bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Vacuum‐activated TiO2 Induced by Oxygen Vacancies
Authors: Dong Guoyan , Wang Xin , Chen Zhiwu , Lu Zhenya
Published: December 2017

TiO2 (Degussa P25) photocatalysts harboring abundant oxygen vacancies (Vacuum P25) were manufactured using a simple and economic Vacuum deoxidation process. Control experiments showed that temperature and time of vacuum deoxidation had a significant effect on Vacuum P25 photocatalytic activity. After 240 min of visible light illumination, the optimal Vacuum P25 photocatalysts (vacuum deoxidation treated at 330 °C for 3 h) reach as high as 94% and 88% of photodegradation efficiency for rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline, respectively, which are around 4.5 and 4.9 times as that of pristine P25. The XPS, PL and EPR analyses indicated that the oxygen vacancies were produced in the Vacuum P25 during the vacuum deoxidation process. The oxygen vacancy states can produce vacancy energy level located below the conduction band minimum, which resulting in the bandgap narrowing, thus extending the photoresponse wavelength range of Vacuum P25. The positron annihilation analysis indicated that the concentrations ratio of bulk and surface oxygen vacancies could be adjusted by changing the vacuum deoxidation temperature and time. Decreasing the ratio of bulk and surface oxygen vacancies was shown to improve photogenerated electron–hole pair separation efficiency, which leads to an obvious enhancement of the visible photocatalytic activities of Vacuum P25.
Theoretical Insight into the Emission Properties of the Luciferin and Oxyluciferin of Latia
Authors: Yu Mohan , Ohmiya Yoshihiro , Naumov Panče , Liu Ya‐Jun
Published: December 2017

Latia neritoides is a small limpet‐like snail that produces a bright green bioluminescence (BL) via a unique light‐emitting system. The process, mechanism, and even light emitter of its light emission remain unknown, although this BL has been known for decades. Unlike the other BL systems, neither the luciferin (Luc) nor the oxyluciferin (OxyLuc) of Latia is fluorescent according to the previous experiments. To help to identify its bioluminophore, we studied the geometrical and electronic structures and absorption and fluorescence spectra of Latia Luc and its six analogs as well as its OxyLuc in the gas phase and in water. The calculated results provide clear evidence of the lack of fluorescence in the Luc and OxyLuc of Latia. For the analogs of Latia Luc, the electron‐withdrawing or electron‐donating ability of the substituted group affects the fluorescence. The results shed new light on the BL mechanism and will likely aid the understanding of Latia BL.
Emerging approaches to successful ecological restoration: five imperatives to guide innovation
Authors: Matzek Virginia , Gornish Elise S. , Hulvey Kristin B.
Published: December 2017

As the science of restoration ecology and the practice of habitat restoration adapt to new sets of goals in a changing climate, we turn our attention to novel techniques and emerging approaches in the field. This special issue brings together eight papers that answer the question, “Given that we have defined our goals, can we find better ways to reach them?” From them, we derive five directives for ecologists and practitioners seeking to innovate with new methods, analyses, or applications: (1) ground the approach in ecological theory; (2) take advantage of the latest technology and models; (3) reject dogma; (4) subject the analysis to critique; and (5) be aware of time, budget, and expertise constraints faced by stakeholders and practitioners. Our five imperatives are illustrated by examples of papers from the special issue.
Estimating the impact of country‐level policy restrictions on services trade
Authors: Gervais Antoine
Published: December 2017

Standard techniques used to estimate gravity equations, rely on bilateral variation to identify the effect of trade barriers on bilateral trade flows. In this paper, I develop a method that estimates the effects of country‐level variables on trade between countries in the presence of firm heterogeneity and country selection into trade, a natural extension of existing empirical models of international trade. I implement the method in services data, where available measures of trade policy provide information on the average level of regulations restricting entry into a country. The results suggest that policy barriers are important determinants of services trade flows.
A contribution of CAD/CAM treatment of a dental trauma in a special care patient
Authors: Noirrit Emmanuelle , Chabreron Olivier , Nasr Karim , Esclassan Rémi
Published: December 2017

After a dental trauma, difficulties of communication and the consequences of the complex clinical situation often make regular chairside oral care long and complicated for special needs patients. The aim of this case report is to show how CAD/CAM technology may help in the prosthetic treatment of a clinical situation by keeping the number and duration of clinical sessions to a minimum while enabling a good aesthetic and functional result to be achieved in the long term.
An exploration of factors associated with older persons’ perceptions of the benefits of and satisfaction with a preventive home visit service
Authors: Tøien Mette , Bjørk Ida Torunn , Fagerström Lisbeth
Published: December 2017

Background

Preventive home visits (PHVs) are healthcare services aimed at promoting the health of home‐dwelling older people and to support their abilities to live independently. To enhance effectiveness, studies that explore older persons’ experiences of PHVs are needed.

Objective

To assess older persons’ perceived benefits and opinions of a PHV service and explore associations between perceived benefits from PHV and relevant sociodemographic/health‐related factors.

Theory

The study was based on a comprehensive understanding of health, as including objective health/disease, subjective health/well‐being and coping ability.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was administered during spring 2013 in a Norwegian municipality where nurses had offered annual PHVs to residents aged 75 years and older since 1999. We invited a stratified random sample of 393 PHV users to participate; of these, 161 volunteered. The main outcome variables in the questionnaire were perceived benefits from PHV. Logistic regression models were used to analyse the associations between each benefit and sociodemographic/health‐related background variables.

Results

Approximately 39% of the respondents reported that PHVs added to their feelings of safety; 66% reported support for ability to live at home; 72% reported support for having a good life, 83% were satisfied with the service, and 90% stated that PHVs are important for older people. Each benefit was associated with different sociodemographic/health‐related factors. Support for feelings of safety increased with age. More support for living at home was associated with poor physical health and not living alone. Those without children perceived more support for a good life. Satisfaction with PHV increased with increasing scores on the Life Orientation Scale. Persons with poor mental health and those not living alone more often perceived PHV as important.

Conclusions

Annual, comprehensive PHVs to a general older population may support older persons’ health and independence. Low response rate restricts the possibility to generalise the results.
Professionalized through audit? Care workers and the new audit regime in Sweden
Authors: Moberg Linda , Blomqvist Paula , Winblad Ulrika
Published: December 2017

The professionalization of social care workers is a policy goal in many welfare states. At the same time, professionalization risks being undermined by enhanced audit. The objective of this article is to analyze whether the audit processes adopted in Swedish eldercare and childcare support or undermine the professionalization of the occupations working there, i.e., nurses, nursing assistants, preschool teachers, and preschool assistants. In particular, we investigate whether the three main forms of audit—standard‐setting, inspections, and quality measurements—support or undermine the occupations’ ability to achieve professional closure and enhance their external and internal autonomy. The findings suggest that audit processes in eldercare risk undermining professionalization, while in childcare the pattern is reversed: audit appears supportive of professionalization, at least for preschool teachers. This finding suggests that audit processes do not have to be detrimental to professionalization.
MR scanning, tattoo inks, and risk of thermal burn: An experimental study of iron oxide and organic pigments
Authors: Alsing K. K. , Johannesen H. H. , Hvass Hansen R. , Dirks M. , Olsen O. , Serup J.
Published: December 2017

Background

Tattooed persons examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can develop burning sensation suggested in the literature to be thermal burn from the procedure. MRI‐induced thermal effect and magnetic behavior of known tattoo pigments were examined ex vivo.

Materials and Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging effects on 3 commonly used commercial ink stock products marketed for cosmetic tattooing was studied. A main study tested 22 formulations based on 11 pigment raw materials, for example, one line of 11 called pastes and another called dispersions. Samples were spread in petri dishes and tested with a 0.97 T neodymium solid magnet to observe visual magnetic behavior. Before MRI, the surface temperature of the ink was measured using an infrared probe. Samples were placed in a clinical 3T scanner. Two scans were performed, that is, one in the isocenter and one 30 cm away from the center. After scanning, the surface temperature was measured again. Chemical analysis of samples was performed by mass spectroscopy.

Results

Mean temperature increase measured in the isocenter ranged between 0.14 and 0.26°C (P < .01) and in the off‐center position from −0.16 to 0.21°C (P < .01). Such low increase of temperature is clinically irrelevant. Chemical analysis showed high concentrations of iron, but also nickel and chrome were found as contaminants. High concentration of iron was not associated with any increase of temperature or any physical draw or move of ink.

Conclusion

The study could not confirm any clinically relevant temperature increase of tattoo pigments after MRI.
Successful management of severe red blood cell alloimmunization in pregnancy with a combination of therapeutic plasma exchange, intravenous immune globulin, and intrauterine transfusion
Authors: Nwogu Laura C. , Moise Kenneth J. , Klein Kimberly L. , Tint Hlaing , Castillo Brian , Bai Yu
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Antibodies to Rhesus and Kell antigens have been associated with severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) necessitating intrauterine transfusion (IUT) of red blood cells (RBCs). We report a case series of five women with severe HDFN secondary to maternal RBC alloimmunization who were successfully managed with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and IUT.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a retrospective case series of five women with severe HDFN who underwent a total of three TPE procedures during Weeks 10 to 13 of pregnancy, followed by weekly IVIG infusions. They were followed with serial middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity studies beginning at 16 weeks’ gestation to detect fetal anemia. For IUT, fetuses were administered RBC units that fully matched the maternal phenotype to D, C, E, K, Fy, Jk, and S antigen groups. The delivery outcomes and newborn information were followed.

RESULTS

Anti‐D and anti‐K alloantibodies were implicated in HDFN. A two‐ to fourfold dilution reduction in anti‐D and anti‐K titers was observed after TPE. IUT was initiated between 21 to 27 weeks’ gestation. The total number of IUTs for each patient ranged from four to seven. All five women delivered healthy infants at 33 to 38 weeks’ gestation.

CONCLUSION

A combined regimen of TPE and IVIG early in pregnancy and IUT later in pregnancy results in successful management of severe maternal RBC alloimmunization and HDFN. IUT with fully phenotypically matched RBC units may help prevent further RBC alloimmunization in complex cases of HDFN.
Sensitivity and specificity of a new automated system for the detection of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus nucleic acid in blood and plasma donations
Authors: Galel Susan A. , Simon Toby L. , Williamson Phillip C. , AuBuchon James P. , Waxman Dan A. , Erickson Yasuko , Bertuzis Rasa , Duncan John R. , Malhotra Khushbeer , Vaks Jeffrey , Huynh Nancy , Pate Lisa Lee
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Use of nucleic acid testing (NAT) in donor infectious disease screening improves transfusion safety. Advances in NAT technology include improvements in assay sensitivity and system automation, and real‐time viral target discrimination in multiplex assays. This article describes the sensitivity and specificity of cobas MPX, a multiplex assay for detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 Group M, HIV‐2 and HIV‐1 Group O RNA, HCV RNA, and HBV DNA, for use on the cobas 6800/8800 Systems.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The specificity of cobas MPX was evaluated in samples from donors of blood and source plasma in the United States. Analytic sensitivity was determined with reference standards. Infectious window periods (WPs) before NAT detectability were calculated for current donor screening assays.

RESULTS

The specificity of cobas MPX was 99.946% (99.883%‐99.980%) in 11,203 blood donor samples tested individually (IDT), 100% (99.994%‐100%) in 63,012 donor samples tested in pools of 6, and 99.994% (99.988%‐99.998%) in 108,306 source plasma donations tested in pools of 96. Seven HCV NAT‐yield donations and one seronegative occult HBV infection were detected. Ninety‐five percent and 50% detection limits in plasma (IU/mL) were 25.7 and 3.8 for HIV‐1M, 7.0 and 1.3 for HCV, and 1.4 and 0.3 for HBV. The HBV WP was 1 to 4 days shorter than other donor screening assays by IDT.

CONCLUSION

cobas MPX demonstrated high specificity in blood and source plasma donations tested individually and in pools. High sensitivity, in particular for HBV, shortens the WP and may enhance detection of occult HBV.
An analysis on the fate of a selection of blood products derived from cytomegalovirus‐seronegative donors at three tertiary referral hospitals in Australia
Authors: Hirani Rena , Tohidi‐Esfahani Ibrahim , Mondy Phillip , Irving David O.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Supply of cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐seronegative blood products in Australia is an ongoing challenge. Requests for CMV‐negative products are increasing with prediction that the demand will exceed supply by 2019. Clinical information evaluating how these products are being utilized by health providers within Australia is limited. This study aimed to identify indications for use of CMV‐negative blood products and gather data to support possible practice change.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

All CMV‐negative products issued to three tertiary Australian hospitals from May 1, 2016, to May 31, 2016, were identified (n = 1219). This equated to 1044 red blood cell units and 175 platelet units. Data were collected on the fate of each unit. Information collected included the indication and urgency of transfusion, reason for discard, product age, and recipient CMV immunoglobulin G status.

RESULTS

Of the units issued during the audit period, 32 (2.6%) were discarded by the hospitals. Transfusion data were collected on 411 units. Of these, 136 (33.1%) were transfused to CMV‐positive recipients, in most cases for hematology indications, and 67 units (16.3%) were transfused to CMV‐negative requiring recipients. A total of 144 (35%) CMV‐negative units were selected based on their irradiation status. Other reasons for the selection of CMV‐negative units included product close to expiry (n = 134, 32.6%) or specific patient phenotype requirements (n = 31, 7.5%).

CONCLUSION

In this study, the majority of CMV‐negative blood products were not used for CMV‐negative requiring recipients. Alterations to inventory management would be advantageous to ensure continued supply for CMV‐negative requiring recipients.
CD4+CD25HiFoxP3+ regulatory T cells in long‐term cardiac xenotransplantation
Authors: Singh Avneesh K. , Chan Joshua L. , Seavey Caleb N. , Corcoran Philip C. , Hoyt Robert F. , Lewis Billeta G.T. , Thomas Marvin L. , Ayares David L. , Horvath Keith A. , Mohiuddin Muhammad M.
Published: December 2017

Background

CD4+CD25HiFoxP3+ T (Treg) cells are a small subset of CD4+ T cells that have been shown to exhibit immunoregulatory function. Although the absolute number of Treg cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) is very small, they play an important role in suppressing immune reactivity. Several studies have demonstrated that the number of Treg cells, rather than their intrinsic suppressive capacity, may contribute to determining the long‐term fate of transplanted grafts. In this study, we analyzed Treg cells in PBL of long‐term baboon recipients who have received genetically modified cardiac xenografts from pig donors.

Methods

Heterotopic cardiac xenotransplantation was performed on baboons using hearts obtained from GTKO.hCD46 (n = 8) and GTKO.hCD46.TBM (n = 5) genetically modified pigs. Modified immunosuppression regimen included antithymocyte globulin (ATG), anti‐CD20, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), cobra venom factor (CVF), and costimulation blockade (anti‐CD154/anti‐CD40 monoclonal antibody). FACS analysis was performed on PBLs labeled with anti‐human CD4, CD25, and FoxP3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to analyze the percentage of Treg cells in six baboons that survived longer than 2 months (range: 42‐945 days) after receiving a pig cardiac xenograft.

Results

Total WBC count was low due to immunosuppression in baboons who received cardiac xenograft from GTKO.hCD46 and GTKO.hCD46.hTBM donor pigs. However, absolute numbers of CD4+CD25HiFoxP3 Treg cells in PBLs of long‐term xenograft cardiac xenograft surviving baboon recipients were found to be increased (15.13 ± 1.50 vs 7.38 ± 2.92; P < .018) as compared to naïve or pre‐transplant baboons. Xenograft rejection in these animals was correlated with decreased numbers of regulatory T cells.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that regulatory T (Treg) cells may contribute to preventing or delaying xenograft rejection by controlling the activation and expansion of donor‐reactive T cells, thereby masking the antidonor immune response, leading to long‐term survival of cardiac xenografts.
Risk of exposure to Coxiella burnetii from ruminant livestock exhibited at Iowa agricultural fairs
Authors: Still Brooks K. M. , Stensland W. R. , Harmon K. M. , O'Connor A. M. , Plummer P. J.
Published: December 2017

Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic pathogen typically associated with clinical and asymptomatic infection in ruminant livestock. A re‐emerging pathogen of significant public health importance, C. burnetii has caused recent epidemics in the United States and Europe, and public livestock exhibitions are increasingly scrutinized as a potential source of C. burnetii exposure. Although C. burnetii prevalence data among North American domestic ruminants are extremely limited, contemporary studies suggest that this pathogen is both geographically widespread and highly prevalent on a herd basis, especially in dairy cattle and goat populations. We utilized a real‐time PCR assay to detect C. burnetii faecal shedding by clinically normal, non‐periparturient beef cattle, meat goats and sheep exhibited at Iowa agricultural fairs. Individual faecal samples were collected from beef cattle, meat goats and sheep exhibited at twelve Iowa county fairs during the summer of 2009. The sample pool was blocked by species and fair, and ten samples from each block were randomly selected for the diagnostic assay; this test pool is considered sufficient to identify with 95% confidence a shedding animal in a population prevalence of 2.85% (cattle and sheep) and 6.25% (goats). Detection of C. burnetii DNA was determined through use of a real‐time PCR assay validated for use in bovine, ovine and caprine faeces; threshold of detection is one DNA copy per PCR (sensitivity 95.8%, specificity 100%). All tested samples were negative for C. burnetii DNA. We conclude that non‐dairy, non‐periparturient ruminants exhibited at Iowa fairs are unlikely to shed C. burnetii in their faeces and that this population should not be considered to be a significant exposure risk to other livestock or fair attendees.
Coupled finite element/boundary element formulation for scattering from axially-symmetric objects in three dimensions
Authors: Abawi Ahmad T. , Krysl Petr
Published: December 2017

The fluid-structure interaction technique provides a paradigm for solving scattering from elastic structures embedded in an environment characterized by a Green's function, by a combination of finite and boundary element methods. In this technique, the finite element method is used to discretize the equations of motion for the structure and the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral with the appropriate Green's function is used to produce the discrete pressure field in the exterior medium. The two systems of equations are coupled at the surface of the structure by imposing the continuity of pressure and normal particle velocity. The present method condenses the finite element model so that finally only the boundary element problem needs to be solved. This results in a significant reduction in the number of unknowns and hence a much lower cost. In this paper, the fluid-structure interaction method is specialized to axially-symmetric objects for non-axially-symmetric loading in free space using a circumferential Fourier expansion of the fields. The specialization of the method to axially-symmetric objects results in even further significant reductions in computation. The method is validated using well-known benchmark solutions. A derivation of the method for an arbitrarily-shaped elastic structure embedded in an arbitrary environment characterized by a Green's function is given in the Appendix.
Nutritional Supplements and the Brain
Authors: Meeusen Romain , Decroix Lieselot
Published: December 2017

Cognitive function plays an important role in athletic performance, and it seems that brain functioning can be influenced by nutrition and dietary components. Thus, the central nervous system might be manipulated through changes in diet or supplementation with specific nutrients including branched-chain amino acids, tyrosine, carbohydrates, and caffeine. Despite some evidence that branched-chained amino acids can influence ratings of perceived exertion and mental performance, several well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a positive effect on exercise performance. Evidence of an ergogenic benefit of tyrosine supplementation during prolonged exercise is limited. There is evidence that mild dehydration can impair cognitive performance and mood. The beneficial effect of carbohydrate supplementation during prolonged exercise could relate to increased substrate delivery for the brain, with numerous studies indicating that hypoglycemia affects brain function and cognitive performance. Caffeine can enhance performance and reduce perception of effort during prolonged exercise and will influence specific reward centers of the brain. Plant products and herbal extracts such as polyphenols, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, etc. are marketed as supplements to enhance performance. In several animal studies, positive effects of these products were shown, however the literature on their effects on sports performance is scarce. Polyphenols have the potential to protect neurons against injury induced by neurotoxins, suppress neuroinflammation, and to promote memory, learning, and cognitive function. In general, there remains a need for controlled randomized studies with a strong design, sufficient statistical power, and well-defined outcome measures before “claims” on its beneficial effects on brain functioning can be established.
A Carbohydrate Ingestion Intervention in an Elite Athlete Who Follows a Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat Diet
Authors: Webster Christopher C. , Swart Jeroen , Noakes Timothy D. , Smith James A.
Published: December 2017

This case study documents the performance of an elite-level, exceptionally well-fat-adapted endurance athlete as he reintroduced carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion during high-intensity training. He had followed a strict low-CHO high-fat (LCHF) diet for 2 y, during which he ate approximately 80 g of CHO per day and trained and raced while ingesting only water. While following this diet, he earned numerous podium finishes in triathlons of various distances. However, he approached the authors to test whether CHO supplementation during exercise would further increase his high-intensity performance without affecting his fat adaptation. This 7-wk n = 1 investigation included a 4-wk habitual LCHF diet phase during which he drank only water during training and performance trials and a 3-wk habitual diet plus CHO ingestion phase (LCHF + CHO) during which he followed his usual LCHF diet but ingested 60 g/h CHO during 8 high-intensity training sessions and performance trials. After each phase, rates of fat oxidation and 30-s sprint, 4-min sprint, 20-km time trial (TT), and 100-km TT performances were measured. Compared with LCHF, 20-km TT time improved by 2.8% after LCHF + CHO, which would be a large difference in competition. There was no change in 30-s sprint power, a small improvement in 4-min sprint power (1.6%), and a small reduction in 100-km TT time (1.1%). The authors conclude that CHO ingestion during exercise was likely beneficial for this fat-adapted athlete during high-intensity endurance-type exercise (4–30 min) but likely did not benefit his short-sprint or prolonged endurance performance.
Effect of Trunk Segment Boundary Definitions on Frontal Plane Segment Inertial Calculations
Authors: Merrill Zachary , Bova Grace , Chambers April , Cham Rakié
Published: December 2017

When defining trunk body segment parameters, such as segment length, mass, center of mass location, and radius of gyration, it is necessary to understand and define consistent, anatomically relevant segment boundaries. In addition to the differences in reported trunk parameters due to different data collection and analysis methods (such as cadaver studies and imaging methods), many previous publications have also used differing definitions of the trunk segment. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of differences in trunk segment definitions and obesity on the calculated mass, center of mass, and radius of gyration using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry anthropometry calculations. Twenty-three participants were recruited in normal weight and morbidly obese body mass index categories. A frontal plane dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan was taken of each participant, and 3 trunk segment delineations used by Chambers, de Leva, and Zatsiorsky were used to calculate the trunk parameters. The results showed statistically significant effects of segmentation definition and obesity on the trunk parameters calculated. Because of the potential impacts on static modeling and inverse dynamics calculations, it is important to determine which trunk segmentations are most appropriate for specific applications and to account for the impact of obesity within individuals.
Effects of Hip Abduction Fatigue on Trunk and Shoulder Kinematics During Throwing and Passive Hip Rotational Range of Motion
Authors: Oliver Gretchen D. , Washington Jessica K. , Gascon Sarah S. , Plummer Hillary A. , Escamilla Rafael F. , Andrews James R.
Published: December 2017

Context: Hip abductor musculature contributes to the stability of the pelvis, which is needed for efficient energy transfer from the lower-extremity to the upper-extremity during overhead throwing. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a bilateral hip abduction fatigue protocol on overhead-throwing kinematics and passive hip range of motion. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Controlled laboratory setting. Participants: A convenience sample of 19 collegiate female softball players (20.6 [1.9] y; 169.3 [9.7] cm; 73.2 [11.2] kg). Main Outcome Measures: Repeated hip abduction to fatigue was performed on an isokinetic dynamometer for 3 consecutive days. Trunk and shoulder kinematics during throwing and hip internal and external rotation range of motion were analyzed prior to fatigue on day 1 (prefatigue) and following fatigue on day 3 (postfatigue). Results: Repeated-measures analysis of variances revealed no statistically significant differences in trunk and shoulder kinematics prefatigue and postfatigue. A statistically significant time × side × direction interaction (F2,36 = 5.462, P = .02, ) was observed in hip passive range of motion. A decrease in throwing-side hip internal rotation prefatigue to postfatigue (mean difference = −2.284; 95% confidence interval, −4.302 to −0.266; P = .03) was observed. Conclusions: The hip abductor fatigue protocol used in this study did not significantly alter trunk and upper-extremity throwing kinematics. The lack of changes may indicate that fatigue of the hip abductors does not contribute to trunk and shoulder kinematics during throwing or the protocol may not have been sport-specific enough to alter kinematics.
Prostaglandin E
2
Receptor Antagonist with Antimicrobial Activity against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ikeh Mélanie A. C. , Fidel Paul L. , Noverr Mairi C.
Published: December 2017

Polymicrobial intra-abdominal infections (IAI) involving
Candida albicans
and
Staphylococcus aureus
are associated with severe morbidity and mortality (∼80%). Our laboratory discovered that the immunomodulatory eicosanoid prostaglandin E
2
(PGE
2
) plays a key role in the lethal inflammatory response during polymicrobial IAI using a mouse model of infection. In studies designed to uncover key PGE
2
biosynthesis/signaling components involved in the response, selective eicosanoid enzyme inhibitors and receptor antagonists were selected and prescreened for antimicrobial activity against
C. albicans
or
S. aureus
. Unexpectedly, we found that the EP
4
receptor antagonist L-161,982 had direct growth-inhibitory effects on
S. aureus
in vitro
at the physiological concentration required to block the PGE
2
interaction with EP
4
. This antimicrobial activity was observed with methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
and methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) strains, with the MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration values for planktonic cells being 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, L-161,982 inhibited
S. aureus
biofilm formation and had activity against preformed mature biofilms. More importantly, treatment of mice with L-161,982 following intraperitoneal inoculation with a lethal dose of MRSA significantly reduced the bioburden and enhanced survival. Furthermore, L-161,982 protected mice against the synergistic lethality induced by coinfection with
C. albicans
and
S. aureus
. The antimicrobial activity of L-161,982 is independent of EP
4
receptor inhibitory activity; an alternative EP
4
receptor antagonist exerted no antimicrobial or protective effects. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that L-161,982 has potent antimicrobial activity against MRSA and may represent a significant therapeutic alternative in improving the prognosis of mono- or polymicrobial infections involving MRSA.
Mechanism-Based Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Aerosolized Colistin in a Mouse Lung Infection Model
Authors: Lin Yu-Wei , Zhou Qi Tony , Han Mei-Ling , Onufrak Nikolas J. , Chen Ke , Wang Jiping , Forrest Alan , Chan Hak-Kim , Li Jian
Published: December 2017

Optimized dosage regimens of aerosolized colistin (as colistin methanesulfonate [CMS]) are urgently required to maximize bacterial killing against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria while minimizing toxicity. This study aimed to develop a mechanism-based pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) model (MBM) for aerosolized colistin based upon PK/PD data in neutropenic infected mice and to perform a deterministic simulation with the PK of aerosolized colistin (as CMS) in critically ill patients.
In vivo
time-kill experiments were carried out with three different strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. An MBM was developed in S-ADAPT and evaluated by assessing its ability to predict the PK/PD index associated with efficacy in mice. A deterministic simulation with human PK data was undertaken to predict the efficacy of current dosage regimens of aerosolized colistin in critically ill patients. In the final MBM, the total bacterial population for each isolate consisted of colistin-susceptible and -resistant subpopulations. The antimicrobial efficacy of aerosolized colistin was best described by a sigmoidal
E
max
model whereby colistin enhanced the rate of bacterial death. Deterministic simulation with human PK data predicted that an inhalational dosage regimen of 60 mg colistin base activity (CBA) every 12 h is needed to achieve a ≥2-log
10
bacterial reduction (as the number of CFU per lung) in critically ill patients at 24 h after commencement of inhaled therapy. In conclusion, the developed MBM is a useful tool for optimizing inhalational dosage regimens of colistin. Clinical studies are warranted to validate and refine our MBM for aerosolized colistin.
Breeding system and inbreeding depression in the rare orchid,Platanthera praeclara, in a fragmented grassland landscape
Authors: Travers Steven E. , Anderson Kirk , Vitt Pati , Harris Marion O.
Published: December 2017

An important consequence of self-compatibility in plants is that self-pollination can have deleterious effects on plant fitness because of inbreeding. We conducted a hand pollination experiment under field conditions to measure the magnitude of inbreeding depression associated with self-pollination in the rare western prairie fringed-orchid Platanthera praeclara Sheviak and Bowles. By comparing capsules and seeds resulting from cross versus self-pollination treatments, we determined that self-pollination reduces seed quality while having no detectable effect on capsule production or seed numbers. A smaller percentage of seeds resulting from self-pollination contained an embryo (18%) relative to seeds from cross-pollination (46%). Seeds that had an embryo were scored for the size of the embryo, small or large. A smaller proportion of seeds from self-pollination contained a large embryo (75%) relative to seeds from cross-pollination (92%). These results suggest that sexual reproduction and recruitment in this rare plant are dependent on the frequency of pollinator visitations that result in outcrossing.
Nanoscale thin films of niobium oxide on platinum surfaces: creating a platform for optimizing material composition and electrochemical stability
Authors: Eastcott Jennie I. , Parakh Abhinav , Paul Michael T.Y. , Lee Austin W.H. , Bilton Matthew W. , Gates Byron D.
Published: December 2017

A nanoscale thin film of niobium oxide on a platinum substrate was evaluated for its influence on the electronic and chemical properties of the underlying platinum towards the oxygen reduction reaction with applications to proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The nanoscale thin film of niobium oxide was deposited using atomic layer deposition onto the platinum substrate. A film of niobium oxide is a chemically stable and electronically insulating material that can be used to prevent corrosion and electrochemical degradation when layers are several nanometers thick. These layers can be insulating if sufficiently thick and may not be sufficient to protect the platinum from corrosion if too thin. An ∼3 nm thin film of niobium oxide was fabricated on the platinum surface to determine its influence on the electronic and chemical properties at the interface of these materials. The atomic layer deposition process enabled a precise control over the material composition, structure, and layer thickness. The niobium oxide film was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to evaluate whether a balance could be found between the inhibition of platinum degradation and electronic insulation of the platinum for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The 3 nm thin niobium oxide film was found to be sufficiently thin to permit electronic conductivity while reducing the incidence of platinum dissolution.
Effects of heat transfer on characteristics of thermionic energy converter
Authors: Zhu Weiwei , Ji Cong , Gu Fan
Published: December 2017

Photon enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) is a new concept in solar energy conversion, combining thermal and photovoltaic carrier excitations with thermionic emission. A solar-power-driven thermionic energy converter operates by illuminating the solar light condensed by a large-scale Fresnel lens to convert heat energy into electrical energy. By enhancing the efficiency of converting solar radiation into the emitter internal energy, the output power and efficiency of the thermionic energy converter can be greatly improved. In this study, using numerical simulations, the effects of emitter temperature and output characteristics on a thermionic energy converter were investigated. The results showed that the higher rate of the heating power represented the higher temperature of an emitter, as well as output current density, and efficiency. In addition, by reducing the diameter of a collector and thermal conductivity of insulation materials, or increasing the diameter of emitter, the temperature of emitter, output current density, and efficiency could be notably improved. It is also worth mentioning that the main factor that affected the emitter temperature in the process of heat transfer was heat conduction between solids. In conclusion, adequate illumination, reasonable size of collector and emitter, as well as appropriate insulation measurements could efficiently improve the output characteristics of thermionic energy converter.
The onset of penetrative convection stimulated by internal heating in a magnetic nanofluid saturating a rotating porous medium
Authors: Mahajan Amit , Sharma Mahesh Kumar
Published: December 2017

In this work, we investigate the effect of rotation on the onset of penetrative convection stimulated by internal heating in a thin layer of magnetic nanofluid saturating a porous medium. A model that includes the effect of Brownian diffusion, thermophoresis, and magnetophoresis is considered, while the Brinkman model is used for the porous medium. The following three boundary conditions are considered: rigid–rigid, rigid–free, and free–free. We discretized the partial differential equations by applying the Chebyshev pseudospectral method and used the QZ algorithm to solve the resulting eigenvalue problem for water and ester-based magnetic nanofluids. The nature of stability is determined by using the numerical method and is found to be stationary. The results indicate that the onset of convection is advanced with an increase in the Lewis number Le, concentration Rayleigh number Rn, and modified diffusivity ratio NA but the opposite is true in the case with an increase in the width of magnetic nanofluid layer d, Langevin parameter αL, porosity ε, Darcy number Da, modified diffusivity ratio [Formula: see text], and Taylor number TA. Moreover, the parameter NB does not affect the stability of the system significantly.
Metaplasticity: A Promising Tool to Disentangle Chronic Disorders of Consciousness Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Naro Antonino , Bramanti Alessia , Leo Antonino , Bramanti Placido , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore
Published: December 2017

The extent of cortical reorganization after brain injury in patients with Vegetative State/Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS) and Minimally Conscious State (MCS) depends on the residual capability of modulating synaptic plasticity. Neuroplasticity is largely abnormal in patients with UWS, although the fragments of cortical activity may exist, while patients MCS show a better cortical organization. The aim of this study was to evaluate cortical excitability in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) using a transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) metaplasticity protocol. To this end, we tested motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude, short intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation (ICF). These measures were correlated with the level of consciousness (by the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised, CRS-R). MEP amplitude, SICI, and ICF strength were significantly modulated following different metaplasticity TDCS protocols only in the patients with MCS. SICI modulations showed a significant correlation with the CRS-R score. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, a partial preservation of metaplasticity properties in some patients with DoC, which correlates with the level of awareness. Thus, metaplasticity assessment may help the clinician in differentiating the patients with DoC, besides the clinical evaluation. Moreover, the responsiveness to metaplasticity protocols may identify the subjects who could benefit from neuromodulation protocols.
Comparing Recalibration Strategies for Electroencephalography-Based Decoders of Movement Intention in Neurological Patients with Motor Disability
Authors: López-Larraz Eduardo , Ibáñez Jaime , Trincado-Alonso Fernando , Monge-Pereira Esther , Pons José Luis , Montesano Luis
Published: December 2017

Motor rehabilitation based on the association of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and proprioceptive feedback has been demonstrated as a feasible therapy for patients with paralysis. To promote long-lasting motor recovery, these interventions have to be carried out across several weeks or even months. The success of these therapies partly relies on the performance of the system decoding movement intentions, which normally has to be recalibrated to deal with the nonstationarities of the cortical activity. Minimizing the recalibration times is important to reduce the setup preparation and maximize the effective therapy time. To date, a systematic analysis of the effect of recalibration strategies in EEG-driven interfaces for motor rehabilitation has not yet been performed. Data from patients with stroke (4 patients, 8 sessions) and spinal cord injury (SCI) (4 patients, 5 sessions) undergoing two different paradigms (self-paced and cue-guided, respectively) are used to study the performance of the EEG-based classification of motor intentions. Four calibration schemes are compared, considering different combinations of training datasets from previous and/or the validated session. The results show significant differences in classifier performances in terms of the true and false positives (TPs) and (FPs). Combining training data from previous sessions with data from the validation session provides the best compromise between the amount of data needed for calibration and the classifier performance. With this scheme, the average true (false) positive rates obtained are 85.3% (17.3%) and 72.9% (30.3%) for the self-paced and the cue-guided protocols, respectively. These results suggest that the use of optimal recalibration schemes for EEG-based classifiers of motor intentions leads to enhanced performances of these technologies, while not requiring long calibration phases prior to starting the intervention.
Inverse Proportional Relationship Between Switching-Time Length and Fractal-Like Structure for Continuous Tracking Movement
Authors: Hirakawa Takehito , Suzuki Hiroo , Gohara Kazutoshi , Yamamoto Yuji
Published: December 2017

We investigate the relationship between the switching-time length [Formula: see text] and the fractal-like feature that characterizes the behavior of dissipative dynamical systems excited by external temporal inputs for tracking movement. Seven healthy right-handed male participants were asked to continuously track light-emitting diodes that were located on the right and left sides in front of them. These movements were performed under two conditions: when the same input pattern was repeated (the periodic-input condition) and when two different input patterns were switched stochastically (the switching-input condition). The repeated time lengths of input patterns during these conditions were 2.00, 1.00, 0.75, 0.50, 0.35, and 0.25[Formula: see text]s. The movements of a lever held between a participant’s thumb and index finger were measured by a motion-capture system and were analyzed with respect to position and velocity. The condition in which the same input was repeated revealed that two different stable trajectories existed in a cylindrical state space, while the condition in which the inputs were switched induced transitions between these two trajectories. These two different trajectories were considered as excited attractors. The transitions between the two excited attractors produced eight trajectories; they were then characterized by a fractal-like feature as a third-order sequence effect. Moreover, correlation dimensions, which are typically used to evaluate fractal-like features, calculated from the set on the Poincaré section increased as the switching-time length [Formula: see text] decreased. These results suggest that an inverse proportional relationship exists between the switching-time length [Formula: see text] and the fractal-like feature of human movement.
Dynamic Analysis of Fractional-Order Recurrent Neural Network with Caputo Derivative
Authors: Wang Weiqian , Qiao Yuanhua , Miao Jun , Duan Lijuan
Published: December 2017

In this paper, fractional-order recurrent neural network models with Caputo Derivative are investigated. Firstly, we mainly focus our attention on Hopf bifurcation conditions for commensurate fractional-order network with time delay to reveal the essence that fractional-order equation can simulate the activity of neuron oscillation. Secondly, for incommensurate fractional-order neural network model, we prove the stability of the zero equilibrium point to show that incommensurate fractional-order neural network still converges to zero point. Finally, Hopf bifurcation conditions for the incommensurate fractional-order neural network model are first obtained using bifurcation theory based on commensurate fractional-order system.
Bifurcations and Chaos for 2D Discontinuous Dynamical Model of Financial Markets
Authors: Gu En-Guo
Published: December 2017

We develop a financial market model with interacting chartists and fundamentalists and chase sellers, the model dynamics is driven by a two-dimensional discontinuous piecewise linear map. Assume that the fixed point on the left side of border is restricted to regular saddle, we provide a more or less complete analytical treatment of the model dynamics by characterizing its possible outcomes in parameter space. The interpretation of structure for basin boundary and chaotic attractor is given by using contact bifurcation resulting from the contact between invariant set and the border. The critical value of occurring boundary crisis is given. In addition, we show that quite different scenarios can trigger real world phenomena such as bull and bear market dynamics and excess volatility.
Dynamical Response of Electrical Activities in Digital Neuron Circuit Driven by Autapse
Authors: Ren Guodong , Zhou Ping , Ma Jun , Cai Ning , Alsaedi Ahmed , Ahmad Bashir
Published: December 2017

Neuron models are available for computational neurodynamics and the main dynamical properties can be reproduced in the numerical scheme for further dynamical analysis. During model setting, some important biophysical factors should be considered and thus reliable neuron models can be approached. In this paper, a neuron model driven by autapse connection is investigated with the effect of electromagnetic induction being considered as well. A digital neuronal circuit is designed by using FPGA, the dynamical response and biological function of autapse connection. It is found that positive feedback in autapse can modulate the oscillating behaviors in the digital circuit, which could be effective for further investigation on digital neuronal network.