bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation in maternal diets on milk quality and serum bone status markers of sows and bone quality of piglets
Authors: Zhou Hui , Chen Yuling , Zhuo Yong , Lv Gang , Lin Yan , Feng Bin , Fang Zhengfeng , Che Lianqiang , Li Jian , Xu Shengyu , Wu De
Published: July 2016

Twenty primiparous sows were allocated to two treatments to evaluate the effects of maternal 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3) supplementation during gestation and lactation on milk quality and serum bone status markers of sows and bone quality of piglets. Immediately after mating, sows were randomly allotted to one of two diets supplemented with 50 µg/kg 25OHD3or basal diets without 25OHD3. Blood and milk samples were obtained. At birth and weaning, 10 piglets from each treatment were killed for bone quality analysis. 25OHD3‐fed sows provided one more piglet at farrowing and 1.17 more piglets at weaning than sows fed basal diets. The contents of solids not‐fat, protein, fat or lactose were increased in milk from days 7 and 14 of lactation in 25OHD3‐supplemented sows and 25OHD3concentrations in milk were increased by dietary 25OHD3supplementation. Dietary 25OHD3supplementation increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity but had no effect on serum tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase activity of sows. Maternal 25OHD3supplementation improved bone strength, density and ash content of newborn piglets rather than those of weaning piglets. In conclusion, 25OHD3supplementation in maternal diets improved reproductive performance, milk quality and bone status of sows as well as bone quality of newborn piglets.
Changes in the concentrations of somatic cell counts, lingual antimicrobial peptide and lactoperoxidase activity in milk at periovulatory period in dairy cows
Authors: Yamasaki Ayumi , Yoshimura Yukinori , Isobe Naoki
Published: July 2016

The objective of the present study was to examine the changes in innate immune factors in milk during the estrous cycle in dairy cows. Milk was collected from cows with a normal ovulatory cycle and cows subjected to the OVSYNCH protocol, and somatic cell counts (SCC), lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP) concentrations and lactoperoxidase (LPO) activity in milk were measured. In cows with a normal ovulatory cycle, there was no significant change in LAP concentrations and SCC during the ovulatory cycle. However, LPO activity at days 0 and 19 (day 0 = day of ovulation) were significantly higher than those at days 10, 12 and 15. In cows subjected to the OVSYNCH protocol, a significant increase in SCC was observed at day 9 (2 days after prostaglandin treatment) compared with that at day 11 (2 days after second administration of gonadotropin). There were no significant changes in LAP concentrations and LPO activity during the OVSYNCH protocol. These results indicate that LPO activity, an innate immune factor, was enhanced in the preovulatory period.
Partial inactivation of GABAA receptors containing the α5 subunit affects the development of adult‐born dentate gyrus granule cells
Authors: Deprez Francine , Vogt Fabia , Floriou‐Servou Amalia , Lafourcade Carlos , Rudolph Uwe , Tyagarajan Shiva K. , Fritschy Jean‐Marc
Published: July 2016

Alterations of neuronal activity due to changes in GABAA receptors (GABAAR) mediating tonic inhibition influence different hippocampal functions. Gabra5‐null mice and α5 subunit(H105R) knock‐in mice exhibit signs of hippocampal dysfunction, but are capable of improved performance in several learning and memory tasks. Accordingly, alleviating abnormal GABAergic tonic inhibition in the hippocampal formation by selective α5‐GABAAR modulators represents a possible therapeutic approach for several intellectual deficit disorders. Adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus is an important facet of hippocampal plasticity; it is regulated by tonic GABAergic transmission, as shown by deficits in proliferation, migration and dendritic development of adult‐born neurons in Gabra4‐null mice. Here, we investigated the contribution of α5‐GABAARs to granule cell development, using retroviral vectors expressing eGFP for labeling precursor cells in the subgranular zone. Global α5‐GABAAR knockout (α5‐KO) mice showed no alterations in migration and morphological development of eGFP‐positive granule cells. However, upregulation of α1 subunit‐immunoreactivity was observed in the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex. In contrast, partial gene inactivation in α5‐heterozygous (α5‐het) mice, as well as single‐cell deletion of Gabra5 in newborn granule cells from α5‐floxed mice, caused severe alterations of migration and dendrite development. In α5‐het mice, retrovirally mediated overexpression of Cdk5 resulted in normal migration and dendritic branching, suggesting that Cdk5 cooperates with α5‐GABAARs to regulate neuronal development. These results show that minor imbalance of α5‐GABAAR‐mediated transmission may have major consequences for neuronal plasticity; and call for caution upon chronic therapeutic use of negative allosteric modulators acting at these receptors.
Italian Municipalities and the Fiscal Crisis: Four Strategies for Muddling Through
Authors: Barbera Carmela , Guarini Enrico , Steccolini Ileana
Published: July 2016

Through a multiple case study of eight Italian municipalities, our paper identifies the main shocks perceived by the local management as a consequence of the recent fiscal crisis and the related organizational responses. The analysis roots current responses in longer‐term municipal financial management and strategies. Even in a context where the shocks are described and identified as being much the same, there is not a single pattern of response, but (at least) four different ways of reacting to shocks can be identified: reorientation, buffering, continuous adjustment, avoiding problems and catching opportunities.
Interjurisdictional Competition and Intracity Fiscal Disparity across Chinese Prefectural Cities
Authors: Li Huiping , Wang Qingfang , Zheng Chunrong
Published: July 2016

Fierce competition among county‐level governments has substantially increased disparities in public service provision and housing markets across urban China. The role of the changing intracity administrative structure deserves scholarly, attention in this process. Building on an interdisciplinary literature of public choice and cadre promotion theory, we propose that interjurisdictional competition enlarges the intracity fiscal disparity under China's transitional administrative and fiscal systems. Results from fixed‐effect panel data modeling confirm that cities with higher level of interjurisdictional competition are associated with higher intracity fiscal disparity. This study demonstrates how transition and decentralization of the centralized fiscal system have long‐term, intended and unintended, impacts on fiscal inequality and urban stratification. With continuous urban sprawl, jurisdictional annexation, and large‐scale urban‐to‐rural migration, our study suggests that policies attempting to equalize public service distribution within cities need to consider the administrative structure at the local and regional levels.
Low versus high dialysate calcium concentration in alternate night nocturnal hemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Masterson Rosemary , Blair Susan , Polkinghorne Kevan R. , Lau Kenneth K. , Lian Michael , Strauss Boyd J. , Morgan John G. , Kerr Peter , Toussaint Nigel D.
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Higher calcium dialysate is recommended for quotidian nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) (≥6 nights/week) to maintain bone health. It is unclear what the optimal calcium dialysate concentration should be for alternate night NHD. We aimed to determine the effect of low calcium (LC) versus high calcium (HC) dialysate on cardiovascular and bone parameters in this population.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial where participants were randomized to LC (1.3 mmol/L, n = 24) or HC dialysate (1.6 or 1.75 mmol/L, n = 26). Primary outcome was change in mineral metabolism markers. Secondary outcomes included change in vascular calcification (VC) scores [CT abdominal aorta (AA) and superficial femoral arteries (SFA)), pulse wave velocity (PWV), bone mineral density (BMD) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) over 12 months.

Findings: In the LC group, pre‐dialysis ionised calcium decreased −0.12 mmol/L (−0.18–0.06, P = 0.0001) and PTH increased 16 pmol/L (3.5–28.5, p = 0.01) from baseline to 12 months with no significant change in the HC group. In both groups, there was no progression of VC in AA or SFA and no change in PWV, LVMI or BMD. At 12 months, calcimimetics were prescribed in a higher percentage in the LC vs. HC groups (45.5% vs. 10.5%) with a lower proportion of the HC group being prescribed calcitriol (31.5% vs. 72%).

Discussion: Although dialysate calcium prescription influenced biochemical parameters it was not associated with difference in progression of VC between HC and LC groups. An important finding was the potential impact of alternate night NHD in attenuating progression of VC and inducing stabilisation of LVMI and PWV.
Complementary distribution patterns of arthropod detritivores (woodlice and millipedes) along forest edge‐to‐interior gradients
Authors: De Smedt Pallieter , Wuyts Karen , Baeten Lander , De Schrijver An , Proesmans Willem , De Frenne Pieter , Ampoorter Evy , Remy Elyn , Gijbels Merlijn , Hermy Martin , Bonte Dries , Verheyen Kris
Published: July 2016

Worldwide, forest fragmentation induces edge effects, thereby strongly altering the forest microclimate and abiotic characteristics in the forest edge compared to the forest interior. The impact of edge‐to‐interior gradients on abiotic parameters has been extensively studied, but we lack insights on how biodiversity, and soil communities in particular, are structured along these gradients.

Woodlice (Isopoda) and millipedes (Diplopoda) are dominant macro‐detritivores in temperate forests with acidic sandy soils.

We investigated the distribution of these macro‐detritivores along forest edge‐to‐interior gradients in six different forest stands with sandy soils in northern Belgium.

Woodlouse abundance decreased exponentially with distance from the forest edge, whereas millipede abundance did not begin to decrease until 7 m inside the forest stands. Overall, these patterns were highly species specific and could be linked to the species' desiccation tolerance. Whereas the observed abundance patterns were independent from forest stand and dominant tree species, tree species had a large effect on community structure.

Edge gradients in macro‐detritivores may consequently have implications for nutrient cycling, especially in smaller forest fragments with a large edge‐to‐interior ratio.
The use of an enzymatic extraction procedure for the enhancement of highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) phenolic and antioxidant compounds
Authors: Zhu Yong , Li Tong , Fu Xiong , Brennan Margaret , Abbasi Arshad Mehmood , Zheng Bisheng , Liu Rui Hai
Published: July 2016

A multistep enzymatic extraction method was compared with a conventional chemical extraction process to evaluate the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of highland barley (Z2, Zangqing 25; CHQK, Changheiqingke). The main phenolic compound extracted was (+)‐catechin, followed by ferulic acid, p‐coumaric acid, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid. The multi‐enzymatic digestion yielded a higher retrieval of (+)‐catechin compared to the conventional chemical extraction procedure (P < 0.05). Compounds obtained from the multi‐enzymatic digestion process exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) antioxidant activities determined by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) when compared to chemical extracts. These results suggest that highland barley subjected to in vitro multi‐enzymatic digestion exhibits a higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity than the chemical extraction, and this multi‐enzymatic digestion coupled with the CAA assay may be a valuable tool to evaluate the antioxidant potential of wholegrains and fruits, as well as vegetables.
Age at Death in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Arvio Maria , Salokivi Tommi , Bjelogrlic‐Laakso Nina
Published: July 2016

Background

We aimed to ascertain the average age at death (AD) in the intellectual disability population for each gender and compare them to those of the general population during 1970–2012.

Methods

By analysing medical records, we calculated the ADs of all deceased clients (N = 1236) of two district organizations responsible for intellectual disability services. Statistics Finland's database generated data regarding ADs of all inhabitants who had died after having resided in same district.

Results

During the follow‐up, average ADs for the intellectual disability population and general population increased, and simultaneously the AD difference between these populations decreased. In the 2000s, the AD difference between the intellectual disability population and the whole population was 22 years for men (95% CI: −24 to −20) and 30 years for women (95% CI: −33 to −27). In 2000s, the mean AD of those with mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability (IQ 50–69) for women and men was 56 (SD17) and 54 (SD18), and those with severe to profound intellectual disability (IQ<50), 44 (SD23) and 43 (SD21).

Conclusions

Intellectual disability is still a considerable risk factor for early death. Among the intellectual disability population, unlike in general population, the lifespans of women and men are equal.
Callous–unemotional traits affect adolescents' perception of collaboration
Authors: Fawcett Christine , Wesevich Victoria , Truedsson Erik , Wåhlstedt Cecilia , Gredebäck Gustaf
Published: July 2016

Background

How is the perception of collaboration influenced by individual characteristics, in particular high levels of callous–unemotional (CU) traits? CU traits are associated with low empathy and endorsement of negative social goals such as dominance and forced respect. Thus, it is possible that they could relate to difficulties in interpreting that others are collaborating based on a shared goal.

Methods

In the current study, a community sample of 15‐ to 16‐year olds participated in an eye tracking task measuring whether they expect that others engaged in an action sequence are collaborating, depending on the emotion they display toward each other. Positive emotion would indicate that they share a goal, while negative emotion would indicate that they hold individual goals.

Results

When the actors showed positive emotion toward each other, expectations of collaboration varied with CU traits. The higher adolescents were on CU traits, the less likely they were to expect collaboration. When the actors showed negative emotion toward each other, CU traits did not influence expectations of collaboration.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that CU traits are associated with difficulty in perceiving positive social interactions, which could further contribute to the behavioral and emotional problems common to those with high CU traits.
Haptoglobin increases the vulnerability of CD163‐expressing neurons to hemoglobin
Authors: Chen‐Roetling Jing , Regan Raymond F.
Published: July 2016

Haptoglobin (Hp) binds hemoglobin (Hb) with high affinity and provides the primary defense against its toxicity after intravascular hemolysis. Neurons are exposed to extracellular Hb after CNS hemorrhage, and a therapeutic effect of Hp via Hb sequestration has been hypothesized. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Hp protects neurons from Hb in primary mixed cortical cell cultures. Treatment with low micromolar concentrations of human Hb for 24 h resulted in loss of 10–20% of neurons without injuring glia. Concomitant treatment with Hp surprisingly increased neuronal loss five–sevenfold, with similar results produced by Hp 1‐1 and 2‐2 phenotypes. Consistent with a recent in vivo observation, neurons expressed the CD163 receptor for Hb and the Hb‐Hp complex in these cultures. Hp reduced overall Hb uptake, directed it away from the astrocyte‐rich CD163‐negative glial monolayer, and decreased induction of the iron‐binding protein ferritin. Hb‐Hp complex neuronal toxicity, like that of Hb per se, was iron‐dependent and reduced by deferoxamine and 2,2′ bipyridyl. These results suggest that Hp increases the vulnerability of CD163+ neurons to Hb by permitting Hb uptake while attenuating the protective response of ferritin induction by glial cells.

image

Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13342.
Hysteroscopic‐guided local endometrial injury does not improve natural cycle pregnancy rate in women with unexplained infertility: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shokeir Tarek , Ebrahim Mohamed , El‐Mogy Hosam
Published: July 2016

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of a hysteroscopic site‐specific local endometrial injury (LEI) in a group of women with unexplained infertility (UI) undergoing expectant management with no fertility treatment versus no intervention.

Methods

This open‐label, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted between June 2013 and July 2015. Hysteroscopic site‐specific LEI was determined by patient identification number, and 120 women were included. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive either a single, site‐specific LEI guided by hysteroscopy (study group, n = 60) or no intervention (control group, n = 60). Natural cycle folliculometry and timed intercourse were carried out for all participants for 3 months. Successful clinical pregnancy confirmed on ultrasound was the primary outcome measure, and first trimester miscarriage rate was the secondary outcome.

Results

After identification, baseline clinical demographics were similar in the two groups. No statistically significant differences were noted in cumulative pregnancy rates in women with LEI compared with those without (16.7% and 11.7 %, respectively; OR, 2.83; 95%CI: 1.07–7.48; P = 0.4). One first trimester miscarriage was reported in the control group (14.3%).

Conclusion

Local endometrial injury for natural cycle conception in women with UI is not justified. Further RCT are warranted to prove or disprove this.
Married with children: How family role identification shapes leadership behaviors at work
Authors: Dumas Tracy L. , Stanko Taryn L.
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we explore the question of how an employee's family role identification, as driven by family structure (marital and parental status combined), affects their leadership behaviors at work. Using survey data from working professionals and executives pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree, we found that, as expected, those respondents who were both married and had children reported higher levels of family role identification relative to other respondents. Also, we found evidence of an indirect effect of family structure on leadership behaviors such that being married with children was indirectly associated with higher supervisor ratings of the respondents’ leadership behaviors via family role identification and the transfer of resources from the family role to the work role. Further, this indirect effect was stronger for women than for men. Contrary to traditional expectations, and consistent with enrichment theorizing, our findings suggest that investment in the family role can enhance employees’ display of valuable leadership behaviors in the workplace.
Food or Flowers? Dacha Gardening and Gendered Class Relations in Post‐Soviet Ukraine
Authors: Hormel Leontina M.
Published: July 2016

The Ukrainian dacha is a rural site where urban residents grow food and relax during the summers, in the process also contributing significantly to households’ food provisioning since the Soviet Union's collapse. This article seeks to understand how gendered class relations shape why people participate, or not, in dacha work. Using ethnographic data collected during fieldwork in Komsomolsk, a central Ukrainian town, I examine how people's process of accepting or rejecting the worth of dacha work is both a strategy of navigating market transition and a process whereby they reveal the ways in which age, physical ability, and sense of efficacy factor into whether dacha work is worth their while. These, I argue, are gendered class processes that have been overlooked in dacha research. By taking into account how gendered processes intertwine with class practices, we are able to observe how privileged masculinities reinforce the ideology of market transition, an ideology most evident in agricultural policy approaches favoring fewer and larger food production sites. Moreover, my interactions suggest the dacha enables men experiencing masculinity crises to accrue patriarchal dividends in exerting decision‐making power over their wives.
Back pain and MRI changes in the thoraco‐lumbar spine of young elite Mogul skiers
Authors: Thoreson O. , Kovac P. , Swärd A. , Agnvall C. , Todd C. , Baranto A.
Published: July 2016

Athletes have a higher prevalence of LBP and spinal abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compared to non‐athletes. The objective of this study was to investigate the amount of spinal MRI abnormalities and the lifetime prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in 16 young elite Mogul skiers compared to 28 non‐athletes in the corresponding age in a cross‐sectional design. LBP was assessed by a questionnaire consisting of a part regarding previous or present back pain, the Oswestry disability index, and the EuroQol questionnaire. MRI examinations from Th5 to sacrum were conducted to evaluate spinal pathologies. The Mogul skiers had significantly more MRI abnormalities (like disc degeneration) in mean (7.25 vs 3.78, P < 0.023) compared to the controls. No significant difference was seen regarding the lifetime LBP prevalence between the groups (50% vs 42%, P = 0.555). No correlation could be found between disc degeneration and back pain in this study. Young elite Mogul skiers, compared to an age‐matched control group of non‐athletes, have an increased risk of developing spinal abnormalities potentially due to the different high loads that they are subjected to in their sport. Future relationship between the MRI abnormalities and LBP cannot be verified by this study design.
Vibration Suppression Effect in a Bending-Levitated Flexible Steel Plate by the Electromagnetic Force
Authors: Kato Hideaki , Marumori Hiroki , Yonezawa Hikaru , Narita Takayoshi
Published: July 2016

We have proposed a method of levitating a thin steel plate by moderately bending it beforehand. To elucidate the bending levitation performance, an ultrathin steel plate was levitated; the relationship among the tilt angle of the electromagnets, the standard deviation of the displacement, and the levitation probability was evaluated. Furthermore, to elucidate the effective tilt angle of the electromagnets for bending, the steel plate shape was analyzed using the finite difference method (FDM). When levitating the thin steel plate at the optimal tilt angle of the electromagnets attained by the FDM, a desirable levitation performance was achieved robustly.
Resilience Allocation for Early Stage Design of Complex Engineered Systems
Authors: Yodo Nita , Wang Pingfeng
Published: July 2016

The continuous pursuits of developing a better, safer, and more sustainable system have pushed systems to grow in complexity. As complexity increases, challenges consequently arise for system designers in the early design stage to take account of all potential failure modes in order to avoid future catastrophic failures. This paper presents a resilience allocation framework for resilience analysis in the early design stage of complex engineering systems. Resilience engineering is a proactive engineering discipline that focuses on ensuring the performance success of a system by adapting to changes and recovering from failures under uncertain operating environments. Utilizing the Bayesian network (BN) approach, the resilience of a system could be analyzed and measured quantitatively in a probabilistic manner. In order to ensure that the resilience of a complex system satisfies the target resilience level, it is essential to identify critical components that play a key role in shaping the top-level system resilience. Through proper allocation of resilience attributes to these critical components, not only target could resilience requirements be fulfilled, global cascading catastrophic failure effects could also be minimized. An electrical distribution system case study was used to demonstrate the developed approach, which can also be used as a fundamental methodology to quantitatively evaluate resilience of engineered complex systems.
A Framework for Test-to-Test Averaging and Representation of Asynchronous Spatial Measurements
Authors: Ferrar Anthony M.
Published: July 2016

Many experimental programs utilize traversing probes to measure spatial profiles of a variable. These measurements are taken asynchronously because the probe measures one location at a time. During an experiment of this nature, the test conditions are held constant by experimental controls. However, all control systems operate within limits rather than maintaining a truly constant condition. Results of these tests can be contaminated by variations in test conditions depending on the sensitivity of the dependent variable. In addition, spatial trends can be altered by probe positioning uncertainty. This paper discusses these two error sources and develops an experimental framework that alleviates their impact on results. The goals are to assess the effects of measurement position uncertainty and to obtain scientifically useful results in experiments whose control systems allow test condition variations that result in measurable changes in the dependent variables.
Quantitative Three-Dimensional Imaging of Heterogeneous Materials by Thermal Tomography
Authors: Sun J. G.
Published: July 2016

Infrared thermal imaging based on active thermal excitations has been widely used for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of materials. While the experimental systems have remained essentially the same during the last few decades, development of advanced data-processing methods has significantly improved the capabilities of this technology. However, many limitations still exist. One fundamental limitation is the requirement, either explicitly or implicitly, of the tested material to be homogeneous such that detected thermal contrasts may be used to determine an average material property or attributed to flaws. In this paper, a new thermal tomography (TT) method is introduced, which for the first time can evaluate heterogeneous materials by directly imaging their thermal-property variations with space. It utilizes one-sided flash thermal-imaging data to construct the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of thermal effusivity in the entire volume of a test sample. Theoretical analyses for single and multilayer material systems were conducted to validate its formulation and to demonstrate its performance. Experimental results for a ceramic composite plate and a thermal barrier coating (TBC) sample are also presented. It was shown that thermal diffusion is the primary factor that degrades the spatial resolution with depth for TT; the spatial resolutions in the lateral and axial directions were quantitatively evaluated.
Inverse Problem of Lagrangian Mechanics for Classically Damped Linear Multi-Degrees-of-Freedom Systems
Authors: Udwadia Firdaus E.
Published: July 2016

Lagrangians for classically damped linear multi-degrees-of-freedom dynamical systems are obtained using simple and elementary methods. Such dynamical systems are very widely used to model and analyze small amplitude vibrations in numerous naturally occurring and engineered systems. An invariant of the motion is also obtained.
Prediction and Analysis of Impact of Thermal Barrier Coating Oxidation on Gas Turbine Creep Life
Authors: Ogiriki E. A. , Li Y. G. , Nikolaidis Th.
Published: July 2016

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) have been widely used in the power generation industry to protect turbine blades from damage in hostile operating environment. This allows either a high turbine entry temperature (TET) to be employed or a low percentage of cooling air to be used, both of which will improve the performance and efficiency of gas turbine engines. However, with continuous increases in TET aimed at improving the performance and efficiency of gas turbines, TBCs have become more susceptible to oxidation. Such oxidation has been largely responsible for the premature failure of most TBCs. Nevertheless, existing creep life prediction models that give adequate considerations to the effects of TBC oxidation on creep life are rare. The implication is that the creep life of gas turbines may be estimated more accurately if TBC oxidation is considered. In this paper, a performance-based integrated creep life model has been introduced with the capability of assessing the impact of TBC oxidation on the creep life and performance of gas turbines. The model comprises of a thermal, stress, oxidation, performance, and life estimation models. High pressure turbine (HPT) blades are selected as the life limiting component of gas turbines. Therefore, the integrated model was employed to investigate the effect of several operating conditions on the HPT blades of a model gas turbine engine using a creep factor (CF) approach. The results show that different operating conditions can significantly affect the oxidation rates of TBCs which in turn affect the creep life of HPT blades. For instance, TBC oxidation can speed up the overall life usage of a gas turbine engine from 4.22% to 6.35% within a one-year operation. It is the objective of this research that the developed method may assist gas turbine users in selecting the best mission profile that will minimize maintenance and operating costs while giving the best engine availability.
Atomic bonding effects in annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy. I. Computational predictions
Authors: Odlyzko Michael L. , Himmetoglu Burak , Cococcioni Matteo , Mkhoyan K. Andre
Published: July 2016

Annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM) image simulations were performed for zone-axis-oriented light-element single crystals, using a multislice method adapted to include charge redistribution due to chemical bonding. Examination of these image simulations alongside calculations of the propagation of the focused electron probe reveal that the evolution of the probe intensity with thickness exhibits significant sensitivity to interatomic charge transfer, accounting for observed thickness-dependent bonding sensitivity of contrast in all ADF-STEM imaging conditions. Because changes in image contrast relative to conventional neutral atom simulations scale directly with the net interatomic charge transfer, the strongest effects are seen in crystals with highly polar bonding, while no effects are seen for nonpolar bonding. Although the bonding dependence of ADF-STEM image contrast varies with detector geometry, imaging parameters, and material temperature, these simulations predict the bonding effects to be experimentally measureable.
Sound attenuation in ducts using locally resonant periodic aluminum patches
Authors: Farooqui Maaz , Elnady Tamer , Akl Wael
Published: July 2016

In recent years, the control of low frequency noise has received a lot of attention for several applications. Traditional passive noise control techniques using Helmholtz resonators have size limitations in the low frequency range because of the long wavelength. Promising noise reductions, with flush mounted aluminum patches with no size problems can be obtained using local resonance phenomenon implemented in acoustic metamaterial techniques. The objective of this work is to introduce locally resonant thin aluminum patches flush mounted to a duct walls aiming at creating frequency stop bands in a specific frequency range. Green's function is used within the framework of interface response theory to predict the amount of attenuation of the local resonant patches. The two-port theory and finite elements are also used to predict the acoustic performance of these patches. No flow measurements were conducted and show good agreement with the models. The effect of varying the damping and the masses of the patches are used to expand the stop bandwidth and the effect of both Bragg scattering and the locally resonant mechanisms was demonstrated using mathematical models. The effect of the arrays of patches on the effective dynamic density and bulk modulus has also been investigated.
Use of complex frequency plane to design broadband and sub-wavelength absorbers
Authors: Romero-García V. , Theocharis G. , Richoux O. , Pagneux V.
Published: July 2016

The reflection of sound of frequency below 1 kHz, by a rigid-backed structure that contains sub-wavelength resonators is studied in this work. In particular, only single mode reflected waves are considered, an approximation which is accurate in this low frequency regime. A method of analysis of absorption that uses the structure of the reflection coefficient in the complex frequency plane is proposed. In the absence of losses, the reflection coefficient supports pairs of poles and zeros that are complex conjugate and which have imaginary parts linked to the energy leakage by radiation. When losses are introduced and balanced to the leakage, the critical coupling condition is satisfied and total absorption is obtained. Examples of a slot resonator and of multiple Helmholtz resonators are analyzed to obtain both narrow and broadband total absorption.
The role of prosodic boundaries in word discovery: Evidence from a computational model
Authors: Ludusan Bogdan , Dupoux Emmanuel
Published: July 2016

This study aims to quantify the role of prosodic boundaries in early language acquisition using a computational modeling approach. A spoken term discovery system that models early word learning was used with and without a prosodic component on speech corpora of English, Spanish, and Japanese. The results showed that prosodic information induces a consistent improvement both in the alignment of the terms to actual word boundaries and in the phonemic homogeneity of the discovered clusters of terms. This benefit was found also when automatically discovered prosodic boundaries were used, boundaries which did not perfectly match the linguistically defined ones.
Influences on Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainers’ Career Intentions and Career Goals
Authors: Mazerolle Stephanie , Eason Christianne M. , Clines Stephanie
Published: July 2016

The graduate assistant (GA) athletic trainer position often symbolizes an important transitory role from student to autonomous practitioner. The position also is used to help gain valuable experience for future employment. Our purpose was to understand the socialization process of the GA athletic trainer as well as investigate the career intentions as they begin to seek employment following their experiences in that transitory role. Twenty-five (5 males, 20 females) GA athletic trainers were recruited and participated in this study. Findings indicate the experiences of novice athletic trainers serving as GAs have the potential to both positively or negatively influence perceptions of the athletic training profession and, ultimately, career intentions.
Frigate birds track atmospheric conditions over months-long transoceanic flights
Authors: Weimerskirch Henri , Bishop Charles , Jeanniard-du-Dot Tiphaine , Prudor Aurélien , Sachs Gottfried
Published: July 2016

Understanding how animals respond to atmospheric conditions across space is critical for understanding the evolution of flight strategies and long-distance migrations. We studied the three-dimensional movements and energetics of great frigate birds (
Fregata minor
) and showed that they can stay aloft for months during transoceanic flights. To do this, birds track the edge of the doldrums to take advantage of favorable winds and strong convection. Locally, they use a roller-coaster flight, relying on thermals and wind to soar within a 50- to 600-meter altitude band under cumulus clouds and then glide over kilometers at low energy costs. To deal with the local scarcity of clouds and gain longer gliding distances, birds regularly soar inside cumulus clouds to use their strong updraft, and they can reach altitudes of 4000 meters, where freezing conditions occur.
The evolutionary path of least resistance
Authors: Ungar P. S. , Hlusko L. J.
Published: July 2016

Evolution favored teeth with thicker enamel over sharply crested teeth in hominins confronted with tough diets
First Draft Genome Sequence of a Mycobacterium gordonae Clinical Isolate
Authors: Ustinova V. , Smirnova T. , Blagodatskikh K. , Varlamov D. , Sochivko D. , Larionova E. , Andreevskaya S. , Andrievskaya I. , Chernousova L.
Published: July 2016

Here, we report the first draft genome sequence of the clinically relevant species
Mycobacterium gordonae
. The clinical isolate
Mycobacterium gordonae
14-8773 was obtained from the sputum of a patient with mycobacteriosis.
Injuries sustained in National Collegiate Athletic Association men's and women's basketball, 2009/2010–2014/2015
Authors: Zuckerman Scott L , Wegner Adam M , Roos Karen G , Djoko Aristarque , Dompier Thomas P , Kerr Zachary Y
Published: July 2016

Background/aim

Recent rule changes regarding the safety of basketball athletes necessitate up-to-date reports of injury incidence. This study describes the epidemiology of injuries in men's and women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball during the 2009/2010–2014/2015 seasons.

Methods

Basketball injury data originate from the 2009/2010–2014/2015 academic years from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP) from 78 men's and 74 women's NCAA basketball programmes which provided 176 and 181 team-seasons, respectively. A reportable injury occurred during organised practice or competition and required attention from an athletic trainer (AT) or physician. Injury rates, injury proportions and rate ratios (RRs) were calculated. All 95% CIs not containing 1.0 were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 2308 and 1631 injuries were reported in men's and women's basketball, respectively, for injury rates of 7.97 and 6.54/1000 athlete-exposures (AEs). The rate was higher in men than women (RR=1.22; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.30). Non-time-loss (NTL) injuries (resulting in participation restriction time under 24 hours) accounted for 64.8% and 53.6% of men's competition and practice injuries, respectively, and 53.9% and 51.3% of women's competition and practice injuries, respectively. Injuries to the lower extremity were the most common in competitions (men: 54.9%; women: 59.0%) and practices (men: 62.4%; women: 67.3%). The most common injury in men's and women's basketball was ankle sprain (17.9% and 16.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

NTL injuries account for over half of all injuries in basketball. Most injuries were lower extremity injuries, specifically ankle sprains. While rule changes have been implemented to make basketball safer, continued research is needed to assess the effectiveness of these changes.
Validation of the Compassion Fatigue Short Scale among Chinese medical workers and firefighters: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sun Binghai , Hu Mengna , Yu Shitian , Jiang Yiru , Lou Baona
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the C-Compassion Fatigue (CF)-Short Scale among 4 independent samples of Chinese emergency workers (medical workers and firefighters).

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

6 hospitals in Zhejiang Province and 12 fire stations in Shanghai.

Participants

Emergency workers (medical and firefighters) were consecutively recruited and divided into 4 groups: the MW1 group (medical workers, n=167), the FF1 group (firefighters, n=157), the MW2 group (medical workers, n=265) and the FF2 group (firefighters, n=231).

Interventions

All patients completed the C-CF-Short Scale to identify factors associated with compassion fatigue. The MW1 and FF1 groups were used for the exploratory analyses. The MW2 and FF2 groups were used for the confirmatory factor analyses.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Factor loading, correlations with previously validated questionnaires (the Ego-Resiliency Scale, the Social Support Questionnaire and the Job Pressure Scale) and Cronbach's α coefficient were tested for each factor.

Results

The C-CF-Short Scale demonstrated excellent construct validity and good internal consistency. Specifically, the results of exploratory factor analyses in the MW1 and FF1 groups showed that secondary trauma and job burnout were associated with compassion fatigue in these emergency workers. The confirmatory factor analyses in the MW2 and FF2 groups indicated that all the fit indices of the 2-factor model were satisfactory. Finally, the Cronbach's α coefficient of each factor was excellent.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the C-CF-Short Scale has good psychometric properties and can be applied to study Chinese emergency workers.
An evolution of cooperation in changing environment
Authors: Amirjanov Adil
Published: July 2016

The paper modeled an evolution of cooperation in changing environment. A cooperation model of the evolving population was used. In this model, the individuals base the decisions to donate their resources solely on the similarity of evolved “tags” which are relative to evolved tag-difference tolerances. Two options of the cooperation model were analyzed with constant and random alterations of receiver’s and donor’s resources that change as a result of an interaction between the individuals. In both options of the cooperation model, the average of resources and the average cooperation rate follow the environmental changes, but in different ways. A comparison of the two models makes it evident that a common period of an adaptation for the changing environment is significantly greater for a cooperation model with constant alterations of the donor’s and the receiver’s resources than for a cooperation model with random alterations of them. Quantitative evaluation of the models to assess the influence of an environment on an evolution of cooperation is also provided.
STATIC CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF IN-SITU NANOCRYSTALLINE Al2O3/Fe(Al) COMPOSITES
Authors: BAI YAPING , XING JIANDONG , GUO YONGCHUN , LI JIANPING , HUANG QIAN , GAO YIMIN
Published: July 2016

In this work, the static corrosion behaviors of Fe(Al), and 20 wt.% Al2O3/Fe(Al) composites with and without 4 wt.% Cr produced by mechanical alloying (MA) and plasma activated sintering (PAS) were investigated. The results showed that the main corrosion failure mode was pitting, and Fe(Al) had higher static corrosion resistance than those of Al2O3/Fe(Al) composites. The second phase Al2O3 addition resulted in an increase in phase interface and a large difference of the electron density between the Fe(Al) matrix and Al2O3 reinforcement. All these made the phase interface become the corrosion weaknesses. With 4 wt.% Cr addition, the static corrosion weight loss rate reduced by about 20% because Cr element could improve the stability of Al2O3 passivation film on the composite surface.
Axial symmetry, anti-BRST invariance, and modified anomalies
Authors: Varshovi Amir Abbass
Published: July 2016

It is shown that, anti-BRST symmetry is the quantized counterpart of local axial symmetry in gauge theories. An extended form of descent equations is worked out, which yields a set of modified consistent anomalies.
GGsTop, a novel and specific γ-glutamyl transpeptidase inhibitor, protects hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Tamura Kaneto , Hayashi Nobuhiko , George Joseph , Toshikuni Nobuyuki , Arisawa Tomiyasu , Hiratake Jun , Tsuchishima Mutsumi , Tsutsumi Mikihiro
Published: July 2016

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a major clinical problem and is associated with numerous adverse effects. GGsTop [2-amino-4{[3-(carboxymethyl)phenyl](methyl)phosphono}butanoic acid] is a highly specific and irreversible γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) inhibitor. We studied the protective effects of GGsTop on IR-induced hepatic injury in rats. Ischemia was induced by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of left lateral and median lobes of the liver. Before clamping, saline (IR group) or saline containing 1 mg/kg body wt of GGsTop (IR-GGsTop group) was injected into the liver through the inferior vena cava. At 90 min of ischemia, blood flow was restored. Blood was collected before induction of ischemia and prior to restoration of blood flow and at 12, 24, and 48 h after reperfusion. All the animals were euthanized at 48 h after reperfusion and the livers were harvested. Serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and γ-GT were significantly lower after reperfusion in the IR-GGsTop group compared with the IR group. Massive hepatic necrosis was present in the IR group, while only few necroses were present in the IR-GGsTop group. Treatment with GGsTop increased hepatic GSH content, which was significantly reduced in the IR group. Furthermore, GGsTop prevented increase of hepatic γ-GT, malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, and TNF-α while all these molecules significantly increased in the IR group. In conclusion, treatment with GGsTop increased glutathione levels and prevented formation of free radicals in the hepatic tissue that led to decreased IR-induced liver injury. GGsTop could be used as a pharmacological agent to prevent IR-induced liver injury and the related adverse events.
A gap junction inhibitor, carbenoxolone, induces spatiotemporal dispersion of renal cortical perfusion and impairs autoregulation
Authors: Mitrou Nicholas , Braam Branko , Cupples William A.
Published: July 2016

Renal autoregulation dynamics originating from the myogenic response (MR) and tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) can synchronize over large regions of the kidney surface, likely through gap junction-mediated electrotonic conduction and reflecting distributed operation of autoregulation. We tested the hypotheses that inhibition of gap junctions reduces spatial synchronization of autoregulation dynamics, abrogates spatial and temporal smoothing of renal perfusion, and impairs renal autoregulation. In male Long-Evans rats, we infused the gap junction inhibitor carbenoxolone (CBX) or the related glycyrrhizic acid (GZA) that does not block gap junctions into the renal artery and monitored renal blood flow (RBF) and surface perfusion by laser speckle contrast imaging. Neither CBX nor GZA altered RBF or mean surface perfusion. CBX preferentially increased spatial and temporal variation in the distribution of surface perfusion, increased spatial variation in the operating frequencies of the MR and TGF, and reduced phase coherence of TGF and increased its dispersion. CBX, but not GZA, impaired dynamic and steady-state autoregulation. Separately, infusion of the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 paralyzed smooth muscle, grossly impaired dynamic autoregulation, and monotonically increased spatial variation of surface perfusion. These data suggest CBX inhibited gap junction communication, which in turn reduced the ability of TGF to synchronize among groups of nephrons. The results indicate that impaired autoregulation resulted from degraded synchronization, rather than the reverse. We show that network behavior in the renal vasculature is necessary for effective RBF autoregulation.