bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A more precise, repeatable and diagnostic alternative to surface electromyography – an appraisal of the clinical utility of acoustic myography
Authors: Harrison Adrian P.
Published: March 2017

Acoustic myography (AMG) enables a detailed and accurate measurement of those muscles involved in a particular movement and is independent of electrical signals between the nerve and muscle, measuring solely muscle contractions, unlike surface electromyography (sEMG). With modern amplifiers and digital sound recording systems, measurements during physical activity both inside and outside a laboratory setting are now possible and accurate. Muscle sound gives a representation of the work of each muscle group during a complex movement, and under certain forms of movement even reveals both concentric and eccentric activity, something that sEMG is incapable of. Recent findings suggest that AMG has a number of advantages over sEMG, being simple to use, accurate and repeatable as well as being intuitive to interpret. The AMG signal comprises three physiological parameters, namely efficiency/coordination (E‐score), spatial summation (S‐score) and temporal summation (T‐score). It is concluded that modern AMG units have the potential to accurately assess patients with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal complaints in hospital clinics, home monitoring situations as well as sports settings.
Intraläsionale Therapie niedrig maligner primär kutaner B‐Zell‐Lymphome mit Anti‐CD20‐Antikörper: Nebenwirkungen korrelieren mit gutem klinischen Ansprechen
Authors: Eberle Franziska C. , Holstein Julia , Scheu Alexander , Fend Falko , Yazdi Amir S.
Published: March 2017

Hintergrund und Ziel

Die intraläsionale Gabe von Anti‐CD20‐Antikörpern (Rituximab) wurde als effektive Therapieoption für Patienten mit niedrig malignen primär kutanen B‐Zell‐Lymphomen beschrieben. Bis heute wurden allerdings keine Parameter identifiziert, welche reproduzierbar ein gutes klinisches Ansprechen dieser Therapie vorhersagen. Ziel dieser Studie ist, sowohl das klinische Ansprechen und die unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen als auch die Patientenwahrnehmung hinsichtlich intraläsionaler Injektionen von anti‐CD20‐Antikörpern zur Behandlung indolenter primär kutaner B‐Zell‐Lymphome im Vergleich mit anderen Therapien zu evaluieren.

Patienten und Methodik

Elf Patienten mit einem primär kutanen B‐Zell‐Lymphom, namentlich primär kutanes Keimzentrumslymphom (n = 9) und primär kutanes Marginalzonenlymphom (n = 2), welche mittels intraläsionalem Anti‐CD20‐Antikörper behandelt wurden, wurden retrospektiv evaluiert hinsichtlich der Ansprechrate und unerwünschter Nebenwirkungen sowie in Bezug auf deren Selbsteinschätzung dieser und anderer Therapien des primär kutanen B‐Zell‐Lymphoms.

Ergebnisse

Patienten, deren primär kutanes B‐Zell‐Lymphom mittels intraläsionaler Gabe von Anti‐CD20‐Antikörper behandelt wurde, zeigten ein komplettes oder partielles Ansprechen in 45 % beziehungsweise 27 % aller Patienten. Speziell Patienten mit grippeähnlichen Symptomen nach erfolgter Injektion zeigten ein gutes Ansprechen. Die Mehrheit der Patienten empfand die Therapie mit Rituximab als die beste Therapie im Vergleich zu anderen Therapien wie beispielsweise chirurgische Exzision oder Radiotherapie.

Fazit

Intraläsionales Rituximab ist eine effektive Therapie mit hoher Patientenzufriedenheit. Starke therapiebedingte Nebenwirkungen wie Fieber, Schüttelfrost und Kopfschmerzen nach Gabe von Rituximab könnten als Indikator für gute Wirksamkeit dienen.
INFORMATION AND ENDOGENOUS DELEGATION IN A RENT‐SEEKING CONTEST
Authors: Schoonbeek Lambert
Published: March 2017

We offer a new explanation for the occurrence of delegation in rent‐seeking contests. We consider a two‐player contest for a prize of common value. The players only know that the prize is high or low, with given probabilities. Each player can hire a delegate to act on his behalf. After a delegate is hired, she privately observes the true value of the prize. We derive the conditions under which, respectively, no player, only one player, or both players delegate in equilibrium. (JELD7)
Mothership or drip‐and‐ship in the era of thrombectomy: can we use prehospital clinical scales as a compass?
Authors: Turc G.
Published: March 2017

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this volume.
Intestinal adenocarcinoma in ponies: Clinical and pathological findings
Authors: Völker I. , Puschmann T. , Michutta J. , Ohnesorge B. , Wohlsein P.
Published: March 2017

Intestinal adenocarcinomas (IACs) are rarely described in horses, particularly in ponies. Here, the clinical and pathomorphological findings of three mature ponies withIACs are reported. All animals had a history of recurrent colic, and displayed hyperfibrinogenaemia. Clinical investigations could not confirm intestinal neoplasia. On gross post‐mortem examination, papillary colonic neoplastic masses partially obliterated the intestinal lumen. In two cases, metastases were present. Histologically,IACs were classified as tubulo‐acinar subtypes with occasional stromal osseous metaplasia. In one case, prestenotic impaction had resulted in rupture of the colon with secondary septic peritonitis. In mature ponies suffering from recurrent colic intestinal neoplasia should be considered as a differential diagnosis.
3D structural analysis of protein O‐mannosyl kinase, POMK, a causative gene product of dystroglycanopathy
Authors: Nagae Masamichi , Mishra Sushil K. , Neyazaki Makiko , Oi Rika , Ikeda Akemi , Matsugaki Naohiro , Akashi Satoko , Manya Hiroshi , Mizuno Mamoru , Yagi Hirokazu , Kato Koichi , Senda Toshiya , Endo Tamao , Nogi Terukazu , Yamaguchi Yoshiki
Published: March 2017

Orchestration of the multiple enzymes engaged in O‐mannose glycan synthesis provides a matriglycan on α‐dystroglycan (α‐DG) which attracts extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as laminin. Aberrant O‐mannosylation of α‐DG leads to severe congenital muscular dystrophies due to detachment of ECM proteins from the basal membrane. Phosphorylation at C6‐position of O‐mannose catalyzed by protein O‐mannosyl kinase (POMK) is a crucial step in the biosynthetic pathway of O‐mannose glycan. Several mis‐sense mutations of the POMK catalytic domain are known to cause a severe congenital muscular dystrophy, Walker–Warburg syndrome. Due to the low sequence similarity with other typical kinases, structure–activity relationships of this enzyme remain unclear. Here, we report the crystal structures of the POMK catalytic domain in the absence and presence of an ATP analogue and O‐mannosylated glycopeptide. The POMK catalytic domain shows a typical protein kinase fold consisting of N‐ and C‐lobes. Mannose residue binds to POMK mainly via the hydroxyl group at C2‐position, differentiating from other monosaccharide residues. Intriguingly, the two amino acid residues K92 and D228, interacting with the triphosphate group of ATP, are donated from atypical positions in the primary structure. Mutations in this protein causing muscular dystrophies can now be rationalized.
Patterns of care among patients receiving sequential targeted therapies for advanced renal cell carcinoma: A retrospective chart review in the USA
Authors: Pal Sumanta K , Signorovitch James E , Li Nanxin , Zichlin Miriam L , Liu Zhimei , Ghate Sameer R , Perez Jose Ricardo , Vogelzang Nicholas J
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To assess real‐world treatment patterns of targeted therapies after failure of first‐line tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

A large, retrospective review of medical charts of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in the USA was carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize physicians’ and patients’ characteristics, treatment sequences, and reasons for treatment choices. P‐values were calculated using χ2‐tests for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests for continuous variables. A descriptive comparison was carried out between current results and those of a previous treatment pattern study conducted in 2012 to identify changes in treatment patterns over time.

Results

Sunitinib and everolimus remained the most commonly‐used first and second targeted therapies, respectively. Among patients who continued to a third targeted therapy, everolimus and axitinib were the most commonly‐used treatments after second targeted therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, respectively. The use of pazopanib as first targeted therapy, and of axitinib and sorafenib as second targeted therapies, increased over time. Efficacy, treatment guidelines and a different mechanism of action were the main reasons given by physicians for choosing among second targeted therapies after failure of a first tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Conclusions

The results of the present study document patterns of care during a period of rapid and ongoing therapeutic advancement in advanced renal cell carcinoma. Sequencing of therapies warrants ongoing analysis in light of new agents entering the advanced renal cell carcinoma treatment landscape.
The Impact of Middle Manager Training on Productivity: A Test on Italian Companies
Authors: Feltrinelli Elena , Gabriele Roberto , Trento Sandro
Published: March 2017

This paper presents panel evidence on the productivity effects of middle managers’ off‐the‐job formal training in Italy. It is based on a rich and reliable panel dataset covering all sectors of the Italian economy over the period 2006–2011. We employ panel data techniques and self‐selection models to show that off‐the‐job formal training for middle management has a significant nonlinear exogenous effect on total factor productivity. Moreover, results indicate that middle managers’ off‐the‐job formal training is more effective in larger firms and that different training methods have heterogeneous effects on productivity.
Outsource planning with asymmetric supply cost information through a menu of option contracts
Authors: Nosoohi Iman , Nookabadi Ali Shahandeh
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates a supply contract design by a dominant manufacturer who faces a stochastic demand during a selling season. The manufacturer has several estimations of the supplier's cost with corresponding probabilities, that is, asymmetric cost information. The manufacturer designs a menu of call option contracts that include three variables: a supply order, an option, and an exercise price. We determine the optimal negative correlation between option and exercise prices as well as closed‐form formulas for the optimal supply orders. The results show that in the optimal menu of contracts either the option or the exercise price may be omitted from the menu, whereas the supply orders should always be customized for each supplier type. We show that in this problem, optimal profit assignment between contract partners under put and bidirectional option contracts is the same as call option contract studied. Numerical analysis including managerial insights is presented.
High Qm values and humidity effect on the electrical properties of (K, Na)NbO3 lead‐free piezoceramics doped with B2O3–CuO mixed oxides
Authors: Zhen Yuhua , Li Linling , Lin Yaning , Wang Ke , Zhu Fangyuan , Jia Kaili
Published: March 2017

To greatly enhance the mechanical quality factor (Qm) of piezoceramic materials, B2O3–CuO mixed oxides were added to a K0.48Na0.52NbO3‐based lead‐free piezoceramic (abbreviated as BC‐KNN). The results suggest that the B2O3–CuO additives effectively improved the sinterability and Qm value of the piezoceramic. An optimal Qm value as high as 2128 was obtained, which is 35 times higher than that of pure KNN ceramic. Interestingly, we found that the Qm value was sensitive to humidity of the surrounding environment. As the relative humidity (RH) increased from 25% RH to 78% RH, the Qm value of the BC‐KNN ceramics decreased from 2128 to 267. We found that the dependence of the Qm value on humidity was closely related to the instability of the relative dielectric constant (ɛr). Our results show that a dense microstructure is critical for maintaining a stable high Qm performance in a humid environment.
High Nd3+→Yb3+ energy transfer efficiency in tungsten‐tellurite glass: A promising converter for solar cells
Authors: Costa Francine Bettio , Yukimitu Keizo , Nunes Luiz Antonio de Oliveira , Figueiredo Marcio da Silva , Silva Junior Reis , Andrade Luis Humberto da Cunha , Lima Sandro Marcio , Moraes João Carlos Silos
Published: March 2017

This work reports on the energy transfer efficiency for Nd3+/Yb3+ co‐doped tellurite glasses (80TO2‐20WO3, in mol%,). The correlation between Yb3+ ion concentration and the downconversion mechanism was investigated using optical and thermal lens spectroscopies, which enabled investigation of the radiative and nonradiative processes, respectively, involved in energy transfer from neodymium to ytterbium. The Nd3+ near‐infrared fluorescence disappeared almost entirely when the maximum concentration of Yb3+ ions (4 mol%) was doped into the host. In contrast, there was a corresponding increase in the ytterbium emission at around 980 nm. When ytterbium was added, there was also a simultaneous reduction in the amount of heat generated by the sample due to a reduction in the nonradiative decay rate, corroborating the suspected high energy transfer efficiency of Nd3+→Yb3+. The results indicate that tungsten‐tellurite glasses may be of potential use in solar cells for matching the solar emission spectrum to the semiconductor cell.
Hepatitis C virus and its cutaneous manifestations: treatment in the direct‐acting antiviral era
Authors: Wiznia L.E. , Laird M.E. , Franks A.G.
Published: March 2017

New all‐oral direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) have changed the hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment landscape. Given that dermatologists frequently encounter HCV‐infected patients, knowledge of the current treatment options and their utility in treating HCV‐associated dermatologic disorders is important. In addition to highlighting the new treatment options, we review four classically HCV‐associated dermatologic disorders – mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC), lichen planus (LP), porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) – and examine the role for all‐oral direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) regimens in their treatment. A literature search of English‐language publications was conducted of the PubMed and EMBASE databases using search terms including ‘hepatitis C’, ‘direct acting antivirals’, ‘cutaneous’, ‘mixed cryoglobulinemia’, ‘necrolytic acral erythema’, ‘lichen planus’, ‘porphyria cutanea tarda’, ‘rash’, as well as specific drug names, related terms and abbreviations. Currently, limited data exist on the use of DAAs in HCV‐infected patients with cutaneous side‐effects, although treatment of the underlying HCV is now recommended for nearly all patients, with the new drugs offering much‐improved dosage schedules and side‐effect profiles. The most data exist for MC, in which several studies suggest that DAAs and achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR) improve cutaneous symptoms. Studies of both older and newer regimens are limited by their small size, retrospective nature, lack of appropriate controls and wide variability in study protocols. Given the strong association, screening for HCV should be considered in patients with MC, LP, PCT and NAE.
Analysis of the German DRG data for livedoid vasculopathy and calciphylaxis
Authors: Renner R. , Dissemond J. , Goerge T. , Hoff N. , Kröger K. , Erfurt‐Berge C.
Published: March 2017

Background

Livedoid vasculopathy and calciphylaxis are rare skin disorders. Large cohorts of patients have been missing so far for detailed analysis.

Patients and methods

Data from diagnosis‐related groups (DRGs) of hospitalized cases of livedoid vasculopathy (ntotal = 1357) and calciphylaxis (ntotal = 699) were analysed for the years 2008‐2013 concerning sex, age and frequency of diagnosis. To avoid deviations to non‐relevant secondary diagnosis and due to changes in ICD‐10 indices, we selected the two most recent available years 2013 and 2014 for evaluation of the accompanying diagnoses for both, livedoid vasculopathy (n = 519) and calciphylaxis (n = 324). Those were additionally evaluated as possible comorbidity.

Results

The male–female ratio for livedoid vasculopathy was 2.1:1. Patients older than 45 years comprehended 74.7% of all patients with peaks between the ages of 45–50 and 70–75. Livedoid vasculopathy patients suffered from cardiovascular and renal diseases. Coding of coagulation disorders was found rarely in our analysis. For calciphylaxis, we calculated a male–female ratio of 1.7:1. Most of the patients were at an age between 65 and 80 years. Diagnosis at an age under 35 years was rare. In general, most calciphylaxis patients showed end‐stage renal disease with need of dialysis and presented with the resulting complications.

Conclusions

Our data analysis shows relevant comorbidity and cofactors of these rare diseases like livedoid vasculopathy and calciphylaxis in Germany by a large number of cases.
Theorizing the Decision‐Making Process for Divorce or Reconciliation
Authors: Allen Sarah , Hawkins Alan J.
Published: March 2017

Divorce is commonplace in the United States, with an abundant scholarship on the phenomenon. Most research has focused on predictors of divorce, associations between divorce and family member well‐being, and interventions and policies for divorcing couples and children. Although this scholarship tells us much about why couples get divorced and the impact divorce has, it has little to say about how individuals think about and couples talk about and make meaning of their decision‐making process regarding divorce or reconciliation. The purpose of this article is to examine and critique existing theoretical frameworks used to understand decision‐making processes both generally in the field and specifically in the context of divorce ideation. Our goal is to propose future research and theory directions that are better suited to capturing the complexity of decision‐making processes within the liminal space of the lives of individuals who are married but facing the proximate possibility of divorce.
The effect of rehabilitation exercises combined with direct vagina low voltage low frequency electric stimulation on pelvic nerve electrophysiology and tissue function in primiparous women: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yang Sumian , Sang Wenshu , Feng Jing , Zhao Haifeng , Li Xian , Li Ping , Fan Hongfang , Tang Zengjun , Gao Lina
Published: March 2017

Aim and Objective

To evaluate the effect of rehabilitation exercises combined with Direct Vagina Low Voltage Low Frequency Electric Stimulation (DES) on pelvic nerve electrophysiology and tissue function after delivery.

Background

Whether and how DES effects pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) are not known clearly.

Design

This was a randomised, controlled clinical trial.

Methods

The 189 primiparous women 20–35 years old and with an episiotomy or second degree episiotomy tear were divided into three groups: the control group (n = 60) received routine postpartum guidance 2 hr postpartum, the training group (n = 63) performed rehabilitation exercises (Kegel exercises and pelvic movements) from 2 days postpartum until 3 months postpartum, and the combination group (n = 66) received DES 15 times (3 times a week for 30 min at a time) beginning at the sixth week postpartum in addition to performing rehabilitation exercises. Adopt international standard scale and score method to inspect maternal life treatment, such as pelvic organ prolapse situation (POP‐Q division), the degree of incontinence score and pelvic floor muscle intensity of muscular contraction. Data were collected during the third month after delivery.

Results

Three months postpartum, there were differences among the three groups in the POP‐Q grade, the degree of incontinence score, the Oxford grade for pelvic floor muscle strength and the pelvic floor muscle electrophysiology condition. Additionally, there were significant differences regarding the pubic symphysis clearance. Rehabilitation exercises can promote healing of the maternal pubic symphysis and recovery of the pelvis. The total electrical value, type I muscle fibre strength and type II muscle fibre strength were significantly increased in the combination group after treatment than before treatment.

Conclusion

Rehabilitation exercises combined with DES were beneficial to the recovery of postpartum pelvic nerve tissue function, and a synergistic effect was observed when the two methods were combined.

Relevance to clinical practice

These conclusions justify that rehabilitation exercise combined with DES can better relieve uncomfortable symptoms postpartum and improve the women's quality of life.
An adolescent with chronic scaling of the lips
Authors: Correia Joana , Machado Susana , Selores Manuela
Published: March 2017

See Answer
Measuring quality: caries‐related emergency department visits and follow‐up among children
Authors: Herndon Jill Boylston , Crall James J. , Carden Donna L. , Catalanotto Frank A. , Tomar Scott L. , Aravamudhan Krishna , Light Jennifer K. , Shenkman Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study validated two Dental Quality Alliance system‐level measures of oral healthcare quality for children – caries‐related emergency department (ED) visits and timely follow‐up of those visits with a dentist – including formal validation of diagnosis codes used to identify caries‐related ED visits and measurement of follow‐up care.

Methods

The measures were specified for implementation with administrative claims data and validated using data from the Florida and Texas Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs. Measure specification testing and measure score validation used administrative data for 7,007,765 children. We validated the diagnosis codes in claims data by comparisons with manual reviews of 300 records from a Florida hospital ED and calculation of the kappa statistic, sensitivity, and specificity.

Results

Overall agreement in caries‐related ED visit classifications between the claims data and record reviews was 87.7 percent with kappa = 0.71, sensitivity = 82 percent, and specificity = 90 percent. The calculated measure scores using administrative data found more than four‐fold variation between programs with the lowest and highest caries‐related ED visit rates (6.90/100,000 member months and 30.68/100,000 member months). The percentage of follow‐up visits within 7 days and 30 days ranged from 22‐39 percent and 34‐49 percent, respectively.

Conclusions

These National Quality Forum endorsed measures provide valid methodologies for assessing the rate of caries‐related ED visits, an important system‐level outcome indicator of outpatient prevention and disease management, and the timeliness of follow‐up with a dentist. There is significant variation in caries‐related ED visits among state Medicaid programs, and most ED visits do not have follow‐up with a dentist within 30 days.
Priming recognition in good sleepers and in insomniacs
Authors: Giganti Fiorenza , Aisa Beatrice , Arzilli Cinzia , Viggiano Maria Pia , Cerasuolo Mariangela , Conte Francesca , Ficca Gianluca
Published: March 2017

Insomniacs often report memory and concentration problems, but these complaints have not been consistently supported by performance measurements. Furthermore, while the majority of studies have addressed explicit memory, few have investigated the implicit domain, and very little is known concerning other types of implicit memory besides procedural memory, such as priming. Thus, the purpose of the study was to investigate priming effect for visual stimuli in insomniacs and good sleepers. Twenty‐three insomniacs and 20 good sleepers performed a visual priming task in which they were asked to name new and old pictures presented at nine ascending levels of spatial filtering. Both neutral and sleep‐related stimuli were used, as previous research evidenced an attentional bias for sleep‐related stimuli. Visual priming effect was observed in both groups, suggesting that poor sleep quality does not affect this type of implicit memory. However, the identification process in insomniacs is influenced by the nature of the stimulus to identify: insomniacs recognized both new and old sleep‐related stimuli at lower spatial frequencies compared with good sleepers. The tendency to selectively attend to sleep‐related stimuli may influence top‐down processes occurring during identification of filtering stimuli, by determining a pre‐allocation of attentional resources and facilitating identification processes even when sensorial information is scant. Differences in the identification processes of sleep‐related stimuli compared with neutral ones should be carefully taken into account as possible pre‐clinical markers of insomnia in poor sleepers.
Critical conversations with children's literature: how cultural and political vignettes (CPVs) support young readers
Authors: Darvin Jacqueline
Published: March 2017

Young children today have greater access to culturally and politically sensitive information than at any other time in history. Although there are many positive aspects of children having greater access, negative consequences can also result, especially when they do not have sufficient structured and supportive opportunities to question, discuss and analyse the information they are receiving. Presently, teachers are faced with a multitude of intricate social phenomena in their classrooms, many of which leave them feeling apprehensive and unprepared. Some teachers of young learners need guidance, pedagogical practices and strategies to help their students address their questions and concerns about sensitive social issues in healthy, constructive ways that lead to positive, transformative action.
Couples' Labour Supply Responses to Job Loss: Growth and Recession Compared
Authors: Bryan Mark , Longhi Simonetta
Published: March 2017

We examine whether couples in the UK increase labour supply to cushion the fall in earnings from a job loss, comparing periods of growth and recession. We consider both male and female earners and various dimensions of labour supply adjustment. We find evidence of labour supply reactions, but they can be negative as well as positive, particularly at the extensive margin. During the recession, household reactions are either unchanged or couples increase their labour market attachment, with bigger positive reactions and smaller negative ones. People do not react in advance of job losses, suggesting that unemployment is a surprise.
Evaluating the Character of People Who Insult the Nation: Implications for Immigrant Integration
Authors: Maxwell Rahsaan , House Lucie
Published: March 2017

We examine immigrant integration by analyzing how natives evaluate immigrants' character. Most literature examines how natives distinguish between immigrants with different levels of assimilation, which is best suited to identifying integration boundaries between different types of immigrants. We shift the analysis and examine the boundary between immigrants and natives, which measures integration by the extent to which immigrant status is relevant for character evaluations. We compare how natives respond to national insults that come from immigrants as opposed to natives. We focus on insulting the nation because it highlights the salience of national identity and clarifies the importance of group boundaries. We measure responses to national insults with vignette experiments from three original surveys in the United States. Our results are consistent with situationist theories of interpersonal interactions because they suggest that character evaluations are more dependent on the situational distinction between people who do and do not insult the nation than the demographic distinction between whether the insult comes from a native or immigrant. These findings have multiple implications for our understanding of national identity, immigrant integration, and immigrant‐native boundaries.
Emotion dysregulation and autonomic responses to film, rumination, and body awareness: Extending psychophysiological research to a naturalistic clinical setting and a chemically dependent female sample
Authors: Crowell Sheila E. , Price Cynthia J. , Puzia Megan E. , Yaptangco Mona , Cheng Sunny Chieh
Published: March 2017

Substance use is a complex clinical problem characterized by emotion dysregulation and daily challenges that can interfere with laboratory research. Thus, few psychophysiological studies examine autonomic and self‐report measures of emotion dysregulation with multidiagnostic, chemically dependent samples or extend this work into naturalistic settings. In this study, we used a within‐subject design to examine changes in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), electrodermal activity (EDA), and self‐reported affect across three tasks designed to elicit distinct psychophysiological and emotional response patterns. We also examined emotion dysregulation as a moderator of psychophysiological responses. Participants include 116 women with multiple comorbid mental health conditions enrolled in substance use treatment, many of whom also reported high emotion dysregulation. Participants were assessed in the treatment setting and completed three tasks: watching a sad movie clip, rumination on a stressful event, and a mindful interoceptive awareness meditation. Multilevel models were used to examine changes from resting baselines to the tasks. During the film, results indicate a significant decrease in RSA and an increase in EDA. For the rumination task, participants showed a decrease in RSA but no EDA response. For the body awareness task, there was an increase in RSA and a decrease in EDA. Emotion dysregulation was associated with differences in baseline RSA but not with EDA or with the slope of response patterns across tasks. Self‐reported affect was largely consistent with autonomic patterns. Findings add to the literature on emotion dysregulation, substance use, and the translation of psychophysiological measurements into clinical settings with complex samples.
How do location and control over the music influence listeners’ responses?
Authors: Krause Amanda E. , North Adrian C.
Published: March 2017

This study uses Mehrabian and Russell's () Pleasure‐Arousal‐Dominance (PAD) model to consider how responses to both the music heard and overall in‐situ listening experience are influenced by the listener's degree of control over music selected for a particular listening episode and the location in which the listening takes place. Following recruitment via campus advertisements and a university research participation program, 216 individuals completed a background questionnaire and music listening task in a 3 (location) × 2 (experimenter‐ or participant‐selected music) design. After the listening task, participants completed a short questionnaire concerning the music they heard and the overall in‐situ listening experience. Results demonstrated that there was a positive relationship between control and liking for the music and episode, whether the former was considered in terms of: (1) whether the music was self‐selected or experimenter‐selected or (2) overt ratings of perceived control. Furthermore, the location and liking for the music were related to people's judgments of their enjoyment of the overall experience. This research indicates that thePADmodel is a useful framework for understanding everyday music listening and supports the contention that, in a musical context, dominance may be operationalized as control over the music.
Linking vitamin D status, executive functioning and self‐perceived mental health in adolescents through multivariate analysis: A randomized double‐blind placebo control trial
Authors: Grung Bjørn , Sandvik Asle M. , Hjelle Kay , Dahl Lisbeth , Frøyland Livar , Nygård Irene , Hansen Anita L.
Published: March 2017

The aim of the present randomized double‐blind placebo control trial was to investigate if vitamin D supplementation had an effect on vitamin D status, executive functioning and self‐perceived mental health in a group of Norwegian adolescents during winter time. Fifty adolescents were randomly assigned into an intervention group (vitamin D pearls) or a control group (placebo pearls). Before (pre‐test in December/January) and after (post‐test in April/May) the intervention period the participants were exposed to a test procedure, consisting of blood draw, completion of cognitive tests (Tower of Hanoi and Tower of London), and the Youth Self‐report version of the Child Behavior Checklist. Multivariate data analysis showed that participants with low vitamin D status scored worse on the Tower of London tests and the more difficult sub‐tasks on the Tower of Hanoi tests. They also had a tendency to report higher frequency of externalizing behavior problems and attention deficit. At pre‐test, the overall mean vitamin D status measured as 25‐hydroxy vitamin D was 42 nmol/L, defining deficiency (Intervention group = 44 nmol/L, Control group = 39 nmol/L). However, vitamin D supplementation caused a significant increase in vitamin D status resulting in a sufficient level in the Intervention group at post‐test (mean 62 nmol/L). The results also revealed that the intervention group improved their performance on the most demanding sub‐tasks on the ToH. Overall, the study indicates that vitamin D status in adolescents may be important for both executive functioning and mental health.
Death anxiety and visual oculomotor processing of arousing stimuli in a free view setting
Authors: Wendelberg Linda , Volden Frode , Yildirim‐Yayilgan Sule
Published: March 2017

The main goal of this study was to determine how death anxiety (DA) affects visual processing when confronted with arousing stimuli. A total of 26 males and females were primed with either DA or a neutral primer and were given a free view/free choice task where eye movement was measured using an eye tracker. The goal was to identify measurable/observable indicators of whether the subjects were under the influence of DA during the free view. We conducted an eye tracking study because this is an area where we believe it is possible to find observable indicators. Ultimately, we observed some changes in the visual behavior, such as a prolonged average latency, altered sensitivity to the repetition of stimuli, longer fixations, less time in saccadic activity, and fewer classifications related to focal and ambient processing, which appear to occur under the influence of DA when the subjects are confronted with arousing stimuli.
Is positive thinking in anticipation of a performance situation better than distraction? An experimental study in preadolescents
Authors: Vassilopoulos Stephanos P. , Brouzos Andreas , Tsorbatzoudis Haralambos , Tziouma Olga
Published: March 2017

The current study compares the effects of experimentally induced positive anticipatory thinking and distraction in preadolescents aged 12–13. Eighty‐seven participants were instructed to either engage in positive anticipatory thoughts or perform a distraction task while preparing to perform a sporting activity in front of their peers. Results revealed that trait social anxiety was associated with more negative estimates of sport performance and catastrophic thoughts relating to the impending sport activity. Additionally, compared to children who distracted, children in the positive anticipation condition showed significantly increased anxiety levels, more catastrophic thoughts and more negative predictions of sport performance and appearance, although these effects did not appear to interact with trait social anxiety. Finally, no significant manipulation effect on participants’ observable behavior was found. The findings further highlight the utility of distracting from an impending, anxiety‐provoking situation to keep anxious feelings to a low level.
Early lineages of Vespidae (Hymenoptera) in Cretaceous amber
Authors: PERRARD ADRIEN , GRIMALDI DAVID , CARPENTER JAMES M.
Published: March 2017

Three wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) fossils in Cretaceous amber (Late Albian) of northern Myanmar are described. Two are new species of the Mesozoic genusCuriosivespa(Rasnitsyn):C. zigrasisp.n.andC. striatasp.n.The third species,Protovespa haxaireigen.n. et sp.n., has a combination of features unique among Mesozoic Priorvespinae and the extant subfamilies. These well preserved fossils provide new morphological data for a cladistic analysis of the basal lineages of Vespidae. Results suggest that Euparagiinae is the sister group of all other Vespidae. The new genusProtovespaappears more closely related to extant Masarinae, Eumeninae and social wasps than to Priorvespinae. We assign it to a new subfamily: Protovespinae. Finally, fossil information combined with a phylogenetic tree shows that the main groups of Vespidae probably evolved during the Early Cretaceous.

This published work has been registered in ZooBank,http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1E7E4796‐6E70‐4D81‐BB34‐0FEEA765DC25.
Optimal Perturbation Iteration Method for Solving Nonlinear Heat Transfer Equations
Authors: Deniz Sinan
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the new optimal perturbation iteration method (OPIM) is introduced and applied for solving nonlinear differential equations arising in heat transfer. The effectiveness of the proposed method will be tested by considering two specific applications: the temperature distribution equation in a thick rectangular fin radiation to free space and cooling of a lumped system with variable specific heat. Comparing different methods shows that the results obtained by optimal perturbation iteration method are very good agreement with the numerical solutions and perform better than the most existing analytic methods.
General Characterization of Jet Impingement Array Heat Sinks With Interspersed Fluid Extraction Ports for Uniform High-Flux Cooling
Authors: Rattner Alexander S.
Published: March 2017

In conventional jet impingement array heat sinks, all the spent coolant is extracted from component edges, resulting in cross-flow interference and nonuniform heat transfer. Jet impingement arrays with interspersed fluid extraction ports can reduce cross-flow, improving heat transfer uniformity and reducing pumping loads. While this configuration offers technical advantages, limited pressure drop and heat transfer data are available. In this investigation, simulations are performed for laminar single-phase jet impingement arrays with interspersed fluid extraction ports over varying flow rates (Rej = 20–500), fluid transport properties (Pr = 1–100), and geometries (jet pitch to diameter ratios of 1.8–7.1 and jet diameter to gap height ratios of 0.1–4.0). The simulation approach is validated for isolated jet impingement, and grid sensitivity studies are performed to quantify numerical uncertainty. Over 1000 randomized cases are evaluated to develop new correlations for Nusselt number and pressure-drop k-factors. Conjugate heat transfer studies are performed to compare heat sinks (5 × 5 mm heated, 500 W m−2 heat flux) employing jet arrays with interspersed fluid extraction ports, microchannels, and jet arrays with edge fluid extraction. The design with jet arrays with interspersed fluid extraction ports yields lower average temperatures, improved temperature uniformity, and modest pressure drops. This study provides new data for jet impingement thermal management and highlights the technical potential of configurations with interspersed fluid extraction ports.
A Fractional-Order Generalized Thermoelastic Problem of a Bilayer Piezoelectric Plate for Vibration Control
Authors: Xu Yeshou , Xu Zhao-Dong , He Tianhu , Chen Jinxiang , Xu Chao
Published: March 2017

Multilayered piezoelectric structures have special applications for vibration control, and they often serve in a thermoelastic coupling environment. In this work, the fractional-order generalized thermoelasticity theory is used to investigate the dynamic thermal and elastic behavior of a bilayer piezoelectric–thermoelastic plate with temperature-dependent properties. The thermal contact resistance is implemented to describe the interfacial thermal wave propagation. The governing equations for the bilayer piezoelectric–thermoelastic plate with temperature-dependent properties are formulated and then solved by means of Laplace transformation and Riemann-sum approximation. The distributions of the nondimensional temperature, displacement, and stress are obtained and illustrated graphically. According to the numerical results, the effects of the thermal contact resistance, the ratio of the material properties between different layers, the temperature-dependent properties, and the fractional-order parameters on the distributions of the considered quantities are revealed in different cases and some remarkable conclusions are obtained. The investigation helps gain insights into the optimal design of actuators, sensors, which are made of piezoelectric materials.
Design of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Magnetically Actuated Steerable Catheter
Authors: Liu Taoming , Lombard Poirot Nate , Greigarn Tipakorn , Cenk Çavuşoğlu M.
Published: March 2017

This paper presents design optimization of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) actuated steerable catheter for atrial fibrillation ablation in the left atrium. The catheter prototype, built over polymer tubing, is embedded with current-carrying electromagnetic coils. The prototype can be deflected to a desired location by controlling the currents passing through the coils. The design objective is to develop a prototype that can successfully accomplish the ablation task. To complete the tasks, the catheter needs to be capable of reaching a set of desired targets selected by a physician on the chamber and keeping a stable contact with the chamber surface. The design process is based on the maximization of the steering performance of the catheter by evaluating its workspace in free space. The selected design is validated by performing a simulation of an ablation intervention on a virtual model of the left atrium with a real atrium geometry. This validation shows that the prototype can reach every target required by the ablation intervention and provide an appropriate contact force against the chamber.
Patellar Tendon Straps Decrease Pain and May Alter Lower Extremity Kinetics in Those With Patellar Tendinopathy During Jump Landing
Authors: Rosen Adam B. , Ko Jupil , Simpson Kathy J. , Brown Cathleen N.
Published: March 2017

Patellar tendinopathy is often managed with a patellar tendon strap, however, their effectiveness is unsubstantiated. The purpose of this study was to determine if straps altered pain or lower extremity kinetics of individuals with patellar tendinopathy during landing. Thirty participants with patellar tendinopathy and 30 controls completed drop jumps with and without patellar tendon straps. Wearing the strap, tendinopathy participants demonstrated significantly decreased pain and reduced knee adductor moment; all participants displayed significantly decreased anterior ground reaction force while wearing a strap. Patellar tendon strapping may reduce pain due to alterations in direction and magnitude of loading.
Training-Intensity Distribution in Road Cyclists: Objective Versus Subjective Measures
Authors: Sanders Dajo , Myers Tony , Akubat Ibrahim
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate training-intensity distribution using different intensity measures based on rating of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), and power output (PO) in well-trained cyclists.

Methods:

Fifteen road cyclists participated in the study. Training data were collected during a 10-wk training period. Training-intensity distribution was quantified using RPE, HR, and PO categorized in a 3-zone training-intensity model. Three zones for HR and PO were based around a 1st and 2nd lactate threshold. The 3 RPE zones were defined using a 10-point scale: zone 1, RPE scores 1–4; zone 2, RPE scores 5–6; zone 3, RPE scores 7–10.

Results:

Training-intensity distributions as percentages of time spent in zones 1, 2, and 3 were moderate to very largely different for RPE (44.9%, 29.9%, 25.2%) compared with HR (86.8%, 8.8%, 4.4%) and PO (79.5%, 9.0%, 11.5%). Time in zone 1 quantified using RPE was largely to very largely lower for RPE than PO (P < .001) and HR (P < .001). Time in zones 2 and 3 was moderately to very largely higher when quantified using RPE compared with intensity quantified using HR (P < .001) and PO (P < .001).

Conclusions:

Training-intensity distribution quantified using RPE demonstrates moderate to very large differences compared with intensity distributions quantified based on HR and PO. The choice of intensity measure affects intensity distribution and has implications for training-load quantification, training prescription, and the evaluation of training characteristics.
Long-Sprint Abilities in Soccer: Ball Versus Running Drills
Authors: Castagna Carlo , Francini Lorenzo , Póvoas Susana C.A. , D’Ottavio Stefano
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To examine the acute effects of generic drills (running drills [RDs]) and specific (small-sided-games [SSGs]) long-sprint-ability (LSA) drills on internal and external load of male soccer players.

Methods:

Fourteen academy-level soccer players (mean ± SD age 17.6 ± 0.61 y, height 1.81 ± 0.63 m, body mass 69.53 ± 4.65 kg) performed four 30-s LSA bouts for maintenance (work:rest 1:2) and production (1:5) with RDs and SSGs. Players’ external load was tracked with GPS technology (20-Hz), and heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLc), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were used to characterize players’ internal load. Individual peak BLc was assessed with a 30-s all-out test on a nonmotorized treadmill (NMT).

Results:

Compared with SSGs, the RDs had a greater effect on external load and BLc (large and small, respectively). During SSGs players covered more distance with high-intensity decelerations (moderate to small). Muscular RPE was higher (small to large) in RDs than in SSGs. The production mode exerted a moderate effect on BLc while the maintenance condition elicited higher cardiovascular effects (small to large).

Conclusion:

The results of this study showed the superiority of generic over specific drills in inducing LSA-related physiological responses. In this regard production RDs showed the higher postexercise BLc. Individual peak blood lactate responses were found after the NMT 30-s all-out test, suggesting this drill as a valid option to RDs. The practical physiological diversity among the generic and specific LSA drills here considered enable fitness trainers to modulate prescription of RD and SSG drills for LSA according to training schedule.
The Influence of a Cognitive Dual Task on the Gait Parameters of Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Smith Erin , Cusack Tara , Cunningham Caitriona , Blake Catherine
Published: March 2017

This review examines the effect of a dual task on the gait parameters of older adults with a mean gait speed of 1.0 m/s or greater, and the effect of type and complexity of task. A systematic review of Web of Science, PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, and PsycINFO was performed in July 2016. Twenty-three studies (28 data sets) were reviewed and pooled for meta-analysis. The effect size on seven gait parameters was measured as the raw mean difference between single- and dual-task performance. Gait speed significantly reduced with the addition of a dual task, with increasing complexity showing greater decrements. Cadence, stride time, and measures of gait variability were all negatively affected under the dual-task condition. In older adults, the addition of a dual task significantly reduces gait speed and cadence, with possible implications for the assessment of older people, as the addition of a dual task may expose deficits not observed under single-task assessment.