bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lifestyle intervention and one‐year prognosis of patients following open heart surgery: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Kadda Olga , Kotanidou Anastasia , Manginas Athanasios , Stavridis George , Nanas Serafim , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the one‐year prognosis of a lifestyle counselling intervention (diet, smoking cessation and exercise) among patients who had open heart surgery.

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity worldwide in both developing and developed countries. Lifestyle modification plays an important role for patients who are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease and for those with an established cardiovascular disease.

Design

Randomised, nonblind and lifestyle counselling intervention study with a one‐year follow‐up.

Methods

A randomised, nonblind intervention study was performed on 500 patients who had open heart surgery. After hospital discharge, 250 patients (intervention group) were randomly allocated lifestyle counselling according to the recent guidelines provided by the European Society of Cardiology (European Journal Preventive Cardiology, 19, 2012, 585). The remaining 250 patients (control group) received the regular instructions. Primary end‐point was the development of a cardiovascular disease (nonfatal event) during the first year; secondary end‐points included fatal events, smoking abstinence, dietary habits and a physical activity evaluation.

Results

According to the primary end‐point, the odds of having a nonfatal cardiovascular disease event are 0·56‐times (95%CI 0·28, 0·96, p = 0·03) lower for the intervention group compared to the control group. One‐year after surgery, it was found that participants in the intervention group were 1·96‐times (95%CI 1·31, 2·93, p < 0·001) more likely to achieve dietary recommendations, 3·32‐times (95%CI 2·24, 4·91, p < 0·001) more likely to achieve physical activity recommendations and 1·34‐times (95%CI 1·15, 1·56, p < 0·001) more likely to return to work.

Conclusion

Lifestyle counselling intervention following open heart surgery can improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of a new cardiac event. Health care services must recommend and organise well‐structured cardiac rehabilitation programmes adjusted to the patient's needs.

Relevance to clinical practice

A well‐structured cardiac rehabilitation programme adjusted to the patient's profile is a safe and cost‐effective way to improve patients' outcome.
Effects of Industry‐ and Region‐Specific Acquisition Experience on Value Creation in Cross‐Border Acquisitions: The Moderating Role of Cultural Similarity
Authors: Basuil Dynah A. , Datta Deepak K.
Published: February 2015

Based on a sample of 222 cross‐border acquisitions by US firms in the service sector, our study examines the effects of acquiring firms' prior cross‐border acquisition experience in the same industry and geographic region as the acquired firm on shareholder value creation. Using the BHAR (buy‐and‐hold abnormal returns) methodology, we find that higher levels of industry‐specific and region‐specific acquisition experience translate into greater shareholder value creation for acquiring firms in subsequent acquisitions. In addition, our results indicate that the effects of industry‐specific acquisition experience on acquisition performance are contingent on the level of cultural similarity between the acquiring and acquired firm countries, with the benefits of prior experience being greater in acquisitions undertaken in culturally similar countries. We also find that the moderating effects of cultural similarity on the relationship between industry‐specific acquisition experience and value creation are contingent on the level of prior region‐specific acquisition experience possessed by the acquiring firm.
Molecular cloning of melatonin 2‐hydroxylase responsible for 2‐hydroxymelatonin production in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Byeon Yeong , Back Kyoungwhan
Published: February 2015

Although melatonin biosynthetic genes from plants have been cloned, the melatonin catabolism mechanisms remain unclear. To clone the genes responsible for melatonin metabolism, we ectopically expressed 35 full‐length cDNAs of rice 2‐oxoglutarate‐dependent dioxygenase (2‐ODD) in Escherichia coli and purified the corresponding recombinant proteins. In vitro 2‐ODD assays showed four independent 2‐ODD proteins that were able to catalyze melatonin into 2‐hydroxymelatonin, exhibiting melatonin 2‐hydroxylase (M2H). These M2H proteins had peak activities at pH 8.0 and 30°C. The Km ranged from 121 μm to 371 μm with the Vmax ranging from 1.7 to 18.5 pkat/mg protein, respectively. The M2H enzyme activities were dependent on cofactors such as α‐ketoglutarate, ascorbate, and Fe2+, similar to the 2‐ODD enzymes. M2H activity was inhibited by prohexadione‐Ca, an inhibitor of 2‐ODD, in a dose‐dependent manner. M2H activity was high in the roots of rice seedlings, concurrent with high transcription levels of 2‐ODD 21, suggesting that 2‐ODD 21 was a major gene for M2H activity. Analogous to the high M2H activity in the roots, 2‐hydroxymelatonin was found in large quantities in roots treated with melatonin. These results suggest that melatonin was metabolized into 2‐hydroxymelatonin by the M2H genes in plants, but the physiological significance of 2‐hydroxymelatonin remains to be examined in the future.
Functional analysis of drug resistance‐associated mutations in the Trypanosoma brucei adenosine transporter 1 (TbAT1) and the proposal of a structural model for the protein
Authors: Munday Jane C. , Tagoe Daniel N. A. , Eze Anthonius A. , Krezdorn Jessica A. M. , Rojas López Karla E. , Alkhaldi Abdulsalam A. M. , McDonald Fiona , Still Jennifer , Alzahrani Khalid J. , Settimo Luca , De Koning Harry P.
Published: February 2015

The Trypanosoma brucei aminopurine transporter P2/TbAT1 has long been implicated in the transport of, and resistance to, the diamidine and melaminophenyl arsenical classes of drugs that form the backbone of the pharmacopoeia against African trypanosomiasis. Genetic alterations including deletions and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been observed in numerous strains and clinical isolates. Here, we systematically investigate each reported mutation and assess their effects on transporter function after expression in a tbat1−/− T. brucei line. Out of a set of six reported SNPs from a reported ‘resistance allele’, none significantly impaired sensitivity to pentamidine, diminazene or melarsoprol, relative to the TbAT1‐WT allele, although several combinations, and the deletion of the codon for residue F316, resulted in highly significant impairment. These combinations of SNPs, and ΔF316, also strongly impaired the uptake of [3H]‐adenosine and [3H]‐diminazene, identical to the tbat1−/− control. The TbAT1 protein model predicted that residues F19, D140 and F316 interact with the substrate of the transporter. Mutation of D140 to alanine resulted in an inactive transporter, whereas the mutation F19A produced a transporter with a slightly increased affinity for [3H]‐diminazene but reduced the uptake rate. The results presented here validate earlier hypotheses of drug binding motifs for TbAT1.
Two thiadiazole compounds promote rice defence against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae by suppressing the bacterium's production of extracellular polysaccharides
Authors: Liang Xiaoyu , Yu Xiaoyue , Dong Wenxia , Guo Shijian , Xu Shu , Wang Jianxin , Zhou Mingguo
Published: February 2015

Thiazole, isothiazole, thiadiazole, and their derivatives are used to control various human, animal and plant diseases. In addition to having direct anti‐microbial and anti‐fungal properties, these compounds are thought to induce host defences, but the mechanism of defence induction remains poorly understood. This article reports that the thiadiazoles of zinc thiazole and bismerthiazol induce H2O2 accumulation, up‐regulation of defence‐related genes, callose deposition and hypersensitive response‐like cell death in rice leaves infected with Xanthomonas oryaze pv. oryzae (Xoo) strain ZJ173, but not in non‐infected leaves. These defence responses in Xoo‐infected leaves were suppressed by the exogenous application of catalase, which reduces H2O2 accumulation. The application of extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) extracted from strain ZJ173 significantly compromised rice defence against ZJ173 with or without thiadiazole treatment. The EPS‐deficient Xoo mutant ∆gumH triggered a stronger defence than its parent strain ZJ173. The thiadiazole treatments reduced EPS production by strain ZJ173, but not by the thiadiazole‐resistant strain 2‐1‐1, which is thiadiazole resistant in vivo, but not in vitro; moreover, enhanced defence was not detected in thiadiazole‐treated rice inoculated with 2‐1‐1. Based on these data, we infer that zinc thiazole and bismerthiazol promote rice defence against Xoo by inhibiting the production of bacterial EPS.
Pathological features of preclinical or early clinical stages of corticobasal degeneration: a comparison with advanced cases
Authors: Nishida Naoki , Yoshida Koji , Hata Yukiko , Arai Yuichi , Kinoshita Koshi
Published: February 2015

Aims

The manner in which pathological lesions of corticobasal degeneration (CBD) progress remains poorly understood. Because the pathology of early disease stages may be fundamental for elucidating a border between clinical and preclinical states of CBD, the present study aimed to detect preclinical or early clinical CBD cases by examining a series of forensic autopsy cases.

Methods

A series of 887 brains from medicolegal autopsies was examined. Immunohistochemistry for tau (AT8, 3, and 4‐repeat‐tau) and Gallyas‐Braak was applied for diagnosis. Neuropathological diagnosis of CBD followed criteria updated in 2002 by a working group.

Results

Three autopsy cases (0.34%) were identified that fulfilled CBD pathological criteria. Two cases were preclinical or very early clinical cases without brain atrophy; the other case had exhibited a 5‐year history of advanced frontotemporal dementia. Significant microscopic differences between the subclinical and clinical cases included occurrence of neuronal loss with spongiosis and gliosis, as well as a difference in degree of tau pathology in the superficial layer of the neocortical areas and white matter. Anatomical hierarchy of tau pathology in the brain was not evident, but asymmetric neocortical tau pathology that might influence the clinical phenotype was found in preclinical and early clinical cases.

Conclusions

The results revealed the pathological features of subclinical and early clinical CBD cases. Comparison with clinical CBD cases showed that neuronal loss, cortical atrophy and volume reduction of white matter may be involved in the occurrence of clinical symptoms of CBD. Additionally, immunohistochemistry is essential for detecting preclinical CBD cases, regardless of case selection.
Hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of calciphylaxis: A case series and literature review
Authors: An Jennifer , Devaney Bridget , Ooi Khai Yang , Ford Sharon , Frawley Geoff , Menahem Solomon
Published: February 2015

Aims

Calcific uraemic arteriolopathy (CUA) or calciphylaxis is most commonly seen in end‐stage renal disease and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is effective in healing calciphylaxis lesions and to determine if there are any patient factors that can predict wound healing and patient survival.

Methods

We identified by retrospective review all cases of CUA referred to our institution for treatment with HBOT. We documented the clinical and biochemical parameters of this patient population, the size and distribution of the lesions as well as wound outcomes and patient survival following treatment.

Results

A total 46 patients were identified with CUA associated with renal failure. Of the 46 patients, only 34 received a full course of HBOT. The balance was deemed unsuitable for treatment or was unable to tolerate treatment and was palliated. Of the 34 patients that received a full course of HBOT, 58% showed improvement in their wound scores, with more than half of these patients having complete healing of their wounds. The balance did not benefit from the therapy and had a very poor prognosis. Those that benefited from HBOT survived on average for more than 3 years. The only factor significantly associated with improved wound healing and survival was diabetes.

Conclusion

This retrospective analysis suggests a role for HBOT in the treatment of CUA with more than half of the treated patients benefiting and surviving for an average of more than 3 years.
Topography as a driver of diversification in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa
Authors: Verboom G. Anthony , Bergh Nicola G. , Haiden Sarah A. , Hoffmann Vera , Britton Matthew N.
Published: February 2015

The rugged topography of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), South Africa, is frequently invoked to explain the spectacular radiation of the Cape flora, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Where recent authors emphasize the importance of elevation gradients as stimuli for ecological speciation, earlier workers stressed the role of topography as an isolating mechanism, particularly in montane lineages.

Using six Cape plant lineages, we tested whether elevation niches are phylogenetically conserved. We then assessed whether high‐elevation species are more consistently range‐restricted than low‐elevation species, and whether high‐elevation sisters show stronger range exclusivity (allopatry) and weaker ecological and phenotypic differentiation, suggestive of nonecological speciation.

Elevation niches tend to be phylogenetically conserved. Also, high‐elevation species are more consistently range‐restricted than low‐elevation species, potentially explaining the generally stronger range exclusivity of high‐elevation sisters. While the high‐elevation zone is less homogeneous ecologically, more data are required to demonstrate that high‐elevation sister species show generally weaker ecological and phenotypic differentiation.

Topographic complexity promotes geographical isolation at high elevations, thereby providing opportunities for nonecological, vicariant speciation. While recognizing the need for additional data, we suggest that the upland and lowland floras of the CFR may differ with regard to predominant speciation mode.
Molecular damage and lung tumors in cigarette smoke–exposed mice
Authors: Izzotti Alberto , Pulliero Alessandra
Published: February 2015

Cigarette smoke (CS) induces lung cancer through a multistep process that is now being depicted by molecular analyses. During the early phase (weeks), DNA damage occurs in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, triggering adaptive responses activated by transient microRNA downregulation in the expression of defensive genes and proteins. During the intermediate phase (months), damaged cells are removed by apoptosis and the resulting cell loss is counteracted by a recruitment of stem cells that are highly sensitive to genotoxic damage. In parallel, microRNA downregulation becomes irreversible because of an accumulation of molecular damage in DICER. During the late phase (years), apoptosis efficacy is decreased by fragile histidine triad loss, while irreversible microRNA downregulation triggers the expression of mutated oncogenes, resulting in adenoma appearance. Furthermore, deletions occur in microRNA‐encoding genes, causing carcinoma formation and uncontrolled growth. All reported pathogenic steps are required to obtain a fully developed lung cancer. This complex pathogenesis develops over a long period of time; therefore, it is difficult to induce cancer in short‐living animals exposed to CS, whereas in humans there is a long latency from the start of smoke exposure to the onset of cancer.
Reconstruction of Limb Deformities in Patients with Thrombocytopenia‐absent Radius Syndrome
Authors: Al Kaissi Ali , Girsch Werner , Kenis Vladimir , Melchenko Eugeniy , Ben Ghachem Maher , Pospischill Renata , Klaushofer Klaus , Grill Franz , Ganger Rudolf
Published: February 2015

Objective

Developmental abnormalities of the appendicular skeleton are among the most common and easily identified birth defects. The aim of this report was to describe the phenotypic characterization of several patients with thrombocytopenia‐absent radius (TAR) syndrome and the orthopaedic interventions performed on them. TAR syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and results from compound heterozygosity of RBM8A mutations.

Methods

Reconstructions were designed and performed in five patients with TAR syndrome, mainly comprising orthopaedic interventions to correct their upper limb defects. Additional lower limb deformities (severe internal rotation of the tibiae) was been encountered in one patient.

Results

The affected patients’ wrists were re‐aligned and stabilized and the musculotendinous forces around the wrist rebalanced to reverse the ulnar forearm bow.

Conclusion

Patients with TAR syndrome who receive optimal treatment can expect to return to most activities of daily living with some limitation of wrist extension and ulnar deviation and, of course, with a reduced total active range of digital motion.
Thromboelastography Predictive of Death in Trauma Patients
Authors: Kane Ian , Ong Alvin , Orozco Fabio R , Post Zachary D , Austin Luke S , Radcliff Kris E
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To determine if thromboelastography (TEG) is predictive of patient outcomes following traumatic injury.

Methods

A retrospective review of 131 patients with pelvic trauma admitted to a Level II trauma center was conducted over four years from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2012. Patients were identified retrospectively from a prospectively collected database of acute pelvic trauma (n = 372). Eligible patients were identified from billing/coding data as having fractures of the acetabulum, iliac wing or sacral alae. Patients with incomplete TEG data were excluded (n = 241), as were patients with pathological fractures. TEG clotting variables and traditional clotting variables were recorded.

Results

Evaluation of TEG data revealed 41 patients with abnormal clotting times (TEG R). TEG R > 6 was an independent risk factor for death (OR, 16; 95%CI 5.4–53; P = 0.0001). The death rate was 52% in patients with TEG R values ≥6 (n = 13/25). There was no significant association between traditional clotting markers and death rate.

Conclusions

TEG reaction time value, representing the time of initial clot formation, was the only hematologic marker predictive of mortality in patients with pelvic trauma. Delay in reaction time was associated with a significantly increased death rate, independent of injury severity. The death rate association was not observed with traditional markers of clotting. Future prospective studies may be warranted to determine the presentation and significance of TEG abnormalities when resuscitating patients with orthopaedic trauma.
Actual Isothermal Effects of Water‐Filtered Infrared A‐Irradiation
Authors: Höhn Annika , Hartmann Petra , Gebhart Veronika , Sonntag Johanna , Grune Tilman , Jung Tobias
Published: February 2015

In this study, the athermal effects of water‐filtered infrared A (wIRA)‐irradiation (780–1400 nm) on human dermal fibroblasts were investigated. For this purpose, cells were exposed to wIRA‐irradiation (178 mW cm−2 for 1 h), while a sophisticated experimental setup prevented warming of the samples exceeding 0.1°C. The investigated parameters were the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide release, protein oxidation, proliferation rate, as well as intracellular Ca2+‐release in single cells, most of them quantified via fluorescence microscopy and fluorimetric techniques. The existence of actual athermal wIRA‐effects is still intensively discussed, since their detection requires a careful experimental setup and both efficient and powerful temperature regulation of the exposed samples. Here, we can definitively show that some of the supposed athermal wIRA‐effects may be rather artifacts, since wIRA did not reveal any impact on the above mentioned parameters—as long as the temperature of the exposed cells was carefully maintained. Though, we were able to identify an athermal DNA‐protective wIRA‐effect, since the induced DNA damage (quantified via 8‐Oxo‐G‐formation) was significantly decreased after a subsequent UVB‐exposure. These results suggest that many of the supposed athermal wIRA‐effects can be induced by pure warming of the samples, independent from any wIRA‐irradiation.
Role of tumor‐associated macrophages in hematological malignancies
Authors: Komohara Yoshihiro , Niino Daisuke , Ohnishi Koji , Ohshima Koichi , Takeya Motohiro
Published: February 2015

The tumor microenvironment consists of many non‐tumor cells such as leukocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, and phenotypic changes in a tumor microenvironment are believed to be involved in tumor progression and resistance to anticancer treatments. In hematological malignancies, tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) that have infiltrated lymphoma or leukemia tissues may be involved in tumor progression, and many researchers have studied phenotypic changes in TAMs. This review article summarizes the publications related to TAMs in hematological malignancies, with an emphasis on CD163+ protumoral TAMs, which seem to be associated with disease progression. Cell‐cell interactions between protumoral TAMs and lymphoma or leukemia cells may play an important role in lymphoma or leukemia microenvironments. Although detailed molecular mechanisms of these cell‐cell interactions have not yet been clarified, phenotypic characterization of TAMs is thought to be a useful approach for evaluating clinical prognosis. In addition, targeting TAMs may be a new strategy for treating malignant hematological diseases.
Recent advances in histogenesis research of lung neuroendocrine cancers: Evidence obtained from functional analyses of primitive neural/neuroendocrine cell‐specific transcription factors
Authors: Yazawa Takuya
Published: February 2015

Small cell carcinoma (SmCC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LENEC) are categorized as neuroendocrine cancers (NECs) of the lung and have extremely poor prognoses. The lack of an effective therapeutic strategy against SmCC and LCNEC is a serious issue. Because the regulation of the cellular phenotype is complicated by the actions of various transcription factors, investigations into the function of neural/neuroendocrine cell‐specific transcription factors are important for elucidating the cellular characteristics and histogenesis of SmCC and LCNEC and for establishing innovative therapeutic strategies against them. In this review, the functions of ASCL1, NeuroD1, REST, TTF1, and class III/IV POU, that are specifically and highly expressed in lung NECs, are introduced. These transcription factors transactivate and/or transrepress various genes and are involved in neural progenitor phenotyping, neuroendocrine and stem cell marker expression, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. Based on the evidence that certain carcinoids express ASCL1, NeuroD1, TTF1, and class III/IV POU and that lung NECs can develop from non‐NE cells/non‐NEC cells, the relationships among lung NECs, carcinoid tumors, and non‐NECs are discussed. Finally, a model of the histogenesis of lung NECs in view of similarities in the expression of primitive neural/neuroendocrine cell‐specific transcription factors is proposed.
Prediction of Passive Maintenance Opportunity Windows on Bottleneck Machines in Complex Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Gu Xi , Jin Xiaoning , Ni Jun
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we investigate hidden opportunities for performing proper maintenance tasks during production time without causing production losses. One of the maintenance opportunities on a machine is when the machine is starved or blocked due to the occurrence of random failures on its upstream or downstream machines. Such failure-induced starvation or blockage time is defined as a passive maintenance opportunity window (PMOW), and is predicted on the bottleneck machines in manufacturing systems with different configurations. The effectiveness of the PMOW prediction algorithm is validated through case studies in both simulations and an automotive assembly plant.
A Novel Intranasal Spray Device for the Administration of Nanoparticles to Rodents
Authors: Piazza Justin E. , Zhu Chao , Ravi Selvaganapathy P. , R. Hoare Todd , Jain Saransh B. , Hossain Farhat , Mishra Ram K.
Published: February 2015

Experimental intranasal (IN) delivery of nanoparticle (NP) drug carriers is typically performed using a pipette with or without anesthesia, a technique that may be a poor simulation of practical IN administration of drug-loaded NPs in humans. Existing IN spray devices suffer from drawbacks in terms of variability in dose-control and spray duration as well as the application of nonuniform pressure fields when a NP-formulated drug is aerosolized. Furthermore, existing spray devices require large volumes that may not be available or may be prohibitively expensive to prepare. In response, we have developed a novel pneumatically driven IN spray device for the administration of NPs, which is capable of administering extremely small quantities (50–100 μl) of NP suspension in a fine spray that disperses the NPs uniformly onto the tissue. This device was validated using haloperidol-loaded Solanum tuberosum lectin (STL)-functionalized, poly(ethylene glycol)–block-poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG–PLGA) NPs targeted for delivery to the brain for schizophrenia treatment. A pneumatic pressure of 100 kPa was found to be optimal to produce a spray that effectively aerosolizes NP suspensions and delivers them evenly to the olfactory epithelium. IN administration of STL-functionalized NPs using the IN spray device increased brain tissue haloperidol concentrations by a factor of 1.2–1.5× compared to STL-functionalized NPs administered IN with a pipette. Such improved delivery enables the use of lower drug doses and thus offers both fewer local side-effects and lower costs without compromising therapeutic efficacy.
Thermomechanical Fatigue of Mar-M247: Extension of a Unified Constitutive and Life Model to Higher Temperatures
Authors: Brindley K. A. , Kirka M. M. , Fernandez-Zelaia P. , Neu R. W.
Published: February 2015

The predictive capability of the Sehitoglu–Boismier unified constitutive and life model for Mar-M247 Ni-base superalloy is extended from a maximum temperature of 871 °C to 1038 °C. The unified constitutive model suitable for thermomechanical loading is adapted and calibrated using the response from isothermal cyclic experiments conducted at temperatures from 500 °C to 1038 °C at different strain rates with and without dwells. The flow rule function and parameters as well as the temperature dependence of the evolution equation for kinematic hardening are established. Creep and stress relaxation are critical to capture in this elevated temperature regime. The coarse-grained polycrystalline microstructure exhibits a high variability in the predicted cyclic response due to the variation in the elastic response associated with the orientation of the crystallographic grains. The life model accounts for fatigue, creep, and environmental damage under both isothermal and thermomechanical fatigue (TMF).
Development of Novel Self-Healing Polymer Composites for Use in Wind Turbine Blades
Authors: Koralagundi Matt Arun Kumar , Strong Shawn , ElGammal Tarek , Amano Ryoichi S.
Published: February 2015

Wind turbine blades undergo fatigue and their performance depletes as time progresses due to the formation of internal cracks. Self-healing in polymers is a unique characteristic used to heal the cracks inherently as they form. In this study, a new method is demonstrated for supplying the monomer (that is quintessential for the healing process) uniformly throughout a fiber reinforced polymer composite. Commercial tubes were used to produce a vascular network for increased accessibility of the healing agent. The tube layouts were varied and their effect on the composite structure was observed. Conventional glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMC) without microtubing were tested using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to study the flexural visco–elastic behavior. The vascular network arrangement coupled with DMA data can be used to uniformly supply appropriate amount of healing agent to implement Self-healing in fiber reinforced PMC.
Blunting of Exercise-Induced Salivary Testosterone in Elite-Level Triathletes With a 10-Day Training Camp
Authors: Hough John , Robertson Caroline , Gleeson Michael
Published: February 2015

Purpose:

This study examined the influence of 10 days of intensified training on salivary cortisol and testosterone responses to 30-min, high-intensity cycling (55/80) in a group of male elite triathletes.

Methods:

Seven elite male triathletes (age 19 ± 1 y, V̇O2max 67.6 ± 4.5 mL · kg–1 · min–1) completed the study. Swim distances increased by 45%. Running and cycling training hours increased by 25% and 229%, respectively. REST-Q questionnaires assessed mood status before, during, and after the training period. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected before, after, and 30 min after a continuous, high-intensity exercise test. Salivary cortisol and testosterone concentrations were assessed.

Results:

Compared with pretraining, blunted exercise-induced salivary testosterone responses to the posttraining 55/80 were found (P = .004). The absolute response of salivary testosterone concentrations to the 55/80 decreased pretraining to posttraining from 114% to 85%. No changes were found in exercise-induced salivary cortisol concentration responses to the 55/80. REST-Q scores indicated no changes in the participants’ psychological stress–recovery levels over the training camp.

Conclusions:

The blunted exercise-induced salivary testosterone is likely due to decreased testicular testosterone production and/or secretion, possibly attributable to hypothalamic dysfunction or reduced testicular blood flow. REST-Q scores suggest that the triathletes coped well with training-load elevations, which could account for the finding of no change in the exercise-induced salivary cortisol concentration. Overall, these findings suggest that the 55/80 can detect altered exercise-induced salivary testosterone concentrations in an elite athletic population due to increased training stress. However, this alteration occurs independently of a perceived elevation of training stress.
Analysis of the Relative Age Effect in Elite Youth Judo Athletes
Authors: Fukuda David H.
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate relative age effects (RAEs) in elite youth judo athletes from different chronological age groups, between sexes, and across weight categories. Data from 1542 place winners of the cadet (under 17 y, 2009-2013) and junior judo world championships (under 20/21 y, 1990-2013) were separated by birth month into quarters (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4). The observed values were compared with expected annual age distributions using χ2 analyses, and odd ratios (OR) were used to evaluate effect sizes between quarters. The observed frequency of place winners was significantly different from the expected frequency for the age-group and sex comparisons and all body-mass groups (P < .05) with the exception of the extra-light categories (P = .572). When comparing Q1 with Q4 (OR, 95% confidence interval), small effect sizes were observed for cadets (1.72, 1.12-2.66), juniors (1.54, 1.23-1.94), males (1.75, 1.32-2.33), females (1.39, 1.03-1.87), and the light- (1.79, 1.21-2.64) and middle-weight (1.80, 1.20-2.70) categories. RAEs are apparent in cadet and junior judo athletes. Thus, coaches and administrators should consider the potential for physical and/or competitive advantages while adopting strategies that encourage long-term participation in youth judo athletes.
Characteristics of groundwater seepage with cut-off wall in gravel aquifer. II: Numerical analysis
Authors: Wu Yong-Xia , Shen Shui-Long , Yin Zhen-Yu , Xu Ye-Shuang
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a numerical investigation into the leakage behavior of cut-off walls in gravel strata due to dewatering in a deep excavation pit. The calculated values of the groundwater head and surface settlement using a model agree well with the measured values. Values of the hydraulic conductivity (k) and storage coefficient (Ss) of each soil layer are obtained from the test results when the cut-off wall is 43 m deep. The leakage through the cut-off wall in gravel is analyzed by considering a variation in hydraulic conductivity in different sections of the cut-off wall. The simulated results show that a significant leakage occurred in the 54 m deep cut-off wall. Although leakage did occur in the full cut-off wall in the confined aquifer, the full cut-off wall is still more efficient in preventing groundwater seepage than the partial cut-off wall. The relative depths of the cut-off wall and of the wells have a significant effect on ground surface settlement during the withdrawal of groundwater. Therefore, the appropriate selection of relative depth of both cut-off wall and pumping well is an effective way of controlling surface settlement outside the pit.
Convergence of ℓ2/3 Regularization for Sparse Signal Recovery
Authors: Liu Lu , Chen Di-Rong
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we consider the problem of finding the sparsest solution to underdetermined linear systems. Unlike the literatures which use the ℓ1 regularization to approximate the original problem, we consider the ℓ2/3 regularization which leads to a better approximation but a nonconvex, nonsmooth, and non-Lipschitz optimization problem. Through developing a fixed point representation theory associated with the two thirds thresholding operator for ℓ2/3 regularization solutions, we propose a fixed point iterative thresholding algorithm based on two thirds norm for solving the k-sparsity problems. Relying on the restricted isometry property, we provide subsequentional convergence guarantee for this fixed point iterative thresholding algorithm on recovering a sparse signal. By discussing the preferred regularization parameters and studying the phase diagram, we get an adequate and efficient algorithm for the high-dimensional sparse signal recovery. Finally, comparing with the existing algorithms, such as the standard ℓ1 minimization, the iterative reweighted ℓ2 minimization, the iterative reweighted ℓ1 minimization, and iterative Half thresholding algorithm, we display the results of the experiment which indicate that the two thirds norm fixed point iterative thresholding algorithm applied to sparse signal recovery and large scale imageries from noisy measurements can be accepted as an effective solver for ℓ2/3 regularization.
Online Preemptive Hierarchical Scheduling on Two Uniform Machines with Rejection
Authors: Min Xiao , Liu Jing , Dong Yanxia , Jiang Ming
Published: February 2015

This paper studies the online hierarchical scheduling problem on two uniform machines with rejection. Two uniform machines M1, M2run at the speeds of s ∈ (0, +∞), 1 separately; and they are provided with different capabilities. Each machine has a certain GOS level 1 or 2 and every job is also associated with a hierarchy 1 or 2. The job can only be assigned to the machine whose GOS level does not exceed the job's hierarchy. Preemption is permitted but idle is not introduced. Jobs come one by one over list. When a job arrives, it can be accepted and scheduled on some machine or rejected by paying its penalty. The objective is to minimize the sum of makespan yielded by accepted jobs and total penalties of all rejected jobs. For this problem, we propose a family of several online algorithms according to the range of s and the related lower bound is also obtained. These algorithms achieve optimal competitive ratio when s ∈ (0, 1) ∪ [1.618, +∞), but have a small gap between upper bound and lower bound in interval [1, 1.618).
A Low Standby Power Primary-Side Regulated Flyback Controller with Fast Dynamic Response
Authors: Wu Qiang , Li Yongyuan , Guo Wei , Zhu Zhangming
Published: February 2015

Primary-side regulated (PSR) flyback controller has been widely used in low power charger applications for its simple structure, low cost, good electrical isolation and compact volume. However, limited by traditional primary-side sensing technology, PSR flyback controller suffers from poor dynamic response. A low standby power PSR flyback controller with fast dynamic response has been presented, and novel feedback comparison and sampler combo controlling circuit has been presented in the paper. An offline PSR controller containing the proposed speedup circuit and driving directly power bipolar junction transistor (BJT) was fabricated in Episil 1.0 μm 40 V/5 V EPI-HVCMOS process. Measured result shows that, in the entire universal input-voltage range (90 Vac–264 Vac) and 5 V 1.0 A output power, the proposed PSR controller achieves standby power less than 22 mW and average efficiency line end with 20 AWG 1.5 m up to 78%. The output voltage of the proposed PSR controller becomes stable within 3.3 ms when load current changes abruptly from 0 to 1 A and from 1 A to 0.
Anisotropic flow and jet quenching in relativistic nuclear collisions
Authors: Qin Guang-You
Published: February 2015

The exploration of the strong-interaction matter under extreme conditions is one of the main goals of relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We provide some of the main results on the novel properties of quark-gluon plasma, with particular focus given to the strong collectivity and the color opaqueness exhibited by such hot and dense matter produced in high-energy nuclear collisions at RHIC and the LHC.
Fuzzy Self-Tuning PID Control of the Main Drive System for Four-High Hot Rolling Mill
Authors: Fan Liping , Liu Yi
Published: February 2015

The main drive system used for four-high mill is usually a double closed-loop DC motor speed regulating system. Generally, the speed controller and current controller are proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers. The parameters of these controllers are usually determined by the engineering design method and are constant in the whole process. So the controllers can give good control effect in the rated operating condition. Once disturbance occurs, the control effects are often just passable. In this paper, fuzzy logic is used to adjust the parameters of the speed PID controller to improve the disturbance rejection ability. Simulation results show that the fuzzy tuning PID controller can give better control effect than the regular designed PID control.
Electron-Ion Collider — Taking us to the Next QCD Frontier
Authors: Qiu Jian-Wei
Published: February 2015

In this talk, I demonstrate that the proposed Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) will be an ideal and unique future facility to address many overarching questions about QCD and strong interaction physics at one place. The EIC will be the world's first polarized electron-proton (and light ion), as well as the first electron-nucleus collider at flexible collision energies. With its high luminosity and beam polarization, the EIC distinguishes itself from HERA and the other fixed target electron-hadron facilities around the world. The EIC is capable of taking us to the next QCD frontier to explore the glue that binds us all.
Predictions for Transverse-Momentum Dependence in Electron-Positron Annihilation
Authors: Bacchetta Alessandro , García-Echevarría Miguel , Radici Marco , Signori Andrea
Published: February 2015

We calculate the transverse momentum dependence of back-to-back production of one hadron and one jet in electron-positron annihilation, i.e., e+e- → h jet X, at Q2 = 100 GeV2. We use the parameters of the transverse-momentum-dependent (TMD) fragmentation functions we recently extracted from HERMES data at 2.4 GeV2. We apply TMD evolution according to two different approaches and using different parameters for the so-called nonperturbative part of TMD evolution. We discuss the differences in our predictions and how experimental measurements could discriminate between different implementations of TMD evolution and different choices of nonperturbative parameters.
TMD Evolution for Collins Asymmetries in e+e- Annihilation and SIDIS
Authors: Kang Zhong-Bo , Prokudin Alexei , Sun Peng , Yuan Feng
Published: February 2015

In this talk, we present our recent work about QCD evolution effect on the transverse momentum dependent(TMD) observables for collins asymmetries in e+e- annihilation to di-hadron and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering(SIDIS) processes, by taking into account TMD evolution effect is studied under CSS formalism. Our result shows the evolution effect will bring a significant correction to TMD distributions extracted form experiment data.
A New Approach to Piecewise Linear Wilson Lines
Authors: Van der Veken Frederik F.
Published: February 2015

Wilson lines are key objects in many QCD calculations. They are parallel transporters of the gauge field that can be used to render non-local operator products gauge invariant, which is especially useful for calculations concerning validation of factorization schemes and in calculations for constructing or modelling parton density functions. We develop an algorithm to express Wilson lines that are defined on piecewise linear paths in function of their Wilson segments, reducing the number of diagrams needed to be calculated. We show how different linear path topologies can be related using their color structure. This framework allows one to easily switch results between different Wilson line structures, which is helpful when testing different structures against each other, e.g. when checking universality properties of non-perturbative objects.
Transverse Momentum Dependent Gluon Distributions at the LHC
Authors: Pisano Cristian
Published: February 2015

Linearly polarized gluons inside an unpolarized proton contribute to the transverse momentum distributions of (pseudo)scalar particles produced in hadronic collisions, such as Higgs bosons and quarkonia with even charge conjugation (ηc, ηb, χc0, χb0). Moreover, they can produce azimuthal asymmetries in the associated production of a photon and a J/ψ or a Υ particle, in a kinematic configuration in which they are almost back to back. These observables, which can be measured in the running experiments at the LHC, could lead to a first extraction of both the polarized and the unpolarized gluon distributions and allow for a study of their process and energy scale dependences.
Sivers Function in the Quasi-Classical Approximation
Authors: Sievert Matthew D.
Published: February 2015

In this brief article we summarize the derivation of the Sivers function of a heavy nucleus, which we obtain by generalizing the quasi-classical McLerran-Venugopalan model to incorporate the role of spin and orbital angular momentum. In doing so we obtain a new channel which is capable of generating the Sivers function of the nucleus from the orbital motion of its nucleons. An essential role is played in this channel by the multiple rescatterings on spectator nucleons which screen the distribution function during the initial- or final-state interactions. The combination of orbital angular momentum together with multiple rescattering yields a new interpretation of the sign flip relation between the Sivers function measured in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering and the Drell-Yan process.
Transverse Single-Spin Asymmetries in Proton-Proton Collisions Within Collinear Factorization
Authors: Pitonyak Daniel , Kanazawa Koichi , Koike Yuji , Metz Andreas
Published: February 2015

We provide a new analysis within collinear factorization of transverse single-spin asymmetries (TSSAs) in high transverse momentum charged and neutral pion production in pp collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). This study incorporates the so-called twist-3 fragmentation term and shows that one can describe RHIC data through this mechanism. Moreover, by fixing other non-perturbative inputs through extractions of transverse momentum dependent functions in e+e- → h1h2X and semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS), we provide for the first time a consistency between certain spin/azimuthal asymmetries in all three reactions (i.e., pp, e+e-, and SIDIS).
The Boer-Mulders Transverse Momentum Distribution in the Pion and its Evolution in Lattice QCD
Authors: Engelhardt M. , Musch B. , Hägler P. , Schäfer A. , Negele J.
Published: February 2015

Starting from a definition of transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions (TMDs) in terms of hadronic matrix elements of a quark bilocal operator containing a staple-shaped gauge link, selected TMD observables can be evaluated within Lattice QCD. A TMD ratio describing the Boer-Mulders effect in the pion is investigated, with a particular emphasis on its evolution as a function of a Collins-Soper-type parameter which quantifies the proximity of the staple-shaped gauge links to the light cone.
Generalized TMDs
Authors: Kanazawa Koichi , Lorcé Cedric , Metz Andreas , Pasquini Barbara , Schlegel Marc
Published: February 2015

Generalized transverse-momentum dependent parton distributions (GTMDs) encode the most general parton structure of hadrons. In this contribution, which is largely based on a recent publication,1 we focus on two twist-2 GTMDs which are denoted by F1,4 and G1,1 in parts of the literature. As already shown previously, both GTMDs have a close relation to orbital angular momentum of partons inside a hadron. However, recently even the mere existence of F1,4 and G1,1 has been doubted. We explain why this claim does not hold. We support our model-independent considerations by calculating the GTMDs in two spectator models and in perturbative QCD. For the model results we also explicitly check the relation to the orbital angular momentum of partons inside hadrons.
Scale Evolution of Double Parton Correlations
Authors: Kasemets Tomas
Published: February 2015

We review the effect of scale evolution on a number of different correlations in double parton scattering (DPS). The strength of the correlations generally decreases with the scale but at a rate which greatly varies between different types. Through studies of the evolution, an understanding of which correlations can be of experimental relevance in different processes and kinematical regions is obtained.
QCD Evolution Equations from Conformal Symmetry
Authors: Braun V. M. , Manashov A. N.
Published: February 2015

QCD evolution equations in MS-like schemes can be recovered from the same equations in a modified theory, QCD in non-integer d = 4 - 2ϵ dimensions, which enjoys exact scale and conformal invariance at the critical point. Restrictions imposed by the conformal symmetry of the modified theory allow one to obtain complete evolution kernels in integer (physical) dimensions at the given order of perturbation theory from the spectrum of anomalous dimensions added by the calculation of the special conformal anomaly at one order less. We use this technique to derive two-loop evolution equations for flavor-nonsinglet quark-antiquark light-ray operators that encode the scale dependence of generalized hadron parton distributions.
Evolution of Gluon TMD at Low and Moderate x
Authors: Balitsky I. , Tarasov A.
Published: February 2015

We study how the rapidity evolution of gluon transverse momentum dependent distribution changes from nonlinear evolution at small x ≪ 1 to linear double-logarithmic evolution at moderate x ~ 1.