bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concussion Knowledge and Reporting Behavior Differences Between High School Athletes at Urban and Suburban High Schools
Authors: Wallace Jessica , Covassin Tracey , Nogle Sally , Gould Daniel , Kovan Jeffrey
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

We determined differences in knowledge of concussion and reporting behaviors of high school athletes attending urban and suburban high schools, and whether a relationship exists between underreporting and access to an athletic trainer in urban schools.

METHODS

High school athletes (N = 715) from 14 high schools completed a validated knowledge of concussion survey consisting of 83 questions. The independent variable was school type (urban/suburban). We examined the proportion of athletes who correctly identified signs and symptoms of concussion, knowledge of concussion and reasons why high school athletes would not disclose a potential concussive injury across school classification. Data were analyzed using descriptive, non‐parametric, and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

Athletes attending urban schools have less concussion knowledge than athletes attending suburban schools (p < .01). Athletes attending urban schools without an athletic trainer have less knowledge than urban athletes at schools with an athletic trainer (p < .01) There was no significant relationship between reporting percentage and school type (p = .73); however, significant relationships exist between AT access at urban schools and 10 reasons for not reporting.

CONCLUSION

Concussion education efforts cannot be homogeneous in all communities. Education interventions must reflect the needs of each community.
Environmental protection without loss of international competitiveness
Authors: Lahiri Sajal , Symeonidis George
Published: August 2017

We develop a two‐country Cournot oligopoly model with product differentiation across countries and production‐generated pollution. The abatement of pollution by the firms in response to emission taxes is endogenous, and the number of firms can be fixed or there may be free entry and exit of firms in both countries. We propose particular unilateral and multilateral piecemeal policy reforms of emission taxes and production subsidies such that domestic industries will not suffer any loss of international competitiveness (defined in terms of either market share or profits), emission levels will be lower, and welfare could be higher in both countries.
College Students With ADHD and LD: Effects of Support Services on Academic Performance
Authors: DuPaul George J. , Dahlstrom‐Hakki Ibrahim , Gormley Matthew J. , Fu Qiong , Pinho Trevor D. , Banerjee Manju
Published: August 2017

Two relatively common disabilities reported by college students are attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD). Many questions remain regarding how best to support these students and whether services such as advising, coaching, and tutoring lead to significant academic gains. The current study examined the effect of support services on the GPA of students with LD and/or ADHD at a campus that specifically serves this population by tracking students’ support service usage and GPAs over a 5‐year period. Results indicate that although most students who choose to receive coaching support experience academic gains, it is students with ADHD who obtain the greatest gains in GPA as a result of this support. Additionally, although tutoring can be of benefit to all students, significant GPA gains were obtained only for students with an LD diagnosis. Thus, there is a need to provide targeted supports aimed at addressing students’ specific areas of challenge.
PREDICTING NORMATIVE AND PROBLEMATIC FAMILY PATHWAYS TO THE TRANSITION TO SIBLINGHOOD: COMMENTARY ON VOLLING ET AL.'S MONOGRAPH
Authors: Howe Nina
Published: August 2017

Volling et al.'s monograph provides a rich, thoughtful, and rigorous account of how the transition to siblinghood is experienced by the first‐born child and the family. In their comprehensive longitudinal study, they followed 241 families from the prenatal period before the second‐born's birth until this child was 12‐months old. Siblings are a critical, but understudied, relationship in children's development; the challenges posed in researching sibling dynamics in the context of the family are discussed. Prior psychodynamic and developmental research literature is critiqued, which places the current study into perspective and indicates the important theoretical frameworks (i.e., developmental psychopathology and developmental ecological systems) employed by Volling et al. to advance our understanding of this critical transition in the life of the family. The longitudinal study design, sample characteristics, identification of possible trajectories of adjustment (or not) to the birth of the sibling, and selection of family and child variables are addressed. The sophisticated statistical methods (Growth Mixture Modeling and data mining procedures) employed to predict child adjustment in association with parenting variables over time and sibling relationship quality at 12 months identified low‐ and high‐risk trajectories on the seven subscales of the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL). This afforded a nuanced investigation of a variety of potentially problematic child behaviors (e.g., aggression, withdrawal, negative emotionality, somatic problems) in association with parenting behaviors. A final discussion included study limitations, significant strengths, and implications for clinicians and other professionals. The study's conclusion is that most children and families are resilient, take the birth of a sibling in their stride, and do not exhibit empirical evidence of a developmental crisis, as argued by earlier psychodynamic authors.
Perceptual Consciousness as a Mental Activity
Authors: Schellenberg Susanna
Published: August 2017

I argue that perceptual consciousness is constituted by a mental activity. The mental activity in question is the activity of employing perceptual capacities, such as discriminatory, selective capacities. This is a radical view, but I hope to make it plausible. In arguing for this mental activist view, I reject orthodox views on which perceptual consciousness is analyzed in terms of (sensory awareness relations to) peculiar entities, such as, phenomenal properties, external mind‐independent properties, propositions, sense‐data, qualia, or intentional objects.
Optimal cut‐off score of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for major depressive episode during pregnancy in Japan
Authors: Usuda Kentaro , Nishi Daisuke , Okazaki Emi , Makino Miyuki , Sano Yo
Published: August 2017

Aim

Depression during pregnancy adversely affects both mother and child. As antenatal depression is a predictor of postnatal depression, early detection might prevent postnatal depression. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is frequently used during the perinatal period, but the cut‐off score during pregnancy has not been verified for the Japanese population. We aimed to clarify the optimal EPDS cut‐off score in mid‐pregnancy in Japan.

Methods

We recruited pregnant women aged 20 years or older at 12–24 gestational weeks and those who scored ≥9 on the EPDS were invited to participate in this study. In parallel with the EPDS, the Japanese version of the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview was administered to determine diagnosis of major depressive episode. We then calculated the receiver–operator curve, sensitivity and specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the EPDS.

Results

All 210 participants were in the second trimester except for one (12 gestational weeks). Twenty participants were diagnosed with major depressive episode. With a cut‐off score set at 13 points, the area under the curve was 0.956; sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% and 92.1% [Correction added on 10 November 2017, after first online publication: The percentage for specificity has been corrected from 79.0% to 92.1%.], respectively; and positive and negative predictive values were 54.5% and 98.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to clarify the optimal EPDS cut‐off score in the second trimester for Japan. This finding will be helpful for appropriate screening for antenatal depression in Japan.
The skin microbiome and immune system: Potential target for chemoprevention?
Authors: Sherwani Mohammad Asif , Tufail Saba , Muzaffar Anum Fatima , Yusuf Nabiha
Published: August 2017

There has been increasing interest in understanding the role of the human microbiome in skin diseases. Microbiome studies are being utilized in skin cancer research in numerous ways. Commensal bacteria are being studied as a potential tool to judge the biggest environmental risk of skin cancer, ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Owing to the recognized link of skin microbes in the process of inflammation, there have been theories linking commensal bacteria to skin cancer. Viral metagenomics has also provided insight into virus linked forms of skin cancers. Speculations can be drawn for skin microbiome that in a manner similar to gut microbiome, they can be involved in chemoprevention of skin cancer. Nonetheless, there are definitely huge gaps in our knowledge of the relationship of microbiome and skin cancers, especially in relation to chemoprevention. The utilization of microbiome in skin cancer research seems to be a promising field and may help yield novel skin cancer prevention and treatment options. This review focuses on recent utilization of the microbiome in skin cancer research, and it explores the potential of utilizing the microbiome in prevention, earlier diagnosis, and treatment of skin cancers.
Sunscreen creams containing naringenin nanoparticles: Formulation development and in vitro and in vivo evaluations
Authors: Joshi Haritima , Hegde Aswathi R. , Shetty Pallavi K. , Gollavilli Hemanth , Managuli Renuka S. , Kalthur Guruprasad , Mutalik Srinivas
Published: August 2017

Background

The aim of this study was to develop sunscreen creams containing polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) of naringenin for photoprotective and antioxidant effects.

Methods

Polymeric NPs of naringenin were prepared and optimized. The NPs were incorporated into sunscreen creams and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo skin retention.

Results

The optimized naringenin NPs showed a size of 131.2 nm, zeta potential −25.4 mV, and entrapment efficiency 32.45%. The absence of drug‐excipient interaction was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. X‐Ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the amorphization of naringenin in nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy showed the sphericity of the NPs with the size of <200 nm. Cytotoxicity assessment in HaCaT cells indicated non‐toxic nature of naringenin NPs. In vitro skin permeation studies demonstrated that higher amount of naringenin permeated at the end of 12 hours (Q12 hours = 184.03 ± 3.37 μg/cm2) and deposited in the skin (10.38 ± 0.48 μg/cm2) from NPs as compared to plain naringenin. Sunscreen creams (SC1‐SC5) containing plain naringenin or NPs with/without nano‐zinc oxide and nano‐titanium dioxide were prepared and evaluated. Optimized cream (SC5) containing naringenin NPs showed highest SPF value and enhanced skin retention of naringenin in comparison with NPs in suspension form and other cream formulations.

Conclusion

Optimized nanoparticulate sunscreen cream exhibited highest skin retention and negligible skin permeation of naringenin besides showing excellent SPF value.
Protective molecular mechanisms of resveratrol in UVR‐induced Skin carcinogenesis
Authors: Aziz Saba W. , Aziz Moammir H.
Published: August 2017

Skin cancer is a major health problem worldwide. It is the most common cancer in the United States and poses a significant healthcare burden. Excessive UVR exposure is the most common cause of skin cancer. Despite various precautionary measures to avoid direct UVR exposure, the incidence of skin cancer and mortality related to it remains high. Furthermore, the current treatment options are expensive and have side effects including toxicity to normal cells. Thus, a safe and effective approach is needed to prevent and treat skin cancer. Chemopreventive strategy using naturally occurring compounds, such as resveratrol, is a promising approach to reduce the incidence of UVR‐induced skin cancer and delay its progression. This review highlights the current body of evidence related to chemopreventive role of resveratrol and its molecular mechanisms in UVR‐induced skin carcinogenesis.
Inter‐ and intraspecific variability in physiological traits and post‐anoxia recovery of photosynthetic efficiency in grasses under oxygen deprivation
Authors: Pompeiano Antonio , Huarancca Reyes Thais , Moles Tommaso M. , Villani Marco , Volterrani Marco , Guglielminetti Lorenzo , Scartazza Andrea
Published: August 2017

Low oxygen conditions occur in grass sites due to high and frequent precipitation, poor soil quality, and over‐irrigation followed by slow drainage. Three warm‐season and one cool‐season grass were analyzed at metabolic level during a time‐course experiment performed in a controlled anoxic environment. Prolonged oxygen depletion proved detrimental by leading to premature death to all the species, with the exception of seashore paspalum. Moreover, the anoxia tolerance observed in these grasses has been associated with slow use of carbohydrates, rather than with their relative abundance, which was more important than their antioxidant capacity. Further physiological characterization of eight seashore paspalum genotypes to anoxia was also performed, by examining the variation in photosystem II (PSII) efficiency and gas exchange during post‐anoxia recovery. Multivariate analysis highlighted the presence of three main clusters of seashore paspalum genotypes, characterized by different ability to restore the PSII photochemistry during recovery after one day of anoxia. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the analysis of post‐anoxia recovery of fluorescence and gas exchange parameters can represent a fast and reliable indicator for selecting species and cultivars more able to acclimate their photosynthetic apparatus.
The role ofEuglena gracilisparamylon in modulating xylem hormone levels, photosynthesis and water‐use efficiency inSolanum lycopersicumL
Authors: Scartazza Andrea , Picciarelli Piero , Mariotti Lorenzo , Curadi Maurizio , Barsanti Laura , Gualtieri Paolo
Published: August 2017

β‐1,3‐glucans such as paramylon act as elicitors in plants, modifying the hormonal levels and the physiological responses. Plant hormones affect all phases of the plant life cycle and their responses to environmental stresses, both biotic and abiotic. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a root treatment withEuglena gracilisparamylon on xylem hormonal levels, photosynthetic performance and dehydration stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Paramylon granules were processed to obtain the linear fibrous structures capable to interact with tomato cell membrane. Modulation of hormone levels (abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid) and related physiological responses such as CO2assimilation rate, stomatal and mesophyll conductance, intercellular CO2concentration, transpiration rate, water‐use efficiency, quantum yield of photosystem II and leaf water potential were investigated. The results indicate a clear dose‐dependent effect of paramylon on the hormonal content of xylem sap, photosynthetic performance and dehydration tolerance. Paramylon has the capability to enhance plant defense capacity against abiotic stress, such as drought, by modulating the conductance to CO2diffusion from air to the carboxylation sites and improving the water‐use efficiency.
Making Development Work for All
Authors: Khan Sabith
Published: August 2017

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Approaches to orthodoxy and heresy in the study of early Christianity
Authors: Jorgensen David W.
Published: August 2017

From the second to the twentieth centuries, the reigning historiographic model of Christian history understood orthodoxy as early, pure, and true, and heresy as late, deviant, and false. Ever since Walter Bauer'sOrthodoxy and Heresy in Earliest Christianityoverturned the traditional model by arguing that in some geographic locations, heresy preceded orthodoxy, scholars of early Christianity have struggled to describe the phenomena of orthodoxy and heresy. The most popular set of approaches, informed by discourse theory, imagines orthodoxy and heresy as historically contingent notions that first arise in second‐century Christian circles, where they were used to negotiate and articulate self‐identity vis‐à‐vis notions of both Judaism and paganism. Other approaches include the use of “proto‐orthodox” terminology as a signifier for the doctrinal party platform that was eventually victorious; attempts to detect social or popular movements beneath heresiological reports; and the outright attempt to repudiate the Bauer thesis.
The Book of Thoth
Authors: Jasnow Richard
Published: August 2017

This article offers an overview and description of the Ancient Egyptian Book of Thoth. This is a Graeco‐Roman Period scholarly priestly composition associated with the House of Life, which was not only a kind of temple scriptorium but also a center of Osirian ritual.
Aging, Human Capital, and Productivity in France: A Generational Accounting Perspective
Authors: Chojnicki Xavier , Rabesandratana Paul Eliot
Published: August 2017

The aim of this paper is to highlight the potential productivity gains resulting from improvements in the (i) educational attainment and (ii) health status of the working‐age population. For that purpose, we develop a Generational Accounting Model applied to the French economy. Using the conventional methodology of generational accounting, we first estimate the adjustments that will be necessary to ensure the sustainability of French fiscal policy in the long term under the assumption that individual taxes and transfers grow at the same rate as labor productivity. However, this assumption does not account for the explicit determinants of individual productivity. Therefore, we then explain how productivity growth is partly due to the French population's skill level and its health level, which is approximated by the survival rate of adults. We estimate that the increased educational attainment and improved adult survival rate in France generate potentially important productivity gains that could significantly challenge the weight of the burden induced by aging. Therefore, we estimate that this change could reduce the tax burden bequeathed to future generations by 79 percent. Our results are robust to the main assumptions.
The Politics of (Fractured) Solidarity: A Cross‐National Analysis of the Class Bases of the Welfare State
Authors: Deeming Christopher
Published: August 2017

This article considers the politics of social solidarity from a cross‐national perspective. In the analysis, we rely on four waves of international social survey data for our sample of Western nations, representative of different welfare state traditions. The time span is a 20‐year period and the total country‐wave sample comprises over 40,000 records. While there is popular support for governmental actions to protect citizens in old‐age and sickness, views about the social rights of unemployed citizens are shifting. High‐profile activating labour‐market reforms are reapportioning the burden of risk in society. With the rise of right‐wing populism in Europe and the USA, this article examines how interests change as citizens lose their stake in the means of security – revealing an ever more fragile and fractured social solidarity.
Temozolomide alone or in combination with doxorubicin as a rescue agent in 37 cases of canine multicentric lymphoma
Authors: Treggiari E. , Elliott J. W. , Baines S. J. , Blackwood L.
Published: August 2017

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an alkylating agent previously used in conjunction with doxorubicin (DOX) to treat dogs with relapsed lymphoma. However, there are very limited data for this drug when used as single agent. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity ofTMZin dogs with relapsed multicentric lymphoma that failed multi‐agent chemotherapy protocols, and compare the outcome to a group of dogs receiving the same drug in combination withDOX. Twenty‐six patients were included in theTMZgroup and 11 in theTMZ/DOXgroup. Responses were evaluated via retrospective review of the medical records. The overall median survival time (MST) for both groups was 40 days (range 1‐527 days). For theTMZgroup, median time to progression (TTP) was 15 days (range 1‐202 days) andMST40 days (range 1‐527 days), with an overall response rate (ORR) of 32% and 46% recorded toxicities. For theTMZ/DOXgroup, medianTTPwas 19 days (range 2‐87 days) andMST24 days (range 3‐91 days), with anORRof 60% and 63% recorded toxicities. However, a proportion of haematological toxicoses may have gone undetected due to the absence of associated clinical signs. The difference inMSTandTTPbetween the 2 groups was not statistically significant. Similarly, no negative prognostic factors were identified. Although responses were generally short lived, this study suggests thatTMZmay achieve similar efficacy toTMZ/DOXwhilst being associated with a lower frequency of recorded toxicities.
Robust FDI Determinants in Sub-saharan African Countries
Authors: Youssouf Nvuh Njoya
Published: August 2017

The aim of this paper is to identify the robustness of the determinants of FDI in sub-Saharan African countries over the period 1985 to 2012. This is done through the use of a linear dynamic panel model, estimated by the Bayesian Averaging of Maximum Likelihood Estimates (BAMLE) developed by Moral Benito (2012). The empirical analysis show the following key results: (i) natural resources and market size are the most robust determinants; (ii) inflation, infrastructure, human capital and trade openness are weak robust; (iii) corruption and political instability are very less robust determinants.
Teachers’ Perception on the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in the Regular Education Classroom in Ecuador
Authors: Moreno-Rodríguez Ricardo , Lopez José Luis , Carnicero José David , Garrote Inmaculada , Sánchez Sergio
Published: August 2017

Nowadays, contradictory viewpoints are showed when defining disability. On the one hand, there are theoretical frameworks focused on the personal limitations, while, on the other hand, each time it is more extended those ones which highlight the restrictions on the social fabric. It becomes essential to integrate both frameworks considering disability as a social phenomenon besides the collective responsibility that demands further action by society as a whole.Currently, Ecuador is suffering an economic recession due to the drop in the price of oil and the appreciation of the dollar, together with the catastrophic effects of the earthquake recorded in 2016. Before 2014, Ecuador was experiencing economic growth resulting in major investment in social areas such as education, thus promoting educational and labour market inclusion of people with disabilities.This study shows the perspective of teachers in Ecuador towards students with disabilities before the development of a program of postgraduate studies for specializing them to cater for the special educational needs. Moreover, the aim is to assess abilities and barriers that teachers have to face up with regard to inclusion of disability in the regular classroom. The majority of teachers in Ecuador are unanimous in stating that academic career training on the issue of education inclusion and accessibility will entail a maximum support carrying out their teaching assignments as well as materials adapted to suit the students’ needs. Furthermore, a wide range of teachers were aware of the case of students with disabilities in the classroom. Besides, among the main problems, architectural barriers and the lack of inclusion were the most important for the participants.Taking all of this into consideration, it is perceived that teachers from Ecuador are not fully prepared for having students with disabilities. That is why a deeper training in special educational needs should be necessary.
Why and how are we living longer?
Authors: Kirkwood Thomas B. L.
Published: August 2017

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

The reasons for the continuing increase in human life expectancy are examined in the light of progress in understanding the physiological basis of ageing. Prospects for further extending the health span – the period free of age‐related disability and disease – are critically assessed.

What advances does it highlight?

No active programming directly causes ageing, which instead results as a side effect of how evolution optimises the physiological allocation of resources between growth, reproduction and maintenance. Under pressure of natural selection, there was insufficient priority in maintaining the body well enough that it could endure without progressive accumulation of multiple kinds of molecular and cellular damage.

Understanding human ageing is a major challenge for the physiological sciences. It is made all the more urgent by the survival of inreasing numbers of people to advanced old age and by a shift in the underlying causes of the continuing increase in life expectancy. The previous increase was caused almost entirely by the prevention of deaths in the early and middle years of life; a process that has seen such success that in developed countries there remains little scope for significant further increase from this cause. The more recent increase is driven by something new. We are reaching old age in generally better health, and it is the death rates at advanced ages that are now falling fast. At the same time, biology has established that there is almost certainly no fixed programme for ageing, which is caused instead by the lifelong accumulation of damage. It is becoming evident that the ageing process is much more malleable than we used to think. We need urgently to establish the factors that govern this malleability and to identify the interactions between, on the one hand, intrinsic biological processes that drive the many chronic diseases and disabilities for which age is by far the largest risk factor and, on the other hand, the social and lifestyle factors that influence our individual trajectories of health in old age. Ageing is no longer as mysterious and intractable a process as used to be thought, offering new opportunities for contributions from other branches of the physiological sciences.
Mouse retinal ganglion cell signalling is dynamically modulated through parallel anterograde activation of cannabinoid and vanilloid pathways
Authors: Jo Andrew O. , Noel Jennifer M. , Lakk Monika , Yarishkin Oleg , Ryskamp Daniel A. , Shibasaki Koji , McCall Maureen A. , Križaj David
Published: August 2017

Key points

Retinal cells use vanilloid transient receptor potential (TRP) channels to integrate light‐evoked signals with ambient mechanical, chemical and temperature information.

Localization and function of the polymodal non‐selective cation channel TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid isoform 1) remains elusive.

TRPV1 is expressed in a subset of mouse retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with peak expression in the mid‐peripheral retina.

Endocannabinoids directly activate TRPV1 and inhibit it through cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) and cAMP pathways.

Activity‐dependent endocannabinoid release may modulate signal gain in RGCs through simultaneous manipulation of calcium and cAMP signals mediated by TRPV1 and CB1R.

How retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) process and integrate synaptic, mechanical, swelling stimuli with light inputs is an area of intense debate. The nociceptive cation channel TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1) modulates RGC Ca2+ signals and excitability yet the proportion of RGCs that express it remains unclear. Furthermore, TRPV1's response to endocannabinoids (eCBs), the putative endogenous retinal activators, is unknown, as is the potential modulation by cannabinoid receptors (CBRs). The density of TRPV1‐expressing RGCs in the Ai9:Trpv1 reporter mouse peaked in the mid‐peripheral retina. TRPV1 agonists including capsaicin (CAP) and the eCBs anandamide and N‐arachidonoyl‐dopamine elevated [Ca2+]i in 30–40% of wild‐type RGCs, with effects suppressed by TRPV1 antagonists capsazepine (CPZ) and BCTC ((4‐(3‐chloro‐2‐pyridinyl)‐N‐[4‐(1,1‐dimethylethyl)phenyl]‐1‐piperazinecarboxamide), and lacking in Trpv1−/− cells. The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) colocalized with TRPV1:tdTomato expression. Its agonists 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) and WIN55,122 inhibited CAP‐induced [Ca2+]i signals in adult, but not early postnatal, RGCs. The suppressive effect of 2‐AG on TRPV1 activation was emulated by positive modulators of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway, inhibited by the CB1R antagonist rimonabant and Gi uncoupler pertussis toxin, and absent in Cnr1−/− RGCs. We conclude that TRPV1 is a modulator of Ca2+ homeostasis in a subset of RGCs that show non‐uniform distribution across the mouse retina. Non‐retrograde eCB‐mediated modulation of RGC signalling involves a dynamic push–pull between direct TRPV1 activation and PKA‐dependent regulation of channel inactivation, with potential functions in setting the bandwidth of postsynaptic responses, sensitivity to mechanical/excitotoxic stress and neuroprotection.
Sorption Hysteresis Characterization of CH4 and CO2 on Anthracite, Bituminous Coal, and Lignite at Low Pressure
Authors: Liu Zhenjian , Zhang Zhenyu , Lu Yiyu , Ki Choi Sing , Liu Xiaoqian
Published: August 2017

Sorption hysteresis characterization of CH4 and CO2 on lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite were studied to improve the understanding of the interaction between gas molecules and different ranks of coal and further improve the precision of the adsorption methods in characterizing pore structure at low pressure. Pore structure of three ranks of coal was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen (N2) adsorption. Then, CH4 and CO2 sorption isotherms were measured using the gravimetric method under 288, 308, and 328 K. The N2 sorption isotherms show that a wide distribution of pore size existed in three coal samples, and with the process of coalification, the specific surface area (SSA) decreased and then increased, while the pore size of coal monotonically decreased. This is confirmed by SEM observation. The measured sorption isotherms were then decomposed into simultaneously running adsorption and absorption branches based on the assumption that the former is totally reversible and the latter completely irreversible. The reconstructed adsorption branches can be well described by both Langmuir model and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) equation. The absorption, which represents the sorption hysteresis portion, increased with pressure, but decreased with temperature. The absorbed amount of gas increased with pressure, but the absorption of CO2 increased concavely with gas pressure while CH4 followed an upward exponential function. Also, the absorption varied with coal rank, following a U-shaped function. This study can provide new insights to CH4 and CO2 sorption hysteresis on coal and other organic geomaterials.
Computer Analysis of S822 Aerofoil Section for Blades of Small Wind Turbines at Low Wind Speed
Authors: Prabhukhot Prachi R. , Prabhukhot Aditya R.
Published: August 2017

The power generated in wind turbine depends on wind speed and parameters of blade geometry like aerofoil shape, blade radius, chord length, pitch angle, solidity, etc. Aerofoil selection is the crucial factor in establishing the efficient wind turbine. More than one aerofoil in a blade can increase the efficiency further. Previous studies of different aerofoils have shown that efficiency of small scale wind turbine increases when NREL S822 aerofoil is used for wind speed on and above 10 m/s. This paper introduces a study on effect of low wind speed (V = 5 m/s) on performance of blade profile. Aerofoils NREL S822/S823 are used for microwind turbine with S823 near root and S822 near tip. Blade of 3 m radius with spherical tubercles over entire span is analyzed considering 5 deg angle of attack. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was carried out using ANSYS fluent to study the behavior of blade profile at various contours. The study shows that blade experiences maximum turbulence and minimum pressure near trailing edge of the tip of blade. The region also experiences maximum velocity of the flow. These factors result in pushing the aerofoil in upward direction for starting the wind turbine to rotate at the speed as low as 5 m/s.
Electron beam lithography using fixed beam moving stage
Authors: Khodadad Iman , Nelson-Fitzpatrick Nathan , Burcham Kevin , Hajian Arsen , Saini Simarjeet S.
Published: August 2017

Large area patterns with small submicron features are difficult to write using conventional electron beam lithography (EBL) methods. This would be more challenging especially if the patterns have large lateral aspect ratios such as waveguide tapers. Conventionally, the patterning area is divided into smaller write fields and the stage moves in between various write fields. Precise stage movement is necessary to reduce stitching errors. However, even the most accurate laser interferometer based control systems are prone to stochastic thermal drifts. In this paper, new methods of EBL patterning are explored using the stitch free method of writing and overcoming the conventional time constraints for writing large area patterns. Further, the methods presented are suited for writing structures with micron and nanosized features in the same pattern.
Propagation of coherent transverse waves: Influence of the translational and rotational subwavelength resonances
Authors: Valier-Brasier Tony , Conoir Jean-Marc
Published: August 2017

The propagation of coherent transverse waves through a homogeneous elastic medium containing a set of spherical dense inclusions is an interesting topic. In such a material, in addition to the coherent longitudinal wave, two coherent transverse waves can propagate. The modeling used is based on the multiple scattering theory, which requires the scattering coefficients of the single scattering problem. These coefficients are calculated for moving rigid particles, leading to approximations of the two subwavelength dipolar resonances, one associated to a translational motion and the other to a rotational motion. Numerical simulations are carried out in order to compare the effective wavenumbers of the coherent elastic waves through the analysis of their phase velocity and attenuation. This comparison is performed for elastic and moving rigid spheres. It is shown that both dipolar resonances may have a great influence on the propagation of coherent transverse waves.
Sound speed, attenuation, and reflection in gassy sediments
Authors: Zheng Guangying , Huang Yiwang , Hua Jian
Published: August 2017

A predictive model for acoustic dispersion and attenuation in gassy sediments is proposed. The model combines the linear solution for gas-bubble pulsations in a viscoelastic medium with corrected Biot equations involving gas-bubble pulsations. Numerical results for sound speed and attenuation are compared with predictions from Anderson and Hampton's model to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed model. The most important advantage of the current model is that it combines the dispersion regimes associated with gas-bubble pulsations and relative motion between the pore water and solid framework. The reflection coefficient at the water/gassy-sediment interface is derived based on the current model, and numerical results show that gas-bubble resonance can lead to the highest reflection. This model can also be used with a full acoustic inversion to estimate gas-bubble size distributions.
A one-dimensional search method with stable 1-norm solution for linear prediction
Authors: Jayesh M. K. , Ramalingam C. S.
Published: August 2017

In this paper a simple iterative algorithm that is guaranteed to produce a stable all-pole filter when minimizing the 1-norm of the linear prediction error signal is proposed. The approach works for both the autocorrelation and covariance frameworks, involves only a one-dimensional search at each step, and obviates the need for linear programming based methods. Based on simulation studies, it was observed that the performance of the algorithm is nearly optimal, i.e., very close to the estimates obtained using interior point methods. Moreover, this method also has the ability to constrain the bandwidth of any peak. The proposed method has been applied for vocal tract estimation and, using spectral distortion as the metric, results are presented using synthetic as well as natural speech.
A brilliant approach to study the basis of intelligence?
Authors: Dzirasa Kafui
Published: August 2017

A new approach may help to explore the genetic levers that control intelligence.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences for Two
Pigmentiphaga
Isolates Recovered from Human Clinical Materials
Authors: Bernier Anne-Marie , Bernard Kathryn
Published: August 2017

Features from two
Pigmentiphaga
isolates referred to Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory from human clinical materials were described previously (N. Bridger, S. Drews, T. Burdz, D. Wiebe, A. L. Pacheco, B. Ng, and K. Bernard, J Med Microbiol 62:708–711, 2013,
https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.051615-0
). Whole-genome sequencing was performed on strains NML030171 and NML080357; the sequences were found to have 5.86 and 5.73 Mb of clean data and G+C contents of 67.5 and 66.74 mol%, respectively.
Nitrite Derived from Endogenous Bacterial Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity Promotes Aerobic Respiration
Authors: Chaudhari Sujata S. , Kim Minji , Lei Shulei , Razvi Fareha , Alqarzaee Abdulelah A. , Hutfless Elizabeth H. , Powers Robert , Zimmerman Matthew C. , Fey Paul D. , Thomas Vinai C.
Published: August 2017

Macrophage-derived nitric oxide (NO·) is a crucial effector against invading pathogens. Yet, paradoxically, several bacterial species, including some pathogens, are known to endogenously produce NO· via nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, despite its apparent cytotoxicity. Here, we reveal a conserved role for bacterial NOS in activating aerobic respiration. We demonstrate that nitrite generated from endogenous NO· decomposition stimulates quinol oxidase activity in
Staphylococcus aureus
and increases the rate of cellular respiration. This not only supports optimal growth of this organism but also prevents a dysbalance in central metabolism. Further, we also show that activity of the SrrAB two-component system alleviates the physiological defects of the
nos
mutant. Our findings suggest that NOS and SrrAB constitute two distinct but functionally redundant routes for controlling staphylococcal respiration during aerobic growth.

IMPORTANCE
Despite its potential autotoxic effects, several bacterial species, including pathogenic staphylococcal species, produce NO· endogenously through nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Therefore, how endogenous NO· influences bacterial fitness remains unclear. Here we show that the oxidation of NO· to nitrite increases aerobic respiration and consequently optimizes central metabolism to favor growth. Importantly, we also demonstrate that cells have a “fail-safe” mechanism that can maintain respiratory activity through the SrrAB two-component signaling regulon should NOS-derived nitrite levels decrease. These findings identify NOS and SrrAB as critical determinants of staphylococcal respiratory control and highlight their potential as therapeutic targets.
Elongation Factor P Interactions with the Ribosome Are Independent of Pausing
Authors: Tollerson Rodney , Witzky Anne , Ibba Michael
Published: August 2017

Bacterial elongation factor P (EF-P) plays a pivotal role in the translation of polyproline motifs. To stimulate peptide bond formation, EF-P must enter the ribosome via an empty E-site. Using fluorescence-based single-molecule tracking, Mohapatra et al. (S. Mohapatra, H. Choi, X. Ge, S. Sanyal, and J. C. Weisshaar, mBio 8:e00300-17, 2017,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00300-17
) monitored the cellular distribution of EF-P and quantified the frequency of association between EF-P and the ribosome under various conditions. Findings from the study showed that EF-P has a localization pattern that is strikingly similar to that of ribosomes. Intriguingly, EF-P was seen to bind ribosomes more frequently than the estimated number of pausing events, indicating that E-site vacancies occur even when ribosomes are not paused. The study provides new insights into the mechanism of EF-P-dependent peptide bond formation and the intricacies of translation elongation.
Effects of Electroacupuncture to the Trigeminal Nerve Area on the Autonomic Nervous System and Cerebral Blood Flow in the Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Waki Hideaki , Suzuki Takuya , Tanaka Yuki , Tamai Hideaki , Minakawa Yoichi , Miyazaki Shogo , Yoshida Naruto , Uebaba Kazuo , Imai Kenji , Hisajima Tatsuya
Published: August 2017

Background

The autonomic nervous system and trigeminal nerve are involved in adjusting flow through diverging cerebral arteries in the prefrontal cortex. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 100 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) to the trigeminal nerve area on cerebral blood flow and autonomic nervous system function.

Method

This was a randomised crossover study of 16 healthy volunteers who were assigned to an EA or control group. Stimulation (in the EA group) was performed five times, each after 1 min of rest. Needles were inserted at the inner edge of the eyebrows and 1 cm from the front hairline midpoint. We used high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) components of heart rate (HR) variability to assess autonomic nervous system function. HF and LF/HF ratio were taken as indicators of parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activity, respectively. We measured cerebral blood flow using a two-channel near-infrared spectroscope.

Results

In the EA group, HR significantly decreased (p=0.004) and HF significantly increased (p=0.006) relative to baseline. By contrast, there were no significant changes in HR or HF within the control group (p>0.05). Accordingly, HR tended to be lower (p=0.087) and HF greater (p=0.071) in the EA group versus the control group. There were no significant differences in LF/HF ratio within/between groups. Compared with the control group, cerebral blood flow was significantly greater in the left (p=0.048) and right (p=0.016) prefrontal cortex in the EA group.

Conclusions

Delivery of 100 Hz EA to the trigeminal nerve area reduces HR and increases parasympathetic nervous activity and cerebral blood flow.
Insidious enemy: downside to prolonged survival in prostate cancer
Authors: Lodhia Vaishali , Puspanathan Thevamalar
Published: August 2017

An 83-year-old man, a prostate cancer survivor of 10 years with multiple vertebral metastases presented with sudden onset of double vision. On examination he was found to have an isolated partial left abducens palsy with no other neurological deficits. Despite having microvascular risk factors, given his history of prostate cancer, aMRI brain scan was requested to look for a neurological cause. The scan revealed a metastatic lesion in the clivus encasing the cavernous sinus and carotid artery. He was referred to his oncologist for further management, however he opted out of further treatment and succumbed to his illness a month later. This case report includes a literature review of cases with clivus metastases secondary to prostate cancer. It highlights the importance of carefully examining eye movements and having a high index of suspicion for the subtlest sign that may suggest brain metastases in elderly patients with prostate cancer with prolonged survival.
Changes in retinal venular oxygen saturation predict activity of proliferative diabetic retinopathy 3 months after panretinal photocoagulation
Authors: Torp Thomas Lee , Kawasaki Ryo , Wong Tien Yin , Peto Tunde , Grauslund Jakob
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a severe blinding condition. We investigated whether retinal metabolism, measured by retinal oximetry, may predict PDR activity after panretinal laser photocoagulation (PRP).

Methods

We performed a prospective, interventional, clinical study of patients with treatment-naive PDR. Wide-field fluorescein angiography (OPTOS, Optomap) and global and focal retinal oximetry (Oxymap T1) were performed at baseline (BL), and 3 months (3M) after PRP. Angiographic findings were used to divide patients according to progression or non-progression of PDR after PRP. We evaluated differences in global and focal retinal oxygen saturation between patients with and without progression of PDR after PRP treatment.

Results

We included 45 eyes of 37 patients (median age and duration of diabetes were 51.6 and 20 years). Eyes with progression of PDR developed a higher retinal venous oxygen saturation than eyes with non-progression at 3M (global: +5.9% (95% CI –1.5 to 12.9), focal: +5.4%, (95% CI –4.1 to 14.8)). Likewise, progression of PDR was associated with a lower arteriovenular (AV) oxygen difference between BL and 3M (global: –6.1%, (95% CI –13.4 to –1.4), focal: –4.5% (95% CI –12.1 to 3.2)). In a multiple logistic regression model, increment in global retinal venular oxygen saturation (OR 1.30 per 1%-point increment, p=0.017) and decrement in AV oxygen saturation difference (OR 0.72 per 1%-point increment, p=0.016) at 3M independently predicted progression of PDR.

Conclusion

Development of higher retinal venular and lower AV global oxygen saturation independently predicts progression of PDR despite standard PRP and might be a potential non-invasive marker of angiogenic disease activity.