bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Overweight With Academic Performance in 12-Year-Old Brazilian Children
Authors: de Almeida Santana Carla Caroliny , Farah Breno Quintella , de Azevedo Liane Beretta , Hill James O. , Gunnarsdottir Thrudur , Botero João Paulo , do Prado Edna Cristina , do Prado Wagner Luiz
Published: September 2016

Obesity has been associated with poor academic achievement, while cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been linked to academic success.

Purpose:

To investigate whether CRF is associated with academic performance in Brazilian students, independently of body mass index (BMI), fatness and socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods:

392 5th and 6th grade students (193 girls) (12.11 ± 0.75 years old) were evaluated in 2012. Skinfold thickness measures were performed, and students were classified according to BMI-percentile. CRF was estimated by a 20-meter shuttle run test, and academic achievement by standardized math and Portuguese tests. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the association between academic performance and CRF, adjusted for SES, skinfold thickness or BMI-percentile.

Results:

Among girls CRF was associated with higher academic achievement in math (β = 0.146;p = .003) and Portuguese (β = 0.129;p = .004) in crude and adjusted analyses. No significant association was found among boys. BMI was not associated with overall academic performance. There was a weak negative association between skinfold thickness and performance in mathematics in boys (β =- 0.030;p = .04), but not in girls.

Conclusion:

The results highlight the importance of maintaining high fitness levels in girls throughout adolescence a period commonly associated with reductions in physical activity levels and CRF.
The Effect of Steroid Hormones on the Physical Performance of Boys and Girls During an Olympic Weightlifting Competition
Authors: Crewther Blair , Obminski Zbigniew , Cook Christian
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

To examine the steroid hormone effect on the physical performance of young athletes during an Olympic weightlifting competition.

Methods:

26 boys and 26 girls were monitored across 2 weightlifting competitions. Pre- and post-competition testosterone (T), cortisol (C) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-s) were measured in blood, with pre-event free T (FT) and the free androgen index (FAI) calculated. Body mass (BM) and weightlifting performance were recorded.

Results:

The boys had a larger BM, superior performance with more T, FT and a higher FAI than girls (p < .01). Although C (32%) and DHEA-s (8%) levels were elevated across competition, no sex differences in hormone reactivity were seen. In boys, DHEA-s correlated with performance (r = .46), but not after controlling for BM (r = .14). For girls, T correlated with performance (r = -0.51) after BM was controlled.

Conclusion:

The sex differences that emerge during puberty were observable, whereby the boys were larger and stronger with a more anabolic profile than girls. Individual DHEA-s (boys) and T (girls) levels were related to performance, but BM appeared to be acting as a mediating (boys) or suppressing (girls) variable. This adds new insight regarding the hormonal contribution to competitive performance in young athletes.
Reliability of Heart Rate Variability in Children: Influence of Sex and Body Position During Data Collection
Authors: Silva Carla Cristiane , Bertollo Maurizio , Reichert Felipe Fossati , Boullosa Daniel Alexandre , Nakamura Fábio Yuzo
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

To examine which body position and indices present better reliability of heart rate variability (HRV) measures in children and to compare the HRV analyzed in different body positions between sexes.

Method:

Twenty eutrophic prepubertal children of each sex participated in the study. The RR intervals were recorded using a portable heart rate monitor twice a day for 7 min in the supine, sitting, and standing positions. The reproducibility was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; two way mixed) and within-subject coefficient of variation (CV).Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to compare the sexes.

Results:

High levels of reproducibility were indicated by higher ICC in the root-mean-square difference of successive normal RR intervals (RMSSD: 0.93 and 0.94) and Poincaré plot of the short-term RR interval variability (SD1: 0.92 and 0.94) parameters for boys and girls, respectively, in the supine position. The ICCs were lower in the sitting and standing positions for all HRV indices. In addition, the girls presented significantly higher values than the boys for SDNN and absolute high frequency (HF; p < .05) in the supine position.

Conclusions:

The supine position is the most reproducible for the HRV indices in both sexes, especially the vagal related indices.
Effects of Combined Vigorous Interval Training Program and Diet on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Physical Self-Perceptions Among Obese Adolescent Boys and Girls
Authors: Rey Olivier , Vallier Jean-Marc , Nicol Caroline , Mercier Charles-Symphorien , Maïano Christophe
Published: September 2016

Purpose:

This study examined the effects of a five-week intervention combining vigorous interval training (VIT) with diet among twenty-four obese adolescents. Fourteen girls and ten boys (aged 14–15) schooled in a pediatric rehabilitation center participated.

Methods:

The VIT intensity was targeted and remained above 80% of maximal heart rate (HR) and over six kilocalories per minute. Pre- and postintervention measures were body composition (BMI, weight, body fat percentage), physical self-perceptions (PSP), physical fitness (6-min walking distance and work) and its associated physiological responses (HRpeak and blood lactate concentration). A series of two-way analyses of variance or covariance controlling for weight loss were used to examine the changes.

Results:

Significant improvements were found in body composition, physical fitness and PSP (endurance, activity level, sport competence, global physical self-concept and appearance). In addition, boys presented higher levels of perceived strength and global physical self-concept than girls. Finally, there was a significant increase in perceived endurance, sport competence, and global physical self-concept in girls only.

Conclusion:

This five-week VIT program combined with diet represents an effective means for improving body composition, physical fitness, and PSP in obese adolescents, the effects on PSP being larger among girls.
The Gospel According to Tim Tebow: Sporting Celebrity, Whiteness, and the Cultural Politics of Christian Fundamentalism in America
Authors: Hawzen Matthew G. , Newman Joshua I.
Published: September 2016

In this article, we explore the media and cultural politics of former National Football League (NFL) quarterback Tim Tebow. More specifically, we investigate paradoxical and contradictory media representations of Tebow as his celebrity surfaced within, and came to dominate, the Obama-era ‘American’ media landscape. In so doing, we draw lines of articulation from Tebow—as performative and representative embodiment of white identity politics and Christian fundamentalism—to broader frames of nation-based morality and racialized meritocracy. We end the article with a discussion on why mediated and mediating Tebow—as framed in contradictory yet religiously significant ways—was at once polarizing and codifying in the media’s ability to galvanize a contextually-significant set of cultural and racial politics.

Dans cet article, nous explorons les politiques médiatiques et culturelles de l’ancien quarterback de la National Football League (NFL) Tim Tebow. Plus spécifiquement, nous étudions les représentations médiatiques paradoxales et contradictoires de Tebow étant donné que sa célébrité est apparue, et a fini par dominer, le paysage médiatique ‘américain’ pendant l’ère Obama. Pour ce faire, nous envisageons l’articulation de pistes allant de Tebow – en tant qu’incarnation performative et représentative des politiques identitaires blanches et du fondamentalisme chrétien – à des cadres plus larges de moralité nationale et de méritocratie racialisée. Nous terminons l’article sur une discussion expliquant pourquoi le médiatique et médiatisé Tebow – décrit dans des termes significativement contradictoires bien que religieux – a été immédiatement polarisé et codifié par la capacité des médias à galvaniser un ensemble contextuellement significatif de politiques culturelles et raciales.
The Psychological Characteristics of Performance Under Pressure in Professional Rugby Union Referees
Authors: Hill Denise M. , Matthews Nic , Senior Ruth
Published: September 2016

This study used qualitative methods to explore the stressors, appraisal mechanism, emotional response, and effective/ineffective coping strategies experienced by elite rugby union referees during pressurized performances. Participants included seven male rugby union referees from the United Kingdom (Mage = 27.85, SD = 4.56) who had been officiating as full-time professionals for between 1 and 16 years (M = 4.85, SD = 5.42). Data revealed that the referees encountered a number of stressors, which were appraised initially as a ‘threat’, and elicited negatively-toned emotions. The referees were able to maintain performance standards under pressure by adopting proactive, problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies which managed effectively the stressors and their emotions. However, the use of avoidance-coping, reactive control, and informal impression management were perceived as ineffective coping strategies, and associated with poor performance and choking. Recommendations are offered to inform the psychological skills training of rugby union referees.
The orphan nuclear receptor RORα and group 3 innate lymphoid cells drive fibrosis in a mouse model of Crohn’s disease
Authors: Lo Bernard C. , Gold Matthew J. , Hughes Michael R. , Antignano Frann , Valdez Yanet , Zaph Colby , Harder Kenneth W. , McNagny Kelly M.
Published: September 2016

RORα contributes to the profibrotic response in the gut in a mouse model of infection-induced gut inflammation.
MuSK is a BMP co-receptor that shapes BMP responses and calcium signaling in muscle cells
Authors: Yilmaz Atilgan , Kattamuri Chandramohan , Ozdeslik Rana N. , Schmiedel Carolyn , Mentzer Sarah , Schorl Christoph , Oancea Elena , Thompson Thomas B. , Fallon Justin R.
Published: September 2016

In addition to organizing the neuromuscular junction, the receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK is also a co-receptor for BMPs in developing muscle.
Familial Alzheimer’s disease–associated presenilin 1 mutants promote γ-secretase cleavage of STIM1 to impair store-operated Ca
2+
entry
Authors: Tong Benjamin Chun-Kit , Lee Claire Shuk-Kwan , Cheng Wing-Hei , Lai Kwok-On , Kevin Foskett J. , Cheung King-Ho
Published: September 2016

Excess cleavage of STIM1 may underlie calcium homeostasis defects that contribute to memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease.
Drugging RAS indirectly
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: September 2016

Small molecules that target KSR inhibit oncogenic Ras signaling.
Papers of note in
Science
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: September 2016

This week’s articles show that the neurotransmitter GABA helps direct synapse formation in the developing mouse brain and that a transporter drives a hormone sink in plants.
Pulse oximetry error in a patient with a Santa Ana haemoglobinopathy
Authors: Robertson Alistair , Rahemtulla Amin
Published: September 2016

A young man with a rare unstable haemoglobinopathy presented with a high fever, worsening shortness of breath and abdominal pain. At triage his pulse oximetry (SpO2) suggested that his blood oxygen saturation was 84% at room air. However, an arterial blood gas (ABG) oxygen saturation reading (SaO2) was 100%. The significant disparity between the two measurements demonstrates that using pulse oximetry in some unstable haemoglobinopathies may significantly underestimate the actual reading. This error is most probably due to the structural differences in the variant haemoglobin causing light to be absorbed at a different wavelength beyond the normal range of the oximeter. Haemoglobinopathies affect about 7% of the world's population and is often asymptomatic; so, there may be many more undiagnosed cases. Therefore, clinicians may confirm low SpO2readings with an ABG and, where there is significant disparity with no obvious extrinsic cause, they should consider haemoglobinopathies.
Risk of motor vehicle collisions associated with medical conditions and medications: rationale and study protocol
Authors: Jung Sun-Young , Hwang Byungkwan , Yang Bo Ram , Kim Ye-Jee , Lee Joongyub
Published: September 2016

Background

Medical conditions and medications may be associated with motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), which pose a major public health problem worldwide. Further epidemiological assessment is necessary for certain diseases and medications. Moreover, since disease aetiology and patterns of medication use may differ among ethnicities and healthcare systems, a population-specific approach is necessary. The present epidemiological study is designed to assess the medical conditions and medications associated with the risk of fatal MVCs among at-fault drivers in the Korean population.

Method and design

A retrospective cohort will be constructed for individuals who died in MVCs between 2005 and 2014 in the Korean Traffic Accident Analysis System database, which is linked to the Korean National Health Insurance database between 2002 and 2014. In order to compare medical conditions and medication use among drivers who died in a fatal MVC with the general population, standardised prevalence ratios will be calculated. In the culpability study, we will identify conditions and drugs associated with MVCs, comparing drivers with higher levels of responsibility to those with lower levels of responsibility. In the case-crossover study, the transient effects of medical conditions and medications will be examined using a conditional logistic regression model that adjusts for confounders.

Discussion

The results of this study will help to characterise the associations of diseases and medications with fatal MVCs in an Asian population, with the goal of informing regulatory and clinical decision-making regarding patients with the relevant conditions and the establishment of strategies for improving traffic safety.
Carotid cavernous fistula after Pipeline placement: a single-center experience and review of the literature
Authors: Roy Anil K , Grossberg Jonathan A , Osbun Joshua W , Skukalek Susana L , Howard Brian M , Ahmad Faiz U , Tong Frank , Dion Jacques E , Cawley Charles M
Published: September 2016

Objective

Carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) development after Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) treatment of cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCA) can be a challenging pathology to treat for the neurointerventionalist.

Methods

A database of all patients whose aneurysms were treated with the PED since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 was retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information, aneurysm characteristics, treatment technique, antiplatelet regimen, and follow-up data were collected. A literature review of all papers that describe PED treatment of CCA was then completed.

Results

A total of 44 patients with 45 CCAs were identified (38 women, 6 men). The mean age was 59.9±9.0 years. The mean maximal aneurysm diameter was 15.9±6.9 mm (mean neck 7.1±3.6 mm). A single PED was deployed in 32 patients, with two PEDs deployed in 10 patients and three PEDs in 3 patients. Adjunctive coiling was performed in 3 patients. Mean follow-up duration based on final imaging (MR angiography or digital subtraction angiography) was 14.1±12.2 months. Five patients (11.4%) developed CCFs in the post-procedural period after PED treatment, all within 2 weeks of device placement. These CCFs were treated with a balloon test occlusion followed by parent artery sacrifice. Our literature review yielded only three reports of CCFs after PED placement, with the largest series having a CCF rate of 2.3%.

Conclusions

CCF formation is a known risk of PED treatment of CCA. Although transvenous embolization can be used for treating CCFs, parent artery sacrifice remains a viable option on the basis of these data. Studies support the view that adjunctive coiling may have a protective effect against post-PED CCF formation. None of the coiled aneurysms in our database or in the literature have ruptured. Follow-up data will lead to a better understanding of the safety profile of the PED for CCA.
Application of an innovative technique for unilateral ovariectomy in dairy cows
Authors: Rizzo A. , Piccinno M. , Lacitignola L. , D'Onghia G. , D'Onghia G. F. , Sciorsci R. L.
Published: September 2016

This report describes an innovative unilateral ovariectomy technique for the surgical treatment of follicular cysts in dairy cows. Five cows, with a diagnosis of follicular cysts, were submitted to unilateral ovariectomy via a paralumbar fossa approach, in standing position. The linear cutter proved useful for clamping the ovary, stapling the vessels and cutting in one stroke, thus reducing surgery times. After unilateral ovariectomy, all cows underwent heat 7–30 days after surgery, and three cows became pregnant. All cows showed increased milk production. The results of this case report showed that flank ovariectomy, performed in this way, is an efficient, low‐risk technique for surgical treatment of follicular cysts in dairy cows.
Using exercise training to understand control of skeletal muscle metabolism
Authors: Gibala Martin J.
Published: September 2016

Bengt Saltin believed that exercise was the unsurpassed tool to study human integrative physiology. He demonstrated this over the course of his career by employing physical training as a model to advance our understanding of skeletal muscle metabolic control and the impact of physical activity on performance and health. Bengt was also a pioneer in advocating the concept of exercise is medicine. His scientific curiosity was perhaps exceeded only by his generosity.
Proteomics analysis of latex from Hevea brasiliensis (clone RRIM 600)
Authors: Habib Mohd Afiq Hazlami , Yuen Gan Chee , Othman Fazilah , Zainudin Nurul Nabilah , Latiff Aishah Abdul , Ismail Mohd Nazri
Published: September 2016

The natural rubber latex extracted from the bark of Hevea brasiliensis plays various important roles in today’s modern society. Following ultracentrifugation, the latex can be separated into 3 layers: C-serum, lutoids, and rubber particles. Previous studies have shown that a large number of proteins are present in these 3 layers. However, a complete proteome for this important plant is still unavailable. Protein sequences have been recently translated from the completed draft genome database of H. brasiliensis, leading to the creation of annotated protein databases of the following H. brasiliensis biosynthetic pathways: photosynthesis, latex allergens, rubberwood formation, latex biosynthesis, and disease resistance. This research was conducted to identify the proteins contained within the latex by way of de novo sequencing from mass spectral data obtained from the 3 layers of the latex. Peptides from these proteins were fragmented using collision-induced dissociation, higher-energy collisional dissociation, and electron-transfer dissociation activation methods. A large percentage of proteins from the biosynthetic pathways (63% to 100%) were successfully identified. In addition, a total of 1839 unique proteins were identified from the whole translated draft genome database (AnnHBM).
Seismic design and response of steel multi-tiered concentrically braced frames in Canada
Authors: Imanpour Ali , Tremblay Robert
Published: September 2016

This article investigates the seismic design and response of steel multi-tiered concentrically braced frames (MT-BFs) in which braces meet at columns between diaphragms. The seismic design provisions of CSA S16-14 are described and illustrated for three-tiered Type MD (moderately ductile) and five-tiered Type LD (limited ductile) braced frames. Analysis methods are proposed to evaluate the in-plane flexural demand on columns. The seismic response of the frames is examined through nonlinear response history analysis. As assumed in design, inelastic deformations tend to concentrate in one tier over the frame height, causing non-uniform drift demands and in-plane bending moments in the columns. CSA S16 provisions predicted well the frame in-plane flexural response and result in acceptable ductility demands on the braces. An extended seismic analysis and design approach that accounts for vertical distribution of brace tension yielding along the frame height is proposed for frames that exceed the limits prescribed in CSA S16.
Conditions contributing to the attitudes for toll facilities in the United States with a specific focus on Virginia
Authors: Lee Changju , Miller John S.
Published: September 2016

Although the form of toll facilities has evolved, a review of how they have been used in the United States since its early colonial period suggests four conditions that appear to have influenced the likelihood of tolls being used to support construction or maintenance activities: the relative stability of revenue streams from user fees compared to the stability of revenues from a general tax; the availability of technologies to collect tolls without degrading the user’s experience; the presence of design innovations for toll facilities (compared to non-toll facilities); and the relative size of market benefits (for toll facilities) compared to societal benefits (for non-toll facilities). Even though revenue is one motivation for having a toll facility, other factors help explain why the popularity of toll facilities has risen or fallen. During the late 1800s, the network benefits of a smooth surface appealed to a large group (bicyclists) and generated a popular demand for public facilities. Yet in the early 1940s, another innovation—consistency of geometric design—spurred a market among paying customers for limited access highways. Collectively, such factors support five periods that characterize different public attitudes toward toll facilities: colonial/early federal period (from 1607 to 1775), turnpike era (from circa 1792 to 1845), toll reluctance era (from 1879 to 1939), post-World War II era (from 1939 to 1963), and renewed interest in tolling period (from circa 1976 to the present).
Quantitative analysis of 3-OH oxylipins in fermentation yeast
Authors: Potter Greg , Xia Wei , Budge Suzanne M. , Speers R. Alex
Published: September 2016

Despite the ubiquitous distribution of oxylipins in plants, animals, and microbes, and the application of numerous analytical techniques to study these molecules, 3-OH oxylipins have never been quantitatively assayed in yeasts. The formation of heptafluorobutyrate methyl ester derivatives and subsequent analysis with gas chromatography – negative chemical ionization – mass spectrometry allowed for the first determination of yeast 3-OH oxylipins. The concentration of 3-OH 10:0 (0.68–4.82 ng/mg dry cell mass) in the SMA strain of Saccharomyces pastorianus grown in laboratory-scale beverage fermentations was elevated relative to oxylipin concentrations in plant tissues and macroalgae. In fermenting yeasts, the onset of 3-OH oxylipin formation has been related to fermentation progression and flocculation initiation. When the SMA strain was grown in laboratory-scale fermentations, the maximal sugar consumption rate preceded the lowest concentration of 3-OH 10:0 by ∼4.5 h and a distinct increase in 3-OH 10:0 concentration by ∼16.5 h.
Involvement of endogenous central hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in hypoxia-induced hypothermia in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Sabino João Paulo J. , Soriano Renato N. , Donatti Alberto F. , Fernandez Rodrigo Restrepo , Kwiatkoski Marcelo , Francescato Heloísa D.C. , Coimbra Terezila M. , Branco Luiz G.S.
Published: September 2016

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) display autonomic imbalance and abnormal body temperature (Tb) adjustments. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) modulates hypoxia-induced hypothermia, but its role in SHR thermoregulation is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that SHR display peculiar thermoregulatory response to hypoxia and that endogenous H2S overproduced in the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) of SHR modulates this response. SHR and Wistar rats were microinjected into the fourth ventricle with aminooxyacetate (AOA, H2S-synthezing enzyme inhibitor) or sodium sulfide (Na2S, H2S donor) and exposed to normoxia (21% inspired O2) or hypoxia (10% inspired O2, 30 min). Tb was continuously measured, and H2S production rate was assessed in caudal NTS homogenates. In both groups, AOA, Na2S, or saline (i.e., control; 1 μL) did not affect euthermia. Hypoxia caused similar decreases in Tb in both groups. AOA presented a longer latency to potentiate hypoxic hypothermia in SHR. Caudal NTS H2S production rate was higher in SHR. We suggest that increased bioavailability of H2S in the caudal NTS of SHR enables the adequate modulation of excitability of peripheral chemoreceptor-activated NTS neurons that ultimately induce suppression of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, thus accounting for the normal hypoxic hypothermia.
PPARα-dependent increase of mouse urine output by gemfibrozil and fenofibrate
Authors: Song Danjun , Luo Min , Dai Manyun , Bu Shizhong , Wang Weihua , Zhang Burong , Gonzalez Frank J. , Liu Aiming
Published: September 2016

While gemfibrozil and fenofibrate are prescribed for anti-dyslipidemia treatment, a rational basis for the use of these drugs for treatment of dyslipidemia with concurrent metabolic syndrome has not been established. In this study, wild-type and Pparα-null mice were fed gemfibrozil- or fenofibrate-containing diets for 14 days. Urine output (24 h) was monitored, and urine, serum, and liver and kidney tissues were subjected to toxicity assessment. A 2-month challenge followed by a 2-week wash-out was performed for gemfibrozil to determine urine output and the potential toxicity. A therapeutically equivalent dose of gemfibrozil was more effective than fenofibrate in increasing urine output. This regulatory effect was not observed in Pparα-null mice. In contrast, hepatomegaly induced by fenofibrate was more pronounced than that of gemfibrozil. No significant toxicity was observed in liver or kidney in the 2-month treatment with gemfibrozil. These data demonstrated PPARα mediates the increased urine output by fibrates. Considering the relative action on hepatomegaly and the regulatory effect on urine output, gemfibrozil may be the preferable drug to increase urine output. These results revealed a new pharmacodynamic effect of clinically prescribed PPARα agonists and suggested the potential value of gemfibrozil in modification of blood pressure.
Diet and prey size selectivity of Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) in coastal Georgia
Authors: Rose Melissa , Pollock Lisa , Nol Erica
Published: September 2016

We examined diet of nonbreeding Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte, 1825) in the Cumberland Island estuary, Georgia, USA, through fecal sample analysis. We also examined prey size selectivity by Semipalmated Plovers for the most common prey item found in the fecal samples, which are polychaetes in the family Nereidae (= Nereididae). We compared the size distribution of polychaetes in Semipalmated Plover fecal samples from salt marshes and mudflats with the size distribution of polychaetes sampled from the two habitats. Semipalmated Plovers foraging on mudflats had less variable diets than those foraging on salt marshes, although the mean number of prey per Semipalmated Plover fecal sample was similar between the two habitats. Size selectivity by Semipalmated Plovers of nereid (= nereidid) polychaetes varied as a function of habitat, with Semipalmated Plovers eating larger polychaetes in salt marshes than in mudflats, although in both habitats Semipalmated Plovers avoided extremely small and (or) large ones. Semipalmated Plovers took fewer of the available prey groups and were more selective in sizes of the dominant prey group on mudflats, where prey densities were the highest. These observations are consistent with predictions from optimal foraging theory.
Effect of lithium ferrite on ferroelectric and magnetic characteristics of barium titanate for high frequency applications
Authors: Rao G. Ganapathi , Samatha K. , Bharadwaj S. , Dasari M. P.
Published: September 2016

The composite of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] was prepared by mixing lithium ferrite and barium titanate. The samples were sintered at 1150[Formula: see text]C for optimum parameters at chemical reaction between ferrite–ferroelectric interfaces. The presence of ferroelectric nature was detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and homogenous coarseness nature was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Dielectric measurement for the samples show the superimposition behavior of both magnetic and electric phases in the composite samples. This fact was further supported by magnetic behavior from vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and polarization from PE loops. Magnetic measurements show the increase in coercivity and saturation magnetization with increase in ferrite content. PE loops suggests that coercivity increases initially and then decreases for rise in ferrite content suggesting the trend of leaking factor in the samples.
SPATIAL PATTERNS OF ECONOMIC RENTS: DEVELOPING SUVARNABHUMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THAILAND
Authors: BEJRANANDA CHAKARIN , LEE YUK , BEJRANANDA THANCHANOK
Published: September 2016

With the rise of the importance of air transportation in the 21st century, the role of economics in airport planning and decision-making has become crucial to the urban structure and land values. This paper examines the relationship between an airport and its impact on the distribution of urban land uses and land values by applying the Alonso’s bid-rent model. Using Suvarnabhumi International Airport as a case study, the analysis was made over three different time periods of airport development. The statistical results confirm that: (i) Alonso’s model can be used to explain the impacts of the airport only for the northeast quadrant of the airport; (ii) proximity to the airport shows an inverse relationship with the land value of all six types of land use activities through three periods of time; and (iii) the land value for commercial land use is the most sensitive to the location of the airport compared to other types of land use activities.
Preoperative Surgical Discussion and Information Retention by Patients
Authors: Feiner David E. , Rayan Ghazi M.
Published: September 2016

Background: To assess how much information communicated to patients is understood and retained after preoperative discussion of upper extremity procedures.

Methods: A prospective study was designed by recruiting patients prior to undergoing upper extremity surgical procedures after a detailed discussion of their operative technique, postoperative care and treatment outcomes. Patients were given the same 20-item questionnaire to fill out twice, at two pre operative visits. An independent evaluator filled out a third questionnaire as a control. Various discussion points of the survey were compared among the 3 questionnaires and retained information and perceived comprehension were evaluated.

Results: The average patients’ age was 50.3 (27–75) years The average time between the two surveys preoperative 1 and preoperative 2 was 40.7 (7–75) days,. The average patient had approximately 2 years of college or an associate’s degree. Patients initially retained 73% (52–90%) of discussion points presented during preoperative 1 and 61% (36–85%) of the information at preoperative 2 p = .002. 50% of patients felt they understood 100% of the discussion, this dropped to only 10% at their preoperative 2 visit. 15% of our patients did not know what type of anesthesia they were having at preoperative 2.

Conclusions: A communication barrier between patients and physicians exists when patients are informed about their preoperative surgical discussion. The retention of information presented is worsened with elapsing time from the initial preoperative discussion to the second preoperative visit immediately prior to surgery. Methods to enhance patients’ retention of information prior to surgery must be sought and implemented which will improve patients’ treatment outcome.
Comparison of Wrist Motion and Grip Strength in a Normal Chinese and Caucasian Population
Authors: Kwok Yan Yan , Ho Pak-Cheong , Feldman Guy , Lo Eugene , Wells Erik , Wollstein Ronit
Published: September 2016

Background: Anatomical and functional differences between Asian and Caucasian populations have been described and are important in treatment of wrist pathology. The purpose of this study was to establish and compare normal values in an Asian and Caucasian population. We hypothesized that a normal Asian population will have greater wrist ROM and reduced grip- strength when compared to a normal Caucasian population.

Methods: One hundred and–seventy-one normal Asian and 156 normal Caucasian wrists were evaluated. We excluded wrists with current or a history of wrist pathology including past surgery, injury or congenital malformation. We collected demographic information regarding occupation, body mass index (BMI), and previous wrist pathology. The wrist measurements included: wrist extension, flexion, radial, ulnar deviation, and grip strength. Wrists were also evaluated for a mid-carpal clunk, and scaphoid shift test. Mixed models accounted for evaluation of both hands in the same individual and for the relative contribution of different factors to the outcome measures of ROM and grip- strength.

Results: The two groups differed in height, BMI and the distribution of occupation. The Asian group had more flexion, less extension and similar radial/ulnar wrist deviation when compared to the Caucasian group. Ethnicity was a significant predictor of wrist joint flexion and extension significantly predicting grip- strength. Age was associated with ROM while occupation, hand side and gender were not significant factors in the mixed model.

Conclusions: We found discrete differences between values in the two populations. More study of anatomical morphological patterns may explain the reason for variations in motion and grip- strength. The differences identified in this study between Asian and Caucasian populations should be taken into account when evaluating outcomes of wrist therapeutic procedures and rehabilitation in different communities.
The Influence of Injected Volume on Discomfort During Administration of Digital Block
Authors: Ballo Solveig , Hjelseng Tonje , Tangen Lena Flatlandsmo , Lundbom Janne Svindal , Skarsvåg Trine , Finsen Vilhjalmur
Published: September 2016

Background: Digital nerve block is associated with pain. In a search for methods to reduce the discomfort, we investigated how the volume of anaesthetic fluid influences pain during subcutaneous digital nerve block, and how it affects the success of the anaesthesia.

Methods: A randomized blinded prospective study was performed on 36 healthy volunteers. The single injection subcutaneous digital block technique was used to anaesthetize the participants´ 4th digit on both hands. The same amount of lidocaine was used, but in two different volumes; 1 ml 2% lidocaine and 2ml 1% lidocaine. After each injection the participant was asked to estimate pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The distribution of anaesthesia was then measured by using a Semmes-Weinstein 4.56 monofilament. Finally, participants gave a verbal assessment of which injection was least painful.

Results: In total, 72 blocks were performed. There were no statistically significant differences in pain intensity or preference between the two groups. Furthermore, the 1 ml injection gave poorer anaesthesia and had longer time to onset. Neither injection anaesthetized the dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx.

Conclusions: The two volumes cause the same degree of discomfort. Greater volume gives a greater area of distribution and more rapid onset of anaesthesia. It seems unreasonable to use a smaller volume of more concentrated anaesthetic when performing the subcutaneous technique.
Reconstruction of Attritional Rupture of Flexor Tendons with Fascia Lata Graft Following Distal Radius Fracture Malunion
Authors: Bhat A.K. , Acharya A.M. , Soni N.
Published: September 2016

Incidence of multiple flexor tendon rupture following distal radius fractures is rare with very few cases being reported in literature. We present an unusual case of a patient who had come to us with complaints of weakness and paresthesia of the right hand of one month prior and with a past history of dorsal plating for distal radius fracture nine years ago. Radiographs showed a distal radius fracture malunion with intact dorsal plate and protrusion of screws through the volar cortex. On exploration, attritional ruptures of all digital flexors were found with sparing of the Flexor Pollicis Longus tendon. The fibrous mass was excised and flexors reconstructed with a fascia lata graft. Attempt was made to correct the malunion with radial and ulnar osteotomies. At one year the patient had excellent restoration of digital flexion.
Ulnar Nerve Injury after Flexor Tendon Grafting
Authors: McCleave Michael John
Published: September 2016

A 43-year-old female is presented who underwent a two-stage tendon reconstruction and developed a low ulnar nerve palsy postoperatively. Exploration found that the tendon graft was passing through Guyon’s canal and that the ulnar nerve was divided. This is a previously unreported complication. The reconstruction is discussed, the literature reviewed and a guide is given on how to identify the correct tissue plane when passing a tendon rod.
Identification and Cancellation of Pseudo Mode Function in EMD based on Energy Conservation
Authors: Huang Dishan , Kong Xianglong , Xia Yibing
Published: September 2016

This paper introduces an effective method to identify and cancel a pseudo mode function in empirical mode decomposition (EMD) under the condition of insufficient sampling rate. The contents of this paper have three aspects: First, basic properties of the pseudo mode are accurately revealed. Second, a post-processing technique for EMD is developed. This new technique, called as mode function cancellation, can identify and kick out the pseudo mode from the decomposition results, and correct the decomposition error in the intrinsic mode function. As a result, it can help us to improve the decomposition’s accuracy. Finally, for a mixing mode, the energy of pseudo mode function is proposed on the cross-correlation at time zero, and it can be used to measure the ratio of signal mode to pseudo mode. Examples and experimental data are illustrated to prove the validity of the presented approach. The research results show that this approach can improve EMD performance while a pseudo mode occurs in the decomposition.
Influence maximization through adaptive seeding
Authors: Singer Yaron
Published: September 2016

In this monograph we survey the adaptive seeding methodology for influence maximization. Influence maximization is the challenge of spreading information effectively through influential users in a social network. In many applications, one is restricted to select influencers from a set of users who engaged with the topic being promoted, and due to the structure of social networks, these users often rank low in terms of their influence potential. An alternative approach one can consider is an adaptive method which selects users in a manner which targets their influential neighbors. The advantage of such an approach is that it leverages the friendship paradox in social networks: while users are often not influential themselves, they know someone who is.

Adaptive seeding is a two-stage stochastic optimization framework, designed to leverage the friendship paradox to seed high influential nodes. This framework encompasses a rich set of algorithmic challenges at the intersection of stochastic optimization and submodular optimization. We discuss this method here, along with algorithmic approaches, the friendship paradox in random graph models, and experiments on adaptive seeding.
Ordinal approximation in matching and social choice
Authors: Anshelevich Elliot
Published: September 2016

In this note, we discuss several settings in which algorithms can provide good outcomes when given only ordinal information. We focus especially on voting mechanisms in settings with spacial preferences, and on the notion of distortion.
A duality-based unified approach to Bayesian mechanism design
Authors: Cai Yang , Devanur Nikhil R. , Weinberg S. Matthew
Published: September 2016

In this letter we briefly survey our recent work [Cai et al. 2016]. In it, we provide a new duality theory for Bayesian mechanism design which is quite general, and applies for any objective the designer wishes to optimize, and for arbitrary agent valuations. We then apply our theory to auction design settings with many independent buyers who have independent values for many items, and are able to provide a unified proof of several recent exciting works on this front [Hart and Nisan 2012; Li and Yao 2013; Babaioff et al. 2014; Yao 2015; Chawla et al. 2007; Chawla et al. 2010; Chawla et al. 2015]. These works all show that simple mechanisms are approximately optimal in various settings. In some cases, our principled approach yields greatly improved approximation ratios as well.
Global Exponential Stability of Periodic Solution for Neutral-Type Complex-Valued Neural Networks
Authors: Guo Song , Du Bo
Published: September 2016

This paper deals with a class of neutral-type complex-valued neural networks with delays. By means of Mawhin’s continuation theorem, some criteria on existence of periodic solutions are established for the neutral-type complex-valued neural networks. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, some sufficient conditions are derived for the global exponential stability of periodic solutions to the neutral-type complex-valued neural networks. Finally, numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness and merits of the present results.
In SilicoAnalysis of Gene Expression Network Components Underlying Pigmentation Phenotypes in the Python Identified Evolutionarily Conserved Clusters of Transcription Factor Binding Sites
Authors: Irizarry Kristopher J. L. , Bryden Randall L.
Published: September 2016

Color variation provides the opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of evolution and selection. Reptiles are less studied than mammals. Comparative genomics approaches allow for knowledge gained in one species to be leveraged for use in another species. We describe a comparative vertebrate analysis of conserved regulatory modules in pythons aimed at assessing bioinformatics evidence that transcription factors important in mammalian pigmentation phenotypes may also be important in python pigmentation phenotypes. We identified 23 python orthologs of mammalian genes associated with variation in coat color phenotypes for which we assessed the extent of pairwise protein sequence identity between pythons and mouse, dog, horse, cow, chicken, anole lizard, and garter snake. We next identified a set of melanocyte/pigment associated transcription factors (CREB, FOXD3, LEF-1, MITF, POU3F2, and USF-1) that exhibit relatively conserved sequence similarity within their DNA binding regions across species based on orthologous alignments across multiple species. Finally, we identified 27 evolutionarily conserved clusters of transcription factor binding sites within ~200-nucleotide intervals of the 1500-nucleotide upstream regions of AIM1, DCT, MC1R, MITF, MLANA, OA1, PMEL, RAB27A, and TYR fromPython bivittatus. Our results provide insight into pigment phenotypes in pythons.
Genetic Algorithm for Mixed Integer Nonlinear Bilevel Programming and Applications in Product Family Design
Authors: Miao Chenlu , Du Gang , Xia Yi , Wang Danping
Published: September 2016

Many leader-follower relationships exist in product family design engineering problems. We use bilevel programming (BLP) to reflect the leader-follower relationship and describe such problems. Product family design problems have unique characteristics; thus, mixed integer nonlinear BLP (MINLBLP), which has both continuous and discrete variables and multiple independent lower-level problems, is widely used in product family optimization. However, BLP is difficult in theory and is an NP-hard problem. Consequently, using traditional methods to solve such problems is difficult. Genetic algorithms (GAs) have great value in solving BLP problems, and many studies have designed GAs to solve BLP problems; however, such GAs are typically designed for special cases that do not involve MINLBLP with one or multiple followers. Therefore, we propose a bilevel GA to solve these particular MINLBLP problems, which are widely used in product family problems. We give numerical examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. In addition, a reducer family case study is examined to demonstrate practical applications of the proposed BLGA.
Exploring the Unexplored: Identifying Implicit and Indirect Descriptions of Biomedical Terminologies Based on Multifaceted Weighting Combinations
Authors: Choi Sung-Pil
Published: September 2016

In order to achieve relevant scholarly information from the biomedical databases, researchers generally use technical terms as queries such as proteins, genes, diseases, and other biomedical descriptors. However, the technical terms have limits as query terms because there are so many indirect and conceptual expressions denoting them in scientific literatures. Combinatorial weighting schemes are proposed as an initial approach to this problem, which utilize various indexing and weighting methods and their combinations. In the experiments based on the proposed system and previously constructed evaluation collection, this approach showed promising results in that one could continually locate new relevant expressions by combining the proposed weighting schemes. Furthermore, it could be ascertained that the most outperforming binary combinations of the weighting schemes, showing the inherent traits of the weighting schemes, could be complementary to each other and it is possible to find hidden relevant documents based on the proposed methods.
A Modified Model for Deflection Calculation of Reinforced Concrete Beam with Deformed GFRP Rebar
Authors: Ju Minkwan , Oh Hongseob , Lim Junhyun , Sim Jongsung
Published: September 2016

The authors carried out experimental and analytical research to evaluate the flexural capacity and the moment-deflection relationship of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars. The proposed model to predict the effective moment of inertia for R/C beam with GFRP bars was developed empirically, based on Branson’s equation to have better accuracy and a familiar approach to a structural engineer. For better prediction of the moment-deflection relationship until the ultimate strength is reached, a nonlinear parameter (k) was also considered. This parameter was introduced to reduce the effect of the cracked moment of inertia for the reinforced concrete member, including a lower reinforcement ratio and modulus of elasticity of the GFRP bar. In a comparative study using six equations suggested by others, the proposed model showed better agreement with the experimental test results. It was confirmed that the empirical modification based on Branson’s equation was valid for predicting the effective moment of inertia of R/C beams with GFRP bar in this study. To evaluate the generality of the proposed model, a comparative study using previous test results from the literature and the results from this study was carried out. It was found that the proposed model had better accuracy and was a familiar approach to structural engineers to predict and evaluate the deflection behavior.