bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Acupuncture Therapies to Manage Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Extremities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cox Jocelyn , Varatharajan Sharanya , Côté Pierre , Optima Collaboration  
Published: April 2016

Study Design Systematic review. Background Little is known about the effectiveness of acupuncture therapies for musculoskeletal disorders. Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapies for musculoskeletal disorders of the extremities. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1990 to 2015 for randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies. Eligible studies were appraised with Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. A best-evidence synthesis was performed to synthesize results from included studies with a low risk of bias. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the impact of excluding studies with a high risk of bias. Results The search revealed 5180 articles; 15 were included (10 with a low risk of bias, 5 with a high risk of bias). The studies with a low risk of bias suggested that (1) traditional needle acupuncture was superior to oral steroids (1 RCT, n = 77) and may be superior to vitamin B1/B6 supplements (1 RCT, n = 64) for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and was superior to exercise for Achilles tendinopathy (1 RCT, n = 64). Traditional needle acupuncture did not provide important benefit over placebo for upper extremity pain (1 RCT, n = 128), or no intervention for patellofemoral pain (1 RCT, n = 75), and was inconclusive for shoulder pain (2 RCTs, n = 849), suggesting no important benefit; (2) electroacupuncture may be superior to placebo for shoulder injuries (1 RCT, n = 130) and may not be superior to night splinting for persistent CTS (1 RCT, n = 78); and (3) dry needling may be superior to placebo for plantar fasciitis (1 RCT, n = 84). Sensitivity analysis suggests that including studies with a high risk of bias might have impacted the evidence synthesis in support of managing shoulder pain with traditional needle acupuncture, and that would suggest traditional needle acupuncture may be effective for lateral epicondylitis and piriformis syndrome. Conclusion Evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture for musculoskeletal disorders of the extremities was inconsistent. Traditional needle acupuncture may be beneficial for CTS and Achilles tendinopathy, but not for nonspecific upper extremity pain and patellofemoral syndrome. Electroacupuncture may be effective for shoulder injuries and may show similar effectiveness to that of night wrist splinting for CTS. The effectiveness of dry needling for plantar fasciitis is equivocal. Level of Evidence Therapy, 1a-. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(6):409–429. Epub 26 Apr 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6270
Validity and Reliability of a Commercial Fitness Watch for Measuring Running Dynamics
Authors: Adams Douglas , Pozzi Federico , Carroll Anthony , Rombach Andrew , Zeni Joseph 
Published: April 2016

Study Design Validity and reliability study. Background Providing feedback on running mechanics is a common intervention to decrease the risk of injury or to restore running after an injury. Commercially available devices are able to measure running dynamics, such as cadence, ground contact time (GCT), and vertical oscillation (VO), but there is limited evidence on the validity and reliability of these measures. Objective To determine the validity and reliability of measures of cadence, GCT, and VO with a fitness watch compared to a motion-analysis system. Methods Twenty runners ran in 3 conditions: (1) baseline (self-selected speed and cadence), (2) higher cadence, and (3) decreased vertical motion (minimal oscillation). Ten runners also performed an additional baseline running session to measure intrasession reliability. For each condition, the average cadence, GCT, and VO were collected from a watch and from a motion-capture system. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess validity between devices. An analysis of variance with 2 repeated measures was used to determine the ability of the watch and motion analysis to detect change in running dynamics. Results The ICCs between the 2 measuring systems were 0.931, 0.963, and 0.749 for cadence, VO, and GCT, respectively (P<.01). The minimal detectable changes at the 95% confidence interval for cadence, VO, and GCT were 2.53 steps per minute, 0.45 cm, and 0.01 seconds, respectively, for the watch. There were no interaction effects, but there was a main effect for condition; both devices detected changes in running dynamics. Conclusion The watch is a valid and reliable tool for detecting changes in cadence, VO, and GCT. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(6):471–476. Epub 26 Apr 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6391
The agent environment in multi-agent systems: A middleware perspective
Authors: Weyns Danny , Helleboogh Alexander , Holvoet Tom , Schumacher Michael 
Published: April 2016

Interaction is at the core of multi-agent systems. We use agent environment as a general term to denote the medium for agent interaction. Over the last years, the agent environment has been subject of active research. In this paper, we reflect on the role of the agent environment in multi-agent systems from a middleware perspective. Our study yields the following observations: (1) multi-agent system engineers consider distributed middleware (RMI, CORBA, etc.) as the basic platform for developing multi-agent systems, (2) common middleware services (security, persistency, etc.) are only minimally considered in multi-agent systems, (3) domain-specific middleware for multi-agent systems such as communication services and support for stigmergic coordination are typically developed as stand-alone services and as such difficult to compose with other services. From these observations, we derive a number of challenges for research on environments in multi-agent systems: (1) to amplify reuse, application-specific services should be further consolidated into domain-specific services, (2) the problem of integration must be tackled, i.e. horizontal integration among domain-specific services for multi-agent systems, and vertical integration of domain-specific services upwards with the agents, and downwards with the common middleware services and the underlying distributed platform, (3) to support dynamic changing requirements of the system at hand, flexible composition and dynamic adaptation of services must be supported by the agent environment.
STELLAR POPULATION SYNTHESIS BASED MODELING OF THE MILKY WAY USING ASTEROSEISMOLOGY OF 13,000 KEPLER RED GIANTS
Authors: Sharma Sanjib , Stello Dennis , Bland-Hawthorn Joss , Huber Daniel , Bedding Timothy R. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
With current space-based missions it is now possible to obtain age-sensitive asteroseismic information for tens of thousands of red giants. This provides a promising opportunity to study the Galactic structure and evolution. We use asteroseismic data of red giants, observed by Kepler, to test the current theoretical framework of modeling the Galaxy based on population synthesis modeling and the use of asteroseismic scaling relations for giants. We use the open source code Galaxia to model the Milky Way and find the distribution of the masses predicted by Galaxia to be systematically offset with respect to the seismically inferred observed masses. The Galactic model overestimates the number of low-mass stars, and these stars are predominantly old and of low metallicity. Using corrections to the

Δ
ν

scaling relation suggested by stellar models significantly reduces the disagreement between predicted and observed masses. For a few cases where non-seismic mass estimates are available, the corrections to

Δ
ν

also improve the agreement between seismic and non-seismic mass estimates. The disagreement between predictions of the Galactic model and the observations is most pronounced for stars with

[Fe/H]
<
−
0.5

and

[Fe/H]
>
0

or for

T

eff

>
4700

K. Altering the star formation rate in order to suppress stars older than 10 Gyr improves the agreement for mass but leads to inconsistent color distributions. We also tested the predictions of the TRILEGAL Galactic model. However, unlike Galaxia, it had difficulties in reproducing the photometric properties of the Kepler Input Catalog because it overestimates the number of blue stars. We conclude that either the scaling relations and/or the Galactic models need to be revised to reconcile predictions of theory with asteroseismic observations.
A SUPER-EDDINGTON, COMPTON-THICK WIND IN GRO J1655–40?
Authors: Neilsen J. , Rahoui F. , Homan J. , Buxton M. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
During its 2005 outburst, GRO J1655–40 was observed at high spectral resolution with the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer, revealing a spectrum rich with blueshifted absorption lines indicative of an accretion disk wind—apparently too hot, too dense, and too close to the black hole to be driven by radiation pressure or thermal pressure (Miller et al.). However, this exotic wind represents just one piece of the puzzle in this outburst, as its presence coincides with an extremely soft and curved X-ray continuum spectrum, remarkable X-ray variability (Uttley & Klein-Wolt), and a bright, unexpected optical/infrared blackbody component that varies on the orbital period. Focusing on the X-ray continuum and the optical/infrared/UV spectral energy distribution, we argue that the unusual features of this “hypersoft state” are natural consequences of a super-Eddington Compton-thick wind from the disk: the optical/infrared blackbody represents the cool photosphere of a dense, extended outflow, while the X-ray emission is explained as Compton scattering by the relatively cool, optically thick wind. This wind obscures the intrinsic luminosity of the inner disk, which we suggest may have been at or above the Eddington limit.
STUDY OF THE FRIEDEL–CRAFT CO-CURING OF ETHYLENE–PROPYLENE–DIENE RUBBER AND STYRENE–BUTADIENE RUBBER
Authors: Estagy Sara , Movahed Saeed Ostad , Yazdanbakhsh Soheil , Nezhad Majid Karim 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTPolymer blends are mixtures of at least two macromolecular species, polymers, and/or copolymers. A good blend should have strong interphases between different parts of the constituent polymers. To improve adhesion and miscibility of EPDM and SBR in their blends, a Lewis acid, AlCl3, was used to form EPDM-g-SBR copolymer through Friedel–Craft reactions. The effects of blend AlCl3 content, the diene monomer content of the EPDM, the EPDM–SBR weight ratio in the blend, the room temperature aging of the blend, and the type of the oil in the blend on cross-link reactions were studied. The results showed that an increase in AlCl3 content, up to 2 phr in the formulation, was beneficial to ΔTorque (difference between minimum and maximum torque in cure trace) and cross-link density (CLD) values of the compounds. The viscosity of the blends played a key role on AlCl3 curing of the compounds. As a general rule, the ΔTorque and CLD values tended to increase with diene monomer content of the EPDM. A high reduction in ΔTorque values was observed after 3 months of aging at room temperature. The oil incorporation was beneficial to cure parameters in the following order: oleic acid, paraffin oil, no oil, and aromatic oil, respectively. The EPDM–SBR weight ratios of 50:50 and/or 60:40 were demonstrated to be desired blend ratios.
One-step fabrication of nanostructure-covered microstructures using selective aluminum anodization based on non-uniform electric field
Authors: Park Yong Min , Kim Byeong Hee , Seo Young Ho 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
This paper presents a selective aluminum anodization technique for the fabrication of microstructures covered by nanoscale dome structures. It is possible to fabricate bulging microstructures, utilizing the different growth rates of anodic aluminum oxide in non-uniform electric fields, because the growth rate of anodic aluminum oxide depends on the intensity of electric field, or current density. After anodizing under a non-uniform electric field, bulging microstructures covered by nanostructures were fabricated by removing the residual aluminum layer. The non-uniform electric field induced by insulative micropatterns was estimated by computational simulations and verified experimentally. Utilizing computational simulations, the intensity profile of the electric field was calculated according to the ratio of height and width of the insulative micropatterns. To compare computational simulation results and experimental results, insulative micropatterns were fabricated using SU-8 photoresist. The results verified that the shape of the bottom topology of anodic alumina was strongly dependent on the intensity profile of the applied electric field, or current density. The one-step fabrication of nanostructure-covered microstructures can be applied to various fields, such as nano-biochip and nano-optics, owing to its simplicity and cost effectiveness.
Electronic Waste Awareness and Management in the Municipality of Tuburan, Cebu, Philippines
Authors: Asendiente-Bajao Naomi , Pepino Mario , Celeste Noel , Sarucam Jae-an , C. Brigoli Helen , Pontillas Pedrito C. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The world is now facing the great effect of the rapid growth of information technology. The electronic waste or E-waste has been the major contributor of solid waste throughout the globe that had caused the contamination of the global environment. Thus, this study assessed the electronic waste in the Municipality of Tuburan Cebu. Questionnaires were distributed to the 13 barangays in the municipality of Tuburan with simple questions answerable by “Yes” or “No”. There were 1,115 respondents (families) over 13 barangays in Tuburan, Cebu. Results showed that more than half of the respondents still need complete awareness about electronic waste, its composition, proper handling, and its effects to the environment. An alarming value shows that 721 or 64.66 percent of the 1,115 respondents said that there are no waste collectors in their area. This simply means that more than 50 percent of the total number of respondents would end up throwing and dumping their waste including E-waste; anywhere or in the open landfill. It shows that respondents need complete awareness about E-waste; particularly, the nature of electronic waste, proper handling, and the negative effects to the environment and their effects to the human health and other living animals. The absence of waste collectors in most barangays has created big impact to the surroundings already. Moreover, some respondents have thought that these E-wastes just mean nothing to the waste collectors. Waste collectors must be strictly assigned by the LGU to some specific areas to closely monitor and confine the waste disposal of each household. It will also be good if a separate collector for E-waste can be provided in each locality.
Tidal controls on the flow of ice streams
Authors: Rosier Sebastian H. R. , Gudmundsson G. Hilmar 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe flow of many Antarctic ice streams is known to be significantly influenced by tides. In the past, modeling studies have implemented the tidal forces acting on a coupled ice stream/ice shelf system in a number of different ways, but the consequences that this has on the modeled response of ice streams to tides have, until now, not been considered. Here we investigate for the first time differences in model response that are only due to differences in the way tidal forcings are implemented. We find that attempts to simplify the problem by neglecting flexural stresses are generally not valid and forcing models with only changes in ocean back pressure will not capture either the correct amplitudes or length scale.
Can PDSI inform extreme precipitation?: An exploration with a 500 year long paleoclimate reconstruction over the U.S.
Authors: Steinschneider Scott , Ho Michelle , Cook Edward R. , Lall Upmanu 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis study explores whether it is possible to reconstruct the frequency of extreme precipitation occurrence across the contiguous United States (CONUS) using the Living Blended Drought Atlas (LBDA), a 500 year paleoclimate reconstruction of the summer (June–August) Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). We first identify regions of the country where the LBDA may reflect the occurrence of extremes based on their seasonality and contribution to total annual moisture delivery. Correlation measures are used to assess the relationship between the frequencies of extreme precipitation occurrence and both the instrumental monthly PDSI and the annual LBDA‐estimated PDSI. Extreme precipitation is found to account for a large portion of total precipitation west of the Mississippi River and clusters in particular seasons (winter and summer), supporting a strong relationship with the LBDA without much information loss from the instrumental PDSI data. Dimension reduction techniques are used to explore the joint spatiotemporal structure of extreme precipitation occurrence and LBDA across the country. The primary modes of variability of the LBDA and extreme precipitation occurrence relate remarkably well for a region centered over the southwest that exhibits an ENSO‐like time‐frequency structure. Generalized linear models (GLMs) are used to demonstrate the feasibility of reconstructing the annual extreme precipitation frequency over the 500 year prehistoric record at two sites in the southwest and Southern Plains. GLM‐based reconstructions show a high degree of structured variability in the likelihood of extreme precipitation occurrences over the prehistoric record.
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate[BAT Value Documentation, 2009]
Authors: Kaefferlein H. , Drexler H. , Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2016

Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate
In 2009, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated a BAT‐value for ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (2‐methoxyethanol, 2‐ME) and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (2‐methoxyethyl acetate, 2‐MEA), considering methoxyacetic acid in urine to characterize the internal exposure. Both substances have been designated with “H” (skin notation) and classified in pregnancy risk group B (MAK Value Documentation, Hartwig 2009). Available publications are described in detail.The most sensitive parameter for the effects of 2‐ME in humans is its influence on the erythropoetic system (haematotoxicity). The study by Shih et al. (2003) found clear haematological effects for the parameters haemoglobin, haematocrit and erythrocyte count for 2‐ME at mean arithmetic concentration of 57.7 ± 31.8 mg/g creatinine. Slight haematological effects could not be excluded with certainty at a mean arithmetic concentration of 24.6 ± 14.7 mg/g creatinine, while no effects were observed at a concentration of 13.5 ± 10.6 mg/g. In another study of this working group (Shih et al. 2000b), haematological effects were found at a mean geometric concentration of 20.0 ± 2.2 mg/g creatinine and 20.9 ± 2.2 mg/g creatinine compared with a non‐exposed control group. On the basis of these data available, a BAT‐value of 15 mg methoxyacetic acid/g creatinine was established. The sampling time is at the end of exposure or the end of the shift. Due to the long half‐life of 2‐ME or methoxyacetic acid (about 70 hours), an accumulation in the body during the working week has to be considered.
Saliva as a matrix for human biomonitoring in occupational and environmental medicine [Biomonitoring Methods, 2015]
Authors: Michalke B. , Rossbach B. , Göen T. , Schäferhenrich A. , Scherer G. , Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2016

Purpose: Human biomonitoring (HBM) implies the assessment of internal exposure to hazardous substances by measuring the substances, their metabolites or reaction products, as well as effect parameters in human body fluids. Along with blood, plasma and urine, saliva is of increasing interest as an alternative matrix for HBM.Methods: This paper reviews studies that measure salivary background levels of hazardous substances, elevated levels after environmental or occupational exposure, as well as references which deal with physiological and toxicokinetic behaviour of saliva and salivary parameters, respectively.Results: The studies revealed that the determination of biomarkers in saliva is a promising approach for HBM, even if only few substances showed a satisfying correlation with exposure data or established biomonitoring matrices such as blood, plasma and urine. Saliva has been proven to be particularly suitable for substances of low molecular weight such as organic solvents, selected pesticides, cotinine, and for some specific trace elements. Besides several advantages, serious problems and limitations were identified. Above all, the complex interactions between substance properties, sampling procedure, sample preparation, measurement techniques or individual factors, and the salivary analyte level are discussed.Conclusions: A major conclusion of the review is that more scientific studies are needed in order to systematically collect data on parameters, influencing salivary analyte levels. Crucially required is a harmonisation of the sampling as well as the sample preparation techniques and procedures, which is indispensable to achieve an overall comparability and interpretability of salivary biomarker levels.
Chlorierte Biphenyle [MAK Value Documentation in German language, 2016]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2016

Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) of chlorinated biphenyls (PCB), considering all toxicity endpoints. Available publications are described in detail.The Commission re‐evaluated the previous distinction of PCB in two groups: congeners with up to 3 and 4 or more chlorine atoms. Recent inhalation studies show that the lung is not expected to be the primary target organ of PCB 3 and PCB 11 but the liver. In feeding studies, Aroclor mixtures containing congeners with up to 3 chlorine atoms yield only liver adenomas but no carcinomas in rats, although some of these congeners are genotoxic. On the other hand, Aroclor mixtures with high amounts of congeners with 4 and more chlorine atoms lead to a high incidence of liver carcinomas in rats. Therefore, for congeners with up to 3 chlorine atoms, the genotoxicity is not decisive for the development of liver tumours but mainly the tumour promotion, which has also been shown for congeners with 4 and more chlorine atoms. The distinction between these two groups is therefore no longer retained and all PCBs are classified in Carcinogen Category 4. As a 4‐week inhalation study in rats with a PCB containing mainly congeners with up to 3 chlorine atoms does not give rise to toxicity at a concentration which is 35 times higher than the previous MAK value for congeners with 4 and more chlorine atoms, this MAK value of 0.003 mg/m3is now set for all PCB. The assignment to Peak Limitation Category II with an excursion factor of 8 is retained due to the critical systemic effects and to the long half‐life of PCB. The assignment to Pregnancy Risk Group B is retained, as damage to the embryo or foetus cannot be ruled out even when the MAK value is observed. The genotoxic potency in vivo is regarded as very low if the MAK value is observed, and all PCB are grouped into Germ Cell Mutagen Category 5.