bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Balance Control Through Trunk Movement During Square and Semicircular Turns on Gait Velocity, Center of Mass Acceleration, and Energy Expenditure in Older Adults
Authors: Shin Sun‐shil , An Duk‐hyun , Yoo Won‐gyu 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundTurning during ambulation is a common movement in everyday life, but complex and challenging for older adults. Balance control through trunk movement provides a stable platform during walking, thus it is an essential component of safe and efficient turning during walking in elderly individuals.ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of balance control during square turning (ST) and semicircular turning (SCT) on gait velocity, center of mass (COM) acceleration, and energy expenditure in elderly women.DesignCross‐sectional design.SettingVillage community center.ParticipantsTwenty community‐dwelling elderly women capable of independent walking were enrolled in the study.MethodsParticipants walked at a self‐selected speed along a marked path that included 2 types of turns (the path was divided into 3 segments: straight, turning, and straight return), while fitted with an accelerometer attached over the L3 spinous process.Main Outcome MeasurementsDifferences in gait velocity, normalized COM acceleration, and energy expenditure were analyzed using pairedt‐tests for comparisons between ST and SCT tasks and using a one‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance for within tasks.ResultsDuring the ST task, which was characterized by the use of a less‐stable balance maintenance strategy, gait velocity and vertical COM acceleration were lower (P< .05), whereas greater medial‐lateral COM acceleration (P< .05) and energy expenditure (P< .001) were observed during turning and return straight stages compared with the SCT task. For both tasks, velocity during turning stage was the slowest, among the 3 stages, the straight stage was the fastest (P< .05). For the SCT task, the anterior‐posterior COM acceleration during the straight stage was significantly higher than during the turning stage, and the vertical COM acceleration during the straight stage was significantly lower than during the return‐straight stage (P< .05). In both tasks, the energy expenditure of the turning stage was significantly higher than in the straight and return straight stage (P≤ .001), and in the return straight stage was higher than the straight stage–only ST task (P< .05).ConclusionsWe suggest that elderly individuals participate in balance and gait training using a variety of turns, including turns requiring medial‐lateral and vertical COM balance control, to prevent falls and to improve energy efficiency of walking.Level of EvidenceIV
Dissociation of Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease effects with imaging
Authors: Matthews Dawn C. , Lukic Ana S. , Andrews Randolph D. , Marendic Boris , Brewer James , Rissman Robert A. , Mosconi Lisa , Strother Stephen C. , Wernick Miles N. , Mobley William C. , Ness Seth , Schmidt Mark E. , Rafii Michael S. ,   Down Syndrome Biomarker Initiative and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2016

AbstractIntroductionDown Syndrome (DS) adults experience accumulation of Alzheimer's disease (AD)–like amyloid plaques and tangles and a high incidence of dementia and could provide an enriched population to study AD‐targeted treatments. However, to evaluate effects of therapeutic intervention, it is necessary to dissociate the contributions of DS and AD from overall phenotype. Imaging biomarkers offer the potential to characterize and stratify patients who will worsen clinically but have yielded mixed findings in DS subjects.MethodsWe evaluated 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET), florbetapir PET, and structural magnetic resonance (sMR) image data from 12 nondemented DS adults using advanced multivariate machine learning methods.ResultsOur results showed distinctive patterns of glucose metabolism and brain volume enabling dissociation of DS and AD effects. AD‐like pattern expression corresponded to amyloid burden and clinical measures.DiscussionThese findings lay groundwork to enable AD clinical trials with characterization and disease‐specific tracking of DS adults.
Drivers of Global CSR Integration and Local CSR Responsiveness: Evidence from Chinese MNEs
Authors: Miska Christof , Witt Michael A. , Stahl Günter K. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT:What drives Chinese MNEs’ global CSR integration and local CSR responsiveness? Drawing on institutional theory, we argue that both antecedents reflecting globally isomorphic patterns of adaptation and antecedents mirroring the distinct characteristics of China’s institutional context are relevant. We support our argument using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis on a sample of 29 of China’s globally most influential companies. We find that state influence and global CSR associations affect global CSR integration, whereas presence in the West and internationalization through mergers and acquisitions predict local CSR responsiveness. Our study thus suggests that home-country characteristics are an important co-determinant of the CSR approaches of emerging-market MNEs. We further find that multicultural experience in top management teams is associated with both global CSR integration and local CSR responsiveness, supporting notions of transnational CSR.
Cognitive Training in a Large Group of Patients Affected by Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease can have Long-Lasting Effects: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Cavallo Marco , Zanalda Enrico , Johnston Harriet , Bonansea Alessandro , Angilletta Chiara 
Published: March 2016

Introduction: Cognitive training in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has recently started to demonstrate its efficacy. We used our ‘puzzle-like’ task (GEO) as training for a large group of early-stage AD patients, to detect its effects over time.Method: AD patients (N = 40) and healthy controls (N = 40) were involved. Participants were administered the Geographical Exercises for cognitive Optimization (GEO) task. Participants underwent individual sessions with GEO three times a week for 2 months, and then their performance was recorded again. Lastly, at the 12-month follow-up the GEO task was administered for the last time.Results: Patients’ scores were significantly worse than controls’ scores only on a few neuropsychological tests. We ran a repeated measures GLM by considering groups’ performance on the GEO task at the assessment points. Results showed a significant main effect of group, and a significant effect of the interaction between group and time: patients’ performances both at the end of the training and at the follow-up were virtually identical to controls’ performances.Conclusions: Patients effectively acquired new procedural abilities, and their achievements were stable at follow-up. This study suggests the GEO is a useful strategy for cognitive training in AD, and should prompt further investigations about the degree of generalisability of patients’ acquired skills.
Between Entertainment and Elegy: The Unexpected Success of R. C. Sherriff's Journey's End (1928)
Authors: Walters Emily Curtis 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDespite West End producers' and critics' expectations that it would never turn a profit, R. C. Sherriff's Journey's End (1928) became the most commercially successful First World stage drama of the interwar period, celebrated as an authentic depiction of the Great War in Britain and around the world. This article explains why. Departing from existing scholarship, which centers on Sherriff's autobiographical influences on his play, I focus instead on the marketing and reception of this production. Several processes specific to the interwar era blurred the play's ontology as a commercial entertainment and catapulted it to international success. These include its conspicuous engagement with and endorsement by veterans of the war, which transformed the play into historical reenactment; the multisensory spectatorial encounter, which allowed audiences to approach Journey's End as a means of accessing vicarious knowledge about the war; and a marketing campaign that addressed anxieties about the British theatrical industry. Finally, I trace the reception of this play into the Second World War, when British soldiers and prisoners of war spontaneously revived it around the world. The afterlives of Journey's End, I demonstrate, suggest new ways of conceiving of the cultural legacy of the First World War across the generations.
Satellite archives reveal abrupt changes in behavior of Helheim Glacier, southeast Greenland
Authors: MILES VICTORIA V. , MILES MARTIN W. , JOHANNESSEN OLA M. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTRapid changes in Helheim Glacier and other Greenland outlet glaciers since 2000 are well-known, but knowledge on earlier decades is fragmentary. Here we exploit the satellite image archives to produce and analyze a monthly-to-seasonal record of Helheim Glacier front position, 1980–2011. Statistical analysis identifies decadal periods with abrupt changes in variability and mean. The record also reveals evidence of volatile advance/retreat behavior in the 1980s. In one of several cases of large-amplitude subannual changes, the glacier front ‘surged’ forward in 1984/85, advancing ~6 km within a few months – surpassing its Little Ice Age maximum position – and afterward retreated ~5 km within a few weeks. These findings challenge the prevailing view of front position stability in the decades before the multi-year retreat in the early 2000s. Cold conditions including rigid ice mélange appear to be a factor in the high-amplitude seasonal advances in the 1980s. However the magnitude and abruptness of the changes in the record cannot be explained solely as a climatic response, such that glacio-dynamics must be invoked. Further, the volatile advance/retreat behavior in the cold 1980s resulted in increased dynamic ice loss, complicating the interpretation of increased calving activity as a response to warming.
IMPACT OF THE ADAPTED YAM MINISETT TECHNIQUE ON WARE YAM (DIOSCOREA ROTUNDATA) PRODUCTION UNDER FARMER-MANAGED CONDITIONS IN NIGERIA
Authors: MORSE STEPHEN , MCNAMARA NORA 
Published: March 2016

SUMMARYWhite yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is a major root crop grown throughout West Africa and a major limitation on its production is the availability of good quality (i.e. free of pests and diseases) planting material, notably seed yams. One of the methods developed to address this limitation is the Adapted Yam Minisett Technique (AYMT) and since 2012 the AYMT has been promoted in both Nigeria and Ghana via a Bill and Melinda Gates funded project entitled Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA). While previously published studies have focussed on the agronomy of the sett-to-seed yam process, there has been no work done on the seed-to-ware yam stage which is critical in terms of farmer income and livelihood. This paper provides the first published evidence obtained under entirely farmer-managed conditions in Africa that shows seed yams produced via the AYMT can generate agronomic benefits in the water yam stage, including better germination, tuber numbers and weights.
FABA BEAN-BARLEY INTERCROPS FOR HIGH PRODUCTIVITY AND CORN POPPY SUPPRESSION
Authors: DHIMA KICO , VASILAKOGLOU IOANNIS , GATSIS THOMAS , GOUGOULIAS NIKOLAOS 
Published: March 2016

SUMMARYA 2-year field study was conducted in central Greece (Larissa) and was repeated simultaneously in northern Greece (Thessaloniki) to determine the productivity and the competitive ability against corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) of six faba bean (Vicia faba L.)-barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) intercrops grown at three seeding ratios (75:25, 50:50 or 25:75% of the recommended seeding rates) and two crop arrangements (alternate or mixed rows). Faba bean and barley sole crops were also included. Corn poppy dry weights in barley sole crop or faba bean-barley intercrops were 83 to 85% or 50 to 99%, respectively, lower than that in faba bean sole crop. Total dry matter (DM) and total crude protein (CP) yields of faba bean-barley intercrops were, in most cases, not significantly affected by corn poppy competition. The results obtained in both locations indicated that intercropping faba bean with barley could be an alternative practice to that of faba bean sole crop in sustainable production systems, because of its greater productivity, balanced nutritive value and competitiveness against aggressive weeds such as corn poppy.
Metabolic activity of sperm cells: correlation with sperm cell concentration, viability and motility in the rabbit
Authors: Sabés-Alsina Maria , Planell Núria , Gil Sílvia , Tallo-Parra Oriol , Maya-Soriano Maria José , Taberner Ester , Piles Miriam , Sabés Manel , Lopez-Bejar Manel 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThe resazurin reduction test (RRT) is a useful technique to assess the metabolic rate of sperm cells. RRT depends on the ability of metabolically active cells to reduce the non-fluorescent dye resazurin to the fluorescent resorufin. The aim of this study was to develop a vital fluorometric method to evaluate metabolic activity of rabbit sperm cells. Twenty-five rabbit males were included in the study. Viability and morphology, motility and metabolic activity were evaluated using an eosin-nigrosin staining, a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and the RRT, respectively. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between RRT and semen parameters. After evaluation, a concentration of 10 × 106 sperm cells/ml was selected for further experiments with RRT. No significant correlation was found between the RRT results and the motility parameters. However, after RRT a significant positive correlation between relative fluorescence units and the percentage of alive spermatozoa (r = 0.62; P = 0.001) and a negative one with the percentage of sperm cells with acrosomic abnormalities (r = −0.45; P < 0.05) were detected.The vital assessment of metabolic rate of sperm cells by RRT could provide more information about semen quality than other routine semen analysis, correlating with sperm viability and acrosome status information.
The impact of laser-assisted hatching on the outcome of frozen human embryo transfer cycles
Authors: Kanyo Katalin , Zeke Jozsef , Kriston Rita , Szücs Zoltan , Cseh Sandor , Somoskoi Bence , Konc Janos 
Published: March 2016

SummaryBiochemical modifications of zona pellucida (ZP) result in zona hardening. Zona hardening (ZH) is induced by several factors such as advancing maternal age,in vitroculture conditions and cryopreservation and adversely effects implantation. The objective of the clinical study was to determine whether or not laser-assisted hatching (LAH) applied on day 3 frozen embryos improves the outcome of frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles in patients with recurrent implantation failure and/or advanced female age. In total, 413 patients of different ages with recurrent implantation failure (maximum three cycles) were involved into the study. Patients were allocated randomly into LAH and control groups. On the day of FET, after thawing and just before FET, the ZP was thinned using a laser system. In the control group no treatment was applied on frozen embryo before transfer. The main outcome measures were clinical pregnancy rate. Overall, the results indicate a tendency that LAH increased (P= 0.08) clinical pregnancy. However, for patients older than 37 years, LAH increased pregnancy rates significantly (P= 0.03). In the LAH and control groups, the age of patients and the number of transferred embryos influenced pregnancy rates (P= 0.01). For patients older than 37 years, no effect of number of transferred embryos was detected (P= 0.14). The incidence of multiple pregnancies also increased in the LAH group (P= 0.01). In conclusion, in older woman, to overcome the negative effect of zona hardening, LAH could be performed on frozen embryos as a routine strategy before FET in frozen cycles in order to increase the possibility of pregnancy formation.
Bacteria-host relationship: ubiquitin ligases as weapons of invasion
Authors: Maculins Timurs , Fiskin Evgenij , Bhogaraju Sagar , Dikic Ivan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractEukaryotic cells utilize the ubiquitin (Ub) system for maintaining a balanced functioning of cellular pathways. Although the Ub system is exclusive to eukaryotes, prokaryotic bacteria have developed an armory of Ub ligase enzymes that are capable of employing the Ub systems of various hosts, ranging from plant to animal cells. These enzymes have been acquired through the evolution and can be classified into three main classes, RING (really interesting new gene), HECT (homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus) and NEL (novel E3 ligases). In this review we describe the roles played by different classes of bacterial Ub ligases in infection and pathogenicity. We also provide an overview of the different mechanisms by which bacteria mimic specific components of the host Ub system and outline the gaps in our current understanding of their functions. Additionally, we discuss approaches and experimental tools for validating this class of enzymes as potential novel antibacterial therapy targets.
Epigenetic regulation of diacylglycerol kinase alpha promotes radiation-induced fibrosis
Authors: Weigel Christoph , Veldwijk Marlon R. , Oakes Christopher C. , Seibold Petra , Slynko Alla , Liesenfeld David B. , Rabionet Mariona , Hanke Sabrina A. , Wenz Frederik , Sperk Elena , Benner Axel , Rösli Christoph , Sandhoff Roger , Assenov Yassen , Plass Christoph , Herskind Carsten , Chang-Claude Jenny , Schmezer Peter , Popanda Odilia 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRadiotherapy is a fundamental part of cancer treatment but its use is limited by the onset of late adverse effects in the normal tissue, especially radiation-induced fibrosis. Since the molecular causes for fibrosis are largely unknown, we analyse if epigenetic regulation might explain inter-individual differences in fibrosis risk. DNA methylation profiling of dermal fibroblasts obtained from breast cancer patients prior to irradiation identifies differences associated with fibrosis. One region is characterized as a differentially methylated enhancer of diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKA). Decreased DNA methylation at this enhancer enables recruitment of the profibrotic transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR1) and facilitates radiation-induced DGKA transcription in cells from patients later developing fibrosis. Conversely, inhibition of DGKA has pronounced effects on diacylglycerol-mediated lipid homeostasis and reduces profibrotic fibroblast activation. Collectively, DGKA is an epigenetically deregulated kinase involved in radiation response and may serve as a marker and therapeutic target for personalized radiotherapy.
CCC- and WASH-mediated endosomal sorting of LDLR is required for normal clearance of circulating LDL
Authors: Bartuzi Paulina , Billadeau Daniel D. , Favier Robert , Rong Shunxing , Dekker Daphne , Fedoseienko Alina , Fieten Hille , Wijers Melinde , Levels Johannes H. , Huijkman Nicolette , Kloosterhuis Niels , van der Molen Henk , Brufau Gemma , Groen Albert K. , Elliott Alison M. , Kuivenhoven Jan Albert , Plecko Barbara , Grangl Gernot , McGaughran Julie , Horton Jay D. , Burstein Ezra , Hofker Marten H. , van de Sluis Bart 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) plays a pivotal role in clearing atherogenic circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Here we show that the COMMD/CCDC22/CCDC93 (CCC) and the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein and SCAR homologue (WASH) complexes are both crucial for endosomal sorting of LDLR and for its function. We find that patients with X-linked intellectual disability caused by mutations in CCDC22 are hypercholesterolaemic, and that COMMD1-deficient dogs and liver-specific Commd1 knockout mice have elevated plasma LDL cholesterol levels. Furthermore, Commd1 depletion results in mislocalization of LDLR, accompanied by decreased LDL uptake. Increased total plasma cholesterol levels are also seen in hepatic COMMD9-deficient mice. Inactivation of the CCC-associated WASH complex causes LDLR mislocalization, increased lysosomal degradation of LDLR and impaired LDL uptake. Furthermore, a mutation in the WASH component KIAA0196 (strumpellin) is associated with hypercholesterolaemia in humans. Altogether, this study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms regulating cholesterol homeostasis and LDLR trafficking.
Externalized decondensed neutrophil chromatin occludes pancreatic ducts and drives pancreatitis
Authors: Leppkes Moritz , Maueröder Christian , Hirth Sebastian , Nowecki Stefanie , Günther Claudia , Billmeier Ulrike , Paulus Susanne , Biermann Mona , Munoz Luis E. , Hoffmann Markus , Wildner Dane , Croxford Andrew L. , Waisman Ari , Mowen Kerri , Jenne Dieter E. , Krenn Veit , Mayerle Julia , Lerch Markus M. , Schett Georg , Wirtz Stefan , Neurath Markus F. , Herrmann Martin , Becker Christoph 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDuctal occlusion has been postulated to precipitate focal pancreatic inflammation, while the nature of the primary occluding agents has remained elusive. Neutrophils make use of histone citrullination by peptidyl arginine deiminase-4 (PADI4) in contact to particulate agents to extrude decondensed chromatin as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). In high cellular density, NETs form macroscopically visible aggregates. Here we show that such aggregates form inside pancreatic ducts in humans and mice occluding pancreatic ducts and thereby driving pancreatic inflammation. Experimental models indicate that PADI4 is critical for intraductal aggregate formation and that PADI4-deficiency abrogates disease progression. Mechanistically, we identify the pancreatic juice as a strong instigator of neutrophil chromatin extrusion. Characteristic single components of pancreatic juice, such as bicarbonate ions and calcium carbonate crystals, induce aggregated NET formation. Ductal occlusion by aggregated NETs emerges as a pathomechanism with relevance in a plethora of inflammatory conditions involving secretory ducts.
Effective energy storage from a triboelectric nanogenerator
Authors: Zi Yunlong , Wang Jie , Wang Sihong , Li Shengming , Wen Zhen , Guo Hengyu , Wang Zhong Lin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTo sustainably power electronics by harvesting mechanical energy using nanogenerators, energy storage is essential to supply a regulated and stable electric output, which is traditionally realized by a direct connection between the two components through a rectifier. However, this may lead to low energy-storage efficiency. Here, we rationally design a charging cycle to maximize energy-storage efficiency by modulating the charge flow in the system, which is demonstrated on a triboelectric nanogenerator by adding a motion-triggered switch. Both theoretical and experimental comparisons show that the designed charging cycle can enhance the charging rate, improve the maximum energy-storage efficiency by up to 50% and promote the saturation voltage by at least a factor of two. This represents a progress to effectively store the energy harvested by nanogenerators with the aim to utilize ambient mechanical energy to drive portable/wearable/implantable electronics.