bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repression of WT1-Mediated LEF1 Transcription by Mangiferin Governs β-Catenin-Independent Wnt Signalling Inactivation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Tan Hor-Yue , Wang Ning , Li Sha , Hong Ming , Guo Wei , Man Kwan , Cheng Chien-shan , Chen Zhen , Feng Yibin
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex process which involves deregulation of multiple signalling pathways. The hyper-activation of Wnt signalling promotes sustained expansion, invasion, and neovascularization of HCC. Mangiferin, a natural small molecule present in Mangifera indica L. has been shown to inactivate β-catenin, which is an indispensable regulator in Wnt pathway. Our study aimed to determine whether mangiferin has any inhibitory effect on HCC and examine how it modulates Wnt signalling. Methods: The tumour inhibitory effect of mangiferin was examined by in vitro cellular models and an in vivo orthotopic HCC implantation model. The genes responsible for mangiferin-mediated anti-HCC were delineated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microarray. The expression of target genes was further determined by quantitative PCR and immuno-blotting assays. The binding capacity of Wilms’ tumour 1 (WT1) to the lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) promoter was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR. Results: Oral administration of mangiferin inhibited orthotopic tumour growth. Cellular investigations confirmed the dose-dependent inhibition of mangiferin on HCC expansion and invasion. PCR array combined with Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the Wnt pathway was the predominant target of mangiferin and LEF1 was the most reduced gene in the Wnt pathway. Overexpression of LEF1 diminished repression of Wnt signalling and reduced proliferation activity in mangiferin-treated HCC cells. The mangiferin-mediated down-regulation of LEF1 was independent of β-catenin but associated with WT1 protein. WT1 knock-in in HCC cells further enhanced LEF1 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that the mangiferin induced repression of LEF1 was associated with decreased occupancy of WT1 on the LEF1 promoter. Conclusion: Our study identifies a novel mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma inhibition through β-catenin-independent Wnt signalling, which is regulated by WT1-associated LEF1 repression. The study also highlights mangiferin as a promising Wnt inhibitor for HCC treatment.
Paleobiogeographic evolution and distribution of Carcharodontosauridae (Dinosauria, Theropoda) during the middle Cretaceous of North Africa
Authors: Candeiro Carlos Roberto Dos Anjos , Brusatte Sthepen Louis , Vidal Luciano , Pereira Paulo Victor Luiz Gomes da Costa
Published: June 2018

Over the last few decades, the systematics and evolution of carcharodontosaurids, a group of large predatory dinosaurs, from North Africa have been better understood mainly due the discovery of new species. We review this record here and discuss its importance for understanding the evolution and ecology of these dinosaurs. North Africa has one of the best records of carcharodontosaurid species. These species show dietary specializations and paleogeographic distributions similar to other top predatory theropods such as Abelisauridae and Spinosauridae. However, carcharodontosaurids have a wider distribution than other large theropods. The middle Cretaceous of North Africa was characterized by the niche overlap between large predators. This evidence increases our understanding of the evolution of Carcharodontosauridae in a highly competitive region, a conjuncture rarely reported for large top predators.
Brown Adipocyte-Specific PPARγ (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ) Deletion Impairs Perivascular Adipose Tissue Development and Enhances Atherosclerosis in Mice
Authors: Xiong Wenhao , Zhao Xiangjie , Villacorta Luis , Rom Oren , Garcia-Barrio Minerva T. , Guo Yanhong , Fan Yanbo , Zhu Tianqing , Zhang Jifeng , Zeng Rong , Chen Y. Eugene , Jiang Zhisheng , Chang Lin
Published: June 2018

Objective—

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) contributes to vascular homeostasis by producing paracrine factors. Previously, we reported that selective deletion of PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ) in vascular smooth muscle cells resulted in concurrent loss of PVAT and enhanced atherosclerosis in mice. To address the causal relationship between loss of PVAT and atherosclerosis, we used BA-PPARγ-KO (brown adipocyte-specific PPARγ knockout) mice.

Approach and Results—

Deletion of PPARγ in brown adipocytes did not affect PPARγ in white adipocytes or vascular smooth muscle cells or PPARα and PPARδ expression in brown adipocytes. However, development of PVAT and interscapular brown adipose tissue was remarkably impaired, associated with reduced expression of genes encoding lipogenic enzymes in the BA-PPARγ-KO mice. Thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue was significantly impaired with reduced expression of thermogenesis genes in brown adipose tissue and compensatory increase in subcutaneous and gonadal white adipose tissues. Remarkably, basal expression of inflammatory genes and macrophage infiltration in PVAT and brown adipose tissue were significantly increased in the BA-PPARγ-KO mice. BA-PPARγ-KO mice were crossbred with ApoE KO (apolipoprotein E knockout) mice to investigate the development of atherosclerosis. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed increased systemic and PVAT inflammation. Consequently, atherosclerotic lesions were significantly increased in mice with impaired PVAT development, thus indicating that the lack of normal PVAT is sufficient to drive increased atherosclerosis.

Conclusions—

PPARγ is required for functional PVAT development. PPARγ deficiency in PVAT, while still expressed in vascular smooth muscle cell, enhances atherosclerosis and results in vascular and systemic inflammation, providing new insights on the specific roles of PVAT in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease at large.
Metformin and Risk of Hypertension in Taiwanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tseng Chin‐Hsiao
Published: June 2018

Background

Whether metformin use may reduce hypertension risk has not been studied. This study investigated such possibility in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results

Newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during 1999–2005 were enrolled from the reimbursement database of the Taiwan's National Health Insurance and followed to December 31, 2011. Hypertension was defined either by a diagnosis or by a diagnosis plus the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and/or calcium channel blockers. Analyses were conducted in a propensity score matched‐pair cohort of 4810 ever users and 4810 never users. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratios. Results showed that when hypertension was defined by a diagnosis, 2261 never users and 1908 ever users developed hypertension. The overall hazard ratio was 0.724 (0.681–0.769) and the hazard ratios for the first (<2.0 months), second (2.0–13.0 months) and third (>13.0 months) tertiles of cumulative duration were 0.820 (0.745–0.903), 0.692 (0.634–0.756), and 0.687 (0.630–0.749), respectively. When cumulative duration of metformin therapy was treated as a continuous variable, the hazard ratio was 0.991 (0.989–0.994) for every 1‐month increment of metformin use. When hypertension was defined by a diagnosis plus the use of antihypertensive drugs, the overall hazard ratio was 0.831 (0.771–0.895), the hazard ratios for the respective tertiles were 0.868 (0.769–0.980), 0.852 (0.767–0.946), and 0.787 (0.709–0.874), and the hazard ratio was 0.994 (0.991–0.997) for every 1‐month increment of metformin use.

Conclusions

A reduced risk of hypertension is observed in metformin users in a dose‐response pattern.
Presentation, Clinical Profile, and Prognosis of Young Patients With Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA): Results From the VIRGO Study
Authors: Safdar Basmah , Spatz Erica S. , Dreyer Rachel P. , Beltrame John F. , Lichtman Judith H. , Spertus John A. , Reynolds Harmony R. , Geda Mary , Bueno Héctor , Dziura James D. , Krumholz Harlan M. , D'Onofrio Gail
Published: June 2018

Background

We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of young patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (
MINOCA
) versus obstructive disease (myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease [
MI
‐
CAD
]) and among patients with
MINOCA
by sex and subtype.

Methods and Results

Between 2008 and 2012, VIRGO (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients) prospectively enrolled acute myocardial infarction patients aged 18 to 55 years in 103 hospitals at a 2:1 ratio of women to men. Using an angiographically driven taxonomy, we defined patients as having
MI
‐
CAD
if there was revascularization or plaque ≥50% and as having
MINOCA
if there was <50% obstruction or a nonplaque mechanism. Patients who did not have an angiogram or who received thrombolytics before an angiogram were excluded. Outcomes included 1‐ and 12‐month mortality and functional (Seattle Angina Questionnaire [
SAQ
]) and psychosocial status. Of 2690 patients undergoing angiography, 2374 (88.4%) had
MI
‐
CAD
, 299 (11.1%) had
MINOCA
, and 17 (0.6%) remained unclassified. Women had 5 times higher odds of having
MINOCA
than men (14.9% versus 3.5%; odds ratio: 4.84; 95% confidence interval, 3.29–7.13).
MINOCA
patients were more likely to be without traditional cardiac risk factors (8.7% versus 1.3%;
P
<0.001) but more predisposed to hypercoaguable states than
MI
‐CAD patients (3.0% versus 1.3%;
P
=0.036). Women with
MI
‐
CAD
were more likely than those with
MINOCA
to be menopausal (55.2% versus 41.2%;
P
<0.001) or to have a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (16.8% versus 11.0%;
P
=0.028). The
MINOCA
mechanisms varied: a nonplaque mechanism was identified for 75 patients (25.1%), and their clinical profiles and management also varied. One‐ and 12‐month mortality with
MINOCA
and
MI
‐
CAD
was similar (1‐month: 1.1% and 1.7% [
P
=0.43]; 12‐month: 0.6% and 2.3% [
P
=0.68], respectively), as was adjusted 12‐month
SAQ
quality of life (76.5 versus 73.5, respectively;
P
=0.06).

Conclusions

Young patients with
MINOCA
were more likely women, had a heterogeneous mechanistic profile, and had clinical outcomes that were comparable to those of
MI
‐CAD patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00597922.
Solar Geoengineering and Democracy
Authors: Horton Joshua B. , Reynolds Jesse L. , Buck Holly Jean , Callies Daniel , Schäfer Stefan , Keith David W. , Rayner Steve
Published: June 2018

Some scientists suggest that it might be possible to reflect a portion of incoming sunlight back into space to reduce climate change and its impacts. Others argue that such solar radiation management (SRM) geoengineering is inherently incompatible with democracy. In this article, we reject this incompatibility argument. First, we counterargue that technologies such as SRM lack innate political characteristics and predetermined social effects, and that democracy need not be deliberative to serve as a standard for governance. We then rebut each of the argument’s core claims, countering that (1) democratic institutions are sufficiently resilient to manage SRM, (2) opting out of governance decisions is not a fundamental democratic right, (3) SRM may not require an undue degree of technocracy, and (4) its implementation may not concentrate power and promote authoritarianism. Although we reject the incompatibility argument, we do not argue that SRM is necessarily, or even likely to be, democratic in practice.
The Free Flow of Communication Between High and Low: The Shenbao as Platform for Yangwu Discussions on Political Reform, 1872-1895
Authors: Wagner Rudolf G.
Published: June 2018

This article studies the role played by the Shenbao 申報 between 1872 and 1895 in framing Chinese discussions of the problems of their polity and possible reforms. It challenges the narrative that such discussions only began after the loss of the war in 1895, and shows that the discussions documented by Onogawa Hidemi for the 1880s actually followed earlier Shenbao precedents. The case study presented here concerns how the lack of communication between high and low social classes was at the heart of China’s problems. The Shenbao discusses modern Western institutions such as independent newspapers and a parliament as ways to ensure such communication, and as modern developments of a political ideal that existed in the Three Dynasties (Sandai 三代). The dismantling of that ideal state reflects, in the lines of thought expressed in the Shenbao articles, the despotic nature of Chinese rule since the Qin dynasty (221-206 bce).
Ukrainian Banking Regulation: Its Challenges and Transition towards European Standards
Authors: Afanasyeva Olga , Kammel Armin J.
Published: June 2018

For the last years, Ukraine and particulalry its financial sector were seeking to gradually apply and comply with EU standards. Latest with the signing of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in 2014 the transition towards EU standards has a formal basis. Since then, Ukraine – with strong support from the EU – is in the process of implementing legislative and regulatory measures in order to comply with this Agreement. Against this background, this contribution wants to shed some light into Ukraine’s efforts as well as to explain some of the complexities of this process by providing an in-depth background of the current Ukrainian banking regulation, its economics and the challenges of complying with new EU standards.
Flora of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil: Boraginales
Authors: MIRANDA DE MELO JOSÉ IRANILDO , PAULINO RENAN DA CRUZ , DE OLIVEIRA REGINA CÉLIA , VIEIRA DIEGO DALTRO
Published: June 2018

A taxonomic treatment of the Boraginales of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, is presented. Twenty-one species in five genera and two families have been recorded: Cordiaceae, with two genera (Cordia (seven species) and Varronia (four)) and Heliotropiaceae, with three genera (Euploca (five), Heliotropium (two) and Myriopus (three)). Cordia oncocalyx and Euploca paradoxa represents new occurrence records for the flora of Rio Grande do Norte, the latter being found for the first time also in the littoral vegetation. Keys to the families and respective genera and species, descriptions and illustrations, as well as distribution and habitat data are included.
Three new lichenicolous species of the genus Plectocarpon (Ascomycota: Lecanographaceae) discovered in the Bolivian Andes
Authors: ETAYO JAVIER , FLAKUS ADAM , KUKWA MARTIN
Published: June 2018

In this paper three new species of Plectocarpon, P. dimorphosporum (on Ricasolia patinifera), P. parmotrematis (on Parmotrema reticulatum) and P. ramalinae (on Ramalina celastri), are described from tropical montane forests in the Bolivian Andes. Plectocarpon dimorphosporum is characterized by strongly convex ascomata covered by the host cortex when young, presence of Atra-brown pigment and 1–3-septate ascospores developing a brown-pigmented granular perispore, P. parmotrematis by rounded and slightly superficial ascomata, presence of pigments reacting K+ aeruginose to turquoise and colorless 3-septate ascospores, and P. ramalinae by ellipsoid, black ascomata, Atra-brown pigment, and short, colorless, 3-septate ascospores. In addition, the rare Protounguicularia fasciculata is reported here for the first time from Bolivia.
New combinations in the Neotropical genus Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae)
Authors: GAMBA DIANA , ALMEDA FRANK
Published: June 2018

In our published monograph of the Octopleura clade of Miconia (Ruiz & Pavón 1794: 60), we proposed a number of new combinations and new names to reflect the nested position of this group of 33 species within the large and megadiverse neotropical genus Miconia based on morphological and molecular data sets (Gamba & Almeda 2014). At least three of the species names we proposed or accepted in that monograph present nomenclatural problems in need of correction. The name Miconia magnifolia Gamba & Almeda (2014: 91), which was illegitimate and nomenclaturally superfluous, has been rejected and replaced with Miconia solearis (Naudin 1851: 339) Gamba & Almeda (2015: 199). Two other names, Miconia spiciformis Gamba & Almeda (2014: 130) and Miconia neomicrantha Judd & Skean (1991: 62) must also be rejected and replaced. The former is superfluous and illegitimate and our acceptance of the latter species overlooked the epithet of a heterotypic synonym that was available and should have been adopted for a new combination. We here replace these latter two names with the following combinations and provide a summary of relevant synonymy.
Two new species of Cerapus (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Ischyroceridae) from the Northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
Authors: DRUMM DAVID T.
Published: June 2018

Examination of material from the Northwest Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico revealed the presence of two new species of the amphipod genus Cerapus. One of the species occurs in the NW Atlantic (Delaware Bay and Great South Bay, New York) and the other species occurs in the Gulf of Mexico (Manatee River, Florida and Corpus Christie Bay, Texas). They can be distinguished from congeners by a combination of characters: number of antennular flagella articles, position of the male gnathopod 2 carpal process, shape of the inner ramus of pleopod 2, presence of a distoventral hook on the uropod 1 peduncle of the male, and the nature of the pereopod 7 spination/setation. They can be distinguished from each other by the number of antennular flagella articles in the female and in overall body size.
Archaeocercus gen. nov. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) from Late Eocene Rovno Amber
Authors: SIMUTNIK S. A. , PERKOVSKY E. E.
Published: June 2018

Archaeocercus schuvachinae, gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on a female specimen from Rovno amber (Ukraine). This fossil genus is characterized by the apical position of cerci on metasoma, absence of filum spinosum on distal margin of linea calva on forewings, triangular hypopygium reaching metasomal apex, mesoscutum with incomplete notauli, long veins on forewings and apically expanded antennae. A brief comparative morphological analysis of some structures of the extinct and extant Encyrtidae is provided. The new genus is considered unplaced within Encyrtidae.
Buoyant Motion of a Turbulent Thermal
Authors: Tarshish Nathaniel , Jeevanjee Nadir , Lecoanet Daniel
Published: June 2018

By introducing an equivalence between magnetostatics and the equations governing buoyant motion, we derive analytical expressions for the acceleration of isolated density anomalies (thermals). In particular, we investigate buoyant acceleration, defined as the sum of the Archimedean buoyancy B and an associated perturbation pressure gradient. For the case of a uniform spherical thermal, the anomaly fluid accelerates at 2B/3, extending the textbook result for the induced mass of a solid sphere to the case of a fluid sphere. For a more general ellipsoidal thermal, we show that the buoyant acceleration is a simple analytical function of the ellipsoid’s aspect ratio. The relevance of these idealized uniform-density results to turbulent thermals is explored by analyzing direct numerical simulations of thermals at a Reynolds number (Re) of 6300. We find that our results fully characterize a thermal’s initial motion over a distance comparable to its length. Beyond this buoyancy-dominated regime, a thermal develops an ellipsoidal vortex circulation and begins to entrain environmental fluid. Our analytical expressions do not describe the total acceleration of this mature thermal, but they still accurately relate the buoyant acceleration to the thermal’s mean Archimedean buoyancy and aspect ratio. Thus, our analytical formulas provide a simple and direct means of estimating the buoyant acceleration of turbulent thermals.
Projection of Landfalling–Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Eastern United States under Anthropogenic Warming
Authors: Liu Maofeng , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Smith James A. , Murakami Hiroyuki
Published: June 2018

Landfalling–tropical cyclone (TC) rainfall is an important element of inland flood hazards in the eastern United States. The projection of landfalling-TC rainfall under anthropogenic warming provides insight into future flood risks. This study examines the frequency of landfalling TCs and associated rainfall using the GFDL Forecast-Oriented Low Ocean Resolution (FLOR) climate model through comparisons with observed TC track and rainfall over the July–November 1979–2005 seasons. The projection of landfalling-TC frequency and rainfall under the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario for the late twenty-first century is explored, including an assessment of the impacts of extratropical transition (ET). In most regions of the southeastern United States, competition between increased storm rain rate and decreased storm frequency dominates the change of annual TC rainfall, and rainfall from ET and non-ET storms. In the northeastern United States, a prominent feature is the striking increase of ET-storm frequency but with tropical characteristics (i.e., prior to the ET phase), a key element of increased rainfall. The storm-centered rainfall composite analyses show the greatest increase at a radius of a few hundred kilometers from the storm centers. Over both ocean and land, the increase of rainfall within 500 km from the storm center exceeds the Clausius–Clapeyron scaling for TC-phase storms. Similar results are found in the front-left quadrant of ET-phase storms. Future work involving explorations of multiple models (e.g., higher atmospheric resolution version of the FLOR model) for TC-rainfall projection is expected to add more robustness to projection results.
Zonal SST Difference as a Potential Environmental Factor Supporting the Longevity of the Madden–Julian Oscillation
Authors: Suematsu Tamaki , Miura Hiroaki
Published: June 2018

An environment favorable for the development of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) was investigated by classifying MJO-like atmospheric patterns as MJO and regionally confined convective (RCC) events. Comparison of MJO and RCC events showed that even when preceded by a major convective suppression event, convective events did not develop into an MJO when large-scale buildup of moist static energy (MSE) was inhibited. The difference in the MSE accumulation between MJO and RCC is related to the contrasting low-frequency basic-state sea surface temperature (SST) pattern; the MJO and RCC events were associated with anomalously warm and cold low-frequency SSTs prevailing over the western to central Pacific, respectively. Differences in the SST anomaly field were absent from the intraseasonal frequency range of 20–60 days. The basic-state SST pattern associated with the MJO was characterized by a positive zonal SST gradient from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, which provided a long-standing condition that allowed for sufficient buildup of MSE across the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific via large-scale low-level convergence over intraseasonal and longer time scales. The results of this study suggest the importance of such a basic-state SST, with a long-lasting positive zonal SST gradient, for enhancing convection over a longer than intraseasonal time scale in realizing a complete MJO life cycle.
Drought Variability and Trends over the Central United States in the Instrumental Record
Authors: Mo Kingtse C. , Lettenmaier Dennis P.
Published: June 2018

We examined drought variability and trends over the last century (1916–2013) over the conterminous United States (CONUS) using observed precipitation P, temperature T, and reconstructed total moisture percentiles (TMP) and runoff from four land surface models. We used an integrated drought index (IDI), which we defined as the equally weighted mean of the 3-month standardized runoff index (SRI3) and TMP from four land surface models mapped onto a uniform probability distribution. Using a definition of drought as IDI less than 0.3 for 6 months or longer, we identified 16 drought events, which we termed great droughts that covered more than 50% of the CONUS during our study period. We examined the properties of great droughts and compared these with the 2012 event. The great droughts were located at least partially over the central United States (30°–42°N, 85°–110°W). We found that 12 of these great droughts occurred when cold sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) were located in the tropical Pacific with warm SSTAs in the North Atlantic. We also found a predominance of decreasing trends in IDI; droughts occurred less often and events were less severe as time progressed. In particular, only 2 of the 16 great droughts (2012 and 1988) occurred in the second half of the record.
Single-Doppler Velocity Retrieval of the Wind Field in a Tornadic Supercell Using Mobile, Phased-Array, Doppler Radar Data
Authors: Liou Yu-Chieng , Bluestein Howard B. , French Michael M. , Wienhoff Zachary B.
Published: June 2018

A three-dimensional data assimilation (3DVar) least squares–type single-Doppler velocity retrieval (SDVR) algorithm is utilized to retrieve the wind field of a tornadic supercell using data collected by a mobile, phased-array, Doppler radar [Mobile Weather Radar (MWR) 05XP] with very high temporal resolution (6 s). It is found that the cyclonic circulation in the hook-echo region can be successfully recovered by the SDVR algorithm. The quality of the SDVR analyses is evaluated by dual-Doppler syntheses using data collected by two mobile Doppler radars [Doppler on Wheels 6 and 7 (DOW6 and DOW7, respectively)]. A comparison between the SDVR analyses and dual-Doppler syntheses confirms the conclusion reached by an earlier theoretical analysis that because of the temporally discrete nature of the radar data, the wind speed retrieved by single-Doppler radar is always underestimated, and this underestimate occurs more significantly for the azimuthal (crossbeam) wind component than for the radial (along beam) component. However, the underestimate can be mitigated by increasing the radar data temporal resolution. When the radar data are collected at a sufficiently high rate, the azimuthal wind component may be overestimated. Even with data from a rapid scan, phased-array, Doppler radar, our study indicates that it is still necessary to calculate the SDVR in an optimal moving frame of reference. Finally, the SDVR algorithm’s robustness is demonstrated. Even with a temporal resolution (2 min) much lower than that of the phased-array radar, the cyclonic flow structure in the hook-echo region can still be retrieved through SDVR using data observed by DOW6 or DOW7, although a difference in the retrieved fields does exist. A further analysis indicates that this difference is caused by the location of the radars.
Ship Wakes in Optical Images
Authors: Liu Yingfei , Deng Ruru
Published: June 2018

Ship wakes are more distinct than the hulls and can be visually observed in optical images. In this paper the wakes of 2836 ships in 32 optical images with different resolutions are observed and summarized. The ships are divided into four types according to the hull and wake features: fishing vessels, motorboats, cargo ships, and warships. The results show that each ship type has characteristic wakes, and there are significant differences among the categories. The probabilities of occurrence of different types of wakes and their components are shown. Turbulent wakes are inevitable. The probability of occurrence of Kelvin wakes is small and less than 40%. The visibilities of internal waves that are generated by only cargo ships are very low as a result of the harsh formation conditions. Turbulent wakes should be preferentially detected. Low-resolution images are more suitable for the detection and positioning of hulls and wakes, while high-resolution images with more details are convenient for further analysis of the size, velocity, and draft of ships. The study on the cause of the formation of the features of ship wakes in optical images proves that the classification of the wakes is reasonable and that the features of wakes can be used to initially identify the type of ship.
Qualitative Data Sharing: Data Repositories and Academic Libraries as Key Partners in Addressing Challenges
Authors: Mannheimer Sara , Pienta Amy , Kirilova Dessislava , Elman Colin , Wutich Amber
Published: June 2018

Data sharing is increasingly perceived to be beneficial to knowledge production, and is therefore increasingly required by federal funding agencies, private funders, and journals. As qualitative researchers are faced with new expectations to share their data, data repositories and academic libraries are working to address the specific challenges of qualitative research data. This article describes how data repositories and academic libraries can partner with researchers to support three challenges associated with qualitative data sharing: (1) obtaining informed consent from participants for data sharing and scholarly reuse, (2) ensuring that qualitative data are legally and ethically shared, and (3) sharing data that cannot be deidentified. This article also describes three continuing challenges of qualitative data sharing that data repositories and academic libraries cannot specifically address—research using qualitative big data, copyright concerns, and risk of decontextualization. While data repositories and academic libraries cannot provide easy solutions to these three continuing challenges, they can partner with researchers and connect them with other relevant specialists to examine these challenges. Ultimately, this article suggests that data repositories and academic libraries can help researchers address some of the challenges associated with ethical and lawful qualitative data sharing.
A Note on the Prediction of Censored Exponential Lifetimes in a Simple Step-stress Model with Type-II Censoring
Authors: Basak Indrani , Balakrishnan N.
Published: June 2018

In this article, we consider the problem of predicting survival times of units from the exponential distribution which are censored under a simple step-stress testing experiment. In this article, Type-II censoring are considered for the form of censoring. Two kinds of predictors—the maximum likelihood predictors (MLP) and the conditional median predictors (CMPs)—are derived. Some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the prediction methods developed here. Using simulation studies, prediction intervals are generated for these examples. We then compare the MLP and the CMP with respect to mean squared prediction error (MSPE) and the prediction interval. Finally, we used a real data to apply the prediction methods developed in the article.
Automatic testing system to evaluate the energy efficiency of electric storage water heaters
Authors: Yu Jianfeng , Fu Jian , Guo Feng , Xie Yaocong
Published: June 2018

Background:

The energy efficiency of electric storage water heaters is a concern for enterprises and customers because it is beneficial for energy saving. To decrease the workload of testing personnel and improve the testing efficiency, an automatic testing system for evaluating the energy efficiency performance of electric storage water heaters has been designed.

Methods:

The complete testing system includes a water supply subsystem, hot water outlet subsystem, hardware subsystem, and software subsystem. An application program was developed using Visual Basic to acquire the sensor data and transmit it in real time to a database server. The energy efficiency evaluating process was controlled by the application software,by combining the data acquisition technology, communication technology, and program logical control technology.

Results:

The designed system can run automatically and achieve reliable tests, two important parameters including the standing loss per 24 h and the hot water withdrawal rate were obtained.

Conclusion:

This system can be applied to evaluate the energy efficiency grades of electric storage water heaters.
Where Are Those Better Angels of Our Society? Subaltern Counterpublics in Hungary During the Refugee Crisis
Authors: Dessewffy Tibor , Nagy Zsófia , Váry Dániel
Published: June 2018

This article presents findings of a research carried out among pro-refugee individuals in social media in Hungary. During the so-called refugee crisis that emerged in the summer of 2015, anti-immigrant sentiments in the Hungarian public were fueled by a strong governmental campaign. This unusually strong propaganda campaign created a strong hegemonic discourse. Nevertheless, a pro-refugee counterpublic opposing the hegemonic discourse also emerged. The article discusses existing scholarly literature on the phenomenon and how it appears in and is shaped by the digital sphere. The empirical findings focus on two characteristics of the pro-refugee counterpublic. First, we look at the political affiliations of this counterpublic. Second, we ask if the different digital affordances used by the counterpublic and their combinations indicate the formation of a community. The methodological ambition of the article is to present a digital data-driven approach, based on data provided by Facebook, which allows the individual profiling of each user. The connections and schemata of these profiles provide the analytical background of the present research. We aim to illustrate that such a digital approach has a number of advantages over traditional sociological methods, especially in the research of subaltern counterpublics.
A BCMP network approach to modeling and controlling autonomous mobility-on-demand systems
Authors: Iglesias Ramon , Rossi Federico , Zhang Rick , Pavone Marco
Published: June 2018

In this paper we present a queuing network approach to the problem of routing and rebalancing a fleet of self-driving vehicles providing on-demand mobility within a capacitated road network. We refer to such systems as autonomous mobility-on-demand (AMoD) systems. We first cast an AMoD system into a closed, multi-class Baskett–Chandy–Muntz–Palacios (BCMP) queuing network model capable of capturing the passenger arrival process, traffic, the state-of-charge of electric vehicles, and the availability of vehicles at the stations. Second, we propose a scalable method for the synthesis of routing and charging policies, with performance guarantees in the limit of large fleet sizes. Third, we explore the applicability of our theoretical results on a case study of Manhattan. Collectively, this paper provides a unifying framework for the analysis and control of AMoD systems, which provides a large set of modeling options (e.g. the inclusion of road capacities and charging constraints), and subsumes earlier Jackson and network flow models.
The value of CT findings for prognostic prediction of spontaneous superior mesenteric artery dissection
Authors: Yoshida Rika , Yoshizako Takeshi , Maruyama Minako , Takinami Yoshikazu , Shimojo Yoshihide , Tamaki Yukihisa , Kitagaki Hajime
Published: June 2018

Background

Spontaneous superior mesenteric artery (SMA) dissection is rare cause of acute abdomen. Time-dependent change of SMA dissection has not been established.

Purpose

To determine Sakamoto classification (SC) type of acute and chronic SMA dissection (aSMAD and cSMAD) to predict the treatment methods and outcome.

Material and Methods

From April 2003 to March 2017, unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT were used to diagnose acute symptomatic or chronic asymptomatic SMA dissection in 25 consecutive patients without aortic dissection. Correlations between SCs and treatment methods and outcomes were investigated.

Results

All 13 patients with aSMAD initially received conservative treatment. Initial SCs in aSMAD were type I = 1, type III = 9, and type IV = 3. Three of nine initial type III and two of three initial type IV changed to type I at follow-up. One of nine type III changed to type II at follow-up. Ohers did not change. One with initial type III required vascular repair, so the final SC was not available. Three patients required bowel resection. In cSMAD of 12 patients, the initial/final SC were type I and IV in ten and two patients, respectively, without change during follow-up. cSMAD was significantly older than aSMAD. The initial length of dissection of aSMAD was longer than in the cSMAD group. In aSMAD, the final length of dissection was significantly shorter than in the initial computed tomography scan.

Conclusion

Initial SC differed significantly between aSMAD and cSMAD. Initial SC types in aSMAD were type III and IV mainly, and changed during the observation period. In cSMAD, SC types were I and IV without change.
Clinical routine use of virtual monochromatic datasets based on spectral CT in patients with hypervascularized abdominal tumors - evaluation of effectiveness and efficiency
Authors: Böning Georg , Feldhaus Felix , Adelt Sebastian , Kahn Johannes , Fehrenbach Uli , Streitparth Florian
Published: June 2018

Background

Virtual monochromatic images (VMI) generated using spectral computed tomography (CT) are promising recently available tools to improve diagnostic performance in oncologic patients.

Purpose

To investigate if virtual monochromatic datasets are suitable for clinical routine use in patients with hypervascularized abdominal tumors.

Material and Methods

A total of 41 patients with hypervascularized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), or neuroendocrine tumors (NET) were enrolled in the study; 451 CT series were analyzed. In an intra-individual study design, virtual monochromatic datasets of the arterial phase of each scan were computed. Image quality was assessed objectively by determining signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) and subjectively by using five-point Likert-scales. The volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) was taken from each radiation dose report. The increase in reading time was estimated from the increase in the number of images.

Results

Intra-individual comparison of the spectral mode in the arterial phase with the portal venous phase revealed no significant increase in the applied dose. SNR, CNRtumor-to-liver , and CNRtumor-to-muscle were significantly increased by lowering virtual monochromatic energy. Subjective image quality scores revealed an increase of contrast in low energy datasets, resulting in significantly higher diagnostic confidence, but an increased image noise at low energies. While diagnostic confidence improved, taking all datasets into account resulted in a significantly longer estimated reading time.

Conclusion

In clinical practice, the use of low energy VMI improved diagnostic confidence without a significant increase in dose. The main disadvantage is a decrease in efficiency due to longer reading times.
Agreement Between Bayley-III Measurements and WISC-IV Measurements in Typically Developing Children
Authors: Månsson Johanna , Stjernqvist Karin , Serenius Fredrik , Ådén Ulrika , Källén Karin
Published: June 2018

The study aim was to explore the relationship between a developmental assessment at preschool age and an intelligence quotient (IQ) assessment at school age. One hundred sixty-two children were assessed at 2.5 years with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development—Third Edition (Bayley-III) and then at 6.5 years with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). The Bayley-III Cognitive Index score was the Bayley entity that showed the highest correlation with WISC-IV Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ; r = .41). There was a significant difference between the individual WISC-IV FSIQ and the Bayley-III Cognitive Index scores. Analyses showed an average difference of −4 units and 95% limits of agreement of −18.5 to 26.4 units. A multivariate model identified the Bayley-III Cognitive Index score as the most important predictor for FSIQ and General Ability Index (GAI), respectively, in comparison with demographic factors. The model explained 24% of the total FSIQ variation and 26% of the GAI variation. It was concluded that the Bayley-III measurement was an insufficient predictor of later IQ.
Using Patients and Their Caregivers Feedback to Develop ENABLE CHF-PC: An Early Palliative Care Intervention for Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Akyar Imatullah , Dionne-Odom J. Nicholas , Bakitas Marie A.
Published: June 2018

Objective:

Models of early, community-based palliative care for individuals with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV heart failure and their families are lacking. We used the Medical Research Council process of developing complex interventions to conduct a formative evaluation study to translate an early palliative care intervention from cancer to heart failure.

Method:

One component of the parent formative evaluation pilot study was qualitative satisfaction interviews with 8 patient–caregiver dyad participants who completed Educate, Nurture, Advise, Before Life Ends Comprehensive Heartcare For Patient and Caregivers (ENABLE CHF-PC) intervention. The ENABLE CHF-PC consists of an in-person palliative care assessment, weekly telehealth coaching sessions, and monthly follow-up. Subsequent to completing the coaching sessions, patient and caregiver participants were interviewed to elicit their experiences with ENABLE CHF-PC. Digitally recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results:

Patients (n = 8) mean age was 67.3, 62.5% were female, 75% were married/living with a partner; caregivers (n = 8) mean age was 56.8, and 87.5% were female. Four themes related to experiences with ENABLE CHF-PC included “allowed me to vent,” “gained perspective,” “helped me plan,” and “gained illness management and decision-making skills.” Recommendations for intervention modification included (1) start program at diagnosis, (2) maintain phone-based approach, and (3) expand topics and modify format.

Conclusion:

Patients and caregivers unanimously found the intervention to be helpful and acceptable. After incorporating modifications, ENABLE CHF-PC is currently undergoing efficacy testing in a large randomized controlled trial.
Distinct regional brain atrophy pattern in multiple sclerosis and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Kalinowska-Lyszczarz A , Pawlak M A , Pietrzak A , Pawlak-Bus K , Leszczynski P , Puszczewicz M , Paprzycki W , Kozubski W , Michalak S
Published: June 2018

Differentiation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from multiple sclerosis (MS) can be challenging, especially when neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms are accompanied by white matter lesions in the brain. Given the lack of discriminative power of currently applied tools for their differentiation, there is an unmet need for other measures that can aid in distinguishing between the two autoimmune disorders. In this study we aimed at exploring whether brain atrophy measures could serve as markers differentiating MS and SLE. Thirty-seven relapsing–remitting MS and 38 SLE patients with nervous system manifestations, matched according to age and disease duration, underwent 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including volumetric sequences, and clinical assessment. Voxelwise analysis was performed using ANTS-SyN elastic registration protocol, FSL Randomise and Gamma methods. Cortical and subcortical segmentation was performed with Freesurfer 5.3 pipeline using T1-weighted MPRAGE sequence data. Using MRI volumetric markers of general and subcortical gray matter atrophy and clinical variables, we built a stepwise multivariable logistic diagnostic model to identify MRI parameters that best differentiate MS and SLE patients. We found that the best volumetric predictors to distinguish them were: fourth ventricle volume (sensitivity 0.86, specificity 0.57, area under the curve, AUC 0.77), posterior corpus callosum (sensitivity 0.81, specificity 0.57, AUC 0.68), and third ventricle to thalamus ratio (sensitivity 0.42, specificity 0.84, AUC 0.65). The same classifiers were identified in a subgroup analysis that included patients with a short disease duration. In MS brain atrophy and lesion load correlated with clinical disability, while in SLE age was the main determinant of brain volume. This study proposes new imaging parameters for differential diagnosis of MS and SLE with central nervous system involvement. We show there is a different pattern of atrophy in MS and SLE, and the key structural volumes that are differentially affected include fourth ventricle and posterior section of corpus callosum, followed by third ventricle to thalamus ratio. Different correlation patterns between volumetric and clinical data may suggest that while in MS atrophy is driven mainly by disease activity, in SLE it is mostly associated with age. However, these results need further replication in a larger cohort.
Expression of selected epithelial–mesenchymal transition transcription factors in serous borderline ovarian tumors and type I ovarian cancers
Authors: Sadlecki Pawel , Jóźwicki Jakub , Antosik Paulina , Grabiec Marek
Published: June 2018

Epithelial ovarian neoplasms are a heterogeneous group including tumor subsets with distinct clinicopathologic and molecular features. Recent evidence from molecular and genomic studies suggests that whereas low-grade serous carcinomas and high-grade serous carcinomas likely develop on two separate pathways, the low-grade serous carcinomas and serous borderline ovarian tumors may represent various stages of the same developmental continuum. The transformation of borderline ovarian tumors into an invasive neoplasm is associated with an array of molecular changes, inter alia controlled by p53 and PI3K/Akt pathway, as well as with a decrease in E-cadherin expression. The latter implies that epithelial–mesenchymal transition is a critical determinant of borderline ovarian tumor invasiveness. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of transcription factors involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition: SNAIL, SLUG, TWIST 1, TWIST 2, ZEB 1, and ZEB 2 in borderline tumors and type I ovarian cancers. The study included tissue specimens from 42 patients with histopathologically verified ovarian masses. The expressions for SLUG, TWIST 1, ZEB1, and ZEB 2 were scored based on the nuclear staining, and the expressions of SNAIL and TWIST 2 based on the cytoplasmic and/or nuclear staining. The proportions of ovarian tumors with the immunoexpression of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition transcription factors were 85.7% for SNAIL, 100% for SLUG, 9.5% for TWIST 1, 95.2% for TWIST 2, 23.8% for ZEB 1, and 0% for ZEB 2. The expression patterns of SNAIL, SLUG, TWIST, and ZEB identified in this study suggest that both serous borderline ovarian tumors and type I ovarian cancers undergo dynamic epithelial–mesenchymal interconversions. Our findings obtained in the two groups of tumors which shared some etiopathogenic pathways imply that the expression of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition transcription factors may be activated at early stages of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and thus these molecules may play a pivotal role in the development of both serous borderline ovarian tumors and type I ovarian cancer.