bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The determination of mode shapes of a scaled model TN-32 spent nuclear fuel dry storage cask
Authors: Lin Kevin Y. , Prather Wayne E. , Lu Zhiqu , Mobley Joel , Gladden Josh R.
Published: November 2017

The assessment of the internal structural integrity of dry storage casks for used high burnup nuclear fuel assemblies is of critical importance before these are transported to permanent repositories. The size of the casks (5.2 m in height and 2.4 m in diameter), structural complexity and the inability to access the interior make this a challenging task. This project addresses these difficulties through a multi-modal approach involving nuclear, charged particle and acoustic methods. In this work, we report on measurements of the vibrational spectra and mode shapes using a 6:1 scaled TN-32 model cask constructed in our lab. 2-D vibrometric scans were performed with a laser Doppler velocimeter to measure the vibrational mode shapes exhibited by the cask. Good agreement is observed between the experimentally measured mode shapes and those determined numerically using a detailed finite element model. Several modes are identified that will be important in assessing the internal characteristics from external measurements. [This work was supported by DOE NEUP Award: DENE0008400.]
Prosodic asymmetry in phonetic reorganization of Seoul Korean 3-way voiceless stop contrast
Authors: Lee Yoonjeong , Goldstein Louis
Published: November 2017

In younger generation Seoul Korean speakers, a phonetic reorganization of VOT and f0 in the phrase-initial stop contrast (i.e. aspirated, lenis, fortis) has been well documented. The current study elucidates how this local consonant effect on f0 further interacts with the global tonal patterns of the accentual phrase (AP). We test how the initial 3-way stop contrast is phonetically realized in AP-initial and AP-internal prosodic positions for six younger generation speakers (born 1980-1990). Our results show that the consonant effect on f0 is categorical in AP-initial position, compared to exhibiting a gradient effect in AP-internal position. We confirm an AP-initial VOT merger between aspirated and lenis stops, accompanied by an increased between-consonant f0 difference. In AP-internal position, along with a small but significant f0 difference, we found a near-merger of VOT between lenis and fortis stops, arising from the substantially reduced occurrence of intervocalic lenis voicing. Taken together, our findings provide novel evidence of an intricate interaction between phrase-level prosody and the local phonetic reorganization in the newly emerged phonetic system of Seoul Korean stops. [Work supported by NIH.]
On the restoration of Shackleton's voice
Authors: Jee SangHwi , Bae Myungjin
Published: November 2017

Shackleton's voice, which attempted to explore Antarctica 100 years ago, was vividly restored with voice-processing technology. The restored voice was used as a restoration criterion after restoring the sound quality to a sound quality by applying noise processing technology to the voice of Shackleton who finished the exploration and gave a speech at a university. The basic voices of the voices are similar to those of family members and relatives because of the similarity of the gene structure and the body structure. Using Shackleton's great-grandson voices, he restored Shackleton's voice by adjusting the rate of speech, intensity, intonation, duration, tone changes, and tone averages as analyzed in Shackleton's voice. The subjective evaluation of the restored voice showed a similarity of more than 90% in the spectral SNR compared to the original voice, and when MOS evaluation was performed by the linguistic expert, 4.5 / 5 was obtained and the restoration of the voice of Shackleton was successful respectively. It is expected that the restoration technology of the deceased using the relative of relatives can restore the message of love and encouragement to the family in their future voice to the descendants.
Cooperation via communication: Influencing vocal alignment in conversation
Authors: Pollack Elliot , Casserly Elizabeth D.
Published: November 2017

Alignment of human vocal behavior is a well-documented phenomenon, however, the factors which influence its direction and magnitude are not firmly established. Components of speech which are subject to alignment include—but are not limited to—word choice, syntax, and rate of speech. In the present study, Speakers completed a puzzle task which required them to communicate with a Model whose fundamental frequency (F0) changed during the interaction. Additionally, naïve subjects (Listeners) assessed the overall similarity between the Speaker’s speech over time and the Model using an AXB paradigm. Speakers were found to deviate from the Model in F0, however, were perceived by Listeners to mimic the Model in a holistic measure. Speakers were rated as becoming more like the Model when this partner diverged as opposed to converged. A personality factor survey showed that greater Openness predicted less perceived similarity. The discrepancy between divergence in the acoustic measure and convergence in the perceptual measure reveals a potential hierarchy of speech factors that we use to assess alignment.
Array element localization using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and matrix completion, with comparisons to more conventional non-linear least squares optimization
Authors: Hursky Paul
Published: November 2017

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) is an approach from the social sciences which was invented to project qualitative notions of distance onto 2D or 3D coordinate axes to provide visual displays for clustering purposes. As it turns out, this provides a viable algorithm for array element localization. When we calibrate an array using acoustic or RF ranging signals we measure inter-element distances and form a Euclidean Distance Matrix (EDM), and then convert them to 3D orthogonal coordinates. MDS converts the EDM to AEL coordinates. This process has some drawbacks. We may not get all the inter-element distances, because our ranging signals may have limited detection ranges, or because of obstructions to the line of sight. Also, it is not clear how to incorporate knowledge of unequal measurement errors among the EDM entries. Matrix completion is an approach from compressed sensing that allows us to perform the MDS paradigm, despite missing values in the EDM. We will present simulations for typical AEL scenarios and compare AEL results from MDS and matrix completion with results obtained using non-linear least squares optimization.
Enhancing angular resolution by coherent beamforming of full non-uniformly spaced linear hydrophone array
Authors: Wang Delin , Makris Purnima R.
Published: November 2017

Uniformly-spaced apertures or subapertures of discrete linear receiver arrays are often used in remote sensing to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by coherent beamforming which reduces noise coming from directions outside the signal beam. To avoid grating lobes in real spatial directions, the uniformly-spaced array inter-element spacing d determines the maximum or cut-off frequency f<c/2d of signals suitable for beamforming with the array, where c is the wave speed. Here we show that a non-uniformly spaced array, for instance formed by combining multiple uniformly-spaced subapertures of a nested linear array, can significantly improve the angular resolution while simultaneously avoiding dominant grating lobes in real angular space, even for signals with frequencies beyond the cut-off. The array gain, beamwidth, and maximum grating lobe height are calculated for the ONR Five Octave Research Array (FORA) for various combinations of its uniformly-spaced subapertures, including the full non-uniformly spaced array. Examples are provided of angular resolution enhancement with resulting non-uniformly spaced array or subarray in both active and passive ocean acoustic waveguide remote sensing over that of the uniformly spaced counterpart, including continental-shelf scale imagery of fish populations, and marine mammal vocalization SNR enhancement which improves detection and bearing-time estimation for passive localization.
Research on distributed beam forming technology in underwater communication
Authors: Sun Hai X. , Jie Qi , Qiang liao C.
Published: November 2017

In underwater collaborative network communication, the use of distributed beam forming technology can greatly improve the communication speed and reliability of the network, thus improving the performance of the system. Currently, a vector code based on the feedback information from the destination node to the relay node is used to design the vector code base of the beam, which is widely used in wireless communication. Because of the complex multi-diameter effect of the sound channel and the severity of the variability, the probability of the feedback error is very high. This can be fatal to the system of designing the beam forming technology through feedback information. This paper analyzes the method of feedback error of distributed beam forming system, and gives the approximate expression of feedback error probability and system performance. This paper presents a scheme to improve the feedback information by using the numerical search to improve the performance of feedback information. Through the simulation experiment analysis, the proposed scheme can obviously improve the data rate of the system.
Active Acoustics at the Appel Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Authors: Wetmore Tom , Ellison Steve
Published: November 2017

The Appel Room (formerly Allen Room) is a 483-seat venue used primarily for jazz performances in the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex in New York City. In 2013 the Constellation active acoustic system by Meyer Sound was incorporated into the room’s architecture. The system allows a wide range of acoustic conditions to be set for any performance. In the first four years of operation, a variety of solo and ensemble jazz artists have performed in this venue. This paper will describe the room, the system, and the results over the first four years of operation with a variety of musicians.
Amplified rehearsal and performance spaces on a community college campus
Authors: Ortallono Sam
Published: November 2017

Amplified rehearsal and performance spaces on a community college campus. Lee college in Baytown Texas has several rehearsal and performance spaces available to presenters and performers. Many of these spaces have access to sound reinforcement which interacts with the structure. In this presentation, we compare and contrast the amplified systems and spaces, including variable acoustic treatment. Each space has a dedicated purpose that determines the equipment.
The Great Outdoors— The unique challenges imposed by the outdoor environment for both sound reinforcement, as well as acoustical enhancement, of acoustical and amplified music
Authors: Barbar Steve , Laney Jonathan
Published: November 2017

Outdoor performance venues epitomize the definition of a multi-purpose performing arts facility. However, they differ in many ways from their indoor counterparts. They can be larger than many arenas, but lack the architecture that both provides the aural cues of a large volume, and in addition, provides insulation from intrusive noise. The programming is often more diverse. One day the venue could host a three or four act amplified concert—the following day a symphony orchestra, or a week long music festival. Weather is also an enormous unknown factor. We will discuss the changing nature of both the programming, as well as listeners expectations, at these venues. We will also discuss the technologies employed at several outdoor venues that enable them to meet the expectations of the musicians as well as the audience.
Analysis of singing bowl's sound
Authors: Ann Ik-Soo , Bae Myungjin
Published: November 2017

Studies about the effects of sound on the human body have been proven by various methods. Among them, we researched the sound healing tool known as singing bowl. The singing bowl is a bowl made of bronze and tin. It varies in size and thickness. One or several different singing bowls are placed either on or around the human body. The bowls are then rubbed or knocked using a small rod to produce sound. A singing bowl generates different frequencies depending on its size and thickness. The frequency vibrates the flesh and bone as well as the brain and organs of the human body. By doing so, it recovers the natural frequency of each part of the human body. Finally, we researched how the frequency generates an average frequency of some form as well as how it reacts to the human body through a brain waves analysis and a frequency analysis of the singing bowl sound.
Tic word duration and speaking rate in Tourette's
Authors: Llorens Mairym
Published: November 2017

Tourette's syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by the presence of an inventory of involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics that is unique to each individual. Tics occur on a background of typical, ongoing voluntary behavior, including speech. The voluntary speech of persons with Tourette's, like the speech of neurotypicals, shows expected signatures of underlying prosodic structure, e.g., emphatic word lengthening, utterance-final word lengthening and changes in speaking rate across an utterance. Many vocal tics resemble words or phrases uttered out of context but studies investigating the acoustic properties of tics in relation to the surrounding speech context do not exist. This state of affairs precludes understanding the relationship between linguistic vocal behavior, speech disfluencies, vocal ticking and other vocal behaviors like coughing. The current case study represents a linguistically informed analysis of vocal tic production during rehearsed, voluntary speech that investigated the impact of proximity to a prosodic boundary on tic word duration and speaking rate in an effort to determine whether vocal tics are produced via the typical speech planning and production pipeline.
Vowel space in children with residual speech sound disorders
Authors: Spencer Caroline E. , Clark Jade , Hamilton Sarah M. , Boyce Suzanne
Published: November 2017

Children with Residual Speech Sound Disorders (RSSD) are considered to have typical speech except for a few misarticulated sounds. During the course of ultrasound biofeedback therapy, parents frequently remark that their children have improved intelligibility, even if the misarticulated sound is not yet successfully remediated. One possible explanation is that therapy improves articulatory precision and expands their articulatory action space. In this study, we collected vowel space measures for 10 RSSD children pre and post 10 sessions of ultrasound therapy. In addition, we collected vowel space measures for 10 typically developing children. Preliminary results suggest a difference between populations. Across RSSD speakers pre-therapy, formant values were variable within phonemic categories; in contrast, formant values were consistent within phonemic categories in typical speakers. Further results of the comparisons between RSSD and typical children as well as for RSSD children’s performance pre and post therapy will be discussed.
Recovering prosody of a case of foreign accent syndrome (FAS)
Authors: Kuo Grace
Published: November 2017

Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a rare disorder characterized by the emergence of a perceived foreign accent following brain damage. In this case study, acoustic analyses were performed on the speech of a Mandarin-speaking female FAS patient at her four doctor visits. The reading materials included news in newspaper and a tongue twister. The acoustic analyses include sentence-level intonation and rhythm measures such as %V and PVIs. Results reveal a gradual recovery trajectory from a disfluent stressed-timed pattern to a fluent syllable-timed pattern. A heritage Mandarin speaker and an advanced nonnative speaker recorded the same reading materials and the same acoustic analyses were performed on their speech for comparison.
The Virtual Ocean—A high-fidelity, physics-based testbed for distributed, autonomous undersea acoustic sensing networks
Authors: Schmidt Henrik
Published: November 2017

Behavior-based autonomy enables unmanned vehicles to adapt to the current environmental and tactical situation, with behaviors individually optimized for the detection, classification, localization, and tracking phases of the sensing mission. However, the adaptation has limited predictability with platform actions potentially becoming suboptimal or risky, in turn requiring extensive experimentation and testing. For obvious cost reasons, simulations are critical to this process. However, to be reliable, it is critical to the robustness evaluation that the processing chain and autonomy system is identical to the one operated on the physical platforms, with only the sensor stimulation and the platform dynamics being simulated. The Virtual Ocean is a physics-based ocean environment testbed, developed for carrying out virtual experiments with MOOS-ivP platform autonomy systems for environmentally and tactically adaptive acoustic sensing and communication networks. Coupled to ocean modeling frameworks such as MSEAS and HYCOM, and legacy acoustic models, it supports virtual experiments involving multiple fixed or mobile nodes with arbitrary volumetric or towed arrays, operating in realistic 3D ocean environments. Examples and experimental validations will be discussed. [Work supported by ONR and DARPA.]
Biogenic control on rheological and geoacoustic properties of aquatic sediments: Past research and future directions
Authors: Bentley Samuel J.
Published: November 2017

Our understanding of biogenic controls on rheological and geoacoustic properties of aquatic sediment lags behind other topics in seafloor science. For nearly a century, the ability of sedimentary infauna to influence fabric and diagenesis of aquatic sediments has been widely recognized. These insights result from many studies (both observation and modeling) of bioturbation and its control on mass transport and destruction of primary sedimentary layering in the shallow seabed. Nevertheless, our detailed knowledge infaunal behavior below the intertidal zone remains very limited for most taxa. Our understanding of infaunal controls on sediment physical properties and rheology such as shear strength, porosity, or sound-wave propagation below the intertidal zone remains even more sparse. Some pioneering studies over the decades have demonstrated that biogenic influences on sediment porosity, strength, and rigidity can be significant and are related to bioturbation style and rate. However, the number of these studies remains small compared to the breadth of the problem. Several recent numerical models of muddy-sediment seabed dynamics and consolidation hold promise as frameworks for potential experimentation, in which biogenic forcing can be implemented to dilate, compact, or reshape sediment, and so alter sediment rheological and geoacoustic properties. This presentation will explore potential new approaches in this line of research, based on past successes and present knowledge gaps.
Fast-marching methods to model the acoustic responses of biological seafloors
Authors: jenkins chris j.
Published: November 2017

Biologically colonized seafloors have been difficult to model for their acoustic interaction. The distributions of geoacoustic properties above and beneath the nominal bottom can be extremely complex. We have implemented workflows in software which: (i) efficiently construct many patterns of growth forms, bioturbation, organism aggregations, and flesh-skeleton morphologies, and (ii) submit them to “Eikonal” wavefront acoustic modeling. Ray-based finite-element and statistical methods can, in theory, be applied but they run into problems of the strongly inhomogeneous geoacoustics, ray-chaos (of several causes), absence of a clear division into the usual rough surface/inhomogeneous volume halfspaces, and heavy computational costs. Wavefront methods, namely, Eikonals implemented via Fast-Marching Algorithms, are able to deal with complex situations—as has been realized lately in deep seismic geophysics, in moving object tracking, and interestingly, in urban settings, for locating gunshots and mapping Wi-fi fields. They also to offer a new way to understand the acoustic backscatter results from multibeam, sidescan and single beam sonar systems over complex biologic seafloor types. This direction of research requires close knowledge of both the “bio” and the “geo” of seafloors.
Basic concepts on sound sculptures design in soundscapes
Authors: Elizondo - Garza Fernando J. , Guerra -Torres Cesar
Published: November 2017

The primitive development of visual sculptures was born for the rite and evolved toward the artistic object, that in parallel with the development of music and musical instruments. Currently with a broad sense conceptualization of the art object, the sculpture has evolved from an aesthetic object towards the concept of installation, a multisensory interactive act, within which the sound sculpture, or installation, has taken predominance. In this paper some of the basic (mental) conceptual schemes to be considered in the design of the acoustic dimension of sound sculptures will be presented, e.g., the sculpture as a sound source and its acoustic field; its location and their primary and secondary effects; acoustic or audio; the to think-design-build process in that order, among others. Some examples of the various types of objects that can be considered sound sculptures will be shown and the importance of the sound sculptures in the design of soundscapes will be discussed.
e-Appraisal of soundscape for public squares in China
Authors: Chung Andy , To W. M.
Published: November 2017

There have been activities undergoing in public squares in China changing the soundscape of the venues as well as their neighborhood. Such activities include group dancing with music, martial arts playing sound generating tools, etc., which are not the anticipated activities during the planning and design stage. Soundwalk and surveys using an app were conducted to have an appraisal of the situation. This paper presents the findings of the case studies and recommendations for future planning of public squares with unanticipated sound generating activities.
Atmospheric effects on acoustic vector sensing
Authors: Collier Sandra L. , Denis Max , Solomon Latasha , Ligon David , Noble John , Alberts W. C. Kirkpatrick , Sim Leng , Reiff Christian G. , James Deryck D.
Published: November 2017

Two-dimensional acoustic particle velocity and acoustic pressure, concurrent with atmospheric data, were collected during a series of field tests. It was found that for short propagation distances, the particle velocity field remained unsaturated (little variation in amplitude and phase) for higher frequencies than did the pressure field. Theoretical comparisons are made to examine the physical effects of the propagation environment on the particle velocity field statistics.
Awareness and Attitude Toward Use of Dietary Supplements and the Perceived Outcomes Among Saudi Adult Male Members of Fitness Centers in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alfawaz Hanan A. , Krishnaswamy Soundararajan , Al-Faifi Latifah , Atta Halima Ali Bin , Al-Shayaa Mohammad , Alghanim Saad A. , Al-Daghri Nasser M.
Published: November 2017

Dietary supplements are believed to enhance athletic performance and/or prevent/reverse pathological states. Despite the increasing use of dietary supplements in Saudi Arabia, systematic studies in this field are lacking. This study aims to assess the relation between demographic and social characteristics and dietary supplement use among adult males in Saudi Arabia. Demographic and dietary supplements data from fitness club participants were collected through a questionnaire, and the Pearson chi-square test was used to determine associations. A total of 448 apparently healthy adult males above 20 years of age, who were registered at fitness centers located in Saudi Arabia, participated in the study. The majority (275 [62%]) of the study participants were younger (20–30 years), of normal weight (189 [43%]), without health problems (332 [79%]), and obtained an undergraduate degree or higher (336 [77%]). The majority (58%) took supplements under the supervision of a professional and the rest depended on Internet (22%), friends (12%), or books (4%) for choosing supplement types. The main motives of the participants for visiting the fitness center were: weight loss (N = 149 [35%]), keeping fit (N = 101 [24%]), and muscle building (N = 151 [35%]). One hundred and fifty-five participants (44%) were taking supplements on a daily basis with 34 (10%) having taken it for a prolonged duration (>1 year). The most commonly used supplements were proteins (29%) and multivitamins (21%). Supplement use was not associated with the participants’ family income or level of education but was positively associated with younger age (<31 years), χ2(2, N = 443) = 4.96, p = .03.
The Physiological Mechanisms of Effect of Vitamins and Amino Acids on Tendon and Muscle Healing: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tack Christopher , Shorthouse Faye , Kass Lindsy
Published: November 2017

Aims/Objectives: To evaluate the current literature via systematic review to ascertain whether amino acids/vitamins provide any influence on musculotendinous healing and if so, by which physiological mechanisms. Methods: EBSCO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase Classic/Embase, and MEDLINE were searched using terms including “vitamins,” “amino acids,” “healing,” “muscle,” and “tendon.” The primary search had 479 citations, of which 466 were excluded predominantly due to nonrandomized design. Randomized human and animal studies investigating all supplement types/forms of administration were included. Critical appraisal of internal validity was assessed using the Cochrane risk of Bias Tool or the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation Risk of Bias Tool for human and animal studies, respectively. Two reviewers performed duel data extraction. Results: Twelve studies met criteria for inclusion: eight examined tendon healing and four examined muscle healing. All studies used animal models, except two human trials using a combined integrator. Narrative synthesis was performed via content analysis of demonstrated statistically significant effects and thematic analysis of proposed physiological mechanisms of intervention. Vitamin C/taurine demonstrated indirect effects on tendon healing through antioxidant activity. Vitamin A/glycine showed direct effects on extracellular matrix tissue synthesis. Vitamin E shows an antiproliferative influence on collagen deposition. Leucine directly influences signaling pathways to promote muscle protein synthesis. Discussion: Preliminary evidence exists, demonstrating that vitamins and amino acids may facilitate multilevel changes in musculotendinous healing; however, recommendations on clinical utility should be made with caution. All animal studies and one human study showed high risk of bias with moderate interobserver agreement (k = 0.46). Currently, there is limited evidence to support the use of vitamins and amino acids for musculotendinous injury. Both high-quality animal experimentation of the proposed mechanisms confirming the physiological influence of supplementation and human studies evaluating effects on tissue morphology and biochemistry are required before practical application.
A Nutrition Recovery Station Following Recreational Exercise Improves Fruit Consumption but Does Not Influence Fluid Recovery
Authors: Desbrow Ben , Barnes Katelyn , Young Caroline , Cox Greg R. , Irwin Chris
Published: November 2017

Immediate postexercise access to fruit/fluid via a recovery “station” is a common feature of mass participation sporting events. Yet little evidence exists examining their impact on subsequent dietary intake. The aim of this study was to determine if access to fruit/water/sports drinks within a recovery station significantly alters dietary and fluid intakes in the immediate postexercise period and influences hydration status the next morning. 127 (79 males) healthy participants (M ± SD, age = 22.5 ± 3.5y, body mass (BM) = 73 ± 13kg) completed two self-paced morning 10km runs separated by 1 week. Immediately following the first run, participants were randomly assigned to enter (or not) the recovery station for 30min. All participants completed the alternate recovery option the following week. Participants recorded BM before and after exercise and measured Urine Specific Gravity (USG) before running and again the following morning. For both trial days, participants also completed 24h food and fluid records via a food diary that included photographs. Paired-sample t tests were used to assess differences in hydration and dietary outcome variables (Recovery vs. No Recovery). No difference in preexercise USG or BM change from exercise were observed between treatments (p’s > .05). Attending the recovery zone resulted in a greater total daily fluid (Recovery = 3.37 ± 1.46L, No Recovery = 3.16 ± 1.32L, p = .009) and fruit intake (Recovery = 2.37 ± 1.76 servings, No Recovery = 1.55 ± 1.61 servings, p > .001), but had no influence on daily total energy (Recovery = 10.15 ± 4.2MJ, No Recovery = 10.15 ± 3.9MJ), or macronutrient intakes (p > .05). Next morning USG values were not different between treatments (Recovery = 1.018 ± 0.007, No Recovery = 1.019 ± 0.009, p > .05). Recovery stations provide an opportunity to modify dietary intake which promote positive lifestyle behaviors in recreational athletes.
A Comparison of the Nutrient Intakes of Macronutrient-Based Dieting and Strict Dieting Bodybuilders
Authors: Ismaeel Ahmed , Weems Suzy , Willoughby Darryn S.
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this study was to provide a descriptive assessment of the nutritional habits of competitive bodybuilders and compare the nutrient intakes of macronutrient-based dieting and strict dieting individuals. Data from 41 subjects (30 males and 11 females) were used in analyses. Participants completed a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire, and diets were analyzed using a computer system. Males consumed an average of 2,577.2 kcal (SD = 955.1), with an average fat intake of 83.6 g (SD = 41.3), an average carbohydrate intake of 323.3 g (SD = 105.2), and an average protein intake of 163.4 g (SD = 70.4). There were no significant differences between male macronutrient-based dieting and strict dieting bodybuilders when mean intakes were compared for all nutrients, including the macronutrients, selected vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, added sugars, and saturated fat. Females in this study consumed an average of 1,794 kcal (SD = 453.1), with an average fat intake of 58.3 g (SD = 23.1), a mean carbohydrate intake of 217.8 g (SD = 85.9), and an average protein intake of 103.8 g (SD = 35.7). For females, macronutrient-based dieters consumed significantly greater amounts of several nutrients, including protein, vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Over half of individuals from all groups consumed less than the recommended amounts of several of the micronutrients. Based on this information, it is recommended that competitive bodybuilders should be advised to take their micronutrition into greater consideration.
Obstacle Crossing in a Virtual Environment Transfers to a Real Environment
Authors: LoJacono Chanel T. , MacPherson Ryan P. , Kuznetsov Nikita A. , Raisbeck Louisa D. , Ross Scott E. , Rhea Christopher K.
Published: November 2017

Obstacle crossing, such as stepping over a curb, becomes more challenging with natural aging and could lead to obstacle-related trips and falls. To reduce fall-risk, obstacle training programs using physical obstacles have been developed, but come with space and human resource constraints. These barriers could be removed by using a virtual obstacle crossing training program, but only if the learned gait characteristics transfer to a real environment. We examined whether virtual environment obstacle crossing behavior is transferred to crossing real environment obstacles. Forty participants (n = 20 younger adults and n = 20 older adults) completed two sessions of virtual environment obstacle crossing, which was preceded and followed by one session of real environment obstacle crossing. Participants learned to cross the virtual obstacle more safely and that change in behavior was transferred to the real environment via increased foot clearance and alterations in foot placement before and after the real environment obstacle. Further, while both age groups showed transfer to the real environment task, they differed on the limb in which their transfer effects applied. This suggests it is plausible to use virtual reality training to enhance gait characteristics in the context of obstacle avoidance, potentially leading to a novel way to reduce fall-risk.
Clinical Diagnostic Tests Versus MRI Diagnosis of ACL Tears
Authors: Brady Megan P. , Weiss Windee
Published: November 2017

Clinical Scenario: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common knee injury within varying athletic levels. Clinical diagnostic tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two methods of evaluating ACL injuries. Clinical Question: Are clinical diagnostic tests as accurate as MRI when diagnosing ACL tears? Summary of Key Findings: Three cross-sectional design studies were included. One study found that clinical diagnostic tests were superior to MRI when diagnosing an ACL tear. Another study found that clinical diagnostic tests were equal to MRI when measuring sensitivity, but scored higher in specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy. The last study found that clinical diagnostic tests scored higher than MRI on specificity and positive predictive value, were equal when measuring accuracy, and scored lower when measuring sensitivity and negative predictive value. Clinical Bottom Line: The evidence supports the use of clinical diagnostic tests when diagnosing an ACL tear. Strength of Recommendation: Level 2–3.
Validity of a Smartphone Application for Measuring Ankle Plantar Flexion
Authors: Cox Robert W. , Martinez Rodrigo E. , Baker Russell T. , Warren Lindsay
Published: November 2017

Context: Range of motion is a component of a physical examination used in the diagnostic and rehabilitative processes. Following ankle injury and/or during research, it is common to measure plantar flexion with a universal goniometer. The ease and availability of digital inclinometers created as applications for smartphones have led to an increase in using this method of range of motion assessment. Smartphone applications have been validated as alternatives to inclinometer measurements in the knee; however, this application has not been validated for plantar flexion in the ankle. Objectives: The purpose of this study was (1) to assess the validity of the Clinometer Smartphone Application™ produced by Plaincode App Development for use in the ankle (ie, plantar flexion) and (2) to assess the validity of the inclinometer procedures used to measure ankle dorsiflexion for measuring ankle plantar flexion. Design: Blinded repeated measures correlational design. Setting: University-based outpatient rehabilitative clinic. Participants: A convenience sample (N = 50) of participants (27 females and 23 males) who reported to the clinic (mean age = 30.48 y). Intervention: Patients were long seated on a plinth, with the knee in terminal extension. Three plantar flexion measurements were taken with a goniometer on each foot by the primary researcher. The primary researcher then conducted 3 blinded measurements with The Clinometer Smartphone Application™ following the same procedure. A second researcher, who was blinded to the goniometer measurements, recorded the inclinometer measurements. After data were collected, a Pearson’s correlation was calculated to determine the validity of the clinometer app compared with goniometry. Main Outcome Measure: Degrees of motion for ankle plantar flexion. Results: Measurements produced using the Clinometer Smartphone Application™ were highly correlated for right foot (r = .92, P < .001), left foot (r = .92, P < .001), and combined (r = .92, P < .001) with goniometer measurements using a plastic universal goniometer. Conclusion: The Clinometer Smartphone Application™ is a valid instrument for measuring plantar flexion of the ankle.
Apoptosis in mesenchymal stromal cells induces in vivo recipient-mediated immunomodulation
Authors: Galleu Antonio , Riffo-Vasquez Yanira , Trento Cristina , Lomas Cara , Dolcetti Luigi , Cheung Tik Shing , von Bonin Malte , Barbieri Laura , Halai Krishma , Ward Sophie , Weng Ling , Chakraverty Ronjon , Lombardi Giovanna , Watt Fiona M. , Orchard Kim , Marks David I. , Apperley Jane , Bornhauser Martin , Walczak Henning , Bennett Clare , Dazzi Francesco
Published: November 2017

Mesenchymal stromal cell apoptosis, induced in vivo by recipient cytotoxic cells, is required for immunosuppression and clinical responses.
Syndromic Panel-Based Testing in Clinical Microbiology
Authors: Ramanan Poornima , Bryson Alexandra L. , Binnicker Matthew J. , Pritt Bobbi S. , Patel Robin
Published: November 2017

The recent development of commercial panel-based molecular diagnostics for the rapid detection of pathogens in positive blood culture bottles, respiratory specimens, stool, and cerebrospinal fluid has resulted in a paradigm shift in clinical microbiology and clinical practice. This review focuses on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved/cleared multiplex molecular panels with more than five targets designed to assist in the diagnosis of bloodstream, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal, or central nervous system infections. While these panel-based assays have the clear advantages of a rapid turnaround time and the detection of a large number of microorganisms and promise to improve health care, they present certain challenges, including cost and the definition of ideal test utilization strategies (i.e., optimal ordering) and test interpretation.
Quantitative Analysis of Gamma Interferon Release Assay Response in Children with Latent and Active Tuberculosis
Authors: Lombardi Giulia , Petrucci Roberta , Corsini Ilaria , Bacchi Reggiani Maria Letizia , Visciotti Francesca , Bernardi Filippo , Landini Maria Paola , Cazzato Salvatore , Dal Monte Paola
Published: November 2017

The use of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) infection in children is still under debate because of concerns about the immature immune response in children. The aim of this study was to investigate quantitative values of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) test, a commercially available IGRA, in a large cohort of children screened for TB infection. A retrospective analysis was conducted on samples from 517 children aged 0 to 14 years old at the Pediatric Unit of S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital of Bologna (Italy); quantitative responses to QFT-IT stimuli were analyzed according to diagnosis and age. Elevated IFN-γ values in the QFT-IT nil (background) tube were statistically associated with diagnosis of active TB. Quantitative IFN-γ response to
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
-specific antigens (TB Ag) was not significantly different in children with active TB compared to those with latent TB infection (LTBI), even though the median values were higher in the first group. When children were grouped by age, those less than 5 years old produced significantly higher levels of IFN-γ in response to TB Ag if they had active TB (median 10 IU/ml) than those with LTBI (median 1.96 IU/ml). IFN-γ response to mitogen increased with age. The overall rate of indeterminate results was low (3.9%), and no indeterminate QFT-IT values were observed in active or latent TB patients. In conclusion, quantitative QFT-IT values could provide further information to clinicians to manage TB in children, and these observations could be transferred to the new version of the test, QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, which to date lacks data from the pediatric population.
Single-Dose Trivalent VesiculoVax Vaccine Protects Macaques from Lethal Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus Challenge
Authors: Matassov Demetrius , Mire Chad E. , Latham Theresa , Geisbert Joan B. , Xu Rong , Ota-Setlik Ayuko , Agans Krystle N. , Kobs Dean J. , Wendling Morgan Q. S. , Burnaugh Amanda , Rudge Thomas L. , Sabourin Carol L. , Egan Michael A. , Clarke David K. , Geisbert Thomas W. , Eldridge John H.
Published: November 2017

Previous studies demonstrated that a single intramuscular (i.m.) dose of an attenuated recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector (VesiculoVax vector platform; rVSV-N4CT1) expressing the glycoprotein (GP) from the Mayinga strain of
Zaire ebolavirus
(EBOV) protected nonhuman primates (NHPs) from lethal challenge with EBOV strains Kikwit and Makona. Here, we studied the immunogenicities of an expanded range of attenuated rVSV vectors expressing filovirus GP in mice. Based on data from those studies, an optimal attenuated trivalent rVSV vector formulation was identified that included rVSV vectors expressing EBOV,
Sudan ebolavirus
(SUDV), and the Angola strain of
Marburg marburgvirus
(MARV) GPs. NHPs were vaccinated with a single dose of the trivalent formulation, followed by lethal challenge 28 days later with each of the three corresponding filoviruses. At day 14 postvaccination, a serum IgG response specific for all three GPs was detected in all the vaccinated macaques. A modest and balanced cell-mediated immune response specific for each GP was also detected in a majority of the vaccinated macaques. No matter the level of total GP-specific immune response detected postvaccination, all the vaccinated macaques were protected from disease and death following lethal challenge with each of the three filoviruses. These findings indicate that vaccination with a single dose of attenuated rVSV-N4CT1 vectors each expressing a single filovirus GP may provide protection against the filoviruses most commonly responsible for outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever in sub-Saharan Africa.

IMPORTANCE
The West African Ebola virus Zaire outbreak in 2013 showed that the disease was not only a regional concern, but a worldwide problem, and highlighted the need for a safe and efficacious vaccine to be administered to the populace. However, other endemic pathogens, like Ebola virus Sudan and Marburg, also pose an important health risk to the public and therefore require development of a vaccine prior to the occurrence of an outbreak. The significance of our research was the development of a blended trivalent filovirus vaccine that elicited a balanced immune response when administered as a single dose and provided complete protection against a lethal challenge with all three filovirus pathogens.
Adaptive Immune Responses following Senecavirus A Infection in Pigs
Authors: Maggioli Mayara F. , Lawson Steve , de Lima Marcelo , Joshi Lok R. , Faccin Tatiane C. , Bauermann Fernando V. , Diel Diego G.
Published: November 2017

Senecavirus A (SVA), an emerging picornavirus of swine, causes vesicular disease (VD) that is clinically indistinguishable from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in pigs. Many aspects of SVA interactions with the host and the host immune responses to infection, however, remain unknown. In the present study, humoral and cellular immune responses to SVA were evaluated following infection in pigs. We show that SVA infection elicited an early and robust virus-neutralizing (VN) antibody response, which coincided and was strongly correlated with VP2- and VP3-specific IgM responses. Notably, the neutralizing antibody (NA) responses paralleled the reduction of viremia and resolution of the disease. Analysis of the major porcine T-cell subsets revealed that during the acute/clinical phase of SVA infection (14 days postinfection [p.i.]), T-cell responses were characterized by an increased frequency of αβ T cells, especially CD4
+
T cells, which were first detected by day 7 p.i. and increased in frequency until day 14 p.i. Additionally, the frequency of CD8
+
and double-positive CD4
+
CD8
+
T cells (effector/memory T cells) expressing interferon gamma (IFN-γ) or proliferating in response to SVA antigen stimulation increased after day 10 p.i. Results presented here show that SVA elicits B- and T-cell activation early upon infection, with IgM antibody levels being correlated with early neutralizing activity against the virus and peak B- and T-cell responses paralleling clinical resolution of the disease. The work provides important insights into the immunological events that follow SVA infection in the natural host.

IMPORTANCE
Senecavirus A (SVA) has recently emerged in swine, causing outbreaks of vesicular disease (VD) in major swine-producing countries around the world, including the United States, Brazil, China, Thailand, and Colombia. Notably, SVA-induced disease is clinically indistinguishable from other high-consequence VDs of swine, such as FMD, swine vesicular disease, vesicular stomatitis, and vesicular exanthema of swine. Despite the clinical relevance of SVA-induced VD, many aspects of the virus infection biology remain unknown. Here, we assessed host immune responses to SVA infection. The results show that SVA infection elicits early B- and T-cell responses, with the levels of VN antibody and CD4
+
T-cell responses paralleling the reduction of viremia and resolution of the disease. SVA-specific CD8
+
T cells are detected later during infection. A better understanding of SVA interactions with the host immune system may allow the design and implementation of improved control strategies for this important pathogen of swine.
Interaction between a Unique Minor Protein and a Major Capsid Protein of Bluetongue Virus Controls Virus Infectivity
Authors: Matsuo Eiko , Yamazaki Kiyoshi , Tsuruta Hiroki , Roy Polly
Published: November 2017

Among the
Reoviridae
family of double-stranded RNA viruses, only members of the
Orbivirus
genus possess a unique structural protein, termed VP6, within their particles. Bluetongue virus (BTV), an important livestock pathogen, is the prototype
Orbivirus
. BTV VP6 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, and it is indispensable for virus replication. In the study described in this report, we investigated how VP6 might be recruited to the virus capsid and whether the BTV structural protein VP3, which forms the internal layer of the virus capsid core, is involved in VP6 recruitment. We first demonstrated that VP6 interacts with VP3 and colocalizes with VP3 during capsid assembly. A series of VP6 mutants was then generated, and in combination with immunoprecipitation and size exclusion chromatographic analyses, we demonstrated that VP6 directly interacts with VP3 via a specific region of the C-terminal portion of VP6. Finally, using our reverse genetics system, mutant VP6 proteins were introduced into the BTV genome and interactions between VP6 and VP3 were shown in a live cell system. We demonstrate that BTV strains possessing a mutant VP6 are replication deficient in wild-type BSR cells and fail to recruit the viral replicase complex into the virus particle core. Taken together, these data suggest that the interaction between VP3 and VP6 could be important in the packaging of the viral genome and early stages of particle formation.

IMPORTANCE
The orbivirus bluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of bluetongue disease of livestock, often causing significant economic and agricultural impacts in the livestock industry. In the study described in this report, we identified the essential region and residues of the unique orbivirus capsid protein VP6 which are responsible for its interaction with other BTV proteins and its subsequent recruitment into the virus particle. The nature and mechanism of these interactions suggest that VP6 has a key role in packaging of the BTV genome into the virus particle. As such, this is a highly significant finding, as this new understanding of BTV assembly could be exploited to design novel vaccines and antivirals against bluetongue disease.