bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining ultrasound and lactobacilli treatment for high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity in mice
Authors: Liao A.‐H. , Jiang C.‐B. , Li C.‐C. , Chuang H.‐C. , Chiang Chiau J.‐S. , Chan W.‐T. , Yeung C.‐Y. , Cheng M.‐L. , Lee H.‐C.
Published: March 2016

Chronic systemic lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation can cause obesity. In animal experiments, lactobacilli have been shown to inhibit obesity by modifying the gut microbiota, controlling inflammation and influencing the associated gene expression. A previous study found that high‐fat‐diet‐induced (HFD) obesity was suppressed by lactobacilli ingestion in rats via the inhibition of parasympathetic nerve activity. This study explored the combined use of lactobacilli ingestion and ultrasound (US) to control body weight and body fat deposition in HFD mice over an 8‐week experimental period. Male C57BL/6J mice received an HFD during treatment and were randomly divided into four groups: (i) control group (H), (ii) lactobacilli alone (HB), (iii) US alone (HU) and (iv) lactobacilli combined with US (HUB). The US was targeted at the inguinal portion of the epididymal fat pad on the right side. At the 8th week, body weight had decreased significantly in the HUB group (15.56 ± 1.18%, mean ± SD) group compared with the HU (26.63 ± 0.96%) and H (32.62 ± 5.03%) groups (p < 0.05). High‐resolution microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) scans revealed that the reduction in total body fat volume was significantly greater in the HUB group (69%) than in the other two experimental groups (HB, 52%; HU, 37%; p < 0.05). The reductions in the thickness of the subcutaneous epididymal fat pads were significantly greater in the HUB group (final thickness: 340 ± 7 μm) than in the H (final thickness: 1150 ± 21 μm), HB (final thickness: 1060 ± 18 μm) and HU (final thickness: 370 ± 5 μm) groups (all p < 0.05). Combination therapy with lactobacilli and US appears to enhance the reduction in body weight, total and local body fat deposition, adipocyte size and plasma lipid levels over an 8‐week period over that achieved with lactobacilli or US alone in HFD mice. These results indicate that US treatment alone can reduce hyperlipidemia in HFD mice.
Direct Support Professionals and Reversed Integration of People With Intellectual Disabilities: Impact of Attitudes, Perceived Social Norms, and Meta‐Evaluations
Authors: Venema Eleonora , Otten Sabine , Vlaskamp Carla
Published: March 2016

Direct support professionals (DSPs) play an important role in the process of integration of people with intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, little is currently known about what determines the level of effort exerted by DSPs to enable the social integration of their clients. The aim of this study was to investigate three different psychological determinants (attitudes, social norms, and meta‐evaluations) of the behavioral intentions of DSPs to facilitate the social integration of their clients. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 28 DSPs working in a setting of “reversed integration,” as well as 25 family members and 25 neighbors. The DSPs’ perceived social norms and meta‐evaluations of neighbors and family members were compared with their actual social norms and evaluations. The authors found that half of the DSPs interviewed were positive about integration, whereas the other half were negative or neutral. Concerning social norms, the DSPs expect neighbors to have neutral attitudes toward the integration of people with intellectual disabilities, while in reality the neighbors are very positive. More than half of the DSPs were uncertain about the family members’ opinions about integration. Asking the family members themselves, there was some variation in their attitudes toward integration. Regarding the meta‐evaluation, DSPs had a realistic idea about how their work would be evaluated by family members and neighbors; both groups were positive. It is evident that this group of DSPs had an overly negative idea of neighbors’ opinions about integration and contact with people with intellectual disabilities. Creating awareness of a supportive social norm in the neighborhood could help and encourage DSPs to strive for social contact between their clients and neighbors.
The Role of Sound in Residential Facilities for People With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities
Authors: van den Bosch Kirsten A. , Andringa Tjeerd C. , Başkent Deniz , Vlaskamp Carla
Published: March 2016

Attention to the auditory environment of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is limited, both in research and practice. As there is a dynamic interplay between the quality of the auditory environment and well‐being, a study was undertaken to test the validity of the theoretical framework regarding the role of sound in homes for people with PIMD. The framework was formulated using techniques from soundscape and emotion research and resulted in a taxonomy of auditory environments, or soundscapes, including an important role for audible safety. A convenience sample of 34 healthcare professionals from various organizational layers volunteered to participate in a focus group study. During this expert meeting their latent knowledge was examined to see if it corresponded to the proposed theoretical framework. The answers given by the participants were grouped in five categories, Influencing behavior, Atmosphere, Clarity, Structure, Safety, and Recognition, showing a strong consistency between the knowledge and experience of the professionals and the theoretical framework. Results suggest the participants working on a strategic level have a less comprehensive understanding of the role of sound in the daily care. The authors’ recommended the increase of awareness amongst the staff of organizations caring for people with PIMD of the role of sound in the environment so as to enhance psychological well‐being and quality of life and thus reduce the prevalence of behavioral problems.
Unions and Income Inequality: A Heterogeneous Panel Co‐integration and Causality Analysis
Authors: Herzer Dierk
Published: March 2016

Although a large body of research has examined the effects of unions on the wage distribution, surprisingly little attention has been devoted to the effects of unions on the distribution of income. This paper examines the long‐run relationship between unionization and income inequality for a sample of 20 countries. Using heterogeneous panel co‐integration and causality techniques, we find that (i) unions have, on average, a negative long‐run effect on income inequality, (ii) there is considerable heterogeneity in the effects of unionization on income inequality across countries (in 40 per cent of the cases the effect is positive) and (iii) long‐run causality runs in both directions, suggesting that, on average, an increase in unionization reduces income inequality and that, in turn, higher inequality leads to lower unionization rates.
Insights into the Ecology and Evolution of Polyploid Plants through Network Analysis
Authors: Gallagher Joseph P. , Grover Corrinne E. , Hu Guanjing , Wendel Jonathan F.
Published: March 2016

Polyploidy is a widespread phenomenon throughout eukaryotes, with important ecological and evolutionary consequences. Although genes operate as components of complex pathways and networks, polyploid changes in genes and gene expression have typically been evaluated as either individual genes or as a part of broad‐scale analyses. Network analysis has been fruitful in associating genomic and other ‘omic’‐based changes with phenotype for many systems. In polyploid species, network analysis has the potential not only to facilitate a better understanding of the complex ‘omic’ underpinnings of phenotypic and ecological traits common to polyploidy, but also to provide novel insight into the interaction among duplicated genes and genomes. This adds perspective to the global patterns of expression (and other ‘omic’) change that accompany polyploidy and to the patterns of recruitment and/or loss of genes following polyploidization. While network analysis in polyploid species faces challenges common to other analyses of duplicated genomes, present technologies combined with thoughtful experimental design provide a powerful system to explore polyploid evolution. Here, we demonstrate the utility and potential of network analysis to questions pertaining to polyploidy with an example involving evolution of the transgressively superior cotton fibres found in polyploid Gossypium hirsutum. By combining network analysis with prior knowledge, we provide further insights into the role of profilins in fibre domestication and exemplify the potential for network analysis in polyploid species.
Erratum to ‘Oberonia manipurensis sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Manipur, India’
Authors: Chowlu Krishna
Published: March 2016

The type citation of the validly published name Oberonia manipurensis Chowlu, Nanda, A. N. Rao, Angela, Bishwajit & Akimpou was imprecisely given in Chowlu et al. (2015) and is corrected here.
Current and historical involvement of dentistry in child protection and a glimpse of the future
Authors: Park CM , Welbury R
Published: March 2016

Dental teams have been involved with child protection for over 40 years. This brief review summarises their involvement in the detection of various types of child abuse and goes on to discuss the gap between the proportions of dental professionals who suspect child abuse or neglect in their paediatric patients and those who refer such cases on. Potential reasons for this discrepancy are discussed, and a glimpse of the future is given as to where further research may be necessary to tackle this existing gap.
Parameter Estimation for Inhomogeneous Space‐Time Shot‐Noise Cox Point Processes
Authors: Dvořák Jiří , Prokešová Michaela
Published: March 2016

We consider the problem of parameter estimation for inhomogeneous space‐time shot‐noise Cox point processes. We explore the possibility of using a stepwise estimation method and dimensionality‐reducing techniques to estimate different parts of the model separately.

We discuss the estimation method using projection processes and propose a refined method that avoids projection to the temporal domain. This remedies the main flaw of the method using projection processes – possible overlapping in the projection process of clusters, which are clearly separated in the original space‐time process. This issue is more prominent in the temporal projection process where the amount of information lost by projection is higher than in the spatial projection process.

For the refined method, we derive consistency and asymptotic normality results under the increasing domain asymptotics and appropriate moment and mixing assumptions. We also present a simulation study that suggests that cluster overlapping is successfully overcome by the refined method.
Politics on the Pitch: The Impact Political Regimes Have on FIFA World Cup Success at Younger and Senior Levels*
Authors: Jiménez Luis F.
Published: March 2016

Objective

This study explores the impact that regime type has on the success of men's national teams in the FIFA World Cup.

Methods

The article uses data for all World Cups between 1930 and 2010, as well as data for all qualification campaigns between 1970 and 2010. It employs an ordinary least squares (OLS) model to ascertain statistical correlations.

Results

I find that democracies have higher winning percentages at senior levels both during the actual World Cup and during the respective qualification campaigns. The opposite trend is found at the younger levels where authoritarian regimes are more likely to find success on the pitch during and after qualification.

Conclusions

Regime type seems to play a role in the success of national teams. The article argues that this is because while authoritarian regimes can cobble together enough raw talent at the younger levels, this advantage disappears at later stages because democracies are more likely to develop the necessary additional ingredients that can allow professional soccer to thrive—competitive leagues, innovative tactics, and further development of natural abilities.
Teaching EBP Using Game‐Based Learning: Improving the Student Experience
Authors: Davidson Sandra J. , Candy Laurie
Published: March 2016

Background

Evidence‐based practice (EBP) is considered a key entry to practice competency for nurses. However, many baccalaureate nursing programs continue to teach “traditional” nursing research courses that fail to address many of the critical knowledge, skills, and attitudes that foster EBP. Traditional classroom teaching strategies do little to promote the development of competencies critical for engaging in EBP in clinical contexts.

Purpose and Goals

The purpose of this work was to develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative teaching strategy aimed at improving student learning, engagement and satisfaction in an online EBP course. The goals of this paper are to: (1) describe the process of course development, (2) describe the innovative teaching strategy, and (3) discuss the outcomes of the pilot course offered using game‐based learning.

Methods

A midterm course‐specific survey and standard institutional end of course evaluations were used to evaluate student satisfaction. Game platform analytics and thematic analysis of narrative comments in the midterm and end of course surveys were used to evaluate students’ level of engagement. Student learning was evaluated using the end of course letter grade.

Results

Students indicated a high satisfaction with the course. Student engagement was also maintained throughout the course. The majority of students (87%, 26/30) continued to complete learning quests in the game after achieving the minimum amount of points to earn an A. Seven students completed every learning quest available in the game platform. Of the 30 students enrolled in the course, 17 students earned a final course grade of A+ and 13 earned an A.

Linking Evidence to Action

Provide students with timely, individualized feedback to enable mastery learning. Create student choice and customization of learning. Integrate the use of badges (game mechanics) to increase engagement and motivation. Level learning activities to build on each other and create flow.
Magnetic Field Effect on Mixed Convection in Lid-Driven Trapezoidal Cavities Filled With a Cu–Water Nanofluid With an Aiding or Opposing Side Wall
Authors: Chamkha Ali J. , Ismael Muneer A.
Published: March 2016

The present study investigates mixed convection inside a Cu–water nanofluid filled trapezoidal cavity under the effect of a constant magnetic field. The mixed convection is achieved by the action of lid-driving of the right hot inclined side wall in the aiding or the opposing direction. The left inclined side wall is fixed and kept isothermal at a cold temperature. The horizontal top and bottom walls are fixed and thermally insulated. The magnetic field is imposed horizontally. The problem is formulated using the stream function-vorticity procedure and solved numerically using an efficient upwind finite-difference method. The studied parameters are: the Richardson number Ri = (0.01–10), the Hartman number Ha = (0–100), the volume fraction of Cu nanoparticles φ = (0–0.05), and the inclination angle of side walls Φ = (66 deg, 70 deg, 80 deg). The results have shown that the suppression effect of the magnetic field for the aiding case is greater than that for the opposing case. Meanwhile, the enhancement of the Nusselt number due to the presence of the Cu nanoparticles is greater for opposing lid-driven case.
A Bayesian Sampling Method for Product Feature Extraction From Large-Scale Textual Data
Authors: Lim Sunghoon , Tucker Conrad S.
Published: March 2016

The authors of this work propose an algorithm that determines optimal search keyword combinations for querying online product data sources in order to minimize identification errors during the product feature extraction process. Data-driven product design methodologies based on acquiring and mining online product-feature-related data are presented with two fundamental challenges: (1) determining optimal search keywords that result in relevant product related data being returned and (2) determining how many search keywords are sufficient to minimize identification errors during the product feature extraction process. These challenges exist because online data, which is primarily textual in nature, may violate several statistical assumptions relating to the independence and identical distribution of samples relating to a query. Existing design methodologies have predetermined search terms that are used to acquire textual data online, which makes the resulting data acquired, a function of the quality of the search term(s) themselves. Furthermore, the lack of independence and identical distribution of text data from online sources impacts the quality of the acquired data. For example, a designer may search for a product feature using the term “screen,” which may return relevant results such as “the screen size is just perfect,” but may also contain irrelevant noise such as “researchers should really screen for this type of error.” A text mining algorithm is introduced to determine the optimal terms without labeled training data that would maximize the veracity of the data acquired to make a valid conclusion. A case study involving real-world smartphones is used to validate the proposed methodology.
A Mixed Integer Linear Programing Formulation for Unrestricted Wind Farm Layout Optimization
Authors: Quan Ning , Kim Harrison M.
Published: March 2016

This paper presents a novel mixed integer linear programing (MILP) formulation for finding the optimal layout of a fixed number of identical turbines that maximizes wind farm power generation. Previous MILP formulations with power maximizing objectives discretize the feasible space by using a grid of possible turbine locations. The proposed MILP formulation takes a different approach by allowing unrestricted placement of turbines, but treats wake cone overlap as a binary outcome. The rationale behind the proposed formulation is that the expansion of the feasible space for turbine placement in the proposed formulation would offset the disadvantage of using a lower fidelity binary wake cone overlap model. For small wind farms, the proposed formulation was able to produce superior layouts compared to a grid-based MILP formulation.
Dynamics of Flexible Body Negotiating a Curve
Authors: Shi Huailong , Wang Liang , Shabana Ahmed A.
Published: March 2016

When a rigid body negotiates a curve, the centrifugal force takes a simple form which is function of the body mass, forward velocity, and the radius of curvature of the curve. In this simple case of rigid body dynamics, curve negotiation does not lead to Coriolis forces. In the case of a flexible body negotiating a curve, on the other hand, the inertia of the body becomes function of the deformation, curve negotiations lead to Coriolis forces, and the expression for the deformation-dependent centrifugal forces becomes more complex. In this paper, the nonlinear constrained dynamic equations of motion of a flexible body negotiating a circular curve are used to develop a systematic procedure for the calculation of the centrifugal forces during curve negotiations. The floating frame of reference (FFR) formulation is used to describe the body deformation and define the nonlinear centrifugal and Coriolis forces. The algebraic constraint equations which define the motion trajectory along the curve are formulated in terms of the body reference and elastic coordinates. It is shown in this paper how these algebraic motion trajectory constraint equations can be used to define the constraint forces that lead to a systematic definition of the resultant centrifugal force in the case of curve negotiations. The embedding technique is used to eliminate the dependent variables and define the equations of motion in terms of the system degrees of freedom. As demonstrated in this paper, the motion trajectory constraints lead to constant generalized forces associated with the elastic coordinates, and as a consequence, the elastic velocities and accelerations approach zero in the steady state. It is also shown that if the motion trajectory constraints are imposed on the coordinates of a flexible body reference that satisfies the mean-axis conditions, the centrifugal forces take the same form as in the case of rigid body dynamics. The resulting flexible body dynamic equations can be solved numerically in order to obtain the body coordinates and evaluate numerically the constraint and centrifugal forces. The results obtained for a flexible body negotiating a circular curve are compared with the results obtained for the rigid body in order to have a better understanding of the effect of the deformation on the centrifugal forces and the overall dynamics of the body.
Somatic activating mutations in
Pik3ca
cause sporadic venous malformations in mice and humans
Authors: Castillo Sandra D. , Tzouanacou Elena , Zaw-Thin May , Berenjeno Inma M. , Parker Victoria E.R. , Chivite Iñigo , Milà-Guasch Maria , Pearce Wayne , Solomon Isabelle , Angulo-Urarte Ana , Figueiredo Ana M. , Dewhurst Robert E. , Knox Rachel G. , Clark Graeme R. , Scudamore Cheryl L. , Badar Adam , Kalber Tammy L. , Foster Julie , Stuckey Daniel J. , David Anna L. , Phillips Wayne A. , Lythgoe Mark F. , Wilson Valerie , Semple Robert K. , Sebire Neil J. , Kinsler Veronica A. , Graupera Mariona , Vanhaesebroeck Bart
Published: March 2016

Mutant
Pik3ca
gives rise to venous malformations.
Intercepting reversible drug tolerance to improve targeted therapy
Authors: Wood Kris C.
Published: March 2016

A repositioned HIV drug enhances the activity of targeted therapy by blocking reversible drug tolerance.
Getting the Hologenome Concept Right: an Eco-Evolutionary Framework for Hosts and Their Microbiomes
Authors: Theis Kevin R. , Dheilly Nolwenn M. , Klassen Jonathan L. , Brucker Robert M. , Baines John F. , Bosch Thomas C. G. , Cryan John F. , Gilbert Scott F. , Goodnight Charles J. , Lloyd Elisabeth A. , Sapp Jan , Vandenkoornhuyse Philippe , Zilber-Rosenberg Ilana , Rosenberg Eugene , Bordenstein Seth R.
Published: March 2016

Given the complexity of host-microbiota symbioses, scientists and philosophers are asking questions at new biological levels of hierarchical organization—what is a holobiont and hologenome? When should this vocabulary be applied? Are these concepts a null hypothesis for host-microbe systems or limited to a certain spectrum of symbiotic interactions such as host-microbial coevolution? Critical discourse is necessary in this nascent area, but productive discourse requires that skeptics and proponents use the same lexicon.
Nitinol clip distal migration and resultant popliteo-tibial artery occlusion complicating access closure by the StarClose SE vascular closure system
Authors: Choi Dae Han , Kim Myeong Jin , Yoo Chan Jong , Park Cheol Wan
Published: March 2016

Lower extremity ischemia following deployment of a vascular closure device for access site closure after a transfemoral endovascular procedure rarely occurs. A 68-year-old woman diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured anterior communicating aneurysm was treated by endovascular coil embolization. The StarClose SE device was deployed for right femoral arteriotomy closure. After 2 days, critical ischemia occurred on her right lower leg due to total occlusion of the popliteo-tibial artery. Emergent surgical embolectomy was performed and the nitinol clip of the StarClose device was captured in the lumen of the tibioperoneal trunk. Although StarClose is an extravascular closure system, intravascular deployment, distal migration, and resultant critical limb ischemia can occur.
Effectiveness of influenza vaccination for preventing influenza-related complications in people with asthma: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Vasileiou Eleftheria , Sheikh Aziz , Butler Chris , von Wissmann Beatrix , McMenamin Jim , Ritchie Lewis , Tian Lilly , Simpson Colin
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Influenza vaccination is administered annually as a preventive measure against influenza infection and influenza-related complications in high-risk individuals, such as those with asthma. However, the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in people with asthma against influenza-related complications is still not well established.

Methods and analysis

We will search the following databases: MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Web of Science Core Collection, Science direct, WHO Library Information System (WHOLIS), Global Health Library and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang and ChongQing VIP) from Jan 1970 to Jan 2016 for observational and experimental studies on effectiveness of influenza vaccine in people with asthma. The identification of studies will be complemented with the searching of the reference lists and citations, and contacting influenza vaccine manufacturers to identify unpublished or ongoing studies. Two reviewers will extract data and appraise the quality of each study independently. Separate meta-analyses will be undertaken for observational and experimental evidence using fixed-effect or random-effects models, as appropriate.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethical approval is not required, as primary data will not be collected. The review will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Soil sample preparation techniques on routine analyses in Quebec affect lime and fertilizer recommendations
Authors: Chelabi Hakima , Khiari Lotfi , Gallichand Jacques , Joseph Claude-Alla
Published: March 2016

Inadequate and (or) inconsistent soil sample preparation techniques (SPT) contribute to excessive variance, difficulties in soil test interpretation, and incorrect lime and fertilizer recommendations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of SPT of five laboratories in Quebec (Canada) on chemical parameters measurement reliability. Samples of fine (G1), medium (G2), and coarse (G3) textured soils were collected from the surface layer. Three 500 g portions of each soil were sent to each laboratory for preparation. In addition, all samples were analyzed by the same laboratory for routine analyses. Nested ANOVA in a hierarchical model were performed with components of SPT interlaboratory reproducibility, SPT intralaboratory replicability, and intralaboratory soil analysis repeatability. Before samples were analyzed, we observed an important interlaboratory heterogeneity of particle size distributions for the same samples; due to sample preparation techniques, this can affect results of the analyses. Of all variables analyzed, the only significant, outside acceptable variations due to SPT were (1) pHwater in G1; (2) PM-III, AlM-III, and (P/Al)M-III in G1 and G2; (3) KM-III, CaM-III, MgM-III and organic matter in G3; and (4) MnM-III and CuM-III in G1, G2, and G3. The steps in SPT, mostly drying and crushing, require standardization to reduce the variance of the entire soil testing process.
Mechanisms for altering phosphorus sorption characteristics induced by low-molecular-weight organic acids
Authors: Wang Yongzhuang , Whalen Joann K. , Chen Xin , Cao Yanhong , Huang Bin , Lu Caiyan , Shi Yi
Published: March 2016

Exudation of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) from plant roots enhances phosphorus (P) acquisition from soil, either by dissolving P fixed in secondary minerals or by reducing P sorption to organo-minerals. How LMWOAs may modify P sorption in soils with contrasting pH is not well understood, much less the mechanisms involved. The effects of three common LMWOAs (oxalic, citric, and malic acids) on P sorption in calcareous, neutral, and acidic soils were studied in batch experiments, followed by sequential P fractionation to elucidate the mechanisms whereby LMWOAs alter P sorption. The sorption data of the three soils fitted better to the Freundlich equation (r2 = 0.325–0.994, P < 0.05) than the Langmuir and linear equations. Oxalic, citric, and malic acids at 10 mmol kg−1 soil decreased the Freundlich P sorption parameters Kf and n, which represent P sorption capacity and energy, due to the fact that LMWOAs reduced P sorption in NaHCO3-Pi (soil soluble and exchangeable Pi, 23.8–30.9%) and NaOH-Pi (Fe-Pi and Al-Pi, 21.6–54.2%) fractions of the three soils. Comparing acidified P-LMWOAs solutions with the pH-adjusted P-LMWOAs solutions (pH = 7) had a minor effect on P sorption. Our results indicated that the reduction in soil P sorption was due to ligand exchange and chelation of LMWOAs with Fe and Al minerals, and the acid strength of LMWOAs had a minor effect on P sorption in calcareous, neutral, and acid soils.
Towards Artificial Speech Therapy: A Neural System for Impaired Speech Segmentation
Authors: Iliya Sunday , Neri Ferrante
Published: March 2016

This paper presents a neural system-based technique for segmenting short impaired speech utterances into silent, unvoiced, and voiced sections. Moreover, the proposed technique identifies those points of the (voiced) speech where the spectrum becomes steady. The resulting technique thus aims at detecting that limited section of the speech which contains the information about the potential impairment of the speech. This section is of interest to the speech therapist as it corresponds to the possibly incorrect movements of speech organs (lower lip and tongue with respect to the vocal tract). Two segmentation models to detect and identify the various sections of the disordered (impaired) speech signals have been developed and compared. The first makes use of a combination of four artificial neural networks. The second is based on a support vector machine (SVM). The SVM has been trained by means of an ad hoc nested algorithm whose outer layer is a metaheuristic while the inner layer is a convex optimization algorithm. Several metaheuristics have been tested and compared leading to the conclusion that some variants of the compact differential evolution (CDE) algorithm appears to be well-suited to address this problem. Numerical results show that the SVM model with a radial basis function is capable of effective detection of the portion of speech that is of interest to a therapist. The best performance has been achieved when the system is trained by the nested algorithm whose outer layer is hybrid-population-based/CDE. A population-based approach displays the best performance for the isolation of silence/noise sections, and the detection of unvoiced sections. On the other hand, a compact approach appears to be clearly well-suited to detect the beginning of the steady state of the voiced signal. Both the proposed segmentation models display outperformed two modern segmentation techniques based on Gaussian mixture model and deep learning.
Reconstruction of Neural Activity from EEG Data Using Dynamic Spatiotemporal Constraints
Authors: Giraldo-Suarez E. , Martinez-Vargas J. D. , Castellanos-Dominguez G.
Published: March 2016

We present a novel iterative regularized algorithm (IRA) for neural activity reconstruction that explicitly includes spatiotemporal constraints, performing a trade-off between space and time resolutions. For improving the spatial accuracy provided by electroencephalography (EEG) signals, we explore a basis set that describes the smooth, localized areas of potentially active brain regions. In turn, we enhance the time resolution by adding the Markovian assumption for brain activity estimation at each time period. Moreover, to deal with applications that have either distributed or localized neural activity, the spatiotemporal constraints are expressed through [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] norms, respectively. For the purpose of validation, we estimate the neural reconstruction performance in time and space separately. Experimental testing is carried out on artificial data, simulating stationary and non-stationary EEG signals. Also, validation is accomplished on two real-world databases, one holding Evoked Potentials and another with EEG data of focal epilepsy. Moreover, responses of functional magnetic resonance imaging for the former EEG data have been measured in advance, allowing to contrast our findings. Obtained results show that the [Formula: see text]-based IRA produces a spatial resolution that is comparable to the one achieved by some widely used sparse-based estimators of brain activity. At the same time, the [Formula: see text]-based IRA outperforms other similar smooth solutions, providing a spatial resolution that is lower than the sparse [Formula: see text]-based solution. As a result, the proposed IRA is a promising method for improving the accuracy of brain activity reconstruction.
Emergent “quantum” theory in complex adaptive systems
Authors: Minic Djordje , Pajevic Sinisa
Published: March 2016

Motivated by the question of stability, in this paper we argue that an effective quantum-like theory can emerge in complex adaptive systems. In the concrete example of stochastic Lotka–Volterra dynamics, the relevant effective “Planck constant” associated with such emergent “quantum” theory has the dimensions of the square of the unit of time. Such an emergent quantum-like theory has inherently nonclassical stability as well as coherent properties that are not, in principle, endangered by thermal fluctuations and therefore might be of crucial importance in complex adaptive systems.
On alternating and symmetric groups which are quasi OD-characterizable
Authors: Moghaddamfar Ali Reza
Published: March 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be the prime graph associated with a finite group [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be the degree pattern of [Formula: see text]. A finite group [Formula: see text] is said to be [Formula: see text]-fold [Formula: see text]-characterizable if there exist exactly [Formula: see text] nonisomorphic groups [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it shows that the symmetric group [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-fold [Formula: see text]-charaterizable. Second, it shows that there exist many infinite families of alternating and symmetric groups, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], which are [Formula: see text]-fold [Formula: see text]-characterizable with [Formula: see text].
Characterizing local rings via perfect and coperfect modules
Authors: Rahmani Mohammad , Taherizadeh Abdoljavad
Published: March 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be a Noetherian ring and let [Formula: see text] be a semidualizing [Formula: see text]-module. In this paper, by using the classes [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we extend the notions of perfect and coperfect modules introduced by Rees [The grade of an ideal or module, Proc. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 53 (1957) 28–42] and Jenda [The dual of the grade of a module, Arch. Math. 51 (1988) 297–302]. First, we study the basic properties of these modules and relations between them. Next, we characterize local rings in terms of the existence of special perfect (respectively, coperfect) modules.
Optimal quantum codes from additive skew cyclic codes
Authors: Aydin Nuh , Abualrub Taher
Published: March 2016

Additive codes received much attention due to their connections with quantum codes. On the other hand, skew cyclic codes proved to be a useful class of codes that contain many good codes. In this work, we introduce and study additive skew cyclic codes over the quaternary field [Formula: see text], obtaining some structural properties of these codes. Moreover, we also show that many best known and optimal quantum codes can be obtained from this class.
Performances analysis of asymmetric minimum length nozzles
Authors: Fu Lei , Zhang Shuai , Zheng Yao
Published: March 2016

Two-dimensional (2D) and axisymmetric minimum length nozzles (MLNs) with constant and variable specific heat were strictly designed using the method of characteristics (MOCs). MOC is a numerical technique which has great advantages in accuracy and efficiency for solving hyperbolic partial differential equations. According to previous MLN designs, violent vibrations of upper wall discrete points at the inlet were observed for 2D nozzles. Meanwhile, slight compressions could be observed in the flow field of axisymmetric nozzles designed by those methods. We proposed a novel technique in which the inlet grid is intensified to overcome the limitations mentioned above. Inviscid numerical simulations by CFD revealed that the proposed nozzle could meet the requirements for exit Mach number and flow field uniformity. Additionally, asymmetric MLNs could be used to hypersonic vehicles. The preliminary performances of 2D asymmetric nozzle with constant specific heat were investigated.
Constitutively active PKA regulates neuronal acetylcholine release and contractility of guinea pig urinary bladder smooth muscle
Authors: Xin Wenkuan , Li Ning , Fernandes Vitor S. , Petkov Georgi V.
Published: March 2016

Autonomic and somatic motor neurons that innervate the urinary bladder and urethra control the highly coordinated functions of the lower urinary tract, the storage, and the emptying of urine. ACh is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the bladder. Here, we aimed to determine whether PKA regulates neuronal ACh release and related nerve-evoked detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) contractions in the guinea pig urinary bladder. Isometric DSM tension recordings were used to measure spontaneous phasic and electrical field stimulation (EFS)- and carbachol-induced DSM contractions with a combination of pharmacological tools. The colorimetric method was used to measure ACh released by the parasympathetic nerves in DSM isolated strips. The pharmacological inhibition of PKA with H-89 (10 μM) increased the spontaneous phasic contractions, whereas it attenuated the EFS-induced DSM contractions. Intriguingly, H-89 (10 μM) attenuated the (primary) cholinergic component, whereas it simultaneously increased the (secondary) purinergic component of the nerve-evoked contractions in DSM isolated strips. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, eserine (10 μM), increased EFS-induced DSM contractions, and the subsequent addition of H-89 attenuated the contractions. H-89 (10 μM) significantly increased DSM phasic contractions induced by the cholinergic agonist carbachol. The inhibition of PKA decreased the neuronal release of ACh in DSM tissues. This study revealed that PKA-mediated signaling pathways differentially regulate nerve-evoked and spontaneous phasic contractions of guinea pig DSM. Constitutively active PKA in the bladder nerves controls synaptic ACh release, thus regulating the nerve-evoked DSM contractions, whereas PKA in DSM cells controls the spontaneous phasic contractility.
The sequential encoding of competing action goals involves dynamic restructuring of motor plans in working memory
Authors: Gallivan Jason P. , Bowman Natasha A. R. , Chapman Craig S. , Wolpert Daniel M. , Flanagan J. Randall
Published: March 2016

Recent neural and behavioral findings provide support for the influential idea that in situations in which multiple action options are presented simultaneously, we prepare action plans for each competing option before deciding between and executing one of those plans. However, in natural, everyday environments, our available action options frequently change from one moment to the next, and there is often uncertainty as to whether additional options will become available before having to select a particular course of action. Here, with the use of a target-directed reaching task, we show that in this situation, the brain specifies a competing action for each new, sequentially presented potential target and that recently formed action plans can be revisited and updated so as to conform with separate, more newly developed, plans. These findings indicate that the brain forms labile motor plans for sequentially arising target options that can be flexibly restructured to accommodate new motor plans.
Small Bowel Review: Part I
Authors: Thomson ABR , Thomson JA , Ropeleski MJ , Wild GE
Published: March 2016

Major scientific advances have been made over the past few years in the areas of small bowel physiology, pathology, microbiology and clinical sciences. Over 1000 papers have been reviewed and a selective number are considered here. Wherever possible, the clinical relevance of these advances have been identified. There have been a number of important and/or interesting developments in the past year that have clinical significance.
Methylation Status of Alu and LINE-1 Interspersed Repetitive Sequences in Behcet’s Disease Patients
Authors: Yüksel Şahru , Kucukazman Selma Ozbek , Karataş Gülten Sungur , Ozturk Mehmet Akif , Prombhul Sasiprapa , Hirankarn Nattiya
Published: March 2016

Behcet’s Disease (BD) is a multisystem chronic inflammatory disease. The pathology is believed to involve both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Hypomethylation leading to activation of interspersed repetitive sequences (IRSs) such as LINE-1 and Alu contributes to the pathologies of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Herein, the epigenetic changes of IRSs in BD were evaluated using combined bisulfite restriction analysis-interspersed repetitive sequences (COBRA-IRS). DNA from neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of BD patients with ocular involvement that were in active or inactive states and healthy controls were used to analyze LINE-1 and Alu methylation levels. For Alu sequences, significant differences were observed in the frequency ofCuCualleles between PBMCs of patients and controls (p=0.03), and between inactive patients and controls (p=0.03). For neutrophils, the frequency ofCuCuwas significantly higher between patients and controls (p=0.006) and between inactive patients and controls (p=0.002). The partial methylation (CuCm+CmCu) frequencies of Alu between inactive patients and control samples also differed (p=0.02). No statistically significant differences for LINE-1 were detected. Thus, changes in the methylation level of IRS elements might contribute to the pathogenesis of BD. The role of Alu transcripts in BD should be investigated further.
Speed Control Based on ESO for the Pitching Axis of Satellite Cameras
Authors: Liu BingYou , Jin Yi , Chen ChangZheng , Yang HuiCheng
Published: March 2016

The pitching axis is the main axis of a satellite camera and is used to control the pitch posture of satellite cameras. A control strategy based on extended state observer (ESO) is designed to obtain a fast response speed and highly accurate pitching axis control system and eliminate disturbances during the adjustment of pitch posture. First, a sufficient condition of stabilization for ESO is obtained by analyzing the steady-state error of the system under step input. Parameter tuning and disturbance compensation are performed by ESO. Second, the ESO of speed loop is designed by the speed equation of the pitching axis of satellite cameras. The ESO parameters are obtained by pole assignment. By ESO, the original state variable observes the motor angular speed and the extended state variable observes the load torque. Therefore, the external load disturbances of the control system are estimated in real time. Finally, simulation experiments are performed for the system on the cases of nonload starting, adding external disturbances on the system suddenly, and the load of system changing suddenly. Simulation results show that the control strategy based on ESO has better stability, adaptability, and robustness than the PI control strategy.
Death of a 29-Year-Old Male from Undifferentiated Sepsis
Authors: Trebuss Kathryn A. , Buttemer Samantha , Wilkinson Jeffrey S. , Xu Josie , Rossiter John P. , Moore Kieran M.
Published: March 2016

Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors, such as infliximab, and other biologic agents are associated with increased risk of opportunistic infection, including tuberculosis. Tuberculosis infections associated with infliximab tend to present atypically and can be difficult to diagnose, as they are more likely to manifest as extrapulmonary or disseminated disease. The authors report a case involving a 29-year-old male patient who died following 16 days of treatment for undifferentiated sepsis and who was found on autopsy to have widespread disseminated tuberculosis. Prior to the onset of illness, the patient had received infliximab for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Following discussion of the case, the authors review the definition of adverse events, provide a root cause analysis of the cognitive errors and breakdowns in the health care system that contributed to the reported outcome, and identify opportunities to address these breakdowns and improve patient safety measures for future cases.
Management of Testicular Silicone Gel-Filled Prosthesis Rupture: Case Report of a Rare Event and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Phan Quang-Bao , Koutlidis Nicolas , Duperron Céline , Mourey Eric , Michel Frédéric , Cormier Luc
Published: March 2016

Introduction. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of a single testicular prosthesis in a patient who had undergone bilateral orchiectomy and silicone gel-filled prosthesis insertion. The consequences of this rare event are discussed. There is no management algorithm.Case Presentation. A 55-year-old man presented to our outpatient department with altered consistency in his right testicular prosthesis and a painful right hemiscrotum with no systemic symptoms thirty-three years after the implantation of the prosthesis. We removed this implant without replacement, in accordance with the patient’s wishes.Conclusion. The long time between the implantation and the spontaneous rupture is remarkable and was never before described. The removal of the prosthesis was straightforward and it would have been possible to implant a new prosthesis after taking into account the condition of the skin.
The Burden of NAFLD and Its Characteristics in a Nationwide Population with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Forlani Gabriele , Giorda Carlo , Manti Roberta , Mazzella Natalia , De Cosmo Salvatore , Rossi Maria Chiara , Nicolucci Antonio , Di Bartolo Paolo , Ceriello Antonio , Guida Pietro , Study Group AMD-Annals
Published: March 2016

Objective. We studied the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its clinical correlates in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods. Clinical data of 94,577 T2DM patients were retrieved from 160 diabetes clinics in Italy in a standardized format and centrally analyzed anonymously. After exclusion of 5967 cases (high or uncertain alcohol intake), in 38,880 the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) was used as a proxy for the diagnosis of NAFLD. Factors associated with FLI assessed NAFLD (FLI-NAFLD) were evaluated through multivariate analysis.Results. FLI-NAFLD was present in 59.6% of patients. Compared to non-NAFLD, FLI-NAFLD was associated with impairment in renal function, higher albumin excretion, HbA1c and blood pressure, lower HDL cholesterol, and poorer quality of care. ALT was within normal limits in 73.6% of FLI-NAFLD patients (45.6% if the updated reference values were used). The prevalence of FLI-NAFLD did not differ if the whole sample (94,577 cases) was examined, irrespective of alcohol intake.Conclusions. FLI-NAFLD was present in the majority of T2DM patients of our sample and metabolic derangement, not alcohol consumption, was mainly associated with the disease. FLI-NAFLD patients have a worse metabolic profile. ALT levels are not predictive of NAFLD.