bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Investigation of Ventilation and Human Thermoregulation for Predicting Thermal Comfort of a Rider Wearing Ventilated Helmet
Authors: Shishodia Bhagwat Singh , Sanghi Sanjeev , Mahajan Puneet
Published: March 2017

Effectiveness of ventilated helmets in providing thermal comfort to a motorcycle rider is studied. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of human thermoregulation system and the air flow in the air gap of a full-face motorcycle helmet are carried out. The thermal comfort of a rider is predicted using apparent temperature (AT) and wet-bulb global temperature (WBGT) heat indices. The effect of an increase in ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) of air on the air flow and temperature in the region above the head is studied to predict the thermal comfort of the rider wearing full-face helmets. The effect of increasing the air gap between the head and the helmet is also studied. The results are then compared with the conditions when the rider is not wearing helmet. It is observed that the ventilated helmet is effective in providing thermal comfort to the rider only if the ambient air temperature is less than normal body temperature. For air temperature higher than the body temperature, vents do not provide any cooling to the head and the nonventilated helmet is more comfortable. Furthermore, CFD simulations are performed to investigate the effect of increase in RH in the ambient air on the thermal comfort of the rider. The increase in RH of air from 50% to 90% at a fixed ambient air temperature leads to an increase in AT and WBGT, indicating reduced thermal comfort of the rider.
Thermodynamic Extremum Principles for Nonequilibrium Stationary State in Heat Conduction
Authors: Guo Yangyu , Wang Ziyan , Wang Moran
Published: March 2017

Minimum entropy production principle (MEPP) is an important variational principle for the evolution of systems to nonequilibrium stationary state. However, its restricted validity in the domain of Onsager's linear theory requires an inverse temperature square-dependent thermal conductivity for heat conduction problems. A previous derivative principle of MEPP still limits to constant thermal conductivity case. Therefore, the present work aims to generalize the MEPP to remove these nonphysical limitations. A new dissipation potential is proposed, the minimum of which thus corresponds to the stationary state with no restriction on thermal conductivity. We give both rigorous theoretical verification of the new extremum principle and systematic numerical demonstration through 1D transient heat conduction with different kinds of temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity. The results show that the new principle remains always valid while MEPP and its derivative principle fail beyond their scopes of validity. The present work promotes a clear understanding of the existing thermodynamic extremum principles and proposes a new one for stationary state in nonlinear heat transport.
The Effectiveness of Cervical Traction and Exercise in Decreasing Neck and Arm Pain for Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Baez Shelby E. , Hoch Johanna M. , Uhl Timothy L.
Published: March 2017

Clinical Question:

Is there evidence to suggest intermittent cervical traction with cervical and scapular strengthening exercises is more effective in decreasing neck and arm pain when compared with cervical and scapular strengthening exercises alone in nonoperative patients with cervical radiculopathy?

Clinical Bottom Line:

There is currently inconsistent, high-quality evidence that suggests that the use of intermittent cervical traction in addition to strengthening exercises is more effective at decreasing pain in nonoperative patients with cervical radiculopathy when compared with strengthening alone. Future research should continue to examine long-term outcomes associated with cervical radiculopathy patients who use intermittent cervical traction as an intervention.
Validation of a Single Question for the Evaluation of Physical Activity in Adolescents
Authors: Magalhães Alexandre , Severo Milton , Autran Roseanne , Araújo Joana , Santos Paula , Pina Maria Fátima , Ramos Elisabete
Published: March 2017

We aimed to assess the validity of a single question to evaluate leisure-time physical activity (PA) in adolescents. We included 209 participants (57.4% girls) aged 14–18 years from Porto, Portugal, evaluated as part of the SALTA project. A self-reported question with four answer options, designed for the EPITeen study, was used to classify the intensity level of usual leisure-time activities. Actigraph accelerometers were used to objectively measure total PA during 7 consecutive days. Since the accelerometers measured PA as a continuous variable, hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify clusters of individuals with similar level of objectively measured PA. Correlations between self-reported and objective measures were evaluated through polychoric correlations. In girls, we found higher mean time on sedentary activities among those describing their leisure-time PA as “sitting”, and an increase on the time spent on light and moderate activities with increasing intensity of PA on self-reported classification. A similar trend was found in boys, but not reaching statistical significance. The correlation between the two measures of PA was 0.42 for girls and 0.46 for boys. We found an acceptable correlation between our single question and the objectively measured PA, showing that, although the single question is not adequate to quantify the intensity of the physical activity, it allows to rank adolescents according to leisure-time physical activity.
Load-, Force-, and Power-Velocity Relationships in the Prone Pull-Up Exercise
Authors: Muñoz-López Mario , Marchante David , Cano-Ruiz Miguel A. , Chicharro José López , Balsalobre-Fernández Carlos
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To analyze the load-, force-, and power-velocity relationships and determine the load that optimizes power output on the pull-up exercise.

Methods:

Eighty-two resistance-trained men (age 26.8 ± 5.0 y; pull-up 1-repetition maximum [1-RM; normalized per kg of body mass] 1.5 ± 0.34) performed 2 repetitions with 4 incremental loads (range 70–100%1-RM) in the pull-up exercise while mean propulsive velocity (MPV), force (MPF), and power (MPP) were measured using a linear transducer. Relationships between variables were studied using first- and second-order least-squares regression, and subjects were divided into 3 groups depending on their 1-RM for comparison purposes.

Results:

Almost perfect individual load-velocity (R2 = .975 ± 0.02), force-velocity (R2 = .954 ± 0.04), and power-velocity (R2 = .966 ± 0.04) relationships, which allowed to determine the velocity at each %1-RM, as well as the maximal theoretical force (F0), velocity (V0), and power (Pmax) for each subject were observed. Statistically significant differences between groups were observed for F0 (P < .01) but not for MPV at each %1-RM, V0, and Pmax (P > .05). In addition, high correlations between F0 and 1-RM (r = .811) and V0 and Pmax (r = .865) were observed. Finally, the authors observed that the load that maximized MPP was 71.0% ± 6.6%1-RM.

Conclusions:

The very high load-velocity, force-velocity, and power-velocity relationships enables estimation of 1-RM by measuring movement velocity, as well as determination of maximal force, velocity, and power capabilities. This information could be of great interest to strength and conditioning coaches who wish to monitor pull-up performance.
Are Injuries More Common With CrossFit Training Than Other Forms of Exercise?
Authors: Klimek Chelsey , Ashbeck Christopher , Brook Alexander J. , Durall Chris
Published: March 2017

Clinical Scenario: CrossFit is a form of exercise that incorporates rapid and successive high-intensity ballistic movements. As CrossFit is an increasingly popular fitness option, it is important to determine how rates of injury compare to more traditional forms of exercise. This review was conducted to ascertain the incidence of injury with CrossFit relative to other forms of exercise. Focused Clinical Question: Are injuries more common with CrossFit training than other forms of exercise? Summary of Key Findings: (1) The literature was searched for studies that compared injury rates among individuals who participated in CrossFit fitness programs to participants in other exercise programs. (2) The search initially yielded >100 results, which were narrowed down to 3 level 2b retrospective cohort studies that were deemed to have met inclusion/exclusion criteria. (3) In all 3 reviewed studies, the reported incidences of injuries associated with CrossFit training programs were comparable or lower than rates of injury in Olympic weightlifting, distance running, track and field, rugby, or gymnastics. Clinical Bottom Line: Current evidence suggests that the injury risk from CrossFit training is comparable to Olympic weightlifting, distance running, track and field, rugby, football, ice hockey, soccer, or gymnastics. Injuries to the shoulder(s) appear to be somewhat common with CrossFit. However, the certitude of these conclusions is questionable given the lack of randomization, control, or uniform training in the reviewed studies. Clinicians should be aware that injury is more prevalent in cases where supervision is not always available to athletes. This is more often the case for male participants who may not actively seek supervision during CrossFit exercise. Strength of Recommendation: Level 2b evidence from 3 retrospective cohort studies indicates that the risk of injury from participation in CrossFit is comparable to or lower than some common forms of exercise or strength training.
Nonsurgical Treatment of Acetabular Labral Tears
Authors: Theige Melissa , David Shannon
Published: March 2017

Clinical Scenario: Surgical treatment of acetabular labral tears has been explored in multiple studies, while there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of conservative methods. Focused Clinical Question: To what extent can nonsurgical treatment produce symptomatic or functional improvements in athletes with an acetabular labral tear? Summary of Search, Best Evidence Appraised, and Key Findings: The literature was searched for studies of patients with confirmed acetabular labral tears who participated in any level of sport. Four studies were located, all of which were included. Clinical Bottom Line: The research discussed in this review agreed that conservative management of acetabular labral tears produced measurable improvements in pain and function among the athletes studied, including their ability to participate in sport activities. Based on these findings, it appears that conservative management is effective at rehabilitating athletes with acetabular labral tears. However, this method should not be applied to every athlete based on the low strength of current research. Treatment plans should be decided upon on a case-by-case basis. Strength of Recommendation: The studies located were of low quality. The highest Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine Level of Evidence achieved was 4. Higher level studies must be conducted before the conclusions of this research can be applied clinically with assertion. Strength of recommendation is level 3.
Does Roller Massage With a Foam Roll Change Pressure Pain Threshold of the Ipsilateral Lower Extremity Antagonist and Contralateral Muscle Groups? An Exploratory Study
Authors: Cheatham Scott W. , Kolber Morey J.
Published: March 2017

Context: Foam rolling is a popular intervention used by allied health professionals and the general population. Current research suggests that foam rolling may have an effect on the ipsilateral antagonist muscle group and produce a cross-over effect in the muscles of the contralateral limb. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of foam rolling to the left quadriceps on ipsilateral antagonist hamstrings and contralateral quadriceps muscle group pressure pain threshold (PPT). Through this research, we sought to gather data to further develop the methodology for future studies of this intervention. Design: A pretest–posttest exploratory study. Setting: University kinesiology laboratory. Participants: 21 healthy adults (age = 27.52 ± 8.9 y). Intervention: Video-guided foam roll intervention on the left quadriceps musculature. Main Outcome Measures: Ipsilateral hamstring (antagonist) and contralateral quadriceps muscle PPT. Results: A significant difference was found between pretest to posttest measures for the ipsilateral hamstrings (t[20] = −6.2, P < 0.001) and contralateral quadriceps (t[20] = −9.1, P < 0.001) suggesting an increase in PPT. Conclusions: These findings suggest that foam rolling of the quadriceps musculature may have an acute effect on the PPT of the ipsilateral hamstrings and contralateral quadriceps muscles. Clinicians should consider these results to be exploratory and future investigations examining this intervention on PPT is warranted.
The Comparison of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Self-Stretch Measures to Increase Shoulder Range of Motion in Overhead Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Hussey Matthew J. , Boron-Magulick Alex E. , Valovich McLeod Tamara C. , Welch Bacon Cailee E.
Published: March 2017

Clinical Scenario: Shoulder range of motion (ROM) in throwing athletes relies on a balance of mobility and stability to maintain proper function and health that, if disrupted, can lead to shoulder injury. There have been several studies that address the relationship between ROM deficits and overhead injuries; however, it may be unclear to clinicians which interventions are most effective for increasing ROM in the glenohumeral joints of overhead athletes. Clinical Question: In overhead athletes who have deficient shoulder ROM, is instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) more effective at acutely increasing ROM over the course of a patient’s treatment when compared with self-stretching? Summary of Key Findings: A thorough literature review yielded 3 studies relevant to the clinical question, and all 3 studies were included. Two articles found a significant increase in acute ROM when compared with a self-stretch measure. All 3 articles showed increases in internal rotation and horizontal adduction, and 1 study reported an increase in total arc of shoulder ROM. Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate evidence to support the use of IASTM to acutely increase ROM in the glenohumeral joint of overhead athletes. Clinicians should be aware of the variability with recommended treatment times; however, positive results have been seen with treatments lasting 5 to 6 minutes per treatment region. There is no consensus for treatment intensity, and certain IASTM tools require certification. Strength of Recommendation: Grade B evidence exists that IASTM is more effective at increasing shoulder ROM (ie, internal rotation, horizontal adduction, external rotation, total arc of motion) in overhead athletes than self-stretching measures.
Assessment of the 5-Minute Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope in Children With Obesity
Authors: Dias Katrin A. , Masterson Concetta E , Wallen Matthew P. , Tjonna Arnt E. , Hosseini Mansoureh S. , Davies Peter S.W. , Cain Peter A. , Leong Gary M. , Arena Ross , Ingul Charlotte B. , Coombes Jeff S.
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

Poor cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased all cause morbidity and mortality. In children with obesity, maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) may not be achieved due to reduced motivation and peripheral fatigue. We aimed to identify a valid submaximal surrogate for V̇O2max in children with obesity.

Method:

Ninety-two children with obesity (7–16 years) completed a maximal exercise treadmill test and entered a three-month exercise and/or nutrition intervention after which the exercise test was repeated (n = 63). Participants were required to reach V̇O2max to be included in this analysis (n = 32 at baseline and n = 13 at both time-points). The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) was determined as the slope of the line when V̇O2 (L/min) was plotted against log V̇E. Associations between the maximal OUES, submaximal OUES (at 3, 4, 5 and 6 min of the exercise test) and V̇O2max were calculated.

Results:

In the cross-sectional analysis, V̇O2max (L/min) was strongly correlated with 5-min OUES independent of Tanner puberty stage and sex (R2 = .80, p < .001). Longitudinal changes in V̇O2max were closely reflected by changes in 5-min OUES independent of change in percent body fat (R2 = .63, p < .05).

Conclusion:

The 5-min OUES is a viable alternative to V̇O2max when assessing children with obesity.
Raising the drawbridge
Authors: You Jia , Bohannon John , Stone Richard
Published: March 2017

Border clampdown could disrupt web of collaborations.
DNA Fountain enables a robust and efficient storage architecture
Authors: Erlich Yaniv , Zielinski Dina
Published: March 2017

A reliable and efficient DNA storage architecture

DNA has the potential to provide large-capacity information storage. However, current methods have only been able to use a fraction of the theoretical maximum. Erlich and Zielinski present a method, DNA Fountain, which approaches the theoretical maximum for information stored per nucleotide. They demonstrated efficient encoding of information—including a full computer operating system—into DNA that could be retrieved at scale after multiple rounds of polymerase chain reaction.

Science
, this issue p.
950
Clathrates grow up
Authors: Samanta Dipak , Klajn Rafal
Published: March 2017

Uniquely shaped nanocrystals customized with DNA shells assemble into highly complex clathrate structures
Micro/nanorobots for biomedicine: Delivery, surgery, sensing, and detoxification
Authors: Li Jinxing , Esteban-Fernández de Ávila Berta , Gao Wei , Zhang Liangfang , Wang Joseph
Published: March 2017

Small robots may solve big challenges in biomedicine, including diagnosis, detoxification, drug delivery, and surgery.
Direct Detection and Identification of Bacterial Pathogens from Urine with Optimized Specimen Processing and Enhanced Testing Algorithm
Authors: Huang Bin , Zhang Lei , Zhang Weizheng , Liao Kang , Zhang Shihong , Zhang Zhiquan , Ma Xingyan , Chen Jialong , Zhang Xiuhong , Qu Pinghua , Wu Shangwei , Chen Cha , Tang Yi-Wei
Published: March 2017

Rapid and accurate detection and identification of microbial pathogens causing urinary tract infections allow prompt and specific treatment. We optimized specimen processing to maximize the limit of detection (LOD) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and evaluated the capacity of combination of MALDI-TOF MS and urine analysis (UA) for direct detection and identification of bacterial pathogens from urine samples. The optimal volumes of processed urine, formic acid/acetonitrile, and supernatant spotted onto the target plate were 15 ml, 3 μl, and 3 μl, respectively, yielding a LOD of 1.0 × 10
5
CFU/ml. Among a total of 1,167 urine specimens collected from three hospital centers, 612 (52.4%) and 351 (30.1%) were, respectively, positive by UA and urine culture. Compared with a reference method comprised of urine culture and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of MALDI-TOF MS alone and MALDI-TOF MS coupled with UA were 86.6% versus 93.4% (χ
2
= 8.93;
P
< 0.01), 91.5% versus 96.3% (χ
2
= 7.06;
P
< 0.01), 81.5% versus 96.4% (χ
2
= 37.32;
P
< 0.01), and 94.1% versus 93.1% (χ
2
= 0.40;
P
> 0.05), respectively. No significant performance differences were revealed among the three sites, while specificity and NPV of MALDI-TOF MS for males were significantly higher than those for females (specificity, 94.3% versus 77.3%, χ
2
= 44.90,
P
< 0.01; NPV, 95.5% versus 86.1%, χ
2
= 18.85,
P
< 0.01). Our results indicated that the optimization of specimen processing significantly enhanced analytical sensitivity and that the combination of UA and MALDI-TOF MS provided an accurate and rapid detection and identification of bacterial pathogens directly from urine.
Measles Virus Enters Breast and Colon Cancer Cell Lines through a PVRL4-Mediated Macropinocytosis Pathway
Authors: Delpeut Sebastien , Sisson Gary , Black Karen M. , Richardson Christopher D.
Published: March 2017

Measles virus (MeV) is a member of the family
Paramixoviridae
that causes a highly contagious respiratory disease but has emerged as a promising oncolytic platform. Previous studies of MeV entry focused on the identification of cellular receptors. However, the endocytic and trafficking pathways utilized during MeV entry remain poorly described. The contribution of each endocytic pathway has been examined in cells that express the MeV receptors SLAM (signaling lymphocyte-activating molecule) and PVRL4 (poliovirus receptor-like 4) (nectin-4). Recombinant MeVs expressing either firefly luciferase or green fluorescent protein together with a variety of inhibitors were used. The results showed that MeV uptake was dynamin independent in the Vero.hPVRL4, Vero.hSLAM, and PVRL4-positive MCF7 breast cancer cell lines. However, MeV infection was blocked by 5-(
N
-ethyl-
N
-propyl)amiloride (EIPA), the hallmark inhibitor of macropinocytosis, as well as inhibitors of actin polymerization. By using phalloidin staining, MeV entry was shown to induce actin rearrangements and the formation of membrane ruffles accompanied by transient elevated fluid uptake. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) demonstrated that MeV enters both Vero.hPVRL4 and Vero.hSLAM cells in a PAK1-independent manner using a macropinocytosis-like pathway. In contrast, MeV entry into MCF7 human breast cancer cells relied upon Rac1 and its effector PAK1 through a PVRL4-mediated macropinocytosis pathway. MeV entry into DLD-1 colon and HTB-20 breast cancer cells also appeared to use the same pathway. Overall, these findings provide new insight into the life cycle of MeV, which could lead to therapies that block virus entry or methods that improve the uptake of MeV by cancer cells during oncolytic therapy.

IMPORTANCE
In the past decades, measles virus (MeV) has emerged as a promising oncolytic platform. Previous studies concerning MeV entry focused mainly on the identification of putative receptors for MeV. Nectin-4 (PVRL4) was recently identified as the epithelial cell receptor for MeV. However, the specific endocytic and trafficking pathways utilized during MeV infections are poorly documented. In this study, we demonstrated that MeV enters host cells via a dynamin-independent and actin-dependent endocytic pathway. Moreover, we show that MeV gains entry into MCF7, DLD-1, and HTB-20 cancer cells through a PVRL4-mediated macropinocytosis pathway and identified the typical cellular GTPase and kinase involved. Our findings provide new insight into the life cycle of MeV, which may lead to the development of therapies that block the entry of the virus into the host cell or alternatively promote the uptake of oncolytic MeV into cancer cells.
Parallel multicentre randomised trial of a clinical trial question prompt list in patients considering participation in phase 3 cancer treatment trials
Authors: Tattersall Martin H N , Jefford Michael , Martin Andrew , Olver Ian , Thompson John F , Brown Richard F , Butow Phyllis N
Published: March 2017

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a clinical trial question prompt list in patients considering enrolment in cancer treatment trials.

Setting

Tertiary cancer referral hospitals in three state capital cities in Australia.

Participants

88 patients with cancer attending three cancer centres in Australia, who were considering enrolment in phase 3 treatment trials, were invited to enrol in an unblinded randomised trial of provision of a clinical trial question prompt list (QPL) before consenting to enrol in the treatment trial.

Interventions

We developed and pilot tested a targeted QPL for patients with cancer considering clinical trial participation (the clinical trial QPL). Consenting patients were randomised to receive the clinical trial QPL or not before further discussion with their oncologist and/or trial nurse about the treatment trial.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Questionnaires were completed at baseline and within 3 weeks of deciding on treatment trial participation. Main outcome measure: scores on the Quality of Informed Consent questionnaire (QuIC).

Results

88 patients of 130 sought for the study were enrolled (43 males), and 45 received the clinical trial QPL. 49% of trials were chemotherapy interventions for patients with advanced disease, 35% and 16% were surgical adjuvant and radiation adjuvant trials respectively. 70 patients completed all relevant questionnaires. 28 of 43 patients in the control arm compared with 39 of 45 patients receiving the clinical trial QPL completed the QuIC (p=0.0124). There were no significant differences in the QuIC scores between the randomised groups (QuIC part A p=0.08 and QuIC part B p=0.92). There were no differences in patient satisfaction with decisions or in anxiety levels between the randomised groups.

Conclusions

Use of a question prompt list did not significantly change the QuIC scores in this randomised trial. ANZCTR 12606000214538 prospectively registered 31/5/2006.

Trial registration number

Results, ACTRN12606000214538.
Update on the effects of physical activity on insulin sensitivity in humans
Authors: Bird Stephen R , Hawley John A
Published: March 2017

Purpose and methods

This review presents established knowledge on the effects of physical activity (PA) on whole-body insulin sensitivity (SI) and summarises the findings of recent (2013–2016) studies.

Discussion and conclusions

Recent studies provide further evidence to support the notion that regular PA reduces the risk of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, and SI improves when individuals comply with exercise and/or PA guidelines. Many studies indicate a dose response, with higher energy expenditures and higher exercise intensities, including high intensity interval training (HIIT), producing greater benefits on whole-body SI, although these findings are not unanimous. Aerobic exercise interventions can improve SI without an associated increase in cardiorespiratory fitness as measured by maximal or peak oxygen consumption. Both aerobic and resistance exercise can induce improvements in glycaemic regulation, with some suggestions that exercise regimens including both may be more efficacious than either exercise mode alone. Some studies report exercise-induced benefits to SI that are independent of habitual diet and weight loss, while others indicate an association with fat reduction, hence the debate over the relative importance of PA and weight loss continues. During exercise, muscle contraction stimulated improvements in SI are associated with increases in AMPK activity, which deactivates TCB1D1, promoting GLUT4 translocation to the cell membrane and thereby increasing glucose uptake. Postexercise, increases in Akt deactivate TCB1D4 and thereby increase GLUT4 translocation to the cell membrane. The reduction in intramuscular saturated fatty acids and concomitant reductions in ceramides, but not diacylglycerols, provide a potential link between intramuscular lipid content and SI. Increased skeletal muscle capillarisation provides another independent adaptation through which SI is improved, as does enhanced β cell activity. Recent studies are combining exercise interventions with dietary and feeding manipulations to investigate the potential for augmenting the exercise-induced improvements in SI and glycaemic control.
Achieving responsible medicines use at practice and farm level
Authors: Tisdall David A. , Reyher Kristen K. , Barrett David C.
Published: March 2017

Medicines use in farm animals and the potential for antimicrobial resistance development and transfer to humans is of increasing scientific, public and political concern. Veterinary surgeons must take the lead in driving change: challenging the currently accepted norms of prescribing and administration, advocating and adopting an evidence‐based approach to therapeutic decision making, and monitoring patterns of medicines use to identify opportunities for intervention and measure impact, while at the same time partnering with farmers to improve herd health management. This article discusses how such a multifaceted, collaborative approach, which involves the whole practice team working in partnership with farm staff, can be highly successful in achieving and sustaining more responsible medicines use on farm and improving animal health.
Inspiring young people about science
Authors: Doherty Simon
Published: March 2017

Simon Doherty describes his motivation for becoming a STEM ambassador – helping future generations appreciate and understand the roles of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the workplace
SIR rumor spreading model considering the effect of difference in nodes’ identification capabilities
Authors: Wang Ya-Qi , Wang Jing
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we study the effect of difference in network nodes’ identification capabilities on rumor propagation. A novel susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model is proposed, based on the mean-field theory, to investigate the dynamical behaviors of such model on homogeneous networks and inhomogeneous networks, respectively. Theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate that when we consider the influence of difference in nodes’ identification capabilities, the critical thresholds obviously increase, but the final rumor sizes are apparently reduced. We also find that the difference in nodes’ identification capabilities prolongs the time of rumor propagation reaching a steady state, and decreases the number of nodes that finally accept rumors. Additionally, under the influence of difference of nodes’ identification capabilities, compared with the homogeneous networks, the rumor transmission rate on the inhomogeneous networks is relatively large.
Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the Genus Sanguisorba L.
Authors: Zhao Zefeng , He Xirui , Zhang Qiang , Wei Xiaoyang , Huang Linhong , Fang Jia Cheng , Wang Xiaoxiao , Zhao Meimei , Bai Yajun , Zheng Xiaohui
Published: March 2017

Plants from the genus Sanguisorba have been treated as medicinal ingredients for over 2000 years. This paper reviews advances in the botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of the genus. To date, more than 120 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from these plants, especially from S. officinalis and S. minor. Among these compounds, triterpenoids, phenols and flavonoids are the primary biologically active constituents. Triterpenoids can be used as quality control markers to determine the quality of medicinal materials and their preparations. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that plants from the genus Sanguisorba exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, including hemostatic, antibacterial, antitumor, neuroprotective and hypoglycemic activities. In Chinese medical practice, many drugs (e.g., tablets and powders) that contain S. officinalis roots have been used to treat leukopenia, hemorrhaging and burns. However, there is still a multitude of Sanguisorba species that have garnered little or no attention. Indeed, there are few reports concerning the clinical use and toxic effects of these plants. Further attention should be focused on the study of these species in order to gather information on their respective toxicology data, any relevant quality-control measures, and the clinical value of the crude extracts, active compounds, and bioactive metabolites from Genus Sanguisorba.
Effects of a scattering center on the ground-state energy of quantum-dot lithium
Authors: Vatansever Z. D. , Sakiroglu S. , Sokmen I.
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the effects of a repulsive scattering center on the ground-state energy and spin properties of a three-electron parabolic quantum dot are investigated theoretically by means of configuration interaction method. Phase transition from a weakly correlated regime to a strongly correlated regime is examined from several strengths and positions of Gaussian impurity. Numerical results reveal that the transition from spin-1/2 to spin-3/2 state depends strongly on the location of the impurity which accordingly states the controllability of the spin polarization. Moreover, broken circular symmetry results in more pronounced electronic charge localization.
The study of metal enhanced fluorescence property of Ag/ZnO composite structure
Authors: Liu Xingzuo , Chen Zhuo , Zhao Yue , Shen Yue , Guo Yun , Huang Jian , Min Jiahua , Wang Linjun
Published: March 2017

In this paper, Ag nanoparticles were successfully prepared by chemical reduction, and then Ag/ZnO composite particles were successfully prepared and deposited onto glass substrates to form Ag/ZnO thin films. Hereafter, the structure, the morphology and the metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) property of Ag nanoparticles and ZnO/Ag composite particles were studied by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence (FL) spectrometer. The results showed that the average size of Ag nanoparticles increased with the increase of prepared time. Moreover, ZnO layer consisted of polycrystalline structure and amorphous interface layer, but nano-Ag particle was polycrystalline structure. Annealing process was carried out to investigate the influence of annealing process parameters on MEF property of Ag/ZnO composite structure. Due to annealing treatment, the amorphous component of Ag/ZnO thin films was reduced, which might improve the density of Ag/ZnO thin films and the diameter of composite particles. Furthermore, FL enhancement phenomenon of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) molecules might be attributed to the joint influence of the roughness and the density of these films and the average diameter of composite particles.
Compact Active Quenching Circuit for Single Photon Avalanche Diodes Arrays
Authors: Zheng Lixia , Hu Huan , Weng Ziqing , Yao Qun , Wu Jin , Sun Weifeng
Published: March 2017

A compact quenching circuit for Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) arrays is presented. The proposed circuit preserves the advantages of small area occupation and low power consumption, since it mainly adopts the junction capacitance of the detector to sense the avalanche current. The sensing time is now limited more by the detector rather than the circuit itself. Fabricated in TSMC standard 0.35[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS process, the proposed circuit only occupies an area of 20[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]31[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and can operate properly with the detector biased up to 5[Formula: see text]V above breakdown. The circuit functionality has been verified by experimental measurements, operating with 64[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]64 InGaAs/InP single photon avalanche diode arrays for time-of-flight-based applications.
DENSITY FUNCTIONAL STUDY OF ELEMENTAL MERCURY ADSORPTION ON X (X=Mn, Si, Ti, Al, AND Zn)-DOPED CuO (110) SURFACE
Authors: HE PING , PENG XIAOLONG , ZHANG ZHONGZHI , WU JIANG , CHEN NAICHAO , REN JIANXING
Published: March 2017

Copper oxide (CuO) is proved to be a potential adsorbent for elemental mercury in the flue gas emitted from coal-fired power plant. However, the O-terminated CuO(110) surface has relatively week adsorption capacity for Hg. In this work, the doped method is applied to enhance the mercury adsorption capacity of O-terminated CuO(110). Mn, Si, Ti, Al and Zn are selected as the doped atom. It is found that only Zn-doped CuO (110) surfaces have the higher adsorption energy than the pure O-terminated CuO(110) surface. The mercury adsorption capacity is a complex issue, which depends on a combination of oxygen and doped element. The results suggest that the lower electropositive doped element is favorable for the improvement of mercury adsorption capacity. However, the lower electronegativity of oxygen atoms does not facilitate the mercury capture, which is different from the organic material. Cu and doped metal element, rather than oxygen atom, mainly determine mercury adsorption capacity of O-terminated CuO(110) surface, which leads to the lower adsorption capacity of the O-terminated CuO(110) surface than the Cu-terminated CuO(110) surface. The conclusions can also offer a valuable reference for the other metal oxide regarding mercury capture.
SMALL MOLECULES ADSORBED ON SILICON SURFACES: TWO CASES THROUGH TIME
Authors: CARBONE MARILENA
Published: March 2017

The adsorption of small organic molecules on silicon surfaces has been long a subject of investigations, as it provides the fundamental basis of silicon-based technologies in many fields. Several approaches were used, both theoretical and experimental, on many types of adsorbate-substrate systems aiming at determining preferential sites and geometries of adsorption, stable configurations, transition barriers, adsorption mechanisms, electronic structures among others. The research efforts, though, did not always bring to conclusive arguments and on some systems investigations are still going on following the evolution of the experimental techniques and computational methods. In this review, two case studies are reported: benzene and methanol on Si(100)2[Formula: see text]1, i.e. examples of a molecular and a dissociative adsorption. The adsorption of benzene on Si(100)2[Formula: see text]1 is still an open case, as it may adsorb in di-[Formula: see text] or tetra-[Formula: see text] bonded configurations, but contrasting evidences have been reported so far, on which of the two is the most stable one and the debate is still open. The adsorption of methanol is less controversial and it is widely accepted it is dissociative with breakage of the O–H at low coverages. But also in this case, investigations are going on to elucidate the adsorption mechanism.
A note on a theorem of Baer
Authors: Yu Haoran
Published: March 2017

In this short note, we generalize a recent result of Zhang [A generalization of Baer’s theorem, Comm. Algebra (2017), doi: 10.1080/00927872.2017.1287275].
A flexible and robust train operation model based on expert knowledge and online adjustment
Authors: Zhang Chun-Yang , Chen Dewang , Yin Jiateng , Chen Long
Published: March 2017

Most existing automatic train operation (ATO) models are based on different train control algorithms and aim to closely track the target velocity curve optimized offline. This kind of model easily leads to some problems, such as frequent changes of the control outputs, inflexibility of real-time adjustments, reduced riding comfort and increased energy consumption. A new data-driven train operation (DTO) model is proposed in this paper to conduct the train control by employing expert knowledge learned from experienced drivers, online optimization approach based on gradient descent, and a heuristic parking method. Rather than directly to model the target velocity curve, the DTO model alternatively uses the online and offline operation data to infer the basic control output according to the domain expert knowledge. The online adjustment is performed over the basic output to achieve stability. The proposed train operation model is evaluated in a simulation platform using the field data collected in YiZhuang Line of Beijing Subway. Compared with the curve tracking approaches, the proposed DTO model achieves significant improvements in energy consumption and riding comfort. Furthermore, the DTO model has more advantages including the flexibility of the timetable adjustments and the less operation mode conversions, that are beneficial to the service life of train operation systems. The DTO model also shows velocity trajectories and operation mode conversions similar to the one of experienced drivers, while achieving less energy consumption and smaller parking error. The robustness of the proposed algorithm is verified through numerical simulations with different system parameters, complicated velocity restrictions, diverse running times and steep gradients.
Ramanujan-type congruences for ℓ-regular partitions modulo 3, 5, 11 and 13
Authors: Jin Hai-Tao , Zhang Li
Published: March 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be the number of [Formula: see text]-regular partitions of [Formula: see text]. Recently, Hou et al. established several infinite families of congruences for [Formula: see text] modulo [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In this paper, using the vanishing property given by Hou et al., we prove an infinite family of congruence for [Formula: see text] modulo [Formula: see text]. Moreover, for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we obtain three infinite families of congruences for [Formula: see text] modulo [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] respectively using the theory of Hecke eigenforms.
Evaluation of the convolution sums ∑a1m1+a2m2+a3m3+a4m4=nσ(m1)σ(m2)σ(m3)σ(m4) with lcm(a1,a2,a3,a4) ≤ 4
Authors: Lee Joohee , Park Yoon Kyung
Published: March 2017

The generating functions of divisor functions are quasimodular forms of weight 2 and the product of them is a quasimodular form of higher weight. In this work, we evaluate the convolution sums [Formula: see text] for the positive integers [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] with lcm[Formula: see text]. We reprove the known formulas for the number of representations of a positive integer [Formula: see text] by each of the quadratic forms [Formula: see text] as an application of the new identities proved in this paper.
Base points, bases and positive definite forms
Authors: Tekcan Ahmet , Kutlu Seyma
Published: March 2017

In this work, we deduce some algebraic relations on base points [Formula: see text] of positive definite forms [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]-basis of [Formula: see text].
Perfect domination and small cycles
Authors: Jiang Minghui , Zhang Yong
Published: March 2017

We study the parameterized complexity of several problems related to perfect domination in graphs with or without small cycles. When parameterized by the solution size, these problems are W-hard in graphs with girth at most four, but are fixed-parameter tractable in graphs with girth at least five.
Dark Matter or Additional Gravitational Forces Generated by Non-Spherical Mass Distributions?
Authors: Li Enbang
Published: March 2017

The measured orbital velocity distributions of stars in galaxies and the observed gravitational lensing effects in galaxy clusters suggest that there should be more mass than that can be explained by the visible mass of stars, gas and dust in the galaxies. This unseen mass or matter, generally referred to as dark matter, has puzzled physicists for a few decades and has now become one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in modern science. So far, all of the efforts aiming to generate and detect the exotic dark matter substance have yielded negative results. Here, starting from Newton’s law of gravity, we show that the spherical mass distribution models originally employed for estimating the masses of galaxies could cause the discrepancy between the actual masses and those calculated from the rotational velocities. It is demonstrated that additional gravitational effects are generated from non-spherical mass distributions in the cosmic structures. The currently observed rotation curves and gravitational lensing effects in galaxies and galaxy clusters could be explained under the frameworks of Newtonian gravity and Einstein’s general theory of relativity when proper mass distributions are considered.
‘Fish’, fossil and fake: medicinal unicorn horn
Authors: Duffin Christopher J.
Published: March 2017

Ctesias (fifth century BC) recounted contemporary Persian beliefs of white Indian animals which had a white horn, black in the centre and flaming red at the pointed tip, projecting from their forehead. Reinforced by classical and medieval writers, travellers, biblical warrant and trade in narwhal tusk, the unicorn became firmly established in European mythology. Increasing popularity as an alexipharmic, prophylactic and counter-poison through the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries led to rising demand and rapidly inflating prices. Debate raged as to which was the ‘true unicorn’ (
Unicornum Verum
), narwhal tusks or mammoth ivory (
Unicornu Fossile
); shavings and powders of both were incorporated into a bewildering array of medicinal mixtures while fraudulent alternatives flooding the markets required the employment of discriminatory tests. Further alternatives with supposedly similar properties included the (probably smectite) clays of
Terra Sigillata Strigoniensis
or
Terra Silesiaca
(
Unicornu Minerale
), and an alchemical preparation (
Unicornu Solare
). The supposed therapeutic application and wide range of delivery systems of all types of unicorn horn medicines are reviewed in detail for the first time. Particularly popular as an antidote in plague medicines, the use of alicorn (unicorn horn) simples declined to extinction with the increasingly empirical approach to pharmacy of the mid-eighteenth century.
Role of TGF-alpha in the progression of diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Heuer Josef G. , Harlan Shannon M. , Yang Derek D. , Jaqua Dianna L. , Boyles Jeffrey S. , Wilson Jonathan M. , Heinz-Taheny Kathleen M. , Sullivan John M. , Wei Tao , Qian Hui-Rong , Witcher Derrick R. , Breyer Matthew D.
Published: March 2017

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFA) has been shown to play a role in experimental chronic kidney disease associated with nephron reduction, while its role in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is unknown. We show here that intrarenal TGFA mRNA expression, as well as urine and serum TGFA, are increased in human DKD. We used a TGFA neutralizing antibody to determine the role of TGFA in two models of renal disease, the remnant surgical reduction model and the uninephrectomized (uniNx) db/db DKD model. In addition, the contribution of TGFA to DKD progression was examined using an adeno-associated virus approach to increase circulating TGFA in experimental DKD. In vivo blockade of TGFA attenuated kidney disease progression in both nondiabetic 129S6 nephron reduction and Type 2 diabetic uniNx db/db models, whereas overexpression of TGFA in uniNx db/db model accelerated renal disease. Therapeutic activity of the TGFA antibody was enhanced with renin angiotensin system inhibition with further improvement in renal parameters. These findings suggest a pathologic contribution of TGFA in DKD and support the possibility that therapeutic administration of neutralizing antibodies could provide a novel treatment for the disease.