bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of how different implementation strategies of an injury prevention programme (FIFA 11+) impact team adherence and injury risk in Canadian female youth football players: a cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Steffen Kathrin , Meeuwisse Willem H , Romiti Maria , Kang Jian , McKay Carly , Bizzini Mario , Dvorak Jiri , Finch Caroline , Myklebust Grethe , Emery Carolyn A
Published: March 2013

Background

Injury prevention programme delivery on adherence and injury risk, specifically involving regular supervisions with coaches and players on programme execution on field, has not been examined.

Aim

The objective of this cluster-randomised study was to evaluate different delivery methods of an effective injury prevention programme (FIFA 11+) on adherence and injury risk among female youth football teams.

Method

During the 4-month 2011 football season, coaches and 13-year-old to 18-year-old players from 31 tier 1–3 level teams were introduced to the 11+ through either an unsupervised website (‘control’) or a coach-focused workshop with (‘comprehensive’) and without (‘regular’) additional supervisions by a physiotherapist. Team and player adherence to the 11+, playing exposure, history and injuries were recorded.

Results

Teams in the comprehensive and regular intervention groups demonstrated adherence to the 11+ programme of 85.6% and 81.3% completion of total possible sessions, compared to 73.5% for teams in the control group. These differences were not statistically significant, after adjustment for cluster by team, age, level and injury history. Compared to players with low adherence, players with high adherence to the 11+ had a 57% lower injury risk (IRR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.00). However, adjusting for covariates, this between-group difference was not statistically significant (IRR=0.44, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.06).

Conclusion

Following a coach workshop, coach-led delivery of the FIFA 11+ was equally successful with or without the additional field involvement of a physiotherapist. Proper education of coaches during an extensive preseason workshop was more effective in terms of team adherence than an unsupervised delivery of the 11+ programme to the team.

Trial registration

ISRCTN67835569.
Diffusion tensor imaging of sport related concussion in adolescents
Authors: Virji-Babul Naznin , Borich Michael , Makan Nadia , Moore Tiffany , Frew Kira , Emery Carolyn A , Boyd Lara
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To establish the short-term changes in white matter integrity following sport related concussion in adolescents and to examine the association between changes in white matter integrity and a clinical measure of concussion.

Design

Cross-sectional within cohort study.

Setting

University hospital and community ice hockey arenas.

Subjects

Twelve adolescents with sport related concussion (ages 14–17 years) within 2 months of injury and 10, active adolescents with no previous history of concussion.

Assessment of Risk Factors

Adolescents within 2 months of sport-related concussion and healthy adolescents with no history of concussion were assessed using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2) and total SCAT2 score (/100) was considered.

Outcome Measures

Two measures of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI): fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD).

Results

Whole brain FA values were significantly increased (F (1,40)=6.29, p=0.01) and MD values decreased (F(1,40)=4.75, p=0.036) in concussed athletes compared with control participants. SCAT2 total scores were associated with whole brain FA and MD values with lower scores associated with higher FA (R2=0.25, p=0.017) and lower MD (R2=0.2, p=0.038).

Conclusion

This preliminary study provides evidence of microstructural changes in the integrity of the white matter in adolescent athletes following a sport related concussion. In addition, we found a relationship between measures of white matter integrity and the SCAT2 up to 16–61 days following concussion, which may indicate persistent structural change in the adolescent brain after injury. Further study should chart the trajectory of brain injury and recovery in this population.

Acknowledgements

Martha Piper Research Fund, University of British Columbia and the Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia.

Competing interests

None.
Quantitative assessment of sensorimotor dysfunction and recovery using robotics in athletes sustaining an acute sport-related concussion
Authors: Benson Brian , Semrau Jennifer , Debert Chantel , Scott Stephen , Meeuwisse Willem , Dukelow Sean
Published: March 2013

Objective

To determine the utility of a novel robotic assessment tool to aid with acute sport concussion assessment and management.

Design

Prospective case series.

Setting

2011–2012 athletic season.

Subjects

313 male and female elite athletes (mean age: 21 years).

Outcome Measures

Baseline and post-concussion (physician diagnosed) robotic assessments of neurological function using the KINARM end-point robotic device in five different tasks.

Results

Twenty-nine of the 313 athletes (9.3%) completing a baseline clinical and robotic assessment in 2011 sustained an acute sport concussion during the 2011–2012 season. Many of the concussed athletes declined in performance on the post-concussion robotic testing (<72 h post-injury). Twenty-two concussed athletes demonstrated increases in the contraction parameter of the multi-target position sense task (p=0.005). Nineteen demonstrated slowing of their movement speed in a bimanual interactive task requiring subjects to hit and avoid various virtual shapes (left hand p=0.03; right hand p=0.09). Twenty-two of the concussed athletes demonstrated increased dwell time/movement time when performing an automated version of the Trails B test (p=0.002). In general, performance trended back towards baseline in the weeks following the concussion.

Conclusions

The clinical use of robotics in post-concussion assessment shows promise in objectively quantifying degradation of sensorimotor performance that is not always evident in existing clinical tools. Further analyses is warranted including the development of baseline sensorimotor normative data for high risk athletic populations (with reliable change indexes) and comparing the sensitivity of this device with other standardised measures of clinical concussion recovery (ie, symptoms, neurological examination, balance, and neurocognitive).

Acknowledgments

University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre BKIN Technologies, Queen's University Own the Podium, Canada Jim Smith, Calgary, Alberta Canadian Sport Centre Calgary University of Calgary, Edge High School, and SAIT Athletic Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Coaches Hotchkiss Brain Institute Sarah Snow & Kerri Downer.
Head contacts in collegiate football measured with an instrumented mouthguard
Authors: Camarillo David , Mattson James , Flynn Michael , Yang Sheng , Shull Pete , Shultz Rebecca , Matheson Gordon , Garza Daniel
Published: March 2013

Background

The clinical relationship between accumulated head impacts and chronic cognitive dysfunction is under increasing scrutiny. There is therefore a need to track an athlete's accumulation of head impacts.

Objective

We sought to develop and test an inexpensive wireless device that could be widely used for monitoring blows to the head in football.

Design

Prospective, descriptive.

Setting

Stanford University scrimmages.

Subjects

16 males from 6 different positions.

Methods

During four spring practice sessions, players wore mouthguards instrumented with three accelerometers and gyroscopes for measuring head motion. When the acceleration magnitude exceeded 15G (after 110 Hz low-pass filter), an event was recorded. Simultaneously, full-speed scrimmage sessions were video recorded from two perpendicular angles and later analysed for ‘helmet-helmet contacts.’ Plays were only considered if the subject's helmet was struck by the opposing player's helmet at the initial point of contact, or if the subject's helmet sustained “no-contact” at all during the play. Mouthguard events were then synchronised and evaluated during the time period of each play to determine agreement with video data.

Results

Video analysis yielded 153 helmet-helmet contacts and 402 no-contacts. Mouthguard sensitivity for detecting observed helmet contact at the 15G threshold was 61% (95% CI 0.54 to 0.69) and the specificity was 91% (95% CI 0.88 to 0.93). Overall accuracy was 83%.

Conclusion

Although the 15G threshold is based on published helmet telemetry clinical studies, 39% of observed helmet-helmet contacts were below this threshold. Further research is required to understand if lower acceleration contacts are clinically relevant, and if they can be accurately detected.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Stanford athletic training, videography, and football staff for their cooperation as well as X2 Impact Inc. for donation of mouthguards.
Concussion and strength performance in youth ice hockey players
Authors: Reed Nick , Taha Tim , Keightley Michelle L
Published: March 2013

Objective

To explore the influence of concussion on strength performance within youth ice hockey players.

Design

Athletes were assessed prospectively before and after a sport-related concussion and longitudinally across a 3-year period.

Setting

University research laboratory.

Participants

178 unique male and female youth ice hockey players (ages 8–14 years). Nineteen of the 178 participants sustained a concussion while enrolled in the study, where three participants sustained repeated concussions for a total of 23 concussive events.

Intervention

Participants completed a pre-season/baseline assessment of strength performance annually for up to 3 years. If a concussion was sustained, follow-up assessment on the same measures was.

Outcome Measures

Lower body and upper body strength performance (leg maximal voluntary contraction, squat jump height, counter movement jump height and hand grip).

Results

Using a linear mixed-effects model, when accounting for severity of post-concussive symptoms, significant average effects were found for jump height (squat jump: Estimate=−0.05; SE=0.02; t=−2.51; P=0.0186; countermovement jump: Estimate=−0.03; SE=0.02; t=−2.20; P=0.0371) during the symptomatic stage post-concussion and for leg maximal voluntary contraction (Estimate=−1.05; SE=0.47; t=−2.27; P=0.0421) during the asymptomatic stage post-concussion, indicating decreased strength performance following concussion.

Conclusions

This study acts as an initial step towards better understanding concussion-related strength performance deficits that may limit the on and off ice performance of the youth ice hockey player population.

Acknowledgements

Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF).

Competing interests

None.
Quantitative assessment of postural stability using accelerometer and gyroscopic data during balance error scoring system
Authors: Alberts Jay L , Hirsch Joshua R , Figler Richard , Russman Andrew N , Gray Robert , Linder Susan M
Published: March 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to validate a portable method of objectively quantifying postural stability using accelerometer and gyroscopic data from the iPad2 during BESS.

Design

Participants completed the six 20 s BESS conditions. BESS errors were recorded by trained evaluators. Linear and angular acceleration were simultaneously collected via the iPad2 accelerometer and gyroscope.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Participants

Fifty healthy participants aged 14–25 with no concussion in previous 6 months.

Main Outcome Measurements

The primary outcome measures were evaluator-reported errors and natural-logarithmic volume of a 3D ellipsoid (iVE) encompassing 95% of postural sway data. The iVE characterises movement along anterior–posterior, medial-lateral, and trunk-rotational movement axes. It was hypothesised that iVE would provide a more sensitive assessment of postural stability than traditional BESS error scoring.

Results

For the two double-leg stance conditions, BESS error scores were nearly identical, as few participants made errors. However, iVE data indicated a significant difference in stability between these conditions, as iVE for double-leg stance on firm surface was 0.3±0.16 s3while iVE on foam was 3.4±0.16 s3.

Conclusions

The objective data gathered using a consumer electronics device provides a reliable and valid assessment of postural stability and increases the sensitivity of the BESS. Accordingly, it is recommended that all six BESS conditions be completed in order to fulfill the current Zurich recommendation of a comprehensive balance assessment. We are currently using the ‘C3 App’ and BESS in the collection of baseline data in 12 000 high school and college athletes.
Health-related quality of life following sport-related concussion in interscholastic athletes
Authors: Valovich McLeod Tamara C , Curtis Bay R , Valier Alison R , Lam Kenneth C , Parsons John T
Published: March 2013

Objective

To determine the impact of concussion on general, fatigue-specific, and headache-specific Health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Design

Repeated measures.

Setting

High school athletic facilities.

Patients

Two hundred and fifty-nine adolescent athletes who sustained a concussion diagnosed by their athletic trainer (218 males, 41 females, age=15.9±1.2 years, grade=10.0±1.1).

Interventions

Participants completed the paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS), and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) during a preseason baseline (BL) and on days 3 (D3), 10 (D10) and 30 (D30) post-concussion.

Main Outcome Measures

Dependent variables included: 4 PedsQL subscale scores (physical (PF), emotional (EF), social (SOF), school (SCF) functioning), 3 MFS subscale scores (general (GF), sleep (SLF), cognitive (CF) fatigue), and the HIT-6 total score. Higher scores on the HIT-6 and lower scores on the PedsQL and MFS indicate lower HRQOL. Analyses were conducted using generalised estimating equations with follow-up Bonferroni corrections.

Results

All omnibus tests were significant (p<0.001). Athletes reported significantly lower HRQOL on D3 than BL for PF (D3=77.8, 95% CI 75.1 to 80.4; BL=92.9, 95% CI 91.4 to 94.4), SCF (D3=78.6, 95% CI 76.3 to 80.8; BL=83.9, 95% CI 81.8 to 86.0), CF(D3=73.2, 95% CI 70.3 to 76.1; BL=82.6, 95% CI 79.9 to 85.1), GF (D3=74.9, 95% CI 72.0 to 77.9; BL=85.1, 95% CI 82.8 to 87.4) and HIT-6 (D3=51.5, 95% CI 50.3 to 52.6; BL=45.4, 95% CI 44.5 to 46.4). All D10 and D30 subscale scores were significantly higher than BL.

Conclusions

Concussed athletes demonstrated lower general, fatigue-specific, and headache-specific HRQOL in the immediate days post-injury. These findings corroborate reports of the symptoms experienced acutely post-concussion and align with a time when athletes are often restricted from participating in physical and cognitive activities. The effects of concussion on HRQOL appear short-lived, with recovery by 10 days post-injury.

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a grant from the National Operating Committee for Standards on Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).

Competing interests

None.
Isometric cervical muscle strength mitigates head impact severity
Authors: Schmidt Julianne Denice , Guskiewicz Kevin M , Mihalik Jason P
Published: March 2013

Objective

To compare the risk of sustaining a mild, moderate, and severe head impact between athletes with high and low isometric cervical strength.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Clinic/On-field.

Participants

Twenty-one collegiate American football players.

Interventions

Isometric strength was measured prior to the season using a handheld dynamometer in four directions: flexion, anterolateral-flexion, rotation, and posterolateral-extension. Participants completed three 3 s trials. We used the Head Impact Telemetry System to record head impact biomechanics (N=8649 head impacts) at practices and games.

Main Outcome Measurements

Peak force values were averaged across trials and sides and then normalised to body mass. Players were categorised as either high or low performers based on a 50th percentile cut-off separately for each direction and for composite strength (sum across each direction). Using previous values, each head impact was categorised as mild (linear acceleration ≤66 g), moderate (>66 g or <106 g), or severe (≥106 g). The risk of sustaining mild, moderate, and severe head impact between high- and low-strength athletes were computed using risk ratios.

Results

Players with low flexion, posterolateral-extension, and composite strength had a greater risk of sustaining moderate (RR=2.0, 1.8, 1.6, respectively) and severe (RR=1.6, 1.1, 1.2, respectively) impacts. Players with weaker anterolateral-flexors had a reduced risk of sustaining moderate (RR=0.8) and severe (RR=0.7) impacts.

Conclusions

The cervical musculature may play a role in mitigating head impact severity among collegiate football players. Sports medicine professionals and strength and conditioning coaches should continue exploring the potential benefits of cervical strengthening programmes on head injury prevention.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Breton Asken for his assistance during data collection.

Competing interests

None.
Player aggression affects head impact biomechanics in youth ice hockey players
Authors: Mihalik Jason P , Guskiewicz Kevin M , Marshall Stephen W
Published: March 2013

Objective

To evaluate the effect of player aggression on head impact biomechanics.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Field (on-ice) study.

Participants

Thirty-seven volunteer ice hockey players (age=15.0±1.0 years, height=173.5±6.2 cm, mass=66.6±9.0 kg, playing experience=2.9±3.7 years).

Interventions

Participants were equipped with accelerometer-instrumented helmets to collect head impact biomechanics for one playing season. The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) was administered to all players. We collected the total number of penalties in minutes (PIM) throughout the season. Data were analysed using random intercept general mixed linear models, with each individual player as a repeating factor/cluster.

Main Outcome Measurements

Dependent variables included linear and rotational head accelerations, and the Head Impact Technology severity profile (HITsp), a weighted composite score factoring impact accelerations, duration, and location. Tertile aggression and PIM data were used to categorise players into high, moderate, and low aggression levels.

Results

The players who experienced the highest number of PIM experienced greater rotational accelerations (p=0.034) and HITsp values (p=0.046) than those with the lowest number of PIM. No differences in linear acceleration for PIM were observed (p>0.05). We did not observe any differences between the aggression levels as measured by the BPAQ (p>0.05).

Conclusions

Youth ice hockey players with higher PIM experienced greater head impact forces, supporting behavioural interventions designed to reduce excessive penalty taking among youth hockey players such as Fair Play in North America. Officials should more stringently assess penalties to participants who purposefully foul opponents. Our results should encourage youth ice hockey players to conform to playing rules.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by a grant from the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Injury Prevention Research Center (grant #2005-PREV-BANT-387). The USA Hockey Foundation and the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) also provided financial support.

Competing interests

None.
Cervico-vestibular physiotherapy in the treatment of individuals with persistent symptoms following sport related concussion: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Schneider Kathryn J , Meeuwisse Willem H , Nettel-Aguirre Alberto , Boyd Lara , Barlow Karen M , Emery Carolyn A
Published: March 2013

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine if a combination of cervical and vestibular physiotherapy is an effective treatment for individuals with persistent symptoms following a sport related concussion (SRC).

Design

Randomised Controlled Trial.

Subjects

Thirty-one participants (12–30 years) who attended the University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre for a SRC and had persistent symptoms of dizziness, neck pain and/or headaches.

Intervention

Participants were randomly allocated to a treatment group (ie, multimodal physiotherapy including vestibular rehabilitation, manual therapy, neuromotor and sensorimotor retraining exercises) or a control group (ie, rest followed by gradual exertion). Participants in both groups were seen by the study treating physiotherapist once weekly for 8 weeks or until the time of medical clearance. A sport medicine physician who was blinded to treatment group determined time to medical clearance.

Outcome Measurements

The primary outcome of interest was medical clearance to return to sport.

Results

One of 14 subjects (7.1%) in the control group and 11 of 15 subjects (73.3%) in the treatment group were medically cleared to return to sport at 8 weeks. The participants in the treatment group were 10.27 (95% CI 1.51 to 69.55) times more likely to be medically cleared to return to sport in 8 weeks than the participants in the control group (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Participants who received multimodal physiotherapy treatment were more likely to achieve medical clearance before 8 weeks when compared with rest in individuals with persistent symptoms following an SRC.

Acknowledgements

The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre is one of the International Research Centres for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health supported by the International Olympic Committee. This study was funded by an Investigator Driven Small Grant from the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research. Kathryn Schneider is supported by a studentship through Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) and Carolyn Emery by AIHS and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute.
Evaluation of intraocular pressure in conscious ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) by means of rebound tonometry and comparison with applanation tonometry
Authors: Di Girolamo N. , Andreani V. , Guandalini A. , Selleri P.
Published: March 2013

To determine normal intraocular pressure (IOP) values by means of rebound tonometry in unanaesthetised ferrets, and to compare rebound and applanation tonometry, 55 clinically healthy ferrets were included in an observational, prospective, blinded study. On 52 ferrets, IOP was measured by means of rebound and applanation tonometry. On 3 ferrets, rebound tonometry was performed every two hours over a 24‐hour period. Mean IOPs of the 104 eyes obtained with the rebound tonometer were 14.07±0.35 (95% CI 13.37 to 14.77) tonometer‐units (TU). The IOP was significantly higher in males than in females, controlling for age and weight. A study‐ordered decrease in coefficient of variation (CV) was observed (measurement 1–52=21.2±1.4 per cent v measurement 53–104=14.4±1.1 per cent) and high CVs (>30 per cent) were significantly less frequent in measurement 53–104. A significant difference in IOP during the 24‐ hour measurements was found, with the lowest IOP recorded at 22:00. The tonometers presented poor agreement, and IOP values were not correlated. The difference in IOP estimation increased with the magnitude of the measurements. Applanation tonometry presented a significant higher frequency of per‐eye IOP values exceeding 25 and 30 TU, and a significant lower repeatability (CV=37.1±2.6 per cent v 17.8±1.2 per cent) compared with rebound tonometry. In conclusion, several factors need to be considered when measuring IOP in ferrets.
First evidence of the presence ofNK2andTlxgenes in bivalve molluscs
Authors: Mesías-Gansbiller C. , Pazos A.J. , Sánchez J.L. , Pérez-Parallé M.L.
Published: March 2013

The NK homeobox gene cluster appears to play a primary role in the mesoderm specification and formation and nervous system development of Bilateria. NK2 class genes are transcribed in the developing gut, nervous system, and heart of insects and vertebrates. Tlx genes are involved in a variety of developmental functions such as neurone differentiation. To identify NK box genes in bivalve molluscs, we performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) survey with degenerate primers on genomic DNA. Three NK box sequences were identified from two bivalve species: one from the clam Venerupis pullastra (Montagu, 1803) called Vpu Tlx and two from the oyster Ostrea edulis L., 1758 called Oed Tlx and Oed Nk2. The alignment of these sequences in the UniProt database reveals a high level of conservation. Phylogenetic analyses by NJ, UPGMA, ME, MP, and ML analyses show the orthology relationships of the Tlx and Nk2 genes with other Tlx and Nk2 genes present in Metazoa genomes. This is the first report of the isolation of NK box genes in bivalve molluscs. Moreover these Tlx and Nk2 genes are the first to prove that Tlx and NK2 gene cognates exist in bivalve molluscs. The presence of these genes in Venerupis and Ostrea suggests that these genes could be conserved in bivalves in general.
Lactating mice (Mus musculus) exhibit compensatory flexibility in gut morphology in response to reduced dietary protein
Authors: Derrickson E.M.
Published: March 2013

Protein affects key life-history traits, and deficiencies in this nutrient may have selected for the ability to invoke physiological or morphological mechanisms to aid nutrient assimilation. I examined the effect of dietary protein on gut characters in lactating mice (Mus musculus L., 1758) and predicted that mice, to improve assimilation efficiency, would increase the mass of the stomach and small intestine and (or) increase food retention in these organs. Mice were maintained on isocaloric diets differing in protein and carbohydrate content (P:C) during the reproductive period. The hypothesis that food would be preferentially retained was not supported. However, both the stomach and the small intestine responded to low P:C with increased mass, and the small intestine exhibited increased diameter. This study demonstrates that mammalian gut morphology of lactating mice can respond to nutrient availability under conditions of constant energy intake. Further study is needed to determine if gut flexibility in response to decreasing P:C levels results in improved nitrogen assimilation efficiency and if this response is a general strategy of mammals or is limited to those with particular breeding strategies.
ON THE DOUBLE-RIDGE EFFECT AT THE LHC
Authors: TROSHIN S. M. , TYURIN N. E.
Published: March 2013

We discuss a possible explanation of the double-ridge observation in pPb-collisions at the LHC emphasizing that this double structure in the two-particle correlation function can result from the rotation of the transient state of matter.
GAUGE THEORY ON A SPACE WITH LINEAR LIE TYPE FUZZINESS
Authors: KHORRAMI MOHAMMAD , FATOLLAHI AMIR H. , SHARIATI AHMAD
Published: March 2013

The U(1) gauge theory on a space with Lie type noncommutativity is constructed. The construction is based on the group of translations in Fourier space, which in contrast to space itself is commutative. In analogy with lattice gauge theory, the object playing the role of flux of field strength per plaquette, as well as the action, is constructed. It is observed that the theory, in comparison with ordinary U(1) gauge theory, has an extra gauge field component. This phenomena is reminiscent of similar ones in formulation of SU (N) gauge theory in space with canonical noncommutativity, and also appearance of gauge field component in discrete direction of Connes' construction of the Standard Model.
ANALYTICAL STUDY OF CRITICAL MAGNETIC FIELD IN A HOLOGRAPHIC SUPERCONDUCTOR
Authors: MOMENI D. , NAKANO EIJI , SETARE M. R. , WEN WEN-YU
Published: March 2013

We analytically study the effect of magnetic field in a holographic superconductor by using Sturm–Liouville method. We estimate the coefficient of proportionality at critical temperature and find its dependence on bulk magnetic field. By exploring the phase diagrams of critical temperature and magnetic field for various condensates, we conclude that the existence of critical magnetic field is a general feature in holographic superconductors. We also study the quantum phase transition at zero temperature and find that the critical charge density increases linearly with the condensate dimension.
STRUCTURAL, OPTICAL, AND ELECTRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SPRAY PYROLYSED INDIUM SULFIDE THIN FILMS
Authors: RAHMAN F. , PODDER J. , ICHIMURA M.
Published: March 2013

Indium sulfide (In2S3) thin films were deposited onto the glass substrates by a low cost simple spray pyrolysis technique at 300°C temperature. Aqueous solution of indium chloride and thiourea were used to deposit the binary In-S film. The deposited thin films were annealed at 400° and 500°C temperatures and characterized structurally, optically and electrically using EDX, X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy and four probe van der Pauw methods. The optical constants such as refractive index and extinction coefficient are calculated from absorbance and transmittance data from 300 to 1100 nm wavelength. The optical transmittance increased after annealing at 400° and 500°C. The band gap energy was reduced from 2.90 to 2.50 eV after annealing the as deposited films. The electrical conductivity as well as the activation energy was increased after annealing the samples.
A NOVEL OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM BASED ON ATMOSPHERE CLOUDS MODEL
Authors: YAN GAO-WEI , HAO ZHAN-JU
Published: March 2013

This paper introduces a novel numerical stochastic optimization algorithm inspired from the behaviors of cloud in the natural world, which is designated as atmosphere clouds model optimization (ACMO) algorithm. It is tried to simulate the generation behavior, move behavior and spread behavior of cloud in a simple way. The ACMO algorithm has been tested on a set of benchmark functions in comparison with two other evolutionary-based algorithms: particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA). The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has certain advantages in solving multimodal functions, while the PSO algorithm has a better result in terms of convergence accuracy. In conclusion, the ACMO algorithm is an effective method in solving optimization problems.
FRACTIONAL APPROXIMATION BY NORMALIZED BELL AND SQUASHING TYPE NEURAL NETWORK OPERATORS
Authors: ANASTASSIOU GEORGE A.
Published: March 2013

This article deals with the determination of the fractional rate of convergence to the unit of some neural network operators, namely, the normalized bell and "squashing" type operators. This is given through the moduli of continuity of the involved right and left Caputo fractional derivatives of the approximated function and they appear in the right-hand side of the associated Jackson type inequalities.
ROOM-TEMPERATURE SOLID-STATE REACTION TO TREE-LIKE FRACTAL NANO-CdS AND THIRD-ORDER NONLINEAR OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: ZHOU TAO-YU , WANG HUI , KANG XIAO-PING , XIN XIN-QUAN
Published: March 2013

A novel tree-like nano-cadmium sulfide (CdS) with the fractal feature is synthesized by solid-state reaction at room temperature from complex precursor with aminotrimethylenephosphonic acid (ATMP) as ligand. The obtained sample is the crystalline cubic beta cadmium sulfide. The tree is composed of nanorods with an average diameter of ca. 95 nm and a length of up to 100–650 nm. The nanorods grow in the asymmetrical "Y" shape. The amount of ATMP plays an important role in the formation of fractal structure. Nonlinear optical (NLO) measurements by the Z-scan technique exhibit that the tree-like fractal nano- CdS has the third-order nonlinear optical properties of both NLO absorption and NLO refraction with self-focusing effect and the optical limiting performance.
Epithelial morphogenesis of MDCK cells in three-dimensional collagen culture is modulated by interleukin-8
Authors: Wells Erika K. , Yarborough OrLando , Lifton Richard P. , Cantley Lloyd G. , Caplan Michael J.
Published: March 2013

Epithelial morphogenesis is dependent upon a variety of factors, many of which involve complex interactions between cells and their surrounding environments. We analyzed the patterns of differential gene expression associated with Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) renal epithelial cells grown within a collagen gel in three-dimensional (3D) culture compared with those grown atop a collagen gel in two-dimensional (2D) culture. Under these conditions, MDCK cells spontaneously formed either hollow spherical cysts or flat monolayer sheets, respectively. Microarray analysis of gene expression revealed a twofold or greater expression difference in 732 gene sets from MDCK cysts compared with monolayers (false discovery rate or FDR-adjusted P values <0.05). Interleukin-8 (IL-8) was reproducibly found to be among the genes whose expression was most dramatically upregulated, and this behavior was verified through real-time PCR analysis. The level of IL-8 protein expression was significantly increased in 3D MDCK cultures compared with that detected in cells in 2D culture. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces MDCK cells in 3D culture to form linear tubule-like structures. We found that HGF stimulation caused MDCK cells in 3D culture to decrease the expression of IL-8 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the addition of recombinant IL-8 to HGF-stimulated 3D MDCK cultures was sufficient to partially reverse the tubulogenic effects of HGF, resulting in the formation of cystic structures. These data suggest that IL-8 participates in the formation of cystic structures by MDCK cells in 3D culture and that HGF may stimulate tubulogenesis through the suppression of IL-8.
Hemodynamic flow improves rat hepatocyte morphology, function, and metabolic activity in vitro
Authors: Dash A. , Simmers M. B. , Deering T. G. , Berry D. J. , Feaver R. E. , Hastings N. E. , Pruett T. L. , LeCluyse E. L. , Blackman B. R. , Wamhoff B. R.
Published: March 2013

In vitro primary hepatocyte systems typically elicit drug induction and toxicity responses at concentrations much higher than corresponding in vivo or clinical plasma Cmax levels, contributing to poor in vitro-in vivo correlations. This may be partly due to the absence of physiological parameters that maintain metabolic phenotype in vivo. We hypothesized that restoring hemodynamics and media transport would improve hepatocyte architecture and metabolic function in vitro compared with nonflow cultures. Rat hepatocytes were cultured for 2 wk either in nonflow collagen gel sandwiches with 48-h media changes or under controlled hemodynamics mimicking sinusoidal circulation within a perfused Transwell device. Phenotypic, functional, and metabolic parameters were assessed at multiple times. Hepatocytes in the devices exhibited polarized morphology, retention of differentiation markers [E-cadherin and hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α)], the canalicular transporter [multidrug-resistant protein-2 (Mrp-2)], and significantly higher levels of liver function compared with nonflow cultures over 2 wk (albumin ∼4-fold and urea ∼5-fold). Gene expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes was significantly higher (fold increase over nonflow: CYP1A1: 53.5 ± 10.3; CYP1A2: 64.0 ± 15.1; CYP2B1: 15.2 ± 2.9; CYP2B2: 2.7 ± 0.8; CYP3A2: 4.0 ± 1.4) and translated to significantly higher basal enzyme activity (device vs. nonflow: CYP1A: 6.26 ± 2.41 vs. 0.42 ± 0.015; CYP1B: 3.47 ± 1.66 vs. 0.4 ± 0.09; CYP3A: 11.65 ± 4.70 vs. 2.43 ± 0.56) while retaining inducibility by 3-methylcholanthrene and dexamethasone (fold increase over DMSO: CYP1A = 27.33 and CYP3A = 4.94). These responses were observed at concentrations closer to plasma levels documented in vivo in rats. The retention of in vivo-like hepatocyte phenotype and metabolic function coupled with drug response at more physiological concentrations emphasizes the importance of restoring in vivo physiological transport parameters in vitro.
Loss of neuronatin promotes “browning” of primary mouse adipocytes while reducing Glut1-mediated glucose disposal
Authors: Gburcik Valentina , Cleasby Mark E. , Timmons James A.
Published: March 2013

Failure of white adipose tissue to appropriately store excess metabolic substrate seems to underpin obesity-associated type 2 diabetes. Encouraging “browning” of white adipose has been suggested as a therapeutic strategy to help dispose of excess stored lipid and ameliorate the resulting insulin resistance. Genetic variation at the DNA locus encoding the novel proteolipid neuronatin has been associated with obesity, and we recently observed that neuronatin expression is reduced in subcutaneous adipose tissue from obese humans. Thus, to explore the function of neuronatin further, we used RNAi to silence its expression in murine primary adipocyte cultures and examined the effects on adipocyte phenotype. We found that primary adipocytes express only the longer isoform of neuronatin. Loss of neuronatin led to increased mitochondrial biogenesis, indicated by greater intensity of MitoTracker Green staining. This was accompanied by increased expression of UCP1 and the key genes in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, PGC-1α, Cox8b, and Cox4 in primary subcutaneous white adipocytes, indicative of a “browning” effect. In addition, phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC was increased, suggestive of increased fatty acid utilization. Similar, but less pronounced, effects of neuronatin silencing were also noted in primary brown adipocytes. In contrast, loss of neuronatin caused a reduction in both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis, likely mediated by a reduction in Glut1 protein upon silencing of neuronatin. In contrast, loss of neuronatin had no effect on insulin signaling. In conclusion, neuronatin appears to be a novel regulator of browning and metabolic substrate disposal in white adipocytes.
Hydrogen sulfide preconditions thedb/dbdiabetic mouse heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating Nrf2 signaling in an Erk-dependent manner
Authors: Peake Bridgette F. , Nicholson Chad K. , Lambert Jonathan P. , Hood Rebecca L. , Amin Hena , Amin Sana , Calvert John W.
Published: March 2013

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) therapy protects nondiabetic animals in various models of myocardial injury, including acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. Here, we sought to examine whether H2S therapy provides cardioprotection in the setting of type 2 diabetes. H2S therapy in the form of sodium sulfide (Na2S) beginning 24 h or 7 days before myocardial ischemia significantly decreased myocardial injury in db/db diabetic mice (12 wk of age). In an effort to evaluate the signaling mechanism responsible for the observed cardioprotection, we focused on the role of nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2) signaling. Our results indicate that diabetes does not alter the ability of H2S to increase the nuclear localization of Nrf2, but does impair aspects of Nrf2 signaling. Specifically, the expression of NADPH quinine oxidoreductase 1 was increased after the acute treatment, whereas the expression of heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was only increased after 7 days of treatment. This discrepancy was found to be the result of an increased nuclear expression of Bach1, a known repressor of HO-1 transcription, which blocked the binding of Nrf2 to the HO-1 promoter. Further analysis revealed that 7 days of Na2S treatment overcame this impairment by removing Bach1 from the nucleus in an Erk1/2-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that exogenous administration of Na2S attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in db/db mice, suggesting the potential therapeutic effects of H2S in treating a heart attack in the setting of type 2 diabetes.
Effects of age on ACTH, corticosterone, glucose, insulin, and mRNA levels during intermittent hypoxia in the neonatal rat
Authors: Chintamaneni Kathan , Bruder Eric D. , Raff Hershel
Published: March 2013

Apnea, the temporary cessation of respiratory airflow, is a common cause of intermittent hypoxia (IH) in premature infants. We hypothesized that IH elicits a stress response and alters glucose homeostasis in the neonatal rat. Rat pups were studied on postnatal day (PD) 2, 8, 10, 12, and 14. Pups were exposed to normoxia (control) or six cycles consisting of 30-s exposures to hypoxia (FiO2= 3%) over a 60-min period. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, after the third cycle (∼30 min), and after the sixth cycle (∼60 min). Tissue samples were collected following the sixth cycle. Plasma ACTH, corticosterone, glucose, and insulin were analyzed at all ages. Hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative PCR in PD2, PD8, and PD12 pups. Exposure to IH elicited significant increases in plasma ACTH and corticosterone at all ages studied. The largest increase in corticosterone occurred in PD2 pups, despite only a very small increase in plasma ACTH. This ACTH-independent increase in corticosterone in PD2 pups was associated with increases in adrenal Ldlr and Star mRNA expression. Additionally, IH caused hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia at all ages. We conclude that IH elicits a significant pituitary-adrenal response and significantly alters glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of these responses depend on developmental age.
Spatial segregation of excitatory and inhibitory effects of 5-HT on crayfish motoneurons
Authors: Bacqué-Cazenave Julien , Issa Fadi A. , Edwards Donald H. , Cattaert Daniel
Published: March 2013

Altering neuronal membrane properties, including input resistance, is a key modulatory mechanism for changing neural activity patterns. The effect of membrane currents generated by either synaptic or voltage-dependent channels directly depends on neuron input resistance. We found that local application of serotonin to different regions of identified motoneurons (MNs) of the postural/walking network of isolated crayfish produced different changes in input resistance. Puff-applied 5-HT in the periphery of the initial segment produced exclusively inhibitory responses. In contrast, when 5-HT was puff-applied on the central arbor of the same depressor (Dep) MN, exclusively depolarizing responses were obtained. Both inhibitory and excitatory responses were direct because they persisted in low-calcium saline. We found numerous close appositions between 5-HT-immunoreactive processes and the initial segment of dextran-rhodamine-filled Dep MNs. In contrast, almost no close apposition sites were found in Dep MN arbor. It seems that the 5-HT controls the level of excitability of postural network MNs by two mechanisms acting at two different sites: inhibitory responses (consistent with an action involving opening of K+channels) occur in the initial segment region and may involve classic synaptic transmission, whereas depolarizing responses (consistent with an action involving closing of K+channels) occur on MN branches via apparent paracrine effects.
On Two Aspects of the Painlevé Analysis
Authors: Sakovich Sergei
Published: March 2013

We use the Calogero equation to illustrate the following two aspects of the Painlevé analysis of nonlinear PDEs. First, if a nonlinear equation passes the Painlevé test for integrability, the singular expansions of its solutions around characteristic hypersurfaces can be neither single-valued functions of independent variables nor single-valued functionals of data. Second, if the truncation of singular expansions of solutions is consistent, the truncation not necessarily leads to the simplest, or elementary, auto-Bäcklund transformation related to the Lax pair.
Novel Complete Probabilistic Models of Random Variation in High Frequency Performance of Nanoscale MOSFET
Authors: Banchuin Rawid
Published: March 2013

The novel probabilistic models of the random variations in nanoscale MOSFET's high frequency performance defined in terms of gate capacitance and transition frequency have been proposed. As the transition frequency variation has also been considered, the proposed models are considered as complete unlike the previous one which take only the gate capacitance variation into account. The proposed models have been found to be both analytic and physical level oriented as they are the precise mathematical expressions in terms of physical parameters. Since the up-to-date model of variation in MOSFET's characteristic induced by physical level fluctuation has been used, part of the proposed models for gate capacitance is more accurate and physical level oriented than its predecessor. The proposed models have been verified based on the 65 nm CMOS technology by using the Monte-Carlo SPICE simulations of benchmark circuits and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests as highly accurate since they fit the Monte-Carlo-based analysis results with 99% confidence. Hence, these novel models have been found to be versatile for the statistical/variability aware analysis/design of nanoscale MOSFET-based analog/mixed signal circuits and systems.
Objectifying Acupuncture Effects by Lung Function and Numeric Rating Scale in Patients Undergoing Heart Surgery
Authors: Maimer Anna , Remppis Andrew , Sack Falk-Udo , Ringes-Lichtenberg Stefanie , Greten Tobias , Brazkiewicz Frank , Schröder Sven , Goncalves Mario , Efferth Thomas , Greten Henry Johannes
Published: March 2013

Rationale. Poststernotomy pain and impaired breathing are common clinical problems in early postoperative care following heart surgery. Insufficiently treated pain increases the risk of pulmonary complications. High-dose opioids are used for pain management, but they may cause side effects such as respiratory depression.Study Design. We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded, three-armed clinical trial with 100 patients. Group 1 (n=33) and Group 2 (n=34) received one 20 min session of standardized acupuncture treatment with two different sets of acupoints. Group 3 (n=33) served as standard analgesia control without additional intervention. Results. Primary endpoint analysis revealed a statistically significant analgesic effect for both acupuncture treatments. Group 1 showed a mean percentile pain reduction (PPR) of 18% (SD 19,P<0.001). Group 2 yielded a mean PPR of 71% (SD 13,P<0.001). In Group 1, acupuncture resulted in a mean forced vital capacity (FVC) increase of 30 cm3(SD 73) without statistical significance (P=0.303). In Group 2, posttreatment FVC showed a significant increase of 306 cm3(SD 215,P<0.001).Conclusion. Acupuncture revealed specific analgesic effects after sternotomy. Objective measurement of poststernotomy pain via lung function test was possible.
Solving Unconstrained Global Optimization Problems via Hybrid Swarm Intelligence Approaches
Authors: Wu Jui-Yu
Published: March 2013

Stochastic global optimization (SGO) algorithms such as the particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach have become popular for solving unconstrained global optimization (UGO) problems. The PSO approach, which belongs to the swarm intelligence domain, does not require gradient information, enabling it to overcome this limitation of traditional nonlinear programming methods. Unfortunately, PSO algorithm implementation and performance depend on several parameters, such as cognitive parameter, social parameter, and constriction coefficient. These parameters are tuned by using trial and error. To reduce the parametrization of a PSO method, this work presents two efficient hybrid SGO approaches, namely, a real-coded genetic algorithm-based PSO (RGA-PSO) method and an artificial immune algorithm-based PSO (AIA-PSO) method. The specific parameters of the internal PSO algorithm are optimized using the external RGA and AIA approaches, and then the internal PSO algorithm is applied to solve UGO problems. The performances of the proposed RGA-PSO and AIA-PSO algorithms are then evaluated using a set of benchmark UGO problems. Numerical results indicate that, besides their ability to converge to a global minimum for each test UGO problem, the proposed RGA-PSO and AIA-PSO algorithms outperform many hybrid SGO algorithms. Thus, the RGA-PSO and AIA-PSO approaches can be considered alternative SGO approaches for solving standard-dimensional UGO problems.