bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Biochemical Characterization of the Novel α2,3-Sialyltransferase WbwA from Pathogenic Escherichia coli Serotype O104
Authors: Czuchry Diana , Desormeaux Paul , Stuart Melissa , Jarvis Donald L. , Matta Khushi L. , Szarek Walter A. , Brockhausen Inka
Published: September 2015

The sialyl-T antigen sialylα2-3Galβ1-3GalNAc is a common O-glycan structure in human glycoproteins and is synthesized by sialyltransferase ST3Gal1. The enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
serotype O104 has the rare ability to synthesize a sialyl-T antigen mimic. We showed here that the
wbwA
gene of the
E. coli
O104 antigen synthesis gene cluster encodes an α2,3-sialyltransferase WbwA that transfers sialic acid from CMP-sialic acid to Galβ1-3GalNAcα-diphosphate-lipid acceptor. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of purified WbwA enzyme reaction product indicated that the sialyl-T antigen sialylα2-3Galβ1-3GalNAcα-diphosphate-lipid was synthesized. We showed that the conserved His-Pro (HP) motif and Glu/Asp residues of two EDG motifs in WbwA are important for the activity. The characterization studies showed that WbwA from
E. coli
O104 is a monofunctional α2,3-sialyltransferase and is distinct from human ST3Gal1 as well as all other known sialyltransferases due to its unique acceptor specificity. This work contributes to knowledge of the biosynthesis of bacterial virulence factors.

IMPORTANCE
This is the first characterization of a sialyltransferase involved in the synthesis of an O antigen in
E. coli
. The enzyme contributes to the mimicry of human sialyl-T antigen and has unique substrate specificity but very little sequence identity to other sialyltransferases. Thus, the bacterial sialyltransferase is related to the human counterpart only by the similarity of biochemical activity.
Integrated Pathophysiology of Pyelonephritis
Authors: Choong Ferdinand X. , Antypas Haris , Richter-Dahlfors Agneta
Published: September 2015

Pyelonephritis represents a subset of urinary tract infections that occur from bacteria ascending from the lower to the upper reaches of the genitourinary system, such as the kidney. The renal system contains a range of hydrodynamically and immunologically challenging, interconnected microenvironments where the invading pathogen may populate during the course of the infection. The situation at the infection foci changes dynamically, vacillating between bacterial colonization and clearance, to which the outcome is a summation of all host-pathogen elements in play. A selection of important determinants includes factors of microbial origin, effects of eukaryotic cell signaling, physiological facets of the infected organ, and signals from distal organs. Improved understanding of the multifactorial aspects of molecular pathogenesis of infection requires intravital, cross-disciplinary approaches with high spatio-temporal resolution. The advancement of such approaches promises to eventually provide a comprehensive understanding of the integrated pathophysiology of pyelonephritis.
Bilateral sacroiliitis and uveitis comorbidity: brucellosis? Ankylosing spondylitis?
Authors: Akyol Lütfi , Aslan Kerim , Özgen Metin , Sayarlioglu Mehmet
Published: September 2015

We present a rare case of a comorbidity of sacroiliitis and brucellosis infection. A 28-year-old woman received irregular medication due to ongoing backache and hip pain for 5 years. The patient presented to our hospital for evaluation of visual loss and was diagnosed with uveitis. Sacroiliac MRI was performed to investigate the inflammatory backache and hip pain, and the aetiology of the uveitis, revealing the presence of sacroiliitis. The patient's blood test results were as follows: positive brucellosis Rose Bengal test and positive tube agglutination test with a titre of 1/640. The patient was treated with doxycycline and rifampicin for 8 weeks for the brucellosis infection, and with acemetacin for the ankylosing spondylitis. The patient's back and hip pain decreased significantly 8 weeks later; however, the uveitis was not controlled by the treatment. Therefore, anti-tumour necrosis factor (infliximab) treatment was started.
Effectiveness of peer educators on the uptake of mobile X-ray tuberculosis screening at homeless hostels: a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Aldridge Robert W , Hayward Andrew C , Hemming Sara , Possas Lucia , Ferenando Gloria , Garber Elizabeth , Lipman Marc , McHugh Timothy D , Story Alistair
Published: September 2015

Trial design

Cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objective

To compare current practice for encouraging homeless people to be screened for tuberculosis on a mobile digital X-ray unit in London, UK, with the additional use of volunteer peer educators who have direct experience of tuberculosis, homelessness or both.

Participants

46 hostels took part in the study, with a total of 2342 residents eligible for screening. The study took place between February 2012 and October 2013 at homeless hostels in London, UK.

Intervention

At intervention sites, volunteer peer educators agreed to a work plan that involved moving around the hostel in conjunction with the hostel staff, and speaking to residents in order to encourage them to attend the screening.

Randomisation

Cluster randomisation (by hostel) was performed using an internet-based service to ensure allocation concealment, with minimisation by hostel size and historical screening uptake.

Blinding

Only the study statistician was blinded to the allocation of intervention or control arms.

Primary outcome

The primary outcome was the number of eligible clients at a hostel venue screened for active pulmonary tuberculosis by the mobile X-ray unit.

Results

A total of 59 hostels were considered for eligibility and 46 were randomised. Control sites had a total of 1192 residents, with a median uptake of 45% (IQR 33–55). Intervention sites had 1150 eligible residents with a median uptake of 40% (IQR 25–61). Using Poisson regression to account for the clustered study design, hostel size and historical screening levels, there was no evidence that peer educators increased uptake (adjusted risk ratio 0.98; 95% CIs 0.80 to 1.20). The study team noted no adverse events.

Conclusions

This study found no evidence that volunteer peer educators increased client uptake of mobile X-ray unit screening for tuberculosis. Further qualitative work should be undertaken to explore the possible ancillary benefits to peer volunteers.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN17270334.
Out of the shadows: non-communicable diseases and palliative care in Africa
Authors: Powell R A , Ali Z , Luyirika E , Harding R , Radbruch L , Mwangi-Powell F N
Published: September 2015

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa have been comparatively neglected, partly due to donor-driven funding priorities. This is despite NCDs being the principal cause of mortality globally, with the majority incidence occurring in low-income and middle-income nations. Most of the patients with NCDs will suffer from pain, breathlessness and other physical symptoms, or need support with psychosocial or spiritual problems. Reflecting regional disease prevalence, late-stage clinical presentation, limited funding and restricted access to curative therapies, palliative care need in Africa is significantly high. Although palliative care provision has advanced significantly on the continent in the past decade, much of this development was driven by services for adult HIV patients. However, recent international and regional political declarations and commitments constitute a new global NCD agenda that calls for the integration of palliative care into the NCD response. This could be achieved under a chronic care model of service provision in partnership with other clinical providers in an integrated care continuum spanning prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and the end of life. Four important challenges have to be addressed if palliative care is to contribute meaningfully to this NCD agenda: (1) existing variation in the ability of countries to deal with NCDs per se; (2) ensuring clinical partners are integrated effectively with palliative care; (3) agreeing implementation is linked to relevant national-level and patient-level metrics; and (iv) underpinning palliative care and NCD care with a rigorous and locally relevant evidence base demonstrating appropriate, feasible and effective care.
Investigating the Applicability of Graphene Nanoribbon as Signal and Power Interconnects for Nanometer Designs
Authors: Das Debaprasad , Rahaman Hafizur
Published: September 2015

In this work, we have investigated the applicability of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) as the interconnects for 16-nm ITRS technology node. GNR is proposed as the possible alternative to the traditional copper (Cu)-based interconnect systems in nanometer regime. In this paper, we have performed important studies on GNR for its applicability as power and signal interconnects. For the application of power interconnects, we have investigated the power supply voltage drop (IR drop) and simultaneous switching noise (SSN) in graphene-based interconnect system. We have performed crosstalk noise and overshoot/undershoot analyses for the application of signal interconnects. The results are compared with that of the traditional Cu-based interconnects. The results show that GNR is better than Cu as far as IR drop, SSN, gate oxide reliability and hot carrier reliability are concerned. Our investigation reveals that GNR can be better than the Cu interconnects from all aspects with a multilayer GNR structure. The present graphene-based interconnect technology needs to be advanced, so that the metal–graphene contact resistance is minimized and multilayer GNR structure with large number of graphene layers is supported.
Partial inelasticity coefficients of negative pions in p, d, α, 12C+12C and p, 12C+181Ta collisions at 4.2 GeV/c per nucleon
Authors: Olimov Khusniddin K. , Olimov Kosim , Gulamov K. G. , Olimov Alisher K. , Lutpullaev Sagdulla L. , Yuldashev B. S. , Haseeb Mahnaz Q.
Published: September 2015

The partial inelasticity coefficients of the negative pions were determined in minimum bias p, d, α, 12 C +12 C and p, 12 C +18 Ta collisions at 4.2A GeV/c taking into account the average number of participant nucleons of a projectile nucleus. In nucleus–nucleus collisions, the average values of partial inelasticity coefficients (〈K(π-)〉) of the negative pions did not depend on the mass numbers of projectile and target nuclei. Increase of 〈K(π-)〉 in going from p+12 C to d, α, 12 C +12 C collisions was due to an additional source of production of fast negative pions in nucleus–nucleus collisions — a charge exchange conversion of one or more neutrons of a projectile nucleus into a proton and π-. Linking the experimental results of the present analysis at intermediate energy with those obtained at high and ultra-high energies, it was concluded that the average values of partial inelasticity coefficients of pions in nucleon–nucleus and nucleus–nucleus collisions manifest a transitive behavior. At intermediate energies, the values of 〈K(π-)〉 were smaller by a factor of two and more as compared to those at high energies, and they increased further with increasing incident energy, reaching a plateau at E0 > 100A GeV.
Metal-free and metal porphyrins: A highly efficient catalysts to Li/SOCl2 battery
Authors: Li Na , Dang Chong , Sun Wanjun , Dang Jinning , Lu Xinsheng , Li Jun
Published: September 2015

Two metal-free porphyrins H[Formula: see text]Pp (a, b) and four metalloporphyrins CuPp (a, b) and ZnPp (a, b) have been applied to lithium/thionyl chloride (Li/SOCl[Formula: see text] battery as the high efficient catalysts for the first time. Notably, the battery discharge time in blank is only 1080 s while that of Li/SOCl2battery after adding porphyrin/metalloporphyrins is 1980 s for H[Formula: see text]Pp (a), 2160 s for H[Formula: see text]Pp (b), 1560 s for CuPp (a), 1320 s for CuPp (b), 1620 s for ZnPp (a), and 1680 s for ZnPp (b), respectively. Furthermore, the energy of the battery whose electrolyte contains the H[Formula: see text]Pp (a, b), CuPp (a, b) and ZnPp (a, b) increases by approximately 11.88–77.14% than that of the battery without them. And the metal-free porphyrins H[Formula: see text]Pp (a) or H[Formula: see text]Pp (b) exhibit higher catalytic activities than that of metalloporphyrins CuPp (a, b) and ZnPp (a, b). In addition, the possible reasons to explain the excellent results were also analyzed.
On the stability of quadratic reciprocal functional equation in non-Archimedean fields
Authors: Bodaghi Abasalt , Ebrahimdoost Yousef
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we introduce a new form of the quadratic reciprocal functional equation. Then, we study the Hyers–Ulam stability for this quadratic reciprocal functional equation in non-Archimedean fields.
Degree of approximation of signals (functions) in Besov space using linear operators
Authors: Mittal M. L. , Singh Mradul Veer
Published: September 2015

Mittal, Rhoades (1999–2001), Mittal et al. (2005, 2006, 2011) have initiated a study of error estimates through trigonometric Fourier approximation (tfa) for the situation in which the summability matrix [Formula: see text] does not have monotone rows. Recently Mohanty et al. (2011) have obtained a theorem on the degree of approximation of functions in Besov space [Formula: see text] by choosing [Formula: see text] to be a Nörlund ([Formula: see text])-matrix with non-increasing weights [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we continue the work of Mittal et al. and extend the result of Mohanty et al. (2011) to the general matrix [Formula: see text].
On 3-connected es-splitting binary matroids
Authors: Dhotre S. B. , Malavadkar P. P. , Shikare M. M.
Published: September 2015

The es-splitting operation on a [Formula: see text]-connected binary matroid may not preserve the [Formula: see text]-connectedness of the matroid. In this paper, we provide a sufficient condition for a [Formula: see text]-connected binary matroid to yield a [Formula: see text]-connected binary matroid under the es-splitting operation. We derive a splitting lemma for [Formula: see text]-connected binary matroids as an application of this result.
SSP rings and modules
Authors: Abyzov A. N. , Quynh T. C. , Nhan T. H. N.
Published: September 2015

We study [Formula: see text]-Ci modules ([Formula: see text]), first introduced in [K. Oshiro, Continuous modules and quasi-continuous modules, Osaka J. Math. 20 (1983) 681–694], and [Formula: see text]-SSP modules. We consider the cases when these classes of modules coincide. As a consequence, we obtain some results related to simple-direct-injective modules. We also investigate some properties of SSP formal matrix rings and describe semiartinian SSP rings.
Mesozoic tectonic and topographic evolution of Central Asia and Tibet: a preliminary synthesis
Authors: Jolivet Marc
Published: September 2015

During the Late Palaeozoic–Mesozoic, Central Asia and Tibet were affected by several geodynamic episodes that induced either large-scale compression or widespread extension. The Late Palaeozoic final amalgamation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, the accretion of the Cimmerian blocks, the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean and the accretion of the Neocimmerian blocks set the structural pattern of the continent. This Mesozoic tectonic heritage plays a first-order role in the localization and evolution of the Tertiary deformation of the continent. Similarly, large-scale Mesozoic topographic features are still preserved in Central Asia, where they form a non-negligible part of the present-day topography. This work aims at providing an overview of the major tectonic events that affected Central Asia and Tibet during the Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic periods. The general topographic evolution of the continent is also described together with the accompanying climatic changes through time.
Nanowire Volatile RAM as an Alternative to SRAM
Authors: Rahman Mostafizur , Khasanvis Santosh , Moritz Csaba Andras
Published: September 2015

Maintaining benefits of CMOS technology scaling is becoming challenging, primarily due to increased manufacturing complexities and unwanted passive power dissipations. This is particularly challenging in SRAM, where manufacturing precision and leakage power control are critical issues. To alleviate these challenges, we proposed a novel volatile memory alternative to SRAM called
nanowire volatile RAM
(NWRAM). Due to NWRAM's regular grid-based layout and innovative circuit style, manufacturing complexities are reduced and, at the same time, considerable benefits are attained in terms of performance and leakage power reduction. In this article we elaborate NWRAM's circuit aspects and manufacturability, and quantify benefits at 16nm technology node through simulation against state-of-the-art 6T-SRAM and gridded 8T-SRAM designs. Our results show that when lower bounds in design rules are considered, 10T-NWRAM's read and write time are 1.38x and 2x faster, and the leakage power is 14x better in comparison to high-performance 6T-SRAM. Similarly the 10T-NWRAM achieves 1.3x and 1.9x read and write performance, and 35x leakage power improvements compared to high-performance 8T-SRAM. 10T-NWRAM's density is comparable to 6T-SRAM and 8T-SRAM for lower bounds, but exhibits higher active power in similar comparisons. This article details all benchmarking results and provides thorough analysis of NWRAM's evaluations.
A Cross-Layer Approach to Measure the Robustness of Integrated Circuits
Authors: Barke Martin , Schlichtmann Ulf
Published: September 2015

The demands on system robustness and its immunity against perturbations are getting increasingly important. Nearly everybody has an intuitive understanding of what robustness means, but there is no proper way how to measure robustness of integrated circuits already during the design phase. Therefore, a general cross-layer robustness model and methods to quantitatively measure robustness are presented. Moreover, these methods are refined to predict the robustness against degradation of digital circuits due to aging effects.
gem5-PVT
Authors: Chen Xianmin , Jha Niraj K.
Published: September 2015

FinFET has begun replacing CMOS at the 22nm technology node and beyond. Compared to planar CMOS, FinFET has a higher on-current and lower leakage due to its double-gate structure. A FinFET-based system simulation framework can be very helpful to system architects for early-stage design-space exploration using this new technology. However, such a simulator does not exist. We fill this gap by presenting the details of one such simulation framework, called gem5-PVT, that we have developed. Our simulation framework combines and extends existing lower-level FinFET simulators to support timing, power, and thermal studies of FinFET-based chip multiprocessor systems under
process, voltage, and temperature
(PVT) variations. It uses a bottom-up modeling approach based on logic/memory cell libraries that have been very accurately characterized using TCAD device simulation. This allows accuracy to bubble up to the system level. The framework is modular and automated, hence enables system designers the flexibility to evaluate various system implementations. It is currently targeted at the 22nm FinFET technology. We report results for two case studies to demonstrate its usefulness. One study shows that more than 62.1× system-level leakage reduction, at the same performance, is possible when using a particular FinFET logic style. Another study characterizes core-to-core frequency and power variations that result from underlying PVT variations and compares the effectiveness of variation-aware scheduling schemes.
MWI-Sum
Authors: Baralis Elena , Cagliero Luca , Fiori Alessandro , Garza Paolo
Published: September 2015

Multidocument summarization addresses the selection of a compact subset of highly informative sentences, i.e., the summary, from a collection of textual documents. To perform sentence selection, two parallel strategies have been proposed: (a) apply general-purpose techniques relying on data mining or information retrieval techniques, and/or (b) perform advanced linguistic analysis relying on semantics-based models (e.g., ontologies) to capture the actual sentence meaning. Since there is an increasing need for processing documents written in different languages, the attention of the research community has recently focused on summarizers based on strategy (a).

This article presents a novel multilingual summarizer, namely MWI-Sum (Multilingual Weighted Itemset-based Summarizer), that exploits an itemset-based model to summarize collections of documents ranging over the same topic. Unlike previous approaches, it extracts frequent weighted itemsets tailored to the analyzed collection and uses them to drive the sentence selection process. Weighted itemsets represent correlations among multiple highly relevant terms that are neglected by previous approaches. The proposed approach makes minimal use of language-dependent analyses. Thus, it is easily applicable to document collections written in different languages.

Experiments performed on benchmark and real-life collections, English-written and not, demonstrate that the proposed approach performs better than state-of-the-art multilingual document summarizers.
Logic of Intuitionistic Interactive Proofs (Formal Theory of Perfect Knowledge Transfer)
Authors: Kramer Simon
Published: September 2015

We produce a decidable
super-intuitionistic
normal modal logic of internalised
intuitionistic
(and thus disjunctive and monotonic) interactive proofs (LIiP) from an existing classical counterpart of classical monotonic non-disjunctive interactive proofs (LiP). Intuitionistic interactive proofs effect a durable epistemic impact in the possibly adversarial communication medium CM (which is imagined as a distinguished agent)
and only in that,
that consists in the permanent induction of the
perfect
and thus
disjunctive
knowledge of their proof goal by means of CM's knowledge of the proof: If CM knew my proof then CM would persistently and also
disjunctively
know that my proof goal is true. So intuitionistic interactive proofs effect a lasting transfer of disjunctive propositional knowledge (disjunctively knowable facts) in the communication medium of multi-agent distributed systems via the transmission of certain individual knowledge (knowable intuitionistic proofs). Our (necessarily) CM-centred notion of proof is also a disjunctive explicit refinement of KD45-belief, and yields also such a refinement of standard S5-knowledge. Monotonicity but not communality is a commonality of LiP, LIiP, and their internalised notions of proof. As a side-effect, we offer a short internalised proof of the Disjunction Property of Intuitionistic Logic (originally proved by Gödel).
Delayed workload shifting in many-server systems
Authors: van Leeuwaarden Johan S.H. , Mathijsen Britt W.J. , Sloothaak Fiona
Published: September 2015

Motivated by the desire to shift workload during periods of overload, we extend established square-root capacity sizing rules for many-server systems in the Quality-and-Efficiency Driven (QED) regime. We propose Delayed Workload Shifting (DWS) which has two defining features: when there are
n
users in the system, newly arriving users are no longer admitted directly. Instead, these users will reattempt getting access after a stochastic delay until they are successful. The goal of DWS is to release pressure from the system during overloaded periods, and indeed we show that the performance gain can be substantial. We derive nontrivial corrections to classical QED approximations to account for DWS, and leverage these to control stationary and time-varying system behavior.
Mean-Field Analysis of Ultra-Dense CSMA Networks
Authors: Cecchi F. , Borst S. C. , van Leeuwaardena J. S.H.
Published: September 2015

Distributed algorithms such as CSMA provide a popular mechanism for sharing the transmission medium among competing users in large-scale wireless networks. Conventional models for CSMA that are amenable for analysis assume that users always have packets to transmit. In contrast, when users do not compete for medium access when their buffers are empty, a complex interaction arises between the activity states and the buffer contents. We develop a meanfield approach to investigate this dynamic interaction for networks with many users. We identify a time-scale separation between the evolution of the activity states and the buffer contents, and obtain a deterministic dynamical system describing the network dynamics on a macroscopic scale. The fixed point of the dynamical system yields highly accurate approximations for the stationary distribution of the buffer contents and packet delay, even when the number of users is relatively moderate.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Closed Queueing Network Demands from Queue Length Data
Authors: Wang Weikun , Casale Giuliano
Published: September 2015

We propose maximum likelihood (ML) estimators for service demands in closed queueing networks with load-independent and load-dependent stations. Our ML estimators are expressed in implicit form and require only to compute mean queue lengths and marginal queue length probabilities from an empirical dataset. Further, in the load-independent case, we provide an explicit approximate formula for the ML estimator together with confidence intervals.
On the Impossibility of Localizing Multiple Rumor Sources in a Line Graph
Authors: Spencer Sam , Srikant R.
Published: September 2015

Here we examine the problem of rumor source identification in line graphs. We assume the SI model for rumor propagation with exponential waiting times. We consider the case where a rumor originates from two sources simultaneously, and evaluate the likelihood function for the given observations given those sources. As the size of the infected region grows arbitrarily large, we show that unlike the single source case, where the likelihood function concentrates near the midpoint of the infected region, the support of the likelihood function in this case remains widely distributed over the middle half of the infected region. This makes the rumor sources impossible to localize with high probability on any scale smaller than that of the infection size itself.
Heavy-Traffic Behavior of the MaxWeight Algorithm in a Switch with Uniform Traffic
Authors: Maguluri Siva Theja , Srikant R.
Published: September 2015

We consider a switch with uniform traffic operating under the MaxWeight scheduling algorithm. This traffic pattern is interesting to study in the heavy-traffic regime since the queue lengths exhibit a multi-dimensional state-space collapse. We use a Lyapunov-type drift technique to characterize the heavy-traffic behavior of the expectation of the sum queue lengths in steady-state. Specifically, in the case of Bernoulli arrivals, we show that the heavy-traffic scaled queue length is (
n
-- 3/2 + 1/2
n
). Our result implies that the MaxWeight algorithm has optimal queue-length scaling behavior in the heavy-traffic regime with respect to the size of a switch with a uniform traffic pattern. This settles the heavy-traffic version of an open conjecture.
Real-time sensor data streams
Authors: Nittel Silvia
Published: September 2015

Today's observation streams of large numbers of geographically distributed sensors in geosensor networks arrive continuously at powerful servers, and users are interested in analyzing the sensor data streams in real-time. This article investigates challenges in data management that arise when massive real-time data streams become available and discusses different data management technologies for managing and analyzing real-time sensor data streams.
MapInteract 2014 Workshop Report the 2nd ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Interacting with Maps Dallas, Texas, USA - November 4, 2014
Authors: Schmid Falko , Kray Chris , Fritze Holger
Published: September 2015

Maps are rapidly becoming fully interactive interfaces to geographic information. We use them as tools to plan our journeys, to decide where we are going to live, to visualize data, or for gaming. We want to inspect relationships between entities, navigate through large result sets, and to quickly identify the best options amongst many alternatives. Whatever it is, we need to express our needs such that algorithms can provide the answer. However, working with maps is still surprisingly awkward. Simple queries can require a lot of interaction and workarounds, formulating complex queries is sometimes not even possible. To transform maps into intelligent and interactive interfaces, we need to anticipate users, contexts, and tasks and adapt interaction and visualization towards their needs and capabilities. MapInteract provides a platform to discuss these challenges and to shape the picture of maps of the future.
Special issue introduction: Charting an emerging field
Authors: Meloncon Lisa , Frost Erin A.
Published: September 2015

The introduction to this special issue on the rhetorics of health and medicine charts the formation of an emerging field and its importance to communication design.
Pharmaceutical companies are writing the script for health consumerism
Authors: Mogull Scott A. , Balzhiser Deborah
Published: September 2015

In this rhetorical analysis based on the Foucaultian constructs of power in medicine, specifically the docile body, the medical gaze, and health consumerism, the authors examine ways the pharmaceutical industry used web-based direct-to-consumer advertising, from 2007-2010, to craft interactions between U.S. consumers and physicians in ways that changed the traditional patient-physician relationship in order to drive sales of brand-name therapeutic drugs. We demonstrate how the pharmaceutical industry uses its websites to script power relationships between patients and physicians in order to undermined physician authority and empower patients to become healthcare consumers. We speculate that this shift minimizes or even erases dialogue, diagnosis, and consideration of medical expertise. We suggest that if it is important to uphold values of the modern version of the hippocratic oath, it may be necessary to provide physicians and patients additional parts in the script so that medical decisions are made based on sound science, knowledge, and experience.
The Prevalence and Importance of Competition Among Coral Reef Fishes
Authors: Bonin Mary C. , Boström-Einarsson Lisa , Munday Philip L. , Jones Geoffrey P.
Published: September 2015

Although competition is recognized as a core ecological process, its prevalence and importance in coral reef fish communities have been debated. Here we compile and synthesize the results of 173 experimental tests of competition from 72 publications. We show that evidence for competition is pervasive both within and between species, with 72% of intraspecific tests and 56% of interspecific tests demonstrating a demographically significant consequence of competition (e.g., a decrease in recruitment, survival, growth, or fecundity). We highlight several factors that can interact with the effects of competition and make it more difficult to detect in field experiments. In light of this evidence, we discuss the role of competition in shaping coral reef fish communities and competition's status as one of several processes that contribute to species coexistence. Finally, we consider some of the complex ways that climate change may influence competition, and we provide suggestions for future research.
Environmental Burden of Traditional Bioenergy Use
Authors: Masera Omar R. , Bailis Rob , Drigo Rudi , Ghilardi Adrian , Ruiz-Mercado Ilse
Published: September 2015

Approximately 40% of the global population relies on traditional bioenergy, accounting for 9% of global energy use and 55% of global wood harvest. However, knowledge about the environmental impacts of traditional bioenergy is fragmented. This review addresses several persistent questions and summarizes recent research on land cover change (LCC) and pollution emissions resulting from traditional bioenergy use. We also review recent studies analyzing transitions from traditional bioenergy to cleaner stoves and fuels.

Between 27 and 34% of the wood fuel harvest in 2009 was unsustainable, with large geographical variations. Almost 300 million rural people live in wood fuel “hotspots,” concentrated in South Asia and East Africa, creating risks of wood-fuel-driven degradation. Different fuels and stoves show variation in climate-forcing emissions. Many, but not all, nontraditional stoves result in lower emissions than traditional models. Traditional bioenergy makes substantial contributions to anthropogenic black carbon (BC) emissions (18–30%) and small contributions to total anthropogenic climate impacts (2–8%). Transitions from traditional fuels and devices have proven difficult. Stacking, i.e., the use of multiple devices and fuels to satisfy household energy needs, is common, showing the need to shift stove interventions from the common approach that promotes one fuel and one device to integrated approaches that incorporate deep understanding of local needs and practices, and multiple fuels and devices, while monitoring residual use of traditional technologies.
Droplets and Bubbles in Microfluidic Devices
Authors: Anna Shelley Lynn
Published: September 2015

Precise, tunable emulsions and foams produced in microfluidic geometries have found wide application in biochemical analysis and materials synthesis and characterization. Superb control of the volume, uniformity, and generation rate of droplets and bubbles arises from unique features of the microscale behavior of fluid interfaces. Fluid interfaces confined within microfluidic channels behave quite differently than their counterparts in unbounded flows. Confinement inhibits capillary instabilities so that breakup occurs by largely quasi-static mechanisms. The three-dimensional flow near confined interfaces in rectangular geometries and feedback effects from resistance changes in the entire microfluidic network play important roles in regulating the interfacial deformation. Timescales for transport of surfactants and particles to interfaces compete with flow timescales at the microscale, providing further opportunity for tuning the interfacial coverage and properties of individual droplets and bubbles.
Psychological Reasoning in Infancy
Authors: Baillargeon Renée , Scott Rose M. , Bian Lin
Published: September 2015

Adults routinely make sense of others' actions by inferring the mental states that underlie these actions. Over the past two decades, developmental researchers have made significant advances in understanding the origins of this ability in infancy. This evidence indicates that when infants observe an agent act in a simple scene, they infer the agent's mental states and then use these mental states, together with a principle of rationality (and its corollaries of efficiency and consistency), to predict and interpret the agent's subsequent actions and to guide their own actions toward the agent. In this review, we first describe the initial demonstrations of infants' sensitivity to the efficiency and consistency principles. We then examine how infants identify novel entities as agents. Next, we summarize what is known about infants' ability to reason about agents' motivational, epistemic, and counterfactual states. Finally, we consider alternative interpretations of these findings and discuss the current controversy about the relation between implicit and explicit psychological reasoning.
Consistency Versus Licensing Effects of Past Moral Behavior
Authors: Mullen Elizabeth , Monin Benoît
Published: September 2015

Why does past moral behavior sometimes lead people to do more of the same (consistency), whereas sometimes it liberates them to do the opposite (licensing)? We organize the literature on moderators of moral consistency versus licensing effects using five conceptual themes: construal level, progress versus commitment, identification, value reflection, and ambiguity. Our review reveals that individuals are more likely to exhibit consistency when they focus abstractly on the connection between their initial behavior and their values, whereas they are more likely to exhibit licensing when they think concretely about what they have accomplished with their initial behavior—as long as the second behavior does not blatantly threaten a cherished identity. Moreover, many studies lacked baseline conditions (“donut” designs), leaving it ambiguous whether licensing was observed. And although many proposed moderators yielded significant interactions, evidence for both significant consistency and balancing simple effects in the same study was nearly nonexistent.
Counterfactual Thought
Authors: Byrne Ruth M.J.
Published: September 2015

People spontaneously create counterfactual alternatives to reality when they think “if only” or “what if” and imagine how the past could have been different. The mind computes counterfactuals for many reasons. Counterfactuals explain the past and prepare for the future, they implicate various relations including causal ones, and they affect intentions and decisions. They modulate emotions such as regret and relief, and they support moral judgments such as blame. The loss of the ability to imagine alternatives as a result of injuries to the prefrontal cortex is devastating. The basic cognitive processes that compute counterfactuals mutate aspects of the mental representation of reality to create an imagined alternative, and they compare alternative representations. The ability to create counterfactuals develops throughout childhood and contributes to reasoning about other people's beliefs, including their false beliefs. Knowledge affects the plausibility of a counterfactual through the semantic and pragmatic modulation of the mental representation of alternative possibilities.
Sequential Sampling Models in Cognitive Neuroscience: Advantages, Applications, and Extensions
Authors: Forstmann B.U. , Ratcliff R. , Wagenmakers E.-J.
Published: September 2015

Sequential sampling models assume that people make speeded decisions by gradually accumulating noisy information until a threshold of evidence is reached. In cognitive science, one such model—the diffusion decision model—is now regularly used to decompose task performance into underlying processes such as the quality of information processing, response caution, and a priori bias. In the cognitive neurosciences, the diffusion decision model has recently been adopted as a quantitative tool to study the neural basis of decision making under time pressure. We present a selective overview of several recent applications and extensions of the diffusion decision model in the cognitive neurosciences.
From Brain Maps to Cognitive Ontologies: Informatics and the Search for Mental Structure
Authors: Poldrack Russell A. , Yarkoni Tal
Published: September 2015

A major goal of cognitive neuroscience is to delineate how brain systems give rise to mental function. Here we review the increasingly large role informatics-driven approaches are playing in such efforts. We begin by reviewing a number of challenges conventional neuroimaging approaches face in trying to delineate brain-cognition mappings—for example, the difficulty in establishing the specificity of postulated associations. Next, we demonstrate how these limitations can potentially be overcome using complementary approaches that emphasize large-scale analysis—including meta-analytic methods that synthesize hundreds or thousands of studies at a time; latent-variable approaches that seek to extract structure from data in a bottom-up manner; and predictive modeling approaches capable of quantitatively inferring mental states from patterns of brain activity. We highlight the underappreciated but critical role for formal cognitive ontologies in helping to clarify, refine, and test theories of brain and cognitive function. Finally, we conclude with a speculative discussion of what future informatics developments may hold for cognitive neuroscience.
Cholecystokinin expression in the β-cell leads to increased β-cell area in aged mice and protects from streptozotocin-induced diabetes and apoptosis
Authors: Lavine Jeremy A. , Kibbe Carly R. , Baan Mieke , Sirinvaravong Sirinart , Umhoefer Heidi M. , Engler Kimberly A. , Meske Louise M. , Sacotte Kaitlyn A. , Erhardt Daniel P. , Davis Dawn Belt
Published: September 2015

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone produced in the gut and brain with beneficial effects on digestion, satiety, and insulin secretion. CCK is also expressed in pancreatic β-cells, but only in models of obesity and insulin resistance. Whole body deletion of CCK in obese mice leads to reduced β-cell mass expansion and increased apoptosis. We hypothesized that islet-derived CCK is important in protection from β-cell apoptosis. To determine the specific role of β-cell-derived CCK in β-cell mass dynamics, we generated a transgenic mouse that expresses CCK in the β-cell in the lean state (MIP-CCK). Although this transgene contains the human growth hormone minigene, we saw no expression of human growth hormone protein in transgenic islets. We examined the ability of MIP-CCK mice to maintain β-cell mass when subjected to apoptotic stress, with advanced age, and after streptozotocin treatment. Aged MIP-CCK mice have increased β-cell area. MIP-CCK mice are resistant to streptozotocin-induced diabetes and exhibit reduced β-cell apoptosis. Directed CCK overexpression in cultured β-cells also protects from cytokine-induced apoptosis. We have identified an important new paracrine/autocrine effect of CCK in protection of β-cells from apoptotic stress. Understanding the role of β-cell CCK adds to the emerging knowledge of classic gut peptides in intraislet signaling. CCK receptor agonists are being investigated as therapeutics for obesity and diabetes. While these agonists clearly have beneficial effects on body weight and insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, they may also directly protect β-cells from apoptosis.
The CBM Complex Underwrites NF-κB Activation to Promote HER2-Associated Tumor Malignancy
Authors: Pan Deng , Zhu Yifan , Zhou Zhicheng , Wang Tingting , You Harrison , Jiang Changying , Lin Xin
Published: September 2015

The HER2/Neu protein is overexpressed in a large fraction of human breast cancers. NF-κB is one of several transcription factors that are aberrantly activated in HER2-positive breast cancers; however, the molecular mechanism by which HER2 activates NF-κB remains unclear. The CARMA3–BCL10–MALT1 (CBM) complex is required for GPCR- and EGFR-induced NF-κB activation. In the current study, the role of the CBM complex in HER2-mediated NF-κB activation and HER2-positive breast cancer was investigated. Interestingly, HER2-mediated NF-κB activation requires protein kinase C (PKC) activity rather than AKT activity. Using biochemical and genetic approaches, it was shown that the CBM complex is required for HER2-induced NF-κB activation and functionally contributes to multiple properties of malignancy, such as proliferation, avoidance of apoptosis, migration, and invasion, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, CARMA3-mediated NF-κB activity was required for the upregulation of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), MMP1 and MMP13, both of which contribute to tumor metastasis. To further access the physiologic role of CBM complex-mediated NF-κB activation in HER2-positive breast cancer progression, Malt1 knockout mice (Malt1−/−) were crossed with MMTV-Neu mice, in which mammary tumors spontaneously developed with HER2 overexpression. We observed delayed onset and prolonged progression time in mammary tumors in Malt1 knockout mice compared with control mice. In summary, these data demonstrate that the CBM complex is a crucial component mediating HER2-induced NF-κB signaling and tumor malignancy in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Implications: The CBM complex bridges key signaling pathways to confer malignant phenotypes and metastatic potential in HER2-associated breast cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 14(1); 93–102. ©2015 AACR.
NSAID Use and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: The Liver Cancer Pooling Project
Authors: Petrick Jessica L. , Sahasrabuddhe Vikrant V. , Chan Andrew T. , Alavanja Michael C. , Beane-Freeman Laura E. , Buring Julie E. , Chen Jie , Chong Dawn Q. , Freedman Neal D. , Fuchs Charles S. , Gaziano John Michael , Giovannucci Edward , Graubard Barry I. , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Hou Lifang , Jacobs Eric J. , King Lindsay Y. , Koshiol Jill , Lee I-Min , Linet Martha S. , Palmer Julie R. , Purdue Mark P. , Rosenberg Lynn , Schairer Catherine , Sesso Howard D. , Sigurdson Alice J. , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte Anne , Campbell Peter T. , McGlynn Katherine A.
Published: September 2015

Chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), the two most common types of liver cancer. A number of prior experimental studies have suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin and ibuprofen, may potentially protect against liver cancer. However, no observational study has examined the association between aspirin duration and dose or other over-the-counter non-aspirin NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, and liver cancer incidence. Furthermore, the association between NSAID use and risk of ICC is unclear. As part of the Liver Cancer Pooling Project, we harmonized data on 1,084,133 individuals (HCC = 679, ICC = 225) from 10 U.S.-based prospective cohort studies. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate multivariable-adjusted HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Current aspirin use, versus nonuse, was inversely associated with HCC (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.57–0.81), which persisted when restricted to individuals not using non-aspirin NSAIDs and in a 5- and 10-year lag analysis. The association between aspirin use and HCC risk was stronger for users who reported daily use, longer duration use, and lower dosage. Ibuprofen use was not associated with HCC risk. Aspirin use was associated with a reduced ICC risk in men (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42–0.98) but not women (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.89–2.01; Pinteraction = 0.01). The observed inverse association between aspirin use and liver cancer in our study, together with previous data, suggests the merit of future intervention studies of aspirin and other agents that affect chronic inflammatory pathways for HCC and possibly ICC. Cancer Prev Res; 8(12); 1156–62. ©2015 AACR.
The Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in a Mouse Model of Hyperoxic Neonatal Lung Injury
Authors: Reyburn Brent , Di Fiore Juliann M. , Raffay Thomas , Martin Richard J. , Prakash Y.S. , Jafri Anjum , MacFarlane Peter M.
Published: September 2015

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and supplemental oxygen have become the mainstay of neonatal respiratory support in preterm infants. Although oxygen therapy is associated with respiratory morbidities including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the long-term effects of CPAP on lung function are largely unknown. We used a hyperoxia-induced mouse model of BPD to explore the effects of daily CPAP in the first week of life on later respiratory system mechanics. Objective: We wanted to test the hypothesis that daily CPAP in a newborn-mouse model of BPD improves longer-term respiratory mechanics. Methods: Mouse pups from C57BL/6 pregnant dams were exposed to room air (RA) or hyperoxia (50% O2, 24 h/day) for the first postnatal week with or without exposure to daily CPAP (6 cm H2O, 3 h/day). Respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and compliance (Crs) were measured following a subsequent 2-week period of RA recovery. Additional measurements included radial alveolar and macrophage counts. Results: Mice exposed to hyperoxia had significantly elevated Rrs, decreased Crs, reduced alveolarization and increased macrophage counts at 3 weeks when compared to RA-treated mice. Daily CPAP treatment significantly improved Rrs, Crs and alveolarization and decreased lung macrophage infiltration in the hyperoxia-exposed pups. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that daily CPAP had a longer-term benefit on baseline respiratory system mechanics in a neonatal mouse model of BPD. We speculate that this beneficial effect of CPAP was the consequence of a decrease in the inflammatory response and resultant alveolar injury associated with hyperoxic lung injury in newborns.