bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description and classification of Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) whistles recorded off the Sindhudurg coast of Maharashtra, India
Authors: Bopardikar Isha , Sutaria Dipani , Sule Mihir , Jog Ketki , Patankar Vardhan , Klinck Holger
Published: February 2018

The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea), a common cetacean species in India, has a diverse vocal repertoire, which to date has not been described in detail. This study focused on analyzing their whistle vocalizations. Humpback dolphins were recorded off the Sindhudurg coast of Maharashtra, India, and 2,260 whistles were analyzed for their acoustic characteristics. Whistles spanned a wide frequency range between 2.3 kHz and 33.0 kHz, with durations ranging from 0.01 s to 1.60 s. Whistles were categorized into seven contour classes based on their qualitative properties. A classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to quantify variability between the seven contour classes using the measured acoustic features. Based on the CART analysis, frequency gradient, minimum slope, maximum slope, beginning and ending slope accounted for most variability between whistle types. CART resulted in an overall classification accuracy of 89.5%. This study provides a detailed description of acoustic features and qualitative properties of humpback dolphin whistles from the northwestern coast of India. Further comparisons of acoustic data from Sousa populations along the Indian coast are necessary to determine possible geographic variations in whistle characteristics and whether the variations are driven by environmental or genetic factors or a combination of both.
Identifying critical habitat of the endangered vaquita (Phocoena sinus) with regional δ13C and δ15N isoscapes of the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pérez Mónica Y. , Aurioles‐Gamboa David , Sánchez‐Velásco Laura , Lavín Miguel F. , Newsome Seth D.
Published: February 2018

The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is the world's most endangered cetacean and has experienced a 60% reduction in the size of its population in the past decade. Knowledge of its basic ecology is essential for developing successful management plans to protect and conserve this species. In this study, we identified vaquita foraging areas by creating an isoscape of the Upper Gulf of California (UGC) based on sediment and zooplankton carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values. Our results confirm that this species is confined to the western region of the UGC, which is characterized by relatively high δ15N values (sediments: 10.2‰ ± 2.0‰, zooplankton: 15.8‰ ± 1.3‰), higher sea surface temperatures (∼16°C–25°C), higher concentrations of silt in sediments, and the highest turbidity. In contrast, the eastern region of the UGC had relatively low sediment (7.7‰ ± 2.4‰) and zooplankton (14.6‰ ± 1.0‰) δ15N values, and the highest concentrations of sand in sediments. Our approach is an effective use of marine isoscapes over a small spatial scale (<200 km) to identify the environmental characteristics that define the critical habitat for an extremely endangered marine mammal.
Schoenberg's Opus 33B and the Problem of its Contrasting ‘Continuation’ and Second Theme
Authors: BOSS JACK
Published: February 2018

Schoenberg's Piano Piece Op. 33b can be interpreted fruitfully using the composer's notion of ‘musical idea’, in which a problem or conflict is introduced at the beginning, elaborated during the piece and resolved near the end. Previous studies of the piece disagree about whether bars 5b–11a should be understood as the continuation of the first theme's sentence or as a second theme, because of differences between the tetrachordal row partitions of bars 1–5a and the trichordal partitions of bars 5b–11a, and the marked dissimilarities in set‐class content, interval successions (including <−2, −2> in the trichordal partitions), rhythm and heard metre that result. These differences introduce the work's ‘problem’, which the piece then elaborates in bars 21–28 by taking an element from the transitional bars following the ‘continuation’, <+2, +2> and <−2, −2> interval successions paired together in vertical symmetry, and further developing that element to create hexachords that are not equivalent to contiguous hexachords of the source row.

The solution to the problem occurs gradually after bar 32, in two ways: first, the set classes, interval successions, pitches and rhythms associated with each kind of partition are shown to be generable by the other partition; second, after bar 57 both kinds of partition project themselves simultaneously on a single row form, demonstrating intervallic, pitch and rhythmic similarities between the elements of the contrasting partitions.
The Explanatory Ambitions of Moral Principles
Authors: Berker Selim
Published: February 2018

Moral properties are explained by other properties. And moral principles tell us about moral properties. How are these two ideas related? In particular, is the truth of a given moral principle part of what explains why a given action has a given moral property? I argue “No.” If moral principles are merely concerned with the extension of moral properties across all possible worlds, then they cannot be partial explainers of facts about the instantiation of those properties, since in general necessitation does not suffice for explanation. And if moral principles are themselves about what explains the moral properties under their purview, then by their own lights they are not needed in order to explain those moral properties’ instantiation—unless, that is, the principles exhibit an objectionable form of metaphysical circularity. So moral principles cannot explain why individual actions have moral properties. Nor, I also argue, can they explain why certain other factors explain why those actions have the moral properties that they do, or in some other way govern or mediate such first‐order explanations of particular moral facts. When it comes to the explanation of an individual action's specific moral features, moral principles are explanatorily idle.
Activating biochar by manipulating the bacterial and fungal microbiome through pre‐conditioning
Authors: Jaiswal Amit K. , Elad Yigal , Cytryn Eddie , Graber Ellen R. , Frenkel Omer
Published: February 2018

Biochar can enhance plant growth and reduce diseases, but frequently the optimal doses for these two benefits do not coincide. An approach is needed that will extend the range of biochar doses resulting in a concurrence of maximum benefits for both plant productivity and disease suppression.

A biochar‐amended growth medium was pre‐conditioned by pre‐planting fertigation in order to enhance the indigenous microbial community structure and activity. Cucumber plant performance and resistance against damping‐off caused by Pythium aphanidermatum were monitored. Soil microbial activity, as well as bacterial and fungal community structure, were assessed by high‐throughput 16S rRNA and ITS1 gene amplicon sequencing.

Pre‐conditioning enhanced the efficacy of biochar for improving plant performance and suppressing soilborne disease through enriching the medium in beneficial soil microorganisms, increasing microbial and fungal diversity and activity, and eliminating biochar phytotoxic compounds.

The pre‐conditioning process brought dose–response curves for both growth and disease resistance into sync, resulting in maximum benefits for both. These findings suggest that pre‐conditioning should be incorporated as an important stage during biochar application in soil and soilless media.
Supererogation
Authors: Archer Alfred
Published: February 2018

It is a recognizable feature of commonsense morality that some actions are beyond the call of duty or supererogatory. Acts of supererogation raise a number of interesting philosophical questions and debates. This article will provide an overview of three of these debates. First, I will provide an overview of the debate about whether or not acts of supererogation exist. Next, I will investigate the issue of how to define the supererogatory. I will finish by examining a problem known as the Paradox of Supererogation.
Wittgenstein and von Wright on Goodness
Authors: Klagge James C.
Published: February 2018

Is “good” a family‐resemblance concept? Wittgenstein holds it is, since cases of goodness may not have anything in common, but there may be a continuous transition from some cases to others. Von Wright and Hacker argue it is not. They hold that family‐resemblance concepts satisfy two conditions that goodness does not satisfy. I assess their arguments and then present a constitutivist account of goodness that Wittgenstein seems to endorse. The constitutivist account is what one would expect if goodness was a family‐resemblance concept. Finally, I note that Wittgenstein's nod towards non‐descriptivism in the Investigations is paralleled by Stevenson's ethical emotivism.
Effects of Repeated UVA Irradiation on Human Skin Fibroblasts Embedded in 3D Tense Collagen Matrix
Authors: Nakyai Wongnapa , Tissot Marion , Humbert Philippe , Grandmottet François , Viyoch Jarupa , Viennet Céline
Published: February 2018

Skin photoaging is caused by cumulative UVA exposure that leads to dermal matrix alterations associated with impaired fibroblast functions. In this study, we evaluated the effects of repeated UVA irradiation on mechanically stressed fibroblasts which were embedded in 3D tense collagen matrix. By comparison to 2D monolayer culture, we investigated the expressions of alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) cytoskeleton and α2 subunit of integrin receptors, as well as the collagen metabolism, focusing to MMP‐1 and collagen type‐I expressions. We found that UVA exposure reduces collagen levels in both culture conditions. However, concerning integrin α2 and α‐SMA expression, UVA irradiation had no effect on 2D culture, whereas in tense 3D culture, it had an inhibitory effect. In UVA‐irradiated 3D culture, fibroblasts acquired elongated shape and lost their dynamic interaction with collagen fibers through a decrease in integrin α2 and α‐SMA. Fibroblast responses to UVA irradiation were different in 2D versus 3D environment, highlighting the importance of collagen environment in the regulation of mechanical activities. The behavior of fibroblast upon mechanical stimulation closely mimics stressed extracellular environment. The model of UVA‐irradiated fibroblasts cultured in tense 3D collagen gel illustrated the in vivo situation of both mechanically stressed and photoaged human skin.
High Surface Area SnO2–Ta2O5 Composite for Visible Light‐driven Photocatalytic Degradation of an Organic Dye
Authors: Velaga Bharath , Shanbogh Pradeep P. , Swain Diptikanta , Narayana Chandrabhas , Sundaram Nalini G.
Published: February 2018

SnO2–Ta2O5 nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile coprecipitation method and further calcined to obtain crystalline powder. Phase formation, morphology, bandgap and photocatalytic properties were analyzed using powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV‐Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy, BET surface area and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Effect of calcination temperature on the crystallinity of the composite was studied. The as‐prepared samples of SnO2, Ta2O5 and SnO2‐10wt%Ta2O5 composite as well as the calcined composite sample were tested for photocatalytic activity for methylene blue dye degradation under visible light. Photocatalytic studies reveal that the as‐prepared SnO2‐10wt%Ta2O5 composite showed the best photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) by harvesting visible‐light radiation efficiently. Further mineralization of methylene blue, estimated by COD analysis, is found to have degraded with an efficiency of 91.6%. The study demonstrates that heterostructure of SnO2–Ta2O5 nanocomposite could be applied in photocatalytic purification of organic pollutants.
Is Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Effective for Microbial Load Reduction in Peri‐implantitis Treatment? A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Fraga Renato Silva , Antunes Lívia Azeredo Alves , Fontes Karla Bianca Fernandes da Costa , Küchler Erika Calvano , Iorio Natalia Lopes Pontes Póvoa , Antunes Leonardo Santos
Published: February 2018

The systematic review and meta‐analysis were undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in the microbiological alteration beneficial to peri‐implantitis treatment. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42017064215. Bibliographic databases including Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed were searched from inception to 8 January 2017. The search strategy was assembled from the following MeSH Terms: “Photochemotherapy,” “Dental Implants” and “Peri‐Implantitis.” Unspecific free‐text words and related terms were also included. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias of included studies. The random‐effect model was chosen, and heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test. Three studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta‐analysis demonstrated an association between aPDT and reduction in viable bacteria counts for: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (OR = 1.31; confidence interval = 1.13, 1.49; P < 0.00001), Porphyromonas gingivalis (OR = 4.08; confidence interval = 3.22, 4.94; P < 0.00001) and Prevotella intermedia (OR = 1.66; confidence interval = 1.06, 2.26; P < 0.00001). A aPDT appears to be effective in bacterial load reduction in peri‐implantitis and has a positive potential as an alternative therapy for peri‐implantitis.
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy as a Co‐adjuvant in Endodontic Treatment of Deciduous Teeth: Case Series
Authors: Okamoto Camila Basilio , Motta Lara Jansiski , Prates Renato Araujo , da Mota Ana Carolina Costa , Gonçalves Marcela Leticia Leal , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini , Mesquita Ferrari Raquel Agnelli , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Bussadori Sandra Kalil
Published: February 2018

To assure the success of endodontic treatment, the root canal must be completely decontaminated. Thus, some methods have been researched in an attempt to effectively eliminate microorganisms from the interior of the root canal system. Among them is conventional endodontic therapy in conjunction with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Five anterior deciduous teeth were treated endodontically with the conventional technique and PDT. For PDT, 0.005% methylene blue was used as a photosensitizer and a 660 nm laser. After the conventional endodontic therapy, the photosensitizer was applied inside the root canal, 3 min of pre‐irradiation time, and then, the laser was applied for 40s with an energy of 4J. Afterward, the canal was irrigated with saline solution and the sealing material of the root canal was placed. The microbiological analysis of the samples was collected before and after the treatments were performed. Observing the results obtained in this case series, which showed a bacterial reduction from 37.57% to 100%, and the clear difficulty in the success of endodontic treatment of deciduous teeth, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy can be considered an alternative of easy application that does not generate microbial resistance, to act as a support in the decontamination of the root canals.
Gun Talk Online: Canadian Tools, American Values*
Authors: McLean Dylan S.
Published: February 2018

Objective

The objective of this study is to address the following question: Why has the United States been so reluctant to embrace the type of comprehensive gun control that is in place in every other developed democracy?

Method

The method used to address this question is a computerized content analysis on nearly 18 million words that were extracted from online political discussions of Canadian and American gun enthusiasts. A comparison of these discussions was guided by three theories on the character and origins of Canadian–American political difference.

Results

The results demonstrate that the instrumental components of gun ownership are more relevant for Canadian gun enthusiasts, while American gun enthusiasts view their arms as physical manifestations of political values. These values are consistent with a widely perceived American ideology that centers on individual freedom and antipathy toward government.

Conclusion

This leads to the conclusion that U.S. gun rights groups are naturally advantaged in the gun control debate because their rhetoric finds fertile soil beyond the gun enthusiast segment, and helps explain the intensity of their opposition to gun control.
Carcinosarcoma mimicking a feline injection‐site sarcoma in a cat
Authors: Sapierzyński Rafał
Published: February 2018

A 15‐year‐old spayed female domestic short‐haired cat with cutaneous/subcutaneous well‐circumscribed, alopecic mass approximately 25 × 30 mm in diameter, localized to the left shoulder region was brought to the veterinary surgery department. Despite the suggestive location and macroscopic appearance, feline injection‐site sarcoma was not suspected based on the cytologic examination of fine‐needle aspirates. The tumor was surgically resected, and tissue sections were evaluated microscopically. The tumor was found to be nonencapsulated with a distinct border between the neoplastic parenchyma and surrounding connective tissue. The neoplastic tissue consisted of 2 cell populations: elongated to spindle‐shaped cells arranged in bands and cords and malignant epithelial‐like cells. Both populations showed microscopic features of malignancy. Multinucleate giant cells with irregular cytoplasm were scattered among the neoplastic cells. The spindle‐shaped cells strongly expressed vimentin but did not express α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) or cytokeratin. Desmin was strongly expressed in about 0‐5% of cells. Epithelial‐like cells expressed cytokeratin, but not vimentin, desmin, or α‐SMA. Multinucleate giant cells expressed vimentin, but did not α‐SMA, desmin, or cytokeratin. Based on microscopic observations and IHC results, the final diagnosis was carcinosarcoma with histologic features compatible with feline injection‐site sarcoma, but without the clinical aggressiveness of this tumor.
Vacuolar ATPase is required for ERK‐dependent wound healing in the Drosophila embryo
Authors: Fraire‐Zamora Juan J. , Simons Matias
Published: February 2018

Epithelia have the ability to repair injuries through an evolutionary conserved wound healing mechanism. Wound healing events can be classified into the transcription‐independent signals involving mobilization of ionic currents and cytoskeletal rearrangements or the transcription‐dependent response with activation of repair genes. The vacuolar H+‐ATPase (V‐ATPase) has been implicated in the regeneration of vertebrate structures, but the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we use wounding assays on the epidermis of Drosophila embryos to assess the role of the V‐ATPase in the healing response. We show that a deficient V‐ATPase induces a defective wound healing response by delaying re‐epithelialization and preventing the ERK‐dependent transcriptional activation of repair around the wound site. Our data suggests that the V‐ATPase plays an evolutionary conserved role in the activation of genes necessary for the wound healing response.
TREND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OIL PALM FRUIT HARVESTING TECHNOLOGIES IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Nai Sowat Sharence , Wan Ismail Wan Ishak , Mahadi Muhammad Razif , Bejo Siti Khairunniza , Mohd Kassim Muhamad Saufi
Published: February 2018

Harvesting oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) on tall oil palm trees is a laborious and hazardous task. Lately, with the escalating problem of labor shortage, the exigent demand to mechanize the harvesting task cannot be overlooked. Over the years, many harvesting methods and technologies have been used and developed to increase the harvesting productivity. This paper reviews the conventional manual harvesting using manual labor, mechanization of harvesting task using harvesting machines as well as research on climbing robots for harvesting FFB in Malaysia. In essence, it provides an overview of the trend in the development of harvesting technologies in Malaysia. Realizing the potential of climbing robots for harvesting, the morphological structures and physical characteristics of oil palm trunks in its natural surroundings are examined closely to identify the challenges in the climbing and harvesting processes. Next, a set of design criteria is introduced to overcome those challenges. In addition, several mechanisms are proposed which play integral parts in enhancing the climbing and harvesting tasks.
Balancing tonic and phasic inhibition in hypothalamic corticotropin‐releasing hormone neurons
Authors: Colmers Phillip L.W. , Bains Jaideep S.
Published: February 2018

Key points

GABA transporter (GAT) blockade recruits extrasynaptic GABAA receptors (GABAARs) and amplifies constitutive presynaptic GABABR activity.

Extrasynaptic GABAARs contribute to a tonic current.

Corticosteroids increase the tonic current mediated by extrasynaptic GABAARs.

Corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) are integratory hubs that regulate the endocrine response to stress. GABA inputs provide a basal inhibitory tone that constrains this system and circulating glucocorticoids (CORT) are important feedback controllers of CRH output. Surprisingly little is known about the direct effects of CORT on GABA synapses in PVN. Here we used whole‐cell patch clamp recordings from CRH neurons in mouse hypothalamic brain slices to examine the effects of CORT on synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA signalling. We show that GABA transporters (GATs) limit constitutive activation of presynaptic GABAB receptors and ensure high release probability at GABA synapses. GATs in combination with GABAB receptors also curtail extrasynaptic GABAAR signalling. CORT has no effect on synaptic GABA signalling, but increases extrasynaptic GABA tone through upregulation of postsynaptic GABAA receptors. These data show that efficient GABA clearance and autoinhibition control the balance between synaptic (phasic) and extrasynaptic (tonic) inhibition in PVN CRH neurons. This balance is shifted towards increased extrasynaptic inhibition by CORT.
Experimental Investigation of Boundary Layer Relaminarization in Accelerated Flow
Authors: Bader Pascal , Pschernig Manuel , Sanz Wolfgang , Woisetschläger Jakob , Heitmeir Franz , Meile Walter , Brenn Günter
Published: February 2018

Flow in turbomachines is generally highly turbulent. Nonetheless, boundary layers may exhibit laminar-to-turbulent transition, and relaminarization of the turbulent flow may also occur. The state of flow of the boundary layer is important since it influences transport phenomena like skin friction and heat transfer. In this paper, relaminarization in accelerated flat-plate boundary-layer flows is experimentally investigated, measuring flow velocities with laser Doppler anemometry (LDA). Besides the mean values, statistical properties of the velocity fluctuations are discussed in order to understand the processes in relaminarization. It is shown that strong acceleration leads to a suppression of turbulence production. The velocity fluctuations in the accelerated boundary layer flow “freeze,” while the mean velocity increases, thus reducing the turbulence intensity. This leads to a laminar-like velocity profile close to the wall, resulting in a decrease of the local skin friction coefficient. Downstream from the section with enforced relaminarization, a rapid retransition to turbulent flow is observed. The findings of this work also describe the mechanism of retransition.
Bayesian Estimation of Directional Wave-Spectrum Using Vessel Motions and Wave-Probes: Proposal and Preliminary Experimental Validation
Authors: de Souza Felipe Lopes , Tannuri Eduardo Aoun , de Mello Pedro Cardozo , Franzini Guilherme , Mas-Soler Jordi , Simos Alexandre Nicolaos
Published: February 2018

The measurement of the directional wave spectrum in oceans has been done by different approaches, mainly wave-buoys, satellite imagery and radar technologies; these methods, however, present some inherent drawbacks, e.g., difficult maintenance, low resolution around areas of interest and high cost. In order to overcome those problems, recent works proposed a motion-based estimation procedure using the vessel as a wave sensor; nevertheless, this strategy suffers from low-estimation capabilities of the spectral energy coming from periods lower than the cutoff period of the systems, which are important for the drift effect predictions. This work studies the usage of wave-probes installed on the hull of a moored vessel to enhance the estimation capabilities of the motion-based strategy, using a high-order estimation method based on Bayesian statistics. First, the measurements from the wave-probes are incorporated to the dynamic system of the vessel as new degrees-of-freedom (DOF); thus, the Bayesian method can be expanded without additional reasoning. Second, the proposal is validated by experiments conducted in a wave-basin with a scale model, concluding that the approach is able to improve not only the estimation of spectra with low peak period but also the estimation in the entire range of expected spectra. Finally, some drawbacks are discussed, as the effect of the nonlinear roll motion, which must be taken in account when calculating the wave-probe response; and the poor mean-direction estimation capability in some particular wave directions and low peak periods.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Dacron Aortic Prostheses Conveying Pulsatile Flow
Authors: Tubaldi Eleonora , Païdoussis Michael P. , Amabili Marco
Published: February 2018

This study addresses the dynamic response to pulsatile physiological blood flow and pressure of a woven Dacron graft currently used in thoracic aortic surgery. The model of the prosthesis assumes a cylindrical orthotropic shell described by means of nonlinear Novozhilov shell theory. The blood flow is modeled as Newtonian pulsatile flow, and unsteady viscous effects are included. Coupled fluid–structure Lagrange equations for open systems with wave propagation subject to pulsatile flow are applied. Physiological waveforms of blood pressure and velocity are approximated with the first eight harmonics of the corresponding Fourier series. Time responses of the prosthetic wall radial displacement are considered for two physiological conditions: at rest (60 bpm) and at high heart rate (180 bpm). While the response at 60 bpm reproduces the behavior of the pulsatile pressure, higher harmonics frequency contributions are observed at 180 bpm altering the shape of the time response. Frequency-responses show resonance peaks for heart rates between 130 bpm and 200 bpm due to higher harmonics of the pulsatile flow excitation. These resonant peaks correspond to unwanted high-frequency radial oscillations of the vessel wall that can compromise the long-term functioning of the prosthesis in case of significant physical activity. Thanks to this study, the dynamic response of Dacron prostheses to pulsatile flow can be understood as well as some possible complications in case of significant physical activity.
Appearance-Based Localization of Mobile Robots Using Group LASSO Regression
Authors: Do Huan N. , Choi Jongeun , Young Lim Chae , Maiti Tapabrata
Published: February 2018

Appearance-based localization is a robot self-navigation technique that integrates visual appearance and kinematic information. To analyze the visual appearance, we need to build a regression model based on extracted visual features from raw images as predictors to estimate the robot's location in two-dimensional (2D) coordinates. Given the training data, our first problem is to find the optimal subset of the features that maximize the localization performance. To achieve appearance-based localization of a mobile robot, we propose an integrated localization model that consists of two main components: the group least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and sequential Bayesian filtering. We project the output of the LASSO regression onto the kinematics of the mobile robot via sequential Bayesian filtering. In particular, we examine two candidates for the Bayesian estimator: the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and particle filter (PF). Our method is implemented in both indoor mobile robot and outdoor vehicle equipped with an omnidirectional camera. The results validate the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Soft Freestanding Planar Artificial Muscle Based on Dielectric Elastomer Actuator
Authors: Qin Lei , Cao Jiawei , Tang Yucheng , Zhu Jian
Published: February 2018

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) exhibit interesting muscle-like attributes including large voltage-induced deformation and high energy density, thus can function as artificial muscles for soft robots/devices. This paper focuses on soft planar DEAs, which have extensive applications such as artificial muscles for jaw movement, stretchers for cell mechanotransduction, and vibration shakers for tactile feedback, etc. Specifically, we develop a soft planar DEA, in which compression springs are employed to make the entire structure freestanding. This soft freestanding actuator can achieve both linear actuation and turning without increasing the size, weight, or structural complexity, which makes the actuator suitable for driving a soft crawling robot. Furthermore, its simple structure and homogeneous deformation allow for analytic modeling, which can be used to interpret the large voltage-induced deformation and interesting mechanics phenomenon (i.e., wrinkling and electromechanical instability). A preliminary demonstration showcases that this soft planar actuator can be employed as an artificial muscle to drive a soft crawling robot.
Nanometer-scale molecular organization in lipid membranes studied by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Hannestad Jonas K. , Höök Fredrik , Sjövall Peter
Published: February 2018

The organization of lipid membranes plays an important role in a wide range of biological processes at different length scales. Herein, the authors present a procedure based on time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to characterize the nanometer-scale ordering of lipids in lipid membrane structures on surfaces. While ToF-SIMS is a powerful tool for label-free analysis of lipid-containing samples, its limited spatial resolution prevents in-depth knowledge of how lipid properties affect the molecular assembly of the membrane. The authors overcome this limitation by measuring the formation of lipid dimers, originating in the same nanometer-sized primary ion impact areas. The lipid dimers reflect the local lipid environment and thus allow us to characterize the membrane miscibility on the nanometer level. Using this technique, the authors show that the chemical properties of the constituting lipids are critical for the structure and organization of the membrane on both the nanometer and micrometer length scales. Our results show that even at lipid surface compositions favoring two-phase systems, lipids are still extracted from solid, gel phase, domains into the surrounding fluid supported lipid bilayer surrounding the gel phase domains. The technique offers a means to obtain detailed knowledge of the chemical composition and organization of lipid membranes with potential application in systems where labeling is not possible, such as cell-derived supported lipid bilayers.
Towards acoustic particle velocity sensors in air using entrained balloons: Measurements and modeling
Authors: Williams Randall P. , Kim Donghwan , Gleason Kristofer L. , Hall Neal A.
Published: February 2018

In this article, the feasibility of using balloons for the measurement of acoustic particle velocity in air is investigated by exploring the behavior of an elastic balloon in air as it vibrates in response to an incident acoustic wave. This is motivated by the frequent use of neutrally buoyant spheres as underwater inertial particle velocity sensors. The results of experiments performed in an anechoic chamber are presented, in which a pair of laser Doppler vibrometers simultaneously captured the velocities of the front and back surfaces of a Mylar balloon in an acoustic field. From phase measurements, the motion is described in terms of contributions from odd-order vibration modes (including bulk translation) and even-order vibration modes. The measured entrainment factors for the balloon are seen to be in good agreement with a physical model based on the scattering from an entrained rigid sphere. This demonstrates the feasibility of using entrained balloons for direct measurement of acoustic particle velocity in air.
The coupling between auditory and motor cortices is rate-restricted: Evidence for an intrinsic speech-motor rhythm
Authors: Assaneo M. Florencia , Poeppel David
Published: February 2018

Auditory-motor neural synchronization during perception is restricted to a narrow frequency range and enhanced at ~4.5 Hz.
Rev-erbα dynamically modulates chromatin looping to control circadian gene transcription
Authors: Kim Yong Hoon , Marhon Sajid A. , Zhang Yuxiang , Steger David J. , Won Kyoung-Jae , Lazar Mitchell A.
Published: February 2018

Chromosome dynamics and cellular clocks

Many genes undergo daily or circadian changes in their rate of transcription. Kim
et al.
explored the mechanism by which the circadian clock is linked to chromosome dynamics (see the Perspective by Diettrich Mallet de Lima and Göndör). They used a chromosome conformation capture technique (Hi-C) to identify the interactions of adjacent DNA fragments and determine how DNA looping that altered such interactions changed over daily cycles. The repressive transcription factor Rev-erbα, which functions as part of the mammalian clock mechanism, appears to bind to chromatin and recruit a protein complex that evicts other proteins that enhance looping, thus favoring enhancer-promoter interactions.

Science
, this issue p.
1274
; see also p.
1212
Transgelin-2 as a therapeutic target for asthmatic pulmonary resistance
Authors: Yin Lei-Miao , Xu Yu-Dong , Peng Ling-Ling , Duan Ting-Ting , Liu Jia-Yuan , Xu Zhijian , Wang Wen-Qian , Guan Nan , Han Xiao-Jie , Li Hai-Yan , Pang Yu , Wang Yu , Chen Zhaoqiang , Zhu Weiliang , Deng Linhong , Wu Ying-Li , Ge Guang-Bo , Huang Shuang , Ulloa Luis , Yang Yong-Qing
Published: February 2018

A transgelin-2 agonist relaxes airway smooth muscle cells and provides therapeutic advantages for asthma.
Targeting mitochondrial responses to intra-articular fracture to prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis
Authors: Coleman Mitchell C. , Goetz Jessica E. , Brouillette Marc J. , Seol Dongrim , Willey Michael C. , Petersen Emily B. , Anderson Hope D. , Hendrickson Nathan R. , Compton Jocelyn , Khorsand Behnoush , Morris Angie S. , Salem Aliasger K. , Fredericks Douglas C. , McKinley Todd O. , Martin James A.
Published: February 2018

Inhibiting mitochondrial oxidant production after surgical fixation of an intra-articular fracture prevents osteoarthritis in a porcine model.
PP2A inhibition sensitizes cancer stem cells to ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors in BCR-ABL
+
human leukemia
Authors: Lai Damian , Chen Min , Su Jiechuang , Liu Xiaohu , Rothe Katharina , Hu Kaiji , Forrest Donna L. , Eaves Connie J. , Morin Gregg B. , Jiang Xiaoyan
Published: February 2018

PP2A inhibitors and BCR-ABL inhibitors synergize to kill drug-insensitive leukemia cells.
Endothelial cells: The heart attack of the clones
Authors: Santulli Gaetano
Published: February 2018

Neovascularization induced by acute myocardial infarction is mediated by clonal expansion of mature endothelial cells, which is triggered by VEGFR-2 signaling.
In Vitro
Study of the Susceptibility of Clinical Isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis to Metronidazole and Secnidazole
Authors: Ghosh Arindam P. , Aycock Cheri , Schwebke Jane R.
Published: February 2018

Nitroimidazoles (metronidazole [MTZ] and tinidazole [TNZ]) are the only drugs recommended for treatment of
Trichomonas vaginalis
infections. MTZ resistance occurs in 4% to 10% of cases of vaginal trichomoniasis (R. D. Kirkcaldy et al., Emerg Infect Dis 18:939–943, 2012; J. R. Schwebke and F. J. Barrientes, Antimicrob Agents Chemother 50:4209–4210, 2006) and TNZ resistance in 1% of cases (J. R. Schwebke and F. J. Barrientes, Antimicrob Agents Chemother 50:4209–4210, 2006). Emerging nitroimidazole-resistant trichomoniasis is concerning, because few alternatives to standard therapy exist. We assessed the prevalence of
in vitro
aerobic MTZ and secnidazole resistance among
T. vaginalis
isolates collected in 2015 to 2016 from 100 women in Birmingham, Alabama, with positive cultures. Archived specimens were treated with secnidazole or MTZ (0.2 to 400 μg/ml) for 48 h, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols. Ninety-six (96%) of the 100 clinical
Trichomonas
isolates tested demonstrated lower minimum lethal concentrations for secnidazole than for MTZ, suggesting that secnidazole has better
in vitro
activity than MTZ.
Detection and Serogrouping of Dichelobacter nodosus Infection by Use of Direct PCR from Lesion Swabs To Support Outbreak-Specific Vaccination for Virulent Footrot in Sheep
Authors: McPherson Andrew S. , Dhungyel Om P. , Whittington Richard J.
Published: February 2018

Virulent footrot is an economically significant disease in most sheep-rearing countries. The disease can be controlled with vaccine targeting the fimbriae of virulent strains of the essential causative agent,
Dichelobacter nodosus
. However, the bacterium is immunologically heterogeneous, and 10 distinct fimbrial serogroups have been identified. Ideally, in each outbreak the infecting strains would be cultured and serogrouped so that the appropriate serogroup-specific mono- or bivalent vaccine could be administered, because multivalent vaccines lack efficacy due to antigenic competition. If clinical disease expression is suspected to be incomplete, culture-based virulence tests are required to confirm the diagnosis, because control of benign footrot is economically unjustifiable. Both diagnosis and vaccination are conducted at the flock level. The aims of this study were to develop a PCR-based procedure for detecting and serogrouping
D. nodosus
directly from foot swabs and to determine whether this could be done accurately from the same cultured swab. A total of 269 swabs from the active margins of foot lesions of 261 sheep in 12 Merino sheep flocks in southeastern Australia were evaluated. DNA extracts taken from putative pure cultures of
D. nodosus
and directly from the swabs were evaluated in PCR assays for the 16S rRNA and
fimA
genes of
D. nodosus
. Pure cultures were tested also by the slide agglutination test. Direct PCR using extracts from swabs was more sensitive than culture for detecting and serogrouping
D. nodosus
strains. Using the most sensitive sample collection method of the use of swabs in lysis buffer,
D. nodosus
was more likely to be detected by PCR in active than in inactive lesions, and in lesions with low levels of fecal contamination, but lesion score was not a significant factor. PCR conducted on extracts from swabs in modified Stuart's transport medium that had already been used to inoculate culture plates had lower sensitivity. Therefore, if culture is required to enable virulence tests to be conducted, it is recommended that duplicate swabs be collected from each foot lesion, one in transport medium for culture and the other in lysis buffer for PCR.
Ventricular tachyarrhythmia in a 78-year-old woman with essential thrombocythaemia
Authors: Rodriguez-Ziccardi Mary , Rubio Manolo , Lu Marvin , Greenspan Allan
Published: February 2018

Anagrelide is a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor used in the treatment of essential thrombocythaemia. Cardiovascular side effects such as ventricular tachycardia and cardiomyopathy are rare but potentially fatal and should be made known to patients before starting the medication. It usually arises within the first 6 months after initiation of therapy and may be dose related. The elderly population are particularly susceptible. These cardiotoxicities result from an increase in cyclic AMP that induces positive inotropic and chronotropic effects and are often reversible with cessation of use. We report a case of a 78-year-old woman with essential thrombocythaemia and recently started on anagrelide who presented with syncope and multiple bruises and facial trauma and found to have developed ventricular tachyarrhythmia.
Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics associated with self-reported diagnosed diabetes mellitus in adults aged 50+ years in Ghana and South Africa: results from the WHO-SAGE wave 1
Authors: Tarekegne Fitsum Eyayu , Padyab Mojgan , Schröders Julia , Stewart Williams Jennifer
Published: February 2018

Objective

The objective is to identify and describe the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of adults, aged 50 years and over, who self-reported having been diagnosed and treated for diabetes mellitus (DM) in Ghana and South Africa.

Research design and methods

This is a cross-sectional study based on the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) wave 1. Information on sociodemographic factors, health states, risk factors and chronic conditions is captured from questionnaires administered in face-to-face interviews. Self-reported diagnosed and treated DM is confirmed through a ‘yes’ response to questions regarding1having previously been diagnosed with DM, and2having taken insulin or other blood sugar lowering medicines. Crude and adjusted logistic regressions test associations between candidate variables and DM status. Analyses include survey sampling weights. The variance inflation factor statistic tested for multicollinearity.

Results

In this nationally representative sample of adults aged 50 years and over in Ghana, after adjusting for the effects of sex, residence, work status, body mass index, waist-hip and waist-height ratios, smoking, alcohol, fruit and vegetable intake and household wealth, WHO-SAGE survey respondents who were older, married, had higher education, very high-risk waist circumference measurements and did not undertake high physical activity, were significantly more likely to report diagnosed and treated DM. In South Africa, respondents who were older, lived in urban areas and had high-risk waist circumference measurements were significantly more likely to report diagnosed and treated DM.

Conclusions

Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are challenged by unprecedented ageing populations and transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases such as DM. Information on those who are already diagnosed and treated needs to be combined with estimates of those who are prediabetic or, as yet, undiagnosed. Multisectoral approaches that include socioculturally appropriate strategies are needed to address diverse populations in SSA countries.
Interventions that enhance health services for parents and infants to improve child development and social and emotional well-being in high-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Hurt Lisa , Paranjothy Shantini , Lucas Patricia Jane , Watson Debbie , Mann Mala , Griffiths Lucy J , Ginja Samuel , Paljarvi Tapio , Williams Jo , Bellis Mark A , Lingam Raghu
Published: February 2018

Background

Experiences in the first 1000 days of life have a critical influence on child development and health. Health services that provide support for families need evidence about how best to improve their provision.

Methods

We systematically reviewed the evidence for interventions in high-income countries to improve child development by enhancing health service contact with parents from the antenatal period to 24 months postpartum. We searched 15 databases and trial registers for studies published in any language between 01 January 1996 and 01 April 2016. We also searched 58 programme or organisation websites and the electronic table of contents of eight journals.

Results

Primary outcomes were motor, cognitive and language development, and social-emotional well-being measured to 39 months of age (to allow the interventions time to produce demonstrable effects). Results were reported using narrative synthesis due to the variation in study populations, intervention design and outcome measurement. 22 of the 12 986 studies identified met eligibility criteria. Using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group criteria, the quality of evidence overall was moderate to low. There was limited evidence for intervention effectiveness: positive effects were seen in 1/6 studies for motor development, 4/11 for language development, 4/8 for cognitive development and 3/19 for social-emotional well-being. However, most studies showing positive effects were at high/unclear risk of bias, within-study effects were inconsistent and negative effects were also seen. Intervention content and intensity varied greatly, but this was not associated with effectiveness.

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence that interventions currently available to enhance health service contacts up to 24 months postpartum are effective for improving child development. There is an urgent need for robust evaluation of existing interventions and to develop and evaluate novel interventions to enhance the offer to all families.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42015015468.
Effect of an increased dosage of statins on spinal degenerative joint disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cheng Yuan-Yang , Kao Chung-Lan , Lin Shih-Yi , Chang Shin-Tsu , Wei Tz-Shiang , Chang Shih-Ni , Lin Ching-Heng
Published: February 2018

Objectives

It has been proven that statin can protect synovial joints from developing osteoarthritis through its anti-inflammatory effects. However, studies on the effect of statins on spinal degenerative joint diseases are few and limited to in vitro studies. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the statin dosage and the development of spinal degenerative joint diseases.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Patients registered in Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Participants

Patients aged 40–65 years old from 2001 to 2010 were included. Those who received statin treatment before 2001, were diagnosed with spinal degenerative joint diseases or received any spinal surgery before 2004 or had any spinal trauma before 2011 were excluded. A total of 7238 statin users and 164 454 non-users were identified and followed up for the next 7 years to trace the development of spinal degenerative joint disease.

Outcome measures

The incident rate of spinal degenerative joint diseases and HRs among the groups treated with different statin dosages.

Results

A higher dosage of statins was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing spinal degenerative joint disease in patients with hypercholesterolaemia. Compared with the group receiving less than 5400 mg of a statin, the HR of the 11 900–28 000 mg group was 0.83 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.99), and that of the group receiving more than 28 000 mg was 0.81 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.97). Results of subgroup analysis showed a significantly lower risk in men, those aged 50–59 years and those with a monthly income less than US$600.

Conclusions

Our study’s findings clearly indicated that a higher dosage of statins can reduce the incidence of spinal degenerative joint disease in patients with hypercholesterolaemia, and it can be beneficial for people with a higher risk of spine degeneration.