bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Options for the Management of Postprandial Glucose in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes on Basal Insulin
Authors: Hinnen Debbie A.
Published: October 2015

In Brief For patients with type 2 diabetes who require add-on therapy to metformin plus basal insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists may be a favorable option because they effectively manage postprandial glucose, reduce body weight, and have an overall favorable safety profile compared to other agents. Given the wide range of treatment combinations available for type 2 diabetes management, health professionals must partner with patients to determine the best choices based on patients’ individual lifestyle, resources, and treatment goals.
Quadriceps Strength, Muscle Activation Failure, and Patient-Reported Function at the Time of Return to Activity in Patients Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Lepley Lindsey K. , Palmieri-Smith Riann M.
Published: October 2015

Study Design

Cross-sectional.

Objectives

To determine if quadriceps activation failure (QAF) moderates the relationship between quadriceps strength and physical function in individuals following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Background

Quadriceps activation failure may impair the recovery of physical function after ACL reconstruction, given that QAF reduces strength and strength is related to physical function. Evidence of this relationship has been found in individuals with knee osteoarthritis, wherein patients with lower strength and greater QAF had lower levels of physical function.

Methods

Participants consisted of 52 individuals who were cleared for return to activity at an average ± SD of 7.4 ± 1.2 months post-ACL reconstruction. Quadriceps activation failure was assessed using the superimposed burst technique, and quadriceps strength was assessed using concentric isokinetic contractions (Newton meters per kilogram). Physical function was quantified using a combined variable of a physical measure (single-leg hop for distance) and a self-reported function measure (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] Subjective Knee Evaluation Form), calculated using a principal-component analysis. Simple correlations were then performed to determine the order in which variables were entered into the regression model to evaluate if QAF moderates the relationship between quadriceps strength and physical function.

Results

The combination of quadriceps strength and the interaction of strength by QAF predicted 30% of the variance in physical function (R2 = 0.30, P<.001; principal-component analysis, −0.61strength + 0.02interaction −1.896); however, the interaction of strength by QAF only accounted for 7% of the capabilities of the model (P = .023).

Conclusion

Physical function is largely influenced by the recovery of quadriceps strength and minimally attenuated by QAF. These data suggest that QAF may affect individuals post-ACL reconstruction differently, and to a lesser extent, than individuals with knee osteoarthritis. This trial was prospectively registered in a public registry (NCT01555567). J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(12):1017–1025. Epub 15 Oct 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5753
Eccentric or Concentric Exercises for the Treatment of Tendinopathies?
Authors: Couppé Christian , Svensson René B. , Silbernagel Karin Grävare , Langberg Henning , Magnusson S. Peter
Published: October 2015

Synopsis

Tendinopathy is a very common disorder in both recreational and elite athletes. Many individuals have recurrent symptoms that lead to chronic conditions and termination of sports activity. Exercise has become a popular and somewhat efficacious treatment regime, and isolated eccentric exercise has been particularly promoted. In this clinical commentary, we review the relevant evidence for different exercise regimes in tendinopathy rehabilitation, with particular focus on the applied loads that are experienced by the tendon and how the exercise regime may affect these applied loads. There is no convincing clinical evidence to demonstrate that isolated eccentric loading exercise improves clinical outcomes more than other loading therapies. However, the great variation and sometimes insufficient reporting of the details of treatment protocols may hamper the interpretation of what may be the optimal exercise regime with respect to parameters such as load magnitude, speed of movement, and recovery period between exercise sessions. Future studies should control for these loading parameters, evaluate various exercise dosages, and think beyond isolated eccentric exercises to arrive at firm recommendations regarding rehabilitation of individuals with tendinopathies. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(11):853–863. Epub 14 Oct 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5910
Outcome Evaluation in Tendinopathy: Foundations of Assessment and a Summary of Selected Measures
Authors: Macdermid Joy C. , Silbernagel Karin Grävare
Published: October 2015

Synopsis

Clinical measurement studies that address outcome evaluation for patients with tendinopathy should consider conceptual, clinical, practical, and measurement issues to guide the selection of valid measures. Clinical outcomes reported in research studies can provide benchmarks that assist with interpretation of scores during clinical decision making. Given the pathophysiology and functional impacts of tendinopathy, there is a need for outcome measures that assess physical impairments, activity performance, and patient-reported symptoms and function. Tendinopathy-specific patient-reported outcome measures have been shown to be superior to more generic tools for some conditions, such as lateral epicondyle tendinopathy (Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation) and Achilles tendinopathy (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles), whereas both generic shoulder outcome measures and disease-specific measures perform similarly in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy. A patient-reported outcome measure that captures pain and limitation in function should be fundamental to outcome evaluation in patients with tendinopathy. The current measurement literature does not yet provide comprehensive empirical data to define optimal outcome measures for all types of tendinopathy. This article reviews concepts, instruments, and measurement properties that should provide clinicians with a foundation for assessment of condition severity and treatment outcomes in patients with tendinopathy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(11):950–964. Epub 15 Oct 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.6054
Brain injury in sports
Authors: Lloyd John , Conidi Frank
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

Helmets are used for sports, military, and transportation to protect against impact forces and associated injuries. The common belief among end users is that the helmet protects the whole head, including the brain. However, current consensus among biomechanists and sports neurologists indicates that helmets do not provide significant protection against concussion and brain injuries. In this paper the authors present existing scientific evidence on the mechanisms underlying traumatic head and brain injuries, along with a biomechanical evaluation of 21 current and retired football helmets.

METHODS

The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standard test apparatus was modified and validated for impact testing of protective headwear to include the measurement of both linear and angular kinematics. From a drop height of 2.0 m onto a flat steel anvil, each football helmet was impacted 5 times in the occipital area.

RESULTS

Skull fracture risk was determined for each of the current varsity football helmets by calculating the percentage reduction in linear acceleration relative to a 140-g skull fracture threshold. Risk of subdural hematoma was determined by calculating the percentage reduction in angular acceleration relative to the bridging vein failure threshold, computed as a function of impact duration. Ranking the helmets according to their performance under these criteria, the authors determined that the Schutt Vengeance performed the best overall.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings demonstrated that not all football helmets provide equal or adequate protection against either focal head injuries or traumatic brain injuries. In fact, some of the most popular helmets on the field ranked among the worst. While protection is improving, none of the current or retired varsity football helmets can provide absolute protection against brain injuries, including concussions and subdural hematomas. To maximize protection against head and brain injuries for football players of all ages, the authors propose thresholds for all sports helmets based on a peak linear acceleration no greater than 90 g and a peak angular acceleration not exceeding 1700 rad/sec2.
Deficiency of tenascin-C and attenuation of blood-brain barrier disruption following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in mice
Authors: Fujimoto Masashi , Shiba Masato , Kawakita Fumihiro , Liu Lei , Shimojo Naoshi , Imanaka-Yoshida Kyoko , Yoshida Toshimichi , Suzuki Hidenori
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

Tenascin-C (TNC), a matricellular protein, is induced in the brain following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The authors investigated if TNC causes brain edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption following experimental SAH.

METHODS

C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) or TNC knockout (TNKO) mice were subjected to SAH by endovascular puncture. Ninety-seven mice were randomly allocated to WT sham-operated (n = 16), TNKO sham-operated (n = 16), WT SAH (n = 34), and TNKO SAH (n = 31) groups. Mice were examined by means of neuroscore and brain water content 24–48 hours post-SAH; and Evans blue dye extravasation and Western blotting of TNC, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and zona occludens (ZO)-1 at 24 hours post-SAH. As a separate study, 16 mice were randomized to WT sham-operated, TNKO sham-operated, WT SAH, and TNKO SAH groups (n = 4 in each group), and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was immunohistochemically evaluated at 24 hours post-SAH. Moreover, 40 TNKO mice randomly received an intracerebroventricular injection of TNC or phosphate-buffered saline, and effects of exogenous TNC on brain edema and BBB disruption following SAH were studied.

RESULTS

Deficiency of endogenous TNC prevented neurological impairments, brain edema formation, and BBB disruption following SAH; it was also associated with the inhibition of both MMP-9 induction and ZO-1 degradation. Endogenous TNC deficiency also inhibited post-SAH MAPK activation in brain capillary endothelial cells. Exogenous TNC treatment abolished the neuroprotective effects shown in TNKO mice with SAH.

CONCLUSIONS

Tenascin-C may be an important mediator in the development of brain edema and BBB disruption following SAH, mechanisms for which may involve MAPK-mediated MMP-9 induction and ZO-1 degradation. TNC could be a molecular target against which to develop new therapies for SAH-induced brain injuries.
Contiguous triple spinal dysraphism associated with Chiari malformation Type II and hydrocephalus: an embryological conundrum between the unified theory of Pang and the unified theory of McLone
Authors: Dhandapani Sivashanmugam , Srinivasan Anirudh
Published: October 2015

Triple spinal dysraphism is extremely rare. There are published reports of multiple discrete neural tube defects with intervening normal segments that are explained by the multisite closure theory of primary neurulation, having an association with Chiari malformation Type II consistent with the unified theory of McLone. The authors report on a 1-year-old child with contiguous myelomeningocele and lipomyelomeningocele centered on Type I split cord malformation with Chiari malformation Type II and hydrocephalus. This composite anomaly is probably due to select abnormalities of the neurenteric canal during gastrulation, with a contiguous cascading impact on both dysjunction of the neural tube and closure of the neuropore, resulting in a small posterior fossa, probably bringing the unified theory of McLone closer to the unified theory of Pang.
Conceptualizing and Mapping Geocultural Space
Authors: Stadler Jane
Published: October 2015

This essay seeks to critically conceptualize the term geocultural space and the emerging field of study with which it is associated by exploring the various ways in which such space is currently being mapped by researchers using digital humanities tools and methods. In drawing together intersecting interests in Geographic Information Systems and spatio-cultural narratives and experiences, this work defines an interdisciplinary field of research that is gathering momentum as geolocative technologies that shape and reshape the ways in which we perceive and experience the world become increasingly prevalent in academic life and in the cultural mainstream.
Remote Locations: Early Scottish Scenic Films and Geo-databases
Authors: Vélez-Serna Maria A. , Caughie John
Published: October 2015

In the field of cinema history, an increased interest in social experience and context has challenged the centrality of the film and the primacy of textual analysis. The ‘Early Cinema in Scotland, 1896–1927’ research project takes a contextual approach, using geo-database tools to facilitate collaboration. This article shows how spatially-enabled methods can also be mobilized to bring issues of representation back into a cinema history project. We argue that, when the films have not survived, their geographical descriptors as recorded by trade-press reviews and catalogues offer new avenues of analysis. The article argues that foregrounding location as a significant element in the film corpus creates a new point of interconnection between film text and context. The juxtapositions and divergences between the spatial patterns of film production and cinema exhibition are connected to pre-cinematic traditions of representation. The spatial distribution also sheds light on the differences between films made for local and international consumption, reflecting on Scotland's position in relation to discourses of modernity.
Towards a GIS Analysis of Literary Cultures: The Making of the Slovenian Ethnoscape Through Literature
Authors: Juvan Marko , Dokler Joh
Published: October 2015

This article presents methodological starting points, heuristics and the results of a GIS-based analysis of the history of Slovenian literary culture from the 1780s to 1941. The ethnically Slovenian territory was multilingual and multicultural; it belonged to different state entities with distant capitals, which was reflected in the spatial dynamic of literary culture. The research results have confirmed the hypotheses of the research project ‘The Space of Slovenian Literary Culture,’ which were based on postulates of the spatial turn: the socio-geographical space influenced the development of literature and its media, whereas literature itself, through its discourse, practices and institutions, had a reciprocal influence on the apprehension and structuring of that space, as well as on its connection with the broader region. Slovenian literary discourse was able to manifest itself in public predominantly through the history of spatial factors: (a) the formation, territorial expansion and concentration of the social network of literary actors and media; (b) the persistent references of literary texts to places that were recognized by addressees as Slovenian, thereby grounding a national ideology. Taking all of this into account, and based on meta-theoretical reflection, the project aims to contribute to the development of digital humanities and spatial literary studies.
Acts of Perception: Samuel Becket, Time, Space and the Digital Literary Atlas of Ireland, 1922–1949
Authors: Travis Charles
Published: October 2015

Situated in the wake of the first and second waves of the Digital Humanities, the Digital Literary Atlas of Ireland, 1922–1949 website provides interactive mapping and timeline features for academics and members of the public who are interested in the intersection of Irish literary culture, history, and environment. The site hosts Google Earth software produced interfaces with the EXHIBIT Timeline functions made available by the Semantic Interoperability of Metadata and Information in unLike Environments (SIMILE) project, developed and hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and Library. This paper's case study maps the biographical lifepath of the writer Samuel Beckett using digital humanities techniques such as ergodicity, and deformance. The geo-digital-timeline mapping of his biography allows us to visualize the shift in Beckett's literary perspective from a latent Cartesian verisimilitude to more phenomenological and fragmented, existential impressions of time and place. The atlas's visualizations of his Wanderjahre years in various European metropoles chart the intellectual and aesthetic influences shaping the Beckettian literary landscapes of his later and better-known works, such as En Attendant Godot (1953). Beckett's thought, works, and shifts in perception provide insight into how digital cultural mapping practices and third wave digital humanities methodologies and tools can be conceptualized and operationalized.
Maps and Mobilities: On the Possibilities and Limits of Spatial Technologies for Humanities Research
Authors: Brennan-Horley Chris
Published: October 2015

This paper explores the limits of spatial representation for understanding historic mobilities in a rural Australian setting. For this research, an historical GIS was populated from paper map archives denoting where and when bitumen roads were sealed in the Bega Valley, NSW. Using existing geospatial methods, a temporally sensitive network analysis was conducted, revealing a picture of regional mobility reshaped by modernist infrastructure improvements. Yet a straightforward binary pitting sealed roads as ‘good’ vs unsealed roads as ‘bad’ was challenged in subsequent qualitative interviews with long-time residents. Instead, a range of opinions emerged about the role that differing road surfaces played in everyday and historic mobilities. A fuller picture of the motivations and cultural associations of bitumen vs dirt road driving resulted from deploying humanities research methods of interviewing and discourse analysis. Such an approach revealed preferences and motivations that sometimes challenged inferences gained from mapping results alone. There are limits then in relying solely on historical cartographic data to produce maps and spatial representations and existing humanities techniques may hold, in some instances, greater explanatory power.
The Role of the Transcriptional Regulation of Stromal Cells in Chronic Inflammation
Authors: Valin Alvaro , Pablos José
Published: October 2015

Chronic inflammation is a common process connecting pathologies that vary in their etiology and pathogenesis such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infections. The response of the immune system to tissue damage involves a carefully choreographed series of cellular interactions between immune and non-immune cells. In recent years, it has become clear that stromal resident cells have an essential role perpetuating the inflammatory environment and dictating in many cases the outcome of inflammatory based pathologies. Signal transduction pathways remain the main focus of study to understand how stimuli contribute to perpetuating the inflammatory response, mainly due to their potential role as therapeutic targets. However, molecular events orchestrated in the nucleus by transcription factors add additional levels of complexity and may be equally important for understanding the phenotypic differences of activated stromal components during the chronic inflammatory process. In this review, we focus on the contribution of transcription factors to the selective regulation of inducible proinflammatory genes, with special attention given to the regulation of the stromal fibroblastic cell function and response.
Tailoring a High Temperature Corrosion Resistant FeNiCrAl for Oxy-Combustion Application by Thermal Spray Coating and HIP
Authors: Metsäjoki Jarkko , Oksa Maria , Tuurna Satu , Lagerbom Juha , Virta Jouko , Yli-Olli Sanni , Suhonen Tomi
Published: October 2015

Oxy-fuel combustion combined with CCS (carbon capture and storage) aims to decrease CO2 emissions in energy production using fossil fuels. Oxygen firing changes power plant boiler conditions compared to conventional firing. Higher material temperatures and harsher and more variable environmental conditions cause new degradation processes that are inadequately understood at the moment. In this study, an Fe-Ni-Cr-Al alloy was developed based on thermodynamic simulations. The chosen composition was manufactured as powder by gas atomization. The powder was sieved into two fractions: The finer was used to produce thermal spray coatings by high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and the coarser to manufacture bulk specimens by hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The high temperature corrosion properties of the manufactured FeNiCrAl coating and bulk material were tested in laboratory conditions simulating oxy-combustion. The manufacturing methods and the results of high temperature corrosion performance are presented. The corrosion performance of the coating was on average between the bulk steel references Sanicro 25 and TP347HFG.
A Novel Image Encryption Algorithm Based on DNA Encoding and Spatiotemporal Chaos
Authors: Song Chunyan , Qiao Yulong
Published: October 2015

DNA computing based image encryption is a new, promising field. In this paper, we propose a novel image encryption scheme based on DNA encoding and spatiotemporal chaos. In particular, after the plain image is primarily diffused with the bitwise Exclusive-OR operation, the DNA mapping rule is introduced to encode the diffused image. In order to enhance the encryption, the spatiotemporal chaotic system is used to confuse the rows and columns of the DNA encoded image. The experiments demonstrate that the proposed encryption algorithm is of high key sensitivity and large key space, and it can resist brute-force attack, entropy attack, differential attack, chosen-plaintext attack, known-plaintext attack and statistical attack.
A Thermodynamic Entropy Approach to Reliability Assessment with Applications to Corrosion Fatigue
Authors: Imanian Anahita , Modarres Mohammad
Published: October 2015

This paper outlines a science-based explanation of damage and reliability of critical components and structures within the second law of thermodynamics. The approach relies on the fundamentals of irreversible thermodynamics, specifically the concept of entropy generation as an index of degradation and damage in materials. All damage mechanisms share a common feature, namely energy dissipation. Dissipation, a fundamental measure for irreversibility in a thermodynamic treatment of non-equilibrium processes, is quantified by entropy generation. An entropic-based damage approach to reliability and integrity characterization is presented and supported by experimental validation. Using this theorem, which relates entropy generation to dissipative phenomena, the corrosion fatigue entropy generation function is derived, evaluated, and employed for structural integrity and reliability assessment of aluminum 7075-T651 specimens.
Method for Measuring the Information Content of Terrain from Digital Elevation Models
Authors: Hu Lujin , He Zongyi , Liu Jiping , Zheng Chunhua
Published: October 2015

As digital terrain models are indispensable for visualizing and modeling geographic processes, terrain information content is useful for terrain generalization and representation. For terrain generalization, if the terrain information is considered, the generalized terrain may be of higher fidelity. In other words, the richer the terrain information at the terrain surface, the smaller the degree of terrain simplification. Terrain information content is also important for evaluating the quality of the rendered terrain, e.g., the rendered web terrain tile service in Google Maps (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA). However, a unified definition and measures for terrain information content have not been established. Therefore, in this paper, a definition and measures for terrain information content from Digital Elevation Model (DEM, i.e., a digital model or 3D representation of a terrain’s surface) data are proposed and are based on the theory of map information content, remote sensing image information content and other geospatial information content. The information entropy was taken as the information measuring method for the terrain information content. Two experiments were carried out to verify the measurement methods of the terrain information content. One is the analysis of terrain information content in different geomorphic types, and the results showed that the more complex the geomorphic type, the richer the terrain information content. The other is the analysis of terrain information content with different resolutions, and the results showed that the finer the resolution, the richer the terrain information. Both experiments verified the reliability of the measurements of the terrain information content proposed in this paper.
Mapping and Measuring European Local Governments’ Priorities for a Sustainable and Low-Carbon Energy Future
Authors: Grafakos Stelios , Enseñado Elena , Flamos Alexandros , Rotmans Jan
Published: October 2015

The main objective of this article is to assess the priorities of local governments (LGs) in Europe regarding climate change mitigation technologies evaluation in the electricity sector and to provide important insights for energy policy design. The study applies a hybrid weighting methodology to elicit LGs’ preferences in a constructive and iterative way regarding the evaluation criteria of low-carbon energy technologies. Furthermore, the study employs three data collection and preference elicitation methods, namely: survey, workshop, and webinar. The study was conducted across thirty one (31) European LGs that were categorized according to three variables: population size, geographical region and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. The analysis shows that “CO2 emissions” is the most important criterion among European LGs, followed by “mortality and morbidity” and “ecosystem damages”. The results illustrate the potential synergies of climate and energy policies for addressing both CO2 emissions and air pollution. It was also found, based on a correlation analysis, that LGs with higher GDP per capita tend to provide higher weights to criteria related to security of energy supply and technological innovation. The current study provides insights on the actual LGs’ priorities that are important to consider during low-carbon energy technologies evaluation and energy policy design. Interestingly, the results of the European LGs’ preferences clearly show that the EU climate policy objectives have reached different levels of governance—and at this particular case, the local level. Furthermore, the developed methodology could be applied at different geographical regions to map other regions’ LG priorities, but also at a group decision making context to elicit relevant stakeholders’ preferences regarding low-carbon energy technologies and policy objectives.
Interprofessional Learning as a Third Space: Rethinking Health Profession Students’ Development and Identity through the Concepts of Homi Bhabha
Authors: Sterrett Susan
Published: October 2015

Homi K. Bhabha is a post-colonial and cultural theorist who describes the emergence of new cultural forms from multiculturalism. When health profession students enculturated into their profession discuss patient care in an interprofessional group, their unilateral view is challenged. The students are in that ambiguous area, or Third Space, where statements of their profession’s view of the patient enmesh and an interprofessional identity begins to form. The lessons learned from others ways of assessing and treating a patient, seen through the lens of hybridity allow for the development of a richer, interprofessional identity. This manuscript will seek out the ways Bhabha’s views of inbetweenness enhance understanding of the student’s development of an interprofessional viewpoint or identity, and deepen the author’s developing framework of an Interprofessional Community of Practice.
Trace Elements Speciation of Submicron Particulate Matter (PM1) Collected in the Surroundings of Power Plants
Authors: Zajusz-Zubek Elwira , Kaczmarek Konrad , Mainka Anna
Published: October 2015

This study reports the concentrations of PM1 trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Se) content in highly mobile (F1), mobile (F2), less mobile (F3) and not mobile (F4) fractions in samples that were collected in the surroundings of power plants in southern Poland. It also reports source identification by enrichment factors (EF) and a principal component analysis (PCA). There is limited availability of scientific data concerning the chemical composition of dust, including fractionation analyses of trace elements, in the surroundings of power plants. The present study offers important results in order to fill this data gap. The data collected in this study can be utilized to validate air quality models in this rapidly developing area. They are also crucial for comparisons with datasets from similar areas all over the world. Moreover, the identification of the bioavailability of selected carcinogenic and toxic elements in the future might be used as output data for potential biological and population research on risk assessment. This is important in the context of air pollution being hazardous to human health.
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Rapid Generation of Multiple Mouse Lines Identified Ccdc63 as Essential for Spermiogenesis
Authors: Young Samantha , Miyata Haruhiko , Satouh Yuhkoh , Kato Hirotaka , Nozawa Kaori , Isotani Ayako , Aitken R. , Baker Mark , Ikawa Masahito
Published: October 2015

Spermatozoa are flagellated cells whose role in fertilization is dependent on their ability to move towards an oocyte. The structure of the sperm flagella is highly conserved across species, and much of what is known about this structure is derived from studies utilizing animal models. One group of proteins essential for the movement of the flagella are the dyneins. Using the advanced technology of CRISPR/Cas9 we have targeted three dynein group members; Dnaic1, Wdr63 and Ccdc63 in mice. All three of these genes are expressed strongly in the testis. We generated mice with amino acid substitutions in Dnaic1 to analyze two specific phosphorylation events at S124 and S127, and generated simple knockouts of Wdr63 and Ccdc63. We found that the targeted phosphorylation sites in Dnaic1 were not essential for male fertility. Similarly, Wdr63 was not essential for male fertility; however, Ccdc63 removal resulted in sterile male mice due to shortened flagella. This study demonstrates the versatility of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate animal models of a highly complex system by introducing point mutations and simple knockouts in a fast and efficient manner.
Reformulated First Zagreb Index of Some Graph Operations
Authors: De Nilanjan , Nayeem Sk. , Pal Anita
Published: October 2015

The reformulated Zagreb indices of a graph are obtained from the classical Zagreb indices by replacing vertex degrees with edge degrees, where the degree of an edge is taken as the sum of degrees of the end vertices of the edge minus 2. In this paper, we study the behavior of the reformulated first Zagreb index and apply our results to different chemically interesting molecular graphs and nano-structures.
Membrane Binding and Modulation of the PDZ Domain of PICK1
Authors: Erlendsson Simon , Madsen Kenneth
Published: October 2015

Scaffolding proteins serve to assemble protein complexes in dynamic processes by means of specific protein-protein and protein-lipid binding domains. Many of these domains bind either proteins or lipids exclusively; however, it has become increasingly evident that certain domains are capable of binding both. Especially, many PDZ domains, which are highly abundant protein-protein binding domains, bind lipids and membranes. Here we provide an overview of recent large-scale studies trying to generalize and rationalize the binding patterns as well as specificity of PDZ domains towards membrane lipids. Moreover, we review how these PDZ-membrane interactions are regulated in the case of the synaptic scaffolding protein PICK1 and how this might affect cellular localization and function.
Manufacturing and Characterization of a Thermoelectric Energy Harvester Using the CMOS-MEMS Technology
Authors: Peng Shih-Wen , Shih Po-Jen , Dai Ching-Liang
Published: October 2015

The fabrication and characterization of a thermoelectric energy harvester using the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology were presented. The thermoelectric energy harvester is composed of eight circular energy harvesting cells, and each cell consists of 25 thermocouples in series. The thermocouples are made of p-type and n-type polysilicons. The output power of the energy harvester relies on the number of the thermocouples. In order to enhance the output power, the energy harvester increases the thermocouple number per area. The energy harvester requires a post-CMOS process to etch the sacrificial silicon dioxide layer and the silicon substrate to release the suspended structures of hot part. The experimental results show that the energy harvester has an output voltage per area of 0.178 mV·mm−2·K−1 and a power factor of 1.47 × 10−3 pW·mm−2·K−2.
Monazite Alteration in H2O ± HCl ± NaCl ± CaCl2 Fluids at 150 ºC and psat: Implications for Uranium Deposits
Authors: Richard Antonin , Montel Jean-Marc , Leborgne Romain , Peiffert Chantal , Cuney Michel , Cathelineau Michel
Published: October 2015

Spectacular alteration of monazite by diagenetic/hydrothermal brines is well documented in some Proterozoic sedimentary basins in close relationship with high-grade uranium (U) deposits. Hence, monazite has been proposed as a viable source for some U deposits. However, monazite alteration remains enigmatic with regard to its high stability in relatively low temperature hydrothermal conditions. Here, the results of batch experiments in which 10 mg of natural monazite grains were reacted with 15 mL of Na-Ca-Cl (6 molal Cl) solutions as well as in pure water at 150 ºC and saturated vapor pressure (psat) for one and six months are reported. The influence of pH (pH = 1, 3, 7) and relative molar proportions of Na and Ca (Na/(Na + Ca) = 0, 0.5, 1), were tested. Discrete alteration features (etch pits and roughened surfaces) appear in a minority of the one month experiments and are more developed in the six months experiments, especially at pH = 1 and 3. Although spectacular alteration of monazite, as seen around U deposits, could not be reproduced here, this study shows that monazite is unstable in the presence of fluids analogous to acidic deep basinal brines.
Amine-Functionalized ZnO Nanosheets for Efficient CO2 Capture and Photoreduction
Authors: Liao Yusen , Hu Zhaoning , Gu Quan , Xue Can
Published: October 2015

Amine-functionalized ZnO nanosheets were prepared through a one-step hydrothermal method by using monoethanolamine, which has a hydroxyl group, for covalent attachment on ZnO and a primary amine group to supply the amine-functionalization. We demonstrate that the terminal amine groups on ZnO surfaces substantially increase the capability of CO2 capture via chemisorption, resulting in effective CO2 activation. As a result, the photogenerated electrons from excited ZnO can more readily reduce the surface-activated CO2, which thereby enhances the activity for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Real-Time Single-Frequency GPS/MEMS-IMU Attitude Determination of Lightweight UAVs
Authors: Eling Christian , Klingbeil Lasse , Kuhlmann Heiner
Published: October 2015

In this paper, a newly-developed direct georeferencing system for the guidance, navigation and control of lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), having a weight limit of 5 kg and a size limit of 1.5 m, and for UAV-based surveying and remote sensing applications is presented. The system is intended to provide highly accurate positions and attitudes (better than 5 cm and 0.5°) in real time, using lightweight components. The main focus of this paper is on the attitude determination with the system. This attitude determination is based on an onboard single-frequency GPS baseline, MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) inertial sensor readings, magnetic field observations and a 3D position measurement. All of this information is integrated in a sixteen-state error space Kalman filter. Special attention in the algorithm development is paid to the carrier phase ambiguity resolution of the single-frequency GPS baseline observations. We aim at a reliable and instantaneous ambiguity resolution, since the system is used in urban areas, where frequent losses of the GPS signal lock occur and the GPS measurement conditions are challenging. Flight tests and a comparison to a navigation-grade inertial navigation system illustrate the performance of the developed system in dynamic situations. Evaluations show that the accuracies of the system are 0.05° for the roll and the pitch angle and 0.2° for the yaw angle. The ambiguities of the single-frequency GPS baseline can be resolved instantaneously in more than 90% of the cases.
Protein Adsorption in Microengraving Immunoassays
Authors: Song Qing
Published: October 2015

Microengraving is a novel immunoassay for characterizing multiple protein secretions from single cells. During the immunoassay, characteristic diffusion and kinetic time scales and determine the time for molecular diffusion of proteins secreted from the activated single lymphocytes and subsequent binding onto the glass slide surface respectively. Our results demonstrate that molecular diffusion plays important roles in the early stage of protein adsorption dynamics which shifts to a kinetic controlled mechanism in the later stage. Similar dynamic pathways are observed for protein adsorption with significantly fast rates and rapid shifts in transport mechanisms when is increased a hundred times from 0.313 to 31.3. Theoretical adsorption isotherms follow the trend of experimentally obtained data. Adsorption isotherms indicate that amount of proteins secreted from individual cells and subsequently captured on a clean glass slide surface increases monotonically with time. Our study directly validates that protein secretion rates can be quantified by the microengraving immunoassay. This will enable us to apply microengraving immunoassays to quantify secretion rates from 104–105 single cells in parallel, screen antigen-specific cells with the highest secretion rate for clonal expansion and quantitatively reveal cellular heterogeneity within a small cell sample.
Using Polynomials to Simplify Fixed Pattern Noise and Photometric Correction of Logarithmic CMOS Image Sensors
Authors: Li Jing , Mahmoodi Alireza , Joseph Dileepan
Published: October 2015

An important class of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors are those where pixel responses are monotonic nonlinear functions of light stimuli. This class includes various logarithmic architectures, which are easily capable of wide dynamic range imaging, at video rates, but which are vulnerable to image quality issues. To minimize fixed pattern noise (FPN) and maximize photometric accuracy, pixel responses must be calibrated and corrected due to mismatch and process variation during fabrication. Unlike literature approaches, which employ circuit-based models of varying complexity, this paper introduces a novel approach based on low-degree polynomials. Although each pixel may have a highly nonlinear response, an approximately-linear FPN calibration is possible by exploiting the monotonic nature of imaging. Moreover, FPN correction requires only arithmetic, and an optimal fixed-point implementation is readily derived, subject to a user-specified number of bits per pixel. Using a monotonic spline, involving cubic polynomials, photometric calibration is also possible without a circuit-based model, and fixed-point photometric correction requires only a look-up table. The approach is experimentally validated with a logarithmic CMOS image sensor and is compared to a leading approach from the literature. The novel approach proves effective and efficient.
Two-Dimensional Automatic Measurement for Nozzle Flow Distribution Using Improved Ultrasonic Sensor
Authors: Zhai Changyuan , Zhao Chunjiang , Wang Xiu , Wang Ning , Zou Wei , Li Wei
Published: October 2015

Spray deposition and distribution are affected by many factors, one of which is nozzle flow distribution. A two-dimensional automatic measurement system, which consisted of a conveying unit, a system control unit, an ultrasonic sensor, and a deposition collecting dish, was designed and developed. The system could precisely move an ultrasonic sensor above a pesticide deposition collecting dish to measure the nozzle flow distribution. A sensor sleeve with a PVC tube was designed for the ultrasonic sensor to limit its beam angle in order to measure the liquid level in the small troughs. System performance tests were conducted to verify the designed functions and measurement accuracy. A commercial spray nozzle was also used to measure its flow distribution. The test results showed that the relative error on volume measurement was less than 7.27% when the liquid volume was 2 mL in trough, while the error was less than 4.52% when the liquid volume was 4 mL or more. The developed system was also used to evaluate the flow distribution of a commercial nozzle. It was able to provide the shape and the spraying width of the flow distribution accurately.
Hardware Design and Implementation of a Wavelet De-Noising Procedure for Medical Signal Preprocessing
Authors: Chen Szi-Wen , Chen Yuan-Ho
Published: October 2015

In this paper, a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based de-noising with its applications into the noise reduction for medical signal preprocessing is introduced. This work focuses on the hardware realization of a real-time wavelet de-noising procedure. The proposed de-noising circuit mainly consists of three modules: a DWT, a thresholding, and an inverse DWT (IDWT) modular circuits. We also proposed a novel adaptive thresholding scheme and incorporated it into our wavelet de-noising procedure. Performance was then evaluated on both the architectural designs of the software and. In addition, the de-noising circuit was also implemented by downloading the Verilog codes to a field programmable gate array (FPGA) based platform so that its ability in noise reduction may be further validated in actual practice. Simulation experiment results produced by applying a set of simulated noise-contaminated electrocardiogram (ECG) signals into the de-noising circuit showed that the circuit could not only desirably meet the requirement of real-time processing, but also achieve satisfactory performance for noise reduction, while the sharp features of the ECG signals can be well preserved. The proposed de-noising circuit was further synthesized using the Synopsys Design Compiler with an Artisan Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, Hsinchu, Taiwan) 40 nm standard cell library. The integrated circuit (IC) synthesis simulation results showed that the proposed design can achieve a clock frequency of 200 MHz and the power consumption was only 17.4 mW, when operated at 200 MHz.
The Risk of Tuberculosis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Antagonist: A Metaanalysis of Both Randomized Controlled Trials and Registry/Cohort Studies
Authors: Ai Jing-Wen , Zhang Shu , Ruan Qiao-Ling , Yu Yi-Qi , Zhang Bing-Yan , Liu Qi-Hui , Zhang Wen-Hong
Published: October 2015

Objective.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antagonists have significantly improved treatment results in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but have also increased the risk of tuberculosis (TB). Etanercept (ETN), adalimumab (ADA), infliximab (IFX), golimumab, and certolizumab pegol are the 5 drugs currently available on the market. This article aimed to evaluate the risk of TB infection from these 5 drugs for patients with RA.

Methods.

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, COCHRANE library, OVID, and EBSCO for randomized controlled trials (RCT) of TNF-α antagonist versus control and registry/longitudinal cohort studies of 1 TNF-α antagonist versus another. The Mantel-Haenszel test was adopted to analyze risk ratio (RR) in this metaanalysis.

Results.

Fifty RCT and 13 non-RCT were included in this study. No significant difference in TB risk was found in the RCT because of the short observational periods. In the non-RCT, TNF-α antagonist was associated with a higher TB risk in patients with RA (RR 4.03, 95% CI 2.36–6.88), and the TB incidence rates of IFX and ADA were 2.78 and 3.88 times, respectively, higher than that of ETN. Further, preventive treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI) was shown to reduce the TB risk by 65% (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15–0.82).

Conclusion.

This study demonstrated a significant increase in TB risk in patients with RA treated with TNF-α antagonists; among them, ETN is least likely to cause active TB. The study also proposes the necessity of LTBI prophylaxis in patients with RA.
Sur la proposition d'une géographie physique critique
Authors: Dufour Simon
Published: October 2015

Dans ce texte, nous présentons une proposition portée depuis quelques années par des chercheurs(euses) et enseignent(e)s-chercheurs(euses) nord-américain(e)s autour d'une pratique renouvelée des approches biophysiques en géographie. Nous présentons également l'origine et la nature de cette proposition d'une géographie physique critique visant à intégrer de façon explicite géographie physique et géographie humaine critique dans les pratiques de recherche et d'enseignement. Enfin, nous identifions quelques pistes de réflexions qu'il conviendrait de mener afin d'analyser plus finement cette approche et, éventuellement, la développer en France.
De l’humanisme au nihilisme : une dialectique sur la théorie du caring de Jean Watson
Authors: Krol Pawel J. , Lavoie Mireille
Published: October 2015

Introduction : la pratique des soins infirmiers d’aujourd’hui hérite d’une longue et complexe évolution de valeurs. Outre les valeurs traditionnellement humaines de soigner, la pratique infirmière intègre aussi des valeurs qui façonnent le monde « moderne ». Cependant, certaines valeurs traditionnelles de soin humain sont progressivement supprimées au profit de valeurs qui émanent des idéologies « modernes ». Face à ce constat inquiétant, et parmi l’éventail de solutions proposées, certains auteurs promeuvent l’humanisation des systèmes sanitaires à l’aide de la théorie du caring de Jean Watson. Or, plusieurs critiques interrogent la cohérence, voire la légitimité même de cette théorie pour faire face à l’instrumentalisation. Objectifs et méthode : cette étude a analysé la théorie de Watson à partir d’une démarche philosophique dialectique afin de clarifier les débats, de contribuer à son développement éventuel, mais surtout pour tester ces affirmations et proposer d’éventuelles voies de solution. Résultats : la mise à l’épreuve dialectique montre des écueils de cohérence et de pertinence importants conduisant à la réfutation du projet d’humanisation inscrit à même cette théorie. Discussion et conclusion : cette étude recommande une voie alternative à l’instrumentalisation - une pratique fondée dans une éthique nietzschéenne de la vie, qui découle de la synthèse des dialectiques et qui favorise un retour à et un respect de la nature même de l’être humain.