bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sampling-based motion planning with reachable volumes for high-degree-of-freedom manipulators
Authors: McMahon Troy , Thomas Shawna , Amato Nancy M
Published: July 2018

Motion planning for constrained systems is a version of the motion planning problem in which the motion of a robot is limited by constraints. For example, one can require that a humanoid robot such as a PR2 remain upright by constraining its torso to be above its base or require that an object such as a bucket of water remain upright by constraining the vertices of the object to be parallel to the robot’s base. Grasping can be modeled by requiring that the end effectors of the robot be located at specified handle positions. Constraints might require that the robot remain in contact with a surface, or that certain joints of the robot remain in contact with each other (e.g., closed chains). Such problems are particularly difficult because the constraints form a manifold in C-space, and planning must be restricted to this manifold. High-degree-of-freedom motion planning and motion planning for constrained systems has applications in parallel robotics, grasping and manipulation, computational biology and molecular simulations, and animation. We introduce a new concept, reachable volumes, that are a geometric representation of the regions the joints and end effectors of a robot can reach, and use it to define a new planning space called RV-space where all points automatically satisfy a problem’s constraints. Visualizations of reachable volumes can enable operators to see the regions of workspace that different parts of the robot can reach. Samples and paths generated in RV-space naturally conform to constraints, making planning for constrained systems no more difficult than planning for unconstrained systems. Consequently, constrained motion planning problems that were previously difficult or unsolvable become manageable and in many cases trivial. We introduce tools and techniques to extend the state-of-the-art sampling-based motion planning algorithms to RV-space. We define a reachable volumes sampler, a reachable volumes local planner, and a reachable volumes distance metric. We showcase the effectiveness of RV-space by applying these tools to motion planning problems for robots with constraints on the end effectors and/or internal joints of the robot. We show that RV-based planners are more efficient than existing methods, particularly for higher-dimensional problems, solving problems with 1000 or more degrees of freedom for multi-loop and tree-like linkages.
Application of spectral CT imaging in evaluating lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancers: initial findings
Authors: Zhou Zhuping , Liu Yu , Meng Kui , Guan Wenxian , He Jian , Liu Song , Zhou Zhengyang
Published: July 2018

Background

Traditional computed tomography (CT) can predict the lymph node metastasis of gastric cancers with moderate accuracy; however, investigation of spectral CT imaging in this field is still limited.

Purpose

To explore the application of spectral CT imaging in evaluating lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancers.

Material and Methods

Twenty-four patients with gastric cancers prospectively underwent spectral CT imaging in the arterial phase. The short and long diameters, material concentrations, and CT values were measured and compared between lymph nodes with and without metastasis. The diagnostic performance of the CT index in identifying metastatic lymph nodes was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

A total of 102 lymph nodes (77 metastatic, 25 non-metastatic) were detected on spectral CT imaging with the reference of postoperative pathologic exanimation. The short and long diameters, water/fat concentrations, CT value, and ratio between lymph nodes vs. tumors of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly higher than those of non-metastatic ones (all P < 0.05). With a cut-off of 0.785, the CT ratio of lymph node/tumor on 70-keV monochromatic images yielded an accuracy of 81.4% in differentiating lymph nodes with and without metastasis.

Conclusion

Spectral CT imaging detects lymph nodes more clearly, and the CT ratio of lymph node/tumor on 70-keV monochromatic images holds great potential in differentiating lymph nodes with and without metastasis, which is more accurate than size measurement.
Development of an automated liver perfusion system: The benefit of a hemofilter
Authors: Gullón Lucía , Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Judit , Sánchez del Arco Robert T , Rivera Andrés , Fernández Ignacio , Del Cañizo Juan F
Published: July 2018

Introduction:

Liver perfusion machines are close to becoming a reality in the transplantation field. However, depending on the techniques used and the goals pursued, their application is limited in the research field. Here, we present the entire development of a perfusion system with self-made engineering, completely autonomous controls, and a high degree of versatility that allows the design of different studies on liver functionality.

Methods:

A user-friendly interface permits real-time monitoring and remote control by the devices within the circuit. Centrifugal pumps allow the perfusate enter the organ with controlled pressures and flows at both hepatic artery and portal vein. The implementation of a hemofilter as a novel tool permits to control and maintain homeostasis. Peristaltic pumps adjust pH, extraction rate, and total volume by means of sensors.

Results:

Real-time monitoring facilitates liver functionality assessment. The controlled system shows rapid stabilization and quick responses to changes during 6 h of perfusion experiments. Furthermore, the integration of a hemofilter helps the system to eliminate toxic waste and maintain homeostasis.

Discussion:

The machine provides the basis of a perfusion system with autonomous controls and the implementation of a hemofilter that enables a more efficient control of hemostasis. Moreover, the developed hardware and software are subjected to further tuning for additional purposes such as pathophysiologic studies, suboptimal grafts recovery, or recellularization of decellularized scaffolds among others.
Low- and High-Skills Equilibria in Central and Eastern Europe: What Role for the Government?
Authors: Tarlea Silvana
Published: July 2018

What determines the incentives of governments and businesses to invest in skills needed for higher value-added activities? While many factors matter, this article focuses on the motivations and the role of political parties in government. A policy analysis in Poland and Romania between 1989 and 2015, shows how governments can determine a change in the supply of skills even in relatively new democracies. We tackle the variation in the supply of sophisticated skills in the two countries and find that, unlike governments dominated by national-conservative parties, governments dominated by liberal parties have strategically steered the supply of skills in the economy. They have simultaneously identified and incentivized three key actors to invest in higher added value activities: (1) They have steered their higher education institutions towards offering degrees conducive to research and development; (2) they have incentivized students through scholarships or through secure employment by fostering links with enterprises; and (3) they have bargained with multinational companies to attract sophisticated activities. The article suggests that political parties should figure more prominently in political economy scholarship focusing on CEE. Moreover, this work speaks to a broader debate about the role of political parties in skill formation and in institutional change more generally.
A Sociological Framework for Understanding the Participation of African Higher Education Institutions in Transnational Education
Authors: Nnazor Agatha I.
Published: July 2018

Transnational Education (TNE) has potential for expanding access to higher education in Africa, which has chronic high rates of unmet demand for access. Paradoxically, African higher education institutions (HEIs) have the least participation in TNE. There is a dearth of systematic understanding of the factors that influence the participation of African HEIs in TNE and the impacts of their participation at both institutional and societal levels. This article proposes a sociological framework for investigating the factors that enable or hinder the participation of African higher HEIs in TNE, and the impacts of their participation on the institutions themselves and their respective countries. The framework is constructed with societal and organizational factors disparately identified through a purposive review of the literature.
An Analysis of Recruitment Efficiency for an End-of-Life Advance Care Planning Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Stewart Renee R. , Dimmock Anne E.F. , Green Michael J. , Van Scoy Lauren J. , Schubart Jane R. , Yang Chengwu , Farace Elana , Bascom Rebecca , Levi Benjamin H.
Published: July 2018

Background:

Optimizing recruitment efficiency is an important strategy to address the resource limitations that typically constrain clinical research. Surprisingly, little empiric data exist to guide research teams attempting to recruit a difficult population into similar studies. Our objective was to investigate factors associated with enrollment into an advance care planning interventional trial.

Methods:

This study used secondary data of patients with advanced cancer receiving treatment at an academic medical center in central Pennsylvania who were referred to a randomized controlled trial of an advance care planning intervention. Enrolled participants were compared to nonparticipants with regard to age, gender, race, season of recruitment, elapsed time between recruitment stage, distance to study site, and number of recruitment calls.

Results:

Of the 1988 patients referred, 200 participants were enrolled yielding a recruitment efficiency of 10%. Two-thirds of all enrolled participants were recruited with 1 or less phone calls, whereas only 5% were enrolled after 3 calls. There were no statistically significant differences in enrollment based on gender ( P = .88) or elapsed time between recruitment contacts ( P = .22). However, nonparticipants were slightly older ( P = .02).

Conclusions:

Our finding that individuals were more likely to enroll within the first 3 phone calls suggests that recruitment efforts should be focused on making initial contacts with potential participants, rather than continuing attempts to those who are unable to be contacted easily. Researchers could optimize their recruitment strategy by periodically performing similar analyses, comparing differences between participants and nonparticipants.
Canoe Trips: An Especially Good Place for Conversation About Student Transition
Authors: Hannah John
Published: July 2018

Background: Many postsecondary institutions offer outdoor programs to incoming students as a form of orientation or transition event. Positive outcomes for students are shown to result from these interventions but less is known about the mechanisms leading to these outcomes. Purpose: This article argues that conversation is one of these mechanisms and suggests canoe trips are an especially good intervention in which to generate conversation about student transition. Methodology/Approach: Insights emerging from our own outdoor orientation program called Portage lead to a hypothesis that canoe trips create three conditions ideal for the generation of productive conversation about student transition: the emergence of communitas, more egalitarian and communal relationships, and a rich source of metaphor. Findings/Conclusions: The Portage experience shows promise as a way to help students explore their educational and transition experiences through conversation. Implications: The intentional generation of conversation through metaphor on canoe trips may offer a useful space of pedagogical possibility to help students contemplate and pass through their transition more productively.
Due Process and Homicide: A Cross-National Analysis
Authors: Huebert Erin Terese , Brown David S.
Published: July 2018

As democracy advances in many regions throughout the world, it is often accompanied by increasing violence. Most cross-national analyses find that an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between homicide and democracy: homicide rates are highest in hybrid regimes and lowest in authoritarian and democratic regimes. While a fairly robust empirical result, little is known about why it exists. We identify a specific institution—due process—that cuts across regime types and effectively explains homicide. Due process generates a legitimacy that encourages individuals to use the justice system to settle disputes. A more effective criminal justice system also deters crime in the first place. Using a cross-national sample of eighty-nine countries between 2009 and 2014, we find a strong negative relationship between due process and homicide. Put simply, how states fight crime explains their success.
An Unlikely Retirement: The 2017 Las Vegas Massacre as an Exercise in Project-Based Deviant Leisure
Authors: Arntfield Michael , Williams D. J.
Published: July 2018

In recent years, homicide scholarship has been the beneficiary of an increasingly interdisciplinary framework that has come to include a leisure science perspective in attempting to explain murder as a pleasure-seeking avocation for offenders. In this article, the authors employ a leisure-based approach to the Las Vegas Massacre as a foundational case study on multiple murder as project-based deviant leisure. Homicidal leisure-based projects, as suggested here, may also amount to intuitive extensions of other higher-risk hobbies known as edgework. A leisure approach to understanding some forms of multiple murder provides valuable new insights while also integrating important tradition.
Twelve autologous blood transfusions in eight cats with haemoperitoneum
Authors: Cole Laura P , Humm Karen
Published: July 2018

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical use and outcome of autologous transfusions in cats with intracavitary haemorrhage.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive study was performed. Computerised medical records of a single referral centre were searched for cats receiving an autotransfusion. Medical records were evaluated for underlying disease process, autotransfusion technique, autotransfusion volume, time period over which the autotransfusion was given, packed cell volume (PCV) pre- and post-autotransfusion, percentage rise in PCV, use of other blood products and any complications of the procedure. Survival to discharge and survival at 2 months was documented.

Results

Between July 2012 and March 2018 a total of 12 autotransfusions were performed in eight cats. All patients were diagnosed with haemoperitoneum. Four of the eight cats were diagnosed with abdominal neoplasia, three had postoperative haemorrhage and one had a traumatic haemoperitoneum. Three cats received more than one autotransfusion. Blood was collected using a 23 G butterfly catheter and 20 ml syringe in 7/12 collections, a 23 G needle and 20 ml syringe in 2/12 collections and directly into syringes from the open abdomen at the time of surgery in 3/12 collections. A median volume of 50 ml (range 25–80 ml) was collected and administered, meaning a median volume of 16.5 ml/kg (range 9–26 ml/kg) was administered. The autologous transfusions were given over a median of 3 h (0.25–6 h). Five cats were given another blood product alongside the autotransfusion. Median percentage PCV increase was 5% (range 1–7%). Anticoagulant was used in 5/12 autotransfusions. No clinically relevant adverse effects were reported. Six of the eight cats survived to discharge. Two month survival was 60% (3/5).

Conclusions and relevance

Autologous transfusion appears to be a safe and effective technique for stabilising cats with haemoperitoneum. This technique allows rapid and cheap provision of blood and avoids the need for an allogenic blood donor.
Experimental attenuation and evaluation of whole body vibration for an off-road vehicle with magnetorheological dampers
Authors: Krauze Piotr , Kasprzyk Jerzy , Rzepecki Jaroslaw
Published: July 2018

The paper presents an analysis of vehicle vibration, ride comfort and handling which have a decisive influence on health and safety of a driver. Experiments were carried out for a commercially available experimental all-terrain vehicle in the field in hard conditions with retaining the sufficient repeatability. The vehicle is equipped with a complex vibration control system, taking advantage of four automotive magnetorheological dampers. Numerous sensors, which measure acceleration in four points of the vehicle body, near the driver’s seat, feet and hands, body orientation in space and speed of vehicle wheels, are available in the vehicle. They were used for evaluation of magnetorheological dampers’ control signals and analysis of vibration affecting the driver. Constant values of magnetorheological damper control current were used for emulation of different settings of passive suspension. The analysis performed in frequency domain showed how vibration propagates in a medium-sized all-terrain vehicle and indicated that driver’s hands are mostly affected by the road-induced vibration. It was also confirmed that the greatest improvement of ride comfort can be obtained for the soft suspension, i.e. uncontrolled magnetorheological dampers. Furthermore, the Skyhook algorithm was implemented, including the proportional control of the magnetorheological damper force and the inverse Tanh model of the magnetorheological damper. It was validated for the wideband road-induced excitation contrary to the experiments commonly presented in the literature, which are performed only for harmonic excitation. It was shown that the properly tuned Skyhook algorithm enables improving vehicle handling compared to the passive suspension and simultaneously it can maintain the similar or even better results of ride comfort.
Unexpected occlusion of the contralateral transverse sinus after stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Coffman Stephanie A , Singh Jasmeet , Wolfe Stacey , Fargen Kyle M
Published: July 2018

A woman in her thirties with intracranial hypertension underwent stenting of the right transverse-sigmoid (TS) junction with resolution of the pressure gradient. Due to persisting symptoms at follow-up, she underwent a repeat study showing a patent right TS stent but the non-dominant left transverse sinus, patent on initial studies, was now completely occluded. According to the positive feedback loop hypothesis, stenting of the right transverse sinus should have resulted in a reduction in intracranial pressures (confirmed by post-stenting lumbar puncture), but also an increase in left transverse sinus diameter, opposed to the occlusion seen on venography. This unexpected finding can be explained by the positive feedback loop hypothesis if a revision is made accounting for intramural venous pressures as an opposing force of venous sinus stenosis, as venous outflow obstruction in the dominant venous sinus pathway provided an increased intramural venous pressure in the non-dominant sinus facilitating patency against extramural pressures.
A novel bicycle rear hub transmission with a magnetic gear mechanism
Authors: Wu Yi-Chang , Chan Chin-Tsung
Published: July 2018

This article proposes a new magnetic rear hub transmission for bicycles, which consists of a coaxial magnetic gear mechanism to serve as the speed-changing device and a speed control mechanism to govern the gear stage. A 3-speed magnetic hub transmission, including a low-speed gear, a direct-drive gear, and a high-speed gear, is designed and installed in the rear hub of a bicycle, which allows the rider to select different gears to adjust the pedaling force. For a new kind of rear hub transmission, kinematic analysis and power-flow path analysis are essential to validate the speed ratio and the power-flow path at each gear stage. They are also the fundamentals for the mechanical efficiency analysis. Here, a system’s kinematic equation, which is an analytical approach and analogous to the kinematics of a basic planetary gear train, for the presented coaxial magnetic gear mechanism is derived without considering the complex space harmonics of the magnetic flux density distribution presented in previous studies. Hence, the speed ratio at each gear stage of the magnetic hub transmission can be easily calculated.
Establishment of the reference interval for serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide in healthy adults of Chinese Han ethnicity
Authors: Zhao Bing , Zhang Miaomiao , Lin Feng , Xie Jing , Liang Yan , Yang Zaixing
Published: July 2018

Objective:

The aim of this study is to establish the reference interval for serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP) determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) in healthy Chinese Han ethnic adults.

Methods:

After screening, 9932 healthy Chinese Han adults (age range 18–95 years) were enrolled in this study, including 6220 men and 3712 women. Serum proGRP levels were measured by ECLIA. The reference interval was defined by non-parametric 95th percentile interval.

Results:

Serum proGRP levels conformed to a non-Gussian distribution. The reference interval for healthy Chinese Han adults calculated by the non-parametric method was 0–73.90 ng/mL in this study. Since serum proGRP levels were significantly correlated with age (r=0.226, P<0.001), the participants were divided into six age groups: 18–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ⩾80 years. No significant difference for serum proGRP levels was found between the sexes at each of six age groups. The reference intervals were gradually increased with age (65.35 ng/mL, 68.65 ng/mL, 74.10 ng/mL, 77.65 ng/mL, 84.57 ng/mL, and 98.03 ng/mL in 18–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ⩾80 years, respectively).

Conclusions:

We established the reference interval for serum proGRP, which was determined by ECLIA in the healthy Chinese Han population. Furthermore, our study suggests that it is necessary to establish the age-specific reference intervals for serum proGRP.
The influence of dynamics and speech on understanding humanoid facial expressions
Authors: Lazzeri Nicole , Mazzei Daniele , Ben Moussa Maher , Magnenat-Thalmann Nadia , De Rossi Danilo
Published: July 2018

Human communication relies mostly on nonverbal signals expressed through body language. Facial expressions, in particular, convey emotional information that allows people involved in social interactions to mutually judge the emotional states and to adjust its behavior appropriately. First studies aimed at investigating the recognition of facial expressions were based on static stimuli. However, facial expressions are rarely static, especially in everyday social interactions. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that the dynamics inherent in a facial expression could be fundamental in understanding its meaning. In addition, it has been demonstrated that nonlinguistic and linguistic information can contribute to reinforce the meaning of a facial expression making it easier to be recognized. Nevertheless, few studies have been performed on realistic humanoid robots. This experimental work aimed at demonstrating the human-like expressive capability of a humanoid robot by examining whether the effect of motion and vocal content influenced the perception of its facial expressions. The first part of the experiment aimed at studying the recognition capability of two kinds of stimuli related to the six basic expressions (i.e. anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise): static stimuli, that is, photographs, and dynamic stimuli, that is, video recordings. The second and third parts were focused on comparing the same six basic expressions performed by a virtual avatar and by a physical robot under three different conditions: (1) muted facial expressions, (2) facial expressions with nonlinguistic vocalizations, and (3) facial expressions with an emotionally neutral verbal sentence. The results show that static stimuli performed by a human being and by the robot were more ambiguous than the corresponding dynamic stimuli on which motion and vocalization were associated. This hypothesis has been also investigated with a 3-dimensional replica of the physical robot demonstrating that even in case of a virtual avatar, dynamic and vocalization improve the emotional conveying capability.
A block-wise frame difference method for real-time video motion detection
Authors: Wei Han , Peng Qiao
Published: July 2018

This article proposes a motion detection method for real-time video analysis. It is the fundamental principle that the parts of the moving objects and the local changes of the images captured by static cameras are strongly correlated. Peak signal-to-noise ratio calculated in a block can characterize the significance of the changes in this area. Moving objects can therefore be detected by thresholding the peak signal-to-noise ratio of the blocks between two adjacent frames. The block-wise scheme used in this frame difference method can explore the local correlation of the movement in both space and time domains. This approach is robust to analyze the video images with noise and high variance caused by environmental changes, such as illuminations changes. Compared with other methods, the proposed method can achieve relatively high detection accuracy with less computation time, where real-time motion detection is available. Experimental results show that the proposed method cost averagely 50% of the running time of ViBe with 3.5% increase of the F-score on detection accuracy.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor/IL-22/Stat3 signaling pathway is involved in the modulation of intestinal mucosa antimicrobial molecules by commensal microbiota in mice
Authors: Wang Jiwei , Wang Peng , Tian Hao , Tian Feng , Zhang Ying , Zhang Li , Gao Xuejin , Wang Xinying
Published: July 2018

Compelling evidence demonstrates the crucial role of the commensal microbiota in host physiology and the detrimental effects of its perturbations following antibiotic treatment. However, the effects of commensal microbiota on intestinal mucosa antimicrobial molecules have not been elucidated systematically. Here, we investigate the impacts of antibiotic-induced depletion and subsequent restoration of the intestinal microbiota on the murine antimicrobial molecules in intestinal mucosa. Our results demonstrate that depletion of commensal microbiota leads to intestinal mucosa atrophy and reduction of antimicrobial molecules, including lysozyme, regenerating islet-derived protein 3 gamma (RegIIIγ), and cryptdin 5 mRNA, whereas subsequent reconstitution of intestinal microbiota by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rescues mucosa morphology and antimicrobials. Importantly, our study shows that down-regulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), interleukin-22 (IL-22), and phosphorylated Stat3 (p-Stat3) is associated with decreased antimicrobials, which might mediate the antibiotic-associated intestinal mucosa injury. Last, exogenous activation of the AhR/IL-22/Stat3 signaling pathway with the AhR agonist 6-formylindolo(3,2-b)carbazole (Ficz) rescued antimicrobial molecule levels markedly after antibiotic treatment to levels similar to those following reconstitution of intestinal microbiota by FMT. Together, our results demonstrate that the AhR/IL-22/Stat3 signaling pathway is involved in the modulation of intestinal mucosa antimicrobial molecules by commensal microbiota and suggest this pathway as a promising target in the treatment of antibiotic-associated gut barrier damage.
Spatio-temporal multinomial autologistic modeling of land-use change: A parcel-level approach
Authors: Tepe Emre , Guldmann Jean-Michel
Published: July 2018

Land-use change models that accurately replicate the complex dynamics of land development provide vital information for urban planning and policy. These models require both detailed data and advanced statistical methods. Many factors influence land-use change decisions, such as parcel characteristics, accessibility to activities, and current and historical neighborhood conditions. Therefore, spatial and temporal components must be incorporated in a model at the highest possible disaggregation level in order to achieve robust results. A spatio-temporal multinomial autologistic model, incorporating space and time and their interactions, is introduced to investigate land-use dynamics at the parcel-level, and is applied to Delaware County, Ohio. It is able to capture the impacts of the existing and historical neighborhood conditions of parcels with high accuracy. Advanced computational methods are used to deal with the computational challenges of parameter estimation. The model is validated, estimating 91.4% of all observations correctly for the period 2005–2010, and is applied to land-use forecasting.
Maternal Cerebrospinal Fluid Glutamate in Response to Variable Foraging Demand: Relationship to Cerebrospinal Fluid Serotonin Metabolites in Grown Offspring
Authors: Coplan Jeremy D. , Gupta Nishant K. , Flynn Sarah K. , Reiner Wade J. , Gaita David , Fulton Sasha L. , Rozenboym Anna V. , Tang Jean E. , Cooper Thomas B. , Mann J. John
Published: July 2018

Background

Maternal response to allostatic overload during infant rearing may alter neurobiological measures in grown offspring, potentially increasing susceptibility to mood and anxiety disorders. We examined maternal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glutamate response during exposure to variable foraging demand (VFD), a bonnet macaque model of allostatic overload, testing whether activation relative to baseline predicted concomitant CSF elevations of the stress neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing factor. We investigated whether VFD-induced activation of maternal CSF glutamate affects maternal–infant attachment patterns and offspring CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations.

Methods

Mother–infant dyads were exposed to the “VFD stressor,” a paradigm in which mothers experience 16 weeks of foraging uncertainty while rearing their infant offspring. Through staggering the infant age of VFD onset, both a cross-sectional design and a longitudinal design were used. Maternal CSF glutamate and glutamine concentrations post-VFD exposure were cross-sectionally compared to maternal VFD naive controls. Proportional change in concentrations of maternal glutamate (and glutamine), a longitudinal measure, was evaluated in relation to VFD-induced elevations of CSF corticotropin-releasing factor. The former measure was related to maternal–infant proximity scores obtained during the final phases of VFD exposure. Maternal glutamatergic response to VFD exposure was used as a predictor variable for young adolescent offspring CSF metabolites of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Results

Following VFD exposure, maternal CSF glutamate concentrations correlated positively with maternal CSF CRF concentrations. Activation relative to baseline of maternal CSF glutamate concentrations following VFD exposure correlated directly with a) increased maternal-infant proximity during the final phases of VFD and b) offspring CSF concentrations of monoamine metabolites including 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, which was elevated relative to controls.

Conclusions

Activation of maternal CSF glutamate in response to VFD-induced allostasis is directly associated with elevations of maternal CSF corticotropin-releasing factor. Maternal CSF glutamate alterations induced by VFD potentially compromise serotonin neurotransmission in grown offspring, conceivably modeling human vulnerability to treatment-resistant mood and anxiety disorders.
Comparing the effectiveness of hyperspectral imaging and Raman spectroscopy: a case study on Armenian manuscripts
Authors: Maybury Ian J. , Howell David , Terras Melissa , Viles Heather
Published: July 2018

There is great practical and scholarly interest in the identification of pigments in works of art. This paper compares the effectiveness of the widely used Raman Spectroscopy (RS), with hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a reflectance imaging technique, to evaluate the reliability of HSI for the identification of pigments in historic works of art and to ascertain if there are any benefits from using HSI or a combination of both. We undertook a case study based on six Armenian illuminated manuscripts (eleventh–eighteenth centuries CE) in the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford. RS, and HSI (380–1000 nm) were both used to analyse the same 10 folios, with the data then used to test the accuracy and efficiency of HSI against the known results from RS using reflectance spectra reference databases compiled by us for the project. HSI over the wavelength range 380–1000 nm agreed with RS at best 93% of the time, and performance was enhanced using the SFF algorithm and by using a database with many similarities to the articles under analysis. HSI is significantly quicker at scanning large areas, and can be used alongside RS to identify and map large areas of pigment more efficiently than RS alone. HSI therefore has potential for improving the speed of pigment identification across manuscript folios and artwork but must be used in conjunction with a technique such as RS.
Hidden features: exploring the non-canonical functions of metabolic enzymes
Authors: Huangyang Peiwei , Simon M. Celeste
Published: July 2018

The study of cellular metabolism has been rigorously revisited over the past decade, especially in the field of cancer research, revealing new insights that expand our understanding of malignancy. Among these insights is the discovery that various metabolic enzymes have surprising activities outside of their established metabolic roles, including in the regulation of gene expression, DNA damage repair, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Many of these newly identified functions are activated in response to growth factor signaling, nutrient and oxygen availability, and external stress. As such, multifaceted enzymes directly link metabolism to gene transcription and diverse physiological and pathological processes to maintain cell homeostasis. In this Review, we summarize the current understanding of non-canonical functions of multifaceted metabolic enzymes in disease settings, especially cancer, and discuss specific circumstances in which they are employed. We also highlight the important role of subcellular localization in activating these novel functions. Understanding their non-canonical properties should enhance the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Clinical trials targeting hypoxia
Authors: Tharmalingham Hannah , Hoskin Peter
Published: July 2018

The concept of tumour hypoxia as a cause of radiation resistance has been prevalent for over 100 years. During this time, our understanding of tumour hypoxia has matured with the recognition that oxygen tension within a tumour is influenced by both diffusion and perfusion mechanisms. In parallel, clinical strategies to modify tumour hypoxia with the expectation that this will improve response to radiation have been developed and tested in clinical trials. Despite many disappointments, meta-analysis of the data on hypoxia modification confirms a significant impact on both tumour control and survival. Early trials evaluated hyperbaric oxygen followed by a generation of studies testing oxygen mimetics such as misonidazole, pimonidazole and etanidazole. One highly significant result stands out from the use of nimorazole in advanced laryngeal cancer with a significant advantage seen for locoregional control using this radiosensitiser. More recent studies have evaluated carbogen and nicotinamide targeting both diffusion related and perfusion related hypoxia. A significant survival advantage is seen in muscle invasive bladder cancer and also for locoregional control in hypopharygeal cancer associated with a low haemoglobin. New developments include the recognition that mitochondrial complex inhibitors reducing tumour oxygen consumption are potential radiosensitising agents and atovaquone is currently in clinical trials. One shortcoming of past hypoxia modifying trials is the failure to identify oxygenation status and select those patient with significant hypoxia. A range of biomarkers are now available including histological necrosis, immunohistochemical intrinsic markers such as CAIX and Glut 1 and hypoxia gene signatures which have been shown to predict outcome and will inform the next generation of hypoxia modifying clinical trials.
Η τεχνολογική μελέτη μιας αιγυπτιακής μάσκας από τη συλλογή Νίκου Χατζηκυριάκου-Γκίκα
Authors: Φαρμακαλίδου Ελένη-Βερόνικα
Published: July 2018

Δε διατίθεται περίληψη στα ελληνικά.
The Access to Amyklaion
Authors: Kourinou Eleni , Pikoulas Yanis
Published: July 2018

Στο άρθρο μας παραθέτουμε τα δεδομένα για την πρόσβαση από τη Σπάρτη στο Αμυκλαίον. Θεωρούμε ότι η διάβαση της Μαγουλίτσας γινόταν σχεδόν στη σημερινή γέφυρα του Αγίου Νικολάου στο Χατίπι, όπου κατέληγε η περίφημη Αφεταΐς οδός· η τελευταία ταυτίζεται ασφαλώς με την οδό Γκορτσολόγου, μετά τον εντοπισμό του ιερού του Ταιναρίου Ποσειδώνος στη συμβολή Διοσκούρων και Γκορτσολόγου. Στη χάραξη της διαδρομής της προς Αμυκλαίον «ιεράς οδού» δόθηκε ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στη διάσχιση των από τον Ταΰγετο (δυτικά) παραπόταμων του Ευρώτα, που δημιουργούν ένα πολυσχιδές σύστημα, επιβάλλοντας αντίστοιχες ζεύξεις-γέφυρες. Η αρχαία οδός διεσώθη σε δύο σημεία, όπως απέδειξαν σωστικές ανασκαφές της οικείας Εφορείας, στο ΟΤ Γ 256 (νέο ΤΕΛ Σπάρτης) και στις παρυφές του οικισμού της Ριβιώτισσας (σε δύο παρακείμενα οικόπεδα). Τέλος, πιθανολογούμε ότι θα μπορούσε η προς Αμυκλαίον, εκ Σπάρτης, οδός να ταυτισθεί με την Υακινθίδα (Αθην. IV 173f).
Η ΜΟΝΙΛΙΑΣΙΣ TΩN ΟΡΝΙΘΩΝ ΩΣ ΝΕΑ ΝΟΣΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΟΝΤΟΤΗΣ
Authors: ΑΫΦΑΝΤΗΣ Σ. , ΠΑΠΑΔΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Α. , ΓΙΑΝΝΑΚΟΥΛΑΣ Δ.
Published: July 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΤΡΑΥΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΠΕΡΙΚΑΡΔΙΤΙΣ ΕΙΣ ΑΓΕΛΑΔΑ ΚΑΙ ΧΕΙΡΟΥΡΓΙΚΗ ΘΕΡΑΠΕΙΑ ΑΥΤΗΣ
Authors: ΤΡΙΑΝΤΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Ε.
Published: July 2018

NO ABSTRAT AVAILABLE
News
Authors: Εταιρεία Ελληνική Κτηνιατρική
Published: July 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
THE EFFECT OF 1,1-DICHLORO-2,2-BIS (P-CHLOROPHENYL) ETHANE (DDD OR TDE) ON THE ADRENAL CORTEX OF G0ATS
Authors: HATZIOLOS B.C.
Published: July 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
Heat shock protein (HSP) expression and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation during early embryonic developmental stages of the Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)
Authors: ROUFIDOU CHRYSOULA , FEIDANTSIS KONSTANTINOS , MENTE ELENI , SARROPOULOU ELENA , ANTONOPOULOU EFTHIMIA
Published: July 2018

Both heat shock proteins (HSPs), which have key roles in vital cell functions, as well as members of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which adjust gene expression by transducing cellular signals to the nucleus, are necessary for normal embryonic development in vertebrates. Therefore, protein expression levels of HSP70 and HSP90 and the activation of members of the MAPK protein family, such as p38 MAPK, ERKs, and JNKs were studied in the early developmental stages of the Gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758. The protein expression of HSP70 and the phosphorylation ratio of JNKs remained at equal levels at all examined developmental stages, while the other examined proteins exhibited a differential profile. HSP90 levels were mostly increased at the 16-cell stage and towards the morula stages, and the lowest values were observed at the two- to four-cell and one-half epiboly stages. While p38 MAPK phosphorylation ratio exhibited increased values mostly in the early developmental stages, the opposite was observed concerning ERK phosphorylation ratio, where increased values were observed in the later embryonic stages (high blastula to one-half epiboly stages). These differential profiles of the examined protein expression levels highlight the importance of these proteins during embryogenesis and pave the way for further research to unveil their distinct role in early development.
Preliminary assessment of methanogenic microbial communities in marine caves of Zakynthos Island (Ionian Sea, Greece)
Authors: POLYMENAKOU PARASKEVI , MANDALAKIS MANOLIS , DAILIANIS THANOS , DIMITRIADIS CHARALAMPOS , MEDVECKY MATEJ , MAGOULAS ANTONIOS , GEROVASILEIOU VASILIS
Published: July 2018

Mediterranean marine caves remain largely unexplored, while particularly limited information is available about the microbial life existing in these unique environments. The present study is a preliminary assessment of the composition of the active anaerobic microbial community colonizing the walls of newly explored systems of underwater caves and small cavities in Zakynthos Island. The interior of these caves is densely coated with egg-shaped, foam-shaped and filamentous biological structures that are characterised by a strong odor of hydrogen sulfide gas. A total of twelve structures scrapped from cave rocks were subjected to anaerobic cultivation for up to 208 days. Strong to moderate methanogenesis was observed in two different types of egg-shaped structures and one foam-like structure. Interestingly, this was observed in experiments that were performed at room temperature (i.e. 25oC) which is substantially lower than those typically considered optimum for methane production (e.g. 35oC). Analysis of the 16S rRNA genes revealed a clear dominance of archaea and bacteria closely related to known methane producers and sulfate reducers, including members of the families Methanomicrobiaceae, Desulfobulbaceae, Desulfobacteraceae, Desulfuromonaceae, Campylobacteraceae, Marinifilaceae, Clostridiaceae, Incertae Sedis – Family I & II. These results show that Mediterranean marine caves can host members of archaea and bacteria with potential biotechnological interest that deserve further investigation.
Simulation of Coastal Processes affecting pH with Impacts on Carbon and Nutrient Biogeochemistry
Authors: KAPETANAKI NATALIA , KRASAKOPOULOU EVANGELIA , STATHOPOULOU ELENI , PAVLIDOU ALEXANDRA , ZERVOUDAKI SOULTANA , DASSENAKIS MANOS , SCOULLOS MICHAEL
Published: July 2018

Naturally occurring microbial decomposition of organic matter (OM) in coastal marine environments cause increased acidity in deeper layers similar or even exceeding the future predictions for global ocean acidification (OA). Experimental studies in coastal areas characterized by increased inputs of OM and nutrients, coping with intermittent hypoxic/anoxic conditions, provide better understanding of the mechanisms affecting nutrients and carbon biogeochemistry under the emerging effects of coastal pH decrease. Laboratory CO2-manipulated microcosm experiments were conducted using seawater and surface sediment collected from the deepest part of Elefsis Bay (Saronikos Gulf, Eastern Mediterranean) focusing to study the co-evolution of processes affected by the decline of dissolved oxygen and pH induced by (a) OM remineralization and (b) the future anthropogenic increase of atmospheric CO2. Under more acidified conditions, a significant increase of total alkalinity was observed partially attributed to the sedimentary carbonate dissolution and the reactive nitrogen species shift towards ammonium. Νitrate and nitrite decline, in parallel with ammonium increase, demonstrated a deceleration of ammonium oxidation processes along with decrease in nitrate production. The decreased DIN:DIP ratio, the prevalence of organic nutrient species against the inorganic ones, the observations of constrained DON degradation and nitrate production decline and the higher DOC concentrations revealed the possible inhibition of OM decomposition under lower pH values. Finally, our results highlight the need for detailed studies of the carbonate system in coastal areas dominated by hypoxic/anoxic conditions, accompanied by other biogeochemical parameters and properly designed experiments to elucidate the processes sequence or alterations due to pH reduction.
Benthic Hydrozoans as Potential Indicators of Water Masses and Anthropogenic Impact in the Sea of Marmara
Authors: TOPÇU NUR EDA , MARTELL LUIS FELIPE , YILMAZ IZZET NOYAN , ISINIBILIR MELEK
Published: July 2018

Changes in the abundance and distribution of marine benthic hydrozoan species are indicative of variations in environmental conditions in the marine realm. The comparative analysis of such assemblages can improve our understanding of environmental and ecological conditions in the Sea of Marmara, a strongly stratified and heavily populated inland sea connecting the Aegean and Black seas, on route of national and international maritime traffic. We compared the hydrozoan assemblages occurring in harbours with those developed at natural sites, as well as the assemblages associated with the Black Sea water mass versus the Mediterranean water mass in the vicinities of the Prince Islands, the north-easternmost section of the Sea of Marmara. Sampling took place at 12 stations, once in March 2015 and once in August 2015 in order to cover species with both warm and cold water affinities. Multivariate analyses showed that benthic hydroid assemblages with both affinities differed significantly between the heavily trafficked harbours of the Prince Islands (connected to the metropolis of Istanbul) and areas without human settlements and maritime traffic. In addition, highly distinct hydroid assemblages were found characterizing both areas with water of Mediterranean origin and areas with water from Black Sea origin. Based on our results, we discuss the potential for the use of these organisms as indicators of water masses and anthropogenic impact at the regional level.
Amphipods from tidal channels of the Gulf of Gabès (central Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: FERSI ABIR , DAUVIN JEAN CLAUDE , PEZY JEAN PHILIPPE , NEIFAR LASSAD
Published: July 2018

The spatial and temporal species richness, abundance and assemblage structure of amphipods from four tidal channel of the Gulf of Gabès were studied at 26 stations and during four seasons from March 2016 to January 2017. This led to the identification of 4,278 individuals, 45 species and 21 families. The four mostly diversified families are the Ampeliscidae (6 species), the Caprellidae (5) and the Aoridae and Maeridae (4 species both), while three families account for ~ 75% of the individuals: Aoridae (45.5 %), Corophiidae (20.5%) and Dexaminidae (7.2%). The species richness and abundance were higher in winter than at other seasons. The fauna is dominated by a small number of species characteristic of areas with detritus accumulation and seagrass meadows, including Microdeutopus anomalus, Monocorophium acherusicum, Dexamine spinosa, Microdeutopus gryllotalpa, Cymadusa filosa and Elasmopus rapax, which are commonly recorded in lagoons and coastal shallow waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The amphipod structure is linked to the location of tidal channels in the Gulf of Gabès. Abundances are low in the Kerkennah channel compared with other channels, especially the Maltine channel with high winter accumulation of organic matter. There are also low abundances in high-energy hydrodynamic zones with gravel sediment; conversely, the presence of macrophytes, mainly in the seagrass meadows, increases amphipod diversity. As a result of this study, five new species can be added to the inventory of the Tunisian marine amphipod fauna, including a non-native species for the Mediterranean Sea, Paracaprella pusilla.
Contents
Authors: AMS Editorial
Published: July 2018

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