bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibration‐based wind turbine planetary gearbox fault diagnosis using spectral averaging
Authors: Yoon Jae , He David , Van Hecke Brandon , Nostrand Thomas J. , Zhu Junda , Bechhoefer Eric
Published: November 2015

Planetary gearboxes (PGBs) are widely used in the drivetrain of wind turbines. Any PGB failure could lead to a significant breakdown or major loss of a wind turbine. Therefore, PGB fault diagnosis is very important for reducing the downtime and maintenance cost and improving the safety, reliability, and lifespan of wind turbines. The wind energy industry currently utilizes vibratory analysis as a standard method for PGB condition monitoring and fault diagnosis. Among them, the vibration separation is considered as one of the well‐established vibratory analysis techniques. However, the drawbacks of the vibration separation technique as reported in the literature include the following: potential sun gear fault diagnosis limitation, multiple sensors and large data requirement, and vulnerability to external noise. This paper presents a new method using a single vibration sensor for PGB fault diagnosis using spectral averaging. It combines the techniques of enveloping, Welch's spectral averaging, and data mining‐based fault classifiers. Using the presented approach, vibration fault features for wind turbine PGB are extracted as condition indicators for fault diagnosis and condition indicators are used as inputs to fault classifiers for PGB fault diagnosis. The method is validated on a set of seeded localized faults on all gears: sun gear, planetary gear, and ring gear. The results have shown a promising PGB fault diagnosis performance with the presented method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Notes on using the mesoscale wind farm parameterization of Fitch et al. (2012) in WRF
Authors: Fitch Anna C.
Published: November 2015

This letter describes some essential features of the publicly available mesoscale wind farm parameterization of Fitch et al. (2012) in the Weather Research and Forecasting model. It highlights the importance of using turbine manufacturer data with the parameterization and the spatial scales to which it is applicable. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PCR‐mediated gene modification strategy for construction of fluorescent protein fusions in Candida parapsilosis
Authors: Gonia Sara , Larson Britta , Gale Cheryl A.
Published: November 2015

Candida parapsilosis is a common cause of invasive candidiasis, especially in premature infants, even surpassing Candida albicans as the most frequently identified Candida species in some newborn intensive care units. Whereas many molecular tools are available to facilitate the study of C. albicans, relatively few have been developed for C. parapsilosis. In this study, we show that plasmids harbouring green, yellow and mCherry fluorescent protein sequences, previously developed for expression in C. albicans, can be used to construct fluorescent fusion proteins in C. parapsilosis by PCR‐mediated gene modification. Further, the strategy can be used in clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis, which are typically prototrophic, because the plasmids include NAT1, a dominant selectable trait that confers resistance to the antibiotic nourseothricin. Overall, these tools will be useful to yeast researchers who require the ability to visualize C. parapsilosis directly, e.g. in in vitro and in vivo infection models. In addition, this strategy can be used to generate fluorescence in other C. parapsilosis clinical isolates and to tag sequences of interest for protein localization studies. Lastly, the ability to express up to three different fluorescent proteins will allow researchers to visualize and differentiate C. parapsilosis and/or C. albicans clinical isolates from each other in mixed infection models. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late Recurrence After Radical Resection of Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Yoshida Naoya , Watanabe Masayuki , Kurashige Junji , Karashima Ryuichi , Iwagami Shiro , Baba Yoshifumi , Baba Hideo
Published: November 2015

Background

Approximately 10–20 % of esophageal cancer patients in whom recurrence is diagnosed experience late recurrence beyond 2 years after esophagectomy. However, the risk of late recurrence is still unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of late recurrence for appropriate postoperative surveillance.

Methods

A total of 447 patients underwent radical esophagectomy and reconstruction for esophageal cancer from 2005 to 2014. Patients who had recurrence beyond 2 years after esophagectomy were defined as the late recurrence group and the remaining patients with recurrence as the early recurrence group. A comparison of the clinicopathological factors and prognosis was performed between patients with early recurrence, late recurrence, and no recurrence.

Results

Recurrences were recognized in 117(26.2 %) of the 447 patients. Recurrence was diagnosed within 2 years after surgery in 103 patients (88.0 %) and after 2 years in 14 patients (12.0 %). Patients with late recurrence showed a favorable prognosis compared with those with early recurrence (P = 0.0131), and late recurrence was an independent factor associated with a favorable prognosis after recurrence (HR 0.199, P = 0.025). In the comparison between patients with late recurrence and those with no recurrence who had a minimal recurrence‐free survival of 2 years, pathological lymph node metastasis at esophagectomy was found to be an independent predictor of late recurrence (HR 7.296, P = 0.043).

Conclusions

Pathological lymph node metastasis at esophagectomy is a risk factor of late recurrence for esophageal cancer, and a close, lifelong follow‐up is recommended for such patients.
Methylmercury Increases and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Decreases the Relative Amounts of Arachidonic Acid‐Containing Phospholipids in Mouse Brain
Authors: Zeng Ying‐Xu , Du Zhen‐Yu , Mjøs Svein Are , Grung Bjørn , Midtbø Lisa K.
Published: November 2015

The membrane phospholipid composition in mammalian brain can be modified either by nutrients such as dietary fatty acids, or by certain toxic substances such as methylmercury (MeHg), leading to various biological and toxic effects. The present study evaluated the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and MeHg on the composition of the two most abundant membrane phospholipid classes, i.e., phosphatidylcholines (PtdCho) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PtdEtn), in mouse brain by using a two‐level factorial design. The intact membrane PtdCho and PtdEtn species were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The effects of EPA and MeHg on the PtdCho and PtdEtn composition were evaluated by principal component analysis and ANOVA. The results showed that EPA and MeHg had different effects on the composition of membrane PtdCho and PtdEtn species in brain, where EPA showed strongest impact. EPA led to large reductions in the levels of arachidonic acid (ARA)‐containing PtdCho and PtdEtn species in brain, while MeHg tended to elevate the levels of ARA‐containing PtdCho and PtdEtn species. EPA also significantly increased the levels of PtdCho and PtdEtn species with n‐3 fatty acids. Our results indicate that EPA may to some degree counteract the alterations of the PtdCho and PtdEtn pattern induced by MeHg, and thus alleviate the MeHg neurotoxicity in mouse brain through the inhibition of ARA‐derived pro‐inflammatory factors. These results may assist in the understanding of the interaction between MeHg, EPA and phospholipids, as well as the risk and benefits of a fish diet.
Update of Wnt signaling in implantation and decidualization
Authors: Zhang Qian , Yan Junhao
Published: November 2015

Embryonic development into an implantation‐competent blastocyst, synchronized uterine transformation into a receptive stage, and an intimate cross‐talk between the activated blastocyst and the receptive uterus are essential for successful implantation, and therefore for subsequent pregnancy outcome. Evidence accumulating during recent years has underlined the importance of the Wnt signaling pathway in mammalian implantation and decidualization. Herein, this review focuses on the current state of knowledge regarding Wnt signaling in multiple implantation and decidualization events: pre‐implantation embryo development, blastocyst activation for implantation, uterine development, and decidualization.
Competency-based education is beneficial for professional development
Authors: Van der Vleuten Cees P.M.
Published: November 2015

None
Competence-based education misses the essence of the medical profession
Authors: Lombarts M.J.M.H. (Kiki)
Published: November 2015

None
Cognitive and Motor Aspects of Parkinson’s Disease Associated with Dysphagia
Authors: Kim Ji Sun , Youn Jinyoung , Suh Mee Kyung , Kim Tae-Eun , Chin Juhee , Park Suyeon , Cho Jin Whan
Published: November 2015

Background: Dysphagia is a common symptom and an important prognostic factor in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although cognitive and motor dysfunctions may contribute to dysphagia in patients with PD, any specific association between such problems and swallowing functions is unclear. Here, we examined the potential relationship between cognitive/motor components and swallowing functions in PD. We evaluated the contributions of cognition and motor function to the components of swallowing via video fluoroscopic swallowing (VFS) experiments. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 56 patients without dementia having PD. Parkinson’s disease severity was assessed by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). All participants received neuropsychological tests covering general mental status, visuospatial function, attention, language, learning and memory, and frontal executive function. The well-validated “modified barium swallow impairment profile” scoring system was applied during VFS studies to quantify swallowing impairments. Finally, correlations between neuropsychological or motor functions and impairment in swallowing components were calculated. Results: The most significant correlations were found between the frontal/executive or learning/memory domains and the oral phase of swallowing, though a minor component of the pharyngeal phase correlated with frontal function as well. Bradykinesia and the UPDRS total score were associated with both the pharyngeal and oral phases. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that cognitive dysfunctions are associated with the oral phase of swallowing in patients with early stage PD while the severity of motor symptoms may be associated with overall swallowing function.
Experimental non-Boussinesq fountains
Authors: Mehaddi Rabah , Vauquelin Olivier , Candelier Fabien
Published: November 2015

Laboratory experiments involving downward air–helium fountains are presented. The large density differences between these releases and the ambient allow us to investigate how non-Boussinesq effects modify fountain heights and fountain fluctuations in comparison with the Boussinesq case (i.e. marginal density differences). In these experiments, the source Froude number is varied over a wide range covering (i) the very weak, (ii) the weak and (iii) the forced fountain regimes. It is shown that the classical Boussinesq correlations can be extended to the non-Boussinesq case provided that the Froude number is multiplied by the square root of the ratio between the released fluid density and that of the ambient. In the range investigated, no influence of the source Reynolds number is observed.
A new Tolypelepidid (Agnatha, Heterostraci) from the Late Silurian of Poland
Authors: Dec Marek
Published: November 2015

Tolypelepis mielnikensis n.sp. from a core sample of the Late Silurian (Pridoli) succession in Mielnik, Poland shares tolypelepidid features such as a subdivision of the dorsal shield into epitega, and ornamentation of short dentine ridges grouped into scale-like units with a coarser, higher median ridge encircled by narrower and lower ridges. A constriction of the dorsal shield anterior to the orbit level with the orbital notches significantly deeper than in other tolypelepidids discriminates it from otherTolypelepisspecies.
Quantitative morphological description of the Late Cretaceous ammonite Baculites inornatus Meek from western North America: implications for species concepts in the biostratigraphically important Baculitidae
Authors: Ward Peter D. , Haggart James W. , Mitchell Ross , Catlin Eric
Published: November 2015

Large collections of well-preserved specimens of the ammonite Baculites inornatus Meek (1862) from two lower to middle Campanian localities on the Pacific coast of North America are analyzed quantitatively to examine both variability and evolutionary change of species-level distinguishing characters. To this end, we present a new method of describing the morphology of the biostratigraphically important Upper Cretaceous zonal index fossil Baculites, using five independent shell characters that can be measured quantitatively. We then use this method to test hypotheses of phyletic evolutionary change in B. inornatus specimens collected from Sucia Island, Washington, USA, and Punta San Jose, Baja California, Mexico.

The greatest observed character change is in mature shell size: baculitids from the older of the two outcrops (Sucia islands) show a smaller mean diameter at maturity compared to those of the younger of the two outcrops (Punta San Jose). Other than this phyletic size increase, no other directional changes were observed from specimens collected at sub-meter precision from the 90 m-thick measured stratigraphic section of the Rosario Formation located at Punta San Jose. Importantly, neither the younger nor older baculitid assemblages show a size distribution of mature specimens that can be attributed to sexual dimorphism. We observed fluctuating proportions of individuals with ribs and/or keels through this section; since both characters have been used in previous taxonomic studies to define, or differentiate between, other Baculites species, our results indicate that no single character is sufficient to discriminate species within this lineage, and that there is far more variation of these characters than has previously been accepted. Our methodology can also be used to assess morphologic variation and taxonomic assignments of Baculites species in other biogeographic provinces, as well as to evaluate ecological influences on population variation and to test hypotheses of lineage evolution.
Pain Coping Profiles in Workers’ Compensation Clients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cluster Analysis
Authors: Sanchez Jennifer , Brooks Jessica , Fitzgerald Sandra , Strand David M. , Leczycki Aneta , Blake John , Chan Fong , Lee Gloria K.
Published: November 2015

This study investigated pain coping profiles using theCoping Strategies Questionnaire-24(CSQ-24) in a sample of 171 workers’ compensation clients with chronic musculoskeletal pain from Canada. Cluster analysis identified three distinct coping profiles: mixed coping, catastrophising, and positive coping. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) results revealed that the positive coping group had lower levels of activity interference and depression as well as higher levels of quality of life than the mixed coping and catastrophising groups. Study findings indicate clients with chronic musculoskeletal pain can be categorised according to pain coping strategies, and pain coping strategies used are related to rehabilitation outcomes. The implications of these pain coping profiles for rehabilitation counselling practice are discussed.
Probiotics: a proactive approach to health. A symposium report
Authors: Thomas Linda V. , Suzuki Kaori , Zhao Jia
Published: November 2015

This report summarises talks given at the 8th International Yakult Symposium, held on 23–24 April 2015 in Berlin. Two presentations explored different aspects of probiotic intervention: the small intestine as a probiotic target and inclusion of probiotics into integrative approaches to gastroenterology. Probiotic recommendations in gastroenterology guidelines and current data on probiotic efficacy in paediatric patients were reviewed. Updates were given on probiotic and gut microbiota research in obesity and obesity-related diseases, the gut–brain axis and development of psychobiotics, and the protective effects of equol-producing strains for prostate cancer. Recent studies were presented on probiotic benefit for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and people with HIV, as well as protection against the adverse effects of a short-term high-fat diet. Aspects of probiotic mechanisms of activity were discussed, including immunomodulatory mechanisms and metabolite effects, the anti-inflammatory properties ofFaecalibacterium prausnitzii, the relationship between periodontitis, microbial production of butyrate in the oral cavity and ageing, and the pathogenic mechanisms ofCampylobacter. Finally, an insight was given on a recent expert meeting, which re-examined the probiotic definition, advised on the appropriate use and scope of the term and outlined different probiotic categories and the prevalence of different mechanisms of activity.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of nut consumption and incident risk of CVD and all-cause mortality
Authors: Mayhew Alexandra J. , de Souza Russell J. , Meyre David , Anand Sonia S. , Mente Andrew
Published: November 2015

Dietary patterns containing nuts are associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality, and increased nut consumption has been shown to have beneficial effects on CVD risk factors including serum lipid levels. Recent studies have reported on the relationship between nut intake and CVD outcomes and mortality. Our objective was to systematically review the literature and quantify associations between nut consumption and CVD outcomes and all-cause mortality. Five electronic databases (through July 2015), previous reviews and bibliographies of qualifying articles were searched. In the twenty included prospective cohort studies (n 467 389), nut consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (ten studies; risk ratio (RR) 0·81; 95 % CI 0·77, 0·85 for highest v. lowest quantile of intake, Phet=0·04, I2=43 %), CVD mortality (five studies; RR 0·73; 95 % CI 0·68, 0·78; Phet=0·31, I2=16 %), all CHD (three studies; RR 0·66; 95 % CI 0·48, 0·91; Phet=0·0002, I2=88 %) and CHD mortality (seven studies; RR 0·70; 95 % CI 0·64, 0·76; Phet=0·65, I2=0 %), as well as a statistically non-significant reduction in the risk of non-fatal CHD (three studies; RR 0·71; 95 % CI 0·49, 1·03; Phet=0·03, I2=72 %) and stroke mortality (three studies; RR 0·83; 95 % CI 0·69, 1·00; Phet=0·54, I2=0 %). No evidence of association was found for total stroke (two studies; RR 1·05; 95 % CI 0·69, 1·61; Phet=0·04, I2=77 %). Data on total CVD and sudden cardiac death were available from one cohort study, and they were significantly inversely associated with nut consumption. In conclusion, we found that higher nut consumption is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality, total CVD, CVD mortality, total CHD, CHD mortality and sudden cardiac death.
Where does Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) overwinter in adjacent peach, pear and apple orchards?
Authors: Yang X.-F. , Fan F. , Wang C. , Wei G.-S.
Published: November 2015

The Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a major pest of tree fruits worldwide, and the diapausing larvae overwinter in cryptic habitats. Investigations of overwintering G. molesta were conducted in adjacent peach, pear and apple orchards in Northern China over three consecutive winters to determine the overwintering site and habitat preferences of the moth. Counts of overwintering larvae in the different orchards demonstrated that the late-maturing peach orchard (‘Shenzhou honey peach’) was the most preferred overwintering habitat with more than 90% of the collected larvae. Larvae were more abundant in host trees, and they very rarely overwintered in the soil. The overwintering site preferences on the host trees were significantly different; over 50% larvae were located in the tree trunks, and followed by main branches. Most of the G. molesta overwintered on the sunny side of the host trees at or below 60 cm from the ground; a few were cocooned on the shaded sides of the trees or greater than 60 cm from the ground. G. molesta began overwintering between August and October, mid- to late September was the peak period for entering winter diapause during 2011–2013 (77.78, 67.59 and 71.15%, respectively). Our findings improve understanding of the orchard habitat and overwintering site preferences of G. molesta and would be useful in the development of efficient forecasting and pest-management strategies for orchards during the winter and early spring.
Luck and Manipulation Cases: A Response to Professor Haji
Authors: LEVY NEIL
Published: November 2015

In his paper published in this issue, Ishtiyaque Haji argues that the challenge to compatibilism from luck is not novel. Rather, the challenge is identical to that from manipulation cases, and compatibilists already have responses to that challenge. In response, I distinguish two different luck problems for compatibilism. One challenge is seen in manipulation cases, but the challenge he identifies is different from the challenge from manipulation. The luck problem is therefore novel, and the existing solutions to the challenge from manipulation fail to address it.
Disorder-specific and shared neurophysiological impairments of attention and inhibition in women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and women with bipolar disorder
Authors: Michelini G. , Kitsune G. L. , Hosang G. M. , Asherson P. , McLoughlin G. , Kuntsi J.
Published: November 2015

Background

In adults, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder (BD) have certain overlapping symptoms, which can lead to uncertainty regarding the boundaries of the two disorders. Despite evidence of cognitive impairments in both disorders separately, such as in attentional and inhibitory processes, data on direct comparisons across ADHD and BD on cognitive–neurophysiological measures are as yet limited.

Method

We directly compared cognitive performance and event-related potential measures from a cued continuous performance test in 20 women with ADHD, 20 women with BD (currently euthymic) and 20 control women.

Results

The NoGo-N2 was attenuated in women with BD, reflecting reduced conflict monitoring, compared with women with ADHD and controls (both p < 0.05). Both ADHD and BD groups showed a reduced NoGo-P3, reflecting inhibitory control, compared with controls (both p < 0.05). In addition, the contingent negative variation was significantly reduced in the ADHD group (p = 0.05), with a trend in the BD group (p = 0.07), compared with controls.

Conclusions

These findings indicate potential disorder-specific (conflict monitoring) and overlapping (inhibitory control, and potentially response preparation) neurophysiological impairments in women with ADHD and women with BD. The identified neurophysiological parameters further our understanding of neurophysiological impairments in women with ADHD and BD, and are candidate biomarkers that may aid in the identification of the diagnostic boundaries of the two disorders.
Trajectories of psychological distress after prison release: implications for mental health service need in ex-prisoners
Authors: Thomas E. G. , Spittal M. J. , Heffernan E. B. , Taxman F. S. , Alati R. , Kinner S. A.
Published: November 2015

Background

Understanding individual-level changes in mental health status after prison release is crucial to providing targeted and effective mental health care to ex-prisoners. We aimed to describe trajectories of psychological distress following prison discharge and compare these trajectories with mental health service use in the community.

Method

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was administered to 1216 sentenced adult prisoners in Queensland, Australia, before prison release and approximately 1, 3 and 6 months after release. We used group-based trajectory modeling to identify K10 trajectories after release. Contact with community mental health services in the year following release was assessed via data linkage.

Results

We identified five trajectory groups, representing consistently low (51.1% of the cohort), consistently moderate (29.8%), high increasing (11.6%), high declining (5.5%) and consistently very high (1.9%) psychological distress. Mood disorder, anxiety disorder, history of self-harm and risky drug use were risk factors for the high increasing, very high and high declining trajectory groups. Women were over-represented in the high increasing and high declining groups, but men were at higher risk of very high psychological distress. Within the high increasing and very high groups, 25% of participants accessed community mental health services in the first year post-release, for a median of 4.4 contact hours.

Conclusions

For the majority of prisoners with high to very high psychological distress, distress persists after release. However, contact with mental health services in the community appears low. Further research is required to understand barriers to mental health service access among ex-prisoners.
Tropical montane cloud forest: environmental drivers of vegetation structure and ecosystem function
Authors: Fahey Timothy J. , Sherman Ruth E. , Tanner Edmund V.J.
Published: November 2015

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) are characterized by short trees, often twisted with multiple stems, with many stems per ground area, a large stem diameter to height ratio, and small, often thick leaves. These forests exhibit high root to shoot ratio, with a moderate leaf area index, low above-ground production, low leaf nutrient concentrations and often with luxuriant epiphytic growth. These traits of TMCF are caused by climatic conditions not geological substrate, and are particularly associated with frequent or persistent fog and low cloud. There are several reasons why fog might result in these features. Firstly, the fog and clouds reduce the amount of light received per unit area of ground and as closed-canopy forests absorb most of the light that reaches them the reduction in the total amount of light reduces growth. Secondly, the rate of photosynthesis per leaf area declines in comparison with that in the lowlands, which leads to less carbon fixation. Nitrogen supply limits growth in several of the few TMCFs where it has been investigated experimentally. High root : shoot biomass and production ratios are common in TMCF, and soils are often wet which may contribute to N limitation. Further study is needed to clarify the causes of several key features of TMCF ecosystems including high tree diameter : height ratio.
On quasi-static contact problem with generalized Coulomb friction, normal compliance and damage
Authors: GASIŃSKI LESZEK , KALITA PIOTR
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we study a quasi-static frictional contact problem for a viscoelastic body with damage effect inside the body as well as normal compliance condition and multi-valued friction law on the contact boundary. The considered friction law generalizes Coulomb friction condition into multi-valued setting. The variational–hemi-variational formulation of the problem is derived and arguments of fixed point theory and surjectivity results for pseudo-monotone operators are applied, in order to prove the existence and uniqueness of solution.
Pure type systems with explicit substitutions
Authors: FRIDLENDER DANIEL , PAGANO MIGUEL
Published: November 2015

We introduce a new formulation of pure type systems (PTSs) with explicit substitution and de Bruijn indices and formally prove some of its meta-theory. Using techniques based on Normalisation by Evaluation, we prove that untyped conversion can be typed for predicative PTSs. Although this equivalence was settled by Siles and Herbelin for the conventional presentation of PTSs, we strongly conjecture that our proof method can also be applied to PTSs with η.
Social capital dynamics and collective action: the role of subjective satisfaction in a common pool resource experiment
Authors: Becchetti Leonardo , Castriota Stefano , Conzo Pierluigi
Published: November 2015

In low-income countries, grassroots collective action for the management of a common environmental resource is a well-known substitute for government provision of public goods. In our research we test experimentally what its effect is on social capital. To this purpose we structure a ‘sandwich’ experiment in which participants play a common pool resource game (CPRG) between two trust games in a Nairobi slum where social capital is scarce but informal rules regulating the commons are abundant. Our findings show that the change in trustworthiness between the two trust game rounds generated by the CPRG experience is crucially affected by the subjective satisfaction about the CPRG, rather than by standard objective measures related to CPRG players' behaviour. These results highlight that subjective satisfaction in a collective action has relevant predictive power on social capital creation, providing information which can be crucial to designing successful self-organized environmental resource regimes.
Correlates of nutrition label use among college students and young adults: a review
Authors: Christoph Mary J , An Ruopeng , Ellison Brenna
Published: November 2015

Objective

Nutrition labels are an essential source for consumers to obtain nutrition-related information on food products and serve as a population-level intervention with unparalleled reach. The present study systematically reviewed existing evidence on the correlates of nutrition label use among college students and young adults.

Design

Keyword and reference searches were conducted in PubMed, EBSCO, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria included: study design (randomized controlled trial, cohort study, pre–post study or cross-sectional study); population (college students and young adults 18–30 years old); main outcome (nutrition label use); article type (peer-reviewed publication); and language (English).

Setting

College/university.

Subjects

College students and young adults.

Results

Sixteen studies based on data from college surveys in four countries (USA, UK, Canada, South Korea) were identified from keyword and reference search. Reported prevalence of nutrition label use varied substantially across studies; a weighted average calculation showed 36·5 % of college students and young adults reported using labels always or often. Females were more likely to use nutrition labels than males. Nutrition label use was found to be associated with attitudes towards healthy diet, beliefs on the importance of nutrition labels in guiding food selection, self-efficacy, and nutrition knowledge and education.

Conclusions

The impact of nutrition labelling on food purchase and intake could differ by population subgroups. Nutrition awareness campaigns and education programmes may be important mechanisms for promoting nutrition label use among college students and young adults. Future research is warranted to assess the role of label use on improved dietary decisions.
Exposure to Endosulfan can result in male infertility due to testicular atrophy and reduced sperm count
Authors: Sebastian R , Raghavan SC
Published: November 2015

Endosulfan (ES) is a widely used organochlorine pesticide and is speculated to be detrimental to human health. However, very little is known about mechanism of its genotoxicity. Using mouse model system, we show that exposure to ES affected physiology and cellular architecture of organs and tissues. Among all organs, damage to testes was extensive and it resulted in death of different testicular-cell populations. We find that the damage in testes resulted in qualitative and quantitative defects during spermatogenesis in a time-dependent manner, increasing epididymal reactive oxygen species levels, affecting sperm chromatin integrity. This further culminated in reduced number of epididymal sperms and actively motile sperms. Finally, we show that ES exposure affected fertility in male but not in female mice. Therefore, we demonstrate that ES exerts pathophysiological changes in mice, induces testicular atrophy, affects spermatogenesis, reduces quantity and vigour of epididymal sperm and leads to infertility in males.
Development of massively parallel electron beam direct write lithography using active-matrix nanocrystalline-silicon electron emitter arrays
Authors: Esashi Masayoshi , Kojima Akira , Ikegami Naokatsu , Miyaguchi Hiroshi , Koshida Nobuyoshi
Published: November 2015

Nanoscale lithographic technologies have been intensively studied for the development of the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing practices. While mask-less/direct-write electron beam (EB) lithography methods serve as a candidate for the upcoming 10-nm node approaches and beyond, it remains difficult to achieve an appropriate level of throughput. Several innovative features of the multiple EB system that involve the use of a thermionic source have been proposed. However, a blanking array mechanism is required for the individual control of multiple beamlets whereby each beamlet is deflected onto a blanking object or passed through an array. This paper reviews the recent developments of our application studies on the development of a high-speed massively parallel electron beam direct write (MPEBDW) lithography. The emitter array used in our study includes nanocrystalline-Si (nc-Si) ballistic electron emitters. Electrons are drifted via multiple tunnelling cascade transport and are emitted as hot electrons. The transport mechanism allows one to quickly turn electron beamlets on or off. The emitter array is a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) that is hetero-integrated with a separately fabricated active-matrix-driving complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) large-scale integration (LSI) system that controls each emitter individually. The basic function of the LSI was confirmed to receive external writing bitmap data and generate driving signals for turning beamlets on or off. Each emitted beamlet (10 × 10 μm2) is converged to 10 × 10 nm2 on a target via the reduction electron optic system under development. This paper presents an overview of the system and characteristic evaluations of the nc-Si emitter array. We examine beamlets and their electron emission characteristics via a 1:1 exposure test.
Delta-secretase cleaves amyloid precursor protein and regulates the pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhang Zhentao , Song Mingke , Liu Xia , Su Kang Seong , Duong Duc M. , Seyfried Nicholas T. , Cao Xuebing , Cheng Liming , Sun Yi E. , Ping Yu Shan , Jia Jianping , Levey Allan I. , Ye Keqiang
Published: November 2015

The age-dependent deposition of amyloid-β peptides, derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP), is a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Despite age being the greatest risk factor for AD, the molecular mechanisms linking ageing to APP processing are unknown. Here we show that asparagine endopeptidase (AEP), a pH-controlled cysteine proteinase, is activated during ageing and mediates APP proteolytic processing. AEP cleaves APP at N373 and N585 residues, selectively influencing the amyloidogenic fragmentation of APP. AEP is activated in normal mice in an age-dependent manner, and is strongly activated in 5XFAD transgenic mouse model and human AD brains. Deletion of AEP from 5XFAD or APP/PS1 mice decreases senile plaque formation, ameliorates synapse loss, elevates long-term potentiation and protects memory. Blockade of APP cleavage by AEP in mice alleviates pathological and behavioural deficits. Thus, AEP acts as a δ-secretase, contributing to the age-dependent pathogenic mechanisms in AD.
KCNK5 channels mostly expressed in cochlear outer sulcus cells are indispensable for hearing
Authors: Cazals Yves , Bévengut Michelle , Zanella Sébastien , Brocard Frédéric , Barhanin Jacques , Gestreau Christian
Published: November 2015

In the cochlea, K+ is essential for mechano-electrical transduction. Here, we explore cochlear structure and function in mice lacking K+ channels of the two-pore domain family. A profound deafness associated with a decrease in endocochlear potential is found in adult Kcnk5−/− mice. Hearing occurs around postnatal day 19 (P19), and completely disappears 2 days later. At P19, Kcnk5−/− mice have a normal endolymphatic [K+] but a partly lowered endocochlear potential. Using Lac-Z as a gene reporter, KCNK5 is mainly found in outer sulcus Claudius’, Boettcher’s and root cells. Low levels of expression are also seen in the spiral ganglion, Reissner’s membrane and stria vascularis. Essential channels (KCNJ10 and KCNQ1) contributing to K+ secretion in stria vascularis have normal expression in Kcnk5−/− mice. Thus, KCNK5 channels are indispensable for the maintenance of hearing. Among several plausible mechanisms, we emphasize their role in K+ recycling along the outer sulcus lateral route.
NADH oxidase-dependent CD39 expression by CD8+ T cells modulates interferon gamma responses via generation of adenosine
Authors: Bai Aiping , Moss Alan , Rothweiler Sonja , Serena Longhi Maria , Wu Yan , Junger Wolfgang G. , Robson Simon C.
Published: November 2015

Interferon gamma (IFNγ)-producing CD8+ T cells (Tc1) play important roles in immunological disease. We now report that CD3/CD28-mediated stimulation of CD8+ T cells to generate Tc1 cells, not only increases IFNγ production but also boosts the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and augments expression of CD39. Inhibition of NADPH oxidases or knockdown of gp91phox in CD8+ T cells abrogates ROS generation, which in turn modulates JNK and NFκB signalling with decreases in both IFNγ levels and CD39 expression. CD39+CD8+ T cells substantially inhibit IFNγ production by CD39−CD8+ T cells via the paracrine generation of adenosine, which is operational via adenosine type 2A receptors. Increases in numbers of CD39+CD8+ T cells and associated enhancements in ROS signal transduction are noted in cells from patients with Crohn’s disease. Our findings provide insights into Tc1-mediated IFNγ responses and ROS generation and link these pathways to CD39/adenosine-mediated effects in immunological disease.
Shared genetic aetiology of puberty timing between sexes and with health-related outcomes
Authors: Day Felix R. , Bulik-Sullivan Brendan , Hinds David A. , Finucane Hilary K. , Murabito Joanne M. , Tung Joyce Y. , Ong Ken K. , Perry John R.B.
Published: November 2015

Understanding of the genetic regulation of puberty timing has come largely from studies of rare disorders and population-based studies in women. Here, we report the largest genomic analysis for puberty timing in 55,871 men, based on recalled age at voice breaking. Analysis across all genomic variants reveals strong genetic correlation (0.74, P=2.7 × 10−70) between male and female puberty timing. However, some loci show sex-divergent effects, including directionally opposite effects between sexes at the SIM1/MCHR2 locus (Pheterogeneity=1.6 × 10−12). We find five novel loci for puberty timing (P<5 × 10−8), in addition to nine signals in men that were previously reported in women. Newly implicated genes include two retinoic acid-related receptors, RORB and RXRA, and two genes reportedly disrupted in rare disorders of puberty, LEPR and KAL1. Finally, we identify genetic correlations that indicate shared aetiologies in both sexes between puberty timing and body mass index, fasting insulin levels, lipid levels, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Role of genetic mutations in folate-related enzyme genes on Male Infertility
Authors: Liu Kang , Zhao Ruizhe , Shen Min , Ye Jiaxin , Li Xiao , Huang Yuan , Hua Lixin , Wang Zengjun , Li Jie
Published: November 2015

Several studies showed that the genetic mutations in the folate-related enzyme genes might be associated with male infertility; however, the results were still inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis to investigate the associations between the MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G, MTRR A66G mutations and the MTHFR haplotype with the risk of male infertility. Overall, a total of 37 studies were selected. Our meta-analysis showed that the MTHFR C677T mutation was a risk factor for male infertility in both azoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia patients, especially in Asian population. Men carrying the MTHFR TC haplotype were most liable to suffer infertility while those with CC haplotype had lowest risk. On the other hand, the MTHFR A1298C mutation was not related to male infertility. MTR A2756G and MTRR A66G were potential candidates in the pathogenesis of male infertility, but more case-control studies were required to avoid false-positive outcomes. All of these results were confirmed by the trial sequential analysis. Finally, our meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis proved that the genetic mutations in the folate-related enzyme genes played a significant role in male infertility.
Tea polyphenols as an antivirulence compound Disrupt Quorum-Sensing Regulated Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Yin Hongping , Deng Yifeng , Wang Huafu , Liu Wugao , Zhuang Xiyi , Chu Weihua
Published: November 2015

Green tea, a water extract of non-fermented leaves of Camellia sinensis L., is one of the nonalcoholic beverages in China. It is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, because of its refreshing, mild stimulant and medicinal properties. Here we examined the quorum sensing inhibitory potentials of tea polyphenols (TP) as antivirulence compounds both in vitro and in vivo. Biosensor assay data suggested minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of TP against selected pathogens were 6.25 ~ 12.5 mg/mL. At sub-MIC, TP can specifically inhibit the production of violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum 12472 with almost 98% reduction at 3.125 mg/mL without affecting its growth rate. Moreover, TP exhibited inhibitory effects on virulence phenotypes regulated by QS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The total proteolytic activity, elastase, swarming motility and biofilm formation were reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo, TP treatment resulted in the reduction of P. aeruginosa pathogenicity in Caenorhabditis elegans. When its concentration was 3.125 mg/mL, the survival rate reached 63.3%. In the excision wound infection model, the wound contraction percentage in treatment groups was relatively increased and the colony-forming units (CFU) in the wound area were significantly decreased. These results suggested that TP could be developed as a novel non-antibiotic QS inhibitor without killing the bacteria but as an antivirulence compound to control bacterial infection.
Neuroprotection and immunomodulation by xenografted human mesenchymal stem cells following spinal cord ventral root avulsion
Authors: Ribeiro Thiago B. , Duarte Adriana S. S. , Longhini Ana Leda F. , Pradella Fernando , Farias Alessandro S. , Luzo Angela C. M. , Oliveira Alexandre L. R. , Olalla Saad Sara Teresinha
Published: November 2015

The present study investigates the effects of xenotransplantation of Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AT-MSCs) in animals after ventral root avulsion. AT-MSC has similar characteristics to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), such as immunomodulatory properties and expression of neurotrophic factors. In this study, Lewis rats were submitted to surgery for unilateral avulsion of the lumbar ventral roots and received 5 × 105 AT-MSCs via the lateral funiculus. Two weeks after cell administration, the animals were sacrificed and the moto neurons, T lymphocytes and cell defense nervous system were analyzed. An increased neuronal survival and partial preservation of synaptophysin-positive nerve terminals, related to GDNF and BDNF expression of AT-MSCs and reduction of pro-inflammatory reaction were observed. In conclusion, AT-MSCs prevent second phase neuronal injury, since they suppressed lymphocyte, astroglia and microglia effects, which finally contributed to rat motor-neuron survival and synaptic stability of the lesioned motor-neuron. Moreover, the survival of the injected AT- MSCs lasted for at least 14 days. These results indicate that neuronal survival after lesion, followed by mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration, might occur through cytokine release and immunomodulation, thus suggesting that AT-MSCs are promising cells for the therapy of neuronal lesions.
Topological, non-topological and instanton droplets driven by spin-transfer torque in materials with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Interaction
Authors: Carpentieri Mario , Tomasello Riccardo , Zivieri Roberto , Finocchio Giovanni
Published: November 2015

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Interaction can modify the topology of droplets excited by a localized spin-polarized current. Here, we show that, in addition to the stationary droplet excitations with skyrmion number either one (topological) or zero (non-topological), there exists, for a fixed current, an excited mode with a non-stationary time behavior. We call this mode “instanton droplet”, which is characterized by time domain transitions of the skyrmion number. These transitions are coupled to an emission of incoherent spin-waves that can be observed in the frequency domain as a source of noise. Our results are interesting from a fundamental point of view to study spin-wave emissions due to a topological transition in current-driven systems and could open the route for experiments based on magnetoresistance effect for the design of a further generation of nanoscale microwave oscillators.
Relaxation damping in oscillating contacts
Authors: Popov M. , Popov V.L. , Pohrt R.
Published: November 2015

If a contact of two purely elastic bodies with no sliding (infinite coefficient of friction) is subjected to superimposed oscillations in the normal and tangential directions, then a specific damping appears, that is not dependent on friction or dissipation in the material. We call this effect “relaxation damping”. The rate of energy dissipation due to relaxation damping is calculated in a closed analytic form for arbitrary axially-symmetric contacts. In the case of equal frequency of normal and tangential oscillations, the dissipated energy per cycle is proportional to the square of the amplitude of tangential oscillation and to the absolute value of the amplitude of normal oscillation and is dependent on the phase shift between both oscillations. In the case of low frequency tangential oscillations with superimposed high frequency normal oscillations, the dissipation is proportional to the ratio of the frequencies. Generalization of the results for macroscopically planar, randomly rough surfaces as well as for the case of finite friction is discussed.
Selective protected state preparation of coupled dissipative quantum emitters
Authors: Plankensteiner D. , Ostermann L. , Ritsch H. , Genes C.
Published: November 2015

Inherent binary or collective interactions in ensembles of quantum emitters induce a spread in the energy and lifetime of their eigenstates. While this typically causes fast decay and dephasing, in many cases certain special entangled collective states with minimal decay can be found, which possess ideal properties for spectroscopy, precision measurements or information storage. We show that for a specific choice of laser frequency, power and geometry or a suitable configuration of control fields one can efficiently prepare these states. We demonstrate this by studying preparation schemes for strongly subradiant entangled states of a chain of dipole-dipole coupled emitters. The prepared state fidelity and its entanglement depth is further improved via spatial excitation phase engineering or tailored magnetic fields.