bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amyloid plaque structure and cell surface interactions of β-amyloid fibrils revealed by electron tomography
Authors: Han Shen , Kollmer Marius , Markx Daniel , Claus Stephanie , Walther Paul , Fändrich Marcus 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe deposition of amyloid fibrils as plaques is a key feature of several neurodegenerative diseases including in particular Alzheimer’s. This disease is characterized, if not provoked, by amyloid aggregates formed from Aβ peptide that deposit inside the brain or are toxic to neuronal cells. We here used scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to determine the fibril network structure and interactions of Aβ fibrils within a cell culture model of Alzheimer’s disease. STEM images taken from the formed Aβ amyloid deposits revealed three main types of fibril network structures, termed amorphous meshwork, fibril bundle and amyloid star. All three were infiltrated by different types of lipid inclusions from small-sized exosome-like structures (50–100 nm diameter) to large-sized extracellular vesicles (up to 300 nm). The fibrils also presented strong interactions with the surrounding cells such that fibril bundles extended into tubular invaginations of the plasma membrane. Amyloid formation in the cell model was previously found to have an intracellular origin and we show here that it functionally destroys the integrity of the intracellular membranes as it leads to lysosomal leakage. These data provide a mechanistic link to explain why intracellular fibril formation is toxic to the cell.
Facile Synthesis of Layer Structured GeP3/C with Stable Chemical Bonding for Enhanced Lithium-Ion Storage
Authors: Qi Wen , Zhao Haihua , Wu Ying , Zeng Hong , Tao Tao , Chen Chao , Kuang Chunjiang , Zhou Shaoxiong , Huang Yunhui 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRecently, metal phosphides have been investigated as potential anode materials because of higher specific capacity compared with those of carbonaceous materials. However, the rapid capacity fade upon cycling leads to poor durability and short cycle life, which cannot meet the need of lithium-ion batteries with high energy density. Herein, we report a layer-structured GeP3/C nanocomposite anode material with high performance prepared by a facial and large-scale ball milling method via in-situ mechanical reaction. The P-O-C bonds are formed in the composite, leading to close contact between GeP3 and carbon. As a result, the GeP3/C anode displays excellent lithium storage performance with a high reversible capacity up to 1109 mA h g−1 after 130 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. Even at high current densities of 2 and 5 A g−1, the reversible capacities are still as high as 590 and 425 mA h g−1, respectively. This suggests that the GeP3/C composite is promising to achieve high-energy lithium-ion batteries and the mechanical milling is an efficient method to fabricate such composite electrode materials especially for large-scale application.
Translation of Sindbis Subgenomic mRNA is Independent of eIF2, eIF2A and eIF2D
Authors: Sanz Miguel Angel , González Almela Esther , Carrasco Luis 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTranslation of Sindbis virus subgenomic mRNA (sgmRNA) can occur after inactivation of eIF2 by phosphorylation in mammalian cells. Several studies have suggested that eIF2 can be replaced by eIF2A or eIF2D. HAP1 human cell lines knocked-out for eIF2A, eIF2D or both by CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering were compared with wild-type (WT) cells to test the potential role of eIF2A and eIF2D in translation. Sindbis virus infection was comparable between the four cell lines. Moreover, synthesis of viral proteins during late stage infection was similar in all four cell lines despite the fact that eIF2α became phosphorylated. These findings demonstrate that eIF2A and eIF2D are not required for the translation of sgmRNA when eIF2α is phosphorylated. Moreover, silencing of eIF2A or eIF2D by transfection of the corresponding siRNAs in HAP1 WT, HAP1-eIF2A− and HAP1-eIF2D− cells had little effect on the synthesis of viral proteins late in infection. Modification of AUGi to other codons in sgmRNA failed to abrogate translation. Sindbis virus replicons containing these sgmRNA variants could still direct the synthesis of viral proteins. No significant differences were found between the cell lines assayed, suggesting that neither eIF2A nor eIF2D are involved in the translation of this sgmRNA bearing non-AUG codons.
The German Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS-G): Reliability and Validity of a Novel Assessment of Communicative Participation
Authors: Neumann Sandra , Salm Sandra , Rietz Christian , Stenneken Prisca 
Published: February 2017

Purpose
Our purpose was to explore the validity and reliability of the German Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS-G; Thomas-Stonell, Oddson, Robertson, & Rosenbaum, 2010, 2012), which is an authorized adaptation of the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (Thomas-Stonell et al., 2010) tool, which measures communicative participation in preschool children.

Method
Parents of typically developing children (TDC) and of children with speech impairment (CSI) completed the FOCUS-G and the Questionnaire for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Children (KiddyKINDL; Ravens-Sieberer & Bullinger, 2000). To determine test–retest reliability, the FOCUS-G was readministered to a subsample of parents 1 week later.

Results

The FOCUS-G had high values for internal consistency (α = .959, Ω = .941), test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .974), and split–half reliability (
r
= .832). Total scores on the FOCUS-G and KiddyKINDL demonstrated significant associations. FOCUS-G total scores and subdomain scores for both samples showed significant correlations, indicating good construct validity. The discriminatory ability of the FOCUS-G was indicated by significantly higher mean scores for TDC (
M
= 6.03,
SD
= 0.65) than CSI (
M
= 5.47,
SD
= 1.02).

Conclusion
The overall good psychometric properties of this novel assessment of communicative participation support its use by speech-language pathologists for clinical and research purposes with German-speaking children.
Nonword Repetition and Vocabulary Knowledge as Predictors of Children's Phonological and Semantic Word Learning
Authors: Adlof Suzanne M. , Patten Hannah 
Published: February 2017

Purpose
This study examined the unique and shared variance that nonword repetition and vocabulary knowledge contribute to children's ability to learn new words. Multiple measures of word learning were used to assess recall and recognition of phonological and semantic information.

Method
Fifty children, with a mean age of 8 years (range 5–12 years), completed experimental assessments of word learning and norm-referenced assessments of receptive and expressive vocabulary knowledge and nonword repetition skills. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examined the variance in word learning that was explained by vocabulary knowledge and nonword repetition after controlling for chronological age.

Results
Together with chronological age, nonword repetition and vocabulary knowledge explained up to 44% of the variance in children's word learning. Nonword repetition was the stronger predictor of phonological recall, phonological recognition, and semantic recognition, whereas vocabulary knowledge was the stronger predictor of verbal semantic recall.

Conclusions
These findings extend the results of past studies indicating that both nonword repetition skill and existing vocabulary knowledge are important for new word learning, but the relative influence of each predictor depends on the way word learning is measured. Suggestions for further research involving typically developing children and children with language or reading impairments are discussed.
The Quantal Larynx: The Stable Regions of Laryngeal Biomechanics and Implications for Speech Production
Authors: Moisik Scott Reid , Gick Bryan 
Published: February 2017

Purpose
Recent proposals suggest that (a) the high dimensionality of speech motor control may be reduced via modular neuromuscular organization that takes advantage of intrinsic biomechanical regions of stability and (b) computational modeling provides a means to study whether and how such modularization works. In this study, the focus is on the larynx, a structure that is fundamental to speech production because of its role in phonation and numerous articulatory functions.

Method

A 3-dimensional model of the larynx was created using the ArtiSynth platform (
http://www.artisynth.org
). This model was used to simulate laryngeal articulatory states, including inspiration, glottal fricative, modal prephonation, plain glottal stop, vocal–ventricular stop, and aryepiglotto–epiglottal stop and fricative.

Results
Speech-relevant laryngeal biomechanics is rich with “quantal” or highly stable regions within muscle activation space.

Conclusions
Quantal laryngeal biomechanics complement a modular view of speech control and have implications for the articulatory–biomechanical grounding of numerous phonetic and phonological phenomena.
Population Structure of Alligator Gar in a Gulf Coast River: Insights from Otolith Microchemistry and Genetic Analyses
Authors: Daugherty Daniel J. , Pangle Kevin L. , Karel William , Baker Francesca , Robertson Clinton R. , Buckmeier David L. , Smith Nathan G. , Boyd Norman 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Growing interest in the Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula among anglers and fishery managers has inspired efforts to better manage populations. Successful management requires identifying population structure and understanding the distribution of stocks and associated differences in life history. This is particularly important in river systems along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, where transitions from freshwater rivers to saltwater bays provide the potential for life history diversification. We used otolith microchemistry and genetics to assess population structure of Alligator Gars in the Guadalupe River–San Antonio Bay system, Texas. Lifetime Sr:Ca revealed three, distinct life histories that differed in prevalence across the system. River-resident fish (i.e., fish exclusive to freshwater) were present throughout the river but were most common in the uppermost river reach (74% of upper river fish). Transient fish that used both river and bay habitats were also found throughout the river but were most prevalent in the lowermost river reach (66% of lower river fish) and bay (91% of bay fish). Bay residents (i.e., fish exclusive to salt water) were detected but comprised only 9% of bay fish. Haplotype diversity based on mitochondrial DNA was lowest in the upper river, indicating limited gene flow compared with the lower river and bay. Similarly, nuclear DNA analyses indicated nonrandom mating between fish from the upper river, lower river, and bay. The differences in Alligator Gar movement and genetics along the river–bay continuum suggest the presence of a river resident stock that predominates the upper river, and a transient stock that predominates the lower river and bay. Therefore, a local-scale management approach, consistent with the spatial partitioning between stocks, would conserve life history and genetic diversity within the system and provide opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse angling constituency. Understanding how population dynamics differ between stocks is needed to develop appropriate fishery management objectives and corresponding regulations for Alligator Gar.
Received May 20, 2016; accepted December 2, 2016 Published online February 27, 2017
Varying Influences of Aldosterone on the Plasma Potassium Concentration in Blacks and Whites
Authors: Tu Wanzhu , Eckert George J. , Decker Brian S. , Howard Pratt John 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Aldosterone acts to restrain the extracellular potassium (K+) concentration. Blacks have on average lower plasma aldosterone concentrations (PACs) than Whites. Whether this ethnic difference is associated with similar changes in the concentration of K+ is unclear.

METHODS
Subjects were Blacks and Whites from an observational study of blood pressure regulation. PAC was known to be significantly lower in Blacks than Whites. We sought to test the hypothesis that the concentration of K+ remains constant despite variability in PAC. Initial enrollment took place in childhood in 1986. Some of the original enrollees were studied again in adulthood: 160 healthy Blacks and 271 healthy Whites (ages 5 to 39 years; all were studied as children and as adults).

RESULTS
Plasma renin activity [a biomarker of angiotensin II and, more proximally, extracellular fluid volume (ECFV)] and PAC were lower in Blacks (P &lt; 0.0354 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively, for all ages). At the same time no ethnic difference in levels of K+ was observed regardless of age. Plasma K+ concentration and PAC associated differently based on ethnicity: PAC increased in Blacks by 1.5–2.0 and in Whites by 2.3–3.0 ng/dl per mmol/l increase in K+ (P &lt; 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Lower aldosterone levels in Blacks did not translate into higher K+ concentrations. We speculate that reaching the right concentration of K+ was an endpoint of aldosterone production in the presence of varying levels of ECFV and angiotensin II.
Reuse of a Reversed “Bone Pad” to Perforate Incompletely Penetrated Burr Holes Created by Automatic-Releasing Cranial Perforators
Authors: Murai Yasuo , Ishisaka Eitaro , Tsukiyama Atsushi , Nakagawa Shunsuke , Matano Fumihiro , Tateyama Kojiro , Morita Akio 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It can be difficult to make complete burr holes using a perforator with automatic releasing systems in cases of a soft diploe or thick calvarial bone.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the utility of a flipped “bone pad” (BP) in recovery of penetration failure when using an automatic releasing perforator.

METHODS: For craniotomy or ventricular drainage, the first step is to make 1 or more burr holes using a craniotome. Neurosurgeons sometimes incompletely penetrate the skull using the latest tools. As a countermeasure for such cases, we have developed a simple and practical method. When making a perforation using a high-speed perforator, a round bone piece we call the BP is formed just above the dura. We pulled the BP from a completed burr hole, and placed the reversed BP in position at the bottom of the incompletely perforated burr hole. The BP acted as a new hard surface, preventing the automatic releasing system from activating, and allowed the burr hole to be completed by the craniotome without the need for additional tools.

RESULTS: With this technique, we have successfully completed 6 out of 7 imperfectly perforated burr holes using a perforator with an automatic releasing system. There were no technique-related complications, such as plunging or dural laceration.

CONCLUSIONS: The method has the advantage that the BP can be obtained without drilling an additional burr hole, and can be completed without the need for increasing cost, time, or instrument usage.
Relationship Between Back Pain and Urinary Incontinence in the Canadian Population
Authors: Cassidy Tanner , Fortin Amanda , Kaczmer Stephanie , Shumaker Jessica T.L. , Szeto Jessica , Madill Stéphanie J. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Background: Back problems and urinary incontinence (UI) have been found to co–occur more frequently than would be predicted by chance.
Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the associations between UI and back problems in the Canadian men and women.
Design: This was an observational, cross-sectional study.
Methods: The 2011–2012 Statistics Canada Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) provided the data. The CCHS surveyed 125,645 adults, providing a representative sample of the Canadian population. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to quantify the strength of the associations among the variables.
Results: Having UI increased the risk of also having back problems in both men (OR = 2.45; 95% CI = 2.06–2.91) and women (OR = 2.97; 95% CI = 2.64–3.35) compared with not experiencing UI. Among those participants with UI, men and women were at equal risk of experiencing back problems.
Limitations: The CCHS data are cross-sectional and self-reported, which prevents determining causality and carries a risk of response bias. Also, various diagnoses were grouped under the back problems and UI categories, which makes it difficult to propose possible explanations for this pattern of comorbidity.
Conclusions: This study provides firm evidence to support clinically observed associations between UI and back problems. The strength of the associations was essentially equal in men and women. These findings reinforce the importance of screening for these frequently coincident conditions.
Telephone-Delivered Exercise Advice and Behavior Change Support by Physical Therapists for People with Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol for the Telecare Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hinman Rana S. , Lawford Belinda J. , Campbell Penny K. , Briggs Andrew M. , Gale Janette , Bills Caroline , French Simon D. , Kasza Jessica , Forbes Andrew , Harris Anthony , Bunker Stephen J. , Delany Clare M. , Bennell Kim L. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Background. Exercise and physical activity are a core component of knee osteoarthritis (OA) care, yet access to physical therapists is limited for many people. Telephone service delivery models may increase access.
Objective. Determine the effectiveness of incorporating exercise advice and behavior change support by physical therapists into an existing Australian nurse-led musculoskeletal telephone service for adults with knee OA.
Design. Randomized controlled trial with nested qualitative studies
Setting. Community, Australia-wide
Participants. One hundred seventy-five people ≥45 years of age with knee symptoms consistent with a clinical diagnosis of knee OA. Eight musculoskeletal physical therapists will provide exercise advice and support.
Intervention. Random allocation to receive existing care or exercise advice in addition to existing care. Existing care is a minimum of one phone call from a nurse for advice on OA self-management. Exercise advice involves 5–10 calls over 6 months from a physical therapist trained in behavior change support to prescribe, monitor, and progress a strengthening exercise program and physical activity plan.
Measurements. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Primary outcomes are knee pain and physical function. Secondary outcomes include other measures of knee pain, self-efficacy, physical activity and its mediators, kinesiophobia, health service usage, work productivity, participant-perceived change, and satisfaction. Additional measures include adherence, adverse events, therapeutic alliance, satisfaction with telephone-delivered therapy, and expectation of outcome. Semi-structured interviews with participants with knee OA and therapists will be conducted.
Limitations. Physical therapists cannot be blinded.
Conclusions. This study will determine if incorporating exercise advice and behavior change support by physical therapists into a nurse-led musculoskeletal telephone service improves outcomes for people with knee OA. Findings will inform development and implementation of telerehabilitation services.
Engineering pulsatile communication in bacterial consortia
Authors: Parkin James M. , Hsiao Victoria , Murray Richard M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractLux-type quorum sensing systems enable communication in bacteria with only two protein components: a signal synthase and an inducible transcription activator. The simplicity of these systems makes them a popular choice for engineering collaborative behaviors in synthetic bacterial consortia, such as photographic edge detection and synchronized oscillation. To add to this body of work, we propose a pulsatile communication circuit that enables dynamic patterning and long-distance communication analogous to action potentials traveling through nerve tissue. We employed a model-driven design paradigm involving incremental characterization ofin vivodesign candidates with increasing circuit complexity. Beginning with a simple inducible reporter system, we screened a small number of circuits varying in their promoter and ribosomal binding site (RBS) strengths. From this candidate pool, we selected a candidate to be the seed network for the subsequent round of more complex circuit variants, likewise variable in promoter and RBS strengths. The selection criteria at each level of complexity is tailored to optimize a different desirable performance characteristic. By this approach we individually optimized reporter signal-to-background ratio, pulsatile response to induction, and quiescent basal transcription, avoiding large library screens while ensuring robust performance of the composite circuit.
Costs and benefits of sub-lethal Drosophila C virus infection
Authors: Vale Pedro F. , Gupta Vanika , Stewart Charlotte , Rund Samuel S.C. , Monteith Katy 
Published: February 2017

AbstractViruses are major evolutionary drivers of insect immune systems. Much of our knowledge of insect immune responses derives from experimental infections using the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster.Most experiments, however, employ lethal pathogen doses through septic injury, frequently overwhelming host physiology. While this approach has revealed a number of immune mechanisms, it is less informative about the fitness costs hosts may experience during infection in the wild. Using both systemic and oral infection routes we find that even apparently benign, sub-lethal infections with the horizontally transmitted Drosophila C Virus (DCV) can cause significant physiological and behavioral morbidity that is relevant for host fitness. We describe DCV-induced effects on fly reproductive output, digestive health, and locomotor activity, and we find that viral morbidity varies according to the concentration of pathogen inoculum, host genetic background and sex. Notably, sub-lethal DCV infection resulted in a significant increase in fly reproduction, but this effect depended on host genotype. We discuss the relevance of sub-lethal morbidity forDrosophilaecology and evolution, and more broadly, we remark on the implications of deleterious and beneficial infections for the evolution of insect immunity.
Lean Six Sigma and environmental sustainability: the case of a Norwegian dairy producer
Authors: Powell Daryl , Lundeby Sissel , Chabada Lukas , Dreyer Heidi 
Published: February 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in the continuous process industry, taking an insight into the food processing industry; and to evaluate the impact of LSS on environmental sustainability. The authors present observations and experiences from the application of LSS at a Norwegian dairy producer, with the aim of bringing out pertinent factors and useful insights that help us to understand how LSS can contribute toward greater environmental sustainability in this industry type, something that is so far lacking in the extant literature.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt a single, longitudinal field study approach as we observe an entire cycle of the VSM-DMAIC (value stream mapping-define, measure, analyze, improve and control) LSS process, which evolved over a six-month period at the dairy.FindingsThe authors highlight some of the important elements that should be considered when using LSS as a contributor toward greater environmental sustainability in fresh-food supply chains. The authors also present some of the specific outcomes and key success criteria that became apparent to the implementation team following the deployment of the VSM-DMAIC approach.Originality/valueThe authors demonstrate how LSS can be applied in the food processing industry as a contributor to greater environmental sustainability. The authors also make useful reflections regarding the success criteria that can be used by researchers and practitioners for the effective deployment of such an approach, particularly in the continuous process industry.