bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpretation of Ecological Theory for Physical Activity with the Omaha System
Authors: Olsen Jeanette M. , Baisch Mary J. , Monsen Karen A.
Published: June 2016

Physical inactivity is a global health problem. Public health nurses (PHNs) have great potential to influence population health outcomes in this area. However, methods are needed to increase understanding of the problem and the impact PHNs may have on measuring and changing health behavior. One promising option is PHN documentation of client health data. However, literature examining how health behavior theories align with nursing documentation systems that use standardized terminology is sparse. The purpose of this article was to operationalize an ecological theory with the Omaha System standardized terminology using physical activity as an exemplar. The goal was to provide a method for using PHN clinical documentation to examine physical activity from a theoretical perspective in research and practice. We designed and used a three‐phase process informed by the literature to conceptually map the ecological model for health promotion and the Omaha System. The results of the mapping process reveal the ecological nature of the Omaha System and provide support for measuring and analyzing health‐related behavior problems from an ecological perspective with Omaha System data. This process could be replicated with other health‐related problems and standardized terminologies to guide theoretically based nursing care and research.
Identification of normal and neoplastic stem cells by the multicolor lineage tracing methods
Authors: Ueno Hiroo
Published: June 2016

Adult stem cells and embryonic (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are two major focus areas of stem cell research. Studies on adult stem cells are important not only as sources for regenerative medicine but for analyzing the mechanisms of tissue homeostasis, tissue repair after injury, cancinogenesis, and aging. On the other hand, ES and iPS cells are mainly important for regenerative medicine. However, many adult stem cells, especially those in low‐turnover tissues, have remained unidentified. We have been working on the development of methods using multiple fluorescent markers, to improve the accuracy of lineage‐tracing analyses of adult stem cells and their fetal progenitors. With this method, we were able to identify lingual epithelial stem cells (LESCs). By using the same strategy, we could potentially identify candidate cancer stem cells. In this review, we would like to introduce how the multicolor lineage tracing method could be used in various stem cell studies.
Cerebral mechanisms underlying the effects of music during a fatiguing isometric ankle‐dorsiflexion task
Authors: Bigliassi Marcelo , Karageorghis Costas I. , Nowicky Alexander V. , Orgs Guido , Wright Michael J.
Published: June 2016

The brain mechanisms by which music‐related interventions ameliorate fatigue‐related symptoms during the execution of fatiguing motor tasks are hitherto under‐researched. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of music on brain electrical activity and psychophysiological measures during the execution of an isometric fatiguing ankle‐dorsiflexion task performed until the point of volitional exhaustion. Nineteen healthy participants performed two fatigue tests at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction while listening to music or in silence. Electrical activity in the brain was assessed by use of a 64‐channel EEG. The results indicated that music downregulated theta waves in the frontal, central, and parietal regions of the brain during exercise. Music also induced a partial attentional switching from associative thoughts to task‐unrelated factors (dissociative thoughts) during exercise, which led to improvements in task performance. Moreover, participants experienced a more positive affective state while performing the isometric task under the influence of music.
Optimal Designs for Longitudinal and Functional Data
Authors: Ji Hao , Müller Hans-Georg
Published: June 2016

We propose novel optimal designs for longitudinal data for the common situation where the resources for longitudinal data collection are limited, by determining the optimal locations in time where measurements should be taken. As for all optimal designs, some prior information is needed to implement the optimal designs proposed. We demonstrate that this prior information may come from a pilot longitudinal study that has irregularly measured and noisy measurements, where for each subject one has available a small random number of repeated measurements that are randomly located on the domain. A second possibility of interest is that a pilot study consists of densely measured functional data and one intends to take only a few measurements at strategically placed locations in the domain for the future collection of similar data. We construct optimal designs by targeting two criteria: optimal designs to recover the unknown underlying smooth random trajectory for each subject from a few optimally placed measurements such that squared prediction errors are minimized; optimal designs that minimize prediction errors for functional linear regression with functional or longitudinal predictors and scalar responses, again from a few optimally placed measurements. The optimal designs proposed address the need for sparse data collection when planning longitudinal studies, by taking advantage of the close connections between longitudinal and functional data analysis. We demonstrate in simulations that the designs perform considerably better than randomly chosen design points and include a motivating data example from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The designs are shown to have an asymptotic optimality property.
The Contributions of Angus Deaton
Authors: Besley Timothy
Published: June 2016

Angus Deaton was awarded the 2015 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare. This article reviews his contributions to economics. This article reviews his contributions to economics.
Optimal Income Taxation and Job Choice
Authors: Boadway Robin , Song Zhen , Tremblay Jean‐François
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we study optimal income taxation when different job types exist for workers of different skills. Each job type has some feasible range of incomes from which workers choose by varying labor supply. Workers are more productive than others in the jobs that suit them best. The model combines features of the classic optimal tax literature with labor variability along the intensive margin, with the extensive‐margin approach where workers make discrete job choices and/or participation decisions. We find that first‐best maximin utility can be achieved in the second‐best, and marginal tax rates below the top can be negative or zero.
Truthtelling in Matching Markets
Authors: Hagenbach Jeanne , Koessler Frédéric , Trégouët Thomas
Published: June 2016

We analyze a search and matching model with non‐transferable utility and asymmetric information. Randomly paired agents go through an evaluation phase, at the end of which they discover each other's types and choose to match or not. Before deciding to enter this phase, agents can communicate through cheap talk. We provide conditions for this communication to be informative, and we examine how it affects agents' welfare. We show that communication is Pareto‐improving only when the matching is assortative in the absence of communication and left unchanged by information transmission.
Knowledge and Concern for Sea‐Level Rise in an Urban Environmental Justice Community
Authors: Perez Victor W. , Egan Jennifer
Published: June 2016

Perceptions of sea‐level rise in urban, environmental justice (EJ) communities are poorly understood. These communities’ long‐term vulnerability may increase as a result of the interaction of sea‐level rise and legacy pollution. This article presents research on experience and perceptions of sea‐level rise, flooding, legacy pollution/contamination, and health in an EJ community in northern Delaware. The community is in close proximity to documented brownfields and other hazardous sites, and is located where there are long‐term projections of water inundation due to sea‐level rise. Researchers administered quantitative surveys at local events that measured knowledge and concern for these issues; conducted focus groups that enabled a deeper understanding of survey results; and examined community perceptions relative to existing policy tools, including sea‐level rise inundation maps and documentation of contaminated sites. The mixed‐method approach created a baseline of perceptions on pollution, flooding, a health–environment connection, and sea‐level rise. Key findings include the value of experiential knowledge of local flooding to improve efficacy of future policy prescriptions, and how a lack of knowledge of sea‐level rise, coupled with great concern for it, might be explained by longtime familiarity with flooding issues in the community.
Optimal Regulation of Multinationals under Collusion
Authors: Karabay Bilgehan
Published: June 2016

This paper analyses the optimal collusion‐proof mechanism for the regulation of multinational firms (MNFs) in foreign direct investment (FDI) projects. There is a host country with a profitable investment opportunity. Either a multinational firm (MNF) or a local firm (LF) can undertake this project; nonetheless due to its firm‐specific advantage, and the MNF has the potential to create a larger surplus. The host government faces an informational constraint such that it cannot observe the extra surplus the MNF can generate. Using this set‐up, Karabay (2010) shows that employing foreign ownership restrictions to force a joint venture (JV) can help the host government to partially overcome its information disadvantage. In this paper, we extend Karabay (2010) by studying the host government's optimal regulatory policy when the MNF and the LF can collude. It turns out collusion imposes no cost on the host government and the expected welfare attained in the absence of collusion can still be secured under collusion.
Treating pressure ulcers with clostridial collagenase ointment: Results from the US Wound Registry
Authors: Carter Marissa J. , Gilligan Adrienne M. , Waycaster Curtis R. , Fife Caroline E.
Published: June 2016

We assessed the clinical effectiveness of clostridial collagenase ointment (CCO) as an adjunct to selective debridement compared with selective debridement alone for the management of stage IV pressure ulcers (PU) in the hospital outpatient department setting. Outcome data were derived from retrospective de‐identified electronic medical records from 2007 to 2013 using the US Wound Registry. A propensity score method was used to adjust for selection bias and to test for treatment effect between PU treated with CCO plus selective debridement vs. selective debridement alone. A total of 337 CCO and 336 non‐CCO stage IV PU were identified. The proportion of wounds closed at any time (e.g., at 1 or 2 years) was two times greater for stage IV PU treated with CCO compared with those not treated with CCO. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that time to wound closure at 1 year was significantly faster for PU treated with CCO vs. PU not treated with CCO. Among those with five or more CCO applications or selective debridement treatments, significantly more CCO‐treated PU were closed at 1 or 2 years than non–CCO‐treated PU. CCO as an adjunct to selective debridement improved clinical outcomes and provided faster rates of closure of stage IV PU relative to selective debridement alone.
CONSEQUENCES OF Cu and Zn COATED UREA TO MINIMIZE AMMONIA VOLATILIZATION
Authors: Kalsoom Babar Saima , Yusop Mohd Khanif , Ahmed Babar Shakeel , Ali Khooharo Aijaz
Published: June 2016

Nitrogen (N) losses from agricultural fields are commonly observed particularly from urea. The rate of urea hydrolysis is accelerated as it remains in conventional form and about 70% of applied urea losses in different forms to atmosphere. Ammonia volatilization is persuasive loss among all the losses from urea. Therefore to minimize ammonia (NH3) volatilization the micronutrient coated urea is applied to enhance N-efficiency and its uptake. This study is an application of micronutrient coated urea with zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) for two soil series of Malaysia. A laboratory experiment was designed according to the force draft technique for trapping the NH3 loss. The results have manifested that the rate of ammonia volatilization was 16% from uncoated urea and 8% from coated urea with micronutrients during the first two weeks of observations. After the six weeks of observations it was perceived that the ammonia losses for both soil series were gradually decreased with time. The mean comparison by using Tukey’s range test has shown the positive effect of micronutrient coated urea in comparison with the conventional urea. However the urea coated with the combination of both micronutrients Cu and Zn has shown significant difference in contrast to the coating urea with single micronutrient. The overall results revealed the efficacy of micronutrient coated urea on both of the soil series to maximize N-uptake and reduce NH3 volatilization.
PREDICTORS AND THEIR DOMAIN FOR STATISTICAL DOWNSCALING OF CLIMATE IN BANGLADESH
Authors: Alamgir Mahiuddin , Hadi Pour Sahar , Mohsenipour Morteza , Mehedi Hasan M. , Ismail Tarmizi
Published: June 2016

Reliable projection of future rainfall in Bangladesh is very important for the assessment of possible impacts of climate change and implementation of necessary adaptation and mitigation measures. Statistical downscaling methods are widely used for downscaling coarse resolution general circulation model (GCM) output at local scale. Selection of predictors and their spatial domain is very important to facilitate downscaling future climate projected by GCMs. The present paper reports the finding of the study conducted to identify the GCM predictors and demarcate their climatic domain for statistical downscaling in Bangladesh at local or regional scale. Twenty-six large scale atmospheric variables which are widely simulated GCM predictors from 45 grid points around the country were analysed using various statistical methods for this purpose. The study reveals that large-scale atmospheric variables at the grid points located in the central-west part of Bangladesh have the highest influence on rainfall.  It is expected that the finding of the study will help different meteorological and agricultural organizations of Bangladesh to project rainfall and temperature at local scale in order to provide various agricultural or hydrological services.
AN EVALUATION OF MARINE GEOSPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE (MGDI) BY DELPHI-ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP) APPROACH
Authors: Hamid-Mosaku Isa Adekunle , Mahmud Mohd Razali , Mohd Mohd Safie
Published: June 2016

Decision makings in the contexts of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) and Marine Geospatial Data Infrastructure (MGDI) are recently gaining attention in SDI literatures. Both initiatives are multi-dynamic and complex in nature, thus exhibiting multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems. Yet, there is dearth of multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) decision making framework. In this paper, major criteria for enhanced decisions about MGDI implementations are evaluated. These criteria sourced from literature, further adjudged through Delphi experts group evaluations till consensus was reached on seven criteria. Thereafter, pilot surveys for criteria weightage and ranking based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model were carried out, with respondents from marine stakeholders in Malaysia. Results obtained were assessed and compared with scoring procedure; Data and Information had the highest percentage while Social criterion is the least ranked. The significance of these criteria in enhancing MGDI decision for numerous marine activities among the stakeholders are therefore highlighted through this study.
HISTORICAL TRENDS AND FUTURE PROJECTION OF CLIMATE AT DHAKA CITY OF BANGLADESH
Authors: Ahmed Shourav Md. Sabbir , Mohsenipour Morteza , Alamgir Mahiuddin , Hadi Pour Sahar , Ismail Tarmizi
Published: June 2016

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh is considered as one of the most vulnerable cities of the world to climate change. A study has been carried out to assess the historical changes as well as future changes in the climate of Dhaka city in order to propose necessary mitigation and adaptation measures. Statistical downscaling model (SDSM) was used for the projection of future changes in daily rainfall and temperature and non-parametric trend analysis was used to assess the changes in rainfall, temperature and related extremes. The impacts of projected changes in climate on urban infrastructure and livelihood in Dhaka city was finally assessed to propose necessary adaptation measures. The study revealed that night time temperature in Dhaka city has increased significantly at a rate of 0.22ºC/decade in last fifty year, which is support to increase continually in the future. Different temperature related extreme events are also found to increase significantly in Dhaka. On the other hand, no significant change in rainfall or rainfall related extremes are observed. Therefore, it can be remarked that imminent impacts of climate change will be due to the increase in temperature and temperature related extremes. The public health and the water and energy supply are likely to be imminent affected sector in the city due to climate change.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY EFFICIENCY DISTILLATION COLUMNS SEQUENCE DESIGN OF AROMATIC SEPARATION UNIT
Authors: Zaine Muhammad Zakwan , Mustafa Mohd. Faris , Ibrahim Kamarul Asri , Ibrahim Norazana , Abd. Hamid Mohd. Kamaruddin
Published: June 2016

Distillation operations became a major concern within sustainability challenge, which it becomes a primary target of energy saving efforts in industrially developed countries. However, there is still one problem, which is how do we improve the energy efficiency of the existing distillation columns systems by considering the sustainability criteria without having major modifications. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to present new improvement of existing methodology by including a sustainability analysis to design an optimal sequence of energy efficient distillation columns. Accordingly, the methodology is divided into four hierarchical sequential stages: i) existing sequence sustainability analysis, ii) optimal sequence determination, iii) optimal sequence sustainability analysis, and iv) sustainability comparison and design modification. The capability of this methodology is tested in designing an optimal sustainable energy efficient distillation columns sequence of aromatics separation unit using a simple and reliable short-cut method within Aspen HYSYS® simulation environment. The energy and sustainability analysis is performed and shows that the optimal sequence determined by the driving force method has better energy reduction with total of 6.78 % energy savings and 0.16 % sustainability reduction compared to existing sequence with. In addition, the economic analysis shows that the return of investment of 3.10 with payback period of 4 months. It can be concluded that, the sequence determined by the driving force method is not only capable in reducing energy consumption, but also has better sustainability index for aromatic separation unit.
ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF RICE BRAN OIL FROM DIFFERENT VARIETIES EXTRACTED BY SOLVENT EXTRACTION METHODS
Authors: Mohd Daud Nurul Shafinas , Abang Zaidel Dayang Norulfairuz , Kok Song Lai , Muhamad Ida Idayu , Mohd Jusoh Yanti Maslina
Published: June 2016

Antioxidant properties of rice bran oil from different rice bran varieties; Rice Bran-Bario (RB-Bario), Rice bran-Lowland (RB-Low) and Rice Bran- Upland rice (RB-Up), collected from different cultural plots, were assessed. Measurement of antioxidant properties was evaluated byTPC(total phenolic content), DPPH scavenging activities and reducing power of extracts.. The study shows that antioxidant efficacy of rice bran was found the highest in RB-Up, followed by RB- Low and RB-Bario. The antioxidant properties were related to the rice bran origin and water irrigation demand by particular variety. RB –Up has a unique plantation condition which takes least amount of water retention which contribute to the highest antioxidant activity. Extraction solvents used shows that Upland (16.15%) and Lowland (16.16%) yielded the highest amount in conserving the crude fat oil in rice bran extract compared to Bario.
EXPERIMENTAL AND QUANTUM CHEMICAL CALCULATIONS ON CORROSION INHIBITION OF MILD STEEL BY TWO FURAN DERIVATIVES
Authors: M. Al-Fakih Abdo , H. Abdallah Hassan , Maarof Hasmerya , Aziz Madzlan
Published: June 2016

Two furan derivatives namely 5-methylfurfurylamine (MFA) and furfurylamine (FAM) were investigated as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 1 M HCl. The corrosion inhibition efficiencies (IE) were measured at 0.005M of the inhibitors using electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The studied furan derivatives inhibit mild steel corrosion in acidic medium. The MFA shows higher inhibition efficiency of 84.77% compared to FAM of 41.75%. Quantum chemical calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT). Several quantum parameters were calculated to study the correlation between the molecular structures and the corrosion inhibition performance of the inhibitors. The MFA inhibitor shows higher HOMO energy, softness (S), fraction of electrons transferred (ΔN), and lower energy gap (∆E) compared to the FAM. This result indicates a better corrosion inhibition performance of the MFA inhibitor. The results show that the calculated values of the quantum parameters using DFT calculations are consistent with the experimental findings.
Sources of protons and a role for bicarbonate in inhibitory feedback from horizontal cells to cones in Ambystoma tigrinum retina
Authors: Warren Ted J. , Van Hook Matthew J. , Supuran Claudiu T. , Thoreson Wallace B.
Published: June 2016

Key points

In the vertebrate retina, photoreceptors influence the signalling of neighbouring photoreceptors through lateral‐inhibitory interactions mediated by horizontal cells (HCs). These interactions create antagonistic centre‐surround receptive fields important for detecting edges and generating chromatically opponent responses in colour vision.

The mechanisms responsible for inhibitory feedback from HCs involve changes in synaptic cleft pH that modulate photoreceptor calcium currents. However, the sources of synaptic protons involved in feedback and the mechanisms for their removal from the cleft when HCs hyperpolarize to light remain unknown.

Our results indicate that Na+–H+ exchangers are the principal source of synaptic cleft protons involved in HC feedback but that synaptic cleft alkalization during light‐evoked hyperpolarization of HCs also involves changes in bicarbonate transport across the HC membrane.

In addition to delineating processes that establish lateral inhibition in the retina, these results contribute to other evidence showing the key role for pH in regulating synaptic signalling throughout the nervous system.

Lateral‐inhibitory feedback from horizontal cells (HCs) to photoreceptors involves changes in synaptic cleft pH accompanying light‐evoked changes in HC membrane potential. We analysed HC to cone feedback by studying surround‐evoked light responses of cones and by obtaining paired whole cell recordings from cones and HCs in salamander retina. We tested three potential sources for synaptic cleft protons: (1) generation by extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA), (2) release from acidic synaptic vesicles and (3) Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs). Neither antagonizing extracellular CA nor blocking loading of protons into synaptic vesicles eliminated feedback. However, feedback was eliminated when extracellular Na+ was replaced with choline and significantly reduced by an NHE inhibitor, cariporide. Depriving NHEs of intracellular protons by buffering HC cytosol with a pH 9.2 pipette solution eliminated feedback, whereas alkalinizing the cone cytosol did not, suggesting that HCs are a major source for protons in feedback. We also examined mechanisms for changing synaptic cleft pH in response to changes in HC membrane potential. Increasing the trans‐membrane proton gradient by lowering the extracellular pH from 7.8 to 7.4 to 7.1 strengthened feedback. While maintaining constant extracellular pH with 1 mm HEPES, removal of bicarbonate abolished feedback. Elevating intracellular bicarbonate levels within HCs prevented this loss of feedback. A bicarbonate transport inhibitor, 4,4′‐diisothiocyano‐2,2′‐stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS), also blocked feedback. Together, these results suggest that NHEs are the primary source of extracellular protons in HC feedback but that changes in cleft pH accompanying changes in HC membrane voltage also require bicarbonate flux across the HC membrane.
Integration of partial information for spoken and written sentence recognition by older listeners
Authors: Smith Kimberly G. , Fogerty Daniel
Published: June 2016

Older adults have difficulty understanding speech in challenging listening environments. Combining multisensory signals may facilitate speech recognition. This study measured recognition of interrupted spoken and written sentences by older adults for different preserved stimulus proportions. Unimodal performance was first examined when only interrupted text or speech stimuli were presented. Multimodal performance with concurrently presented text and speech stimuli was tested with delayed and simultaneous participant responses. Older listeners performed better in unimodal speech-only compared to text-only conditions across all proportions preserved. Performance was also better in delayed multimodal conditions. Comparison to a younger sample suggests age-related amodal processing declines.
Rheology of non-Brownian suspensions of rough frictional particles under shear reversal: A numerical study
Authors: Peters François , Ghigliotti Giovanni , Gallier Stany , Blanc Frédéric , Lemaire Elisabeth , Lobry Laurent
Published: June 2016

We perform particle scale simulations of suspensions submitted to shear reversal. The simulations are based on the Force Coupling method, adapted to account for short range lubrication interactions together with direct contact forces between particles, including surface roughness, contact elasticity, and solid friction. After shear reversal, three consecutive steps are identified in the viscosity transient: An instantaneous variation, followed by a rapid contact force relaxation, and finally a long time evolution. The separated contributions of hydrodynamics and contact forces to the viscosity are investigated during the transient, allowing a qualitative understanding of each step. In addition, the influence of the contact law parameters (surface roughness height and friction coefficient) on the transient is evaluated. Concerning the long time transient, the difference between the steady viscosity and minimum viscosity is shown to be proportional to the contact contribution to the steady viscosity, allowing in principle easy determination of the latter in experiments. The short time evolution is studied as well. After the shear reversal, the contact forces vanish over a strain that is very short compared to the typical strain of the long time transient, allowing to define an apparent step between the viscosity before shear reversal and after contact force relaxation. This step is shown to be an increasing function of the friction coefficient between particles. Two regimes are identified as a function of the volume fraction. At low volume fraction, the step is small compared to the steady contact viscosity, in agreement with a particle pair model. As the volume fraction increases, the value of the viscosity step increases faster than the steady contact viscosity, and, depending on the friction coefficient, may approach it.
Validity, Reliability, and Sensitivity of a Volleyball Intermittent Endurance Test
Authors: Rodríguez-Marroyo Jose A. , Medina-Carrillo Javier , García-López Juan , Morante Juan C. , Villa José G. , Foster Carl
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

To analyze the concurrent and construct validity of a volleyball intermittent endurance test (VIET). The VIET’s test–retest reliability and sensitivity to assess seasonal changes was also studied.

Methods:

During the preseason, 71 volleyball players of different competitive levels took part in this study. All performed the VIET and a graded treadmill test with gas-exchange measurement (GXT). Thirty-one of the players performed an additional VIET to analyze the test–retest reliability. To test the VIET’s sensitivity, 28 players repeated the VIET and GXT at the end of their season.

Results:

Significant (P < .001) relationships between VIET distance and maximal oxygen uptake (r = .74) and GXT maximal speed (r = .78) were observed. There were no significant differences between the VIET performance test and retest (1542.1 ± 338.1 vs 1567.1 ± 358.2 m). Significant (P < .001) relationships and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were found (r = .95, ICC = .96) for VIET performance. VIET performance increased significantly (P < .001) with player performance level and was sensitive to fitness changes across the season (1458.8 ± 343.5 vs 1581.1 ± 334.0 m, P < .01).

Conclusions:

The VIET may be considered a valid, reliable, and sensitive test to assess the aerobic endurance in volleyball players.
Influence of Isoinertial-Pneumatic Mixed Resistances on Force–Velocity Relationship
Authors: Avrillon Simon , Jidovtseff Boris , Hug François , Guilhem Gaël
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

Muscle strengthening is commonly based on the use of isoinertial loading, whereas variable resistances such as pneumatic loading may be implemented to optimize training stimulus. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of the ratio between pneumatic and isoinertial resistance on the force–velocity relationship during ballistic movements.

Methods:

A total of 15 participants performed 2 concentric repetitions of ballistic bench-press movements with intention to throw the bar at 30%, 45%, 60%, 75%, and 90% of the maximal concentric repetition with 5 resistance ratios including 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, or 0% of pneumatic resistance, the additional load being isoinertial. Force-, velocity-, and power-time patterns were assessed and averaged over the concentric phase to determine the force–velocity and power–velocity relationships for each resistance ratio.

Results:

Each 25% increase in the pneumatic part in the resistance ratio elicited higher movement velocity (+0.11 ± 0.03 m/s from 0% to 80% of the concentric phase) associated with lower force levels (–43.6 ± 15.2 N). Increased isoinertial part in the resistance ratio resulted in higher velocity toward the end of the movement (+0.23 ± 0.01 m/s from 90% to 100%).

Conclusions:

The findings show that the resistance ratio could be modulated to develop the acceleration phase and force toward the end of the concentric phase (pneumatic-oriented resistance). Inversely, isoinertial-oriented resistance should be used to develop maximal force and maximal power. Resistance modality could, therefore, be considered an innovative variable to modulate the training stimulus according to athletic purposes.
An unusually large renal angiomyolipoma peeping into the right atrium
Authors: Prasad Thotton Veedu , Singh Anuradha , Das Chandan J , Seth Amlesh
Published: June 2016

Angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are benign hamartomatous tumours of the kidney that occur sporadically or in association with tuberous sclerosis. Although they are benign lesions, larger tumours can, rarely, behave aggressively and have extrarenal extension. Extension of an AML into the renal veins and inferior vena cava (IVC) is rare. We report a rare case of an AML with extension into the renal vein and IVC up to the right atrium that was successfully managed surgically.
Soil microbial communities of three major Chinese truffles in southwest China
Authors: Fu Yu , Li Xiaolin , Li Qiang , Wu Haowei , Xiong Chuan , Geng Qi , Sun Honghu , Sun Qun
Published: June 2016

Tuber pseudoexcavatum, Tuber sinoaestivum, and Tuber indicum are the 3 most important truffles growing in southeast China; however, their cultivation is still inefficient owing to the lack of understanding regarding the composition and function of the bacterial and fungal communities from the soils around the fruit bodies and the ectomycorrhiza of these truffles. The aim of this study was to disclose the microbial communities in truffle-producing soils in Huidong County, Sichuan, China, by using barcoded pyrosequencing. Approximately 350 000 quality-controlled sequences were obtained and grouped into 14 025 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and 4385 fungal OTUs, which included 29 bacterial and 7 fungal phyla, respectively. The bacterial genus Acidobacterium and fungal genera Modicella, Pseudogymnoascus, and Mortierella were significantly more abundant in the control soils than in the truffle-producing soils (P < 0.05), while the bacterial genus Sphingomonas (Alphaproteobacteria) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal genus Glomus were significantly enriched in truffle-producing soil than in the control (P < 0.05), indicating their different roles within truffle grounds. Notably, some nonfungal organisms detected by 18S rDNA pyrosequencing were of high abundance, among which Cercozoa and Ochrophyta were significantly (P < 0.05) more abundant in truffle soils than in control soils, indicating their interactions with truffles.
Temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanorod arrays grown on transparent conducting substrates by hydrothermal routes
Authors: Li S. P. , Gu X. Q.
Published: June 2016

Ordered ZnO nanorod (NR) arrays have been prepared on transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrates by a facile seed-assisted hydrothermal route. The optical properties of the samples were investigated by temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Two sharp peaks were clearly identified in the ultraviolet (UV) band, located at 3.34 and 3.26 eV in 10 K spectrum, and were labeled as peaks A and B. Both the peaks exhibited different quenching behaviors, although their red-shift characteristics were almost the same with temperature rising. Something gave rise to a possible mechanism to explain such a behavior. Specifically, peaks A and B were assigned to the bound excitons and carrier transitions from shallow donor levels to the valence band, respectively. The detailed analysis will be illustrated in this study. It is hoped that this work could render guided information for understanding the carrier recombination and dynamics behavior in single-crystal ZnO nanostructures.
Effects of reduction temperature on copper nanowires growth by thermal reduction of copper oxide nanowires
Authors: Rashid Norhana Mohamed , Kishi Naoki , Soga Tetsuo
Published: June 2016

Metallic Cu nanowires have been synthesized by thermal reduction of CuO nanowires in low concentration hydrogen environment. The Cu nanowires can be formed after removing oxide group from the metal oxide nanowires within temperature range from 200[Formula: see text]C to 500[Formula: see text]C. These nanowires have twisted structure with 100–200 nm and average lengths of 10 [Formula: see text]m can be obtained in optimum temperature range 300–400[Formula: see text]C reduced for 30 min. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows Cu peaks recognized at (111), (200) and (220). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images reveal the reduction temperatures strongly affect the nanowires formation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed that Cu nanowires have single crystalline structures with 0.21 nm fringe spacing which correspond to (111) growth direction. The results indicate that thermal reduction of copper oxide nanowires in low concentration hydrogen environment can produce high purity and single crystalline Cu nanowires.
Loop quantum cosmology of Bianchi IX: Inclusion of inverse triad corrections
Authors: Corichi Alejandro , Karami Asieh
Published: June 2016

We consider the loop quantization of the (diagonal) Bianchi type IX cosmological model. We explore different quantization prescriptions that extend the work of Wilson-Ewing and Singh. In particular, we study two different ways of implementing the so-called inverse triad corrections. We construct the corresponding Hamiltonian constraint operators and show that the singularity is formally resolved. We find the effective equations associated with the different quantization prescriptions, and study the relation with the isotropic [Formula: see text] model that, classically, is contained within the Bianchi IX model. Somewhat surprisingly, we find the most natural quantization does not reduce to the [Formula: see text] model. We use geometrically defined scalar observables to explore the physical implications of each of these theories. This is the first part in a series of papers analyzing different aspects of the Bianchi IX model, with inverse corrections, within loop quantum cosmology (LQC).
Axion experiments to algebraic geometry: Testing quantum gravity via the Weak Gravity Conjecture
Authors: Heidenreich Ben , Reece Matthew , Rudelius Tom
Published: June 2016

Common features of known quantum gravity theories may hint at the general nature of quantum gravity. The absence of continuous global symmetries is one such feature. This inspired the Weak Gravity Conjecture, which bounds masses of charged particles. We propose the Lattice Weak Gravity Conjecture, which further requires the existence of an infinite tower of particles of all possible charges under both abelian and nonabelian gauge groups and directly implies a cutoff for quantum field theory. It holds in a wide variety of string theory examples and has testable consequences for the real world and for pure mathematics. We sketch some implications of these ideas for models of inflation, for the QCD axion (and LIGO), for conformal field theory, and for algebraic geometry.
Cosmological dynamics of interacting logarithmic entropy corrected holographic dark energy model
Authors: Darabi F. , Felegary F. , Setare M. R.
Published: June 2016

We investigate the cosmological dynamics of interacting Logarithmic Entropy Corrected Holographic Dark Energy model with Cold Dark Matter. Fixed points are determined and their corresponding cosmological models are presented. Moreover, the dynamical properties of these fixed points are derived.
Einstein-singleton theory and its power spectra in de Sitter inflation
Authors: Myung Yun Soo , Moon Taeyoon , Park Young-Jai
Published: June 2016

We study the Einstein-singleton theory during de Sitter inflation since it provides a way to degenerate fourth-order scalar theory. We obtain an exact solution expressed in terms of the exponential-integral function by solving the degenerate fourth-order scalar equation in de Sitter spacetime. Furthermore, we find that its power spectrum blows negatively up in the superhorizon limit, while it is negatively scale-invariant in the subhorizon limit. This suggests that the Einstein-singleton theory contains the ghost-instability and thus, it is not suitable for developing a slow-roll inflation model.
A New SEN Minus: Design and Reliability Measures
Authors: Gupta Shilpa , Pahuja G. L.
Published: June 2016

Multistage interconnection networks (MIN) are becoming attractive choice as they provide fast and efficient communication at reasonable cost, for multiprocessing systems. Shuffle exchange network (SEN) are specific class of MIN characterized as lowest cost unipath MIN. Several developments have made SEN MIN fault tolerant with redundant paths by increasing the number or size of switching elements (SE). However, recently [Formula: see text] has been advanced by reducing the number of stages, but has serious limitation namely: (i) partial connectivity of each source–destination pair, (ii) unique path. A new method has been proposed in this paper to develop a new topology of MIN with one stage less than the basic unipath MIN of same class with multiple and disjoint path facility that mitigates the shortcomings of the above network and is truly [Formula: see text] MIN. Due to less number of stages used in the proposed network communication delays are also reduced as the path length is reduced. Parametric performances such as Terminal, Broadcast and Network Reliabilities, MTTF, Bandwidth have been computed for different network sizes and demonstrated that it not only outperforms other SEN variants, but has improved features of fault tolerance all because of disjoint minimal path set. Further the comments generated previously in literature about better reliability performance of [Formula: see text] than other two networks [Formula: see text] have been refuted and have demonstrated that [Formula: see text]2 network has better performance than other two for larger network size. Also it can be concluded that the performance of proposed [Formula: see text] is best among all these networks.
Optimum Maintenance Strategy of a Repairable System Under Long-Term Free Preventive Maintenance Warranty with Predicted Maintenance
Authors: Liao Gwo-Liang
Published: June 2016

In this paper, the optimum user’s maintenance strategy of a repairable system for free preventive maintenance (PM) warranty policy is proposed. This study considers predicted maintenance due to the system failure is likely occurring and requires repair during periodic maintenance time. Periodic maintenance can be classified as one of three types — imperfect PM, perfect PM and predicted maintenance. The probability that periodic maintenance is perfect PM or predicted maintenance depends on the number of imperfect maintenance operations conducted since the previous renewal cycle. The sellers offer free perfect and imperfect PM warranty. An optimal periodic maintenance time is determined by minimizing the total cost. Some special cases, implemented with machine learning and human learning, are given to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy. A numerical example is given.
Complementation of the subspace of G-invariant vectors
Authors: García-Pacheco Francisco Javier
Published: June 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be an isometric representation of a group [Formula: see text] in a Banach space [Formula: see text] over a normalizing non-discrete absolute valued division ring [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are supportive and [Formula: see text] verifies the separation property, then [Formula: see text] is 1-complemented in [Formula: see text] along [Formula: see text]. As an immediate consequence, in an isometric representation of a group in a smooth Banach space whose dual is also smooth, the subspace of [Formula: see text]-invariant vectors is [Formula: see text]-complemented.
Multivariate symmetric refinable functions and function vectors
Authors: Krivoshein A. V.
Published: June 2016

For any symmetry group [Formula: see text], any appropriate matrix dilation (compatible with [Formula: see text]) and any appropriate symmetry center [Formula: see text] we give an explicit method for the construction of [Formula: see text]-symmetric with respect to the center [Formula: see text] refinable masks which have sum rule of an arbitrary order [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we give a description of all these masks. For any symmetry group [Formula: see text], any appropriate matrix dilation (compatible with [Formula: see text]) and any appropriate row of symmetry centers [Formula: see text] we give two explicit methods for the construction of [Formula: see text]-symmetric with respect to the row of centers [Formula: see text] refinable matrix masks which have sum rule of an arbitrary order [Formula: see text]. A description of all such matrix masks is also presented.
Computational analysis and enzyme assay of inhibitor response to disease single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lipoprotein lipase
Authors: He Deyong , Huang Ling , Xu Yaping , Pan Xiaoliang , Liu Lijun
Published: June 2016

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the rate-limiting enzyme for the hydrolysis of the triglyceride (TG) core of circulating TG-rich lipoproteins, chylomicrons, and very low-density lipoproteins. The enzyme has been established as an efficacious and safe therapeutic target for the management of obesity. Here, a systematic profile of the lipase inhibitor response of three anti-obesity agents (Orlistat, Lipstatin, and Cetilistat) to clinical LPL missense mutations arising from disease single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was established by integrating complex structure modeling, virtual mutagenesis, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, binding energy analysis, and radiolabeled TG hydrolysis assays. The profile was then used to characterize the resistance and sensitivity of systematic mutation–inhibitor pairs. It is suggested that the Orlistat and Lipstatin have a similar response profile to the investigated mutations due to their homologous chemical structures, but exhibit a distinct profile to that of Cetilistat. Most mutations were predicted to have a modest or moderate effect on inhibitor binding; they are located far away from the enzyme active site and thus can only influence the binding limitedly. A number of mutations were found to sensitize or cause resistance for lipase inhibitors by directly interacting with the inhibitor ligands or by indirectly addressing allosteric effect on enzyme active site. Long-term MD simulations revealed a different noncovalent interaction network at the complex interfaces of Orlistat with wild-type LPL as well as its sensitized mutant H163R and resistant mutant I221T.
Intermediate filament dynamics: Disassembly regulation
Authors: Sun Chengjun , Arino Julien , Portet Stéphanie
Published: June 2016

A mechanism of intermediate filament disassembly regulation is proposed in which disassembly is regulated by the amount of proteins assembled in networks. It is also hypothesized that a delay might exist between regulation and actual disassembly. Under realistic biological conditions of assembly and disassembly, it is shown that such a delay is harmless and does not destabilize the organization of intermediate filaments in networks. However, for high rates of disassembly, the model predicts that delay can destabilize the organization, with the intermediate filament material oscillating between organizations mainly in networks and in nonfilamentous particles.
Analysis of a hand–foot–mouth disease model
Authors: Sharma Swarnali , Samanta G. P.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we have introduced a six-compartmental epidemic model with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) infection. The total population is divided into six subclasses, namely susceptible, exposed, infective in asymptomatic phase, infective in symptomatic phase, quarantined and recovered class. Some basic properties such as boundedness and non-negativity of solutions are discussed. The basic reproduction number ([Formula: see text]) of the system is obtained using next generation matrix method. Then the deterministic dynamical behaviors of the system are studied. Our study includes the existence and stability analysis of equilibrium points of the system. The sensitivity analysis of our system helps us to find out the parameters of greater interest. Next, we deal with the epidemic model with three controls (two treatment controls with quarantine control). We show that there exists an optimal control, which is effective in controlling the disease outbreak in a cost effective way. Numerical simulation is presented with the help of MATLAB, which shows the reliability of our model from the practical point of view.
Formula-based software debugging
Authors: Roychoudhury Abhik , Chandra Satish
Published: June 2016

Satisfiability modulo theory solvers can help automate the search for the root cause of observable software errors.