bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motivators and Barriers to Exercise in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Afshari Mitra , Yang Amy , Bega Danny
Published: November 2017

Background:

Despite evidence for the benefits of exercise in Parkinson’s disease (PD), many patients remain sedentary for undefined reasons.

Objective:

To compare exercise habits, perceptions about exercise, and barriers to exercise in ‘low’ (<3 h/week) and ‘high’ (≥3 h/week) exercisers with PD.

Methods:

A 48-item survey was administered to PD patients at an outpatient academic center. Chi-squared tests were used to compare the percentage differences between low- and high-exercisers with two-sided tests and a significant level of 0.05.

Results:

243 surveys were collected over three months; 28 were excluded due to incomplete data, leaving 215 to be analyzed. 49.3% reported ‘low’-exercise and 50.7% reported ‘high’-exercise. High-exercisers participated in higher intensity exercise regimens (83.4% versus 32.1%, p≤0.001). High-exercisers were more likely to start exercising after being diagnosed (54.2% versus 27.8%, p < 0.001), whereas low-exercisers were more likely to reduce their amount of exercise (40.2% versus 15.9%, p < 0.001). Low-exercisers required more motivating factors. Both groups benefited from having a significant other or a personal trainer motivate them, and both were more likely to exercise if their neurologist encouraged them. Low-exercisers reported twice as many barriers as high-exercisers ( p = 0.001). Barriers that were significantly more common in low-exercisers were: lacking someone to motivate them (33.3% versus 10.5%, p < 0.001), fatigue (20.8% versus 15.2%, p = 0.005), and depression (16.7% versus 7.6%, p = 0.045).

Conclusions:

There are significant differences between people with PD who exercise regularly and those who do not in terms of motivators and barriers. These findings should be considered when tailoring recommendations for PD patients to encourage exercise, and in designing future interventions.
Increasing Efficiency of Recruitment in Early Parkinson’s Disease Trials: A Case Study Examination of the STEADY-PD III Trial
Authors: Berk Sarah , Greco Brittany L. , Biglan Kevin , Kopil Catherine M. , Holloway Robert G. , Meunier Claire , Simuni Tanya
Published: November 2017

Background:

Challenges in clinical trial recruitment threaten the successful development of improved therapies. This is particularly true in Parkinson’s disease (PD) studies of disease modification where the population of interest is difficult to find and study design is more complex.

Objective:

This paper seeks to understand how STEADY PD III, a National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) funded phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy of isradipine as a disease modifying agent for PD, was able to recruit their full target population 6 months ahead of schedule.

Methods:

STEADY PD III aimed to enroll 336 individuals with early stage idiopathic PD within 18 months using 57 sites across the United States and Canada. The study included a 10% NIH minority recruitment goal. Eligible participants agreed to be followed for up to 36 months, complete 12 in-person visits and 4 telephone visits. A Recruitment Committee of key stakeholders was critical in the development of a comprehensive recruitment strategy involving: multi-modal outreach, protocol modifications and comprehensive site selection and activation. Efforts to increase site-specific minority recruitment strategies were encouraged through additional funding.

Results:

A total of 336 individuals, including 34 minorities, were enrolled within 12 months – 6 months ahead of the projected timeline. Quantitative analysis of recruitment activity questionnaires found that of the sites that completed them ( n = 54), (20.4%) met goals, (24.1%) exceeded goals, and (55.6%) fell below projected goals. Referral sources completed at time of screening indicate top four study referral sources as: site personnel (53.8%); neurologists (24%); Fox Trial Finder (10.2%); and communications from The Michael J. Fox Foundation (3.9%).

Conclusions:

STEADY PD III serves as an important example of methods that can be used to increase clinical trial recruitment. This research highlights a continued need to improve site infrastructure and dedicate more resources to increased participation of minorities in clinical research.
Domperidone for Hypotension in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bacchi Stephen , Chim Ivana , Kramer Philippe , Postuma Ronald B.
Published: November 2017

Background:

Domperidone is a proposed treatment of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, domperidone use in PD is tempered by concerns regarding QT prolongation and ventricular tachyarrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (VT/SCD).

Objective:

The aim is to identify peer-reviewed studies in which either (1) the effect of domperidone on blood pressure in patients with PD, or (2) the adverse effects associated with domperidone use in PD patients has been reported.

Methods:

PubMed, EMBASE, Medline and Scopus were searched using the terms Parkinson’ s disease and domperidone.

Results:

Twenty-two articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. One study was a randomized placebo-controlled trial with domperidone administration independent of the commencement of dopaminergic medications. This study identified a non-statistically significant trend that domperidone may be beneficial for OH in PD. Several studies identified statistically significant differences in BP with domperidone in the setting of initiating dopaminergic medication. There is currently the most evidence to support domperidone use with apomorphine commencement. Studies reporting domperidone adverse effects in PD patients were largely retrospective or cross-sectional. The identified studies demonstrated that domperidone may cause QT prolongation and is associated with increased risk of VT/SCD in PD patients with preexisting cardiac disease.

Conclusions:

Domperidone may help to ameliorate OH associated with dopaminergic medications in PD, namely when used in conjunction with apomorphine. When considering whether to use domperidone in PD, factors that should be taken into account include pre-existing heart disease and drug interactions, as well as the impact of OH on mobility, cognition and quality of life.
Differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: Major changes in the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition cancer staging manual
Authors: Perrier Nancy D. , Brierley James D. , Tuttle R. Michael
Published: November 2017

Answer questions and earn CME/CNE

This is a review of the major changes in the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual, eighth edition, for differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. All patients younger than 55 years have stage I disease unless they have distant metastases, in which case, their disease is stage II. In patients aged 55 years or older, the presence of distant metastases confers stage IVB, while cases without distant metastases are further categorized based on the presence/absence of gross extrathyroidal extension, tumor size, and lymph node status. Patients aged 55 years or older whose tumor measures 4 cm or smaller (T1‐T2) and is confined to the thyroid (N0, NX) have stage I disease, and those whose tumor measures greater than 4 cm and is confined to the thyroid (T3a) have stage II disease regardless of lymph node status. Patients aged 55 years or older whose tumor is confined to the thyroid and measures 4 cm or smaller (T1‐T2) with any lymph node metastases present (N1a or N1b) have stage II disease. In patients who demonstrate gross extrathyroidal extension, the disease is considered stage II if only the strap muscles are grossly invaded (T3b); stage III if there is gross invasion of the subcutaneous tissue, larynx, trachea, esophagus, or recurrent laryngeal nerve (T4a); or stage IVA if there is gross invasion of the prevertebral fascia or tumor encasing the carotid artery or internal jugular vein (T4b). The same T definitions will be used for both differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer, but the basic premise of the anatomic stage groups will remain the same. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:55‐63. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Studies on Adsorption Performance of Reactive Dye Remazol Navy RGB (RN-RGB) via Epoxide Functional Magnetic ?-Al2O3 Nanocomposite Particles
Authors: Bristy S. S. , Ahmad H.
Published: November 2017

The nanocomposite particles named as ?-Al2O3/Fe3O4/SiO2/poly(glycidyl methacrylate) or ?-Al2O3/Fe3O4/SiO2/PGMA were prepared by multi-step process. At first, ?- Al2O3 nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel method. Magnetite, Fe3O4, nanoparticles were then precipitated by in situ co-precipitation in presence of ?-Al2O3 particles, followed by incorporation of mesoporous silica layer using Stöber process. Finally, the surface of the ?-Al2O3/Fe3O4/SiO2 nanocomposite particles was modified by seeded polymerization of GMA using free radical polymerization. The surface modification, morphology and size distribution of the prepared nanocomposite particles were confirmed by FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The adsorption capacity of ?-Al2O3/Fe3O4/SiO2/PGMA nanocomposite particles was evaluated using remazol navy RGB (RN-RGB) as a model dye.
‘In the dim light’: Archaeoastronomy in Beckett's Ill Seen Ill Said
Authors: Eric Hamilton Scott
Published: November 2017

Beckett's Ill Seen Ill Said begins with the protagonist in a position where ‘she sees Venus rise followed by the sun.’ This opening indicates the direct relationship between the narrative and astronomical phenomena of Venus rising as the morning star to mark the winter solstice and the alignments of megalithic structures built in correlation to this event. This paper traces the ways in which Ill Seen Ill Said uses the process of astronomy, the mapping of stars and planets, coinciding with megalithic stone structures, studied through the discipline known as archaeoastronomy, as a device for the creation of the narrative.
The Politics of Metaphor in Heaney's Sweeney Astray
Authors: O'Donoghue Josie
Published: November 2017

Seamus Heaney began translating the Middle Irish romance Buile Suibhne in 1972, but his ‘version from the Irish’, Sweeney Astray, wasn't published until 1983. This article explores Heaney's adaptation of metaphors from J.G. O'Keeffe's dual-language edition of Buile Suibhne, both in the notebook draft of 1972 and in the later published Sweeney Astray, and contends that the metaphorical make-up of each endeavour mirrors Heaney's documented ambivalence as to whether his Sweeney represents a retreat from current Northern Irish politics or a subtle commentary on it. I argue that what Heaney called ‘the anxiety of those times’ is ultimately reflected in the metaphorical texture of Sweeney Astray.
An Efficient Application of the MOEA/D Algorithm for Designing Noise Abatement Departure Trajectories
Authors: Ho-Huu Vinh , Hartjes Sander , Visser Hendrikus , Curran Richard
Published: November 2017

In an effort to allow to increase the number of aircraft and airport operations while mitigating their negative impacts (e.g., noise and pollutant emission) on near-airport communities, the optimal design of new departure routes with less noise and fuel consumption becomes more important. In this paper, a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D), which recently emerged as a potential method for solving multi-objective optimization problems (MOPs), is developed for this kind of problem. First, to minimize aircraft noise for departure routes while taking into account the interests of various stakeholders, bi-objective optimization problems involving noise and fuel consumption are formulated where both the ground track and vertical profile of a departure route are optimized simultaneously. Second, in order to make the design space of vertical profiles feasible during the optimization process, a trajectory parameterization technique recently proposed is employed. Furthermore, some modifications to MOEA/D that are aimed at significantly reducing the computational cost are also introduced. Two different examples of departure routes at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands are shown to demonstrate the applicability and reliability of the proposed method. The simulation results reveal that the proposed method is an effective and efficient approach for solving this kind of problem.
Addressing the Challenges of Conducting Observational Studies in Sheep Abattoirs
Authors: Payne Elyssa , Starling Melissa , McGreevy Paul
Published: November 2017

The competing needs of maintaining productivity within abattoirs, and maintaining high standards of animal welfare, provide fertile grounds for applied research in animal behavior. However, there are challenges involved in capturing useful behavioral data from the supply chain (from paddock to processing plant). The challenges identified in this report are based on a review of the scientific literature as well as field study observations. This article describes those challenges as they relate to collecting behavioral data on livestock-herding dogs, humans and livestock as they interact in abattoirs, and provides insights and recommendations for others embarking on animal studies in confined spaces, as well as in commercial settings. Direct observation of livestock behavior permits animal-welfare assessments and evaluations of the efficacy of operations in unfamiliar and high-pressure contexts, such as abattoirs. This brief report summarizes the factors that must be considered when undertaking in situ studies in abattoirs. There is merit in passive behavioral data-collection using video-recording equipment. However, the potential for hardware issues and sampling difficulties must be anticipated and addressed. Future research directions and recommendations to avoid such issues are discussed. This information will be highly beneficial to future abattoir studies focusing on efficiency and animal welfare at commercial abattoirs. Furthermore, it may also be relevant to any analyses involving large cohorts of animals in a confined environment.
ABS-SOCI: An Agent-Based Simulator of Student Sociograms
Authors: García-Magariño Iván , Lombas Andrés , Plaza Inmaculada , Medrano Carlos
Published: November 2017

Sociograms can represent the social relations between students. Some kinds of sociograms are more suitable than others for achieving a high academic performance of students. However, for now, at the beginning of an educative period, it is not possible to know for sure how the sociogram of a group of students will be or evolve during a semester or an academic year. In this context, the current approach presents an Agent-Based Simulator (ABS) that predicts the sociogram of a group of students taking into consideration their psychological profiles, by evolving an initial sociogram through time. This simulator is referred to as ABS-SOCI (ABS for SOCIograms). For instance, this can be useful for organizing class groups for some subjects of engineering grades, anticipating additional learning assistance or testing some teaching strategies. As experimentation, ABS-SOCI has been executed 100 times for each one of four real scenarios. The results show that ABS-SOCI produces sociograms similar to the real ones considering certain sociometrics. This similarity has been corroborated by statistical binomial tests that check whether there are significant differences between the simulations and the real cases. This experimentation also includes cross-validation and an analysis of sensitivity. ABS-SOCI is free and open-source to (1) ensure the reproducibility of the experiments; (2) to allow practitioners to run simulations; and (3) to allow developers to adapt the simulator for different environments.
Revealing Accessibility of Cryptic Protein Binding Sites within the Functional Collagen Fibril
Authors: Hoop Cody , Zhu Jie , Nunes Ana , Case David , Baum Jean
Published: November 2017

Fibrillar collagens are the most abundant proteins in the extracellular matrix. Not only do they provide structural integrity to all of the connective tissues in the human body, but also their interactions with multiple cell receptors and other matrix molecules are essential to cell functions, such as growth, repair, and cell adhesion. Although specific binding sequences of several receptors have been determined along the collagen monomer, processes by which collagen binding partners recognize their binding sites in the collagen fibril, and the critical driving interactions, are poorly understood. The complex molecular assembly of bundled triple helices within the collagen fibril makes essential ligand binding sites cryptic or hidden from the molecular surface. Yet, critical biological processes that require collagen ligands to have access to interaction sites still occur. In this contribution, we will discuss the molecular packing of the collagen I fibril from the perspective of how collagen ligands access their known binding regions within the fibril, and we will present our analysis of binding site accessibility from the fibril surface. Understanding the basis of these interactions at the atomic level sets the stage for developing drug targets against debilitating collagen diseases and using collagen as drug delivery systems and new biomaterials.
External Wall Insulation (EWI): Engaging Social Tenants in Energy Efficiency Retrofitting in the North East of England
Authors: Lilley Sara , Davidson Gill , Alwan Zaid
Published: November 2017

The question of how best to tackle the problem of energy inefficient older housing in the UK is considerable, and is further complicated by the question of tenure. Social landlords are working to update and improve their properties, which make up around 15% of the total UK housing stock (4 million properties). The success of such efficiency improvements depends in part on the cooperation of tenants, and their ability and willingness to engage with the process of change. This paper describes the experiences of eleven social housing tenant households whose properties were fitted with External Wall Insulation (EWI), based on pre- and post-installation interviews and data collection. It includes discussion of tenants’ knowledge, attitudes, and expectations prior to and following installation; household thermal comfort and energy spending before installation; tenant experiences of having EWI installed; tenant perceptions regarding the effects of EWI on thermal comfort, energy spending, and housing attractiveness; impacts of EWI on internal temperatures and heat loss (measured via thermal imaging); energy bill comparisons. Households experienced an average saving of 33% on energy bills following EWI installation, and the majority of tenants reported benefits including improved thermal comfort and related positive impacts on health and wellbeing. The paper concludes by highlighting potential learning points for engaging tenants in the process of enhancing energy efficiency in UK social rented housing.
Evolving Therapeutic Strategies to Exploit Chromosome Instability in Cancer
Authors: Thompson Laura , Jeusset Lucile , Lepage Chloe , McManus Kirk
Published: November 2017

Cancer is a devastating disease that claims over 8 million lives each year. Understanding the molecular etiology of the disease is critical to identify and develop new therapeutic strategies and targets. Chromosome instability (CIN) is an abnormal phenotype, characterized by progressive numerical and/or structural chromosomal changes, which is observed in virtually all cancer types. CIN generates intratumoral heterogeneity, drives cancer development, and promotes metastatic progression, and thus, it is associated with highly aggressive, drug-resistant tumors and poor patient prognosis. As CIN is observed in both primary and metastatic lesions, innovative strategies that exploit CIN may offer therapeutic benefits and better outcomes for cancer patients. Unfortunately, exploiting CIN remains a significant challenge, as the aberrant mechanisms driving CIN and their causative roles in cancer have yet to be fully elucidated. The development and utilization of CIN-exploiting therapies is further complicated by the associated risks for off-target effects and secondary cancers. Accordingly, this review will assess the strengths and limitations of current CIN-exploiting therapies, and discuss emerging strategies designed to overcome these challenges to improve outcomes and survival for patients diagnosed with cancer.
Investigation of the Spatio-Temporal Variations in Atmosphere Thickness Pattern of Iran and the Middle East with Special Focus on Precipitation in Iran
Authors: Rousta Iman , Doostkamian Mehdi , Taherian Allah , Haghighi Esmaeil , Ghafarian Malamiri Hamid , Ólafsson Haraldur
Published: November 2017

In this study, Geopotential Height (between 500 and 1000 hPa) and precipitation data were obtained from the NCEP/NCAR and IRIMO (Iran Meteorological Organization) for 60 years (1950–2010), respectively. Descriptive features of Atmospheric Thickness (hereafter AT) were calculated and analyzed by using the Mann-Kendall method. The results showed that the maximum AT was recorded in summer because of the dominance of the dynamic, hot subtropical high pressure. Furthermore, upper latitudes experienced more variations in terms of AT. The trend of variations showed that AT has significantly increased in recent years. Further, Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea experienced a more measurable increase in AT. On the other hand, AT had a declining trend over northern parts of Iraq and Iran, but it failed to be statistically considerable. The trend of AT had numerous variations over western parts of Iran, northwestern parts of Iraq, central and eastern parts of Turkey, and a large area of Syria. AT analysis of Iran’s precipitations showed that patterns in the Sea Level Pressure were caused by East Mediterranean, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia low pressures and the high pressures that were located in Europe and Kazakhstan. In addition, in upper-air (500 Hpa), the patterns were influenced by high Mediterranean trough and blocking phenomenon that come from higher latitudes.
The Potential Use of Marine Microalgae and Cyanobacteria in Cosmetics and Thalassotherapy
Authors: Mourelle M. , Gómez Carmen , Legido José
Published: November 2017

The use of microalgae and cyanobacteria for nutritional purposes dates back thousands of years; during the last few decades, microalgae culture has improved to become one of the modern biotechnologies. This has allowed high amounts of algal biomass to be obtained for use in different applications. Currently, the global production of microalgae and cyanobacteria is predominately aimed at applications with high added value given that algal biomass contains pigments, proteins, essential fatty acids, polysaccharides, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are of great interest in the preparation of natural products, both as food and in cosmetics. Hence, the bioactive components from microalgae can be incorporated in cosmetic and cosmeceutical formulations, and can help achieve benefits including the maintenance of skin structure and function. Thalassotherapy involves using seawater and all related marine elements, including macroalgae, however, there has been limited use of microalgae. Microalgae and cyanobacteria could be incorporated into health and wellness treatments applied in thalassotherapy centers due to their high concentration of biologically active substances that are of interest in skin care. This paper briefly reviews the current and potential cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications of marine microalgae and cyanobacteria compounds and also recommends its use in thalassotherapy well-being treatments.
A Review on the Recent Development of Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer Technology
Authors: Lu Fei , Zhang Hua , Mi Chris
Published: November 2017

Capacitive power transfer (CPT) technology is an effective and important alternative to the conventional inductive power transfer (IPT). It utilizes high-frequency electric fields to transfer electric power, which has three distinguishing advantages: negligible eddy-current loss, relatively low cost and weight, and excellent misalignment performance. In recent years, the power level and efficiency of CPT systems has been significantly improved and has reached the power level suitable for electric vehicle charging applications. This paper reviews the latest developments in CPT technology, focusing on two key technologies: the compensation circuit topology and the capacitive coupler structure. The comparison with the IPT system and some critical issues in practical applications are also discussed. Based on these analyses, the future research direction can be developed and the applications of the CPT technology can be promoted.
Quantification of Forecast Error Costs of Photovoltaic Prosumers in Italy
Authors: Brusco Giovanni , Burgio Alessandro , Menniti Daniele , Pinnarelli Anna , Sorrentino Nicola , Vizza Pasquale
Published: November 2017

In recent years, the diffusion of electric plants based on renewable non-dispatchable sources has caused large imbalances between the power generation schedule and the actual generation in real time operations, resulting in increased costs for dispatching electric power systems. Although this type of source cannot be programmed, their production can be predicted using soft computing techniques that consider weather forecasts, reducing the imbalance costs paid to the transmission system operator (TSO). The problem is mainly that the forecasting procedures used by the TSO, distribution system operator (DSO) or large producers and they are too expensive, as they use complex algorithms and detailed meteorological data that have to be bought, this can represent an excessive charge for small-scale producers, such as prosumers. In this paper, a cheap photovoltaic (PV) production forecasting method, in terms of reduced computational effort, free-available meteorological data and implementation is discussed, and the economic results regarding the imbalance costs due to the utilization of this method are analyzed. The economic analysis is carried out considering several factors, such as the month, the day type, and the accuracy of the forecasting method. The user can utilize the implemented method to know and reduce the imbalance costs, by adopting particular load management strategies.
Using the PROSA Method in Offshore Wind Farm Location Problems
Authors: Ziemba Paweł , Wątróbski Jarosław , Zioło Magdalena , Karczmarczyk Artur
Published: November 2017

Wind is the most used renewable energy source (RES) in the European Union and Poland. Due to the legal changes in the scope of RES in Poland, there are plans to develop offshore wind farms at the expense of onshore ones. On the other hand, the success of an offshore wind farm is primarily determined by its location. Therefore, the aim of this study is to select offshore wind farm locations in Poland, based on sustainability assessment, which is an inherent aspect of RES decision-making issues. To accomplish the objectives of this research, PROSA (PROMETHEE for Sustainability Assessment) method, a new multi-criteria method is proposed. Like PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment Evaluation), PROSA is transparent for decision makers and is easy to use; moreover, it provides the analytical tools available in PROMETHEE, i.e., the sensitivity and GAIA (Geometrical Analysis for Interactive Assistance) analyses. However, PROSA is characterized by a lower degree of criteria compensation than PROMETHEE. Thus, it adheres in a higher degree to the strong sustainability paradigm. The study also compared the solutions of the decision problem obtained with the use of PROSA and PROMETHEE methods. The compared methods demonstrated a high concurrence of the recommended decision-making variant of location selection, from methodological and practical points of view. At the same time, the conducted research allowed to confirm that the PROSA method recommends more sustainable decision-making variants, and that the ranking it builds is less sensitive to changes in criteria weights. Therefore, it is more stable than the PROMETHEE-based ranking.
A Game Theory Approach to Multi-Agent Decentralized Energy Management of Autonomous Polygeneration Microgrids
Authors: Karavas Christos-Spyridon , Arvanitis Konstantinos , Papadakis George
Published: November 2017

Energy management systems are essential and indispensable for the secure and optimal operation of autonomous polygeneration microgrids which include distributed energy technologies and multiple electrical loads. In this paper, a multi-agent decentralized energy management system was designed. In particular, the devices of the microgrid under study were controlled as interactive agents. The energy management problem was formulated here through the application of game theory, in order to model the set of strategies between two players/agents, as a non-cooperative power control game or a cooperative one, according to the level of the energy produced by the renewable energy sources and the energy stored in the battery bank, for the purpose of accomplishing optimal energy management and control of the microgrid operation. The Nash equilibrium was used to compromise the possible diverging goals of the agents by maximizing their preferences. The proposed energy management system was then compared with a multi-agent decentralized energy management system where all the agents were assumed to be cooperative and employed agent coordination through Fuzzy Cognitive Maps. The results obtained from this comparison, demonstrate that the application of game theory based control, in autonomous polygeneration microgrids, can ensure operational and financial benefits over known energy management approaches incorporating distributed intelligence.
Partial Discharge of Needle-Plane Defect in Oil-Paper Insulation under AC and DC Combined Voltages: Developing Processes and Characteristics
Authors: Sun Jiantao , Li Xining , Zhu Lingyu , Ji Shengchang , Cui Yanjie
Published: November 2017

Partial discharge (PD) behaviors of oil-paper insulation is distinctive in AC and DC combined electric fields in converter transformers from PD behaviors in pure AC or DC electric fields. The present study focuses on the PD developing processes and characteristics of oil-paper insulation systems with needle-plane defects under different AC/DC proportions. The degradation of oil-paper insulation can be accelerated by PD pulses incurred by needle-plane defects. AC-DC combined voltages are applied to the needle-plane defect model simultaneously in the established experimental platform, and the proportions of AC/DC voltages are decided according to the cases in actual converter transformers. The developing processes from the initiation of partial discharge until final breakdown were observed for each AC/DC proportion. PD parameters and patterns were acquired by a detector using the pulse current method. The test results indicate that the inception and breakdown voltages increase with the increase of the DC component in AC-DC combined voltages. However, pulse repetition rate and amplitude of PD shows a descending trend when AC/DC proportion decreases. Meanwhile, the PD recurrence rate in the phase between 180° and 360° becomes higher than that in the phase between 0° and 180° at the initial stage as the DC proportion increases; high-amplitude discharges mainly occur in the phase range between 180° and 360° when the pressboard is close to breakdown. The current study is useful in further research on fault diagnosis in converter transformers.
Impacts of Early Thinning of a Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Pulplog Plantation in Western Australia on Economic Profitability and Harvester Productivity
Authors: Acuna Mauricio , Strandgard Martin , Wiedemann John , Mitchell Rick
Published: November 2017

The impact of the manipulation of plantation stocking density on individual tree size can affect final harvest costs and machine productivity. This paper investigated the impact of four early-age thinning treatments applied to a Eucalyptus globulus Labill. pulplog plantation in south-west Western Australia on economic profitability and harvester productivity. Eighteen sample plots were randomly laid out in the study area. The nominal 700, 500, and 400 stems per hectare (sph) plots were thinned to waste 3.2 years after establishment while the nominal 1000 sph (UTH) plots were left unthinned. The economic analysis showed that all thinning treatments resulted in a lower Land Expectation Value (LEV) and net financial loss over the full rotation at their theoretical optimal rotation age when compared with the unthinned control treatment. Tree growth and form were positively impacted by thinning. However, associated reductions in harvesting costs were less than the value losses resulting from reduced per hectare yield.
Soil Nitrogen Storage, Distribution, and Associated Controlling Factors in the Northeast Tibetan Plateau Shrublands
Authors: Nie Xiuqing , Xiong Feng , Yang Lucun , Li Changbin , Zhou Guoying
Published: November 2017

Although the soils in the Tibetan Plateau shrublands store large amounts of total nitrogen (N), the estimated values remain uncertain because of spatial heterogeneity and a lack of field observations. In this study, we quantified the regional soil N storage, spatial and vertical density distributions, and related climatic controls using 183 soil profiles sampled from 61 sites across the Northeast Tibetan Plateau shrublands during the period of 2011–2013. Our analysis revealed a soil N storage value of 132.40 Tg at a depth of 100 cm, with an average density of 1.21 kg m−2. Soil N density was distributed at greater levels in alpine shrublands, compared with desert shrublands. Spatially, soil N densities decreased from south to north and from east to west, and, vertically, the soil N in the upper 30 and 50 cm accounted for 42% and 64% of the total soil N stocks in the Tibetan Plateau. However, compared with desert shrublands, the surface layers in alpine shrublands exhibited a larger distribution of soil N stocks. Overall, the soil N density in the top 30 cm increased significantly with the mean annual precipitation (MAP) and tended to decrease with the mean annual temperature (MAT), although the dominant climatic controls differed among shrubland types. Specifically, MAP in alpine shrublands, and MAT in desert shrubland, had a weak effect on N density. Soil pH can significant affect soil N density in the Tibetan Plateau shrublands. In conclusion, changes in soil N density should be monitored over the long term to provide accurate information about the effects of climatic factors.
RNA Pseudouridylation in Physiology and Medicine: For Better and for Worse
Authors: Penzo Marianna , Guerrieri Ania , Zacchini Federico , Treré Davide , Montanaro Lorenzo
Published: November 2017

Pseudouridine is the most abundant modification found in RNA. Today, thanks to next-generation sequencing techniques used in the detection of RNA modifications, pseudouridylation sites have been described in most eukaryotic RNA classes. In the present review, we will first consider the available information on the functional roles of pseudouridine(s) in different RNA species. We will then focus on how alterations in the pseudouridylation process may be connected with a series of human pathologies, including inherited disorders, cancer, diabetes, and viral infections. Finally, we will discuss how the availability of novel technical approaches are likely to increase the knowledge in this field.
Research on Storm-Tide Disaster Losses in China Using a New Grey Relational Analysis Model with the Dispersion of Panel Data
Authors: Yin Kedong , Zhang Ya , Li Xuemei
Published: November 2017

Owing to the difference of the sequences’ orders and the surface structure in the current panel grey relational models, research results will not be unique. In addition, individual measurement of indicators and objects and the subjectivity of combined weight would significantly weaken the effective information of panel data and reduce the reliability and accuracy of research results. Therefore, we propose the concept and calculation method of dispersion of panel data, establish the grey relational model based on dispersion of panel data (DPGRA), and prove that DPGRA exhibits the effective properties of uniqueness, symmetry, and normality. To demonstrate its applicability, the proposed DPGRA model is used to research on storm-tide disaster losses in China’s coastal areas. Comparing research results of three models, which are DPGRA, Euclidean distance grey relational model, and grey grid relational model, it was shown that DPGRA is more effective, feasible, and stable. It is indicated that DPGRA can entirely utilize the effective information of panel data; what’s more, it can not only handle the non-uniqueness of the grey relational model’s results but also improve the reliability and accuracy of research results. The research results are of great significance for coastal areas to focus on monitoring storm–tide disasters hazards, strengthen the protection measures of natural disasters, and improve the ability of disaster prevention and reduction.
Work–Life Imbalance and Musculoskeletal Disorders among South Korean Workers
Authors: Kim Young-Mee , Cho Sung-il
Published: November 2017

Employed workers often have family responsibilities such as childcare or homemaking. This dual burden may increase work-related health problems, particularly if there are conflicts between work and family responsibilities. This study assessed whether difficulty in work–life balance is associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among Korean employees. Data from the population-based Korean Working Conditions Survey of 2011, including 28,640 male and 21,392 female workers, were used. Men and women were analyzed separately to investigate gender differences. MSD were defined as pain in the back, neck, shoulder, or extremities during the past year. Self-assessed difficulty in work–life balance was defined as a work–life conflict (WLC). Adjustments for physical factors, as well as other occupational and socio-demographic variables, were made using multiple logistic regression analysis. Interaction terms including WLCs and key covariates were also incorporated. WLC was significantly associated with increased frequency of MSD in both men (OR: 1.49) and women (OR: 1.50). There were significant interaction effects between WLC and some key covariates (job stress for men and job stress, work hours, physical demand, and frequent overtime work for women). We suggest that having the flexibility to coordinate work and family life is important to prevent MSD among employees.
Explaining the Number of Social Media Fans for North American and European Professional Sports Clubs with Determinants of Their Financial Value
Authors: Scelles Nicolas , Helleu Boris , Durand Christophe , Bonnal Liliane , Morrow Stephen
Published: November 2017

The aim of this article is to investigate the explanatory variables of the number of Facebook fans and Twitter followers for professional sports clubs based on the financial value literature. Such explanatory variables are related to local market conditions and on-field and off-field performance. Based upon a sample of North American major league clubs and the most valuable European soccer clubs as evaluated by Forbes over the 2011–2013 period (423 observations), our results indicate a range of variables with a significant positive impact on the number of social media fans: population, no competing team in the market, current sports performance, historical sports performance, facility age, attendance, operating income, expenses/league mean, and being an English football club. An improved understanding of the effectiveness of clubs’ social media presence is important for contemporary sport managers in terms of enhancing supporter communication, involvement, and accountability, as well as maximizing clubs’ revenue generation possibilities. Our findings could help sport managers to realize their clubs’ social media potential in pursuit of these objectives, specifically to understand which variables are under-exploited and why some clubs over-perform, which will allow managers to prioritize decisions to increase their number of social media fans and financial value.
Methylmalonyl-CoA Epimerase Deficiency Mimicking Propionic Aciduria
Authors: Abily-Donval Lenaig , Torre Stéphanie , Samson Aurélie , Sudrié-Arnaud Bénédicte , Acquaviva Cécile , Guerrot Anne-Marie , Benoist Jean-François , Marret Stéphane , Bekri Soumeya , Tebani Abdellah
Published: November 2017

Methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase (MCE) converts d-methylmalonyl-CoA epimer to l-methylmalonyl-CoA epimer in the propionyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA pathway. Only seven cases of MCE deficiency have been described. In two cases, MCE deficiency was combined with sepiapterin reductase deficiency. The reported clinical pictures of isolated MCE are variable, with two asymptomatic patients and two other patients presenting with metabolic acidosis attacks. For combined MCE and sepiapterin reductase deficiency, the clinical picture is dominated by neurologic alterations. We report isolated MCE deficiency in a boy who presented at five years of age with acute metabolic acidosis. Metabolic investigations were consistent with propionic aciduria (PA). Unexpectedly, propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity was within the reference range. Afterward, apparently intermittent and mild excretion of methylmalonic acid (MMA) was discovered. Methylmalonic pathway gene set analysis using the next-generation sequencing approach allowed identification of the common homozygous nonsense pathogenic variant (c.139C > T-p.Arg47*) in the methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase gene (MCEE). Additional cases of MCE deficiency may help provide better insight regarding the clinical impact of this rare condition. MCE deficiency could be considered a cause of mild and intermittent increases in methylmalonic acid.
The Emerging Role of the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Chiarotto Gabriela , Nardo Giovanni , Trolese Maria , França Jr. Marcondes , Bendotti Caterina , Rodrigues de Oliveira Alexandre
Published: November 2017

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motoneurons (MNs). The etiology of the disease is still unknown for most patients with sporadic ALS, while in 5–10% of the familial cases, several gene mutations have been linked to the disease. Mutations in the gene encoding Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), reproducing in animal models a pathological scenario similar to that found in ALS patients, have allowed for the identification of mechanisms relevant to the ALS pathogenesis. Among them, neuroinflammation mediated by glial cells and systemic immune activation play a key role in the progression of the disease, through mechanisms that can be either neuroprotective or neurodetrimental depending on the type of cells and the MN compartment involved. In this review, we will examine and discuss the involvement of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) in ALS concerning its function in the adaptive immunity and its role in modulating the neural plasticity in the central and peripheral nervous system. The evidence indicates that the overexpression of MHCI into MNs protect them from astrocytes’ toxicity in the central nervous system (CNS) and promote the removal of degenerating motor axons accelerating collateral reinnervation of muscles.
A Multi-Locus Genetic Risk Score for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) Variants Is Associated with POAG Risk in a Mediterranean Population: Inverse Correlations with Plasma Vitamin C and E Concentrations
Authors: Zanon-Moreno Vicente , Ortega-Azorin Carolina , Asensio-Marquez Eva , Garcia-Medina Jose , Pinazo-Duran Maria , Coltell Oscar , Ordovas Jose , Corella Dolores
Published: November 2017

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The genetics of POAG are complex, and population-specific effects have been reported. Although many polymorphisms associated with POAG risk have been reported, few studies have analyzed their additive effects. We investigated, in a southern European Mediterranean population, the association between relevant POAG polymorphisms, identified by initial genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and POAG risk, both separately and as an aggregated multi-locus genetic risk score (GRS). Also, bearing in mind that oxidative stress is a factor increasingly recognized in the pathogenesis of POAG, we analyzed the potential association of the GRS with plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (C and E). We carried out a case–control study including 391 POAG cases and 383 healthy controls, and analyzed four genetic polymorphisms (rs4656461-TMCO1, rs4236601-CAV1/CAV2, rs2157719-CDKN2B-AS1 and rs3088440-CDKN2A). An unweighted GRS including the four non-linked polymorphisms was constructed. A strong association between the GRS and POAG risk was found. When three categories of the GRS were considered, subjects in the top category of the GRS were 2.92 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.79–4.77) times more likely to have POAG compared with participants in the bottom category (p < 0.001). Moreover, the GRS was inversely correlated with plasma vitamin C (p = 0.002) and vitamin E (p = 0.001) concentrations, even after additional adjustment for POAG status. In conclusion, we have found a strong association between the GRS and POAG risk in this Mediterranean population. While the additional correlation found between GRS and low levels of vitamins C and E does not indicated a causal relationship, it does suggest the need for new and deeper research into the effects of oxidative stress as a potential mechanism for those associations.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Core–Shell-Structured NbC–Fe Composite Powder for Enforcement in Low-Carbon Steel
Authors: Li Hongmei , Song Qiushi , Xu Qian , Chen Ying , Xu Liang , Man Tiannan
Published: November 2017

An NbC–Fe composite powder was synthesized from an Nb2O5/Fe/C mixture by electrochemical reduction and subsequent carbonization in molten CaCl2–NaCl. The composite has a core–shell structure, in which NbC acts as the cores distributing in the Fe matrix. A strong bonding between NbC and Fe is benefit from the core–shell structure. The sintering and electrochemical reduction processes were investigated to probe the mechanism for the reactions. The results show that NbC particles about several nanometers were embraced by the Fe shell to form a composite about 100 nm in size. This featured structure can feasibly improve the wettability and sinterability of NbC as well as the uniform distribution of the carbide in the cast steel. By adding the composite into steel in the casting process, the grain size of the casted steel was markedly deceased from 1 mm to 500 μm on average, favoring the hardening of the casted steel.
Orientational Glasses: NMR and Electric Susceptibility Studies
Authors: Sullivan Neil , Hamida Jaha , Muttalib Khandker , Pilla Subrahmanyam , Genio Edgar
Published: November 2017

We review the results of a wide range of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)measurements of the local order parameters and the molecular dynamics of solid ortho-para hydrogen mixtures and solid nitrogen-argon mixtures that form novel molecular orientational glass states at low temperatures. From the NMR measurements, the distribution of the order parameters can be deduced and, in terms of simple models, used to analyze the thermodynamic measurements of the heat capacities of these systems. In addition, studies of the dielectric susceptibilities of the nitrogen-argon mixtures are reviewed in terms of replica symmetry breaking analogous to that observed for spin glass states. It is shown that this wide set of experimental results is consistent with orientation or quadrupolar glass ordering of the orientational degrees of freedom.