bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical effect of intratympanic dexamethasone injection in acute unilateral tinnitus: A prospective, placebo‐controlled, multicenter study
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Jin , Kim Min‐Beom , Yoo Shin‐Young , Park Shi Nae , Nam Eui‐Cheol , Moon In Seok , Lee Ho‐Ki 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of intratympanic dexamethasone injection (ITDI) in acute tinnitus of presumed cochlear origin.Study DesignA prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded, multicenter study.MethodsBetween August 2013 and December 2015, 54 patients with unilateral tinnitus were enrolled at four different centers. Patients were assigned either to an ITDI (n = 27) or an intratympanic normal saline injection (ITNI; n = 27) group through block randomization. Intratympanic injections were administered four times over 2 weeks. At 4 weeks after initial injection, we analyzed the improvement rates of tinnitus using the tinnitus handicap Inventory (THI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for loudness, awareness, and annoyance. We defined improvement as the reduction of more than 7 points or of more than 20% in the final THI score compared to the initial THI score.ResultsThe initial mean hearing thresholds and VAS and THI scores of the two groups did not differ significantly. At 4 weeks after initial injection, the mean VAS and THI scores of both groups had significantly reduced. However, the improvement rate did not differ significantly between the groups (ITDI, 51.9%; ITNI, 59.3%).ConclusionThe results indicate that ITDI might not be more effective than ITNI for the treatment of acute unilateral tinnitus. Therefore, ITDI should not be considered as the main treatment for patients presenting with acute tinnitus as the primary symptom.Level of Evidence1b. Laryngoscope, 128:184–188, 2018
A New Dryland Development Paradigm Grounded in Empirical Analysis of Dryland Systems Science
Authors: Stringer Lindsay C. , Reed Mark S. , Fleskens Luuk , Thomas Richard J. , Le Quang Bao , Lala‐Pritchard Tana 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGlobal drylands face a host of urgent human and environmental challenges with far‐reaching impacts. Improving smallholder agriculture remains a key development pathway to tackle these challenges. The dryland development paradigm (DDP), introduced in 2007, presented a highly influential framework for dryland development based on systems research. This paper empirically derives a new, updated DDP. It assesses recent, cutting‐edge dryland science, combining literature review with qualitative and quantitative analysis of research published by the world's largest dryland science and development research initiative. The new DDP comprises eight characteristics that are distilled into three integrative principles: Unpack, Traverse and Share. The new DDP is applied and tested to identify key dryland knowledge and development gaps. A future research agenda is then elucidated, grounded in a research in development approach, in which research anchored in the three integrative principles is embedded within the context it seeks to improve. Supported by greater trans‐disciplinarity and knowledge co‐production, operationalization of the new DDP can deliver both novel scientific insights and development impact in line with the aspirations of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. © 2017 The Authors. Land Degradation & Development Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Adhesion and Cellular Compatibility of Silicone‐Based Skin Adhesives
Authors: Fischer Sarah C. L. , Kruttwig Klaus , Bandmann Vera , Hensel René , Arzt Eduard 
Published: February 2017

Pressure‐sensitive adhesives based on silicone materials have emerging potential as adhesives in healthcare products, in particular for gentle skin adhesives. To this end, adhesion to rough skin and biocompatibility are crucial factors for a successful implementation. In this study, the mechanical, adhesive, and biological properties of the two‐component poly(dimethylsiloxane) Soft Skin Adhesive MG 7‐9800 (SSA, Dow Corning) have been investigated and compared to Sylgard 184. Different mixing ratios of SSA's components allow for tuning of the shear modulus, thereby modifying the adhesive properties of the polymer. To give a comprehensive insight, the authors have analyzed the interplay between pull‐off stress, adhesion energy, and stretch of the adhesive films on smooth and rough surfaces. The focus is placed on the effects of substrate roughness and on low pressure oxygen plasma treatment of the adhesive films. SSA shows superior biocompatibility in in vitro cell culture experiments. High pull‐off stresses in the range of 3 N cm−2 on a rough surface are achieved, promising broad application spectra for SSA‐based healthcare products.
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Subperceptional Burst Versus Perceptional Tonic Spinal Cord Stimulation Waveforms for Drug‐resistant Orthostatic Tremor: Comparative Data of 2 Cases
Authors: Pintea Bogdan , de Boni Laura , Kinfe Thomas M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) and deep‐brain stimulation reportedly improve refractory orthostatic tremor (OT). No comparative data exist assessing subperceptional versus perceptional SCS with sham stimulation in patients with OT.MethodsTwo patients who had refractory OT were assessed at baseline and 3 months after SCS implantation using 3 different SCS modes: paraesthesia‐free burst SCS (40 Hz), sham SCS, and paraesthesia‐evoking tonic SCS (100–130 Hz). Surface electromyography, standing time, stimulation parameters, and any adverse events were prospectively recorded.ResultsImproved standing time was observed under burst and tonic mode versus stimulation off and compared with baseline in both patients (patient 1: baseline = 22‐second; burst SCS [subperceptional]/ standing time = 2.8 minutes; stimulation off/ standing time = 28 seconds; and tonic SCS [perceptional]/ standing time = 1.2 minutes; patient 2: baseline = 47‐second; burst SCS [subperceptional]/ standing time = 3.1 minutes; stimulation off/ standing time = 48 seconds; and tonic SCS [perceptional]/ standing time = 1.1 minute). The electromyography frequency demonstrated a decline in tremor frequency.ConclusionBurst as a novel SCS paradigm may be co‐considered in patients with refractory OT before more invasive deep‐brain stimulation.
Low‐load resistance training with low relative pressure produces muscular changes similar to high‐load resistance training
Authors: Kim Daeyeol , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Ye Xin , Bemben Debra A. , Beck Travis W. , Larson Rebecca D. , Bemben Michael G. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionThis study compares the acute and chronic response of high‐load resistance training (HL) to low‐load resistance training with low blood flow restriction (LL‐BFR) pressure.MethodsParticipants completed elbow flexion with either HL or LL‐BFR or nonexercise. In the chronic study, participants in the HL and LL‐BFR groups were trained for 8 weeks to determine differences in muscle size and strength. The acute study examined the changes in pretesting/posttesting (Pre/Post) torque, muscle swelling, and blood lactate.ResultsIn the chronic study, similar changes in muscle size and strength were observed for both HL and LL‐BFR. In the acute study, Pre/Post changes in the torque, muscle swelling, and blood lactate were similar between HL and LL‐BFR.DiscussionOur findings indicate that pressure as low as 50% arterial occlusion can produce similar changes in muscle mass and strength compared with traditional HL. Muscle Nerve 56: E126–E133, 2017
Later stages of diabetic neuropathy affect the complexity of the neuromuscular system at the knee during low‐level isometric contractions
Authors: Suda Eneida Y. , Sacco Isabel C.N. , Hirata Rogerio P. , Samani Afshin , Kawamura Thiago T. , Madeleine Pascal 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: This study evaluates the complexity of force and surface electromyography (sEMG) during knee extension and flexion at low‐level isometric contractions in individuals with different degrees of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods: Ten control and 38 diabetic participants performed isometric contractions at 10%, 20%, and 30% of maximal voluntary contraction. Knee force and multichannel sEMG from vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris were acquired. The SD of force and sample entropy (SaEn) of both force and sEMG were computed. Results: Participants with moderate DPN demonstrated high force‐SD and low force‐SaEn. Severely affected participants showed low SaEn in VL at all force levels. Discussion: DPN affects the complexity of the neuromuscular system at the knee for the extension task during low‐level isometric contractions, with participants in the later stages of the disease (moderate and severe) demonstrating most of the changes. Muscle Nerve 57: 112–121, 2018
Electrical impedance myography in individuals with collagen 6 and laminin α‐2 congenital muscular dystrophy: a cross‐sectional and 2‐year analysis
Authors: Nichols Carmel , Jain Minal S. , Meilleur Katherine G. , Wu Tianxia , Collins James , Waite Melissa R. , Dastgir Jahannaz , Salman Anam , Donkervoort Sandra , Duong Tina , Keller Katherine , Leach Meganne E. , Lott Donovan J. , McGuire Michelle N. , Nelson Leslie , Rutkowski Anne , Vuillerot Carole , Bönnemann Carsten G. , Lehky Tanya J. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionElectrical impedance myography (EIM) is a noninvasive electrophysiological technique that characterizes muscle properties through bioimpedance. We compared EIM measurements to function, strength, and disease severity in a population with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD).MethodsForty‐one patients with CMD, either collagen 6 related disorders (COL6‐RD; n = 21) or laminin α‐2‐related disorders (LAMA2‐RD; n = 20), and 21 healthy pediatric controls underwent 2 yearly EIM exams. In the CMD cohorts, EIM was compared with functional and strength measurements.ResultsBoth CMD cohorts exhibited change over time and had correlation with disease severity. The 50‐kHZ phase correlated well with function and strength in the COL6‐RD cohort but not in the LAMA2‐RD cohort.DiscussionEIM is a potentially useful measure in clinical studies with CMD because of its sensitivity to change over a 1‐year period and correlation with disease severity. For COL6‐RD, there were also functional and strength correlations. Muscle Nerve 57: 54–60, 2018
A New Application of the Bioarchaeology of Care Approach: A Case Study from the Metal Period, the Philippines
Authors: Vlok M. , Paz V. , Crozier R. , Oxenham M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA case of disability in the Metal Period of the Philippines, likely requiring healthcare from others, is presented to explore aspects of group dynamics in this period of antiquity. B243, a middle‐aged man excavated from the Napa site in the central Philippines, suffered severe trauma to the right leg resulting in considerable restrictions to mobility and self‐maintenance of survival‐related behaviours such as food provision and hygiene. It is likely that B243 required assistance from others to survive for some period of time prior to eventual death. The bioarchaeology of care method was applied to assess the types of healthcare that B243 likely required and to consider potential social and biological impacts to both B243 and his community. Provision of healthcare practice in this case suggests that B243's community had access to health‐related resources, knowledge on the treatment of his injuries and underlying values in the group for sustaining human life in the case of injury and disability. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internet‐delivered obesity treatment improves symptoms of and risk for depression
Authors: Naparstek Jacob , Wing Rena R. , Xu Xiaomeng , Leahey Tricia M. 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveIn‐person lifestyle interventions for obesity treatment yield significant improvements in depression. These improvements may be attributed to the excellent weight losses produced by in‐person interventions. In contrast, Internet programs yield more modest weight losses, and their effect on depression is unknown. This study is the first to examine whether Internet‐delivered obesity treatment impacts depressive symptoms.MethodsParticipants (N = 136) were randomized to either a community campaign plus Internet behavioral weight loss (IBWL) or community campaign alone (Control). IBWL did not include online social support components. A measure of depressive symptoms was administered, and weight was objectively assessed.ResultsOf the total sample, 24% met the clinical cutoff for elevated depression risk at baseline. IBWL participants lost more weight during treatment (P = 0.005) and experienced significantly greater improvements in depressive symptoms (P = 0.02). Among participants who met the clinical cutoff for elevated risk for depression at baseline, those assigned to IBWL had greater improvements in depressive symptoms during treatment compared to Control (P = 0.033). Consequently, at post‐treatment, a smaller percentage of IBWL participants were at elevated risk for depression.ConclusionsThis study is the first to show that Internet‐delivered obesity treatment improves depression risk and depressive symptoms in individuals with overweight or obesity.
Genomic variants at 20p11 associated with body fat mass in the European population
Authors: Pei Yu‐Fang , Ren Hai‐Gang , Liu Lu , Li Xiao , Fang Chen , Huang Yun , Hu Wen‐Zhu , Kong Wei‐Wen , Feng An‐Ping , You Xin‐Yi , Zhao Wen , Shen Hui , Tian Qing , Zhang Yong‐Hong , Deng Hong‐Wen , Zhang Lei 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveBody fat mass (BFM) is more homogeneous and accurate than body total mass in measuring obesity but has rarely been studied. Aiming to uncover the genetic basis of fat‐induced obesity, a genome‐wide association meta‐analysis of BFM, after adjustment by body lean mass, was performed in the European population.MethodsThree samples of European ancestry were included in the meta‐analysis: the Framingham Heart Study (N = 6,004), the Kansas City osteoporosis study (N = 2,207), and the Omaha osteoporosis study (N = 968).ResultsAt the genome‐wide significance level (α = 5.0×10−8), a cluster of 10 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at chromosomal region 20p11 that were associated with BFM (lead SNP rs2069126, P = 1.82×10−9, closest gene SLC24A3) was identified in 9,179 subjects. One of the top SNPs, rs6046308 (P = 3.74×10−8), was found to be nominally significant for body fat percentage in another independent study (P = 0.03, N = 75,888) and was reported to transregulate the expression of the MPZ gene at 1q23.3 (unadjusted P = 9.78×10−6, N = 1,490). Differential gene expression analysis demonstrated that SLC24A3 and CFAP61 at the identified locus were differentially expressed in tissues of people with versus without obesity (P = 3.40×10−5 and 8.72×10−4, N = 126 and 70), implying their potential role in fat development.ConclusionsThese results may provide new insights into the biological mechanism that underlies fat‐induced obesity pathology.
A robust control system scheme based on model predictive controller (MPC) for continuous‐time systems
Authors: Ghaffari Valiollah 
Published: February 2017

SummaryIn this paper, an LMI framework based on model predictive strategy is addressed to design a robust dynamical control law in a typical control system. In the proposed method, instead of traditional static controller, a dynamic control law is used. With a suitable matrix transformation, the controller parameters selection are translated into an optimization problem with some LMI constraints. The plant input and output constraints are also handled with another LMIs. The controller is represented in state space form, and its parameters are computed in real‐time operation. For achieving this goal, by solving an optimization problem, a dynamic controller is designed, which meets the required plant performances. These results are used in 2 numerical examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The Correlation between Chemical Stability and Binder Network Structure in NEPE Propellant
Authors: Wu Wan'e , Chen Chen , Fu Xiao , Ding Chao , Wang Guang 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe correlation between chemical stability and binder network structure is investigated to explore the aging mechanism of NEPE propellant. Through 70 °C aging storage experiments, propellant samples of different aging time periods are obtained every 7 days. The relative contents of MNA, NG, and BTTN are measured as the characteristic parameters of chemical stability. Gel fractions and cross‐linking densities are detected as the characteristic parameters of binder network structure properties. Experimental results show that: (1) MNA content decreases slowly from 0 to 35 days and has a quadratic function relationship with time, then quickly drops linearly from 36 to 77 days, and the contents of NG and BTTN decrease as cubic function relationships with time. When aging to 56 days, the chemical stability of propellant becomes worse; (2) the gel fraction and cross‐linking density increase at first, then decrease as time lapses, the decline rate of gel fraction and cross‐linking density increase after 67 days and 63 days, respectively; and (3) the aging of structural performance lags behind the aging of chemical stability. The network structure parameters decrease logarithmically with MNA content, and the contents of nitrate esters have quadratic function relationships with gel fraction and cubic function relationships with cross‐linking density. In summary, excellent chemical stability plays a positive role in maintaining good network structure in the process of propellant storage.
Thermal Decomposition Research on 1,5‐Diazabicyclo[3.1.0] Hexane (DABH) as a Potential Low‐toxic Liquid Hypergolic Propellant
Authors: Zhang Xing , Shen Lianhua , Jiang Rongpei , Sun Haiyun , Fang Tao , Liu Zhaoyang , Liu Jiuzhou , Fan Huili 
Published: February 2017

Abstract1,5‐Diazabicyclo[3.1.0] hexane (DABH) was found a potential hypergolic liquid propellant. The physical and energetic properties of DABH, 2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl azide (DMAZ), and monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) were compared. The ignition delay time of DABH with nitrogen tetroxide was 1 ms, which was shorter than DMAZ and similar with MMH. The toxicology experiment showed that half lethal dose (LD50) of DABH was 621.0 mg kg−1, which suggested that DABH was promising to be used as low‐toxic liquid propellant. Thermal decomposition experiments showed that the apparent activation energy (E) was about 66.3 kJ mol−1. The thermal decomposition calculated results from Madhusudanan‐Krishnan‐Ninan integration, Satava‐Sestak integration and Achar differential methods were compared and the pre‐exponential factor were obtained.
Numerical Study on Thermal Safety of Emulsion Matrix in Emulsifier
Authors: Wang Li Qiong , Zhang Yi Bo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to research the effect of high speed stirring by emulsifier blades on the thermal safety of emulsion matrix. In order to analyze thermal safety of emulsion matrix in emulsifying process, the heating effect influenced by rotor speed and emulsify temperature was combined with self‐heat properties of emulsion matrix in this study. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used for analysis. The emulsifier model adopts simplified CYJ type emulsifier, which is a kind of vertical emulsifier and has a large stirring area. The self‐heat properties of emulsion matrix are described by Arrhenius equation. The simulation results showed that heat could not accumulate in emulsion matrix due to the strong turbulence formed by stirring. But, because of the shear stress and friction, a high temperature region will be formed around the blades of the rotor in a short time. If the stirring speed reaches 10300 rpm, the temperature in this region would be able to reach the critical ignition temperature of emulsion matrix.
Androgen Receptor Splice Variants Are Not Substrates of Nonsense‐Mediated Decay
Authors: Ajiboye Atinuke S. , Esopi David , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , Denmeade Samuel R. 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUNDAndrogen receptor (AR) splice variants have been clinically associated with progressive cancer, castration‐resistance, and resistance to AR antagonists and androgen synthesis inhibitors. AR variants can be generated by genomic alterations and alternative splicing, and their expression is androgen‐regulated. There has been a suggestion that AR variants bearing premature termination codons and coding for truncated proteins should be regulated by the nonsense‐mediated decay (NMD) mRNA surveillance pathway, suggesting that either the NMD pathway is dysfunctional in variant‐expressing cell lines or that variants are somehow able to evade degradation by NMD.METHODSWe first used siRNA knockdown of the NMD regulator, UPF1, in an NMD reporter assay to determine if this surveillance pathway is functioning normally in AR variant‐expressing cell lines. We then used UPF1 knockdown to determine if expression of the AR variants ARV3 and ARV7 is affected by inhibition of NMD. Next, we analyzed androgen regulation of UPF1 and used transcript expression analysis to determine if there is any association between UPF1 expression, resistance, and ARV3 or ARV7 expression.RESULTSWe found that the NMD pathway functions normally in the AR variant‐expressing cell line 22Rv1 and that inhibition of NMD does not increase expression of ARV3 or ARV7. Furthermore, we found that expression of UPF1 is not androgen‐regulated. We also found that UFP1 expression levels do not differentiate castration‐sensitive from resistant cell line and that UPF1 expression does not correlate with expression of ARV3 or ARV7 in cells in which these variants are highly expressed.CONCLUSIONThis study eliminates a possible mechanism of regulation of certain AR variants. Future research into the regulation of AR variants should focus on other mechanisms to better understand the origin of these variants and to possibly inhibit their expression for the resensitization of resistant cancers. Prostate 77:829–837, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Computational insight on the chalcone formation mechanism by the Claisen–Schmidt reaction
Authors: Enchev Venelin , Mehandzhiyski Aleksandar Y. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNew insight of the formation mechanism of chalcones is presented in the current study. Ab initio calculations were applied in studying the mechanistic pathways for the base‐catalyzed Claisen–Schmidt condensation for obtaining chalcones (1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐ons). The energies of the stationary points along the reaction coordinate were obtained at two levels of theory—MP2/6‐31 + G(d,p) and SCS‐MP2/6‐31 + G(d,p). The role of water in the reaction mechanisms is examined. The theoretical results show that the process is catalyzed by an ancillary water molecule. The reaction mechanism, proposed in this study, consists of two reactions—an activation of the acetophenone by a removal of proton is followed by the attack of the formed acetophenone anion to the aromatic aldehyde, which through few steps leads to the formation of the final product—chalcone. The first reaction proceeds very fast in one step while the second reaction goes through four steps and three intermediate complexes before the formation of the final product.