bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristic changes of saliva and taste in burning mouth syndrome patients
Authors: Imura Hiroko , Shimada Masahiko , Yamazaki Yoko , Sugimoto Kumiko
Published: August 2015

Background

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by chronic pain with a burning sensation of the tongue and oral mucosa and reported to be often accompanied by subjective xerostomia and dysgeusia. Since the etiology of BMS has not been elucidated, to understand the characteristics of BMS, we measured some components of saliva and taste sensitivity and compared the measured values between BMS and healthy subjects.

Methods

Unstimulated saliva was collected from 15 female BMS patients and 30 healthy women. The flow rate, viscosity (spinnability) and concentration of secretory IgA (SIgA) of saliva and serum antioxidant capacity were measured. The recognition thresholds for sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami tastes were measured by whole‐mouth method. The statistical analyses were performed using Student's t‐test, and P < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results

In BMS group, the flow rate of saliva was significantly lower and the spinnability was significantly higher compared with healthy group. The secreted amount of SIgA per min and serum antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in the patients. The threshold for sourness in patients was significantly higher, while those for other tastes did not differ from healthy group.

Conclusions

BMS patients showed lower salivary flow and higher salivary spinnability. These results together with decreased SIgA amount, suggest that BMS may be relevant to the deterioration of salivary condition, which could in turn affect taste function. Furthermore, the lower antioxidant capacity in patient's serum suggests that it can serve as a diagnostic tool for BMS.
Plant community mycorrhization in temperate forests and grasslands: relations with edaphic properties and plant diversity
Authors: Gerz Maret , Bueno Carlos Guillermo , Zobel Martin , Moora Mari
Published: August 2015

Questions

Mycorrhizal symbiosis plays a key role in plant communities. Its prevalence in plant communities (mycorrhization) at larger spatial scales has so far been mostly qualitative, while quantitative studies incorporating the mycorrhizal traits of plant species are scarce. This study aims to: (1) determine the variation in general and arbuscular mycorrhization in temperate forests and grasslands, (2) study the effects of soil N, pH and moisture on mycorrhization, and (3) determine the relationships between mycorrhization and plant diversity.

Location

Temperate forests and grasslands in Estonia, Northern Europe.

Methods

To quantify mycorrhization we used a plant community mycorrhization index – community mean of mycorrhizal status weighted by plant species abundances. The effects of edaphic factors characterized by cumulative Ellenberg values on mycorrhization were analysed using linear mixed models, and the relationship between mycorrhization and diversity was evaluated with partial correlation and variance partitioning.

Results

General mycorrhization was higher in forests and lower in grasslands, opposite to arbuscular mycorrhization. Soil N, pH and moisture negatively impacted general mycorrhization, whereas arbuscular mycorrhization was positively affected by soil pH and negatively by soil N and moisture. Plant species richness was negatively correlated with general mycorrhization in forests, whereas arbuscular mycorrhization was positively associated with plant species richness, Shannon and Simpson indices in forests and across ecosystems.

Conclusions

Mycorrhization is highly dependent on soil conditions and related to plant diversity, showing its importance for vegetation science. The plant community mycorrhization index used in this study is a promising tool for quantifying the prevalence of mycorrhizal symbiosis along environmental gradients.
Immunohistochemical analysis of hippocampal butyrylcholinesterase: Implications for regional vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Mizukami Katsuyoshi , Akatsu Hiroyasu , Abrahamson Eric E. , Mi Zhiping , Ikonomovic Milos D.
Published: August 2015

Studies of acetylcholine degrading enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have suggested their potential role in the development of fibrillar amyloid‐β (Aβ) plaques (amyloid plaques). A recent genome‐wide association study analysis identified a novel association between genetic variations in the BCHE locus and amyloid burden. We studied BChE immunoreactivity in hippocampal tissue sections from AD and control cases, and examined its relationship with amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), dystrophic neurites (DN) and neuropil threads (NT). Compared to controls, AD cases had greater BChE immunoreactivity in hippocampal neurons and neuropils in CA2/3, but not in the CA1, CA4 and dentate gyrus. The majority of amyloid plaques (> 80%, using a pan‐amyloid marker X‐34) contained discrete neuritic clusters which were dual‐labeled with antibodies against BChE and phosphorylated tau (clone AT8). There was no association between overall regional BChE immunoreaction intensity and amyloid plaque burden. In contrast to previous reports, BChE was localized in only a fraction (~10%) of classic NFT (positive for X‐34). A similar proportion of BChE‐immunoreactive pyramidal cells were AT8 immunoreactive. Greater NFT and DN loads were associated with greater BChE immunoreaction intensity in CA2/3, but not in CA1, CA4 and dentate gyrus. Our results demonstrate that in AD hippocampus, BChE accumulates in neurons and plaque‐associated neuritic clusters, but only in a small proportion of NFT. The association between greater neurofibrillary pathology burden and markedly increased BChE immunoreactivity, observed selectively in CA2/3 region, could reflect a novel compensatory mechanism. Since CA2/3 is generally considered more resistant to AD pathology, BChE upregulation could impact the cholinergic modulation of glutamate neurotransmission to prevent/reduce neuronal excitotoxicity in AD hippocampus.
Genetic analysis and detection of new QTL alleles for Septoria tritici blotch resistance using two advanced backcross wheat populations
Authors: Naz Ali Ahmad , Klaus Marius , Pillen Klaus , Léon Jens
Published: August 2015

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) is the most aggressive disease that plagues wheat production across the world. In this study, we utilized two advanced backcross populations designated as B22 and Z86 to quest new genetic resources for STB field resistance. The populations B22 and Z86 were derived by crossing winter wheat cultivars ‘Batis’ and ‘Zentos’ with unique primary (exotic) hexaploid wheat accessions Syn022L and Syn086L, respectively. QTL analysis revealed ten QTL in the population B22 of which at five loci the introgression of exotic alleles resulted in an increase in STB resistance. The strongest exotic QTL allele was detected on chromosome 2D which decreases disease severity by 20.8%. In population Z86, five QTL were identified of which three resulted in decreasing STB severity due to the introgression of exotic alleles. Here, the strongest QTL QStb.Z86.3A was found on chromosome 3A which decreases disease severity by 19.7%. In both populations, 53% of the exotic alleles were associated to decrease STB severity suggesting the utility of primary wheat gene pool in questing new resistance resources in wheat.
Association between inhaler use and risk of haemoptysis in patients with non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Authors: Jang Eun Jin , Lee Chang‐Hoon , Yoon Ho Il , Kim Yun Jung , Kim Ji Min , Choi Seong Mi , Yim Jae‐Joon , Kim Deog Kyeom
Published: August 2015

Background and objective

Inhaled medications have been widely applied to patients with airflow limiting non‐cystic fibrosis (non‐CF) bronchiectasis. However, the association between the use of inhalers and the development of haemoptysis has rarely been explored. The objective of this study was to assess the association between the risk of haemoptysis and the use of inhalers in patients with non‐CF bronchiectasis.

Methods

A nested case–control study was performed using a national claims database from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. Inhalers including inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long‐acting β2 agonists (LABA), long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), short‐acting β2 agonists (SABA), short‐acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMA) and their combinations were tested for the risk of clinically significant haemoptysis events.

Results

Among the 62 530 eligible new users of inhalers with non‐CF bronchiectasis, 6180 patients with haemoptysis and 27 486 strictly matched controls were selected. In the unadjusted analyses, SAMA, LAMA, SABA and ICS/LABA significantly increased the risk of haemoptysis. After adjustment for other inhaled respiratory medications, comorbidities, health‐care utilization and concomitant medications, SAMA, SABA and LAMA consistently increased the risk of haemoptysis (SAMA: odds ratio (OR), 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–1.4; LAMA: OR, 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.2; SABA: OR, 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.2). The association between anticholinergics (SAMA and LAMA) and risk of haemoptysis showed a dose‐dependent trend (P for trend, <0.001).

Conclusions

The use of SABA and inhaled anticholinergics in patients with non‐CF bronchiectasis increased the risk of haemoptysis. The risk–benefit ratio of inhaled bronchodilators should be considered in the haemoptysis‐susceptible population.
Use of a bibliometric literature review to assess medical research capacity in post‐conflict and developing countries: Somaliland 1991–2013
Authors: Boyce Ross , Rosch Richard , Finlayson Alexander , Handuleh Djibril , Walhad Said Ahmed , Whitwell Susannah , Leather Andy
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Effective healthcare systems require high‐quality research to guide evidence‐based interventions and strategic planning. In low‐ and middle‐income countries, especially those emerging from violent conflict, research capacity often lags behind other aspects of health system development. Here, we sought to bibliometrically review health‐related research output in Somaliland, a post‐conflict self‐declared, autonomous nation on the Horn of Africa, as a means of assessing research capacity.

Methods

We reviewed articles on health‐related research conducted in Somaliland between 1991 and 2013 that included a description of the experimental design, and articles were published in either a peer‐reviewed journal or as part of a scholarly programme receiving formal review. We did not include policy or social science research that did not enrol or interact with subjects from Somaliland. Using online databases, all studies meeting minimum eligibility criteria were reviewed in regard to Somaliland‐based co‐authorship, topic of research and specific measures of quality.

Results

A total of 37 studies were included in this review. Of these, only 19 (51%) included co‐authorship by Somaliland‐based researchers. Of the 21 studies reporting ethical approval, 16 (64%) received approval from the Somalia or Somaliland Ministry of Health, while five received approval from a university or national commission. More than two‐thirds of published research was limited to a few areas of investigation with most (19, 51%) following basic cross‐sectional study designs. The number of articles published per year increased from 0 to 1 in the years 1991–2007 to a maximum of 8 in 2013.

Conclusions

Research activity in Somaliland is extremely limited. Investigators from high‐income countries have largely directed the research agenda in Somaliland; only half of the included studies list co‐authors from institutions in Somaliland. Leadership and governance of health research in Somaliland is required to define national priorities, promote scholarly activity and guide the responsible conduct of research. The methods used here to assess research capacity may be generalisable to other low‐ and middle‐income countries and post‐conflict settings to measure the impact of research capacity‐building efforts.
High Resolution Particle Image Velocimetry and CH-PLIF Measurements and Analysis of a Shear Layer Stabilized Flame
Authors: Foley C. W. , Chterev I. , Seitzman J. , Lieuwen T.
Published: August 2015

Understanding the mechanisms and physics of flame stabilization and blowoff of premixed flames is critical toward the design of high velocity combustion devices. In the high bulk flow velocity situation typical of practical combustors, the flame anchors in shear layers where the local flow velocities are much lower. Within the shear layer, fluid strain deformation rates are very high and the flame can be subjected to significant stretch levels. The main goal of this work was to characterize the flow and stretch conditions that a premixed flame experiences in a practical combustor geometry and to compare these values to calculated extinction values. High resolution, simultaneous particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser induced fluorescence of CH radicals (CH-PLIF) measurements are used to capture the flame edge and near-field stabilization region. When approaching lean limit extinction conditions, we note characteristic changes in the stretch and flow conditions experienced by the flame. Most notably, the flame becomes less critically stretched when fuel/air ratio is decreased. However, at these lean conditions, the flame is subject to higher mean flow velocities at the edge, suggesting less favorable flow conditions are present at the attachment point of the flame as blowoff is approached. These measurements suggest that blowoff of the flame from the shear layer is not directly stretch extinction induced, but rather the result of an imbalance between the speed of the flame edge and local tangential flow velocity.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Investigation of Labyrinth Seal Leakage Performance Depending on Mushroom-Shaped Tooth Wear
Authors: Dogu Yahya , Sertçakan Mustafa C. , Bahar Ahmet S. , Pişkin Altuğ , Arıcan Ercan , Kocagül Mustafa
Published: August 2015

Conventional labyrinth seal applications in turbomachinery encounter a permanent teeth tip damage and wear during transitional operations. This is the dominant issue that causes unpredictable seal leakage performance degradation. Since the gap between the rotor and the stator changes depending on engine transitional operations, labyrinth teeth located on the rotor/stator wear against the stator/rotor. This wear is observed mostly in the form of the labyrinth teeth becoming a mushroom shape. It is known that, as a result of this tooth tip wear, leakage performance permanently decreases, which negatively affects the engine's overall efficiency. However, very limited information about leakage performance degradation caused by mushroom wear is available in open literature. This paper presents a study that numerically quantifies leakage values for various radii of mushroom-shaped labyrinth teeth by changing tooth-surface clearance, pressure ratio, number of teeth, and rotor speed. Analyzed parameters and their ranges are mushroom radius (R = 0–0.508 mm), clearance (cr = 0.254–2.032 mm), pressure ratio (Rp = 1.5–3.5), number of teeth (nt = 1–12), and rotor speed (n = 0–80 krpm). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses were carried out by employing compressible turbulent flow in 2D axisymmetrical coordinate system. CFD leakage results were also compared with well-known labyrinth seal semi-empirical correlations. Given a constant clearance, leakage increases with the size of the mushroom radius that forms on the tooth. This behavior is caused by less flow separation and flow disturbance, and the vena contracta effect for flow over the smoothly shaped mushroom tooth tip compared to the sharp-edged tooth tip. This leakage increase is higher when the tooth tip wear is considered as an addition to the unworn physical clearance, since the clearance dominates the leakage. The leakage affected by the number of teeth was also quantified with respect to the mushroom radius. The rotational effect was also studied as a secondary parameter.
A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study on the Gas Mixing Capabilities of a Multiple Inlet System
Authors: Lindner Gert , Schmelter Sonja , Model Regine , Nowak Andreas , Ebert Volker , Bär Markus
Published: August 2015

The mixing behavior of three gas streams was investigated numerically by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for 16 different geometries to gain insight for the construction of soot measuring systems. The overall goal was to find the design that leads to the fastest mixing of all incoming gas components for a given pipe length by numerical simulations. For this purpose, a main pipe with two symmetrically arranged side inlet pipes was considered, where the angle of inclination of the side pipes and the inflow conditions were varied. Upon the change of the angle of inclination, a transition from a conform to a counter flow is observed. As a variant of the simulation setup, the junction of the three pipes was enclosed by a spherical mixing chamber. The dependency on the angle is much less pronounced in the presence of the additional spherical chamber, which, however, in most cases results in a slower mixing of the gas streams. We found, in general, that the required pipe length to reach a sufficiently homogeneous gas mixture decreases with increasing inclination angles exhibiting the best performance at obtuse angles.
Multi-Event Excitation Force Model for Inner Race Defect in a Rolling Element Bearing
Authors: Khanam Sidra , Tandon N. , Dutt J. K.
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a theoretical model for the forcing function generated on the structure as a rolling element negotiates a spall-like defect on the inner race, considered to be a moving race. The negotiation of defect has been seen as a sequence of events for the purpose of understanding the physics behind this negotiation. Such an analysis has not been attempted in the literature and thus forms the basic contribution in this work. Defects are assumed to generate two events; one at the leading edge and other at the trailing edge. The entry event at the leading edge is modeled using contact mechanics and is a function of load, speed, and curvature of defect edge whereas impact event, modeled using the principles of mechanics, is a function of load, speed, size of defect, and curvature of defect edge. The vibratory response of the nonlinear rotor bearing system subject to such excitation is simulated numerically using fourth-order Runge Kutta method and analyzed in both time and frequency domains. The modeling results provide insight into the physical mechanism which is not measured in practice and highlight the weakness of entry pulse in comparison to the impact pulse, also observed by several other researchers in their experimental tests. Defects of varying severity were simulated and tested to validate the proposed model and the acceptable correlation of amplitudes at the characteristic defect frequency provides a preliminary multi-event theoretical model. The developed model has therefore laid a theoretical platform to monitor the size of the defect on inner race which may be considered not only to identify but also to quantify the defect.
Development of Tribological Test Equipment and Measurement of Galling Resistance of Various Grades of Stainless Steel
Authors: Harsha A. P. , Limaye P. K. , Tyagi Rajnesh , Gupta Ankit
Published: August 2015

A mechanized galling tester has been developed to evaluate the galling resistance of material pairs at room temperature (RT) as well as at elevated temperature condition. The test rig has a facility for online measurement of frictional torque during the test which is useful in assessing the incipient scoring. Both the test rig and the test method conform to the recent ASTM G196-08 standard. Galling resistance of two different grades of stainless steel SS 304 and 304 L has been evaluated in self-mated condition at RT and elevated temperature (300 °C). The parameter called galling50 has been reported for the materials tested. The galled surface indicated the severe plastic deformation in the direction of sliding and it is dominated by the typical adhesive wear mechanism. The recent ASTM G196-08 test method for measurement of galling resistance of material pairs appears to be superior to an older ASTM G98 because galling behavior was prevailed by the stochastic wear phenomenon.
Squeal Noise of Friction Material With Groove-Textured Surface: An Experimental and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Wang X. C. , Mo J. L. , Ouyang H. , Wang D. W. , Chen G. X. , Zhu M. H. , Zhou Z. R.
Published: August 2015

In this work, an experimental and numerical study is performed to understand squeal generation and suppression of a pad-on-disk friction system. Several friction material specimens having various orientation degrees of grooves cut on their surfaces are tested. Numerical studies using the methods of complex eigenvalue analysis and dynamic transient analysis are conducted to simulate the experimental process with the finite element (FE) software abaqus. Both experimental and numerical results show that surface modifications of friction material specimens have a significant influence on the squeal instability: cutting a 45 deg or 90 deg groove on the material surface can significantly reduce squeal noise, cutting a 135 deg groove just reduces squeal noise moderately and cutting a 0 deg groove cannot reduce squeal noise. Moreover, the contact pressure distributions for the original surface and modified surfaces are studied to provide a physical explanation of the noise phenomenon. The major finding that friction-induced noise can be reduced by means of suitable structural modifications of the contact interface is expected to have important and much wider applications.
Modeling of Finite-Length Line Contact Problem With Consideration of Two Free-End Surfaces
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Wang Wenzhong , Zhang Shengguang , Zhao Ziqiang
Published: August 2015

Finite-length line contact conditions, existing in applications such as gears or roller bearings, lead to subsurface stress distribution influenced by the free boundaries. This paper presents a semi-analytical method (SAM) for the finite-length line contact problem, based on the overlapping concept and matrix formation, to consider the effect of two free-end surfaces. In order to obtain two free surfaces, three half-spaces with mirrored loads to be solved are overlapped to cancel out the stresses at expected surfaces. The error introduced by this method is analyzed and proven to be negligible. The conjugate gradient method (CGM) is used to solve the pressure distribution, and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) is used to speed up the elastic deformation and stress-related calculation. The model is verified by finite element method (FEM) and shows a high conformity and efficiency. Besides, the line contact situations are discussed to explore the effect of free surfaces.
Characterization of the physicochemical properties of phospholipid vesicles prepared in CO2/water systems at high pressure
Authors: Nakamura Hidemi , Taguchi Shogo , Suga Keishi , Hayashi Keita , Jung Ho-Sup , Umakoshi Hiroshi
Published: August 2015

Phospholipid vesicles were prepared by the nonsolvent method using high-pressure CO2/water systems. The membrane properties of vesicles prepared at different pressures and temperatures were mainly characterized based on analysis of the membrane fluidity and membrane polarity, using the fluorescent probes 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and 6-dodecanoyl-N,N-dimethyl-2-naphthylamine, respectively. The CO2(liquid)/water(liquid) and the CO2(supercritical)/water(liquid) two-phase (heterogeneous) systems resulted in the formation of vesicles with high yield (ca. 85%–88%). The membrane fluidity and polarity of the vesicles were similar to those of liposomes prepared by the conventional method. It is suggested that high-pressure CO2 can be used to form an appropriate hydrophobic–hydrophilic interface where phospholipid molecules as a self-assembled membrane.
Stability of biodegradable waterborne polyurethane films in buffered saline solutions
Authors: Lin Ying Yi , Hung Kun-Che , Hsu Shan-hui
Published: August 2015

The stability of polyurethane (PU) is of critical importance for applications such as in coating industry or as biomaterials. To eliminate the environmental concerns on the synthesis of PU which involves the use of organic solvents, the aqueous-based or waterborne PU (WBPU) has been developed. WBPU, however, may be unstable in an electrolyte-rich environment. In this study, the authors reported the stability of biodegradable WBPU in the buffered saline solutions evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Various biodegradable WBPU films were prepared by spin coating on coverslip glass, with a thickness of ∼300 nm. The surface AFM images of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) diol-based WBPU revealed nanoglobular structure. The same feature was observed when 20% molar of the PCL diol soft segment was replaced by polyethylene butylenes adipate diol. After hydration in buffered saline solutions for 24 h, the surface domains generally increased in sizes and became irregular in shape. On the other hand, when the soft segment was replaced by 20% poly(l-lactide) diol, a meshlike surface structure was demonstrated by AFM. When the latter WBPU was hydrated, the surface domains appeared to be disconnected. Results from the attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the surface chemistry of WBPU films was altered after hydration. These changes were probably associated with the neutralization of carboxylate by ions in the saline solutions, resulting in the rearrangements of soft and hard segments and causing instability of the WBPU.
Sparsity‐based acoustic inversion in cross‐sectional multiscale optoacoustic imaging
Authors: Han Yiyong , Tzoumas Stratis , Nunes Antonio , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Rosenthal Amir
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

With recent advancement in hardware of optoacoustic imaging systems, highly detailed cross‐sectional images may be acquired at a single laser shot, thus eliminating motion artifacts. Nonetheless, other sources of artifacts remain due to signal distortion or out‐of‐plane signals. The purpose of image reconstruction algorithms is to obtain the most accurate images from noisy, distorted projection data.

Methods:

In this paper, the authors use the model‐based approach for acoustic inversion, combined with a sparsity‐based inversion procedure. Specifically, a cost function is used that includes the L1 norm of the image in sparse representation and a total variation (TV) term. The optimization problem is solved by a numerically efficient implementation of a nonlinear gradient descent algorithm. TV–L1 model‐based inversion is tested in the cross section geometry for numerically generated data as well as for in vivo experimental data from an adult mouse.

Results:

In all cases, model‐based TV–L1 inversion showed a better performance over the conventional Tikhonov regularization, TV inversion, and L1 inversion. In the numerical examples, the images reconstructed with TV–L1 inversion were quantitatively more similar to the originating images. In the experimental examples, TV–L1 inversion yielded sharper images and weaker streak artifact.

Conclusions:

The results herein show that TV–L1 inversion is capable of improving the quality of highly detailed, multiscale optoacoustic images obtained in vivo using cross‐sectional imaging systems. As a result of its high fidelity, model‐based TV–L1 inversion may be considered as the new standard for image reconstruction in cross‐sectional imaging.
Bouncing Back From “Deflategate”
Authors: DiLisi Gregory A. , Rarick Richard A.
Published: August 2015

Halfway through the 2015 AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, game officials discovered that the Patriots were using underinflated footballs on their offensive snaps. A controversy ensued because the Patriots had actually supplied these balls to the game's referee just hours before kickoff. Athletes and physicists have since agreed that using underinflated footballs gives several unfair advantages to the offensive team. Media outlets have focused their attention on two possible culprits behind the deflationary debacle: either the Patriots had intentionally underinflated their supply of footballs, or the climatic conditions, coupled with the various impacts to which the balls were subjected during the course of the game, had somehow altered the internal air pressure of the balls. This controversy soon became known as “Deflategate” (the moniker makes an obvious connection to the 1970s “Watergate” scandal). The purpose of this article is to bring Deflategate into the laboratory activities of high school and undergraduate introductory physics courses. First, we provide some background information on the actual 2015 AFC Championship game and subsequent media blitz surrounding the controversy. When used in an introductory mechanics class, this information can help students contextualize Deflategate as a real-word application of the material they are learning. Next, we recast the spotlight on Deflategate from its current focus, the ideal gas law, to a new one—namely, the physics of a bouncing ball. We then use this scenario as a motivation for a fun but informative set of experiments that can be carried out using equipment already in most high school or college laboratories. The subsequent data analysis relies on three basic principles: projectile motion, conservation of energy, and linear impulse/momentum. The analysis showcases the application of introductory physics to the world of sports, brings current events into the classroom, and demonstrates how multiple problem-solving strategies can be used to examine different aspects of a single event. Finally, some experimental results are presented and discussed.
Demonstrating the Direction of Angular Velocity in Circular Motion
Authors: Demircioglu Salih , Yurumezoglu Kemal , Isik Hakan
Published: August 2015

Rotational motion is ubiquitous in nature, from astronomical systems to household devices in everyday life to elementary models of atoms. Unlike the tangential velocity vector that represents the instantaneous linear velocity (magnitude and direction), an angular velocity vector is conceptually more challenging for students to grasp. In physics classrooms, the direction of an angular velocity vector is taught by the right-hand rule, a mnemonic tool intended to aid memory. A setup constructed for instructional purposes may provide students with a more easily understood and concrete method to observe the direction of the angular velocity. This article attempts to demonstrate the angular velocity vector using the observable motion of a screw mounted to a remotely operated toy car.
Speaker height estimation from speech: Fusing spectral regression and statistical acoustic models
Authors: Hansen John H. L. , Williams Keri , Bořil Hynek
Published: August 2015

Estimating speaker height can assist in voice forensic analysis and provide additional side knowledge to benefit automatic speaker identification or acoustic model selection for automatic speech recognition. In this study, a statistical approach to height estimation that incorporates acoustic models within a non-uniform height bin width Gaussian mixture model structure as well as a formant analysis approach that employs linear regression on selected phones are presented. The accuracy and trade-offs of these systems are explored by examining the consistency of the results, location, and causes of error as well a combined fusion of the two systems using data from the TIMIT corpus. Open set testing is also presented using the Multi-session Audio Research Project corpus and publicly available YouTube audio to examine the effect of channel mismatch between training and testing data and provide a realistic open domain testing scenario. The proposed algorithms achieve a highly competitive performance to previously published literature. Although the different data partitioning in the literature and this study may prevent performance comparisons in absolute terms, the mean average error of 4.89 cm for males and 4.55 cm for females provided by the proposed algorithm on TIMIT utterances containing selected phones suggest a considerable estimation error decrease compared to past efforts.
Integration of Information and Communication Technology and Pupils’ Motivation in a Physical Education Setting
Authors: Legrain Pascal , Gillet Nicolas , Gernigon Christophe , Lafreniere Marc-André
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to test an integrative model regarding the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on achievement in physical education. Pupils’ perceptions of autonomy-support from teacher, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and self-determined motivation were considered to mediate the impact of ICT on pupils’ cognitive skills and motor performance. Ninety-six pupils (44 boys and 52 girls; Mage = 12.40 years) were assigned to either the ICT or the traditional teaching (TT) condition of a quasi-experimental design. Results from path analyses supported the hypotheses that: (a) perception of autonomy support from teachers satisfies pupils’ basic psychological needs; (b) basic needs satisfaction in turn leads to greater self-determined motivation, which (c) then contributes to the enhancement of cognitive skills and motor performance.
Upper Elementary School Student Attitudes Toward Physical Education
Authors: Phillips Sharon R. , Silverman Stephen
Published: August 2015

This study examined the attitudes of upper elementary school students toward physical education. Fourth and fifth grade students (N = 1344) from 13 school districts, 17 schools, and five states completed an attitude instrument with scores that had been previously validated for a two factor model (affect and cognition) and a four factor model (affect and cognition with the subfactors of teacher and curriculum). For the four factor model, there was a difference between grades for both affect-curriculum and affect-teacher (F(1, 1340) = 6.25, p < .01, ηp2 = .005). Similarly, for the two factor model the affect variable was different between grades, indication that as students age their affect toward physical education decreases (F(1, 1341)= 48.65, p < .001, ηp2 = .035). This study suggests that upper elementary school students have an overall favorable attitude toward physical education, impacted by how they think and feel about the curriculum and teacher.
Physical Education Teacher Training in Fundamental Movement Skills Makes a Difference to Instruction and Assessment Practices
Authors: Lander Natalie Jayne , Barnett Lisa Michele , Brown Helen , Telford Amanda
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate instruction and assessment of fundamental movement skills (FMSs) by Physical Education (PE) teachers of Year 7 girls. Of 168 secondary school PE teachers, many had received little FMSs professional development, and although most assessed student FMSs proficiency, the quality of assessment was variable. Neither years of experience nor confidence influenced the quality of assessment tools used; however, greater FMSs training improved assessment practice regularity. Teachers more recently out of preservice were more confident in demonstrating FMSs. The results suggest that FMSs education for teachers should be a priority inclusion in both the training of preservice teachers and the ongoing professional development of in-service teachers.
Consequences of low birth weight, maternal illiteracy and poor access to medical care in rural India: infantile iatrogenic Cushing syndrome
Authors: Karande Sunil
Published: August 2015

Home delivery, low birth weight babies and maternal illiteracy among the poor in rural India are frequent. The rural poor prefer to seek healthcare from private providers, most of whom have no formal medical training and buy medicines from private pharmacies without a prescription owing to a weakly regulated environment. This report is of a 4-month-old baby from a remote village in northern India, who presented with exogenous Cushing syndrome. This baby was a full-term low birth weight home delivery. As the baby was not growing well, treatment was started at 1 month by a private doctor with betamethasone drops The mother on her own volition continued giving the betamethasone drops by buying the medicine over the counter from a private pharmacy. This case highlights the gaps in essential health services in rural India and the steps being taken to improve the situation.
Non-technical skills learning in healthcare through simulation education: integrating the SECTORS learning model and complexity theory
Authors: Gordon Morris , Box Helen , Farrell Michael , Stewrt Alison
Published: August 2015

Recent works have reported the SECTORS model for non-technical skills learning in healthcare. The TINSELS programme applied this model, together with complexity theory, to guide the design and piloting of a non-technical skills based simulation training programme in the context of medicines safety. The SECTORS model defined learning outcomes. Complexity Theory led to a simulation intervention that employed authentic multi-professional learner teams, included planned and unplanned disturbances from the norm and used a staged debrief to encourage peer observation and learning. Assessment videos of non-technical skills in each learning outcome were produced and viewed as part of a Non-Technical Skills Observation Test (NOTSOT) both preintervention and postintervention. Learner observations were assessed by two researchers and statistical difference investigated using a student's t test. The resultant intervention is described and available from the authors. Eighteen participants were recruited from a range of inter-professional groups and were split into two cohorts. There was a statistically significant improvement (p=0.0314) between the Mean (SD) scores for the NOTSOT pre course 13.9 (2.32) and postcourse 16.42 (3.45). An original, theoretically underpinned, multiprofessional, simulation based training programme has been produced by the integration of the SECTORS model for non-technical skills learning the complexity theory. This pilot work suggests the resultant intervention can enhance non-technical skills.
AGXT2L1 is down-regulated in heptocellular carcinoma and associated with abnormal lipogenesis
Authors: Ding Qianshan , Kang Jian , Dai Jinfen , Tang Meng , Wang Qi , Zhang Haotian , Guo Wenyi , Sun Rongze , Yu Honggang
Published: August 2015

Aims

To clarify the clinical implications and functional role of the alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 2-like 1 (AGXT2L1) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods and results

We confirmed that AGXT2L1 was down-regulated in liver cancer samples by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. We also demonstrated that this down-regulation was associated with several clinicopathological features such as alpha fetoprotein (AFP) serum level and T stage. Furthermore, we showed with Kaplan-Meier analysis that expression of AGXT2L1 in tumour samples was significantly correlated with patient prognosis. The bioinformatic tool indicated that AGXT2L1 plays a role in the lipid metabolic process of HCC tissue, while siRNA silenced the expression of AGXT2L1 in HCC 97H and LM3 cells, confirming that down-regulation of AGXT2L1 promotes the lipogenesis of cancer cells.

Conclusions

For the first time, we have shown that AGXT2L1 is down-regulated in HCC and its low expression indicates a poor prognosis. Our findings also demonstrated that AGXT2L1 is a crucial gene in the abnormal lipogenesis of HCC tissue.
Republished: Spontaneous regression of intracranial aneurysm following remote ruptured aneurysm treatment with pipeline stent assisted coiling
Authors: Tsimpas Asterios , Ashley William W , Germanwala Anand V
Published: August 2015

Spontaneous aneurysm regression is a rare phenomenon. We present the interesting case of a 54-year-old woman who was admitted with a Hunt/Hess grade IV, Fisher grade III subarachnoid hemorrhage and multiple intracranial aneurysms. She was treated with coiling of the largest paraclinoid aneurysm and placement of a flow diverting pipeline embolization device that covered all internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. A follow-up angiogram at 6 months showed remodeling of the ICA with complete obliteration of all treated aneurysms. A distant, untreated, right frontal M2 aneurysm regressed spontaneously, after the flow was diverted away from it with the stent. The literature is reviewed, and potential pathophysiological mechanisms leading to aneurysm regression are discussed.
Thou shalt not tweet unprofessionally: an appreciative inquiry into the professional use of social media
Authors: Pereira Ian , Cunningham Anne Marie , Moreau Katherine , Sherbino Jonathan , Jalali Alireza
Published: August 2015

Background

Social media may blur the line between socialisation and professional use. Traditional views on medical professionalism focus on limiting motives and behaviours to avoid situations that may compromise care. It is not surprising that social media are perceived as a threat to professionalism.

Objective

To develop evidence for the professional use of social media in medicine.

Methods

A qualitative framework was used based on an appreciative inquiry approach to gather perceptions and experiences of 31 participants at the 2014 Social Media Summit.

Results

The main benefits of social media were the widening of networks, access to expertise from peers and other health professionals, the provision of emotional support and the ability to combat feelings of isolation.

Conclusions

Appreciative inquiry is a tool that can develop the positive practices of organisations and individuals. Our results provide evidence for the professional use of social media that may contribute to guidelines to help individuals realise benefits and avoid harms.
High prevalence of suboptimal vitamin B12 status in young adult women of South Asian and European ethnicity
Authors: Quay Teo A.W. , Schroder Theresa H. , Jeruszka-Bielak Marta , Li Wangyang , Devlin Angela M. , Barr Susan I. , Lamers Yvonne
Published: August 2015

Suboptimal vitamin B12 (B12) status has been associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies, preterm birth, and childhood insulin resistance. South Asians – Canada’s largest minority group – and women of reproductive age are vulnerable to B12 deficiency. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with B12 deficiency and suboptimal B12 status in a convenience sample of young adult women of South Asian and European descent in Metro Vancouver. We measured serum B12, holotranscobalamin, plasma methylmalonic acid, red blood cell and plasma folate, and hematologic parameters in 206 nonpregnant, healthy women aged 19–35 years. Categorization for B12 status adhered to serum B12 cutoffs for deficiency (<148 pmol/L) and suboptimal B12 status (148–220 pmol/L). We collected demographic, lifestyle, and dietary intake data and conducted genotyping for common genetic variants linked to B-vitamin metabolism. The prevalence of deficiency and suboptimal B12 status were 14% and 20%, respectively. Serum vitamin B12 concentrations were negatively associated with oral contraceptive use and first-generation immigrant status, and positively with dietary B12 intake and B12 supplement use. The prevalence of B12 inadequacy in this sample of highly educated women is higher than in the general Canadian population. In light of maternal and fetal health risks associated with B12 inadequacy in early-pregnancy, practitioners should consider monitoring B12 status before and during early pregnancy, especially in immigrants and women with low dietary B12 intakes including non-users of vitamin supplements.
Verification and refinement of cellular glycosphingolipid profiles using HPLC
Authors: Vieira Douglas B. , Thur Karen , Sultana Saki , Priestman David , van der Spoel Aarnoud C.
Published: August 2015

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are hybrid molecules consisting of the sphingolipid ceramide linked to a mono- or oligo-saccharide. In comparison to other membrane lipids, the family of GSLs stands out because of the extensive variation in the carbohydrate headgroup. GSLs are cell surface binding partners, in cis with growth factor receptors, and in trans with bacterial toxins and viruses, and are among the host-derived membrane components of viral particles, including those of HIV. In spite of their biological relevance, GSL profiles of commonly used cell lines have been analyzed to different degrees. Here, we directly compare the GSL complements from CHO-K1, COS-7, HeLa, HEK-293, HEPG2, Jurkat, and SH-SY5Y cells using an HPLC-based method requiring modest amounts of material. Compared to previous studies, the HPLC-based analyses provided more detailed information on the complexity of the cellular GSL complement, qualitatively as well as quantitatively. In particular for cells expressing multiple GSLs, we found higher numbers of GSL species, and different levels of abundance. Our study thus extends our knowledge of biologically relevant lipids in widely used cell lines.
Prokaryotic 2-component systems and the OmpR/PhoB superfamily
Authors: Nguyen Minh-Phuong , Yoon Joo-Mi , Cho Man-Ho , Lee Sang-Won
Published: August 2015

In bacteria, 2-component regulatory systems (TCSs) are the critical information-processing pathways that link stimuli to specific adaptive responses. Signals perceived by membrane sensors, which are generally histidine kinases, are transmitted by response regulators (RRs) to allow cells to cope rapidly and effectively with environmental challenges. Over the past few decades, genes encoding components of TCSs and their responsive proteins have been identified, crystal structures have been described, and signaling mechanisms have been elucidated. Here, we review recent findings and interesting breakthroughs in bacterial TCS research. Furthermore, we discuss structural features, mechanisms of activation and regulation, and cross-regulation of RRs, with a focus on the largest RR family, OmpR/PhoB, to provide a comprehensive overview of these critically important signaling molecules.
Unbounded operators on Hilbert C*-modules
Authors: Gebhardt René , Schmüdgen Konrad
Published: August 2015

Let E and F be Hilbert C*-modules over a C*-algebra 𝒜. New classes of (possibly unbounded) operators t : E → F are introduced and investigated. Instead of the density of the domain 𝒟(t) we only assume that t is essentially defined, that is, 𝒟(t)⊥ = {0}. Then t has a well-defined adjoint. We call an essentially defined operator t graph regular if its graph 𝒢(t) is orthogonally complemented in E ⊕ F and orthogonally closed if 𝒢(t)⊥⊥ = 𝒢(t). A theory of these operators and related concepts is developed. Various characterizations of graph regular operators are given. A number of examples of graph regular operators are presented (E = C0(X), a fraction algebra related to the Weyl algebra, Toeplitz algebra, Heisenberg group). A new characterization of affiliated operators with a C*-algebra in terms of resolvents is given.
The strip problem for Lp functions
Authors: Lawrence Mark G.
Published: August 2015

Let C be a strictly convex curve in the complex plane whose horizontal translates Ct fill up a strip S ⊆ C. For certain C which are perturbations of an ellipse, we prove that for f in a weighted Lp class on S with p > 2, if f has a holomorphic extension from almost every Ct, then f is holomorphic. The construction works for curves C with no horizontal or vertical symmetry.
Waldschmidt constants for Stanley–Reisner ideals of a class of simplicial complexes
Authors: Bocci Cristiano , Franci Barbara
Published: August 2015

We study the symbolic powers of the Stanley–Reisner ideal [Formula: see text] of a bipyramid [Formula: see text] over a [Formula: see text]-gon [Formula: see text]. Using a combinatorial approach, based on analysis of subtrees in [Formula: see text] we compute the Waldschmidt constant of [Formula: see text].