bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of glycerol as a foliar spray activates the defence response and enhances disease resistance of Theobroma cacao
Authors: Zhang Yufan , Smith Philip , Maximova Siela N. , Guiltinan Mark J.
Published: May 2014

Previous work has implicated glycerol‐3‐phosphate (G3P) as a mobile inducer of systemic immunity in plants. We tested the hypothesis that the exogenous application of glycerol as a foliar spray might enhance the disease resistance of Theobroma cacao through the modulation of endogenous G3P levels. We found that exogenous application of glycerol to cacao leaves over a period of 4 days increased the endogenous level of G3P and decreased the level of oleic acid (18:1). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were produced (a marker of defence activation) and the expression of many pathogenesis‐related genes was induced. Notably, the effects of glycerol application on G3P and 18:1 fatty acid content, and gene expression levels, in cacao leaves were dosage dependent. A 100 mm glycerol spray application was sufficient to stimulate the defence response without causing any observable damage, and resulted in a significantly decreased lesion formation by the cacao pathogen Phytophthora capsici; however, a 500 mm glycerol treatment led to chlorosis and cell death. The effects of glycerol treatment on the level of 18:1 and ROS were constrained to the locally treated leaves without affecting distal tissues. The mechanism of the glycerol‐mediated defence response in cacao and its potential use as part of a sustainable farming system are discussed.
The type VI protein secretion system contributes to biofilm formation and seed‐to‐seedling transmission of Acidovorax citrulli on melon
Authors: Tian Yanli , Zhao Yuqiang , Wu Xinrong , Liu Fengquan , Hu Baishi , Walcott Ronald R.
Published: May 2014

The type VI protein secretion system (T6SS) is essential for the virulence of several Gram‐negative bacteria. In this study, we identified a T6SS gene cluster in Acidovorax citrulli, a plant‐pathogenic bacterium that causes bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) of cucurbits. One T6SS cluster, of approximately 25 kb in length and comprising 17 genes, was found in the A. citrulli AAC00‐1 genome. Seventeen A. citrulli mutants were generated, each with a deletion of a single T6SS core gene. There were significant differences in BFB seed‐to‐seedling transmission between wild‐type A. citrulli strain, xjl12, and ΔvasD, ΔimpK, ΔimpJ and ΔimpF mutants (71.71%, 9.83%, 8.41%, 7.15% and 5.99% BFB disease index, respectively). In addition, we observed that these four mutants were reduced in melon seed colonization and biofilm formation; however, they were not affected in virulence when infiltrated into melon seedling tissues. There were no significant differences in BFB seed‐to‐seedling transmission, melon tissue colonization and biofilm formation between xjl12 and the other 13 T6SS mutants. Overall, our results indicate that T6SS plays a role in seed‐to‐seedling transmission of BFB on melon.
No interaction between tau and TDP‐43 pathologies in either frontotemporal lobar degeneration or motor neurone disease
Authors: Robinson Andrew C. , Thompson Jennifer C. , Weedon Lindsey , Rollinson Sara , Pickering‐Brown Stuart , Snowden Julie S. , Davidson Yvonne S. , Mann David M. A.
Published: May 2014

Introduction

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is classified mainly into FTLD‐tau and FTLD‐TDP according to the protein present within inclusion bodies. While such a classification implies only a single type of protein should be present, recent studies have demonstrated dual tau and TDP‐43 proteinopathy can occur, particularly in inherited FTLD.

Methods

We therefore investigated 33 patients with FTLD‐tau (including 9 with MAPT mutation) for TDP‐43 pathological changes, and 45 patients with FTLD‐TDP (including 12 with hexanucleotide expansion in C9ORF72 and 12 with GRN mutation), and 23 patients with motor neurone disease (3 with hexanucleotide expansion in C9ORF72), for tauopathy.

Results

TDP‐43 pathological changes, of the kind seen in many elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease, were seen in only two FTLD‐tau cases – a 70‐year‐old male with exon 10 + 13 mutation in MAPT, and a 73‐year‐old female with corticobasal degeneration. Such changes were considered to be secondary and probably reflective of advanced age. Conversely, there was generally only scant tau pathology, usually only within hippocampus and/or entorhinal cortex, in most patients with FTLD‐TDP or MND. The extent of tau pathology in FTLD‐TDP and MND, as with amyloid β protein, may relate to increased age and possession of Apolipoprotein ε4 allele.

Conclusion

We find no predilection or predisposition towards an accompanying TDP‐43 pathology in patients with FTLD‐tau, irrespective of presence or absence of MAPT mutation, or that genetic changes associated with FTLD‐TDP predispose towards excessive tauopathy. Where the two processes coexist, this is limited and probably causatively independent of each other.
Xylem formation can be modeled statistically as a function of primary growth and cambium activity
Authors: Huang Jian‐Guo , Deslauriers Annie , Rossi Sergio
Published: May 2014

Primary (budburst, foliage and shoot) growth and secondary (cambium and xylem) growth of plants play a vital role in sequestering atmospheric carbon. However, their potential relationships have never been mathematically quantified and the underlying physiological mechanisms are unclear. We monitored primary and secondary growth in Picea mariana and Abies balsamea on a weekly basis from 2010 to 2013 at four sites over an altitudinal gradient (25–900 m) in the eastern Canadian boreal forest.

We determined the timings of onset and termination through the fitted functions and their first derivative. We quantified the potential relationships between primary growth and secondary growth using the mixed‐effects model.

We found that xylem formation of boreal conifers can be modeled as a function of cambium activity, bud phenology, and shoot and needle growth, as well as species‐ and site‐specific factors.

Our model reveals that there may be an optimal mechanism to simultaneously allocate the photosynthetic products and stored nonstructural carbon to growth of different organs at different times in the growing season. This mathematical link can bridge phenological modeling, forest ecosystem productivity and carbon cycle modeling, which will certainly contribute to an improved prediction of ecosystem productivity and carbon equilibrium.
Virtue ethics and nursing: on what grounds?
Authors: Newham Roger A.
Published: May 2014

Within the nursing ethics literature, there has for some time now been a focus on the role and importance of character for nursing. An overarching rationale for this is the need to examine the sort of person one must be if one is to nurse well or be a good nurse. How one should be to live well or live a/the good life and to nurse well or be a good nurse seems to necessitate a focus on an agent's character as well as actions because character is (for the most part) expressed in action (e.g. seeLaird). This paper will give an overview of the reasons for the role and importance of character in nursing practice and explain its relation to nursing's frequent use of virtue ethics in order to recommend caution. While the paper agrees that the role of character is important in nursing caution is needed in both how much moral and thus normative, emphasis is being placed on the psychology of character and on the drift to virtue ethics. The psychological which may be explanatory needs to be linked with the normative, and a justification for the normative is needed. A justification as virtue ethics is contested, and nursing practice does not need to take on this explanatory and justificatory burden.

A tentative proposal raised but not discussed in depth in this paper is that when an ultimate explanation or explanatory ground is needed, nursing practice leads quite naturally to a form of consequentialism as well as a realist metaethic. On this account, there are two levels of moral thinking, and nursing practice entails the virtues at one level and leads quite naturally to moral thinking at another more critical level of the criterion of what makes something right and good independently of character.
Considerations Regarding Online Methods for Suicide‐Related Research and Suicide Risk Assessment
Authors: Michaels Matthew S. , Chu Carol , Silva Caroline , Schulman Brittany E. , Joiner Thomas
Published: May 2014

Frequent advances in technology provide new and exciting opportunities for conducting suicide research and suicide risk assessments. However, to the authors' knowledge, best practices for using technology, specifically the Internet, to conduct research protocols involving suicide risk assessments have not been examined. In research contexts, the use of technology for research on suicidal behavior and suicide risk assessment can offer benefits relative to other forms of data collection. These advantages, which include increased validity, feasibility, and efficiency, as well as improvements in data collection and management, are presented. Considerations regarding the implementation of an online system for suicide risk assessment as well as limitations and future directions are discussed.
Strength training improves performance and pedaling characteristics in elite cyclists
Authors: Rønnestad B. R. , Hansen J. , Hollan I. , Ellefsen S.
Published: May 2014

The purpose was to investigate the effect of 25 weeks heavy strength training in young elite cyclists. Nine cyclists performed endurance training and heavy strength training (ES) while seven cyclists performed endurance training only (E). ES, but not E, resulted in increases in isometric half squat performance, lean lower body mass, peak power output during Wingate test, peak aerobic power output (Wmax), power output at 4 mmol L−1 [la−], mean power output during 40‐min all‐out trial, and earlier occurrence of peak torque during the pedal stroke (P < 0.05). ES achieved superior improvements in Wmax and mean power output during 40‐min all‐out trial compared with E (P < 0.05). The improvement in 40‐min all‐out performance was associated with the change toward achieving peak torque earlier in the pedal stroke (r = 0.66, P < 0.01). Neither of the groups displayed alterations in VO2max or cycling economy. In conclusion, heavy strength training leads to improved cycling performance in elite cyclists as evidenced by a superior effect size of ES training vs E training on relative improvements in power output at 4 mmol L−1 [la−], peak power output during 30‐s Wingate test, Wmax, and mean power output during 40‐min all‐out trial.
Immune hemolytic anemia with drug‐induced antibodies to carboplatin and vincristine in a pediatric patient with an optic pathway glioma
Authors: Betensky Marisol , Witmer Char , Fisher Michael J. , Nance Sandra , Weiss Mitchell J. , Sesok‐Pizzini Deborah A.
Published: May 2014

Background

Drug‐induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is a rare, but important condition requiring specialized laboratory testing for diagnosis. We report a case of DIIHA with antibodies against carboplatin and vincristine (VCR) in a child with an optic pathway glioma. Platinum‐based drugs are established to cause DIIHA; to our knowledge, this is the first report implicating VCR.

Study Design and Methods

A 35‐month‐old girl with an optic pathway glioma developed hemolytic anemia while receiving carboplatin and VCR. Specialized blood bank testing was performed to determine the presence of drug‐dependent antibodies and thus DIIHA.

Results

Initial direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was negative. A repeat DAT 3 days later was positive, 3+ with polyspecific‐antiglobulin sera, weak+ with anti‐immunoglobulin (Ig)G, and 2+ with anti‐C3d. An eluate from the DAT‐positive red blood cells (RBCs) was nonreactive. The patient's serum reacted without specificity to all RBC tested using papain‐IgG‐antiglobulin test (AGT) and polyethylene glycol‐IgG‐AGT. No alloantibodies to common RBC antigens were detected. When the serum was evaluated for the presence of drug‐specific antibody, reactivity was shown with VCR and carboplatin using the drug addition solution method, but only with carboplatin using the drug‐coating method.

Conclusion

The patient developed hemolytic anemia during chemotherapy. Initial detection of a panagglutinin suggested a warm‐type autoimmune process. However, since DIIHA could not be excluded, chemotherapy was discontinued and further work‐up was initiated. The findings confirmed the presence of antibodies to carboplatin and VCR. This case highlights the importance for clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for DIIHA in patients with unexplained hemolysis and the importance of specialized serologic testing.
Administration of recombinant human granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor does not induce long‐lasting detectable epigenetic alterations in healthy donors
Authors: Leitner Gerda C. , Faschingbauer Martin , Wenda Sabine , Weigel Günter , Fischer Gottfried
Published: May 2014

Background

The short‐term safety profile of recombinant human granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (rHuG‐CSF) in the allogeneic stem cell setting seems acceptable; only few data on long‐term safety are available. To further study possible epigenetic alterations, we investigated prospectively the influence of rHuG‐CSF on DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity and on changes in DNA methylation of candidate genes in peripheral blood cells of healthy unrelated stem cell donors within an observation period of 1 year.

Study Design and Methods

In this study, 20 stem cell donors (14 male/six female; median age, 40 years; range, 22‐54 years) and 20 sex‐ and age‐matched blood component donors (controls) were included. Sampling was performed before rHuG‐CSF administration; at the time of donation; and on Days (+1), 7, 30, 100, 180, and 360 in both groups. Analysis of DNMT activity in nuclear extracts was performed using a modified radionuclide assay. We performed methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction to detect the methylation status of promoter CpG islands of the genes of the retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR‐B) and the Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A).

Results

DNMT activity increased significantly on the day of donation and 1 day after (p < 0.05). By Day +7 baseline values were reached. No further significant alterations of DNMT activity in the treated group compared to the controls were observed. We could not detect any differences in the gene methylation of RAR‐B and RASSF1A between both groups.

Conclusion

In our prospective study no evidence of long‐lasting increased DNMT activity or enhanced DNA methylation in a limited panel of target genes after recombinant human G‐CSF administration was observed in healthy stem cell donors.
Mindfulness and Flow in Elite Athletes
Authors: Cathcart Stuart , McGregor Matt , Groundwater Emma
Published: May 2014

Mindfulness has been found to be related to improved athletic performance and propensity to achieve flow states. The relationship between mindfulness and flow has only recently been examined in elite athletes. To build on this literature, we administered the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Dispositional Flow Scale to 92 elite athletes. Psychometric analyses supported the validity of the FFMQ. Males scored higher than females on the FFMQ facet of Nonjudging of Inner Experience. Athletes from individual and pacing sports scored higher on the FFMQ facet of Observing than athletes from team-based and nonpacing sports. Correlations between mindfulness and flow were stronger in athletes from individual and pacing sports compared with team-based and nonpacing sports. Mindfulness correlated with different facets of flow in males compared with females. The results support the use of the five-facet mindfulness construct in elite athletes and suggest the relationship between mindfulness and flow possibly may vary by gender and sport type in this population.
Swimmers’ Experiences of Organizational Stress: Exploring the Role of Cognitive Appraisal and Coping Strategies
Authors: Didymus Faye F. , Fletcher David
Published: May 2014

This study investigated sport performers’ coping strategies in response to organizational stressors, examined the utility of Skinner, Edge, Altman, and Sherwood’s (2003) categorization of coping within a sport context, determined the short-term perceived effectiveness of the coping strategies used, and explored appraisal-coping associations. Thirteen national standard swimmers completed semistructured, interval-contingent diaries every day for 28 days. Results revealed 78 coping strategies, which supported 10 of Skinner et al.’s (2003) families of coping. Twenty-four different combinations of coping families were identified. The perceived most effective coping family used in isolation was self-reliance and in combination was escape and negotiation. Stressful appraisals were associated with varied coping strategies. The results highlight the complexity of coping and point to the importance of appraisal-coping associations. Skinner et al.’s (2003) categorization of coping provides a promising conceptual framework for the development of coping research in sport.
Uncertainty of Outcome and Radio Policy in Professional Road Cycling
Authors: Larson Daniel J. , Maxcy Joel
Published: May 2014

The world governing body for cycling proscribed the use of two-way radio communication in road cycling races, with the ban set to become fully effective in 2012. The ban was instituted because radio use was perceived to have altered the cycling competitions by making outcomes more predictable and of less interest to sport’s consumers. This empirical analysis of the policy rationale considers the uncertainty of outcome hypothesis (UOH) as it applies to professional cycling races and creates a novel measure, the likelihood of breakaway success (LBS). TheLBSis analyzed in 1436 bicycle races between 1985–2010 to examine potential changes in outcomes associated with the use of two-way radio technology by competitors and team directors. The data suggests that radio technology has had a significant association with event outcome types. The relevance of the findings to intraorganizational communication, management, and hierarchies of sports teams are also discussed.
Determinants and Consequences of the Perceived Social Impact of a Sport Event
Authors: Inoue Yuhei , Havard Cody T.
Published: May 2014

This study investigates the determinants and consequences of the perceived social impact of a sport event by analyzing data obtained from 458 local attendees of the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic. Results show that a sport event generates a higher level of social impact for local attendees if they feel a greater sense of social camaraderie at the event and/or perceive a higher level of the social responsibility of the event. In turn, the creation of social impact leads to greater business returns, such that local attendees perceiving a high level of social impact are likely to support the event and its sponsors. These results offer some empirical evidence for Chalip’s (2006) framework of social leverage, and show why events and their sponsors need to make efforts to generate social benefits for host communities.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 27 May 2014
Authors: Schreiber Gideon , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: May 2014

An engineered form of interferon-α2 stimulates the antiviral response without suppressing cell proliferation or activating immunomodulatory genes.
Unhelpful T Helper Cells
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: May 2014

Infiltrating T cells secrete inflammatory cytokines that stimulate tumor progression.
Systematic review of universal school-based resilience interventions targeting adolescent tobacco, alcohol or illicit drug use: review protocol
Authors: Hodder Rebecca Kate , Freund Megan , Wolfenden Luke , Bowman Jenny , Gillham Karen , Dray Julia , Wiggers John
Published: May 2014

Introduction

Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use contribute significantly to global rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite evidence suggesting interventions designed to increase adolescent resilience may represent a means of reducing adolescent substance use, and schools providing a key opportunity to implement such interventions, existing systematic reviews assessing the effectiveness of school-based interventions targeting adolescent substance use have not examined this potential.

Methods and analysis

The aim of the systematic review is to determine whether universal interventions focused on enhancing the resilience of adolescents are effective in reducing adolescent substance use. Eligible studies will: include participants 5–18 years of age; report tobacco use, alcohol consumption or illicit drug use as outcomes; and implement a school-based intervention designed to promote internal (eg, self-esteem) and external (eg, school connectedness) resilience factors. Eligible study designs include randomised controlled trials, cluster randomised controlled trials, staggered enrolment trials, stepped wedged trials, quasi-randomised trials, quasi-experimental trials, time series/interrupted time-series trials, preference trials, regression discontinuity trials and natural experiment studies with a parallel control group. A search strategy including criteria for participants, study design, outcome, setting and intervention will be implemented in various electronic databases and information sources. Two reviewers will independently screen studies to assess eligibility, as well as extract data from, and assess risk of bias of included studies. A third reviewer will resolve any discrepancies. Attempts will be made to quantify trial effects by meta-analysis. Binary outcomes will be pooled and effect size reported using ORs. For continuous data, effect size of trials will be reported using a mean difference where trial outcomes report the same outcome using a consistent measure, or standardised mean difference where trials report a comparable measure. Otherwise, trial outcomes will be described narratively.

Dissemination

Review findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
IMPOSE (IMProving Outcomes after Sepsis)—the effect of a multidisciplinary follow-up service on health-related quality of life in patients postsepsis syndromes—a double-blinded randomised controlled trial: protocol
Authors: Paratz Jennifer D , Kenardy Justin , Mitchell Geoffrey , Comans Tracy , Coyer Fiona , Thomas Peter , Singh Sunil , Luparia Louise , Boots Robert J
Published: May 2014

Introduction

Patients post sepsis syndromes have a poor quality of life and a high rate of recurring illness or mortality. Follow-up clinics have been instituted for patients postgeneral intensive care but evidence is sparse, and there has been no clinic specifically for survivors of sepsis. The aim of this trial is to investigate if targeted screening and appropriate intervention to these patients can result in an improved quality of life (Short Form 36 health survey (SF36V.2)), decreased mortality in the first 12 months, decreased readmission to hospital and/or decreased use of health resources.

Methods and analysis

204 patients postsepsis syndromes will be randomised to one of the two groups. The intervention group will attend an outpatient clinic two monthly for 6 months and receive screening and targeted intervention. The usual care group will remain under the care of their physician. To analyse the results, a baseline comparison will be carried out between each group. Generalised estimating equations will compare the SF36 domain scores between groups and across time points. Mortality will be compared between groups using a Cox proportional hazards (time until death) analysis. Time to first readmission will be compared between groups by a survival analysis. Healthcare costs will be compared between groups using a generalised linear model. Economic (health resource) evaluation will be a within-trial incremental cost utility analysis with a societal perspective.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted by the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC; HREC/13/QRBW/17), The University of Queensland HREC (2013000543), Griffith University (RHS/08/14/HREC) and the Australian Government Department of Health (26/2013). The results of this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed intensive care journals and presented at national and international intensive care and/or rehabilitation conferences.

Trial registration number

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000528752.
Preventive health services implemented by family physicians in Portugal—a cross-sectional study based on two clinical scenarios
Authors: Martins Carlos , Azevedo Luís Filipe , Santos Cristina , Sá Luísa , Santos Paulo , Couto Maria , Pereira Altamiro , Hespanhol Alberto
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To assess whether Portuguese family physicians perform preventive health services in accordance with scientific evidence, based on the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Primary healthcare, Portuguese National Health Service.

Participants

255 Portuguese family physicians selected by a stratified cluster sampling design were invited to participate in a computer-assisted telephone survey.

Outcomes

Prevalence of compliance with USPSTF recommendations for screening, given a male and female clinical scenario and a set of proposed medical interventions, including frequency of the intervention and performance in their own daily practice.

Results

A response rate of 95.7% was obtained (n=244). 98–100% of family physicians answered according to the USPSTF recommendations in most interventions. In the male scenario, the lowest concordance was observed in the evaluation of prostate-specific antigen with 37% of family physicians answering according to the USPSTF recommendations. In the female scenario, the lowest concordance was for cholesterol testing with 2% of family physicians complying. Family physicians younger than 50 years had significantly better compliance scores than older ones (mean 77% vs 72%; p<0.001).

Conclusions

We found a high degree of agreement with USPSTF recommendations among Portuguese family physicians. However, we also found results suggesting excessive use of some medical interventions, raising concerns related to possible harm associated with overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
Association between the level of antibodies in bulk tank milk and bovine respiratory syncytial virus exposure in the herd
Authors: Klem T. B. , Tollersrud T. , Østerås O. , Stokstad M.
Published: May 2014

Antibody levels in bulk tank milk (BTM) against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are used to classify BRSV status of herds. The aim of this study was to investigate how these levels correspond with the time at which the herds were infected. Bulk tank milk, individual milk and serum samples from cows and young stock were investigated using an indirect ELISA. Screenings of BTM from 89 dairy herds during two winter seasons revealed a prevalence of positive herds from 82 per cent to 85 per cent. Eleven herds showed a marked increase in antibody levels between two screenings, indicating new infection. However, two of these herds had been free from BRSV for the last five to seven years. Two newly infected herds were monitored for four years and did not appear to get reinfected. Surprisingly, the BTM antibody levels in these herds remained high throughout the study period, but fluctuated significantly. This shows that the levels of antibodies in BTM can remain high for several years, even in herds where reinfection does not occur. BTM serology is a useful tool in the monitoring of infectious diseases in dairy herds, but has limitations as a diagnostic tool for BRSV infections.
Postexercise rehydration with beer impairs fluid retention, reaction time, and balance
Authors: Flores-Salamanca Rebeca , Aragón-Vargas Luis Fernando
Published: May 2014

Beer is promoted by popular media as a good choice for rehydration, but there is limited support for the claim. To assess the effect of beer alcohol on rehydration and motor control, 11 young (24.4 ± 3.7 years old) males of legal drinking age were dehydrated to 2.12% ± 0.20% body mass (mean ± SD) by exercising in a climatic chamber (31.7 ± 1.6 °C, 55.0% ± 8.3% relative humidity) on 3 different days, 1 week apart, and rehydrated with 100% of their sweat loss using water (WATER), 4.6% alcohol beer (BEER), or low-alcohol beer (LAB), in random order. Urine output, blood alcohol content (BAC), reaction time (RT), and balance (as measured by center of pressure velocity (VCoP)) were measured every 30 min over 3 h and compared via 2-way, repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs). After consuming ≈1.6 L in 1 h, urine output was greater for BEER (1218 ± 279 mL) than for LAB (745 ± 313 mL, p = 0.007) and WATER (774 ± 304 mL, p = 0.043). BAC remained at 0 with WATER and LAB; with BEER, BAC reached 0.857 g/L (95% confidence intervals [0.752, 0.963]) immediately postrehydration. RT was longer for BEER (0.314 ± 0.039 s) than for LAB (0.294 ± 0.034 s, p = 0.009), but was no different from WATER (0.293 ± 0.049 s, p = 0.077). VCoPx was significantly higher for BEER (0.0284 ± 0.0020 m/s) compared with LAB (0.0233 ± 0.0010 m/s) or WATER (0.0238 ± 0.0010 m/s) (p = 0.022), but VCoPy was not different among beverages. In conclusion, rehydration with BEER resulted in higher diuresis, slower RT, and impaired VCoP than rehydration with LAB or WATER.
Iron and the endurance athlete
Authors: Hinton Pamela S.
Published: May 2014

Iron is a trace mineral that is highly significant to endurance athletes. Iron is critical to optimal athletic performance because of its role in energy metabolism, oxygen transport, and acid-base balance. Endurance athletes are at increased risk for suboptimal iron status, with potential negative consequences on performance, because of the combination of increased iron needs and inadequate dietary intake. This review paper summarizes the role of iron in maximal and submaximal exercise and describes the effects of iron deficiency on exercise performance. Mechanisms that explain the increased risk of iron deficiency in endurance athletes, including exercise-associated inflammation and hepcidin release on iron sequestration, are described. Information on screening athletes for iron deficiency is presented, and suggestions to increase iron intake through diet modification or supplemental iron are provided.
Guidelines and the design approach for vertical geothermal heat pump systems: current status and perspective
Authors: Dehkordi S.E. , Schincariol R.A.
Published: May 2014

Geothermal heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency, rising energy prices, and them being a renewable or sustainable form of energy. However, design considerations and the regulatory framework have not advanced at the same pace. This work points to the need for design methods that consider groundwater advection where it is applicable, and a stronger regulatory environment, to ensure the sustainability of the geothermal energy sector. Related standards have been developed in a few countries; comparing them demonstrates some heterogeneity in the approach to the problem, criteria, and thresholds. While variances in thresholds can be geographically driven, synthesizing the criteria is a powerful means to more comprehensive guidelines. In particular, the interaction of heat exchangers with each other and the groundwater is a major concern. This review intends to provide the understanding needed to implement sustainable geothermal systems by highlighting the necessity for advancement of the current approach in design and standards, and providing direction for establishing improved design and standards. Particularly, by putting Canada in the international context, it is oriented to the Canadian audience and offers state of the art knowledge to professionals and authorities for a sustainable growth in this field.
Hydrodynamics in a black brane with hyperscaling violation metric background
Authors: Sadeghi J. , Asadi A.
Published: May 2014

In this paper we consider a metric with hyperscaling violation on a black brane background. In this background we calculate the ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density with hydrodynamics information. The calculation of this quantity leads us to a constraint on θ as 3 ≤ θ < 4, and θ ≤ 0. In that case we show that the quantity η/s is not dependent on hyperscaling violation parameter θ. Our results about ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density from the QCD point of view agree with other works in the literature as 1/4π.
Accelerator-driven boron neutron capture therapy
Authors: Edgecock Rob
Published: May 2014

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy is a binary treatment for certain types of cancer. It works by loading the cancerous cells with a boron-10 carrying compound. This isotope has a large cross-section for thermal neutrons, the reaction producing a lithium nucleus and alpha particle that kill the cell in which they are produced. Recent studies of the boron carrier compound indicate that the uptake process works best in particularly aggressive cancers. Most studied is glioblastoma multiforme and a trial using a combination of BNCT and X-ray radiotherapy has shown an increase of nearly a factor of two in mean survival over the state of the art. However, the main technical problem with BNCT remains producing a sufficient flux of neutrons for a reasonable treatment duration in a hospital environment. This paper discusses this issue.
DESIGN OF A CMOS BANDGAP REFERENCE CIRCUIT WITH A WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE, HIGH PRECISION AND LOW TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT
Authors: CHEN JUN-DA , YE CHENG-KAI
Published: May 2014

This paper presents an approach to the design of a high-precision CMOS voltage reference. The proposed circuit is designed for TSMC 0.35 μm standard CMOS process. We design the first-order temperature compensation bandgap voltage reference circuit. The proposed post-simulated circuit delivers an output voltage of 0.596 V and achieves the reported temperature coefficient (TC) of 3.96 ppm/°C within the temperature range from -60°C to 130°C when the supply voltage is 1.8 V. When simulated in a smaller temperature range from -40°C to 80°C, the circuit achieves the lowest reported TC of 2.09 ppm/°C. The reference current is 16.586 μA. This circuit provides good performances in a wide range of temperature with very small TC.
MODELING THE TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS OF DAIRY CATTLE BRUCELLOSIS IN JILIN PROVINCE, CHINA
Authors: NIE JING , SUN GUI-QUAN , SUN XIANG-DONG , ZHANG JUAN , WANG NAN , WANG YOU-MING , SHEN CHAO-JIAN , HUANG BAO-XU , JIN ZHEN
Published: May 2014

Dairy cattle brucellosis is a chronic bacterial disease, which is caused by Brucella abortus and mainly characterized by abortion in dairy cattle. With the rapid development of breeding industry of milk cows in China, the infectious cases of dairy cattle brucellosis show an increasing trend. Particularly in Jilin province, the annual number of the positive cases of dairy cattle was only 3 cows in 1987, and went up to 168 cows in 2005. Based on the situation of the brucellosis infection in Jilin province, we propose an Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Virus (SEIV) dynamical model with outside transferred amount to describe the transmission of brucellosis amongst dairy cattle in this paper. We calculate the basic reproduction number R0 and prove that the equilibria are globally stable. Moreover, using the real data of nearly 20 years in Jilin province, we estimate the parameter values in the system. As a result, we can predict the number of infections as time increases. According to the prediction for the next 30 years, we can conclude that the disease will persist if we just take existing measures. If culling, sterilizing and decreasing the number of outer importing are used together, dairy cattle brucellosis will be well controlled.
On stochastic integration for volatility modulated Brownian-driven Volterra processes via white noise analysis
Authors: Barndorff-Nielsen Ole E. , Benth Fred Espen , Szozda Benedykt
Published: May 2014

This paper generalizes the integration theory for volatility modulated Brownian-driven Volterra processes onto the space [Formula: see text] of Potthoff–Timpel distributions. Sufficient conditions for integrability of generalized processes are given, regularity results and properties of the integral are discussed. We introduce a new volatility modulation method through the Wick product and discuss its relation to the pointwise-multiplied volatility model.
Probability distributions with binomial moments
Authors: Młotkowski Wojciech , Penson Karol A.
Published: May 2014

We prove that the binomial sequence [Formula: see text] is positive definite if and only if either p ≥ 1, -1 ≤ r ≤ p - 1 or p ≤ 0, p - 1 ≤ r ≤ 0 and that the Raney sequence [Formula: see text] is positive definite if and only if either p ≥ 1, 0 ≤ r ≤ p or p ≤ 0, p - 1 ≤ r ≤ 0 or else r = 0. The corresponding probability measures are denoted by ν(p, r) and μ(p, r) respectively. We prove that if p > 1 is rational and -1 < r ≤ p - 1 then the measure ν(p, r) is absolutely continuous and its density Vp,r(x) can be represented as Meijer G-function. In some cases Vp,ris an elementary function. We show that for p > 1 the measures ν(p,-1) and ν(p,0) are certain free convolution powers of the Bernoulli distribution.
Synthesis of chiral porphyrins and their use in photochemical oxidation of carbonyl compounds
Authors: Walaszek Dominika J. , Maximova Ksenia , Rybicka-Jasińska Katarzyna , Lipke Agnieszka , Gryko Dorota
Published: May 2014

A series of chiral A4, A2B2, and AB3 porphyrins bearing proline moieties at the meso-phenyl group has been synthesized. Photostability studies revealed that the number of L-proline units and their position on meso-phenyl rings strongly influence the decomposition rate of the catalyst. 5,10,15-Tris(mesityl)-20-(3-prolinanilidylphenyl)-21,23H-porphyrin is the most stable while porphyrin bearing four 3-prolinanilidylphenyl substituents completely decomposes in CHCl 3 within 3 h. Singlet oxygen quantum yields of the conjugates were determined by measuring the peak areas of the NIR emission of 1 O 2 (1280 nm) generated by these compounds and compared to that generated by the reference standard TPP. Selected porphyrins were tested as catalysts in the photooxidation of carbonyl compounds at the α-position.
GRAPHICAL INDUCTION OF QUALIFIED MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE
Authors: GOODWIN TRAVIS , HARABAGIU SANDA M.
Published: May 2014

The introduction of electronic medical records (EMRs) enabled the access of unprecedented volumes of clinical data, both in structured and unstructured formats. A significant amount of this clinical data is expressed within the narrative portion of the EMRs, requiring natural language processing techniques to unlock the medical knowledge referred to by physicians. This knowledge, derived from the practice of medical care, complements medical knowledge already encoded in various structured biomedical ontologies. Moreover, the clinical knowledge derived from EMRs also exhibits relational information between medical concepts, derived from the cohesion property of clinical text, which is an attractive attribute that is currently missing from the vast biomedical knowledge bases. In this paper, we describe an automatic method of generating a graph of clinically related medical concepts by considering the belief values associated with those concepts. The belief value is an expression of the clinician's assertion that the concept is qualified as present, absent, suggested, hypothetical, ongoing, etc. Because the method detailed in this paper takes into account the hedging used by physicians when authoring EMRs, the resulting graph encodes qualified medical knowledge wherein each medical concept has an associated assertion (or belief value) and such qualified medical concepts are spanned by relations of different strengths, derived from the clinical contexts in which concepts are used. In this paper, we discuss the construction of a qualified medical knowledge graph (QMKG) and treat it as a BigData problem addressed by using MapReduce for deriving the weighted edges of the graph. To be able to assess the value of the QMKG, we demonstrate its usage for retrieving patient cohorts by enabling query expansion that produces greatly enhanced results against state-of-the-art methods.
TOWARDS AN EFFICIENT RDF DATASET SLICING
Authors: MARX EDGARD , SORU TOMMASO , SHEKARPOUR SAEEDEH , AUER SÖREN , NGOMO AXEL-CYRILLE NGONGA , BREITMAN KARIN
Published: May 2014

Over the last years, a considerable amount of structured data has been published on the Web as Linked Open Data (LOD). Despite recent advances, consuming and using Linked Open Data within an organization is still a substantial challenge. Many of the LOD datasets are quite large and despite progress in Resource Description Framework (RDF) data management their loading and querying within a triple store is extremely time-consuming and resource-demanding. To overcome this consumption obstacle, we propose a process inspired by the classical Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) paradigm. In this article, we focus particularly on the selection and extraction steps of this process. We devise a fragment of SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language (SPARQL) dubbed SliceSPARQL, which enables the selection of well-defined slices of datasets fulfilling typical information needs. SliceSPARQL supports graph patterns for which each connected subgraph pattern involves a maximum of one variable or Internationalized resource identifier (IRI) in its join conditions. This restriction guarantees the efficient processing of the query against a sequential dataset dump stream. Furthermore, we evaluate our slicing approach on three different optimization strategies. Results show that dataset slices can be generated an order of magnitude faster than by using the conventional approach of loading the whole dataset into a triple store.
Visualizations make big data meaningful
Authors: CACM Staff
Published: May 2014

New techniques are designed to translate "invisible numbers" into visible images.
Puzzled: Solutions and sources
Authors: Winkler Peter
Published: May 2014

Last month (May 2014) we posted three puzzles in which you were asked to sort several cards using three stacks on a table; you were allowed to move the top card of one stack to the top of another (possibly empty) stack, with the object being to get all the cards in their natural order stacked in the leftmost place. The catch was you could see only the top cards of the stacks and had no memory. Not included were proofs that the algorithms described in the following solutions actually work; indeed, the best way to see how they work is to take three cards (or a whole suit) from a deck of playing cards and try.
Cyber-physical testbeds
Authors: Siaterlis Christos , Genge Béla
Published: May 2014

EPIC helps assess cyberthreats against the cyber and physical dimensions of networked critical infrastructures.
The digitization of cultural practices
Authors: Rosner Daniela , Roccetti Marco , Marfia Gustavo
Published: May 2014

These interactive applications let users perform, and thus preserve, traditional culture-defining crafts.
Bidding with limited statistical knowledge in online auctions
Authors: Jiang Chong , Beck Carolyn L. , Srikant R.
Published: May 2014

We consider online auctions from the point of view of a single bidder who has an average budget constraint. By modeling the rest of the bidders through a probability distribution (often referred to as the mean-field approximation), we develop a simple bidding strategy which can be implemented without any statistical knowledge of bids, valuations, and query arrival processes. The key idea is to use stochastic approximation techniques to automatically track long-term averages.
Big data classification
Authors: Suthaharan Shan
Published: May 2014

This paper focuses on the specific problem of Big Data classification of network intrusion traffic. It discusses the system challenges presented by the Big Data problems associated with network intrusion prediction. The prediction of a possible intrusion attack in a network requires continuous collection of traffic data and learning of their characteristics on the fly. The continuous collection of traffic data by the network leads to Big Data problems that are caused by the volume, variety and velocity properties of Big Data. The learning of the network characteristics require machine learning techniques that capture global knowledge of the traffic patterns. The Big Data properties will lead to significant system challenges to implement machine learning frameworks. This paper discusses the problems and challenges in handling Big Data classification using geometric representation-learning techniques and the modern Big Data networking technologies. In particular this paper discusses the issues related to combining supervised learning techniques, representation-learning techniques, machine lifelong learning techniques and Big Data technologies (e.g. Hadoop, Hive and Cloud) for solving network traffic classification problems.
A system for energy-efficient data management
Authors: Tu Yi-Cheng , Wang Xiaorui , Zeng Bo , Xu Zichen
Published: May 2014

Energy consumption of computer systems has increased at a steep rate in recent years. Following extensive energyrelated research and practice in the hardware and OS communities, much attention has been paid to developing energy-efficient applications. With database systems being a heavy energy consumer in modern data centers, we face the challenge of designing DBMSs with energy as a first-class performance goal. This paper presents our on-goingwork in designing and implementing a DBMS that enables significant energy conservations while maintaining other performance targets. We follow two new strategies in DBMS implementation to achieve our system design goal. The first one is to change the resource consumption patterns via energy-aware query optimization and reorganizing data records to enable load consolidation in disks. The second strategy is active control of power modes of hardware (i.e., CPU and hard disks) toward energy reduction. Specifically, we use control-theoretic techniques to allowdynamic adjustment of CPU frequency and online data migration to achieve disk load consolidation. Preliminary results have shown the effectiveness of our design.
The linked data benchmark council
Authors: Angles Renzo , Boncz Peter , Larriba-Pey Josep , Fundulaki Irini , Neumann Thomas , Erling Orri , Neubauer Peter , Martinez-Bazan Norbert , Kotsev Venelin , Toma Ioan
Published: May 2014

The Linked Data Benchmark Council (LDBC) is an EU project that aims to develop industry-strength benchmarks for graph and RDF data management systems. It includes the creation of a non-profit LDBC organization, where industry players and academia come together for managing the development of benchmarks as well as auditing and publishing official results. We present an overview of the project including its goals and organization, and describe its process and design methodology for benchmark development. We introduce so-called "choke-point" based benchmark development through which experts identify key technical challenges, and introduce them in the benchmark workload. Finally, we present the status of two benchmarks currently in development, one targeting graph data management systems using a social network data case, and the other targeting RDF systems using a data publishing case.