bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Isolated Lumbar Extension Exercise on Lumbar Kinematic Pattern Variability During Gait in Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Steele James , Bruce‐Low Stewart , Smith Dave , Jessop David , Osborne Neil 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundChronic low back pain (CLBP) is a multifactorial condition with a variety of symptoms, one of which is abnormal gait. The lumbar spine and its musculature are important in controlling gait, and in CLBP the lumbar extensors are often deconditioned. Because of this specific isolated lumbar extension, exercise often is recommended. It was therefore of interest to examine its effects of upon gait variability.ObjectiveTo examine the effects of isolated lumbar extension resistance training on lumbar kinematic variability during gait in participants with CLBP.DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingUniversity Health, Exercise and Sport Science Laboratory.ParticipantsTwenty‐four participants with nonspecific CLBP.InterventionsParticipants were randomly allocated to a 12‐week isolated lumbar extension exercise intervention (1×/week performing a single set to momentary muscular failure using a load equal to 80% max tested torque) or nontraining control period.Main Outcome MeasurementsLumbar kinematics during gait, including angular displacement, kinematic waveform pattern (CVp), and offset (CVo) variability, were examined via 3‐dimensional analyses.ResultsNo significant changes in displacement or CVo were found as a result of the intervention; however, a small but significant reduction in sagittal plane CVp (−20.90 ± 3.53%, effect size = 0.48, P = .044) occurred, indicating improved motor pattern replication through this movement plane.ConclusionsConsidering the role of the lumbar extensors in gait, and their common deconditioning in CLBP, an isolated lumbar extension resistance exercise intervention may reduce gait variability. These results suggest isolated lumbar extension exercise may specifically reduce sagittal plane variability, indicating improved motor pattern replication through this movement plane, perhaps attributable to the plane of movement used during the exercise.
Coping with painful sex: Development and initial validation of the CHAMP Sexual Pain Coping Scale
Authors: Flink Ida K. , Thomtén Johanna , Engman Linnéa , Hedström Stina , Linton Steven J. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Background and purpose
Recurrent vulvar pain is a common and debilitating condition which has received remarkably little attention in pain research. For instance, little is known about how these women cope with sexual activities, and there are no structured assessment tools. The purpose of this study was to explore coping strategies in this group, with a view to develop a measure to assess how women with vulvar pain cope with sexual activities.

Methods
The current study is based on a subsample from a longitudinal study about vulvar pain in a student sample consisting of women between 18 and 35 years old (N = 964). Only data from the ones reporting recurrent vulvar pain during the last six months (N = 289) were used in the analyses. First, the CHAMP Sexual Pain Coping Scale (CSPCS) was created, with the aim of assessing how women with vulvar pain cope with sexual activities. The scale was inspired by previous research on women with vulvar pain as well as well-known coping strategies in other pain populations. Second, the psychometric properties of the scale were explored by analyzing the factor structure and internal reliability. Third, validity features were examined in terms of criterion validity and construct validity.

Results
The analyses supported a three-factor solution, embracing the strategies endurance, avoidance and alternative coping. The internal reliability of the subscales turned out to be good, and the criterion validity was supported for all three subscales. The construct validity was clearly supported for the endurance and the avoidance subscales, but not for the alternative coping subscale.

Conclusions
The findings support the CSPCS as an instrument for assessing how women with vulvar pain cope with sexual activities. The strategies endurance, avoidance and alternative coping correspond with findings from earlier research. Endurance reflects a tendency to engage in and continue with sexual activities despite pain, while attempting to minimize or suppress thoughts of pain. Avoidance, on the other hand, involves efforts to stay away from sexual activities, in particular vaginal penetration, because of fear of pain. Alternative coping refers to endeavours to find alternative sexual activities that do not necessarily involve vaginal penetration. Even though this first study indicates that the CSPCS may be psychometrically sound, more studies are needed to confirm the psychometric properties and clinical application of this instrument. In particular, the construct validity of the alternative coping subscale needs to be further evaluated.

Implications
A valid instrument for assessing strategies for coping with sexual activities in this population has important clinical implications, since it provides a method that may enhance assessment procedures, be used in research, and stimulate the development of treatment.
“These Our Games” – Sport and the Church of Scotland Mission to Kenya, c. 1907–1937
Authors: Cunningham Tom 
Published: June 2015

Abstract:In this article I use oral and documentary evidence gathered during recent fieldwork and archival research in the UK and Kenya to explore the ways in which the Church of Scotland Mission to Kenya attempted to use sport to “civilize” and “discipline” the people of Central Kenya. I make a case for the important contributions the topic of sport can make to the study of African and colonial history, and offer a comprehensive critique of the only book-length work which explores the history of sport in colonial Kenya, John Bale and Joe Sang’sKenyan Running(1996).
The effect of zinc supplementation on pregnancy outcomes: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial, Egypt
Authors: Nossier Samia A. , Naeim Noha E. , El-Sayed Nawal A. , Abu Zeid Azza A. 
Published: June 2015

The present randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate the effect of two regimens of Zn supplementation on pregnancy outcomes in Alexandria, Egypt. Healthy pregnant women aged 20–45 years and having low serum Zn level below the estimated median for the gestational age were eligible to participate in the trial. Of 1055 pregnant women assessed for the eligibility of low serum Zn level, 675 were eligible. These women were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: the Zn alone group (n 225) received a daily dose of 30 mg ZnSO4, the combined group (n 227) received 30 mg ZnSO4 plus multivitamins (B1, B6, D3, C and E) and the control group (n 223) received placebo (270 mg lactose). They were followed up from the time of recruitment till 1 week after delivery. Overall, there was no detectable difference in the mean birth weight between the three groups (mean 2929·12 (sd 330·28), 2922·22 (sd 324·05) and 2938·48 (sd 317·39) g for the placebo, Zn and Zn plus multivitamin groups, respectively, P= 0·88). Both the single and the combined Zn supplements were almost equally effective in reducing second- and third-stage complications (relative risk (RR) 0·43, 95 % CI 0·31, 0·60 for the Zn group and RR 0·54, 95 % CI 0·40, 0·73 for the combined group). Stillbirth and preterm delivery were significantly lower among the two supplemented groups than the placebo group (P= 0·001). Early neonatal morbidity was also significantly lower in the supplemented groups (RR 0·23, 95 % CI 0·15, 0·35 for the Zn group and RR 0·25, 95 % CI 0·16, 0·37 for the combined group). Collectively, Zn supplementation was effective in reducing pregnancy complications and early neonatal infection among the Zn-deficient women of the present trial.
The Political Legacies of Combat: Attitudes Toward War and Peace Among Israeli Ex-Combatants
Authors: Grossman Guy , Manekin Devorah , Miodownik Dan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRecent research has highlighted combat's positive effects for political behavior, but it is unclear whether they extend to attitudes toward the conflict itself. We exploit the assignment of health rankings determining combat eligibility in the Israel Defense Forces to examine the effect of combat exposure on support for peaceful conflict resolution. Given the centrality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to global affairs, and its apparent intractability, the political consequences of combat become all the more pressing. We find that exposure to combat hardens attitudes toward the rival and reduces support for negotiation and compromise. Importantly, these attitudes translate into voting behavior: combatants are likely to vote for more hawkish parties. These findings call for caution in emphasizing the benign effects of combat and underscore the importance of reintegrating combatants during the transition from conflict to peace.
Subcutaneous fluid and drug delivery: safe, efficient and inexpensive
Authors: Duems-Noriega Oscar , Ariño-Blasco Sergio 
Published: June 2015

SummaryPatients with difficult venous access or oral intolerance and clinical situations with inadequate response to oral therapy have generated the need for alternative routes of delivery for drugs and fluids.The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review examining the evidence for subcutaneous (SC) administration of drugs and/or fluids.We used a broad search strategy using electronic databases CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane library, key terms and ‘Medical Subject Headings’ (MeSH) such as ‘subcutaneous route’, ‘hypodermoclysis’ and the name/group of the most used drugs via this route (e.g. ‘ketorolac, morphine, ceftriaxone’, ‘analgesics, opioids, antibiotics’).We conclude that the SC route is an effective alternative for rehydration in patients with mild–moderate dehydration and offers a number of potential advantages in appropriately selected scenarios. Experience of administering drugs by this route suggests that it is well tolerated and is associated with minimal side-effects.
Textual entailment graphs
Authors: KOTLERMAN LILI , DAGAN IDO , MAGNINI BERNARDO , BENTIVOGLI LUISA 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn this work, we present a novel type of graphs for natural language processing (NLP), namely textual entailment graphs (TEGs). We describe the complete methodology we developed for the construction of such graphs and provide some baselines for this task by evaluating relevant state-of-the-art technology. We situate our research in the context of text exploration, since it was motivated by joint work with industrial partners in the text analytics area. Accordingly, we present our motivating scenario and the first gold-standard dataset of TEGs. However, while our own motivation and the dataset focus on the text exploration setting, we suggest that TEGs can have different usages and suggest that automatic creation of such graphs is an interesting task for the community.
High-quality sandwiched black phosphorus heterostructure and its quantum oscillations
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Wu Yingying , Wu Zefei , Han Yu , Xu Shuigang , Wang Lin , Ye Weiguang , Han Tianyi , He Yuheng , Cai Yuan , Wang Ning 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTwo-dimensional materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have attracted great attention because of their rich physics and potential applications in next-generation nanoelectronic devices. The family of two-dimensional materials was recently joined by atomically thin black phosphorus which possesses high theoretical mobility and tunable bandgap structure. However, degradation of properties under atmospheric conditions and high-density charge traps in black phosphorus have largely limited its actual mobility thus hindering its future applications. Here, we report the fabrication of stable sandwiched heterostructures by encapsulating atomically thin black phosphorus between hexagonal boron nitride layers to realize ultra-clean interfaces that allow a high field-effect mobility of ∼1,350 cm2V−1 s−1 at room temperature and on–off ratios exceeding 105. At low temperatures, the mobility even reaches ∼2,700 cm2V−1 s−1 and quantum oscillations in black phosphorus two-dimensional hole gas are observed at low magnetic fields. Importantly, the sandwiched heterostructures ensure that the quality of black phosphorus remains high under ambient conditions.
Interlayer orientation-dependent light absorption and emission in monolayer semiconductor stacks
Authors: Heo Hoseok , Sung Ji Ho , Cha Soonyoung , Jang Bo-Gyu , Kim Joo-Youn , Jin Gangtae , Lee Donghun , Ahn Ji-Hoon , Lee Myoung-Jae , Shim Ji Hoon , Choi Hyunyong , Jo Moon-Ho 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTwo-dimensional stacks of dissimilar hexagonal monolayers exhibit unusual electronic, photonic and photovoltaic responses that arise from substantial interlayer excitations. Interband excitation phenomena in individual hexagonal monolayer occur in states at band edges (valleys) in the hexagonal momentum space; therefore, low-energy interlayer excitation in the hexagonal monolayer stacks can be directed by the two-dimensional rotational degree of each monolayer crystal. However, this rotation-dependent excitation is largely unknown, due to lack in control over the relative monolayer rotations, thereby leading to momentum-mismatched interlayer excitations. Here, we report that light absorption and emission in MoS2/WS2 monolayer stacks can be tunable from indirect- to direct-gap transitions in both spectral and dynamic characteristics, when the constituent monolayer crystals are coherently stacked without in-plane rotation misfit. Our study suggests that the interlayer rotational attributes determine tunable interlayer excitation as a new set of basis for investigating optical phenomena in a two-dimensional hexagonal monolayer system.
A mosquito lipoxin/lipocalin complex mediates innate immune priming in Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Ramirez Jose Luis , de Almeida Oliveira Giselle , Calvo Eric , Dalli Jesmond , Colas Romain A. , Serhan Charles N. , Ribeiro Jose M. , Barillas-Mury Carolina 
Published: June 2015

AbstractExposure of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes to Plasmodium infection enhances the ability of their immune system to respond to subsequent infections. However, the molecular mechanism that allows the insect innate immune system to ‘remember’ a previous encounter with a pathogen has not been established. Challenged mosquitoes constitutively release a soluble haemocyte differentiation factor into their haemolymph that, when transferred into Naive mosquitoes, also induces priming. Here we show that this factor consists of a Lipoxin/Lipocalin complex. We demonstrate that innate immune priming in mosquitoes involves a persistent increase in expression of Evokin (a lipid carrier of the lipocalin family), and in their ability to convert arachidonic acid to lipoxins, predominantly Lipoxin A4. Plasmodium ookinete midgut invasion triggers immune priming by inducing the release of a mosquito lipoxin/lipocalin complex.
Spatial and temporal imaging of long-range charge transport in perovskite thin films by ultrafast microscopy
Authors: Guo Zhi , Manser Joseph S. , Wan Yan , Kamat Prashant V. , Huang Libai 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCharge carrier diffusion coefficient and length are important physical parameters for semiconducting materials. Long-range carrier diffusion in perovskite thin films has led to remarkable solar cell efficiencies; however, spatial and temporal mechanisms of charge transport remain unclear. Here we present a direct measurement of carrier transport in space and in time by mapping carrier density with simultaneous ultrafast time resolution and ∼50-nm spatial precision in perovskite thin films using transient absorption microscopy. These results directly visualize long-range carrier transport of ∼220 nm in 2 ns for solution-processed polycrystalline CH3NH3PbI3 thin films. Variations of the carrier diffusion coefficient at the μm length scale have been observed with values ranging between 0.05 and 0.08 cm2 s−1. The spatially and temporally resolved measurements reported here underscore the importance of the local morphology and establish an important first step towards discerning the underlying transport properties of perovskite materials.
Thymoproteasomes produce unique peptide motifs for positive selection of CD8+ T cells
Authors: Sasaki Katsuhiro , Takada Kensuke , Ohte Yuki , Kondo Hiroyuki , Sorimachi Hiroyuki , Tanaka Keiji , Takahama Yousuke , Murata Shigeo 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPositive selection in the thymus provides low-affinity T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement to support the development of potentially useful self-major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-restricted T cells. Optimal positive selection of CD8+ T cells requires cortical thymic epithelial cells that express β5t-containing thymoproteasomes (tCPs). However, how tCPs govern positive selection is unclear. Here we show that the tCPs produce unique cleavage motifs in digested peptides and in MHC-I-associated peptides. Interestingly, MHC-I-associated peptides carrying these tCP-dependent motifs are enriched with low-affinity TCR ligands that efficiently induce the positive selection of functionally competent CD8+ T cells in antigen-specific TCR-transgenic models. These results suggest that tCPs contribute to the positive selection of CD8+ T cells by preferentially producing low-affinity TCR ligand peptides.
Earth-like aqueous debris-flow activity on Mars at high orbital obliquity in the last million years
Authors: de Haas T. , Hauber E. , Conway S. J. , van Steijn H. , Johnsson A. , Kleinhans M. G. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractLiquid water is currently extremely rare on Mars, but was more abundant during periods of high obliquity in the last few millions of years. This is testified by the widespread occurrence of mid-latitude gullies: small catchment-fan systems. However, there are no direct estimates of the amount and frequency of liquid water generation during these periods. Here we determine debris-flow size, frequency and associated water volumes in Istok crater, and show that debris flows occurred at Earth-like frequencies during high-obliquity periods in the last million years on Mars. Results further imply that local accumulations of snow/ice within gullies were much more voluminous than currently predicted; melting must have yielded centimetres of liquid water in catchments; and recent aqueous activity in some mid-latitude craters was much more frequent than previously anticipated.
Group velocity mismatch-absent nonlinear frequency conversions for mid-infrared femtosecond pulses generation
Authors: Zhong Haizhe , Zhang Lifu , Li Ying , Fan Dianyuan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA novel group velocity mismatch (GVM) absent scheme for nonlinear optical parametric procedure in mid-infrared was developed with type-I quasi phase matching by use of an off-digital nonlinear optical coefficientd
31
. This was achieved by matching of the group velocities of the pump and the signal waves, while the phase velocities were quasi phase matched. The system employs MgO-doped periodically poled LiNbO
3
as the nonlinear medium. Desired group-velocity dispersion would be obtained via appropriately temperature regulation. To demonstrate its potential applications in ultrafast mid-infrared pulses generation, aiming at a typical mid-infrared wavelength of ~3.2 μm, design examples of two basic nonlinear frequency conversion procedures are studied for both the narrow-band seeding mid-IR optical parametric amplification (OPA) and the synchronously pumped femtosecond optical parametric oscillation (SPOPO). Compared with the conventional scheme of type-0 QPM, the quantum-efficiency can be more than doubled with nearly unlimited bandwidth. The proposed GVM- absent phase matching design may provide a promising route to efficient and broadband sub-100 fs mid-infrared ultrafast pulses generation without group-velocity walk-off.
Quantifying the Number of Discriminable Coincident Dendritic Input Patterns through Dendritic Tree Morphology
Authors: Zippo Antonio G. , Biella Gabriele E. M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCurrent developments in neuronal physiology are unveiling novel roles for dendrites. Experiments have shown mechanisms of non-linear synaptic NMDA dependent activations, able to discriminate input patterns through the waveforms of the excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Contextually, the synaptic clustering of inputs is the principal cellular strategy to separate groups of common correlated inputs. Dendritic branches appear to work as independent discriminating units of inputs potentially reflecting an extraordinary repertoire of pattern memories. However, it is unclear how these observations could impact our comprehension of the structural correlates of memory at the cellular level. This work investigates the discrimination capabilities of neurons through computational biophysical models to extract a predicting law for the dendritic input discrimination capability (M). By this rule we compared neurons from a neuron reconstruction repository (neuromorpho.org). Comparisons showed that primate neurons were not supported by an equivalent M preeminence and that M is not uniformly distributed among neuron types. Remarkably, neocortical neurons had substantially less memory capacity in comparison to those from non-cortical regions. In conclusion, the proposed rule predicts the inherent neuronal spatial memory gathering potentially relevant anatomical and evolutionary considerations about the brain cytoarchitecture.
First direct evidence of sedimentary carbonate recycling in subduction-related xenoliths
Authors: Liu Yongsheng , He Detao , Gao Changgui , Foley Stephen , Gao Shan , Hu Zhaochu , Zong Keqing , Chen Haihong 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCarbon in rocks and its rate of exchange with the exosphere is the least understood part of the carbon cycle. The amount of carbonate subducted as sediments and ocean crust is poorly known, but essential to mass balance the cycle. We describe carbonatite melt pockets in mantle peridotite xenoliths from Dalihu (northern China), which provide firsthand evidence for the recycling of carbonate sediments within the subduction system. These pockets retain the low trace element contents and δ18OSMOW = 21.1 ± 0.3 of argillaceous carbonate sediments, representing wholesale melting of carbonates instead of filtered recycling of carbon by redox freezing and melting. They also contain microscopic diamonds, partly transformed to graphite, indicating that depths >120 km were reached, as well as a bizarre mixture of carbides and metal alloys indicative of extremely reducing conditions. Subducted carbonates form diapirs that move rapidly upwards through the mantle wedge, reacting with peridotite, assimilating silicate minerals and releasing CO2, thus promoting their rapid emplacement. The assimilation process produces very local disequilibrium and divergent redox conditions that result in carbides and metal alloys, which help to interpret other occurrences of rock exhumed from ultra-deep conditions.