bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attending to the heart is associated with posterior alpha band increase and a reduction in sensitivity to concurrent visual stimuli
Authors: Villena‐González Mario , Moënne‐Loccoz Cristóbal , Lagos Rodrigo A. , Alliende Luz M. , Billeke Pablo , Aboitiz Francisco , López Vladimir , Cosmelli Diego
Published: May 2017

Attentional mechanisms have been studied mostly in specific sensory domains, such as auditory, visuospatial, or tactile modalities. In contrast, attention to internal interoceptive visceral targets has only recently begun to be studied, despite its potential importance in emotion, empathy, and self‐awareness. Here, we studied the effects of shifting attention to the heart using a cue‐target detection paradigm during continuous EEG recordings. Subjects were instructed to count either a series of visual stimuli (visual condition) or their own heartbeats (heart condition). Visual checkerboard stimuli were used as attentional probes throughout the task. Consistent with previous findings, attention modulated the amplitude of the heartbeat‐evoked potentials. Directing attention to the heart significantly reduced the visual P1/N1 amplitude evoked by the attentional probe. ERPs locked to the attention‐directing cue revealed a novel frontal positivity around 300 ms postcue. Finally, spectral power in the alpha band over parieto‐occipital regions was higher while attending to the heart—when compared to the visual task—and correlated with subject's performance in the interoceptive task. These results are consistent with a shared, resource‐based attentional mechanism whereby allocating attention to bodily signals can affect early responses to visual stimuli.
The time course of pupil dilation evoked by visual sexual stimuli: Exploring the underlying ANS mechanisms
Authors: Finke Johannes B. , Deuter Christian E. , Hengesch Xenia , Schächinger Hartmut
Published: May 2017

The early processing of visual sexual stimuli shows signs of automaticity. Moreover, there is evidence for sex‐specific patterns in cognitive and physiological responding to erotica. However, little is known about the time course of rapid pupillary responses to sexual stimuli and their correspondence with other measures of autonomic activity in women and men. To study pupil dilation as an implicit measure of sexual arousal at various stages of picture processing, we presented 35 heterosexual participants with pictures showing either erotic couples or single (male/female) erotic nudes, contrasted with people involved in everyday situations. Brightness‐adjusted grayscale pictures were shown for a duration of 2,500 ms within the central visual field, alternating with perceptually matched patches. Left pupil diameter was recorded at 500 Hz using a video‐based eye tracker. Skin conductance and heart rate were coregistered and correlated with latent components of pupil dilation (dissociated by temporal PCA). Whereas stimulus‐evoked changes in pupil size indicated virtually no initial constriction, a rapid effect of appetence emerged (dilation to erotica within 500 ms). Responses at early stages of processing were remarkably consistent across both sexes. In contrast, later phases of pupil dilation, subjective ratings, and skin conductance responses showed a sex‐specific pattern. Moreover, evidence for an association of early‐onset pupil dilation and heart rate acceleration was found, suggestive of parasympathetic inhibition, whereas the late component was mainly related to sympathetically mediated skin conductance. Taken together, our results indicate that different temporal components of pupil responses to erotic stimuli may reflect divergent underlying neural mechanisms.
Soil functional responses to ecological restoration treatments in frequent‐fire forests of the western United States: a systematic review
Authors: Sánchez Meador Andrew , Springer Judith D. , Huffman David W. , Bowker Matthew A. , Crouse Joseph E.
Published: May 2017

We investigated general effects of ecological restoration treatments on soil function in frequent‐fire forests of the western United States using a systematic review methodology. We searched numerous publication databases for original research papers and used well‐defined criteria developed a priori to select papers for review. We used meta‐analysis and qualitative summaries to compare reported responses of macronutrients, nitrogen cycling, and soil respiration among tree thinning (thin), prescribed fire (burn), and thinning plus prescribed fire treatments (composite). Results of meta‐analysis showed that mean differences in macronutrients were consistently higher in composite treatments (standardized using controls) when compared to thin‐only and burn‐only treatments. Mean responses related to nitrogen cycling showed similar patterns, with significant increases detected in composite treatments for all nitrogen cycling variables (mineralization, ammonification, and nitrification) and insignificant responses for the majority of the burn‐only and thin‐only treatments. Mean difference in response for soil respiration following composite treatments showed increases as compared to the controls, and no significant differences were detected in response to burn‐ and thin‐only treatments. While soil function, nutrient cycling, and soil respiration differed among treatments, the most significant effects were observed for nitrogen and carbon responses, net mineralization and nitrification, ammonium availability, and soil respiration rate, which experienced the greatest increase following treatments that were both thinned and burned.
Assays for Infliximab Drug Levels and Antibodies: A Matter of Scales and Categories
Authors: Bader L. I. , Solberg S. M. , Kaada S. H. , Bolstad N. , Warren D. J. , Gavasso S. , Gjesdal C. G. , Vedeler C. A.
Published: May 2017

Immunogenicity is a frequent cause of secondary non‐response to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Drug level measurement and detection of antidrug antibodies have been shown to be cost effective and clinically relevant, and a large number of assays are available for these purposes. It is, however, difficult to compare assays and translate results into clinical meaningful information due to different methodological approaches and a lack of assay standardization. We have analysed infliximab drug levels and antidrug antibodies in 107 patient samples using enzyme‐linked immunoassays (ELISA), immunofluorometric assays (IFMA) and reporter‐gene assays (RGA). The RGA gave the lowest results for drug levels, whereas the IFMA detected the highest number of antidrug antibody positive sera. Applying individualized therapeutic ranges to each assay resulted in agreement among all three assays in 74% of samples for drug levels and 98% of samples for antidrug antibodies. We found that TNF inhibitor monitoring assays measure on different scales and that the agreement between quantitative results is limited. However, interassay differences can partially be overcome by assay‐individualized translations of quantities into categories, which also is necessary for a meaningful clinical application. Our data demonstrate that assays should not be used interchangeably and that direct comparison of quantitative drug levels obtained with different assays should be avoided.
Alternative method for the identification of the strain hardening behaviour along the rolling direction of coil
Authors: Denys Kristof , Coppieters Sam , Cooreman Steven , Debruyne Dimitri
Published: June 2017

A new method is proposed for the measurement of the mechanical properties of X70 coil steel along the rolling direction using an inverse procedure and digital image correlation. To characterise the mechanical properties, a tensile test was performed on a curved API sample. To clamp the curved sample without inducing plastic deformation, additional shims were machined compensating the curved clamping region. Using this modified test setup, finite element model updating, and digital image correlation, the mechanical properties were identified without influencing the material behaviour and considering the entire wall thickness. These results were compared with a flattened API tensile specimen. A yield stress reduction was found compared with the identified yield stress on the curved specimen equipped with shims. Additionally, the influence of the residual deflection after flattening on the yield stress has been scrutinised.
Malakoplakia after kidney transplantation: Case report and literature review
Authors: Nieto‐Ríos John Fredy , Ramírez Isabel , Zuluaga‐Quintero Mónica , Serna‐Higuita Lina María , Gaviria‐Gil Federico , Velez‐Hoyos Alejandro
Published: May 2017

Malakoplakia is a granulomatous disease associated with an infectious etiology, usually involving the urinary tract. It reveals itself as a recurrent urinary tract infection (r‐UTI), and in some cases, it is associated with impairment of renal function. Immunosuppression is one of its main associated factors, and it has been increasingly described in patients with solid organ transplantation (SOT), mainly kidney transplantation. Macroscopically, it can form masses and sometimes it may be confused with neoplasia, which is why histological findings are fundamental for the diagnosis. Here, we present a case of bladder malakoplakia, manifested by r‐UTI from Escherichia coli in a patient with renal transplantation, refractory to long‐term antibiotic treatment and reduction in immunosuppression, which resolved after surgical management. We also summarize the clinical characteristics of malakoplakia and compare them with previous reports in the literature on SOT.
Differential control of respiratory frequency and tidal volume during high‐intensity interval training
Authors: Nicolò Andrea , Marcora Samuele M. , Bazzucchi Ilenia , Sacchetti Massimo
Published: May 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

By manipulating recovery intensity and exercise duration during high‐intensity interval training (HIIT), we tested the hypothesis that fast inputs contribute more than metabolic stimuli to respiratory frequency (fR) regulation.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Respiratory frequency, but not tidal volume, responded rapidly and in proportion to changes in workload during HIIT, and was dissociated from some markers of metabolic stimuli in response to both experimental manipulations, suggesting that fast inputs contribute more than metabolic stimuli to fR regulation. Differentiating between fR and tidal volume may help to unravel the mechanisms underlying exercise hyperpnoea.

Given that respiratory frequency (fR) has been proposed as a good marker of physical effort, furthering the understanding of how fR is regulated during exercise is of great importance. We manipulated recovery intensity and exercise duration during high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) to test the hypothesis that fast inputs (including central command) contribute more than metabolic stimuli to fR regulation. Seven male cyclists performed an incremental test, a 10 and a 20 min continuous time trial (TT) as preliminary tests. Subsequently, recovery intensity and exercise duration were manipulated during HIIT (30 s work and 30 s active recovery) by performing four 10 min and one 20 min trial (recovery intensities of 85, 70, 55 and 30% of the 10 min TT mean workload; and 85% of the 20 min TT mean workload). The work intensity of the HIIT sessions was self‐paced by participants to achieve the best performance possible. When manipulating recovery intensity, fR, but not tidal volume (VT), showed a fast response to the alternation of the work and recovery phases, proportional to the extent of workload variations. No association between fR and gas exchange responses was observed. When manipulating exercise duration, fR and rating of perceived exertion were dissociated from VT, carbon dioxide output and oxygen uptake responses. Overall, the rating of perceived exertion was strongly correlated with fR (r = 0.87; P < 0.001) but not with VT. These findings may reveal a differential control of fR and VT during HIIT, with fast inputs appearing to contribute more than metabolic stimuli to fR regulation. Differentiating between fR and VT may help to unravel the mechanisms underlying exercise hyperpnoea.
Mitochondrially derived peptides as novel regulators of metabolism
Authors: Kim Su‐Jeong , Xiao Jialin , Wan Junxiang , Cohen Pinchas , Yen Kelvin
Published: June 2017

Mitochondrially derived peptides represent a new class of circulating signalling molecules. Humanin, the first member of this class, has been shown to have several metabolic effects such as reducing weight gain and visceral fat and increasing glucose‐stimulated insulin release. The discovery of several other new members, such as MOTS‐c and SHLP1–6, has further added to this group. These new peptides have also been found to affect metabolism with MOTS‐c potently decreasing weight gain in mice on a high‐fat diet. This review covers the basic biology of this class of peptides and discusses the relevance to organismal metabolism.

image
The effect of presentation level and stimulation rate on speech perception and modulation detection for cochlear implant users
Authors: Brochier Tim , McDermott Hugh J. , McKay Colette M.
Published: June 2017

In order to improve speech understanding for cochlear implant users, it is important to maximize the transmission of temporal information. The combined effects of stimulation rate and presentation level on temporal information transfer and speech understanding remain unclear. The present study systematically varied presentation level (60, 50, and 40 dBA) and stimulation rate [500 and 2400 pulses per second per electrode (pps)] in order to observe how the effect of rate on speech understanding changes for different presentation levels. Speech recognition in quiet and noise, and acoustic amplitude modulation detection thresholds (AMDTs) were measured with acoustic stimuli presented to speech processors via direct audio input (DAI). With the 500 pps processor, results showed significantly better performance for consonant-vowel nucleus-consonant words in quiet, and a reduced effect of noise on sentence recognition. However, no rate or level effect was found for AMDTs, perhaps partly because of amplitude compression in the sound processor. AMDTs were found to be strongly correlated with the effect of noise on sentence perception at low levels. These results indicate that AMDTs, at least when measured with the CP910 Freedom speech processor via DAI, explain between-subject variance of speech understanding, but do not explain within-subject variance for different rates and levels.
Metformin Adjunctive Therapy Does Not Improve the Sterilizing Activity of the First-Line Antitubercular Regimen in Mice
Authors: Dutta Noton K. , Pinn Michael L. , Karakousis Petros C.
Published: May 2017

Preliminary preclinical and observational studies suggest the potential utility of metformin as an adjunctive, host-directed agent for treatment of tuberculosis (TB). In this study, we sought to investigate the bactericidal and sterilizing activities of human-like exposures of metformin when given in combination with the first-line regimen against chronic tuberculosis in BALB/c mice. Mice receiving metformin adjunctive therapy had similar lung bacillary burdens with control mice during treatment, and the proportion of mice with microbiological relapse was similar between the two groups.
An Immunomodulatory Peptide Confers Protection in an Experimental Candidemia Murine Model
Authors: Freitas Camila G. , Lima Stella M. F. , Freire Mirna S. , Cantuária Ana Paula C. , Júnior Nelson G. O. , Santos Tatiane S. , Folha Jéssica S. , Ribeiro Suzana M. , Dias Simoni C. , Rezende Taia M. B. , Albuquerque Patrícia , Nicola André M. , de la Fuente-Núñez César , Hancock Robert E. W. , Franco Octávio L. , Felipe Maria Sueli S.
Published: May 2017

Fungal
Candida
species are commensals present in the mammalian skin and mucous membranes.
Candida
spp. are capable of breaching the epithelial barrier of immunocompromised patients with neutrophil and cell-mediated immune dysfunctions and can also disseminate to multiple organs through the bloodstream. Here we examined the action of innate defense regulator 1018 (IDR-1018), a 12-amino-acid-residue peptide derived from bovine bactenecin (Bac2A): IDR-1018 showed weak antifungal and antibiofilm activity against a
Candida albicans
laboratory strain (ATCC 10231) and a clinical isolate (CI) (MICs of 32 and 64 μg · ml
−1
, respectively), while 8-fold lower concentrations led to dissolution of the fungal cells from preformed biofilms. IDR-1018 at 128 μg · ml
−1
was not hemolytic when tested against murine red blood cells and also has not shown a cytotoxic effect on murine monocyte RAW 264.7 and primary murine macrophage cells at the tested concentrations. IDR-1018 modulated the cytokine profile during challenge of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages with heat-killed
C. albicans
(HKCA) antigens by increasing monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, while suppressing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 levels. Mice treated with IDR-1018 at 10 mg · kg
−1
of body weight had an increased survival rate in the candidemia model compared with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated mice, together with a diminished kidney fungal burden. Thus, IDR-1018 was able to protect against murine experimental candidemia and has the potential as an adjunctive therapy.
Inhaled Antibiotics for Gram-Negative Respiratory Infections
Authors: Wenzler Eric , Fraidenburg Dustin R. , Scardina Tonya , Danziger Larry H.
Published: June 2017

Gram-negative organisms comprise a large portion of the pathogens responsible for lower respiratory tract infections, especially those that are nosocomially acquired, and the rate of antibiotic resistance among these organisms continues to rise. Systemically administered antibiotics used to treat these infections often have poor penetration into the lung parenchyma and narrow therapeutic windows between efficacy and toxicity. The use of inhaled antibiotics allows for maximization of target site concentrations and optimization of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic indices while minimizing systemic exposure and toxicity. This review is a comprehensive discussion of formulation and drug delivery aspects,
in vitro
and microbiological considerations, pharmacokinetics, and clinical outcomes with inhaled antibiotics as they apply to disease states other than cystic fibrosis. In reviewing the literature surrounding the use of inhaled antibiotics, we also highlight the complexities related to this route of administration and the shortcomings in the available evidence. The lack of novel anti-Gram-negative antibiotics in the developmental pipeline will encourage the innovative use of our existing agents, and the inhaled route is one that deserves to be further studied and adopted in the clinical arena.
Bypassing the Restriction System To Improve Transformation of Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Costa Stephen K. , Donegan Niles P. , Corvaglia Anna-Rita , François Patrice , Cheung Ambrose L.
Published: May 2017

Staphylococcus epidermidis
is the leading cause of infections on indwelling medical devices worldwide. Intrinsic antibiotic resistance and vigorous biofilm production have rendered these infections difficult to treat and, in some cases, require the removal of the offending medical prosthesis. With the exception of two widely passaged isolates, RP62A and 1457, the pathogenesis of infections caused by clinical
S. epidermidis
strains is poorly understood due to the strong genetic barrier that precludes the efficient transformation of foreign DNA into clinical isolates. The difficulty in transforming clinical
S. epidermidis
isolates is primarily due to the type I and IV restriction-modification systems, which act as genetic barriers. Here, we show that efficient plasmid transformation of clinical
S. epidermidis
isolates from clonal complexes 2, 10, and 89 can be realized by employing a plasmid artificial modification (PAM) in
Escherichia coli
DC10B containing a Δ
dcm
mutation. This transformative technique should facilitate our ability to genetically modify clinical isolates of
S. epidermidis
and hence improve our understanding of their pathogenesis in human infections.

IMPORTANCE
Staphylococcus epidermidis
is a source of considerable morbidity worldwide. The underlying mechanisms contributing to the commensal and pathogenic lifestyles of
S. epidermidis
are poorly understood. Genetic manipulations of clinically relevant strains of
S. epidermidis
are largely prohibited due to the presence of a strong restriction barrier. With the introductions of the tools presented here, genetic manipulation of clinically relevant
S. epidermidis
isolates has now become possible, thus improving our understanding of
S. epidermidis
as a pathogen.
Mismatch Repair of DNA Replication Errors Contributes to Microevolution in the Pathogenic Fungus
Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Boyce Kylie J. , Wang Yina , Verma Surbhi , Shakya Viplendra P. S. , Xue Chaoyang , Idnurm Alexander
Published: May 2017

The ability to adapt to a changing environment provides a selective advantage to microorganisms. In the case of many pathogens, a large change in their environment occurs when they move from a natural setting to a setting within a human host and then during the course of disease development to various locations within that host. Two clinical isolates of the human fungal pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
were identified from a collection of environmental and clinical strains that exhibited a mutator phenotype, which is a phenotype which provides the ability to change rapidly due to the accumulation of DNA mutations at high frequency. Whole-genome analysis of these strains revealed mutations in
MSH2
of the mismatch repair pathway, and complementation confirmed that these mutations are responsible for the mutator phenotype. Comparison of mutation frequencies in deletion strains of eight mismatch repair pathway genes in
C. neoformans
showed that the loss of three of them,
MSH2
,
MLH1
, and
PMS1
, results in an increase in mutation rates. Increased mutation rates enable rapid microevolution to occur in these strains, generating phenotypic variations in traits associated with the ability to grow
in vivo
, in addition to allowing rapid generation of resistance to antifungal agents. Mutation of
PMS1
reduced virulence, whereas mutation of
MSH2
or
MLH1
had no effect on the level of virulence. These findings thus support the hypothesis that this pathogenic fungus can take advantage of a mutator phenotype in order to cause disease but that it can do so only in specific pathways that lead to a mutator trait without a significant tradeoff in fitness.

IMPORTANCE
Fungi account for a large number of infections that are extremely difficult to treat; superficial fungal infections affect approximately 1.7 billion (25%) of the general population worldwide, and systemic fungal diseases result in an unacceptably high mortality rate. How fungi adapt to their hosts is not fully understood. This research investigated the role of changes to DNA sequences in adaption to the host environment and the ability to cause disease in
Cryptococcus neoformans
, one of the world’s most common and most deadly fungal pathogens. The study results showed that microevolutionary rates are enhanced in either clinical isolates or in gene deletion strains with
msh2
mutations. This gene has similar functions in regulating the rapid emergence of antifungal drug resistance in a distant fungal relative of
C. neoformans
, the pathogen
Candida glabrata
. Thus, microevolution resulting from enhanced mutation rates may be a common contributor to fungal pathogenesis.
Fabry heterozygote mimicking multiple sclerosis
Authors: Yau Wai Yan , Fabis-Pedrini Marzena J , Kermode Allan G
Published: June 2017

Fabry’s disease (FD) is a recognised mimic of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is an X-linked storage lysosomal disorder with deficiency of α-galactosidase A and enzyme replacement therapy is available. Patients with FD may satisfy modified McDonald criteria if the diagnosis of FD has not been pursued. We present a case of FD in a 65-year-old woman masquerading as benign MS for 40 years. She has recurrent posterior circulation stroke-like symptoms, hearing loss and acroparaesthesia, but typical radiological features of MS on MRI brain. Later she developed an ischaemic stroke, infiltrative cardiomyopathy and chronic renal failure. There was a missense mutation at p.R342Q in the galactodisdase alpha (GLA) gene. Neurologists need to consider FD and look for red flags in atypical MS cases and should not be over-reliant on MRI findings. Missed diagnosis of FD could lead to unnecessary immunosuppression, inappropriate disease counselling and missed treatment opportunity.
Global investment targets for malaria control and elimination between 2016 and 2030
Authors: Patouillard Edith , Griffin Jamie , Bhatt Samir , Ghani Azra , Cibulskis Richard
Published: May 2017

Background

Access to malaria control interventions falls short of universal health coverage. The Global Technical Strategy for malaria targets at least 90% reduction in case incidence and mortality rates, and elimination in 35 countries by 2030. The potential to reach these targets will be determined in part by investments in malaria. This study estimates the financing required for malaria control and elimination over the 2016–2030 period.

Methods

A mathematical transmission model was used to explore the impact of increasing intervention coverage on burden and costs. The cost analysis took a public provider perspective covering all 97 malaria endemic countries and territories in 2015. All control interventions currently recommended by the WHO were considered. Cost data were sourced from procurement databases, the peer-reviewed literature, national malaria strategic plans, the WHO-CHOICE project and key informant interviews.

Results

Annual investments of $6.4 billion (95% uncertainty interval (UI $4.5–$9.0 billion)) by 2020, $7.7 billion (95% UI $5.4–$10.9 billion) by 2025 and $8.7 billion (95% UI $6.0–$12.3 billion) by 2030 will be required to reach the targets set in the Global Technical Strategy. These are equivalent to annual investment per person at risk of malaria of US$3.90 by 2020, US$4.30 by 2025 and US$4.40 by 2030, compared with US$2.30 if interventions were sustained at current coverage levels. The 20 countries with the highest burden in 2015 will require 88% of the total investment.

Conclusions

Given the challenges in increasing domestic and international funding, the efficient use of currently available resources should be a priority.
Association between childcare educators’ practices and preschoolers’ physical activity and dietary intake: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Ward Stéphanie , Blanger Mathieu , Donovan Denise , Vatanparast Hassan , Muhajarine Nazeem , Engler-Stringer Rachel , Leis Anne , Humbert M Louise , Carrier Natalie
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Childcare educators may be role models for healthy eating and physical activity (PA) behaviours among young children. This study aimed to identify which childcare educators’ practices are associated with preschoolers’ dietary intake and PA levels.

Methods

This cross-sectional analysis included 723 preschoolers from 50 randomly selected childcare centres in two Canadian provinces. All data were collected in the fall of 2013 and 2014 and analysed in the fall of 2015. PA was assessed using Actical accelerometers during childcare hours for 5 consecutive days. Children’s dietary intake was measured at lunch on 2 consecutive days using weighed plate waste and digital photography. Childcare educators’ nutrition practices (modelling, nutrition education, satiety recognition, verbal encouragement and not using food as rewards) and PA practices (informal and formal PA promotion) were assessed by direct observation over the course of 2 days, using the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care tool. Associations between educators’ practices and preschoolers’ PA and dietary intake were examined using multilevel linear regressions.

Results

Overall, modelling of healthy eating was positively associated with children’s intake of sugar (β=0.141, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.27), while calorie (β=−0.456, 95% CI −1.46 to –0.02) and fibre intake (β=−0.066, 95% CI −0.12 to –0.01) were negatively associated with providing nutrition education. Not using food as rewards was also negatively associated with fat intake (β=−0.144, 95% CI −0.52 to –0.002). None of the educators’ PA practices were associated with children’s participation in PA.

Conclusions

Modelling healthy eating, providing nutrition education and not using food as rewards are associated with children’s dietary intake at lunch in childcare centres, highlighting the role that educators play in shaping preschoolers’ eating behaviours. Although PA practices were not associated with children’s PA levels, there is a need to reduce sedentary time in childcare centres.
The effect of 1 week of repeated ischaemic leg preconditioning on simulated Keirin cycling performance: a randomised trial
Authors: Lindsay Angus , Petersen Carl , Blackwell Gavin , Ferguson Hamish , Parker Greg , Steyn Nina , Gieseg Steven P
Published: June 2017

Background

Coaches continually seek new ways of doing things and also refine existing techniques to improve sporting performance. Coaches are currently experimenting using ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) over consecutive days in the hope of improving competitive performances.

Aims

First, to quantify the physiological impact of 1 week of IPC on simulated Keirin cycling performance. Second, to investigate if biochemical stress markers are affected over the treatment period.

Methods

Using a randomised, sham-controlled design, 18 active adults undertook seven consecutive days of IPC treatment (4×5 min occlusion/reperfusion) applied to each leg at either 220 mm Hg (treatment, n=9) or 20 mm Hg (sham, n=9). Urinary measures of inflammation, oxidative stress and indirect nitric oxide synthesis were undertaken daily. A simulated Keirin cycling competition (4×30 s Wingate tests) was performed on day 10, with baseline and postintervention cycling VO2max (days 1, 11 and 18) and 30 s Wingate tests (day 2) undertaken for comparison.

Results

The treatment group had enhanced mean cycling power (3.4%), while neopterin and biopterin in conjunction with total neopterin were significantly lower (p<0.05) and total biopterin significantly greater (p<0.05) during the simulated Keirin. Aerobic fitness measures significantly improved from baseline to postintervention (VO2peak: 12.8% ↑, maximal aerobic power: 18.5% ↑).

Conclusions

Seven consecutive days of IPC improved aerobic and anaerobic capacity measures, with modulations in oxidative stress, immune system activation and nitric oxide/catecholamine synthesis.
Oral fluid testing for marijuana intoxication: enhancing objectivity for roadside DUI testing
Authors: Doucette Mitchell L , Frattaroli Shannon , Vernick Jon S
Published: June 2017

Reducing marijuana-impaired driving is an important part of any strategy to prevent motor vehicle traffic injuries. In Colorado, the first of eight US states and the District of Columbia to legalise marijuana for recreational use, drivers with positive tests for the presence of marijuana accounted for a larger proportion of fatal MVCs after marijuana commercialisation. The use of blood tests to screen for marijuana intoxication, in Colorado and elsewhere in the USA, poses a number of challenges. Many high-income countries use oral fluid drug testing (OF) to provide roadside evidence of marijuana intoxication. A 2009 Belgium policy implementing OF roadside testing increased true positives and decreased false positives of suspected marijuana-related driving under the influence (DUI) arrests. US policy-makers should consider using roadside OF to increase objectivity and reliability for tests used in marijuana-related DUI arrests.
Characterization of unsaturated mine waste: a case history
Authors: Robertson P.K. , da Fonseca A. Viana , Ulrich B. , Coffin J.
Published: June 2017

It is becoming increasingly common in the mining industry for either crushed ore or filtered mine waste to be stacked to a significant height (>100 m) in a moist state with little compaction, resulting in deposits that can be potentially loose and unsaturated. This paper presents a case history describing the characterization of stacked filtered tailings at a mine site in South America. Cone penetration tests with pore pressure and seismic velocity measurements (SCPTu) were carried out along with selected drilling, sampling, and laboratory testing. Compression wave velocity (Vp) and shear wave velocity (Vs) profiles were obtained and compared with laboratory values on reconstituted saturated and unsaturated samples. Results indicate that shear wave velocity is sensitive to suction hardening effects and appears to capture the correct unsaturated in situ behavior. The cone resistance, which is a large strain measurement, can destroy the beneficial effects of suction hardening and appears to be insensitive to the unsaturated in situ behavior, but may capture the correct behavior after the beneficial effects of suction are removed if the soil becomes saturated.
Phyllanthus kaweesakii (Phyllanthaceae), a new species from Thailand
Authors: Pornpongrungrueng Pimwadee , Parnell John A.N. , Hodkinson Trevor R. , Chantaranothai Pranom
Published: June 2017

Phyllanthus kaweesakii Pornp., Chantar. & J.Parn. sp. nov. is newly described from the limestone mountain ridges in the northeast of Thailand. Comparison of morphology, anatomy, pollen morphology, and DNA sequences of this species with the most similar existing species P. mirabilis Müll.Arg. was undertaken. The results indicated that the two taxa are different in morphology, especially habit, stem base, and inflorescence, but that their pollen morphology and anatomy are similar. The molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on sequences of the plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal ITS regions, supported separation of the two taxa. This new species is described and illustrated, and its conservation status is discussed.
A beech bark disease induced change in tree species composition influences forest floor acid–base chemistry
Authors: Arthur M.A. , Weathers K.C. , Lovett G.M. , Weand M.P. , Eddy W.C.
Published: May 2017

Beech bark disease (BBD) has demonstrable ecosystem consequences for eastern US forests stemming from American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) mortality, often leading to increased dominance by its competitor, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). We hypothesized that this BBD-induced shift in tree species composition leads to changes in soil acid–base chemistry, mediated through differences in leaf litter chemistry of the two species. Using a sequence of plots representing the progression of the disease in the Catskill Mountains, NY, USA, we examined the influence of tree species composition shift on soil chemistry. The BBD impact on tree species composition was confounded by variability in substrate (or nonexchangeable soil) calcium (Ca). While substrate Ca explained much of the variation in acid–base chemistry, increasing BBD was associated with increasing forest floor exchangeable Ca, sum of base cations, base saturation, cation-exchange capacity, and decreasing hydrogen. An apparent threshold effect of substrate Ca on sugar maple litter Ca concentration suggests that underlying soil Ca availability may contribute to the spatial extent and timeframe of BBD-induced shifts in species composition. The species compositional shift is a mechanism contributing to a vegetation effect on soil acid–base status and may partially counteract soil acidification in this acid deposition impacted region.
Mass density of the Earth from a gravito-electromagnetic 5D vacuum
Authors: Musmarra Juan Ignacio , Anabitarte Mariano , Bellini Mauricio
Published: June 2017

We calculate the mass density of the Earth using a gravito-electromagnetic theory on an extended 5D Schwarzschild – de Sitter metric, in which we define the vacuum. Our results are in very good agreement with that of the Dziewonski–Anderson model.
Temperature compensation effects of TiO2 on Ca[(Li1/3Nb2/3)0.8Sn0.2]O3−δ microwave dielectric ceramic
Authors: Hu Mingzhe , Wei Huanghe , Xiao Lihua , Zhang Kesheng , Hao Yongde
Published: June 2017

The crystal structure and dielectric properties of TiO2-modified Ca[(Li[Formula: see text]Nb[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text]]O[Formula: see text] microwave ceramics are investigated in the present paper. The crystal structure is probed by XRD patterns and their Rietveld refinement, results show that a single perovskite phase is formed in TiO2-modified Ca[(Li[Formula: see text]Nb[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text]]O[Formula: see text] ceramics with the crystal structure belonging to the orthorhombic Pbnm 62 space group. Raman spectra results indicate that the [Formula: see text]-site order–disorder structure transition is a key point to the dielectric loss of TiO2-modified Ca[(Li[Formula: see text]Nb[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text]]O[Formula: see text] ceramics at microwave frequencies. After properly modified by TiO2, the large negative temperature coefficient of Ca[(Li[Formula: see text]Nb[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text]]O[Formula: see text] ceramic can be compensated and the optimal microwave dielectric properties can reach [Formula: see text] = 25.66, [Formula: see text] = 18,894 GHz and TCF = −6.3 ppm/[Formula: see text]C when sintered at 1170[Formula: see text]C for 2.5 h, which manifests itself for potential use in microwave dielectric devices for modern wireless communication.
Extron prediction method based on improved period-3 feature strategy
Authors: Chen Gong , Dou Xiao-Ming , Zhu Xi-Fang
Published: May 2017

To improve the accuracy of the gene encoding (exon) prediction, near period-3 feature exons prediction algorithm is proposed. Near period-3 clustering power spectrum of extrons and introns are extracted as template feature, DNA sequence is divided into frames and moved. Compared with the template feature, the prediction of the Euclidean distance with different weights is realized from each frame. By changing the different feature, number, frame length, gene sequence weight and comparing with period-3 algorithm, the experiment results show that the prediction accuracy of the proposed algorithm is better than that period-3 algorithm.
AFRM: Adaptive and Fault-Tolerant Routing Method for 2D Network-on-Chip
Authors: Xie Ruilian , Cai Jueping , Wang Peng , Zhang Xin , Wang Juan
Published: May 2017

High reliability against undesirable effects is one of the key objectives in the design for Network-on-Chip (NoC). As a result, designing reliable and efficient routing method is highly desirable. This paper presents a novel turn model called NMad-y using one and two virtual channels along the [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-dimensions, respectively, and Adaptive and Fault-tolerant Routing Method (AFRM) which is designed based on the NMad-y turn model. AFRM can effectively tolerate multiple faulty routers and links in more complicated faulty situations by the link status of neighbor routers within two hops. AFRM is able to impose the reliability of network without losing the performance of network. Simulation results show that AFRM achieves better saturation throughput (0.83% on average) than a state-of-the-art fault-tolerant routing method and maintains high reliability of more than 97.43% on average.
INFLUENCE OF ANNEALING ON THE DEPTH MICROSTRUCTURE OF THE SHOT PEENED DUPLEX STAINLESS STEEL AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE
Authors: FENG QIANG , SHE JIA , XIANG YONG , WU XIANYUN , WANG CHENGXI , JIANG CHUANHAI
Published: June 2017

The depth profiles of residual stresses and lattice parameters in the surface layers of shot peened duplex stainless steel at elevated temperature were investigated utilizing X-ray diffraction analysis. At each deformation depth, residual stress distributions in both ferrite and austenite were studied by X-ray diffraction stress analysis which is performed on the basis of the sin[Formula: see text] method and the lattice parameters were explored by Rietveld method. The results reveal that difference changes of depth residual compressive stress profiles between ferrite and austenite under the same annealing condition are resulted from the diverse coefficient of thermal expansion, dislocation density, etc. for different phases in duplex stainless steel. The relaxations of depth residual stresses in austenite are more obvious than those in ferrite. The lattice parameters decrease in the surface layer with the extending of annealing time, however, they increase along the depth after annealing for 16[Formula: see text]min. The change of the depth lattice parameters can be ascribed to both thermal expansion and the relaxation of residual stress. The different changes of microstructure at elevated temperature between ferrite and austenite are discussed.
Estimating Perturbation and Meta-Stability in the Daily Attendance Rates of Six Small High Schools
Authors: Koopmans Matthijs
Published: June 2017

This paper discusses the daily attendance rates in six small high schools over a ten-year period and evaluates how stable those rates are. “Stability” is approached from two vantage points: pulse models are fitted to estimate the impact of sudden perturbations and their reverberation through the series, and Autoregressive Fractionally Integrated Moving Average (ARFIMA) techniques are used to detect dependencies over the long range of the series. The analyses are meant to (1) exemplify the utility of time series approaches in educational research, which lacks a time series tradition, (2) discuss some time series features that seem to be particular to daily attendance rate trajectories such as the distinct downward pull coming from extreme observations, and (3) present an analytical approach to handle the important yet distinct patterns of variability that can be found in these data. The analysis also illustrates why the assumption of stability that underlies the habitual reporting of weekly, monthly and yearly averages in the educational literature is questionable, as it reveals dynamical processes (perturbation, meta-stability) that remain hidden in such summaries.
Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Fe Atomic Chain and Fe Atomic Plane: Anab initioStudy
Authors: Rai D. P. , Sandeep  , Shankar A. , Patra P. K. , Thapa R. K.
Published: June 2017

The electronic and magnetic properties of Fe atomic wire and atomic plane have been theoretically investigated from full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FPLAPW) method within a frame work of density functional theory (DFT). This work is based on the comparative study of number of Fe nanochains with infinite length and infinitely spread Fe nanosheet. A most commonly adopted GGA approximation is used for electron exchange correlation. In our calculation, the property of Fe-chain is predicted to be magnetic metal with the presence of deep valley (in Spin-up DOS) and a peak (in Spin-down DOS) at Fermi level ([Formula: see text]) shows the antisymmetric DOS. The presence of antisymmetric DOS is a signature of exchange splitting between the degenerated d-states. The splitting between t[Formula: see text] states is very prominent in Fe-chain which enhances the magnetic moment. The magnetic moment decreases with the increase in number of Fe-chains.
Swarm Optimized Grey SVR and ARIMA for Modeling of Larceny-Theft Rate with Economic Indicators
Authors: Alwee Razana , Shamsuddin Siti Mariyam , Sallehuddin Roselina
Published: June 2017

As real world data, larceny-theft rates are most likely to have both linear and nonlinear components. A single model such as the linear or nonlinear model may not be sufficient to model the larceny-theft rate. Thus, a hybridization of the linear and nonlinear models is proposed for modeling the larceny-theft rate. The proposed model combines Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models. Particle swarm optimization is used to optimize the parameters of SVR and ARIMA models. The proposed model is equipped with features selection that combines grey relational analysis and SVR to choose the significant economic indicators for the larceny-theft rate. The experimental results show that the proposed model has better accuracy than the linear, nonlinear, and existing hybrid models in modeling the larceny-theft rate of United States.
Exponential gravitational search algorithm-based VM migration strategy for load balancing in cloud computing
Authors: Polepally Vijayakumar , Chatrapati K. Shahu
Published: June 2017

With the advancement in the science and technology, cloud computing has become a recent trend in environment with immense requirement of infrastructure and resources. Load balancing of cloud computing environments is an important matter of concern. The migration of the overloaded virtual machines (VMs) to the underloaded VM with optimized resource utilization is the effective way of the load balancing. In this paper, a new VM migration algorithm for the load balancing in the cloud is proposed. The migration algorithm proposed (EGSA-VMM) is based on exponential gravitational search algorithm which is the integration of gravitational search algorithm and exponential weighted moving average theory. In our approach, the migration is done based on the migration cost and QoS. The experimentation of proposed EGSA-based VM migration algorithm is compared with ACO and GSA. The simulation of experiments shows that the proposed EGSA-VMM algorithm achieves load balancing and reasonable resource utilization, which outperforms existing migration strategies in terms of number of VM migrations and number of SLA violations.
Effect of Forest Cover on Water Treatment Costs
Authors: Warziniack Travis , Sham Chi Ho , Morgan Robert , Feferholtz Yasha
Published: May 2017

This paper studies the relationship between forest cover and drinking water chemical treatment costs using land use data and a survey by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The survey gathers cost and water quality data from 37 treatment plants in forested ecoregions of the United States. We model the effect of forest conversion on the cost of water treatment using a two-step process. First, we examine the effect of changes in land use on water quality through an ecological production function. Second, we examine the effect of changes in water quality on cost of treatment through an economic benefits function. We find a negative relationship between forest cover and turbidity, but no relationship between forest cover and total organic carbon (TOC). Increasing forest cover in a watershed by 1% reduces turbidity by 3%, and increasing development by 1% in a watershed increases turbidity by 3%. The impact of development is more consistent across models than the impact of forest cover. We also find a large impact on turbidity from grazing in the watershed. Our economic benefits function shows a 1% increase in turbidity increases water treatment costs by 0.19%, and 1% increase in TOC increases water treatment costs by 0.46%. TOC has a clearer impact on costs than turbidity, which becomes insignificant when we omit one of our observations with high turbidity.