bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with oral health‐related quality of life in patients with diabetes
Authors: Azogui‐Lévy S , Dray‐Spira R , Attal S , Hartemann A , Anagnostou F , Azerad J
Published: November 2017

Background

Oral pathologies are prevalent in diabetes, and they may affect the quality of life and patient's perception of their oral health. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with oral health‐related quality of life of patients with diabetes.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted involving 316 patients visiting a hospital diabetic unit. Sociodemographic, oral and medical care data were recorded, and a General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire was completed. A multivariable analysis was performed.

Results

Of the 316 study participants, 61.7% had type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and 20.5% had poorly controlled diabetes. Forty‐five percent had at least one oral complication, 55% had visited a dentist within the past year and 67% reported having poor oral health and 281 answered the GOHAI questionnaire. A low GOHAI score (≤50) was obtained for 24.6% of the patients and was associated with T2DM, poorer oral health, dry mouth sensation and use of a removable prosthesis.

Conclusions

Oral health status was poorer and had a negative effect on the quality of life among patients with T2DM, possibly contributing to poorly balanced nutrition.
Discussion Of “Quantifying Publication Bias in Meta-analysis” by Lin Et Al.
Authors: Schmid Christopher H.
Published: November 2017

Inspection and analysis of funnel plots cannot reliably identify publication and reporting bias, the non-publication of results that are not statistically significant. Instead, researchers should thoroughly and systematically search available information sources such as databases, registries and unpublished reports. Even then, it is not possible to ever know whether a systematic review has uncovered all available studies, but the search can inform attempts to construct plausible statistical models of the missing data mechanism.
Discussion on Quantifying Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jackson Dan
Published: November 2017

In this discussion, I will describe some issues that are related to the article presented by Lin and Chu. In particular, I discuss three concerns that should be addressed before their methodology may be accepted for general use.
The novel, potent and highly selective 5‐HT4receptor agonist YH12852 significantly improves both upper and lower gastrointestinal motility
Authors: Jeong Eun Jeong , Chung Soo Yong , Hong Han Na , Oh Se‐Woong , Sim Jae Young
Published: November 2017

Background and Purpose

5‐HT4receptor agonists have been shown to be effective at treating various gastrointestinal tract disorders. However, a lack of selectivity against off‐targets has been a limiting factor for their clinical use.

Experimental Approach

The binding affinity and selectivity of YH12852 for human 5‐HT4(a)receptor in CHO‐K1 cells were evaluated using radioligand binding assays, and agonistic activity was assessed using a β‐lactamase reporter system. Contractile activity and propulsive motility were measured in the guinea pig isolated distal colon. Its prokinetic effect on the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated in guinea pigs, dogs and monkeys. Its tissue distribution was evaluated in rats.

Key Results

YH12852 exhibited high affinity and potency for human recombinant 5‐HT4(a)receptor with high selectivity over other 5‐HT and non‐5‐HT receptors, ion channels, enzymes and transporters. YH12852 induced contractions and increased propulsive motility in guinea pig isolated colon. These effects were abolished by the 5‐HT4receptor antagonist GR113808. YH12852 increased defecation more effectively than prucalopride in guinea pigs and dogs and improved gastric emptying more effectively than mosapride in guinea pigs, dogs and monkeys. YH12852 was highly distributed to the gastrointestinal tract as the target organ.

Conclusion and Implications

The highin vitropotency and selectivity of YH12852 for 5‐HT4receptor translated into potentin vivoefficacy with good tolerability. YH12852 significantly improved both upper and lower bowel motility in the animal models tested and has the potential to address considerable unmet needs in patients with functional constipation, gastroparesis or both.
Allosteric mechanism of quinoline inhibitors for HIV RT‐associated RNase with MD simulation and dynamics fluctuation network
Authors: Cai Yi , Liu Hao , Chen Haifeng
Published: November 2017

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus which infects T lymphocyte of human body and causes immunodeficiency. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) can inhibit some functions of RT, preventing virus synthesis (double‐stranded DNA), so that HIV virus replication can be reduced. Experimental results indicate a series of benzimidazole‐based inhibitors which target HIV RT‐associated RNase to inhibit the reverse transcription of HIV virus. However, the allosteric mechanism is still unclear. Here, molecular dynamics simulations and dynamics fluctuation network analysis were used to reveal the binding mode between the inhibitors and RT‐associated RNase. The most active molecule has more hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions than the less active inhibitor. Dynamics correlation network analysis indicates that the most active inhibitor perturbs the network of RT‐associated RNase and decreases the correlation of nodes. 3D‐QSAR model suggests that two robust and reliable models were constructed and validated by independent test set. 3D‐QSAR model also shows that bulky negatively charged or hydrophilic substituent is favorable to bioactivity. These results reveal the allosteric mechanism of quinoline inhibitors and help to improve the bioactivity.
In silico ligand‐based modeling of hBACE‐1 inhibitors
Authors: Subramanian Govindan , Poda Gennady
Published: November 2017

Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease affecting more than 30 million people worldwide. Development of small molecule inhibitors of human β‐secretase 1 (hBACE‐1) is being the focus of pharmaceutical industry for the past 15–20 years. Here, we successfully applied multiple ligand‐based in silico modeling techniques to understand the inhibitory activities of a diverse set of small molecule hBACE‐1 inhibitors reported in the scientific literature. Strikingly, the use of only a small subset of 230 (13%) molecules allowed us to develop quality models that performed reasonably well on the validation set of 1,476 (87%) inhibitors. Varying the descriptor sets and the complexity of the modeling techniques resulted in only minor improvements to the model's performance. The current results demonstrate that predictive models can be built by choosing appropriate modeling techniques in spite of using small datasets consisting of diverse chemical classes, a scenario typical in triaging of high‐throughput screening results to identify false negatives. We hope that these encouraging results will help the community to develop more predictive models that would support research efforts for the debilitating Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the integrated diversity of the techniques employed will stimulate scientists in the field to use in silico statistical modeling techniques like these to derive better models to help advance the drug discovery projects faster.
Exposing ecological and economic costs of the research‐implementation gap and compromises in decision making
Authors: Kareksela Santtu , Moilanen Atte , Ristaniemi Olli , Välivaara Reima , Kotiaho Janne S.
Published: November 2017

The frequently discussed gap between conservation science and practice is manifest in the gap between spatial conservation prioritization plans and their implementation. We analyzed the research‐implementation gap of one zoning case by comparing results of a spatial prioritization analysis aimed at avoiding ecological impact of peat mining in a regional zoning process with the final zoning plan. We examined the relatively complex planning process to determine the gaps among research, zoning, and decision making. We quantified the ecological costs of the differing trade‐offs between ecological and socioeconomic factors included in the different zoning suggestions by comparing the landscape‐level loss of ecological features (species occurrences, habitat area, etc.) between the different solutions for spatial allocation of peat mining. We also discussed with the scientists and planners the reasons for differing zoning suggestions. The implemented plan differed from the scientists suggestion in that its focus was individual ecological features rather than all the ecological features for which there were data; planners and decision makers considered effects of peat mining on areas not included in the prioritization analysis; zoning was not truly seen as a resource‐allocation process and not emphasized in general minimizing ecological losses while satisfying economic needs (peat‐mining potential); and decision makers based their prioritization of sites on site‐level information showing high ecological value and on single legislative factors instead of finding a cost‐effective landscape‐level solution. We believe that if the zoning and decision‐making processes are very complex, then the usefulness of science‐based prioritization tools is likely to be reduced. Nevertheless, we found that high‐end tools were useful in clearly exposing trade‐offs between conservation and resource utilization.
WILL GERMAN BANKS EARN THEIR COST OF CAPITAL?
Authors: Dombret Andreas , Gündüz Yalin , Rocholl Jörg
Published: November 2017

In recent years, the German banking sector has overcome major challenges such as the global financial crisis and the European debt crisis. This paper analyzes a recent development as a particular determinant of the future outlook for the German banking sector. Interest rates are at historically low levels and may remain at these levels for a considerable period of time. Such levels pose a specific challenge to banks which are heavily dependent on interest income, as is the case for most German banks. We consider different interest rate scenarios and analyze the extent to which they cause a further narrowing of the interest rate margin. Our results indicate that a projected decline in this margin will result in no more than 20% of German banks earning a cost of capital of 8% by the end of this decade. However, we show that this decline is alleviated by the fact that German banks can apply a special feature of German accounting standards by using hidden and open reserves. We discuss how these income smoothing tools will provide a cushion that supports short‐ and medium‐term adjustments through a buffer effect. (JEL G21, G28)
Islet transplantation as safe and efficacious method to restore glycemic control and to avoid severe hypoglycemia after donor organ failure in pancreas transplantation
Authors: Gerber Philipp A. , Hochuli Michel , Benediktsdottir Bara D. , Zuellig Richard A. , Tschopp Oliver , Glenck Michael , de Rougemont Olivier , Oberkofler Christian , Spinas Giatgen A. , Lehmann Roger
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to assess safety and efficacy of islet transplantation after initial pancreas transplantation with subsequent organ failure. Patients undergoing islet transplantation at our institution after pancreas organ failure were compared to a control group of patients with pancreas graft failure, but without islet transplantation and to a group receiving pancreas retransplantation. Ten patients underwent islet transplantation after initial pancreas transplantation failed and were followed for a median of 51 months. The primary end point of HbA1c <7.0% and freedom of severe hypoglycemia was met by nine of 10 patients after follow‐up after islet transplantation and in all three patients in the pancreas retransplantation group, but by none of the patients in the group without retransplantation (n = 7). Insulin requirement was reduced by 50% after islet transplantation. Kidney function (eGFR) declined with a rate of ‐1.0 mL ± 1.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year during follow‐up after islet transplantation, which tended to be slower than in the group without retransplantation (P = .07). Islet transplantation after deceased donor pancreas transplant failure is a method that can safely improve glycemic control and reduce the incidence of severe hypoglycemia and thus establish similar glycemic control as after initial pancreas transplantation, despite the need of additional exogenous insulin.
Association of Eucalyptus globulus leaf anatomy with susceptibility to Teratosphaeria leaf disease
Authors: Smith A. H. , Potts B. M. , Ratkowsky D. A. , Pinkard E. A. , Mohammed C. L.
Published: November 2017

Resistance of Eucalyptus globulus juvenile foliage to Teratosphaeria leaf disease (TLD) damage has been shown to be under genetic control. Constitutive traits of juvenile leaves such as stomatal density (counted with wax on and with wax removed), total phenolics, total leaf wax, leaf mass per area (LMA) and leaf anatomical features were assessed to determine differences between pairs of resistant and susceptible families. Anatomic features assessed included cuticle, epidermis, palisade spongy mesophyll and total leaf thickness, as well as palisade cell size, shape and intercellular airspace. One interprovenance, one intraprovenance and two within‐family contrasts were used to compare resistant and susceptible pairs of families of Australian origin. The more resistant families had a significantly higher LMA and smaller percentage airspace compared with susceptible families. It is argued that one of the mechanisms by which E. globulus resists TLD involves the closely packed palisade mesophyll cells that increases LMA and reduces airspace, thereby restricting pathogen spread once infection has occurred.
Prevalence of Headache in Patients With Mitochondrial Disease: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Kraya Torsten , Deschauer Marcus , Joshi Pushpa Raj , Zierz Stephan , Gaul Charly
Published: November 2017

Background

Mitochondrial diseases are a heterogeneous group of diseases with different phenotypes and genotypes. Headache and, particularly migraine, seems to occur often in patients with MELAS and in patients with CPEO phenotypes. The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD‐3 beta) has classified headache as a secondary entity only in MELAS patients. Other headache phenotypes in mitochondrial diseases are not considered in ICHD‐3beta. In this study, we analyzed headache phenomenology in a large group of patients with mitochondrial disorders.

Methods

A cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study on 85 patients with mitochondrial disease with different genotypes and phenotypes was conducted between 2010 and 2011. A structured headache questionnaire according to ICHD‐2 was used followed by a telephone interview by a headache expert. Prevalence and characteristics of headache could be analyzed in 42 patients. Headache diagnosis was correlated with genotypes and phenotypes. In addition, the mtDNA haplotype H was analyzed.

Results

Headache was reported in 29/42 (70%; 95% CI, from 55.1 to 83.0%) of the patients. Tension‐type headache (TTH) showed the highest prevalence in 16/42 (38%; 95% CI, from 23.4 to 52.8%) patients, followed by migraine and probable migraine in 12/42 (29%; 95% CI, from 14.9 to 42.2%) patients. Nine of the 42 (21%; 95% CI, from 9 to 33.8%) patients reported two different headache types. Patients with the mtDNA mutation m.3243A > G (n = 8) and MELAS (n = 7) showed the highest prevalence of headaches (88% and 85%, respectively). In patients with the CPEO phenotype (n = 32), headache occurred in 14/18 (78%; 95% CI, from 58.6 to 97%) of patients with single deletions, and in 7/13 (54%; 95% CI, from 26.7 to 80.9%) patients with multiple mtDNA deletions. There were no association between the mtDNA haplotype Hand the headache‐diagnosis.

Conclusions

The prevalence of headache was higher in patients with mitochondrial diseases than reported in the general population. In all phenotype and genotype groups, TTH was more frequent than migraine. The data also show that the current ICHD‐3 beta exclusively focused on MELAS syndrome as vasculopathy does not consider the broader spectrum of headache phenotypes in mitochondrial disorders.
Less Cortical Thickness in Patients With Persistent Post‐Traumatic Headache Compared With Healthy Controls: An MRI Study
Authors: Chong Catherine D. , Berisha Visar , Chiang Chia‐Chun , Ross Katherine , Schwedt Todd J.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To investigate differences in cortical thickness in patients with persistent post‐traumatic headache (PPTH) relative to healthy controls and to interrogate whether cortical morphology relates to headache burden (headache frequency, years with post‐traumatic headache, PTH) in patients with PPTH.

Background

PTHs are one of the most common symptoms following concussion. In some patients, PTHs continue for longer than three months and are classified as PPTH. This study has two main goals: (1) To delineate the neuropathology of PPTH, by interrogating differences in cortical thickness in patients with PPTH relative to healthy controls. (2) To interrogate potential associations between brain morphology and headache burden in patients with PPTH by examining whether cortical thickness relates to frequency of headaches or years lived with PTH.

Methods

Adults with PPTH diagnosed according to ICHD 3 beta diagnostic criteria and healthy controls underwent brain MRI on a 3 Tesla scanner. Vertex‐by‐vertex whole brain estimates of cortical thickness were automatically calculated using FreeSurfer v5.3. Differences in cortical thickness in patients with PPTH relative to healthy controls were determined using a general linear model design. Associations were explored between regional clusters where patients with PPTH showed cortical thickness differences compared with healthy controls with headache frequency and years lived with PPTH.

Results

This study included 33 patients with PPTH and 33 healthy control subjects (healthy controls: median age = 33.0, IQR = 15.5; patients with PPTH: median age = 36.0, IQR = 20.5; P = .56). Patients with PPTH had less cortical thickness relative to healthy controls in the left and right superior frontal, caudal middle frontal, and precentral cortex as well as less cortical thickness in the right supramarginal, right superior and inferior parietal, and right precuneus region (P < .05, Monte Carlo corrected for multiple comparisons). There were no regions where patients with PPTH had more cortical thickness relative to healthy controls. A correlation analysis of regions that showed less cortical thickness in patients with PPTH demonstrated a negative correlation between left and right superior frontal thickness with headache frequency (P < .05). There was no association between regional cortical thickness and years lived with PPTH.

Conclusion

Compared with healthy controls, patients with PPTH had less cortical thickness in bilateral frontal regions and right hemisphere parietal regions. For patients with PPTH, more frequent headaches were related to less thickness in the left and right superior frontal regions, potentially indicating that brain morphology changes in the superior frontal regions in patients with PPTH are modified by headache frequency.
Antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of sulphated polysaccharides from purple glutinous rice bran (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Surin Siriluck , Surayot Utoomporn , Seesuriyachan Phisit , You SangGuan , Phimolsiripol Yuthana
Published: November 2017

This research aimed to extract polysaccharides and improve the property of sulphate‐modified purple glutinous rice bran, cv. Kum Doi Saket. The effects of temperature, ratio of sulphur trioxide–trimethylamine (STMA) to sample and reaction times were studied. The results showed that the degree of substitution (DS) of sulphated polysaccharides was 0.01–0.53. Low molecular weight sulphated polysaccharides were obtained, and the functional groups of the sulphated polysaccharides were confirmed using FT‐IR. No enhancement of the antioxidant activity of the sulphated polysaccharides was observed. Interestingly, immunomodulatory activity, including inducing cytokine production (iNOS, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10) via up‐regulated mRNA expression, was significantly increased by 10–86% when compared to the crude polysaccharides.
12. On a remarkable Acanthocephala from a Fowl in India
Authors: Bhalerao G. D.
Published: November 2017

Summary

A new Acanthocephala, Leipercanthus gallinarum, gen. et sp. n., obtained from the intestine of a fowl in Muktesar (India), has been described. The worm is characterized by the possession of two pairs of sacs, named paraproboscideal sacs, situated at the base of proboscis. These peculiar structures have not been so far observed in any Acanthocephala and are altogether new organs in the organization of this group. The worm has been referred to a new family—Leiperacanthidæ.
CO2‐driven synthesis of monodisperse barium titanate microspheres
Authors: Liu Nianqi , Zhao Wei , Rong Jiacheng
Published: November 2017

Monodisperse BaTiO3 microspheres were synthesized using Ba(OH)2, a homemade amorphous TiO2 precursor, and dissolved CO2 as the raw materials. To dissolve sufficient CO2 in the mixing solution, the reaction process was carried out in air. Then, a BaCO3 layer, as a fixed barium source, was coated on the surface of the TiO2 precursor template through a hydrothermal process at 90°C. Furthermore, the BaCO3 reacted with the TiO2 precursor to form pure BaTiO3 through in situ conversion during subsequent heat treatment at 800°C. Compared to the commonly used acid soaking method for the removal of BaCO3 after hydrothermal treatment, the method combining in‐air mixing with a low hydrothermal temperature and heat treatment yielded BaTiO3 microspheres with a more monodisperse homogenous morphology, which have a greater potential in various applications.
A late Pleistocene marine glacial refugium in the south‐west of Hainan Island, China: Phylogeographical insights from the brown alga Sargassum polycystum
Authors: Hu Zi‐Min , Kantachumpoo Attachai , Liu Ruo‐Yu , Sun Zhong‐Min , Yao Jian‐Ting , Komatsu Teruhisa , Uwai Shinya , Duan De‐Lin
Published: November 2017

Aim

Hainan Island, southern China, is characterized by rich diversity and endemism of marine organisms, yet the underpinning mechanisms and processes contributing to speciation and diversification are poorly understood. Here, the brown alga Sargassum polycystum is used as a model to identify putative marine glacial refugia and explore biogeographical patterns driven by climate change in the late Pleistocene ice ages.

Location

South‐East Asia.

Methods

Mitochondrial cox1 and cox3 and nuclear internal transcribed spacer‐2 (ITS2) were obtained from 310, 325 and 313 individuals of S. polycystum (23 localities), respectively. Phylogenetic trees (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) and haplotype/ribotype networks were constructed to elucidate phylogeographical patterns. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), neutrality tests (Tajima's D and Fu & Li's D*), current (θπ) and historical (θw) genetic diversities and extended Bayesian skyline plots (EBSP) were used to estimate historical demography.

Results

The populations from the south‐west of Hainan Island harboured much higher genetic diversity and unique endemism in comparison with other populations in the distribution range. Sargassum polycystum experienced relatively long‐term stable population size followed by a continued period of demographic expansion in the late Pleistocene.

Main conclusions

Our phylogeographical evidence revealed the existence of a previously unidentified marine refugium specific to S. polycystum in the south‐west of Hainan Island, China (the Central Depression of the Yinggehai Basin), along with a possible secondary refugium around the Bali Island, Indonesia. These biogeographical findings provide important insights regarding speciation, adaptation and evolution of marine organisms in South‐East Asia and the conservation of unique biodiversity under climate change.
Influence of larval experience on preference of a subterranean insectDelia antiquaonAlliumhosts
Authors: Ning S. Y. , Yang H. Y. , Fan D. S. , Feng J. N.
Published: November 2017

Numerous studies have reported that larval experience can affect subsequent host plants selection and future oviposition decisions of many different species, but the investigation of pre‐imaginal experiences on host preference of adults has rarely been tested for soil‐dwelling insects. In this study, we present evidence that larval feeding experience can affect adult host preference in the onion maggot,Delia antiqua. By rearingD. antiquaon different host plants, we were able to examine the role of the natal host of different generations and the effect of larval density on host‐choice behaviour. We also performed bioassays by means of switched host treatment to evaluate the host‐selection principle. Choice bioassays among the three host species demonstrated thatD. antiquafemales preferred to oviposit on their natal host in each generation and host‐switching treatments. Additionally, increasing larval density could intensify this ovipositional preference on the natal host. The overall results showed that host preference of femaleD. antiquais determined by larval experience and density. These findings also add support for the controversial Hopkins’ host‐selection principle.
Size‐dependent social attraction and repulsion explains the decision of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua to enter baited pots
Authors: Anders N. , Fernö A. , Humborstad O.‐B. , Løkkeborg S. , Rieucau G. , Utne‐Palm A. C.
Published: November 2017

The present study tested whether the presence of already retained fishes inside baited fish pots acted as a social attraction and affected the entrance probability of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua in a fjord in northern Norway. Video analysis revealed that the probability of an entrance initially increased with the presence of low numbers of fishes inside the pot, but subsequently decreased at a critical number of caught fishes. The critical number was dependent on the size of the G. morhua attempting to enter. This demonstrates that social attraction and repulsion play a role in G. morhua pot fishing and has important implications for the capture efficiency of fisheries executed with pots.
Parents and Children Who Are Estranged in Adulthood: A Review and Discussion of the Literature
Authors: Blake Lucy
Published: November 2017

This review article examines what is known about estrangement between parents and adult children in terms of definition, prevalence, causes, and consequences. Estrangement has been defined and conceptualized in different ways, although most definitions have focused on the negative quality of the relationship and the voluntarily or intentional decision of at least one family member to initiate and maintain distance. A diverse range of factors that are often interlinked has been found to contribute to estrangement. The consequences of estrangement from a parent or child include experiencing reduced levels of psychological well‐being, feelings of loss, and experiences and/or perceptions of stigma. The estrangement literature has the potential to reveal variation in the quality of parent–child relationships in adulthood so that family scholars can move beyond our assumptions and understand family relationships as they are, rather than how they could or should be.
New insights into the mechanisms of phytochrome–cryptochrome coaction
Authors: Wang Qin , Liu Qing , Wang Xu , Zuo Zecheng , Oka Yoshito , Lin Chentao
Published: November 2017

Contents

Summary
547

I.
Introduction
547

II.
Phytochromes mediate light‐induced transcription of BICs to inactivate cryptochromes
548

III.
PPKs phosphorylate light‐signaling proteins and histones to affect plant development
548

IV.
Prospect
550

Acknowledgements
550

References
550

Plants perceive and respond to light signals by multiple sensory photoreceptors, including phytochromes and cryptochromes, which absorb different wavelengths of light to regulate genome expression and plant development. Photophysiological analyses have long revealed the coordinated actions of different photoreceptors, a phenomenon referred to as the photoreceptor coaction. The mechanistic explanations of photoreceptor coactions are not fully understood. The function of direct protein–protein interaction of phytochromes and cryptochromes and common signaling molecules of these photoreceptors, such as SPA1/COP1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and bHLH transcription factors PIFs, would partially explain phytochrome–cryptochrome coactions. In addition, newly discovered proteins that block cryptochrome photodimerization or catalyze cryptochrome phosphorylation may also participate in the phytochrome and cryptochrome coaction. This Tansley insight, which is not intended to make a comprehensive review of the studies of photoreceptor coactions, attempts to highlight those recent findings and their possible roles in the photoreceptor coaction.
Underrecognized entity of the transient rise in the atrial capture threshold early after dual‐chamber pacemaker implantation
Authors: Uehara Yoshiko , Yoshida Kentaro , Kimata Akira , Ogawa Kojiro , Abe Daisuke , Tsumagari Yasuaki , Tsuneoka Hidekazu , Yui Yoshiaki , Ito Yoko , Ebine Mari , Takeyasu Noriyuki , Aonuma Kazutaka , Nogami Akihiko
Published: November 2017

Background

Steroid‐eluting pacemaker leads suppress acute rises in pacing threshold by preventing inflammatory processes. However, we occasionally encounter not persistent but transient rise in the atrial capture threshold (TRACT) early after pacemaker implantation. We believe that this phenomenon is underrecognized in clinical practice and may potentially lead to unnecessary reintervention. We aimed to clarify the prevalence, predictors, and possible mechanisms of TRACT.

Methods and results

We reviewed clinical records from 239 consecutive patients who underwent dual‐chamber pacemaker implantation for sick sinus syndrome (SSS) (N = 102) or atrioventricular block (AVB) (N = 137). Atrial capture threshold was measured at implantation and 7 days, 2 months, and 8 months postimplantation. TRACT was defined as a rise in the threshold at day 7 to ≥twice that at implantation, with an absolute value ≥1.0 V/0.4 ms, and full recovery by 8 months into follow‐up. TRACT was observed in 15 patients (6%), of whom13 (87%) suffered from SSS but not AVB. Patients with TRACT had greater body mass index (BMI) (25 ± 5 kg/m2 vs 23 ± 4 kg/m2, P = 0.01), larger left atrium (42 ± 5 mm vs 38 ± 7 mm, P = 0.03), and were more likely to suffer from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (60% vs 31%, P = 0.02) than those without TRACT. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, BMI and SSS were the independent predictors of TRACT (odds ratio [OR], 1.172; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.019–1.349; P = 0.03 and OR, 11.53; 95% CI, 2.010–66.21; P = 0.006, respectively).

Conclusions

The distinct phenomenon of TRACT was not rare in clinical practice early after dual‐chamber pacemaker implantation, and its occurrence was strongly associated with SSS.
Involvement of LeMRP, an ATP‐binding cassette transporter, in shikonin transport and biosynthesis in Lithospermum erythrorhizon
Authors: Zhu Y. , Chu S.‐J. , Luo Y.‐L. , Fu J.‐Y. , Tang C.‐Y. , Lu G.‐H. , Pang Y.‐J. , Wang X.‐M. , Yang R.‐W. , Qi J.‐L. , Yang Y.‐H.
Published: November 2017

Shikonin and its derivatives are important medicinal secondary metabolites accumulating in roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Although some membrane proteins have been identified as transporters of secondary metabolites, the mechanisms underlying shikonin transport and accumulation in L. erythrorhizon cells still remain largely unknown.

In this study, we isolated a cDNA encoding LeMRP, an ATP‐binding cassette transporter from L. erythrorhizon, and further investigated its functions in the transport and biosynthesis of shikonin using the yeast transformation and transgenic hairy root methods, respectively. Real‐time PCR was applied for expression analyses of LeMRP and shikonin biosynthetic enzyme genes.

Functional analysis of LeMRP using the heterologous yeast cell expression system showed that LeMRP could be involved in shikonin transport. Transgenic hairy roots of L. erythrorhizon demonstrated that LeMRP overexpressing hairy roots produced more shikonin than the empty vector (EV) control. Real‐time PCR results revealed that the enhanced shikonin biosynthesis in the overexpression lines was mainly caused by highly up‐regulated expression of genes coding key enzymes (LePAL, HMGR, Le4CL and LePGT) involved in shikonin biosynthesis. Conversely, LeMRP RNAi decreased the accumulation of shikonin and effectively down‐regulated expression level of the above genes. Typical inhibitors of ABC proteins, such as azide and buthionine sulphoximine, dramatically inhibited accumulation of shikonin in hairy roots.

Our findings provide evidence for the important direct or indirect role of LeMRP in transmembrane transport and biosynthesis of shikonin.
Breaking Waves and Spectral Analysis of the Two‐Dimensional KdV–Bogoyavlenskii Equation
Authors: Villarroel Javier , Montero Miquel
Published: November 2017

We study here the initial value problem for a two‐dimensional Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation, first derived by Calogero and Bogoyavlenskii, by means of the inverse scattering transform. The dynamics of the discrete spectrum of an associated Schrödinger operator is far richer than that of KdV equation. Even for optimal eigenvalues, generic smooth solutions may develop shocks with multiple branches and/or cusp singularities in finite time. However, evolution may move poles of the transmission coefficient off the imaginary axis, destroy or even create them. We characterize conditions to prevent these pathologies before explosion time and describe ample classes of solutions, corresponding to both continuous and discrete spectrum. We also find that in certain conditions new eigenvalues might be created; in these cases a minimal set of initial spectral data must incorporate additionally the transmission coefficient on the entire plane. The previous results are applied to describe the Cauchy problem corresponding to initial data combinations of delta terms and derivatives and show that for long time the delta singularity may persist or be smoothed to a cusp‐discontinuity. Finally, we give conditions under which the evolution is reduced to the classical KdV.
Effectiveness of an oral health educational intervention for individuals with special health care needs from a southern Brazilian city
Authors: Hartwig Andreia Drawanz , Stüermer Vanessa Müller , da Silva‐Júnior Ivam Freire , Schardosim Lisandrea Rocha , Azevedo Marina Sousa
Published: November 2017

Aim

To assess the effects of an oral health education strategy targeted at students with disabilities.

Methods

This quasi‐experimental study included students aged 7 to 24 years. The intervention was conducted for 5 weeks and divided into 2 phases: (1) comprising supervised toothbrushing and educational activities to students; (2) verbal oral health instructions and oral hygiene demonstration targeted at the caregivers. A clinical examination was conducted to evaluate the dental debris and gingival bleeding before the intervention, and the Wilcoxon test was performed after phase 1 and 2 for comparisons between paired samples.

Results

A significant decrease in dental debris and gingival indices compared with baseline occurred after phase 1 (p < 0.05). After the meeting with caregivers (phase 2), there was significant decrease in the debris‐index (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Providing a simple and short‐term educational intervention to students with disabilities had a positive impact on their oral health.
Emotional Intelligence in Latin American Managers: An exploratory study
Authors: Acosta Prado Julio César , Zarate Torres Rodrigo Arturo
Published: November 2017

Through an exploratory study with a sample of 614 is established the characterization of emotional intelligence (EI) in Latin American managers from Guatemala, Chile, and Colombia. Is analyzed the ability to perceive, appraise and express emotion, own and others, as reflected in the concept of EI and its impact on the personal and professional achievements of Latin American managers. The results show that respondents have high capacity to assess and recognize their own emotions, low capacity to assess and understand the emotions of their team members, high capacity for self-control of their emotions in extreme moods, and high capacity to direct their emotions toward achieving competence.
Heat Transfer in the Core Compressor Under Ice Crystal Icing Conditions
Authors: Bucknell Alexander , McGilvray Matthew , Gillespie David R. H. , Jones Geoff , Reed Alasdair , Buttsworth David R.
Published: November 2017

It has been recognized in recent years that high altitude atmospheric ice crystals pose a threat to aircraft engines. Instances of damage, surge, and shutdown have been recorded at altitudes significantly greater than those associated with supercooled water icing. It is believed that solid ice particles can accrete inside the core compressor, although the exact mechanism by which this occurs remains poorly understood. Development of analytical and empirical models of the ice crystal icing phenomenon is necessary for both future engine design and this-generation engine certification. A comprehensive model will require the integration of a number of aerodynamic, thermodynamic, and mechanical components. This paper studies one such component, specifically the thermodynamic and mechanical processes experienced by ice particles impinging on a warm surface. Results are presented from an experimental campaign using a heated and instrumented flat plate. The plate was installed in the Altitude Icing Wind Tunnel (AIWT) at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). This facility is capable of replicating ice crystal conditions at altitudes up to 9 km and Mach numbers up to 0.55. The heated plate is designed to measure the heat flux from a surface at temperatures representative of the early core compressor, under varying convective and icing heat loads. Heat transfer enhancement was observed to rise approximately linearly with both total water content (TWC) and particle diameter over the ranges tested. A Stokes number greater than unity proved to be a useful parameter in determining whether heat transfer enhancement would occur. A particle energy parameter was used to estimate the likelihood of fragmentation. Results showed that when particles were both ballistic and likely to fragment, heat transfer enhancement was independent of both Mach and Reynolds numbers over the ranges tested.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation on Flow Capacity and Erosion Wear of Blooey Line in Gas Drilling
Authors: Ying Zhang , Zhanghua Lian , Abdelal Gasser F. , Tiejun Lin
Published: November 2017

Blooey line is a discharge pipe, used to conduct gas to keep drilling rock dust and cuttings away from the drilling rig, reducing the fire hazard and transporting the cuttings to a suitable distance from the well. In this paper, the blooey line's flow capacity and erosion mechanism have been investigated by numerical and experimental method. The model of blooey line, which is commonly used in Sichuan district, China, is established by using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. And, the distribution of pressure field and velocity field in the blooey line are investigated by the CFD model. And, the effect of gas flow rate on impact force and erosion is also discussed. Compared with the simulation results, an experimental apparatus of the blooey line has been conducted under the mechanical similarity principle. The impact force and pressure on the elbows are measured under different gas flow rates. The numerical simulation and experimental method proposed in this paper can provide a reference for layout optimization and flow capacity calculation of blooey line in gas drilling.
A hybrid phononic crystal for roof application
Authors: Wan Qingmian , Shao Chen , Cheng Ying
Published: November 2017

Phononic crystal is a type of acoustic material, and the study of phononic crystals has attracted great attention from national research institutions. Meanwhile, noise reduction in the low-frequency range has always encountered difficulties and troubles in the engineering field. In order to obtain a unique and effective low-frequency noise reduction method, in this paper a low frequency noise attenuation system based on phononic crystal structure is proposed and demonstrated. The finite element simulation of the band gap is consistent with the final test results. The effects of structure parameters on the band gaps were studied by changing the structure parameters and the band gaps can be controlled by suitably tuning structure parameters. The structure and results provide a good support for phononic crystal structures engineering application.
Impact and control practices of bar and pub sound in densely populated cities
Authors: Chung Andy , To W. M. , Iu K. K. , Yeung Maurice
Published: November 2017

While patrons are enjoying the happy moments in bars and pubs, the sound generated from these premises may not be wanted by the neighboring community, in particular, during the sensitive hours. The situation becomes more challenging in a densely populated city, where various constraints exist in attempting to alleviate the noise impacts from propagation paths and the receiving ends. Controlling at source is considered to be the most effective approach. This paper presents the prevailing practices in Hong Kong, in China's Bay Area, to control the noise impacts associated with the bars and pubs, and illustrates with examples.
Traditional lip-blown aerophones in China
Authors: Carter Stewart
Published: November 2017

Bands and orchestras in present-day China universally employ Western-style valved trumpets and horns, but “natural” lip-blown instruments were known in China as early as the Han Dynasty, when guchui (wind and drum) ensembles played an important role in court rituals and military processions. Drawing on early artworks, treatises, and modern ethnographic studies, my paper demonstrates the enduring use of traditional lip-blown instruments in China, from early imperial times to the present day. The earliest trumpets in China probably were made from animal horns. In the Mogao Grottoes near Dunhuang, on the ancient Silk Road, a mural shows musicians playing animal horns associated with drums, celebrating the defeat of the Tibetan army by Chinese forces in 848, but the trumpets in two brick reliefs dating from approximately three centuries earlier appear to have been made of metal, probably bronze. In China, today natural lip-blown instruments endure in Buddhist ritual music, primarily in Tibet and Mongolia, as well as in certain minority cultures, where they are employed primarily in processions accompanying weddings and funerals.
Serpents on parade
Authors: Campbell D. Murray , Myers Arnold
Published: November 2017

The serpent which was used to accompany plainchant in French churches from the beginning of the seventeenth century was a wooden lip-excited wind instrument with a wide conical bore and six fingerholes. Toward the end of the eighteenth century, the serpent found another role as a bass instrument in civilian and military bands. The traditional form of the church serpent was modified in various different ways to make it more convenient for playing on the march. This paper compares the acoustical and musical properties of the church serpent, the horizontal English military serpent, and several types of upright serpent designed for band use.
Experimental and computational investigation of the acoustics of ErgoSonic Percussion angled shell drums
Authors: Farahikia Mahdi , Miles Ronald , Turner Ken
Published: November 2017

Acoustic principles of ErgoSonic Percussion's patented angled shell drums were studied through the Finite Element Method (FEM) predictions and acoustic measurements in our anechoic chamber. Unlike existing drums, this drum design provides improved playability and the ability to easily modify the resonant decay and character of the sound. When used in marching bands, this design is found to significantly reduce strain and fatigue of the musician. Computational and experimental results are presented to examine the effects of the shape of the drum, and the size, location, and orientation of a port on the resonant head on the pitch, sound decay and overall tuning of the instruments. This angled drum design is found to provide a smaller, lighter, and more ergonomic instrument that produces sound that is essentially equivalent to that of conventional drums. It is also shown that the acoustic properties of the port can be easily adjusted during use to significantly modify the resonant character of the sound by changing the system damping. Adjustment of the decay in the sound of the drums can be easily accomplished by modifying the cover on the port using different porous materials, each of which leads to a different decay rate.
Spectral decomposition of turbulent mixing and broadband shock-associated noise from a high-performance military aircraft
Authors: Vaughn Aaron , Neilsen Tracianne B. , Gee Kent L. , Wall Alan T. , Downing Micah , James Michael M.
Published: November 2017

Sound from high-performance military aircraft originates primarily from the turbulent mixing noise, but at smaller inlet angles, broadband shock-associated noise (BBSAN) is present. The similarity spectra of the two components of turbulent mixing noise developed by Tam et al. [AIAA Paper 96–1716 (1996)] represent noise associated with fine and large-scale turbulent structures and provide reasonable fits for ideally expanded, supersonic jet noise. For non-ideally expanded jet flow, BBSAN contributions to the spectral shape need to be included in spectral decompositions in the sideline and forward directions. A model proposed by Tam et al. [J. Sound Vib. 140, 55–71 (1990)] and later simplified by Kuo et al. [AIAA Paper 2011–1032 (2011)] provides a spectral function that models the BBSAN spectral shape. The ability of the BBSAN and similarity spectra shapes to account for the measured spectra is evaluated for ground-based microphones that covered a spatial aperture from 35 to 152 degrees. Spectral decompositions at low and high engine powers are compared. Using turbulent mixing noise similarity spectra decomposition in conjunction with BBSAN empirical fits, a better equivalent source model can be developed. [Work supported by the Office of Naval Research and the F-35 JPO. Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.]
Reflections on the origins of the National Center for Physical Acoustics
Authors: Crum Lawrence A.
Published: November 2017

The National Center for Physical Acoustics arose from a group of faculty within the Physics Department at the University of Mississippi that had a strong interest in the general area of physical acoustics. With Hank Bass’s leadership, and support of the University of Mississippi’s central administration, this group constantly sought to expand their interest and their expertise in this area. Financial support from ONR permitted the expansion of their research space and the establishment of the Institute for Technology Development in the State of Mississippi led to eventual support from Congress. In October of 1986, by an act of the Congress of the United States of America, the National Center for Physical Acoustics was established. This presentation will provide some of the history concerning this event.