bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
10-year follow-up after standardised treatment for Achilles tendinopathy
Authors: Johannsen Finn , Jensen Signe , Wetke Eva 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundAchilles tendinopathy is a common and often long-lasting injury. We present a 10-year follow-up on a pragmatic study on Achilles tendinopathy treated with controlled exercises supplemented with corticosteroid injections if necessary in order to continue training.MethodsAll patients who completed the original study (n=93) were invited for a 10-year follow-up. 83% participated. Patients were evaluated with ultrasound scanning (n=58) and with a questionnaire (n=77) using the same outcome measures as in the primary study. The 10-year overall outcome on a 4-point scale (excellent, good, fair, poor), other treatments and adverse event and present activity level were recorded.ResultsExcellent outcome was reported in 63% and good outcome in 27%. 76% reported an activity level at 75%–100% of preinjury level. The average Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles score for all patients was 84 (SD 19). 16% had surgery. Three ruptures occurred 5–8 years after the primary study. The improvement from entry to 6 months in the primary study was maintained until 10-year follow-up. Insertional tendinopathy did not differ from mid-substance tendinopathy in any outcome measure (short term and long term). We encountered no prognostic markers on ultrasound for the long-term outcome; however, present heterogeneity and increased flow resemble present pain. Thickened tendons seem to maintain their thickness despite improvement of symptoms.ConclusionOne to two corticosteroid injections are a safe and effective supplement to controlled exercises in the treatment of Achilles tendon pain with no signs of deterioration in the very long term. Mid-substance and insertional tendinopathies benefit equally from this treatment.
Low energy availability assessed by a sport-specific questionnaire and clinical interview indicative of bone health, endocrine profile and cycling performance in competitive male cyclists
Authors: Keay Nicola , Francis Gavin , Hind Karen 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of a sport-specific energy availability (EA) questionnaire, combined with clinical interview, for identifying male athletes at risk of developing bone health, endocrine and performance consequences of relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S).MethodsFifty competitive male road cyclists, recruited through links of participants in a pilot study, were assessed by a newly developed sport-specific questionnaire and clinical interview (SEAQ-I) and received dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition scans and blood tests for endocrine markers.ResultsLow EA as assessed using the SEAQ-I, was observed in 28% of cyclists. Low lumbar spine BMD (Z-score<−1.0) was found in 44% of cyclists. EA was the most significant determinant of lumbar spine BMD Z-score (p<0.001). Among low EA cyclists, lack of previous load-bearing sport was associated with the lowest BMD (p=0.013). Low EA was associated with reduced total percentage fat (p<0.019). The 10 cyclists with chronic low EA had lower levels of testosterone compared with those having adequate EA (p=0.024). Mean vitamin D concentration was below the level recommended for athletes (90  nmol/L). Training loads were positively associated with power-to-weight ratios, assessed as 60  min functional threshold power (FTP) per kg (p<0.001). Percentage body fat was not significantly linked to cycling performance.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that a SEAQ-I is effective for identifying male road cyclists with acute intermittent and chronic sustained low EA. Cyclists with low EA, particularly in the long-term, displayed adverse quantifiable measures of bone, endocrinology and performance consequences of RED-S.
Chinese translation and validation of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3)
Authors: Yeung Ella W , Sin Yan-Wing , Lui Sweetie R , Tsang Toni W T , Ng Ka-wing , Ma Pui-ka , Yeung Simon S , Woo Peter Y , Ma Tracy M 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3rd edition (SCAT3), a test for assessing athletes for concussion, into the Chinese context.MethodsTranslation and adaptation were performed in several stages, which included forward translation by two independent teams, translation merging, backward translation, reviews by both native Cantonese-speaking and Mandarin-speaking multidisciplinary expert panels (n=49) for semantic and conceptual equivalence and reviews by pitch-side physiotherapists (n=18) as end-users of the SCAT3 and rugby players (n=11) for face validity. The Serial 3  s subtraction test was used as a substitute for the Months Backward Test (MBT) for measures of concentration in the Standardized Assessment of Concussion subscale. English-speaking and Chinese-speaking rugby players (n=52) were recruited to perform these tests to assess the level of difficulty, time for completion and accuracy. Inter-rater and test–retest reliability were assessed in 33 and 38 healthy young individuals, respectively.ResultsDespite the longer mean completion time (p<0.05) for the Serial 3  s test, no significant difference was found in the percentage accuracy between MBT and the Serial 3  s test. No significant difference was found in either the percentage accuracy or completion time between English-speaking and Cantonese-speaking rugby players. All subscales in the Chinese SCAT3 had excellent levels of inter-rater reliability for all items (ICC2,1range: 0.96–0.99) but a low to moderate test–retest reliability (ICC3,2range: 0.32–0.65). The mean completion time of the Chinese SCAT3 was 10.6±1.1  min.ConclusionChinese SCAT3 is a valid instrument for pitch-side assessment of concussed Chinese-speaking athletes.
Towards ‘a balanced delegation’ or enhancing global health governance? Analysis of parties’ participation in the Conference of the Parties to WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Authors: Plotnikova Evgeniya , Hill Sarah E , Wright Alex , Collin Jeff 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionThe success of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) depends on parties’ active participation in its governance and implementation, particularly via biennial Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings. The COP’s efficacy is threatened by declining attendance and reductions in travel support for low-income and middle-income countries, and there are growing concerns about transparency and representation in country delegations amid industry efforts to shape their composition.MethodsWe examined parties’ participation in the COP based on official meeting records, and the relationship between attendance and strength of tobacco control based on national global tobacco control reports.ResultsAttendance at the COP has decreased over time, and at several meetings would have fallen below 66% (the threshold for decision-making) if it was not for high levels of participation among low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Despite their higher attendance at COP meetings, these countries represent a smaller share of meeting attendees due to the smaller size of their delegations. Additionally, there has been a decline in the proportion of delegates from ministries of health and tobacco control focal points. Nationally, COP participation is correlated with stronger tobacco control policies; attendance by low-income countries has a strong correlation with implementation of advertising bans, while attendance among high-income and lower-middle-income countries shows a moderate correlation with implementation of tobacco taxes.ConclusionsSupporting states to actively engage in the COP is crucial for ongoing FCTC implementation, strengthening national capacity for tobacco control, and protecting the legitimacy and efficacy of global health governance.
Effects of Fusarium avenaceum and Rhizoctonia solani on the growth of soybean in saline soils
Authors: Chang K.F. , Hwang S.F. , Conner R.L. , Ahmed H.U. , Zhou Q. , Fu H. , Turnbull G.D. , Nyandoro R. , Strelkov S.E. , McLaren D.L. , Gossen B.D. 
Published: October 2018

Soybean (Glycine max) acreage on the Canadian Prairies has increased rapidly in recent years. Production has expanded into semiarid regions where irrigation and drainage problems often result in the accumulation of salts in the soil. Fusarium avenaceum and Rhizoctonia solani are the two dominant pathogens in the disease complex that cause root rot and seedling blight of legume crops on the Canadian Prairies. The effects of F. avenaceum or R. solani in combination with soil salinity on soybean root rot were evaluated under greenhouse and mini-plot conditions. As expected, inoculation with F. avenaceum or R. solani consistently reduced seedling emergence and increased root rot severity in soybean. At high soil electrical conductivity values and inoculum densities, seedling emergence decreased and root rot severity increased in soybean in both trials with F. avenaceum and R. solani. Twenty short-season soybean cultivars that were well suited for production in Alberta were evaluated for their reactions to inoculation with F. avenaceum or R. solani in a saline soil (21.1 dS m−1). High seedling emergence was observed for cultivars 900Y61, P002T04R, 900Y01, TH27005RR, P001T34R, and 900Y81 in the non-inoculated control, for P002T04R and 900Y61 in the F. avenaceum treatment, and for 900Y61, 900Y81, and 900Y71 in the R. solani treatment. Root rot severity was low for cultivars NSC Portage and 900Y61 in the non-inoculated control and P002T004R in the F. avenaceum treatment. The cultivar 900Y61 also consistently had lower disease severity over the trials in the mini-plot test.
Tunable magnetocaloric effect in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 nanoparticles
Authors: Qaseem S. , Naeem M. , Rizwan Ali S. 
Published: October 2018

We study ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition using Banerjee criterion in colossal magnetoresistive La[Formula: see text]Ca[Formula: see text]MnO3 nanoparticles of different sizes (20, 26 and 32 nm). These particles are chemically prepared by a modified citrate route. Particle sizes are estimated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Sample morphology and size distribution are examined by a transmission electron microscope. Order of transition is determined by measuring magnetic field dependence of magnetization near Curie temperature T[Formula: see text]. Our results reveal second-order magnetic transition in all three different-sized particles in contrast to the first-order transition reported in bulk samples. This is further supported by temperature dependences of zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetizations. FC curves show gradual transition for all three samples without any saturation region as is the case of bulk. T[Formula: see text] is extracted from ZFC curves and is found to be 240 K for 20 nm particles and 258 K for both 26 and 32 nm particles. Magnetocaloric effect as a function of particle size also confirms the second-order magnetic transition in all three samples. The relative cooling power at 20 kOe is found to be decreasing with decreasing particle size.
Making Constrained Things Reachable
Authors: Novo Oscar 
Published: October 2018

The widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) has created a demand for ubiquitous connectivity of IoT devices into the Internet. While end-to-end connectivity for IoT requires in practice IPv6, a vast majority of nodes in Internet are only IPv4-capable. To address this issue, the use of Network Address Translation (NAT) at the IoT network boundary becomes necessary. However, the constrained nature of the IoT devices hinders the integration of traditional NAT traversal architectures through IoT networks.
In this article, we introduce a novel transition mechanism that transparently enables IoT devices behind NATs to connect across different network-layer infrastructures. Our mechanism adopts the IoT standards to provide a global connectivity solution in a transparent, secure, and elegant way. Additionally, we revisit the NAT solutions for IoT and describe and evaluate our current implementation.
Potential pitfalls in analyzing structural uncoupling of eNOS: aging is not associated with increased enzyme monomerization
Authors: Chang Fumin , Flavahan Sheila , Flavahan Nicholas A. 
Published: October 2018

Homodimer formation is essential for the normal activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Structural uncoupling of eNOS, with generation of enzyme monomers, is thought to contribute to endothelial dysfunction in several vascular disorders, including aging. However, low-temperature SDS-PAGE of healthy arteries has revealed considerable variation between studies in the relative expression of eNOS dimers and monomers. While assessing structural uncoupling of eNOS in aging arteries, we identified methodological pitfalls that might contribute to such variation. Therefore, using human cultured aortic endothelial cells and aortas from young and aged Fischer-344 rats, we investigated optimal approaches for analyzing the expression of eNOS monomers and dimers. The results demonstrated that published differences in treatment of cell lysates can significantly impact the relative expression of several eNOS species, including denatured monomers, partially folded monomers, dimers, and higher-order oligomers. In aortas, experiments initially confirmed a large increase in eNOS monomers in aging arteries, consistent with structural uncoupling. However, these monomers were actually endogenous IgG, which, under these conditions, has mobility similar to eNOS monomers. Increased IgG levels in aged aortas likely reflect the aging-induced disruption of endothelial junctions and increased arterial penetration of IgG. After removal of the IgG signal, there were low levels of eNOS monomers in young arteries, which were not significantly different in aged arteries. Therefore, structural uncoupling of eNOS is not a prominent feature in young healthy arteries, and the process is not increased by aging. The study also identifies optimal approaches to analyze eNOS dimers and monomers. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Structural uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is considered central to endothelial dysfunction. However, reported levels of eNOS dimers and monomers vary widely, even in healthy arteries. We demonstrate that sample processing can alter relative levels of eNOS species. Moreover, endothelial dysfunction in aging aortas results in IgG accumulation, which, because of similar mobility to eNOS monomers, could be misinterpreted as structural uncoupling. Indeed, enzyme monomerization is not prominent in young or aging arteries.
Entre a gestão pública e as empresas privadas: circuitos de conhecimento na urbanização de favelas e nas políticas socioambientais em São Paulo
Authors: Pulhez Magaly Marques , Ferrara Luciana Nicolau 
Published: October 2018

Há mais três décadas as ações públicas de intervenção em favelas, no Brasil, reúnem técnicos com grande conhecimento acumulado sobre variados e complexos aspectos que envolvem o tema. Desde 1990, programas de urbanização buscam solucionar, além da moradia e infraestruturas, questões ambientais. O “Programa Guarapiranga” (posteriormente, “Programa Mananciais”) foi um exemplo emblemático desenvolvido entre 1992 e 2016, em São Paulo, pois visou qualificar e sanear os assentamentos precários situados no manancial metropolitano. A sua implementação contou com a contratação de empresas privadas de gerenciamento e consultoria, que passaram a concentrar o conhecimento sobre as intervenções, reunindo técnicos especializados formados a partir de projetos públicos. Hoje, esse circuito de conhecimento representa restrita rede de grandes empresas, também influentes na estruturação da política. À luz do Programa Mananciais o texto problematiza de que modo a gestão pública conduz a política, ao passar por um processo que pressiona para uma “redução” do Estado, indagando sobre as consequências e limites desse modelo.
Predictability of Characteristics of Temporal Variation in Surface Solar Irradiance Using Cloud Properties Derived from Satellite Observations
Authors: Watanabe Takeshi , Nohara Daisuke 
Published: October 2018

AbstractUnderstanding of the characteristics of variation in surface solar irradiance on time scales shorter than several hours has been limited because ground-based observation stations are located coarsely. However, satellite observation data can be used to bridge this gap. We propose an approach for predicting characteristics of a time series of surface solar irradiance in a 121-min time window for areas without ground-based measurement systems. Time series features—mean, standard deviation, and sample entropy—are used to represent the characteristics of variation in surface solar irradiance quantitatively. We examine cloud properties over the area to design prediction models of these time series features. Cloud properties averaged over the defined domain and texture features that represent characteristics of the spatial distribution of clouds are used as measures of cloud features. Predictors for time series features, where explanatory variables are cloud features, are constructed employing the random-forest regression method. The performance test for predictions indicates that the mean and standard deviation can be predicted with higher prediction skill, whereas the predictor for sample entropy has lower prediction skill. The importance of cloud features for predictors and partial dependence of the predictors on explanatory variables are also analyzed. Cloud optical thickness (COT) and cloud fraction (CFR) were important for predicting the mean. Two texture features—contrast and local homogeneity (LHM)—and COT were important for predicting the standard deviation, and COT, LHM, and CFR were important for predicting the sample entropy. These results indicate which satellite-derived cloud field properties are useful for predicting time series features of surface solar irradiance.
The development of nanofiber tubes based on nanocomposites of polyvinylpyrrolidone incorporated gold nanoparticles as scaffolds for neuroscience application in axons
Authors: Khan Muhammad Qamar , Kharaghani Davood , Nishat Nazish , Ishikawa Takahiro , Ullah Sana , Lee Hoik , Khatri Zeeshan , Kim Ick Soo 
Published: October 2018

In this report, nanofiber-based tubes as scaffolds for potential neuroscience application in the axon were fabricated by polyvinylpyrrolidone incorporated with gold nanoparticles (PVP/Au) in five different diameters via electrospinning. The objective of the study was to analyze the capacity of nanofiber-based tubes for potential voltage and the ability to form tubes of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.00 mm diameter as the scaffold. The capacity for potential voltage showed that PVP/Au is a well-blended material for suitable potential voltage. The morphology of nanofiber-based tubes was examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which showed the good structural stability and good dispersion of Au nanoparticles in the nanofibers. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the presence of the Au component in PVP/Au and characteristic peaks of PVP and Au in the spectra, respectively. A wide-angle X-ray diffraction study showed that crystallinity was increased by the incorporation of Au in the PVP solution. The study of stress and strain behavior showed that when the diameter of the tubes was increased, the tensile strength of the tube was decreased but the bending behavior of the tubes was good and suitable for the axon. So, the nanofiber-based tube having a diameter of 0.2 mm made from PVP/Au is the better substrate for further in vivo or in vitro investigation, which will make this material more useful for tissue engineering.
Adolescents’ perceptions of school climate: Exploring its protective role in times of economic recession
Authors: Hatzichristou Chryse , Stasinou Vasiliki , Lampropoulou Aikaterini , Lianos Panayiotis 
Published: October 2018

The aim of the study is to explore the way Greek junior high school students perceive school climate as a protective factor against the adversities due to the ongoing economic recession. The randomly selected sample consisted of 746 students from junior high schools (Gymnasia) in the broader area of Athens. The California School Climate Survey (2009), the Questionnaire of Subjective Well-Being/Youth Form (Grob et al., 1991) and the Economic Crisis Difficulties Questionnaire ( LSP, 2011 ) were used for data collection. The findings indicated the existence of statistically significant relations between the effects of economic recession, subjective well-being and school climate. School climate moderated the interaction between economic recession and students’ subjective well-being. Results provide a better understanding of adolescents’ needs during unsettling times contributing to the development of effective evidence-based intervention programs in school communities.
The role of boutique financial advisors in mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Loyeung Anna 
Published: October 2018

This study examines the choice of boutique financial advisors in mergers and acquisitions, and the consequences of this choice on deal outcomes and post-acquisition performance. Boutique advisors often specialize in a particular industry and focus exclusively on providing advice in mergers and acquisitions. The results suggest that boutique financial advisors are preferred when the deal is considered complex and when information asymmetry is high. The study finds that the benefits of hiring a boutique advisor flow to both the acquirers and the target firms. Acquiring firms benefit in terms of improved post-merger performance, while target firms benefit in terms of higher completion of value-enhancing deals and positive cumulative abnormal returns. Overall, these results provide support for the growing popularity of boutique financial advisors in the Australian market. JEL classification: G24, G34