bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental determination of partitioning in the Fe‐Ni system for applications to modeling meteoritic metals
Authors: Chabot Nancy L. , Wollack E. Alex , McDonough William F. , Ash Richard D. , Saslow Sarah A.
Published: April 2017

Experimental trace element partitioning values are often used to model the chemical evolution of metallic phases in meteorites, but limited experimental data were previously available to constrain the partitioning behavior in the basic Fe‐Ni system. In this study, we conducted experiments that produced equilibrium solid metal and liquid metal phases in the Fe‐Ni system and measured the partition coefficients of 25 elements. The results are in good agreement with values modeled from IVB iron meteorites and with the limited previous experimental data. Additional experiments with low levels of S and P were also conducted to help constrain the partitioning behaviors of elements as a function of these light elements. The new experimental results were used to derive a set of parameterization values for element solid metal–liquid metal partitioning behavior in the Fe‐Ni‐S, Fe‐Ni‐P, and Fe‐Ni‐C ternary systems at 0.1 MPa. The new parameterizations require that the partitioning behaviors in the light‐element–free Fe‐Ni system are those determined experimentally by this study, in contrast to previous parameterizations that allowed this value to be determined as a best‐fit parameter. These new parameterizations, with self‐consistent values for partitioning in the endmember Fe‐Ni system, provide a valuable resource for future studies that model the chemical evolution of metallic phases in meteorites.
Glyn Humphreys: Attention, Binding, Motion‐Induced Blindness
Authors: Davies Martin
Published: April 2017

Glyn Humphreys' research on attention and binding began from feature‐integration theory, which claims that binding together visual features, such as colour and orientation, requires spatially selective attention. Humphreys employed a more inclusive notion of binding and argued, on neuropsychological grounds, for a multi‐stage account of the overall binding process, in which binding together of form elements was followed by two stages of feature binding. Only the second stage of feature binding, a re‐entrant (top‐down) process beginning in posterior parietal cortex and returning to early visual areas, required attention. In line with his commitment to converging evidence, Humphreys considered that investigating the role of attention in motion‐induced blindness could be a route to better understanding of the cognitive role of the attention‐dependent second stage of feature binding. He suggested that this role might be to resolve ambiguity and to generate a single consistent interpretation of the perceptual input.
Noble heathens: Jón Jónsson Aðils and the problem of Iceland's pagan past
Authors: Halink Simon
Published: April 2017

In the course of the nineteenth century, traditional Christian conceptions of Europe's pre‐Christian paganisms made way for a more favourable image of the ‘noble heathen’, inspired by Romantic primitivism and the quest for national authenticity. Poets and philologists in Scandinavia turned to medieval manuscripts containing the remnants of the worldview of the Vikings (Ásatrú), and cultivated them as a repository of topoi and motifs for patriotic art. In this essay, I investigate how this positive reassessment of paganism tied into the national historiography of Iceland, and how it influenced the idea of an Icelandic ‘Golden Age’. For this purpose, the oeuvre of Jón Jónsson Aðils, Iceland's most prolific historian of the early twentieth century, will be scrutinised. This essay demonstrates how Aðils envisioned Ásatrú's role in the formation of Iceland's national character, and addresses the problem of reconciling a glorified pagan past with the nation's contemporary Christian identity. In so doing, it contributes to our understanding of the complex ways in which processes of national identity formation can affect and transform long‐held ideas on religious and spiritual matters.
Novel 3D high‐resolution manometry metrics for quantifying esophagogastric junction contractility
Authors: Lin Zhiyue , Xiao Yinglian , Li Yuwen , Pandolfino John E. , Chen Minhu , Kahrilas Peter J.
Published: April 2017

Background

The esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is a complex sphincter composed of both the crural diaphragm (CD) and lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Three dimensional high‐resolution manometry (3D‐HRM) provides a dynamic 360° representation of EGJ pressure in which the CD has a distinct pressure signature. We aimed to develop 3D‐HRM metrics to: (i) quantify the vigor of CD contractility, (ii) best eliminate the CD contribution and thereby isolate the LES component of EGJ contractility, and (iii) compare these metrics with conventional HRM metric of EGJ contractility.

Methods

Twenty healthy subjects underwent 3D‐HRM studies. Two novel 3D‐HRM EGJ metrics, 3D‐DHA, and 3D‐LES pressure (3D‐LESP) were devised and calculated to best approximate the CD and LES components of the composite EGJ pressure topography. These values were then compared to conventional HRM metrics of EGJ contractility, the EGJ contractile integral (EGJ‐CI), inspiratory EGJ pressure and expiratory EGJ pressure.

Key Results

Mean 3D‐DHA correlated most strongly with EGJ‐CI (r=.82, P<.001), while the 3D‐LESP correlated most strongly with inspiratory EGJ pressure (r=.91 P<.001) and expiratory EGJ pressure (r=.85, P<.001).

Conclusions & inferences

We devised novel 3D‐HRM metrics to quantify the CD (3D‐DHA) and LES (3D‐LESP) elements of EGJ contractility. Both measures correlated strongly with conventional HRM metrics of EGJ contractility. The 3D‐DHA, in particular, correlated strongly with the EGJ‐CI suggesting that both are largely determined by CD contractility. It is hoped that future studies will show these new metrics useful in quantifying elements of the antireflux barrier in mechanistically defined subsets of gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients.
Gastric neuromuscular histology in patients with refractory gastroparesis: Relationships to etiology, gastric emptying, and response to gastric electric stimulation
Authors: Heckert J. , Thomas R. M. , Parkman H. P.
Published: April 2017

Background

The aims of this study were to describe the histology in gastroparesis, specifically to relate histopathology to etiology of gastroparesis (idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis), gastric emptying, and clinical response to gastric electric stimulation.

Methods

Full thickness gastric body sections obtained during insertion of gastric stimulator in gastroparetics were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin, Masson Trichrome and immunohistochemical stains for Neuron‐Specific Enolase and c‐Kit.

Key Results

In all, 145 gastroparetics (71 diabetics, 71 idiopathic, 2 post‐surgical, and 1 chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction) had full thickness gastric body biopsies. A lymphocytic infiltrate was seen in the intermyenteric plexus in 22 diabetic and 23 idiopathic gastroparesis patients. Fibrosis was present in the inner circular layer in 13 diabetic and 15 idiopathics and in the outer longitudinal layer in 46 diabetic and 51 idiopathics. Diabetic gastroparesis had less ganglion cells (3.27±1.82 vs 4.81±2.81/hpf; P<.01) and less ganglia (0.90±0.44 vs 1.10±0.50/hpf; P=.01) than idiopathic gastroparesis. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) count was slightly lower in the inner circular layer in diabetic than idiopathics (2.77±1.47 vs 3.18±1.34/hpf; P=.08). Delayed gastric emptying was associated with reduced ICCs in the myenteric plexus. Global therapeutic response to gastric electric stimulation was inversely related to ganglia/hpf (R=−.22; P=.008). In diabetics, improvements in nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain were inversely related to fibrosis.

Conclusion and Inferences

Histologic assessment of full thickness gastric biopsy specimens allows correlation of histopathology to the gastroparesis disease process, its etiology, gastric emptying, and response to gastric electric stimulation treatment.
FTIR Analysis of a Light‐driven Inward Proton‐pumping Rhodopsin at 77 K
Authors: Ito Shota , Sugita Shinya , Inoue Keiichi , Kandori Hideki
Published: April 2017

Parvularcula oceani xenorhodopsin (PoXeR) is a light‐driven inward proton pump that was discovered from deep ocean marine bacteria. PoXeR is categorized into the same family of Anabaena sensory rhodopsin (ASR) that functions as a photochromic sensor. In this study, we applied light‐induced difference Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to PoXeR at 77 K, and the obtained spectra were compared with those of ASR. The structure and structural changes in the primary processes of PoXeR are common to all microbial rhodopsins. The red‐shifted K formation (PoXeRK) was accompanied by retinal photoisomerization from the all‐trans to 13‐cis form resulting in a distorted structure of the retinal. The observed hydrogen out‐of‐plane (HOOP) vibrations were sensitive to H/D exchange, indicating that the chromophore distortion by retinal isomerization is located near the Schiff base region in PoXeR. The hydrogen‐bonding strength of the protonated Schiff base is similar between PoXeR and ASR, whose acceptor is presumably a water molecule. Unlike ASR, however, PoXeR contains strongly hydrogen‐bonded water (O‐D stretch at 2277 cm−1 in D2O), which is also the case for outward proton pumps. The detailed structure, structural changes upon retinal photoisomerization, as well as functional correlation in PoXeR are discussed based on the present FTIR study.
Contrasting canopy and fibrous root damage on Swingle citrumelo caused by ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and Phytophthora nicotianae
Authors: Wu J. , Johnson E. G. , Gerberich K. M. , Bright D. B. , Graham J. H.
Published: April 2017

Huanglongbing (HLB), associated with the phloem‐limited bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las), is devastating trees in citrus orchards of Florida. Additionally, Phytophthora nicotianae, omnipresent in citrus soils, causes root rot that reduces water and nutrient uptake by fibrous roots. To investigate fibrous root damage and replacement and canopy size in relation to infection of fibrous roots by Las and P. nicotianae, rootstock seedlings of Swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata) were inoculated with Las or P. nicotianae in two greenhouse pot trials. Phytophthora nicotianae caused root damage within 5 weeks post‐inoculation, which led to greater reduction of canopy size than for Las‐infected seedlings by the end of the experiment. Las increased accumulation of fibrous root biomass at 5 weeks post‐root trimming (wpt) in the 2014 trial and at 11 wpt in the 2015 trial. New root length was not consistently increased by Las. Reduced total leaf area of symptomless Las‐infected seedlings compared to noninoculated controls might be due to the combined effect of altered carbohydrate allocation between shoots and roots and altered leaf morphology.
Evaluation of nursing interventions using minimally invasive assessments methods for patients in a persistent vegetative state
Authors: Sato Mitsue , Sugimoto Masahiro , Yamaguchi Kazuo , Kawaguchi Takeshi
Published: April 2017

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nursing interventions using minimally invasive or non‐invasive methods conducive to frequent use in order to assess patients in a persistent vegetative state (PVS).

Methods

We provided three nursing interventions—sitting the patient in an upright position, footbath care, and oral care—to PVS patients (n = 11) and elderly bedridden subjects with consciousness (n = 6) for 3 weeks in addition to ordinary nursing treatments. The Kohnan Score, plasma cortisol and adrenaline levels, General Well‐Being Schedule score, and facial expression assessments were used as evaluation methods.

Results

The Kohnan Score of PVS patients declined significantly, indicating that the interventions increased patients’ consciousness levels, but none of the other parameters showed significant change in either group. The change in Kohnan Score showed dependent trends for facial expression at baseline, cortisol change during the intervention, and the term of PVS.

Conclusions

The data suggest three indices for predicting intervention efficacy in individuals and for assessing an intervention's contribution to quality of life improvement. Among the multiple evaluation methods, Konan Scores was the most effective. Ultimately, the three nursing interventions used in this study and Konan Score led to the optimization of nursing home care and rehabilitation for PVS patients.
The spread of “big box” retail firms and spatial stratification
Authors: Stainback Kevin , Ekl Emily
Published: April 2017

Large “big box” retail firms, including general merchandisers (e.g., Walmart and Target) as well as “category killers” (e.g., Home Depot and Toys “R” Us), have spread rapidly across the United States over the past 4 decades. These firms have been lauded for their presumed consumer benefits linked to expansive product selections and discount prices. They have also been criticized for their perceived negative effects on locally owned businesses, jobs, and wages. We provide an overview of the existing literature and point to promising directions for the development of theory and research on this topic. We, in this article, highlight the importance of this shift in economic organization and encourage sociologists to critically examine the stratification consequences of the rise and spread of these firms.
Whiteness and culture
Authors: Withers Erik T.
Published: April 2017

In this article, I argue that culture is the means through which whiteness (a state of normalized white racial domination) is accomplished. The scope of this article is on racism, race, and culture in a U.S. context. Within the racialized social system of the United States, culture develops in ways that secure racial interests and maintain racial hierarchy. The aim is to give readers an overview of how the concepts of culture and race have been addressed together in past scholarship and to offer new insights on how to address these concepts moving forward. First, some of the dominant themes in which culture is addressed in the scholarship on whiteness are located. These themes are (a) whiteness and material culture, (b) whiteness as discursive and ideological, and (c) the habitus and spaces of whiteness. Second, new directions for this line of research are offered. Future research can be directed towards (a) uncovering the common “scripts” of whiteness that pervade across different cultural arenas, (b) investigating how individuals are actively negotiating these ideologies and discourses of whiteness, and (c) understanding the fluidity of whiteness. Seeing culture as the means through which whiteness operates can expose the practices and mechanisms that produce and maintain a system of racial oppression in the United States.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐A*32:95 allele, identified in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Authors: Turganbekova A. A. , Ramilyeva R. I. , Baimukasheva D. K. , Burkitbayev Zh. K. , Abdrakhmanova S. A.
Published: April 2017

HLA‐A*32:95 differs from A*32:01:01 at nucleotide 28 in exon 2 from C to A.
Defining the immunogenicity and antigenicity of HLA epitopes is crucial for optimal epitope matching in clinical renal transplantation
Authors: Kramer C. S. M. , Roelen D. L. , Heidt S. , Claas F. H. J.
Published: April 2017

Transplantation of an human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatched graft can lead to the development of donor‐specific antibodies (DSA), which can result in antibody mediated rejection and graft loss as well as complicate repeat transplantation. These DSA are induced by foreign epitopes present on the mismatched HLA antigens of the donor. However, not all epitopes appear to be equally effective in their ability to induce DSA. Understanding the characteristics of HLA epitopes is crucial for optimal epitope matching in clinical transplantation. In this review, the latest insights on HLA epitopes are described with a special focus on the definition of immunogenicity and antigenicity of HLA epitopes. Furthermore, the use of this knowledge to prevent HLA antibody formation and to select the optimal donor for sensitised transplant candidates will be discussed.
Silencing a phloretin‐specific glycosyltransferase perturbs both general phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and plant development
Authors: Dare Andrew P. , Yauk Yar‐Khing , Tomes Sumathi , McGhie Tony K. , Rebstock Ria S. , Cooney Janine M. , Atkinson Ross G.
Published: April 2017

The polyphenol profile of apple (Malus × domestica) is dominated by the dihydrochalcone glycoside phloridzin, but its physiological role is yet to be elucidated. Biosynthesis of phloridzin occurs as a side branch of the main phenylpropanoid pathway, with the final step mediated by the phloretin‐specific glycosyltransferase UGT88F1. Unexpectedly, given that UGTs are sometimes viewed as ‘decorating enzymes’, UGT88F1 knockdown lines were severely dwarfed, with greatly reduced internode lengths, narrow lanceolate leaves, and changes in leaf and fruit cellular morphology. These changes suggested that auxin transport had been altered in the knockdown lines, which was confirmed in assays showing that auxin flux from the shoot apex was increased in the transgenic lines. Metabolite analysis revealed no accumulation of the phloretin aglycone, as well as decreases in many non‐target phenylpropanoid compounds. This decreased accumulation of metabolites appeared to be mediated by the repression of the phenylpropanoid pathway via a reduction in key transcript levels (e.g. phenylalanine ammonia lyase, PAL) and enzyme activities (PAL and chalcone synthase). Application of exogenous phloridzin to the UGT88F1 knockdown lines in tissue culture enhanced axial leaf growth and partially restored some aspects of ‘normal’ apple leaf growth. Together, our results strongly implicate dihydrochalcones as critical compounds in modulating phenylpropanoid pathway flux and establishing auxin patterning early in apple development.
Evaluation of assays for quantification of DNA in canine plasma as an indirect marker of NETosis
Authors: Smith Stephanie A. , Lawson Corinne M. , McMichael Maureen A. , Jung Katrina , O'Brien Mauria , Achiel Ron
Published: April 2017

Background

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), consisting of a filamentous DNA/chromatin‐histone scaffold originating from neutrophils are part of the innate immune response, may be released under a variety of inflammatory conditions and are associated with an increased risk for thrombosis.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a SYTOX green fluorescence assay and a histone–DNA complex (hisDNA) ELISA for quantification of NET‐related DNA in canine plasma.

Methods

The influence of variations in blood sample handling on assay results was tested. Accuracy of the SYTOX green fluorescence and the hisDNA ELISA was evaluated with dilutional linearity using serial dilutions. Interference was assessed by addition of purified bilirubin or hemoglobin. Precision was determined by calculating the intra‐ and inter‐assay CV.

Results

Preanalytic sample handling did not influence DNA measurements by either assay. Citrate and EDTA plasma samples were equivalent. For the DNA fluorescence assay, dilutional linearity was poor due to autofluorescence, which was corrected by addition of canine plasma to the diluent. The presence of bilirubin and hemoglobin also increased autofluorescence, and resulted in falsely low concentrations of DNA. On the hisDNA ELISA, pigmentemia had no effect.

Conclusions

Both assays as modified in this study are suitable for measuring DNA in canine EDTA or citrate plasma. However, performance of the fluorescence assay was impacted by pigmentemia, and it was less sensitive than the ELISA in detecting the presence of nucleosome material in the plasma.
Exploring Innovative Ideas, Projects and Activities Used in “Introduction to Engineering” Classes to Motivate Engineering Students
Authors: Larsen K. , Hossain A.
Published: April 2017

This is a paper on the importance of having interesting and engaging projects, demonstrations and other course activities in an “Introduction to Engineering” class. The primary objectives of an “Introduction to Engineering” course are two-fold. First, to expose students to the field of engineering so they can know if engineering is right for them and second, to prepare them for a major in engineering, if they decide to continue further. In order to properly portray what engineering is, the “Introduction to Engineering” classes need to provide a thorough overview of the different aspects of engineering, including good engineering projects, demonstrations, field trips, and other activities. Most “Introduction to Engineering” classes have a lecture component that goes over the basics of engineering with some physical demonstrations or activities. However, how effective these demonstrations/activities are in engaging students’ interest in engineering is questionable. If the activities are lacking or are not well chosen, then students will not appreciate engineering, and may choose other academic disciplines. This paper presents in detail many interesting projects, demonstrations and other activities that have been successfully used in “Introduction to Engineering” classes taught at several colleges and universities helping engineering educators to teach, excite and engage the students. Some examples of these projects include; building bridges out of balsa wood and testing them for the strength to weight ratio, flying rockets and learning about projectile motion and aerodynamics, building high mileage vehicles and learning about teamwork and design optimization. Results from the evaluation of these classes showed ratings between very good to excellent, with the students specifically commenting very positively about the projects and other activities. Finally, this paper discusses the optimal integration of these projects and activities in the classroom along with final recommendations for an effective overall course curriculum for an “Introduction to Engineering” class.
Lean Education Impact in Professional Life of Engineers
Authors: Alves Anabela C. , Leão Celina P. , C. Maia Laura , Amaro Paulo A.
Published: April 2017

Lean Production is a methodology largely implemented across industries and services that becomes an important issue to be taught at engineering higher education level. The teaching of Lean concepts in engineering programs is, normally, called Lean Education. Teaching Lean to engineers allow them to develop competences in this field and to perform well in their professional life. These are reasons for having Lean Education in the engineers programs. The impact of not having this competency is a hindrance in job interviews and employment.

Through a short questionnaire sent to graduate Industrial Engineers in the School of Engineering of University of Minho, between 2000 and 2014, this paper presents some testimonies from these professionals about their thoughts related with Lean Education. Fifty-six responses were considered valid for analysis. These examples show the Lean Education advantages and the impact on their professional and/or personal life. At the best knowledge of the authors this research was never done and brings an important contribution for engineers training and development. The outcomes reinforce the importance of including Lean Education in engineers’ curricula to provide a whole system-thinking knowledge and to prepare a future engineer for the workplace.
Barriers and Opportunities to the Acquisition of Systems Thinking Skills for K-12 Teachers
Authors: Bartus Greg A. , Fisher Frank T.
Published: April 2017

Conceptual and pedagogical barriers in post-secondary education inhibit student preparedness in system thinking skills (STS) critical for success in the workplace. To improve instruction in systems and sustainable engineering skills at the undergraduate level it is instructive to look at STS barriers and opportunities K-12 teacher’s face when they take part in a systems engineering (SE) project. This case study presents our approach to instructing K-12 educators about systems engineering through the design of a wind farm. Demographics of the 35 participants in this NSF-sponsored program who are all grades 3–8 classroom teachers include that they are 66% elementary level teachers, mostly female (80%), with an average of 10 years’ experience. Assessment of the project included a pre- and post-assessment of engineering and SE concepts, student reflections, customer feedback and an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) driven rubric. Results include that K-12 teachers exhibit strong interpersonal skills but were challenged by technical skills more common to the university level. Vertical collaborations between K-12 and post-secondary is a suggested approach to address barriers at both levels.
Systems Engineering Education in an Accredited Undergraduate Engineering Program
Authors: Meyer Johan , Nel Hannelie , Janse van Rensburg Nickey
Published: April 2017

Developing countries are mostly reliant on external technologies and this augments the need for systems engineering capability in these economies. It is therefore imperative that systems engineering as theory and practice is included in undergraduate engineering curricula to strengthen the internal technological capability of a country’s developing engineers. In South Africa, the quality of undergraduate engineering programs is governed by the Engineering Council of South Africa (affiliated under the Washington Accord); and the exit level outcomes of the programs are predetermined explicitly per module. Systems engineering was introduced to an undergraduate electrical engineering program offered in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg; and a framework developed to ensure that the program still meets the requisite ECSA exit level outcomes and therefore international standards. This paper presents the design and implementation of the framework, as well as the challenges that students are exposed to when faced with real-world systems engineering practice. Students were grouped into independent product development teams using a software support tool which promotes diversity and skill-level targets for each team. The independent team structure required the use and application of the systems engineering process and supported the development of management and communication skills. Furthermore, the framework allowed assessment of the performance of each product development team towards achieving the overall project objectives. One of the accreditation requirements of undergraduate engineering programs is peer assessment and this was achieved by the process. The paper closes by presenting the results of the stated framework implementation in an undergraduate electrical engineering program offered in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg.
The effects of neighborhood views containing multiple environmental features on road traffic noise perception at dwellings
Authors: Leung T. M. , Xu J. M. , Chau C. K. , Tang S. K. , Pun-Cheng L. S. C.
Published: April 2017

The importance of non-acoustical factors including the type of visual environment on human noise perception becomes increasingly recognized. In order to reveal the relationships between long-term noise annoyance and different types of neighborhood views, 2033 questionnaire responses were collected for studying the effect of perceptions of different combinations of views of sea, urban river, greenery, and/or noise barrier on the annoyance responses from residents living in high-rise apartments in Hong Kong. The collected responses were employed to formulate a multivariate model to predict the probability of invoking a high annoyance response from residents. Results showed that views of sea, urban river, or greenery could lower the probability, while views of noise barrier could increase the probability. Views of greenery had a stronger noise moderation capability than views of sea or urban river. The presence of an interaction effect between views of water and views of noise barrier exerted a negative influence on the noise annoyance moderation capability. The probability due to exposure to an environment containing views of noise barriers and urban rivers would be even higher than that due to exposure to an environment containing views of noise barriers alone.
Type I collagen–targeted PET probe for pulmonary fibrosis detection and staging in preclinical models
Authors: Désogère Pauline , Tapias Luis F. , Hariri Lida P. , Rotile Nicholas J. , Rietz Tyson A. , Probst Clemens K. , Blasi Francesco , Day Helen , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Weinreb Paul , Violette Shelia M. , Fuchs Bryan C. , Tager Andrew M. , Lanuti Michael , Caravan Peter
Published: April 2017

Positron emission tomography with a probe targeting type I collagen enables detection, staging, and treatment response monitoring in lung fibrosis.
Therapeutic treatment of Marburg and Ravn virus infection in nonhuman primates with a human monoclonal antibody
Authors: Mire Chad E. , Geisbert Joan B. , Borisevich Viktoriya , Fenton Karla A. , Agans Krystle N. , Flyak Andrew I. , Deer Daniel J. , Steinkellner Herta , Bohorov Ognian , Bohorova Natasha , Goodman Charles , Hiatt Andrew , Kim Do H. , Pauly Michael H. , Velasco Jesus , Whaley Kevin J. , Crowe James E. , Zeitlin Larry , Geisbert Thomas W.
Published: April 2017

A single mAb is an effective therapy in nonhuman primates infected with Marburg or Ravn virus.
Development of a risk prediction model among professional hockey players with visible signs of concussion
Authors: Bruce Jared M , Echemendia Ruben J , Meeuwisse Willem , Hutchison Michael G , Aubry Mark , Comper Paul
Published: April 2017

Background

Little research examines how to best identify concussed athletes. The purpose of the present study was to develop a preliminary risk decision model that uses visible signs (VS) and mechanisms of injury (MOI) to predict the likelihood of subsequent concussion diagnosis.

Methods

Coders viewed and documented VS and associated MOI for all NHL games over the course of the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 regular seasons. After coding was completed, player concussions were identified from the NHL injury surveillance system and it was determined whether players exhibiting VS were subsequently diagnosed with concussions by club medical staff as a result of the coded event.

Results

Among athletes exhibiting VS, suspected loss of consciousness, motor incoordination or balance problems, being in a fight, having an initial hit from another player’s shoulder and having a secondary hit on the ice were all associated withincreasedrisk of subsequent concussion diagnosis. In contrast, having an initial hit with a stick was associated withdecreasedrisk of subsequent concussion diagnosis. A risk prediction model using a combination of the above VS and MOI was superior to approaches that relied on individual VS and associated MOI (sensitivity=81%, specificity=72%, positive predictive value=26%).

Conclusions

Combined use of VS and MOI significantly improves a clinician’s ability to identify players who need to be evaluated for possible concussion. A preliminary concussion prediction log has been developed from these data. Pending prospective validation, the use of these methods may improve early concussion detection and evaluation.
Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease through population-wide motivational strategies: insights from using smartphones in stroke prevention
Authors: Feigin Valery L , Norrving Bo , Mensah George A
Published: April 2017

The fast increasing stroke burden across all countries of the world suggests that currently used primary stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention strategies are not sufficiently effective. In this article, we overview the gaps in, and pros and cons of, population-wide and high-risk prevention strategies. We suggest that motivating and empowering people to reduce their risk of having a stroke/CVD by using increasingly used smartphone technologies would bridge the gap in the population-wide and high-risk prevention strategies and reduce stroke/CVD burden worldwide. We emphasise that for primary stroke prevention to be effective, the focus should be shifted from high-risk prevention to prevention atanylevel of CVD risk, with the focus on behavioural risk factors. Such a motivational population-wide strategy could open a new page in primary prevention of not only stroke/CVD but also other non-communicable disorders worldwide.
Targeting the gut microbiota with inulin-type fructans: preclinical demonstration of a novel approach in the management of endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Catry Emilie , Bindels Laure B , Tailleux Anne , Lestavel Sophie , Neyrinck Audrey M , Goossens Jean-François , Lobysheva Irina , Plovier Hubert , Essaghir Ahmed , Demoulin Jean-Baptiste , Bouzin Caroline , Pachikian Barbara D , Cani Patrice D , Staels Bart , Dessy Chantal , Delzenne Nathalie M
Published: April 2017

Objective

To investigate the beneficial role of prebiotics on endothelial dysfunction, an early key marker of cardiovascular diseases, in an original mouse model linking steatosis and endothelial dysfunction.

Design

We examined the contribution of the gut microbiota to vascular dysfunction observed in apolipoprotein E knockout (Apoe−/−) mice fed an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-depleted diet for 12 weeks with or without inulin-type fructans (ITFs) supplementation for the last 15 days. Mesenteric and carotid arteries were isolated to evaluate endothelium-dependent relaxation ex vivo. Caecal microbiota composition (Illumina Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene) and key pathways/mediators involved in the control of vascular function, including bile acid (BA) profiling, gut and liver key gene expression, nitric oxide and gut hormones production were also assessed.

Results

ITF supplementation totally reverses endothelial dysfunction in mesenteric and carotid arteries of n-3 PUFA-depleted Apoe−/− mice via activation of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase/NO pathway. Gut microbiota changes induced by prebiotic treatment consist in increased NO-producing bacteria, replenishment of abundance in Akkermansia and decreased abundance in bacterial taxa involved in secondary BA synthesis. Changes in gut and liver gene expression also occur upon ITFs suggesting increased glucagon-like peptide 1 production and BA turnover as drivers of endothelium function preservation.

Conclusions

We demonstrate for the first time that ITF improve endothelial dysfunction, implicating a short-term adaptation of both gut microbiota and key gut peptides. If confirmed in humans, prebiotics could be proposed as a novel approach in the prevention of metabolic disorders-related cardiovascular diseases.
One evidence base; three stories: do opioids relieve chronic breathlessness?
Authors: Ekström Magnus , Bajwah Sabrina , Bland J Martin , Currow David C , Hussain Jamilla , Johnson Miriam J
Published: April 2017

The efficacy of low-dose systemic opioids for chronic breathlessness was questioned by the recent Cochrane review by Barnes et al. We examined the reasons for this conflicting finding and re-evaluated the efficacy of systemic opioids. Compared with previous meta-analyses, Barnes et al reported a smaller effect and lower precision, but did not account for matched data of crossover trials (11/12 included trials) and added a risk-of-bias criterion (sample size). When re-analysed to account for crossover data, opioids decreased breathlessness (standardised mean differences −0.32; −0.18 to −0.47; I2=44.8%) representing a clinically meaningful reduction of 0.8 points (0–10 numerical rating scale), consistent across meta-analyses.
Role of reactive oxygen species in auxin herbicide phytotoxicity: current information and hormonal implications — are gibberellins, cytokinins, and polyamines involved?
Authors: McCarthy-Suárez Iva
Published: April 2017

It has been suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) participate in the injury and death of sensitive plants treated with auxin herbicides. However, their precise role in the phytotoxicity of these compounds has not been completely elucidated. ROS might not only be essential for inducing epinasty, senescence, and tumours, but they might be crucial to the generation of ethylene, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid, which are known to be triggered upon application of these compounds. Also, the main sources of ROS overproduction and their subcellular location in plants treated with auxin herbicides have not yet been clarified. Recent studies have suggested a role for xanthine oxidase (XOD) (which produces superoxide radical ([Formula: see text]) and has activity related to nucleic acid catabolism) and for peroxisomes in the oxidative stress and senescence induced by auxin herbicides in the leaves of sensitive plants. However, confirmatory studies at the molecular level are still needed, as well as studies on the possible involvement of other hormones, such as gibberellins, cytokinins, and polyamines, and their corresponding crosstalk with ROS, in the mode of action of auxin herbicides. The results from these studies could not only help to clarify the mechanism of phytotoxicity of these compounds, but also to enable the design of ecologically safer herbicides for agriculture.
Vibrational, mechanical and thermodynamical properties of RE2Ti2O7(RE = Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb) pyrochlores
Authors: Kushwaha A. K.
Published: April 2017

Vibrational, mechanical, thermodynamical properties and thermal conductivities of RE2Ti2O7(RE = Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb) pyrochlores have been calculated using a proposed eight-parameter bond-bending force constant model. The main outcome of present calculation is that the first neighbor interaction (Ti–O) is stronger than the second neighbor interactions (RE–O). This means that the bonding between Ti and O is more ionic than the one between RE and O. It is also found that the bond strength of RE–O and the bulk modulus decrease in the sequence Sm [Formula: see text] Gd [Formula: see text] Dy [Formula: see text] Ho [Formula: see text] Er [Formula: see text] Yb. The bulk moduli and Young’s moduli of RE2Ti2O7also decrease when RE changes from Sm to Yb.
Supervised Ensemble Learning for Vietnamese Tokenization
Authors: Liu Wuying
Published: April 2017

Vietnamese tokenization is a challenging basic issue, and the corresponding algorithms can be used in many applications of natural language processing. In this paper, we investigate the Vietnamese tokenization problem and propose a supervised ensemble learning (SEL) framework as well as a SEL-based tokenization (SELT) algorithm. Supported by the data structure of syllable-syllable frequency index, the SELT algorithm combines multiple weak tokenizers to form a strong tokenizer. Within the SEL framework, we also investigate the efficient construction problem of a weak tokenizer. We suggest two prediction methods to select a suitable dictionary, and efficiently implement two weak tokenizers by the simple dictionary-based tokenization algorithm. The experimental results show that the SELT algorithm integrating our weak tokenizers can achieve state-of-the-art performance in the Vietnamese tokenization task.
IN SITU SYNTHESIS OF CORAL-LIKE MELAMINE FORMALDEHYDE RESINS/CARBON NANOTUBES MICROPARTICLES
Authors: MOU SHAOYAN , JIANG YONG
Published: April 2017

A kind of coral-like melamine formaldehyde resins/carbon nanotubes (MF/CNTs) composite particles were prepared via in situ polymerization, which showed good thermal stability under 450[Formula: see text]C. To illustrate the mechanism of the polymer growth process, silica/CNTs were also prepared via the same method to achieve a contrast. Generally, two models were used to illustrate silica growth mechanism, the monomer addition one and the controlled aggregation one. We preferred that the monomer addition model could explain the growth of the novel coral-like MF/CNTs particles.
TUNGSTEN-DOPED TiO2 NANOLAYERS WITH IMPROVED CO2 GAS SENSING PROPERTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: SABERI MALIHEH , ASHKARRAN ALI AKBAR
Published: April 2017

Tungsten-doped TiO2 gas sensors were successfully synthesized using sol–gel process and spin coating technique. The fabricated sensor was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Gas sensing properties of pristine and tungsten-doped TiO2 nanolayers (NLs) were probed by detection of CO2 gas. A series of experiments were conducted in order to find the optimum operating temperature of the prepared sensors and also the optimum value of tungsten concentration in TiO2 matrix. It was found that introducing tungsten into the TiO2 matrix enhanced the gas sensing performance. The maximum response was found to be (1.37) for 0.001[Formula: see text]g tungsten-doped TiO2 NLs at 200[Formula: see text]C as an optimum operating temperature.
NMR, FT-IR spectroscopic studies and molecular docking study of 4-acetoxyphenethyl acrylate
Authors: Dikmen Gökhan , Alver Özgür
Published: April 2017

Conformational, structural, vibrational spectroscopic properties and nuclear magnetic chemical shift values of 4-acetoxyphenethyl acrylate (4APA) were investigated using spectroscopic and theoretical approaches including FT-IR and NMR spectroscopes and quantum chemical calculations. FT-IR spectroscopic measurement was carried out between 3500[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]–400[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. Geometric parameters, vibrational wavenumbers and nuclear magnetic chemical shift values were estimated using B3LYP hybrid density functional theory method with 6-311[Formula: see text]G(d, p) basis set.1H, [Formula: see text]C, APT and HETCOR NMR experiments of 4APA were obtained in DMSO solution. For a quantitative description of vibrational wavenumbers, total energy distribution (TED) values with scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) method were calculated. Moreover, molecular docking study of title molecule was theoretically carried out using Auto Dock Vina Program.
Design of peptide inhibitors of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) transcriptional regulator E1–E2 formation
Authors: Tan Xin , Liu Na , Yang Min , Duan Mojie , Zeng Jun
Published: April 2017

Here, we have proposed a new scheme of the computational combinatorial design approach to identify potential inhibitor peptides. It consists of four steps: (i) using “multiple copy simultaneous search” (MCSS) procedure to locate specific functional groups on the protein surface; (ii) the peptide main chain is constructed based on the location of favored N-methylacetamide (NMA) groups; (iii) molecular dynamics simulations of the complex formed between the constructed peptides with the target protein in explicit water molecules are carried to select the peptides with strong binding to the protein and (iv) the sequences of the stable peptides selected from (iii) are aligned and the frequencies of the amino acids at each position of peptide are calculated. Sequence patterns of potential inhibitors are determined based on the frequency of amino acids at each position. It was applied to design peptide inhibitors that bind to the E2 protein of HPV16 so as to disrupt its transcriptional regulator of E1–E2 complex formation. The sequence pattern of these potential inhibitors is in agreement with known inhibitors obtained from phage display, and the MCSS calculations indicate that a hydrophobic pocket on HPV16 E2 plays a significant role in E1–E2 formation and inhibitor-E2 binding.
Key technique research on desktop virtualization in cloud environment
Authors: Shen Zhuohui , Guo Liqin , Hou Baocun , Quan Hongyan , Zhou ShuangShuang
Published: April 2017

Desktop Virtualization is an essential problem in cloud manufacturing to make full use of shared resources so as to meet the practical application requirements. In this paper, an efficient virtualization solution for desktop transferring is presented for sharing resources. Our strategy is not limited to transfer desktops between virtual machines (VMs), transmission between virtual and physical machines is also achieved. A three-layer systemic structure based on web environment is proposed in the study. We employ the application program library Libvirt and kernel-based virtual machine (KVM) technique to manage VMs with dynamic customization scheme, which gains better virtualization performance. Moreover, we present two different schemes for desktop graphics transferring. One is based on the transport protocol virtual network computing (VNC), and the other adopts the simple protocol for independent computing environment (SPICE), which both achieve more satisfactory results. The validity of our scheme is demonstrated on some experimental results and systemic qualitative evaluation is also provided.
Evaluation of Language Feedback Methods for Student Videos of American Sign Language
Authors: Huenerfauth Matt , Gale Elaine , Penly Brian , Pillutla Sree , Willard Mackenzie , Hariharan Dhananjai
Published: April 2017

This research investigates how to best present video-based feedback information to students learning American Sign Language (ASL); these results are relevant not only for the design of a software tool for providing automatic feedback to students but also in the context of how ASL instructors could convey feedback on students’ submitted work. It is known that deaf children benefit from early exposure to language, and higher levels of written language literacy have been measured in deaf adults who were raised in homes using ASL. In addition, prior work has established that new parents of deaf children benefit from technologies to support learning ASL. As part of a long-term project to design a tool to automatically analyze a video of a students’ signing and provide immediate feedback about fluent and non-fluent aspects of their movements, we conducted a study to compare multiple methods of conveying feedback to ASL students, using videos of their signing. Through two user studies, with a Wizard-of-Oz design, we compared multiple types of feedback in regard to users’ subjective judgments of system quality and the degree students’ signing improved (as judged by an ASL instructor who analyzed recordings of students’ signing before and after they viewed each type of feedback). The initial study revealed that displaying videos to students of their signing, augmented with feedback messages about their errors or correct ASL usage, yielded higher subjective scores and greater signing improvement. Students gave higher subjective scores to a version in which time-synchronized pop-up messages appeared overlaid on the student's video to indicate errors or correct ASL usage. In a subsequent study, we found that providing images of correct ASL face and hand movements when providing feedback yielded even higher subjective evaluation scores from ASL students using the system.