bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Compression-Garment Pressure on Recovery After Strenuous Exercise
Authors: Hill Jessica , Howatson Glyn , van Someren Ken , Gaze David , Legg Hayley , Lineham Jack , Pedlar Charles
Published: January 2017

Compression garments are frequently used to facilitate recovery from strenuous exercise.

Purpose:

To identify the effects of 2 different grades of compression garment on recovery indices after strenuous exercise.

Methods:

Forty-five recreationally active participants (n = 26 male and n = 19 female) completed an eccentric-exercise protocol consisting of 100 drop jumps, after which they were matched for body mass and randomly but equally assigned to a high-compression pressure (HI) group, a low-compression pressure (LOW) group, or a sham ultrasound group (SHAM). Participants in the HI and LOW groups wore the garments for 72 h postexercise; participants in the SHAM group received a single treatment of 10-min sham ultrasound. Measures of perceived muscle soreness, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), countermovement-jump height (CMJ), creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), and myoglobin (Mb) were assessed before the exercise protocol and again at 1, 24, 48, and 72 h postexercise. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results:

Recovery of MVC and CMJ was significantly improved with the HI compression garment (P < .05). A significant time-by-treatment interaction was also observed for jump height at 24 h postexercise (P < .05). No significant differences were observed for parameters of soreness and plasma CK, CRP, and Mb.

Conclusions:

The pressures exerted by a compression garment affect recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage, with higher pressure improving recovery of muscle function.
Dose–Response Relationship: The Effect of Motor Skill Intervention Duration on Motor Performance
Authors: Robinson Leah E. , Palmer Kara K. , Meehan Sean K.
Published: January 2017

Background:

This study examined the effects of three different treatment doses of a motor skill intervention (the Children’s Health Activity Motor Program [CHAMP]) on changes in preschoolers’ motor performance.

Methods:

Onehundred and nine children were divided into one of four groups: control and three CHAMP dosage groups: T1, 660 min; T2, 720 min; or T3, 900 min. Motor performance was assessed before and after the intervention using the Test of Gross Motor Development, 2nd Edition (TGMD-2). We used a 2 (time) × 4 (treatment) mixed-measures ANOVA to determine interaction and main effects. Significant interactions were decomposed using separate one-way between groups ANOVAs at each time point followed by Tukey’s post hoc tests.

Results:

Results revealed a significant time × treatment interaction (F3, 100 = 16.79; p < .001). There were no differences across treatment groups before the intervention (F3, 100 = .075, p < .90), but after the intervention the control group had significantly lower TMGD-2 scores compared with all three CHAMP intervention groups (F3, 100 = 9.92, p < .001, all post hoc tests, p < .001). Posttreatment differences can be attributed to greater improvements in motor performance following the CHAMP intervention regardless of specific dosage.

Conclusions:

Motor performance scores for all children who completed CHAMP significantly improved.
Attentional Focus in NCAA Division 1 Golfers
Authors: Diekfuss Jed A. , Raisbeck Louisa D.
Published: January 2017

The primary purpose of this study was to describe the focus of attention NCAA Division 1 golfers use during practice and competition. A secondary purpose was to determine who was most influential in the focus of attention strategies adopted by NCAA Division 1 golfers. We collected observational data by attending practice sessions, conducting semistructured interviews, and administering guided focus groups. Results revealed two major themes pertaining to the focus of attention adopted by our sample of NCAA Division 1 golfers: situational focus and reactivity focus. Situational focus refers to the focus used within a specific context, and reactivity focus refers to the focus golfers adopt because of a psychological state. Further, our results revealed the importance of esteemed individuals’ instruction on the development of attentional focus strategies. Parents, coaches, and popular media were highly influential in our sample of NCAA Division 1 golfers’ selection of attentional focus strategies.
Do Children Accurately Estimate Their Performance of Fundamental Movement Skills?
Authors: Almeida Gabriela , Luz Carlos , Martins Rui , Cordovil Rita
Published: January 2017

An inaccurate perception of motor competence might compromise the engagement of children in physical activities and might be a problem in terms of safety in physical education classes or at playgrounds. The relationship between estimation and actual performance in children with different levels of performance in fundamental movement skills (FMS) was analyzed. Three hundred and three children (aged 6–10 years) were ranked according to their performance in FMS tasks: jumping, kicking, throwing, and walking backward (WB) on a balance beam. Tertiles were created for each task according to children’s performance. Before performing the tasks, children estimated their maximum performance. Absolute percent errors (i.e., deviation percentage from accurate estimations) and error tendency (i.e., frequency of underestimations, right judgments, or overestimations) were calculated. All performance groups tended to overestimate their skills at all tasks, except for the upper tertile group at the WB task (underestimation tendency). After controlling for age, children in the lower tertiles were consistently less accurate than children in the upper tertiles, exhibiting greater absolute percent errors for all the tasks. The overestimation tendency that was found might positively influence children’s engagement in physical activities, but unrealistic estimations might be a problem in terms of safety.
Choices Over Feedback Enhance Motor Learning in Older Adults
Authors: Chiviacowsky Suzete , Lessa Helena Thofehrn
Published: January 2017

Granting learners autonomy over certain aspects of the practice context—for example, by providing them with the opportunity to choose when to receive augmented feedback or observe a model—has been consistently shown to facilitate the acquisition of motor skills in several populations. However, studies investigating the provision of autonomy support to older adults remain scarce. The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the effects of providing choice over feedback on motor learning in older adults. Participants were divided into two groups, choice and no-choice, and practiced 36 trials of a linear positioning task. Before each block of six trials, participants from the choice group were given the choice to control, or not, when to receive feedback in the block. No-choice group participants received feedback according to the same schedule as their choice group counterparts, but they could not choose when to receive it. Two days later, participants of both groups performed retention and transfer tests. The choice group demonstrated lower absolute error scores during transfer compared with the no-choice group. The findings reinforce outcomes of previous autonomy support studies and provide the first evidence that choice over feedback can enhance the learning of motor skills in older adults.
Altering Visual Feedback Conditions Impacts Postural Sway Performance in Children After Controlling for Body Mass Index and Habitual Physical Activity
Authors: Duncan Michael , Bryant Elizabeth , Price Mike , Oxford Samuel , Eyre Emma , Hill Mathew
Published: January 2017

This study examined postural sway in children in eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions, controlling for body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (PA). Sixty two children (aged 8–11years) underwent sway assessment using computerized posturography from which 95% ellipse sway area, anterior/posterior (AP) sway, medial/lateral (ML) sway displacement and sway velocity were assessed. Six trials were performed alternatively in EO and EC. BMI (kg/m2) was determined from height and mass. PA was determined using sealed pedometry. AP amplitude (p = .038), ML amplitude (p = .001), 95% ellipse (p = .0001), and sway velocity (p = .012) were higher in EC compared with EO conditions. BMI and PA were not significant as covariates. None of the sway variables were significantly related to PA. However, sway velocity during EO (p = .0001) and EC (p = .0001) was significantly related to BMI. These results indicate that sway is poorer when vision is removed, that BMI influences sway velocity, but that pedometer-assessed PA was not associated with postural sway.
Pre-Empting the Competition: How Do Shareholders View Sponsorships in the Sport Apparel Industry?
Authors: Bouchet Adrien , Doellman Thomas W. , Troilo Mike , Walkup Brian R.
Published: January 2017

Gaining exclusive sponsorship rights to international football club apparel has become increasingly competitive, resulting in larger deal values. The first objective of this study was to analyze the effect of kit sponsorship announcements on the underlying value of sponsoring firms. Utilizing event study analysis, we found that firms announcing kit sponsorships experience negative abnormal returns. This finding may not be surprising given the fierce competition for obtaining valuable, scarce marketing space and the well-known winner’s curse. The second objective was to shed further light on the value of kit sponsorship deals by conducting a novel test in which we analyzed a subset of sample observations where the kit sponsorship changed to a new sponsor. We found that firms may be willing to overpay for sponsorships to pre-empt their direct competitors from obtaining valuable, scarce marketing space. Firms losing a pre-existing sponsorship to a direct competitor experience large negative abnormal returns.
Effects of a Thermal Agent and Physical Activity on Muscle Tendon Stiffness, as Well as the Effects Combined With Static Stretching
Authors: Fujita Kosuke , Nakamura Masatoshi , Umegaki Hiroki , Kobayashi Takuya , Nishishita Satoru , Tanaka Hiroki , Ibuki Satoko , Ichihashi Noriaki
Published: January 2017

Context: A recent review or article reported that thermal agents (TA) or physical activity (PA) can increase range of motion (ROM) and that the combination of TA with stretching is superior to performing stretching only. However, since ROM is affected by the psychological factors, it is questionable whether these studies measured the effect of these interventions on muscle flexibility. By measuring muscle stiffness, the authors attempted to evaluate the effect these interventions on muscle flexibility. Objective: To compare the individual effects of TA and PA on muscle flexibility, as well as their effectiveness when combined with static stretching (SS). Design: Crossover trial. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: 15 healthy men without a history of orthopedic disease in their lower limbs. Interventions: 15 minutes of 3 different conditions: hot pack as TA, pedaling exercise as PA, and the control group with no TA or PA intervention, followed by 3 min of SS for the hamstrings. Main Outcome Measures: Joint angle and passive torque of the knee during passive elongation were obtained prior to interventions, after 3 kinds of intervention, and after SS. From these data, muscle-tendon-unit (MTU) stiffness of the hamstrings was calculated. Results: Although knee-joint ROM increased with both TA and PA (P < .05), there were no significant differences in MTU stiffness between pre- and postintervention measurements for either of the interventions (TA, P = .477; PA, P = .377; control, P = .388). However, there were similar significant decreases in MTU stiffness between postintervention and post-SS for all conditions (P < .01). Conclusions: TA and PA did not decrease MTU stiffness, and combining these interventions with SS did not provide additional decreases in MTU stiffness compared with performing SS alone.
The study is open: Participants are now recruiting investigators
Authors: Terry Sharon F.
Published: January 2017

Two U.S. national initiatives have stated emphatically that people will be partners, not patients, in clinical research.
Fear memory erasure through neuronal transplantation
Authors: Etkin Amit
Published: January 2017

Transplant of immature inhibitory neurons can erase fear memories in adult mice.
RPLP1 and RPLP2 Are Essential Flavivirus Host Factors That Promote Early Viral Protein Accumulation
Authors: Campos Rafael K. , Wong Benjamin , Xie Xuping , Lu Yi-Fan , Shi Pei-Yong , Pompon Julien , Garcia-Blanco Mariano A. , Bradrick Shelton S.
Published: January 2017

The
Flavivirus
genus contains several arthropod-borne viruses that pose global health threats, including dengue viruses (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). In order to understand how these viruses replicate in human cells, we previously conducted genome-scale RNA interference screens to identify candidate host factors. In these screens, we identified ribosomal proteins RPLP1 and RPLP2 (RPLP1/2) to be among the most crucial putative host factors required for DENV and YFV infection. RPLP1/2 are phosphoproteins that bind the ribosome through interaction with another ribosomal protein, RPLP0, to form a structure termed the ribosomal stalk. RPLP1/2 were validated as essential host factors for DENV, YFV, and ZIKV infection in two human cell lines: A549 lung adenocarcinoma and HuH-7 hepatoma cells, and for productive DENV infection of
Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes. Depletion of RPLP1/2 caused moderate cell-line-specific effects on global protein synthesis, as determined by metabolic labeling. In A549 cells, global translation was increased, while in HuH-7 cells it was reduced, albeit both of these effects were modest. In contrast, RPLP1/2 knockdown strongly reduced early DENV protein accumulation, suggesting a requirement for RPLP1/2 in viral translation. Furthermore, knockdown of RPLP1/2 reduced levels of DENV structural proteins expressed from an exogenous transgene. We postulate that these ribosomal proteins are required for efficient translation elongation through the viral open reading frame. In summary, this work identifies RPLP1/2 as critical flaviviral host factors required for translation.

IMPORTANCE
Flaviviruses cause important diseases in humans. Examples of mosquito-transmitted flaviviruses include dengue, yellow fever and Zika viruses. Viruses require a plethora of cellular factors to infect cells, and the ribosome plays an essential role in all viral infections. The ribosome is a complex macromolecular machine composed of RNA and proteins and it is responsible for protein synthesis. We identified two specific ribosomal proteins that are strictly required for flavivirus infection of human cells and mosquitoes: RPLP1 and RPLP2 (RPLP1/2). These proteins are part of a structure known as the ribosomal stalk and help orchestrate the elongation phase of translation. We show that flaviviruses are particularly dependent on the function of RPLP1/2. Our findings suggest that ribosome composition is an important factor for virus translation and may represent a regulatory layer for translation of specific cellular mRNAs.
African Swine Fever Virus Gets Undressed: New Insights on the Entry Pathway
Authors: Andrés Germán
Published: January 2017

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large, multienveloped DNA virus composed of a genome-containing core successively wrapped by an inner lipid envelope, an icosahedral protein capsid, and an outer lipid envelope. In keeping with this structural complexity, recent studies have revealed an intricate entry program. This Gem highlights how ASFV uses two alternative pathways, macropinocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, to enter into the host macrophage and how the endocytosed particles undergo a stepwise, low pH-driven disassembly leading to inner envelope fusion and core delivery in the cytoplasm.
The Fumarate Reductase of
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
, unlike That of
Escherichia coli
, Is Configured so that It Does Not Generate Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Lu Zheng , Imlay James A.
Published: January 2017

The impact of oxidative stress upon organismal fitness is most apparent in the phenomenon of obligate anaerobiosis. The root cause may be multifaceted, but the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) likely plays a key role. ROS are formed when redox enzymes accidentally transfer electrons to oxygen rather than to their physiological substrates. In this study, we confirm that the predominant intestinal anaerobe
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
generates intracellular ROS at a very high rate when it is aerated. Fumarate reductase (Frd) is a prominent enzyme in the anaerobic metabolism of many bacteria, including
B. thetaiotaomicron
, and prior studies of
Escherichia coli
Frd showed that the enzyme is unusually prone to ROS generation. Surprisingly, in this study biochemical analysis demonstrated that the
B. thetaiotaomicron
Frd does not react with oxygen at all: neither superoxide nor hydrogen peroxide is formed. Subunit-swapping experiments indicated that this difference does not derive from the flavoprotein subunit at which ROS normally arise. Experiments with the related enzyme succinate dehydrogenase discouraged the hypothesis that heme moieties are responsible. Thus, resistance to oxidation may reflect a shift of electron density away from the flavin moiety toward the iron-sulfur clusters. This study shows that the autoxidizability of a redox enzyme can be suppressed by subtle modifications that do not compromise its physiological function. One implication is that selective pressures might enhance the oxygen tolerance of an organism by manipulating the electronic properties of its redox enzymes so they do not generate ROS.

IMPORTANCE
Whether in sediments or pathogenic biofilms, the structures of microbial communities are configured around the sensitivities of their members to oxygen. Oxygen triggers the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the sensitivity of a microbe to oxygen likely depends upon the rates at which ROS are formed inside it. This study supports that idea, as an obligate anaerobe was confirmed to generate ROS very rapidly upon aeration. However, the suspected source of the ROS was disproven, as the fumarate reductase of the anaerobe did not display the high oxidation rate of its
E. coli
homologue. Evidently, adjustments in its electronic structure can suppress the tendency of an enzyme to generate ROS. Importantly, this outcome suggests that evolutionary pressure may succeed in modifying redox enzymes and thereby diminishing the stress that an organism experiences in oxic environments. The actual source of ROS in the anaerobe remains to be discovered.
Congenital anomaly of the posterior arch of the atlas: a rare risk factor for posterior circulation stroke
Authors: Ouyang Zhi-yuan , Qiu Min-jian , Zhao Zhe , Wu Xiao-bing , Tong Lu-sha
Published: January 2017

We report an extremely rare case involving a posterior arch anomaly of the atlas, causing a vertebral artery dissection (VAD) induced posterior circulation stroke. A 16-year-old girl was admitted to hospital because of new onset dizziness. VAD related multiple infarction in the posterior circulation was revealed. The congenital posterior arch anomaly of the atlas, along with instability of the atlantoaxial joint, were discovered accidentally during follow-up. This is the first case of ischemic stroke related to atlantal posterior arch aplasia and atlantoaxial instability. Although rare, it reminds us that investigation of the craniovertebral junction should be considered when stroke occurs in young patients.
Corticosteroid-induced cryptococcal meningitis in patient without HIV
Authors: Nidhi Anand , Meena Alpana , Sreekumar Arjun , Daga Mradul Kumar
Published: January 2017

Cryptococcus neoformansis the most frequent cause of fungal meningitis in humans.Cryptococcusaffects people of all ages and has a worldwide distribution. It is the fourth most common infection in AIDS (CD4 counts <100/mm3). Cases also occur in patients with other forms of immunosuppression and in apparently immunocompetent individuals. Chronic high-dose steroid may precipitate such an immunocompromised state and thus create susceptibility to fungal infections. In our case, we describe a 14-year-old boy who was on steroids for tubercular meningitis for a period of 8 weeks after which he developed cryptococcal meningitis. Attention is drawn to the increasing number of reported cases of this disease which have been associated with steroid therapy and this possibility should be remembered when investigating patients with tubercular meningitis especially if they are being treated with steroids.
Acute traumatic renal arteriocalyceal fistula: selective angioembolisation for haemodynamic instability
Authors: Philipoff Adam Carl , Ramsay Duncan , Weber Dieter G
Published: January 2017

Abdominal angiography with selective arteriography and subsequent embolisation is an accepted management modality in the treatment of selected solid organ injuries following blunt abdominal trauma. This management practice is well established in the haemodynamically stable patient; however, this remains more controversial in haemodynamically compromised patients, though warrants consideration in both cases due to the associated benefits of non-operative management. This case report describes the successful non-operative management of a severe renal injury in a young polytraumatised patient following a high-speed motor vehicle crash. In addition, the rare CT diagnosis and management of an acute traumatic arteriocalcyeal fistula is discussed with a focus on the importance of renal parenchymal preservation.
Dabigatran-related leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Authors: An Josiah , Garje Rohan , Wanat Karolyn A , Leone José Pablo
Published: January 2017

Dabigatran is a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant that has been approved for atrial fibrillation and prevention of venous thromboembolism. Its use has been increasing in the USA since serum drug levels do not need monitoring. To date, no significant skin side effects have been reported other than 4 cases of non-specific skin lesion and 2 cases of leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV), which is a small vessel inflammatory disease that presents as palpable purpura in lower extremities. We present a man aged 57 years with chronic deep vein thrombosis who developed palpable purpura, petechiae, swelling in lower extremities, torso and distal upper extremities on the third day after dabigatran initiation. The present case highlights the potential risk for LCV with dabigatran use and provides insight into its management.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the cervix: a rare diagnosis
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , Chufal Kundan Singh , Bhargava Amit , Bashir Irfan
Published: January 2017

A 48-year-old woman presented with symptoms of lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge for 6 months. Clinical examination and pelvic ultrasound scan suggested a diagnosis of infected Gartner's cyst, for which she underwent vaginal cystectomy. However, histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed a diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the cervix. Further investigations revealed the stage to be FIGO IIIB, which was inoperable. She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide alternating with ifosfamide, cisplatin and etoposide, every 21 days), but the tumour did not respond to treatment and she was started on radiotherapy with definitive intent (55.8 Gray in 31 fractions over 6.2 weeks). A PET-CT performed 2 months after completion of radiotherapy showed complete response, and she is now receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.
Using Web 2.0 applications to promote health-related physical activity: findings from the WALK 2.0 randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kolt Gregory S , Rosenkranz Richard R , Vandelanotte Corneel , Caperchione Cristina M , Maeder Anthony J , Tague Rhys , Savage Trevor N , Van Itallie Anetta , Mummery W Kerry , Oldmeadow Christopher , Duncan Mitch J
Published: January 2017

Background/Aim

Web 2.0 internet technology has great potential in promoting physical activity. This trial investigated the effectiveness of a Web 2.0-based intervention on physical activity behaviour, and the impact on website usage and engagement.

Methods

504 (328 women, 126 men) insufficiently active adult participants were randomly allocated to one of two web-based interventions or a paper-based Logbook group. The Web 1.0 group participated in the existing 10 000 Steps programme, while the Web 2.0 group participated in a Web 2.0-enabled physical activity intervention including user-to-user interaction through social networking capabilities. ActiGraph GT3X activity monitors were used to assess physical activity at four points across the intervention (0, 3, 12 and 18 months), and usage and engagement were assessed continuously through website usage statistics.

Results

Treatment groups differed significantly in trajectories of minutes/day of physical activity (p=0.0198), through a greater change at 3 months for Web 2.0 than Web 1.0 (7.3 min/day, 95% CI 2.4 to 12.3). In the Web 2.0 group, physical activity increased at 3 (mean change 6.8 min/day, 95% CI 3.9 to 9.6) and 12 months (3.8 min/day, 95% CI 0.5 to 7.0), but not 18 months. The Logbook group also increased physical activity at 3 (4.8 min/day, 95% CI 1.8 to 7.7) and 12 months (4.9 min/day, 95% CI 0.7 to 9.1), but not 18 months. The Web 1.0 group increased physical activity at 12 months only (4.9 min/day, 95% CI 0.5 to 9.3). The Web 2.0 group demonstrated higher levels of website engagement (p=0.3964).

Conclusions

In comparison to a Web 1.0 intervention, a more interactive Web 2.0 intervention, as well as the paper-based Logbook intervention, improved physical activity in the short term, but that effect reduced over time, despite higher levels of engagement of the Web 2.0 group.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12611000157976.
Strength verification of stabilized soil–cement columns: a laboratory investigation of the push-in resistance test (PIRT)
Authors: Timoney Martin J. , McCabe Bryan A.
Published: January 2017

The push-in resistance test (PIRT) is an in situ means of verifying the strength of stabilized soil columns. During the test, a winged penetrometer penetrates the stabilized column at a constant rate and the column strength is estimated from the recorded probing resistance using a bearing capacity factor (N). While N values between 8 and 20 (although typically between 8 and 15) are quoted in the literature (based almost exclusively on empirical and Scandinavian experience), there have been few field tests and no laboratory investigations aimed at investigating the value of N and the factors upon which it depends, thereby limiting international confidence in the method. This paper presents the findings of a unique laboratory-scale PIRT series conducted at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway). The development of appropriate column construction and testing methods is discussed. The results of 11 PIRT tests on pre-drilled stabilized columns with unconfined compression strengths (UCS) from 150 to over 800 kPa are reported, as well as those of a complementary cone-only series of tests to assess additional frictional forces acting on the penetrometer. Appropriate corrections to the data for temperature and time consistency between the probing forces and UCS values are discussed. Test results indicate that the strength of the column has a mild influence on the N value. Further investigation of this finding is recommended at both laboratory and field scales.
Isolation and characterization of a novel pollen-specific promoter in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Wang He , Fan Mingxia , Wang Guohong , Zhang Chunyu , Shi Lei , Wei Zhengyi , Ma Wenjuan , Chang Jing , Huang Senxin , Lin Feng
Published: January 2017

ZmSTK2_USP, located on the long arm of chromosome 4, belongs to the serine/threonine kinase gene in maize. The sequence analysis of 2100 bp upstream from the start codon ATG has shown that it contains cis-element motifs and two types of anther/pollen-specific promoter elements (GTGA and AGAAA), suggesting that it is the pollen-specific promoter. To investigate the function of ZmSTK2_USP promoter, the GUS gene fusion system was employed. In proZmSTK2_USP-GUS genetically modified plants, GUS activity was detected in mature pollen grains and pollen tubes but not found in other floral and vegetative tissues. These results show that proZmSTK2_USP is the pollen-specific promoter and drives pollen-specific activity during the middle stage of pollen development until pollen maturation.
Genomic and metabolic characterisation of alkaloid biosynthesis by asexual Epichloë fungal endophytes of tall fescue pasture grasses
Authors: Ekanayake Piyumi N. , Kaur Jatinder , Tian Pei , Rochfort Simone J. , Guthridge Kathryn M. , Sawbridge Timothy I. , Spangenberg German C. , Forster John W.
Published: January 2017

Symbiotic associations between tall fescue grasses and asexual Epichloë fungal endophytes exhibit biosynthesis of alkaloid compounds causing both beneficial and detrimental effects. Candidate novel endophytes with favourable chemotypic profiles have been identified in germplasm collections by screening for genetic diversity, followed by metabolite profile analysis in endogenous genetic backgrounds. A subset of candidates was subjected to genome survey sequencing to detect the presence or absence and structural status of known genes for biosynthesis of the major alkaloid classes. The capacity to produce specific metabolites was directly predictable from metabolic data. In addition, study of duplicated gene structure in heteroploid genomic constitutions provided further evidence for the origin of such endophytes. Selected strains were inoculated into meristem-derived callus cultures from specific tall fescue genotypes to perform isogenic comparisons of alkaloid profile in different host backgrounds, revealing evidence for host-specific quantitative control of metabolite production, consistent with previous studies. Certain strains were capable of both inoculation and formation of longer-term associations with a nonhost species, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Discovery and primary characterisation of novel endophytes by DNA analysis, followed by confirmatory metabolic studies, offers improvements of speed and efficiency and hence accelerated deployment in pasture grass improvement programs.
Study of the two-proton halo nucleus 17Ne
Authors: Hwash Waleed S.
Published: January 2017

The ([Formula: see text]Ne) nucleus is described as two protons outside of a deformed core. The Microscopic Cluster Model (MCM) is used to describe the three-body system [Formula: see text] with Jacobi coordinates. This model strongly exhibits the Coulomb effect and therefore it is used to explore the role of the Coulomb effect in proton halo formation. The main goal of this study is to confirm that [Formula: see text]Ne is a two-proton halo nucleus. In the calculations, the energy states (0[Formula: see text]), (1[Formula: see text]), (0[Formula: see text]) and (0[Formula: see text]) are considered to be occupied by two valence protons. Based on the comparison with other theoretical and experimental studies, the present MCM calculations show that the exotic structure of the valence protons is not evident in the halo structure of [Formula: see text]Ne.
Information Governance in Dynamic Networked Business Process Management
Authors: Rasouli Mohammad R. , Eshuis Rik , Grefen Paul W. P. J. , Trienekens Jos J. M. , Kusters Rob J.
Published: January 2017

Competition in today’s globalized markets forces organizations to collaborate within dynamic business networks to provide mass-customized integrated solutions for customers. The collaboration within dynamic business networks necessitates forming dynamic networked business processes (DNBPs). Networked business processes need to be supported by high quality information that is exchanged in a trustworthy environment. Information governance (IG) is described as a holistic approach to different mechanisms that support high quality and secure information exchanges. However, dynamism of networked business processes causes IG issues like unsecured information access and low quality information products to emerge. In this paper, a comprehensive list of the IG issues in DNBPs is identified through structured steps. The identified IG issues are characterized within four main categories, respectively, information product quality, information service quality, information security, and metadata issues. For the evaluation of the practical significance of the identified IG issues, a case study is conducted in a business network that provides mobility solutions. In this way, the paper closes the gap between studies on IG, which have mostly concentrated on IG within the borders of a single organization or IG in stable business networks, and studies on dynamic business networks, which have addressed the formation of dynamic inter-organizational interactions without paying rigorous attention to information artefacts that are exchanged.
Analysis of Bundles and Drivers of Change of Multiple Ecosystem Services in an Alpine Region
Authors: Ferrari Marika , Geneletti Davide , Cayuela Luis , Orsi Francesco , Benayas Jose María Rey
Published: January 2017

Approaches based on the concept of ecosystem services need analyses of the sets of spatially correlated services (i.e. bundles) and of the external factors that modify the ecosystem service supply (i.e. drivers of change). At present, appropriate methods to analyse bundles and drivers of change are still under development. This study proposes a method based on a combination of spatial and statistical analyses to define bundles and to explain the drivers of change of 24 ecosystem services in Trentino, an Alpine region of Italy. Results show that multiple services can be grouped in a few number of bundles with a complex shape. When mapping multiple services across the territory, the spatial units of representation are a combination of the intrinsic units of representation of single ecosystem services and land use classes. Land use management was found as the external factor that causes the greatest variability of the ecosystem services distribution across the region.
Momentum-Mapped Inverted Pendulum Models for Controlling Dynamic Human Motions
Authors: Kwon Taesoo , Hodgins Jessica K.
Published: January 2017

Designing a unified framework for simulating a broad variety of human behaviors has proven to be challenging. In this article, we present an approach for control system design that can generate animations of a diverse set of behaviors including walking, running, and a variety of gymnastic behaviors. We achieve this generalization with a balancing strategy that relies on a new form of inverted pendulum model (IPM), which we call the momentum-mapped IPM (MMIPM). We analyze reference motion capture data in a pre-processing step to extract the motion of the MMIPM. To compute a new motion, the controller plans a desired motion, frame by frame, based on the current pendulum state and a predicted pendulum trajectory. By tracking this time-varying trajectory, the controller creates a character that dynamically balances, changes speed, makes turns, jumps, and performs gymnastic maneuvers.
Antialiasing Complex Global Illumination Effects in Path-Space
Authors: Belcour Laurent , Yan Ling-Qi , Ramamoorthi Ravi , Nowrouzezahrai Derek
Published: January 2017

We present the first method to efficiently predict antialiasing footprints to pre-filter color-, normal-, and displacement-mapped appearance in the context of multi-bounce global illumination. We derive Fourier spectra for radiance and importance functions that allow us to compute spatial-angular filtering footprints at path vertices for both uni- and bi-directional path construction. We then use these footprints to antialias reflectance modulated by high-resolution maps (such as color and normal maps) encountered along a path. In doing so, we also unify the traditional path-space formulation of light transport with our frequency-space interpretation of global illumination pre-filtering. Our method is fully compatible with all existing single bounce pre-filtering appearance models, not restricted by path length, and easy to implement atop existing path-space renderers. We illustrate its effectiveness on several radiometrically complex scenarios where previous approaches either completely fail or require orders of magnitude more time to arrive at similarly high-quality results.
A MATLAB Vectorizing Compiler Targeting Application-Specific Instruction Set Processors
Authors: Latifis Ioannis , Parashar Karthick , Dimitroulakos Grigoris , Cappelle Hans , Lezos Christakis , Masselos Konstantinos , Catthoor Francky
Published: January 2017

This article discusses a MATLAB-to-C vectorizing compiler that exploits custom instructions, for example, for Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) processing and instructions for complex arithmetic present in Application-Specific Instruction Set Processors (ASIPs). Custom instructions are represented via specialized intrinsic functions in the generated code, and the generated code can be used as input to any C/C++ compiler supporting the target processor. Furthermore, the specialized instruction set of the target processor is described in a parameterized way using a target processor-independent architecture description approach, thus allowing the support of any processor. The compiler has been used for the generation of application code for two different ASIPs for several benchmarks. The code generated by the compiler achieves a speedup between 2× --74× and 2× --97× compared to the code generated by the MathWorks MATLAB-to-C compiler. Experimental results also prove that the compiler efficiently exploits SIMD custom instructions achieving a 3.3 factor speedup compared to cases where no SIMD processing is used. Thus the compiler can be employed to reduce the development time/effort/cost and time to market through raising the abstraction of application design in an embedded systems/system-on-chip development context.
On Crowdsourcing Relevance Magnitudes for Information Retrieval Evaluation
Authors: Maddalena Eddy , Mizzaro Stefano , Scholer Falk , Turpin Andrew
Published: January 2017

Magnitude estimation is a psychophysical scaling technique for the measurement of sensation, where observers assign numbers to stimuli in response to their perceived intensity. We investigate the use of magnitude estimation for judging the relevance of documents for information retrieval evaluation, carrying out a large-scale user study across 18 TREC topics and collecting over 50,000 magnitude estimation judgments using crowdsourcing. Our analysis shows that magnitude estimation judgments can be reliably collected using crowdsourcing, are competitive in terms of assessor cost, and are, on average, rank-aligned with ordinal judgments made by expert relevance assessors.

We explore the application of magnitude estimation for IR evaluation, calibrating two gain-based effectiveness metrics, nDCG and ERR, directly from user-reported perceptions of relevance. A comparison of TREC system effectiveness rankings based on binary, ordinal, and magnitude estimation relevance shows substantial variation; in particular, the top systems ranked using magnitude estimation and ordinal judgments differ substantially. Analysis of the magnitude estimation scores shows that this effect is due in part to varying perceptions of relevance: different users have different perceptions of the impact of relative differences in document relevance. These results have direct implications for IR evaluation, suggesting that current assumptions about a single view of relevance being sufficient to represent a population of users are unlikely to hold.
Targeted Advertising in Public Transportation Systems with Quantitative Evaluation
Authors: Zhang Dongxiang , Guo Long , Nie Liqiang , Shao Jie , Wu Sai , Shen Heng Tao
Published: January 2017

In spite of vast business potential, targeted advertising in public transportation systems is a grossly unexplored research area. For instance, SBS Transit in Singapore can reach 1 billion passengers per year but the annual advertising revenue contributes less than $35 million. To bridge the gap, we propose a probabilistic data model that captures the motion patterns and user interests so as to quantitatively evaluate the impact of an advertisement among the passengers. In particular, we leverage hundreds of millions of bus/train boarding transaction records to quantitatively estimate the probability as well as the extent of a user being influenced by an ad. Based on the influence model, we study a top-kretrieval problem for bus/train ad recommendation, which acts as a primitive operator to support various advanced applications. We solve the retrieval problem efficiently to support real-time decision making. In the experimental study, we use the dataset from SBS Transit as a case study to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed methodologies.
Symbolic Analyses of Dataflow Graphs
Authors: Bouakaz Adnan , Fradet Pascal , Girault Alain
Published: January 2017

The synchronous dataflow model of computation is widely used to design embedded stream-processing applications under strict quality-of-service requirements (e.g., buffering size, throughput, input-output latency). The required analyses can either be performed at compile time (for design space exploration) or at runtime (for resource management and reconfigurable systems). However, these analyses have an exponential time complexity, which may cause a huge runtime overhead or make design space exploration unacceptably slow.

In this article, we argue that
symbolic
analyses are more appropriate since they express the system performance as a function of parameters (i.e., input and output rates, execution times). Such functions can be quickly evaluated for each different configuration or checked with respect to different quality-of-service requirements. We provide symbolic analyses for computing the maximal throughput of acyclic synchronous dataflow graphs, the minimum required buffers for which as soon as possible (ASAP) scheduling achieves this throughput, and finally, the corresponding input-output latency of the graph. The article first investigates these problems for a single parametric edge. The results are extended to general acyclic graphs using linear approximation techniques. We assess the proposed analyses experimentally on both synthetic and real benchmarks.
Toward a Social Psychophysics of Face Communication
Authors: Jack Rachael E. , Schyns Philippe G.
Published: January 2017

As a highly social species, humans are equipped with a powerful tool for social communication—the face. Although seemingly simple, the human face can elicit multiple social perceptions due to the rich variations of its movements, morphology, and complexion. Consequently, identifying precisely what face information elicits different social perceptions is a complex empirical challenge that has largely remained beyond the reach of traditional methods. In the past decade, the emerging field of social psychophysics has developed new methods to address this challenge, with the potential to transfer psychophysical laws of social perception to the digital economy via avatars and social robots. At this exciting juncture, it is timely to review these new methodological developments. In this article, we introduce and review the foundational methodological developments of social psychophysics, present work done in the past decade that has advanced understanding of the face as a tool for social communication, and discuss the major challenges that lie ahead.
How consumer physical activity monitors could transform human physiology research
Authors: Wright Stephen P. , Hall Brown Tyish S. , Collier Scott R. , Sandberg Kathryn
Published: January 2017

A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity are well-established risk factors for chronic disease and adverse health outcomes. Thus, there is enormous interest in measuring physical activity in biomedical research. Many consumer physical activity monitors, including Basis Health Tracker, BodyMedia Fit, DirectLife, Fitbit Flex, Fitbit One, Fitbit Zip, Garmin Vivofit, Jawbone UP, MisFit Shine, Nike FuelBand, Polar Loop, Withings Pulse O2, and others have accuracies similar to that of research-grade physical activity monitors for measuring steps. This review focuses on the unprecedented opportunities that consumer physical activity monitors offer for human physiology and pathophysiology research because of their ability to measure activity continuously under real-life conditions and because they are already widely used by consumers. We examine current and potential uses of consumer physical activity monitors as a measuring or monitoring device, or as an intervention in strategies to change behavior and predict health outcomes. The accuracy, reliability, reproducibility, and validity of consumer physical activity monitors are reviewed, as are limitations and challenges associated with using these devices in research. Other topics covered include how smartphone apps and platforms, such as the Apple ResearchKit, can be used in conjunction with consumer physical activity monitors for research. Lastly, the future of consumer physical activity monitors and related technology is considered: pattern recognition, integration of sleep monitors, and other biosensors in combination with new forms of information processing.
Fgfr2 is integral for bladder mesenchyme patterning and function
Authors: Ikeda Y. , Zabbarova I. , Schaefer C. M. , Bushnell D. , De Groat W. C. , Kanai A. , Bates C. M.
Published: January 2017

While urothelial signals, including sonic hedgehog (Shh), drive bladder mesenchyme differentiation, it is unclear which pathways within the mesenchyme are critical for its development. Studies have shown that fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (Fgfr2) is necessary for kidney and ureter mesenchymal development. Our objective was to determine the role of Fgfr2 in bladder mesenchyme. We used Tbx18cre mice to delete Fgfr2 in bladder mesenchyme ( Fgfr2BM−/−). We performed three-dimensional reconstructions, quantitative real-time PCR, in situ hybridization, immunolabeling, ELISAs, immunoblotting, void stain on paper, ex vivo bladder sheet assays, and in vivo decerebrated cystometry. Compared with controls, embryonic ( E) day 16.5 ( E16.5) Fgfr2BM−/− bladders have thin muscle layers with reduced α-smooth muscle actin levels and thickened lamina propria with increased collagen expression that intrudes into muscle. From postnatal ( P) day 1 ( P1) to P30, Fgfr2BM−/− bladders demonstrate progressive muscle loss and increased collagen expression. Postnatal Fgfr2BM−/− bladder sheets exhibit decreased contractility and increased passive stretch tension compared with controls. In vivo cystometry revealed high baseline and threshold pressures and shortened intercontractile intervals in Fgfr2BM−/− bladders compared with controls. Mechanistically, while Shh expression appears normal, mRNA and protein readouts of hedgehog activity are increased in E16.5 Fgfr2BM−/− bladders compared with controls. Moreover, E16.5 Fgfr2BM−/− bladders exhibit higher levels of Cdo and Boc, hedgehog coreceptors that enhance sensitivity to Shh, than controls. Fgfr2 is critical for bladder mesenchyme patterning by virtue of its role in modulation of hedgehog signaling.