bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transmission routes of African swine fever virus to domestic pigs: current knowledge and future research directions
Authors: Guinat Claire , Gogin Andrey , Blome Sandra , Keil Guenther , Pollin Reiko , Pfeiffer Dirk U. , Dixon Linda
Published: March 2016

African swine fever (ASF) is a major threat to the pig industry in Europe. Since 2007, ASF outbreaks have been ongoing in the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries, causing severe economic losses for many pig farmers and pork producers. In addition, the number of ASF cases in wild boar populations has dramatically increased over the past few years. Evidence supports direct contact with infectious domestic pigs and wild boars, and consumption of contaminated feed, as the main transmission routes of ASF virus (ASFV) to domestic pigs. However, significant knowledge gaps highlight the urgent need for research to investigate the dynamics of indirect transmission via the environment, the minimal infective doses for contaminated feed ingestion, the probability of effective contacts between infectious wild boars and domestic pigs, the potential for recovered animals to become carriers and a reservoir for transmission, the potential virus persistence within wild boar populations and the influence of human behaviour for the spread of ASFV. This will provide an improved scientific basis to optimise current interventions and develop new tools and strategies to reduce the risk of ASFV transmission to domestic pigs.
Second‐year student diary
Authors: Perrett Rosie
Published: March 2016

Rosie Perrett can't believe it's nearly Easter already but is looking forward to lambing. In the meantime she has been learning pharmacology and communication skills.
Effect of dissolution on the load–settlement behavior of shallow foundations
Authors: Cha Minsu , Santamarina J. Carlos
Published: March 2016

Mineral dissolution and solid–liquid phase change may cause settlement or affect the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. The effect of gradual grain dissolution on small-scale shallow foundation behavior is investigated using the discrete element method. Results show that dissolution is most detrimental during early stages, as initially contacting particles shrink and force chains must reform throughout the medium. Porosity tends to increase during dissolution and force chains evolve into strong localized forces with a honeycomb topology. Higher settlements are required to mobilize bearing resistance in post-dissolution sediments than in pre-dissolution ones. Subsurface mineral dissolution beneath a footing under load is the worst condition; in fact, settlements in such cases are higher than when a foundation load is applied on a sediment that has already experienced dissolution.
Floral organogenesis in Dysosma versipellis (Berberidaceae) and its systematic implications
Authors: Zhao Liang , Bachelier Julien B. , Zhang Xiao-hui , Ren Yi
Published: March 2016

The Berberidaceae and the six other families of Ranunculales form a sister clade to all other eudicots, and are crucial to reconstructing the common ancestor of flowering plants. Previous studies have suggested that the petals of most Berberidaceae are derived from stamens, and some are thought to develop petals from common petal/stamen primordia. However, the flower ontogeny is still poorly known in the family and the presence of common primordia needs to be re-evaluated from a comparative developmental perspective. Here, we used scanning electron microscopy to study the floral development of the endemic Chinese species Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng ex Ying, which was originally placed in Podophyllum. Our results show that the floral organs are all free and the sepals, petals, and stamens are initiated centripetally in successive and alternate trimerous pairs of whorls around a single carpel. The nectarless petals are initiated separately and do not develop from common primordia with the stamens. Floral and developmental features of D. versipellis are similar to those of most members of Berberidaceae. The regular development of multiple flowers and absence of a secondary increase in the number of stamens in Dysosma support its exclusion from Podophyllum, and this is also inferred by the DNA sequence data.
Transitions to Chaos in a Seven-Equation Model of the Business Cycle with Income Redistribution and Private Debt
Authors: Colacchio Giorgio
Published: March 2016

In the present paper, we investigate the chaotic implications of a seven-equation model of the business cycle. The main distinguishing features of the model are related to: (a) the role played by the bargaining power in the process of income redistribution; (b) the consideration of hysteresis effects on workers’ consumption demand; (c) the effect of public expenditure on labor productivity. In addition, the role played by the agents’ memory on the actual dynamics of the economic system, with particular regard to their learning-by-doing process, is particularly emphasized. Under all these assumptions, the system exhibits a rich and complex phenomenology, characterized by a number of transitions to chaos (in particular via sequences of period doubling bifurcations), aperiodic behavior, bistability, tristability, etc. We maintain that our analysis takes us another step forward in the building of a more general model of the business cycle. In particular, the model we propose may be of help in the explanation of some peculiar features of advanced capitalist economies, with particular regard to the role played by the State in the determination of agents’ disposable income, to the debt dynamics of the various macroagents, and to the main dilemmas of economic policy. More in general, the main lesson one learns from our investigation is that “disequilibrium paths”, characterized by “complicated” dynamics which, more often than not, takes the form of aperiodic motion, should be considered as the “normal” state of the system.
40
Ar/
39
Ar ages of alkaline and tholeiitic rocks from the northern Deccan Traps: implications for magmatic processes and the K–Pg boundary
Authors: Parisio Laura , Jourdan Fred , Marzoli Andrea , Melluso Leone , Sethna Sam F. , Bellieni Giuliano
Published: March 2016

The Deccan large igneous province in India was emplaced temporally close to the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) boundary and is formed by tholeiitic flood basalts and less abundant alkaline rocks. Definition of the origin of Deccan magmatism and of its environmental impact relies on precise and accurate geochronological analyses. We present new
40
Ar/
39
Ar ages from the northern sector of the province. In this area, tholeiitic and alkaline rocks were contemporaneously emplaced at 66.60 ± 0.35 to 65.25 ± 0.29 Ma in the Phenai Mata area, whereas rocks from Rajpipla and Mount Pavagadh yielded ages ranging from 66.40 ± 2.80 to 64.90 ± 0.80 Ma. The indistinguishable ages for alkaline and tholeiitic magmatism suggest that distinct mantle sources were synchronously active. The new ages are compared with previous ages, which were carefully screened and filtered and then recalculated to be comparable. The entire dataset of geochronological data does not support a time-related migration of the magmatism related to the northward Indian plate movement relative to the Reunion mantle plume. The main phase of magmatism, including the newly dated rocks from the northern Deccan, occurred at the K–Pg boundary. This suggests a causal link between the emplacement of the province and the K–Pg mass extinction.

Supplementary material:
Whole-rock and mineral compositions and the complete
40
Ar/
39
Ar dataset are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.2674441
.
Insect Flight: From Newton's Law to Neurons
Authors: Wang Z. Jane
Published: March 2016

Why do animals move the way they do? Bacteria, insects, birds, and fish share with us the necessity to move so as to live. Although each organism follows its own evolutionary course, it also obeys a set of common laws. At the very least, the movement of animals, like that of planets, is governed by Newton's law: All things fall. On Earth, most things fall in air or water, and their motions are thus subject to the laws of hydrodynamics. Through trial and error, animals have found ways to interact with fluid so they can float, drift, swim, sail, glide, soar, and fly. This elementary struggle to escape the fate of falling shapes the development of motors, sensors, and mind. Perhaps we can deduce parts of their neural computations by understanding what animals must do so as not to fall. Here I discuss recent developments along this line of inquiry in the case of insect flight. Asking how often a fly must sense its orientation in order to balance in air has shed new light on the role of motor neurons and steering muscles responsible for flight stability.
Units Based on Constants: The Redefinition of the International System of Units
Authors: Stenger J. , Ullrich J.H.
Published: March 2016

Recent decisions of the General Conference on Weights and Measures of the Metre Convention have opened the door to a fundamental change of the International System of Units, the SI, in 2018. The revised SI will be based on fixing the numerical values of seven defining constants corresponding to the seven traditional base units. This will bring about basic modifications in the definition of the kilogram, the ampere, the kelvin, and the mole and will have consequences for units derived from them. In contrast, the second, the meter, and the candela will not be affected. This paper describes the motivation and rationale behind this endeavor, introduces the new definitions, and reviews the requirements for the redefinitions as well as the status of the experiments that are currently being carried out to fulfill them. Benefits and a wide-reaching impact for the realization and dissemination of the units are anticipated because innovative technologies with ever-increasing accuracy will emerge, enabling the direct realization over widespread measurement ranges without the definitions themselves having to be changed.
Methylene blue counteracts H2S toxicity-induced cardiac depression by restoring L-type Ca channel activity
Authors: Judenherc-Haouzi Annick , Zhang Xue-Qian , Sonobe Takashi , Song Jianliang , Rannals Matthew D. , Wang JuFang , Tubbs Nicole , Cheung Joseph Y. , Haouzi Philippe
Published: March 2016

We have previously reported that methylene blue (MB) can counteract hydrogen sulfide (H2S) intoxication-induced circulatory failure. Because of the multifarious effects of high concentrations of H2S on cardiac function, as well as the numerous properties of MB, the nature of this interaction, if any, remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to clarify 1) the effects of MB on H2S-induced cardiac toxicity and 2) whether L-type Ca2+channels, one of the targets of H2S, could transduce some of the counteracting effects of MB. In sedated rats, H2S infused at a rate that would be lethal within 5 min (24 μM·kg−1·min−1), produced a rapid fall in left ventricle ejection fraction, determined by echocardiography, leading to a pulseless electrical activity. Blood concentrations of gaseous H2S reached 7.09 ± 3.53 μM when cardiac contractility started to decrease. Two to three injections of MB (4 mg/kg) transiently restored cardiac contractility, blood pressure, and V̇o2, allowing the animals to stay alive until the end of H2S infusion. MB also delayed PEA by several minutes following H2S-induced coma and shock in unsedated rats. Applying a solution containing lethal levels of H2S (100 μM) on isolated mouse cardiomyocytes significantly reduced cell contractility, intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) transient amplitudes, and L-type Ca2+currents ( ICa) within 3 min of exposure. MB (20 mg/l) restored the cardiomyocyte function, ([Ca2+]i) transient, and ICa. The present results offer a new approach for counteracting H2S toxicity and potentially other conditions associated with acute inhibition of L-type Ca2+channels.
GluA4 subunit of AMPA receptors mediates the early synaptic response to altered network activity in the developing hippocampus
Authors: Huupponen J. , Atanasova T. , Taira T. , Lauri S. E.
Published: March 2016

Development of the neuronal circuitry involves both Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity mechanisms that orchestrate activity-dependent refinement of the synaptic connectivity. AMPA receptor subunit GluA4 is expressed in hippocampal pyramidal neurons during early postnatal period and is critical for neonatal long-term potentiation; however, its role in homeostatic plasticity is unknown. Here we show that GluA4-dependent plasticity mechanisms allow immature synapses to promptly respond to alterations in network activity. In the neonatal CA3, the threshold for homeostatic plasticity is low, and a 15-h activity blockage with tetrodotoxin triggers homeostatic upregulation of glutamatergic transmission. On the other hand, attenuation of the correlated high-frequency bursting in the CA3-CA1 circuitry leads to weakening of AMPA transmission in CA1, thus reflecting a critical role for Hebbian synapse induction in the developing CA3-CA1. Both of these developmentally restricted forms of plasticity were absent in GluA4 −/− mice. These data suggest that GluA4 enables efficient homeostatic upscaling and responsiveness to temporal activity patterns during the critical period of activity-dependent refinement of the circuitry.
Active sensing associated with spatial learning reveals memory-based attention in an electric fish
Authors: Jun James J. , Longtin André , Maler Leonard
Published: March 2016

Active sensing behaviors reveal what an animal is attending to and how it changes with learning. Gymnotus sp., a gymnotiform weakly electric fish, generates an electric organ discharge (EOD) as discrete pulses to actively sense its surroundings. We monitored freely behaving gymnotid fish in a large dark “maze” and extracted their trajectories and EOD pulse pattern and rate while they learned to find food with electrically detectable landmarks as cues. After training, they more rapidly found food using shorter, more stereotyped trajectories and spent more time near the food location. We observed three forms of active sensing: sustained high EOD rates per unit distance (sampling density), transient large increases in EOD rate (E-scans) and stereotyped scanning movements (B-scans) were initially strong at landmarks and food, but, after learning, intensified only at the food location. During probe (no food) trials, after learning, the fish's search area and intense active sampling was still centered on the missing food location, but now also increased near landmarks. We hypothesize that active sensing is a behavioral manifestation of attention and essential for spatial learning; the fish use spatial memory of landmarks and path integration to reach the expected food location and confine their attention to this region.
Cellular and System Biology of Memory: Timing, Molecules, and Beyond
Authors: Korte Martin , Schmitz Dietmar
Published: March 2016

The storage of information in the mammalian nervous systems is dependent on a delicate balance between change and stability of neuronal networks. The induction and maintenance of processes that lead to changes in synaptic strength to a multistep process which can lead to long-lasting changes, which starts and ends with a highly choreographed and perfectly timed dance of molecules in different cell types of the central nervous system. This is accompanied by synchronization of specific networks, resulting in the generation of characteristic “macroscopic” rhythmic electrical fields, whose characteristic frequencies correspond to certain activity and information-processing states of the brain. Molecular events and macroscopic fields influence each other reciprocally. We review here cellular processes of synaptic plasticity, particularly functional and structural changes, and focus on timing events that are important for the initial memory acquisition, as well as mechanisms of short- and long-term memory storage. Then, we cover the importance of epigenetic events on the long-time range. Furthermore, we consider how brain rhythms at the network level participate in processes of information storage and by what means they participating in it. Finally, we examine memory consolidation at the system level during processes of sleep.
The Study of Misclassification Probability in Discriminant Model of Pattern Identification for Stroke
Authors: Ko Mi Mi , Kim Honggie
Published: March 2016

Background. Pattern identification (PI) is the basic system for diagnosis of patients in traditional Korean medicine (TKM). The purpose of this study was to identify misclassification objects in discriminant model of PI for improving the classification accuracy of PI for stroke. Methods. The study included 3306 patients with stroke who were admitted to 15 TKM hospitals from June 2006 to December 2012. We derive the four kinds of measure (D, R, S, and C score) based on the pattern of the profile graphs according to classification types. The proposed measures are applied to the data to evaluate how well those detect misclassification objects. Results. In 10–20% of the filtered data, misclassification rate of C score was highest compared to those rates of other scores (42.60%, 41.15%, resp.). In 30% of the filtered data, misclassification rate of R score was highest compared to those rates of other scores (40.32%). And, in 40–90% of the filtered data, misclassification rate of D score was highest compared to those rates of other scores. Additionally, we can derive the same result of C score from multiple regression model with two independent variables. Conclusions. The results of this study should assist the development of diagnostic standards in TKM.
The Relation between Psychiatric Diagnoses and Constipation in Hospitalized Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Jessurun Janique G. , van Harten Peter N. , Egberts Toine C. G. , Pijl Ysbrand J. , Wilting Ingeborg , Tenback Diederik E.
Published: March 2016

Objective. Constipation is a prevalent problem in patients with psychiatric disorders; it reduces quality of life and may lead to severe complications. The prevalence distribution of constipation across all psychiatric diagnoses in patients with severe mental illness (SMI) has hardly been studied. The aim of this study is to estimate the association between psychiatric disorders and constipation in SMI inpatients.Methods. The strength of the association between constipation (based on use of laxatives) and DSM-IV psychiatric diagnosis was studied in a cross-sectional study with “adjustment disorders” as the reference group. The association was analyzed using logistic regression.Results. Of the 4728 patients, 20.3% had constipation. In the stratum of patients older than 60 years, all psychiatric categories except for substance related disorders were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of constipation (odds ratios ranging from 3.38 to 6.52), whereas no significant associations were found in the stratum of patients between 18 and 60 years (odds ratios ranging from 1.00 to 2.03).Conclusion. In the elderly, all measured psychiatric diagnoses are strongly associated with an increased prevalence of constipation. Physicians should be extra alert for constipation in SMI patients, independent of specific psychiatric diagnoses.
Characterization of JamaicanDelonix regiaandCassia fistulaSeed Extracts
Authors: Goldson Barnaby Andrea , Reid Raymond , Rattray Vaughn , Williams Ruth , Denny Marcel
Published: March 2016

Delonix regiaandCassia fistulaseed extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant activity, total phenolics, ash, zinc and fatty acid content. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to assess the chemical functionalities present within the seeds. Antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Total phenolics were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Lipid extracts were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Zinc concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Extracts from the seeds ofC. fistulahad a higher antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity, and phenolic content thanD. regia. FTIR revealed that the seeds are a rich source of protein with small quantities of fat.C. fistulaextracts contained a higher percentage of total fat thanD. regia. Palmitic acid was identified as the predominant saturated fatty acid in both extracts. Oleic acid and linoleic acid were identified in smaller quantities. Seed extracts may be considered for use in food and nutraceutical applications.
A Wi-Fi Indoor Localization Strategy Using Particle Swarm Optimization Based Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Li Nan , Chen Jiabin , Yuan Yan , Tian Xiaochun , Han Yongqiang , Xia Mingzhe
Published: March 2016

Wi-Fi based indoor localization system has attracted considerable attention due to the growing need for location based service (LBS) and the rapid development of mobile phones. However, most existing Wi-Fi based indoor positioning systems suffer from the low accuracy due to the dynamic variation of indoor environment and the time delay caused by the time consumption to provide the position. In this paper, we propose an indoor localization system using the affinity propagation (AP) clustering algorithm and the particle swarm optimization based artificial neural network (PSO-ANN). The clustering technique is adopted to reduce the maximum location error and enhance the prediction performance of PSO-ANN model. And the strong learning ability of PSO-ANN model enables the proposed system to adapt to the complicated indoor environment. Meanwhile, the fast learning and prediction speed of the PSO-ANN would greatly reduce the time consumption. Thus, with the combined strategy, we can reduce the positioning error and shorten the prediction time. We implement the proposed system on a mobile phone and the positioning results show that our algorithm can provide a higher localization accuracy and significantly improves the prediction speed.
Balanced Cluster Head Selection Based on Modified k-Means in a Distributed Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Periyasamy Sasikumar , Khara Sibaram , Thangavelu Shankar
Published: March 2016

A major problem with Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is the maximization of effective network lifetime through minimization of energy usage in the network nodes. A modified k-means ( Mk-means) algorithm for clustering was proposed which includes three cluster heads (simultaneously chosen) for each cluster. These cluster heads (CHs) use a load sharing mechanism to rotate as the active cluster head, which conserves residual energy of the nodes, thereby extending network lifetime. Moreover, it reduces the number of times reclustering has to be done and significantly increases the number of data packets sent during network operation. The results show that Mk-means (modified k-means) algorithm was found to outperform the existing clustering algorithms owing to its unique multiple cluster head methodology.
New Species ofRheotanytarsusThienemann and Bause (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini) from Darjeeling–Sikkim, Himalaya, India, with Revised Keys to the Adult Males and Pupae of the Species of the Oriental Region
Authors: Hazra Niladri , Brahma Shubhranil , Sanyal Kaushik
Published: March 2016

Three new species ofRheotanytarsusThienemann and Bause are described and illustrated from India.R. nudicornusn. sp. belonging to theaquilusspecies group is described as adult male and pupa,R. spinicornusn. sp. in themuscicolagroup is described as adult male, pupa, and larva, andR. caputimberusin thetrivittatusgroup is described as adult male with damaged pupa. A possible placement and inclusion of these three new species from India and other seven species recorded from the Oriental China in the key to males of genusRheotanytarsusof Kyerematen et al. are proposed. A probable placement and inclusion of the 2 new species from India in the key to pupae ofRheotanytarsusof Kyerematen et al. are also stated. Diagnoses of themuscicolagroup andtrivittatusgroup are emended.
Bioinspired Coordinated Path Following for Vessels with Speed Saturation Based on Virtual Leader
Authors: Fu Mingyu , Xu Yujie
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates the coordinated path following of multiple marine vessels with speed saturation. Based on virtual leader strategy, the authors show how the neural dynamic model and passivity-based techniques are brought together to yield a distributed control strategy. The desired path following is achieved by means of a virtual dynamic leader, whose controller is designed based on the biological neural shunting model. Utilizing the characteristic of bounded and smooth output of neural dynamic model, the tracking error jump is avoided and speed saturation problem is solved in straight path. Meanwhile, the coordinated path following of multiple vessels with a desired spatial formation is achieved through defining the formation reference point. The consensus of formation reference point is realized by using the synchronization controller based on passivity. Finally, simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed coordinated algorithm.
Thermal Transport Properties of Dry Spun Carbon Nanotube Sheets
Authors: Misak Heath E. , Rutledge James L. , Swenson Eric D. , Mall Shankar
Published: March 2016

The thermal properties of carbon nanotube- (CNT-) sheet were explored and compared to copper in this study. The CNT-sheet was made from dry spinning CNTs into a nonwoven sheet. This nonwoven CNT-sheet has anisotropic properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions. The in-plane direction has much higher thermal conductivity than the out-of-plane direction. The in-plane thermal conductivity was found by thermal flash analysis, and the out-of-plane thermal conductivity was found by a hot disk method. The thermal irradiative properties were examined and compared to thermal transport theory. The CNT-sheet was heated in the vacuum and the temperature was measured with an IR Camera. The heat flux of CNT-sheet was compared to that of copper, and it was found that the CNT-sheet has significantly higher specific heat transfer properties compared to those of copper. CNT-sheet is a potential candidate to replace copper in thermal transport applications where weight is a primary concern such as in the automobile, aircraft, and space industries.
The Error-Prone DNA Polymerase κ Promotes Temozolomide Resistance in Glioblastoma through Rad17-Dependent Activation of ATR-Chk1 Signaling
Authors: Peng Chenghao , Chen Zhengxin , Wang Shuai , Wang Hong-Wei , Qiu Wenjin , Zhao Lin , Xu Ran , Luo Hui , Chen Yuanyuan , Chen Dan , You Yongping , Liu Ning , Wang Huibo
Published: March 2016

The acquisition of drug resistance is a persistent clinical problem limiting the successful treatment of human cancers, including glioblastoma (GBM). However, the molecular mechanisms by which initially chemoresponsive tumors develop therapeutic resistance remain poorly understood. In this study, we report that Pol κ, an error-prone polymerase that participates in translesion DNA synthesis, was significantly upregulated in GBM cell lines and tumor tissues following temozolomide treatment. Overexpression of Pol κ in temozolomide-sensitive GBM cells conferred resistance to temozolomide, whereas its inhibition markedly sensitized resistant cells to temozolomide in vitro and in orthotopic xenograft mouse models. Mechanistically, depletion of Pol κ disrupted homologous recombination (HR)-mediated repair and restart of stalled replication forks, impaired the activation of ATR-Chk1 signaling, and delayed cell-cycle re-entry and progression. Further investigation of the relationship between Pol κ and temozolomide revealed that Pol κ inactivation facilitated temozolomide-induced Rad17 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, subsequently silencing ATR-Chk1 signaling and leading to defective HR repair and the reversal of temozolomide resistance. Moreover, overexpression of Rad17 in Pol κ-depleted GBM cells restored HR efficiency, promoted the clearance of temozolomide-induced DNA breaks, and desensitized cells to the cytotoxic effects of temozolomide observed in the absence of Pol κ. Finally, we found that Pol κ overexpression correlated with poor prognosis in GBM patients undergoing temozolomide therapy. Collectively, our findings identify a potential mechanism by which GBM cells develop resistance to temozolomide and suggest that targeting the DNA damage tolerance pathway may be beneficial for overcoming resistance. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2340–53. ©2016 AACR.
Effects of Ischemic Reperfusion Injury and Remote Conditioning on Passive Leg Raising-Induced Brachial-Artery Dilation
Authors: Bapat Manasi , Sharma Bhawna , Persits Andrew , Van Le Hue , Janani Jack , Kamran Haroon , Ramkissoon Keshwar , Salciccioli Louis , Lazar Jason M.
Published: March 2016

Objectives: Passive leg raising (PLR) has been proposed to assess arterial vasodilator reserve and possibly endothelial function. Since endothelial function is sensitive to ischemic-reperfusion (I-R) injury, we determined the effects of I-R injury and ischemic conditioning on PLR-induced brachial-artery dilation (BAD), i.e. PLR-BAD. Methods: We induced PLR-BAD before and after ipsilateral arm I-R injury (7.5 min of occlusion) in 20 healthy males aged 29 ± 6 years. The protocol was repeated in combination with remote conditioning stimuli (3 × 30 s of contralateral arm occlusions). Results: PLR resulted in significant BAD (3.85%, p < 0.001) before but not after prolonged ischemia (0.25%, p = 0.38). I-R injury, along with either preischemic or postischemic conditioning restored the PLR-BAD response (before: 3.11%, p < 0.001 and after: 3.74%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: I-R injury blunts the BAD induced by PLR. Remote pre- and postconditioning restore this response. These findings are similar to those previously reported using hyperemia and ultrasound to assess BAD.
Fine-Needle Aspiration Followed by Core-Needle Biopsy in the Same Setting: Modifying Our Approach
Authors: Joudeh Amani A. , Shareef Sameera Q. , Al-Abbadi Mousa A.
Published: March 2016

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a well-established initial diagnostic tool. However, in some instances limitations and shortcomings arise, making it insufficient for determining a specific diagnosis. Consequently, patients have to undergo another diagnostic procedure. The second procedure is either repeat FNAB, core-needle or open biopsy, and can be inconvenient and costly. In some centers, the FNAB is immediately followed by core-needle biopsy (CNB) in the same setting after assuring adequacy on the initial FNAB utilizing rapid on-site specimen evaluation (ROSE). It is argued that implementing such an approach will eventually have additional critical advantages that include the following: (a) it is more convenient to patients to have both procedures in one visit, (b) the tissue procured by both procedures will be more adequate, enabling cytopathologists to reach an accurate diagnosis, and (c) it is ultimately a cost-effective approach if we take into consideration the avoidance of a potential second more invasive diagnostic procedure. Since we are living in an era of patient-centered medicine coupled with cost-cutting strategies, we present here a brief review of the topic with analysis of this alternative approach, review of the pertinent literature and shed light on a few scenarios that justify this approach.
Assessment of the Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System in Mercury-Exposed Individuals via Post-Exercise Heart Rate Recovery
Authors: Yilmaz Omer Hinc , Karakulak Ugur Nadir , Tutkun Engin , Bal Ceylan , Gunduzoz Meside , Ercan Onay Emine , Ayturk Mehmet , Tek Ozturk Mujgan , Alaguney Mehmet Erdem
Published: March 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess exercise heart rate recovery (HRR) indices in mercury-exposed individuals when evaluating their cardiac autonomic function. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-eight mercury-exposed individuals and 28 healthy controls were enrolled. All the subjects underwent exercise testing and transthoracic echocardiography. The HRR indices were calculated by subtracting the first- (HRR1), second- (HRR2) and third-minute (HRR3) heart rates from the maximal heart rate. The two groups were evaluated in terms of exercise test parameters, especially HRR, and a correlation analysis was performed between blood, 24-hour urine and hair mercury levels and the test parameters. Results: The mercury-exposed and control groups were similar in age (37.2 ± 6.6 vs. 36.9 ± 9.0 years), had an identical gender distribution (16 females and 12 males) and similar left ventricular ejection fractions (65.5 ± 3.1 vs. 65.4 ± 3.1%). The mean HRR1 [25.6 ± 6.5 vs. 30.3 ± 8.2 beats per min (bpm); p = 0.009], HRR2 (43.5 ± 5.3 vs. 47.8 ± 5.5 bpm; p = 0.010) and HRR3 (56.8 ± 5.1 vs. 59.4 ± 6.3 bpm; p = 0.016) values were significantly lower in the mercury-exposed group than in the healthy controls. However, there were no significant correlations between blood, urine and hair mercury levels and exercise test parameters. Conclusions: Mercury-exposed individuals had lower HRR indices than normal subjects. In these individuals, mercury exposure measurements did not show correlations with the exercise test parameters, but age did show a negative correlation with these parameters. Therefore, cardiac autonomic functions might be involved in cases of mercury exposure.
Impact of Improved Glycemic Control on Cardiac Function in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Leung Melissa , Wong Vincent W. , Hudson Malcolm , Leung Dominic Y.
Published: March 2016

Background—

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at risk of heart failure. Specific therapeutic interventions for diabetic heart disease are still elusive. We aimed to examine the impact of improved glycemic control on left ventricular (LV) function in these patients.

Methods and Results—

A total of 105 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (aged 54±10 years) and poor glycemic control received optimization of treatment for blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol to recommended targets for 12 months. LV systolic and diastolic function, measured by LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and septal e′ velocities, were compared before and after optimization. At baseline, patients had impaired LV systolic (GLS −14.9±3.2%) and diastolic function (e′ 6.2±1.7 cm/s). After 12 months, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased from 10.3±2.4% to 8.3±2.0%, which was associated with significant relative improvement in GLS of 21% and septal e′ of 24%. There was a progressively greater improvement in GLS as patients achieved a lower final HbA1c. Patients achieving an HbA1c of <7.0% had the largest improvement. The 15 patients whose HbA1c worsened experienced a decline in GLS. Patients who improved their HbA1c by ≥1.0% had a significantly higher relative improvement in e′ than those who did not (32% versus 8%;
P
=0.003). Baseline GLS, decrease in body mass index, and treatment with metformin were additional independent predictors of GLS improvement.

Conclusions—

Improvements in glycemic control over a 12-month period led to improvements in LV systolic and diastolic function. This may have long-term prognostic implications.
Sample Size in Clinical Cardioprotection Trials Using Myocardial Salvage Index, Infarct Size, or Biochemical Markers as Endpoint
Authors: Engblom Henrik , Heiberg Einar , Erlinge David , Jensen Svend Eggert , Nordrehaug Jan Erik , Dubois‐Randé Jean‐Luc , Halvorsen Sigrun , Hoffmann Pavel , Koul Sasha , Carlsson Marcus , Atar Dan , Arheden Håkan
Published: March 2016

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance (
CMR
) can quantify myocardial infarct (
MI
) size and myocardium at risk (MaR), enabling assessment of myocardial salvage index (
MSI
). We assessed how
MSI
impacts the number of patients needed to reach statistical power in relation to
MI
size alone and levels of biochemical markers in clinical cardioprotection trials and how scan day affect sample size.

Methods and Results

Controls (n=90) from the recent
CHILL
‐
MI
and
MITOCARE
trials were included.
MI
size, MaR, and
MSI
were assessed from
CMR
. High‐sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and creatine kinase isoenzyme
MB
(
CKMB
) levels were assessed in
CHILL
‐
MI
patients (n=50). Utilizing distribution of these variables, 100 000 clinical trials were simulated for calculation of sample size required to reach sufficient power. For a treatment effect of 25% decrease in outcome variables, 50 patients were required in each arm using
MSI
compared to 93, 98, 120, 141, and 143 for
MI
size alone, hsTnT (area under the curve [
AUC
] and peak), and
CKMB
(
AUC
and peak) in order to reach a power of 90%. If average
CMR
scan day between treatment and control arms differed by 1 day, sample size needs to be increased by 54% (77 vs 50) to avoid scan day bias masking a treatment effect of 25%.

Conclusion

Sample size in cardioprotection trials can be reduced 46% to 65% without compromising statistical power when using
MSI
by
CMR
as an outcome variable instead of
MI
size alone or biochemical markers. It is essential to ensure lack of bias in scan day between treatment and control arms to avoid compromising statistical power.
Multi‐Center, Community‐Based Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Registry: Population, Device Utilization, and Outcomes
Authors: Gupta Nigel , Kiley Mary Lou , Anthony Faith , Young Charlie , Brar Somjot , Kwaku Kevin
Published: March 2016

Background

The purpose of this study is to describe key elements, clinical outcomes, and potential uses of the Kaiser Permanente–Cardiac Device Registry.

Methods and Results

This is a cohort study of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (
ICD
), pacemakers (
PM
), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (
CRT
) devices implanted between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2013 by ≈400 physicians in 6
US
geographical regions. Registry data variables, including patient characteristics, comorbidities, indication for procedures, complications, and revisions, were captured using the healthcare system's electronic medical record. Outcomes were identified using electronic screening algorithms and adjudicated via chart review. There were 11 924
ICD
s, 33 519
PM
s, 4472
CRT
s, and 66 067 leads registered. A higher proportion of devices were implanted in males: 75.1% (
ICD
), 55.0% (
PM
), and 66.7% (
CRT
), with mean patient age 63.2 years (
ICD
), 75.2 (
PM
), and 67.2 (
CRT
). The 30‐day postoperative incidence of tamponade, hematoma, and pneumothorax were ≤0.3% (
ICD
), ≤0.6% (
PM
), and ≤0.4% (
CRT
). Device failures requiring revision occurred at a rate of 2.17% for
ICD
s, 0.85% for
PM
s, and 4.93% for
CRT
s, per 100 patient observation years. Superficial infection rates were <0.03% for all devices; deep infection rates were 0.6% (
ICD
), 0.5% (
PM
), and 1.0% (
CRT
). Results were used to monitor vendor‐specific variations and were systematically shared with individual regions to address potential variations in outcomes, utilization, and to assist with the management of device recalls.

Conclusions

The Kaiser Permanente–Cardiac Device Registry is a robust tool to monitor postprocedural patient outcomes and postmarket surveillance of implants and potentially change practice patterns.
Illustrations of the Mulian Story and the Tradition of Narrative Painting in China (Tenth–Fifteenth Centuries)
Authors: Berezkin Rostislav
Published: March 2016

The story of Mulian rescuing his mother’s soul from hell was featured in numerous pictorial versions of different formats in China. They could take the form of multi-scene handscrolls, illustrations in manuscripts and editions, and separate scenes in devotional religious art objects such as murals and reliefs. The Mulian subject was of primary importance in the popularization of Buddhist ideas among different layers of society. The earliest extant pictorial versions of this story in China (tenth century) were related to Buddhist storytelling with the use of visual devices. Illustrations appeared in several written versions of the Mulian story that were circulated among different layers of society in China in the twelfth through fifteenth centuries. These illustrated versions showed different degrees of elaboration, spread among common folk and the imperial courts of the Yuan and Ming dynasties. In this article I explore the functions of the narrative illustrations of the Mulian story in various social contexts. These functions were quite varied in case of most art objects analyzed here: pictures in woodblock editions and manuscripts augmented the textual part and also made them appealing to the lay readers.
A Study on the So-Called Dong Qichang Album Discovered by Berthold Laufer
Authors: Dong Shaoxin
Published: March 2016

Since the so-called Dong Qichang album was discovered by Berthold Laufer in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China at the beginning of last century, several papers have been published about it by scholars such as Laufer himself, Josef Jennes, and Noël Golvers. This article, based on former related research, describes the discovery of Laufer, the contents of the album, the style of the paintings in it, and their European prototypes, and discusses the historical meanings of this album. The author concludes that the painter of this album may not be a Chinese convert and argues that although the quality of these paintings is quite low, they may be regarded as historical sources to deepen our understanding of the history of Sino-European artistic exchanges.
A new combination in Cremanthodium (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) from Sichuan, China
Authors: WANG LONG , REN CHEN , YANG QIN-ER
Published: March 2016

Critical examination of herbarium specimens (including type material) of Cremanthodium ellisii var. roseum (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) has shown that the variety should be transferred to C. brunneopilosum. We therefore propose a new combination, C. brunneopilosum var. roseum.
A new species of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Brazil, with ontogeny and a key to the known species
Authors: CASTRO ELIZEU B. , FERES REINALDO J.F. , OCHOA RONALD , BAUCHAN GARY R.
Published: March 2016

The Cerrado is the second largest Brazilian biome, and is considered to be a “hotspot” due the great concentration of endemic species and high rate of deforestation. Surveys of the mite fauna present in this biome have revealed a great number of new species. In this paper, we describe Tenuipalpus spinosaurus sp. nov. (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), a new species of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto, from adult females, deutonymphs, protonymphs, larvae and eggs, collected on Terminalia argentea (Combretaceae), from the Cerrado in Brazil. Females of this new species bear a prominent longitudinal crest on the opisthosoma. The ontogenetic changes in the idiosoma and leg chaetotaxy of all stages are presented. A key to the world species of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto is provided.
Redescription of Acanthicus hystrix Agassiz, 1829 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with comments on the systematics and distribution of the genus
Authors: CHAMON CARINE C.
Published: March 2016

The genus Acanthicus is diagnosed from remaining Loricariidae genera by several characters, including the absence of adipose fin, pectoral-fin spine enlarged and the presence of small plates in abdomen region. Acanthicus currently comprises two valid species: A. hystrix and A. adonis. Acanthicus hystrix is distinguished from A. adonis, mostly by having body and fins dark brown to almost completely black background colored, without clear spots or dots (vs. dark brown color background with white spots covering body and fins) and presence of ochre to grey stripes in caudal fin (vs. stripes absent on caudal fin). The holotype of A. hystrix was destroyed during a bombing raid in the Second World War, no neotype was designed and the species is recognized by the illustration present in the original description, whose text is short, and uninformative. In the present contribution, specimens from several institutions were examined, revealing that the species is widespread in the Amazon, Tocantins-Araguaia and Orinoco basins, while A. adonis is restricted to the lower rio Tocantins. Herein, a redescription of Acanthicus hystrix is provided, with a comprehensive diagnosis of the genus and its species, along with a distribution map of the genus, a key to species identification, and brief comments on the systematics and distribution of the genus.
Orthogonal PDO and ENSO Indices
Authors: Chen Xianyao , Wallace John M.
Published: March 2016

A framework for interpreting the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and ENSO indices is presented. The two leading principal components (PCs) of sea surface temperature [SST; strictly speaking, the departure from globally averaged SST (SST*)] over the entire Pacific basin comprise a two-dimensional phase space. A linear combination of these pan-Pacific PCs corresponding to a +45° rotation (designated by P) is nearly identical to the PDO, the leading PC of Pacific SST* poleward of 20°N. Both P and the PDO index exhibit apparent “regime shifts” on the interdecadal time scale. The orthogonal axis (rotated by −45° and designated by T′) is highly correlated with conventional ENSO indices, but its spatial regression pattern is more equatorially focused. SST variability along these two rotated axes exhibits sharply contrasting power spectra, the former (i.e., P) suggestive of “red noise” on time scales longer than a decade and the latter (i.e., T′) exhibiting a prominent spectral peak around 3–5 years. Hence, orthogonal indices representative of the ENSO cycle and ENSO-like decadal variability can be generated without resorting to filtering in the time domain. The methodology used here is the same as that used by Takahashi et al. to quantify the diversity of equatorial SST patterns in ENSO; they rotated the two leading EOFs of tropical Pacific SST, whereas the two leading EOFs of pan-Pacific SST* are rotated here.
A Statistical Analysis of Steady Eyewall Sizes Associated with Rapidly Intensifying Hurricanes
Authors: Qin Nannan , Zhang Da-Lin , Li Ying
Published: March 2016

It is well known that hurricane intensification is often accompanied by continuous contraction of the radius of maximum wind (RMW) and eyewall size. However, a few recent studies have shown rapid and then slow contraction of the RMW/eyewall size prior to the onset and during the early stages of rapid intensification (RI) of hurricanes, respectively, but a steady state in the RMW (S-RMW) and eyewall size during the later stages of RI. In this study, a statistical analysis of S-RMWs associated with rapidly intensifying hurricanes is performed using the extended best-track dataset during 1990–2014 in order to examine how frequently, and at what intensity and size, the S-RMW structure tends to occur. Results show that about 53% of the 139 RI events of 24-h duration associated with 55 rapidly intensifying hurricanes exhibit S-RMWs, and that the percentage of the S-RMW events increases to 69% when RI events are evaluated at 12-h intervals, based on a new RI rate definition of 10 m s−1 (12 h)−1; both results satisfy the Student’s t tests with confidence levels of over 95%. In general, S-RMWs tend to appear more frequently in more intense storms and when their RMWs are contracted to less than 50 km. This work suggests a new fruitful research area in studying the RI of hurricanes with S-RMWs.