bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast skeletal muscle troponin activator CK‐2066260 increases fatigue resistance by reducing the energetic cost of muscle contraction
Authors: Cheng Arthur J. , Hwee Darren T. , Kim Leo H. , Durham Nickie , Yang Hsiao T. , Hinken Aaron C. , Kennedy Adam R. , Terjung Ronald L. , Jasper Jeffrey R. , Malik Fady I. , Westerblad Håkan
Published: June 2019

Key points

Skeletal muscle fatigue limits performance in various physical activities, with exercise intolerance being a key symptom in a broad spectrum of diseases.

We investigated whether a small molecule fast skeletal troponin activator (FSTA), CK‐2066260, can mitigate muscle fatigue by reducing the cytosolic free [Ca2+] required to produce a given submaximal force and hence decreasing the energy requirement.

Isolated intact single mouse muscle fibres and rat muscles in‐situ treated with CK‐2066260 showed improved muscle endurance., which was accompanied by decreased ATP demand and reduced glycogen usage.

CK‐2066260 treatment improved in‐vivo exercise capacity in healthy rats and in a rat model of peripheral artery insufficiency.

In conclusion, we show that the FSTA CK‐2066260 effectively counteracts muscle fatigue in rodent skeletal muscle in vitro, in situ, and in vivo. This may translate to humans and provide a promising pharmacological treatment to patients suffering from severe muscle weakness and exercise intolerance.

Skeletal muscle fatigue limits performance during physical exercise and exacerbated muscle fatigue is a prominent symptom among a broad spectrum of diseases. The present study investigated whether skeletal muscle fatigue is affected by the fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA) CK‐2066260, which increases myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity and amplifies the submaximal force response. Because more force is produced for a given Ca2+, we hypothesized that CK‐2066260 could mitigate muscle fatigue by reducing the energetic cost of muscle activation. Isolated single mouse muscle fibres were fatigued by 100 repeated 350 ms contractions while measuring force and the cytosolic free [Ca2+] or [Mg2+] ([Mg2+]i). When starting fatiguing stimulation at matching forces (i.e. lower stimulation frequency with CK‐2066260): force was decreased by ∼50% with and by ∼75% without CK‐2066260; [Mg2+]i was increased by ∼10% with and ∼32% without CK‐2066260, reflecting a larger decrease in [ATP] in the latter. The glycogen content in in situ stimulated rat muscles fatigued by repeated contractions at matching forces was about two times higher with than without CK‐2066260. Voluntary exercise capacity, assessed by rats performing rotarod exercise and treadmill running, was improved in the presence of CK‐2066260. CK‐2066260 treatment also increased skeletal muscle fatigue resistance and exercise performance in a rat model of peripheral artery insufficiency. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the FSTA CK‐2066260 mitigates skeletal muscle fatigue by reducing the metabolic cost of force generation.
Method for Attaining Dimensionally Accurate Conditions for High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Printing Ceramic Composite Structures Using MicroCLIP Process
Authors: Ware Henry Oliver T. , Sun Cheng
Published: June 2019

Continuous liquid interface production (CLIP) utilizes projection ultraviolet (UV) light and oxygen inhibition to transform the sequential layered three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing into a continuous fabrication flow with tremendous improved fabrication speed and structure integrity. Incorporating ceramic particles to the photo-curable polymers allows for additive manufacturing of ceramic parts featuring sophisticated geometries, mitigating the difficulties associated with traditional manufacturing processes. The presence of ceramic particles within the ink, however, strongly scatters the incident UV light. In the high-resolution CLIP (microCLIP) process, the scattering effect can significantly alter the process characteristics, resulting in broadening of lateral feature dimensions alongside curing depth reduction. Varying exposure conditions to accommodate scattering additionally affects the oxygen deadzone thickness (DZ), which is dependent on power of incident light. This introduces a systematic defocusing error for large deadzone thickness to further complicate process control, such as the unwanted narrowing of part features. In this work, we developed a systematic framework for process optimization by balancing those effects via experimental characterization. We showed that the reported method can provide a set of optimal process parameters (UV power and stage speed) for high-resolution 3D fabrication in accommodating the distinct characteristics of given photo-curable ceramic ink. The method to optimize process parameter was validated experimentally via fabricating a gradient index Luneburg lens comprising densely packed woodpile building-blocks with a strut width of 100 μm and a layer thickness of 60 μm using microCLIP at dimensionally accurate exposure conditions.
A Study on Mixed Convection Flow in a Lid-Driven Cavity Filled With Micropolar Nanofluid by Considering Brownian Motion
Authors: Hadizade Amin , Haghighi Poshtiri Amin
Published: June 2019

The mixed convective heat transfer of a micropolar nanofluid in a square lid-driven cavity has been numerically studied. The lid is thermally insulated, the side walls are kept cold, and the bottom wall is kept hot with sinusoidally thermal boundary condition. The governing equations were solved by finite volume method using the SIMPLE algorithm. The effect of Grashof number (102–105), the volume fraction of nanoparticles (0.0–0.1), and micropolarity (0.0–2.0) has been investigated on the heat transfer of Al2O3–water nanofluid. Also, the variable model was used to calculate fluid viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficient of the nanofluid. The results showed that an increase in Grashof amplifies the buoyancy force and enhances the Nusselt number. Also, an increase in vortex viscosity at low Grashof numbers strengthens the forced convection and increases the Nusselt number over the bottom wall. However, at Gr = 105, the increase in vortex viscosity up to K = 1.0 leads to a decrease in the amount of heat transfer, but its further increase entails the increase in heat transfer. Although the addition of nanoparticles to the fluid improves heat transfer rate, the extent of improvement at nonzero K values is lower than that in the Newtonian fluid. The comparison of the average Nusselt number computed on the hot wall under two different states of temperature-depended thermo-physical properties and constant thermo-physical properties reveals that their difference is more significant for the Newtonian fluid especially at higher volume fraction.
Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer Enhancement of CuO–Water and ZnO–Water Nanofluids Flowing Over a Heated Plate
Authors: McCants Dale A. , Hayes Andrew M. , Paul Titan C. , Khan Jamil A. , Shaaban Aly H.
Published: June 2019

In this paper, experimental investigation has been performed to characterize the heat transfer behavior of CuO–water and ZnO–water nanofluids. Nanofluids containing different volume percent (vol %) of nanoparticle concentrations flowed over a flat copper plate under a constant heat load. The constant heat flux was maintained using evenly placed cartridge heaters. The heat transfer coefficients of nanofluids were measured and compared with the results obtained from identical experiments performed with de-ionized (DI) water. In order to thoroughly characterize the nanofluids, nanoparticle size was investigated to inspect for possible agglomeration. The particle size was measured by using both a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a dynamic light scattering system (DLS). Enhancement of convective heat transfer of nanofluids was 2.5–16% depending on the nanoparticle concentrations and Reynolds number. The plausible mechanisms of the enhanced thermal performance of CuO and ZnO nanofluids will be discussed in the following paper.
Validation of current formula for a metallic nanotipped field emitter
Authors: Biswas Debabrata , Kumar Raghwendra
Published: June 2019

The current-voltage data of a gated metallic nanotipped pyramidal emitter are analyzed using recent advances in field emission theory such as curvature corrections to the tunneling potential and the generalized cosine law of local electrostatic field variation near the emitter apex. It is first shown numerically that the cosine law holds for gated emitters. The theory is then subjected to an experimental test [C. Lee, S. Tsujino, and R. J. Dwayne Miller, Appl. Phys. Lett. 113, 013505 (2018)] where minor uncertainties in the pyramid base length Lb and the apex radius of curvature Ra exist. It is found using comsol multiphysics that the best-fit theoretical prediction for the emission current corresponds to Lb≃1.275 μm and Ra≃5.41 nm, both of which are within their respective uncertainties. The errors for the best-fit curve follow a known pattern with a change in the applied field, with higher field strengths (>5 V/nm) reporting less than 10% error.
Urinary Hydroxyproline Is Only Suitable As a Biomarker for Acute Intake, Up to 6 hr Postingestion of Collagen Proteins in “Free-Living,” Healthy, Active Males
Authors: Alcock Rebekah D. , Shaw Gregory C. , Tee Nicolin , Welvaert Marijke , Burke Louise M.
Published: June 2019

The urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (Hyp), abundant in collagen protein, may serve as a biomarker of habitual collagen intake, assisting with investigations of current interest in the role of dietary collagen intake in supporting the synthesis of collagenous body tissues. This study investigated the time course of urinary Hyp excretion in “free-living,” healthy, active males following the ingestion of a standardized bolus (20 g) of collagenous (gelatin and a hydrolyzed collagen powder) and dairy (calcium caseinate and hydrolyzed casein) proteins. The excretion of Hyp was assessed over a 24-hr period, separated into three collection periods: 0–6, 6–12, and 12–24 hr. Hyp was elevated for 0–6 hr after the consumption of collagen-containing supplements (gelatin 31.3 ± 8.8 mmol/mol and hydrolyzed collagen 33.7 ± 22.0 mmol/mol vs. baseline: gelatin 2.4 ± 1.7 mmol/mol and hydrolyzed collagen 2.8 ± 1.5 mmol/mol; p < .05), but not for the dairy protein supplements (calcium caseinate 3.4 ± 1.7 mmol/mol and hydrolyzed casein 4.0 ± 3.7 mmol/mol; p > .05). Therefore, urinary Hyp reflects an acute intake of collagenous protein, but is not suitable as a biomarker for quantifying habitual collagen intake, provided through regular dietary practices in “free-living,” healthy, active males.
Four Days of Blueberry Powder Supplementation Lowers the Blood Lactate Response to Running But Has No Effect on Time-Trial Performance
Authors: Brandenburg Jason P. , Giles Luisa V.
Published: June 2019

Blueberries are abundant with anthocyanins possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As these properties combat fatigue and promote recovery, blueberry supplementation may enhance performance and recovery. Thus, the objectives were to examine the effects of two blueberry supplementation protocols on running performance, physiological responses, and short-term recovery. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled crossover design, 14 runners completed an 8-km time trial (TT) after supplementation with 4 days of blueberries (4DAY), 4 days of a PLA, or 2 days of placebo followed by 2 days of blueberries (2DAY). Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion were monitored during the TT. Blood lactate, vertical jump, reactive strength index, and salivary markers were assessed before and after. No significant differences were observed for time to complete the TT (PLA: 3,010 ± 459 s; 2DAY: 3,014 ± 488 s; 4DAY: 3,011 ± 423 s), heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, or any of the salivary markers. An interaction effect (p = .027) was observed for blood lactate, with lower post-TT concentrations in 4DAY (5.4 ± 2.0 mmol/L) than PLA (6.6 ± 2.5 mmol/L; p = .038) and 2DAY (7.4 ± 3.4 mmol/L; p = .034). Post-TT decreases in vertical jump height were not different, whereas the decline in reactive strength index was less following 4DAY (−6.1% ± 13.5%) than the other conditions (PLA: −12.6% ± 10.1%; 2DAY: −11.6% ± 11.5%; p = .038). Two days of supplementation did not influence performance or physiological stress. Although 4 days of supplementation did not alter performance, it blunted the increase in blood lactate, perhaps reflecting altered lactate production and/or clearance, and offset the decrease in dynamic muscle function post-TT, as indicated by the reactive strength index differences.
New Movement Practices: A Foucauldian Learning Community to Disrupt Technologies of Discipline
Authors: Kuklick Clayton R. , Gearity Brian T.
Published: June 2019

Sociologists of sport and coaching have repeatedly drawn upon the theoretical tools of Michel Foucault to map and critique the negative effects of coaches’ use of disciplinary practices. Three SCCs and two coach developers participated in multiple learning community meetings interrogating Foucault’s concepts to understand how power moves, create new, less disciplinary practices, and address the problems produced by too much discipline. The findings present new conceptual tools to train and move differently by disrupting disciplinary practices: spasmodic tempo training, atemporal training, variable geographic training, variable intra-geographic training, fluid and fragmented periodization, explorative coaching, and strength coach as sage. We call for an appreciation of poststructural informed sport coaching and the development of a discursive sociology of sport coaching praxis.
“They are used to the traditional ways of doing things”: Older Men’s Experiences of Curling’s New Rationality
Authors: Allain Kristi A.
Published: June 2019

Curling was perhaps once the sport the least associated with discipline and athleticism, instead having a reputation for drinking and smoking, an ethos prizing conviviality over competition, and a structure enabling amateurs to compete at the highest levels. However, during the gold-medal-winning performance of Team Brad Jacobs, a group of muscular young Canadian men, at the 2014 Winter Olympics, the public and media began celebrating changes in the sport that were already well under way. As curling enters a new era of rationalized training, fitness, and professionalization, this paper draws on interviews with older male curlers in two mid-size Canadian cities, and Ratele’s work on tradition, to ask what has been lost. Participants often embraced curling’s new emphasis on physical fitness. However, they also worried about the diminishing traditions of sociability, sportsmanship, and accessibility within the sport.
Evolution of large-scale flow from turbulence in a two-dimensional superfluid
Authors: Johnstone Shaun P. , Groszek Andrew J. , Starkey Philip T. , Billington Christopher J. , Simula Tapio P. , Helmerson Kristian
Published: June 2019

Clustering vortices

Many-body systems generally become more disordered as more energy is pumped into them. A curious exception to this rule was predicted in the context of turbulent flow by the physical chemist Lars Onsager. He suggested that the entropy of certain two-dimensional (2D) systems can decrease with increasing energy, corresponding to an effective negative temperature. Using 2D Bose-Einstein condensates of atoms, Gauthier
et al.
and Johnstone
et al.
put Onsager's theory to the test. They provided energy to the system by perturbing the condensate, creating vortices and antivortices. With increasing energy, the system became more ordered as clusters containing either only vortices or only antivortices emerged.

Science
, this issue p.
1264
, p.
1267
Return of the old guard: a case of tetanus in an unvaccinated patient
Authors: Ibe Uzochukwu , Rehmani Sameerah , Jiwa Nasheena , Gega Arjet
Published: June 2019

A 78-year-old woman with no known medical history presented with severe neck pain that began 4 days prior to admission located in the paraspinal cervical region radiating to the shoulders, legs and back. She had associated stiffness of her neck and progression of pain to her jaw and throat with progression to generalised body spasms with lower extremity stiffness and weakness that limited her ability to walk. She quickly developed dysphagia and odynophagia with subsequent generalised spasms and profound hypoxic respiratory failure requiring nasotracheal intubation. The presumptive diagnosis of tetanus was made and she was given tetanus toxoid immune globulin and Tdap vaccine. She was managed in the intensive care unit and after a week of admission, required a tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube placement. She required a prolonged hospitalisation stay of 21 days before being transferred to a long-term vent facility.
Chronic Hepatitis B stigma in Ghana: a qualitative study with patients and providers
Authors: Adjei Charles Ampong , Stutterheim Sarah E , Naab Florence , Ruiter Robert A C
Published: June 2019

Objective

This study explored beliefs contributing to Hepatitis B stigma, and the ways in which Hepatitis B stigma manifests, from the perspectives of people with chronic Hepatitis B as well as healthcare providers in Northern and Southern Ghana.

Design

We used an exploratory qualitative design with a purposive sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. Data were processed using QSR Nvivo V.10.0 and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Settings

Participants were recruited from one tertiary and one regional hospital in Ghana between February and November 2017.

Participants

Overall, 18 people with chronic Hepatitis B (PWHB) and 47 healthcare providers (primary care physicians, nurses and midwives) between the ages of 21 and 57 years participated in the study.

Results

PWHB face stigma in their sociocultural context and the healthcare environment. Three main beliefs underlying stigma were found: (1) the belief that Hepatitis B is highly contagious; (2) the belief that Hepatitis B is very severe and (3) the belief that Hepatitis B is caused by curses. Stigmatisation manifested as avoidance and social isolation (discrimination). In healthcare settings, stigmatisation manifested as excessive cautiousness, procedure postponement or avoidance, task-shifting and breaches of confidentiality.

Conclusions

Given the prevalence of incorrect knowledge, as reflected in the beliefs about Hepatitis B, we recommend public awareness campaigns that emphasise Hepatitis B transmission routes. Also, given the manifestations of the stigma in healthcare settings, we recommend the development and implementation of a continuing professional development programme on Hepatitis B and adjusted policy on Hepatitis B vaccination for Healthcare providers (HCPs).
Relationship betweenHelicobacter pyloriinfection and osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Taiwu , Li Xiang , Zhang Qi , Ge Bingjie , Zhang Jinhai , Yu Lei , Cai Tongjian , Zhang Yao , Xiong Hongyan
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Many studies have explored the association betweenHelicobacter pyloriinfection and osteoporosis. However, the results remain controversial. Therefore, we performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association betweenH. pyloriinfection and osteoporosis.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of case–control studies.

Data sources

Databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, were screened from inception to 30 April 2018.

Eligibility criteria

Case–control studies aimed at assessing the association betweenH. pyloriinfection and osteoporosis.

Data extraction and analysis

Study characteristics and study quality sections were reviewed. Studies were selected, and data were extracted by two reviewers. Pooled ORs and 95% CIs were calculated using random effects model if heterogeneity existed; otherwise, fixed effects model was used. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore the source of heterogeneity. Publication bias and sensitivity analyses were also tested.

Results

A total of 21 studies with 9655 participants were included in our analyses. Taking together, we found thatH. pyloriinfection was associated with increased odds of osteoporosis (OR (95% CI): 1.39 (1.13 to 1.71)); there was no significant difference between osteoporosis and osteopaenia; the association between osteoporosis andH. pyloriinfection was relatively higher in men than women but did not reach significant level. However, the decrease of bone mineral density inH. pylori-positive patients was not significant when compared withH. pylorinegative controls, which may due to the sample size.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis suggests an association between osteoporosis andH. pyloriinfection. The clinicians should pay more attention to the patients infected withH. pylori. Further studies were still needed to exploring the confounding factors among studies and to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.
Identifying diverse concepts of discharge failure patients at emergency department in the USA: a large-scale retrospective observational study
Authors: Schrader Chet D , Robinson Richard D , Blair Somer , Shaikh Sajid , d’Etienne James P , Kirby Jessica J , Cheeti Radhika , Zenarosa Nestor R , Wang Hao
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Identifying patients who are at high risk for discharge failure allows for implementation of interventions to improve their care. However, discharge failure is currently defined in literature with great variability, making targeted interventions more difficult. We aim to derive a screening tool based on the existing diverse discharge failure models.

Design, setting and participants

This is a single-centre retrospective cohort study in the USA. Data from all patients discharged from the emergency department were collected from 1 January 2015 through 31 December 2017 and followed up within 30 days.

Methods

Scoring systems were derived using modified Framingham methods. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operational characteristic (AUC) were calculated and compared using both the broad and restricted discharge failure models.

Results

A total of 227 627 patients were included. TheScreening forHealthcare fOllow-UpTool (SHOUT) scoring system was derived based on the broad and restricted discharge failure models and applied back to the entire study cohort. A sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 71% were found in SHOUT scores to identify patients with broad discharge failure with AUC of 0.83 (95% CI 0.83 to 0.84). When applied to a 3-day restricted discharge failure model, a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 60% were found to identify patients with AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.80).

Conclusion

The SHOUT scoring system was derived and used to screen and identify patients that would ultimately become discharge failures, especially when using broad definitions of discharge failure. The SHOUT tool was internally validated and can be used to identify patients across a wide spectrum of discharge failure definitions.
A novel group parenting intervention to reduce emotional and behavioural difficulties in young autistic children: protocol for the Autism Spectrum Treatment and Resilience pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Palmer Melanie , Tarver Joanne , Paris Perez Juan , Cawthorne Thomas , Romeo Renee , Stringer Dominic , Hallett Victoria , Mueller Joanne , Breese Lauren , Hollett Megan , Beresford Bryony , Knapp Martin , Slonims Vicky , Pickles Andrew , Simonoff Emily , Scott Stephen , Charman Tony
Published: June 2019

Introduction

The majority of young autistic children display impairing emotional and behavioural difficulties that contribute to family stress. There is some evidence that behavioural parenting interventions are effective for reducing behavioural difficulties in autistic children, with less evidence assessing change in emotional difficulties. Previous trials have tended to use unblinded parent-report measures as primary outcomes and many do not employ an active control, limiting the conclusions that can be drawn.

Methods and analysis

The Autism Spectrum Treatment and Resilience study is a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) testing the specific effect of a 12-week group parenting intervention (Predictive Parenting) on primary and secondary outcomes, in comparison to an attention control condition consisting of psychoeducation parent groups. Following a feasibility study to test research procedures and the interventions, the pilot RCT participants include 60 parents of autistic children aged 4–8 years who are randomised to Predictive Parenting versus the attention control. Measures are administered at baseline and post intervention to assess group differences in child and parent outcomes, costs and service use and adverse events. The primary outcome is an objective measure of child behaviours that challenge during interactions with their parent and a researcher. The trial aims to provide data on recruitment, retention, completion of measures and acceptability of the intervention and research protocol, in addition to providing a preliminary indication of potential efficacy and establishing an effect size that could be used to power a larger-scale efficacy trial. We will also provide preliminary estimates of the cost-effectiveness of the interventions.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted from NHS Camden and Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee (ref: 16/LO/1769) along with NHS R&D approval from South London and Maudsley, Guy’s and St Thomas', and Croydon Health Services NHS Trusts. The findings will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN91411078
In vitro validation of a method for neonatal urine collection and analysis
Authors: Ritchie Darren , Broadbent Roland , Medlicott Natalie , Reith David M
Published: June 2019

Objective

Urine collection and analysis is important for diagnosis, monitoring of clinical progress, and research in neonates. This study aims to validate a novel methodology for neonatal urine collection, which combines the convenience of cotton ball collection with accurate timing via a urine continence monitor.

Design

Laboratory model using a combined cotton ball and urinary incontinence monitor method with and without the presence of an impermeable membrane to prevent desiccation.

Main outcome measures

Accuracy, bias and precision in measurement of urine volume, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride), creatinine and gentamicin. Changes in analyte concentration over time, and evaporative loss of water, were tested using analysis of variance. The effects of time, temperature and humidity were explored using multivariate analysis of variance.

Results

With the use of an impermeable membrane, sodium concentration increased from a mean (SD) of 3.57% (0.68) at 1 min to 5.03% (0.74) at 120 min. There was no significant change in potassium, chloride or creatinine concentrations. Gentamicin concentration decreased by a mean (SD) of 9.05% (1.37) by 30 min. Multivariate analysis found that absolute change in weight, sodium and chloride were only dependent on duration. Gentamicin concentration was affected by duration, humidity and temperature. Relative evaporative loss was minimal at −0.58% (0.31), and the urinary continence monitor was 100% successful at detecting urination for all time points.

Conclusions

This novel methodology provides a standardisable and practical method to collect small volumes of neonatal urine for accurate measurement of both urine output and analyte concentrations.
How accurate are suicide risk prediction models? Asking the right questions for clinical practice
Authors: Whiting Daniel , Fazel Seena
Published: June 2019

Prediction models assist in stratifying and quantifying an individual’s risk of developing a particular adverse outcome, and are widely used in cardiovascular and cancer medicine. Whether these approaches are accurate in predicting self-harm and suicide has been questioned. We searched for systematic reviews in the suicide risk assessment field, and identified three recent reviews that have examined current tools and models derived using machine learning approaches. In this clinical review, we present a critical appraisal of these reviews, and highlight three major limitations that are shared between them. First, structured tools are not compared with unstructured assessments routine in clinical practice. Second, they do not sufficiently consider a range of performance measures, including negative predictive value and calibration. Third, the potential role of these models as clinical adjuncts is not taken into consideration. We conclude by presenting the view that the current role of prediction models for self-harm and suicide is currently not known, and discuss some methodological issues and implications of some machine learning and other analytic techniques for clinical utility.
Masquerading in the midgut: a rare diagnosis in a patient with recurrent abdominal pain
Authors: Smith Philip J , Patel Trusha , Reading Nicholas , Giaslakiotis Konstantinos , Hoque Sami
Published: June 2019

A 38-year-old woman who had been previously diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome was seen in the outpatient clinic with a 2-year history of intermittent cramp-like abdominal pain which was often followed by watery diarrhoea. She had presented several times previously to the emergency department with episodes of severe pain and collapse although on arrival examination findings were mostly unremarkable other than some mild lower abdominal tenderness. On each occasion, the symptoms resolved spontaneously with conservative management. She had been extensively investigated by her general practitioner to establish the cause of her symptoms but all laboratory findings, cross-sectional imaging, ultrasound and oesophagogastroduodenoscopy to date were unremarkable. After being seen in gastroenterology outpatients’ clinic, a colonoscopy was performed and was described as being macroscopically normal but microscopic evaluation of colonic biopsies suggested a possible ‘resolving infection’. She was treated symptomatically, but within 6 months she represented to hospital with progressively worsening symptoms of severe abdominal pain, now associated with vomiting, followed by watery diarrhoea and then resolution of the symptoms. An abdominal CT scan was performed which showed a small intraluminal-filling defect in the mid-terminal ileum. A wireless capsule endoscopy was organised to further characterise the lesion although this was reported as showing no abnormality. Prior to any further outpatient investigations, she represented as an emergency to hospital in small bowel obstruction, underwent further cross-sectional imaging followed by surgical resection of the lesion. Histological characterisation revealed a small bowel inflammatory fibroid polyp.
Gary L. Stamp
Authors: Boag Amanda , Chan Dan , Dixon Richard
Published: June 2019

One of the originators and greatest champions of veterinary emergency and critical care. His impact was global in a way few veterinary surgeons can match.
Bearing capacity of spread footings on aggregate pier–reinforced clay: updates and stress concentration
Authors: Bong Taeho , Stuedlein Armin W. , Martin John , Kim Byoung-Il
Published: June 2019

Aggregate piers represent an economical ground improvement technique used to increase bearing capacity and reduce settlements of weak soils. Several approaches have been developed to estimate the bearing capacity of aggregate pier–reinforced clay, but these models exhibit large prediction bias and uncertainty. This study uses newly developed footing loading test data to investigate the relationship between the bearing capacity and the area replacement and slenderness ratios. The bearing capacity of a single aggregate pier, whether isolated or in groups, below a loaded footing increases as the area replacement ratio decreases due to increase in extent of confined soil surrounding the pier. The length and diameter of an aggregate pier is also shown to result in significantly increased bearing capacity, an effect that diminishes with increasing slenderness. New modifications are proposed to existing simplified and cavity expansion models to account for the effect of confinement, area replacement ratio, and slenderness ratio using a leave-one-out cross-validation technique. The cross-validation analysis resulted in robust bearing capacity models that are more accurate than existing analytical models. Additionally, the stress concentration ratio for shallow foundations supported by aggregate pier–reinforced plastic soils at failure was estimated and compared with the available data, indicating its sensitivity to design variables and showing that this critical design parameter may be predicted using the updated models.
Transcriptome profile of skeletal muscle at different developmental stages in Large White and Mashen pigs
Authors: Guo Xiaohong , Zhang Wanfeng , Li Meng , Gao Pengfei , Hei Wei , He Zhiqiang , Wu Yiqi , Liu Juan , Cai Chunbo , Li Bugao , Cao Guoqing
Published: June 2019

From the perspectives of promoting individual growth and development, increasing pork yield, and improving feed utilization, it is desirable to screen candidate genes underlying pig muscle growth and regulation. In this study, we investigated transcriptome differences at 1, 90, and 180 d of age in Large White and Mashen pigs, characterized differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and screened candidate genes affecting skeletal muscle growth and development. RNA-seq was applied to analyze the transcriptome of the longissimus dorsi (LD) in the two breeds. In LD samples from the two breeds at three growth stages, 7215, 6332, 237, 3935, 3404, and 846 DEGs were obtained for L01 vs. L90, L01 vs. L180, L90 vs. L180, MS01 vs. MS90, MS01 vs. MS180, and MS90 vs. MS180, respectively. Significant tendencies in DEG expression could be grouped into eight profiles. Based on the functional analysis of DEGs, 16 candidate genes related to skeletal muscle growth and development were identified, including PCK2, GNAS, ADCY2, PRKAB1, PRKAB2, PRKAG1, PRKAG2, PHKA1, PHKA2, PHKG1, PHKG2, ITPR3, IGF1R, FGFR4, FGF1, and FGF18. The results of this study thus provide a theoretical basis for the mechanisms and candidate genes underlying skeletal muscle development in pigs.
The old and the new: evaluating performance of acoustic telemetry systems in tracking migrating Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt and European eel (Anguilla anguilla) around hydropower facilities
Authors: Leander Johan , Klaminder Jonatan , Jonsson Micael , Brodin Tomas , Leonardsson Kjell , Hellström Gustav
Published: June 2019

Acoustic telemetry represents the state-of-the-art technology for monitoring behaviour of aquatic organisms in the wild. Yet, the performance of different systems is rarely evaluated across species and environments. In this study, we evaluate two different acoustic telemetry systems, a commonly used analogue pulse-position-modulation-based system (VEMCO PPM) and a newly developed high-residency digital binary phase shift key-based system (VEMCO HR2), in ability to track downstream migrating Atlantic salmon smolt (Salmo salar) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla) around hydropower facilities. High-precision GPS were used to evaluate precision and accuracy of hyperbolically positioned data derived from each system. The PPM-based system had higher detection range than HR2 and generated more positions per transmission for eels migrating close to bottom than for surface-oriented salmon smolts. HR2 generated tenfold more positions per time unit than PPM, were less sensitive to noise, achieved submetre positional precision, and were considerably more accurate than PPM-derived positions after filtering. HR2 was deemed more capable than PPM in fine-scale positioning at moderate distances at hydropower facilities.
Rydberg energy levels and quantum defects of B II, Ge II, Si II of subgroups III and IV
Authors: Ahmed Ejaz , Raza Salman , Hameed M. Noman , Farooq Muhammad , Akbar Jehan
Published: June 2019

Theoretical computations of Rydberg energy levels series and atomic lifetimes for singly ionized boron (B II), silicon (Si II), and germanium (Ge II) have been performed. In the theoretical computation weakest bound electron potential model theory (WBEPMT) is employed. Regularities of changes in quantum defects for the following Rydberg states series: 2sns (1S0), 2snp ([Formula: see text]), 2snf ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), 2snf ([Formula: see text]) of B II; 3s2ns (2S1/2), 3s2nd (2D3/2,5/2), 3s2nf ([Formula: see text]), 3s2ng (2G7/2,9/2) of Si II; and 4s2nf ([Formula: see text]), 4s2nf ([Formula: see text]), 4s2ng (2G7/2,9/2) of Ge II, up to n = 50 are presented. The atomic lifetimes of the following series: 1s22sns (1S0), 1s22snp ([Formula: see text]), 1s22snd (1D2) of B II; 3s2ns (2S1/2), 3s2nf ([Formula: see text]) of Si II; and 4s2ns (2S1/2) of Ge II are predicted with good accuracy. Some high-lying Rydberg energy levels and atomic lifetimes have been presented for the first time. The series for which Rydberg energy levels are computed in this work are unperturbed series.
ARHGAP21 deficiency impairs hepatic lipid metabolism and improves insulin signaling in lean and obese mice
Authors: Zangerolamo Lucas , Soares Gabriela Moreira , Vettorazzi Jean Franciesco , do Amaral Maria Esméria , Carneiro Everardo Magalhães , Olalla-Saad Sara Teresinha , Boschero Antonio Carlos , Barbosa-Sampaio Helena Cristina
Published: June 2019

ARHGAP21 is a Rho-GAP that controls GTPases activity in several tissues, but its role on liver lipid metabolism is unknown. Thus, to achieve the Rho-GAP role in the liver, control and ARHGAP21-haplodeficient mice were fed chow (Ctl and Het) or high-fat diet (Ctl-HFD and Het-HFD) for 12 weeks, and pyruvate and insulin tolerance tests, insulin signaling, liver glycogen and triglycerides content, gene and protein expression, and very-low-density lipoprotein secretion were measured. Het mice displayed reduced body weight and plasma triglycerides levels, and increased liver insulin signaling. Reduced gluconeogenesis and increased glycogen content were observed in Het-HFD mice. Gene and protein expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein were reduced in both Het mice, while the lipogenic genes SREBP-1c and ACC were increased. ARHGAP21 knockdown resulted in hepatic steatosis through increased hepatic lipogenesis activity coupled with decreases in CPT1a expression and very-low-density lipoprotein export. In conclusion, liver of ARHGAP21-haplodeficient mice are more insulin sensitive, associated with higher lipid synthesis and lower lipid export.
Fruit canopy positioning affects fruit calcium and potassium concentrations, disorder incidence, and fruit quality for ‘Honeycrisp’ apple
Authors: Kalcsits Lee , Mattheis James , Giordani Luca , Reid Michelle , Mullin Katie
Published: June 2019

One advantage of high-density apple orchard systems is homogeneity in fruit maturity and quality. However, even in modern orchard systems, variation in fruit quality occurs. ‘Honeycrisp’ apple is susceptible to numerous disorders including bitter pit, soft scald, and poor colour development. Heterogeneity in fruit quality and nutrient distribution can lead to variation in fruit storability. Here, we tested the effect of within-canopy position on fruit calcium and potassium concentrations, quality, and disorder development for fruit across nine representative high-density orchards. Calcium concentrations were greater in the upper part of the canopy compared with the lower part. Potassium was more evenly distributed within the canopy. Calcium concentrations and potassium-to-calcium ratios were significantly correlated with mean bitter pit incidence, which was between 20% and 30% in the lower half of the tree and <15% in the upper half. Fruit quality was significantly affected by the position in the canopy and was not constrained to only colour, but also other quality metrics such as dry matter, size, and firmness. Additionally, the internal ethylene concentrations (IECs) of fruit in the upper canopy were approximately 50% of the IECs for fruit from the lower canopy. With an increased emphasis on uniformity and predictability of fruit for long-term storage, these results underscore the importance of understanding variation within the canopy. Even for high-density systems, significant variation in fruit quality can occur and fruit from the upper canopy has lower disorder incidence and higher fruit quality than fruit from the lower canopy.
Occupancy, detectability, and density of crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in two protected areas of restinga habitats in Brazil
Authors: Monteiro-Alves Priscila Stéfani , Helmer Débora Molino , Ferreguetti Atilla Colombo , Pereira-Ribeiro Juliane , Rocha Carlos Frederico Duarte , Bergallo Helena Godoy
Published: June 2019

Crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766)) are frequently recorded in lists of mammal communities. However, studies quantifying aspects of the ecology of the species are uncommon in the literature. Thus, we aimed to quantify the density, activity, habitat use, and potential threats of C. thous in two protected areas (PAs) in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We used data derived from camera traps and sand plots to model occupancy, detectability, activity; we also used random encounter models (REMs) to model density and abundance. We also estimated the activity of the species. Density of C. thous was 0.82 individuals/km2with a total abundance of 119 individuals. We concluded that in the PAs studied, C. thous had bimodal, twilight–nocturnal activity patterns and was associated with water sources. Although the species in the area has a relatively high density compared with that from other areas in Brazil, it could be locally threatened by the highway that crosses the two PAs, promoting roadkill events, and by domestic dogs (Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758) recorded in these areas. Results presented herein can be a starting point to support future work in the region and to make predictions regarding the management and conservation of C. thous, a widely distributed species.
Numerical simulation of sediment transport in a U-shaped channel with lateral intake: Effects of intake position and diversion angle
Authors: Tavakoli Keivan , Montaseri Hossien , Omidvar Pourya , Evangelista Stefania
Published: June 2019

In this work, the mechanism of sediment transport in a U-shaped channel with a lateral intake is investigated experimentally and numerically, together with the processes of sediment entry into the intake itself and formation of bed topography.

Dry sediment is injected into a steady flow in a rigid channel with a bend and sediment particles are traced in time. In order to validate the numerical model, the three components of the flow velocity, as well as the sediment path in time and the diverted sediment ratios, are measured experimentally. A numerical Discrete Phase Model (DPM) is then applied to study the effect of the intake position and diversion angle on the sediment transport mechanism in the bend. The DPM has, in fact, the capability of specifying for each particle its position relative to a reference time and space and, thereby, it is used in this study to analyze the phenomenon evolution and determine the sediment particles diverted into the intake.

The comparison between the experimental data and the DPM numerical results shows a good agreement. In order to investigate the mechanism of sediment transport and to evaluate the percentage of the diverted sediments, a parametric study is then conducted through the numerical model, with different positions of the outer bend of the channel, diversion angles of the lateral intake and diversion discharge ratios.

The results show that the mechanism of sediment entry into the lateral intake is affected by the diversion discharge ratio. For low discharge ratios, the mechanism of sediment entry to the lateral intake only consists of continuous entrance from the upstream edge of the intake. With the increase of the discharge ratio, it consists of a continuous entrance from the downstream edge and a periodic entrance from the upstream edge of the intake.

The DPM results show that, for all diversion discharge ratios, the minimum percentage of sediment entered into the lateral intake corresponds to the position of 120∘ and diversion angle equal to 50∘.
New exact optical soliton solutions for nonlinear Schrödinger equation with second-order spatio-temporal dispersion involving M-derivative
Authors: Ghanbari Behzad , Gómez-Aguilar J. F.
Published: June 2019

This paper considers the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger (GNLS) equation with group velocity dispersion and second-order spatio-temporal dispersion coefficients. We obtain new dispersive solutions of a variety of GNLS equations via the exponential rational function method with the local M-derivative of order [Formula: see text]. The results obtained demonstrate that the employed method is simple and quite efficient for constructing exact solutions for other nonlinear equations arising in mathematical physics and nonlinear optics.
Automatic Carotid Artery Detection Using Attention Layer Region-Based Convolution Neural Network
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Zhong Xingyu , Xia Ming , Jiang Weiwei , Huang Xiaojie , Gu Zheng , Huang Xiangsheng
Published: June 2019

Localization of vessel Region of Interest (ROI) from medical images provides an interactive approach that can assist doctors in evaluating carotid artery diseases. Accurate vessel detection is a prerequisite for the following procedures, like wall segmentation, plaque identification and 3D reconstruction. Deep learning models such as CNN have been widely used in medical image processing, and achieve state-of-the-art performance. Faster R-CNN is one of the most representative and successful methods for object detection. Using outputs of feature maps in different layers has been proved to be a useful way to improve the detection performance, however, the common method is to ensemble outputs of different layers directly, and the special characteristic and different importance of each layer haven’t been considered. In this work, we introduce a new network named Attention Layer R-CNN(AL R-CNN) and use it for automatic carotid artery detection, in which we integrate a new module named Attention Layer Part (ALP) into a basic Faster R-CNN system for better assembling feature maps of different layers. Experimental results on carotid dataset show that our method surpasses other state-of-the-art object detection systems.