bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raising the Priority of Lifestyle-Related Noncommunicable Diseases in Physical Therapy Curricula
Authors: Dean Elizabeth , Greig Alison , Murphy Sue , Roots Robin , Nembhard Nadine , Rankin Anne , Bainbridge Lesley , Anthony Joseph , Hoens Alison M. , Garland S. Jayne
Published: January 2016

Given their enormous socioeconomic burdens, lifestyle-related noncommunicable diseases (heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity) have become priorities for the World Health Organization and health service delivery systems. Health care systems have been criticized for relative inattention to the gap between knowledge and practice, as it relates to preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases. Physical therapy is a profession that can contribute effectively to patients'/clients' lifestyle behavior changes at the upstream end of prevention and management. Efforts by entry-to-practice physical therapist education programs to align curricula with epidemiological trends toward best health care practices are varied. One explanation may be the lack of a frame of reference for reducing the knowledge translation gap. The purpose of this article is to provide a current perspective on epidemiological indicators and societal priorities to inform physical therapy curriculum content. Such content needs to include health examination/evaluation tools and health behavior change interventions that are consistent with contemporary values, directions, and practices of physical therapy. These considerations provide a frame of reference for curriculum change. Based on 5 years of experience and dialogue among curriculum stakeholders, an example of how epidemiologically informed and evidence-based best health care practices may be systematically integrated into physical therapy curricula to maximize patient/client health and conventional physical therapy outcomes is provided. This novel approach can serve as an example to other entry-to-practice physical therapist education programs of how to align their curricula with societal health priorities, specifically, noncommunicable diseases. The intentions are to stimulate dialogue about effectively integrating health-based competencies into entry-level education and advancing best practice, as opposed to simply evidence-based practice, across professions and health services and to establish accreditable, health promotion practice standards for physical therapy.
Reliability of Physical Activity Measures During Free-Living Activities in People After Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Almeida Gustavo J. , Irrgang James J. , Fitzgerald G. Kelley , Jakicic John M. , Piva Sara R.
Published: January 2016

Background

Few instruments that measure physical activity (PA) can accurately quantify PA performed at light and moderate intensities, which is particularly relevant in older adults. The evidence of their reliability in free-living conditions is limited.

Objective

The study objectives were: (1) to determine the test-retest reliability of the Actigraph (ACT), SenseWear Armband (SWA), and Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire in assessing free-living PA at light and moderate intensities in people after total knee arthroplasty; (2) to compare the reliability of the 3 instruments relative to each other; and (3) to determine the reliability of commonly used monitoring time frames (24 hours, waking hours, and 10 hours from awakening).

Design

A one-group, repeated-measures design was used.

Methods

Participants wore the activity monitors for 2 weeks, and the CHAMPS questionnaire was completed at the end of each week. Test-retest reliability was determined by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC [2,k]) to compare PA measures from one week with those from the other week.

Results

Data from 28 participants who reported similar PA during the 2 weeks were included in the analysis. The mean age of these participants was 69 years (SD=8), and 75% of them were women. Reliability ranged from moderate to excellent for the ACT (ICC=.75–.86) and was excellent for the SWA (ICC=.93–.95) and the CHAMPS questionnaire (ICC=.86–.92). The 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the ICCs from the SWA were the only ones within the excellent reliability range (.85–.98). The CHAMPS questionnaire showed systematic bias, with less PA being reported in week 2. The reliability of PA measures in the waking-hour time frame was comparable to that in the 24-hour time frame and reflected most PA performed during this period.

Limitations

Reliability may be lower for time intervals longer than 1 week.

Conclusions

All PA measures showed good reliability. The reliability of the ACT was lower than those of the SWA and the CHAMPS questionnaire. The SWA provided more precise reliability estimates. Wearing PA monitors during waking hours provided sufficiently reliable measures and can reduce the burden on people wearing them.
Microscopy assisted fabrication of a hydrogel-based microfluidic filter
Authors: Caliò A. , Leng J. , Decock J. , De Stefano L. , Salmon J. B.
Published: January 2016

A porous filter is fabricated directly inside a microfluidic circuit using a photoreticulable hydrogel. The filter could be used for separation of cells from blood, removal of particles or solutes, such as proteins, in microdialysis and microfiltering. The filter is realized by in situ polymerization approach: a liquid hydrogel is injected in a microfluidic circuit channel where the filter is formed in a specific location by polymerization of UV light, focused by an optical microscope.
Optical path difference evaluation of laser-soldered optical components
Authors: Burkhardt T. , Hornaff M. , Burkhardt D. , Beckert E.
Published: January 2016

We present Solderjet Bumping, a laser-based soldering process, as an all inorganic joining technique for optical materials and mechanical support structures. The adhesive-free bonding process enables the low-stress assembly of fragile and sensitive components for advanced optical systems. Our process addresses high demanding applications, e.g. under high energetic radiation (short wavelengths of 280 nm and below and/or high intensities), for vacuum operation, and for harsh environmental conditions. Laser-based soldering allows the low stress assembly of aligned sub-cells as key components for high quality optical systems. The evaluation of the optical path difference in fused silica and the radiation resistant LAK9G15 glass components after soldering and environmental testing shows the potential of the technique.
EFFICACY OF INTRAVITREAL TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE FOR DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA
Authors: Gautam Prachand , Shrestha Koshal , Lamichhane Gyanendra , Patel Sushila
Published: January 2016

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic retionopathy is a microangilpathy. The present study was done to investigate results of Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide injection for the treatment diffuse diabetic macular edema. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with clinically significant diffuse diabetic macular edema. Eyes were diagnosed with diabetic macular edema according to Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study guidelines. An Intravitreal injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide at the dose of 4 mg/0.2 ml was administered. Best corrected visual acuity was measured as the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and snellen vision drum and size of macular edema (hard exudates) was obtained by slit lamp biomicroscopy using +90 D Volk lens at each visit. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and other complications related with steroid and injection related complications were also evaluated. Subsequently patients were followed up on 1st day, 2nd week and 3rd month. RESULTS: All patients were completed second follow up at 3 months. The mean size of macular edema, which obtained at 3 months postoperatively, was significantly different from the baseline measurement from 1.4125 to 0.9474 DD. Mean visual acuity improved significantly from baseline at 3 months of follow up was 0.7421 LogMAR (≈ 6/30 in Snellen chart). Eleven eyes developed intraocular pressure higher than 21 mmHg at 2nd week postoperatively. Other drug and injection related complications were not developed. Increased IOP were controlled with anti glaucoma drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal Triamcinolone was a promising therapeutic method for diabetic macular edema. TriamcinoloneAcetonide effectively reduces size of macular edema and improves visual acuity in the short term.Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences (2015) Vol.03 No.02 Issue 10 Page: 30-34
CAREGIVER'S STRESS OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS
Authors: Darlami Kamala , Ponnose Reshmi , Jose Pradap
Published: January 2016

INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric disorders are as old as human life. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders and their undesired personal, familial and social effects have increased simultaneously with population growth and urbanity. Limited psychiatric health care services coupled with increased psychiatric disorders led their families to play a critical role in taking care of the patients and they have to be considered as a main source of patients' caregivers. Long term care to psychiatric patients' increases caregivers' burden and decreases their mental health status. This may result in increasing psychiatric stress of caregivers and decreased patient care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive research design was adopted to assess the caregiver's stress of psychiatric patients and coping mechanisms in this study. Fifty care givers of the psychiatric patients were selected through purposive sampling technique from inpatient and outpatient units of Universal College of Medical Sciences, Teaching Hospital. Modified and combined version of General Health Questionnaire-12 and Kingston caregiver scale, Cope scale and demographic performa were used to interview the samples. Collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Sociodemographic data was analyzed using frequency and percentage. Level of stress and coping was analyzed by computing frequency, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation. The association between the caregiver's stress with sociodemographic variables was computed using chi-square test. RESULT: Result related to stress level of respondents revealed that majority of the respondents (86%) were at moderate stress, followed by 14% with severe stress. Study findings showed that caregivers were stressed with care giving, family and financial issues. In relation to coping strategies, 68% of respondent used active coping measures whereas 32% adopted passive coping methods. Majority of the respondents used social support, positive reinterpretation and religious coping strategies to overcome the stress. Caregiver's stress compared with sociodemographic variables showed a significant association between religion, ethnicity, education, marital status, onset of illness, type of illness, type of patient and relation with patient. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that all of the respondents were under stress and most of them used active coping measures to manage their stress. The study has important implications for service delivery and clinical practice. Health care personnel should be observant of psychological problems of caregivers and if subjective complaints or functional impairment are present, evaluation and therapeutic interventions should be suggested. Information regarding support and practical assistance should also be offered to families of psychiatric patients.Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences (2015) Vol.03 No.02 Issue 10  Page: 39-43
Test Anxiety: Evaluation of a Low-Threshold Seminar-Based Intervention for Veterinary Students
Authors: Hahm Nadine , Augustin Sophie , Bade Claudia , Ammer-Wies Annett , Bahramsoltani Mahtab
Published: January 2016

Veterinary students are confronted with a high workload and an extensive number of examinations. However, the skills students gained in high school cannot serve as satisfactory coping strategies during veterinary training. This disparity can lead to test anxiety, as frequently reported by international surveys. In response, a pilot study was carried out to evaluate the effects of a newly developed training seminar to prevent and/or reduce test anxiety. The seminar was offered on a voluntary basis as a low-threshold intervention to first- and second-year veterinary students at three different veterinary schools in Germany. The intervention was offered in two different designs: in either a block or in a semester course containing cognitive and behavioral approaches as well as skill-deficit methods. By conducting a survey and interviews among the participants it was determined whether the contents of the seminar were perceived as helpful for counteracting test anxiety. The potential of the intervention was evaluated using a German test anxiety questionnaire (PAF). The contents of the training seminar were all assessed as beneficial but evaluated slightly differently by first- and second-year students. The results indicate that the seminar prevents and reduces test anxiety significantly compared to the control group students. The greatest effects were achieved by offering the intervention to first-year students and as a block course. As the participants benefit from the intervention independent of the extent of test anxiety, these results suggest that it may be profitable to integrate a workshop on coping strategies in the veterinary curriculum.
Comparison between Training Models to Teach Veterinary Medical Students Basic Laparoscopic Surgery Skills
Authors: Levi Ohad , Michelotti Kurt , Schmidt Peggy , Lagman Minette , Fahie Maria , Griffon Dominique
Published: January 2016

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different laparoscopic training models in preparing veterinary students to perform basic laparoscopic skills. Sixteen first- and second-year veterinary students were randomly assigned to a box trainer (Group B) or tablet trainer (Group T). Training and assessment for both groups included two tasks, “peg transfer” and “pattern cutting,” derived from the well-validated McGill University Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills. Confidence levels were compared by evaluating pre- and post-training questionnaires. Performance of laparoscopic tasks was scored pre- and post-training using a rubric for precision and speed. Results revealed a significant improvement in student confidence for basic laparoscopic skills (p<.05) and significantly higher scores for both groups in both laparoscopic tasks (p<.05). No significant differences were found between the groups regarding their assessment of the video quality, lighting, and simplicity of setup (p=.34, p=.15, and p=.43, respectively). In conclusion, the low-cost tablet trainer and the more expensive box trainer were similarly effective in preparing pre-clinical veterinary students to perform basic laparoscopic skills on a model.
Exploring the Teaching Motivations, Satisfaction, and Challenges of Veterinary Preceptors: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hashizume Cary T. , Myhre Douglas L. , Hecker Kent G. , Bailey Jeremy V. , Lockyer Jocelyn M.
Published: January 2016

Optimization of clinical veterinary education requires an understanding of what compels veterinary preceptors in their role as clinical educators, what satisfaction they receive from the teaching experience, and what struggles they encounter while supervising students in private practice. We explored veterinary preceptors' teaching motivations, enjoyment, and challenges by undertaking a thematic content analysis of 97 questionnaires and 17 semi-structured telephone interviews. Preceptor motivations included intrinsic factors (obligation to the profession, maintenance of competence, satisfaction) and extrinsic factors (promotion of the veterinary field, recruitment). Veterinarians enjoyed observing the learner (motivation and enthusiasm, skill development) and engaging with the learner (sharing their passion for the profession, developing professional relationships). Challenges for veterinary preceptors included variability in learner interest and engagement, time management, and lack of guidance from the veterinary medicine program. We found dynamic interactions among the teaching motivations, enjoyment, and challenges for preceptors. Our findings suggest that in order to sustain the veterinary preceptor, there is a need to recognize the interplay between the incentives and disincentives for teaching, to foster the motivations and enjoyment for teaching, and to mitigate the challenges of teaching in community private practice.
Field Investigation of In-Service Performance of Concrete Bridge Decks in Pennsylvania
Authors: Manafpour Amir , Hopper Travis , Rajabipour Farshad , Radlińska Aleksandra , Warn Gordon P. , Shokouhi Parisa , Morian Dennis , Jahangirnejad Shervin
Published: January 2016

The results of an expert survey and field investigation of early-age bridge deck cracking in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are summarized in this paper. The goal was to use field data to identify factors that contribute to or reduce early-age cracking in concrete bridge decks and to assess the effect of cracks on the long-term durability of bridge decks. First, a survey of 71 employees of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT) was conducted to collect and document their experience with early-age cracking and its relationship to long-term deck performance. Next, inspection data from 203 bridge decks were collected and analyzed to evaluate the effect of concrete mixture proportions and properties, construction methods, and rebar type on the propensity of the bridges to experience early-age deck cracking. The Pennsylvania DOT supplied inspection data for 40 older bridge decks and initial (after construction) inspection data for 163 new bridge decks. The results suggest that limiting the total cementitious materials content (e.g., to 620 lb/yd3) and the maximum compressive strength (e.g., to 5,000 pounds per square inch at 28 days) is advisable to reduce deck cracking. In addition, epoxy-coated rebar showed good corrosion resistance, even in cracked concrete.
Sustainability Assessment of Plant Protection Strategies in Swiss Winter Wheat and Potato Production
Authors: Mouron Patrik , Calabrese Chiara , Breitenmoser Stève , Spycher Simon , Baur Robert
Published: January 2016

Production of arable crops in Switzerland is subsidized for services performed within the Proof of Ecological Performance (PEP) program, the crop protection part of which is based on IPM principles. Within PEP, chemical insect control must rely on those approved insecticides that are deemed harmless for beneficial arthropods. Approved insecticides potentially impacting beneficial arthropods may also be applied, but only if unavoidable and with an official permit. In order to assess the ecological and economic sustainability of this PEP program, a reference insecticide strategy illustrating the current PEP requirements was compared with other strategies. For this purpose, a sustainability assessment taking account of ecotoxicological risks and economic viability in addition to the preservation of beneficial arthropods was performed according to the SustainOS methodology. The results show that the one-off use of Audienz (spinosad) to control cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus)—a key pest in winter wheat—would significantly improve sustainability vis-à-vis the reference (Nomolt (teflubenzuron) plus Biscaya (thiacloprid)). However, in the case of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), in potato crops, where Audienz is considered the reference, no alternative would exhibit better sustainability. Moreover, the study shows that strategies using Novodor (Bacillus thuringiensis) protect beneficial species well but have the drawbacks of increased yield risk and higher costs. The conclusions drawn from these analyses allow recommendations for modifications of the PEP requirements for these two pest insects. The SustainOS methodology, a multi-step process combining expert knowledge with quantitative assessments including a sensitivity analysis of key target parameters and a rule-based aggregation of assessment results, yielded valuable insights into the sustainability of different crop protection strategies.
Going beyond the Control of Quorum-Sensing to Combat Biofilm Infections
Authors: Abraham Wolf-Rainer
Published: January 2016

Most bacteria attach to surfaces where they form a biofilm, cells embedded in a complex matrix of polymers. Cells in biofilms are much better protected against noxious agents than free-living cells. As a consequence it is very difficult to control pathogens with antibiotics in biofilm infections and novel targets are urgently needed. One approach aims at the communication between cells to form and to maintain a biofilm, a process called quorum-sensing. Water soluble small-sized molecules mediate this process and a number of antagonists of these compounds have been found. In this review natural compounds and synthetic drugs which do not interfere with the classical quorum-sensing compounds are discussed. For some of these compounds the targets are still not known, but others interfere with the formation of exopolysaccharides, virulence factors, or cell wall synthesis or they start an internal program of biofilm dispersal. Some of their targets are more conserved among pathogens than the receptors for quorum sensing autoinducers mediating quorum-sensing, enabling a broader application of the drug. The broad spectrum of mechanisms, the diversity of bioactive compounds, their activity against several targets, and the conservation of some targets among bacterial pathogens are promising aspects for several clinical applications of this type of biofilm-controlling compound in the future.
Lactation Affects Isolated Mitochondria and Its Fatty Acid Composition but Has No Effect on Tissue Protein Oxidation, Lipid Peroxidation or DNA-Damage in Laboratory Mice
Authors: Valencak Teresa , Raith Johannes , Staniek Katrin , Gille Lars , Strasser Alois
Published: January 2016

Linking peak energy metabolism to lifespan and aging remains a major question especially when focusing on lactation in females. We studied, if and how lactation affects in vitro mitochondrial oxygen consumption and mitochondrial fatty acid composition. In addition, we assessed DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls to extrapolate on oxidative stress in mothers. As model system we used C57BL/6NCrl mice and exposed lactating females to two ambient temperatures (15 °C and 22 °C) while they nursed their offspring until weaning. We found that state II and state IV respiration rates of liver mitochondria were significantly higher in the lactating animals than in non-lactating mice. Fatty acid composition of isolated liver and heart mitochondria differed between lactating and non-lactating mice with higher n-6, and lower n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the lactating females. Surprisingly, lactation did not affect protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, nor did moderate cold exposure of 15 °C. We conclude that lactation increases rates of mitochondrial uncoupling and alters mitochondrial fatty acid composition thus supporting the “uncoupling to survive” hypothesis. Regarding oxidative stress, we found no impact of lactation and lower ambient temperature and contribute to growing evidence that there is no linear relationship between oxidative damage and lactation.
The Effects of Adhesive and Bonding Length on the Strain Transfer of Optical Fiber Sensors
Authors: Her Shiuh-Chuan , Huang Chih-Ying
Published: January 2016

Optical fiber sensors have been extensively adapted as structural health monitoring devices. Due to the existence of the adhesive layer, a portion of the strain is absorbed by the adhesive. As a result, the structural strain sensed by the optical fiber is underestimated and required to be corrected. An analytical solution is presented through which it is possible to establish the relationship between the strains in the host structure and the surface bonded optical fiber sensor. Experimental measurements based on the Mach–Zehnder interferometric technique were performed to validate the theoretical prediction and reveal the differential strains between the optical fiber strain sensor and test specimen. Parametric studies show that the percentage of the strain in the test specimen actually transferred to the optical fiber is dependent on the bonding length of the optical fiber and the adhesive. The strain transfer is increasing from 56% to 82% as the bonding length increases from 5 cm to 12 cm with the epoxy adhesive. The general trend of the strain transfer obtained from both experimental tests and theoretical predictions shows that the longer the bonding length and the stiffer the adhesive, the more strain is transferred to the optical fiber.
Metabolic Control in Mammalian Fed-Batch Cell Cultures for Reduced Lactic Acid Accumulation and Improved Process Robustness
Authors: Konakovsky Viktor , Clemens Christoph , Müller Markus , Bechmann Jan , Berger Martina , Schlatter Stefan , Herwig Christoph
Published: January 2016

Biomass and cell-specific metabolic rates usually change dynamically over time, making the “feed according to need” strategy difficult to realize in a commercial fed-batch process. We here demonstrate a novel feeding strategy which is designed to hold a particular metabolic state in a fed-batch process by adaptive feeding in real time. The feed rate is calculated with a transferable biomass model based on capacitance, which changes the nutrient flow stoichiometrically in real time. A limited glucose environment was used to confine the cell in a particular metabolic state. In order to cope with uncertainty, two strategies were tested to change the adaptive feed rate and prevent starvation while in limitation: (i) inline pH and online glucose concentration measurement or (ii) inline pH alone, which was shown to be sufficient for the problem statement. In this contribution, we achieved metabolic control within a defined target range. The direct benefit was two-fold: the lactic acid profile was improved and pH could be kept stable. Multivariate Data Analysis (MVDA) has shown that pH influenced lactic acid production or consumption in historical data sets. We demonstrate that a low pH (around 6.8) is not required for our strategy, as glucose availability is already limiting the flux. On the contrary, we boosted glycolytic flux in glucose limitation by setting the pH to 7.4. This new approach led to a yield of lactic acid/glucose (Y L/G) around zero for the whole process time and high titers in our labs. We hypothesize that a higher carbon flux, resulting from a higher pH, may lead to more cells which produce more product. The relevance of this work aims at feeding mammalian cell cultures safely in limitation with a desired metabolic flux range. This resulted in extremely stable, low glucose levels, very robust pH profiles without acid/base interventions and a metabolic state in which lactic acid was consumed instead of being produced from day 1. With this contribution, we wish to extend the basic repertoire of available process control strategies, which will open up new avenues in automation technology and radically improve process robustness in both process development and manufacturing.
Entropy Analysis of Solar Two-Step Thermochemical Cycles for Water and Carbon Dioxide Splitting
Authors: Lange Matthias , Roeb Martin , Sattler Christian , Pitz-Paal Robert
Published: January 2016

The present study provides a thermodynamic analysis of solar thermochemical cycles for splitting of H2O or CO2. Such cycles, powered by concentrated solar energy, have the potential to produce fuels in a sustainable way. We extend a previous study on the thermodynamics of water splitting by also taking into account CO2 splitting and the influence of the solar absorption efficiency. Based on this purely thermodynamic approach, efficiency trends are discussed. The comprehensive and vivid representation in T-S diagrams provides researchers in this field with the required theoretical background to improve process development. Furthermore, results about the required entropy change in the used redox materials can be used as a guideline for material developers. The results show that CO2 splitting is advantageous at higher temperature levels, while water splitting is more feasible at lower temperature levels, as it benefits from a great entropy change during the splitting step.
The Importance of Thrombin in Cerebral Injury and Disease
Authors: Krenzlin Harald , Lorenz Viola , Danckwardt Sven , Kempski Oliver , Alessandri Beat
Published: January 2016

There is increasing evidence that prothrombin and its active derivative thrombin are expressed locally in the central nervous system. So far, little is known about the physiological and pathophysiological functions exerted by thrombin in the human brain. Extra-hepatic prothrombin expression has been identified in neuronal cells and astrocytes via mRNA measurement. The actual amount of brain derived prothrombin is expected to be 1% or less compared to that in the liver. The role in brain injury depends upon its concentration, as higher amounts cause neuroinflammation and apoptosis, while lower concentrations might even be cytoprotective. Its involvement in numerous diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, cerebral ischemia and haemorrhage is becoming increasingly clear. This review focuses on elucidation of the cerebral thrombin expression, local generation and its role in injury and disease of the central nervous system.
Liquid Crystal Microlenses for Autostereoscopic Displays
Authors: Algorri José , Urruchi Virginia , García-Cámara Braulio , Sánchez-Pena José
Published: January 2016

Three-dimensional vision has acquired great importance in the audiovisual industry in the past ten years. Despite this, the first generation of autostereoscopic displays failed to generate enough consumer excitement. Some reasons are little 3D content and performance issues. For this reason, an exponential increase in three-dimensional vision research has occurred in the last few years. In this review, a study of the historical impact of the most important technologies has been performed. This study is carried out in terms of research manuscripts per year. The results reveal that research on spatial multiplexing technique is increasing considerably and today is the most studied. For this reason, the state of the art of this technique is presented. The use of microlenses seems to be the most successful method to obtain autostereoscopic vision. When they are fabricated with liquid crystal materials, extended capabilities are produced. Among the numerous techniques for manufacturing liquid crystal microlenses, this review covers the most viable designs for its use in autostereoscopic displays. For this reason, some of the most important topologies and their relation with autostereoscopic displays are presented. Finally, the challenges in some recent applications, such as portable devices, and the future of three-dimensional displays based on liquid crystal microlenses are outlined.
Antimicrobial Properties and Cytocompatibility of PLGA/Ag Nanocomposites
Authors: Scavone Mariangela , Armentano Ilaria , Fortunati Elena , Cristofaro Francesco , Mattioli Samantha , Torre Luigi , Kenny Jose , Imbriani Marcello , Arciola Carla , Visai Livia
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial properties of multifunctional nanocomposites based on poly(dl-Lactide-co-Glycolide) (PLGA) and increasing concentration of silver (Ag) nanoparticles and their effects on cell viability for biomedical applications. PLGA nanocomposite films, produced by solvent casting with 1 wt%, 3 wt% and 7 wt% of Ag nanoparticles were investigated and surface properties were characterized by atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. Antibacterial tests were performed using an Escherichia coli RB and Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4 strains. The cell viability and morphology were performed with a murine fibroblast cell line (L929) and a human osteosarcoma cell line (SAOS-2) by cell viability assay and electron microscopy observations. Matrix protein secretion and deposition were also quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results suggest that the PLGA film morphology can be modified introducing a small percentage of silver nanoparticles, which induce the onset of porous round-like microstructures and also affect the wettability. The PLGA/Ag films having silver nanoparticles of more than 3 wt% showed antibacterial effects against E. coli and S. aureus. Furthermore, silver-containing PLGA films displayed also a good cytocompatibility when assayed with L929 and SAOS-2 cells; indicating the PLGA/3Ag nanocomposite film as a promising candidate for tissue engineering applications.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nanofibrous Polyaniline Thin Film Prepared by Novel Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Polymerization Technique
Authors: Park Choon-Sang , Kim Dong , Shin Bhum , Tae Heung-Sik
Published: January 2016

This work presents a study on the preparation of plasma-polymerized aniline (pPANI) nanofibers and nanoparticles by an intense plasma cloud type atmospheric pressure plasma jets (iPC-APPJ) device with a single bundle of three glass tubes. The nano size polymer was obtained at a sinusoidal wave with a peak value of 8 kV and a frequency of 26 kHz under ambient air. Discharge currents, photo-sensor amplifier, and optical emission spectrometer (OES) techniques were used to analyze the plasma produced from the iPC-APPJ device. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) techniques were used to analyze the pPANI. FE-SEM and TEM results show that pPANI has nanofibers, nanoparticles morphology, and polycrystalline characteristics. The FT-IR and GC-MS analysis show the characteristic polyaniline peaks with evidence that some quinone and benzene rings are broken by the discharge energy. GPC results show that pPANI has high molecular weight (Mw), about 533 kDa with 1.9 polydispersity index (PDI). This study contributes to a better understanding on the novel growth process and synthesis of uniform polyaniline nanofibers and nanoparticles with high molecular weights using the simple atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization technique.
Deformation in Metallic Glasses Studied by Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction
Authors: Egami Takeshi , Tong Yang , Dmowski Wojciech
Published: January 2016

High mechanical strength is one of the superior properties of metallic glasses which render them promising as a structural material. However, understanding the process of mechanical deformation in strongly disordered matter, such as metallic glass, is exceedingly difficult because even an effort to describe the structure qualitatively is hampered by the absence of crystalline periodicity. In spite of such challenges, we demonstrate that high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurement under stress, using a two-dimensional detector coupled with the anisotropic pair-density function (PDF) analysis, has greatly facilitated the effort of unraveling complex atomic rearrangements involved in the elastic, anelastic, and plastic deformation of metallic glasses. Even though PDF only provides information on the correlation between two atoms and not on many-body correlations, which are often necessary in elucidating various properties, by using stress as means of exciting the system we can garner rich information on the nature of the atomic structure and local atomic rearrangements during deformation in glasses.
The Protective Effects of HJB-1, a Derivative of 17-Hydroxy-Jolkinolide B, on LPS-Induced Acute Distress Respiratory Syndrome Mice
Authors: Xu Xiaohan , Liu Ning , Zhang Yu-Xin , Cao Jinjin , Wu Donglin , Peng Qisheng , Wang Hong-Bing , Sun Wan-Chun
Published: January 2016

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),which is inflammatory disorder of the lung, which is caused by pneumonia, aspiration of gastric contents, trauma and sepsis, results in widespread lung inflammation and increased pulmonary vascular permeability. Its pathogenesis is complicated and the mortality is high. Thus, there is a tremendous need for new therapies. We have reported that HJB-1, a 17-hydroxy-jolkinolide B derivative, exhibited strong anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. In this study, we investigated its impacts on LPS-induced ARDS mice. We found that HJB-1 significantly alleviated LPS-induced pulmonary histological alterations, inflammatory cells infiltration, lung edema, as well as the generation of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in BALF. In addition, HJB-1 markedly suppressed LPS-induced IκB-α degradation, nuclear accumulation of NF-κB p65 subunit and MAPK phosphorylation. These results suggested that HJB-1 improved LPS-induced ARDS by suppressing LPS-induced NF-κB and MAPK activation.
The Ubiquitin System and Jasmonate Signaling
Authors: Nagels Durand Astrid , Pauwels Laurens , Goossens Alain
Published: January 2016

The ubiquitin (Ub) system is involved in most, if not all, biological processes in eukaryotes. The major specificity determinants of this system are the E3 ligases, which bind and ubiquitinate specific sets of proteins and are thereby responsible for target recruitment to the proteasome or other cellular processing machineries. The Ub system contributes to the regulation of the production, perception and signal transduction of plant hormones. Jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives, known as jasmonates (JAs), act as signaling compounds regulating plant development and plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stress conditions. We provide here an overview of the current understanding of the Ub system involved in JA signaling.
Synthesis and Application of an Aldazine-Based Fluorescence Chemosensor for the Sequential Detection of Cu2+ and Biological Thiols in Aqueous Solution and Living Cells
Authors: Jia Hongmin , Yang Ming , Meng Qingtao , He Guangjie , Wang Yue , Hu Zhizhi , Zhang Run , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: January 2016

A fluorescence chemosensor, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde azine (HNA) was designed and synthesized for sequential detection of Cu2+ and biothiols. It was found that HNA can specifically bind to Cu2+ with 1:1 stoichiometry, accompanied with a dramatic fluorescence quenching and a remarkable bathochromic-shift of the absorbance peak in HEPES buffer. The generated HNA-Cu2+ ensemble displayed a “turn-on” fluorescent response specific for biothiols (Hcy, Cys and GSH) based on the displacement approach, giving a remarkable recovery of fluorescence and UV-Vis spectra. The detection limits of HNA-Cu2+ to Hcy, Cys and GSH were estimated to be 1.5 μM, 1.0 μM and 0.8 μM, respectively, suggesting that HNA-Cu2+ is sensitive enough for the determination of thiols in biological systems. The biocompatibility of HNA towards A549 human lung carcinoma cell, was evaluated by an MTT assay. The capability of HNA-Cu2+ to detect biothiols in live A549 cells was then demonstrated by a microscopy fluorescence imaging assay.
An Energy-Efficient Skyline Query for Massively Multidimensional Sensing Data
Authors: Wang Yan , Wei Wei , Deng Qingxu , Liu Wei , Song Houbing
Published: January 2016

Cyber physical systems (CPS) sense the environment based on wireless sensor networks. The sensing data of such systems present the characteristics of massiveness and multi-dimensionality. As one of the major monitoring methods used in in safe production monitoring and disaster early-warning applications, skyline query algorithms are extensively adopted for multiple-objective decision analysis of these sensing data. With the expansion of network sizes, the amount of sensing data increases sharply. Then, how to improve the query efficiency of skyline query algorithms and reduce the transmission energy consumption become pressing and difficult to accomplish issues. Therefore, this paper proposes a new energy-efficient skyline query method for massively multidimensional sensing data. First, the method uses a node cut strategy to dynamically generate filtering tuples with little computational overhead when collecting query results instead of issuing queries with filters. It can judge the domination relationship among different nodes, remove the detected data sets of dominated nodes that are irrelevant to the query, modify the query path dynamically, and reduce the data comparison and computational overhead. The efficient dynamic filter generated by this strategy uses little non-skyline data transmission in the network, and the transmission distance is very short. Second, our method also employs the tuple-cutting strategy inside the node and generates the local cutting tuples by the sub-tree with the node itself as the root node, which will be used to cut the detected data within the nodes of the sub-tree. Therefore, it can further control the non-skyline data uploading. A large number of experimental results show that our method can quickly return an overview of the monitored area and reduce the communication overhead. Additionally, it can shorten the response time and improve the efficiency of the query.
RAQ–A Random Forest Approach for Predicting Air Quality in Urban Sensing Systems
Authors: Yu Ruiyun , Yang Yu , Yang Leyou , Han Guangjie , Move Oguti
Published: January 2016

Air quality information such as the concentration of PM2.5 is of great significance for human health and city management. It affects the way of traveling, urban planning, government policies and so on. However, in major cities there is typically only a limited number of air quality monitoring stations. In the meantime, air quality varies in the urban areas and there can be large differences, even between closely neighboring regions. In this paper, a random forest approach for predicting air quality (RAQ) is proposed for urban sensing systems. The data generated by urban sensing includes meteorology data, road information, real-time traffic status and point of interest (POI) distribution. The random forest algorithm is exploited for data training and prediction. The performance of RAQ is evaluated with real city data. Compared with three other algorithms, this approach achieves better prediction precision. Exciting results are observed from the experiments that the air quality can be inferred with amazingly high accuracy from the data which are obtained from urban sensing.
Using Causal Loop Diagramming to Explore the Drivers of the Sustained Functionality of Rural Water Services in Timor-Leste
Authors: Neely Kate , Walters Jeffrey
Published: January 2016

It is recognized that international water sector development work has issues with a lack of sustained positive outcomes. A large driver of this outcome is how NGOs work with communities to implement and then manage water services. Many NGOs tend to focus their efforts on improving their reach and organisational growth by continually engaging in new projects. This behaviour is largely driven by short-term donor funding models that reward extended coverage, leaving little focus on sustained outcomes. Similarly, community-based management (CBM) schemes often impede sustained services as a result of the community’s limited capacity to operate and maintain the technology. To explore these complicated drivers on water service sustainability, we used causal loop diagramming to analyse the key aspect influencing the combined dynamics between NGOs, donors and CBM. We demonstrate this methodology through a study in Timor-Leste, where we gathered data necessary to develop and apply causal loop diagrams to analyse rural water supply program outcomes. The analysis of these diagrams allowed identification of leverage points used to suggest structural changes for sustained benefits of water services. These structural changes emphasize the importance of increased robustness and reliability of water technology and the associated impact this has on community satisfaction and, conjointly, on water service sustainability.
Walkability, Land Use and Physical Activity
Authors: Wei Yehua , Xiao Weiye , Wen Ming , Wei Ran
Published: January 2016

Physical activity (PA) promotes healthy life and contributes to sustainable development. In this paper, we rely on the Utah Household Travel Survey data and analyze the determinants of PA in terms of neighborhood land use, accessibility to transportation, and socio-demographic status in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States using four-component walkability indices at various geographic scales. We find that PA is associated with neighborhood land use and social demographic status, including the compact design of the neighborhood. The results also indicate that land use mix is insignificant, and that current neighborhood design only supports people’s 20-min walk. The spatial lag model reveals significant spatial autocorrelation of PA but the barely improved R2 validates the dominant effect of neighborhood land use and social demographic status on people’s walking behavior.
Experimental Assays to Assess the Efficacy of Vinegar and Other Topical First-Aid Approaches on Cubozoan (Alatina alata) Tentacle Firing and Venom Toxicity
Authors: Yanagihara Angel , Wilcox Christie , King Rebecca , Hurwitz Kikiana , Castelfranco Ann
Published: January 2016

Despite the medical urgency presented by cubozoan envenomations, ineffective and contradictory first-aid management recommendations persist. A critical barrier to progress has been the lack of readily available and reproducible envenomation assays that (1) recapitulate live-tentacle stings; (2) allow quantitation and imaging of cnidae discharge; (3) allow primary quantitation of venom toxicity; and (4) employ rigorous controls. We report the implementation of an integrated array of three experimental approaches designed to meet the above-stated criteria. Mechanistically overlapping, yet distinct, the three approaches comprised (1) direct application of test solutions on live tentacles (termed tentacle solution assay, or TSA) with single image- and video-microscopy; (2) spontaneous stinging assay using freshly excised tentacles overlaid on substrate of live human red blood cells suspended in agarose (tentacle blood agarose assays, or TBAA); and (3) a “skin” covered adaptation of TBAA (tentacle skin blood agarose assay, or TSBAA). We report the use and results of these assays to evaluate the efficacy of topical first-aid approaches to inhibit tentacle firing and venom activity. TSA results included the potent stimulation of massive cnidae discharge by alcohols but only moderate induction by urine, freshwater, and “cola” (carbonated soft drink). Although vinegar, the 40-year field standard of first aid for the removal of adherent tentacles, completely inhibited cnidae firing in TSA and TSBAA ex vivo models, the most striking inhibition of both tentacle firing and subsequent venom-induced hemolysis was observed using newly-developed proprietary formulations (Sting No More™) containing copper gluconate, magnesium sulfate, and urea.