bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Periodizing Dietary Carbohydrate on Iron Regulation and Immune Function in Elite Triathletes
Authors: McKay Alannah K. A. , Heikura Ida A. , Burke Louise M. , Peeling Peter , Pyne David B. , van Swelm Rachel P.L. , Laarakkers Coby M. , Cox Gregory R.
Published: October 2019

Sleeping with low carbohydrate (CHO) availability is a dietary strategy that may enhance training adaptation. However, the impact on an athlete’s health is unclear. This study quantified the effect of a short-term “sleep-low” dietary intervention on markers of iron regulation and immune function in athletes. In a randomized, repeated-measures design, 11 elite triathletes completed two 4-day mixed cycle run training blocks. Key training sessions were structured such that a high-intensity training session was performed in the field on the afternoon of Days 1 and 3, and a low-intensity training (LIT) session was performed on the following morning in the laboratory (Days 2 and 4). The ingestion of CHO was either divided evenly across the day (HIGH) or restricted between the high-intensity training and LIT sessions, so that the LIT session was performed with low CHO availability (LOW). Venous blood and saliva samples were collected prior to and following each LIT session and analyzed for interleukin-6, hepcidin 25, and salivary immunoglobulin-A. Concentrations of interleukin-6 increased acutely after exercise (p < .001), but did not differ between dietary conditions or days. Hepcidin 25 increased 3-hr postexercise (p < .001), with the greatest increase evident after the LOW trial on Day 2 (2.5 ± 0.9 fold increase ±90% confidence limit). The salivary immunoglobulin-A secretion rate did not change in response to exercise; however, it was highest during the LOW condition on Day 4 (p = .046). There appears to be minimal impact to markers of immune function and iron regulation when acute exposure to low CHO availability is undertaken with expert nutrition and coaching input.
New Considerations for Wearable Technology Data: Changes in Running Biomechanics During a Marathon
Authors: Clermont Christian A. , Benson Lauren C. , Edwards W. Brent , Hettinga Blayne A. , Ferber Reed
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study was to use wearable technology data to quantify alterations in subject-specific running patterns throughout a marathon race and to determine if runners could be clustered into subgroups based on similar trends in running gait alterations throughout the marathon. Using a wearable sensor, data were collected for cadence, braking, bounce, pelvic rotation, pelvic drop, and ground contact time for 27 runners. A composite index was calculated based on the “typical” data (4–14 km) for each runner and evaluated for 14 individual 2-km sections thereafter to detect “atypical” data (ie, higher indices). A cluster analysis assigned all runners to a subgroup based on similar trends in running alterations. Results indicated that the indices became significantly higher starting at 20 to 22 km. Cluster 1 exhibited lower indices than cluster 2 throughout the marathon, and the only significant difference in characteristics between clusters was that cluster 1 had a lower age–grade performance score than cluster 2. In summary, this study presented a novel method to investigate the effects of fatigue on running biomechanics using wearable technology in a real-world setting. Recreational runners with higher age–grade performance scores had less atypical running patterns throughout the marathon compared with runners with lower age–grade performance scores.
Comparison of Linear and Nonlinear HRV Dynamics Across Exercise Intensities After Menopause
Authors: Orri Julia C. , Hughes Elizabeth M. , Mistry Deepa G. , Scala Antone
Published: October 2019

The authors compared the linear and nonlinear heart rate variability dynamics from rest through maximal exercise in postmenopausal women who trained at either moderate or high intensities. The outcome variables included the RR triangular index, TINN, SD1, SD2, SD1/SD2, DFA α1, DFA α2, and α1/α2. Maximal exercise reduced SD1, SD2, DFA α1, DFA α2, α1/α2, RRTri, and TINN in both groups and increased SD1/SD2 (p < .05). Two minutes of active recovery produced significant increases in SD1, SD2, DFA α1, and TINN, compared with exercise in both groups (p < .0001). There was also a significant main effect between groups for RRTri during exercise recovery, with the moderate group achieving higher levels (p < .04). The authors have shown that both moderate and vigorous exercise training can lead to a healthy response to maximal exercise and recovery, with the moderate group having a slightly improved recovery in the triangular index.
Physical Exercise Training Improves Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Raafs Bente M. , Karssemeijer Esther G.A. , Van der Horst Lizzy , Aaronson Justine A. , Olde Rikkert Marcel G.M. , Kessels Roy P.C.
Published: October 2019

The current meta-analysis first aimed to quantify the overall effect of physical exercise training on the quality of life (QoL) in healthy older adults. Second, the effects on the social, physical, and psychological QoL were assessed. In total, 16 randomized controlled trials were included. The primary analysis showed a medium effect of physical exercise training on QoL in healthy older adults (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.38, confidence interval, CI, [0.18, 0.59],p < .05). The secondary analyses showed a positive medium effect of physical exercise training on the physical component of QoL (SMD = 0.39, CI [0.17, 0.60],p < .05), and a positive medium effect of physical exercise training on the psychological component of QoL (SMD = 0.348, CI [0.125, 0.570],p < .05), and no significant effect of physical exercise training on the social component of QoL was observed (SMD = 0.16, CI [−0.07, 0.38],p = .17). These findings warrant implementation efforts pertaining to exercise training for older adults to improve the QoL in our aging societies.
Assessment of Motor Development in Childhood: Contemporary Issues, Considerations, and Future Directions
Authors: Tamplain Priscila , Webster E. Kipling , Brian Ali , Valentini Nadia C.
Published: October 2019

Assessment of the motor domain is a critical aspect of understanding motor development. Measurement of motor development is the baseline to understand potential delays and to promote the tools for change and improvement of this domain. This paper aims to reflect on the construct of motor development and the process of assessing motor performance. We review the use of assessments in motor development research and discuss issues of validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity. We appraise selected assessments, describe how the use of assessments changed over the periods of study in motor development, and examine the contemporary status of assessments and its applications. Finally, and most importantly, we provide suggestions and recommendations for future directions in the field, as well as pose important questions for researchers and practitioners to consider when selecting, using, and interpreting assessment results. In light of the contemporary view of motor development and the increasing focus on health applications, we recommend the use of screening tools, short forms, and technology, as well as encouraging the use of and more research on motor development assessments in childhood.
Motor Development Research: Designs, Analyses, and Future Directions
Authors: Getchell Nancy , Schott Nadja , Brian Ali
Published: October 2019

Throughout this special issue, different authors have discussed diverse aspects of past, present, and future motor development research. In such research, understanding how people move involves much more than studying motor behavior in individuals of different ages. Rather, empirical designs should embed some element of past, present, and future motor behavior into research questions, designs, methodologies, and interpretations. In this article, we provide an overview on the process of asking movement-related developmental questions and designing appropriate research studies that will answer them to provide a foundation for both new and returning investigators interested in studying human motor development. We compare descriptive and experimental approaches as well as longitudinal, cross-sectional, and alternative research designs, followed by a discussion of common statistical analyses suited for these designs. Through this discussion, we offer suggestions for the most appropriate ways in which to study developmental change. We finish with our thoughts on future directions for investigational methods within motor development research.
Physical Activity and Fundamental Movement Skills of 3- to 5-Year-Old Children in Irish Preschool Services
Authors: Duff Christina , Issartel Johann , O’ Brien Wesley , Belton Sarahjane
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to quantify levels of physical activity (PA) and fundamental movement skills (FMS) of children aged 3 to 5 years in Irish preschool services during care hours, and investigate the relationship between these two variables. Data were collected from 141 children (50.3% boys, ageM = 3.9 ± 0.5 years) across 9 preschool services. Measurements included PA via accelerometry, and proficiency in four FMS (run, vertical jump, throw and catch). The recommended guideline of 15 minutes of PA per hour (min PA/hour) was met by 35% of children (M = 13.6 min PA/hour). Significant differences in mean PA per hour were found by gender, with boys (14.2 min PA/hour) more active than girls (13.0 min PA/ hour), and age, with younger children (14.2 min PA/hour) more active than older (12.6 minutes PA/hour). Percentage of children proficient in the run was high (88.4%), but low across the other skills (4.9%–18.5%). Significant differences were identified by gender for vertical jump with girls scoring higher than boys. No significant relationship was found between FMS and total PA. Low levels of PA and FMS proficiency highlight need for intervention in early years settings to ensure children develop skills to participate in PA.
Girls From Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Schools Exhibit Greater Object Control Skills Than Girls From Schools on the Upper Levels of Socioeconomic Development
Authors: Neville Ross D. , Lyons Fergal , Doyle Brendan , Lakes Kimberley D.
Published: October 2019

This study compared fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children from schools on the lower and upper levels of socioeconomic status. Data were collected from 228 schoolchildren across five schools in Ireland. There were 147 children from schools of social disadvantage (Mage = 7.67 [SD = 0.62] years; 55% boys) and 81 children from schools considered in the normal range for socioeconomic development (Mage = 7.34 [SD = 0.26] years; 56% boys). FMS were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development–2. Mixed models were used to estimate differences in FMS, while controlling for the nested structure of the data and for sex, age, body mass index, and class size. There was a substantial sex×school interaction, with girls from schools of social disadvantage exhibiting greater object-control skills proficiency than their counterparts in schools on the upper tertiles of socioeconomic development (standardized effect size = 0.66 [±95% confidence limits, ±0.50];p = .02). The suggestion that children from social disadvantage are delayed in FMS is unsupported in this cohort. Differences in the structure of physical education and types of sports undertaken by children in schools of social disadvantage in Ireland are considered as explanations for this departure from previous studies.
The Applicability of Thigh-Worn vs. Hip-Worn ActiGraph Accelerometers During Walking and Running
Authors: Pedersen Katja Krustrup , Skovgaard Esben Lykke , Larsen Ryan , Stengaard Mikkel , Sørensen Søren , Overgaard Kristian
Published: October 2019

Accelerometers are widely used to measure physical activity, but limitations in the ability to differentiate between running intensities have been reported. This problem may relate to accelerometer placement. In this study, we compare the validity of accelerometers placed on the hip and the thigh for the measurement of walking and running speed under laboratory and field conditions. Young healthy men and women wore ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers on the hip and on the thigh while performing walking and running activities in laboratory (n = 31) and field conditions (n = 17). Vector magnitude counts per minute (VM cpm) were correlated with speed of locomotion and, during laboratory trials, with oxygen consumption (VO2, ml·min−1·kg−1). Both hip- and thigh-placed VM cpm showed strong correlations with walking speed ranging from 3 to 7 km·h−1 (r = 0.93 and r = 0.95, respectively) and VO2 (r = 0.85 and r = 0.91, respectively). Compared with the hip-placed VM cpm, thigh-placed VM cpm showed significantly stronger correlations with running speed ranging from 7 to 20 km·h−1 (r = 0.29 and r = 0.89, respectively) and the corresponding VO2 (r = 0.25 and r = 0.87, respectively). Regardless of accelerometer placement, VM cpm were similar between laboratory and field tests performed at comparable walking and running speeds. These results show that accelerometers placed on the thigh, but not on the hip, provide proportional output across a wide range of walking and running speeds. Thus, thigh-placed accelerometers are able to differentiate between running intensities in both laboratory and field conditions.
Interdisciplinary Teaching of Physics in Physical Education: Effects on Students’ Autonomous Motivation and Satisfaction
Authors: Papaioannou Athanasios , Milosis Dimitrios , Gotzaridis Christos
Published: October 2019

Purpose: This quasi-experimental study evaluated the effects on students’ autonomous motivation and satisfaction from a program integrating physics concepts in physical education.Method: A total of 487 students (age 13 ± 1) participated in the study. The participants were students participating in physical education classes divided into intervention (n = 183), comparison, and control condition (n = 150 andn = 154, respectively). Before the intervention and three times during its implementation, the students responded on measures of situational motivation with good construct validity.Results: The intervention increased the students’ autonomous motivation and satisfaction in physical education and decreased the students’ amotivation.Conclusion: An effective integration of physics concepts and physical activities can promote meaningful learning, a holistic education perspective, autonomous motivation, and wellness in physical education.
Effect of a TARGET-Based Intervention on Students’ Motivational Change: A Study Throughout an Academic Year in Physical Education
Authors: Cecchini José-Antonio , Méndez-Giménez Antonio , Sánchez-Martínez Beatriz
Published: October 2019

The objective of the study was to analyze changes in motivation in physical education students during a school year, as well as changes in their intentions to be physically active. The participants were 830 Spanish physical education students (Mage = 13.86, range = 11–17 years) attending 10 secondary schools in northern Spain. The sample was divided into two groups: TARGET condition (n = 417), in which Epstein’s TARGET strategies were applied, and non-TARGET condition (n = 413). Questionnaires were administered at three different times during the school year: T1 (September), T2 (February), and T3 (June). Mixed-model linear procedures with maximum likelihood estimates were carried out. In the TARGET condition group, the results showed an increase in students’ intrinsic motivation, identified regulation and introjected regulation, whereas external regulation and amotivation gradually decreased. In the non-TARGET condition group, a decrease in students’ intrinsic motivation and identified regulation emerged, as well as an increase in external regulation and amotivation.
High density of genuine growth twins in electrodeposited aluminum
Authors: Rafailović Lidija D. , Gammer Christoph , Ebner Christian , Rentenberger Christian , Jovanović Aleksandar Z. , Pašti Igor A. , Skorodumova Natalia V. , Karnthaler H. Peter
Published: October 2019

We demonstrate the synthesis of highly twinned Al using electrodeposition and propose a model for the continuous twin nucleation.
Nontrivial quantum oscillation geometric phase shift in a trivial band
Authors: Datta Biswajit , Adak Pratap Chandra , Shi Li-kun , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Song Justin C. W. , Deshmukh Mandar M.
Published: October 2019

A novel quantum oscillation phase shift that arises from unusual filling-enforced constraints in a multiband system is reported.
THP-1 and
Dictyostelium
Infection Models for Screening and Characterization of Anti-Mycobacterium abscessus Hit Compounds
Authors: Richter Adrian , Shapira Tirosh , Av-Gay Yossef
Published: October 2019

!!NCR1!!
presents a great challenge to antimycobacterial therapy due to its innate resistance against most antibiotics.
M. abscessus
is able to grow intracellularly in human macrophages, suggesting that intracellular models can facilitate drug discovery. Thus, we have developed two host cell models: human macrophages for use in a new high-content screening method for
M. abscessus
growth and a
Dictyostelium discoideum
infection model with the potential to simplify downstream genetic analysis of host cell factors.
A Loss-of-Function Mutation in the Integrin Alpha L (Itgal) Gene Contributes to Susceptibility to Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection in Collaborative Cross Strain CC042
Authors: Zhang Jing , Teh Megan , Kim Jamie , Eva Megan M. , Cayrol Romain , Meade Rachel , Nijnik Anastasia , Montagutelli Xavier , Malo Danielle , Jaubert Jean
Published: October 2019

Salmonellais an intracellular bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract of mammalian, avian, and reptilian hosts. Mouse models have been extensively used to modelin vivodistinct aspects of humanSalmonellainfections and have led to the identification of several host susceptibility genes. We have investigated the susceptibility of Collaborative Cross strains to intravenous infection withSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium as a model of human systemic invasive infection.
Prolonged survival in a patient with a cervical spine H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma
Authors: Peters Kelsey , Pratt Drew , Koschmann Carl , Leung Denise
Published: October 2019

We report a case of prolonged survival in a patient with known cervical intramedullary H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma. A 39-year-old man presented for evaluation with several months of progressive upper extremity pain and weakness. MRI of the cervical spine revealed an intramedullary ring-enhancing lesion centred at C3-C4. Following subtotal surgical resection, a diagnosis of glioblastoma (GBM) was confirmed. Subsequent testing at a later date revealed an H3K27M mutation. He was initially treated with radiation and concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide. He had multiply recurrent disease and was treated with various regimens, including the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid. The patient passed away 31 months (~2.5 years) after diagnosis. Our case is one of few reported adult spinal cord GBMs possessing the H3K27M mutation, and one with the longest reported overall survival in the literature to date.
Transient choroidal detachment after ultrasonic circular cyclocoagulation
Authors: Morais Sarmento Tiago , Figueiredo Ricardo , Garrido João , Rebelo Ana Luisa
Published: October 2019

Two patients with refractory glaucoma followed in our ophthalmology department registered progression on left eyes (OS) despite best practice. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 9/10 and 8/10 and intraocular pressure (IOP) was above 20 mm Hg while under maximal hypotensive therapy. The procedure was performed under retrobulbar anaesthesia with second-generation EyeOp1probes. In follow-up, OS were hypotonic with registered IOP ≤5 mm Hg and revealed a 3/10 BCVA. The funduscopy showed one temporal and superior and another nasal and temporal choroidal detachments. The patients started oral steroids and interrupted all ocular hypotensive medication. After therapy, patients returned with normal rising OS IOPs and with totally reapplied choroids, accompanied by normalised BCVA. These two cases are proof of the possibility of transient choroidal detachment after a ultrasonic circular cyclocoagulation. While a very rare major vision-threatening complication, every ophthalmologist should remind it when sudden BCVA reductions occur after this procedure.
Factors associated with healthcare workers willingness to participate in disasters: a cross-sectional study in Sana’a, Yemen
Authors: Al-Hunaishi Weiam , Hoe Victor CW , Chinna Karuthan
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Willingness to participate in disasters is usually overlooked and not addressed in disaster preparedness training courses to ensure health service coverage. This will lead to issues during the disaster’s response. This study, therefore, aims to assess healthcare workers willingness to participate in biological and natural disasters, and to identify its associated factors.

Design

This is a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to 1093 healthcare workers. The data were analysed using multiple logistic regression with significance level p<0.05. Ethical clearance and consent of the participants were duly obtained.

Setting

In three public hospitals that provide tertiary-level healthcare in Sana’a City, Yemen.

Participants

There were 692 nurses and doctors (response rate 63.3%) completed the questionnaires.

Results

Almost half of the participants 55.1% were nurses and 44.9% were doctors. The study found that self-efficacy was associated with willingness to participate in disaster response for any type of disasters (OR 1.319, 95% CI 1.197 to 1.453), natural disasters (OR 1.143, 95% CI 1.069 to 1.221) and influenza pandemic (OR 1.114, 95% CI 1.050 to 1.182). The results further show that willingness is associated with healthcare workers being young, male and having higher educational qualifications.

Conclusion

Self-efficacy has been found to be an important factor associated with willingness. Improving self-efficacy through training in disaster preparedness may increase willingness of healthcare workers to participate in a disaster.
Differences in hospital admissions practices following self-harm and their influence on population-level comparisons of self-harm rates in South London: an observational study
Authors: Polling C , Bakolis Ioannis , Hotopf Matthew , Hatch Stephani L.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To compare the proportions of emergency department (ED) attendances following self-harm that result in admission between hospitals, examine whether differences are explained by severity of harm and examine the impact on spatial variation in self-harm rates of using ED attendance data versus admissions data.

Setting

A dataset of ED attendances and admissions with self-harm to four hospitals in South East London, 2009–2016 was created using linked electronic patient record data and administrative Hospital Episode Statistics.

Design

Proportions admitted following ED attendance and length of stay were compared. Variation and spatial patterning of age and sex standardised, spatially smoothed, self-harm rates by small area using attendance and admission data were compared and the association with distance travelled to hospital tested.

Results

There were 20 750 ED attendances with self-harm, 7614 (37%) resulted in admission. Proportion admitted varied substantially between hospitals with a risk ratio of 2.45 (95% CI 2.30 to 2.61) comparing most and least likely to admit. This was not altered by adjustment for patient demographics, deprivation and type of self-harm. Hospitals which admitted more had a higher proportion of admissions lasting less than 24 hours (54% of all admissions at highest admitting hospital vs 35% at lowest). A previously demonstrated pattern of lower rates of self-harm admission closer to the city centre was reduced when ED attendance rates were used to represent self-harm. This was not altered when distance travelled to hospital was adjusted for.

Conclusions

Hospitals vary substantially in likelihood of admission after ED presentation with self-harm and this is likely due to the differences in hospital practices rather than in the patient population or severity of self-harm seen. Public health policy that directs resources based on self-harm admissions data could exacerbate existing health inequalities in inner-city areas where these data may underestimate rates relative to other areas.
Exploring the views of female genital mutilation survivors, their male partners and healthcare professionals on the timing of deinfibulation surgery and NHS FGM care provision (the FGM Sister Study): protocol for a qualitative study
Authors: Jones Laura , Danks Emma , Clarke Joanne , Alidu Lailah , Costello Benjamin , Jolly Kate , Byrne Alison , Fassam-Wright Meg , Latthe Pallavi , Taylor Julie
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a significant global health concern and is likely to become an increasingly important healthcare challenge in destination countries such as the UK owing to rising levels of migration from FGM-affected countries. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal timing of deinfibulation (opening) surgery for women who have experienced type 3 FGM and care provision remains suboptimal in the UK. This qualitative study aims to explore the views of survivors, male partners and healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the timing of deinfibulation and delivery of NHS FGM services.

Methods and analysis

A qualitative study, informed by the Sound of Silence conceptual framework, will be undertaken via two work packages (WPs). WP1 will explore views on timing preferences for deinfibulation and NHS FGM services through interviews and discussion groups with FGM survivors (n~50), male partners (n~10) and HCPs (n~50). WP2 will use established techniques via two workshops (community (n~20–25 participants) and national stakeholder (n~30–35 participants)) to synthesise qualitative research findings and inform best practice and policy recommendations around the timing of deinfibulation and NHS FGM care provision. Supported by trained interpreters, data collection will be audio recorded and transcribed. Data will be analysed using the framework method to facilitate a systematic mapping and exploration of qualitative data from multiple sources.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received ethical approval from the North West Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee (18/NW/0498). The outputs for this study will be recommendations for best practice and policy around FGM care provision that reflects the views and preferences of key stakeholders. The findings will be disseminated via conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, patient groups, third sector organisations and social media.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN14710507.
Therapeutic effect of resveratrol supplementation on oxidative stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Koushki Mehdi , Lakzaei Mostafa , Khodabandehloo Hadi , Hosseini Hossein , Meshkani Reza , Panahi Ghodratollah
Published: October 2019

Background

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol compound mainly found in grapes and red wine. The evidence has suggested that resveratrol has an antioxidant effect. However, the results are inconsistent and inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of resveratrol supplementation on markers of oxidative stress.

Methods

We searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus and the Cochrane library up to December 2018 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing resveratrol supplementation effects on oxidative markers. Heterogeneity, publication bias, risk of bias and subgroup analysis were analysed. This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred ReportingItems for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA).

Results

Meta-analysis of data from 12 RCTs did not support significant effect of resveratrol supplementation on circulating levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (standardized mean difference (SMD) (1.12), (95% CI −0.91 to 3.1), p=0.28), catalase (CAT) (SMD (−0.07), (95% CI −1.4 to 1.3), p=0.92) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (SMD (−0.76), (95% CI −2.56 to 1.04), p=0.40). Although, resveratrol supplementation increased significantly circulating total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (SMD (0.52), (95% CI −0.02 to 1.07), p=0.05). Severe heterogeneity was observed between studies, and no obvious publication bias was observed in included RCTs.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings of available RCTs did no show any benefit of resveratrol supplementation on SOD, CAT and GPx except for TAC. Well-designed RCTs are necessary to confirm these results.
Imputing missing data of function and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis registers: what is the best technique?
Authors: Mongin Denis , Lauper Kim , Turesson Carl , Hetland Merete Lund , Klami Kristianslund Eirik , Kvien Tore K , Santos Maria Jose , Pavelka Karel , Iannone Florenzo , Finckh Axel , Courvoisier Delphine Sophie
Published: October 2019

Objective

To compare several methods of missing data imputation for function (Health Assessment Questionnaire) and for disease activity (Disease Activity Score-28 and Clinical Disease Activity Index) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods

One thousand RA patients from observational cohort studies with complete data for function and disease activity at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months were selected to conduct a simulation study. Values were deleted at random or following a predicted attrition bias. Three types of imputation were performed: (1) methods imputing forward in time (last observation carried forward; linear forward extrapolation); (2) methods considering data both forward and backward in time (nearest available observation—NAO; linear extrapolation; polynomial extrapolation); and (3) methods using multi-individual models (linear mixed effects cubic regression—LME3; multiple imputation by chained equation—MICE). The performance of each estimation method was assessed using the difference between the mean outcome value, the remission and low disease activity rates after imputation of the missing values and the true value.

Results

When imputing missing baseline values, all methods underestimated equally the true value, but LME3 and MICE correctly estimated remission and low disease activity rates. When imputing missing follow-up values at 6, 12, or 24 months, NAO provided the least biassed estimate of the mean disease activity and corresponding remission rate. These results were not affected by the presence of attrition bias.

Conclusion

When imputing function and disease activity in large registers of active RA patients, researchers can consider the use of a simple method such as NAO for missing follow-up data, and the use of mixed-effects regression or multiple imputation for baseline data.
Effects of supplementation with different levels of calcium and phosphorus on mineral content of first antler, bone, muscle, and liver of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama)
Authors: Tajchman Katarzyna , Bogdaszewski Marek , Kowalczuk-Vasilev Edyta
Published: October 2019

Nutrition is one of the main factors influencing physiological processes, e.g., growth and antler development, in Cervidae. The aim of this study was to demonstrate a possible effect of supplementation with different levels of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on the mineral composition of antlers and bones, and its effect on the content of macroelements — Ca, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and P — in the muscle tissue, liver, and blood of farmed fallow deer fawns. The results show a positive effect of increased doses of Ca and P on body weight at the age of 14 mo. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the content of Ca, Mg, Na, and P in antlers and Ca, Na, and P in bones. The muscle tissue was characterised by a significant increase only in the content of Na, whereas Ca, K, and P levels increased significantly in the liver. In turn, the serum P content decreased significantly. Adequate Ca and P supplementation exerts a positive effect on the mineral composition of bones and whole antlers of farmed fallow deer fawns, and it enhances the concentrations of macroelements in tissues, which may constitute a reservoir used for future development of antlers. It also has a positive effect on body weight.
Diploid and triploid white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) differ in magnitude but not kinetics of physiological responses to exhaustive exercise at ambient and elevated temperatures
Authors: Leal Michaiah J. , Van Eenennaam Joel P. , Schreier Andrea D. , Todgham Anne E.
Published: October 2019

Triploid salmonids have been shown to underperform in suboptimal environments. It is thought this might be due to having larger cells to accommodate the increased number of chromosomes and therefore effects on aerobic metabolism from having smaller cellular surface area to volume ratios. The goal of this study was to examine the aerobic metabolism of diploid and triploid white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in ambient (18 °C) and elevated water temperatures (24 °C). Resting and maximum metabolic rates, recovery time from exhaustive exercise, and surface area to volume ratios of erythrocytes and their nuclei in diploid and triploid sturgeon were evaluated. Triploid sturgeon had a reduced aerobic scope and hematological response (hematocrit and hemoglobin) to exhaustive exercise. A reduced surface area to volume ratio of erythrocytes in triploid sturgeon provides evidence that cellular surface area could be one mechanism limiting aerobic metabolism in triploid fishes. A lower aerobic scope found in triploid sturgeon may impact reproductive and somatic growth, yet more research is needed to determine implications for management decisions on farms and hatcheries.
Knockdown of VvMYBA1 via virus-induced gene silencing decreases anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape berries
Authors: Zhang Peng Fei , Dong Yan Mei , Wen Hao Yu , Liang Chang Mei , Niu Tie Quan , Gao Yan , Zhang Xiao Jun , Wen Peng Fei
Published: October 2019

Anthocyanin in grapevines, regulated by structural and regulatory genes, determines the colour of grape berries and is a key factor in wine quality. The transgenic approach is a useful strategy for elucidating gene function. However, it is difficult to obtain transgenic fruit trees, including grapevines. Viral vectors offer an effective strategy for overcoming this challenge. In this study, we successfully knocked down the VvMYBA1 gene in ‘Red Globe’ and ‘JiZaoMi’ grape berries via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) by vacuum infiltration and silencing efficiencies of 73% and 93%, respectively, were obtained relative to the control. Total anthocyanins content was reduced 1.7- and 2.7-times relative to that in the control in ‘Red Globe’ and ‘JiZaoMi’ grape berries, respectively. The expression levels of VvUFGT and VvDFR were reduced by 80% and 8% and by 72% and 42% relative to the control in ‘Red Globe’ and ‘JiZaoMi’ grape berries, respectively, in the anthocyanin metabolic pathways. Tobacco rattle virus-mediated VIGS was, therefore, successfully established in grape berries. These findings provide direct evidence that VvMYBA1 encodes skin colour in red grape berries and suggest a possible application of VIGS for gene function studies in other fruits.
Effects of the bioregulators ACC, 6-BA, ABA, and NAA as thinning agents on Gala apples
Authors: Cortens Michelle H. , Cline John A.
Published: October 2019

Gala apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees are prone to heavy cropping but respond to chemical fruitlet thinners to reduce crop load and improve fruit quality. Environmental concerns over the fate of the chemical fruitlet thinner carbaryl is widely acknowledged, but crop load management options are limited. In southern Ontario, Gala trees were treated with new thinning compounds or combinations to determine post-bloom thinning efficacy and resulting fruit quality. Treatments included 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) combined with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or abscisic acid (ABA), and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) alone applied at 9 mm in 2014 and 17 mm in 2015. The treatment NAA + 6-BA produced unacceptably small “pygmy” fruit when applied at 17 mm fruitlet diameter. ABA at 150 and 300 mg L−1and ACC at 150 mg L−1, when applied at 17 mm fruitlet diameter, resulted in acceptable fruit set, crop load, and quality results in comparison with the carbaryl thinner in 1 yr. The bioregulators ACC and ABA combined with 6-BA showed commercial potential for thinning Gala fruit but require further evaluation.
Modeling of a micro-biological sensor field effect for the enzymatic detection of glucose
Authors: Zeggai Oussama , Belarbi Moussaab , Ouledabbes Amaria , Mouloudj Hadj
Published: October 2019

During these last years, the substantially biological field effect transistors (BioFET) are one of the most abundant classes of electronic sensors for biomolecular detection. The determination of glucose levels using these biosensors, especially in the medical diagnosis and food industries, is gaining popularity. Among them, ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) is considered one of the most intriguing approaches in electrical biosensitivity technology. The glucose sensor ISFET detects the glucose molecule by catalyzing glucose to gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of oxygen. In this paper, first of all we examine some of the main advantages in this field, the perspective of applications and the main issues in order to stimulate a broader interest in the development of biosensors based on ISFET and to extend their applications for a reliable and sensitive glucose analysis. Thereafter, a biosensor with field effect sensitive to the ions for the detection of glucose is modeled analytically. In the proposed model, the glucose concentration is presented according to the gate voltage. The simulated data show that the analytical model can be used with an electrochemical glucose sensor to predict mechanism’s behavior of detection in the biosensors.
Numerical analysis of effective refractive index sensor based on slot micro-ring and Bragg grating
Authors: Zhao C. Y. , Chen P. Y. , Zhang L.
Published: October 2019

A novel design of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-based resonator based on slot micro-ring and Bragg gratings is presented. The corrugated Bragg gratings are structured on both sides of slot micro-ring waveguides. The variation of the effective refractive index is detected by monitoring the shift of the spectral of the resonator. The transmission spectrum and field distribution of the sensor structures are simulated using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. With the combination of the Bragg gratings, the measurement range of the sensor significantly increases without the restriction of a free spectral range (FSR). Our proposed sensor design provides a promising candidate for on-chip integration with other silicon photonic element.
Local accumulation times of morphogen gradient with tissue growth
Authors: Yang Jinmeng , Liu Shuqin , Yin Hongwei
Published: October 2019

During development of multicellular organisms, morphogen is a kind of signaling molecules produced at a local region and transported into a development field, which acts as dose-dependent regulators of gene expression, directs and controls cellular differentiation. Some experiments showed that during embryo development, dynamical processes of morphogen transport always accompany the tissue growth. However, how tissue growth affects morphogen gradients remains to be explored. To answer this problem, we propose a reaction-diffusion-convection model for morphogen transport. For this model, we mainly investigate local accumulation times (LATs) of morphogen gradients, which are a measure for time of forming the steady state of morphogen gradients. In this paper, we simplify the method of calculating the LATs and use this method to obtain analytic expressions of the LATs for uniform and linear growth, respectively. Besides, for tissue nonuniform growth, we apply an approximation method of the LATs to study them. This paper shows that tissue growth can shorten the LATs of morphogen gradients.
First-principle calculations of ternary compounds: Immm-BxTi3−xN2
Authors: Wang Xin-Kuan , Yang Ruike , Ma Shaowei , Chai Bao , Xue Minhua
Published: October 2019

Boron nitride (BN) and Titanium nitrides (TiNs) have been successfully researched recently. In order to analyze the relationship among the Boron, Nitrogen and Titanium, the ternary compounds with an orthorhombic structure Immm- are studied. We further researched on the mechanical, electronic and optical properties of new Immm-B[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]N2 ([Formula: see text]). The structures of BTi2N2 and B2TiN2 are mechanically stable at 0, 50 and 100 GPa. The BTi2N2 has the higher cutting resistance and better ductility than the B2TiN2. The higher Young’s modulus of B2TiN2 indicates the B2TiN2 is stiffer than BTi2N2. The BTi2N2 is harder to compress in the [Formula: see text] direction and the B2TiN2 is harder in [Formula: see text] direction. Immm-BTi2N2 and B2TiN2 have good metallicity at 0 and 100 GPa. Immm-BTi2N2 has the higher dielectric function than B2TiN2 and the plasma frequency of B2TiN2 is bigger than that of BTi2N2. We hope our work will provide some help to the experimental work about the technology of the material.
Heteroclinic connections for nonlocal equations
Authors: Dipierro Serena , Patrizi Stefania , Valdinoci Enrico
Published: October 2019

We construct heteroclinic orbits for a strongly nonlocal integro-differential equation. Since the energy associated to the equation is infinite in such strongly nonlocal regime, the proof, based on variational methods, relies on a renormalized energy functional, exploits a perturbation method of viscosity type, combined with an auxiliary penalization method, and develops a free boundary theory for a double obstacle problem of mixed local and nonlocal type. The description of the stationary positions for the atom dislocation function in a perturbed crystal, as given by the Peierls–Nabarro model, is a particular case of the result presented.
Hysteresis and stop-and-go waves in traffic flows
Authors: Corli Andrea , Fan Haitao
Published: October 2019

Stop-and-go waves, also called phantom jams, are often observed in real traffic flows but can be produced neither by the classical Lighthill–Whitham–Richards (LWR) model nor by its known variants. To capture stop-and-go waves, we add hysteresis to the LWR model. For the model we propose, all possible viscous waves are found, and necessary and sufficient conditions for their existence are provided. In particular, deceleration and acceleration shocks appear; the latter were never rigorously defined before, in spite of the fact that they were observed in real traffic flows. Stop-and-go waves can be constructed by a pair of deceleration and acceleration shocks that completes a hysteresis cycle, illustrating how hysteresis loops lead to stop-and-go waves. In contrast, in the phase region where anticipation (i.e. negative hysteresis) loops exist, stop-and-go waves are not present, and speed variations decay. Riemann solutions are then found for all possible Riemann data. We explicitly show that, in the phase region where hysteresis loops exist, a sufficient deviation in speed of a few vehicles in an otherwise uniform car platoon can generate stop-and-go waves, confirming observations of real traffic experiments.
Roles of crust and core in the tidal deformability of neutron stars
Authors: Kalaitzis A. M. , Motta T. F. , Thomas A. W.
Published: October 2019

With the recent measurement of GW170817 providing constraints on the tidal deformability (TD) of a neutron star, it is very important to understand what features of the equation of state (EoS) have the biggest effect on it. We therefore study the contribution of the crust to the TD and the moment of inertia (MoI) of a neutron star for a variety of well-known EoS. It is found that the contributions to these quantities from the low-density crust are typically quite small and as a result the determination of the TD provides an important constraint on the EoS of dense matter.
Simple graded rings, nonassociative crossed products and Cayley–Dickson doublings
Authors: Nystedt Patrik , Öinert Johan
Published: October 2019

We show that if a nonassociative unital ring is graded by a hypercentral group, then the ring is simple if and only if it is graded simple and the center of the ring is a field. Thereby, we extend a result by Jespers to a nonassociative setting. By applying this result to nonassociative crossed products, we obtain nonassociative analogues of results by Bell, Jordan and Voskoglou. We also apply our result to Cayley–Dickson doublings, thereby obtaining a new proof of a classical result by McCrimmon.
Deep Reinforcement Learning for Vehicular Edge Computing
Authors: Ning Zhaolong , Dong Peiran , Wang Xiaojie , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. , Xia Feng
Published: October 2019

The development of smart vehicles brings drivers and passengers a comfortable and safe environment. Various emerging applications are promising to enrich users’ traveling experiences and daily life. However, how to execute computing-intensive applications on resource-constrained vehicles still faces huge challenges. In this article, we construct an intelligent offloading system for vehicular edge computing by leveraging deep reinforcement learning. First, both the communication and computation states are modelled by finite Markov chains. Moreover, the task scheduling and resource allocation strategy is formulated as a joint optimization problem to maximize users’ Quality of Experience (QoE). Due to its complexity, the original problem is further divided into two sub-optimization problems. A two-sided matching scheme and a deep reinforcement learning approach are developed to schedule offloading requests and allocate network resources, respectively. Performance evaluations illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of our constructed system.
Unrolling Ternary Neural Networks
Authors: Tridgell Stephen , Kumm Martin , Hardieck Martin , Boland David , Moss Duncan , Zipf Peter , Leong Philip H. W.
Published: October 2019

The computational complexity of neural networks for large-scale or real-time applications necessitates hardware acceleration. Most approaches assume that the network architecture and parameters are unknown at design time, permitting usage in a large number of applications. This article demonstrates, for the case where the neural network architecture and ternary weight values are known
a priori
, that extremely high throughput implementations of neural network inference can be made by customising the datapath and routing to remove unnecessary computations and data movement. This approach is ideally suited to FPGA implementations as a specialized implementation of a trained network improves efficiency while still retaining generality with the reconfigurability of an FPGA. A VGG-style network with ternary weights and fixed point activations is implemented for the CIFAR10 dataset on Amazon’s AWS F1 instance. This article demonstrates how to remove 90% of the operations in convolutional layers by exploiting sparsity and compile-time optimizations. The implementation in hardware achieves 90.9 ± 0.1% accuracy and 122k frames per second, with a latency of only 29µs, which is the fastest CNN inference implementation reported so far on an FPGA.