bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unfractionated Heparin Promotes Osteoclast Formation in Vitro by Inhibiting Osteoprotegerin Activity
Authors: Li Binghan , Lu Dan , Chen Yuqing , Zhao Minghui , Zuo Li
Published: April 2016

Heparin has been proven to enhance bone resorption and induce bone loss. Since osteoclasts play a pivotal role in bone resorption, the effect of heparin on osteoclastogenesis needs to be clarified. Since osteocytes are the key modulator during osteoclastogenesis, we evaluated heparin’s effect on osteoclastogenesis in vitro by co-culturing an osteocyte cell line (MLO-Y4) and pre-osteoclasts (RAW264.7). In this co-culture system, heparin enhanced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclastic bone resorption while having no influence on the production of RANKL (receptor activator of NFκB ligand), M-CSF (macrophage colony-stimulating factor), and OPG (osteoprotegerin), which are three main regulatory factors derived from osteocytes. According to previous studies, heparin could bind specifically to OPG and inhibit its activity, so we hypothesized that this might be a possible mechanism of heparin activity. To test this hypothesis, osteoclastogenesis was induced using recombinant RANKL or MLO-Y4 supernatant. We found that heparin has no effect on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis (contains no OPG). However, after incubation with OPG, the capacity of MLO-Y4 supernatant for supporting osteoclast formation was increased. This effect disappeared after OPG was neutralized and reappeared after OPG was replenished. These results strongly suggest that heparin promotes osteocyte-modulated osteoclastogenesis in vitro, at least partially, through inhibiting OPG activity.
New Is Old, and Old Is New: Recent Advances in Antibiotic-Based, Antibiotic-Free and Ethnomedical Treatments against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Wound Infections
Authors: Dou Jian-Lin , Jiang Yi-Wei , Xie Jun-Qiu , Zhang Xiao-Gang
Published: April 2016

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen of wound infections. Thus far, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has become the major causative agent in wound infections, especially for nosocomial infections. MRSA infections are seldom eradicated by routine antimicrobial therapies. More concerning, some strains have become resistant to the newest antibiotics of last resort. Furthermore, horizontal transfer of a polymyxin resistance gene, mcr-1, has been identified in Enterobacteriaceae, by which resistance to the last group of antibiotics will likely spread rapidly. The worst-case scenario, “a return to the pre-antibiotic era”, is likely in sight. A perpetual goal for antibiotic research is the discovery of an antibiotic that lacks resistance potential, such as the recent discovery of teixobactin. However, when considering the issue from an ecological and evolutionary standpoint, it is evident that it is insufficient to solve the antibiotic dilemma through the use of antibiotics themselves. In this review, we summarized recent advances in antibiotic-based, antibiotic-free and ethnomedical treatments against MRSA wound infections to identify new clues to solve the antibiotic dilemma. One potential solution is to use ethnomedical drugs topically. Some ethnomedical drugs have been demonstrated to be effective antimicrobials against MRSA. A decline in antibiotic resistance can therefore be expected, as has been demonstrated when antibiotic-free treatments were used to limit the use of antibiotics. It is also anticipated that these drugs will have low resistance potential, although there is only minimal evidence to support this claim to date. More clinical trials and animal tests should be conducted on this topic.
Adsorption of Water on Two-Dimensional Crystals: Water/Graphene and Water/Silicatene
Authors: Burghaus Uwe
Published: April 2016

The adsorption of water on solid surfaces is a scientific evergreen which again recently prompted considerable attention in the materials, nano-, and surface science communities, respectively, due to conflicting evidence presented in the most highly regarded scientific journals. This mini review is a brief and personal perspective of the current literature (and our own data) about water adsorption for two examples, namely graphene and silicatene, which are both two-dimensional (2D) crystals. Silicatene, an inorganic companion of graphene, is intriguing as it presents us with the possibility to synthesize a 2D analog to zeolites by doping this crystalline silicon film. The wettability by water and whether or not support effects of epitaxial 2D crystals are present is of concern. Regarding applications: some 2D crystals appear promising for the hydrogen evolution reaction, i.e., hydrogen generation from water; a functionalization of graphene (by oxygen/water) to graphene oxide may be interesting for metal-free catalysis; the latest highlight in this field appears to be “icephobicity”, an application related to the hydrophobicity of surfaces.
Hinokitiol-Loaded Mesoporous Calcium Silicate Nanoparticles Induce Apoptotic Cell Death through Regulation of the Function of MDR1 in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Shen Yu-Fang , Ho Chia-Che , Shie Ming-You , Wang Kan , Fang Hsin-Yuan
Published: April 2016

Hinokitiol is a tropolone-related compound found in heartwood cupressaceous plants. Hinokitiol slows the growth of a variety of cancers through inhibition of cell proliferation. The low water solubility of hinokitiol leads to less bioavailability. This has been highlighted as a major limiting factor. In this study, mesoporous calcium silicate (MCS) nanoparticles, both pure and hinokitiol-loaded, were synthesized and their effects on A549 cells were analyzed. The results indicate that Hino-MCS nanoparticles induce apoptosis in higher concentration loads (>12.5 μg/mL) for A549 cells. Hino-MCS nanoparticles suppress gene and protein expression levels of multiple drug resistance protein 1 (MDR1). In addition, both the activity and the expression levels of caspase-3/-9 were measured in Hino-MCS nanoparticle-treated A549 cells. The Hino-MCS nanoparticles-triggered apoptosis was blocked by inhibitors of pan-caspase, caspase-3/-9, and antioxidant agents (N-acetylcysteine; NAC). The Hino-MCS nanoparticles enhance reactive oxygen species production and the protein expression levels of caspase-3/-9. Our data suggest that Hino-MCS nanoparticles trigger an intrinsic apoptotic pathway through regulating the function of MDR1 and the production of reactive oxygen species in A549 cells. Therefore, we believe that Hino-MCS nanoparticles may be efficacious in the treatment of drug-resistant human lung cancer in the future.
Antibacterial Derivatives of Marine Algae: An Overview of Pharmacological Mechanisms and Applications
Authors: Shannon Emer , Abu-Ghannam Nissreen
Published: April 2016

The marine environment is home to a taxonomically diverse ecosystem. Organisms such as algae, molluscs, sponges, corals, and tunicates have evolved to survive the high concentrations of infectious and surface-fouling bacteria that are indigenous to ocean waters. Both macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae (diatoms) contain pharmacologically active compounds such as phlorotannins, fatty acids, polysaccharides, peptides, and terpenes which combat bacterial invasion. The resistance of pathogenic bacteria to existing antibiotics has become a global epidemic. Marine algae derivatives have shown promise as candidates in novel, antibacterial drug discovery. The efficacy of these compounds, their mechanism of action, applications as antibiotics, disinfectants, and inhibitors of foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria are reviewed in this article.
Accurate Measurement of the in vivo Ammonium Concentration in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Cueto-Rojas Hugo , Maleki Seifar Reza , Ten Pierick Angela , Heijnen Sef , Wahl Aljoscha
Published: April 2016

Ammonium (NH4+) is the most common N-source for yeast fermentations, and N-limitation is frequently applied to reduce growth and increase product yields. While there is significant molecular knowledge on NH4+ transport and assimilation, there have been few attempts to measure the in vivo concentration of this metabolite. In this article, we present a sensitive and accurate analytical method to quantify the in vivo intracellular ammonium concentration in Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on standard rapid sampling and metabolomics techniques. The method validation experiments required the development of a proper sample processing protocol to minimize ammonium production/consumption during biomass extraction by assessing the impact of amino acid degradation—an element that is often overlooked. The resulting cold chloroform metabolite extraction method, together with quantification using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-IDMS), was not only more sensitive than most of the existing methods but also more accurate than methods that use electrodes, enzymatic reactions, or boiling water or boiling ethanol biomass extraction because it minimized ammonium consumption/production during sampling processing and interference from other metabolites in the quantification of intracellular ammonium. Finally, our validation experiments showed that other metabolites such as pyruvate or 2-oxoglutarate (αKG) need to be extracted with cold chloroform to avoid measurements being biased by the degradation of other metabolites (e.g., amino acids).
Identification of Subnanometric Ag Species, Their Interaction with Supports and Role in Catalytic CO Oxidation
Authors: Kotolevich Yulia , Kolobova Ekaterina , Khramov Evgeniy , Cabrera Ortega Jesús , Farías Mario , Zubavichus Yan , Zanella Rodolfo , Mota-Morales Josué , Pestryakov Alexey , Bogdanchikova Nina , Cortés Corberán Vicente
Published: April 2016

The nature and size of the real active species of nanoparticulated metal supported catalysts is still an unresolved question. The technique of choice to measure particle sizes at the nanoscale, HRTEM, has a practical limit of 1 nm. This work is aimed to identify the catalytic role of subnanometer species and methods to detect and characterize them. In this frame, we investigated the sensitivity to redox pretreatments of Ag/Fe/TiO2, Ag/Mg/TiO2 and Ag/Ce/TiO2 catalysts in CO oxidation. The joint application of HRTEM, SR-XRD, DRS, XPS, EXAFS and XANES methods indicated that most of the silver in all samples is in the form of Ag species with size <1 nm. The differences in catalytic properties and sensitivity to pretreatments, observed for the studied Ag catalysts, could not be explained taking into account only the Ag particles whose size distribution is measured by HRTEM, but may be explained by the presence of the subnanometer Ag species, undetectable by HRTEM, and their interaction with supports. This result highlights their role as active species and the need to take them into account to understand integrally the catalysis by supported nanometals.
Synergistic Effect of Functionalized Nanokaolin Decorated MWCNTs on the Performance of Cellulose Acetate (CA) Membranes Spectacular
Authors: Afzal Amina , Rafique Muhammad , Iqbal Nadeem , Qaiser Asif , Anwar Abdul , Iqbal Sadia
Published: April 2016

In order to enhance salt rejection level and high pressure mechanical integrity, functionalized nanokaolin decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes (FNKM, 0–5 wt % loading) were incorporated into a cellulose acetate (CA) matrix using high temperature solution mixing methodology. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) were used to characterize the prepared membranes. The obtained results revealed that with increasing FNKM concentration in the host polymeric matrix, composite membrane’s structural, functional, thermal, water permeation/flux and salt rejection characteristics were also modified accordingly. Percent enhancement in salt rejection was increased around threefold by adding 5 wt % FNKM in CA.
N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Improve Liver Lipid Oxidation-Related Enzyme Levels and Increased the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α Expression Level in Mice Subjected to Hemorrhagic Shock/Resuscitation
Authors: Zhang Li , Tian Feng , Gao Xuejin , Wang Xinying , Wu Chao , Li Ning , Li Jieshou
Published: April 2016

Appropriate metabolic interventions after hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation injury have not yet been identified. We aimed to examine the effects of fish oil on lipid metabolic intervention after hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation. Firstly, 48 C57BL/6 mice were assigned to six groups (n = 8 per group). The sham group did not undergo surgery, while mice in the remaining groups were sacrificed 1–5 days after hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation. In the second part, mice were treated with saline or fish oil (n = 8 per group) five days after injury. We determined serum triglyceride levels and liver tissues were collected and prepared for qRT-PCR or Western blot analysis. We found that triglyceride levels were increased five days after hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation, but decreased after addition of fish oil. After injury, the protein and gene expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, fatty acid transport protein 1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α decreased significantly in liver tissue. In contrast, after treatment with fish oil, the expression levels of these targets increased compared with those in the saline group. The present results suggest n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could improve lipid oxidation-related enzymes in liver subjected to hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation. This function is possibly accomplished through activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α pathway.
The Octyl Ester of Ginsenoside Rh2 Induces Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization via Bax Translocation
Authors: Chen Fang , Zhang Bing , Sun Yong , Xiong Zeng-Xing , Peng Han , Deng Ze-Yuan , Hu Jiang-Ning
Published: April 2016

Ginsenoside Rh2 is a potential pharmacologically active metabolite of ginseng. Previously, we have reported that an octyl ester derivative of ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2-O), has been confirmed to possess higher bioavailability and anticancer effect than Rh2 in vitro. In order to better assess the possibility that Rh2-O could be used as an anticancer compound, the underlying mechanism was investigated in this study. The present results revealed that lysosomal destabilization was involved in the early stage of cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells induced by Rh2-O. Rh2-O could induce an early lysosomal membrane permeabilization with the release of lysosomal protease cathepsins to the cytosol in HepG2 cells. The Cat B inhibitor (leu) and Cat D inhibitor (pepA) inhibited Rh2-O-induced HepG2 apoptosis as well as tBid production and Δφm depolarization, indicating that lysosomal permeabilization occurred upstream of mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, Rh2-O induced a significant increase in the protein levels of DRAM1 and Bax (p < 0.05) in lysosomes of HepG2 cells. Knockdown of Bax partially inhibited Rh2-O-induced Cat D release from lysosomes. Thus it was concluded that Rh2-O induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells through activation of the lysosomal-mitochondrial apoptotic pathway involving the translocation of Bax to the lysosome.
Synthesis of Highly Branched Polyolefins Using Phenyl Substituted α-Diimine Ni(II) Catalysts
Authors: Wang Fuzhou , Tanaka Ryo , Cai Zhengguo , Nakayama Yuushou , Shiono Takeshi
Published: April 2016

A series of α-diimine Ni(II) complexes containing bulky phenyl groups, [ArN = C(Naphth)C = NAr]NiBr2 (Naphth: 1,8-naphthdiyl, Ar = 2,6-Me2-4-PhC6H2 (C1); Ar = 2,4-Me2-6-PhC6H2 (C2); Ar = 2-Me-4,6-Ph2C6H2 (C3); Ar = 4-Me-2,6-Ph2C6H2 (C4); Ar = 4-Me-2-PhC6H3 (C5); Ar = 2,4,6-Ph3C6H2 (C6)), were synthesized and characterized. Upon activation with either diethylaluminum chloride (Et2AlCl) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), all Ni(II) complexes showed high activities in ethylene polymerization and produced highly branched amorphous polyethylene (up to 145 branches/1000 carbons). Interestingly, the sec-butyl branches were observed in polyethylene depending on polymerization temperature. Polymerization of 1-alkene (1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene and 1-hexadecene) with C1-MMAO at room temperature resulted in branched polyolefins with narrow Mw/Mn values (ca. 1.2), which suggested a living polymerization. The polymerization results indicated the possibility of precise microstructure control, depending on the polymerization temperature and types of monomers.
Biodegradable Polyphosphazene Based Peptide-Polymer Hybrids
Authors: Linhardt Anne , König Michael , Schöfberger Wolfgang , Brüggemann Oliver , Andrianov Alexander , Teasdale Ian
Published: April 2016

A novel series of peptide based hybrid polymers designed to undergo enzymatic degradation is presented, via macrosubstitution of a polyphosphazene backbone with the tetrapeptide Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly. Further co-substitution of the hybrid polymers with hydrophilic polyalkylene oxide Jeffamine M-1000 leads to water soluble and biodegradable hybrid polymers. Detailed degradation studies, via 31P NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and field flow fractionation show the polymers degrade via a combination of enzymatic, as well as hydrolytic pathways. The peptide sequence was chosen due to its known property to undergo lysosomal degradation; hence, these degradable, water soluble polymers could be of significant interest for the use as polymer therapeutics. In this context, we investigated conjugation of the immune response modifier imiquimod to the polymers via the tetrapeptide and report the self-assembly behavior of the conjugate, as well as its enzymatically triggered drug release behavior.
Modelling and Validation of Synthesis of Poly Lactic Acid Using an Alternative Energy Source through a Continuous Reactive Extrusion Process
Authors: Dubey Satya , Abhyankar Hrushikesh , Marchante Veronica , Brighton James , Blackburn Kim , Temple Clive , Bergmann Björn , Trinh Giang , David Chantal
Published: April 2016

PLA is one of the most promising bio-compostable and bio-degradable thermoplastic polymers made from renewable sources. PLA is generally produced by ring opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide using the metallic/bimetallic catalyst (Sn, Zn, and Al) or other organic catalysts in a suitable solvent. In this work, reactive extrusion experiments using stannous octoate Sn(Oct)2 and tri-phenyl phosphine (PPh)3 were considered to perform ROP of lactide. Ultrasound energy source was used for activating and/or boosting the polymerization as an alternative energy (AE) source. Ludovic® software, designed for simulation of the extrusion process, had to be modified in order to simulate the reactive extrusion of lactide and for the application of an AE source in an extruder. A mathematical model for the ROP of lactide reaction was developed to estimate the kinetics of the polymerization process. The isothermal curves generated through this model were then used by Ludovic software to simulate the “reactive” extrusion process of ROP of lactide. Results from the experiments and simulations were compared to validate the simulation methodology. It was observed that the application of an AE source boosts the polymerization of lactide monomers. However, it was also observed that the predicted residence time was shorter than the experimental one. There is potentially a case for reducing the residence time distribution (RTD) in Ludovic® due to the ‘liquid’ monomer flow in the extruder. Although this change in parameters resulted in validation of the simulation, it was concluded that further research is needed to validate this assumption.
Water Bodies’ Mapping from Sentinel-2 Imagery with Modified Normalized Difference Water Index at 10-m Spatial Resolution Produced by Sharpening the SWIR Band
Authors: Du Yun , Zhang Yihang , Ling Feng , Wang Qunming , Li Wenbo , Li Xiaodong
Published: April 2016

Monitoring open water bodies accurately is an important and basic application in remote sensing. Various water body mapping approaches have been developed to extract water bodies from multispectral images. The method based on the spectral water index, especially the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MDNWI) calculated from the green and Shortwave-Infrared (SWIR) bands, is one of the most popular methods. The recently launched Sentinel-2 satellite can provide fine spatial resolution multispectral images. This new dataset is potentially of important significance for regional water bodies’ mapping, due to its free access and frequent revisit capabilities. It is noted that the green and SWIR bands of Sentinel-2 have different spatial resolutions of 10 m and 20 m, respectively. Straightforwardly, MNDWI can be produced from Sentinel-2 at the spatial resolution of 20 m, by upscaling the 10-m green band to 20 m correspondingly. This scheme, however, wastes the detailed information available at the 10-m resolution. In this paper, to take full advantage of the 10-m information provided by Sentinel-2 images, a novel 10-m spatial resolution MNDWI is produced from Sentinel-2 images by downscaling the 20-m resolution SWIR band to 10 m based on pan-sharpening. Four popular pan-sharpening algorithms, including Principle Component Analysis (PCA), Intensity Hue Saturation (IHS), High Pass Filter (HPF) and À Trous Wavelet Transform (ATWT), were applied in this study. The performance of the proposed method was assessed experimentally using a Sentinel-2 image located at the Venice coastland. In the experiment, six water indexes, including 10-m NDWI, 20-m MNDWI and 10-m MNDWI, produced by four pan-sharpening algorithms, were compared. Three levels of results, including the sharpened images, the produced MNDWI images and the finally mapped water bodies, were analysed quantitatively. The results showed that MNDWI can enhance water bodies and suppressbuilt-up features more efficiently than NDWI. Moreover, 10-m MNDWIs produced by all four pan-sharpening algorithms can represent more detailed spatial information of water bodies than 20-m MNDWI produced by the original image. Thus, MNDWIs at the 10-m resolution can extract more accurate water body maps than 10-m NDWI and 20-m MNDWI. In addition, although HPF can produce more accurate sharpened images and MNDWI images than the other three benchmark pan-sharpening algorithms, the ATWT algorithm leads to the best 10-m water bodies mapping results. This is no necessary positive connection between the accuracy of the sharpened MNDWI image and the map-level accuracy of the resultant water body maps.
Spectral-Spatial Hyperspectral Image Classification Using Subspace-Based Support Vector Machines and Adaptive Markov Random Fields
Authors: Yu Haoyang , Gao Lianru , Li Jun , Li Shan , Zhang Bing , Benediktsson Jón
Published: April 2016

This paper introduces a new supervised classification method for hyperspectral images that combines spectral and spatial information. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier, integrated with a subspace projection method to address the problems of mixed pixels and noise, is first used to model the posterior distributions of the classes based on the spectral information. Then, the spatial information of the image pixels is modeled using an adaptive Markov random field (MRF) method. Finally, the maximum posterior probability classification is computed via the simulated annealing (SA) optimization algorithm. The combination of subspace-based SVMs and adaptive MRFs is the main contribution of this paper. The resulting methods, called SVMsub-eMRF and SVMsub-aMRF, were experimentally validated using two typical real hyperspectral data sets. The obtained results indicate that the proposed methods demonstrate superior performance compared with other classical hyperspectral image classification methods.
Design and Analysis of Cost-Efficient Sensor Deployment for Tracking Small UAS with Agent-Based Modeling
Authors: Shin Sangmi , Park Seongha , Kim Yongho , Matson Eric
Published: April 2016

Recently, commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have gained popularity. However, these UAS are potential threats to people in terms of safety in public places, such as public parks or stadiums. To reduce such threats, we consider a design, modeling, and evaluation of a cost-efficient sensor system that detects and tracks small UAS. In this research, we focus on discovering the best sensor deployments by simulating different types and numbers of sensors in a designated area, which provide reasonable detection rates at low costs. Also, the system should cover the crowded areas more thoroughly than vacant areas to reduce direct threats to people underneath. This research study utilized the Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) technique to model a system consisting of independent and heterogeneous agents that interact with each other. Our previous work presented the ability to apply ABM to analyze the sensor configurations with two types of radars in terms of cost-efficiency. The results from the ABM simulation provide a list of candidate configurations and deployments that can be referred to for applications in the real world environment.
A New Elliptical Model for Device-Free Localization
Authors: Lei Qian , Zhang Haijian , Sun Hong , Tang Linling
Published: April 2016

Device-free localization (DFL) based on wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is expected to detect and locate a person without the need for any wireless devices. Radio tomographic imaging (RTI) has attracted wide attention from researchers as an emerging important technology in WSNs. However, there is much room for improvement in localization estimation accuracy. In this paper, we propose a geometry-based elliptical model and adopt the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm. The new elliptical model uses not only line-of-sight information, but also non-line-of-sight information, which divides one ellipse into several areas with different weights. Meanwhile the OMP, which can eliminate extra bright spots in image reconstruction, is used to derive an image estimator. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm could improve the accuracy of positioning by up to 23.8% for one person and 33.3% for two persons over some state-of-the-art RTI methods.
Secure and Cost-Effective Distributed Aggregation for Mobile Sensor Networks
Authors: Guo Kehua , Zhang Ping , Ma Jianhua
Published: April 2016

Secure data aggregation (SDA) schemes are widely used in distributed applications, such as mobile sensor networks, to reduce communication cost, prolong the network life cycle and provide security. However, most SDA are only suited for a single type of statistics (i.e., summation-based or comparison-based statistics) and are not applicable to obtaining multiple statistic results. Most SDA are also inefficient for dynamic networks. This paper presents multi-functional secure data aggregation (MFSDA), in which the mapping step and coding step are introduced to provide value-preserving and order-preserving and, later, to enable arbitrary statistics support in the same query. MFSDA is suited for dynamic networks because these active nodes can be counted directly from aggregation data. The proposed scheme is tolerant to many types of attacks. The network load of the proposed scheme is balanced, and no significant bottleneck exists. The MFSDA includes two versions: MFSDA-I and MFSDA-II. The first one can obtain accurate results, while the second one is a more generalized version that can significantly reduce network traffic at the expense of less accuracy loss.
Electromyographic Patterns during Golf Swing: Activation Sequence Profiling and Prediction of Shot Effectiveness
Authors: Verikas Antanas , Vaiciukynas Evaldas , Gelzinis Adas , Parker James , Olsson M.
Published: April 2016

This study analyzes muscle activity, recorded in an eight-channel electromyographic (EMG) signal stream, during the golf swing using a 7-iron club and exploits information extracted from EMG dynamics to predict the success of the resulting shot. Muscles of the arm and shoulder on both the left and right sides, namely flexor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum communis, rhomboideus and trapezius, are considered for 15 golf players (∼5 shots each). The method using Gaussian filtering is outlined for EMG onset time estimation in each channel and activation sequence profiling. Shots of each player revealed a persistent pattern of muscle activation. Profiles were plotted and insights with respect to player effectiveness were provided. Inspection of EMG dynamics revealed a pair of highest peaks in each channel as the hallmark of golf swing, and a custom application of peak detection for automatic extraction of swing segment was introduced. Various EMG features, encompassing 22 feature sets, were constructed. Feature sets were used individually and also in decision-level fusion for the prediction of shot effectiveness. The prediction of the target attribute, such as club head speed or ball carry distance, was investigated using random forest as the learner in detection and regression tasks. Detection evaluates the personal effectiveness of a shot with respect to the player-specific average, whereas regression estimates the value of target attribute, using EMG features as predictors. Fusion after decision optimization provided the best results: the equal error rate in detection was 24.3% for the speed and 31.7% for the distance; the mean absolute percentage error in regression was 3.2% for the speed and 6.4% for the distance. Proposed EMG feature sets were found to be useful, especially when used in combination. Rankings of feature sets indicated statistics for muscle activity in both the left and right body sides, correlation-based analysis of EMG dynamics and features derived from the properties of two highest peaks as important predictors of personal shot effectiveness. Activation sequence profiles helped in analyzing muscle orchestration during golf shot, exposing a specific avalanche pattern, but data from more players are needed for stronger conclusions. Results demonstrate that information arising from an EMG signal stream is useful for predicting golf shot success, in terms of club head speed and ball carry distance, with acceptable accuracy. Surface EMG data, collected with a goal to automatically evaluate golf player’s performance, enables wearable computing in the field of ambient intelligence and has potential to enhance exercising of a long carry distance drive.
Urbanization and Sustainability: Comparison of the Processes in “BIC” Countries
Authors: Zeng Chen , Deng Xiangzheng , Dong Jianing , Hu Peiying
Published: April 2016

The urbanized world has brought social, economic, and environmental sustainability into challenged surroundings in rapidly rising countries, thereby requiring the exploration of their intertwined relationships. This study regarded Brazil, India, and China as “BIC” countries to be the representative study areas for our investigation of sustainability in the context of rapid urbanization. In general, our work was synthesized into a comparison framework in four aspects: rural–urban relation, industrial development, city development, and urban landscape pattern. We determined that rural–urban dichotomy exists in all study areas, with India and China having a high degree. China was identified as a manufacturing-based country in the past half-century, whereas Brazil and India have the service sector as their primary industry. The distribution of large cities follows a regional pattern, with Brazil being northeast-focused, China being southeast-focused, and India being comparatively balanced. The Amazon forest in the north brings great challenges to Brazil with respect to the conservation of its biodiversity and eco-environment. India and China have encountered tremendous urban expansion or sprawl in the past several decades. The sustainability issues in social, economic, and environmental aspects for Brazil, India, and China were summarized in the context of rapid urbanization to provide references for other countries.
RNA-Sequencing Reveals the Progression of Phage-Host Interactions between φR1-37 and Yersinia enterocolitica
Authors: Leskinen Katarzyna , Blasdel Bob , Lavigne Rob , Skurnik Mikael
Published: April 2016

Despite the expanding interest in bacterial viruses (bacteriophages), insights into the intracellular development of bacteriophage and its impact on bacterial physiology are still scarce. Here we investigate during lytic infection the whole-genome transcription of the giant phage vB_YecM_φR1-37 (φR1-37) and its host, the gastroenteritis causing bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica. RNA sequencing reveals that the gene expression of φR1-37 does not follow a pattern typical observed in other lytic bacteriophages, as only selected genes could be classified as typically early, middle or late genes. The majority of the genes appear to be expressed constitutively throughout infection. Additionally, our study demonstrates that transcription occurs mainly from the positive strand, while the negative strand encodes only genes with low to medium expression levels. Interestingly, we also detected the presence of antisense RNA species, as well as one non-coding intragenic RNA species. Gene expression in the phage-infected cell is characterized by the broad replacement of host transcripts with phage transcripts. However, the host response in the late phase of infection was also characterized by up-regulation of several specific bacterial gene products known to be involved in stress response and membrane stability, including the Cpx pathway regulators, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, phage- and cold-shock proteins.
Glutamic Acid Residues in HIV-1 p6 Regulate Virus Budding and Membrane Association of Gag
Authors: Friedrich Melanie , Setz Christian , Hahn Friedrich , Matthaei Alina , Fraedrich Kirsten , Rauch Pia , Henklein Petra , Traxdorf Maximilian , Fossen Torgils , Schubert Ulrich
Published: April 2016

The HIV-1 Gag p6 protein regulates the final abscission step of nascent virions from the cell membrane by the action of its two late (l-) domains, which recruit Tsg101 and ALIX, components of the ESCRT system. Even though p6 consists of only 52 amino acids, it is encoded by one of the most polymorphic regions of the HIV-1 gag gene and undergoes various posttranslational modifications including sumoylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation. In addition, it mediates the incorporation of the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr into budding virions. Despite its small size, p6 exhibits an unusually high charge density. In this study, we show that mutation of the conserved glutamic acids within p6 increases the membrane association of Pr55 Gag followed by enhanced polyubiquitination and MHC-I antigen presentation of Gag-derived epitopes, possibly due to prolonged exposure to membrane bound E3 ligases. The replication capacity of the total glutamic acid mutant E0A was almost completely impaired, which was accompanied by defective virus release that could not be rescued by ALIX overexpression. Altogether, our data indicate that the glutamic acids within p6 contribute to the late steps of viral replication and may contribute to the interaction of Gag with the plasma membrane.
HIV-1 Mutation and Recombination Rates Are Different in Macrophages and T-cells
Authors: Cromer Deborah , Schlub Timothy , Smyth Redmond , Grimm Andrew , Chopra Abha , Mallal Simon , Davenport Miles , Mak Johnson
Published: April 2016

High rates of mutation and recombination help human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to evade the immune system and develop resistance to antiretroviral therapy. Macrophages and T-cells are the natural target cells of HIV-1 infection. A consensus has not been reached as to whether HIV replication results in differential recombination between primary T-cells and macrophages. Here, we used HIV with silent mutation markers along with next generation sequencing to compare the mutation and the recombination rates of HIV directly in T lymphocytes and macrophages. We observed a more than four-fold higher recombination rate of HIV in macrophages compared to T-cells (p < 0.001) and demonstrated that this difference is not due to different reliance on C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) co-receptors between T-cells and macrophages. We also found that the pattern of recombination across the HIV genome (hot and cold spots) remains constant between T-cells and macrophages despite a three-fold increase in the overall recombination rate. This indicates that the difference in rates is a general feature of HIV DNA synthesis during macrophage infection. In contrast to HIV recombination, we found that T-cells have a 30% higher mutation rate than macrophages (p < 0.001) and that the mutational profile is similar between these cell types. Unexpectedly, we found no association between mutation and recombination in macrophages, in contrast to T-cells. Our data highlights some of the fundamental difference of HIV recombination and mutation amongst these two major target cells of infection. Understanding these differences will provide invaluable insights toward HIV evolution and how the virus evades immune surveillance and anti-retroviral therapeutics.
Community Perspective on Consultation on Urban Stormwater Management: Lessons from Brownhill Creek, South Australia
Authors: Dillon Peter , Bellchambers Ron , Meyer Wayne , Ellis Rod
Published: April 2016

There are salutary lessons from contrasting community consultation efforts in 2011 and 2015 to develop and gain support for an urban stormwater management plan for the Brownhill Creek catchment in Adelaide, South Australia. The 2011 process was a failure in the human dimension, precipitating loss of community confidence, unnecessarily entrained thousands of hours of time of residents who initiated a community action group for environmental conservation and caused a three-year delay to decision making. By contrast, the 2015 process was vastly improved, resulted in a landslide level of support for an obvious option not previously offered, achieved the required level of flood protection, saved Aus$5 million (14%) on the previously proposed option and protected a highly valued natural environment from an unnecessary dam. This paper presents a rarely heard perspective on these community consultation processes from a participating community environmental and heritage conservation action group (the Brownhill Creek Association) that was deeply engaged in reforming the Draft Brown Hill Keswick Creek Stormwater Management Plan. This reveals that the community needs to see that all options are considered and to have access to accurate information with which to assess them. It is also necessary that the proposed plan is consistent with existing agreed plans and policies developed through public consultation. Community concerns need to be heard, acknowledged and acted upon or responded to, and the consultation process needs to be transparently fair and democratic to win community support. A major contributor to success in the second consultation was that all community action groups were invited to meetings to discuss the purpose of the consultation and the methods to be used. Feedback was subsequently received before the process commenced to show what had changed and why any suggestions concerning the consultation process were not being adopted. This openness helped to mend the distrust of the first consultation process and is recommended as an essential early step in any public consultation process.
Plasticity and Aggregation of Juvenile Porcine Islets in Modified Culture: Preliminary Observations
Authors: Weegman Bradley P. , Taylor Michael J. , Baicu Simona C. , Mueller Kate , O'brien Timothy D. , Wilson John , Papas Klearchos K.
Published: April 2016

Diabetes is a major health problem worldwide, and there is substantial interest in developing xenogeneic islet transplantation as a potential treatment. The potential to relieve the demand on an inadequate supply of human pancreata is dependent upon the efficiency of techniques for isolating and culturing islets from the source pancreata. Porcine islets are favored for xenotransplantation, but mature pigs (>2 years) present logistic and economic challenges, and young pigs (3–6 months) have not yet proven to be an adequate source. In this study, islets were isolated from 20 juvenile porcine pancreata (~3 months; 25 kg Yorkshire pigs) immediately following procurement or after 24 h of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) preservation. The resulting islet preparations were characterized using a battery of tests during culture in silicone rubber membrane flasks. Islet biology assessment included oxygen consumption, insulin secretion, histopathology, and in vivo function. Islet yields were highest from HMP-preserved pancreata (2,242 ± 449 IEQ/g). All preparations comprised a high proportion (>90%) of small islets (<100 μm), and purity was on average 63 ± 6%. Morphologically, islets appeared as clusters on day 0, loosely disaggregated structures at day 1, and transitioned to aggregated structures comprising both exocrine and endocrine cells by day 6. Histopathology confirmed both insulin and glucagon staining in cultures and grafts excised after transplantation in mice. Nuclear staining (Ki-67) confirmed mitotic activity consistent with the observed plasticity of these structures. Metabolic integrity was demonstrated by oxygen consumption rates = 175 ± 16 nmol/min/mg DNA, and physiological function was intact by glucose stimulation after 6–8 days in culture. In vivo function was confirmed with blood glucose control achieved in nearly 50% (8/17) of transplants. Preparation and culture of juvenile porcine islets as a source for islet transplantation require specialized conditions. These immature islets undergo plasticity in culture and form fully functional multicellular structures. Further development of this method for culturing immature porcine islets is expected to generate small pancreatic tissue-derived organoids termed “pancreatites,” as a therapeutic product from juvenile pigs for xenotransplantation and diabetes research.
Barriers and Facilitators of Utilizing Research Among Nurses in Nepal
Authors: KC Srijana , Subramaniam Prithwi Raj , Paudel Sarita
Published: April 2016

Background:

This study determined the perceived barriers to and facilitators of Nepalese nurses in utilizing research in the workplace. Evidence-based nursing practice provides the synergy for high-quality patient care, but it does not seem to be the case in underdeveloped countries, such as Nepal.

Method:

A descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 97 nurses from Nepal was conducted. Data were collected using the BARRIERS Scale and a facilitator questionnaire.

Results:

The top three barriers to research utilization in Nepalese nurses are (a) research reports and articles are not readily available (80.5%), (b) inadequate facilities for implementation (75.3%), and (c) research reports and articles are not published fast enough (71.6%). The top three facilitators perceived to encourage Nepalese nurses to utilize or participate in research are (a) initiation of nursing research projects (27.4%), (b) educational update on research methods (16.7%), and (c) provision of funding for research (15.5%).

Conclusion:

Findings from this study mirror the barriers to research utilization experienced by nurses in other countries. Macro- and micro-level support are needed to foster a culture of evidence-based practice among Nepalese nurses to empower them in making informed decisions based on research in providing quality patient care.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2016;47(4):171–179.
Sleep Disturbances in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Updated Review and Implications for Treatment
Authors: Koffel Erin , Khawaja Imran S. , Germain Anne
Published: April 2016

Sleep disturbances are common in adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and range from insomnia and nightmares to periodic leg movements and disruptive nocturnal behaviors. Together, these findings suggest profound disturbances in rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep, although there is a lack of consensus regarding a distinct profile of objective sleep disturbances associated with PTSD. Prospective longitudinal studies have established that sleep disturbances represent a risk factor for the development and course of PTSD, suggesting that sleep is an important neurobiologic mechanism in the etiology and maintenance of this disorder. This research highlights the importance of early identification and treatment of sleep disturbances in at-risk and trauma-exposed populations. A number of psychologic and pharmacologic treatments are effective at treating sleep disturbances in PTSD. Additional research is needed to further develop clinical guidelines informing when and how to integrate sleep-specific treatment with PTSD-focused clinical care.

[
Psychiatr Ann
. 2016;46(3):173–176.]
Application of the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Model with Community-Based Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Söylemez Burcu Akpinar , Küçükgüçlü Özlem , Buckwalter Kathleen C.
Published: April 2016

The Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) is a conceptual model for reducing behavioral symptoms in individuals with dementia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PLST-based intervention on burden, symptoms of depression, and quality of life (QOL) of caregivers, as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms and QOL of individuals with dementia. A randomized controlled trial was used. Sixty-five participants completed the study. Although variables examined in caregivers in the intervention group showed statistically significant improvement throughout follow up, there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and comparison groups. In addition, no statistically significant difference was noted between groups for patient variables. Care based on the PLST model was clinically effective in decreasing caregiver burden and depression of family members, and in increasing their QOL, but no more effective than routine care. [
Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42
(7), 44–54.]
Early Experience and Initial Outcomes With Patient-Specific Spine Rods for Adult Spinal Deformity
Authors: Barton Cameron , Noshchenko Andriy , Patel Vikas , Kleck Christopher , Burger Evalina
Published: April 2016

The objectives of this study were to describe the process of preoperative planning and using patient-specific rods. This retrospective case series involved 18 patients with adult spinal deformity who were treated with posterior instrumentation and spine fusion, with lumbar or thoracic osteotomies, using patient-specific rods. Data extracted included demographic/surgical variables and preoperative, predicted (surgical plan), and postoperative spinopelvic parameters. The outcome analysis involved assessment of preoperative, planned, and postoperative variables. Treatment effect evaluation involved assessing differences between preoperative and postoperative values and correspondence between planned and achieved results. Surgery using preoperative planned patient-specific rods led to excellent adult spinal deformity correction and spinopelvic alignment. [
Orthopedics.
2016; 39(2):79–86.]
Patient-Specific Templating of Lumbar Total Disk Replacement to Restore Normal Anatomy and Function
Authors: Fattor Jill A. , Hollenbeck Justin F. M. , Laz Peter J. , Rullkoetter Paul J. , Burger Evalina L. , Patel Vikas V. , Cain Christopher M. J.
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study was to develop a tool to determine optimal placement and size for total disk replacements (TDRs) to improve patient outcomes of pain and function. The authors developed a statistical shape model to determine the anatomical variables that influence the placement, function, and outcome of lumbar TDR. A patient-specific finite element analysis model has been developed that is now used prospectively to identify patients suitable for TDR and to create a surgical template to facilitate implant placement to optimize range of motion and clinical outcomes. Patient factors and surgical techniques that determine success regarding function and pain are discussed in this article. [
Orthopedics.
2016; 39(2):97–102.]