bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of out‐of‐plane deformation and subsequent instability in rectangular RC walls under in‐plane cyclic loading: Experimental observation
Authors: Dashti Farhad , Dhakal Rajesh P. , Pampanin Stefano 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn this study, to understand the causes and consequences of out‐of‐plane instability in rectangular RC walls, the sequence of events observed during a rectangular wall experiment campaign where out‐of‐plane instability was the primary failure pattern is discussed in detail. Large tensile strains developed in the boundary zone longitudinal bars at large in‐plane curvature demands and caused subsequent yielding in compression during load reversal before crack closure could activate contribution of concrete to the load‐carrying capacity of the wall. The specimen deformed in the out‐of‐plane direction when this phenomenon progressed along a sufficient height and length of the wall and led to significant reduction of its stiffness in the out‐of‐plane direction. One of the major sources of inherent eccentricity that could potentially affect development of this failure pattern is identified to be the postyield response of the longitudinal bars across the wall thickness, generating different values of residual strains and consequently inducing their asynchronous yielding under compressive actions. Analytical models proposed in literature for prediction of out‐of‐plane instability failure as well as their relevant assumptions are compared with the test measurements. While the observations presented in past research on development of out‐of‐plane instability in concrete columns representing the boundary zones of rectangular walls are in line with the sequence of events observed in this study, the assumptions made in the analytical models regarding the height of the wall effectively involved in formation of out‐of‐plane deformations (effective buckling height) were found to be different.
A simple and low‐cost active dual‐axis solar tracker
Authors: Hammoumi Aboubakr El , Motahhir Saad , Ghzizal Abdelaziz El , Chalh Abdelilah , Derouich Aziz 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis paper presents the design and practical implementation of a simple active dual‐axis solar tracker (DAST) to track the sun's movement by using fewer components and low‐cost as well. A dual‐axis mechanism is developed in order to tilt the PV panel by two servo motors facing the highest intensity of sunlight captured by LDR sensors, which are placed in the four corners of PV panel. The DAST prototype was constructed practically and tested using a real‐time virtual instrument based on Excel to determine its efficiency. Moreover, a comparison based on experimental results between the energy produced by the proposed smart DAST and a fixed panel shows that the smart DAST produces 36.26% more energy compared to the fixed panel. The proposed active DAST can be easily implemented without possessing deep knowledge about solar tracking technologies and electronic engineering.
Multiobjective optimization design of the solar field and reverse osmosis system with preheating feed water using Genetic algorithm
Authors: Ghoujdi Iman Ebrahimi , Hadiannasab Hasti , Bidi Mokhtar , Naeimi Abbas , Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein , Nazari Mohammad Alhuyi , Ming Tingzhen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this article the solar energy is utilized to generate needed steam for a power generation cycle which in turn provides the required power of a RO system. Optimization was carried out on two levels. First, Economizer, Evaporator, Super heater in power generation cycle as well as the type of membrane, PV numbers and series were optimized. In addition, the optimum design of a solar field for the system was carried out and the collector specifications, number of branches, and flow rate were designed. Based on the first level, optimization was designed to reduce costs and increase the permeate water production and reduction in costs and pressure drop of the solar filed. Preheating of the RO feed water had different effects on the production of fresh water at various concentrations. For feed water with constant flow rate and concentration of 45 000 ppm, the maximum rate of permeate flow was obtained at 26°C, while for concentration of 35 000 ppm, the maximum permeate flow rate was achieved at 33°C. By using 5 parallel elements SW30XLE‐400 for RO system, in the optimized condition, permeate flow rate and recovery were 9494.19 (m3/day) and 59.5%, respectively. In this condition, the unit production cost of water was 0.6046 ($/m3).
Does River Restoration Increase Fish Abundance and Survival or Concentrate Fish? The Effects of Project Scale, Location, and Fish Life History
Authors: Roni Philip 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Despite billions of dollars spent on various river restoration techniques, we still find ourselves debating whether habitat restoration increases fish abundance or concentrates fish. Based on the available literature, I discuss three important questions related specifically to the restoration of salmonid habitat: (1) “Does river restoration increase fish abundance or concentrate fish?”; (2) “Does river restoration increase fish survival or increase abundance?”; and (3) “Does the size or amount of river restoration influence fish response?” First, there is scant evidence to support the contention that river restoration leads to the concentration of fish at restoration projects. Second, the literature suggests that river restoration may lead to increased survival, increased abundance, or both. Third, recent studies have found little relationship between restoration project length and physical or biological response. The scientific literature does suggest that fish response to restoration varies greatly depending on the watershed template, location, and characteristics of the habitat restoration, and the life history of and limiting factors for a species. Thus, adequately determining whether changes in fish abundance observed in a restored area are due to increased movement, survival, or the amount of restoration will require detailed monitoring of these factors simultaneously.
Fluted projectile points in a stratified context at the Raven Bluff site document a late arrival of Paleoindian technology in northwest Alaska
Authors: Buvit Ian , Rasic Jeffrey T. , Kuehn Steven R. , Hedman William H. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOur understanding of the northern fluted point tradition, a critical early New World lithic assemblage, is constrained by limited data from stratified, datable contexts. Here, we report on the Raven Bluff site in northwest Alaska, where fluted projectile points, microblades, and a well‐preserved faunal assemblage have been recovered from datable sediments. Results show that prehistoric inhabitants occupied a stone‐sorted polygon where retooling, game processing, and raw material procurement occurred mostly between 12,720 and at least 11,340 cal. yr B.P. We argue that once polygon formation ended, the stratigraphic context remained relatively intact. Further studies focused on the site’s lithic and bone assemblages will help shape our understanding of the relationship between fluted point technology, microblades, and caribou hunting in northern Alaska.
Inferring disease risk genes from sequencing data in multiplex pedigrees through sharing of rare variants
Authors: Bureau Alexandre , Begum Ferdouse , Taub Margaret A. , Hetmanski Jacqueline B. , Parker Margaret M. , Albacha‐Hejazi Hasan , Scott Alan F. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Marazita Mary L. , Bailey‐Wilson Joan E. , Beaty Terri H. , Ruczinski Ingo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe previously demonstrated how sharing of rare variants (RVs) in distant affected relatives can be used to identify variants causing a complex and heterogeneous disease. This approach tested whether single RVs were shared by all sequenced affected family members. However, as with other study designs, joint analysis of several RVs (e.g., within genes) is sometimes required to obtain sufficient statistical power. Further, phenocopies can lead to false negatives for some causal RVs if complete sharing among affected is required. Here, we extend our methodology (Rare Variant Sharing, RVS) to address these issues. Specifically, we introduce gene‐based analyses, a partial sharing test based on RV sharing probabilities for subsets of affected relatives and a haplotype‐based RV definition. RVS also has the desirable feature of not requiring external estimates of variant frequency or control samples, provides functionality to assess and address violations of key assumptions, and is available as open source software for genome‐wide analysis. Simulations including phenocopies, based on the families of an oral cleft study, revealed the partial and complete sharing versions of RVS achieved similar statistical power compared with alternative methods (RareIBD and the Gene‐Based Segregation Test), and had superior power compared with the pedigree Variant Annotation, Analysis, and Search Tool (pVAAST) linkage statistic. In studies of multiplex cleft families, analysis of rare single nucleotide variants in the exome of 151 affected relatives from 54 families revealed no significant excess sharing in any one gene, but highlighted different patterns of sharing revealed by the complete and partial sharing tests.
The association between orthostatic hypotension and dementia: A meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Min Min , Shi Tingting , Sun Chenyu , Liang Mingming , Zhang Yun , Wu Yile , Sun Yehuan 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesAs for the association between orthostatic hypotension (OH) and dementia, results of published studies are inconsistent; therefore, current substantive conclusions have yet been obtained. This meta‐analysis was conducted in hopes of producing progress in this topic.MethodsA systematic database search was performed towards electronic databases including Chinese Biomedical Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Five prospective cohort studies were included. Summary hazard ratio (HR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by random‐effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochran Q test and I2 statistic. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted in this meta‐analysis.ResultsA 22.4% higher prevalence of dementia in subjects with OH was obtained (adjusted pooled HR was 1.224; 95% CI: 1.106‐1.354; P < .001). This meta‐analysis also showed significant associations between OH and 2 dementia subtypes: Alzheimer disease (adjusted pooled HR was 1.175; 95% CI: 1.022‐1.351; P = .023) and Vascular dementia (adjusted pooled HR was 1.403; 95% CI: 1.042‐1.889; P = .026), respectively.ConclusionsOrthostatic hypotension is positively associated with the overall prevalence of dementia, and it may contribute to the prevalence of Alzheimer disease and Vascular dementia as well.
The effect of reminiscence therapy on cognitive functions, depression, and quality of life in Alzheimer patients: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lök Neslihan , Bademli Kerime , Selçuk‐Tosun Alime 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundAlzheimer is a disease leading to various neuropsychiatric behavioral disorders, and the most common symptom observed during the prognosis of Alzheimer's disease is dysmnesia. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of reminiscence therapy on cognitive functions, depression, and quality of life in Alzheimer's patients.MethodsThe present study was a randomized controlled single blind study with two groups, which was designed in the experimental pretest‐posttest pattern in the city of Konya, Turkey. It was decided to include a total of 60 elderly individuals. Information form that evaluated socio‐demographic characteristics and disease history of individuals in intervention and control groups and was developed by the researcher. Standardized Mini‐Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, and the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QOL‐AD) Scale were used to collect the data. Reminiscence therapy was applied once a week and lasted for 8 weeks. Every session took 60 minutes. Groups consisted of six people.ResultsMini‐Mental Test, depression, and quality of life mean scores of the elderly in intervention group before reminiscence therapy program increased after the administration, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the intergroup comparison, a significant difference was found between elderly individuals' posttest Mini‐Mental Test, depression, and quality of life mean scores (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur results suggest that regular reminiscence therapy should be considered for inclusion as routine care for the improvement of cognitive functions, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in elderly people with Alzheimer.
The place for dementia‐friendly communities in England and its relationship with epidemiological need
Authors: Woodward Michael , Arthur Antony , Darlington Nicole , Buckner Stefanie , Killett Anne , Thurman John , Buswell Marina , Lafortune Louise , Mathie Elspeth , Mayrhofer Andrea , Goodman Claire 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesThe dementia‐friendly community (DFC) initiative was set up to enable people living with dementia to remain active, engaged, and valued members of society. Dementia prevalence varies nationally and is strongly associated with the age and sex distribution of the population and level of social deprivation. As part of a wider project to evaluate DFCs, we examined whether there is a relationship between provision of DFCs and epidemiological need.MethodsDementia‐friendly communities were identified through the formal recognition process of DFC status by the Alzheimer's Society and mapped against areas defined by English Clinical Commissioning Groups. We tested whether provision of a DFC was associated with: (1) dementia prevalence, (2) number of known cases, and (3) known plus estimated number of unknown cases.ResultsOf the 209 English Clinical Commissioning Group areas, 115 had at least one DFC. The presence of a DFC was significantly associated with number of known dementia cases (mean difference = 577; 95% CI, 249 to 905; P = 0.001) and unknown dementia cases (mean difference = 881; 95% CI, 349 to 1413; P = 0.001) but not prevalence (mean difference = 0.03; 95% CI, −0.09 to 0.16; P = 0.61). This remains true when controlling for potential confounding variables.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that DFC provision is consistent with epidemiological‐based need. Dementia‐friendly communities are located in areas where they can have the greatest impact. A retrospective understanding of how DFCs have developed in England can inform how equivalent international initiatives might be designed and implemented.
Resource use and its association to cognitive impairment, ADL functions, and behavior in residents of Swedish nursing homes: Results from the U‐Age program (SWENIS study)
Authors: Sköldunger Anders , Wimo Anders , Sjögren Karin , Björk Sabine , Backman Annica , Sandman Per‐Olof , Edvardsson David 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate resource use and its association to cognitive impairment, activities of daily living, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in residents of Swedish nursing homes.MethodsData were collected in 2014 from a Swedish national sample of nursing home residents (n = 4831) and were collected by staff in the facility. The sample consists of all nursing homes in 35 of 60 randomly selected Swedish municipalities. Demographic data and data on resource use, cognitive and physical function as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms were collected through proxies. Descriptive statistics and regression modeling were used to investigate this association.ResultsWe found that cognitive impairment, activities of daily living, and neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with 23 hours per week increase in total resource use versus cognitively intact persons. This was also the case for being dependent in activities of daily living. Being totally dependent increased the amount of resource use by 25 hours per week. The sex of a resident did not influence the resource use. Annual costs of resource use with no functional dependency were 359 685 SEK, and in severely cognitive impaired resident, the cost was 825 081 SEK.ConclusionBeing cognitively impaired as well as functionally dependent increases the resource use significantly in nursing homes. This has implications for differentiation of costs in institutional settings in health economic evaluations.
Noninvasive brain stimulation for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vacas Sara M. , Stella Florindo , Loureiro Julia C. , Simões do Couto Frederico , Oliveira‐Maia Albino J. , Forlenza Orestes V. 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundPharmacological and conventional nonpharmacological treatments for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) have only modest efficacy. Furthermore, pharmacotherapy carries the risk of important side effects. Noninvasive brain stimulation (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)) are valuable and safe for cognitive function in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, there have been few studies, and there is no consensus, regarding the use of these techniques to treat BPSD.MethodsWe performed a systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis of studies reporting the effect of rTMS or tDCS on BPSD.ResultsSeven articles were included: five randomized, controlled clinical trials and two open‐label clinical trials. Five studies investigated the effects of rTMS and two the effects of tDCS. Both studies using tDCS reported no evidence of efficacy on BPSD, while two of the three RCTs using rTMS found statistically significant benefits. In an exploratory meta‐analysis with four of the RCT studies, we did not find evidence of efficacy of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques, with an overall effect of −0.02 (95% CI = −0.90, 0.94; I2 = 85%). However, when we used only the data from the studies that applied rTMS, we found a positive effect on BPSD, with an overall effect of −0.58 (95% CI = −1.02, −0.14; I2 = 0%). With regards to the adverse effects reported, these were mild and not clinically relevant.ConclusionsOur results establish a tendency for efficacy of rTMS protocols on BPSD, while corroborating their safety and tolerability, suggesting the need for further research.
Therapeutical effects of vaccine from Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote surface protein 2 by simultaneous inoculation with live parasites
Authors: Ribeiro Flávia Andressa Pidone  , Pontes Camila , Machado Alexandre De M.V. , Bruna‐Romero Oscar , Quintana Hananiah T. , De Oliveira Flávia , De Vasconcelos José Ronnie Carvalho , Ribeiro Daniel Araki 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of vaccine using replication‐deficient human recombinant Type 5 replication‐defective adenoviruses (AdHu5) carrying sequences of the amastigote surface protein 2 (ASP2) (AdASP2) in mice infected with the Trypanosoma cruzi (
T cruzi) Y strain. A total of 16 A/Sn mice female were distributed into four groups, as follows (n = 4 per group): Group 1 – Control Group (CTRL); Group 2 – Infected Group (TC): animals were infected by subcutaneous route with 150 bloodstream trypomastigotes of
T cruzi Y strain; Group 3 – Immunized Group (AdASP‐2): animals were immunized by intramuscular injection (im) route with 50 µL of AdSP‐2 (2 × 10
8 plaque forming units [pfu]/cam) at day 0; Group 4‐Immunized and Infected Group (AdASP‐2+TC): animals were immunized by im route with 50 µL of ASP‐2 (2 × 10
8 pfu/cam) and infected by
T cruzi at the same day (day 0). It was observed a significant decrease of nests in the group that was immunized with AdASP‐2 and infected on the same day. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expressions showed a significant increase in the AdASP‐2+TC group when compared to TC group, but it was noted that Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) was increased in TC group when compared to AdASP‐2+TC group. Increase of matrix metalloproteinases‐2 (MMP‐2) and decrease of MMP‐9 immunoexpression in the AdASP‐2+TC group was noticed as well. Oxidative DNA damage was present in myocardium for AdASP‐2+TC group as a result of 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine immunoexpression. Taken together, our results highlighted an increased oxidative stress, MMP‐2 activity and inflammatory host response promoted by AdASP‐2 against
T cruzi infection.
PCSK9: A novel inflammation modulator in atherosclerosis?
Authors: Tang Zhi‐Han , Li Tao‐Hua , Peng Juan , Zheng Jie , Li Ting‐Ting , Liu Lu‐Shan , Jiang Zhi‐Sheng , Zheng Xi‐Long 
Published: September 2018

AbstractProprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is the ninth member of the secretory serine protease family. It binds to low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) for endocytosis and lysosome degradation in the liver, resulting in an increasing in circulating LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐c) level. Since a PCSK9 induced increase in plasma LDL‐c contributes to atherosclerosis, PCSK9 inhibition has become a new strategy in preventing and treating atherosclerosis. However, in addition to the effect of PCSK9 on elevating blood LDL‐c levels, accumulating evidence shows that PCSK9 plays an important role in inflammation, likely representing another major mechanism for PCSK9 to promote atherosclerosis. In this review, we discuss the association of PCSK9 and inflammation, and highlight the specific effects of PCSK9 on different vascular cellular components involved in the atherosclerotic inflammation. We also discuss the clinical evidence for the association between PCSK9 and inflammation in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A better understanding of the direct association of PCSK9 with atherosclerotic inflammation might help establish a new role for PCSK9 in vascular biology and identify a novel molecular mechanism for PCSK9 therapy.
Deglycosylation of epithelial cell adhesion molecule affects epithelial to mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells
Authors: Liu Xue , Yang Liu , Zhang Dandan , Liu Tingjiao , Yan Qiu , Yang Xuesong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe transmembrane glycoprotein epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in most epithelial cancers including breast cancer, where it plays an important role in cancer progression. Previous study has demonstrated that knockdown of EpCAM inhibits breast cancer cell growth and metastasis via inhibition of the Ras/Raf/ERK signaling pathway and matrix metallopeptidase‐9 (MMP‐9). Although glycosylation is believed to be associated with the function of EpCAM, the contribution of N‐glycosylation to this function remains unclear. We constructed the N‐glycosylation mutation plasmid of EpCAM and used it to treat breast cancer cells. Loss of N‐glycosylation at all three sites EpCAM had no effect on its level of expression or membrane localization. However, mutation at glycosylation sites significantly reduced the ability of EpCAM to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. N‐glycosylation mutation of EpCAM led to decrease phosphorylation of Raf, ERK, and Akt, and inhibited the Ras/Raf/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Furthermore, we demonstrated that N‐glycosylation mutation of EpCAM‐mediated invasion and metastasis of breast carcinoma cells required the downregulation of MMP‐9 via inhibition of these two signaling pathways. Our results identified the characteristics and function of EpCAM glycosylation. These data could illuminate molecular regulation of EpCAM by glycosylation and promote our understanding of the application of glycosylated EpCAM as a target for breast cancer therapy.