meaningful daily activities. Occupational therapists use partial and complete occlusion to minimize binocular diplopia, however a review of the literature reflected a lack of standardized protocol for each intervention technique. The purpose of this study was to examine occupational therapists’ perspectives on the use of partial and complete occlusion and the clinical reasoning process used.

METHODS:

An electronic survey was distributed to occupational therapists working in a variety of practice settings. The survey contained questions relating to demographics, the selected occlusion technique, and clinical reasoning for that selection.

RESULTS:

More than half of the 106 respondents used partial occlusion more frequently than complete occlusion. There was no correlation between respondent experience and self-report of competence in managing binocular diplopia. Respondents based their clinical reasoning on available evidence, client factors, and clinical expertise.

CONCLUSION:

Respondents offered conflicting perspectives on each occlusion technique. Future studies are required to examine which occlusion technique benefits clients.
Derivation of Ply Specific Stiffness Parameters of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Laminates via Inverse Solution of Classical Laminate Theory
Authors: Kovács László , Romhány Gábor
Published: March 2018

The realistic estimation of the ply stiffness parameters of polymer composite laminates is a big challenge nowadays in industrial practice. In this paper a new, innovative concept is introduced that is based on the backward use of Classical Laminate Theory (CLT). The innovation in this new concept is (amongst others): possibility to infer the stiffness constants from the simple mechanical tests of specimens with multidirectional ply stack-up identical to the part to design. In addition the new method is manifested in a form of a compact equation that surely returns the measured deformation of the tested specimen on laminate level. The mathematical background of this concept is slightly more complex than what the conventional techniques offer, however its explicit form allows to code it in any automatic systems (e.g. user script) that can be run in Finite Element environment or as part of the software of a mechanical testing frame.
A PSF-Shape-Based Beamforming Strategy for Robust 2D Motion Estimation in Ultrafast Data
Authors: Saris Anne , Fekkes Stein , Nillesen Maartje , Hansen Hendrik , De Korte Chris
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a framework for motion estimation in ultrafast ultrasound data. It describes a novel approach for determining the sampling grid for ultrafast data based on the system’s point-spread-function (PSF). As a consequence, the cross-correlation functions (CCF) used in the speckle tracking (ST) algorithm will have circular-shaped peaks, which can be interpolated using a 2D interpolation method to estimate subsample displacements. Carotid artery wall motion and parabolic blood flow simulations together with rotating disk experiments using a Verasonics Vantage 256 are used for performance evaluation. Zero-degree plane wave data were acquired using an ATL L5-12 (fc = 9 MHz) transducer for a range of pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs), resulting in 0–600 µm inter-frame displacements. The proposed methodology was compared to data beamformed on a conventionally spaced grid, combined with the commonly used 1D parabolic interpolation. The PSF-shape-based beamforming grid combined with 2D cubic interpolation showed the most accurate and stable performance with respect to the full range of inter-frame displacements, both for the assessment of blood flow and vessel wall dynamics. The proposed methodology can be used as a protocolled way to beamform ultrafast data and obtain accurate estimates of tissue motion.
Remarkable Impacts of Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperature on Interdecadal Variability of Summer Rainfall in Southwestern China
Authors: Liu Jingpeng , Ren Hong-Li , Li Weijing , Zuo Jinqing
Published: March 2018

During the boreal summer from June to August, rainfall in Southwestern China shows substantial interdecadal variabilities on timescales longer than 10 years. Based on observational analyses and numerical modeling, we investigated the characteristics of interdecadal Southwestern China summer rainfall (SWCSR) and its dynamic drivers. We find that the SWCSR is markedly impacted by the interdecadal Indian Ocean basin mode (ID-IOBM) of the sea surface temperature (SST), which may induce anomalous inter-hemispheric vertical circulation. During the cold phase of the ID-IOBM, an enhanced lower-level divergence and upper-level convergence exist over the tropical Indian Ocean. The simultaneous lower-level outflow anomalies further converge over the Indo-China peninsula, resulting in an anomalous ascending motion and a lower-level cyclone that contribute to strengthening the eastward moisture transport from the Bay of Bengal to Southwestern China. The joint effects of the anomalous ascending motion and the above-normal moisture transport play a key role in increasing the SWCSR. In summers during the warm phase of the ID-IOBM, the situation is approximately the same, but with opposite polarity. After the beginning of the 1970s, the impacts of interdecadal Indian Ocean dipole (ID-IOD) on SWCSR is strengthening. The anomalous vertical circulation associated with the positive (negative) phase of ID-IOD is in favor of decreased (increased) rainfall in SWC. However, the impacts of ID-IOD on SWCSR is relatively weak before the 1970s, indicating that the ID-IOD is the secondary driver of the interdecadal variability of SWCSR. Modeling results also indicate that the ID-IOBM of SST anomalies is the main driver of interdecadal variability of SWCSR.
Verification of High-Resolution Medium-Range Precipitation Forecasts from Global Environmental Multiscale Model over China during 2009–2013
Authors: Xu Huating , Wu Zhiyong , Luo Lifeng , He Hai
Published: March 2018

Accurate and timely precipitation forecasts are a key factor for improving hydrological forecasts. Therefore, it is fundamental to evaluate the skill of Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) for precipitation forecasting. In this study, the Global Environmental Multi-scale (GEM) model, which is widely used around Canada, was chosen as the high-resolution medium-term prediction model. Based on the forecast precipitation with the resolution of 0.24° and taking regional differences into consideration, the study explored the forecasting skill of GEM in nine drought sub-regions around China. Spatially, GEM performs better in East and South China than in the inland areas. Temporally, the model is able to produce more precise precipitation during flood periods (summer and autumn) compared with the non-flood season (winter and spring). The forecasting skill variability differs with regions, lead time and season. For different precipitation categories, GEM for trace rainfall and little rainfall performs much better than moderate rainfall and above. Overall, compared with other prediction systems, GEM is applicable for the 0–96 h forecast, especially for the East and South China in flood season, but improvement for the prediction of heavy and storm rainfall and for the inland areas should be focused on as well.
Spatio-Temporal Pattern Estimation of PM2.5 in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Based on MODIS AOD and Meteorological Data Using the Back Propagation Neural Network
Authors: Ni Xiliang , Cao Chunxiang , Zhou Yuke , Cui Xianghui , P. Singh Ramesh
Published: March 2018

With the economic growth and increasing urbanization in the last three decades, the air quality over China has continuously degraded, which poses a great threat to human health. The concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) directly affects the mortality of people living in the polluted areas where air quality is poor. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, one of the well organized urban regions in northern China, has suffered with poor air quality and atmospheric pollution due to recent growth of the industrial sector and vehicle emissions. In the present study, we used the back propagation neural network model approach to estimate the spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentration in the BTH region for the period January 2014–December 2016, combining the satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (S-DAOD) and meteorological data. The results were validated using the ground PM2.5 data. The general method including all PM2.5 training data and 10-fold cross-method have been used for validation for PM2.5 estimation (R2 = 0.68, RMSE = 20.99 for general validation; R2 = 0.54, RMSE = 24.13 for cross-method validation). The study provides a new approach to monitoring the distribution of PM2.5 concentration. The results discussed in the present paper will be of great help to government agencies in developing and implementing environmental conservation policy.
Influence of Helical Trajectories of Perturbers on Stark Line Shapes in Magnetized Plasmas
Authors: Rosato J. , Ferri S. , Stamm R.
Published: March 2018

In plasmas subject to a strong magnetic field, the dynamical properties of the microfield are affected by the cyclotron motion, which can alter Stark-broadened lines. We illustrate this effect through calculations of the hydrogen Lyman α line in an ideal one-component plasma. A focus is put on the central Zeeman component. It is shown that the atomic dipole autocorrelation function decreases more slowly if the cyclotron motion is retained. In the frequency domain, this denotes a reduction of the line broadening. A discussion based on numerical simulations and analytical estimates is done.
Calibration of Minimally Invasive Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensors: State-of-The-Art and Current Perspectives
Authors: Acciaroli Giada , Vettoretti Martina , Facchinetti Andrea , Sparacino Giovanni
Published: March 2018

Minimally invasive continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors are wearable medical devices that provide real-time measurement of subcutaneous glucose concentration. This can be of great help in the daily management of diabetes. Most of the commercially available CGM devices have a wire-based sensor, usually placed in the subcutaneous tissue, which measures a “raw” current signal via a glucose-oxidase electrochemical reaction. This electrical signal needs to be translated in real-time to glucose concentration through a calibration process. For such a scope, the first commercialized CGM sensors implemented simple linear regression techniques to fit reference glucose concentration measurements periodically collected by fingerprick. On the one hand, these simple linear techniques required several calibrations per day, with the consequent patient’s discomfort. On the other, only a limited accuracy was achieved. This stimulated researchers to propose, over the last decade, more sophisticated algorithms to calibrate CGM sensors, resorting to suitable signal processing, modelling, and machine-learning techniques. This review paper will first contextualize and describe the calibration problem and its implementation in the first generation of CGM sensors, and then present the most recently-proposed calibration algorithms, with a perspective on how these new techniques can influence future CGM products in terms of accuracy improvement and calibration reduction.
Nano-Pulse Stimulation Ablates Orthotopic Rat Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Induces Innate and Adaptive Memory Immune Mechanisms that Prevent Recurrence
Authors: Lassiter Brittany , Guo Siqi , Beebe Stephen
Published: March 2018

Nano-pulse stimulation (NPS), previously called nsPEFs, induced a vaccine-like effect after ablation of orthotopic N1-S1 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), protecting rats from subsequent challenges with N1-S1 cells. To determine immunity, immune cell phenotypes were analyzed in naïve, treated and protected rats. NPS provides a positive, post-ablation immuno-therapeutic outcome by alleviating immunosuppressive T regulatory cells (Treg) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), allowing dendritic cell influx and inducing dynamic changes in natural killer cells (NKs), NKT-cells and T-lymphocytes in blood, spleen and liver. NPS induced specific increases in NKs and NKT-cells expressing CD8 and activation receptors CD314-NKG2D and CD161 (NK1.1) in the TME after treatment, as well as some variable changes in CD4+ and CD8+ effector (Tem) and central memory (Tem) lymphocytes in blood and spleen. After orthotopic challenge, CD8+ T-cells were cytotoxic, inducing apoptosis in N1-S1 cells; additionally, in contrast to post-treatment immune responses, CD4+ and CD8+ memory precursor effector cells (MPECs) and short-lived effector cells (SLECs) were present, while still including CD8+ CD161 NK cells, but not involving CD8+ CD314-NKG2D+ NKs. This immunity was N1-S1-specific and was sustained for at least 8 months. NPS vaccinates rats in vivo against HCC by activating innate and adaptive immune memory mechanisms that prevent HCC recurrence.
Fabrication of a Z-Scheme g-C3N4/Fe-TiO2 Photocatalytic Composite with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Zhu Zedong , Murugananthan Muthu , Gu Jie , Zhang Yanrong
Published: March 2018

In the present study, a nanocomposite material g-C3N4/Fe-TiO2 has been prepared successfully by a simple one-step hydrothermal process and its structural properties were thoroughly studied by various characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrometry (UV-vis DRS). The performance of the fabricated composite material towards the removal of phenol from aqueous phase was systematically evaluated by a photocatalytic approach and found to be highly dependent on the content of Fe3+. The optimum concentration of Fe3+ doping that showed a dramatic enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of the composite under visible light irradiation was observed to be 0.05% by weight. The separation mechanism of photogenerated electrons and holes of the g-C3N4/Fe-TiO2 photocatalysts was established by a photoluminescence technique in which the reactive species generated during the photocatalytic treatment process was quantified. The enhanced photocatalytic performance observed for g-C3N4-Fe/TiO2 was ascribed to a cumulative impact of both g-C3N4 and Fe that extended its spectrum-absorptive nature into the visible region. The heterojunction formation in the fabricated photocatalysts not only facilitated the separation of the photogenerated charge carriers but also retained its strong oxidation and reduction ability.
Applications of Poly(indole-6-carboxylic acid-co-2,2′-bithiophene) Films in High-Contrast Electrochromic Devices
Authors: Kuo Chung-Wen , Wu Tzi-Yi , Fan Shu-Chien
Published: March 2018

Two homopolymers (poly(indole-6-carboxylic acid) (PInc) and poly(2,2′-bithiophene) (PbT)) and a copolymer (poly(indole-6-carboxylic acid-co-2,2′-bithiophene) (P(Inc-co-bT))) are electrodeposited on ITO electrode surfaces via electrochemical method. Electrochemical and electrochromic properties of PInc, PbT, and P(Inc-co-bT) films were characterized using cyclic voltammetry and in situ UV-Vis spectroscopy. The anodic P(Inc-co-bT) film prepared using Inc./bT = 1/1 feed molar ratio shows high optical contrast (30% at 890 nm) and coloring efficiency (112 cm2 C−1 at 890 nm). P(Inc-co-bT) film revealed light yellow, yellowish green, and bluish grey in the neutral, intermediate, and oxidation states, respectively. Electrochromic devices (ECDs) were constructed using PInc, PbT, or P(Inc-co-bT) film as anodic layer and PEDOT-PSS as cathodic layer. P(Inc-co-bT)/PMMA-PC-ACN-LiClO4/PEDOT-PSS ECD showed high ∆T (31%) at 650 nm, and PInc/PMMA-PC-ACN-LiClO4/PEDOT-PSS ECD displayed high coloration efficiency (416.7 cm2 C−1) at 650 nm. The optical memory investigations of PInc/PMMA-PC-ACN-LiClO4/PEDOT-PSS, PbT/PMMA-PC-ACN-LiClO4/PEDOT-PSS, and P(Inc-co-bT)/PMMA-PC-ACN-LiClO4/PEDOT-PSS ECDs exhibited that ECDs had adequate optical memory in bleaching and coloring states.
Chemical Stability Analysis of Hair Cleansing Conditioners under High-Heat Conditions Experienced during Hair Styling Processes
Authors: Drechsel Derek , Towle Kevin , Fung Ernest , Novick Rachel , Paustenbach Dennis , Monnot Andrew
Published: March 2018

Chemical stability is a key component of ensuring that a cosmetic product is safe for consumer use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical stability of commercially available hair cleansing conditioners subjected to high heat stresses from the styling processes of blow drying or straightening. Two hair cleansing conditioners were subjected to temperatures of 60 °C and 185 °C to simulate the use of a blow dryer or flatiron hair straightener, respectively and analyzed via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-UV (HPLC) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) to capture a chemical profile of the samples. The resulting spectra from matched heated and unheated samples were compared to identify any changes in chemical composition. Overall, no differences in the spectra were observed between the heated and unheated samples at both temperatures evaluated. Specifically, no new peaks were observed during analysis, indicating that no degradation products were formed. In addition, all chemicals identified during GC-MS analysis were known listed ingredients of the products. In summary, no measurable changes in chemical composition were observed in the hair cleansing conditioner samples under high-heat stress conditions. The presented analytical methods can serve as an initial screening tool to evaluate the chemical stability of a cosmetic product under conditions of anticipated use.
Statistical Inference on the Canadian Middle Class
Authors: Davidson Russell
Published: March 2018

Conventional wisdom says that the middle classes in many developed countries have recently suffered losses, in terms of both the share of the total population belonging to the middle class, and also their share in total income. Here, distribution-free methods are developed for inference on these shares, by means of deriving expressions for their asymptotic variances of sample estimates, and the covariance of the estimates. Asymptotic inference can be undertaken based on asymptotic normality. Bootstrap inference can be expected to be more reliable, and appropriate bootstrap procedures are proposed. As an illustration, samples of individual earnings drawn from Canadian census data are used to test various hypotheses about the middle-class shares, and confidence intervals for them are computed. It is found that, for the earlier censuses, sample sizes are large enough for asymptotic and bootstrap inference to be almost identical, but that, in the twenty-first century, the bootstrap fails on account of a strange phenomenon whereby many presumably different incomes in the data are rounded to one and the same value. Another difference between the centuries is the appearance of heavy right-hand tails in the income distributions of both men and women.
In Situ Catalytic Upgrading of Heavy Crude with CAPRI: Influence of Hydrogen on Catalyst Pore Plugging and Deactivation due to Coke
Authors: Hart Abarasi , Wood Joseph
Published: March 2018

Heavy crude oil is known to have low hydrogen-to-carbon ratios compared to light oil. This is due to the significant content of carbon-rich species such as resins and asphaltenes; hence their upgrading is commonly through carbon-rejection. However, carbon-rejection promotes rapid fouling of catalyst and pore plugging, yielding low upgraded oil and consequently low fuel distillate fractions when distilled. The roles of hydrogen-addition on in situ catalytic upgrading were investigated at pre-established conditions (425 °C, LHSV 11.8 h−1, and 20–40 bars) using a simulated fixed-bed reactor that mimics the annular sheath of catalyst (CAPRI) surrounding the horizontal producer well of the Toe-to-Heel Air Injection (THAI) process. It was found that with H-addition, the upgraded oil American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity increased to about 5° compared to 3° obtained with N2 above 13° (THAI feed oil). The fuel distillate fractions increased to 62% (N2, 20 bar), 65% (H2, 20 bar), and 71.8% (H2, 30 bar) relative to 40.6% (THAI feed oil); while the coke contents of the catalyst after experiments were 35.3 wt % (N2), and 27.2 wt % (H2). It was also found that catalyst pore plugging and deactivation due to coke was significantly lower under hydrogen than with nitrogen; hence the catalyst is less susceptible to coke fouling when the upgrading reaction is carried out under hydrogen. The coke fouling further decreases with increasing hydrogen pressure while the API gravity of the upgraded oil marginally increases by 0.3° for every 10 bar increase in pressure from 20 to 40 bar.
Comparative Analysis of Infrared Thermography and CFD Modelling for Assessing the Thermal Performance of Buildings
Authors: Morón Carlos , Saiz Pablo , Ferrández Daniel , Felices Rubén
Published: March 2018

Energy consumption in the building sector has increased significantly in the developed countries over the last decades. For this reason, the new European standards have become stricter in terms of energy saving. This paper establishes a comparison between using infrared thermography for technical building inspection and modelling with Computational Flow Dynamics (CFD) tools for the study of thermal performance of the building. The results show that the use of this type of tools gives a reliable response with the difference in thermal changes lower than 0.5 °C with respect to the data taken in situ. Moreover, these simulators of flow dynamics allow to evaluate the efficiency of proposed measures for energy savings and to obtain a reliable approximation to thermal comfort applying the improvement, deepening in the surface analysis of infrared thermography before performing rehabilitation project. In this research, Predicted Mean Vote Index (PMV) comfort index of 0.7 for a living room and 0.6 for a bedroom were obtained, that corresponds to C class that includes values in the range of −0.7 < PMV < 0.7 according to the standard UNE-EN 7730.
CFD Simulations of Floating Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter Arrays Subjected to Regular Waves
Authors: Devolder Brecht , Stratigaki Vasiliki , Troch Peter , Rauwoens Pieter
Published: March 2018

In this paper we use the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) toolbox OpenFOAM to perform numerical simulations of multiple floating point absorber wave energy converters (WECs) arranged in a geometrical array configuration inside a numerical wave tank (NWT). The two-phase Navier-Stokes fluid solver is coupled with a motion solver to simulate the hydrodynamic flow field around the WECs and the wave-induced rigid body heave motion of each WEC within the array. In this study, the numerical simulations of a single WEC unit are extended to multiple WECs and the complexity of modelling individual floating objects close to each other in an array layout is tackled. The NWT is validated for fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations by using experimental measurements for an array of two, five and up to nine heaving WECs subjected to regular waves. The validation is achieved by using mathematical models to include frictional forces observed during the experimental tests. For all the simulations presented, a good agreement is found between the numerical and the experimental results for the WECs’ heave motions, the surge forces on the WECs and the perturbed wave field around the WECs. As a result, our coupled CFD–motion solver proves to be a suitable and accurate toolbox for the study of fluid-structure interaction problems of WEC arrays.
Adaptation to Climate Change in Panchase Mountain Ecological Regions of Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Shankar , Baral Himlal , Nitschke Craig
Published: March 2018

Rural mountain communities in developing countries are considered particularly vulnerable to environmental change, including climate change. Forests and agriculture provide numerous ecosystem goods and services (EGS) to local communities and can help people adapt to the impacts of climate change. There is however poor documentation on the role of EGS in people’s livelihood and adaptation practices. This study in the rural Panchase Mountain Ecological Region of Nepal identifies practices being used to adapt to a changing environment through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. At the household level, livelihood diversification, changes in cropping patterns and farming practices, use of multipurpose plant species and income-generation activities were identified as adaptation strategies. Among major strategies at the community level were community forestry-based climate adaptation plans of action for forest and water resource management. Landscape-level adaptation strategies were large-scale collaborative projects and programs, such as Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Chitwan Annapurna Landscape conservation; which had implications at both the local and landscape-level. A proper blending and integration of adaptation strategies from individual households through to the community and to the landscape level is needed for implementing effective adaptation in the region.