bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome Sequence of a Heterotrophic Nitrifier and Aerobic Denitrifier, Paracoccus denitrificans Strain ISTOD1, Isolated from Wastewater
Authors: Medhi Kristina , Mishra Arti , Thakur Indu Shekhar
Published: April 2018

We report here the draft genome sequence of
Paracoccus denitrificans
strain ISTOD1 of 4.9 Mb, isolated from wastewater. It has been identified as a heterotrophic nitrifying and aerobic denitrifying bacterium. Genomic analysis revealed genes related to nitrogen and phosphorus removal, showing that the strain holds potential for bioremediation and biorefinery uses.
Genome Sequences of Five Mycobacterium bovis Strains Isolated from Farmed Animals and Wildlife in Canada
Authors: Andrievskaia Olga , Duceppe Marc-Olivier , Lloyd Dara
Published: April 2018

Mycobacterium bovis
is the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, an infectious disease that affects both animals and humans and thus presents a risk to public health and the livestock industry. Here, we report the genome sequences of five
Mycobacterium bovis
strains that represent major genotype clusters observed in farmed animals and wildlife in Canada.
Draft Genome Sequence of Janthinobacterium sp. Strain ROICE36, a Putative Secondary Metabolite-Synthesizing Bacterium Isolated from Antarctic Snow
Authors: Chiriac Cecilia , Baricz Andreea , Coman Cristian
Published: April 2018

The draft genome assembly of
Janthinobacterium
sp. strain ROICE36 has 207 contigs, with a total genome size of 5,977,006 bp and a G+C content of 62%. Preliminary genome analysis identified 5,363 protein-coding genes and a total of 7 secondary metabolic gene clusters (encoding bacteriocins, nonribosomal peptide-synthetase [NRPS], terpene, hserlactone, and other ketide synthases).
Actigraphy assessment of sleep quality among patients with acute myeloid leukaemia during induction chemotherapy
Authors: Yang Chi-Fu Jeffrey , Aibel Kelli , Meyerhoff Ryan , Wang Frances , Harpole David , Abernethy Amy P , LeBlanc Thomas W
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Patients receiving induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) anecdotally describe poor sleep, but sleep disturbances have not been well-characterised in this population. We aimed to test the feasibility of measuring sleep quality in AML inpatients using a wearable actigraphy device.

Methods

Using the Actigraph GT3X ‘watch’, we assessed the total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, number of awakenings after sleep onset and sleep eﬃciency for inpatients with AML receiving induction chemotherapy. We assessed patient self-reported sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results

Of the 12 patients enrolled, 11 completed all actigraphy and PSQI assessments, demonstrating feasibility. Patients wore the Actigraph device for a mean (SD) of 15.92 (8.3) days, and actigraphy measures suggested poor sleep. Patients had a median average awakening length of 6.92 min, a median number of awakenings after sleep onset of 4 and a median sleep onset latency of 10.8 min. Actual median sleep efficiency (0.91) was high, suggesting that patients’ poor sleep was not due to insomnia but perhaps due to interruptions, such as administration of medications, lab draws and vital sign measurements.

Conclusions

Collection of sleep quality data among inpatients with AML via a wearable actigraphy device is feasible. AML inpatients appear to have poor sleep quality and quantity, suggesting that sleep issues represent an area of unmet supportive care needs in AML. Further research in this areas is needed to inform the development of interventions to improve sleep duration and quality in hospitalised patients with AML.
Does more fish mean more money? Evaluating alternative escapement goals in the Bristol Bay salmon fishery
Authors: Wang Jocelyn Yun-Ling , Anderson Christopher M. , Cunningham Curry J. , Hilborn Ray , Link Michael R.
Published: April 2018

We develop an economically sophisticated management strategy evaluation for four sockeye salmon (Onchorhynchus nerka) fishing districts in Bristol Bay, Alaska, to evaluate whether proposed increases in escapement goals — the number of fish allowed up each river to spawn — could improve fishery outcomes for the industry and the region. Higher escapements increase average runs toward biological maximum sustainable yield, but this is driven by infrequent years of very abundant runs. Our economic model shows processors do not add capacity in response to infrequent abundant runs. Therefore, interannual variance in district-specific catch increases because years with little or no fishing become more frequent to meet higher escapement in low-run years, but industry cannot capture greater value in the high-run years. In abundant runs, processors shift available labor to focus on high-volume, lower-margin products; in very abundant years, insufficient processing capacity allows additional fish to escape. Mobile driftnet vessels that can move to rivers experiencing high runs each year benefit, but district specialists in the small boat and set-net fleets are more vulnerable to years with little or no catch.
Multi-Sequential Word Relations
Authors: Jecker Ismaël , Filiot Emmanuel
Published: April 2018

Rational relations are binary relations of finite words that are realised by non-deterministic finite state transducers (NFT). A multi-sequential relation is a rational relation which is equal to a finite union of (graphs) of partial sequential functions, i.e. functions realised by input-deterministic transducers.

The particular case of multi-sequential functions was studied by Choffrut and Schützenberger who proved that given a rational function (as a transducer), it is decidable whether it is multi-sequential. Their procedure is based on an effective characterisation of unambiguous transducers that do not define multi-sequential functions, that we call the fork property.

In this paper, we show that the fork property also characterises the class of transducers that do not define multi-sequential relations. Moreover, we prove that the fork property can be decided in PTime. This leads to a PTime procedure which, given a transducer, decides whether it defines a multi-sequential relation.
A Connected 3-State Reversible Mealy Automaton Cannot Generate an Infinite Burnside Group
Authors: Klimann Ines , Picantin Matthieu , Savchuk Dmytro
Published: April 2018

The class of automaton groups is a rich source of the simplest examples of infinite Burnside groups. However, all such examples have been constructed as groups generated by non-reversible automata. Moreover, it was recently shown that 2-state reversible Mealy automata cannot generate infinite Burnside groups. Here we extend this result to connected 3-state reversible Mealy automata, using new original techniques. The results rely on a fine analysis of associated orbit trees and a new characterization of the existence of elements of infinite order.
ASSESSMENT OF CRACK INITIATION AND PROPAGATION IN BONE USING ACOUSTIC EMISSION (AE) TECHNIQUES
Authors: KARADUMAN DENIZ , BİRCAN DURMUŞ ALI , ÇETİN AHMET
Published: April 2018

Acoustic emission (AE) is a nondestructive testing (NDT) technique used for detecting damages, cracks, and leaks in different structures such as metals, composites, wood, fiberglass, ceramics, plastics, etc. In recent years, AE has gained popularity within the field of biomedical applications. The structure of bone is similar to composite materials, therefore, it is advantageous to use NDT technique. Thus, it can be used for monitoring the fracture behavior, crack initiation/propagation, and fatigue detection in bones. The goal of this study was to determine the usefulness of AE techniques in fracture detection phase of bones and to develop an NDT methodology for the monitoring of crack initiation and propagation in bones. This study describes AE activity during fracture of bone tissue under tensile loads. The experiments were carried out in vitro techniques using intact and fracture-simulated bovine tibias. The specimens were loaded to failure in tension using a mechanical testing machine. During the mechanical tests, AE signals were measured and recorded by using AE system processor equipped with two wideband piezoelectric sensors fixed to the surfaces of both ends of the test specimens. By superposing the load–time curve and the cumulative AE event–time curve, AE activities of crack initiation and propagation were identified. In all experiments, the cumulative AE number for each period of time rose up exponentially with the incremental tensile load. Load for AE initiation demonstrated a convincing linear interaction with AE event generation.
Workload Alerts—Using Physiological Measures of Mental Workload to Provide Feedback During Tasks
Authors: Maior Horia A. , Wilson Max L. , Sharples Sarah
Published: April 2018

Feedback is valuable for allowing us to improve on tasks. While retrospective feedback can help us improve for next time, feedback ‘in action’ can allow us to improve the outcome of on-going tasks. In this article, we use data from functional Near InfraRed Spectroscopy to provide participants with feedback about their mental workload levels
during
high-workload tasks. We evaluate the impact of this feedback on task performance and perceived task performance, in comparison to industry standard mid-task self-assessments, and explore participants’ perceptions of this feedback. In line with previous work, we confirm that deploying self-reporting methods affect both perceived and actual performance. Conversely, we conclude that our objective concurrent feedback correlated more closely with task demand, supported reflection in action, and did not negatively affect performance. Future work, however, should focus on the
design
of this feedback and the potential behaviour changes that will result.
Pegadas
Authors: Costa T. K. L. , Machado L. S. , Valença A. M. G. , Winckler M. A. , Moraes R. M.
Published: April 2018

Applications for learning and training have been developed and highlighted as important tools in health education. Despite the several approaches and initiatives, these tools have not been used in an integrated way. The specific skills approached by each application, the absence of a consensus about how to integrate them in the curricula, and the necessity of evaluation tools that standardize their utilization are the main difficulties. Considering these issues, Portal of Games and Environments Management for Designing Activities in Health (Pegadas) was designed and developed as a web portal that offers the services of organizing and sequencing serious games and virtual environments and evaluating the performance of the user in these activities. This article presents the structure of Pegadas, including the proposal of an evaluation model based on learning objectives. The results indicate its potential to collaborate with human resources training from the proposal of the sequencing, allowing a linked composition of activities and providing the reinforcement or complement of tasks and contents in a progressive scale with planned educational objective-based evaluation. These results can contribute to expand the discussions about ways to integrate the use of these applications in health curricula.
Evolutionary Algorithms for a Better Gaming Experience in Rehabilitation Robotics
Authors: Andrade Kleber O. , Joaquim Ricardo C. , Caurin Glauco A. P. , Crocomo Marcio K.
Published: April 2018

This article proposes the use of two evolutionary algorithms (EAs) to the dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA) of a serious game in the rehabilitation robotics application. DDA occurs in runtime for a better user experience with a game. This approach is used to improve the quality of the game experience and to avoid boredom or frustration for players with severe limitations imposed by pathologies such as stroke, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries. The first EA solves the game adjustment problem, changing the game difficulty according to the player’s skill, and the purpose of the second EA is to adjust the coefficients of the first EA’s objective function so that it can work in a more effective way. To do so, the second EA uses results of game matches against simulated player profiles. The results shows that the presented method was able to identify a set of coefficients that allows the first EA to correctly adjust the difficulty level for all six tested player profiles.
Usertesting Without the User
Authors: Stahlke Samantha N. , Mirza-Babaei Pejman
Published: April 2018

The use of human participants in game evaluation can be costly, time-consuming, and present challenges for constructing representative player samples. These challenges may be overcome by using computer-controlled agents in place of human users for certain stages of the usertesting process. This article explores opportunities and challenges in the use of behavioural modelling to create independent “user” agents driven by artificial intelligence (AI). We highlight the utility of imitating cognitive processes such as spatial reasoning, memory, and goal-oriented decision-making as a means to increase the viability of independent agents as a tool in usertesting. Specifically, we investigate the possible design and use of proxy AI “users” that mimic human navigational behaviour to assist in the evaluation of level designs. Ultimately, we propose that a configurable population of AI players can provide a data-rich supplement to current approaches in games user research.
Soleus muscle stability in wild hibernating black bears
Authors: Riley D. A. , Van Dyke J. M. , Vogel V. , Curry B. D. , Bain J. L. W. , Schuett R. , Costill D. L. , Trappe T. , Minchev K. , Trappe S.
Published: April 2018

Based on studies of fast skeletal muscles, hibernating black and brown bears resist skeletal muscle atrophy during months of reduced physical activity and not feeding. The present study examined atrophy sparing in the slow soleus muscle, known to be highly prone to disuse atrophy in humans and other mammals. We demonstrated histochemically that the black bear soleus is rich in slow fibers, averaging 84.0 ± 6.6%. The percentages of slow fibers in fall (87.3 ± 4.9%) and during hibernation (87.1 ± 5.6%) did not differ ( P = 0.3152) from summer. The average fiber cross-sectional area to body mass ratio (48.6 ± 11.7 µm2/kg) in winter hibernating bears was not significantly different from that of summer (54.1 ± 11.8 µm2/kg, P = 0.4186) and fall (47.0 ± 9.7 µm2/kg, P = 0.9410) animals. The percentage of single hybrid fibers containing both slow and fast myosin heavy chains, detected biochemically, increased from 2.6 ± 3.8% in summer to 24.4 ± 24.4% ( P = 0.0244) during hibernation. The shortening velocities of individual hybrid fibers remained unchanged from that of pure slow and fast fibers, indicating low content of the minority myosins. Slow and fast fibers in winter bears exhibited elevated specific tension (kN/m2; 22%, P = 0.0161 and 11%, P = 0.0404, respectively) and maintained normalized power. The relative stability of fiber type percentage and size, fiber size-to-body mass ratio, myosin heavy chain isoform content, shortening velocity, power output, and elevated specific tension during hibernation validates the ability of the black bear to preserve the biochemical and performance characteristics of the soleus muscle during prolonged hibernation.
Distinct morphological features of acute tubular injury in renal allografts correlate with clinical outcome
Authors: Schumann-Bischoff Andrea , Schmitz Jessica , Scheffner Irina , Schmitt Roland , Broecker Verena , Haller Hermann , Bräsen Jan H. , Gwinner Wilfried
Published: April 2018

Acute tubular injury (ATI) is common in renal allografts and is related to inferior long-term allograft function. However, it is unknown which of the morphological features of ATI can predict outcome and how they should be graded. Here, we examine features of ATI systematically in protocol biopsies and biopsies for cause to define the most predictive features. Analyses included 521 protocol biopsies taken at 6 wk, 3 mo, and 6 mo after transplantation and 141 biopsies for cause from 204 patients. Features of ATI included brush border loss, tubular epithelial lucency, flattening, pyknosis, nuclei loss, and luminal debris, each graded semiquantitatively. Additional immunohistochemical stainings were performed for markers of cell injury (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin), cell death [cleaved caspase-3, fatty acid-coenzyme A ligase 4 (FACL4)], and proliferation (Ki-67). Interobserver reliability was good for pyknosis, flattening, and brush border loss and poor for lucency, nuclei loss, and luminal debris. In protocol biopsies between 6 wk and 6 mo, the degree of ATI remained virtually unchanged. Biopsies for cause had generally higher injury scores. Deceased donor source, delayed graft function, ganciclovir/valganciclovir treatment, and urinary tract infection correlated with ATI. The degree of pyknosis, flattening, and brush border loss correlated best with impaired allograft function. FACL4 expression was observed in areas of ATI. Only patients with Ki-67 expression showed stable or improved allograft function in the longitudinal assessment. Reliable assessment of ATI is possible by semiquantitative grading of tubular epithelial cell brush border loss, flattening, and pyknosis. Examination of Ki-67 expression can help determine the potential for recovery from this damage.
Action potential propagation recorded from single axonal arbors using multielectrode arrays
Authors: Tovar Kenneth R. , Bridges Daniel C. , Wu Bian , Randall Connor , Audouard Morgane , Jang Jiwon , Hansma Paul K. , Kosik Kenneth S.
Published: April 2018

We report the presence of co-occurring extracellular action potentials (eAPs) from cultured mouse hippocampal neurons among groups of planar electrodes on multielectrode arrays (MEAs). The invariant sequences of eAPs among coactive electrode groups, repeated co-occurrences, and short interelectrode latencies are consistent with action potential propagation in unmyelinated axons. Repeated eAP codetection by multiple electrodes was widespread in all our data records. Codetection of eAPs confirms they result from the same neuron and allows these eAPs to be isolated from all other spikes independently of spike sorting algorithms. We averaged co-occurring events and revealed additional electrodes with eAPs that would otherwise be below detection threshold. We used these eAP cohorts to explore the temperature sensitivity of action potential propagation and the relationship between voltage-gated sodium channel density and propagation velocity. The sequence of eAPs among coactive electrodes “fingerprints” neurons giving rise to these events and identifies them within neuronal ensembles. We used this property and the noninvasive nature of extracellular recording to monitor changes in excitability at multiple points in single axonal arbors simultaneously over several hours, demonstrating independence of axonal segments. Over several weeks, we recorded changes in interelectrode propagation latencies and ongoing changes in excitability in different regions of single axonal arbors. Our work illustrates how repeated eAP co-occurrences can be used to extract physiological data from single axons with low-density MEAs. However, repeated eAP co-occurrences lead to oversampling spikes from single neurons and thus can confound traditional spike-train analysis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We studied action potential propagation in single axons using low-density multielectrode arrays. We unambiguously identified the neuronal sources of propagating action potentials and recorded extracellular action potentials from several positions within single axonal arbors. We found a surprisingly high density of axonal voltage-gated sodium channels responsible for a high propagation safety factor. Our experiments also demonstrate that excitability in different segments of single axons is regulated independently on timescales from hours to weeks.
Somatosensory electrical stimulation improves skill acquisition, consolidation, and transfer by increasing sensorimotor activity and connectivity
Authors: Veldman Menno P. , Maurits Natasha M. , Zijdewind Inge , Maffiuletti Nicola A. , van Middelkoop Stella , Mizelle J. Chris , Hortobágyi Tibor
Published: April 2018

The interaction between the somatosensory and motor systems is important for normal human motor function and learning. Enhancing somatosensory input using somatosensory electrical stimulation (SES) can increase motor performance, but the neuronal mechanisms underlying these effects are largely unknown. With EEG, we examined whether skill acquisition, consolidation, and interlimb transfer after SES was related to increased activity in sensorimotor regions, as assessed by the N30 somatosensory evoked potential or rather increased connectivity between these regions, as assessed by the phase slope index (PSI). Right- and left-hand motor performance and EEG measures were taken before, immediately after, and 24 h ( day 2) after either SES ( n = 12; 5 men) or Control ( n = 12; 5 men). The results showed skill acquisition and consolidation in the stimulated right hand immediately after SES (6%) and on day 2 (9%) and interlimb transfer to the nonstimulated left hand on day 2 relative to Control (8%, all P < 0.05). Increases in N30 amplitudes correlated with skill acquisition while PSI from electrodes that represent the posterior parietal and primary somatosensory cortex to the electrode representing the primary motor cortex correlated with skill consolidation. In contrast, interlimb transfer did not correlate with the EEG-derived neurophysiological estimates obtained in the present study, which may indicate the involvement of subcortical structures in interlimb transfer after SES. In conclusion, weak peripheral somatosensory inputs in the form of SES improve skill acquisition, consolidation, and interlimb transfer that coincide with different cortical adaptations, including enhanced N30 amplitudes and PSI.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The relationship between adaptations in synaptic plasticity and motor learning following somatosensory electrical stimulation (SES) is incompletely understood. Here, we used for the first time a multifactorial approach that examined skill acquisition, consolidation, and interlimb transfer following 20 min of SES. In addition, we quantified sensorimotor integration and the magnitude and direction of connectivity with EEG. Following artificial electrical stimulation, increases in sensorimotor integration and connectivity were found to correlate with skill acquisition and consolidation, respectively.
Seismic Fragility Analysis of Multispan Reinforced Concrete Bridges Using Mainshock-Aftershock Sequences
Authors: Pang Yutao , Wu Li
Published: April 2018

Although the knowledge and technology of performance-based earthquake engineering have rapidly advanced in the past several decades, current seismic design codes simply ignore the effect of aftershocks on the performance of structures. Thus, the present paper investigated the effect of aftershocks on seismic responses of multispan reinforced concrete (RC) bridges using the fragility-based numerical approach. For that purpose, a continuous girder RC bridge class containing 8 bridges was selected based on the statistical analysis of the existing RC bridges in China. 75 recorded mainshock-aftershock seismic sequences from 10 well-known earthquakes were selected in this study. In order to account for the uncertainty of modeling parameters, uniform design method was applied as the sampling method for generating the samples for fragility analysis. Fragility curves were then developed using nonlinear time-history analysis in terms of the peak curvature of pier column and displacement of bearings. Finally, the system fragility curves were derived by implementing Monte Carlo simulation on multinormal distribution of two components. From the results of this investigation, it was found that, for the RC continuous bridges, the influence of aftershocks can be harmful to both bridge components and system, which increases both the component fragility of the displacement of bearings and seismic curvature of pier sections and system fragility.
Methyl Chavicol and Its Synthetic Analogue as Possible Antioxidant and Antilipase Agents Based on the In Vitro and In Silico Assays
Authors: Santos Bruna Celeida Silva , Pires Andressa Soares , Yamamoto Célia Hitomi , Couri Mara Rubia Costa , Taranto Alex Gutterres , Alves Maria Silvana , Araújo Ana Lúcia dos Santos de Matos , de Sousa Orlando Vieira
Published: April 2018

This study investigated the in vitro and in silico biological properties of the methyl chavicol (MC) and its analogue 2‐[(4‐methoxyphenyl)methyl]oxirane (MPMO), emphasizing the antioxidant and antilipase effects. MPMO was synthesized from MC that reacted with meta‐chloroperbenzoic acid and, after separation and purification, was identified by 1H and 13C NMR and GC‐MS. The antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH, cooxidation β‐carotene/linoleic acid, and thiobarbituric acid assays. With the use of colorimetric determination, the antilipase effect on the pancreatic lipase was tested, while the molecular interaction profiles were evaluated by docking molecular study. MC (IC50 = 312.50 ± 2.28 μg/mL) and MPMO (IC50 = 8.29 ± 0.80 μg/mL) inhibited the DPPH free radical. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation (%) was 73.08 ± 4.79 and 36.16 ± 4.11 to MC and MPMO, respectively. The malonaldehyde content was significantly reduced in the presence of MC and MPMO. MC and MPMO inhibited the pancreatic lipase in 58.12 and 26.93%, respectively. MC and MPMO (−6.1 kcal·mol−1) produced a binding affinity value lower than did diundecylphosphatidylcholine (−5.6 kcal·mol−1). These findings show that MC and MPMO present antioxidant and antilipase activities, which may be promising molecular targets for the treatment of diseases associated with oxidative damage and lipid metabolism.
Ganoderma Triterpenoids Exert Antiatherogenic Effects in Mice by Alleviating Disturbed Flow‐Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Authors: Hsu Pei-Ling , Lin Yung-Ching , Ni Hao , Mo Fan-E
Published: April 2018

Ganoderma mushrooms, used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote health and longevity, have become widely accepted as herbal supplements. Ganoderma lucidum (GL), a commonly seen ganoderma species, is commercially cultivated under controlled conditions for more consistent chemical composition. The medicinal properties of GL are attributable to its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities. We intended to assess the effect of GL in atherosclerosis, an arterial condition associated with chronic oxidative stress and inflammation, using a carotid‐artery‐ligation mouse model. Flow turbulence created in the ligated artery induces oxidative stress and neointimal hyperplasia, a feature of early atherogenesis. Daily oral GL prevented neointimal thickening 2 weeks after ligation. Moreover, the ganoderma triterpenoid (GT) crude extract isolated from GL abolished ligation‐induced neointima formation. Mechanistically, endothelial dysfunction was observed 3 days after ligation before any structural changes could be detected. GTs alleviated the oxidative stress and restored the atheroresistent status of endothelium by inhibiting the induction of a series of atherogenic factors, including endothelin‐1, von Willebrand factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 after 3‐day ligation. The anti‐inflammatory activity of GTs was tested in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to disturbed flow in an in vitro perfusion system. GTs abolished the induction of proinflammatory VCAM‐1, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 by oscillatory shear stress. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of GTs was tested in HUVECs against the insult of H2O2. GTs dissipated the cellular superoxide accumulation imposed by H2O2, thereby mitigating H2O2‐induced cell damage and proatherogenic response. Our results revealed the atheroprotective properties of ganoderma mushrooms and identified triterpenoids as the critical constituents for those effects. GTs prevent atherogenesis by eliminating disturbed flow‐induced oxidative stress and inflammation.
Increasing the Interval of Canakinumab Administration Effectively Supports the Remission of Schnitzler’s Syndrome
Authors: Gorodetskiy Vadim R. , Salugina Svetlana O. , Fedorov Evgeny S.
Published: April 2018

Schnitzler’s syndrome (SchS) is a rare, disabling, autoinflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent urticarial rash and monoclonal IgM gammopathy. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of SchS. Only anecdotal reports demonstrate the efficiency and safety of human monoclonal anti-human IL-1β antibody (canakinumab) use in SchS therapy. However, there are no generally accepted recommendations concerning the scheme (or frequency) of canakinumab use for this disease. Here, we report the effective long-term treatment of SchS in a 44-year-old male with a standard canakinumab dose (150 mg) but with an increased 4-month injection interval.
Swim Training Modulates Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial Cholesterol Content in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice
Authors: Flis Damian Jozef , Dzik Katarzyna , Kaczor Jan Jacek , Halon-Golabek Malgorzata , Antosiewicz Jedrzej , Wieckowski Mariusz Roman , Ziolkowski Wieslaw
Published: April 2018

Recently, in terms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), much attention has been paid to the cell structures formed by the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) that are involved in the regulation of Ca2+ signaling, mitochondrial bioenergetics, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. We assumed that remodeling of these structures via swim training may accompany the prolongation of the ALS lifespan. In the present study, we used transgenic mice with the G93A hmSOD1 gene mutation. We examined muscle energy metabolism, oxidative stress parameters, and markers of MAMs (Caveolin‐1 protein level and cholesterol content in crude mitochondrial fraction) in groups of mice divided according to disease progression and training status. The progression of ALS was related to the lowering of Caveolin‐1 protein levels and the accumulation of cholesterol in a crude mitochondrial fraction. These changes were associated with aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolism dysfunction and higher oxidative stress. Our data indicated that swim training prolonged the lifespan of ALS mice with accompanying changes in MAM components. Swim training also maintained mitochondrial function and lowered oxidative stress. These data suggest that modification of MAMs might play a crucial role in the exercise‐induced deceleration of ALS development.
Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis Provides Insight into the Molecular Mechanisms of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Zhou Le-Ting , Qiu Shen , Lv Lin-Li , Li Zuo-Lin , Liu Hong , Tang Ri-Ning , Ma Kun-Ling , Liu Bi-Cheng
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. Regardless of the underlying primary disease, CKD tends to progress to end-stage kidney disease, resulting in unsatisfactory and costly treatment. Its common pathogenesis, however, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to provide an unbiased catalog of common gene-expression changes of CKD and reveal the underlying molecular mechanism using an integrative bioinformatics approach. Methods: We systematically collected over 250 Affymetrix microarray datasets from the glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments of healthy renal tissues and those with various types of established CKD (diabetic kidney disease, hypertensive nephropathy, and glomerular nephropathy). Then, using stringent bioinformatics analysis, shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of CKD were obtained. These shared DEGs were further analyzed by the gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, the protein-protein interaction networks(PINs) were constructed to further refine our results. Results: Our analysis identified 176 and 50 shared DEGs in diseased glomeruli and tubules, respectively, including many transcripts that have not been previously reported to be involved in kidney disease. Enrichment analysis also showed that the glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments underwent a wide range of unique pathological changes during chronic injury. As revealed by the GO enrichment analysis, shared DEGs in glomeruli were significantly enriched in exosomes. By constructing PINs, we identified several hub genes (e.g. OAS1, JUN, and FOS) and clusters that might play key roles in regulating the development of CKD. Conclusion: Our study not only further reveals the unifying molecular mechanism of CKD pathogenesis but also provides a valuable resource of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Effects of Impella on Coronary Perfusion in Patients With Critical Coronary Artery Stenosis
Authors: Alqarqaz Mohammad , Basir Mir , Alaswad Khaldoon , O’Neill William
Published: April 2018

Background—

Mechanical circulatory support devices are used to maintain hemodynamic stability during high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions. Little is known on the effects of such devices on coronary hemodynamics in patients with significant coronary stenosis. We sought to investigate whether mechanical circulatory support in the form of Impella (Abiomed Inc, Danvers, MA) can improve coronary hemodynamics in the presence of a critical coronary stenosis.

Methods and Results—

We examined coronary perfusion pressures and coronary pressure distal to a critical stenosis using a coronary pressure wire in 11 patients (12 coronary lesions) undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions with the use of mechanical circulatory support. Systemic, ventricular, and coronary hemodynamics were obtained at both minimum and maximum support levels before high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions. All patients had obstructive lesions with angiographically estimated diameter stenosis between 70% and 99% and distal coronary artery pressure to aortic pressure ratios between 0.44 and 0.88. When compared with minimum support, maximum support resulted in a decrease in the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (27.3±8.6 versus 21.5±5.2 mm Hg;
P
=0.002) and increases in the mean systemic blood pressure (77.6±13.5 versus 88.2±12.2 mm Hg;
P
<0.001) and mean distal coronary pressure (51.8±20.2 versus 60.8±18.1 mm Hg;
P
<0.001). Effective coronary perfusion pressure (mean aortic pressure–left ventricular end-diastolic pressure) significantly increased with maximum support (49.8±15.7 versus 67.2±13.6 mm Hg;
P
<0.001). Diastolic perfusion pressure (diastolic blood pressure–left ventricular end-diastolic pressure) also significantly increased with maximum support (32.9±13.4 versus 52.0±11.6 mm Hg;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Mechanical circulatory support with Impella can improve distal coronary pressure and coronary perfusion pressures in the presence of critical coronary stenosis.
Jeremy Belknap’s History of New Hampshire in Context: Settler Colonialism and the Historiography of New England
Authors: Delahaye Agnès
Published: April 2018

This essay is a contextual analysis of the History of New Hampshire (1784–1792) by Jeremy Belknap, founder of the Massachusetts Historical Society. I situate Belknap’s historical and institutional achievements within the framework of settler colonialism studies to argue that Belknap used his profound knowledge of previous New England historiography to write a settler history of American colonization—a narrative of expansionist settlement over indigenous land sustained by cultural, political, racial and social norms at the root of its enduring success. Belknap’s settler history effectively negated both British and indigenous sovereignty and shifted the historical focus prevalent in his time away from the empire and onto the specific, and in his mind, unique, story of the violent formation of white, self-governing and autonomous expansionist settler societies that he believed were the real locus of American identity.
Cactodera chenopodiae (Nematoda: Heteroderidae), a new species of cyst nematode parasitizing common lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) in Liaoning, China
Authors: FENG YAXING , WANG DONG , XIAO DONGXUE , PEREIRA TIAGO JOSÉ , XUAN YUANHU , WANG YUANYUAN , LIU XIAOYU , CHEN LIJIE , DUAN YUXI , ZHU XIAOFENG
Published: April 2018

A new species of cyst nematode, Cactodera chenopodiae n. sp., parasitizing common lambsquarter, Chenopodium album L., is described from native vegetation in Liaoning, China. Cactodera chenopodiae n. sp. has a circumfenestrate pattern typical of the genus and is morphologically similar to C. cacti Krall & Krall, 1978. However, in the new species, females and cysts show a larger L/W ratio whereas second-stage juveniles (J2s) have a longer hyaline region. The new species is also morphologically similar to C. milleri Graney & Bird, 1990, but the J2s differ by a larger b ratio and longer tail. Based on DNA sequences of the 28S and ITS rRNA, C. chenopodiae n. sp. comes close to C. estonica Krall & Krall, 1978, although it is distinct from the latter with respect to the presence of a punctate eggshell and larger b ratio in the J2s. Although morphometric comparisons with additional Cactodera species show the overlapping of diagnostic morphological characters, our phylogenetic analyses based on both rRNA genes support C. chenopodiae n. sp. as a unique lineage.
Using the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree to Improve the Delineation of Hourly Rain Areas during the Summer from Advanced Himawari Imager Data
Authors: Ma Liang , Zhang Guoping , Lu Er
Published: April 2018

A new classification scheme based on the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) algorithm is developed to improve the accuracy of rain area delineation for daytime, twilight, and nighttime modules using Advanced Himawari Imager on board Himawari-8 (AHI-8) geostationary satellite data and the U.S. Geological Survey digital elevation model data. The GBDT algorithm is able to efficiently manage the nonlinear relationships among high-dimensional data without being affected by overfitting problems. The new delineation module utilizes several features related to the physical variables, including cloud-top heights, cloud-top temperatures, cloud water paths, cloud phases, water vapor, temporal changes, and orographic variations. The scheme procedure is as follows. First, we perform extensive experiments to optimize the module parameters such that the equitable threat score (ETS) reaches its maximum value. Then, the GBDT-based modules are trained and classified with the optimum parameters. Finally, validation datasets are applied to test the true performance of the GBDT-based modules. The agreement between the estimations and observations of the ground-based rain gauges is verified. Results show that the ETS values of the GBDT-based modules are 0.42 for the daytime, 0.30 for the twilight period, and 0.32 for the nighttime. The cloud water path and cloud phase features make the most significant contributions to the modules. Comparisons drawn with the two probability-related methods show that our new scheme presents great advantages in terms of statistical scores on the overall performance.
Subseasonal Forecasts of Convectively Coupled Equatorial Waves and the MJO: Activity and Predictive Skill
Authors: Janiga Matthew A. , J. Schreck Carl , Ridout James A. , Flatau Maria , Barton Neil P. , Metzger E. Joseph , Reynolds Carolyn A.
Published: April 2018

In this study, the contribution of low-frequency (>100 days), Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), and convectively coupled equatorial wave (CCEW) variability to the skill in predicting convection and winds in the tropics at weeks 1–3 is examined. We use subseasonal forecasts from the Navy Earth System Model (NESM); NCEP Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2); and ECMWF initialized in boreal summer 1999–2015. A technique for performing wavenumber–frequency filtering on subseasonal forecasts is introduced and applied to these datasets. This approach is better able to isolate regional variations in MJO forecast skill than traditional global MJO indices. Biases in the mean state and in the activity of the MJO and CCEWs are smallest in the ECMWF model. The NESM overestimates cloud cover as well as MJO, equatorial Rossby, and mixed Rossby–gravity/tropical depression activity over the west Pacific. The CFSv2 underestimates convectively coupled Kelvin wave activity. The predictive skill of the models at weeks 1–3 is examined by decomposing the forecasts into wavenumber–frequency signals to determine the modes of variability that contribute to forecast skill. All three models have a similar ability to simulate low-frequency variability but large differences in MJO skill are observed. The skill of the NESM and ECMWF model in simulating MJO-related OLR signals at week 2 is greatest over two regions of high MJO activity, the equatorial Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent, and the east Pacific. The MJO in the CFSv2 is too slow and too weak, which results in lower MJO skill in these regions.
Characteristics and efficacy of digital health education: An overview of systematic reviews
Authors: McCall Marcy , Spencer Elizabeth , Owen Helen , Roberts Nia , Heneghan Carl
Published: April 2018

Objective:

The primary aim of this overview was to synthesise results from studies including digital education and its effect on knowledge or learning outcomes, student satisfaction, student enrolment, attendance rate, course completion rate, clinical practice, health outcomes for patients and cost-effectiveness in health-care education. A secondary aim was to report on successful instructional design strategies, and barriers or contextual factors influencing the effectiveness of online learning course delivery in healthcare education.

Method:

We conducted an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) for digital education interventions delivered to health-care students and practitioners.

Results:

We scanned 848 titles, reviewed 247 abstracts and assessed 49 full-text articles against pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This overview includes data collected from 31,730 participants across 16 SRs. The quality of evidence included in the SRs ranged from very low ( n = 2), low ( n = 6) to moderate ( n = 8). The best available SRs were of moderate quality (7.4 of 11 AMSTAR). SR authors did not report other teaching methods as being superior to digital learning. In most cases ( n = 9), digital education when used in addition to traditional methods augmented knowledge acquisition. Other SRs ( n = 7) did not show statistically significant differences across interventions including digital education as a replacement, or additive resource to traditional intervention.

Conclusion:

Student enrolment, attendance rates, course completion rates, cost-effectiveness and changes in clinical outcomes for patients are underreported in the existing evidence. Although the quality and quantity of data are limited, evidence-based instructional design for digital education is becoming more possible, especially as educators establish learning activities that track to learning objectives for knowledge acquisition in health care.
Independent Coactors May Improve Performance and Lower Workload: Viewing Vigilance Under Social Facilitation
Authors: Claypoole Victoria L. , Szalma James L.
Published: April 2018

Objective:

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of an independent coactor on vigilance task performance. It was hypothesized that the presence of an independent coactor would improve performance in terms of the proportion of false alarms while also increasing perceived workload and stress.

Background:

Vigilance, or the ability to maintain attention for extended periods, is of great interest to human factors psychologists. Substantial work has focused on improving vigilance task performance, typically through motivational interventions. Of interest to vigilance researchers is the application of social facilitation as a means of enhancing vigilance. Social facilitation seeks to explain how social presence may improve performance.

Method:

A total of 100 participants completed a 24-min vigil either alone or in the presence of an independent (confederate) coactor. Participants completed measures of perceived workload and stress.

Results:

The results indicated that performance (i.e., proportion of false alarms) was improved for those who completed the vigil in the presence of an independent coactor. Interestingly, perceived workload was actually lower for those who completed the vigil in the presence of an independent coactor, although perceived stress was not affected by the manipulation.

Conclusion:

Authors of future research should extend these findings to other forms of social facilitation and examine vigilance task performance in social contexts in order to determine the utility of social presence for improving vigilance.

Application:

The use of coactors may be an avenue for organizations to consider utilizing to improve performance because of its relative cost-effectiveness and easy implementation.
The effect of physical nonlinearity of the interfacial layer between carbon nanotube and polymer matrix on viscoelastic response of nanocomposite materials under harmonic loading
Authors: Hashemi Mohammad , Amraei Jafar
Published: April 2018

In present paper, a micro- and macromechanic model is developed to determine the effective nonlinearly viscoelastic response of polymeric nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes under harmonic loading. By using the correspondence principle in viscoelastic and linearization approach, a three-phase micromechanical model with taking into account the viscoelastic response of the interfacial layer between the reinforcement and the bulk polymer matrix based on the concept of complex moduli is proposed. By employing the present model, the effects of volume fraction of the single-walled carbon nanotubes and also, amplitude of monoharmonic loading on the nonlinear viscoelastic response of polymeric nanocomposites are conducted. For polymeric nanocomposites including unidirectionally aligned carbon nanotubes, numerical results indicate that the effects of both inelastic response of interfacial layer and volume fraction of the single-walled carbon nanotubes on the loss and storage moduli are significantly important. It should be noticed that in mechanical analysis of structural elements made of single-walled carbon nanotubes without consideration of interfacial layer may not give precise predictions. Besides, this paper suggests a new procedure for predicting the complex moduli dependence on frequency and amplitude of strain intensity.
Seeing Like a Citizen: Exploring Public Views of Biometrics
Authors: Norval Aletta , Prasopoulou Elpida
Published: April 2018

Despite its controversial history and significant diffusion of biometrics from institutional settings such as border control and policing to everyday use in commerce and personal devices, biometrics is now being re-positioned as a neutral means to safeguard identity in the digital world. Given this proliferation of uses, we argue that understanding perceptions of biometrics among ordinary citizens is necessary and long overdue. Situating our analysis in the wider context of the views of government and biometric industry experts, we deploy Q-methodology in combination with political discourse analysis to examine the range of positions that have crystallized in ordinary discourse on issues arising from the use of biometrics for identification. Our analysis uncovers four distinctive configurations that put into question a simplistic trade-off between security and privacy that dominates government and industry discourse and underlines the importance of going beyond a narrow view of technology ‘users’ to understand the political and social concerns that arise with and shape the uses of technology in contemporary society.