bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lower-Extremity Biomechanics and Maintenance of Vertical-Jump Height During Prolonged Intermittent Exercise
Authors: Schmitz Randy J. , Cone John C. , Copple Timothy J. , Henson Robert A. , Shultz Sandra J. 
Published: October 2014

Context:Potential biomechanical compensations allowing for maintenance of maximal explosive performance during prolonged intermittent exercise, with respect to the corresponding rise in injury rates during the later stages of exercise or competition, are relatively unknown.Objective:To identify lower-extremity countermovement-jump (CMJ) biomechanical factors using a principal-components approach and then examine how these factors changed during a 90-min intermittent-exercise protocol (IEP) while maintaining maximal jump height.Design:Mixed-model design.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:Fifty-nine intermittent-sport athletes (30 male, 29 female) participated in experimental and control conditions.Interventions:Before and after a dynamic warm-up and every 15 min during the 1st and 2nd halves of an individually prescribed 90-min IEP, participants were assessed on rating of perceived exertion, sprint/cut speed, and 3-dimensional CMJ biomechanics (experimental). On a separate day, the same measures were obtained every 15 min during 90 min of quiet rest (control).Main Outcome Measures:Univariate piecewise growth models analyzed progressive changes in CMJ performance and biomechanical factors extracted from a principal-components analysis of the individual biomechanical dependent variables.Results:While CMJ height was maintained during the 1st and 2nd halves, the body descended less and knee kinetic and energetic magnitudes decreased as the IEP progressed.Conclusions:The results indicate that vertical-jump performance is maintained along with progressive biomechanical changes commonly associated with decreased performance. A better understanding of lower-extremity biomechanics during explosive actions in response to IEP allows us to further develop and individualize performance training programs.
Genetic basis of persistent red blood cell microcytosis in the Chinese unexplained by phenotypical testing
Authors: So Chi-Chiu , Liu Ada K , Tsang Mandy H , Ngai Donna Y , Leung Kin-Sang , Chan Amy Y 
Published: October 2014

AimsHypochromic microcytic anaemia is the hallmark phenotype of thalassaemia. Current phenotypical tests do not provide a diagnosis in a small proportion of patients with red blood cell microcytosis. We aim to evaluate the genetic basis of red cell microcytosis in these cases in our Chinese population.MethodsWe identified from a large cohort of 1684 unselected requests for thalassaemia testing 23 Chinese subjects who had unexplained microcytosis after phenotypical iron and haemoglobin studies. In 18 of these subjects with available DNA, extensive genotypical analysis of the α and β globin gene cluster was performed, including gap-PCR, multiplex amplification-refractory mutation system, Sanger sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.ResultsOccult single and double α globin gene (HBA1, HBA2) deletions and α thalassaemic haemoglobinopathies (Haemoglobin Quong Sze, Haemoglobin Constant Spring) were the genetic basis for the microcytosis. Occult β globin gene (HBB) mutations and δ globin gene (HBD) abnormalities masking β thalassaemia are not seen.ConclusionsA cost-effective genotyping approach for the detection of these occult globin gene mutations can be proposed. The identification of these mutations is important for making a diagnosis and for the provision of accurate genetic counselling. (This paper adds to our understanding of the genetic basis of red blood cell microcytosis in clinical practice, and it provides a cost-effective approach for genotyping in diagnostic laboratories).
Chlorhexidine: an unrecognised cause of anaphylaxis
Authors: Odedra Katy Mara , Farooque Sophie 
Published: October 2014

AbstractChlorhexidine is a highly effective antiseptic and disinfectant. In the past 20 years there has been a substantial increase in the number of chlorhexidine containing products used in healthcare. Anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine was first reported in 1984 and was almost always seen in men. However, in the last 4 years we have observed a surge in confirmed cases of anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine, with increasing numbers of female patients recently diagnosed. Yet, awareness of chlorhexidine as a cause of anaphylaxis is low because it is not a drug but a ‘hidden’ allergen, for example as a coating on medical devices such as central lines and urinary catheters. Patients will often have more than one allergic/anaphylactic reaction before the diagnosis is suspected. We have observed that there is poor recognition of an initial allergic reaction to chlorhexidine, which is well described. This, alongside poor labelling of chlorhexidine containing products, has resulted in further inadvertent exposure resulting in severe anaphylaxis. Prompt referral to a specialist allergy centre ensures appropriate investigations, diagnosis and management. Increasing awareness of the potential risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis associated with chlorhexidine use is vital, particularly in perioperative procedures. Healthcare workers are fundamental in avoiding and preventing further reactions to chlorhexidine containing products in patients diagnosed with anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine.
On the System of High Order Rational Difference Equations
Authors: Zhang Qianhong , Zhang Wenzhuan , Shao Yuanfu , Liu Jingzhong 
Published: October 2014

This paper is concerned with the boundedness, persistence, and global asymptotic behavior of positive solution for a system of two rational difference equations xn+1=A+(xn/∑i=1kyn-i),   yn+1=B+(yn/∑i=1kxn-i),  n=0,1,…,k∈{1,2,…}, where A,B∈0,∞,  x-i∈0,∞, and   y-i∈0,∞,  i=0,1,2,…,k.
Relationship between Metabolic Fluxes and Sequence-Derived Properties of Enzymes
Authors: Zikmanis Peteris , Kampenusa Inara 
Published: October 2014

Metabolic fluxes are key parameters of metabolic pathways being closely related to the kinetic properties of enzymes, thereby could be dependent on. This study examines possible relationships between the metabolic fluxes and the physical-chemical/structural features of enzymes from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae glycolysis pathway. Metabolic fluxes were quantified by the COPASI tool using the kinetic models of Hynne and Teusink at varied concentrations of external glucose. The enzyme sequences were taken from the UniProtKB and the average amino acid (AA) properties were computed using the set of Georgiev’s uncorrelated scales that satisfy the VARIMAX criterion and specific AA indices that show the highest correlations with those. Multiple linear regressions (88.41% < Radjusted2< 93.32%; P<0.00001) were found between the values of metabolic fluxes and the selected sets of the average AA properties. The hydrophobicity, α-helicity, and net charge were pointed out as the most influential characteristics of the sequences. The results provide an evidence that metabolic fluxes of the yeast glycolysis pathway are closely related to certain physical-chemical properties of relevant enzymes and support the view on the interdependence of catalytic, binding, and structural AA residues to ensure the efficiency of biocatalysts and, hence, physiologically adequate metabolic processes.
Ciało i piętno. Defloracja jako wytwarzanie kobiecości
Authors: Zawadzka Anna 
Published: October 2014

The body and the stigma. Defloration as an act of building femininity The paper offers an analysis of the cultural meanings of the bodily attributes and practices related to virginity and defloration; the most important are “bloodstains” (a sign of the loss of virginity) and “penetration” (regarded as the only “true” form of sexual intercourse). The obligation to present the defloration and the shame that accompanies it are the vantage point to the analysis of the forms of stigmatizing femininity. A deconstruction of the meanings acquired by penetration led me to a conclusion that the cause-effect relation between gender and culturally defined sexual practices (including sexual orientation) is not only inseparable, but also different than it has usually been thought. It is not the gender that determines an individual’s sexuality, but the culturally imposed sexual practices build the gender. Ciało i piętno. Defloracja jako wytwarzanie kobiecościArtykuł poświęcony jest kulturowym znaczeniom cielesnych atrybutów i praktyk związanych z dziewictwem i defloracją. Szczególne miejsce wśród nich zajmuje plama krwi jako znak obwieszczający utratę dziewictwa oraz penetracja powszechnie uważana za jedyny „prawdziwy” seks. Przymus uwidocznienia defloracji oraz wstyd z tym związany traktuję jako punkt wyjścia do rozważań na temat piętnowania kobiecości. Dekonstrukcja narosłych wokół penetracji znaczeń pozwala z kolei dostrzec, że związek przyczynowo-skutkowy między płcią kulturową a kulturowo definiowanymi praktykami seksualnymi – w tym orientacją seksualną – jest nie tylko nierozerwalny, ale i odwrotny, niż zwykło się sądzić. To nie płeć kulturowa decyduje o seksualności jednostki, lecz kulturowo wymuszone praktyki seksualne produkują płeć.
IWAL–An Interactive Weather Analysis Laboratory
Authors: Limbach Sebastian , Sprenger Michael , Schömer Elmar , Wernli Heini 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Complementary key elements of meteorological education are the provision of a thorough theoretical understanding of the physical laws governing atmospheric motions, and the hands-on investigation and visualization of specific weather systems. However, the latter task is technically challenging, because specific skills must be acquired for flexibly handling meteorological data. Some examples are superimposing satellite pictures and reanalysis fields, producing an isentropic potential vorticity (PV) map, and visualizing a vertical section across a flow feature of interest. Although learning these technical issues has its own merits, it can distract students from investigating the complexities of meteorology. This experience from teaching beginner classes in synoptic meteorology at ETH Zurich and the University of Mainz was the main motivation for developing the educational software tool IWAL, the Interactive Weather Analysis Laboratory. IWAL is designed as a web application for easy, fast, and interactive access to large meteorological datasets, which enables active and curiosity-driven learning. The main target users of IWAL are students with little or no experience in the handling and visualization of such data. The interactivity; the option to very easily reproduce complex visualizations; and advanced features, such as the interactive computation of trajectories, are also of interest to more experienced students and lecturers.
Impact of the 2011 Southern U.S. Drought on Ground-Level Fine Aerosol Concentration in Summertime*
Authors: Wang Yuxuan , Xie Yuanyu , Cai Libao , Dong Wenhao , Zhang Qianqian , Zhang Lin 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis study investigates the impacts of the 2011 severe drought in the southern United States on ground-level fine aerosol (PM2.5) concentrations in the summer. The changes in surface concentrations and planetary boundary layer (PBL) budget of PM2.5 between June 2010 (near-normal rainfall) and June 2011 (severe drought) are quantified using surface observations and the GEOS-Chem model. Observations show an average enhancement of 26% (p &lt; 10−4) in total PM2.5 over the southern U.S. (SUS) region during the drought, which is largely attributed to a ~120% increase in organic carbon (OC). Over Texas (TX) under extreme drought conditions, surface PM2.5 shows a mean decrease of 10.7% (p &lt; 0.15), which is mainly driven by a decrease of 26% (p &lt; 0.03) in sulfate. Model simulations reproduce the observed relative changes in total PM2.5, OC, and sulfate during the drought. The model correctly identifies OC as the major contributor to the overall PM2.5 increase over SUS and sulfate as the key driver of the PM2.5 decrease over TX. Budget analysis suggests that increased OC emissions from wildfires (+58 kt C month−1), enhanced SOA production (+1.1 kt C month−1), and transboundary inflow from Mexico (+8.6 kt C month−1) are major contributors to the increase in atmospheric OC contents over SUS. Over TX, a 70% decrease of aqueous-phase oxidation of sulfate, driven by decreasing low clouds, outweighs the combined effects of reduced wet deposition and decreased outflow as the key driver of sulfate decrease both at the surface and within the PBL.
Patellar resurfacing in posterior cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasty (PATRES): design of a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bischoff Maria JFJ , van Raaij Tom M , Reininga Inge HF , van Raay Jos JAM 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundAnterior knee pain may occur after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patellar resurfacing, which is considered to lower the incidence of anterior knee pain after TKA, remains controversial. In the present study clinical and radiological outcomes after TKA performed on patients with clinical and radiological signs of femorotibial and patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) with and without patellar resurfacing will be compared.Methods/designFifty patients will be included in a randomized controlled trial. Patients scheduled for TKA with clinical and radiological signs of femorotibial and patellofemoral OA will be included. Arthritis of the patellofemoral joint was determined based on the preoperative Baldini and Merchant X-ray views, which is assessed by the orthopaedic surgeon who treats the patient. Exclusion criteria are rheumatoid arthritis, history of patellar fracture, tuberosity transposition, high tibial osteotomy (HTO), hip arthroplasty and posterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. Patients will be randomized to undergo TKA either with or without patellar resurfacing. Outcomes will be assessed preoperatively, at 6 weeks and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postoperatively. Primary outcome measure is the patellofemoral scoring system according to Baldini. Secondary outcome measures are the Knee Society clinical rating system (KSS) and the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (KOOS) scores. Conventional weight-bearing radiographs, and views according to Baldini will be used to asses component loosening, wear, and patellofemoral problems including fracture or loosening of resurfaced patellae, subluxation and wear of non-resurfaced patellae.DiscussionThere is no consensus regarding patellar resurfacing during primary TKA. Current prospective studies fail to determine any differences in clinical outcome among patients after TKA with or without patellar resurfacing. This randomized controlled trial has been designed to determine the effectiveness of patellar resurfacing during TKA in patients undergoing TKA who have clinical and radiological signs of tibiofemoral and patellofemoral OA, using a specific patellofemoral outcome measurement.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial RegistryNTR3108
Etiology of Keratoconus: proposed biomechanical pathogenesis
Authors: Asher Roy , Gefen Amit , Moisseiev Elad , Varssano David 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Background
The etiology of keratoconus most likely involves substantial biomechanical interactions. The goal of this study was to characterize corneal biomechanics using computer modeling techniques in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of keratoconus in biomechanical terms.

Methods
Finite element models of the cornea that are based on anatomical dimensions were developed. Cases comprising of thinned regions as well as regions with degraded isotropic mechanical properties and a case of gradual stiffening towards the limbus were subjected to normal intraocular pressures. The resulting deformations and dioptric power maps were analyzed and compared. Three additional cases that are based on a model of a thin plate were used to demonstrate the effect a transition from orthotropic to isotropic mechanical properties would have in terms of deformations and diopteric power maps.

Results
Results show that under 10mmHg intraocular pressure, decreasing the modulus of elasticity and thinning have opposite effects on the dioptric power maps of a homogenous isotropic cornea. When the thickness was maintained at 500 microns and the stiffness was decreased from 0.4 MPa to 0.04 MPa there was an increase of more than 40 diopters. For a cornea with a constant modulus of elasticity value of 0.4 MPa, 350 microns decrease in thickness resulted in a decrease of approximately 25 diopters. The anisotropic non-homogenous characteristics of the cornea have shown to be critical for maintaining the morphology of a healthy corneal.

Conclusions
Degradation of the circumferential fibers may very well be an initiating factor of a biomechanical process in which a bulge is gradually created from a presumably healthy cornea under normal underlying pressures and therefore, the identification of the early stages of keratoconus might be achievable by monitoring the in-vivo corneal fiber distribution.
CRP genotype and haplotype associations with serum C-reactive protein level and DAS28 in untreated early rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Ammitzbøll Christian Gytz , Steffensen Rudi , Bøgsted Martin , Hørslev-Petersen Kim , Hetland Merete L , Junker Peter , Johansen Julia S , Pødenphant Jan , Østergaard Mikkel , Ellingsen Torkell , Stengaard-Pedersen Kristian 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRP gene are implicated in the regulation of the constitutional C-reactive protein (CRP) expression and its response to proinflammatory stimuli. Previous reports suggest that these effects may have an impact on clinical decision-making tools based on CRP, such as the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28). We aimed to investigate the possible association between seven CRP SNPs, their haplotypes and the serum levels of CRP, as well as DAS28 scores, in two cohorts of untreated active early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients followed during their initial treatment.

Methods
Overall, 315 patients with RA from two randomized controlled trials (the CIMESTRA and OPERA trials) who were naïve to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and steroids with disease durations less than 6 months were included. Seven CRP SNPs were investigated: rs11265257, rs1130864, rs1205, rs1800947, rs2808632, rs3093077 and rs876538. The genotype and haplotype associations with CRP and DAS28 levels were evaluated using linear regression analysis adjusted for age, sex and treatment.

Results
The minor allele of rs1205 C > T was associated with decreased CRP levels at baseline (P = 0.03), with the TT genotype having a 50% reduction in CRP from 16.7 to 8.4 mg/L (P = 0.005) compared to homozygosity of the major allele, but no association was observed at year 1 (P = 0.38). The common H2 haplotype, characterized by the T allele of rs1205, was associated with a 26% reduction in CRP at baseline (P = 0.043), although no effect was observed at year 1 (P = 0.466). No other SNP or haplotype was associated with CRP at baseline or at year 1 (P ≥0.09). We observed no associations between SNPs or haplotypes and DAS28 scores at baseline or at year 1 (P ≥0.10).

Conclusion
CRP genotype and haplotype were only marginally associated with serum CRP levels and had no association with the DAS28 score. This study shows that DAS28, the core parameter for inflammatory activity in RA, can be used for clinical decision-making without adjustment for CRP gene variants.

Trial registration
The OPERA study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00660647). The CIMESTRA study is not listed in a clinical trials registry, because patients were included between October 1999 and October 2002.
Hydraulic conductivity and contribution of aquaporins to water uptake in roots of four sunflower genotypes
Authors: Adiredjo Afifuddin Latif , Navaud Olivier , Grieu Philippe , Lamaze Thierry 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Background
This article evaluates the potential of intraspecific variation for whole-root hydraulic properties in sunflower. We investigated genotypic differences related to root water transport in four genotypes selected because of their differing water use efficiency (JAC doi: 10.1111/jac.12079. 2014). We used a pressure-flux approach to characterize hydraulic conductance (L

0
) which reflects the overall water uptake capacity of the roots and hydraulic conductivity (Lp

r
) which represents the root intrinsic water permeability on an area basis. The contribution of aquaporins (AQPs) to water uptake was explored using mercuric chloride (HgCl2), a general AQP blocker.

Results
There were considerable variations in root morphology between genotypes. Mean values of L

0
and Lp

r
showed significant variation (above 60% in both cases) between recombinant inbred lines in control plants. Pressure-induced sap flow was strongly inhibited by HgCl2 treatment in all genotypes (more than 50%) and contribution of AQPs to hydraulic conductivity varied between genotypes. Treated root systems displayed markedly different L

0
values between genotypes whereas Lp

r
values were similar.

Conclusions
Our analysis points to marked differences between genotypes in the intrinsic aquaporin-dependent path (Lp

r
in control plants) but not in the intrinsic AQP-independent paths (Lp

r
in HgCl2 treated plants). Overall, root anatomy was a major determinant of water transport properties of the whole organ and can compensate for a low AQP contribution. Hydraulic properties of root tissues and organs might have to be taken into account for plant breeding since they appear to play a key role in sunflower water balance and water use efficiency.