bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in the pro-inflammatory cytokine response to endotoxin unfold in vivo but not ex vivo in healthy humans
Authors: Wegner Alexander , Benson Sven , Rebernik Laura , Spreitzer Ingo , Jäger Marcus , Schedlowski Manfred , Elsenbruch Sigrid , Engler Harald 
Published: April 2017

Clinical data indicate that inflammatory responses differ across sexes, but the mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we assessed in vivo and ex vivo cytokine responses to bacterial endotoxin in healthy men and women to elucidate the role of systemic and cellular factors underlying sex differences in inflammatory responses. Participants received an i.v. injection of low-dose endotoxin (0.4 ng/kg body mass), and plasma TNF-α and IL-6 responses were analyzed over a period of 6 h. In parallel, ex vivo cytokine production was measured in endotoxin-stimulated blood samples obtained immediately before in vivo endotoxin administration. As glucocorticoids (GCs) play an important role in the negative feedback regulation of the inflammatory response, we additionally analyzed plasma cortisol concentrations and ex vivo GC sensitivity of cytokine production. Results revealed greater in vivo pro-inflammatory responses in women compared with men, with significantly higher increases in plasma TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations. In addition, the endotoxin-induced rise in plasma cortisol was more pronounced in women. In contrast, no sex differences in ex vivo cytokine production and GC sensitivity were observed. Together, these findings demonstrate major differences in in vivo and ex vivo responses to endotoxin and underscore the importance of systemic factors underlying sex differences in the inflammatory response.
Impact on Diabetes Self-Management and Glycemic Control of a New Color-Based SMBG Meter
Authors: Schnell Oliver , Klausmann Gerd , Gutschek Bettina , Garcia-Verdugo Rosa Maria , Hummel Michael 
Published: April 2017

Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a key pillar of personal diabetes management. The objective of this observational study was to analyze diabetes self-management (DSM) and glycemic outcomes before and during system implementation in real-life settings of a blood glucose meter system with a color-coded display of glucose levels, which helps identify out-of-range levels. Methods: A total of 193 insulin-treated diabetes patients (11% T1DM; 55% male, age 60 ± 4 years, mean diabetes duration 14 ± 9 years, HbA1c 8.68 ± 1.2%) were enrolled into the study. Both the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) and glycemic control were analyzed at baseline and 3 and 6 months after study initiation. Results: DSMQ general perception improved significantly by the end of the study period (“Sum Scale,” P < .05). Moreover, after 6 months patient’s attitudes on self-care (Q16, P = .0046) and nutrition (“Dietary Control,” P = .004) showed significant improvements. Use of the blood glucose meter resulted in improved glycemic control, as shown by mean HbA1c levels, which decreased from 8.68 ± 1.2% at baseline to 8.13 ± 1.02% after 3 months ( P < .0001) and to 7.9 ± 1.1% at 6 months ( P < .0001). Both patients and diabetes educators agreed in the advantages of the color-coded indicator and on its helpfulness in assisting patients on their diabetes management, as drawn from the results of the self-reported satisfaction questionnaire. Conclusion: This real-world study demonstrates that SMBG implemented via this new blood glucose meter not only leads to an improvement in metabolic control, but also is associated with a significant improvement in diabetes management.
Serum magnesium concentration is independently associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Eshraghian Ahad , Nikeghbalian Saman , Geramizadeh Bita , Malek-Hosseini Seyed Ali 
Published: April 2017

Background The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been well recognized yet. Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between serum magnesium concentration and NAFLD. Methods Study participants were healthy individuals who had undergone liver biopsies between January 2012 and August 2015 as a routine pre-transplant check-up before living donor liver transplantation. Liver biopsy specimens were evaluated by an expert pathologist regarding presence of hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis. Serum magnesium concentration was measured and compared in those with normal liver biopsy and those with steatosis and steatohepatitis. Results A total of 226 individuals were included. Eighty-two individuals (36.2%) had hepatic steatosis and 22 (9.7%) individuals had steatohepatitis and steatosis in their liver histology. Lower serum magnesium concentration was independently associated with hepatic steatosis (OR: 0.059; 95% CI: 0.011–0.325, p = 0.001). Serum magnesium concentration was independently associated with steatohepatitis compared to those without steatohepatitis (1.80 ± 0.48 mg/dl and 2.18 ± 0.31 mg/dl) (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02–0.41, p = 0.001). Serum magnesium concentration was significantly lower in individuals with steatohepatitis (1.80 ± 0.48 mg/dl) compared to individuals without steatosis (2.23 ± 0.31 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and individuals with only steatosis (2.07 ± 0.29 mg/dl, p = 0.017). Conclusion Serum magnesium concentration is independently associated with hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis in our study population.
TALKING POINT Whose Inheritance?
Authors: Sheikh Gulammohammed 
Published: April 2017

The visual culture forming part of India’s ‘inheritances’ is staggering in scale, diversity and range. However, we need further comprehensive documentation, publications, and innovative steps like museums devoted to ‘heritage’ and popular visual cultures etc., and a national archive of heritage monuments, accessible to all. Further, while sites and art belonging to ancient and medieval times get attention other periods, like treasures of the nineteenth century, are often overlooked. In part, the social mind-set and attitude towards art reinforced by an imbalanced system of education, is to blame. Art is equated with hobby or entertainment, and rarely with vocation or profession. There is also a clear division between verbal and visual cultures. Most educated people are brought up on verbal cultures; a few respond to performing arts and only a fraction are visually literate. A people’s movement for a cultural resurgence free of chauvinistic objectives is required. Such a movement could counter the consumerism and brutalization that seems to have swept the minds of a growing generation. It could be a national agenda.
Associations of α-thalassemia and BCL11A with stroke in Nigerian, United States, and United Kingdom sickle cell anemia cohorts
Authors: Saraf Santosh L. , Akingbola Titilola S. , Shah Binal N. , Ezekekwu Chinedu A. , Sonubi Omowunmi , Zhang Xu , Hsu Lewis L. , Gladwin Mark T. , Machado Roberto F. , Cooper Richard S. , Gordeuk Victor R. , Tayo Bamidele O. 
Published: April 2017

Key PointsA genetic risk profile integrating α-thalassemia and BCL11A status improves associations with hemolytic markers and stroke history.
Feature extraction for robust physical activity recognition
Authors: Zhu Jiadong , San-Segundo Rubén , Pardo José M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper presents the development of a Human Activity Recognition (HAR) system that uses a network of nine inertial measurement units situated in different body parts. Every unit provides 3D (3-dimension) acceleration, 3D angular velocity, 3D magnetic field orientation, and 4D quaternions. This system identifies 33 different physical activities (walking, running, cycling, lateral elevation of arms, etc.). The system is composed of two main modules: a feature extractor for obtaining the most relevant characteristics from the inertial signals every second, and a machine learning algorithm for classifying between the different activities. This paper focuses on the feature extractor module, evaluating several types of features and proposing different normalization approaches. This paper also analyses the performance of every sensor included in the inertial measurement units. The main experiments have been done using a public available dataset named REALDISP Activity Recognition dataset. This dataset includes recordings from 17 subjects performing 33 different activities in three different scenarios. Final results demonstrate that the proposed HAR system significantly improves the classification accuracy compared to previous works on this dataset. For the best configuration, the system accuracy is 99.1%. This system has been also evaluated with the OPPORTUNITY dataset obtaining competitive results.
Wave propagation in a transversely isotropic microstretch elastic solid
Authors: Singh Baljeet , Goyal Manisha 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe theory of microstretch elastic bodies was first developed by Eringen (1971, 1990, 1999, 2004). This theory was developed by extending the theory of micropolar elastcity. Each material point in this theory has three deformable directors.MethodsThe governing equations of a transversely isotropic microstretch material are specialized in x-z plane. Plane wave solutions of these governing equations results into a bi-quadratic velocity equation. The four roots of the velocity equation correspond to four coupled plane waves which are named as Coupled Longitudinal Displacement (CLD) wave, Coupled Longitudinal Microstretch (CLM) wave, Coupled Transverse Displacement (CTD) wave and Coupled Transverse Microrotational (CTM) wave. The reflection of Coupled Longitudinal Displacement (CLD) wave is considered at a stress-free surface of half-space of material. The appropriate displacement components, microrotation component and microstretch potential for incident and four reflected waves in half-space are formulated. These solutions for incident and reflected waves satisfy the boundary conditions at a stress free surface of half-space and we obtain a non-homogeneous system of four equations in four reflection coefficients (or amplitude ratios) along with Snell’s law for the present model.ResultsThe speeds of plane waves are computed by Fortran program of bi-quadratic velocity equation for relevant physical constants of the material. The reflection coefficients of various reflected waves are also computed by Fortran program of Gauss elimination method. The speeds of plane waves are plotted against angle of propagation direction with vertical axis. The reflection coefficients of various reflected waves are plotted against the angle of incidence. These variations of speeds and reflection coefficients are also compared with those in absence of microstretch parameters.ConclusionsFor a specific material, numerical simulation in presence as well as in absence of microstretch shows that the coupled longitudinal displacement (CLD) wave is fastest wave and the coupled transverse microrotational (CTM) is observed slowest wave. The coupled longitudinal microstretch (CLM) wave is an additional wave due to the presence of microstretch in the medium. The presence of microstretch in transversely isotropic micropolar elastic solid affects the speeds of plane waves and the amplitude ratios of various reflected waves.Mathematics Subject Classification74J
Functional assessment of the NMDA receptor variant GluN2AR586K
Authors: Marwick Katie F.M. , Parker Peter , Skehel Paul , Hardingham Giles , Wyllie David J.A. 
Published: April 2017

Background: The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is an ionotropic glutamate receptor that has important roles in synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. Recently, a large number of rare genetic variants have been found in NMDAR subunits in people with neurodevelopmental disorders, and also in healthy individuals. One such is the GluN2AR586K variant (GRIN2AG1757A), found in a person with intellectual disability. Identifying the functional consequences, if any, of such variants allows their potential contribution to pathogenesis to be assessed. Here, we assessed the effect of the GluN2AR586K variant on NMDAR pore properties. Methods: We expressed recombinant NMDARs with and without the GluN2AR586K variant in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in primary cultured mouse neurons, and made electrophysiological recordings assessing Mg2+ block, single-channel conductance, mean open time and current density. Results: The GluN2AR586K variant was not found to influence any of the properties assessed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest it is unlikely that the GluN2AR586K variant contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorder.
A Systematic Framework for Multilevel Theorizing in Information Systems Research
Authors: Zhang Meng , Gable Guy G. 
Published: April 2017

Information systems (IS) research usually investigates phenomena at one level of analysis at a time. However, complex IS phenomena may be difficult to address from such a single-level perspective. A multilevel perspective offers an alternative means to examine phenomena by simultaneously accounting for multiple levels of analysis. Although useful guidelines for theory development are widely available, they give little specific attention to developing theory that is conceptualized and analyzed at multiple levels. Multilevel theorizing or developing theory from a multilevel perspective is more complex and involves unique challenges. To promote multilevel theorizing in the IS discipline, we focus on addressing challenges involved in multilevel theorizing and propose a holistic framework for systematically developing theory from a multilevel perspective. Drawing from the organization science and IS literature, the proposed framework harmonizes and synthesizes previous guidelines, providing a practical basis for conceptualizing and studying multilevel phenomena. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2017.0690 .
Evaluation of ribosomal P0 peptide as a vaccine candidate against Argulus siamensis in Labeo rohita
Authors: Kar Banya , Mohapatra Amruta , Mohanty Jyotirmaya , Sahoo Pramoda Kumar 
Published: April 2017

AbstractArgulusspp. are important ectoparasites of fish, and the current approach of their control using chemical pesticides has numerous drawbacks. Vaccination is a promising alternative but identification of protective antigens is a limiting step. The ribosomal protein P0, essential for protein synthesis, has been studied as a vaccine candidate. We generated sequence information of the P0 protein of the ectoparasiteArgulus siamensisand the hostLabeo rohita. The region of the parasite P0 protein with less sequence similarity with that of the host P0 protein and high predicted antigenicity was used for peptide synthesis. The peptide was conjugated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) for immunization of rohu at a dose of 1.5 μg/g body weight. Dot blot assays confirmed production of antibodies against pP0-KLH in immunized fish. We evaluated the efficiency of pP0-KLH as a vaccine antigen by challenge of the immunized fish withA.siamensis. Although there was no significant difference in parasite load between both groups, a reduced and delayed mortality of 59% (15 days post-infection) in immunized group was noticed as compared to 75% mortality (within 7–15 days post-infection) in control group. The partial protection observed indicated the need for further optimization of this molecule to develop it into a vaccine candidate.
Variation of autosomes and X chromosome STR in breast cancer and gynecological cancer tissues
Authors: Hou Youxiang , Dong Zhanfei , Kuerban Gulina 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study analyses 1000 cases of patients with breast cancer and 2000 cases of patients with gynecological cancer (1000 cases of malignant tumor, 1000 cases of benign tumors), where breast cancer and malignant tumor patients comprise the observation group, while patients with benign tumors comprise the control group. Through DNA extraction, STR genotyping and variation verification, microdissection, individual STR mutation rate and loci STR mutation rate of the two groups of patients were calculated. Results show that there are no significant (P > 0.05) differences in the STR variation of autosomes and X chromosome between patients in the observation group and those in the reference group. However, significant (P < 0.05) intergroup differences were found for STR variation typing between patients with malignant and benign tumors. Using STR genotyping for autosomes and X chromosomes, gynecological cancer patients were found to be more likely to mutate, with a clear relationship between STR variation and tumor differentiation degrees. The study on the variation analysis of autosomes and X chromosome STR in breast and gynecological cancer tissues is expected to have a high application value when applied to medical research and identification processes.
Interprofessional learning: learning gain and change of attitude in first semester medical students / Interprofessionelles Lernen: Lernzuwachs und Einstellungsänderung bei Medizinstudierenden im 1. Semester
Authors: Behrend Ronja , Peters Harm , Böttner Andreas , Heinze Cornelia 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Background
The competence and willingness of physicians to work in interprofessional teams is important for the quality of patient care. To train this competence, the integration of interprofessional learning into undergraduate medical curricula is recommended by experts. This study analyses how a single interprofessional teaching course impacts on medical students’ learning gain and change of attitude towards interprofessional collaboration.

Method
With a questionnaire study in a pre/post design, the learning gain of five learning goals were analyzed. For analyzing change of attitude towards interprofessional collaboration, the “Readiness for interprofessional learning scale” was used in a German translation (RIPLS-D). 71 interprofessionally taught medical students were compared to 227 monoprofessionally taught medical students. In addition, the subjective impressions of the course were analyzed qualitatively by free text answers.

Results
Four out of five learning goals show no differences in the extent of learning gain between inter- and monoprofessionally taught groups. The group comparison shows a change of attitude towards interprofessional collaboration for the interprofessionally taught group. The free text responses show positive feedback on the course and suggest good acceptance of interprofessional learning.

Discussion
The present study is evidence of a positive impact of interprofessional teaching on medical students’ willingness towards interprofessional collaboration. In addition, medical students express a good acceptance for interprofessional learning. In order to detect long-term effects on health care practice, conditions for long-term testing of interprofessional teaching should be established in undergraduate medical curricula.
The deal.II library, version 8.5
Authors: Arndt Daniel , Bangerth Wolfgang , Davydov Denis , Heister Timo , Heltai Luca , Kronbichler Martin , Maier Matthias , Pelteret Jean-Paul , Turcksin Bruno , Wells David 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper provides an overview of the new features of the finite element library deal.II version 8.5.
Carrier recombination in sonochemically synthesized ZnO powders
Authors: Zakirov M.I. , Korotchenkov O.A. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
ZnO powders with particle size in the nm to μm range have been fabricated by sonochemical method, utilizing zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide as starting materials. Carrier recombination processes in the powders have been investigated using the photoluminescence, FT-IR and surface photovoltage techniques. It has been shown that the photoluminescence spectra exhibit a number of defect-related emission bands which are typically observed in ZnO lattice and which depend on the sonication time. It has been found that the increase of the stirring time results in a faster decay of the photovoltage transients for times shorter than approximately 5 ms. From the obtained data it has been concluded that the sonication modifies the complicated trapping dynamics from volume to surface defects, whereas the fabrication method itself offers a remarkably convenient means of modifying the relative content of the surface-to-volume defect ratio in powder grains and altering the dynamics of photoexcited carriers.
Influence of substrate temperature and gas pressure on aluminum oxynitride coatings obtained by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Piwowarczyk Joanna , Jędrzejewski Roman , Baranowska Jolanta 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe paper presents results of the investigation on the influence of deposition parameters, such as substrate temperature, total gas pressure and reactive gas composition on the structure, chemical composition and mechanical properties of aluminum oxynitride coatings obtained by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. Selection of process parameter ranges, which could be promising for aluminum oxynitride (ALON) coatings deposition, was the main objective of the work. Two series of experiments were carried out with varied pressure and temperature. It was found that from the chemical composition viewpoint, the most promising are atmospheres containing 20 % to 40 % oxygen. The nitrogen to oxygen ratios in the coatings can be controlled by increasing the total pressure or substrate temperature. However, increasing the pressure has a negative effect on the O + N:Al ratio, mechanical properties and quality of the coatings. The influence of temperature is much less drastic and more controllable. Increasing the deposition temperature is much more beneficial since it improves the mechanical properties and can compensate to some extent the negative effect of the total pressure. From the coating quality viewpoint, it is possible to establish an optimum temperature range for which the coatings are characterized by a compact structure and a limited number of droplets.
Development of calcium titanium oxide coated silicon solar cells for enhanced voltage generation capacity
Authors: Kathirvel K. , Rajasekar R. , Shanmuharajan T. , Pal Samir Kumar , Sathish Kumar P. , Saravana Kumar J. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Depletion of fossil fuel based energy sources drive the present scenario towards development of solar based alternative energy. Polycrystalline silicon solar cells are preferred due to low cost and abundant availability. However, the power conversion efficiency of polycrystalline silicon is lesser compared to monocrystalline one. The present study aims at analyzing the effect of calcium titanium oxide (CaTiO3) antireflection (AR) coating on the power conversion of polycrystalline solar cells. CaTiO3 offers unique characteristics, such as non-radioactive and non-magnetic orthorhombic biaxial structure with bulk density of 3.91 g/cm3. CaTiO3 film deposition on the solar cell substrate has been carried out using Radio Frequency (RF) magnetron sputter coating technique under varying time durations (10 min to 45 min). Morphological studies proved the formation of CaTiO3 layer and respective elemental percentages on the coated substrate. Open circuit voltage studies were conducted on bare and coated silicon solar substrates under open and controlled atmospheric conditions. CaTiO3 coated on a solar cell substrate in a deposition time of 30 min showed 8.76 % improvement in the cell voltage compared to the bare solar cell.