bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of on‐slide fixation on the cell quality of cytocentrifuged equine bronchioalveolar lavage fluid
Authors: Bertram Christof A. , Dietert Kristina , Pieper Laura , Erickson Nancy A. , Barton Ann K. , Klopfleisch Robert
Published: June 2018

Background

During bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sample preparation in horses, several technical aspects can affect sample variability. To date, the effects of different fixatives on prepared equine BALF films have been insufficiently investigated.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the effect of various on‐slide fixation methods on cell quality, including spray fixation of wet films, and acetone and methanol fixation of air‐dried samples in comparison with unfixed, air‐dried films.

Methods

Cytocentrifuged BALF samples from 5 horses were fixed in a wet state using a commercially available fixation spray. They were also fixed with acetone or methanol after air‐drying using standard protocols or were air‐dried with no fixation. After different postfixation storage durations and temperatures, the samples were stained with May‐Grünwald Giemsa or immunocytochemistry stains. Subsequently, differential cell counts (DCCs) were performed, cell areas were measured, and cell morphologies and immunocytochemical staining intensities were assessed semiquantitatively.

Results

Optimal cell morphology results were achieved with the wet‐spray fixation method. Acetone and methanol fixation, especially when performed at −20°C, caused reduced cell morphology quality, thereby significantly altering DCCs. For storage of unstained samples for 1 week at room temperature, no significant changes in cell morphology were observed for either fixation method. Wet‐spray fixation resulted in enhanced preservation of macrophage, granulocyte, and mast cell sizes compared with air‐drying techniques. Immunocytochemical staining of unfixed and acetone‐fixed samples was the most intense.

Conclusions

Wet‐spray fixation resulted in the best preservation of cellular morphology and less cell shrinkage compared with unfixed specimens and is, therefore, recommended for BALF cytology.
Comprehensive phylogeny of the laughingthrushes and allies (Aves, Leiothrichidae) and a proposal for a revised taxonomy
Authors: Cibois Alice , Gelang Magnus , Alström Per , Pasquet Eric , Fjeldså Jon , Ericson Per G. P. , Olsson Urban
Published: June 2018

DNA phylogenies have gradually shed light on the phylogenetic relationships of the large babbler group. We focus in this study on the family Leiothrichidae (laughingthrushes and “song babblers”), which represents the largest clade of babblers in terms of species diversity. Our phylogeny includes all genera and 82% of the recognized species, using mitochondrial and nuclear loci. The sister group to Leiothrichidae is composed of the Pellorneidae (“jungle babblers”) plus the genus Alcippe. Within Leiothrichidae, four strongly supported primary clades (A–D) are recovered. Clade A includes Grammatoptila, Laniellus and Cutia. Clade B includes a large group of laughingthrushes, all of them classified in Trochalopteron. In Clade C, the two laughingthrushes endemic to southern India, T. fairbanki and T. cachinnans, which have recently been proposed to be placed in the newly erected genus Montecincla, form a sister clade to the group comprising the “song babblers” (Lioptila, Leiothrix, Heterophasia, Minla, Liocichla, Actinodura, Chrysominla, Siva, and Sibia). Clade D includes the African babblers (Turdoides, Phyllanthus, Kupeornis), Asian relatives (Argya, Acanthoptila, Chatarrhaea) and all remaining laughingthrushes (Garrulax). The time estimates suggest that the early diversification of the Leiothrichidae occurred in the mid‐Miocene, a period that corresponds to the diversification of many passerine groups in Asia. A revised taxonomic classification of the family is proposed in the light of these results.
The Correlation between Gifted Students’ Cost and Task Value Perceptions towards Mathematics: The Mediating Role of Expectancy Belief
Authors: Kurnaz Ahmet
Published: June 2018

In this study whether the expectancy belief has a mediating role in the correlation between cost value perception and task value perception of gifted students towards mathematics was examined. It is predicted that the correlation between cost value and task value perceptions of gifted students towards mathematics can change according to their expectancy belief levels. This may shed light on the studies aiming to identify the factors affecting gifted students’ motivational beliefs towards mathematics and aiming to improve their mathematics performance. This study is conducted through relational screening model. Relational screening models aim to define the presence and degree of change between two or more variables. In this study, the presence and degree of correlation between expectancy belief, task value and task difficulty perceptions of gifted students towards mathematics are examined. 203 fifth and sixth-grade gifted students who were studying at the Art and Science Centers in 12 different cities in Turkey participated in the study. To identify the expectancy belief, task value and cost value perceptions of gifted students participating in the study towards mathematics were measured by Self and Task Perception Questionnaire. According to the results, when expectancy belief is included in the model as a mediating variable, the direct effect of cost on task value decreases and becomes statistically insignificant. In the mediation model, a major part of the direct effect of cost value perception on task value perception occurs through expectancy belief indirectly. It is understood that expectancy belief has a full mediating role in the correlation between cost value and task value perceptions. Expectancy belief of gifted students towards mathematics has a mediating role in the correlation between cost value and task value perceptions. Thus, the expectancy belief perception towards mathematics is of great importance for gifted students and it has a determining role in the correlation between cost value and task value perceptions.
Analysis of the Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Aerobic-Anaerobic Capacity and Muscle Strength
Authors: Köse Bereket
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of menstrual cycle phases on aerobic-anaerobic capacity and muscle strength. 10 female kickboxing athletes with an average age of 21.40±2.01 years; average height of 169.60±6.14 cm; average weight of 63.90±5.76 kg and average training age of 7.41±2.10 participated in the study. On the first day, maximal strength (1RM), strength endurance, wingate anaerobic power and capacity test (WAnT) were conducted and aerobic measurements were taken the next day. The measurements were conducted in follicular phase on the days 2-3rd of menstrual bleeding, in mid-follicular phase on 8-9th days and in luteal phase on 22-23th days. The data were analyzed with Friedman repeated measurements variance analysis. According to the results of the study, it was found that kickboxing athletes’ aerobic-anaerobic capacity, 1RM, strength endurance and heart rate (HR) were not affected by follicular phase, mid-follicular phase and luteal phase (p>0.005). As a conclusion, it can be said that menstrual cycle does not influence performance parameters such as muscle strength, muscle endurance and aerobic-anaerobic capacity.
Relationship Between Functional Movement Screen and Some Athletic Abilities in Karate Athletes
Authors: Yıldız Suat
Published: June 2018

In karate athletes, quality of movement and trunk control are important factors. Power output that is performed in short time requires functional movement capabilities. It’s quite important to know that which athletic abilities are related to functional movement. Due to this concern, the aim of the study was to examine relationship between functional movement screen (FMS) and some athletic abilities.20 male, 12 female karate athletes (Blue or higher belts; age: 16,06±0,9 years; training age: 7,5±1,1 years; weight: 63,06±11,6 kg; height: 171,9±6,1 cm) voluntarily participated in the study. Measurements have been taken on non-consecutive days in Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test battery, core stabilization test battery, back-leg extension isometric strength (BS), handgrip strength (HS), flexibility (S&R) and vertical jumping (SJ).The results showed that there is the significant relationship between FMS and S&R, SJ, core stabilization (p<0.01), and BS (p<0.05). There is no the significant correlation between HS. Due to the relationship between FMS Score and core stabilization, S&R, SJ and BS.It’s recommended practicing all these abilities to increase the quality of movement. Likewise, functional movement levels should be increased to perform better these athletic abilities.
Microtopographies control the development of basal protrusions in epithelial sheets
Authors: Coscoy Sylvie , Baiz Sarah , Octon Jean , Rhoné Benoît , Perquis Lucie , Tseng Qingzong , Amblard François , Semetey Vincent
Published: June 2018

Cells are able to develop various types of membrane protrusions that modulate their adhesive, migratory, or functional properties. However, their ability to form basal protrusions, particularly in the context of epithelial sheets, is not widely characterized. The authors built hexagonal lattices to probe systematically the microtopography-induced formation of epithelial cell protrusions. Lattices of hexagons of various sizes (from 1.5 to 19 μm) and 5–10 μm height were generated by two-photon photopolymerization in NOA61 or poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate derivatives. The authors found that cells generated numerous, extensive, and deep basal protrusions for hexagons inferior to cell size (3–10 μm) while maintaining a continuous epithelial layer above structures. They characterized the kinetics of protrusion formation depending on scaffold geometry and size. The reported formation of extensive protrusions in 3D microtopography could be beneficial to develop new biomaterials with increased adhesive properties or to improve tissue engineering.
Near-infrared light absorption enhancement in Ge nanostructures prepared by nanosphere lithography
Authors: Shao Wenyi , Xu Jun , Chen Jiaming , Wu Xiaoxiang , Chen Kunji
Published: June 2018

Nanosphere lithography technique has been used to get Ge nanostructures for enhancing the optical absorption in the near-infrared light region. It is proved that the morphologies of formed Ge nanostructures can be well controlled by diameter of polystyrene nanosphere as well as the etching time. A good antireflection and enhanced optical absorption characteristics have been observed in a wide spectral range, which is strongly dependent of the surface morphology. Particularly, by using the nanosphere with the diameter of 2000 nm, the reflection in the near-infrared spectral range (900–1500 nm), which cannot be efficiently utilized by Si, is suppressed and the corresponding optical absorption is enhanced significantly. The finite-difference time-domain simulation shows that, for the incident light with short wavelength, the light can only be absorbed at the surface range; but for the incident light with a long wavelength (1500 nm), the light can be efficiently absorbed in whole Ge nanostructures. Compared with the Ge nanostructure formed by using small-sized nanospheres (300 nm), the one formed by a large-sized nanosphere (2000 nm) shows the better optical absorption behaviors due to the strong Mie scattering effect.
Understanding deep-water striation patterns and predicting the waveguide invariant as a distribution depending on range and depth
Authors: Emmetière Rémi , Bonnel Julien , Géhant Marie , Cristol Xavier , Chonavel Thierry
Published: June 2018

The Waveguide Invariant (WI) theory has been introduced to quantify the orientation of the intensity interference patterns in a range-frequency domain. When the sound speed is constant over the water column, the WI is a scalar with the canonical value of 1. But, when considering shallow waters with a stratified sound speed profile, the WI ceases to be constant and is more appropriately described by a distribution, which is mainly sensitive to source/receiver depths. Such configurations have been widely investigated, with practical applications including passive source localization. However, in deep waters, the interference pattern is much more complex and variable. In fact the observed WI varies with source/receiver depth but it also varies very quickly with source-array range. In this paper, the authors investigate two phenomena responsible for this variability, namely the dominance of the acoustic field by groups of modes and the frequency dependence of the eigenmodes. Using a ray-mode approach, these two features are integrated in a WI distribution derivation. Their importance in deep-water is validated by testing the calculated WI distribution against a reference distribution directly measured on synthetic data. The proposed WI derivation provides a thorough way to predict and understand the striation patterns in deep-water context.
Parity-time–symmetric optoelectronic oscillator
Authors: Zhang Jiejun , Yao Jianping
Published: June 2018

A parity-time–symmetric optoelectronic oscillator was demonstrated without the use of a narrowband microwave or optical filter.
Pascalammetry with operando microbattery probes: Sensing high stress in solid-state batteries
Authors: Larson Jonathan M. , Gillette Eleanor , Burson Kristen , Wang Yilin , Lee Sang Bok , Reutt-Robey Janice E.
Published: June 2018

Stress waveforms applied to microbatteries induce current transients with a power-law decay that signals stress.
Superconductivity with twofold symmetry in Bi
2
Te
3
/FeTe
0.55
Se
0.45
heterostructures
Authors: Chen Mingyang , Chen Xiaoyu , Yang Huan , Du Zengyi , Wen Hai-Hu
Published: June 2018

Superconductivity with twofold symmetry is observed by STM in Bi
2
Te
3
/FeTe
0.55
Se
0.45
heterostructures.
Phase I Study To Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Two Dosing Regimens of Oral Fosfomycin Tromethamine in Healthy Adult Participants
Authors: Wenzler Eric , Bleasdale Susan C. , Sikka Monica , Bunnell Kristen L. , Finnemeyer Matthew , Rosenkranz Susan L. , Danziger Larry H. , Rodvold Keith A. ,   for the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group
Published: June 2018

The pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of two repeated dosing regimens of oral fosfomycin tromethamine were evaluated in 18 healthy adult subjects. Subjects received 3 g every other day (QOD) for 3 doses and then every day (QD) for 7 doses, or vice versa, in a phase I, randomized, open-label, two-period-crossover study.
Role of Microtubules and Microtubule-Associated Proteins in HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Dharan Adarsh , Campbell Edward M.
Published: June 2018

Recent studies show that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can utilize microtubules and their associated proteins to complete key postfusion steps during infection. These include associating with both dynein and kinesin motors, as well as proteins, which enhance infection by altering microtubule dynamics during infection.
Secretome Screening Reveals Fibroblast Growth Factors as Novel Inhibitors of Viral Replication
Authors: van Asten Saskia D. , Raaben Matthijs , Nota Benjamin , Spaapen Robbert M.
Published: June 2018

Viruses infect human cells in order to replicate, while human cells aim to resist infection. Several cellular antiviral programs have therefore evolved to resist infection. Knowledge of these programs is essential for the design of antiviral therapeutics in the future. The induction of antiviral programs is often initiated by secreted proteins, such as interferons. We hypothesized that other secreted proteins may also promote resistance to viral infection. Thus, we tested 756 human secreted proteins for the capacity to inhibit two pseudotypes of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). In this secretome screen on viral infection, we identified fibroblast growth factor 16 (FGF16) as a novel antiviral against multiple VSV pseudotypes as well as coxsackievirus. Subsequent testing of other FGF family members revealed that FGF signaling generally inhibits viral infection. This finding may lead to the development of new antivirals and may also be applicable for enhancing oncolytic virus therapy.
Lnc-ISG20 Inhibits Influenza A Virus Replication by Enhancing ISG20 Expression
Authors: Chai Wenjia , Li Jing , Shangguan Qilin , Liu Qi , Li Xinda , Qi Dandan , Tong Xiaomei , Liu Wenjun , Ye Xin
Published: June 2018

The replication of influenza A virus is regulated by host factors. However, the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate IAV infection are not well understood. We identified that lnc-ISG20 is upregulated during IAV infection and is also an interferon-stimulated gene. We demonstrated that lnc-ISG20 can enhance ISG20 expression, which in turn inhibits IAV replication. Our studies indicate that lnc-ISG20 functions as a competing endogenous RNA that binds miR-326 and reduces its inhibitory effect on ISG20. Taken together, our findings reveal the mechanistic details of lnc-ISG20 negatively regulating IAV replication. These findings indicate that lnc-ISG20 plays an important role during the host antiviral immune response.
SMS-based intervention in type 2 diabetes: clinical trial in Senegal
Authors: Wargny Matthieu , Kleinebreil Line , Diop Said Norou , Ndour-Mbaye Maïmouna , Ba Mady , Balkau Beverley , Simon Dominique
Published: June 2018

Objective

Since 2014 Senegal has benefited from regular awareness-raising Short Message Service (SMS) campaigns (Be He@lthy, Be Mobile initiative) directed at people who have signed up, for free, to the ‘mDiabète’ programme. We report on an evaluation of its impact on diabetes control.

Design

The clinical trial was designed to send daily SMS during 3 months to people with type 2 diabetes. Due to centre randomisation, SMS were sent from inclusion (M0) to month 3 (M3) to people in centre S and from M3 to month 6 (M6) to people in centre P.

Setting

Medical centre S in the northwestern suburbs of Dakar; centre P in Popenguine, 70 km south of Dakar.

Participants

In February 2017, people with type 2 diabetes were consecutively recruited in the two centres. Complete data were available from 186 of these people.

Main outcome measures

HbA1c was measured in the two centres with the same assay throughout the study. The primary end point was the difference between centres for the change in HbA1c from M0 to M3. Secondary end points were the evolution of HbA1c in centres S and P between M3 and M6.

Results

The HbA1c change from M0 to M3 in centre S was better than in centre P, with a median difference of −0.4%, quartiles (−1.0; 0.3) versus 0.2% (-0.5; 0.8), respectively (p=0.0038). HbA1c decreased over the 3 months after having stopped SMS in centre S and was confirmed in centre P. The campaign cost was €2.5 (US$3.1) per person.

Conclusions

In Senegal, SMS sending was associated with an improved glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. As SMS has a high penetration in low-income, middle-income countries where medical resources are scarce, health interventions using mobile telephones should be developed to facilitate exchanges between people with diabetes and medical teams; this may reduce diabetes-related complications.
Epidemiology of overweight and obesity in early childhood in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Nahhas Mahmoud A , Asamoah Felix , Mullen Stephen , Nwaru Bright I , Nurmatov Ulugbek
Published: June 2018

Introduction

There has been a notable increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-aged children in many industrialised regions. The worldwide prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased from 4.2% in 1990 to 6.7% in 2010. Although many studies have been published, the epidemiological burden of overweight and obesity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) is unclear. There is a need to bring together and appraise relevant studies in order to estimate the epidemiological burden (including incidence, prevalence, risk factors, trend over time) of overweight and obesity in this region and thus help to inform national and regional policies.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the epidemiology of overweight and obesity in early childhood including incidence, prevalence, risk factors and trends over time in the GCC countries. We will search international electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, CINAHL, Google Scholar, AMED, Psych INFO, CAB International and WHO Global Health Library for published, unpublished and in-progress epidemiological studies of interest published from inception to 2017. In addition, we will contact an international panel of experts on the topic. There will be no restriction on the language of publication of studies. We will use the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) to appraise the methodological quality of included studies. Meta-analysis will be undertaken using random effects models.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required. The outcome of the review will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017073189.
Evaluation of different infant vaccination schedules incorporating pneumococcal vaccination (The Vietnam Pneumococcal Project): protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Temple Beth , Toan Nguyen Trong , Uyen Doan Y , Balloch Anne , Bright Kathryn , Cheung Yin Bun , Licciardi Paul , Nguyen Cattram Duong , Phuong Nguyen Thi Minh , Satzke Catherine , Smith-Vaughan Heidi , Vu Thi Que Huong , Huu Tran Ngoc , Mulholland Edward Kim
Published: June 2018

Introduction

WHO recommends the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) as a priority. However, there are many countries yet to introduce PCV, especially in Asia. This trial aims to evaluate different PCV schedules and to provide a head-to-head comparison of PCV10 and PCV13 in order to generate evidence to assist with decisions regarding PCV introduction. Schedules will be compared in relation to their immunogenicity and impact on nasopharyngeal carriage ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeandHaemophilus influenzae.

Methods and analysis

This randomised, single-blind controlled trial involves 1200 infants recruited at 2 months of age to one of six infant PCV schedules: PCV10 in a 3+1, 3+0, 2+1 or two-dose schedule; PCV13 in a 2+1 schedule; and controls that receive two doses of PCV10 and 18 and 24 months. An additional control group of 200 children is recruited at 18 months that receive one dose of PCV10 at 24 months. All participants are followed up until 24 months of age. The primary outcome is the post-primary series immunogenicity, expressed as the proportions of participants with serotype-specific antibody levels ≥0.35 µg/mL for each serotype in PCV10.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Northern Territory Department of Health and Menzies School of Health Research (EC00153) and the Vietnam Ministry of Health Ethics Committee. The results, interpretation and conclusions will be presented to parents and guardians, at national and international conferences, and published in peer-reviewed open access journals.

Trial registration number

NCT01953510; Pre-results.
Subtypes of Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma based on genome-wide methylation analysis
Authors: Yu Ming , Maden Sean K , Stachler Matthew , Kaz Andrew M , Ayers Jessica , Guo Yuna , Carter Kelly T , Willbanks Amber , Heinzerling Tai J , O’Leary Rachele M , Xu Xinsen , Bass Adam , Chandar Apoorva K , Chak Amitabh , Elliott Robin , Willis Joseph E , Markowitz Sanford D , Grady William M
Published: June 2018

Objective

To identify and characterise DNA methylation subtypes in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor Barrett’s oesophagus (BE).

Design

We performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling on samples of non-dysplastic BE from cancer-free patients (n=59), EAC (n=23), normal squamous oesophagus (n=33) and normal fundus (n=9), and identified methylation subtypes using a recursively partitioned mixture model. We assessed genomic alterations for 9 BE and 22 EAC samples with massively parallel sequencing of 243 EAC-associated genes, and we conducted integrative analyses with transcriptome data to identify epigenetically repressed genes. We also carried out in vitro experiments treating EAC cell lines with 5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC), short hairpin RNA knockdown and anticancer therapies.

Results

We identified and validated four methylation subtypes of EAC and BE. The high methylator subtype (HM) of EAC had the greatest number of activating events inERBB2(p<0.05, Student’s t-test) and the highest global mutation load (p<0.05, Fisher’s exact test).PTPN13was silenced by aberrant methylation in the HM subtype preferentially and in 57% of EACs overall. In EAC cell lines, 5-Aza-dC treatment restoredPTPN13expression and significantly decreased its promoter methylation in HM cell lines (p<0.05, Welch’s t-test). Inhibition ofPTPN13expression in the SK-GT-4 EAC cell line promoted proliferation, colony formation and migration, and increased phosphorylation in ERBB2/EGFR/Src kinase pathways. Finally, EAC cell lines showed subtype-specific responses to topotecan, SN-38 and palbociclib treatment.

Conclusions

We identified and characterised methylator subtypes in BE and EAC. We further demonstrated the biological and clinical relevance of EAC methylator subtypes, which may ultimately help guide clinical management of patients with EAC.
Tau-induced focal neurotoxicity and network disruption related to apathy in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kitamura Soichiro , Shimada Hitoshi , Niwa Fumitoshi , Endo Hironobu , Shinotoh Hitoshi , Takahata Keisuke , Kubota Manabu , Takado Yuhei , Hirano Shigeki , Kimura Yasuyuki , Zhang Ming-Rong , Kuwabara Satoshi , Suhara Tetsuya , Higuchi Makoto
Published: June 2018

Objective

Apathy is a common neuropsychological symptom in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and previous studies demonstrated that neuronal loss and network disruption in some brain regions play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of apathy. However, contributions of tau and amyloid-β (Aβ) depositions, pathological hallmarks of AD, to the manifestation of apathy remain elusive.

Methods

Seventeen patients with AD underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with11C-pyridinyl-butadienyl-benzothiazole 3 (11C-PBB3) and11C-Pittsburgh compound-B (11C-PiB) to estimate tau and Aβ accumulations using standardised uptake value ratio (SUVR) images.11C-PBB3 and11C-PiB SUVR were compared between AD patients with high and low Apathy Scale (AS) scores. Additionally, volumetric and diffusion tensor MRI was performed in those areas where any significant difference was observed in PET analyses. Correlation and path analyses among AS and estimated imaging parameters were also conducted.

Results

AD patients with high AS scores showed higher11C-PBB3 SUVR in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) than those with low AS scores, while11C-PiB SUVR in any brain regions did not differ between them. Elevated11C-PBB3 SUVR in OFC, decreased OFC thickness and decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the uncinate fasciculus (UNC), which is structurally connected to OFC, correlated significantly with increased scores of the AS. Path analysis indicated that increased11C-PBB3 SUVR in OFC affects apathy directly and through reduction of OFC thickness and subsequent decrease of FA in UNC.

Conclusions

The present findings suggested that tau pathology in OFC may provoke focal neurotoxicity in OFC and the following disruption of the OFC-UNC network, leading to the emergence and progression of apathy in AD.
Mechanical behaviour of Panzhihua iron tailings
Authors: Li W. , Coop M.R.
Published: June 2018

Safety problems have concerned many researchers studying tailings dams in recent years, as they have a high risk of failure due to liquefaction. Existing analysis of liquefaction in tailings within a critical state framework has relied on the critical state line (CSL) being unique in the volumetric plane. However, recent advances have highlighted a so-called “transitional” behaviour in which the location of the normal compression line (NCL) and CSL is a function of the density of the soils at deposition. This paper presents a detailed investigation of the mechanics of tailings taken from three locations of an iron tailings impoundment. Reconstituted samples were prepared by different methods and at different densities. No transitional behaviour was found, although the results show that the rate of convergence of the compression curves changes, with the finest pond material reaching a unique NCL earliest. The preparation method was found not to have a large effect on the behaviour for these tailings. Unique CSLs could be clearly identified for all the three tailings, but with different shapes, giving rise to a changing susceptibility to liquefaction. This susceptibility tends to increase from the pond to the upper beach.
Systematic evaluation of inorganic salts as a heat sink for the magnesiothermic reduction of silica
Authors: Khanna Logesh , Lai Yiqi , Dasog Mita
Published: June 2018

In this study, the effectivity of a series of inorganic salts, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium bromide as heat sinks during magnesiothermic reduction of silica to porous silicon was investigated. The salts were chosen based on cost, thermal stability, ability to remain chemically inert during the reduction process, and ease of removal after the reaction. The structural integrity of the spherical porous silicon nanoparticles was observed using scanning electron microscopy, the surface area was determined via nitrogen adsorption experiments, and the crystallite size was determined using powder X-ray diffraction analysis; together, these were used to determine the efficacy of each salt. The ability of a salt to act as an effective heat sink was found to be highly correlated and principally dependent on the heat capacity of the salt. Calcium chloride was found to be the most effective heat sink overall among the five heat sinks investigated here.
Abscisic acid: a novel uterine stimulator in normal and diabetic rats
Authors: Samir Shereen M. , Mostafa Abeer F.
Published: June 2018

Diabetes is usually associated with alterations in myometrial contractility with altered oxytocin responsiveness that increase the incidence of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Pancreatic β-cells release abscisic acid (ABA) in response to glucose, which in turn potentiates insulin secretion. The aim of the study was to find out the effect of ABA on the uterine contractility in normal and diabetic induced rats and tried to detect its possible underlying signaling pathway. Adult non-pregnant female rats were divided into normal nondiabetic group (n = 27) and diabetic group (n = 12). The effect of ABA on the normal and diabetic isolated myometrium was determined alone or after different blockers. Spontaneous diabetic myometrial contraction showed significant decrease and less responsiveness to oxytocin, KCL, and acetylcholine than nondiabetic samples. ABA showed 60% of oxytocin stimulatory effects on myometrial contraction in a dose–response manner in both groups. Meanwhile, this effect was decreased after blocking L-type calcium channels and completely abolished after blocking prostaglandin F (FP) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptors. ABA is found to have an uterotonic effect that is mediated mainly via FP receptor through increasing the level of IP3. So, ABA by its novel effect could be beneficial as pre-labor prescription, especially in diabetic females.
Blood parasite infection linked to condition of spring-migrating Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
Authors: Merrill L. , Levengood J.M. , England J.C. , Osborn J.M. , Hagy H.M.
Published: June 2018

Numerous organisms exhibit carry-over effects, in which previous environmental conditions impact current performance. For example, reproductive output for many migratory birds can be impacted by events during the preceding migration. Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838); hereafter scaup) declined dramatically during 1970s–2000s, and there is evidence linking reduced reproductive output to reduced body condition during spring migration. In addition to food availability and quality, haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium spp., Haemoproteus spp.) may be associated with condition of spring-migrating birds. We examined whether haemosporidian parasite infection status was linked to measures of size (mass, wing length, tarsus length, and keel length) and condition (body fat, size-corrected mass, wing-loading) in female spring-migrating scaup. Infection prevalence varied by year (21.7% in 2014; 47.1% in 2015) and percent body fat was negatively associated with the probability of infection. Body fat levels declined from 2014 to 2015, but at a similar rate for infected and uninfected birds. This pattern suggests that the increased prevalence in 2015 may have been related to the greater proportion of poor-condition birds being more susceptible to infection or recrudescence of latent infections. In light of forecasted range shifts and expansions of avian malaria vectors, the impact of haemosporidian parasites on migratory waterfowl condition warrants further investigation.
Solution-generating methods of Einstein’s equations by Hamiltonian reduction
Authors: Oh Seung Hun , Kimm Kyoungtae , Cho Yongmin , Yoon Jong Hyuk
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a new method of generating exact solutions to Einstein’s equations obtained by the Hamiltonian reduction. The key element to the successful Hamiltonian reduction is finding the privileged spacetime coordinates in which physical degrees of freedom manifestly reside in the conformal two-metric, and all the other metric components are determined by the conformal two-metric. In the privileged coordinates, Einstein’s constraint equations become trivial; the Hamiltonian and momentum constraints are simply the defining equations of a nonvanishing gravitational Hamiltonian and momentum densities in terms of conformal two-metric and its conjugate momentum, respectively. Thus, given any conformal two-metric, which is a constraint-free data, one can construct the whole four-dimensional spacetime by integrating the first-order superpotential equations. As the first examples of using Hamiltonian reduction in solving Einstein’s equations, we found two exact solutions to Einstein’s equations in the privileged coordinates. Suitable coordinate transformations from the privileged to the standard coordinates show that they are just the Einstein–Rosen wave and the Schwarzschild solution. The local gravitational Hamiltonian and momentum densities of these spacetimes are also presented in the privileged coordinates.
Analytic computing methods for precision calculations in quantum field theory
Authors: Blümlein Johannes , Schneider Carsten
Published: June 2018

An overview is presented on the current status of main mathematical computation methods for the multiloop corrections to single-scale observables in quantum field theory and the associated mathematical number and function spaces and algebras. At present, massless single-scale quantities can be calculated analytically in QCD to 4-loop order and single mass and double mass quantities to 3-loop order, while zero-scale quantities have been calculated to 5-loop order. The precision requirements of the planned measurements, particularly at the FCC-ee, form important challenges to theory, and will need important extensions of the presently known methods.
Microhardness, phase transition, acoustic wave velocities and melting temperature of AlxGa1−xSb
Authors: Al-Hagan O. A. , Algarni H. , Bouarissa N. , Ajmal Khan M. , Alhuwaymel T. F.
Published: June 2018

The band structure of Al[Formula: see text]Ga[Formula: see text]Sb semiconducting ternary alloys and their related properties such as elastic constants, microhardness, transition pressure to the first phase, acoustic wave velocities and melting temperature have been investigated. The calculations are performed using a pseudopotential approach within the virtual crystal approximation which includes the effect of compositional disorder as an effective potential. Generally, our results are found to be in good accord with the experimental results. The composition dependence of all features of interest showed a monotonic behavior and suggests that the stiffness, hardness and structural stability becomes better in Al[Formula: see text]Ga[Formula: see text]Sb for higher Al concentrations. The bulk sound speeds and melting temperature are found to become larger when increasing the Al content.
Three-party quantum secret sharing based on phase shift operation
Authors: Qin Huawang , Tso Raylin , Dai Yuewei
Published: June 2018

An efficient three-party quantum secret sharing scheme is proposed. The dealer uses the phase shift operation to encode the secret information into some EPR pairs. The members use the phase shift operation to decode the EPR pairs, and measure the EPR pairs to reconstruct the secret. Our scheme does not need the BB84 protocol or the decoy particles to protect the transmitted particles, and can use the phase shift operation to prevent the attacker from stealing secret information from the transmitted particles. So all the particles can be used to bring the secret information, and the utilization efficiency of the particles of 100% can be achieved. With the prevent technology, our scheme is more practical than the existing schemes.
s-Arc-regular prime-valent Cayley graphs of square-free order
Authors: Pan Jiangmin , Ding Menglin , Ling Bo
Published: June 2018

A high cited paper [Feng and Li, One-regular graphs of square-free order of prime valency, Europ. J. Combin. 32 (2011) 261–275] classified 1-arc-regular prime-valent graphs (necessarily Cayley graphs) of square-free order. It is thus interesting to ask what are the [Formula: see text]-arc-regular prime-valent Cayley graphs of square-free order for each [Formula: see text]. In this paper, a complete list of all such graphs is given. The proving process also involves a complete list of the vertex stabilizers of [Formula: see text]-arc-regular prime-valent graphs of any order.
Polarization entanglement distillation through local filtering operations
Authors: Sun Quan-Hai , Pan Guo-Zhu
Published: June 2018

An entanglement distillation scheme is proposed for an amplitude-damped polarization-entangled photon states via local filtering operations. The local filtering operations, i.e. positive operator-valued measure, on photons are realized by a series of Brewster window pairs. The entanglement of the survived photon pairs in the scheme will be much larger than that of the initial ones. In this sense, this distillation scheme is better than the currently existing entanglement protection scheme, where only the entanglement decaying time is prolonged and the entanglement is not enhanced at all. In addition, this scheme is simple and feasible within the current linear optical techniques.
Systematic Modeling of Rotor-Driving Dynamics for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Wu Limin , Ke Yijie , Chen Ben M.
Published: June 2018

This paper proposes a systematic modeling approach of rotor-driving dynamics for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) based on system identification and first principle-based methods. Both steady state response analyses and frequency-domain identifications are conducted for the rotor, and Comprehensive Identification from Frequency Responses (CIFER) software is mainly utilized for the frequency-domain analysis. Moreover, a novel semi-empirical model integrating the rotor and the electrical speed controller is presented and validated. The demonstrated results and model are promising in UAV dynamics and control applications.
In Pursuit of a Community of Shared Future: China’s Global Activism in Perspective
Authors: Xiaochun Zhao
Published: June 2018

There has been an increasingly heated debate over the origins and prospects of China’s global activism since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in late 2012. Some in the West view China’s proactive diplomatic posture as evidence of a rising power’s geostrategic ambition to become the next world hegemon. This article traces the intellectual pedigree and policy relevance of the concept of a “community of shared future for mankind” highlighted in President Xi Jinping’s work report to the 19th CPC National Congress in October 2017. Based on a sober assessment of global trends, and drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese wisdom and the Western civilization, this concept represents China’s vision of a more just, secure, and prosperous world in which China sees itself as an earnest builder of world peace, an important contributor to global development, and a staunch defender of international order. Concurrently, it also marks a transition of Chinese strategic posture from a “hide-and-bide” one to a global activist one. Under this vision, China’s diplomacy has taken on a new look over the past few years. Looking into the future, China is expected to play a more active role in leading international efforts to enhance global governance and exploring new models of cooperation for world development, while attempting to shoulder greater responsibilities as a major emerging power.
Multiscale structure-function relationships in right ventricular failure due to pressure overload
Authors: Cheng Tik-Chee , Philip Jennifer L. , Tabima Diana M. , Hacker Timothy A. , Chesler Naomi C.
Published: June 2018

Right ventricular (RV) failure (RVF) is the major cause of death in pulmonary hypertension. Recent studies have characterized changes in RV structure in RVF, including hypertrophy, fibrosis, and abnormalities in mitochondria. Few, if any, studies have explored the relationships between these multiscale structural changes and functional changes in RVF. Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) was used to induce RVF due to pressure overload in male rats. Eight weeks postsurgery, terminal invasive measurements demonstrated RVF with decreased ejection fraction (70 ± 10 vs. 45 ± 15%, sham vs. PAB, P < 0.005) and cardiac output (126 ± 40 vs. 67 ± 32 ml/min, sham vs. PAB, P < 0.05). At the organ level, RV hypertrophy was directly correlated with increased contractility, which was insufficient to maintain ventricular-vascular coupling. At the tissue level, there was a 90% increase in fibrosis that had a direct correlation with diastolic dysfunction measured by reduced chamber compliance ( r2 = 0.43, P = 0.008). At the organelle level, transmission electron microscopy demonstrated an abundance of small-sized mitochondria. Increased mitochondria was associated with increased ventricular oxygen consumption and reduced mechanical efficiency ( P < 0.05). These results demonstrate an association between alterations in mitochondria and RV oxygen consumption and mechanical inefficiency in RVF and a link between fibrosis and in vivo diastolic dysfunction. Overall, this work provides key insights into multiscale RV remodeling in RVF due to pressure overload.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study explores the functional impact of multiscale ventricular remodeling in right ventricular failure (RVF). It demonstrates correlations between hypertrophy and increased contractility as well as fibrosis and diastolic function. This work quantifies mitochondrial ultrastructural remodeling in RVF and demonstrates increased oxygen consumption and mechanical inefficiency as features of RVF. Direct correlation between mitochondrial changes and ventricular energetics provides insight into the impact of organelle remodeling on organ level function.
No-reflow phenomenon in the heart and brain
Authors: Kloner Robert A. , King Kevin S. , Harrington Michael G.
Published: June 2018

The no-reflow phenomenon refers to the observation that when an organ is made ischemic by occlusion of a large artery supplying it, restoration of patency in that artery does not restore perfusion to the microvasculature supplying the parenchyma of that organ. This has been observed after prolonged arterial occlusions in the heart (30–90 min), brain, skin, and kidney. In experimental models, zones of no reflow in the heart are characterized by ultrastructural microvascular damage, including focal endothelial swelling obstructing the lumen of small vessels. Blood elements such as neutrophil plugs, platelets, and stacking of erythrocytes have also been implicated. No reflow is associated with poor healing of the myocardial infarction. In patients, no reflow is associated with a poor clinical outcome independent of infarct size, suggesting that therapy for no reflow may be an important approach to improving outcome for ST elevation myocardial infarction. No reflow occurs after reperfusion of experimental cerebral ischemia and may be observed after only 5-min episodes of ischemia. Aggregation of blood elements may play a greater role than in cardiac no reflow. No reflow in the brain may involve cortical spreading depression with disturbed local vascular control and high, vasculotonic levels of extracellular K+ concentration, postischemic swelling in endothelial cells and abutting end feet of pericytes, pericyte contraction and death, interstitial edema with collapse of cerebral capillaries, and inflammatory reaction. New guidelines suggesting that reperfusion for stroke may be considered as late as 24 h after the onset of symptoms suggest that clinicians may be seeing more no reflow in the future.
Distance running alters peripheral microRNAs implicated in metabolism, fluid balance, and myosin regulation in a sex-specific manner
Authors: Hicks Steven D. , Jacob Paige , Middleton Frank A. , Perez Omar , Gagnon Zofia
Published: June 2018

Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) mediate adaptive responses to exercise and may serve as biomarkers of exercise intensity/capacity. Expression of miRNAs is altered in skeletal muscle, plasma, and saliva following exertion. Women display unique physiologic responses to endurance exercise, and miRNAs respond to pathologic states in sex-specific patterns. However sex-specific miRNA responses to exercise remain unexplored. This study utilized high-throughput RNA sequencing to measure changes in salivary RNA expression among 25 collegiate runners following a single long-distance run. RNA concentrations in pre- and post-run saliva was assessed through alignment and quantification of 4,694 miRNAs and 27,687 mRNAs. Pair-wise Wilcoxon rank-sum test identified miRNAs with significant [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05] post-run changes. Associations between miRNA levels and predicted mRNA targets were explored with Pearson correlations. Differences in miRNA patterns between men ( n = 13) and women ( n = 12) were investigated with two-way analysis of variance. Results revealed 122 salivary miRNAs with post-run changes. The eight miRNAs with the largest changes were miR-3671, miR-5095 (downregulated); and miR-7154-3p, miR-200b-5p, miR-5582-3p, miR-6859-3p, miR-6751-5p, miR-4419a (upregulated). Predicted mRNA targets for these miRNAs represented 15 physiologic processes, including glycerophospholipid metabolism (FDR = 0.042), aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption (FDR = 0.049), and arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy (FDR = 0.018). Twenty-six miRNA/mRNA pairs had associated changes in post-run levels. Three miRNAs (miR-4675, miR-6745, miR-6746-3p) demonstrated sex-specific responses to exercise. Numerous salivary miRNAs change in response to endurance running and target the expression of genes involved in metabolism, fluid balance, and musculoskeletal adaptations. A subset of miRNAs may differentiate the metabolic response to exercise in men and women.