bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Longitudinal Analysis of GIS Entries and Exits
Authors: Finnie Ross , Gray David , Zhang Yan
Published: August 2016

We focus on one particular pillar of the public retirement income network in Canada, namely, receipt outcomes of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) regime. This empirical analysis is carried out in a dynamic framework. We address the extent to which individuals enter the state of GIS receipt at various ages as well as the extent to which individuals who receive GIS benefits at the earliest age of eligibility subsequently exit the regime. We first measure these transition rates, and then we focus our analysis primarily on the impact of three attributes of recipients: changes in marital status, entry cohort, and current age. The econometric equations include simple transition models of both entries and exits, as well as hazard models of the probability of exit. Among our many empirical findings is a non-trivial incidence of delayed entry into the regime as well as exit from the regime conditional on prior receipt of benefits. Women who transit from married to single status are more likely to enter, but the opposite finding is discerned for men. The hazard model for the risk of exiting the GIS regime conditioned on the duration of the ongoing spell of receipt reveals a sharp pattern of negative duration dependence.
Henry Bial, Playing God: The Bible on the Broadway Stage
Authors: Kastleman Rebecca
Published: August 2016

Playing God is an engaging and resonant work of scholarship, one that makes a significant contribution to theories of adaptation and enriches critical conversations on theatre and religion by extending them to the profane space of the commercial theatre.
Miriam Haughton and Mária Kurdi, eds., Radical Contemporary Theatre Practices by Women in Ireland
Authors: Mannion Elizabeth
Published: August 2016

This collection documents the work of leading contemporary Irish women theatre makers. Attention is paid to the literary, but set design, movement, direction, technology, and costume are given equal weight. Such generous distribution of analysis is an asset to students and scholars of Irish theatre studies.
Daniel Sack, After Live: Possibility, Potentiality, and the Future of Performance
Authors: Parker-Starbuck Jennifer
Published: August 2016

After Life draws from theatre, art, and literature to argue for theatre and performance that reach beyond the teleological structures of possibility. The book develops a notion of potentiality that keeps open a state of the unknown, something Sack argues the theatre is uniquely placed to do.
Mark B. Sandberg, Ibsen’s Houses: Architectural Metaphor and the Modern Uncanny
Authors: Eltis Sos
Published: August 2016

Mark B. Sandberg’s Ibsen’s Houses: Architectural Metaphor and the Modern Uncanny reveals the ubiquity and complexity of architectural imagery in Ibsen’s dramatic works.
Qualification of coupled 3D neutron kinetic/thermal hydraulic code systems by the calculation of a VVER-440 benchmark – re-connection of an isolated loop
Authors: Kotsarev A. , Lizorkin M. , Benčík M. , Hádek J. , Kozmenkov Y. , Kliem S.
Published: August 2016

The 7th AER dynamic benchmark is a continuation of the efforts to validate the codes systematically for the estimation of the transient behavior of VVER type nuclear power plants. The main part of the benchmark is the simulation of the re-connection of an isolated circulation loop with low temperature in a VVER-440 plant. This benchmark was calculated by the National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute” (with the code ATHLET/BIPR-VVER), ÚJV Řež (with the code RELAP5-3D©) and HZDR (with the code DYN3D/ATHLET). The paper gives an overview of the behavior of the main thermal hydraulic and neutron kinetic parameters in the provided solutions.
Coupled code analysis of uncertainty and sensitivity of Kalinin-3 benchmark
Authors: Pasichnyk I. , Nikonov S. , Zwermann W. , Velkov K.
Published: August 2016

An uncertainty and sensitivity analysis is performed for the OECD/NEA coolant transient Benchmark (K-3) on measured data at Kalinin-3 Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). A switch off of one main coolant pump (MCP) at nominal reactor power is calculated using a coupled thermohydraulic and neutron-kinetic ATHLET-PARCS code. The objectives are to study uncertainty of total reactor power and to identify the main sources of reactor power uncertainty. The GRS uncertainty and sensitivity software package XSUSA is applied to propagate uncertainties in nuclear data libraries to the full core coupled transient calculations. A set of most important thermal-hydraulic parameters of the primary circuit is identified and a total of 23 thermohydraulic parameters are statistically varied using GRS code SUSA. The ATHLET model contains also a balance-of-plant (BOP) model which is simulated using ATHLET GCSM module. In particular the operation of the main steam generator regulators is modelled in detail. A set of 200 varied coupled ATHLET-PARCS calculations is analyzed. The results obtained show a clustering effect in the behavior of global reactor parameters. It is found that the GCSM system together with varied input parameters strongly influence the overall nuclear power plant behavior and can even lead to a new scenario. Possible reasons of the clustering effect are discussed in the paper. This work is a step forward in establishing a “best-estimate calculations in combination with performing uncertainty analysis” methodology for coupled full core calculations.
Effect of height of feet on trunk muscle activity and pelvic tilt angle during prone bridge exercises
Authors: Park Se-Yeon , Yoo Won-Gyu
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND:

The prone bridge is one of core stability exercises, which is important to maintain pelvic position as neutral. Elevated feet position is simple way to increase the external load, but have not been investigated the effect for muscle activity and pelvic position.

OBJECTIVE:

Present study is to investigate the effect of feet height on muscle activity and pelvic tilt angle during the prone bridge exercise.

METHOD:

Surface electromyographic responses of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, serratus anterior, and pelvic anterior tilt angles were investigated during the prone bridge exercise with step boxes of different heights under the feet. A total of 18 healthy, physically active female volunteers completed the normal prone bridge exercise (NP), prone bridge exercise with a low step box (PL), and prone bridge exercise with a high step box (PH).

RESULTS:

The PL condition caused significant increases in the activity of the internal oblique muscles compared with the NP condition (P < 0.05). PL and PH, which used step boxes, showed significantly greater activation in the serratus anterior compared to the NP (P < 0.05). The pelvic anterior tilt angle during PH was significantly greater than that during PL or NP (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The high step box increased the pelvic anterior tilt angle with no additional abdominal muscle activity. The prone bridge exercise could be effective by adopting horizontal position between upper and lower body, compared to inclined lower body and general position.
Differential effects of ankle position on isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength gains during strength training
Authors: Kim Kyoung , Cha Yong-Jun , Fell Dennis W.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the influence of two different active ankle positions during training on the strengths of knee extensors and flexors.

METHODS:

A sample of 21 healthy adults was randomized into ankle dorsiflexion (AD, N= 11) and ankle plantarflexion (AP, N= 10) training groups. Subjects were trained isokinetically and concentrically in knee extension and flexion under these two actively fixed, contracted ankle conditions, four times a week for three weeks.

RESULTS:

AD group showed significant strength improvements in both peak moment and total work. These improvements were also higher significantly, between 29-59% compared to those gained by AP group.

CONCLUSION:

Active ankle dorsiflexion during concentric isokinetic knee strength training may be more efficient for improving knee extensors and flexors strength than a plantarflexed position.
Upper body muscle activation during low-versus high-load resistance exercise in the bench press
Authors: Schoenfeld Brad J. , Contreras Bret , Vigotsky Andrew D. , Ogborn Dan , Fontana Fabio , Tiryaki-Sonmez Gul
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to compare activation of the upper body musculature during the barbell bench press at varying training intensities.

METHODS:

Twelve young, resistance-trained men performed sets of the bench press to momentary muscular failure with two different loads: a high-load(HIGH) set at 80% of 1RM and a low-load (LOW) set at 50% 1RM. Exercise order was counterbalanced so that half the subjects performed the LOW condition first and the other half performed the HIGH first. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess mean, peak, and iEMG muscle activation of the anterior deltoid, triceps brachii, and sternal and clavicular heads of the pectoralis major.

RESULTS:

The main effects for trials were significant for mean EMG (p < 0.001) and iEMG matched (p < 0.001) favoring HIGH and iEMG total favoring LOW(p = 0.001) across all muscle groups in both conditions with varying effect sizes. All other main effects and interactions were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:

Despite similarities in peak EMG amplitude, the greater results for mean and iEMG matched in HIGH suggests that heavier loads may produce greater muscle activation.
Shoulder sensorimotor control in overhead athletes: A pilot study
Authors: Edouard Pascal , Lardy Guillaume , Damotte Alexandre , Gasq David
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND:

Variations in both afferent proprioceptive information and efferent motor responses of the shoulder have been separately reported in overhead athletes.

OBJECTIVES:

We used a validated force platform method to examine shoulder sensorimotor control adaptation to overhead sports by analysing the change in Center of Pressure (CoP) in overhead athletes compared to control subjects.

METHODS:

Thirty healthy subjects were divided into four groups: squash players (SG), javelin throwers (JG) and two representative matched control groups of nonathletic healthy subjects, respectively. CoP displacements were measured by a force platform in the upper limb weight-bearing position with the lower limbs resting on a table up to the anterior superior iliac spines.

RESULTS:

There were significant side-to-side differences for SG(P< 0.05); while not for JG and control groups. There were higher stabilometric values on the dominant side for SG and JG than their respective controls (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

These preliminary results suggest that the thrower's shoulder variations could include and/or induce a deficiency in shoulder sensorimotor control of the throwing side.
Three-month endurance training improves functional fitness and knee muscle performance of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD)
Authors: Dziubek Wioletta , Bulińska Katarzyna , Rogowski Ƚukasz , Kusztal Mariusz , Zembroń-Ƚacny Agnieszka , Goƚȩbiowski Tomasz , Markowska Dominika , Klinger Marian , Woźniewski Marek
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND:

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have poor physical performance and reduced exercise capacity due to frequent haemodialysis treatments.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a three-month endurance training programme in patients with ESRD.

METHODS:

In order to improve both functional fitness and skeletal muscle properties, movement therapy-cycle ergometer, was applied in eligible ESRD patients during dialysis. The study included 40 dialysis patients, but only 27 patients completed the full three-month training during each haemodialysis treatment. Before and after training, all patients underwent observations according to the established protocol: functional capacity - Six-Min Walk Test, agility - Timed Up and Go test, and muscle strength testing under isokinetic conditions at 60, 180 and 300°/s.

RESULTS:

Patients covered significantly longer distances in the 6MWT with a higher gait intensity after the 3 months training programme: the 6MWT increased from 360.8 to 390.2 m and metabolic equivalent from 2.74 to 2.85. The TUG significantly decreased in both women and men: from 9.07 to 7.51 s, and from 9.64 s to 7.4 s, respectively. The knee extension peak moment at 60 and 180°/s was significantly higher in women than in men following training. In addition, the women demonstrated more significant changes in flexor muscles at all angular velocities.

CONCLUSIONS:

Three-month endurance training was effective in patients with ESRD in improving both functional fitness and skeletal muscle properties.
Numerical investigation for transient electromagnetic force computation of power transformer during short-circuit condition
Authors: Ahn Hyun-Mo , Kim Seong-Yun , Kim Joong-Kyoung , Oh Yeon-Ho , Hahn Sung-Chin
Published: August 2016

A power transformer has complex geometry comparing with other electric machines. So it needs a lot of computing time when we deal with the transient problem such as short-circuit characteristics of a power transformer. In this paper, we proposed an efficient numerical technique to compute transient electromagnetic force of a power transformer during three-phase short-circuit condition. In order to analyze the transient electromagnetic force acting on every disk of transformer windings, we made a simplified axi-symmetric model. First, the transient short-circuit current is calculated by using a short-circuit equation. Next, the transient short-circuit electromagnetic force due to the short-circuit current is computed by finite element method with a simplified axi-symmetric model. The proposed numerical technique is expected to be useful in the short-circuit duty design and structure design of the power transformers.
Evaluation of fatigue damage induced by pulsating tension stress and plane bending stress using the remnant magnetization method
Authors: Oka Mohachiro , Sato Yuki , Yakushiji Terutoshi , Enokizono Masato
Published: August 2016

It is well-known that the fatigue process is different depending on various kinds of applied stresses. To prevent accidents caused by material degradation such as fatigue, it is important to know the difference between causes of the fatigue process, such as pulsating tension stress as opposed to plane bending stress. The relationship between fatigue damage and remnant magnetization has been extensively researched using a thin-film flux-gate (FG) magnetic sensor for semi-stable austenitic stainless steel (SUS304 or ANSI304). Therefore, in this paper, the difference between the fatigue processes by pulsating tension fatigue and plane bending fatigue was investigated using the remnant magnetization method with a specimen made of SUS304. The remnant magnetization method with the FG magnetic sensor was non-destructively able to clarify the difference between the fatigue processes of SUS304 and the applied stress.
Evaluation of chill structure in ductile cast iron by incremental permeability method
Authors: Matsumoto Takanori , Uchimoto Tetsuya , Takagi Toshiyuki , Vertesy Gabor
Published: August 2016

This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the chill structure in ductile cast iron using the incremental permeability method, focusing on the dependence of chill structure on magnetic properties. The relationship between some parameters of the incremental permeability method and the micro-structure of the matrix (ferrite, pearlite, chill) is discussed. As a result, each area fraction of ferrite, pearlite, and chill can be evaluated by multi-parameter analysis. Then, the hardness of the cast iron samples is estimated based on the discussed incremental permeability parameters.
Effect of core and magnetoplated wire on energy harvesting using leakage flux recovery coil
Authors: Yamamoto Tatsuya , Bu Yinggang , Mizuno Tsutomu
Published: August 2016

Magnetic flux in the environment can be converted to electric power using a coil. However, to date, the power recovered has been miniscule because of increases in the AC resistance of the coil. This paper reports an investigation of the role of the core in the impedance of the coil, and the output power of the energy harvesting circuit of the leakage magnetic flux recovery coil. The use of a magnetoplated wire with a ferrite core in an energy harvesting circuit resulted in an increase in power of 29.3% to give 6.53 mW at 150 kHz in a uniform magnetic flux density of 27 mT.
Cysteine Supplementation May be Beneficial in a Subgroup of Mitochondrial Translation Deficiencies
Authors: Bartsakoulia Marina , Mϋller Juliane S. , Gomez-Duran Aurora , Yu-Wai-Man Patrick , Boczonadi Veronika , Horvath Rita
Published: August 2016

Background: Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies are severe, relentlessly progressive conditions and there are very few effective therapies available to date. We have previously suggested that in two rare forms of reversible mitochondrial disease (reversible infantile respiratory chain deficiency and reversible infantile hepatopathy) supplementation with L-cysteine can improve mitochondrial protein synthesis, since cysteine is required for the 2-thiomodification of mitochondrial tRNAs.

Objectives: We studied whether supplementation with L-cysteine or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) results in any improvement of the mitochondrial function in vitro in fibroblasts of patients with different genetic forms of abnormal mitochondrial translation.

Methods: We studied in vitro in fibroblasts of patients carrying the common m.3243A>G and m.8344A>G mutations or autosomal recessive mutations in genes affecting mitochondrial translation, whether L-cysteine or N-acetyl-cysteine supplementation have an effect on mitochondrial respiratory chain function.

Results: Here we show that supplementation with L-cysteine, but not with N-acetyl-cysteine partially rescues the mitochondrial translation defect in vitro in fibroblasts of patients carrying the m.3243A>G and m.8344A>G mutations. In contrast, N-acetyl-cysteine had a beneficial effect on mitochondrial translation in TRMU and MTO1 deficient fibroblasts.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that L-cysteine or N-acetyl-cysteine supplementation may be a potential treatment for selected subgroups of patients with mitochondrial translation deficiencies. Further studies are needed to explore the full potential of cysteine supplementation as a treatment for patients with mitochondrial disease.
Ventilatory Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Baille Guillaume , De Jesus Anna Maria , Perez Thierry , Devos David , Dujardin Kathy , Charley Christelle Monaca , Defebvre Luc , Moreau Caroline
Published: August 2016

In contrast to some other neurodegenerative diseases, little is known about ventilatory dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease (PD). To assess the spectrum of ventilation disorders in PD, we searched for and reviewed studies of dyspnea, lung volumes, respiratory muscle function, sleep breathing disorders and the response to hypoxemia in PD. Among the studies, we identified some limitations: (i) small study populations (mainly composed of patients with advanced PD), (ii) the absence of long-term follow-up and (iii) the absence of functional evaluations under “off-drug” conditions. Although there are many reports of abnormal spirometry data in PD (mainly related to impairment of the inspiratory muscles), little is known about hypoventilation in PD. We conclude that ventilatory dysfunction in PD has been poorly studied and little is known about its frequency and clinical relevance. Hence, there is a need to characterize the different phenotypes of ventilation disorders in PD, study their relationships with disease progression and assess their prognostic value.
Functional Status of Elderly Nursing Home Residents With Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Chekani Farid , Bali Vishal , Aparasu Rajender R.
Published: August 2016

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder that has a significant impact on activities of daily living (ADL). Limited data exists regarding the functional status of nursing home residents with PD.

Objective: The study examined the nature, extent, and predictors of limitation of ADL in patients with PD residing in nursing homes.

Methods: This study used cross-sectional design involving data from the National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS). The dependent variable was the total number of ADL for which the patient needed assistance. Assistance for ADL comprised of five items of transferring, dressing, eating, toileting and bathing. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the individual, biological and environmental factors associated with assistance needed for ADL.

Results: The nationally representative study sample was of 98,093 nursing home residents with PD for an overall prevalence of 6.57%. The mean age of the study sample was 81.03±0.34 years. Mood symptoms (45%), behavioral symptoms (24%)and dementia (8%) were common among PD patients. Assistance needed for each ADL ranged from 68.24% for eating to 99.25% for bathing. Older age, being married, living in metropolitan statistical area (MSA), living in other place prior to admission, and presence of mood symptoms were positively related to assistance for ADL. Presence of behavioral symptoms and use of levodopa combination therapy were negatively related to assistance for ADL.

Conclusions: Majority of the nursing home residents with PD had disability in all the five items of ADL. Various individual, environmental and biological factors were associated with ADL in nursing home residents with PD.
Reduction of Immunoreactivity Against the C-Terminal Region of the Intracellular α-Synuclein by Exogenous α-Synuclein Aggregates: Possibility of Conformational Changes
Authors: Izumi Yasuhiko , Kondo Naoto , Takahashi Ryosuke , Akaike Akinori , Kume Toshiaki
Published: August 2016

Background: The formation of intracellular aggregates containing α-synuclein (α-syn) is a main pathological feature of Parkinson disease. The propagation of α-syn aggregation via cell-to-cell transmission has been implicated in the progression of Parkinson disease.

Objective: Our aim is to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of intracellular aggregation by extracellular α-syn.

Methods: We investigated the effects of exogenous α-syn aggregates on intracellular α-syn immunoreactivity in α-syn-overexpressing SH-SY5Y cells using two antibodies to distinct epitopes of α-syn. To obtain α-syn aggregates, α-syn solution was aged with continuous agitation.

Results: Immunoreactivity against the acidic C-terminal domain of the intracellular α-syn was reduced by exposure to agedα-syn, whereas that against the hydrophobic non-amyloid component region was not changed. The reduction in immunoreactivity was not suppressed by protease inhibitors but was mimicked by neutralization of the negative charges on the C-terminal of the intracellular α-syn induced by spermine or extracellular acidification.

Conclusions: These results suggest that the reduction in immunoreactivity is attributed not to proteolytic cleavage but to a conformational change at the C-terminus of the intracellular α-syn. The conformational change at the C-terminus of the intracellular α-syn might be involved in an initial step of fibril formation by exogenous α-syn aggregates.
Increased Cognitive Control During Execution of Finger Tap Movement in People with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mak Margaret K.Y. , Cheung Vinci , Ma Shuangye , Lu Zhong L. , Wang Defeng , Lou Wutao , Shi Lin , Mok Vincent C.T. , Chu Winnie C.W. , Hallett Mark
Published: August 2016

Background: Previous studies employed demanding and complex hand tasks to study the brain activation in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). There is inconsistent finding about the cerebellar activity during movement execution of this patient population.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the brain activation patterns of PD individuals in the on-state and healthy control subjects in a simple finger tapping task.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with PD and 22 age-matched healthy subjects were recruited for the study. Subjects were instructed to perform simple finger tapping tasks under self- and cue-initiated conditions in separate runs while their brain activations were captured using fMRI.

Results: Healthy subjects had higher brain activity in contralateral precentral gyrus during the self-initiated task, and higher brain activity in the ipsilateral middle occipital gyrus during the cue-initiated task. PD patients had higher brain activity in the cerebellum Crus I (bilateral) and lobules VI (ipsilateral) during the self-initiated task and higher brain activity in the contralateral middle frontal gyrus during the cue-initiated task. When compared with healthy controls, PD patients had lower brain activity in the contralateral inferior parietal lobule during the self-initiated task, and lower brain activity in the ipsilateral cerebellum lobule VIII, lobule VIIB and vermis VIII, and thalamus during the cue-initiated task. Conjunction analysis indicated that both groups had activation in bilateral cerebellum and SMA and ipsilateral precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus during both self- and cue-initiated movement. Individuals with PD exhibited higher brain activity in the executive zone (cerebellum Crus I and II) during self-initiated movement, and lower brain activity in the sensorimotor zone (i.e. lobule VIIb and VIII of the cerebellum) during cue-initiated movement.

Discussions: The findings suggest that individuals with PD may use more executive control when performing simple movements.
Obligation towards medical errors disclosure at a tertiary care hospital in Dubai, UAE
Authors: Zaghloul Ashraf Ahmad , Rahman Syed Azizur , Abou El-Enein Nagwa Younes
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to identify healthcare providers’ obligation towards medical errors disclosure as well as to study the association between the severity of the medical error and the intention to disclose the error to the patients and their families.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was followed to identify the magnitude of disclosure among healthcare providers in different departments at a randomly selected tertiary care hospital in Dubai.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The total sample size accounted for 106 respondents. Data were collected using a questionnaire composed of two sections namely; demographic variables of the respondents and a section which included variables relevant to medical error disclosure.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis yielded significant association between the obligation to disclose medical errors with male healthcare providers (X2 = 5.1), and being a physician (X2 = 19.3). Obligation towards medical errors disclosure was significantly associated with those healthcare providers who had not committed any medical errors during the past year (X2 = 9.8), and any type of medical error regardless the cause, extent of harm (X2 = 8.7). Variables included in the binary logistic regression model were; status (Exp β (Physician) = 0.39, 95% CI 0.16–0.97), gender (Exp β (Male) = 4.81, 95% CI 1.84–12.54), and medical errors during the last year (Exp β (None) = 2.11, 95% CI 0.6–2.3).

CONCLUSION: Education and training of physicians about disclosure conversations needs to start as early as medical school. Like the training in other competencies required of physicians, education in communicating about medical errors could help reduce physicians’ apprehension and make them more comfortable with disclosure conversations.
Adverse event assessment methods in published trials of psychotropic drugs: Poor reporting and neglect of emerging safety concerns
Authors: Hughes Shannon , Cohen David , Johnson Rebekah
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND: Actual assessment methods for identifying adverse events (AEs) in clinical trials have received less scrutiny than underreporting of AEs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether AE assessment has changed over time for three psychotropic drugs with turbulent histories of safety concerns since their U.S. approval.

METHODS: From industry-funded published trials of atomoxetine, duloxetine, and olanzapine retrieved from PubMed for 1996–2004 ( n = 33) and 2009–2014 ( n = 40), verbatim AE assessment and numbers of words describing efficacy and safety assessment were extracted.

RESULTS: Closest to drug approval (1996–2004), 77.8% of atomoxetine trials used open-ended questioning only, 50% of duloxetine trials used spontaneous self-report or clinician observation only, and 66.7% of olanzapine trials used a scale (primarily for extrapyramidal symptoms) and one former method. Recent studies (2009–2014) showed less rigor and transparency: 35.3% of atomoxetine and 64.7% of duloxetine studies reported no AE assessment method and 50% of olanzapine studies no longer used scales. Overall, the mean number of words describing efficacy assessment increased from 202 to 309 but decreased from 83 to 63 for safety.

CONCLUSION: Trial methodology for assessing psychotropic drug safety remains an underdeveloped area with major public health implications.
Flying After Conducting an Aircraft Excessive Cabin Leakage Test
Authors: Houston Stephen , Wilkinson Elizabeth
Published: August 2016

INTRODUCTION: Aviation medical specialists should be aware that commercial airline aircraft engineers may undertake a 'dive equivalent' operation while conducting maintenance activities on the ground. We present a worked example of an occupational risk assessment to determine
a minimum safe preflight surface interval (PFSI) for an engineer before flying home to base after conducting an Excessive Cabin Leakage Test (ECLT) on an unserviceable aircraft overseas.METHOD: We use published dive tables to determine the minimum safe PFSI.RESULTS: The
estimated maximum depth acquired during the procedure varies between 10 and 20 fsw and the typical estimated bottom time varies between 26 and 53 min for the aircraft types operated by the airline. Published dive tables suggest that no minimum PFSI is required for such a dive profile.DISCUSSION:
Diving tables suggest that no minimum PFSI is required for the typical ECLT dive profile within the airline; however, having conducted a risk assessment, which considered peak altitude exposure during commercial flight, the worst-case scenario test dive profile, the variability of interindividual
inert gas retention, and our existing policy among other occupational groups within the airline, we advised that, in the absence of a bespoke assessment of the particular circumstances on the day, the minimum PFSI after conducting ECLT should be 24 h.Houston S, Wilkinson E. Flying after conducting an aircraft excessive cabin leakage test. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(9):816–820.
Uniform Page Migration Problem in Euclidean Space
Authors: Khorramian Amanj , Matsubayashi Akira
Published: August 2016

The page migration problem in Euclidean space is revisited. In this problem, online requests occur at any location to access a single page located at a server. Every request must be served, and the server has the choice to migrate from its current location to a new location in space. Each service costs the Euclidean distance between the server and request. A migration costs the distance between the former and the new server location, multiplied by the page size. We study the problem in the uniform model, in which the page has size D = 1 . All request locations are not known in advance; however, they are sequentially presented in an online fashion. We design a 2.75 -competitive online algorithm that improves the current best upper bound for the problem with the unit page size. We also provide a lower bound of 2.732 for our algorithm. It was already known that 2.5 is a lower bound for this problem.
A Good Death? Report of the Second Newcastle Meeting on Laboratory Animal Euthanasia
Authors: Hawkins Penny , Prescott Mark , Carbone Larry , Dennison Ngaire , Johnson Craig , Makowska I. , Marquardt Nicole , Readman Gareth , Weary Daniel , Golledge Huw
Published: August 2016

Millions of laboratory animals are killed each year worldwide. There is an ethical, and in many countries also a legal, imperative to ensure those deaths cause minimal suffering. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding what methods of killing are humane for many species and stages of development. In 2013, an international group of researchers and stakeholders met at Newcastle University, United Kingdom to discuss the latest research and which methods could currently be considered most humane for the most commonly used laboratory species (mice, rats and zebrafish). They also discussed factors to consider when making decisions about appropriate techniques for particular species and projects, and priorities for further research. This report summarises the research findings and discussions, with recommendations to help inform good practice for humane killing.
Electrospinning Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber for Air Filter Applications
Authors: Vinh Nguyen , Kim Hyung-Man
Published: August 2016

Nano materials possess unique mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. They are small, and have an ultrahigh surface area, making them suitable for air filter applications since air filtration is necessary to protect sensitive components from harmful particulates and gaseous contaminants. The electrospinning method has been recognized as an efficient technique for fabricating polymer nanofibers. In order to determine the optimum manufacturing conditions, the effects of several electrospinning process parameters on the diameter, orientation, and distribution of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber are analyzed. To improve interlaminar fracture toughness and suppress the delamination in the form of laminated non-woven fibers by using a heat roller, the performances of filter efficiency and pressure drop achieved with the PAN nanofiber air filter are evaluated experimentally.
The First Homoleptic Complex of Seven-Coordinated Osmium: Synthesis and Crystallographical Evidence of Pentagonal Bipyramidal Polyhedron of Heptacyanoosmate(IV)
Authors: Peresypkina Eugenia , Gavriluta Anatolie , Vostrikova Kira
Published: August 2016

The ligand exchange in (n-Bu4N)2OsIVCl6 (n-Bu4N = tetra-n-butylammonium) leads to the formation of the osmium(IV) heptacyanide, the first fully inorganic homoleptic complex of heptacoordinated osmium. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) study reveals the pentagonal bipyramidal molecular structure of the [Os(CN)7]3− anion. The latter being a diamagnetic analogue of the highly anisotropic paramagnetic synthon, [ReIV(CN)7]3− can be used for the synthesis of the model heterometallic coordination compounds for the detailed study and simulation of the magnetic properties of the low-dimensional molecular nanomagnets involving 5d metal heptacyanides.
Combinatorial Intricacies of Labeled Fano Planes
Authors: Saniga Metod
Published: August 2016

Given a seven-element set X = { 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 } , there are 30 ways to define a Fano plane on it. Let us call a line of such a Fano plane—that is to say an unordered triple from X—ordinary or defective, according to whether the sum of two smaller integers from the triple is or is not equal to the remaining one, respectively. A point of the labeled Fano plane is said to be of the order s, 0 ≤ s ≤ 3 , if there are s defective lines passing through it. With such structural refinement in mind, the 30 Fano planes are shown to fall into eight distinct types. Out of the total of 35 lines, nine ordinary lines are of five different kinds, whereas the remaining 26 defective lines yield as many as ten distinct types. It is shown that no labeled Fano plane can have all points of zero-th order, or feature just one point of order two. A connection with prominent configurations in Steiner triple systems is also pointed out.
A Statistical Framework for Automatic Leakage Detection in Smart Water and Gas Grids
Authors: Fagiani Marco , Squartini Stefano , Gabrielli Leonardo , Severini Marco , Piazza Francesco
Published: August 2016

In the last few years, due to the technological improvement of advanced metering infrastructures, water and natural gas grids can be regarded as smart-grids, similarly to power ones. However, considering the number of studies related to the application of computational intelligence to distribution grids, the gap between power grids and water/gas grids is notably wide. For this purpose, in this paper, a framework for leakage identification is presented. The framework is composed of three sections aimed at the extraction and the selection of features and at the detection of leakages. A variation of the Sequential Feature Selection (SFS) algorithm is used to select the best performing features within a set, including, also, innovative temporal ones. The leakage identification is based on novelty detection and exploits the characterization of a normality model. Three statistical approaches, The Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and One-Class Support Vector Machine (OC-SVM), are adopted, under a comparative perspective. Both residential and office building environments are investigated by means of two datasets. One is the Almanac of Minutely Power dataset (AMPds), and it provides water and gas data consumption at 1, 10 and 30 min of time resolution; the other is the Department of International Development (DFID) dataset, and it provides water and gas data consumption at 30 min of time resolution. The achieved performance, computed by means of the Area Under the Curve (AUC), reaches 90 % in the office building case study, thus confirming the suitability of the proposed approach for applications in smart water and gas grids.
Biopsychosocial Characteristics, Using a New Functional Measure of Balance, of an Elderly Population with CLBP
Authors: Hulla Ryan , Moomey Michael , Garner Tyler , Ray Christopher , Gatchel Robert
Published: August 2016

This study examined the biopsychosocial characteristics of chronic low back pain (CLBP) in an understudied but increasingly larger part of the population: the elderly (i.e., 65 years and older). A new innovative physical functioning measure (postural control, which is a proxy for the common problem of slips and falls in the elderly) was part of this biopsychosocial evaluation. Also, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-developed Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was also part of this comprehensive evaluation. Two demographically-matched groups of elderly participants were evaluated: one with CLBP (n = 24); and the other without (NCLBP, n = 24). Results revealed significant differences in most of these measures between the two groups, further confirming the importance of using a biopsychosocial approach for future studies of pain and postural control in the elderly.
Evaluating Mobile Survey Tools (MSTs) for Field-Level Monitoring and Data Collection: Development of a Novel Evaluation Framework, and Application to MSTs for Rural Water and Sanitation Monitoring
Authors: Fisher Michael , Mann Benjamin , Cronk Ryan , Shields Katherine , Klug Tori , Ramaswamy Rohit
Published: August 2016

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) such as mobile survey tools (MSTs) can facilitate field-level data collection to drive improvements in national and international development programs. MSTs allow users to gather and transmit field data in real time, standardize data storage and management, automate routine analyses, and visualize data. Dozens of diverse MST options are available, and users may struggle to select suitable options. We developed a systematic MST Evaluation Framework (EF), based on International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) software quality modeling standards, to objectively assess MSTs and assist program implementers in identifying suitable MST options. The EF is applicable to MSTs for a broad variety of applications. We also conducted an MST user survey to elucidate needs and priorities of current MST users. Finally, the EF was used to assess seven MSTs currently used for water and sanitation monitoring, as a validation exercise. The results suggest that the EF is a promising method for evaluating MSTs.
Human TRIB2 Oscillates during the Cell Cycle and Promotes Ubiquitination and Degradation of CDC25C
Authors: Liang Kai , Paredes Roberto , Carmody Ruaidhri , Eyers Patrick , Meyer Stefan , McCarthy Tommie , Keeshan Karen
Published: August 2016

Tribbles homolog 2 (TRIB2) is a member of the mammalian Tribbles family of serine/threonine pseudokinases (TRIB1-3). Studies of TRIB2 indicate that many of the molecular interactions between the single Drosophila Tribbles (Trbl) protein and interacting partners are evolutionary conserved. In this study, we examined the relationship between TRIB2 and cell division cycle 25 (CDC25) family of dual-specificity protein phosphatases (mammalian homologues of Drosophila String), which are key physiological cell cycle regulators. Using co-immunoprecipitation we demonstrate that TRIB2 interacts with CDC25B and CDC25C selectively. Forced overexpression of TRIB2 caused a marked decrease in total CDC25C protein levels. Following inhibition of the proteasome, CDC25C was stabilized in the nuclear compartment. This implicates TRIB2 as a regulator of nuclear CDC25C turnover. In complementary ubiquitination assays, we show that TRIB2-mediated degradation of CDC25C is associated with lysine-48-linked CDC25C polyubiquitination driven by the TRIB2 kinase-like domain. A cell cycle associated role for TRIB2 is further supported by the cell cycle regulated expression of TRIB2 protein levels. Our findings reveal mitotic CDC25C as a new target of TRIB2 that is degraded via the ubiquitin proteasome system. Inappropriate CDC25C regulation could mechanistically underlie TRIB2 mediated regulation of cellular proliferation in neoplastic cells.
Micronutrient Antioxidants and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Chen Guanliang , Ni Yinhua , Nagata Naoto , Xu Liang , Ota Tsuguhito
Published: August 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most important chronic liver diseases worldwide and has garnered increasing attention in recent decades. NAFLD is characterized by a wide range of liver changes, from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The blurred pathogenesis of NAFLD is very complicated and involves lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. NAFLD is closely associated with complications such as obesity, diabetes, steatohepatitis, and liver fibrosis. During the progression of NAFLD, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are activated and induce oxidative stress. Recent attempts at establishing effective NAFLD therapy have identified potential micronutrient antioxidants that may reduce the accumulation of ROS and finally ameliorate the disease. In this review, we present the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and introduce some dietary antioxidants that may be used to prevent or cure NAFLD, such as vitamin D, E, and astaxanthin.
Antiplatelet Usage Impacts Clot Density in Acute Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Pikija Slaven , Magdic Jozef , Lukic Anita , Schreiber Catharina , Mutzenbach Johannes , McCoy Mark , Sellner Johann
Published: August 2016

We explored whether clot density in middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion is related to clinical variables, stroke etiology, blood constituents, and prestroke medication. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with acute ischemic stroke of the anterior circulation admitted to two Central European stroke centers. The acquisition of non-contrast enhanced CT (NECT) and CT angiography (CTA) within 4.5 h of symptom onset was obligatory. We assessed the site of MCA occlusion as well as density, area, and length of the clot in 150 patients. The Hounsfield unit values for the clot were divided with contralateral MCA segment to yield relative Hounsfield Unit ratio (rHU). The site of the vessel occlusion (M1 vs. M2) and antiplatelet usage, but not stroke etiology, significantly influenced rHU. We found an inverse correlation of rHU with erythrocyte count (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis revealed that a higher rHU (i.e., clot being more hyperdense) was more likely with the use of antiplatelets (OR 4.24, CI 1.10–16.31, p = 0.036). Erythrocyte (OR 0.18, CI 0.05–0.55, p = 0.003), and thrombocyte counts (OR 0.99, CI 0.98–0.99, p = 0.029) were associated with odds for more hypodense clots (lower rHU). Our study disclosed that antiplatelet therapy impacts the composition of intracranial clots of the anterior circulation.
Guidance of Signaling Activations by Cadherins and Integrins in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Roggiani Francesca , Mezzanzanica Delia , Rea Katia , Tomassetti Antonella
Published: August 2016

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the deadliest tumor among gynecological cancer in the industrialized countries. The EOC incidence and mortality have remained unchanged over the last 30 years, despite the progress in diagnosis and treatment. In order to develop novel and more effective therapeutic approaches, the molecular mechanisms involved in EOC progression have been thoroughly investigated in the last few decades. At the late stage, peritoneal metastases originate from the attachment of small clusters of cancer cells that shed from the primary site and carried by the ascites adhere to the abdominal peritoneum or omentum. This behavior suggests that cell–cell or cell–matrix adhesion mechanisms regulate EOC growth and dissemination. Complex downstream signalings, which might be influenced by functional cross-talk between adhesion molecules and co-expressed and activated signaling proteins, can affect the proliferation/survival and the migration/invasion of EOC cells. This review aimed to define the impact of the mechanisms of cell–cell, through cadherins, and cell–extracellular matrix adhesion, through integrins, on the signaling cascades induced by membrane receptors and cytoplasmic proteins known to have a role in the proliferation, migration and invasion of EOC cells. Finally, some novel approaches using peptidomimetic ligands to cadherin and integrins are summarized.
On the Analysis of a Wave Energy Farm with Focus on Maintenance Operations
Authors: Rinaldi Giovanni , Thies Philipp , Walker Richard , Johanning Lars
Published: August 2016

Wave energy has a promising technical potential that could contribute to the future energy mix. However, costs related to the deployment of wave energy converters (WECs) are still high compared to other technologies. In order to reduce these costs, two principle options are available, a reduction in cost and an increase in productivity. This paper presents a reliability-based computational tool to identify typical decision problems and to shed light on the complexity of optimising a wave power farm. The proposed tool is used to investigate productivity and availability of a wave energy farm during 10 years of operational life. A number of optimization possibilities to improve productivity, namely vessel choice, maintenance regime, failure rate and component redundancy, are then explored in order to assess their effectiveness. The paper quantifies the yield increase and provides a practical approach to evaluate the effectiveness of strategic and operational decision options. Results, in terms of the variations in productivity and availability of the farm, are analysed and discussed. Conclusions highlight the importance of reliability-centred simulations that consider the specific decision parameters throughout the operational life to find suitable solutions that increase the productivity and reduce the running cost for offshore farms.