bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary vein isolation with concomitant renal artery denervation is associated with reduction in both arterial blood pressure and atrial fibrillation burden: Data from implantable cardiac monitor
Authors: Romanov Alexander , Pokushalov Evgeny , Ponomarev Dmitry , Strelnikov Artem , Shabanov Vitaliy , Losik Denis , Karaskov Alexander , Steinberg Jonathan S.
Published: April 2017

Background

Renal artery denervation (RDN) has provided incremental atrial fibrillation (AF) suppression after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with AF in the setting of drug‐resistant hypertension.

Objective

To assess the relationship between changes of mean blood pressure (BP) and AF recurrences/AF burden after PVI combined with RDN.

Methods

All patients from two randomized studies with symptomatic paroxysmal AF and/or persistent AF and resistant hypertension who underwent PVI‐only (n=37) or PVI with RDN (n=39), and implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) implantation were eligible for this study. Mixed‐effects linear models were used to investigate the effect of RDN on mean BP and mean AF burden and associations between the two during the 12‐month follow‐up.

Results

Concomitant RDN was associated with a significant reduction in both mean AF burden (2.43 [95% CI: 1.76‐3.09] % vs 6.95 [95% CI: 5.44‐8.45] %) and mean BP (104 [95% CI: 103‐106] mm Hg vs 112 [95% CI: 110‐113] mm Hg). Decrease in mean BP was positively correlated with decline in mean AF burden: reduction of 5‐10 mm Hg was accompanied by a 7.0% decreased mean AF burden, with greater reduction (up to 20 mm Hg) associated with on average 17.7% lower mean AF burden.

Conclusions

Renal artery denervation when added to PVI decreases AF recurrences, AF burden, and mean BP. Reduction in mean BP is associated with both AF burden and recurrences. Further large‐scale studies are needed to define the mechanistic pathway(s) of the antiarrhythmic effects of RDN.
Genetic interplay between human longevity and metabolic pathways — a large‐scale eQTL study
Authors: Häsler Robert , Venkatesh Geetha , Tan Qihua , Flachsbart Friederike , Sinha Anupam , Rosenstiel Philip , Lieb Wolfgang , Schreiber Stefan , Christensen Kaare , Christiansen Lene , Nebel Almut
Published: April 2017

Human longevity is a complex phenotype influenced by genetic and environmental components. Unraveling the contribution of genetic vs. nongenetic factors to longevity is a challenging task. Here, we conducted a large‐scale RNA‐sequencing‐based expression quantitative trait loci study (eQTL) with subsequent heritability analysis. The investigation was performed on blood samples from 244 individuals from Germany and Denmark, representing various age groups including long‐lived subjects up to the age of 104 years. Our eQTL‐based approach revealed for the first time that human longevity is associated with a depletion of metabolic pathways in a genotype‐dependent and independent manner. Further analyses indicated that 20% of the differentially expressed genes are influenced by genetic variants in cis. The subsequent study of twins showed that the transcriptional activity of a third of the differentially regulated genes is heritable. These findings suggest that longevity‐associated biological processes such as altered metabolism are, to a certain extent, also the driving force of longevity rather than just a consequence of old age.
Use of Online Health Information by Geriatric and Adult Emergency Department Patients: Access, Understanding, and Trust
Authors: Scott Grant , McCarthy Danielle M , Aldeen Amer Z. , Czerniak Alyssa , Courtney D. Mark , Dresden Scott M.
Published: April 2017

Objective

The objective was to characterize geriatric patients’ use of online health information (OHI) relative to younger adults and assess their comfort ith OHI compared to health information (HI) from their physician.

Methods

This was a prospective cross‐sectional survey study of adult emergency department (ED) patients. The survey assessed patients’ self‐reported use of OHI in the past year and immediately prior to ED visit and analyzed differences across four age groups: 18–39, 40–64, 65–74, and 75+. Patients’ ability to access, understand, and trust OHI was assessed using a 7‐point Likert scale and compared to parallel questions regarding HI obtained from their doctor. Patient use of OHI was compared across age groups. Comfort with OHI and HI obtained from a doctor was compared across age groups using the Kruskal‐Wallis test. Comparisons between sources of HI were made within age groups using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

Of 889 patients who were approached for study inclusion, 723 patients (81.3%) completed the survey. The majority of patients had used OHI in the past year in all age groups, but older patients were less likely to have used OHI: age 18–39, 90.3%; 40–64, 85.3%; 65–74, 76.4%; and 75+, 50.7% (p < 0.001). The youngest patients were most likely to have used OHI prior to coming to the ED, 47.1%, 28.3%, 17.1%, and 8.0% (p < 0.001). Older patients were more likely to have an established doctor—18–39, 79.4%; 40–64, 91.1%; 65–74, 97.5%; and 75+ 97.4% (p < 0.001)—and were more likely to have contacted their doctor prior to their ED visit: 36.7, 40.2, 46.7, and 53.5% (p = 0.02). The oldest patients were most likely to find HI more accessible from their doctor than the Internet, while the youngest patients found HI more accessible on the Internet than from their doctor. Regardless of age, patients noted that information from their physician was both easier to understand and more trustworthy than information found on the Internet.

Conclusion

Although many older patients used OHI, they were less likely than younger adults to use the Internet immediately prior to an ED visit. Despite often using OHI, patients of all age groups found healthcare information from their doctor easier to understand and more trustworthy than information from the Internet. As health systems work to efficiently provide information to patients, addressing these perceived deficiencies may be necessary to build effective OHI programs.
Synthesis of an anthraquinonoid disperse reactive dye based on a ligand‐free Ullmann reaction
Authors: Zhang Yan‐Qin , Qi Li , Sun Jian‐Ping , Long Jia‐Jie
Published: April 2017

A new anthraquinonoid disperse reactive dye containing a dichlorotriazine reactive group was successfully synthesised on the basis of the Ullmann reaction in a ligand‐free system by employing a copper(i) iodide as catalyst, in combination with a subsequent condensation reaction. The parameters of the cross‐coupling reaction between 1‐chloroanthraquinone and 2,5‐diaminotoluene sulphate were investigated and optimised, such as the molar ratio of the reactants, the dosage of potassium carbonate and copper(i) iodide, the reaction temperature, and the reaction time. The results demonstrate that the dosage of potassium carbonate and the reaction time had significant impacts on the yield of the dye precursor, and an optimum synthesis process was also recommended. Moreover, the achieved dye was successfully characterised and confirmed from chemical structure and colour characteristics by employing Fourier transform infrared analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Furthermore, a successful application of the obtained dye was achieved, with satisfactory coloration properties on silk and wool.
Pain Catastrophizing Mediates the Relationship Between Trait Happiness and Depressive Symptoms in Individuals with Current Pain
Authors: Tran Patrick , Sturgeon John A. , Nilakantan Aneesha , Foote Alyssa , Mackey Sean , Johnson Kevin
Published: April 2017

Relatively little research has examined the contributions of pain‐specific factors, such as pain intensity, and normative factors, such as positive emotions, in predicting depression. This study characterized the independent contributions of pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and trait happiness to depressive symptoms in 70 volunteers across three groups: two groups with current low back pain and those in a methadone maintenance treatment program. Results suggested no direct relationships between pain and either trait happiness or depressive symptoms, but participants reporting higher levels of trait happiness tended to report lower levels of depressive symptomatology, an effect mediated by lower levels of pain catastrophizing. Though unrelated to pain, trait happiness may alter pain‐relevant outcomes through reduced catastrophizing levels.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for pain management in combat‐related transtibial amputees during rehabilitation and prosthetic training
Authors: Brede Emily , Metter Earl Jeffrey , Talbot Laura A.
Published: April 2017

Military members with war‐related lower limb amputation experience a range of acute and chronic pain symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pain during 12 weeks of a military amputee rehabilitation program (MARP) pre‐ and post‐prosthesis. The data for this study were drawn from a randomized clinical trial comparingMARPsupplemented with neuromuscular electrostimulation (MARP + NMES,n = 23) toMARPalone (n = 21) for service members with unilateral transtibial amputation. The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and phantom limb pain/sensations were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks. Changes within‐ and between‐groups were analyzed with generalized mixed models. Participants reported mild‐to‐moderate pain at all visits, and improved significantly on theMPQand frequency of phantom limb pain/sensations (p < .001 for effect of time). Group by time interactions were not significant, indicating both groups showed similar improvement. Univariate tests showed theNMES + MARPgroup had lower pain intensity thanMARP‐only group at weeks 3 and 6. Participants inMARPdemonstrated good overall pain control and reported reduced pain and fewer days with phantom limb pain/sensations over 12 weeks. AddingNMEStoMARPmay be beneficial in early rehabilitation, andNMEScould potentially enhance physical therapy participation by decreasing pain.
C3S and C2S hydration in the presence of Na2CO3 and Na2SO4
Authors: Sánchez‐Herrero Maria Jose , Fernández‐Jiménez Ana , Palomo Angel
Published: April 2017

This study analyses the behavior of calcium silicates C3S and C2S hydrated in two alkaline media, Na2CO3 and Na2SO4. The silicates were synthesized with laboratory reagents and hydrated in water, to which solid‐state alkaline activators with 4 wt% Na2CO3 or 4 wt% Na2SO4 were added. Two‐ and 28‐day mechanical strength values were determined and the reaction products were characterized with XRD, SEM/EDX, and 29Si and 23Na MAS NMR. The findings showed that the presence of Na2CO3 hastened hydration kinetics and stimulated early‐age mechanical strength development in both silicates. The most significant effect of sodium sulfate, however, was observed in the 28‐day material in both silicates, in which it raised strength by stimulating the precipitation of C–S–H gels with a high percentage of Q2 units.
The dissolution behavior in alkaline solutions of a borosilicate glass with and without P2O5
Authors: Cheng Xiaoming , Brow Richard K. , Chen Genda
Published: April 2017

There are a variety of applications for glasses in alkaline environments, including glass fibers and glass‐coated steel to reinforce concrete structures. To understand how a simple glass reacts in such environments, the dissolution behavior of a 25Na2O–25B2O3–50SiO2 (mol%) glass, doped with and without 3 mol% P2O5, in pH 12 KOH and pH 12 KOH saturated with Ca2+ ions was studied. Ca2+ ions in the solution significantly reduce the glass dissolution rate by forming a passivating calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) gel layer on the glass surface. When these corroded glasses were then exposed to Ca‐free KOH, the C–S–H layer redissolves into the undersaturated solution and the glass dissolution rate increases. For phosphate‐doped borosilicate glass, PO43− units released from the dissolving glass react with Ca2+ ions in saturated solutions to form crystalline hydroxylapatite on the glass surface, but this layer does not protect the glass from corrosion as well as the C–S–H does. The nature of the C–S–H layer was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, which reveals a gel layer constituted mainly of silicate anions.
Balance sheet conservatism and audit reporting conservatism
Authors: Kausar Asad , Lennox Clive
Published: April 2017

Financial reports are prepared on a going‐concern (GC) basis rather than a liquidation basis even when companies are highly distressed. This allows distressed companies to report book values of assets that greatly exceed their liquidation values, implying a lack of conservatism in the balance sheet. We argue that auditors issue going‐concern opinions in order to warn investors about this lack of balance sheet conservatism. This argument leads to two testable hypotheses. First, for companies that are at risk of bankruptcy, auditors are more likely to issue GC opinions when the book values of assets under the GC assumption are high relative to the expected liquidation values of assets (i.e., when the GC assumption causes the balance sheet to lack conservatism). Second, for companies that enter bankruptcy, the issuance of a prior GC opinion has predictive information content with respect to the wedge between the book values of assets and the future liquidation values of those same assets. Our results strongly support both hypotheses. The findings are important because they indicate that conservative audit reporting helps to compensate for a lack of conservatism in the balance sheet, which arises because the GC assumption permits the book values of assets to exceed their liquidation values.
Prospective bacterial quorum sensing inhibitors from Indian medicinal plant extracts
Authors: Tiwary B.K. , Ghosh R. , Moktan S. , Ranjan V.K. , Dey P. , Choudhury D. , Dutta S. , Deb D. , Das A.P. , Chakraborty R.
Published: April 2017

As virulence of many pathogenic bacteria is regulated by the phenomenon of quorum sensing (QS), the present study aimed to find the QS-inhibiting (QS-I) property (if any) in 61 Indian medicinal plants. The presence of QS-I compound in the leaf extract was evaluated by its ability to inhibit production of pigment in Chromobacterium violaceum MTCC 2656 (violacein) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 2297 (pyocyanin) or swarming of P. aeruginosa MTCC 2297. Extracts of three plants, Astilbe rivularis, Fragaria nubicola and Osbeckia nepalensis, have shown a dose-dependent inhibition of violacein production with no negative effect on bacterial growth. Inhibition of pyocyanin pigment production and swarming motility in P. aeruginosa MTCC 2297 was also shown. Based on the results obtained by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and thin-layer chromatography–direct bioautography (TLC-DB), it was concluded that triterpenes and flavonoid compounds found in the three plant extracts could have QS-I activity.

Significance and Impact of the Study

A novel alternative prospect to prevent bacterial infections without inhibiting the growth is to apply chemicals that inhibit quorum sensing mechanism of the pathogens. Antiquorum property of 61 medicinal plants was evaluated by the ability of their leaf extract(s) to inhibit production of pigment (violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum MTCC 2656, pyocyanin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 2297) or swarming in P. aeruginosa MTCC 2297. The most prospective plants (for the development of quorum sensing inhibitor), showing inhibition of violacein production without affecting bacterial growth, were Astilbe rivularis, Fragaria nubicola and Osbeckia nepalensis.
Cellular retinoic acid bioavailability in various pathologies and its therapeutic implication
Authors: Osanai Makoto
Published: April 2017

Retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, is a critical signaling molecule in various cell types. We found that RA depletion caused by expression of the RA‐metabolizing enzyme CYP26A1 promotes carcinogenesis, implicating CYP26A1 as a candidate oncogene. Several studies of CYP26s have suggested that the biological effect of RA on target cells is primarily determined by “cellular RA bioavailability”, which is defined as the RA level in an individual cell, rather than by the serum concentration of RA. Consistently, stellate cells store approximately 80% of vitamin A in the body, and the state of cellular RA bioavailability regulates their function. Based on the similarities between stellate cells and astrocytes, we demonstrated that retinal astrocytes regulate tight junction‐based endothelial integrity in a paracrine manner. Since diabetic retinopathy is characterized by increased vascular permeability in its early pathogenesis, RA normalized retinal astrocytes that are compromised in diabetes, resulting in suppression of vascular leakiness. RA also attenuated the loss of the epithelial barrier in murine experimental colitis. The concept of “cellular RA bioavailability” in various diseases will be directed at understanding various pathologies caused by RA insufficiency, implying the potential feasibility of a therapeutic strategy targeting the stellate cell system.
Examining Secondary Mathematics Teachers' Opportunities to Develop Mathematically in Professional Learning Communities
Authors: Campbell Matthew P. , Lee Hollylynne Stohl
Published: April 2017

To make progress toward ambitious and equitable goals for students’ mathematical development, teachers need opportunities to develop specialized ways of knowing mathematics such as mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) for their work with students in the classroom. Professional learning communities (PLCs) are a common model used to support focused teacher collaboration and, in turn, foster teacher development, instructional improvement, and student outcomes. However, there is a lack of specificity in what is known about teachers’ work in PLCs and what teachers can gain from those experiences, despite broad claims of their benefit. We discuss an investigation of the work of secondary mathematics teachers in PLCs at two high schools to describe and explicate possible opportunities for teachers to develop the mathematical knowledge needed for the work of teaching and the ways in which these opportunities may be pursued or hindered. The findings show that, without pointed focus on mathematical content, opportunities to develop MKT can be rare, even among mathematics teachers. Two detailed images of teacher discussion are shared to highlight these claims. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion about the affordances and limitations of PLCs for mathematics teachers, considerations for their use, and how they can be supported.
Promoting Equitable Biology Lab Instruction by Engaging All Students in a Broad Range of Science Practices: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Strimaitis Anna M. , Southerland Sherry A. , Sampson Victor , Enderle Patrick , Grooms Jonathon
Published: April 2017

This study examines what students enrolled in the honors and general sections of a high school biology course offered at the same school learn when they have an opportunity to participate in a broad or narrow range of science practices during their laboratory experiences. The results of our analysis suggest that the students enrolled in the general sections of the course made similar or larger gains than the students enrolled in the honors section of the course in their abilities to plan and carry out an investigation, argue from evidence, and write a science‐specific persuasive essay when these students had an opportunity to participate in a broad range of science practices. These findings suggest that laboratory experiences that give students an opportunity to participate in a broad range of science practices, although considered challenging by many teachers, have the potential to help all students become more proficient in science. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of this study for classroom instruction and educational policy.
Backward Control from Possessors
Authors: Funakoshi Kenshi
Published: April 2017

This article presents an argument that Japanese (and Korean) has a previously unattested type of external‐possession constructions (EPCs) (Payne & Barshi ): EPC with a backward‐control structure (Polinsky & Potsdam ). It has been attested in the literature that there are EPCs that have forward‐raising structures, backward‐raising structures, and forward‐control structures. Only the backward‐control type has not been attested. Thus, if the argument in this article is correct, the relevant construction fills in the missing piece of the typology of EPCs. This adds plausibility to the Movement Theory of Control (Hornstein ) and the Copy Theory of Movement (Chomsky ) because this typology is expected under these theories. Furthermore, I argue that Nunes's () mechanism of copy deletion (chain reduction, in his terms) can explain why the pronounce‐the‐original‐copy strategy is available in backward‐control EPCs.
Multiunit Sequences in First Language Acquisition
Authors: Theakston Anna , Lieven Elena
Published: April 2017

Theoretical and empirical reasons suggest that children build their language not only out of individual words but also out of multiunit strings. These are the basis for the development of schemas containing slots. The slots are putative categories that build in abstraction while the schemas eventually connect to other schemas in terms of both meaning and form. Evidence comes from the nature of the input, the ways in which children construct novel utterances, the systematic errors that children make, and the computational modeling of children's grammars. However, much of this research is on English, which is unusual in its rigid word order and impoverished inflectional morphology. We summarize these results and explore their implications for languages with more flexible word order and/or much richer inflectional morphology.
Dissecting virulence function from recognition: cell death suppression in Nicotiana benthamiana by XopQ/HopQ1‐family effectors relies on EDS1‐dependent immunity
Authors: Adlung Norman , Bonas Ulla
Published: April 2017

Many Gram‐negative plant pathogenic bacteria express effector proteins of the XopQ/HopQ1 family which are translocated into plant cells via the type III secretion system during infection. In Nicotiana benthamiana, recognition of XopQ/HopQ1 proteins induces an effector‐triggered immunity (ETI) reaction which is not associated with strong cell death but renders plants immune against Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria strains. Additionally, XopQ suppresses cell death in N. benthamiana when transiently co‐expressed with cell death inducers. Here, we show that representative XopQ/HopQ1 proteins are recognized similarly, likely by a single resistance protein of the TIR‐NB‐LRR class. Extensive analysis of XopQ derivatives indicates the recognition of structural features. We performed Agrobacterium‐mediated protein expression experiments in wild‐type and EDS1‐deficient (eds1) N. benthamiana leaves, not recognizing XopQ/HopQ1. XopQ recognition limits multiplication of Agrobacterium and attenuates levels of transiently expressed proteins. Remarkably, XopQ fails to suppress cell death reactions induced by different effectors in eds1 plants. We conclude that XopQ‐mediated cell death suppression in N. benthamiana is due to the attenuation of Agrobacterium‐mediated protein expression rather than the cause of the genuine XopQ virulence activity. Thus, our study expands our understanding of XopQ recognition and function, and also challenges the commonly used co‐expression assays for elucidation of in planta effector activities, at least under conditions of ETI induction.
Role of mucosa in generating spontaneous activity in the guinea pig seminal vesicle
Authors: Takeya Mitsue , Hashitani Hikaru , Hayashi Tokumasa , Higashi Ryuhei , Nakamura Kei‐ichiro , Takano Makoto
Published: April 2017

Key points

The mucosa may have neuron‐like functions as urinary bladder mucosa releases bioactive substances that modulate sensory nerve activity as well as detrusor muscle contractility. However, such mucosal function in other visceral organs remains to be established.

The role of mucosa in generating spontaneous contractions in seminal vesicles (SVs), a paired organ in the male reproductive tract, was investigated.

The intact mucosa is essential for the generation of spontaneous phasic contractions of SV smooth muscle arising from electrical slow waves and corresponding increases in intracellular Ca2+. These spontaneous events primarily depend on Ca2+ handling by sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores.

A population of mucosal cells developed spontaneous rises in intracellular Ca2+ relying on sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ handling.

The spontaneously active cells in the SV mucosa appear to drive spontaneous activity in smooth muscle either by sending depolarizing signals and/or by releasing humoral substances.

The role of the mucosa in generating the spontaneous activity of guinea‐pig seminal vesicle (SV) was explored. Changes in contractility, membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ dynamics of SV smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were recorded using isometric tension recording, intracellular microelectrode recording and epi‐fluorescence Ca2+ imaging, respectively. Mucosa‐intact but not mucosa‐denuded SV preparations generated TTX‐ (1 μm) resistant spontaneous phasic contractions that were abolished by nifedipine (3 μm). Consistently, SMCs developed mucosa‐dependent slow waves (SWs) that triggered action potentials and corresponding Ca2+ flashes. Nifedipine (10 μm) abolished the action potentials and spontaneous contractions, while suppressing the SWs and Ca2+ flashes. Both the residual SWs and spontaneous Ca2+ transients were abolished by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10 μm), a sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor. DIDS (300 μm) and niflumic acid (100 μm), blockers for Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels (CACCs), or low Cl− solution also slowed or prevented the generation of SWs. In SV mucosal preparations detached from the muscle layer, a population of mucosal cells generated spontaneous Ca2+ transients that were blocked by CPA but not nifedipine. These results suggested that spontaneous contractions and corresponding Ca2+ flashes in SV SMCs arise from action potential generation due to the opening of L‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients appear to primarily result from Ca2+ release from sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores to activate CACCs to develop SWs. The mucosal cells firing spontaneous Ca2+ transients may play a critical role in driving spontaneous activity of SV smooth muscle either by sending depolarizing signals or by releasing humoral substances.
Correcting defects in area selective molecular layer deposition
Authors: Closser Richard G. , Bergsman David S. , Ruelas Luis , Hashemi Fatemeh Sadat Minaye , Bent Stacey F.
Published: April 2017

Area selective deposition, as used with atomic layer deposition and molecular layer deposition (MLD), is a rapidly emerging field of study due to its potential applications in micro- and nanoelectronic devices. Previous studies have shown successful area selective MLD of nanoscale organic thin films using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as blocking layers. In this report, the authors expand upon the use of SAMs by implementing an etching process for the removal of the SAM resist once the MLD film has been deposited. This process has the benefit of removing unwanted deposits, which improves MLD selectivity on a dielectric by 380-fold over using a SAM layer alone and enables twice the amount of polymer film to be selectively deposited compared to that in previous reports. Although the etching leaves intact the polymer film in unblocked regions, the clean removal of the polymer film is limited at pattern interfaces. This effect is attributed to intermolecular interactions, such as polymer entanglement and hydrogen bonding between the chains.
Effect of Resistance Training Systems on Oxidative Stress in Older Women
Authors: Ribeiro Alex S. , Deminice Rafael , Schoenfeld Brad J. , Tomeleri Crisieli M. , Padilha Camila S. , Venturini Danielle , Barbosa Décio S. , Sardinha Luís B. , Cyrino Edilson S.
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two different resistance training (RT) systems on oxidative stress biomarkers in older women. Fifty-nine older women (67.9 ± 5.0 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Two training groups performed an 8 week RT program either in traditional (TD, n = 20) or a pyramid (PR, n = 20) system 3 times per week, or a control group (CG, n = 19). The TD program consisted of 3 sets of 8–12 RM with constant load for the 3 sets, whereas the PR training consisted of 3 sets of 12/10/8 RM with incremental loads for each set. As compared with the CG, both TD and PR achieved upregulation of the antioxidant system as evidenced by higher (p < .05) values of total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter plasma concentration after intervention (TD= 930.4 ± 160.0 µmolTrolox, PR= 977.8 ± 145.2 µmolTrolox, CG= 794.4 ± 130.2 µmolTrolox). For the protein oxidation adducts, TD and PR presented lower (p < .05) scores compared with CG (TD= 91.2 ± 25.0 µmol/L, PR= 93.0 ± 30.3 µmol/L, CG= 111.0 ± 20.4 µmol/L). However, there were no differences (p < .05) between trained groups in the antioxidant capacity markers and in the protein oxidation adducts markers. The results suggest that 8 weeks of progressive RT promotes an improvement in markers of oxidative stress in older women independent of the load-management RT system.
Estimation of Gait Independence Using a Tri-Axial Accelerometer in Stroke Patients
Authors: Kijima Yoshifumi , Kiyama Ryoji , Sekine Masaki , Tamura Toshiyo , Fujimoto Toshiro , Maeda Tetsuo , Ohshige Tadasu
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether a gait analysis using an accelerometer could estimate gait independence. Eighty-six stroke patients and 21 healthy control subjects participated in this study. Stroke patients were identified as dependent or independent based on their gait ability. The acceleration of the trunk and bilateral thigh was measured using three wireless sensors during walking. The root mean square, gait regularity, and symmetry were calculated from the acceleration to estimate gait quality. ANCOVA showed that gait regularity of the trunk and bilateral thigh were significantly lowest in the dependent group, regardless of gait velocity. A logistic regression analysis showed that the regularity and root mean square of the anteroposterior acceleration of the unaffected thigh were the key factors for estimating gait independence. This study suggests that an acceleration-based gait analysis facilities gait independence estimation, and is a useful tool during the rehabilitation of stroke patients.
Effect of Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming on Cardiometabolic Health Markers in Children From Low-Income Schools
Authors: Burns Ryan D. , Brusseau Timothy A. , Hannon James C.
Published: April 2017

Background:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 36-week Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) on cardiometabolic health markers in children from low-income schools.

Methods:

Participants were 217 school-aged children (mean age = 10.1 ± 1.1 years; 114 girls, 103 boys) recruited from 5 low-income elementary schools. Cardiometabolic health markers were collected in a fasted state at 2 time-points, before commencement of the CSPAP for classroom and school level clustering and the modifying effects of grade level and sex, there were statistically significant improvements in HDL cholesterol (Δ = 3.6 mg/dL, 95% CI: 1.4 mg/dL to 5.8 mg/dL, P = .039), triglycerides (Δ = –14.1 mg/dL, 95% CI: –21.4 mg/dL to –6.8 mg/dL, P = .022), and mean arterial pressure (Δ = –4.3 mmHg, 95% CI: –8.5 mmHg to –0.1 mmHg, P = .041) following the 36-week CSPAP intervention. Sixth-grade children showed decreases in LDL cholesterol (Δ = –15.3 mg/dL, 95% CI: –30.5 mg/dL to –0.1 mg/dL, P = .033).

Conclusions:

Improvements in specific cardiometabolic health markers were found following a 36-week CSPAP in children from low-income schools.
Effects of Anterior Knee Displacement During Squatting on Patellofemoral Joint Stress
Authors: Kernozek Thomas W. , Gheidi Naghmeh , Zellmer Matthew , Hove Jordan , Heinert Becky L. , Torry Michael R.
Published: April 2017

Context:Squatting is a common rehabilitation training exercise for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS) during squatting with more anterior knee displacement has not been systematically investigated.Objective:To compare PFJS during squatting using 2 techniques: squat while keeping the knees behind the toes (SBT) and squat while allowing the knees to go past the toes (SPT).Setting:University research laboratory.Participants:Twenty-five healthy females (age: 22.69 (0.74) y; height: 169.39 (6.44) cm; mass: 61.55 (9.74) kg) participated.Main Outcome Measures:Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected at 180 and 1800 Hz, respectively. A musculoskeletal model was used to calculate muscle forces through static optimization. These muscle forces were used in a patellofemoral joint model to estimate PFJS.Results:The magnitudes of PFJS, reaction force, and quadriceps force were higher (P < .001) during SPT compared with the SBT technique. Knee flexion, hip flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion angles were reduced when using the SBT technique.Conclusions:Findings provide some general support for minimizing forward knee translation during squats for patients that may have patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Anti-tau antibody administration increases plasma tau in transgenic mice and patients with tauopathy
Authors: Yanamandra Kiran , Patel Tirth K. , Jiang Hong , Schindler Suzanne , Ulrich Jason D. , Boxer Adam L. , Miller Bruce L. , Kerwin Diana R. , Gallardo Gilbert , Stewart Floy , Finn Mary Beth , Cairns Nigel J. , Verghese Philip B. , Fogelman Ilana , West Tim , Braunstein Joel , Robinson Grace , Keyser Jennifer , Roh Joseph , Knapik Stephanie S. , Hu Yan , Holtzman David M.
Published: April 2017

Administration of an anti-tau antibody to transgenic mice expressing human tau and to patients with tauopathy increased the concentration of tau in plasma.
A paternal diet for offspring success?
Authors: Hine Christopher
Published: April 2017

Supplementation of the diet of male mice with methyl donors, such as methionine and folic acid, prior to mating impaired learning, memory, and metabolic functions in the offspring.
The DnaK Chaperone Uses Different Mechanisms To Promote and Inhibit Replication of
Vibrio cholerae
Chromosome 2
Authors: Jha Jyoti K. , Li Mi , Ghirlando Rodolfo , Miller Jenkins Lisa M. , Wlodawer Alexander , Chattoraj Dhruba
Published: April 2017

Replication of
Vibrio cholerae
chromosome 2 (Chr2) depends on molecular chaperone DnaK to facilitate binding of the initiator (RctB) to the replication origin. The binding occurs at two kinds of site, 12-mers and 39-mers, which promote and inhibit replication, respectively. Here we show that DnaK employs different mechanisms to enhance the two kinds of binding. We found that mutations in
rctB
that reduce DnaK binding also reduce 12-mer binding and initiation. The initiation defect is suppressed by second-site mutations that increase 12-mer binding only marginally. Instead, they reduce replication inhibitory mechanisms: RctB dimerization and 39-mer binding. One suppressing change was in a dimerization domain which is folded similarly to the initiator of an iteron plasmid—the presumed progenitor of Chr2. In plasmids, DnaK promotes initiation by reducing dimerization. A different mutation was in the 39-mer binding domain of RctB and inactivated it, indicating an alternative suppression mechanism. Paradoxically, although DnaK increases 39-mer binding, the increase was also achieved by inactivating the DnaK binding site of RctB. This result suggests that the site inhibits the 39-mer binding domain (via autoinhibition) when prevented from binding DnaK. Taken together, our results reveal an important feature of the transition from plasmid to chromosome: the Chr2 initiator retains the plasmid-like dimerization domain and its control by chaperones but uses the chaperones in an unprecedented way to control the inhibitory 39-mer binding.

IMPORTANCE
The capacity of proteins to undergo remodeling provides opportunities to control their function. However, remodeling remains a poorly understood aspect of the structure-function paradigm due to its dynamic nature. Here we have studied remodeling of the initiator of replication of
Vibrio cholerae
Chr2 by the molecular chaperone, DnaK. We show that DnaK binds to a site on the Chr2 initiator (RctB) that promotes initiation by reducing the initiator’s propensity to dimerize. Dimerization of the initiator of the putative plasmid progenitor of Chr2 is also reduced by DnaK, which promotes initiation. Paradoxically, the DnaK binding also promotes replication inhibition by reducing an autoinhibitory activity of RctB. In the plasmid-to-chromosome transition, it appears that the initiator has acquired an autoinhibitory activity and along with it a new chaperone activity that apparently helps to control replication inhibition independently of replication promotion.
Prediction and modeling of permeability function and its application to the evaluation of breakthrough suction of a two-layer capillary barrier
Authors: Yan W.M. , Chiu C.F. , Yuen Ka-Veng
Published: April 2017

Different empirical formulas have been proposed to describe the water retention curve (WRC) and relative permeability (kr) of soils. This paper presents a Bayesian framework that evaluates not only the most probable empirical fitting constants, but also their joint probability density function. A dataset containing two soil classes — sand and silty loam — compiled from the UNSODA database is used for illustration. First, model constants of the van Genuchten’s WRC formula are calibrated and subsequently used to predict kr of the studied soils using two existing formulas based on Mualem’s and Burdine’s models. The best estimated kr in both formulas is found to skew towards the lower side of the measurement. Then, a new three-parameter empirical formula is proposed to describe kr with suction while the model constants are calibrated from the permeability data. Using the proposed framework, the statistical distribution of kr and subsequently the unsaturated permeability (kunsat), as a function of suction, can be obtained. The results are then applied to a hypothetical two-layer capillary barrier composed of soils of the compiled dataset to determine the breakthrough suction (ψBT) of the barrier. The proposed Bayesian approach gives a probabilistic distribution of ψBT instead of a single value in the traditional deterministic method.
Smoothing operators and C∗-algebras for infinite dimensional Lie groups
Authors: Neeb Karl-Hermann , Salmasian Hadi , Zellner Christoph
Published: April 2017

A smoothing operator for a unitary representation [Formula: see text] of a (possibly infinite dimensional) Lie group [Formula: see text] is a bounded operator [Formula: see text] whose range is contained in the space [Formula: see text] of smooth vectors of [Formula: see text]. Our first main result characterizes smoothing operators for Fréchet–Lie groups as those for which the orbit map [Formula: see text] is smooth. For unitary representations [Formula: see text] which are semibounded, i.e. there exists an element [Formula: see text] such that all operators [Formula: see text] from the derived representation, for [Formula: see text] in a neighborhood of [Formula: see text], are uniformly bounded from above, we show that [Formula: see text] coincides with the space of smooth vectors for the one-parameter group [Formula: see text]. As the main application of our results on smoothing operators, we present a new approach to host [Formula: see text]-algebras for infinite dimensional Lie groups, i.e. [Formula: see text]-algebras whose representations are in one-to-one correspondence with certain continuous unitary representations of [Formula: see text]. We show that smoothing operators can be used to obtain host algebras and that the class of semibounded representations can be covered completely by host algebras. In particular, the latter class permits direct integral decompositions.
Quantum thermodynamics and quantum entanglement entropies in an expanding universe
Authors: Farahmand Mehrnoosh , Mohammadzadeh Hosein , Mehri-Dehnavi Hossein
Published: April 2017

We investigate an asymptotically spatially flat Robertson–Walker space–time from two different perspectives. First, using von Neumann entropy, we evaluate the entanglement generation due to the encoded information in space–time. Then, we work out the entropy of particle creation based on the quantum thermodynamics of the scalar field on the underlying space–time. We show that the general behavior of both entropies are the same. Therefore, the entanglement can be applied to the customary quantum thermodynamics of the universe. Also, using these entropies, we can recover some information about the parameters of space–time.
ANALYSIS OF AVIAN INFLUENZA A (H7N9) MODEL BASED ON THE LOW PATHOGENICITY IN POULTRY
Authors: GUO SHU-MIN , WANG JUAN , GHOSH MINI , LI XUE-ZHI
Published: April 2017

The avian influenza A (H7N9) virus is one subtype of influenza viruses, which has previously been isolated only in birds. Recently, an outbreak of a new avian influenza (H7N9) in China has resulted in numerous infections and high mortality in the humans. The H7N9 virus is low pathogenic in poultry and high pathogenic in human and that is critically different from other avian influenza viruses. An increasing number of the new H7N9 cases and the high mortality have caused a serious global concern. Here, based on the reported data, we propose and analyze an SE-SEIS avian–human influenza model. We prove the global stability results for both the disease-free equilibrium point and the endemic equilibrium point by using a general Bendixson–Dulac theorem. Our reported theoretical results of this paper are expected to help in exploring the development of efficient methods to controlling the spread of avian influenza A(H7N9).
An Efficient Particle Swarm Optimization-Based Neural Network Approach for Software Reliability Assessment
Authors: Roy Pratik , Mahapatra G. S. , Dey K. N.
Published: April 2017

In this paper, an artificial neural network (ANN)-based dynamic weighted combination model trained by novel particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed for software reliability prediction. Different software reliability growth models (SRGMs) are merged based on the weights derived by the learning algorithm of the proposed ANN. To avoid trapping in local minima during training of the ANN, we propose a neighborhood-based adaptive PSO (NAPSO) algorithm for learning of the proposed ANN in order to find global optimal weights. We conduct the experiments on real software failure data sets for validation of the proposed dynamic weighted combination model (PDWCM). Fitting performance and predictability of the proposed PSO-based neural network are compared with the conventional PSO-based neural network (CPSO) and existing ANN-based software reliability models. We also compare the performance of the proposed PSO algorithm with the CPSO algorithm through learning of the proposed ANN. Empirical results indicate that the proposed PSO and CPSO-based neural network present fairly accurate fitting and prediction capability than the other existing ANN-based software reliability models. Moreover, the proposed PSO-based neural network is most promising for the purpose of software fault prediction since it shows comparatively better fitting and prediction performance results than the other models.
Modeling the Failure Behavior of CFRP Laminates Subjected to Combined Thermal and Mechanical Loadings
Authors: Zhao Weina , Song Hongwei , Huang Chenguang , Huang Yihui
Published: April 2017

This paper proposes a theoretical approach to predict the failure behavior of laminated carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) under combined thermal and mechanical loadings. Two types of CFRP Laminates, i.e., CCF300/BA9916 and T700/BA9916, are investigated, and TGA tests in both nitrogen and oxidation environments at different heating rates are carried out to obtain the thermal decomposition kinetic parameters of polymer matrix and carbon fiber. Based on the thermal decomposition behavior and a multi-level structure model, the thermal physical properties, mechanical properties and thermal deformations of the laminated composites at high temperatures are obtained. Then substituting thermally degraded properties into constitutive equations of composite materials as macroscopic defects, the damage mode and failure strength of the laminated composite under thermo-mechanical loadings is obtained. Predicted elastic properties and failure strength are compared with experimental results as well as previous models. Effects of heating rates and heating environments through rigorous physical model are considered in the present work. It is found that the heating rate significantly affects the thermal and mechanical properties, the higher the heating rate, the less degraded are the thermo-mechanical properties and failure strength at a given temperature. Young’s modulus and failure strength of T700/BA9916 are higher than those of CCF300/BA9916 at high temperatures, due to the higher volume fraction of carbon fibers, which are less weakened in thermal environment.
A Finite Element Implementation of a Fully Coupled Mechanical–Chemical Theory
Authors: Chen Jianyong , Wang Hailong , Yu Pengfei , Shen Shengping
Published: April 2017

A finite element implementation with UEL user-defined element (UEL) subroutines in ABAQUS for fully coupled mechanical–chemical processes, which accounts for deformation, mass diffusion, and chemical reactions based on irreversible thermodynamics, is presented. The finite element formulations are deduced from the Gibbs function variational principle. To demonstrate the robustness of the numerical implementation, one- and two-dimensional numerical simulations with different boundary conditions are conducted. The results present the validity and capability of the UEL subroutines and the coupled theory, and show the interaction among deformation, mass diffusion and chemical reaction. This work provides a valuable tool to the researchers for the study of coupled problems.
Large-Deflection Bending of Clamped Metal Foam-Filled Rectangular Tubes
Authors: Zhang Jianxun , Qin Qinghua , Yang Yan , Yu Xuehui , Chen Shangjun , Wang T. J.
Published: April 2017

Large-deflection bending of fully clamped slender metal foam-filled rectangular tubes is investigated theoretically, experimentally and numerically. A plastic yield criterion for the foam-filled rectangular tube is proposed. Considering the filled foam strength effect and the interaction of bending and stretching, an analytical solution is proposed to predict the structural response of the foam-filled rectangular tubes transversely loaded by a flat punch. Clamped bending tests of aluminium alloy foam-filled rectangular tubes are conducted. The analytical model captures experimental results reasonably. Numerical calculations are carried out to predict the large-deflection behavior of the foam-filled tubes, and good agreement is achieved between the analytical solutions and numerical results. The effects of wall thickness of tube, punch size and filled foam strength are discussed in detail. It is demonstrated that the present analytical model can reasonably predict the post-yield behavior of the foam-filled rectangular tube.