bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined treatment with a β3‐adrenergic receptor agonist and a muscarinic receptor antagonist inhibits detrusor overactivity induced by cold stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Imamura Tetsuya , Ogawa Teruyuki , Minagawa Tomonori , Nagai Takashi , Suzuki Toshiro , Saito Tetsuichi , Yokoyama Hitoshi , Nakazawa Masaki , Ishizuka Osamu
Published: July 2016

Aims

This study determined if combined treatment with the muscarinic receptor (MR) antagonist solifenacin and the β3‐adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist mirabegron could inhibit detrusor overactivity induced by cold stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

Methods

Thirty‐two female 10‐week‐old SHRs were fed an 8% NaCl‐supplemented diet for 4 weeks. Cystometric measurements of the unanesthetized, unrestricted rats were performed at room temperature (RT, 27 ± 2°C) for 20 min. The rats were then intravenously administered vehicle, 0.1 mg/kg solifenacin alone, 0.1 mg/kg mirabegron alone, or the combination of 0.1 mg/kg mirabegron and 0.1 mg/kg solifenacin (n = 8 each group). Five minutes later, the treated rats were exposed to low temperature (LT, 4 ± 2°C) for 40 min. Finally, the rats were returned to RT. After the cystometric investigations, the β3‐ARs and M3‐MRs expressed within the urinary bladders were analyzed.

Results

Just after transfer from RT to LT, vehicle‐, solifenacin‐, and mirabegron‐treated SHRs exhibited detrusor overactivity that significantly decreased voiding interval and bladder capacity. However, treatment with the combination of solifenacin and mirabegron partially inhibited the cold stress‐induced detrusor overactivity patterns. The decreases of voiding interval and bladder capacity in the combination‐treated rats were significantly inhibited compared to other groups. Within the urinary bladders, there were no differences between expression levels of M3‐MR and β3‐AR mRNA. The tissue distribution of M3‐MRs was similar to that of the β3‐ARs.

Conclusions

This study suggested that the combination of solifenacin and mirabegron act synergistically to inhibit the cold stress‐induced detrusor overactivity in SHRs. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:1026–1033, 2017. © 2016 The Authors. Neurourology and Urodynamics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Severe Maternal Morbidity and Postpartum Depressive Symptomatology: A Prospective Double Cohort Comparison Study
Authors: Norhayati Mohd Noor , Nik Hazlina Nik Hussain , Aniza Abd Aziz , Asrenee Ab Razak
Published: July 2016

The adverse consequences to mothers of postpartum depression are well‐documented, and risk factors are of interest. There is limited evidence on postpartum depression among women with severe maternal morbidity, defined as potentially life‐threatening conditions during pregnancy, childbirth, or soon after termination of pregnancy. We compared postpartum depressive symptoms of postpartum women aged 18 and older who delivered in two tertiary referral hospitals in 2014 in Kelantan, Malaysia, and had (n = 145) or had not (n = 187) suffered severe maternal morbidity. A prospective double cohort study design was applied. Postpartum depressive symptoms were assessed at 1 and 6 months postpartum using the Malay version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. There was no significant difference in the mean Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score changes (p = .803) between the two groups of women, after adjusting for age, social support, physical health, occupation, and education. Factors other than severe medical complications should be pursued as predictors of postpartum depressive symptomatology. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A randomized trial comparing two interventions to increase physical activity among patients undergoing bariatric surgery
Authors: Creel David B. , Schuh Leslie M. , Reed Christina A. , Gomez Adrienne R. , Hurst Lori A. , Stote Joseph , Cacucci Brenda M.
Published: July 2016

Objective

To test the effectiveness of two levels of physical activity interventions before and up to 6½ months after bariatric surgery.

Methods

Before surgery, individuals completed submaximal exercise testing on a treadmill. After random assignment to standard care, pedometer use, or exercise counseling plus pedometer, participants wore an accelerometer for approximately 2 weeks and returned it to the bariatric center before surgery and 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively.

Results

Individuals in exercise counseling plus pedometer had higher steps per day and bout minutes of exercise per week than standard care and pedometer use over the course of the study. There were no group differences related to exercise tolerance; however, all groups made significant improvement. There was no statistically significant change in sedentary or light activity nor was there a difference between groups.

Conclusions

Exercise counseling using pedometers increases physical activity from the perioperative period to 6½ months after surgery, but providing pedometers without professional feedback may not be more effective than standard bariatric surgery treatments. Rapid weight loss increases exercise tolerance and may mask the fitness improvements achieved through a modest physical activity intervention during the first 6 months after bariatric surgery.
Gut zu Fuß
Authors: Thaller Sigrid , Gigler Tatjana , Mathelitsch Leopold
Published: July 2016

Je nach Training, Tempo und individuellen Vorlieben gibt es drei Laufstile: Vor‐, Mittel‐ und Rückfußlaufstil. Der Vorfußlaufstil ist am schnellsten und erfordert am meisten Athletik. Auch die Schuhe haben Einfluss. Konventionelle Laufschuhe sind gut gedämpft, vermitteln aber ein schlechteres Gefühl für den Bodenkontakt. Bei Barfußlaufschuhen ist es umgekehrt. Dafür treten bei diesen überwiegend höhere Kraftspitzen an Füßen und Beinen auf. Mit dem Altern lässt die Dämpfung und Elastizität von Sportschuhen messbar nach.
Kosmische Entwicklungshelfer
Authors: Beck Rainer
Published: July 2016

Polarisierte Radiostrahlung erlaubt die Vermessung der Magnetfelder in Galaxien. Die typischen Magnetfeldstärken sind ausreichend hoch, um die Entwicklung der Galaxien zu beeinflussen und die Bildung von Spiralarmen zu unterstützen. Viele Indizien sprechen für den sogenannten α‐Ω‐Dynamo als Ursache der ausgerichteten Magnetfelder.
Elektronenorbitale in 3D
Authors: Koller Georg , Puschnig Peter , Gottwald Alexander , Tautz F. Stefan
Published: July 2016

Die winkelaufgelöste Photoelektronen‐Spektroskopie, Photoelektronen‐Tomographie genannt, erlaubt die Rekonstruktion von Molekülorbitalen in drei Dimensionen. Dazu werden auf einer Metalloberfläche angeordnete Moleküle mit extremem ultravioletten Licht bestrahlt und die Winkel‐ und Energieverteilung der über den photoelektrischen Effekt herausgelösten Elektronen gemessen. Die Ergebnisse sind ein weiterer Beleg für das Konzept der Molekülorbitale, denen der Orbitaltheoretiker Kenichi Fukui 1977 eine “irgendwie unwirkliche Natur” zuschrieb. Anders als zum Beispiel Rastersonden‐Methoden funktioniert die Photoelektronen‐Tomographie auch bei Zimmertemperatur. Sie kann zudem Orbitale organischer Moleküle auf reaktiven Substraten abbilden. In Zukunft könnte sie auch 3D‐Bilder von dynamischen Veränderungen in Orbitalen, zum Beispiel während chemischen Reaktionen, liefern.
Ein Blick auf die Herzfrequenz mit Cardiio
Authors: Karaböcek Fadime , Winkelmann Jan , Wilhelm Thomas , Kuhn Jochen
Published: July 2016

Der Name deutet es bereits an: Bei dieser App geht es um das Herz und das iOS‐Betriebssystem von Apple. Die App Cardiio bietet für iPhone, iPod touch und iPad die Möglichkeit, mit Hilfe der Videokamera die eigene Herzfrequenz zu bestimmen. Hierfür misst das Programm Farbschwankungen auf der Haut zwischen einzelnen Pulsschlägen.
Rv2074 is a novel F420H2‐dependent biliverdin reductase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Ahmed F. Hafna , Mohamed A. Elaaf , Carr Paul D. , Lee Brendon M. , Condic‐Jurkic Karmen , O'Mara Megan L. , Jackson Colin J.
Published: July 2016

Bilirubin is a potent antioxidant that is produced from the reduction of the heme degradation product biliverdin. In mammalian cells and Cyanobacteria, NADH/NADPH‐dependent biliverdin reductases (BVRs) of the Rossmann‐fold have been shown to catalyze this reaction. Here, we describe the characterization of Rv2074 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which belongs to a structurally and mechanistically distinct family of F420H2‐dependent BVRs (F‐BVRs) that are exclusively found in Actinobacteria. We have solved the crystal structure of Rv2074 bound to its cofactor, F420, and used this alongside molecular dynamics simulations, site‐directed mutagenesis and NMR spectroscopy to elucidate its catalytic mechanism. The production of bilirubin by Rv2074 could exploit the anti‐oxidative properties of bilirubin and contribute to the range of immuno‐evasive mechanisms that have evolved in M. tuberculosis to allow persistent infection.
A model for the interaction of the G3‐subdomain of Geobacillus stearothermophilus IF2 with the 30S ribosomal subunit
Authors: Dongre Ramachandra , Folkers Gert E. , Gualerzi Claudio O. , Boelens Rolf , Wienk Hans
Published: July 2016

Bacterial translation initiation factor IF2 complexed with GTP binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit, promotes ribosomal binding of fMet‐tRNA, and favors the joining of the small and large ribosomal subunits yielding a 70S initiation complex ready to enter the translation elongation phase. Within the IF2 molecule subdomain G3, which is believed to play an important role in the IF2‐30S interaction, is positioned between the GTP‐binding G2 and the fMet‐tRNA binding C‐terminal subdomains. In this study the solution structure of subdomain G3 of Geobacillus stearothermophilus IF2 has been elucidated. G3 forms a core structure consisting of two β‐sheets with each four anti‐parallel strands, followed by a C‐terminal α‐helix. In line with its role as linker between G3 and subdomain C1, this helix has no well‐defined orientation but is endowed with a dynamic nature. The structure of the G3 core is that of a typical OB‐fold module, similar to that of the corresponding subdomain of Thermus thermophilus IF2, and to that of other known RNA‐binding modules such as IF2‐C2, IF1 and subdomains II of elongation factors EF‐Tu and EF‐G. Structural comparisons have resulted in a model that describes the interaction between IF2‐G3 and the 30S ribosomal subunit.
Fermi‐level pinning and effect of deposition bath pH on the flat‐band potential of electrodeposited n‐Cu2O in an aqueous electrolyte
Authors: Kafi F. S. B. , Jayathileka K. M. D. C. , Wijesundera R. P. , Siripala W.
Published: July 2016

Capacitance–voltage (C–V) and modulated light‐induced current–voltage measurements were employed to investigate the Cu2O/electrolyte junction of electrodeposited n‐Cu2O thin films. The Mott–Schottky plots resulting from the C–V measurements revealed that the extrapolated flat‐band potential of n‐Cu2O films was strongly influenced by the pH of the bath where the films were grown. The flat‐band potential change was 300 mV for a pH difference of 0.8 and showed that the surface chemistry at an n‐Cu2O/aqueous electrolyte interface was strongly affected by the pH of the film deposition bath. In addition, current–potential measurements revealed that at the measured flat‐band potential the photocurrent did not vanish for n‐Cu2O films and the Fermi level at the interface was pinned due to the presence of electrically active surface states. Information on the presence of electrically active surface states and the shift in flat‐band potential will be very useful for applications of n‐Cu2O films in various devices.
Object‐oriented processing of CRM precipitation forecasts by stochastic filtering
Authors: Arbogast Philippe , Pannekoucke Olivier , Raynaud Laure , Lalanne Renaud , Mémin Etienne
Published: July 2016

In order to cope with small‐scale unpredictable details of mesoscale structures in cloud‐resolving models, it is suggested that model outputs are processed following a fuzzy object‐oriented approach to extract and track precipitating features (which are associated with a higher predictability than the direct model outputs). The present approach uses the particle filter method to recognize patterns based on predefined texture or spatial variability of the model output. This provides an ensemble of precipitating objects, which are then propagated in time using a stochastic advection‐diffusion process. This method is applied to both deterministic and ensemble forecasts provided by the AROME‐France convective‐scale model. Specific case‐studies support the ability of the approach to handle precipitation of different types.
Evaluation of predictive capacities of biomarkers based on research synthesis
Authors: Hattori Satoshi , Zhou Xiao‐Hua
Published: July 2016

The objective of diagnostic studies or prognostic studies is to evaluate and compare predictive capacities of biomarkers. Suppose we are interested in evaluation and comparison of predictive capacities of continuous biomarkers for a binary outcome based on research synthesis. In analysis of each study, subjects are often classified into two groups of the high‐expression and low‐expression groups according to a cut‐off value, and statistical analysis is based on a 2 × 2 table defined by the response and the high expression or low expression of the biomarker. Because the cut‐off is study specific, it is difficult to interpret a combined summary measure such as an odds ratio based on the standard meta‐analysis techniques. The summary receiver operating characteristic curve is a useful method for meta‐analysis of diagnostic studies in the presence of heterogeneity of cut‐off values to examine discriminative capacities of biomarkers. We develop a method to estimate positive or negative predictive curves, which are alternative to the receiver operating characteristic curve based on information reported in published papers of each study. These predictive curves provide a useful graphical presentation of pairs of positive and negative predictive values and allow us to compare predictive capacities of biomarkers of different scales in the presence of heterogeneity in cut‐off values among studies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zur Sprödbruchsicherheit von Erzeugnissen aus Stahlguss
Authors: Spannaus Max , Ummenhofer Thomas
Published: July 2016

Stahlgussbauteile werden häufig für hochbeanspruchte, dickwandige Erzeugnisse eingesetzt. Neben den Gebrauchstauglichkeits‐ und Tragfähigkeitsnachweisen ist für diese Bauteile aufgrund der Werkstoffungänzen und der daraus resultierenden Spannungsspitzen auch außerhalb der Anschweißenden eine ausreichende Sicherheit gegen sprödes Bauteilversagen sicherzustellen. Vereinfachte Sprödbruchnachweise, denen Worst‐Case‐Betrachtungen zugrunde liegen, lassen für große Wanddicken jedoch nur deutlich reduzierte Ausnutzungsgrade zu. Allgemein anerkannte Konzepte für die rechnerische Bewertung realitätsnaher Bemessungsszenarien unter Berücksichtigung der Herstellungsqualität von Gussbauteilen gibt es derzeit nicht. Im folgenden Beitrag werden experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Bewertung der Sprödbruchsicherheit von dickwandigen Bauteilen sowie eine detailgetreue Nachweismethode auf Basis numerischer Berechnungen vorgestellt. Diese Ergebnisse wurden im Rahmen einer Dissertation an der Versuchsanstalt für Stahl, Holz und Steine des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT) erarbeitet.

Brittle fracture safety of products of cast steel. Cast steel components are frequently used for highly stressed, thick‐walled products. In addition to the proof of serviceability and load‐bearing capacity, a sufficient safety against brittle component failure is to be ensured even outside of the welding ends for these components due to the material discontinuities and the resulting stress peaks. Simplified assessments against brittle fracture, that underlie worst‐case considerations, allow only significantly reduced utilisation factors for large wall thicknesses. Generally accepted concepts for the arithmetic evaluation of realistic dimensioning scenarios under consideration of the manufacturing quality of cast steel components are currently not available. In the following paper the experimental investigations for evaluating brittle fracture safety of thick‐walled components and an accurate detection method on the basis of numerical calculations are presented. These results were developed in the scope of a doctoral thesis at the Research Center for Steel, Timber and Masonry at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
Experimentelle Untersuchungen an Ständerrahmen des Hochregallagerbaus
Authors: Ungermann Dieter , Pätzold Anja
Published: July 2016

Die Bauhöhe von Hochregallagern ist in den vergangenen Jahren stetig gestiegen. Entsprechend besteht Bedarf, den kontinuierlich wachsenden Anforderungen, denen Hochregallager in Stahlbauweise genügen müssen, durch Weiterentwicklungen und Optimierungen der Konstruktion zu begegnen. Von essentieller Bedeutung für die Stabilität und Gebrauchstauglichkeit von Hochregallagern ist die Schubsteifigkeit von Ständerrahmen.

Geschlossene theoretische Ansätze zur realitätsnahen Erfassung der Schubsteifigkeit von Ständerrahmen mit dünnwandigen Stahlquerschnitten und einfachen Verbindungen, wie sie im Hochregallagerbau eingesetzt werden, existieren derzeit nicht. Aus diesem Grund ist es in der Regalbauindustrie immer noch gängige Praxis, die Schubsteifigkeit eines Ständerrahmens experimentell in so genannten Rahmenschubversuchen nach DIN EN 15512 zu ermitteln.

In dem hier vorgestellten Forschungsprojekt werden die für die Schubsteifigkeit von Ständerrahmen im Hochregallagerbau maßgebenden Einflussparameter qualifiziert und quantifiziert. Des Weiteren sollen auf dieser Basis Berechnungsgrundlagen abgeleitet werden, um analytische Methoden zur realitätsnahen Bestimmung der Schubsteifigkeit zu entwickeln.

Experimental analysis of upright frames in high‐bay racking construction. The height of high‐bay warehouses has risen constantly in recent years. Accordingly, there exists a need to meet the continuously increasing requirements of high‐bay warehouse in steel construction by upgrading and optimizing their design. The shear stiffness of the upright frames is of crucial importance for the stability and serviceability of high‐bay warehouses.

Closed theoretical approaches for a realistic survey of the shear stiffness of upright frames with thin‐walled steel profiles and simple joints, such as those used in high‐bay racking systems, currently do not exist. For this reason, it is still common practice within the shelf construction industry, to determine experimentally the shear stiffness of an upright frame in so‐called frame shear tests according to DIN EN 15512.

The research project presented hereafter qualifies and quantifies the relevant parameters for the shear stiffness of upright frames in high‐bay racking systems. Additionally, a calculation basis should be determined in order to develop analytical methods for a realistic determination of the shear stiffness.
Deutscher Brückenbaupreis 2016 und 26. Dresdner Brückenbausymposium
Authors: Stritzke Jürgen
Published: July 2016

Vor über 1 200 Gästen wurde am 14. März d. J. der Deutsche Brückenbaupreis 2016 verliehen. Bereits zum sechsten Mal wurde dieser bedeutende Ingenieurpreis in ununterbrochener Folge seit 2006 im Hörsaalzentrum der Technischen Universität Dresden verliehen. Ausgezeichnet wurden auch diesmal ganzheitlich gelungene Brückenbauwerke in den beiden Kategorien “Straßen‐ und Eisenbahnbrücken” sowie “Fuß‐ und Radwegbrücken”, die auch Beiträge zur Baukultur liefern. Die Ingenieure, deren kreative Leistungen maßgeblich zum Entstehen der ausgezeichneten Brückenbauwerke geführt haben, erhielten die Preisskulptur [1]. Der alle zwei Jahre ausgelobte Ingenieurpreis der Königsdisziplin des Ingenieurbaus steht unter der Schirmherrschaft des BMVI. Hauptsponsor ist die Deutsche Bahn AG.

Einen glanzvollen Auftakt boten ein “Professor des Brückenbaus” und ein “Professor der Zahnmedizin” mit einem Sketch über den sicheren Brückenbau, nicht ahnend, dass jeder von etwas anderem spricht und am Ende der Zahnarzt feststellen muss, dass er nicht nach Dresden, sondern in die Partnerstadt Hamburg zur Gesellschaft für Zahn‐, Mund‐ und Kiefernheilkunde wollte. Danach begrüßte die vom TV‐Sender rbb bekannte Moderatorin Petra Gute die Gäste und führte fachlich äußerst versiert und sympathisch durch den Festakt.
Long‐term observations of increasing snow cover in the western Cairngorms
Authors: Andrews Christopher , Ives Stephen , Dick Jan
Published: July 2016

As part of the UK Environmental Change Network (ECN) long‐term monitoring, an automatic repeat‐photography camera was installed to record changes in landscape phenology in the Allt a'Mharcaidh catchment, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. For 13 consecutive winters between 2002 and 2015, the date for the onset of continuous winter snow cover, and subsequent melt, was recorded on slopes of north and north‐easterly aspect at altitudes between 450m and 1111m amsl. Results show that the period of time during which snow is continuously present in the catchment has increased significantly by 81 (±21.01) days over the 13‐year period, and that this is largely driven by a significantly later melt date, rather than earlier onset of winter snow cover.
Evolving the l-lysine high-producing strain of Escherichia coli using a newly developed high-throughput screening method
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Qinggang , Zheng Ping , Guo Yanmei , Wang Lixian , Zhang Tongcun , Sun Jibin , Ma Yanhe
Published: July 2016

This study provided a new method which applied a selected l-lysine-inducible promoter for evolving lysine industrial strains of E. coli. According to the intracellular levels of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) whose expression was controlled by the promoter, 186 strains were preliminarily selected using fluorescence-activated cell sorting from a 10-million-mutant library generated from a l-lysine high-producing E. coli strain. By subsequent multiple parameter evaluation of the 186 selected strains according to the concentration and the yield of lysine, the productivity per unit of cell in 96-deep-well blocks, two mutants MU-1 and MU-2 were obtained. They produced 136.51 ± 1.55 and 133.2 9 ± 1.42 g/L of lysine, respectively, in 5-L jars. Compared with the lysine concentration and the yield of the original strain, those of strain MU-1 improved by 21.00 and 9.05 %, respectively, and those of strain MU-2 improved by 18.14 and 10.41 %, respectively. The mutant selection and evaluation system newly established in our study should be useful for continuous improvement of the current E. coli strains in the lysine industry.
Social stressors, coping behaviors, and depressive symptoms: A latent profile analysis of adolescents in military families
Authors: Okafor Ebony , Lucier‐Greer Mallory , Mancini Jay A.
Published: July 2016

We investigated the relationship between context‐specific social stressors, coping behaviors, and depressive symptoms among adolescents in active duty military families across seven installations (three of which were in Europe) (N = 1036) using a person‐centered approach and a stress process theoretical framework. Results of the exploratory latent profile analysis revealed four distinct coping profiles: Disengaged Copers, Troubled Copers, Humor‐intensive Copers, and Active Copers. Multinomial logistic regressions found no relationship between military‐related stressors (parental separation, frequent relocations, and parental rank) and profile membership. Analysis of variance results revealed significant and meaningful differences between the coping profiles and depressive symptomology, specifically somatic symptoms, depressive affect, positive affect, and interpersonal problems. Post‐hoc analyses revealed that Active Copers, the largest profile, reported the fewest depressive symptoms. Accordingly, frequent use of diverse, active coping behaviors was associated with enhanced resilience. Discussion is provided regarding the promotion of adaptive coping behaviors within this developmental period and the context of military family life.
Influence of parity and sexual history on cytomegalovirus seroprevalence among women aged 20–49 years in the USA
Authors: Lanzieri Tatiana M. , Kruszon‐Moran Deanna , Gambhir Manoj , Bialek Stephanie R.
Published: July 2016

Objective

To assess the influence of parity, as a proxy for exposure to children, and sexual history on cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence.

Methods

Data were retrospectively analyzed from women aged 20–49 years who were tested for CMV immunoglobulin G antibodies in the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative survey of the US population. Logistic regression was used to determine independent variables associated with CMV seroprevalence.

Results

Among 3710 women, the age‐adjusted CMV seroprevalence was 61.3% (95% CI 58.9%–63.6%). In age‐adjusted univariate analysis, women who had given birth at least once had higher overall CMV seroprevalence (66.0%, 95% CI 63.1%–68.9%) than did those who had not given birth (49.0%, 95% CI 44.4%–53.7%; P < 0.001). In multivariate logistic analysis, higher CMV seroprevalence was independently associated with number of live births (each additional birth: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3), age at first sexual intercourse (< 18 vs ≥ 18 years: aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6), lifetime sexual partners (≥ 10 vs < 10: aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.9), and herpes type 2 seropositivity (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5–2.6) after controlling for age, race/Hispanic origin, place of birth, poverty index, and education.

Conclusion

Among US women of reproductive age, parity and sexual exposures were independently associated with increased CMV seroprevalence.
The World Health Organization Global Health Emergency Workforce: What Role Will the United States Play?
Authors: Burkle Frederick M.
Published: July 2016

During the May 2016 World Health Assembly of 194 member states, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the process of developing and launching emergency medical teams as a critical component of the global health workforce concept. Over 64 countries have either launched or are in the development stages of vetting accredited teams, both international and national, to provide surge support to national health systems through WHO Regional Organizations and the delivery of emergency clinical care to sudden-onset disasters and outbreak-affected populations. To date, the United States has not yet committed to adopting the emergency medical team concept in funding and registering an international field hospital level team. This article discusses future options available for health-related nongovernmental organizations and the required educational and training requirements for health care provider accreditation. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:531–535)
Challenges and opportunities to improve autism services in low-income countries: lessons from a situational analysis in Ethiopia
Authors: Tekola B. , Baheretibeb Y. , Roth I. , Tilahun D. , Fekadu A. , Hanlon C. , Hoekstra R. A.
Published: July 2016

Background.

Little has been reported about service provision for children with autism in low-income countries. This study explored the current service provision for children with autism and their families in Ethiopia, the existing challenges and urgent needs, and stakeholders’ views on the best approaches to further develop services.

Methods.

A situational analysis was conducted based on (i) qualitative interviews with existing service providers; (ii) consultation with a wider group of stakeholders through two stakeholder workshops; and (iii) information available in the public domain. Findings were triangulated where possible.

Results.

Existing diagnostic and educational services for children with autism are scarce and largely confined to Ethiopia's capital city, with little provision in rural areas. Families of children with autism experience practical and psychosocial challenges, including severe stigma. Informants further raised the lack of culturally and contextually appropriate autism instruments as an important problem to be addressed. The study informants and local stakeholders provided several approaches for future service provision expansion, including service decentralisation, mental health training and awareness raising initiatives.

Conclusions.

Services for children with autism in Ethiopia are extremely limited; appropriate care for these children is further impeded by stigma and lack of awareness. Ethiopia's plans to scale up mental healthcare integrated into primary care provide an opportunity to expand services for children with autism and other developmental disorders. These plans, together with the additional strategies outlined in this paper can help to address the current service provision gaps and may also inform service enhancement approaches in other low-income countries.
Lift on side-by-side intruders within a granular flow
Authors: López de la Cruz R. A. , Caballero-Robledo G. A.
Published: July 2016

For the first time, we used computer simulations to study lift forces on two static disks placed side-by-side within a two-dimensional granular flow and found them to be either repulsive or attractive depending on the flow velocity and separation between the disks. Our simulations results reveal that differences in the flow velocity between the disks and outside of that region are closely correlated with the lift force. We propose an empirical function for the lift force based on this correlation and our dimensional analysis. The specific region where the measured velocity exhibits this correlation suggests that attractive lift is not a Bernoulli-like effect. Instead, we speculate that it might be explained by a force balance based on Coulomb’s theory of passive failure in a Mohr–Coulomb material. Our results confirm that repulsive lift is due to the jamming of particles flowing between the disks.
Rarefaction Effect on Gas Flow in Microchannels with Various Aspect Ratios
Authors: Huang C.-Y. , Li J.-S.
Published: July 2016

This study investigated the effect of rarefaction on microchannel gas flow by measuring pressure profiles in microchannels with various aspect ratios. Pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) was applied in rectangular microchannels to obtain the global flow field by using detailed pressure data. The effect of rarefaction on the microchannel gas flow was clearly observed in the microchannels through the pressure data obtained using PSP measurements. A nonlinear pressure distribution was observed inside the microchannels, and this distribution decreased as the Knudsen number (Kn) increased because of the rarefaction effect. The dimensionless pressure deviation from the linear assumption dropped from 0.25 to 0 when the outlet Kn number increased to 0.066 in the 100-μm-wide microchannel, and the dimensionless location of the maximum deviation moved upstream because of the gaseous slip at the wall. The nonlinear pressure distribution also decreased in the 50-μm-wide microchannel as the outlet Kn number increased; however, the peak of the maximum deviation could no longer be identified because of the characteristic of the narrow channel.
Aptness and beauty in metaphor
Authors: MCQUIRE MARGUERITE , MCCOLLUM LAUREN , CHATTERJEE ANJAN
Published: July 2016

abstract

Metaphors are comparisons that link dissimilar conceptual domains. We hypothesized that the aptness of a metaphor is linked to the reader’s experience of beauty, and that age and expertise influence these aesthetic judgments. We had young adults, literary experts, and elderly adults rate metaphors for beauty or aptness. Experimental materials consisted of single-sentence novel metaphors whose familiarity, figurativeness, imageability, interpretability, and overall valence ratings were known. Results suggest that beauty and aptness of metaphors are linked for elderly adults but are orthogonal for young adults and literary experts. Elderly participants seem to conflate emotional content with aptness. Young adults are most swayed by a perceived feeling of familiarity when rating for aptness, but not for beauty. Literary experts are relatively unaffected by the psycholinguistic variables, suggesting an emotionally distanced approach to these sentences. Individual differences in literary training and life experience have varying effects on the aesthetic experience of metaphor in regard to beauty and aptness.
The Relation between Star-Formation Rate and Stellar Mass of Galaxies atz~ 1–4
Authors: Katsianis A. , Tescari E. , Wyithe J. S. B.
Published: July 2016

The relation between the star-formation Rate and stellar mass (M⋆) of galaxies represents a fundamental constraint on galaxy formation, and has been studied extensively both in observations and cosmological hydrodynamic simulations. However, the observed amplitude of the star-formation rate—stellar mass relation has not been successfully reproduced in simulations, indicating either that the halo accretion history and baryonic physics are poorly understood/modelled or that observations contain biases. In this paper, we examine the evolution of the SFR −M⋆relation ofz~ 1–4 galaxies and display the inconsistency between observed relations that are obtained using different techniques. We employ cosmological hydrodynamic simulations from various groups which are tuned to reproduce a range of observables and compare these with a range of observed SFR −M⋆relations. We find that numerical results are consistent with observations that use Spectral Energy Distribution techniques to estimate star-formation rates, dust corrections, and stellar masses. On the contrary, simulations are not able to reproduce results that were obtained by combining only UV and IR luminosities (UV+IR). These imply star-formation rates at a fixed stellar mass that are larger almost by a factor of 5 than those of Spectral Energy Distribution measurements forz~ 1.5–4. Forz< 1.5, the results from simulations, Spectral Energy Distribution fitting techniques and IR+UV conversion agree well. We find that surveys that preferably select star-forming galaxies (e.g. by adopting Lyman-break or blue selection) typically predict a larger median/average star-formation rate at a fixed stellar mass especially for high mass objects, with respect to mass selected samples and hydrodynamic simulations. Furthermore, we find remarkable agreement between the numerical results from various authors who have employed different cosmological codes and run simulations with different resolutions. This is interesting for two reasons. (A) simulations can produce realistic populations of galaxies within representative cosmological volumes even at relatively modest resolutions. (B) It is likely that current numerical codes that rely on similar subgrid multiphase interstellar medium models and are tuned to reproduce statistical properties of galaxies, produce similar results for the SFR −M⋆relation by construction, regardless of resolution, box size and, to some extent, the adopted feedback prescriptions.
Micronutrient intake and food sources in the very old: analysis of the Newcastle 85+ Study
Authors: Mendonça Nuno , Hill Tom R. , Granic Antoneta , Davies Karen , Collerton Joanna , Mathers John C. , Siervo Mario , Wrieden Wendy L. , Seal Chris J. , Kirkwood Thomas B. L. , Jagger Carol , Adamson Ashley J.
Published: July 2016

A number of socio-economic, biological and lifestyle characteristics change with advancing age and place very old adults at increased risk of micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin and mineral intakes and respective food sources in 793 75-year-olds (302 men and 491 women) in the North-East of England, participating in the Newcastle 85+ Study. Micronutrient intakes were estimated using a multiple-pass recall tool (2×24 h recalls). Determinants of micronutrient intake were assessed with multinomial logistic regression. Median vitamin D, Ca and Mg intakes were 2·0 (interquartile range (IQR) 1·2–6·5) µg/d, 731 (IQR 554–916) mg/d and 215 (IQR 166–266) mg/d, respectively. Fe intake was 8·7 (IQR 6·7–11·6) mg/d, and Se intake was 39·0 (IQR 27·3–55·5) µg/d. Cereals and cereal products were the top contributors to intakes of folate (31·5 %), Fe (49·2 %) and Se (46·7 %) and the second highest contributors to intakes of vitamin D (23·8 %), Ca (27·5 %) and K (15·8 %). More than 95 % (n756) of the participants had vitamin D intakes below the UK’s Reference Nutrient Intake (10 µg/d). In all, >20 % of the participants were below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake for Mg (n175), K (n238) and Se (n418) (comparisons with dietary reference values (DRV) do not include supplements). As most DRV are not age specific and have been extrapolated from younger populations, results should be interpreted with caution. Participants with higher education, from higher social class and who were more physically active had more nutrient-dense diets. More studies are needed to inform the development of age-specific DRV for micronutrients for the very old.
Mapping of force fields in a capacitively driven radiofrequency plasma discharge
Authors: Dropmann Michael , Chen M. , Sabo H. , Laufer R. , Herdrich G. , Matthews L. S. , Hyde T. W.
Published: July 2016

In this paper a method is described that allows mapping of the forces acting on dust particles in a GEC reference cell. Monodisperse particles are dropped into the plasma environment and their trajectories are tracked using a high-speed camera system to determine local accelerations and respective forces. Collecting data from a large number of particle drops allows the identification of three-dimensional vector fields for the acting forces. The procedure is described and multiple examples in which the method has been applied are given. These examples include a simple plasma sheath, plasmas perturbed by a horizontal and vertical dipole magnet, an array of multiple magnets mimicking the fields found at a lunar swirl, and the fields inside a glass box used for particle confinement. Further applicability in other plasma environments will be discussed shortly.
A centenary of Robert T. Leiper's lasting legacy on schistosomiasis and a COUNTDOWN on control of neglected tropical diseases
Authors: STOTHARD J. RUSSELL , KABATEREINE NARCIS B. , ARCHER JOHN , AL-SHEHRI HAJRI , TCHUEM-TCHUENTÉ LOUIS ALBERT , GYAPONG MARGARET , BUSTINDUY AMAYA L.
Published: July 2016

Part of Robert T. Leiper's (1881–1969) lasting legacy in medical helminthology is grounded on his pioneering work on schistosomiasis (Bilharzia). Having undertaken many expeditions to the tropics, his fascination with parasite life cycles typically allowed him to devise simple preventive measures that curtailed transmission. Building on his formative work with others in Africa and Asia, and again in Egypt in 1915, he elucidated the life cycles of African schistosomes. His mandate, then commissioned by the British War Office, was to prevent and break transmission of this disease in British troops. This he did by raising standing orders based on simple water hygiene measures. Whilst feasible in military camp settings, today their routine implementation is sadly out of reach for millions of Africans living in poverty. Whilst we celebrate the centenary of Leiper's research we draw attention to some of his lesser known colleagues, then focus on schistosomiasis in Uganda discussing why expanded access to treatment with praziquantel is needed now. Looking to WHO 2020 targets for neglected tropical diseases, we introduce COUNTDOWN, an implementation research consortium funded by DFID, UK, which fosters the scale-up of interventions and confirm the current relevance of Leiper's original research.
ACROSS THE HELLESPONT: MAYDOS (ANCIENT MADYTOS), TROY AND THE NORTH-EASTERN AEGEAN IN THE LATE EIGHTH TO EARLY SIXTH CENTURY BC
Authors: Aslan Carolyn C. , Sazcı Göksel
Published: July 2016

This article presents new excavation results from three oval or apsidal houses discovered at the site of Maydos-Kilisetepe (ancient Madytos), which is located near the coast of the Hellespont on the Gallipoli peninsula. The houses date to the late eighth to early sixth centurybc. The material from Maydos is evaluated in comparison with the nearby site of Troy (Ilion) and situated within the wider context of developments in the north-eastern Aegean region during the Late Geometric to Early Archaic periods. From the mid-eighth to the mid-seventh century, a cultural koine existed in the north-eastern Aegean, shown by the strong similarities in material culture among the sites in the region. Troy was most probably a large regional centre, while Maydos functioned as a smaller settlement within this network. The power and influence of this koine declined or was replaced in the mid-seventh century, when there was a sudden influx of Ionian-style ceramics at Maydos, around the same time that Troy experienced a destruction. The patterns of cultural interactions changed with the establishment of Greek (primarily Ionian and Athenian) colonies on both sides of the Hellespont during the second half of the seventh to the early sixth century.
The problem of change in constructivist theory: Ontological security seeking and agent motivation
Authors: Flockhart Trine
Published: July 2016

Constructivism has a problem in accounting for agent-led change and for what motivates agents to make up their minds about how to put their agency to use. I show that constructivism’s problem of change is related to tensions between constructivism’s own key assumptions about the mutually constitutive relationship between structure and agency, understanding of change and to an essentialist conception of identity. I argue that agency is constituted through processes of ‘identification’ involving identity and narrative constructions and performance through practice and action. I make the perhaps controversial move to regard ontological security as a precondition for agent-led change and to identify ontological security maximisation as functionally equivalent to rationalist theories’ agent assumption of utility maximisation. I identify two strategies for maximising ontological security: a ‘strategy of being’ to secure a stable and esteem-enhancing identity and a strong narrative; and a ‘strategy of doing’ to ensure cognitive consistency through routinised practice whilst also undertaking action contributing to a sense of integrity and pride. The article concludes that although humans are endowed with agency, their actual ability to utilise their agency is severely constrained by their need for maintaining ontological security, which may explain why change appears so difficult to achieve.
Separation of variables in equations of mean-curvature type
Authors: López Rafael
Published: July 2016

We obtain all the solutions of types u(x, y) = f(x) + g(y) and u(x, y) = f(x)g(y) for three known mean-curvature-prescribed equations, namely, the capillary equation, the translating soliton equation and the two-dimensional analogue of the catenary.
Modulating adult neurogenesis through dietary interventions
Authors: Heberden Christine
Published: July 2016

Three areas in the brain continuously generate new neurons throughout life: the subventricular zone lining the lateral ventricles, the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus and the median eminence in the hypothalamus. These areas harbour neural stem cells, which contribute to neural repair by generating daughter cells that then become functional neurons or glia. Impaired neurogenesis leads to detrimental consequences, such as depression, decline of cognitive abilities and obesity. Adult neurogenesis is a versatile process that can be modulated either positively or negatively by many effectors, external or endogenous. Diet can modify neurogenesis both ways, either directly by ways of food-borne molecules, or possibly by the modifications induced on gut microbiota composition. It is therefore critical to define dietary strategies optimal for the maintenance of the stem cell pools.
PERFORMANCE OF A REAL CODED GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR THE CALIBRATION OF SCALAR CONSERVATION LAWS
Authors: BERRES S. , CORONEL A. , LAGOS R. , SEPÚLVEDA M.
Published: July 2016

This paper deals with the flux identification problem for scalar conservation laws. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem, where the objective function compares the solution of the direct problem with observed profiles at a fixed time. A finite volume scheme solves the direct problem and a continuous genetic algorithm solves the inverse problem. The numerical method is tested with synthetic experimental data. Simulation parameters are recovered approximately. The tested heuristic optimization technique turns out to be more robust than classical optimization techniques.
Still and rotating myosin clusters determine cytokinetic ring constriction
Authors: Wollrab Viktoria , Thiagarajan Raghavan , Wald Anne , Kruse Karsten , Riveline Daniel
Published: July 2016

The cytokinetic ring is essential for separating daughter cells during division. It consists of actin filaments and myosin motors that are generally assumed to organize as sarcomeres similar to skeletal muscles. However, direct evidence is lacking. Here we show that the internal organization and dynamics of rings are different from sarcomeres and distinct in different cell types. Using micro-cavities to orient rings in single focal planes, we find in mammalian cells a transition from a homogeneous distribution to a periodic pattern of myosin clusters at the onset of constriction. In contrast, in fission yeast, myosin clusters rotate prior to and during constriction. Theoretical analysis indicates that both patterns result from acto-myosin self-organization and reveals differences in the respective stresses. These findings suggest distinct functional roles for rings: contraction in mammalian cells and transport in fission yeast. Thus self-organization under different conditions may be a generic feature for regulating morphogenesis in vivo.
‘Squeezing’ near-field thermal emission for ultra-efficient high-power thermophotovoltaic conversion
Authors: Karalis Aristeidis , Joannopoulos J. D.
Published: July 2016

We numerically demonstrate near-field planar ThermoPhotoVoltaic systems with very high efficiency and output power, at large vacuum gaps. Example performances include: at 1200 °K emitter temperature, output power density 2 W/cm2 with ~47% efficiency at 300 nm vacuum gap; at 2100 °K, 24 W/cm2 with ~57% efficiency at 200 nm gap; and, at 3000 °K, 115 W/cm2 with ~61% efficiency at 140 nm gap. Key to this striking performance is a novel photonic design forcing the emitter and cell single modes to cros resonantly couple and impedance-match just above the semiconductor bandgap, creating there a ‘squeezed’ narrowband near-field emission spectrum. Specifically, we employ surface-plasmon-polariton thermal emitters and silver-backed semiconductor-thin-film photovoltaic cells. The emitter planar plasmonic nature allows for high-power and stable high-temperature operation. Our simulations include modeling of free-carrier absorption in both cell electrodes and temperature dependence of the emitter properties. At high temperatures, the efficiency enhancement via resonant mode cross-coupling and matching can be extended to even higher power, by appropriately patterning the silver back electrode to enforce also an absorber effective surface-plasmon-polariton mode. Our proposed designs can therefore lead the way for mass-producible and low-cost ThermoPhotoVoltaic micro-generators and solar cells.