bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deradicalizing Detained Terrorists
Authors: Webber David , Chernikova Marina , Kruglanski Arie W. , Gelfand Michele J. , Hettiarachchi Malkanthi , Gunaratna Rohan , Lafreniere Marc‐Andre , Belanger Jocelyn J.
Published: May 2017

Deradicalization of terrorists constitutes a critical component of the global “war on terror.” Unfortunately, little is known about deradicalization programs, and evidence for their effectiveness is derived solely from expert impressions and potentially flawed recidivism rates. We present the first empirical assessment of one such program: the Sri Lankan rehabilitation program for former members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (a terrorist organization that operated in Sri Lanka until their defeat in 2009). We offer evidence that deradicalization efforts that provided beneficiaries with sustained mechanisms for earning personal significance significantly reduced extremism after 1 year (Study 1). We also found that upon release, beneficiaries expressed lower levels of extremism than their counterparts in the community (Study 2). These findings highlight the critical role of personal significance in deradicalization efforts, offer insights into the workings of deradicalization, and suggest practical methods for improving deradicalization programs worldwide.
A new genus of Cryphonectriaceae isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa in southern China
Authors: Chen S. F. , Liu Q. L. , Li G. Q. , Wingfield M. J. , Roux J.
Published: May 2017

Numerous species in the Cryphonectriaceae have been recorded on the Myrtales and many of these are economically important pathogens of Eucalyptus. Some species have also recently been shown to be endophytes of native Myrtaceae and to have undergone host jumps to infect Eucalyptus species established as exotics in plantations. Recent surveys in the GuangDong and HaiNan Provinces of South China reveal the presence of a species of Cryphonectriaceae associated with cankers on trees of Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lythraceae, Myrtales). Fungal structures were observed on the surface of dead bark covering cankers and on branch stubs. Multigene phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on DNA sequence comparisons of the partial LSU gene, ITS region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene and two regions of the β‐tubulin (BT) gene. The results revealed the presence of a previously undescribed genus and species in the Cryphonectriaceae. The fungus is described here as Chrysomorbus lagerstroemiae gen. et sp. nov. Inoculation tests showed that it is an aggressive pathogen on L. speciosa and that it can also infect Eucalyptus.
Predicting wading bird and aquatic faunal responses to ecosystem restoration scenarios
Authors: Beerens James M. , Trexler Joel C. , Catano Christopher P.
Published: May 2017

In large‐scale conservation decisions, scenario planning identifies key uncertainties of ecosystem function linked to ecological drivers affected by management, incorporates ecological feedbacks, and scales up to answer questions robust to alternative futures. Wetland restoration planning requires an understanding of how proposed changes in surface hydrology, water storage, and landscape connectivity affect aquatic animal composition, productivity, and food‐web function. In the Florida Everglades, reintroduction of historical hydrologic patterns is expected to increase productivity of all trophic levels. Highly mobile indicator species such as wading birds integrate secondary productivity from aquatic prey (small fishes and crayfish) over the landscape. To evaluate how fish, crayfish, and wading birds may respond to alternative hydrologic restoration plans, we compared predicted small fish density, crayfish density and biomass, and wading bird occurrence for existing conditions to four restoration scenarios that varied water storage and removal of levees and canals (i.e. decompartmentalization). Densities of small fish and occurrence of wading birds are predicted to increase throughout most of the Everglades under all restoration options because of increased flows and connectivity. Full decompartmentalization goes furthest toward recreating hypothesized historical patterns of fish density by draining excess water ponded by levees and hydrating areas that are currently drier than in the past. In contrast, crayfish density declined and species composition shifted under all restoration options because of lengthened hydroperiods (i.e. time of inundation). Under full decompartmentalization, the distribution of increased prey available for wading birds shifted south, closer to historical locations of nesting activity in Everglades National Park.
Goodness-of-Fit Tests for High Dimensional Linear Models
Authors: Shah Rajen D. , Bühlmann Peter
Published: May 2017

We propose a framework for constructing goodness-of-fit tests in both low and high dimensional linear models. We advocate applying regression methods to the scaled residuals following either an ordinary least squares or lasso fit to the data, and using some proxy for prediction error as the final test statistic. We call this family residual prediction tests. We show that simulation can be used to obtain the critical values for such tests in the low dimensional setting and demonstrate using both theoretical results and extensive numerical studies that some form of the parametric bootstrap can do the same when the high dimensional linear model is under consideration. We show that residual prediction tests can be used to test for significance of groups or individual variables as special cases, and here they compare favourably with state of the art methods, but we also argue that they can be designed to test for as diverse model misspecifications as heteroscedasticity and non-linearity.
How Republicans Won on Voter Identification Laws: The Roles of Strategic Reasoning and Moral Conviction*
Authors: Conover Pamela Johnston , Miller Patrick R.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

American political elites heatedly disagree over voter identification (ID) laws. Yet, the issue is not particularly polarizing at the mass level. Previous research mostly explores voter ID attitude correlates and how those policies shape turnout, but offers less insight into how average citizens understand the issue. We explore competing partisan frames on voter ID—voter fraud and voter suppression—that advance subtexts about partisan motivations and whom these laws benefit.

Method

We use an original nationally representative survey to examine how partisan motivated reasoning, strategic reasoning, and moral conviction influence voter ID frame perceptions and policy support among partisans.

Results

For average partisans, strategic reasoning and moral conviction significantly influence frame perceptions and voter ID attitudes, though not always along predicted party lines. Motivated reasoning proves inconsequential.

Conclusions

Republicans have won the “framing war” over voter ID, largely neutralizing the Democratic voter suppression frame, even among average Democrats.
A new dynamic network flow algorithm using base state amendment model for emergency response
Authors: Jiang Jincheng , Wu Lixin
Published: May 2017

Large‐scale earthquake disasters in recent years have caused huge damage to people's lives and property. Quick effective emergency response is the primary task post‐disaster. A dynamic network flow model can be used to obtain an effective emergency material rescue plan for the transportation network. Strong timeliness is a critical factor to emergency response. However, very few efficient algorithms were presented for most dynamic network flow problems. To solve this issue, this article introduces a novel low‐time‐complexity exact algorithm using the continuous‐time dynamic network flow (CTDNF) and the base state with amendment (BSA) model in the geographic information science field. Besides, this new CTDNF‐BSA algorithm is improved to solve more complex cases with dynamic capacity and transmit time in a dynamic transportation network. Both numerical and geographic experiments were conducted to assess the correctness, time and space performance of the presented CTDNF‐BSA algorithm. The experimental results demonstrated that the CTDNF‐BSA algorithm can attain the optimal solution with good computing time and space performance as compared with traditional algorithms. Geographic cases in dynamic situations for real emergency response illustrated that the CTDNF‐BSA algorithm can provide effective decision support for emergency material rescue planning in a dynamic transportation environment.
Experiences and expectations of return-to-work programs for nurses and midwives who have acquired a musculoskeletal disorder in the workplace: a qualitative systemic review protocol
Authors: Weckert Christine , Stern Cindy , Porritt Kylie
Published: May 2017

Review question/objective:

The objective of this systematic review is to identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the experiences and expectations of being involved in a program that aims to return nurses and midwives, who have acquired a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) in the workplace, to work.

The specific review questions are:

What are the experiences and expectations of nurses and midwives involved in programs aimed to return them to work after acquiring an MSD in the workplace?

What are the experiences and expectations of coordinators involved in programs aimed to return nurses and midwives, who have acquired an MSD in the workplace, to work?
Effectiveness of formal hand hygiene education and feedback on healthcare workers’ hand hygiene compliance and hospital-associated infections in adult intensive care units: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Akanji Joy , Walker Jean , Christian Robin
Published: May 2017

Review question/objective:

The objective of this quantitative systematic review is to identify and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of formal hand hygiene education with and without feedback on healthcare workers’ hand hygiene compliance and healthcare-associated infections in adult intensive care units.
Recovery from forward masking in cochlear implant listeners depends on stimulation mode, level, and electrode location
Authors: Chatterjee Monita , Kulkarni Aditya M.
Published: May 2017

Psychophysical recovery from forward masking was measured in adult cochlear implant users of CochlearTM and Advanced BionicsTM devices, in monopolar and in focused (bipolar and tripolar) stimulation modes, at four electrode sites across the arrays, and at two levels (loudness balanced across modes and electrodes). Results indicated a steeper psychophysical recovery from forward masking in monopolar over bipolar and tripolar modes, modified by differential effects of electrode and level. The interactions between factors varied somewhat across devices. It is speculated that psychophysical recovery from forward masking may be driven by different populations of neurons in the different modes, with a broader stimulation pattern resulting in a greater likelihood of response by healthier and/or faster-recovering neurons within the stimulated population. If a more rapid recovery from prior stimulation reflects responses of neurons not necessarily close to the activating site, the spectral pattern of the incoming acoustic signal may be distorted. These results have implications for speech processor implementations using different degrees of focusing of the electric field. The primary differences in the shape of the recovery function were observed in the earlier portion (between 2 and 45 ms) of recovery, which is significant in terms of the speech envelope.
Assessing Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity in Families of Toddlers With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity Scale (PPPAS)
Authors: Lakes Kimberley D. , Abdullah Maryam M. , Youssef Julie , Donnelly Joseph H. , Taylor-Lucas Candice , Goldberg Wendy A. , Cooper Dan , Radom-Aizik Shlomit
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine a new tool (PPPAS = Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity Scale-Preschool) developed to study parental perceptions of physical activity (PA) among parents of toddler and preschool age children.

Method:

143 children (mean age 31.65 months; 75% male) and their parents were recruited from a neurodevelopmental clinic. Parents completed questionnaires, and both a psychologist and a physician evaluated the children. Eighty-three percent of the children received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder; 20% of the children had a BMI > 85th percentile. Analyses were conducted to evaluate the reliability, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and predictive validity of PPPAS scores.

Results:

Results supported a two-factor structure: Perceptions of the Benefits of PA and the Barriers to PA. The internal consistency of scores was good for both PPPAS subscales, derived from the two factors. Parent perceptions of barriers to PA were significantly correlated with delays in overall adaptive functioning, daily living skills, socialization, and motor skills. When a child’s motor skills were delayed, parents were less likely to believe PA was beneficial and perceived more barriers to PA. Parent perceptions of barriers to PA predicted parent-reported weekly unstructured PA and ratings of how physically active their child was compared with other children.

Conclusion:

We present the PPPAS-Preschool for use in pediatric exercise research and discuss potential applications for the study of parent perceptions of PA in young children.
Muscular and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Homeschool versus Public School Children
Authors: Kabiri Laura S. , Mitchell Katy , Brewer Wayne , Ortiz Alexis
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

The growth and unregulated structure of homeschooling creates an unknown population in regard to muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness. The purpose of this research was to compare muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness between elementary school aged homeschool and public school children.

Method:

Homeschool children ages 8–11 years old (n = 75) completed the curl-up, 90° push-up, and Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run (PACER) portions of the FitnessGram to assess abdominal and upper body strength and endurance as well as cardiorespiratory fitness. Comparisons to public school children (n = 75) were made using t tests and chi-square tests.

Results:

Homeschool children showed significantly lower abdominal (t(148) = -11.441, p < .001; χ2 (1) = 35.503, p < .001) and upper body (t(148) = -3.610, p < .001; χ2 (1) = 4.881, p = .027) strength and endurance. There were no significant differences in cardiorespiratory fitness by total PACER laps (t(108) = 0.879, p = .381) or estimated VO2max (t(70) = 1.187, p = .239; χ2 (1) = 1.444, p = .486).

Conclusion:

Homeschool children showed significantly lower levels of both abdominal and upper body muscular fitness compared with their age and gender matched public school peers but no difference in cardiorespiratory fitness.
Pinpointing HIV spread in Africa poses risks
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: May 2017

Researchers hash out ethical, legal issues raised by large sequence database of AIDS virus.
Who will watch the Amazon?
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: May 2017

Brazil's move to hire private firm spurs criticism.
The extent of forest in dryland biomes
Authors: Bastin Jean-François , Berrahmouni Nora , Grainger Alan , Maniatis Danae , Mollicone Danilo , Moore Rebecca , Patriarca Chiara , Picard Nicolas , Sparrow Ben , Abraham Elena Maria , Aloui Kamel , Atesoglu Ayhan , Attore Fabio , Bassüllü Çağlar , Bey Adia , Garzuglia Monica , García-Montero Luis G. , Groot Nikée , Guerin Greg , Laestadius Lars , Lowe Andrew J. , Mamane Bako , Marchi Giulio , Patterson Paul , Rezende Marcelo , Ricci Stefano , Salcedo Ignacio , Diaz Alfonso Sanchez-Paus , Stolle Fred , Surappaeva Venera , Castro Rene
Published: May 2017

Mapping the world's dry forests

The extent of forest area in dryland habitats, which occupy more than 40% of Earth's land surface, is uncertain compared with that in other biomes. Bastin
et al.
provide a global estimate of forest extent in drylands, calculated from high-resolution satellite images covering more than 200,000 plots. Forests in drylands are much more extensive than previously reported and cover a total area similar to that of tropical rainforests or boreal forests. This increases estimates of global forest cover by at least 9%, a finding that will be important in estimating the terrestrial carbon sink.

Science
, this issue p.
635
Keeping in touch with the ER network
Authors: Tan Xiaojun , Anderson Richard A.
Published: May 2017

Growth factor receptor internalization occurs at sites of transient membrane contacts
Epithelial cells reject abnormal neighbors
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: May 2017

Normal epithelial cells induce metabolic changes in neighboring transformed cells to force them out of the epithelium.
LDL cholesterol impairs therapy
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: May 2017

A diet high in LDL cholesterol may hinder the therapeutic efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cancer patients.
Phenome-wide scanning identifies multiple diseases and disease severity phenotypes associated with HLA variants
Authors: Karnes Jason H. , Bastarache Lisa , Shaffer Christian M. , Gaudieri Silvana , Xu Yaomin , Glazer Andrew M. , Mosley Jonathan D. , Zhao Shilin , Raychaudhuri Soumya , Mallal Simon , Ye Zhan , Mayer John G. , Brilliant Murray H. , Hebbring Scott J. , Roden Dan M. , Phillips Elizabeth J. , Denny Joshua C.
Published: May 2017

Numerous associations were discovered between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variation and a comprehensive set of phenotypes derived from electronic health records.
In Vitro
Resistance Selection in Shigella flexneri by Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, and Moxifloxacin
Authors: Allen George P. , Harris Kayla A.
Published: May 2017

Shigella flexneri
continues to be a major cause of diarrhea-associated illness, and increasing resistance to first-line antimicrobials complicates the treatment of infections caused by this pathogen. We investigated the pharmacodynamics of current antimicrobial treatments for shigellosis to determine the likelihood of resistance promotion with continued global antimicrobial use. The mutant prevention concentration (MPC) and mutant selection window (MSW) were determined for azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin against a wild-type strain of
S. flexneri
(ATCC 12022) and an isogenic
gyrA
mutant (m-12022). Time-kill assays were performed to determine antimicrobial killing. Concentrations of approved doses of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin are predicted to surpass the MPC for a majority of the dosage interval against ATCC 12022. However, against m-12022, concentrations of all fluoroquinolones are predicted to fall below the MPC and remain in the MSW for a majority of the dosage interval. Concentrations of ceftriaxone fall within the MSW for the majority of the dosage interval for both strains. All agents other than azithromycin displayed bactericidal activity in time-kill assays. Results of pharmacodynamic analyses suggest that all tested fluoroquinolones would achieve a favorable area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MPC ratio for ATCC 12022 and would restrict selective enrichment of mutants but that mutant selection in m-12022 would be likely if ciprofloxacin were used. Based on pharmacodynamic analyses, azithromycin and ceftriaxone are predicted to promote mutant selection in both strains. Confirmation of these findings and examination of novel treatment regimens using
in vivo
studies are warranted.
Influence of Experimental Cryptococcal Meningitis in Wistar Rats on Voriconazole Brain Penetration Assessed by Microdialysis
Authors: Alves Izabel Almeida , Staudt Keli Jaqueline , Silva Carolina de Miranda , Lock Graziela de Araujo , Dalla Costa Teresa , de Araujo Bibiana Verlindo
Published: May 2017

To make advances in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis, it is crucial to know a given drug's free fraction that reaches the biophase. In the present study, we applied microdialysis (μD) as a tool to determine the free levels reached by voriconazole (VRC) in the brains of healthy and
Cryptococcus neoformans
-infected rats. The infection was induced by the intravenous (i.v.) administration of 1 × 10
5
CFU of yeast. The dose administered was 5 mg/kg (of body weight) of VRC, given i.v. Plasma and microdialysate samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and LC-UV methods. The free brain/free plasma ratio (
f
T) and population pharmacokinetic (popPK) analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of infection on PK parameters of the drug. The brain penetration ratio showed an increase on brain exposure in infected animals (
f
T
healthy
= 0.85 versus
f
T
infected
= 1.86). The structural PK model with two compartments and Michaelis-Menten (MM) elimination describes the VRC concentration-time profile in plasma and tissue simultaneously. The covariate infection was included in volume of distribution in the peripheral compartment in healthy animals (
V
2
) and maximum rate of metabolism (

V
M

). The levels reached in infected tissues were higher than the values described for MIC of VRC for
Cryptococccus neoformans
(0.03 to 0.5 μg ml
−1
), indicating its great potential to treat meningitis associated with
C. neoformans
.
Transcriptional Repressor PtvR Regulates Phenotypic Tolerance to Vancomycin in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Liu Xue , Li Jing-Wen , Feng Zhixing , Luo Youfu , Veening Jan-Willem , Zhang Jing-Ren
Published: May 2017

Reversible or phenotypic tolerance to antibiotics within microbial populations has been implicated in treatment failure of chronic infections and development of persister cells. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating phenotypic drug tolerance are largely unknown. In this study, we identified a four-gene operon in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
that contributes to
p
henotypic
t
olerance to
v
ancomycin (
ptv
). RNA sequencing, quantiative reverse transcriptase PCR, and transcriptional luciferase reporter experiments revealed that transcription of the
ptv
operon (consisting of
ptvR
,
ptvA
,
ptvB
, and
ptvC
) is induced by exposure to vancomycin. Further investigation showed that transcription of the
ptv
operon is repressed by PtvR, a PadR family repressor. Transcriptional induction of the
ptv
operon by vancomycin was achieved by transcriptional derepression of this locus, which was mediated by PtvR. Importantly, fully derepressing
ptvABC
by deleting
ptvR
or overexpressing the
ptv
operon with an exogenous promoter significantly enhanced vancomycin tolerance. Gene deletion analysis revealed that PtvA, PtvB, and PtvC are all required for the PtvR-regulated phenotypic tolerance to vancomycin. Finally, the results of an electrophoretic mobility shift assay with recombinant PtvR showed that PtvR represses the transcription of the
ptv
operon by binding to two palindromic sequences within the
ptv
promoter. Together, the
ptv
locus represents an inducible system in
S. pneumoniae
in response to stressful conditions, including those caused by antibiotics.

IMPORTANCE
Reversible or phenotypic tolerance to antibiotics within microbial populations is associated with treatment failure of bacterial diseases, but the underlying mechanisms regulating phenotypic drug tolerance remain obscure. This study reports our finding of a multigene locus that contributes to inducible tolerance to vancomycin in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, an important opportunistic human pathogen. The vancomycin tolerance phenotype depends on the PtvR transcriptional repressor and three predicted membrane-associated proteins encoded by the
ptv
locus. This represents the first example of a gene locus in
S. pneumoniae
that is responsible for antibiotic tolerance and has important implications for further understanding bacterial responses and phenotypic tolerance to antibiotic treatment in this and other pathogens.
A Proteomic Signature of Dormancy in the Actinobacterium Micrococcus luteus
Authors: Mali Sujina , Mitchell Morgan , Havis Spencer , Bodunrin Abiodun , Rangel Jonathan , Olson Gabriella , Widger William R. , Bark Steven J.
Published: May 2017

Dormancy is a protective state in which diverse bacteria, including
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
,
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Treponema pallidum
(syphilis), and
Borrelia burgdorferi
(Lyme disease), curtail metabolic activity to survive external stresses, including antibiotics. Evidence suggests dormancy consists of a continuum of interrelated states, including viable but nonculturable (VBNC) and persistence states. VBNC and persistence contribute to antibiotic tolerance, reemergence from latent infections, and even quorum sensing and biofilm formation. Previous studies indicate that the protein mechanisms regulating persistence and VBNC states are not well understood. We have queried the VBNC state of
Micrococcus luteus
NCTC 2665 (MI-2665) by quantitative proteomics combining gel electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry to elucidate some of these mechanisms. MI-2665 is a nonpathogenic actinobacterium containing a small (2.5-Mb), high-GC-content genome which exhibits a well-defined VBNC state induced by nutrient deprivation. The MI-2665 VBNC state demonstrated a loss of protein diversity accompanied by increased levels of 18 proteins that are conserved across actinobacteria, 14 of which have not been previously identified in VNBC. These proteins implicate an anaplerotic strategy in the transition to VBNC, including changes in the glyoxylate shunt, redox and amino acid metabolism, and ribosomal regulatory processes. Our data suggest that MI-2665 is a viable model for dissecting the protein mechanisms underlying the VBNC stress response and provide the first protein-level signature of this state. We expect that this protein signature will enable future studies deciphering the protein mechanisms of dormancy and identify novel therapeutic strategies effective against antibiotic-tolerant bacterial infections.

IMPORTANCE
Dormancy is a protective state enabling bacteria to survive antibiotics, starvation, and the immune system. Dormancy is comprised of different states, including persistent and viable but nonculturable (VBNC) states that contribute to the spread of bacterial infections. Therefore, it is imperative to identify how bacteria utilize these different dormancy states to survive antibiotic treatment. The objective of our research is to eliminate dormancy as a route to antibiotic tolerance by understanding the proteins that control dormancy in
Micrococcus luteus
NCTC 2665. This bacterium has unique advantages for studying dormancy, including a small genome and a well-defined and reproducible VBNC state. Our experiments implicate four previously identified and 14 novel proteins upregulated in VBNC that may regulate this critical survival mechanism.
Vitamin A deficiency due to chronic malabsorption: an ophthalmic manifestation of a systemic condition
Authors: Cheshire James , Kolli Sai
Published: May 2017

A 47-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of progressive loss of vision, first manifesting as night blindness. Additionally, the patient reported frequent severe episodes of diarrhoea over the past month. Her medical history included end-stage renal failure for which she was currently on haemodialysis after a failed renal transplant, chronic pancreatitis and autonomic diabetes mellitus. Ophthalmological examination revealed severe bilateral corneal xerosis, bilateral Bitot’s spots and inferior ulceration of the right cornea. A diagnosis of xerophthalmia due to vitamin A deficiency was made, most likely due to the presence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and the patient’s chronic malabsorptive state. Standard management using oral vitamin A tablets was ineffective, resulting in the patient requiring intravenous supplementation. The extent of visual deterioration on presentation and the difficulties encountered managing the patient resulted in the patient’s vision failing to improve.
Comparison of four Fitbit and Jawbone activity monitors with a research-grade ActiGraph accelerometer for estimating physical activity and energy expenditure
Authors: Imboden Mary T , Nelson Michael B , Kaminsky Leonard A , Montoye Alexander HK
Published: May 2017

Background/aim

Consumer-based physical activity (PA) monitors have become popular tools to track PA behaviours. Currently, little is known about the validity of the measurements provided by consumer monitors. We aimed to compare measures of steps, energy expenditure (EE) and active minutes of four consumer monitors with one research-grade accelerometer within a semistructured protocol.

Methods

Thirty men and women (18–80 years old) wore Fitbit One (worn at the waist), Fitbit Zip (waist), Fitbit Flex (wrist), Jawbone UP24 (wrist) and one waist-worn research-grade accelerometer (ActiGraph) while participating in an 80 min protocol. A validated EE prediction equation and active minute cut-points were applied to ActiGraph data. Criterion measures were assessed using direct observation (step count) and portable metabolic analyser (EE, active minutes). A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare differences between consumer monitors, ActiGraph, and criterion measures. Similarly, a repeated measures ANOVA was applied to a subgroup of subjects who didn’t cycle.

Results

Participants took 3321±571 steps, had 28±6 active min and expended 294±56 kcal based on criterion measures. Comparatively, all monitors underestimated steps and EE by 13%–32% (p<0.01); additionally the Fitbit Flex, UP24, and ActiGraph underestimated active minutes by 35%–65% (p<0.05). Underestimations of PA and EE variables were found to be similar in the subgroup analysis.

Conclusion

Consumer monitors had similar accuracy for PA assessment as the ActiGraph, which suggests that consumer monitors may serve to track personal PA behaviours and EE. However, due to discrepancies among monitors, individuals should be cautious when comparing relative and absolute differences in PA values obtained using different monitors.
Reduced first-phase insulin secretion increases postprandial lipidemia in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Gómez-Sámano Miguel Ángel , Cuevas-Ramos Daniel , Grajales-Gómez Mariana , Escamilla-Márquez Marco , López-Estrada Angelina , Guillén-Pineda Luz Elizabeth , López-Carrasco Guadalupe , Gómez-Pérez Francisco J
Published: May 2017

Objective

It is not clear which phase of insulin secretion is more important to regulate lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. After a meal, insulin is released and acts as a major regulator of LPL activity. Postprandial hyperlipidemia is a common comorbidity in subjects with insulin resistance (IR). Therefore this study aimed to evaluate the role of the first-phase insulin secretion (FPIS) on postprandial lipidemia in subjects with IR and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Research design and methods

This is a cross-sectional, observational and comparative study. We included male and female subjects between 40 and 60 years with a body mass index (BMI) between 23 and 30 kg/m2. Then, patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of control subjects with normal glucose tolerance and preserved FPIS. Group 2 included patients with IGT and a reduced FPIS. Group 3 consisted of subjects with IGT but normal FPIS. Both groups were paired by age and BMI with subjects in the control group. Subjects underwent an intravenous glucose tolerance test to classify each case, and then a load with a mixed meal load to measure postprandial lipidemia.

Results

A total of 32 subjects were evaluated: 10 were control subjects, 8 subjects with IGT with a reduced FPIS and 14 subjects with IGT and preserved FPIS. After administration of a standardized meal, group 2 showed a greater glucose area under the curve (AUC) at 30 and 120 min (p=0.001, for both). This group also showed a statistically significant increase (p<0.001) in triglyceride AUC.

Conclusions

A reduced FPIS is significantly and independently associated with a larger postprandial hyperlipidemia in subjects with IGT.
Coffee, including caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis
Authors: Kennedy Oliver John , Roderick Paul , Buchanan Ryan , Fallowfield Jonathan Andrew , Hayes Peter Clive , Parkes Julie
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To examine the association between coffee, including caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and assess the influence of HCC aetiology and pre-existing liver disease.

Design

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. We calculated relative risks (RRs) of HCC according to caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption using a random-effects dose–response meta-analysis. We tested for modification of the effect estimate by HCC aetiology and pre-existing liver disease. We judged the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria.

Results

We found 18 cohorts, involving 2 272 642 participants and 2905 cases, and 8 case–control studies, involving 1825 cases and 4652 controls. An extra two cups per day of coffee was associated with a 35% reduction in the risk of HCC (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.72). The inverse association was weaker for cohorts (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.77), which were generally of higher quality than case–control studies (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.69). There was evidence that the association was not significantly altered by stage of liver disease or the presence/absence of high alcohol consumption, high body mass index, type 2 diabetes mellitus, smoking, or hepatitis B and C viruses. An extra two cups of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee (2 and 3 cohort studies, respectively) were associated with reductions of 27% (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.85) and 14% (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.00) in the risk of HCC. However, due to a lack of randomised controlled trials, potential publication bias and there being no accepted definition of coffee, the quality of evidence under the GRADE criteria was ‘very low’.

Conclusions

Increased consumption of caffeinated coffee and, to a lesser extent, decaffeinated coffee are associated with reduced risk of HCC, including in pre-existing liver disease. These findings are important given the increasing incidence of HCC globally and its poor prognosis.
Extracolonic cancer risk in Dutch patients with APC (adenomatous polyposis coli)-associated polyposis
Authors: Ghorbanoghli Zeinab , Bastiaansen Barbara AJ , Langers Alexandra MJ , Nagengast Fokko M , Poley Jan-Werner , Hardwick James CH , Koornstra Jan J , Sanduleanu Silvia , de Vos tot Nederveen Cappel Wouter H , Witteman Ben JM , Morreau H , Dekker Evelien , Vasen Hans FA
Published: May 2017

Background

Screening of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have led to a substantial reduction in mortality due to colorectal cancer (CRC). Recent guidelines suggest that surveillance of non-intestinal malignancies should also be considered in those patients. However, the value of these surveillance programmes is unknown. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the occurrence of extracolonic malignancies in a large series of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation carriers and (2) to evaluate the causes of death.

Methods

All APC mutation carriers were selected from the Dutch polyposis registry. Data on causes of death were collected. Pathology reports were retrieved from the Dutch Pathology Registry.

Results

A total of 85 extracolonic malignancies were diagnosed in 74 of 582 APC mutation carriers. Duodenal and skin cancers were the most prevalent cancers. Thyroid cancer was observed in only 1.5% of the cases. The main cause of death was cancer (59% of all deaths), with 42% due to CRC and 21% due to duodenal cancer. One patient died from thyroid cancer. The second and third most common causes of death were cardiovascular disease (13% of all deaths) and desmoid tumours (11% of all deaths), respectively.

Conclusion

Extending surveillance programmes to other cancers will not contribute significantly to the survival of patients with FAP.
Content analysis of age verification, purchase and delivery methods of internet e-cigarette vendors, 2013 and 2014
Authors: Williams Rebecca S , Derrick Jason , Liebman Aliza Kate , LaFleur Kevin , Ribisl Kurt M
Published: May 2017

Objective

Identify the population of internet e-cigarette vendors (IEVs) and conduct content analyses of their age verification, purchase and delivery methods in 2013 and 2014.

Methods

We used multiple sources to identify IEV websites, primarily complex search algorithms scanning more than 180 million websites. In 2013, we manually screened 32 446 websites, identifying 980 IEVs, selecting the 281 most popular for content analysis. This methodology yielded 31 239 websites for screening in 2014, identifying 3096 IEVs, with 283 selected for content analysis.

Results

The proportion of vendors that sold online-only, with no retail store, dropped significantly from 2013 (74.7%) to 2014 (64.3%) (p<0.01), with a corresponding significant decrease in US-based vendors (71.9% in 2013 and 65% in 2014). Most vendors did little to prevent youth access in either year, with 67.6% in 2013 and 63.2% in 2014 employing no age verification or relying exclusively on strategies that cannot effectively verify age. Effective age verification strategies such as online age verification services (7.1% in 2013 and 8.5% in 2014), driving licences (1.8% in 2013 and 7.4% in 2014, p<0.01) or age verification at delivery (6.4% in 2013 and 8.1% in 2104) were rarely advertised on IEV websites. Nearly all vendors advertised accepting credit cards, and about ¾ shipping via United States Postal Service, similar to the internet cigarette industry prior to federal bans.

Conclusions

The number of IEVs grew sharply from 2013 to 2014, with poor age verification practices. New and expanded regulations for online e-cigarette sales are needed, including strict age and identity verification requirements.
Three-dimensional gravity modelling applied to the exploration of uranium unconformity-related basement-hosted deposits: the Contact prospect case study, Kiggavik, northeast Thelon region (Nunavut, Canada)
Authors: Roy Régis , Benedicto Antonio , Grare Alexis , Béhaegel Mickaël , Richard Yoann , Harrison Grant
Published: May 2017

In unconformity-related uranium deposits, mineralization is associated with hydrothermal clay-rich alteration haloes that decrease the density of the host rock. In the Kiggavik uranium project, located in the eastern Thelon Basin, Nunavut (Canada), basement-hosted shallow deposits were discovered by drilling geophysical anomalies in the 1970s. In 2014, gravity data were inverted for the first time using the Geosoft VOXI Earth ModellingTM system to generate three-dimensional (3D) models to assist exploration in the Contact prospect, the most recent discovery at Kiggavik. A 3D unconstrained inversion model was calculated before drilling, and a model constrained by petrophysical data was computed after drilling. The unconstrained inversion provided a first approximation of the geometry and depth of a low-density body and helped to collar the discovery holes of the Contact mineralization. The constrained inversion was computed using density values measured on 315 core samples collected from 21 drill holes completed between 2014 and 2015. The constrained modelling highlights three shallower and smaller low-density bodies that match the geological interpretation and refines the footprint of the gravity anomalies in relation to the current understanding of the deposit. The 3D inversion of gravity data is a valuable tool to guide geologists in exploration of shallow basement-hosted uranium deposits associated with alteration haloes and to assess the deposit gravity geometry.
Effect of growth rate on the physical and mechanical properties of Douglas-fir in western Europe
Authors: Pollet C. , Henin J.-M. , Hébert J. , Jourez B.
Published: May 2017

To quantify the impact of forest management practices and tree growth rate on the potential uses of Douglas-fir wood, nine physico-mechanical properties were studied on more than 1250 standardized clear specimens. These were collected from trees cut in 11 even-aged stands (six trees per stand) located in Wallonia (southern Belgium). Stands were 40 to 69 years old, and mean tree girth was ca. 150 cm. Mean ring width of the 66 trees ranged from 3 to more than 7 mm. Statistical analysis showed significant but weak effects of ring width on the studied properties. Considered jointly, mean ring width and cambial age of the test specimens only explained 28% to 40% of the variability of their properties. Also, when ring width increases, these properties display higher decreases in juvenile wood than in mature wood. From a technological standpoint, maintaining mean ring width under 4 mm in juvenile wood and 6 mm in mature wood should accommodate all potential uses of Douglas-fir wood. However, considering that density appeared to be the main driver of wood properties, our results and the literature corroborate the importance of genetic selection as a complement to silvicultural measures to improve or guarantee the technological properties of Douglas-fir wood.
Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of the Genus Swertia (Gentianaceae): A Review
Authors: Li Jie , Zhao Yan-Li , Huang Heng-Yu , Wang Yuan-Zhong
Published: May 2017

Swertia plants have been considered to be medicinal plants useful for the treatment of various ailments for thousands of years, especially in Asian countries. This is due to the broad variety of chemical compounds that provide multiple ligands for bonding to different endogenous biomacromolecules for patients. Chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Swertia plants are summarized in this paper. Approximately 419 metabolites and 40 bioactive compounds have been reported from 30 Swertia species, including xanthones, flavonoids, seco-iridiods, iridiods, triterpenoids, alkaloids, volatiles, and other secondary metabolites. The bioactivities of Swertia plants include anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, gut, and airways modulatory, metabolizing isozymes inhibitory, neuroprotective, HIV-I reverse transcriptases inhibitory, anticholinergic, and CNS-depressant activities, etc. In addition, biosynthetic pathways of xanthones, and seco-iridiods, two most important secondary metabolites for Swertia, are elucidated. The xanthones biosynthetic pathway is a mixed biosynthetic pathway involved the shikimate and the malonate routes, and the seco-iridoid pathway starts with geraniol derived from IPP which is produced either via the MEP or the MVA pathway. This review will offer a reference for future researches on the protection of natural resources, the investigation of therapeutic basis, new drug development, and so forth. Metabolic pathways of some crucial active compounds were also discussed in this review.
Aloe Metabolites Prevent LPS-Induced Sepsis and Inflammatory Response by Inhibiting Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation
Authors: Li Chia-Yang , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Hung Yung-Li , Yang Meng-Syuan , Yu Chung-Ping , Lin Shiuan-Pey , Hou Yu-Chi , Fang Shih-Hua
Published: May 2017

Aloe, a polyphenolic anthranoid-containing Aloe vera leaves, is a Chinese medicine and a popular dietary supplement worldwide. In in vivo situations, polyphenolic anthranoids are extensively broken down into glucuronides and sulfate metabolites by the gut and the liver. The anti-inflammatory potential of aloe metabolites has not been examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aloe metabolites from in vitro (lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 macrophages) and ex vivo (LPS-activated peritoneal macrophages) to in vivo (LPS-induced septic mice). The production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-[Formula: see text] and IL-12) and NO was determined by ELISA and Griess reagents, respectively. The expression levels of iNOS and MAPKs were analyzed by Western blot. Our results showed that aloe metabolites inhibited the expression of iNOS, decreased the production of TNF-[Formula: see text], IL-12, and NO, and suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPKs by LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, aloe metabolites reduced the production of NO, TNF-[Formula: see text] and IL-12 by murine peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, aloe administration significantly reduced the NO level and exhibited protective effects against sepsis-related death in LPS-induced septic mice. These results suggest that aloe metabolites exerted anti-inflammatory effects in vivo, and that these effects were associated with the inhibition of inflammatory mediators. Therefore, aloe could be considered an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of sepsis.
Intermediate layer, microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy/stainless steel butt joint using laser–MIG hybrid welding–brazing method
Authors: Zhu Zongtao , Wan Zhandong , Li Yuanxing , Xue Junyu , Hui Chen
Published: May 2017

Butt joining of AA6061 aluminum (Al) alloy and 304 stainless steel of 2-mm thickness was conducted using laser–MIG hybrid welding–brazing method with ER4043 filler metal. To promote the mechanical properties of the welding–brazing joints, two kinds of intermediate layers (Al–Si–Mg alloy and Ag-based alloy) are used to adjust the microstructures of the joints. The brazing interface and the tensile strength of the joints were characterized. The results showed that the brazing interface between Al alloy and stainless steel consisted of double layers of Fe2Al5 (near stainless steel) and Fe4Al[Formula: see text] intermetallic compounds (IMCs) with a total thickness of 3.7 [Formula: see text]m, when using Al–Si–Mg alloy as the intermediate layer. The brazing interface of the joints using Ag-based alloy as intermediate layer also consists of double IMC layers, but the first layer near stainless steel was FeAl2 and the total thickness of these two IMC layers decreased to 3.1 [Formula: see text]m. The tensile strength of the joints using Al–Si–Mg alloy as the intermediate layer was promoted to 149 MPa, which was 63 MPa higher than that of the joints using Al–Si–Mg alloy as the intermediate layer. The fractures occurred in the brazing interface between Al alloy and stainless steel.
Heat pipe cooling system of high-power three-level explosion-proof inverter based on the loss calculation and finite element analysis
Authors: Li Yuan
Published: May 2017

The special using condition of high-power three-level explosion-proof inverter limits its cooling system within heat pipe and water-cooled cooling systems. How to calculate these two systems quantitatively to provide references for engineering application becomes one of the critical problems. In this paper, the principle of three-level explosion-proof was introduced first, and the power-loss generation theory was described and deduced into equations. Secondly, the heat pipe cooling system theory calculation was conducted based on the power losses of power devices, and the whole cooling system model was built by using finite element analysis. Finally, the temperature rise experiment was carried out on a 1 MW high-power three-level explosion-proof inverter, and the results proved the feasibility of this theory and its accuracy of analysis.