bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theorizing Energy Geographies
Authors: Huber Matthew
Published: June 2015

Geography is witnessing a “boom” in energy research that has emerged alongside renewed interest in the humanities and social sciences over the role of energy in shaping modern social life. In this review article, I suggest that geographers need to connect better with new debates in critical social theory over energy through an emphasis on energy's role in the social production of space. I first review recent interventions in the social sciences and humanities on energy and suggest that as insightful as they are, they lack an attention to geography. It reviews how energy used to be a central theoretical concept in geography – specifically through “cultural ecological” approaches that saw the flow of energy and nutrients through human groups as a central aspect in explaining their cultural traits. The rise of political ecology – and its focus on resources rather than energy – led to energy becoming seen as simply an empirical object on inquiry as opposed to an underlying concept. Second, I argue political ecologies of energy are central to the production and reproduction of geopolitical imaginaries of nationhood and international relations, and thus, energy should be at the center of theorizing these ideas. Third, although geographers have long viewed urbanization as a sociospatial – and increasingly socioecological – process, the role of energy in shaping the material infrastructure and uneven nature of cities has been less discussed. Fourth, the ways in which energy is consumed, and the way energy shapes the geographies of everyday practice, is a critical aspect in the production of space. Fifth, I suggest that any energy transition toward a low‐carbon energy system must understand that new energy systems will also require new spatialities and new spatial imaginations.
Cytocompatibility of HEMA–free resin–based luting cements according to application protocols on dentine surfaces
Authors: Soares D. G. , Brito C. A. , Tavares da Silva R. H. B. , Ribeiro A. P. D. , Hebling J. , de Souza Costa C. A.
Published: June 2015

Aim

To evaluate the transdentinal cytotoxicity of resin–based luting cements (RBLCs), with no HEMA in their composition, to odontoblast–like cells.

Methodology

Human dentine discs 0.3 mm thick were adapted to artificial pulp chambers (APCs) and placed in wells of 24–well plates containing 1 mL of culture medium (DMEM). Two categories of HEMA–free RBLCs were evaluated: group 1, self–adhesive Rely X Unicem (RU; 3M ESPE), applied directly to the dentine substrate; and group 2, Rely X ARC (RARC; 3M ESPE), applied to dentine previously acid–etched and treated with a bonding agent. In group 3 (control), considered as representing 100% cell metabolic activity, no treatment was performed on dentine. The APC/disc sets were incubated for 24 h or 7 days at 37 °C and 5% CO2. Then, the extracts (DMEM + dental materials components that diffused through dentine) were applied to cultured odontoblast–like MDPC–23 cells for 24 h. After that, the cell viability (MTT assay), cell morphology (SEM), total protein production (TP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were assessed. Data from MTT assay and TP production were analysed by Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (α = 5%). Data from ALP activity were analysed by one–way anova and Tukey's test (α = 5%).

Results

In group 1, a slight reduction in cell viability (11.6% and 16.8% for 24–h and 7–day periods, respectively) and ALP activity (13.5% and 17.9% for 24–h and 7–day periods, respectively) was observed, with no significant difference from group 3 (control) (P > 0.05). In group 2, a significant reduction in cell viability, TP production and ALP activity compared with group 3 (control) occurred (P < 0.05), regardless of incubation time. Alteration in MDPC–23 cell morphology was observed only in group 2.

Conclusions

HEMA–free Rely X ARC cement caused greater toxicity to odontoblast–like MDPC–23 cells than did Rely X Unicem cement when both resin–based luting materials were applied to dentine as recommended by the manufacturer.
Hydrologic and hydrodynamic modelling of extreme flood events to assess the impact of climate change in a large basin with limited data
Authors: Amir M.S.I.I. , Khan M.M.K. , Rasul M.G. , Sharma R.H. , Akram F.
Published: June 2015

Flood modelling of a large basin like the Fitzroy is a difficult task due to its large catchment size, the long duration of flood events, the non‐uniform spatial distribution of rainfall and a lack of required data for modelling purposes. This paper presents a systematic methodology for the flood modelling of the Fitzroy Basin using hydrologic and hydrodynamic modelling approach with Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities. This study developed five flood scenarios analysing historical flood events and considering three impacts of climate change: upstream subcatchments flooding, local rainfall fluctuations and sea level rise. A hydrologic model was developed within the wider Fitzroy Basin with the five upstream subcatchments and the upper Fitzroy subcatchment in order to simulate discharge data for these scenarios at the Gap measurement location. An integrated hydrologic–hydrodynamic model was developed for the lower Fitzroy subcatchment where output discharges of the hydrologic model were considered as the upstream boundaries. The peak flood levels, peak flow rates and flood inundation durations at Rockhampton city were identified using this integrated model. GIS capabilities were specially used for automatic watershed delineation and river cross‐section extraction from Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data. The methodology proposed here is a case study and can be applied to other similar basins or catchments.
Feelings of Pride and Respect as Drivers of Ongoing Member Activity on Crowdsourcing Platforms
Authors: Boons Mark , Stam Daan , Barkema Harry G.
Published: June 2015

Crowdsourcing platforms are online organizations that organize work by sourcing tasks to their members. As participation on crowdsourcing platforms is completely voluntary, getting members to actively participate in tasks on an ongoing basis is essential for the survival of these online platforms. Why members would be active on an ongoing basis, however, is currently not well understood. To understand ongoing member activity on crowdsourcing platforms, we build on the group engagement model, which postulates that feelings of pride and respect influence engagement because they foster identification with the group. We argue that, although in general the nature of crowdsourcing platforms limits the effects of identification processes on member behaviour, feelings of pride and respect will still play central roles in such online organizations, because feelings of pride and respect can directly drive members’ cooperative behaviors towards the platform organization. Moreover, we posit that the way in which platform organizations communicate with their members affects these feelings of pride and respect. We test these ideas in a longitudinal, multisource field study and find that feelings of pride drive ongoing member activity on an online crowdsourcing platform directly and that platform management can increase members’ feelings of pride and respect by engaging in specific organizational communication practices.
Dual modes of membrane binding direct pore formation by Streptolysin O
Authors: Mozola Cara C. , Caparon Michael G.
Published: June 2015

Effector translocation is central to the virulence of many bacterial pathogens, including Streptococcus pyogenes, which utilizes the cholesterol‐dependent cytolysin Streptolysin O (SLO) to translocate the NAD+ glycohydrolase SPN into host cells during infection. SLO's translocation activity does not require host cell membrane cholesterol or pore formation by SLO, yet SLO does form pores during infection via a cholesterol‐dependent mechanism. Although cholesterol was considered the primary receptor for SLO, SLO's membrane‐binding domain also encodes a putative carbohydrate‐binding site, implicating a potential glycan receptor in binding and pore formation. Analysis of carbohydrate‐binding site SLO mutants and carbohydrate‐defective cell lines revealed that glycan recognition is involved in SLO's pore formation pathway and is an essential step when SLO is secreted by non‐adherent bacteria, as occurs during lysis of erythrocytes. However, SLO also recognizes host cell membranes via a second mechanism when secreted from adherent bacteria, which requires co‐secretion of SPN but not glycan binding by SLO. This SPN‐mediated membrane binding of SLO correlates with SPN translocation, and requires SPN's non‐enzymatic domain, which is predicted to adopt the structure of a carbohydrate‐binding module. SPN‐dependent membrane binding also promotes pore formation by SLO, demonstrating that pore formation can occur by distinct pathways during infection.
Transgenic cucumber lines expressing the chimeric pGT::Dhn24 gene do not show enhanced chilling tolerance in phytotron conditions
Authors: Mróz Tomasz L. , Ziółkowska Agnieszka , Gawroński Piotr , Pióro‐Jabrucka Ewelina , Kacprzak Sylwia , Mazur Magdalena , Malepszy Stefan , Bartoszewski Grzegorz
Published: June 2015

In cucumber, low temperatures can result in chilling injuries and can lead to significant yield decreases in open field production. The lack of a cold‐tolerant cucumber germplasm has limited classical breeding. Recent progress in understanding plant response to cold stress has allowed to develop transgenic approaches to improving cold tolerance in chilling sensitive crop species. The pGT::Dhn24 gene construct containing an anthocyanidine glucosyltransferase promoter and the DHN24 dehydrin‐encoding gene originating from cold‐acclimated species Solanum sogarandinum was developed, and preliminary study showed that its expression could increase cucumber chilling tolerance. In this study, a set of transgenic cucumber lines was developed and tested for cold tolerance. Expression of pGT::Dhn24 was confirmed in the transgenic cucumber lines at both the transcript and protein level. At the protein level, chilling‐induced pGT::Dhn24 transgene expression was observed in the leaves; however, it was constitutive in the roots. Cold stress‐related physiological parameters, germination ability and severity of chilling injury were measured for the transgenic lines at the phytotron conditions. No evidence for increased cold tolerance of the transgenic cucumber lines was found.
Impact of the Opening of Soviet Archives on Western Scholarship on Soviet Social History
Authors: FITZPATRICK SHEILA
Published: June 2015

The opening of formerly closed and classified archives following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a remarkable experience for historians working in this field. Our data base abruptly expanded in a quantum leap, changing our situation from one roughly comparable to that of researchers on early modern Europe (working with the limited range of sources generated by a relatively unambitious state with a small literate population) to that of researchers on any other developed twentieth‐century state (working with the huge array of records generated by a modern bureaucratic state and literate society). From the standpoint of researchers, this brought many changes. Field‐specific research skills painfully acquired in the period of archival dearth suddenly become more or less redundant. Different skills and strategies were often required to deal with the new situation of abundance. This essay examines the extent and peculiarities of Western scholars' access to Soviet archives in the decades before 1991, and the nature and variety of archival sources becoming available to Western scholars for the first time, and the impact these had on research and interpretation of Soviet social history.
A novel screening method for rice allelopathic potential: the inhibitory‐circle method
Authors: Li J Y , Guo X K , Zhang Q , Liu C H , Lin Z H , Yu Z M , Wu H , He H B
Published: June 2015

Screening crop accessions for allelopathic activity is of paramount importance for crop allelopathy research. Previous bioassays often did not use a mixed culture of donor and target plants, did not use soil and were not conducted under natural conditions. In this study, we designed an inhibitory‐circle method in which a rice accession (donor plant) and Echinochloa crus‐galli (target plant) were cultured together in paddy soil under natural conditions. First, we determined that the highest allelopathic activity of allelopathic rice accession PI312777 was at the 5‐leaf stage, and the suitable distance of rice seedlings and E. crus‐galli was 12 cm apart. This method was then validated by a field test. A further 40 rice accessions were evaluated for allelopathic activity to E. crus‐galli using this method. Two rice accessions, PI312777 and Taichung Native 1, had highly allelopathic activity to E. crus‐galli (inhibitory rate > 50%), while another accession, Lemont, had non‐allelopathic activity. These experimental results were in accordance with previous studies using direct field experiments. The inhibitory‐circle method integrated three necessary conditions, that is donor and target plants grown together, with soil as the medium and under natural conditions for reliable results. The ‘inhibitory‐circle method’, which combined donor and target plants, soil medium and field conditions, can give reliable results in one step, compared with laboratory screening methods. Also, the ‘inhibitory‐circle method’ gave results in 30‐35 days, thereby substantially reducing the requirements for time, labour and cost.
CLARA: An IT Tool for Detailed Cantilever Design for OCS
Authors: Ramos Rodríguez Joaquín , Garzon Nuñez Jorge , Jorreto Marcos Federico , Collado Carlos , Cara Gilabert Patricia
Published: June 2015

Highly efficient energy transmission between Overhead Catenary System (OCS) and pantograph is paramount for high speed railway lines. However this is not usually considered relevant for low speed railway lines. But interruptions in mechanical and electrical contact interfaces increase maintenance costs and can lead to EMI problems with its surrounding environment.

In order to avoid this, OCS systems are carefully designed using complex programs for calculation of pantograph/OCS interaction and compared with registered data. This means that it is necessary to invest valuable resources (time and money) to design a proper OCS.

At the end of the day, in order to obtain full benefits of a well designed OCS, both careful calculation and installation of all the elements of the system are a must. If no balance between design, calculation and installation is achieved, the overall procedure can present cost ineffectiveness due to wrong or careless installation.

The first step of a proper OCS installation process is taking into account all the geometrical and mechanical characteristics and restrictions of the system (maximum and minimum span lengths, slopes, cants, etc.) as well as the relative position of masts, portal structures and head spans to the track. The forces applied by the conductors to each mast and cantilever are established bearing all these data into account.

Cantilevers are calculated using these efforts as an input data together with all the geometrical restrictions that the system imposes, thus obtaining their complete geometry and the stresses and strains that they will have to support. These stresses and strains are compared to different standards as well as to rate and calculate masts and foundations. The geometric parameters of the cantilevers are used to prefabricate these elements in order to speed the installation process and to avoid onsite installation errors.

A precise calculation process is needed to assure that the contact wire is in the correct position.

That’s why a proper calculation tool is needed. CLARA, is a tool developed to perform geometrical and mechanical calculations of OCS cantilevers and rate both masts and masts foundations. This tool has been designed in AECOM Madrid Transportation Design Center by the authors. It is an IT tool that performs this calculation in a precise and quick manner, taking into account all the necessary input data and determining output data to the required level of detail as presented in this paper.

This tool provides useful data to design OCS controlling parameters that are of paramount importance for final OCS behavior. Some of these parameters are usually non-controlled due to onsite installation procedures. The authors believe that the use of this tool avoids recalculation, inefficiencies and systematic errors and hence it provides the basis for a more cost efficient design and building process.
The Evolution of Commuter Rail Service in the San Francisco Peninsula
Authors: Tsai N. Tom
Published: June 2015

Commuting by rail in the San Francisco Peninsula has been a travel option for 150 years. However, only in the past 30 years has commuter rail gained recognition as a mode of public transportation separate and distinct from other intercity railroad services. The development of commuter rail as a mode of public transportation, supported and operated by public entities, was a relative new mode of rail service with new techniques to manage finances, optimize schedules, and market their services. Joint agreements were developed to assign responsibility for costs and liabilities to public entities and set limits on infrastructure usage. The increased responsibility of public entities for commuter rail services has required a public policy permitting subsidy of operations, infrastructure investments, and new governance structures.

This paper traces the evolution of the commuter rail service in the Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose over the past 150 years and describes the operating practices, agreements, and institutional structures that facilitated its transformation. Ridership and revenue data were compared with other commuter rail operations in the nation. The data also showed that it has responded to the need of this growing community with new technology and practices over the years.
Rail Temperature Approximation and Heat Slow Order Best Practices
Authors: Bruzek Radim , Trosino Michael , Kreisel Leopold , Al-Nazer Leith
Published: June 2015

The railroad industry uses slow orders, sometimes referred to as speed restrictions, in areas where an elevated rail temperature is expected in order to minimize the risk and consequence of derailment caused by track buckling due to excessive rail temperature. Traditionally, rail temperature has been approximated by adding a constant offset, most often 30°F, to a peak ambient air temperature. When this approximated maximum rail temperature exceeds a given risk threshold, slow orders are usually issued for a predefined period of the day.

This “one size fits all” approach, however, is not effective and suitable in all situations. On very warm days, the difference between rail temperature and ambient air temperature can exceed railroad-employed offsets and remain elevated for extended periods of time. A given temperature offset may be well suited for certain regions and track buckling risk-related rail temperature thresholds but less accurate for others. Almost 160,000 hours of rail temperature measurements collected in 2012 across the eastern United States by two Class I railroads and predicted ambient air temperatures based on the National Weather Service’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) data were analyzed using detection theory in order to establish optimal values of offsets between air and rail temperatures as well as times when slow orders should be in place based on geographical location and the track buckling risk rail temperature threshold. This paper presents the results of the analysis and describes an improved procedure to manage heat-related slow orders based on ambient air temperatures.
Concept Definition of a Zero Emissions Boost Locomotive for Regional Passenger Rail
Authors: Cook Dave , Eggleton Peter , Stewart Ian
Published: June 2015

The advantages of rail electrification have been demonstrated worldwide, yielding reductions in energy costs, locomotive maintenance, polluting emissions and noise; but these benefits are compromised by the high capital costs of the overhead catenary infrastructure. Both the significant initial investment and loss of the operational flexibility, relative to conventional diesel-electric locomotive solutions, impede consideration of rail electrification in many applications. Described in this paper is a way to retain the best features of both dedicated electric and conventional diesel-electric for powering regional and commuter rail services characterized by frequent and energy-intensive stop and go operations. The innovation is a ‘Zero Emissions Boost Locomotive’ (ZEBL), a new type of locomotive “B” unit that is coupled in a ‘plug and play’ manner behind a conventional diesel-electric locomotive. The ZEBL is an all-electric motorized unit containing a power pack of batteries and ultracapacitors providing energy-capture, storage and regeneration to boost train acceleration. The ZEBL provides an open platform that allows future expansion to incorporate new energy storage technology and grid connectivity through wireless power transfer (WPT) during station stops. Simulations indicate that adding a ZEBL to an existing commuter train boosts acceleration reducing trip time and allowing much longer trains, while its energy regeneration features significantly reduce fuel consumption, diesel emissions and wear and tear on the consumable braking components.
β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3/Ga2O3 (010) heterostructures grown on β-Ga2O3 (010) substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Kaun Stephen W. , Wu Feng , Speck James S.
Published: June 2015

By systematically changing growth parameters, the growth of β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3/Ga2O3 (010) heterostructures by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy was optimized. Through variation of the Al flux under O-rich conditions at 600 °C, β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 (010) layers spanning ∼10% to ∼18% Al2O3 were grown directly on β-Ga2O3 (010) substrates. Nominal β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 (010) compositions were determined through Al:Ga flux ratios. With x = ∼0.18, the β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 (020) layer peak in a high-resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) ω-2θ scan was barely discernible, and Pendellösung fringes were not visible. This indicated that the phase stability limit of Al2O3 in β-Ga2O3 (010) at 600 °C was less than ∼18%. The substrate temperature was then varied for a series of β-(Al∼0.15Ga∼0.85)2O3 (010) layers, and the smoothest layer was grown at 650 °C. The phase stability limit of Al2O3 in β-Ga2O3 (010) appeared to increase with growth temperature, as the β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 (020) layer peak with x = ∼0.18 was easily distinguishable by HRXRD in a sample grown at 650 °C. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that β-(Al∼0.15Ga∼0.85)2O3 (010) layers (14.4% Al2O3 by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy) grown at 650 °C were homogeneous. β-(Al∼0.20Ga∼0.80)2O3 (010) layers, however, displayed a phase transition. TEM images of a β-(Al∼0.15Ga∼0.85)2O3/Ga2O3 (010) superlattice grown at 650 °C showed abrupt layer interfaces and high alloy homogeneity.
LOX induces a metastatic niche
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: June 2015

Lysyl oxidase secreted by primary tumors promotes the formation of a niche for bone metastases.
Beware, pneumonia is in the air
Authors: Henriques-Forsythe Marshaleen
Published: June 2015

Carbon and wood smoke particulates impair alveolar macrophage-mediated immunity and increase the risk for pulmonary infection.
Prescription for a pharmacyte
Authors: Hubbell Jeffrey A.
Published: June 2015

The homing capacity of T cells was used to deliver drug-laden nanoparticles to lymphoma cells resident in lymph nodes.
ADS-J1 Inhibits Semen-Derived Amyloid Fibril Formation and Blocks Fibril-Mediated Enhancement of HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Xun Tianrong , Li Wenjuan , Chen Jinquan , Yu Fei , Xu Wei , Wang Qian , Yu Ruizhe , Li Xiaojuan , Zhou Xuefeng , Lu Lu , Jiang Shibo , Li Lin , Tan Suiyi , Liu Shuwen
Published: June 2015

Semen-derived enhancer of viral infection (SEVI) is composed of amyloid fibrils that can greatly enhance HIV-1 infectivity. By its cationic property, SEVI promotes viral sexual transmission by facilitating the attachment and internalization of HIV-1 to target cells. Therefore, semen-derived amyloid fibrils are potential targets for microbicide design. ADS-J1 is an anionic HIV-1 entry inhibitor. In this study, we explored an additional function of ADS-J1: inhibition of SEVI fibril formation and blockage of SEVI-mediated enhancement of viral infection. We found that ADS-J1 bound to an amyloidogenic peptide fragment (PAP
248–286
, comprising amino acids 248 to 286 of the enzyme prostatic acid phosphatase), thereby inhibiting peptide assembly into amyloid fibrils. In addition, ADS-J1 binds to mature amyloid fibrils and antagonizes fibril-mediated enhancement of viral infection. Unlike cellulose sulfate, a polyanion that failed in clinical trial to prevent HIV-1 sexual transmission, ADS-J1 shows no ability to facilitate fibril formation. More importantly, the combination of ADS-J1 with several antiretroviral drugs exhibited synergistic effects against HIV-1 infection in semen, with little cytotoxicity to vaginal epithelial cells. Our results suggest that ADS-J1 or a derivative may be incorporated into a combination microbicide for prevention of the sexual transmission of HIV-1.
Insertion Sequence IS
26
Reorganizes Plasmids in Clinically Isolated Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria by Replicative Transposition
Authors: He Susu , Hickman Alison Burgess , Varani Alessandro M. , Siguier Patricia , Chandler Michael , Dekker John P. , Dyda Fred
Published: June 2015

Carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
(CPE), which are resistant to most or all known antibiotics, constitute a global threat to public health. Transposable elements are often associated with antibiotic resistance determinants, suggesting a role in the emergence of resistance. One insertion sequence, IS
26
, is frequently associated with resistance determinants, but its role remains unclear. We have analyzed the genomic contexts of 70 IS
2
6 copies in several clinical and surveillance CPE isolates from the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. We used target site duplications and their patterns as guides and found that a large fraction of plasmid reorganizations result from IS
26
replicative transpositions, including replicon fusions, DNA inversions, and deletions. Replicative transposition could also be inferred for transposon Tn
4401
, which harbors the carbapenemase
bla
KPC
gene. Thus, replicative transposition is important in the ongoing reorganization of plasmids carrying multidrug-resistant determinants, an observation that carries substantial clinical and epidemiological implications for understanding how such extreme drug resistance phenotypes evolve.

IMPORTANCE
Although IS
26
is frequently reported to reside in resistance plasmids of clinical isolates, the characteristic hallmark of transposition, target site duplication (TSD), is generally not observed, raising questions about the mode of transposition for IS
26
. The previous observation of cointegrate formation during transposition implies that IS
26
transposes via a replicative mechanism. The other possible outcome of replicative transposition is DNA inversion or deletion, when transposition occurs intramolecularly, and this would also generate a specific TSD pattern that might also serve as supporting evidence for the transposition mechanism. The numerous examples we present here demonstrate that replicative transposition, used by many mobile elements (including IS
26
and Tn
4401
), is prevalent in the plasmids of clinical isolates and results in significant plasmid reorganization. This study also provides a method to trace the evolution of resistance plasmids based on TSD patterns.
Smoking Cessation Interventions in the Cardiology Ward
Authors: Cassar Mark Philip
Published: June 2015

Hospital admission is a unique opportunity for a smoking cessation attempt; smokers may be more motivated to quit as they are distanced from the usual cues they face associated with nicotine consumption, and the effect of poor lifestyle habits on their health are brought to light. With most hospitals employing smoke-free grounds, patients are further inclined to stop smoking.

According to NICE guidance, smoking cessation support should be delivered within 1 working day of admission for inpatients, and NRT products should be recommended and offered to all people who smoke. Despite this, many smokers on the cardiology ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital fail to receive smoking cessation advice, and are unable to benefit from Nicotine Replacement Therapy. This leads to missed opportunities to stop smoking, increased morbidity in patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures, and increased costs for the NHS, with patients who continue smoking being re-admitted with more smoking-related illnesses in the future.
ERG protein expression over time: from diagnostic biopsies to radical prostatectomy specimens in clinically localised prostate cancer
Authors: Berg Kasper Drimer , Brasso Klaus , Thomsen Frederik Birkebæk , Røder M Andreas , Holten-Rossing Henrik , Toft Birgitte Grønkær , Iversen Peter , Vainer Ben
Published: June 2015

Aims

We evaluated the consistency in ERG protein expression from diagnostic specimens through rebiopsies to radical prostatectomies in patients with clinically localised prostate cancer to investigate the validity of ERG status in biopsies.

Methods

ERG expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 625 biopsy sets and 86 radical prostatectomy specimens from 265 patients with prostate cancer managed on active surveillance. For IHC, a rabbit monoclonal primary antibody was used (clone: EPR3864).TMPRSS2-ERGfluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analyses were performed in 74 biopsies using the FISH ZytoLight TriCheck Probe (SPECERG/TMPRSS2). FISH results were correlated with IHC findings.

Results

The concordance between FISH and IHC was 97.3% and IHC demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity forERGrearrangement of 100% and 95.5%, respectively. Applying IHC, 38.1% of patients were ERG-positive, 53.6% were ERG-negative and 8.3% showed both ERG-positive and negative tumour foci (ERG heterogeneous) at diagnosis. When ERG status was dichotomised (ERG-positive or heterogeneous vs ERG-negative), 95.6%–97.1% of patients did not experience ERG reclassification during the first two rounds of rebiopsies. The concordance in ERG status between biopsies and surgical specimen was 89.5%–94.2% depending on the number of rebiopsies included. Sampling bias was assumed to explain most (81.3%) of the mismatches in ERG status.

Conclusions

Consistency in ERG status ranged from 90% to 95% for patients undergoing serial biopsies and radical prostatectomy. This indicates that biopsies can be used reliably to investigate ERG's prognostic and predictive value.
Propagation through chiroplasma waveguide using perfect magnetic conductor boundary conditions
Authors: Ghaffar A. , Alkanhal Majeed A.S.
Published: June 2015

Analysis of electromagnetic wave propagations in a cylindrical waveguide filled with a chiroplasma core coated with a perfect magnetic conductor is presented. The presented analysis and formulations is generalized for any general isotropic or anisotropic material, including plasma and metamaterials. The characteristic equations are obtained and the behavior of its characteristic curves and the energy flux are examined and evaluated numerically. The obtained results show that the behavior of the energy flux transported in the guide, in magnitude and orientation, is highly affected by the chirality parameter and the plasma and cyclotron frequencies. The mode cut-off frequencies and transported energies are sensitive to the variations in the material parameters, particularly the variations in the chirality parameter.
An Approach to Uncertain Linguistic Multi-Attribute Group Decision Making Based on Interactive Index
Authors: Meng Fanyong , Chen Xiaohong
Published: June 2015

In this paper, two uncertain linguistic Choquet aggregation operators called the induced uncertain linguistic hybrid generalized Shapley Choquet weighted averaging (IULHGSCWA) operator and the induced uncertain linguistic hybrid generalized Shapley Choquet geometric mean (IULHGSCGM) operator are defined. To reduce the complexity of solving a fuzzy measure, the induced uncertain linguistic hybrid 2-additive generalized Shapley Choquet weighted averaging (IULHAGSCWA) operator and the induced uncertain linguistic hybrid 2-additive generalized Shapley Choquet geometric mean (IULHAGSCGM) operator are presented. When the weight information is incompletely known, models for the optimal fuzzy measures on an expert set, on an attribute set and on their ordered sets are built, respectively. Furthermore, an approach to multi-attribute group decision making under uncertain linguistic environment is developed, which can cope with the interdependent or correlative characteristics between elements. Finally, a practical application is selected to illustrate the validity and practicability of the developed procedure.
Generalized Linguistic Ordered Weighted Hybrid Logarithm Averaging Operators and Applications to Group Decision Making
Authors: Liu Jinpei , Chen Huayou , Zhou Ligang , Tao Zhifu
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we develop the generalized linguistic weighted logarithm averaging (GLWLA) operator and the generalized linguistic ordered weighted logarithm averaging (GLOWLA) operator in the group decision making under the linguistic surrounding. Then some properties of the families of the GLOWLA operator by different weighting vector are investigated. Furthermore, we present the generalized linguistic ordered weighted hybrid logarithm averaging (GLOWHLA) operator, which extends the GLOWLA operator. We also construct a nonlinear goal programming model to determine GLOWHLA weights from observational linguistic variable values under partial weight information. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the new approach to evaluating university faculty for tenure and promotion, which indicates the feasibility and effectiveness of the new approach.
Tempered exponential dichotomies and Lyapunov exponents for perturbations
Authors: Barreira Luis , Dragičević Davor , Valls Claudia
Published: June 2015

We establish a Perron-type result for the perturbations of a linear cocycle in the context of ergodic theory. More precisely, we show that the Lyapunov exponents of a linear cocycle are preserved under sufficiently small nonautonomous perturbations. Our approach is based on the Lyapunov theory of regularity.
A perturbed nonlinear elliptic PDE with two Hardy–Sobolev critical exponents
Authors: Zhong X. , Zou W.
Published: June 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a [Formula: see text] open bounded domain in [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) with [Formula: see text]. Suppose that [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] and the mean curvature of [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] is negative. Consider the following perturbed PDE involving two Hardy–Sobolev critical exponents: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text]. The existence of ground state solution is studied under different assumptions via the concentration compactness principle and the Nehari manifold method. We also apply a perturbation method to study the existence of positive solution.
On the spin-1 Bose–Einstein condensates in the presence of Ioffe–Pritchard magnetic field
Authors: Hajaiej Hichem , Carles Rémi
Published: June 2015

We study the Cauchy problem of an antiferromagnetic spin-1 Bose–Einstein condensate under Ioffe–Pritchard magnetic field [Formula: see text]. We then address the existence of ground state solutions and characterize the orbit of standing waves.
新來港人士的生活滿足感及歸屬感
Authors: 崔 志暉
Published: June 2015

本研究以抗逆力視野來探討本地新來港人士的生活滿足感及歸屬感等各方面的狀況，並尋找促進新移民正向適應的保護因子及阻礙其發展的危機因子。研究以街頭訪問的方式搜集了1,012位被訪者的資料，當中男性佔35.4%, 女性則有64.3%; 平均年齡為37.7歲。 結果顯示新來港人士比本地出生的居民及非本地出生但居住香港多於七年的居民兩個群組在廣東話的溝通能力、自尊感、社會網絡、社區歸屬感及生活滿足感等5個方面的表現均較差。 結構模式的分析顯示自尊感、社區歸屬感及社會網絡是促進生活滿足感的保護因子； 而溝通能力差是阻礙新移民正向適應的危機因子。 根據研究結果，文中提議一些服務來改善新來港人士的生活滿足感。

This study adopted the resilience perspective to explore the life satisfaction and community attachment of new arrivals in Hong Kong, and to examine the protective factors and risk factors that affecting their well-being. The study used the street interview and the accidental sampling to collect data from 1,012 respondents. The sample comprised 35.4% men and 64.3% women. The mean age of participants was 37.7 years. The results indicated that the new arrivals had lower scores in communication competence, self-esteem, social networks, community attachment and life satisfaction than the local born residents and non-local born residents who have been in Hong Kong for more than 7 years. Moreover, results of the structural equation model confirmed that self-esteem, community attachment and social networks were protective factors of life satisfaction; and poor communication competence was a risk factor that hindered positive adaption. Based on the study results, service recommendation was suggested to improve the life satisfaction and community attachment of the new arrivals.
Effect of orally administered collagen hydrolysate on gene expression profiles in mouse skin: a DNA microarray analysis
Authors: Oba Chisato , Ito Kyoko , Ichikawa Satomi , Morifuji Masashi , Nakai Yuji , Ishijima Tomoko , Abe Keiko , Kawahata Keiko
Published: June 2015

Dietary collagen hydrolysate has been hypothesized to improve skin barrier function. To investigate the effect of long-term collagen hydrolysate administration on the skin, we evaluated stratum corneum water content and skin elasticity in intrinsically aged mice. Female hairless mice were fed a control diet or a collagen hydrolysate-containing diet for 12 wk. Stratum corneum water content and skin elasticity were gradually decreased in chronologically aged control mice. Intake of collagen hydrolysate significantly suppressed such changes. Moreover, we used DNA microarrays to analyze gene expression in the skin of mice that had been administered collagen hydrolysate. Twelve weeks after the start of collagen intake, no significant differences appeared in the gene expression profile compared with the control group. However, 1 wk after administration, 135 genes were upregulated and 448 genes were downregulated in the collagen group. This suggests that gene changes preceded changes of barrier function and elasticity. We focused on several genes correlated with functional changes in the skin. Gene Ontology terms related to epidermal cell development were significantly enriched in upregulated genes. These skin function-related genes had properties that facilitate epidermal production and differentiation while suppressing dermal degradation. In conclusion, our results suggest that altered gene expression at the early stages after collagen administration affects skin barrier function and mechanical properties. Long-term oral intake of collagen hydrolysate improves skin dysfunction by regulating genes related to production and maintenance of skin tissue.
Genetic variation in alpha2-adrenoreceptors and heart rate recovery after exercise
Authors: Kohli Utkarsh , Diedrich André , Kannankeril Prince J. , Muszkat Mordechai , Sofowora Gbenga G. , Hahn Maureen K. , English Brett A. , Blakely Randy D. , Stein C. Michael , Kurnik Daniel
Published: June 2015

Heart rate recovery (HRR) after exercise is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. HRR is mediated by both parasympathetic reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal and is highly heritable. We examined whether common genetic variants in adrenergic and cholinergic receptors and transporters affect HRR. In our study 126 healthy subjects (66 Caucasians, 56 African Americans) performed an 8 min step-wise bicycle exercise test with continuous computerized ECG recordings. We fitted an exponential curve to the postexercise R-R intervals for each subject to calculate the recovery constant (kr) as primary outcome. Secondary outcome was the root mean square residuals averaged over 1 min (RMS1min), a marker of parasympathetic tone. We used multiple linear regressions to determine the effect of functional candidate genetic variants in autonomic pathways (6 ADRA2A, 1 ADRA2B, 4 ADRA2C, 2 ADRB1, 3 ADRB2, 2 NET, 2 CHT, and 1 GRK5 ) on the outcomes before and after adjustment for potential confounders. Recovery constant was lower (indicating slower HRR) in ADRA2B 301–303 deletion carriers ( n = 54, P = 0.01), explaining 3.6% of the interindividual variability in HRR. ADRA2A Asn251Lys, ADRA2C rs13118771, and ADRB1 Ser49Gly genotypes were associated with RMS1min.Genetic variability in adrenergic receptors may be associated with HRR after exercise. However, most of the interindividual variability in HRR remained unexplained by the variants examined. Noncandidate gene-driven approaches to study genetic contributions to HRR in larger cohorts will be of interest.
Evaluation of Annual Rainfall Erosivity Index Based on Daily, Monthly, and Annual Precipitation Data of Rainfall Station Network in Southern Taiwan
Authors: Lee Ming-Hsi , Lin Huan-Hsuan
Published: June 2015

The erosivity factor in the universal soil loss equation (USLE) provides an effective means of evaluating the erosivity power of rainfall. The present study proposes three regression models for estimating the erosivity factor based on daily, monthly, and annual precipitation data of rainfall station network, respectively. The validity of the proposed models is investigated using a dataset consisting of 16,560 storm events monitored by 55 rainfall stations in southern Taiwan. The results show that, for 49 of the 55 stations, a strong positive correlation [Formula: see text] exists between the annual rainfall amount and the annual rainfall erosivity factor. In other words, the estimation model based on the annual precipitation data provides a reliable means of predicting the long-term annual rainfall erosivity in southern Taiwan. Furthermore, the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) analysis results show that the estimation models based on annual and monthly precipitation data have a more accurate prediction performance than that based on daily precipitation data.
Cerebral Activity Changes in Different Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns of Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction Patients
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhang Peihai , Pan Junjie , Li Zhengjie , Liu Jixin , Li Guangsen , Qin Wei , You Yaodong , Yu Xujun , Sun Jinbo , Dong Minghao , Gong Qiyong , Guo Jun , Chang Degui
Published: June 2015

Background.Pattern differentiation is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). This study aims to investigate the differences in cerebral activity in ED patients with different TCM patterns.Methods.27 psychogenic ED patients and 27 healthy subjects (HS) were enrolled in this study. Each participant underwent an fMRI scan in resting state. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) was used to detect the brain activity changes in ED patients with different patterns.Results.Compared to HS, ED patients showed an increased cerebral activity in bilateral cerebellum, insula, globus pallidus, parahippocampal gyrus, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and middle cingulate cortex (MCC). Compared to the patients with liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency pattern (LSSDP), the patients with kidney-yang deficiency pattern (KDP) showed an increased activity in bilateral brainstem, cerebellum, hippocampus, and the right insula, thalamus, MCC, and a decreased activity in bilateral putamen, medial frontal gyrus, temporal pole, and the right caudate nucleus, OFC, anterior cingulate cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex (P<0.005).Conclusions.The ED patients with different TCM patterns showed different brain activities. The differences in cerebral activity between LSSDP and KDP were mainly in the emotion-related regions, including prefrontal cortex and cingulated cortex.
Terminal‐Area Aircraft Intent Inference Approach Based on Online Trajectory Clustering
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Jun , Cai Kai-quan
Published: June 2015

Terminal‐area aircraft intent inference (T‐AII) is a prerequisite to detect and avoid potential aircraft conflict in the terminal airspace. T‐AII challenges the state‐of‐the‐art AII approaches due to the uncertainties of air traffic situation, in particular due to the undefined flight routes and frequent maneuvers. In this paper, a novel T‐AII approach is introduced to address the limitations by solving the problem with two steps that are intent modeling and intent inference. In the modeling step, an online trajectory clustering procedure is designed for recognizing the real‐time available routes in replacing of the missed plan routes. In the inference step, we then present a probabilistic T‐AII approach based on the multiple flight attributes to improve the inference performance in maneuvering scenarios. The proposed approach is validated with real radar trajectory and flight attributes data of 34 days collected from Chengdu terminal area in China. Preliminary results show the efficacy of the presented approach.
Correlation between Density of CD8+ T-cell Infiltrate in Microsatellite Unstable Colorectal Cancers and Frameshift Mutations: A Rationale for Personalized Immunotherapy
Authors: Maby Pauline , Tougeron David , Hamieh Mohamad , Mlecnik Bernhard , Kora Hafid , Bindea Gabriela , Angell Helen K. , Fredriksen Tessa , Elie Nicolas , Fauquembergue Emilie , Drouet Aurélie , Leprince Jérôme , Benichou Jacques , Mauillon Jacques , Le Pessot Florence , Sesboüé Richard , Tuech Jean-Jacques , Sabourin Jean-Christophe , Michel Pierre , Frébourg Thierry , Galon Jérôme , Latouche Jean-Baptiste
Published: June 2015

Colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI) represent 15% of all colorectal cancers, including Lynch syndrome as the most frequent hereditary form of this disease. Notably, MSI colorectal cancers have a higher density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) than other colorectal cancers. This feature is thought to reflect the accumulation of frameshift mutations in sequences that are repeated within gene coding regions, thereby leading to the synthesis of neoantigens recognized by CD8+ T cells. However, there has yet to be a clear link established between CD8+ TIL density and frameshift mutations in colorectal cancer. In this study, we examined this link in 103 MSI colorectal cancers from two independent cohorts where frameshift mutations in 19 genes were analyzed and CD3+, CD8+, and FOXP3+ TIL densities were quantitated. We found that CD8+ TIL density correlated positively with the total number of frameshift mutations. TIL densities increased when frameshift mutations were present within the ASTE1, HNF1A, or TCF7L2 genes, increasing even further when at least one of these frameshift mutations was present in all tumor cells. Through in vitro assays using engineered antigen-presenting cells, we were able to stimulate peripheral cytotoxic T cells obtained from colorectal cancer patients with peptides derived from frameshift mutations found in their tumors. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of a CD8+ T cell immune response against MSI colorectal cancer–specific neoantigens, establishing a preclinical rationale to target them as a personalized cellular immunotherapy strategy, an especially appealing goal for patients with Lynch syndrome. Cancer Res; 75(17); 3446–55. ©2015 AACR.