bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Active balancing and turning for alpine skiing robots
Authors: Iverach-Brereton Chris , Postnikoff Brittany , Baltes Jacky , Hosseinmemar Amirhossein 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis paper presents our preliminary research into the autonomous control of an
alpine skiing robot. Based on our previous experience with active balancing on
difficult terrain and developing an ice-skating robot, we have implemented a
simple control system that allows the humanoid robot Jennifer to steer around a
simple alpine skiing course, brake, and actively control the pitch and roll of
the skis in order to maintain stability on hills with variable inclination.The robot steers and brakes by using the edges of the skis to dig into the snow,
by inclining both skis to one side the robot can turn in an arc. By rolling the
skis outward and pointing the toes together the robot creates a snowplough shape
that rapidly reduces its forward velocity.To keep the skis in constant contact with the hill we use two independent
proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers to continually adjust the
robot’s inclination in the frontal and sagittal planes.Our experiments show that these techniques are sufficient to allow a small
humanoid robot to alpine ski autonomously down hills of different inclination
with variable snow conditions.
Single-seed oxygen consumption measurements and population-based threshold models link respiration and germination rates under diverse conditions
Authors: Bello Pedro , Bradford Kent J. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSeed germination is responsive to diverse environmental, hormonal and chemical signals. Germination rates (i.e. speed and distribution in time) reveal information about timing, uniformity and extent of germination in seed populations and are sensitive indicators of seed vigour and stress tolerance. Population-based threshold (PBT) models have been applied to describe germination responses to temperature, water potential, hormones, ageing and oxygen. However, obtaining detailed data on germination rates of seed populations requires repeated observations at frequent times to construct germination time courses, which is labour intensive and often impractical. Recently, instruments have been developed to measure repeatedly the respiration (oxygen consumption) of individual seeds following imbibition, providing complete respiratory time courses for populations of individual seeds in an automated manner. In this study, we demonstrate a new approach that enables the use of single-seed respiratory data, rather than germination data, to characterize the responses of seed populations to diverse conditions. We applied PBT models to single-seed respiratory data and compared the results to similar analyses of germination time courses. We found consistent and quantitatively comparable relationships between seed respiratory and germination patterns in response to temperature, water potential, abscisic acid, gibberellin, respiratory inhibitors, ageing and priming. This close correspondence between seed respiration and germination time courses enables the use of semi-automated respiratory measurements to assess seed vigour and quality parameters. It also raises intriguing questions about the fundamental relationship between the respiratory capacities of seeds and the rates at which they proceed toward completion of germination.
Male Youth Perceptions of Violent Extremism: towards a Test of Rational Choice Theory
Authors: Dhami Mandeep K. , Murray Jennifer 
Published: September 2016

AbstractUnderstanding how people perceive the pros and cons of risky behaviors such as terrorism or violent extremism represents a first step in developing research testing rational choice theory aiming to explain and predict peoples’ intentions to engage in, or support, these behaviors. Accordingly, the present study provides a qualitative, exploratory analysis of a sample of 57 male youths’ perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of: (a) accessing a violent extremist website, (b) joining a violent extremist group, and (c) leaving such a group. Youth perceived significantly more drawbacks than benefits of joining a violent extremist group (p = .001, d = .46) and accessing a violent extremist website (p = .001, d = .46). The perceived benefits of engagement referred to gaining knowledge/awareness, being part of a group/similar people, and fighting the enemy/for a cause. The drawbacks referred to being exposed to negative material and emotions, having violent/criminal beliefs and behaviors, and getting in trouble with the law. The perceived benefits of disengagement referred to no longer committing illegal acts, and regaining independence/not being manipulated. The drawbacks referred to exposing oneself to harm and reprisal. These findings provide an insight into how male youth think about (dis)engagement in violent extremism, and can inform future quantitative research designed to explain and predict (dis)engagement in violent extremism. Eventually, such research may inform the development of evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies.
Towards a Decision Quality Model for Shot Selection in Basketball: an Exploratory Study
Authors: Suárez-Cadenas Ernesto , Courel-Ibáñez Javier , Cárdenas David , Perales José C. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe take the first steps towards a shot selection quality model in basketball that incorporates decisional cues that might be predictive, not only of proximal results (e.g., scoring), but also of distal results (e.g., winning/losing the match). 2976 jump-shots from 50 Euroleague matches were sampled, following systematic observation guidelines. The decisional cues under scrutiny were shooting opposition, distance and lateral angle, disposition to offensive rebound and disposition to defensive balance at the moment of shooting. A first set of regressions between decisional cues and proximal results showed higher opposition and distance to decrease the probability of scoring (OR = .81; p < .001 and OR = .89; p = .013); a better disposition towards rebound to increase the chances of catching rebound (OR = 1.57; p < .001); and better defensive balance disposition to decrease the probability of a fast break (OR = 1.27; p < .036). A second set of regressions between proximal and distal results showed shooting and offensive rebound effectiveness to predict total points scored (β = .62; p < .001 and β = .32; p < .001) and game result (winning/losing the game; OR = 1.12; p < .001 and OR = 1.05; p = .021). Finally, an analysis of the impact of decisional cues on distal results showed a positive relationship between likelihood of winning and average team’s disposition to offensive rebound (OR = 1.18; p = .018). These results cast light on the actual weights (validities) of the different cues involved in predicting outcomes of shooting decisions. This evidence could help coaches provide objective feedback about players’ shooting performance beyond hit percentages.
Social Comparisons are Associated with Poorer and Riskier Financial Decision Making, no Matter whether Encounters are Sporadic or Repeated
Authors: Barrós-Loscertales Alfonso , Espín Antonio M. , Perales José C. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPrevious research suggests that social comparisons affect decision making under uncertainty. However, the role of the length of the social interaction for this relationship remains unknown. This experiment tests the effect of social comparisons on financial risk taking and how this effect is modulated by whether social encounters are sporadic or repeated. Participants carried out a computer task consisting of a series of binary choices between lotteries of varying profitability and risk, with real monetary stakes. After each decision, participants could compare their own payoff to that of a counterpart who made the same decision at the same time and whose choices/earnings didnotaffect the participants’ earnings. The design comprised three between-subjects treatments which differed in the nature of the social interaction: participants were informed that they would be matched with either (a) a different participant in each trial, (b) the same participant across all trials, or (c) a “virtual participant”, i.e., a computer algorithm. Compared to the non-social condition (c), subjects in both social conditions (aandb) chose lotteries with lower expected value (z= –3.10,p< .01) and higher outcome variance (z= 2.13,p= .03). However, no differences were found between the two social conditions (z= 1.15,p= .25 andz= 0.35,p= .73, respectively). These results indicate that social comparison information per se leads to poorer and riskier financial decisions, irrespective of whether or not the referent other is encountered repeatedly.
Reasoning and Action: Implementation of a Decision-Making Program in Sport
Authors: Gil-Arias Alexander , Moreno M. Perla , García-Mas Alex , Moreno Alberto , García-González Luíz , del Villar Fernando 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe objective of this study was to apply a decision training programme, based on the use of video-feedback and questioning, in real game time, in order to improve decision-making in volleyball attack actions. A three-phase quasi-experimental design was implemented: Phase A (pre-test), Phase B (Intervention) and Phase C (Retention). The sample was made up of 8 female Under-16 volleyball players, who were divided into two groups: experimental group (n = 4) and control group (n = 4). The independent variable was the decision training program, which was applied for 11 weeks in a training context, more specifically in a 6x6 game situation. The player had to analyze the reasons and causes of the decision taken. The dependent variable was decision-making, which was assessed based on systematic observation, using the “Game Performance Assessment Instrument” (GPAI) (Oslin, Mitchell, & Griffin, 1998). Results showed that, after applying the decision training program, the experimental group showed a significantly higher average percentage of successful decisions than the control group F(1, 6) = 11.26; p = .015; η2p = .652; 95% CI [056, 360]. These results highlight the need to complement the training process with cognitive tools such as video-feedback and questioning in order to improve athletes’ decision-making.
Erfolgreiches kognitives Altern: Zusammenhang der kognitiven Leistungen mit Aktivität und Zufriedenheit
Authors: Bornschlegl Mona , Fischer Rico , Petermann Franz 
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung. Für erfolgreiches Altern sind Kognition, Zufriedenheit und tägliche Aktivitäten relevante Faktoren. In dieser Studie werden Zusammenhänge zwischen diesen Faktoren aufgedeckt. Bei 167 Senioren (60 bis 98 Jahre) wurden Aktivität und Zufriedenheit in einem Interview, Kognition durch die Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (dt. Version) erfasst. Alle Faktoren zeigen eine negative Altersentwicklung. Aktivitäten korrelieren mit allen Faktoren; insbesondere stehen Alltagsaktivitäten und kognitive Aktivitäten positiv mit Kognition im Zusammenhang, soziale Aktivität ist davon unabhängig. Die kognitiven Funktionsbereiche Aufmerksamkeit, Sprache und exekutive Funktionen variieren mit Aktivität und Zufriedenheit, Gedächtnis nur mit kognitiven Aktivitäten, Wahrnehmung ist davon unabhängig. Dies könnte bedeuten, dass kognitive Aktivitäten spezifisch mit der kognitiven Leistung und soziale Aktivitäten spezifisch mit der emotionalen Bewertung zusammenhängen und als Schutzfaktoren während der Entwicklung wirken könnten.
Interne Validität der Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB): Zusammenhang der Testwerte im Screening mit den vertiefenden Modulen bei Patienten mit Schlaganfall und Gesunden
Authors: Bornschlegl Mona , Speer Paula , Danneil Wolfgang , Vogt Thomas , Petermann Franz 
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung. Die Diagnostik mit der Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) erfolgt durch ein Screening über fünf Funktionsbereiche und fünf vertiefende Hauptmodule. Bei Patienten mit unilateralem Schlaganfall (n = 50) wurde die interne Validität der NAB überprüft; dabei wurden mittlere bis hohe Korrelationen (r = .60 bis .78) zwischen Screening-Bereichen und vertiefenden Modulen gefunden. Zudem entsprach die Klassifikation in den Screening-Bereichen größtenteils der in den Hauptmodulen. Die Überprüfung der Durchführungsempfehlung für die Hauptmodule bei den Patienten und der NAB-Normierungsstichprobe (n = 880) ergab eine sehr gute Sensitivität (94 bis 98 %) der Screening-Cut-offs für Personen, bei denen eines der Hauptmodule durchgeführt werden sollte. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für eine sehr gute Eignung der NAB für den Einsatz in der Klinischen Neuropsychologie, insbesondere bei heterogenen Patientengruppen, die eine adaptive neuropsychologische Diagnostik erfordern.
Cytocompatibility with osteogenic cells and enhanced in vivo anti-infection potential of quaternized chitosan-loaded titania nanotubes
Authors: Yang Ying , Ao Haiyong , Wang Yugang , Lin Wentao , Yang Shengbing , Zhang Shuhong , Yu Zhifeng , Tang Tingting 
Published: September 2016

AbstractInfection is one of the major causes of failure of orthopedic implants. Our previous study demonstrated that nanotube modification of the implant surface, together with nanotubes loaded with quaternized chitosan (hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan, HACC), could effectively inhibit bacterial adherence and biofilm formation in vitro. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further investigate the in vitro cytocompatibility with osteogenic cells and the in vivo anti-infection activity of titanium implants with HACC-loaded nanotubes (NT-H). The titanium implant (Ti), nanotubes without polymer loading (NT), and nanotubes loaded with chitosan (NT-C) were fabricated and served as controls. Firstly, we evaluated the cytocompatibility of these specimens with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. The observation of cell attachment, proliferation, spreading, and viability in vitro showed that NT-H has improved osteogenic activity compared with Ti and NT-C. A prophylaxis rat model with implantation in the femoral medullary cavity and inoculation with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was established and evaluated by radiographical, microbiological, and histopathological assessments. Our in vivo study demonstrated that NT-H coatings exhibited significant anti-infection capability compared with the Ti and NT-C groups. In conclusion, HACC-loaded nanotubes fabricated on a titanium substrate show good compatibility with osteogenic cells and enhanced anti-infection ability in vivo, providing a good foundation for clinical application to combat orthopedic implant-associated infections.
NTRK2 activation cooperates with PTEN deficiency in T-ALL through activation of both the PI3K–AKT and JAK–STAT3 pathways
Authors: Yuzugullu Haluk , Von Thanh , Thorpe Lauren M , Walker Sarah R , Roberts Thomas M , Frank David A , Zhao Jean J 
Published: September 2016

AbstractLoss of PTEN, a negative regulator of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway, is a frequent event in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, suggesting the importance of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity in this disease. Indeed, hyperactivation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway is associated with the disease aggressiveness, poor prognosis and resistance to current therapies. To identify a molecular pathway capable of cooperating with PTEN deficiency to drive oncogenic transformation of leukocytes, we performed an unbiased transformation screen with a library of tyrosine kinases. We found that activation of NTRK2 is able to confer a full growth phenotype of Ba/F3 cells in an IL3-independent manner in the PTEN-null setting. NTRK2 activation cooperates with PTEN deficiency through engaging both phosphoinositide3-kinase/AKT and JAK/STAT3 pathway activation in leukocytes. Notably, pharmacological inhibition demonstrated that p110α and p110δ are the major isoforms mediating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT signaling driven by NTRK2 activation in PTEN-deficient leukemia cells. Furthermore, combined inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and STAT3 significantly suppressed proliferation of PTEN-mutant T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia both in culture and in mouse xenografts. Together, our data suggest that a unique conjunction of PTEN deficiency and NTRK2 activation in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and combined pharmacologic inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and STAT3 signaling may serve as an effective and durable therapeutic strategy for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Erratum: Connectivity to the surface determines diversity patterns in subsurface aquifers of the Fennoscandian shield
Authors: Hubalek Valerie , Wu Xiaofen , Eiler Alexander , Buck Moritz , Heim Christine , Dopson Mark , Bertilsson Stefan , Ionescu Danny 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Correction to: The ISME Journal (2016) 10, XX–XX; doi:10.1038/ismej.2016.36 Updated online June 9, 2016: This article was originally published under NPG’s License to Publish, but has now been made available under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. The PDF and HTML versions have been modified accordingly.
Climate analogues suggest limited potential for intensification of production on current croplands under climate change
Authors: Pugh T.A.M. , Müller C. , Elliott J. , Deryng D. , Folberth C. , Olin S. , Schmid E. , Arneth A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractClimate change could pose a major challenge to efforts towards strongly increase food production over the coming decades. However, model simulations of future climate-impacts on crop yields differ substantially in the magnitude and even direction of the projected change. Combining observations of current maximum-attainable yield with climate analogues, we provide a complementary method of assessing the effect of climate change on crop yields. Strong reductions in attainable yields of major cereal crops are found across a large fraction of current cropland by 2050. These areas are vulnerable to climate change and have greatly reduced opportunity for agricultural intensification. However, the total land area, including regions not currently used for crops, climatically suitable for high attainable yields of maize, wheat and rice is similar by 2050 to the present-day. Large shifts in land-use patterns and crop choice will likely be necessary to sustain production growth rates and keep pace with demand.
Optogenetically enhanced pituitary corticotroph cell activity post-stress onset causes rapid organizing effects on behaviour
Authors: De Marco Rodrigo J. , Thiemann Theresa , Groneberg Antonia H. , Herget Ulrich , Ryu Soojin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe anterior pituitary is the major link between nervous and hormonal systems, which allow the brain to generate adequate and flexible behaviour. Here, we address its role in mediating behavioural adjustments that aid in coping with acutely threatening environments. For this we combine optogenetic manipulation of pituitary corticotroph cells in larval zebrafish with newly developed assays for measuring goal-directed actions in very short timescales. Our results reveal modulatory actions of corticotroph cell activity on locomotion, avoidance behaviours and stimulus responsiveness directly after the onset of stress. Altogether, the findings uncover the significance of endocrine pituitary cells for rapidly optimizing behaviour in local antagonistic environments.
Ultrasensitive mechanical detection of magnetic moment using a commercial disk drive write head
Authors: Tao Y. , Eichler A. , Holzherr T. , Degen C. L. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSensitive detection of weak magnetic moments is an essential capability in many areas of nanoscale science and technology, including nanomagnetism, quantum readout of spins and nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging. Here we show that the write head of a commercial hard drive may enable significant advances in nanoscale spin detection. By approaching a sharp diamond tip to within 5 nm from a write pole and measuring the induced diamagnetic moment with a nanomechanical force transducer, we demonstrate a spin sensitivity of 0.032 μB Hz−1/2, equivalent to 21 proton magnetic moments. The high sensitivity is enabled in part by the pole’s strong magnetic gradient of up to 28 × 106 T m−1 and in part by the absence of non-contact friction due to the extremely flat writer surface. In addition, we demonstrate quantitative imaging of the pole field with ∼10 nm spatial resolution. We foresee diverse applications for write heads in experimental condensed matter physics, especially in spintronics, ultrafast spin manipulation and mesoscopic physics.
Windblown Pliocene diatoms and East Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat
Authors: Scherer Reed P. , DeConto Robert M. , Pollard David , Alley Richard B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMarine diatoms in tillites along the Transantarctic Mountains (TAMs) have been used to suggest a diminished East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) during Pliocene warm periods. Updated ice-sheet modelling shows significant Pliocene EAIS retreat, creating marine embayments into the Wilkes and Aurora basins that were conducive to high diatom productivity and rapid accumulation of diatomaceous sediments. Here we show that subsequent isostatic uplift exposed accumulated unconsolidated marine deposits to wind erosion. We report new atmospheric modelling utilizing Pliocene climate and derived Antarctic landscapes indicating that prevailing mid-altitude winds transported diatoms towards the TAMs, dominantly from extensive emerged coastal deposits of the Aurora Basin. This result unifies leading ideas from competing sides of a contentious debate about the origin of the diatoms in the TAMs and their link to EAIS history, supporting the view that parts of the EAIS are vulnerable to relatively modest warming, with possible implications for future sea-level rise.
Enhanced release of primary signals may render intercellular signalling ineffective due to spatial aspects
Authors: Kundrát Pavel , Friedland Werner 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDetailed mechanistic modelling has been performed of the intercellular signalling cascade between precancerous cells and their normal neighbours that leads to a selective removal of the precancerous cells by apoptosis. Two interconnected signalling pathways that were identified experimentally have been modelled, explicitly accounting for temporal and spatial effects. The model predicts highly non-linear behaviour of the signalling. Importantly, under certain conditions, enhanced release of primary signals by precancerous cells renders the signalling ineffective. This counter-intuitive behaviour arises due to spatial aspects of the underlying signalling scheme: Increased primary signalling by precancerous cells does, upon reaction with factors derived from normal cells, produce higher yields of apoptosis-triggering molecules. However, the apoptosis-triggering signals are formed farther from the precancerous cells, so that these are attacked less efficiently. Spatial effects thus may represent a novel analogue of negative feedback mechanisms.