bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart rate variability and the metabolic syndrome: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Stuckey Melanie I. , Tulppo Mikko P. , Kiviniemi Antti M. , Petrella Robert J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundA number of cross‐sectional studies have examined associations between heart rate variability and metabolic syndrome, but differences in study populations, data collection and analysis methodologies make synthesis difficult. The purpose of this study was to systematically review published primary research examining associations between heart rate variability and metabolic syndrome or its individual risk factors.MethodsA systematic literature search of PubMed and EMBASE was conducted to identify relevant articles published from January 1999 to December 2012. Studies were included if they examined associations between heart rate variability analysed by standard protocols and metabolic syndrome risk factors according to published definitions. All papers were scored with a modified Downs and Black instrument, and data were extracted.ResultsFourteen studies were included. Heart rate variability generally was reduced in women with metabolic syndrome compared to those without, while results in men were inconsistent. Time and frequency domain heart rate variability parameters were associated with individual metabolic syndrome risk factors, though sex differences exist. Only two studies considered nonlinear and Poincaré plot heart rate variability parameters, which were reduced in metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsHeart rate variability is altered differently in men and women with metabolic syndrome. Future studies should follow consistent heart rate variability analysis protocols and metabolic syndrome definitions and include more comprehensive analyses to investigate potential mechanisms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are changes in glycaemic control associated with diabetes‐specific quality of life and health status in screen‐detected type 2 diabetes patients? Four‐year follow up of the ADDITION‐Cambridge cohort
Authors: Kuznetsov L. , Long G. H. , Griffin S. J. , Simmons R. K. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundInterventions that improve HbA1c levels do not necessarily improve health‐related quality of life (QoL). This issue may be particularly relevant in asymptomatic diabetes patients detected earlier in the course of the disease.MethodsHbA1c, diabetes‐specific QoL (ADDQoL) and health status were measured in 510 screen‐detected diabetes patients from the ADDITION‐Cambridge trial at 1 and 5 years post diagnosis. Multivariable logistic/linear regression was used to quantify the longitudinal association between change in HbA1c from 1 to 5 years and ADDQoL and health status at 5 years, adjusting for age, sex, education and trial group; alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, plasma vitamin C, HbA1c, ADDQoL or health status at 1 year, and glucose‐lowering medication at 5 years.ResultsFrom 1 to 5 years, median HbA1c interquartile range increased from 6.3% (5.9–6.8) to 6.8% (6.4–7.4); the median ADDQoL score and mean health status physical health summary score decreased from ‐0.4 (‐1 to ‐0.08) to ‐0.5 (‐1.08 to ‐0.09) (suggesting an adverse impact of diabetes on QoL) and by ‐0.79 (8.94) points, respectively. Increases in HbA1c were independently associated with reporting a negative impact of diabetes on QoL (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.85) but not with the health status summary scores.ConclusionsIncreases in HbA1c from 1 to 5 years post‐diagnosis were independently associated with increased odds of reporting a negative impact of diabetes on QoL. While our results suggest that efforts to reduce HbA1c do not adversely affect health‐related QoL, large numbers of participants still report a negative impact of diabetes on their QoL 5 years post‐diagnosis. © 2014 The Authors. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stimulation of endogenous cardioblasts by exogenous cell therapy after myocardial infarction
Authors: Malliaras Konstantinos , Ibrahim Ahmed , Tseliou Eleni , Liu Weixin , Sun Baiming , Middleton Ryan C , Seinfeld Jeffrey , Wang Lai , Sharifi Behrooz G , Marbán Eduardo 
Published: May 2014

AbstractControversy surrounds the identity, origin, and physiologic role of endogenous cardiomyocyte progenitors in adult mammals. Using an inducible genetic labeling approach to identify small non‐myocyte cells expressing cardiac markers, we find that activated endogenous cardioblasts are rarely evident in the normal adult mouse heart. However, myocardial infarction results in significant cardioblast activation at the site of injury. Genetically labeled isolated cardioblasts express cardiac transcription factors and sarcomeric proteins, exhibit spontaneous contractions, and form mature cardiomyocytes in vivo after injection into unlabeled recipient hearts. The activated cardioblasts do not arise from hematogenous seeding, cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation, or mere expansion of a preformed progenitor pool. Cell therapy with cardiosphere‐derived cells amplifies innate cardioblast‐mediated tissue regeneration, in part through the secretion of stromal cell‐derived factor 1 by transplanted cells. Thus, stimulation of endogenous cardioblasts by exogenous cells mediates therapeutic regeneration of injured myocardium.
Damping systems that are effective over a wide range of displacement amplitudes using metallic yielding component and viscoelastic damper in series
Authors: Yamamoto Masashi , Sone Takayuki 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARYA damper system that absorbs energy over a wide range of displacement amplitudes during building vibration was proposed. This system uses a serial connection of a metallic yielding component and viscoelastic damper with a displacement limit mechanism. Three types of the system were developed and tested: a diagonal bracing type, inverted V bracing type, and wall type. The test results showed that all these systems have damping ratios higher than 8% at small vibration amplitudes on the order of 0.1 mm. For a large vibration, a displacement limit mechanism with two pins limited the displacement of the viscoelastic damper as designed. Analytical simulations established that the system reduced the acceleration and the story drift to 60–70% and 80%, respectively, during a small earthquake compared with a conventional metallic yielding damper system. Furthermore, it showed an equivalent control performance during a severe earthquake. The damper system requires that a clearance be maintained for the displacement limit mechanism. However, this may be lost through construction error, residual displacement after an earthquake, and temperature effects. The changes in the clearance due to these effects were discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of landscape connectivity and landslide dynamics upon channel adjustments and sediment flux in the Liwu Basin, Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Cheng‐Wei , Brierley Gary 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTCatchment‐scale analyzes of spatial and temporal variability in landscape connectivity are critical considerations in appraisals of landscape evolution and disaster mitigation in tectonically active mountain belts such as Taiwan. This study uses historical aerial photographs, flow discharge and seismic data to analyze landslide changes and channel adjustments over a 30 year period in the Liwu Basin. Recurrent earthquakes and typhoon events trigger frequent landslide activity, channel adjustment and sediment reworking in this system. Spatial variability in magnitude–frequency relations of hillslope‐valley floor (lateral) and upstream–downstream (longitudinal) connectivity during the study period are shown to reflect annual reworking in source and accumulation zones, while partly‐confined valleys in the mid‐catchment area trap sediment behind landslide‐induced dams that are formed and breached on an approximately decadal basis. This promotes partial longitudinal connectivity in these areas. Landscape responses to disturbance events were especially pronounced following combinations of seismic and typhoon events prior to the 1998 and 2005 images. Although single high magnitude events and series of moderate events affect patterns of landscape connectivity in the Liwu Basin, residence times for sediment storage are very short in this highly‐connected river system, where confined valley settings extend virtually to the coast. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is the connectivity function a good indicator of soil infiltrability distribution and runoff flow dimension?
Authors: Harel Marie‐Alice , Mouche Emmanuel 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAmong the studies on runoff connectivity of soils with heterogeneous properties, the need to understand the relationships between soil heterogeneity and the associated runoff organization and amount is frequently mentioned. In this study, we simulate the stationary runoff–runon process on bi‐dimensional (2D) flat slopes for five infiltrability distributions, one of them correlated, as a function of rainfall intensity and flow dimension. We define flow dimension by 1 + ε, where ε is the outflow fraction transferred from one pixel to each of the two lateral downslope pixels. Our aim is to assess the effect of ε and soil heterogeneity on the connectivity function compared to the mean runoff flow rate, the wet area and the number of runoff patterns. The analysis of connectivity is carried within the percolation framework. The results show that the integral connectivity scale is more sensitive to the flow dimension and soil heterogeneity compared to the other variables. The wet area fraction does not depend on ε. Unlike previous studies, we find that increased runoff production is not necessarily related to increased connectivity. The use of the connectivity function within the percolation framework appears to be a valuable method for assessing the impact of soil heterogeneity and flow dimension on the runoff organization during a rainfall event. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α by siRNA‐Induced Apoptosis in Human Retinoblastoma Cells
Authors: Gao Yu , Jing Ming , Ge Rongrong , Zhou Zhe , Sun Yan 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTHypoxia, which activates the hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α), is an essential feature of retinoblastoma (RB) and contributes to poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapy. In this study, the effect of HIF‐1α knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and apoptotic pathways of human Y‐79 RB cells was first investigated. Exposure to hypoxia induced the increased expression of HIF‐1α both in mRNA and protein levels. Then, knockdown of HIF‐1α by siRNAHIF‐1α resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in human Y‐79 RB cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, with hypoxic conditions being more sensitive. Furthermore, knockdown of HIF‐1α could enhance hypoxia‐induced slight increase of Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio and activate caspase‐9 and caspase‐3. These results together indicated that suppression of HIF‐1α expression may be a promising strategy for the treatment of human RB in the future.
Postural response to vibration of triceps surae, but not quadriceps muscles, differs between people with and without knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Shanahan Camille J. , Wrigley Tim V. , Farrell Michael J. , Bennell Kim L. , Hodges Paul W. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTAlthough proprioceptive impairments are reported in knee osteoarthritis (OA), there has been little investigation of the underlying causes. Muscle spindles make an important contribution to proprioception. This study investigated whether function of quadriceps, triceps surae, and tibialis anterior muscle spindles is altered in individuals with knee OA. Thirty individuals with knee OA (17 females, 66 ± 7 [mean ± SD] years) and 30 healthy asymptomatic controls (17 females, 65 ± 8 years) stood comfortably and blindfolded on a force plate. Mechanical vibration (60 Hz) was applied bilaterally over the quadriceps, triceps surae, or tibialis anterior muscles for the middle 15 s (Vibration) of a 45 s trial (preceded and followed by 15 s Baseline and Recovery periods). Two trials were recorded for each muscle site. Mean anterior–posterior displacement of centre of pressure was analysed. Although there were no differences between groups for trials with vibration applied to the quandriceps or tibialis anterior, participants with knee OA were initially perturbed more by triceps surae vibration and accommodated less to repeated exposure than controls. This indicates that people with knee OA have less potential to detect or compensate for disturbed input to triceps surae, possibly due to an inability to compensate using muscles spindles in the quadriceps muscle. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:989–996, 2014.
Chain‐Length‐Dependent Termination of Vinyl Acetate and Vinyl Pivalate Bulk Homopolymerizations Studied by SP‐PLP‐EPR
Authors: Kattner Hendrik , Buback Michael 
Published: May 2014

Bulk homopolymerizations of vinyl acetate and vinyl pivalate are studied by EPR experiments between −65 °C and 60 °C with dicumyl peroxide acting as the photoinitiator. No mid‐chain radicals are seen, which demonstrates that backbiting plays no role. The chain‐length dependence of the termination rate coefficients measured up to 13% monomer conversion is adequately represented by the composite model. The power‐law exponents αs and αl for short‐chain and long‐chain radicals are: αs(VAc) = 0.57 ± 0.05, αs(VPi) = 0.67 ± 0.15, αl(VAc) = 0.16 ± 0.07, and αl(VPi) = 0.16 ± 0.07. The crossover chain lengths differ largely: ic(VAc) = 20 ± 10 and ic(VPi) = 110 ± 30. The rate coefficient for termination of two radicals of chain length unity, , which is the fourth composite‐model parameter, depends on temperature, as does the monomer fluidity.
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Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition and Light‐Responsive Cross‐Linking of Poly(vinyl cinnamate) Thin Films
Authors: Petruczok Christy D. , Armagan Efe , Ince Gozde Ozaydin , Gleason Karen K. 
Published: May 2014

The first vapor‐phase deposition of poly(vinyl cinnamate) (PVCin) is reported. Initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is used to synthesize PVCin thin films with an average thickness of 100 nm. Free radical polymerization and cyclization reactions compete during the deposition process, with approximately 45% of the repeat units undergoing cyclization. Exposure to UV light (λ = 254 nm) induces dimerization (cross‐linking) of the PVCin, which is quantified using spectroscopic techniques. Approximately 90% of the free cinnamate moieties are dimerized at a UV dose of 300 mJ cm−2. PVCin is also incorporated into a copolymer with N‐isopropylacrylamide, which exhibits a characteristic change in hydrophilicity with temperature. The copolymer is selectively cross‐linked through a mask, and reversible swelling of patterns with 30 μm resolution is demonstrated by submerging the film in water.
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Perceived weight discrimination and C‐reactive protein
Authors: Sutin Angelina R. , Stephan Yannick , Luchetti Martina , Terracciano Antonio 
Published: May 2014

ObjectivePerceived weight discrimination has been linked to health outcomes, including risk of obesity. Less is known about how discrimination is associated with intermediate physiological markers of health, such as systemic inflammation. This research examined the association between weight discrimination and C‐reactive protein (CRP) and whether it varied by participants' body mass index (BMI).MethodsCross‐sectional design using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Among participants who were overweight or obese (N = 7,394), regression analysis was used to test for an association between weight discrimination and CRP and whether this association was moderated by BMI. Similar associations among seven other attributions for discrimination were tested.ResultsThe association between weight discrimination and CRP varied as a function of BMI: At BMI between the thresholds for overweight and obesity (BMI ∼25–30), weight discrimination was associated with higher circulating levels of CRP; there was no association between weight discrimination and CRP as BMI approached Class 3 obesity (BMI ∼40). A similar pattern emerged for discrimination based on a physical disability, but not for the other attributions for discrimination (e.g., race, age).ConclusionsWeight discrimination is associated with higher circulating CRP, an association that is moderated by BMI.
Photoluminescence study of γ‐irradiation effect on the defect structure in Ge‐doped CdTe single crystals
Authors: Nasieka Iu. , Rashkovetskyi L. , Boyko M. , Strelchuk V. , Tsybrii Z. , Danilchenko B. , Shcherbak L. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAn effect of γ‐irradiation in the dose range 10‐500 kGy on the defect structure of Ge‐doped CdTe single crystals (CdTe:Ge) was investigated via the method of low‐temperature photoluminescence. It was obtained that γ‐irradiation in mentioned above dose range leads to the substantial decreasing of intensities of excitonic emission bands – D0X, A0X, VDX and increase in the intensities of impurity‐related emission bands – eA1,eA2, DA. It was shown that such changes in the luminescence can be explained by radiation‐stimulated redistribution of luminescence centers between recombination channels. The latter includes vacancy‐type defects filling by Ge dopant atoms which leads to the improving of the crystalline perfection of irradiated CdTe:Ge crystals. Mentioned material quality increasing was confirmed analysing the electron‐LO‐phonon coupling in irradiated crystals which was characterized via the Huang‐Rhys factor for corresponding luminescence bands. For the verification of the assumption about radiation‐stimulated compensation of native defects the resonant Raman measurements also were carried out. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantification of intact human insulin‐like growth factor‐I in serum by nano‐ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lopes Filipe , Cowan David A. , Thevis Mario , Thomas Andreas , Parkin Mark C. 
Published: May 2014

RATIONALEInsulin‐like growth factor‐I is one of the biomarkers used to detect growth hormone administration prohibited in human sport. Current testing approaches for IGF‐I rely on commercial immunoassays, which may change from time to time requiring complex revalidation. Mass spectrometry (MS)‐based approaches often rely on enzymatically digesting the protein and measuring specific peptide concentrations. In order to reinforce the current available methodology for IGF‐I testing, a reliable and equally sensitive MS method is required for the analysis of intact protein using small sample volumes (<25 μL).METHODSIGF‐I was extracted from human serum samples by a simple protein precipitation procedure. Separation was achieved via nano‐ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography and MS analysis was conducted by nano‐electrospray ionisation triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode using a stable‐isotope‐labelled internal standard.RESULTSA six‐point calibration curve ranging from 50 to 1000 ng/mL of human IGF‐I in rat serum was used to establish instrument response. The method provided a limit of quantification of 50 ng/mL, with intra‐ and inter‐day precision ≤5% and intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy ≥95%.CONCLUSIONSA quantitative method was developed for the quantification of intact IGF‐I in human serum samples. The data generated provided important information for the development of a new reference method for the growth hormone biomarker test and helped create a reliable system for monitoring peptide hormones in individual athletes, a possible extension to the athlete biological passport system. Nano‐electrospray has here been shown to be sufficiently robust for routine use in an analytical laboratory, allowing for the analysis of minute sample volumes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Desorption electrospray ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry for the fast investigation of natural polysaccharide interactions with a model drug in controlled release systems
Authors: Elviri Lisa , DeRobertis Simona , Baldassarre Stefania , Bettini Ruggero 
Published: May 2014

RATIONALEThe control of drug release involves gaining an understanding of the complex interaction networks among drug‐excipients‐matrix‐biological fluids. Thus, novel analytical methods that will lead to a better understanding of these interaction networks are urgently required.METHODSDesorption electrospray ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry (DESI‐HRMS) was used to evaluate the behaviour of four biocompatible polysaccharides (chondroitin sulfate, chitosan, sodium alginate and λ‐carrageenan) in the release of atenolol (ATN) from drug tablets. An aqueous solution at three different pH values (pH 7.4, 4.5 and 1.2) was electrosprayed onto the tablets, allowing direct, fast, sensitive detection of atenolol as the protonated molecule in positive ion mode. Information about the desorption mechanism was obtained by analyzing the ATN [M+H]+ ion signal as a function of time. ATN–polymer interactions in the drug/polymer mixtures were also studied by Horizontal Attenuated Total Reflectance (HATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.RESULTSThe DESI‐MS results revealed statistically different ATN desorption trends as a function of the polysaccharide investigated and the pH of the desorbing solution. Different release kinetics were ascribed to the drug–polymer interactions, and to the diffusion process of the drug through the hydrated polymer mesh. In particular, the alginate and λ‐carrageenan matrices were able to sustain drug release from the tablet even for a highly soluble drug. The HATR results confirmed the presence of ATN–polymer interactions that, depending on the polymer–drug–solvent combination used, might affect ATN diffusion.CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that DESI‐MS has a potential role for the micro‐environmental analysis of drug diffusion and surface distribution in polymeric matrices. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prospects for usage‐based computational models of grammatical development: argument structure and semantic roles
Authors: McCauley Stewart M. , Christiansen Morten H. 
Published: May 2014

The computational modeling of language development has enabled researchers to make impressive strides toward achieving a comprehensive psychological account of the processes and mechanisms whereby children acquire their mother tongues. Nevertheless, the field's primary focus on distributional information has lead to little progress in elucidating the processes by which children learn to compute meanings beyond the level of single words. This lack of psychologically motivated computational work on semantics poses an important challenge for usage‐based computational accounts of acquisition in particular, which hold that grammatical development is closely tied to meaning. In the present review, we trace some initial steps toward answering this challenge through a survey of existing computational models of grammatical development that incorporate semantic information to learn to assign thematic roles and acquire argument structure. We argue that the time is ripe for usage‐based computational accounts of grammatical development to move beyond purely distributional features of the input, and to incorporate information about the objects and actions observable in the learning environment. To conclude, we sketch possible avenues for extending previous approaches to modeling the role of semantics in grammatical development.WIREs Cogn Sci2014, 5:489‐499. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1295This article is categorized under:Linguistics > Computational Models of LanguageLinguistics > Language AcquisitionPsychology > Language