Fastest Research Articles

The Effect of the Mixture of Plastic Waste as a Lightweight Concrete Material

Concrete has many functions, and is also an important role in maintaining building stability and strength. By using plastic fiber as a lightweight concrete mixture material, it is expected to increase the compressive strength of the lightweight concrete, and also to reduce the negative impact of waste plastic bottles. In this study also added differences in FAS for each specimen 0.5 and 0.6. With the difference in variation in each lightweight concrete specimen, it is expected to be able to know the performance of concrete from the different variations of PET and FAS. The use of PET and FAS mixtures in lightweight concrete produces the lightest Concrete at 9% PET mixture of fine aggregate weight. In full there are two results, FAS 0.5 = 11045 gr, and FAS 0.6 = 10981 gr. But for the maximum weight of test specimens it cannot be said to be structural lightweight concrete because it does not meet the minimum weight requirement of 1850 Kg / m3. The Slump test on the specimen shows that the highest Slump test is in FAS 0.6 with 9% PET mixture, with slump height reaching 135 mm or 13 cm, and 125 mm or 12.5 cm in FAS 0.5 9% PET mixture. Cylinder absorbance showed that the average maximum absorption of FAS specimens was 0.5 = 1,268% and FAS 0.6 = 1,212%. The value of the lightest concrete compressive strength is the most optimum in the variation of 3% PET specimens in FAS 0.5 and variation of 6% PET specimens in FAS 0.6. that is 25 Mpa and 19 Mpa. And for the SPSS test states that there is a significant difference in the differences in the variation of PET and FAS test objects.

Impaired sleep quality and cognition in patients of Parkinson's disease with REM sleep behavior disorder: a comparative study

ObjectivesThe present study was undertaken to evaluate the cognitive profile of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and to correlate with the clinical stage and polysomnographic variables. MethodsThe study included 25 PD patients who had RBD and 25 PD patients who based on two questionnaires were determined as not having RBD. These patients underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) and neuropsychological assessment using a defined battery of tests. ResultsThe mean age of the patients with clinically probable RBD (RBD+) was 60.4 ± 8.2 years and PD patients without RBD (RBD-) was 57.3 ± 6.6 years (p = 0.14). The mean age at onset of the disease was 53.7 ± 9.4 years for RBD+ and 49.8 ± 7.8 years for RBD-patients (p = 0.12). The mean Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III OFF score was 27.4 ± 11.1 for RBD+ and 32.7 ± 8.2 for RBD- (p = 0.06). The total sleep time of the patients was 4.3 ± 1.7 h with sleep efficiency of 53.8 ± 21.0%. Patients with RBD+ were found to have significant impairment in many neuropsychological tests compared to RBD-. ConclusionsRBD + patients had significant impairment in MMSE, category fluency test (FAS test), frontal assessment battery, attention (digit span backwards, Corsi span), verbal memory (story recall) and Rey's auditory verbal learning test. These patients also had poor sleep quality.

Funcionamiento ejecutivo y reconocimiento facial de emociones en personas con y sin diagnóstico de demencia tipo Alzheimer

The objective of the present study was to establish the relationship between emotional recognition in faces and the tasks of executive functions in people with and without diagnosis of Alzheimer’s type dementia, stage GDS 4, in a hospital center in the city of Bogota. We performed a comparative study of cross-correlational involving 80 people, 40 of which are part of the clinical group and 40 of the nonclinical group. A brief interview and Minimental State Examination tests, Wisconsin Card Classification Test, Trail Making Test, reverse-order digit sub-test and similarities of the WAIS-IV, FAS Test, Face Test, Tower of London and Test of Stroop, in order to address aspects of executive functioning of the frontal lobe and emotional recognition in faces. In the results there are differences between groups at a general level, however, the data mark statistical significance among the groups, particularly for phonological and semantic verbal fluency, alternating attention and perseverative behavior despite feedback from the error. Also, a non-significant decrease was found by people with dementia in the ability to recognize emotions in faces. As conclusions it is possible to emphasize that the recognition of emotional expressions in faces would be an innate and basic process in the social functionality of the individual. In addition, there is no evidence of a relationship between the performance of the executive functioning of the frontal lobe and the results in recognition of emotional expressions within a normal aging process and a demential picture, at least in the initial stages.Keywords: Aging, Dementia, Executive function, Emotional recognition of faces.

DNA Damages on Blood Cells After Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Introduction: Along with the increased use of cardiac imaging at clinics there is increased attention to the potential risks related to the methods used like magnetic resonance (MR) and it cannot be ruled out that MR can alter DNA structure. The aim of this review is to assess the impact of routine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scanning on DNA damages in human T lymphocytes. Materials and Methods: The study was a systematic review for assessment of DNA damages on human T lymphocytes after CMR, where relevant articles of base such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Elsevier and PubMed with the key words of cardiac magnetic resonance, DNA damage and lymphocytes, in years 2012 to 2017 were searched and analyzed. Results: CMR imaging requires some of the strongest and fastest switching electromagnetic gradients available in MR, exposing the patients to the highest accepted energy levels. Fiechter et al. showed significant DNA damage in patient T lymphocytes as soon as 1 or 2 hours post CMR. Several studies reported an immediate post-MRI increase of histone H2AX phosphorylation (γ-H2AX) in lymphocytes, a marker of DNA double-strand breaks Conclusion: Our study proved the association between CMR scanning and DNA DSBs in T lymphocytes but the cellular mechanism is not known and may be different from that of radiation. Nonetheless, there have been limited numbers of investigations which examined whether in vitro and/or in vivo exposure of cells to electromagnetic fields used in MRI can cause significantly excess genetic damage. So further studies are necessary in more detail.

To inhibit growth and migration of glioma cells through down regulation glucose metabolism related to aquaporin (AQP)-1

Background: Glioma is one of highly aggressive and fastest growing human tumors. aquaporin (AQP)-1 is a critical factor in cell function, especially in glioma cells. However, its mechanism is unknown. Here, we explored growth and migration mechanism of glioma cells associated with glucose metabolism regulated by AQP-1. Methods: The growth and migration of glioma cells were analyzed after up or down regulation of AQP-1 expression. The expression of glucose metabolism-related proteins G6PC (glucose-6-phosphatase, catalytic subunit), GK (glycerol kinase), and GOT1 (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1) were examined. Glucose production of glioma cells was determined with colorimetric glucose oxidase method. Results: Our work indicated that AQP-1 facilitated growth and migration of glioma cells by regulating glucose metabolism, which was related to down-expression of gluconeogenesis gene G6PC, GK and GOT1. Interference on AQP-1 expression suppressed these processes of glioma cells. Conclusions: Therefore, our data demonstrated that down regulation of AQP-1 can induce the inhibition of glioma cell growth and migration through the pathway related to gluconeogenesis gene G6PC, GK and GOT1, which may promote the glucose metabolism. AQP-1 is the potential novel target for treatment of glioma.

UJI TOKSISITAS DAUN BELUNTAS (Pluchea Indica Less), DAUN KEMANGI (Ocimum Basilicum L.), KULIT BIJI JENGKOL (Archidendron Pauciflorum) DAN KULIT RIMPANG KENCUR (Kaempferia Galanga Linn.) DENGAN METODE BRINE SHRIMP LETHALITY TEST (BSLT)

Metode BSLT merupakan salah satu cara yang cepat dan murah untuk skrining toksisitas dariekstrak tanaman dengan menggunakan hewan laut yaitu larva udang Artemia salina Leach. Metodeini sering dikaitkan dengan metode penapisan senyawa antikanker. Berdasarkan alasan tersebut,maka uji ini sangat tepat digunakan dalam mengawali penelitian bahan alam. Selain BSLT, jugadilakukan penapisan fitokimia. Hasil penelitian dengan metode BSLT dari ekstrak etanol daunbeluntas, kulit biji jengkol, daun kemangi, dan kulit rimpang kencur menunjukkan LC50 masingmasingsebesar 80,33 mg/L, 39,81 mg/L, 46,42 mg/L, dan kurang dari 10 mg/L. Hasil penapisanfitokimia menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak etanol daun beluntas dan kemangi terdapat flavonid, ekstraketanol kulit biji jengkol dan kulit rimpang kencur terdapat alkaloid. Ekstrak etanol kulit rimpangkencur menunjukan aktivitas tertinggi, maka perlu dilakukan isolasi dan identifikasi sehinggadiperoleh senyawa aktif.

Survival of the fastest

Survival of the fastest

Effects of tapentadol on pain, motor symptoms and cognitive functions in Parkinson's disease.

BackgroundPain is a common and undertreated non-motor symptom in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Opioids have been seldom used in PD because they could worsen cognitive and motor functions.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess efficacy and tolerability of tapentadol in PD patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 21 PD patients treated with tapentadol extended release (ER) for chronic pain. Patients were evaluated before treatment and at 3 and 6 months during treatment for pain intensity (current, 24-hour average, and minimum and worst) with a 0–10 Numerical Rating Scale and the painDETECT questionnaire; for motor symptom severity with the Unified PD Rating Scale part III and the Hoehn and Yahr scale; for cognitive functions with Mini-Mental Status Examination, Corsi’s Block-Tapping test, Digit Span test, Digit-Symbol Substitution test, FAS test, Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning test, Trail-Making test A and B and the 9-Hole Peg test; for anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; and for the quality of life with the Short Form-12. Data were analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance and paired t-test, and by Friedman’s and Wilcoxon’s tests. Statistical significance was taken in all cases as P<0.05.ResultsPain intensity decreased over the course of treatment. No differences were found in PD symptom severity and dopaminergic drug dosages between pretreatment and treatment evaluations. No decrement in cognitive neuropsychological performances was found and an improvement was observed in Digit Span test, Digit-Symbol Substitution test, and FAS test. The levels of anxiety, depression, and quality of life improved. Overall, tapentadol ER was well tolerated and most patients reported no or mild and short-lived gastroenterological and neurological side effects.ConclusionThese results indicate the potential efficacy and tolerability of medium–high doses of tapentadol ER for the treatment of pain in PD.

Implementing a Standardized Matrix for Determination of Mode of Transport

Introduction: Pediatric/neonatal transport teams are highly dedicated crews who treat a broad range of pediatric diagnoses and acuity. Most pediatric hospitals cover large geographic areas due to limited resources available in the community for pediatric patients. There is a need to standardize acuity and mode of transport. The aim of this project was to find a scoring system or matrix that could consistently be used in our institution to identify which patients needed to be transported the fastest and which mode of transport to use. Methods: Initially we began using a matrix which scored neonatal and pediatric patients …

Automated Bus Tracking System Using GSM and GPS Module

Android is a latest platform and fastest growing technology for mobile based applications and can run both offline and online. It is easy to use by end users and developers. This project has been developed for bus routes of Tamilnadu. This will also provide alternate bus route information. This paper proposes an Android based mobile application which gives bus information and alternate route as well. Android being open source and user friendly is well suitable for the application. This paper gives the detail of people on how to use the application, this application will help people to know the current location of bus and also estimate time to reach their destination. Also, on cases like if bus is missed then alternate route information. The application also provides bus schedule which is timing details of bus with source and destination. Location of bus will be displayed as message in the application. Even if people requested bus is missed ‘then alternative bus to reach their location which is available in application with Bus schedule.

Уточнення аналітичних виразів для встановлення інерційно-жорсткісних параметрів двомасових резонансних вібраційних машин

Уточнення аналітичних виразів для встановлення інерційно-жорсткісних параметрів двомасових резонансних вібраційних машин

Effects of task language and second-language proficiency on the neural correlates of phonemic fluency in native Japanese speakers: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.

Data collected during a phonemic fluency task (or 'FAS test'), a standard component of neuropsychological batteries for assessment of cognitive deficits, may be language-dependent and may differ depending on second-language proficiency. The unique orthographic/phonological system of the task language, and the reported cognitive advantages inherent to bilinguals, may each influence the task's neural correlates. However, language background is not currently assessed in most studies testing phonemic fluency. Here, we used 52-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy in college-aged native-Japanese subjects to examine functional changes in oxygenated hemoglobin elicited during a phonemic fluency task performed in Japanese and in English. We found activity differences that were related to task language and second-language proficiency. Besides loci activated in the Japanese test, bilateral precentral channels were specifically recruited in the English test. Furthermore, the higher-proficiency group showed almost no increase in oxygenated hemoglobin in either language context, whereas participants with lower proficiency showed widespread increases for both contexts. We interpret precentral increases as the consequence of additional articulatory resource recruitment in a second-language context. As for the lack of such variation in the higher-proficiency group, it may reflect an advantage in nonverbal executive control in this group. Together, our results point to language background and proficiency as confounding variables in neuroimaging studies of phonemic fluency and that the adequacy of such measures in populations with varying language backgrounds needs to be considered in future studies.

How much does it cost to power the world’s fastest growing economies?

How much does it cost to power the world’s fastest growing economies?

Comprehensive Study of Selective Forwarding Attack in Wireless Sensor Networks

- In present scenario, the fastest and cheapest way of communicating worldwide is via networks. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have become extensive part of many areas like traffic surveillance, defense, asset tracking, healthcares, structural monitoring of building and bridges and environmental monitoring of air, water and soil. The emergence of WSNs in today’s technological world has lead to the need of secured and safeguarded transmission of data over networks. WSNs have issues like low memory and limited battery availability, so conventional security establishments are not effective here. A number of attacks are possible over WSNs like black hole, wormhole and selective forwarding attack. Selective forwarding attack is a special case of black hole attack where compromised nodes drop packets selectively. This leads to degradation of network performance. In this paper we will review some important attacks over WSNs with possible ways to detect and defend selective forwarding attack

Functional connectivity in resting state as a phonemic fluency ability measure

There is some evidence that functional connectivity (FC) measures obtained at rest may reflect individual differences in cognitive capabilities. We tested this possibility by using the FAS test as a measure of phonemic fluency. Seed regions of the main brain areas involved in this task were extracted from meta-analysis results (Wagner et al., 2014) and used for pairwise resting-state FC analysis. Ninety-three undergraduates completed the FAS test outside the scanner. A correlation analysis was conducted between the F-A-S scores (behavioral testing) and the pairwise FC pattern of verbal fluency regions of interest. Results showed that the higher FC between the thalamus and the cerebellum, and the lower FCs between the left inferior frontal gyrus and the right insula and between the supplementary motor area and the right insula were associated with better performance on the FAS test. Regression analyses revealed that the first two FCs contributed independently to this better phonemic fluency, reflecting a more general attentional factor (FC between thalamus and cerebellum) and a more specific fluency factor (FC between the left inferior frontal gyrus and the right insula). The results support the Spontaneous Trait Reactivation hypothesis, which explains how resting-state derived measures may reflect individual differences in cognitive abilities.

The significance of exercises and sports in the locomotive syndrome prevention.

In Japan, the world's fastest aging country, the locomotive syndrome that shows a decrease in the mobility due to dysfunctions of the locomotor organs is a major risk factor of long-term care need in the old age. Exercises and sports habits are well reviewed to lead to the improvement and maintenance of motor function, and exercises are also useful in the prevention of a number of musculoskeletal diseases. In addition, several trials with the exercise intervention indicated improvement in motor function, suggesting exercises could prevent the locomotive syndrome. In future, prevalence of exercise habits may lead to decrease the prevalence of locomotive syndrome, resulting in elongation of the healthy life span.

Deceptively-Altered Visual Feedback Alters 4km Cycling Time Trial Performance in Trained Cyclists

Introduction The brain maintains a performance reserve capacity by regulating fuel utilization. One method of overriding the governor is the utilization of deception. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of deceptively-modified feedback on time to completion during a laboratory based 4000m time trial.  Methods 12 trained cyclists (8 Male, 4 Female) age 41.6 ±12.3 years with a mean peak aerobic capacity of 51.3±6.5ml/kg/min. Participants completed a VO 2 peak test followed by two baseline 4km time trials without the influence of a virtual avatar competitor. The participants completed two more time trials in randomized order competing against an avatar representing 100% (control) or 102%(deception) of their fastest baseline trial. Participants were told that they were competing against their previous fastest baseline trial during time trials 3 and 4.  Results Time to completion during the deception condition was shorter than the control condition -3.62±0.8sec p=.004 95% CI [-5.99, -1.24]. Average power output was greater during the deception trial compared to the control trial 7.1±2.28w p=.033 95% CI [0.55, 13.66]. Power output was greater during the deception trial at 30% and 40% of the trial compared to the control trial 12.0±2.4w p=.001 95% CI [5.36, 18.6] and 12.4±2.5w p=.001 95% CI [5.5, 19.4]. Rating of Perceived Exertion was lower during the first 25% of the deception trial compared to the control -1±.348 p=.046 95% CI [-1.98, -.018].  Discussion and Conclusions It is possible a lower RPE during the first 25% of the time trial allowed for increased power output during the middle portion of the deception trial. The increased power output could have led to the improved time to completion in the deception trial.

Differences in the verbal fluency, working memory and executive functions in alcoholics: Short-term vs. long-term abstainers

The aim of the study was to assess differences in verbal fluency, working memory and executive functions in two subgroups of alcohol-dependent patients, those undergoing short-term abstinence (STA) and those undergoing long-term abstinence (LTA), and to compare the level of cognitive functions in patients after long-term abstinence with healthy subjects. The study group consisted of 106 alcohol-dependent patients (53 immediately after drinking at least 3 days and 53 after at least one-year abstinence). The control group comprised 53 subjects, whose age, sex and education levels matched those of the patients in the experimental group. The dependence intensity was assessed using SADD and MAST scales. The neuropsychological assessment was based on the FAS Test, Stroop Test and TMT A&B Test. The results obtained for alcohol-dependent patients revealed significant disturbances of cognitive functions. Such results indicate the presence of severe frontal cerebral cortex dysfunctions. Frontal cortex dysfunctions affecting the verbal fluency and working memory subsystems and the executive functions also persisted during long-term abstinence periods. No significant correlations between the duration of dependence, quantity of alcohol consumed and efficiency of the working memory and executive functions were observed in alcohol-dependent subjects after short-term or long-term abstinence.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses to a 164-km road cycle ride in a hot environment.

The purpose of this study was to examine the circulating cytokine response to a recreational 164-km road cycling event in a high ambient temperature and to determine if this response was affected by self-paced exercise time to completion. Thirty-five men and five women were divided into tertiles based on time to complete the cycling event: slowest (SLOW), moderate (MOD), and fastest (FAST) finishers. Plasma samples were obtained 1-2h before (PRE) and immediately after (IP) the event. A high-sensitivity multiplex assay kit was used to determine the concentration of plasma anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-12, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α). The concentration of plasma IL-10 increased significantly (p<0.05) in FAST and MOD groups and had no change in the SLOW group in response to a 164-km cycling event inthe hot environment. Other cytokine responses were not influenced by the Time to completion. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, GM-CSF, and TNF-α decreased; whereas, IL-6 and IL-8 increased from PRE to IP. Additionally, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 decreased. Completion of a 164-km cycling event induced substantial changes in circulating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations. Time to completion appears to have a greater influence on the systemic IL-10 response than the environmental condition; however, it is possible that a threshold for absolute intensity must be reached for environmental conditions to affect the IL-10 response to exercise. Thus, cyclists from the FAST/MOD groups appear more likely to experience an acute transient immune suppression than cyclists from the SLOW group.

Culturing Schwann Cells from Neonatal Rats by Improved Enzyme Digestion Combined with Explants-culture Method.

Objective To develop an improved method for culturing Schwann cells(SCs) by using both enzyme digestion and explants-culture approaches and compared with traditional explants-culture method and general hemi-explants-culture method. Methods Bilaterally sciatic nerves and brachial plexus nerves were dissected from 3 to 5-day-old neonatal SD rats and explants-culture method,general hemi-explants-culture method,and improved enzyme digestion combined with explants-culture method were adopted to culture SCs,respectively. SCs were digested and passaged after 7 days in culture and counted under the microscope. The purity of SCs was identified by S-100 immunofluorescence staining. Results The SCs of improved method group grew fastest and the total number of cells obtained was(1.85±0.13)×10(6);the SCs of the hemi-explants-culture method group grew slower than the improved method group and the total number of cells obtained was (1.10±0.10)×10(6);the SCs of the explants-culture method group grew slowest and the total number of cells obtained was (0.77±0.03)×10(6).The total number of cells obtained showed significant difference among the three groups(P<0.01). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the SCs purity was (95.73±1.51)% in the improved method group,(84.66±2.68)% in the hemi-explants-culture method group,and (74.50±4.23)% in the explants-culture method group(P<0.01). Conclusion The improved enzyme digestion combined with explants-culture method can obtain sufficient amount of high-purity SCs in a short time and thus may be applied in further research on peripheral nerve regeneration.