bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Older Adults Who Are Unable to Perform a Floor Transfer: Considerations for Clinical Decision-Making
Authors: Ardali Gunay , States Rebecca A. , Brody Lori T. , Godwin Ellen M. 
Published: April 2018

Background and Purpose:
The ability to get down to and up from the floor or to perform a floor transfer (FT) is a vital and useful skill for older adults at risk of falling. Little is known about the health-related factors that separate older adults who can perform FT independently from those who cannot. Therefore, the specific aims of this cross-sectional study are to (1) describe and compare health-related factors among older adults who were independent, assisted, or dependent in FT performance; and (2) establish the parallel reliability between self-reported and actual performance of FT.

Methods:
A total of 46 community-dwelling adults ages 65 to 96 years were recruited using a stratified sampling technique based on self-reported levels of FT ability: independent (n = 15), assisted (n = 15), or dependent (n = 15). Participants were asked to perform the actual FT test and were categorized according to test result as independent (n = 18), assisted (n = 10), or dependent (n = 17). Sociodemographic and health-related factors of participants were separated into the 3 FT test outcome groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare these factors across the 3 FT test outcome groups. The quadratic-weighted κ coefficient was calculated to determine the agreement between self-reported FT ability and FT test performance.

Results:
Significant differences were observed among the FT test outcome groups based on all sociodemographic and health-related factors (P < .05). Older adults who were dependent in FT were older and dependent in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL, 100%). Also, this group required some type of help during basic activities of daily living (ADL, 35.3%), which reflected a homebound status and the need for caregiver support, including the use of 2-handed assistive devices during ambulation. More than half the participants in this category had fallen at least once in the past 6 months. Conversely, older adults who were independent in FT were younger and living independently in the community (83.3%). The parallel reliability between the self-reported FT ability and actual FT test performance was 0.92 (95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.97).

Conclusion:
Sociodemographic and health-related factors were significantly different among older adults who demonstrated varying abilities on the FT test. This study has shown that the self-reported FT ability and actual FT test performance represented reliable alternative forms to assess the ability to transfer from a standing to a supine position on the floor and then back to an erect position. Evaluation of FT ability and/or performance is recommended as a standard component of geriatric functional assessment to make more informed clinical decision in providing effective physical therapy interventions.
Control of Excitation/Inhibition Balance in a Hippocampal Circuit by Calcium Sensor Protein Regulation of Presynaptic Calcium Channels
Authors: Nanou Evanthia , Lee Amy , Catterall William A. 
Published: April 2018

Activity-dependent regulation controls the balance of synaptic excitation to inhibition in neural circuits, and disruption of this regulation impairs learning and memory and causes many neurological disorders. The molecular mechanisms underlying short-term synaptic plasticity are incompletely understood, and their role in inhibitory synapses remains uncertain. Here we show that regulation of voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) channel type 2.1 (CaV2.1) by neuronal Ca2+sensor (CaS) proteins controls synaptic plasticity and excitation/inhibition balance in a hippocampal circuit. Prevention of CaS protein regulation by introducing the IM-AA mutation in CaV2.1 channels in male and female mice impairs short-term synaptic facilitation at excitatory synapses of CA3 pyramidal neurons onto parvalbumin (PV)-expressing basket cells. In sharp contrast, the IM-AA mutation abolishes rapid synaptic depression in the inhibitory synapses of PV basket cells onto CA1 pyramidal neurons. These results show that CaS protein regulation of facilitation and inactivation of CaV2.1 channels controls the direction of short-term plasticity at these two synapses. Deletion of the CaS protein CaBP1/caldendrin also blocks rapid depression at PV-CA1 synapses, implicating its upregulation of inactivation of CaV2.1 channels in control of short-term synaptic plasticity at this inhibitory synapse. Studies of local-circuit function revealed reduced inhibition of CA1 pyramidal neurons by the disynaptic pathway from CA3 pyramidal cells via PV basket cells and greatly increased excitation/inhibition ratio of the direct excitatory input versus indirect inhibitory input from CA3 pyramidal neurons to CA1 pyramidal neurons. This striking defect in local-circuit function may contribute to the dramatic impairment of spatial learning and memory in IM-AA mice.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMany forms of short-term synaptic plasticity in neuronal circuits rely on regulation of presynaptic voltage-gated Ca2+(CaV) channels. Regulation of CaV2.1 channels by neuronal calcium sensor (CaS) proteins controls short-term synaptic plasticity. Here we demonstrate a direct link between regulation of CaV2.1 channels and short-term synaptic plasticity in native hippocampal excitatory and inhibitory synapses. We also identify CaBP1/caldendrin as the calcium sensor interacting with CaV2.1 channels to mediate rapid synaptic depression in the inhibitory hippocampal synapses of parvalbumin-expressing basket cells to CA1 pyramidal cells. Disruption of this regulation causes altered short-term plasticity and impaired balance of hippocampal excitatory to inhibitory circuits.
The Role of Kv1.2-Containing Potassium Channels in Serotonin-Induced Glutamate Release from Thalamocortical Terminals in Rat Frontal Cortex
Authors: Lambe Evelyn K. , Aghajanian George K. 
Published: April 2018

Serotonin 5-HT2Areceptors have been implicated in psychiatric illness and the psychotomimetic effects of hallucinogens. In brain slices, focal stimulation of 5-HT2Areceptors in rat prefrontal cortex results in dramatically increased glutamate release onto layer V pyramidal neurons, as measured by an increase in “spontaneous” (nonelectrically evoked) EPSCs. This glutamate release is blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) and is thought to involve local spiking in thalamocortical axon terminals; however, the detailed mechanism has remained unclear.Here, we investigate parallels in EPSCs induced by either serotonin or the potassium channel blockers 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) or α-dendrotoxin (DTX). DTX, a selective blocker of Kv1.1-, Kv1.2-, and Kv1.6-containing potassium channels, has been shown to release glutamate in cortical synaptosomes, presumably by inhibiting a subthreshold-activated, slowly inactivating potassium conductance. By comparing DTX with other potassium channel blockers, we found that the ability to induce EPSCs in cortical pyramidal neurons depends on affinity for Kv1.2 subunits. DTX-induced EPSCs are similar to 5-HT-induced EPSCs in terms of sensitivity to TTX and ω-agatoxin-IVA (a blocker of P-type calcium channels) and laminar selectivity. The involvement of thalamocortical terminals in DTX-induced EPSCs was confirmed by suppression of these EPSCs by μ-opiates and thalamic lesions. More directly, DTX-induced EPSCs substantially occlude those induced by 5-HT, suggesting a common mechanism of action. No occlusion by DTX was seen when EPSCs were induced by a nicotinic mechanism. These results indicate that blockade of Kv1.2-containing potassium channels is part of the mechanism underlying 5-HT-induced glutamate release from thalamocortical terminals.
Microglial Activation and β-Amyloid Deposit Reduction Caused by a Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug in Amyloid Precursor Protein Plus Presenilin-1 Transgenic Mice
Authors: Jantzen Paul T. , Connor Karen E. , DiCarlo Giovanni , Wenk Gary L. , Wallace John L. , Rojiani Amyn M. , Coppola Domenico , Morgan Dave , Gordon Marcia N. 
Published: April 2018

3-4-(2-Fluoro-α-methyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-acetyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-2-propenoic acid 4-nitrooxy butyl ester (NCX-2216), a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing derivative of the cyclooxygenase-1-preferring nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) flurbiprofen, dramatically reduced both β-amyloid (Aβ) loads and Congo red staining in doubly transgenic (Tg) amyloid precursor protein plus presenilin-1 mice when administered at 375 ppm in diet between 7 and 12 months of age. This reduction was associated with a dramatic increase in the number of microglia expressing major histocompatibility complex-II antigen, a marker for microglial activation. In contrast, ibuprofen at 375 ppm in diet caused modest reductions in Aβ load but not Congo red staining, suggesting that the effects of this nonselective NSAID were restricted primarily to nonfibrillar deposits. We detected no effects of the cyclooxygenase-2-selective NSAID celecoxib at 175 ppm on amyloid deposition. In short-term studies of 12-month-old Tg mice, we found that the microglia-activating properties of NCX-2216 (7.5 mg · kg−1 · d−1, s.c.) were present after 2 weeks of treatment. Microglia were not activated by NCX-2216 in non-Tg mice lacking Aβ deposits, nor were microglia activated in Tg animals by flurbiprofen (5 mg · kg−1 · d−1) alone. These data are consistent with the argument that activated microglia can clear Aβ deposits. We conclude that the NO-generating component of NCX-2216 confers biological actions that go beyond those of typical NSAIDs. In conclusion, NCX-2216 is more efficacious than ibuprofen or celecoxib in clearing Aβ deposits from the brains of Tg mice, implying potential benefit in the treatment of Alzheimer's dementia.
Brain Activation during Human Male Ejaculation
Authors: Holstege Gert , Georgiadis Janniko R. , Paans Anne M. J. , Meiners Linda C. , van der Graaf Ferdinand H. C. E. , Reinders A. A. T. Simone 
Published: April 2018

Brain mechanisms that control human sexual behavior in general, and ejaculation in particular, are poorly understood. We used positron emission tomography to measure increases in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during ejaculation compared with sexual stimulation in heterosexual male volunteers. Manual penile stimulation was performed by the volunteer's female partner. Primary activation was found in the mesodiencephalic transition zone, including the ventral tegmental area, which is involved in a wide variety of rewarding behaviors. Parallels are drawn between ejaculation and heroin rush. Other activated mesodiencephalic structures are the midbrain lateral central tegmental field, zona incerta, subparafascicular nucleus, and the ventroposterior, midline, and intralaminar thalamic nuclei. Increased activation was also present in the lateral putamen and adjoining parts of the claustrum.Neocortical activity was only found in Brodmann areas 7/40, 18, 21, 23, and 47, exclusively on the right side. On the basis of studies in rodents, the medial preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and amygdala are thought to be involved in ejaculation, but increased rCBF was not found in any of these regions. Conversely, in the amygdala and adjacent entorhinal cortex, a decrease in activation was observed.Remarkably strong rCBF increases were observed in the cerebellum. These findings corroborate the recent notion that the cerebellum plays an important role in emotional processing. The present study for the first time provides insight into which regions in the human brain play a primary role in ejaculation, and the results might have important implications for our understanding of how human ejaculation is brought about, and for our ability to improve sexual function and satisfaction in men.
Mirror Neuron Populations Represent Sequences of Behavioral Epochs During Both Execution and Observation
Authors: Mazurek Kevin A. , Rouse Adam G. , Schieber Marc H. 
Published: April 2018

Mirror neurons (MNs) have the distinguishing characteristic of modulating during both execution and observation of an action. Although most studies of MNs have focused on various features of the observed movement, MNs also may monitor the behavioral circumstances in which the movement is embedded, including time periods preceding and following the observed movement. Here, we recorded multiple MNs simultaneously from implanted electrode arrays as two male monkeys executed and observed a reach, grasp, and manipulate task involving different target objects. MNs were recorded from premotor cortex (PM-MNs) and primary motor cortex (M1-MNs). During execution trials, hidden Markov models (HMMs) applied to the activity of either PM-MN or M1-MN populations most often detected sequences of four hidden states, which we named according to the behavioral epoch during which each state began: initial, reaction, movement, and final. The hidden states of MN populations thus reflected not only the movement, but also three behavioral epochs during which no movement occurred. HMMs trained on execution trials could decode similar sequences of hidden states in observation trials, with complete hidden state sequences decoded more frequently from PM-MN populations than from M1-MN populations. Moreover, population trajectories projected in a 2D plane defined by execution trials were preserved in observation trials more for PM-MN than for M1-MN populations. These results suggest that MN populations represent entire behavioral sequences, including both movement and non-movement. PM-MN populations showed greater similarity than M1-MN populations in their representation of behavioral sequences during execution versus observation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMirror neurons (MNs) are thought to provide a neural mechanism for understanding the actions of others. However, for an action to be understood, both the movement per se and the non-movement context before and after the movement need to be represented. We found that simultaneously recorded MN populations encoded sequential hidden neural states corresponding approximately to sequential behavioral epochs of a reach, grasp, and manipulate task. During observation trials, hidden state sequences were similar to those identified in execution trials. Hidden state similarity was stronger for MN populations in premotor cortex than for those in primary motor cortex. Execution/observation similarity of hidden state sequences may contribute to understanding the actions of others without actually performing the action oneself.
Isıl Konfor Sıcaklıklarına Bağlı Olarak Bir Konutun Enerji Performansının Değerlendirmesi: İzmir Örneği
Authors: YILDIRIM ÖZCAN Nurdan , KUZGUNKAYA Ebru , GÖKÇEN AKKURT Gülden 
Published: April 2018

Türkiye’de
enerji tüketiminin yaklaşık %34’ü binalarda ve bunun %85 kadarı da ısıtma ve
soğutma amaçlı kullanılmaktadır. Binalarda bulunan HVAC sistemlerinin işletme
özellikleri, hem binanın ısıl konforunu hem de enerji tüketimlerini doğrudan
etkilemektedir. Bu çalışmada, HVAC sistemlerinin işletme şartlarının, ısıl
konfor koşulları ile enerji tüketimlerine olan etkisinin belirlenmesi
amaçlanmaktadır. Bu amaçla İzmir ilindeki 100 m2’lik bir konut için
öngörülen HVAC sisteminin kesikli ve sürekli rejimde, tek ve çift sıcaklık set
değerleri ile tam mekanik kontrollü veya doğal havalandırmalı olarak
çalıştırılması durumları incelenmiştir.

Isıl
konfordan olan memnuniyet PMV değeri ile ifade edilmektedir. Bu kapsamda
öncelikle, Design Builder yazılımı kullanılarak en iyi duruma karşılık gelen
PMV=0’a göre HVAC sisteminin set sıcaklıları belirlenmiştir. Bu sıcaklık set
değerlerinin kullanılması ile ele alınan 5 farklı durumda konut için yıllık
birim ısıtma/soğutma enerji tüketimleri, birim birincil enerji tüketimi, yıl
boyunca ailenin evde bulunduğu saatlerde sağlanan PMV değerleri ve PMV
değerlerinin istatistiksel değerlendirilmesi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen
sonuçlara göre, incelenen 5 durum arasında normal beklenti seviyesinde % 99,6
kümülatif frekans yüzdesi ile ısıl konforu en çok sağlayan tam mekanik
kontrollü, sürekli rejim, aylık çift ısıtma/soğutma operatif sıcaklık set
değerli durumdur. Tam mekanik kontrollü, kesikli rejim, aylık tek
ısıtma/soğutma hava sıcaklığı set değerli durum ise 2,04 kWh/m2/%KF
birim memnuniyet enerji tüketimi değeri ile en az enerji tüketen durum
olmaktadır.
Sol-jel yöntemi ile zirkonyum fosfat ve poli (etilen oksit) temelli polimer kompozit malzeme (ZRP/PEO) sentezi ve karakterizasyonu
Authors: Çelik Küçük Asuman , Demirkal Emrah 
Published: April 2018

Bu çalışmada, sol-jel
yöntemi ile tetraetil ortosilikat (TEOS) ön başlatıcısı varlığında zirkonyum
fosfat (ZrP) ve Poli (etilen oksit)
temelli ZrP/ PEO kompozit malzemesi üretilmiştir. Hazırlanan malzemenin yapısı
X-ışını difraksiyonu (XRD) ve Fourier transform IR spektroskopisi (FTIR)
yöntemleri ile incelenmiştir. Isısal özellikleri ise termal gravimetrik analiz
(TGA) ile incelenmiştir. TGA analizinde, sentezlenen malzemenin 300 °C’e kadar
kararlı olduğu bulunmuştur. Üretilen bu malzemenin maliyeti düşüktür, ayrıca
ısıtıldığında 100 °C’nin üzerindeki sıcaklıklarda 300 °C ye kadar bozulmaya
uğramamaktadır. 300 °C’ye kadar olan ısısal kararlılığı ve su tutma kabiliyeti
sayesinde ZrP/PEO kompozit malzemesi, ara sıcaklık yakıt pillerinde
kullanılabilme potansiyeline sahiptir.
Karma Taguchi ve yüzey yanıt yöntemi kullanılarak astm b574 (hastelloy c-22)'in tornalanması esnasındaki işleme parametrelerinin yüzey pürüzlülüğüne etkisinin incelenmesi ve kesme parametrelerinin optimizasyonu
Authors: Basmacı Gültekin , KIRBAŞ İsmail , AY Mustafa , PEKER Musa 
Published: April 2018

Bu çalışmada ASTM B574
(Hastelloy C-22) malzemesi üzerinde tornalama işlemi sonrasında kesme
parametrelerinin (kesme derinliği, kesme hızı, radius, ilerleme hızı, debi,
talaş açısı, yanaşma açısı) yüzey pürüzlüğü ve sıcaklık üzerindeki etkileri
incelenmiştir. Kesme parametrelerini etkileyen faktörleri belirlemek için varyans
analizi (ANOVA) uygulanırken, yüzey pürüzlülüğünü etkileyen parametrelerin
optimizasyonu Taguchi ortogonal deney tasarımına dayanan Tepki Yüzeyi
Metodolojisi (RSM) ile elde edilmiştir. Geliştirilen modellerin yüzey pürüzlülüğü
ve sıcaklık tahmini için gerekli olan doğruluğu oldukça başarılıdır. Ölçüt
olarak değerinin kullanıldığı çalışmada ortalama Ra yüzey
pürüzlüğü için %93.85, doğruluk değeri elde edilmiştir. ANOVA analizleri
sonucunda %95 güven aralığında, Ra için en etkili parametreler sırasıyla kesme
hızı, yanaşma açısı, talaş açısı ve debi olarak tespit edilmiş ve en düşük
yüzey pürüzlüğü oranı için en uygun kesme parametre değerleri belirlenmiştir.
The theoretical investigation of global reactivity descriptors, NLO behaviours and bioactivity scores of some norbornadiene derivatives
Authors: Eryılmaz Serpil 
Published: April 2018

In this study, global reactivity descriptors such as ionization potential, electron affinity, electronegativity, chemical hardness, softness and electrophilicity index of norbornadiene derivatives which include some halogen atoms and atom groups, have been investigated with DFT/BPV86/B3LYP/B3PW91 methods with 6-31G(d,p) basis set. To determine the non-linear optical behaviours of the structures, the total dipole moment, polarizability,and first-order hyperpolarizabilityvalues have been examined at the same theoretical level. It has been determined that thiol-bonded groups on comparison with others have a much better NLO material property. In addition, the potentials of the structures as drug-active compounds have been inspected with Lipinski’s rule of 5 and bioactivity scores. Thiol and hydroxyl-bonded groups have a good drug-likeness and bioactivity score relative to the others.
Evaluation of Two Stage Modified Ridge Estimator and Its Performance
Authors: Toker Selma , ÖZBAY Nimet 
Published: April 2018

Biased
estimation methods are more desirable than two stage least squares estimation
for simultaneous equations models suffering from the problem of
multicollinearity. This problem is also handled by using some prior information.
Taking account of this knowledge, we recommend two stage modified ridge
estimator. The new estimator can also be evaluated as an alternative to the
previously proposed two stage ridge estimator. The widespread performance
criterion, mean square error, is taken
into consideration to compare the two stage modified ridge, two stage ridge and
two stage least squares estimators. A real life data analysis is investigated
to prove the theoretical results in practice. In addition, the
intervals of the biasing parameter which provide the superiority of the two
stage modified ridge estimator are determined
with the help of figures. The
researchers who deal with simultaneous systems with multicollinearity can opt for
the two stage modified ridge estimator.
Improving Physical Properties of Plant Growing Medias Using Perlite
Authors: ÖZER Hasan , Dede Ömer Hulusi 
Published: April 2018

The most widely used growing
media in the production of potted ornamental plants is peat. However, the
studies for alternative solutions are being conducted due to the reasons such
as restricted peat sources, high cost, destruction of natural environment due
to peat production and variability in the quality of produced peat. In the
relevant literature, there are two basic ideas on which the studies have
focused on. The first one is the development of new growing media using organic-origin
wastes, the second one is the preparation of the mixtures in which organic and
inorganic materials are used as a component of growingmediums. In this study
which was prepared in parallel with the relevant main ideas in the literature,
the effects of perlite utilization on the physical properties of indigenous
peat, and on those of the growing media obtained from hazelnut cinder, which is
among agricultural organic materials in our country and has considerable potential to be the most important
alternative of peat, were investigated. For this purpose, the physical
properties of the growingmedias, prepared by mixing perlite with raw peat and
hazelnut husk, at various ratios (10,15,20,25%), were investigated, and the
results obtained were compared with sphagnum peat, and with desired properties
for ideal growingmedias, in the literature. When the results obtained from the
study were examined, it was seen that as well as the highest values were
observed in the mixtures using 25% perlite, the perlite addition increased the porosity
of raw peat by 68.25% and air capacity by 30.03%, and that the hazelnut husk
decreased air capacity, higher than the ideal values, by 47.19%,thus approximating it its ideal value range. With increasing perlite
ratio in the mixtures, the organic substance contents and water holding
capacities of the growingmedias decreased as their pH values increased.
However, in applications using 25% Perlite, the shrinkage rates of raw peat and
hazelnut husk were found as 17.05% and 6.41% respectively, and the water resuction times of those were
found as 1.52 and 1.21 minutes, respectively. Based on these results, it can be
said that the most important contribution of perlite utilization for raw peat
and hazelnut husk is to decrease shrinkage rates and water resuction times, and
that this improvement will avail in preventing the damages that occur in plant
roots due to drying and shrinking of the
growing media, and in decreasing the
irrigation frequency.