bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban Growth in Tanzania: Exploring Challenges, Opportunities and Management
Authors: J. Gwaleba Method
Published: November 2018

Tanzania cities and towns are rapidly urbanizing. This urbanization is manifest of rural-to-urban migration as well as natural population increase. The perceived lack of opportunities in rural areas has been identified as the main push factors for Tanzanians to move from rural areas to urban cities and towns. Urban management practice will increasingly need to account for direct and indirect impacts of urban growth in Tanzania cities and towns. The objective of this paper is to pinpoint the challenges and opportunities of the urban growth in cities and towns in Tanzania.The discussion of this paper is mainly based on critical review of the literature and original data derived from Baruti settlement in Dar es Salaam City. The review of the documents whether published or not published depended on its status to provide a critical analysis of urban growth challenges and opportunities in Tanzania. The Primary data were gathered using 79 using semi-structured interviews with both open and closed ended questions. The questionnaires were administered by the researcher through face-to-face sessions with the respondents. A purposive sampling technique was adopted in this study. The reason for selecting the purposive sampling technique was based on the respondents’ involvement in urban development project. The quantitative data collected through the use of questionnaire to supplement qualitative data were summarized and organized by using spread sheet template for detailed analysis. The critical qualitative analysis was built on both the secondary and primary data sources to addresses the research questions. A descriptive technique for data analysis was adopted where findings were represented in tables, graphs and texts.While unperfected urbanization surpass the way inhabitants interact and live in cities and towns, urban management addresses the social, economical and environmental challenges that emerge with the continued urbanization in Tanzania cities and towns such that human activities could be more socially liable, economically sound and environmentally friendly over a long period of time in the future.
Effect of increased inspiratory muscle work on blood flow to inactive and active limbs during submaximal dynamic exercise
Authors: Katayama Keisho , Goto Kanako , Shimizu Kaori , Saito Mitsuru , Ishida Koji , Zhang Luyu , Shiozawa Kana , Sheel A. William
Published: November 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Increased respiratory muscle activation is associated with neural and cardiovascular consequences via the respiratory muscle metaboreflex. Does increased sympathetic vasoconstriction originating from the respiratory musculature elicit a reduction in blood flow to an inactive limb in order to maintain blood flow to an active limb?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Arm blood flow was reduced whereas leg blood flow was preserved during mild leg exercise with inspiratory resistance. Blood flow to the active limb is maintained via sympathetic control of blood flow redistribution when the respiratory muscle‐induced metaboreflex is activated.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of increasing inspiratory muscle work on blood flow to inactive and active limbs. Healthy young men (n = 10, 20 ± 2 years of age) performed two bilateral dynamic knee‐extension and knee‐flexion exercise tests at 40% peak oxygen uptake for 10 min. The trials consisted of spontaneous breathing for 5 min followed by voluntary hyperventilation either with or without inspiratory resistance for 5 min (40% of maximal inspiratory mouth pressure, inspiratory duty cycle of 50% and a breathing frequency of 40 breaths min−1). Mean arterial blood pressure was acquired using finger photoplethysmography. Blood flow in the brachial artery (inactive limb) and in the femoral artery (active limb) were monitored using Doppler ultrasound. Mean arterial blood pressure during exercise was higher (P < 0.05) with inspiratory resistance (121 ± 7 mmHg) than without resistance (99 ± 5 mmHg). Brachial artery blood flow increased during exercise without inspiratory resistance (120 ± 31 ml min−1) compared with the resting level, whereas it was attenuated with inspiratory resistance (65 ± 43 ml min−1). Femoral artery blood flow increased at the onset of exercise and was maintained throughout exercise without inspiratory resistance (2576 ± 640 ml min−1) and was unchanged when inspiratory resistance was added (2634 ± 659 ml min−1; P > 0.05). These results suggest that sympathetic control of blood redistribution to active limbs is facilitated, in part, by the respiratory muscle‐induced metaboreflex.
Can the Energy of Fission Make a Grain of Sand Visibly Jump?
Authors: Reed B. Cameron
Published: November 2018

The discovery of nuclear fission was one of the most dramatic scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. Within a few years, the fantastic energy latent in the nuclei of atoms would be powering reactors and bombs, a development that fundamentally changed the relationship between physics and human affairs. To drive home the magnitude of this energy, authors of popular articles and books often present some superlative statistic such as how far you could drive your automobile with the energy available in a kilogram of uranium. Another example often quoted is that the energy released in the fission of a single nucleus of uranium is sufficient to make a grain of sand visibly jump. This image has an appealing simplicity, but is it true? This brief article investigates the issue.
Curved Spacetime (Gravity) Tells Mass (Energy) How to Move
Authors: Huggins Elisha
Published: November 2018

Consider the fall of the apple that, by legend, hit Newton on the head. Instead of using this to introduce Newton’s law of gravity, we will discuss the point of view that the fall of the apple was caused by a minuscule curvature of spacetime in the region surrounding Newton and the apple tree. We will calculate this curvature using concepts and equations entirely appropriate for students in an introductory physics course. The result introduces the idea that if gravity curves spacetime, perhaps curved spacetime can ripple in such a way as to create a gravitational wave that tells us what happened to two black holes 1.3 billion years ago.
An Arduino Investigation of Newton’s Law of Cooling
Authors: Galeriu Calin
Published: November 2018

The recent use of Arduino Uno microcontroller boards for automated data acquisition has revolutionized physics education. The Arduino-based physics labs have dramatically lowered the cost of the experimental equipment, while at the same time replacing the commercial apparatus with open hardware and software. Students benefit greatly from rigorous technology-based labs that also nourish their curiosity and motivation to pursue STEM-based careers. In this article we describe the use of the DS18B20 digital temperature sensor in conjunction with an Arduino Uno board in order to explore Newton’s law of cooling.
A Multilevel Seminar for Physics Majors: A Good Deal for Everyone
Authors: Dake L. S. , Ribaudo J. , Day L. H.
Published: November 2018

In a small physics department it can be difficult to develop and maintain an environment that engages students of all levels, and encourages and facilitates student growth in curricular and co-curricular experiences. This difficulty can be amplified when the number of physics majors is small, especially with fewer than 15-20 majors in the program. This paper describes the experience over the last seven years of the physics department at Utica College (a small, regional comprehensive liberal arts college in Upstate New York) as we developed a single physics seminar for all levels of students. This unorthodox approach has been accompanied by myriad positive developments for individual students and for the physics program as a whole. In addition to stimulating the interest of students by discussing nonstandard topics, we observed increased camaraderie among the students and a strengthening of the identity within the physics program.
A bottle of tea as a universal Helmholtz resonator
Authors: Monteiro Martín , Stari Cecilia , Cabeza Cecilia , Marti Arturo C.
Published: November 2018

Resonance is an ubiquitous phenomenon present in many systems. In particular, air resonance in cavities was studied by Hermann von Helmholtz in the 1850s. Originally used as acoustic filters, Helmholtz resonators are rigid-wall cavities that reverberate at given fixed frequencies. An adjustable type of resonator is the so-called universal Helmholtz resonator, a device consisting of two sliding cylinders capable of producing sounds over a continuous range of frequencies. Here we propose a simple experiment using a smartphone and normal bottle of tea with a nearly uniform cylindrical section, which, when filled with water at different levels, mimics a universal Helmholtz resonator. Blowing over the bottle, we notice different sounds are produced. Taking advantage of the great processing capacity of smartphones, sound spectra together with frequencies of resonance are obtained in real time.
Five smartphone experiments that don’t need apps
Authors: Lincoln James
Published: November 2018

There are already several articles describing ways to teach physics using smartphone apps, but what are some experiments you can perform immediately without downloading any additional software? In the spirit of increasing the amount of hands-on activities each of us is doing, and to give us backup activities when you have a few extra minutes of class, I present these experiments that can be done without downloading an app or (in most cases) purchasing any new equipment. All that is required is the now ubiquitous smartphone. In my case it is an iPhone 6s, but these five tricks should work for essentially every smartphone.
Infant cognition includes the potentially human-unique ability to encode embedding
Authors: Winkler M. , Mueller J. L. , Friederici A. D. , Männel C.
Published: November 2018

We test whether preverbal infants’ cognitive capacities include the ability to compute nested relations in the auditory stream.
Stability of core language skill from infancy to adolescence in typical and atypical development
Authors: Bornstein Marc H. , Hahn Chun-Shin , Putnick Diane L. , Pearson Rebecca M.
Published: November 2018

From infancy to adolescence, children show strong stability of individual differences in core language skill.
Strain-triggered mechanical feedback in self-organizing optic-cup morphogenesis
Authors: Okuda S. , Takata N. , Hasegawa Y. , Kawada M. , Inoue Y. , Adachi T. , Sasai Y. , Eiraku M.
Published: November 2018

Combining in silico and in vitro systems reveals a mechanical feedback regulation of 3D tissue formation during organogenesis.
Triterpenoids manipulate a broad range of virus-host fusion via wrapping the HR2 domain prevalent in viral envelopes
Authors: Si Longlong , Meng Kun , Tian Zhenyu , Sun Jiaqi , Li Huiqiang , Zhang Ziwei , Soloveva Veronica , Li Haiwei , Fu Ge , Xia Qing , Xiao Sulong , Zhang Lihe , Zhou Demin
Published: November 2018

Natural triterpenoids, as virus-host fusion inhibitors, exhibit potential in expanding the current repertoire of antiviral agents.
A central control circuit for encoding perceived food value
Authors: Crossley Michael , Staras Kevin , Kemenes György
Published: November 2018

Central dopaminergic neurons encoding hunger state alter the perceived value of a potential food stimulus.
Lung-restricted inhibition of Janus kinase 1 is effective in rodent models of asthma
Authors: Dengler Hart S. , Wu Xiumin , Peng Ivan , Rinderknecht Cornelia H. , Kwon Youngsu , Suto Eric , Kohli Pawan Bir , Liimatta Marya , Barrett Kathy , Lloyd Julia , Cain Gary , Briggs Mike , Addo Stephanie , Salmon Gary , Ubhayakar Savita , Deshmukh Gauri , Shahidi-Latham Sheerin K. , Quiason-Huynh Cristine M. , Jackman Janet , Liu John , Ray Nicholas C. , Goodacre Simon C. , Johnson Adam , McKenzie Brent S. , Lee Wyne P. , Zak Mark , Kenny Jane R. , Ghilardi Nico
Published: November 2018

Inhalation of a Janus kinase 1 inhibitor suppressed lung inflammation without systemic side effects in rodent models of asthma.
Hepatocyte Notch activation induces liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Zhu Changyu , Kim KyeongJin , Wang Xiaobo , Bartolome Alberto , Salomao Marcela , Dongiovanni Paola , Meroni Marica , Graham Mark J. , Yates Katherine P. , Diehl Anna Mae , Schwabe Robert F. , Tabas Ira , Valenti Luca , Lavine Joel E. , Pajvani Utpal B.
Published: November 2018

Aberrant hepatocyte Notch activation is required for development of NASH-associated fibrosis, and Notch inhibition ameliorates obesity-induced liver disease.
A 2.8-Angstrom-Resolution Cryo-Electron Microscopy Structure of Human Parechovirus 3 in Complex with Fab from a Neutralizing Antibody
Authors: Domanska Aušra , Flatt Justin W. , Jukonen Joonas J. J. , Geraets James A. , Butcher Sarah J.
Published: November 2018

Human parechovirus 3 (HPeV3) is receiving increasing attention as a prevalent cause of sepsis-like symptoms in neonates, for which, despite the severity of disease, there are no effective treatments available. Structural and molecular insights into virus neutralization are urgently needed, especially as clinical cases are on the rise. Toward this goal, we present the first structure of HPeV3 in complex with fragments from a neutralizing monoclonal antibody. At high resolution, it was possible to precisely define the epitope that, when targeted, prevents virions from binding to cells. Such an atomic-level description is useful for understanding host-pathogen interactions and viral pathogenesis mechanisms and for finding potential cures for infection and disease.
The Alphavirus E2 Membrane-Proximal Domain Impacts Capsid Interaction and Glycoprotein Lattice Formation
Authors: Byrd Emily A. , Kielian Margaret
Published: November 2018

Alphaviruses include important human pathogens such as Chikungunya and the encephalitic alphaviruses. There are currently no licensed alphavirus vaccines or effective antiviral therapies, and more molecular information on virus particle structure and function is needed. Here, we highlight the important role of the E2 juxtamembrane D-loop in mediating virus budding and particle production. Our results demonstrated that this E2 region affects both the formation of the external glycoprotein lattice and its interactions with the internal capsid protein shell.
A Nanobody Targeting Viral Nonstructural Protein 9 Inhibits Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Replication
Authors: Wang Lizhen , Zhang Lu , Huang Baichen , Li Kuokuo , Hou Gaopeng , Zhao Qin , Wu Chunyan , Nan Yuchen , Du Taofeng , Mu Yang , Lan Jixun , Chen Hongying , Zhou En-Min
Published: November 2018

The pandemic outbreak of PRRS, which is caused by PRRSV, has greatly affected the swine industry. We still lack an efficient vaccine, and it is an immense challenge to control its infection. An intracellularly expressed Nsp9-specific nanobody, Nb6, has been shown to be able to inhibit PRRSV replication in MARC-145 cells. However, its application is limited, because Nb6 cannot physically enter cells. Here, we demonstrated that the cell-penetrating peptide TAT could deliver Nb6 into cultured cells. In addition, TAT-Nb6 fusion protein could suppress the replication of various PRRSV strains in MARC-145 cells and PAMs. These findings may provide a new approach for drug development to control PRRS.
Rotating night shift work and adherence to unhealthy lifestyle in predicting risk of type 2 diabetes: results from two large US cohorts of female nurses
Authors: Shan Zhilei , Li Yanping , Zong Geng , Guo Yanjun , Li Jun , Manson JoAnn E , Hu Frank B , Willett Walter C , Schernhammer Eva S , Bhupathiraju Shilpa N
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To prospectively evaluate the joint association of duration of rotating night shift work and lifestyle factors with risk of type 2 diabetes risk, and to quantitatively decompose this joint association to rotating night shift work only, to lifestyle only, and to their interaction.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Nurses’ Health Study (1988-2012) and Nurses’ Health Study II (1991-2013).

Participants

143 410 women without type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline.

Exposures

Rotating night shift work was defined as at least three night shifts per month in addition to day and evening shifts in that month. Unhealthy lifestyles included current smoking, physical activity levels below 30 minutes per day at moderate to vigorous intensity, diet in the bottom three fifths of the Alternate Healthy Eating Index score, and body mass index of 25 or above.

Main outcome measures

Incident cases of type 2 diabetes were identified through self report and validated by a supplementary questionnaire.

Results

During 22-24 years of follow-up, 10 915 cases of incident type 2 diabetes occurred. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for type 2 diabetes were 1.31 (95% confidence interval 1.19 to 1.44) per five year increment of duration of rotating night shift work and 2.30 (1.88 to 2.83) per unhealthy lifestyle factor (ever smoking, low diet quality, low physical activity, and overweight or obesity). For the joint association of per five year increment rotating night shift work and per unhealthy lifestyle factor with type 2 diabetes, the hazard ratio was 2.83 (2.15 to 3.73) with a significant additive interaction (P for interaction <0.001). The proportions of the joint association were 17.1% (14.0% to 20.8%) for rotating night shift work alone, 71.2% (66.9% to 75.8%) for unhealthy lifestyle alone, and 11.3% (7.3% to 17.3%) for their additive interaction.

Conclusions

Among female nurses, both rotating night shift work and unhealthy lifestyle were associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The excess risk of rotating night shift work combined with unhealthy lifestyle was higher than the addition of risk associated with each individual factor. These findings suggest that most cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented by adhering to a healthy lifestyle, and the benefits could be greater in rotating night shift workers.
Barriers to specialist palliative care in interstitial lung disease: a systematic review
Authors: Kim Jee Whang , Atkins Chris , Wilson Andrew M
Published: November 2018

Background

Current guidelines recommend palliative care based on individual needs for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are less likely to receive specialist palliative care services compared with patients with malignant disease. The aim of this review is to summarise recent studies addressing barriers to referring patients to specialist palliative care services.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Medline and Web of Science were reviewed to identify relevant publications. Studies were selected if they examined the frequency of specialist palliative care referral and/or addressed issues surrounding access to palliative care services for patients with ILD.

Results

Ten studies with a total of 4073 people with ILD, 27 caregivers and 18 healthcare professionals were selected and analysed. Frequency of palliative care referrals ranged from 0% to 38%. Delay in palliative care referrals and end-of-life decisions, patients’ fear of talking about the future, prognostic uncertainty and confusion about the roles of palliative care were identified as barriers to accessing palliative care services.

Conclusion

Further research should concentrate on the early identification of patients who need specialist palliative care possibly with establishment of criteria to trigger referral ensuring that referrals are also based on patient’s needs.
Association between type of contraceptive use and haemoglobin status among women of reproductive age in 24 sub-Saharan Africa countries
Authors: Gebremedhin Samson , Asefa Anteneh
Published: November 2018

Background

Little is known whether contraceptive methods differentially modify women’s risk of anaemia or not. We compared the haemoglobin status of women currently using different fertility regulation methods in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where anaemia is a major concern.

Methods

We conducted the study based on the secondary data of 24 nationally representative demographic and health surveys carried out recently in SSA. The data of 105 532 women were included in the analysis. In the original surveys, respondents were selected using multistage sampling techniques and haemoglobin was determined using the HemoCue analyser. The association between method of contraception and anaemia status was determined via a mixed-effects logistic regression model adjusted for potential confounders. The outputs are presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI.

Results

The mean (±SD deviation) haemoglobin was 12.3 (±1.7) g/dl and 36.7% of the women had anaemia. Current use of modern contraceptives, as compared with non-use, was associated with a 25% reduction (AOR=0.75 (95% CI: 0.73 to 0.78)) in the odds of anaemia. Comparison among individual modern methods showed, as compared with current barrier methods users, use of injectables (AOR=0.62 (95% CI: 0.57 to 0.67)), oral contraceptive pills (OCP) (AOR=0.62 (95% CI: 0.57 to 0.66)) and implants (AOR=0.63 (95% CI: 0.58 to 0.70)) were significantly associated with reduced odds of anaemia. With reference to women with less than 12 months of use, the odds were significantly reduced by about a quarter among women with more than 12 months of OCP or injectables use.

Conclusion

The use of hormonal contraceptives is associated with lower odds of anaemia.
The EU referendum and mental health in the short term: a natural experiment using antidepressant prescriptions in England
Authors: Vandoros Sotiris , Avendano Mauricio , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: November 2018

Background

Previous research has highlighted the impact of economic conditions and uncertainty on physical and mental health. The unexpected result of the Brexit referendum in 2016 triggered high levels of economic uncertainty.

Objective

To examine whether prescriptions for antidepressants increased after the referendum result, benchmarking them against other drug classes.

Methods

We used GP practice prescribing data to compile the number of defined daily doses per capita every month in each of the 326 voting areas in England over the period 2011–2016. We used a difference-in-differences (DID) approach to identify the effects of Brexit on antidepressant prescriptions, compared with trends in a control group (antigout and iron preparations) that were unlikely to be associated with uncertainty and depression.

Results

Antidepressant prescribing continued to increase after the referendum but at a slower pace. Therapeutic classes used as controls showed a decrease. The DID approach shows that there was a relative increase of 13.4% in antidepressants compared with other therapeutic classes (DID coeff: 0.134; 95% CI 0.093 to 0.174).

Conclusion

Our results are open to different interpretations and should be treated with caution. This relative increase in antidepressant prescribing after the referendum may be attributed to increased uncertainty for certain parts of the population, but does not rule out an improvement in mood for others. Alternatively, some other factor—for example, distraction, might have contributed to a decrease in the control therapeutic classes. A possible policy implication is that programmes for the promotion of mental health may need to be intensified during periods of uncertainty.
‘Yes’ to mitochondrial replacement techniques and lesbian motherhood: a reply to Françoise Baylis
Authors: Palacios-González César , Cavaliere Giulia
Published: November 2018

In a recent paper –Lesbian motherhood and mitochondrial replacement techniques: reproductive freedom and genetic kinship– we argued that lesbian couples who wish to have children who are genetically related to both of them should be allowed access to mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRTs). Françoise Baylis wrote a reply to our paper –‘No’ to lesbian motherhood using human nuclear genome transfer– where she challenges our arguments on the use of MRTs by lesbian couples, and on MRTs more generally. In this reply we respond to her claims and further clarify our position.
A strength criterion for frozen clay considering the influence of stress Lode angle
Authors: Chen Dun , Wang Dayan , Ma Wei , Lei Lele , Li Guoyu
Published: November 2018

To investigate the influence of stress Lode angle on frozen soil, a series of directional shear tests was conducted on artificial frozen clay at three temperatures (–6, –10, and –15 °C) and five stress Lode angles (θσ= –30°, –16.1°, 0°, 16.1°, and 30°) using a hollow cylindrical apparatus. An elliptical function was proposed according to the strength envelope evaluation with the mean principal stress (p) in the p–q plane. In addition, generalized nonlinear strength theory (GNST) was introduced in the π plane to describe the evolution of the strength envelope with increasing mean principal stress. Then a strength criterion for frozen clay in three-dimensional principal stress space was proposed by combining strength functions in the p–q and π planes. The temperature effect was also introduced into the strength criterion. The proposed strength criterion can predict the multi-axial strength characteristics of frozen clay and reveal the influence of the stress Lode angle.
Wildfire early warning system based on wireless sensors and unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Li Songsheng
Published: November 2018

Wildfires erupt annually around the world causing serious loss of life and property damage. Despite the rapid progress of science and technology, there are no effective means to forecast wildfires. Various wildfire monitoring systems are deployed in different countries, most depend on photos or videos to identify features of wildfire after the first outbreak, while the delay of confirmation varies with technology. An autonomous forest wildfire early warning system is presented in this paper, which employs a state-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to fly around a forest regularly according to established routes and strict procedures, to collect environmental data from sensors installed on trees, to monitor and predict wildfire, then provide early warning before eruption if a danger emerges. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is employed to exchange data between UAV and the host of sensors. The collected monitoring data, such as temperature and humidity, is effective to reflect the real condition of the forest, which could result in early warning of wildfires. The application of this system in the environment will enhance the ability of wildfire prediction for the community.
Design and analysis of improved ADRC controller for multiple grid-connected photovoltaic inverters
Authors: Han Yaofei , He Guofeng , Fan Xiaohong , Zhao Qingyu , Shen Huifang
Published: November 2018

When multiple inverters are connected to the grid, due to the uncertainty of the internal model and the presence of external disturbances, the grid-connected current waveform will deviate from the expectation. In this paper, Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) strategy is presented to suppress the internal and external perturbations, moreover, the first-order ADRC parameters are designed. Finally, MATLAB/Simulink is utilized to verify the control strategy of ADRC. The simulation results demonstrate that the ADRC method can suppress the disturbance effectively.
EFFECT OF GEOMETRICAL PARAMETERS ON THE DEFORMATIONS OF THE HUMAN OPTIC NERVE HEAD BASED ON INDIVIDUAL-SPECIFIC MODELS
Authors: WANG SHOUXIN , LIU LIU , DAI WEIJIA , WANG SHANA , MA LIPING , ZHANG KUNYA , LI LIN , LIU ZHICHENG , QIAN XIUQING
Published: November 2018

The elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the important risk factors of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. The deformations of glaucomatous optic nerve head (ONH) due to the elevated IOP might lead to further damage to the optic nerve. The ONH deformations due to the elevated IOP depend on their geometry. Therefore, it is meaningful to investigate the relationship between geometrical parameters and the deformation of ONH. Firstly, the geometrical parameters of ONH were obtained by in vivo using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Then, individual-specific three-dimensional (3D) models of ONH for glaucoma and normal subjects were established and the deformations of ONH were acquired by using finite element method. Furthermore, the thickness changes of retina and lamina cribrosa were calculated under different IOPs. Finally, correlations between geometrical parameters and the relative deformations of the human ONH were researched by using Spearman correlation. It was found that the relative thickness change of patient’s retina was larger than that of normal subjects under the same condition. The correlation of several parameters, including cup area, and lamina cribrosa depth, with relative deformations of ONH had statistical significance.
STUDY OF THE TRANSVERSAL DEFORMATION OF CORNEAL STRIP UNDER UNIAXIAL LOADING
Authors: ZHANG HAIXIA , ZHANG DI , QIN XIAO , WANG HUI , LI LIN
Published: November 2018

Uniaxial test is easy to access and to obtain accuracy data, but it is difficult to acquire two-dimensional deformation information. We investigated the relationship between the two strain components of corneal strip in uniaxial tests, which is the basis for determining of anisotropic strain energy function of cornea via uniaxial tests. Nine rabbits were taken. The left and right corneas were cut along superior-inferior (SI) and nasal-temporal (NT) direction, respectively. For each strip the uniaxial test was carried out, and the tensile displacements, strip images and loads were recorded. Then the stretching strain, the transversal strains and stress were obtained. Optimization based inverse analysis was utilized to find the best among six fitting models that characterizes the relationship between two strain components in uniaxial tests. All models fitted well the experimental data gathered for corneal strips ([Formula: see text]). According to the model selection index, the power model achieved the best performance index: 0.1268 for SI strips and 0.1063 for NT strips versus 0.151 (SI strips) and 0.107 (NT strips) found at most by other models. Thus, it is the most suitable one for describing the relationship between the two strain components of corneal strip during uniaxial stretching.
LONG-TERM AEROBIC EXERCISE REDUCES TAU PHOSPHORYLATION BY ACTIVATING THE PI3K/AKT PATHWAY IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS OF APP/PS1 MICE
Authors: FANG GUOLIANG , ZHANG DACHUAN , ZHANG LI , ZHAO JIEXIU , LI LIANG , LI PENGFEI
Published: November 2018

Many studies suggest that regular physical activity can reduce the opportunity of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and slow its onset and progression. However, the exact mechanism is still unclear. Clinically, amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the two characterizations of AD, which are associated with amyloid-[Formula: see text] and tau hyperphosphorylation, respectively. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway regulates tau phosphorylation and has a pivotal role in the development of pathology in AD. Therefore, we try to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on tau phosphorylation and examine whether these effects were mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 and C57BL/6J mice. 40 male APP/PS1 mice and 40 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups respectively: sedentary group, exercise group, sedentary with GNE-317 treatment group and exercise with GNE-317 treatment group. The mice in the exercise group and exercise with GNE-317 treatment group were given exercise training on a treadmill for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of treadmill exercise, the morris water maze, immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were performed. We found out that 8 weeks of aerobic exercise enhanced PI3K expression and increased p-Akt[Formula: see text], p-Akt[Formula: see text] and p-GSK3[Formula: see text]. Furthermore, 8 weeks of aerobic exercise reduced tau phosphorylation at multiple sites including Ser202, Thr231 and Ser396. In the morris water maze, the exercise group showed a reduced escape time and distance compared with those of the sedentary group, suggesting that aerobic exercise improved the cognitive ability in mouse. While the above-mentioned results were attenuated in the PI3K/Akt inhibitor GNE-317 treatment groups. Our study demonstrated that 8 weeks of aerobic exercise could reduce tau phosphorylation and improve cognitive functions by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 and C57BL/6J mice.
REHABILITATIVE STRATEGIES OF MULTIPLE LOWER LIMBS TRAINING MODELS
Authors: WANG KE-YI , ZHAO WEN-YAN , HAN ZHUANG , WANG WAN-LI , TANG XIAO-QIANG
Published: November 2018

According to the combination of lower limbs rehabilitative robot (LLRR), the effect of multi-point and single point driving form on muscle force and joint torque is explored, and the rehabilitation effect of the training mode of the active–passive rehabilitation training is studied. The musculoskeletal model of lower limbs is established based on the physiological structure of human lower limbs. And considering the position of the attachment points of each muscle, the mechanical properties of muscles and applied moment of joints can be obtained under different rehabilitative training strategies by inverse dynamic analysis. The rehabilitation training strategies of flexion–extension and abduction and adduction movements are put forward according to the movement of lower limbs. And using the wire-driven rehabilitation robot as the driving device of the rehabilitation training, the robot is used to simulate the motor function of patients’ lower limbs by modifying the parameters of muscle which can affect the resistance moment of joint motion, then the effects of driving form and the active–passive training mode are analyzed. The results show that single point driving form is better than multi-point on muscle strength and joint strength training; the rehabilitation training strategies of flexion–extension and abduction–adduction movements show different superiority.
EFFECTS OF DYNAMIC BIKE FITTING BY LOWER LIMB ALIGNMENT ON PEDALING PERFORMANCE
Authors: CHOI JIN SEUNG , SEO JEONG WOO , LEE JIN SOO , KIM JUNGGIL , TACK GYE RAE
Published: November 2018

In this study, the effect of the dynamic bike fitting, which was defined as lower limb vertical alignment by inserted wedges, was evaluated. Twelve non-cyclists are participated in this experiment. For comparing pedaling performance between before and after fitting, sub-maximal pedaling tests were conducted for 2 min. The results showed that both the range of motion of the knee joint (medio-lateral direction) which represented pedaling trajectory and the coefficient of variance of pedaling power were decreased in non-cyclists. This result indicated that the dynamic fitting had a positive effect such as increased pedaling kinematic stability and kinetic efficiency on pedaling performance. Supplementary pedaling test was performed by one of the best cyclist, who was a member of the national team and a middle and long distance cyclist. The result of the cyclist test was also similar to the patterns of 12 non-cyclists. It is believed that this study has the meaning of the preliminary study to evaluate the effects of the dynamic fitting. Further study is necessary to evaluate the effects of the fitting through enough subjects and repeated tests by measuring muscle activities and forces.
A NOVEL METHOD TO ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE DETECTION BASED ON NON-INVASIVE ECG IMAGING
Authors: MORIDANI MOHAMMAD KARIMI , POULADIAN MAJID
Published: November 2018

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals containing very important information about the cardiac are one of the most common tools for physicians in the diagnosis of various types of cardiac diseases. Low accuracy in positioning, limitation of time accuracy, the similarity of signals between some diseases and normal signals and probability of missing some aspect of data are the defect aspects of this method. Importance of cardiac signals and defects of current methods in diagnosis show the need of substituting a new method to show the activity of cardiac. One of the most dangerous defections is ischemia, which corrects and on time diagnose could avoid the latter effect of it. Each of common methods for diagnosis of this illness has their own advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we consider describing a non-invasive method for ischemic episode detection based on mapping of ECG signals. With this method, we can present the signals with virtual colors and facilitate the diagnosis of ischemic disease. So, a new method of 12-lead cardiac presentation is described that in fact present the 12-lead signals in two images. The result of this paper will present the indicators of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in the context of disease diagnosis. This paper proposed a novel ECG imaging algorithm for classifying the normal and ischemic signals and 95.35% specificity, 96.79% sensitivity and 95.76% accuracy were achieved which are very much promising compared to the other methods and doctor’s accuracy.
What motivates a citizen to take the initiative in e-participation?
Authors: Lee Junyeong , Oh Jaylyn Jeonghyun
Published: November 2018

Citizen-led initiatives via social media yield political influence, including even with a country's top political leaders.
Search-based program synthesis
Authors: Alur Rajeev , Singh Rishabh , Fisman Dana , Solar-Lezama Armando
Published: November 2018

A promising, useful tool for future programming development environments.
How to live in a post-meltdown and -spectre world
Authors: Bennett Rich , Callahan Craig , Jones Stacy , Levine Matt , Miller Merrill , Ozment Andy
Published: November 2018

Learn from the past to prepare for the next battle.
miR-429 and miR-424-5p inhibit cell proliferation and Ca2+ influx by downregulating CaSR in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells
Authors: Li Chuang , Qin Fang , Xue Mengmeng , Lei Yucong , Hu Fen , Xu Hui , Sun Guihong , Wang Tao , Guo Mingxiong
Published: November 2018

Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration is a key factor in pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). These processes contribute to pulmonary arterial hypertension and are influenced by expression of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Although regulation of CaSR expression is precisely controlled, the contribution of microRNAs (miR) is incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that miR-429, miR-424-5p, miR-200b-3p, and miR-200c-3p regulate CaSR by targeting specific 3′-untranslated region, suggesting that these miRNAs function as CaSR inhibitors in PASMCs. Moreover, miR-429 and miR-424-5p inhibit proliferation of PASMCs by downregulating CaSR, resulting in reduced Ca2+ influx under both normoxia and hypoxia. These findings indicate miR-429 and miR-424-5p target CaSR and may function as Ca2+ influx suppressors in pulmonary arterial hypertension-associated diseases.
Tissue-informed engineering strategies for modeling human pulmonary diseases
Authors: Bailey Kolene E. , Floren Michael L. , D’Ovidio Tyler J. , Lammers Steven R. , Stenmark Kurt R. , Magin Chelsea M.
Published: November 2018

Chronic pulmonary diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), account for staggering morbidity and mortality worldwide but have limited clinical management options available. Although great progress has been made to elucidate the cellular and molecular pathways underlying these diseases, there remains a significant disparity between basic research endeavors and clinical outcomes. This discrepancy is due in part to the failure of many current disease models to recapitulate the dynamic changes that occur during pathogenesis in vivo. As a result, pulmonary medicine has recently experienced a rapid expansion in the application of engineering principles to characterize changes in human tissues in vivo and model the resulting pathogenic alterations in vitro. We envision that engineering strategies using precision biomaterials and advanced biomanufacturing will revolutionize current approaches to disease modeling and accelerate the development and validation of personalized therapies. This review highlights how advances in lung tissue characterization reveal dynamic changes in the structure, mechanics, and composition of the extracellular matrix in chronic pulmonary diseases and how this information paves the way for tissue-informed engineering of more organotypic models of human pathology. Current translational challenges are discussed as well as opportunities to overcome these barriers with precision biomaterial design and advanced biomanufacturing techniques that embody the principles of personalized medicine to facilitate the rapid development of novel therapeutics for this devastating group of chronic diseases.
Spleen reactivity during incremental ascent to altitude
Authors: Purdy Graeme M. , James Marina A. , Rees Jordan L. , Ondrus Peter , Keess Jamie L. , Day Trevor A. , Steinback Craig D.
Published: November 2018

The spleen contains a reservoir of red blood cells that are mobilized into circulation when under physiological stress. Despite the spleen having an established role in compensation to acute hypoxia, no previous work has assessed the role of the spleen during ascent to high altitude. Twelve participants completed 2 min of handgrip exercise at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction at 1,045, 3,440, and 4,240 m. In a subset of eight participants, an infusion of phenylephrine hydrochloride was administered at a dosage of 30 µg/l of predicted blood volume at each altitude. The spleen was imaged by ultrasound via a 2- to 5.5-MHz curvilinear probe. Spleen volume was calculated by the prolate ellipsoid formula. Finger capillary blood samples were taken to measure hematocrit. Spleen images and hematocrit were taken both before and at the end of both handgrip and phenylephrine infusion. No changes in resting spleen volume were observed between altitudes. At low altitude, the spleen contracted in response to handgrip [272.8 ml (SD 102.3) vs. 249.6 ml (SD 105.7), P = 0.009], leading to an increase in hematocrit (42.6% (SD 3.3) vs. 44.3% (SD 3.3), P = 0.023] but did not contract or increase hematocrit at the high-altitude locations. Infusion of phenylephrine led to spleen contraction at all altitudes, but only lead to an increase in hematocrit at low altitude. These data reveal that the human spleen may not contribute to acclimatization to chronic hypoxia, contrary to its response to acute sympathoexcitation. These results are explained by alterations in spleen reactivity to increased sympathetic activation at altitude.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study demonstrated that, despite the known role of the human spleen in increasing oxygen delivery to tissues during acute hypoxia scenarios, the spleen does not mobilize red blood cells during ascent to high altitude. Furthermore, the spleen’s response to acute stressors at altitude depends on the nature of the stressor; the spleen’s sensitivity to neurotransmitter is maintained, while its reflex response to stress is dampened.
An investigation into the noradrenergic and serotonergic contributions of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls in a monoiodoacetate model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Lockwood S. M. , Bannister K. , Dickenson A. H.
Published: November 2018

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating conditioning with pain as the major clinical symptom. Understanding the mechanisms that drive OA-associated chronic pain is crucial for developing the most effective analgesics. Although the degradation of the joint is the initial trigger for the development of chronic pain, the discordance between radiographic joint damage and the reported pain experience in patients, coupled with clinical features that cannot be explained by purely peripheral mechanisms, suggest there are often other factors at play. Therefore, this study considers the central contributions of chronic pain, using a monoiodoacetate (MIA) model of OA. Particularly, this study explores the functionality of descending controls over the course of the model by assessing diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC). Early-phase MIA animals have a functional DNIC system, whereas DNIC are abolished in late-phase MIA animals, indicating a dysregulation in descending modulation over the course of the model. In early-phase animals, blocking the actions of spinal α2-adrenergic receptors completely abolishes DNIC, whereas blocking the actions of spinal 5-HT7 receptors only partially decreases the magnitude of DNIC. However, activating the spinal α2-adrenergic or 5-HT7 receptors in late-phase MIA animals restored DNIC-induced neuronal inhibition. This study confirms that descending noradrenergic signaling is crucial for DNIC expression. Furthermore, we suggest a compensatory increase in descending serotonergic inhibition acting at 5-HT7 receptors as the model progresses such that receptor activation is sufficient to override the imbalance in descending controls and mediate neuronal inhibition.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study showed that there are both noradrenergic and serotonergic components contributing to the expression of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC). Furthermore, although a tonic descending noradrenergic tone is always crucial for the expression of DNIC, variations in descending serotonergic signaling over the course of the model mean this component plays a more vital role in states of sensitization.
Response properties of single neurons in higher level auditory cortex of adult songbirds
Authors: Bottjer Sarah W. , Ronald Andrew A. , Kaye Tiara
Published: November 2018

The caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) is a higher level region of auditory cortex in songbirds that has been implicated in encoding learned vocalizations and mediating perception of complex sounds. We made cell-attached recordings in awake adult male zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata) to characterize responses of single NCM neurons to playback of tones and songs. Neurons fell into two broad classes: narrow fast-spiking cells and broad sparsely firing cells. Virtually all narrow-spiking cells responded to playback of pure tones, compared with approximately half of broad-spiking cells. In addition, narrow-spiking cells tended to have lower thresholds and faster, less variable spike onset latencies than did broad-spiking cells, as well as higher firing rates. Tonal responses of narrow-spiking cells also showed broader ranges for both frequency and amplitude compared with broad-spiking neurons and were more apt to have V-shaped tuning curves compared with broad-spiking neurons, which tended to have complex (discontinuous), columnar, or O-shaped frequency response areas. In response to playback of conspecific songs, narrow-spiking neurons showed high firing rates and low levels of selectivity whereas broad-spiking neurons responded sparsely and selectively. Broad-spiking neurons in which tones failed to evoke a response showed greater song selectivity compared with those with a clear tuning curve. These results are consistent with the idea that narrow-spiking neurons represent putative fast-spiking interneurons, which may provide a source of intrinsic inhibition that contributes to the more selective tuning in broad-spiking cells.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The response properties of neurons in higher level regions of auditory cortex in songbirds are of fundamental interest because processing in such regions is essential for vocal learning and plasticity and for auditory perception of complex sounds. Within a region of secondary auditory cortex, neurons with narrow spikes exhibited high firing rates to playback of both tones and multiple conspecific songs, whereas broad-spiking neurons responded sparsely and selectively to both tones and songs.