bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Lagrangian heuristic algorithm for the time‐dependent combined network design and routing problem
Authors: Fortz Bernard , Gorgone Enrico , Papadimitriou Dimitri
Published: November 2016

During the planning of communication networks, the routing decision process (distributed and online) often remains decoupled from the network design process, that is, resource installation and allocation‐planning process (centralized and offline). To reconcile both processes and take into account demand variability, we generalize the capacitated multicommodity fixed charge network design class of problems by including different types of fixed costs (installation and maintenance costs) and variable costs (routing costs) but also variable traffic demands over multiple periods. However, conventional integer programming methods can typically solve only small to medium size instances of this problem. Two major difficulties are encountered when using commercial solvers to solve the associated mixed integer programs: (i) problems are large scale and even solving the linear relaxation of the problem can be challenging; and (ii) the solver hardly find good feasible solutions for medium to large scale instances. As an alternative, we propose a Lagrangian approach for computing a lower bound by relaxing the flow conservation constraints such that the Lagrangian subproblem itself decomposes by node. Though this approach yields one subproblem per network node, solving the Lagrangian dual by means of the bundle method remains a complex computational tasks. However, it always provides a lower bound on the optimal solution. Moreover, based on this relaxation, we propose a Lagrangian heuristic that makes the approach more robust than a black‐box usage of a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) solver. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 69(1), 110–123 2017
Neurodevelopmental disorders are highly over‐represented in children with obesity: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wentz Elisabet , Björk Anna , Dahlgren Jovanna
Published: November 2016

Objective

To investigate prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children with obesity and to compare body mass index (BMI) and metabolic profile in the children.

Methods

Seventy‐six children (37 girls, 39 boys) were consecutively recruited from a university outpatient clinic specialized in severe obesity. Neurodevelopmental disorders including attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) were assessed using interviews and questionnaires. Neurodevelopmental diagnoses were collected retrospectively in medical records.

Results

BMI ranged between 1.9 and 5.9 SDS and age between 5.1 and 16.5 years. In 13.2% and 18.4% ASD and ADHD was assigned, respectively. In addition, 25% screened positive for DCD, 31.6% had at least one neurodevelopmental disorder, and 18.4% had a parent who screened positive for adult ADHD. Girls with ASD/ADHD had higher BMI SDS than girls without neurodevelopmental disorder (P = 0.006).

Conclusions

One third of children with obesity referred to specialist centers have a neurodevelopmental disorder including deviant motor skills, and these problems may deteriorate weight status. One fifth of the parents exhibit ADHD symptomatology which could partly explain the poor adherence by some families in obesity units. Future obesity therapy could benefit from incorporating a neurodevelopmental treatment approach.
A prospective randomized trial comparing piperacillin/tazobactam with meropenem as empirical antibiotic treatment of febrile neutropenic children and adolescents with hematologic and malignant disorders
Authors: Sano Hirozumi , Kobayashi Ryoji , Suzuki Daisuke , Hori Daiki , Kishimoto Kenji , Kobayashi Kunihiko
Published: November 2016

Background

This randomized prospective study was designed to assess whether piperacillin/tazobactam (PIPC/TAZ) is as effective as meropenem (MEPM) as a first‐line antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenia (FN).

Procedure

FN episodes were randomly assigned to receive either PIPC/TAZ (337.5 mg/kg per day in three doses, 1‐hr DIV, maximum 13.5 g per day) or MEPM (120 mg/kg per day in three doses, 1‐hr DIV, maximum 3 g per day). Clinical responses were evaluated 120 hr after the DIV.

Results

A total of 434 febrile episodes in 105 patients (42 females and 63 males) with a median age of 8 years (range 0–25) were included in this trial. Blood cultures were positive in 47 out of the 434 episodes (10.8%). Regarding responses to the treatment, success rates between the PIPC/TAZ and MEPM groups were similar (62.4 vs. 65.9%, P = 0.484), even if patients were restricted to those with bacteremia (26.1 vs 37.5%, P = 0.534). Mortality rates did not significantly differ between the two groups (0.8 vs. 0%, P = 0.500).

Conclusion

Both PIPC/TAZ and MEPM appeared to be equally efficacious and safe. Carbapenems are now broadly used to treat FN; however, this may increase the prevalence of drug‐resistant bacteria. In this regard, the treatment using PIPC/TAZ for FN is more beneficial.
Biocompatible polymers as a tool for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles: size tuning and in vitro cytotoxicity studies
Authors: Debnath Dipen , Lee Yeonju , Geckeler Kurt E
Published: November 2016

Silver nanoparticles have attracted great attention in the biomedical research field, especially in cancer theranostics. In this study, we developed a synthesis method for silver nanoparticles in the solid state using high‐speed vibration milling, in which biocompatible polymers such as poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol) and chitosan were used for the reduction of the silver salt. The synthesis of the size‐tunable silver nanoparticles was performed at room temperature and no surfactants to direct the anisotropic growth of the nanoparticles were required. The formation of the nanoparticles was studied using UV‐visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as transmission electron microscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles showed an average diameter ranging from 3.1 ± 1.4 to 22.8 ± 5.8 nm. In addition, the anticancer activity of these silver nanoparticles was assessed using cytotoxicity studies with human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7), human lung adenocarcinoma (NCI‐H358) and mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH‐3T3) cell lines. Accordingly, an effective suppression of the proliferation of cell growth was found. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
New Squaraine‐based two‐component initiation systems for UV‐blue light induced radical polymerization: Kinetic and time‐resolved laser spectroscopy studies
Authors: Kabatc Janina , Kostrzewska Katarzyna , Jurek Katarzyna , Kozak Martyna , Balcerak Alicja , Orzeł Łukasz
Published: November 2016

In this article, the ability of two‐component photoinitiator systems for efficient polymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)−1,3‐propanediol triacrylate was presented. The photophysics and photochemistry of squaraine dyes in the presence of an electron donor as well as an electron acceptor was investigated, and it was found that the photosensitizer in an excited state might act as an electron acceptor or an electron donor. The excited states of squaraines may be quenched by tetramethylammonium n‐butyltriphenylborate (B2), diphenyliodonium chloride (I1), and N‐methoxy‐4‐phenylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (NO). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 471–484
Disseminated BCG pneumonitis revealing severe combined immunodeficiencyxs in CHARGE syndrome
Authors: Kim Hyung Young , Kim Yoo‐Mi , Park Hee Ju
Published: November 2016

CHARGE (coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae, retarded growth and development, genital hypoplasia, and ear anomalies/deafness) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by CHD7 mutation and is related to immunodeficiency. A 6‐month‐old girl with right lung agenesis, congenital heart defects, and ear anomalies developed repeated and serious respiratory infection for a short period. She was clinically diagnosed with typical CHARGE syndrome with severe combined immunodeficiency (T−, B+, NK−); however, CHD7 mutation was not detected. Disseminated BCG infection did not resolve despite administration of anti‐tuberculosis drugs and intravenous immune globulins, and she subsequently died of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:E4–E6. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of hydrocolloids on functional properties of navy bean starch
Authors: Byars Jeffrey A. , Singh Mukti , Kenar James A.
Published: November 2016

The effects of hydrocolloid replacement on the pasting properties of navy bean starch and on the properties of navy bean starch gels were studied. Navy bean starch was isolated, and blends were prepared with β‐glucan, guar gum, pectin, and xanthan gum solutions. The total solids concentration was maintained at 8%, and starch was replaced with 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% of each hydrocolloid. Guar gum led to an increase in the peak viscosity during pasting as well as an increase in the final viscosity. Each of the other hydrocolloids decreased the peak and final viscosities, with xanthan gum causing the largest decrease. β‐Glucan and pectin reduced the water solubility and absorption indices at low temperatures, and each hydrocolloid reduced the enthalpy of gelatinization. Gels were also prepared at each concentration, and the storage modulus decreased for xanthan gum, while both guar gum and xanthan gum gels had higher loss tangents. The hardness of the gels decreased for guar gum, and much more for xanthan gum. Each of the hydrocolloids improved the freeze‐thaw stability, with guar gum having the largest effect. These results show the possibility of improving navy bean starch and flour properties through the addition of hydrocolloids.
On the Use of Attributes to Manage Requirements
Authors: Wheatcraft Louis S. , Ryan Michael J. , Dick Jeremy
Published: November 2016

There are many sources in systems engineering and requirements engineering that use the term “attribute,” but few define the term and fewer actually go into any detail regarding how the attributes might be applied to requirement statements. This paper addresses the inconsistent definition and use of the term as part of the systems engineering and requirements engineering processes. We discuss the importance of defining requirement attributes and offer a useful definition. We provide a possible list of attributes along with their meaning, in order to provide a useful set of attributes that organizations may include with requirement expressions to manage better their requirements. Finally, we discuss how attributes can be used to manage not only requirements and sets of requirements, but also the project.
Energy‐efficient cooperative localization in mobile WSN
Authors: Taheri Mostafa , Motamedi Seyed Ahmad
Published: November 2016

Design and implementation of an energy‐efficient protocol is one of the main challenges in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In terms of localization, both energy efficiency and accuracy must be addressed to achieve the final goals of localization. In mobile sensor nodes, where battery power is the most hardware resource limitation, accurate localization needs to be extremely energy efficient. In this work, a virtual multiple‐input multiple‐output (VMIMO) technique is deployed to tackle the problems of getting more energy efficiency and higher accuracy simultaneously.In this case, the optimum selection of the number of transceiver nodes can be obtained with the lowest possible total energy consumption, localization error, and speed of nodes. In addition, VMIMO decreases the power of transmitters, and therefore will lead to the reduction of destructive effects of electromagnetic sensitivity (EMS) on the body. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A neuron model with synaptic nonlinearities in a dendritic tree for liver disorders
Authors: Jiang Tao , Gao Shangce , Wang Dizhou , Ji Junkai , Todo Yuki , Tang Zheng
Published: November 2016

With the number of deaths due to liver diseases increasing steadily in recent years, early detection and treatment of these diseases has been one of the most active research fields using computational intelligence techniques. In this paper, we propose a more realistic single‐neuron model with synaptic nonlinearities in a dendritic tree for liver disorder diagnosis. The computation on the neuron is performed as a combination of dimensional reduction and nonlinearity, which has a neuron‐pruning function that can remove useless synapses and dendrites during learning, forming a distinct synaptic and dendritic morphology. The nonlinear interactions in a dendrite tree are expressed using the Boolean logic AND (conjunction), OR (disjunction), and NOT (negation), which can be easily implemented in hardware. Furthermore, an error backpropagation (BP) algorithm is used to train the neuron model, and the performance is compared with a traditional BP neural network in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. We use the BUPA liver disorder datasets obtained from the UCI Machine Learning Repository to verify the proposed method. Simulation results show promise for the use of this single‐neuron model as an effective pattern classification method in liver disorder diagnostics. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Magnitude of change in fetal cerebroplacental ratio in third trimester and risk of adverse pregnancy outcome
Authors: Flatley C. , Greer R. M. , Kumar S.
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To evaluate whether the magnitude of change in the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) after 30 weeks' gestation is a better predictor of adverse pregnancy outcome compared with a single CPR measurement at 35–37 weeks. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether the utility of CPR at 35–37 weeks was enhanced after adjusting for change in gestational age.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of women who had at least two ultrasound scans between 30 and 37 weeks' gestation, with the final scan at 35–37 weeks. Exclusion criteria were major congenital abnormality, aneuploidy, multiple pregnancy and unknown middle cerebral artery pulsatility index or umbilical artery pulsatility index. A normal reference range for CPR was derived from a separate cohort of women with normal outcome and a Generalised Additive Model for Location, Scale and Shape was fitted to derive standardized centiles. These reference centiles were then used to calculate Z‐scores for the study cohort. Logistic regression models and receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive utility of CPR Z‐score at last CPR measurement and the change in CPR on mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and composite neonatal outcome. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for each model was compared before and after adjustment for parity, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index and smoking status.

Results

A total of 1860 women met the inclusion criteria. There was no association between the magnitude of change in CPR and composite adverse pregnancy outcome (P = 0.92). Of the outcomes that made up the composite, an increase in CPR Z‐score over time was associated with a lower risk for emergency Cesarean delivery (P < 0.001) and emergency Cesarean delivery for non‐reassuring fetal status (P = 0.02). It was also associated with a lower risk of birth weight < 10th centile (P = 0.01) and hypoglycemia (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the AUCs of last CPR Z‐score and last CPR Z‐score adjusted for the change in gestational age in predicting pregnancies at risk for adverse outcome.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that both the individual CPR Z‐score and the magnitude and direction of change in CPR Z‐score can identify pregnancies at risk of various adverse perinatal outcomes. However, the CPR Z‐score at 35–37 weeks' gestation appears to be a better predictor. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Gyrotron‐Forschung und ‐Entwicklung am KIT
Authors: Jelonnek John , Gantenbein Gerd , Avramidis Konstantinos , Franck Joachim , Illy Stefan , Ioannidis Zisis , Jin Jianbo , Kalaria Parth , Pagonakis Ioannis , Ruess Sebastian , Rzesnicki Tomasz , Scherer Theo , Schmid Martin , Strauss Dirk , Wu Chuanren , Thumm Manfred
Published: November 2016

In Zukunft soll mit Fusionskraftwerken die Erzeugung von umweltfreundlicher, grundlastfähiger Energie gelingen. Dabei wird die Elektronen‐Zyklotron‐Heizung, deren Quelle das Gyrotron ist, verwendet, um das Fusionsplasma auf Fusionstemperaturen zu erhitzen. Zusammen mit Partnern aus Europa entwickelt das Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) bereits heute Gyrotrons für den Stellarator W7‐X und den Tokamak ITER, die Leistungen im Megawattbereich bei 140 GHz und 170 GHz im Dauerstrichbetrieb erzeugen. Für zukünftige Kraftwerke werden Leistungen im Multi‐Megawattbereich bei über 200 GHz benötigt. Am KIT werden dazu neue Konzepte erforscht und Schlüsselkomponenten weiterentwickelt. In diesem Beitrag wird auf die systematische Auslegung von Gyrotrons für das Demonstrationskraftwerk DEMO, die Entwicklung von Schlüsselkomponenten und das modulare Testkonzept eingegangen. Dazu gehört der KIT‐Teststand, der den Anforderungen die zukünftige Multi‐MW‐Gyrotrons stellen, entsprechend, erweitert wird. Bezüglich ihrer Breite sind die Arbeiten am KIT europaweit einzigartig. Zusammen mit den Forschungspartnern und dem Industriepartner Thales Electron Devices wird die gesamte Breite in der Entwicklung und Fertigung abgedeckt, um eine der Schlüsselkomponenten für die Kernfusionskraftwerke, das Gyrotron, zu fertigen.
A New Method for Predicting Decomposition Temperature of Imidazolium‐based Energetic Ionic Liquids
Authors: Keshavarz Mohammad Hossein , Pouretedal Hamid Reza , Saberi Ehsan
Published: November 2016

Two novel correlations are introduced to predict decomposition temperatures of imidazolium‐based energetic ionic liquids. The first simple model is based only on the number of some of atoms in cationic and anionic structures. Meanwhile, a suitable correction term was added in the second correlation to adjust the predicted results for the presence of some specific cation/anion moieties. The measured data of 164 different types of imidazolium‐based energetic ionic liquids were used to derive the new correlations. The calculated mean absolute percent errors (MAPEs) of the first and second models are 6 and 4, respectively. The predicted results have confirmed that insertion of correcting function in the second correlation can provide better estimations. These models were also tested and compared with one of the best available group contribution methods, where group contribution method can be applied, for 17 further imidazolium‐based energetic ionic liquids containing complex molecular structures. Furthermore, the predicted values of MAPEs of the new models are close to that of obtained by group contribution method.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties of MnFe3O5
Authors: Hong Ka H. , McNally Graham M. , Coduri Mauro , Attfield J. Paul
Published: November 2016

MnFe3O5 was synthesized under a pressure of 10 GPa at 1400 °C. MnFe3O5 has an orthorhombic structure (space group Cmcm, a = 2.9137(1), b = 9.8565(7) and c = 12.6143(6) Å at 300 K) and is isostructural with Fe4O5. Magnetic measurements reveal an antiferromagnetic transition at 350 K and a broad Curie transition at 150 K, similar to the spin ordering temperatures of Fe4O5. Variable temperature synchrotron X‐ray diffraction shows that the structure undergoes anisotropic thermal expansion below 350 K, but no long range charge ordering is observed in the crystal structure.
A Calixarene‐based {Co9} Coordination Triangle as an Efficient Heterogenous Catalyst
Authors: Wang Shentang , Bi Yanfeng , Hang Xinxin , Zhu Xiaofei , Liao Wuping
Published: November 2016

Two triangular calixarene‐based coordination assemblies, namely [M9(HTC4A)3(ox)3Cl3(H2O)6] [M = Co (CIAC‐214) and Ni (CIAC‐215); H4TC4A = p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arene; H2ox = oxalic acid], were synthesized by solvothermal reactions. In both structures, three shuttlecock‐like M3‐TC4A secondary building units (SBUs) as the vertices are bridged by three ox linkers to form a triangular assembly. Remarkably, the activated cobalt compound with Lewis acid sites shows high heterogeneous catalysis in the degradation of methyleneblue (with conversion of nearly 70 % in 10 min of the 3rd run) and the reduction of 2, 4‐dinitrophenol (with conversion of 95.3 % in 60 min). The catalyst can be easily separated and recovered from the reaction system without significant loss of catalytic activity.
Taxing Higher Incomes: What Makes the High-Income Earners Consent to More Progressive Taxation in Latin America?
Authors: Berens Sarah , von Schiller Armin
Published: November 2016

When do high-income earners get ‘on board’ with the fiscal contract and accept paying a larger share of the tax burden? Progressive taxes perform particularly poorly in developing countries. We argue that the common opposition of the affluent to more progressive taxation is not merely connected to administrative limitations to coercively enforce compliance, but also to the uncertainty that high-income earners associate with the returns to taxes. Because coercion is not an option, there is a need to convince high-income earners to ‘invest’ in the public system via taxes. Trust in institutions is decisive for the fiscal contract. Expecting that paid contributions will be used in a sensible manner, high-income earners will be more supportive of progressive income taxation. We study tax composition preferences of a cross-section of Latin American countries using public opinion data from LAPOP for 2012. Findings reveal that higher levels of trust in political institutions strongly mitigate the opposition of the affluent towards more progressive taxation.
Rapid Methods for Frying Oil Quality Determination: Evaluation with Respect to Legislation Criteria
Authors: Kalogianni Eleni P. , Georgiou Despoina , Romaidi Maria , Exarhopoulos Stylianos , Petridis Dimitris , Karastogiannidou Calliope , Dimitreli Georgia , Karakosta Paraskevi
Published: November 2016

This work focuses on the evaluation of commercially available rapid methods for determining frying oil quality. Five rapid methods differing in principle were selected: FOM320 (Ebro), PCT120 (3M), LRSM (3M), Fritest (Merck) and Viscofrit (Viscofrit). The performance of the methods was examined by use of 184 oil samples produced by controlled frying experiments. Twelve series of frying experiments (45 batches each) were performed in which the oil type (palm, sunflower and olive) and the food type (potatoes, zucchini and minced beef meat) varied. Control thermal oxidation experiments with the same oil types were also performed. Results of the rapid methods were compared to results of analytical methods determining legislation criteria. Namely, the total polar compounds and total polymer compounds were determined using High Pressure Size Exclusion Chromatography with and without prior separation of the polar fraction. Furthermore, determination of the free fatty acid concentration, acidity, viscosity and level of oxidation of the oils using UV spectroscopy were carried out. Principal component analysis and linear regression analysis were used in order to assess the obtained results. Comparison of the results of the rapid methods with the analytical ones showed differences in most examined cases. For many of the examined rapid methods the agreement of the results versus those of analytical methods depended on the food‐oil combination used in the frying experiments.
The Role of the Perioperative Nurse in Improving Surgical Patients' Clinical Outcomes and Satisfaction: Beyond Medication
Authors: Bruckenthal Patricia , Simpson Melanie H.
Published: November 2016

For the perioperative nurse, the management of postsurgical pain includes various responsibilities, such as performing postsurgical pain assessments as an essential first step, facilitating recovery from surgery, and maximizing patient satisfaction during the postsurgical period. In addition, nurses are responsible for providing patient education regarding pain management, the quality of which may strongly influence patient satisfaction. External and internal challenges exist in perioperative care processes, however, and addressing these challenges will promote the overall goal of providing high‐quality care.
The Current State of Perioperative Pain Management: Challenges and Potential Opportunities for Nurses
Authors: Simpson Melanie H. , Bruckenthal Patricia
Published: November 2016

Achievement of adequate postoperative pain management is a critical challenge in health care, with an estimated three out of four adult surgical patients reporting moderate to extreme pain after surgery. Overreliance on opioids in acute care settings has persisted, despite well‐known adverse side effects frequently associated with this class of drugs. Furthermore, patients with a history of chronic opioid use present additional challenges in terms of postsurgical pain management. Advances in the development of newer analgesic agents and anesthetic techniques may be useful in surgical patients with a history of chronic opioid use and in the overall surgical patient population. Systemic inefficiencies and problematic medical practice patterns can also have negative effects on perioperative pain management. As the surgical patient's primary advocate, perioperative nurses play an important role in overcoming these diverse challenges and addressing the problems associated with inadequately controlled postsurgical pain.
Pawning N00bs: Insights into Perceptions of Brand Extensions of the Video Game Industry
Authors: Butcher Luke , Tang Ysobel , Phau Ian
Published: November 2016

This paper examines gamers’ perceptions of video game brand extensions through a grounded-theory qualitative methodology. Results of the focus groups and interviews reveal deep and highly contextual information pertaining to gamer characteristics (discernment and fanaticism) and extension characteristics (affordability, collectability, fit, identity-projection, and ownership), as well as the moderating roles of marketing effectiveness, interpersonal influences, and inelasticity of demand on gaming brand equity. Results provide substantial academic value and deeper insights into this culturally and economically significant industry, with distinct implications for product design, consumer segmentation, and promotion.
Functional analysis of a NF-κB transcription factor in the immune defense of Oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalisHendel (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Shi Z. , Liang H. , Hou Y.
Published: November 2016

Although some novel antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have been successfully isolated fromBactrocera dorsalisHendel, the mechanisms underlying the induction of these peptides are still elusive. The homolog of NF-κB transcription factor Relish, designated as BdRelish, was cloned fromB. dorsalis. The full length cDNA of BdRelishis 3954 bp with an open reading frame that encodes 1013 amino acids. Similar toDrosophilaRelish and the mammalian p100, it is a compound protein containing a conserved Rel homology domain, an IPT (Ig-like, plexins, transcription factors) domain and an IκB-like domain (four ankyrin repeats), the nuclear localization signal RKRRR is also detected at the residues 449–453, suggesting that it has homology to Relish and it is a member of the Rel family of transcription activator proteins. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis reveals that BdRelishmRNAs are detected in different quantities from various tissues and the highest transcription level of BdRelishis determined in fat body. The injection challenge ofEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureassignificantly upregulated the expression of BdRelish. The injection of BdRelishdsRNA markedly reduced the expression of BdRelishand decreased the transcription magnitude of antimicrobial peptides. Individuals injected BdRelishdsRNA died at a significantly faster rate compared with the control groups. Therefore, BdRelishis vital for the transcription of AMPs to attack the invading bacteria.
Can Empathy Be a Moral Resource? A Smithean Reply to Jesse Prinz
Authors: CHURCHER MILLICENT
Published: November 2016

This paper critiques Jesse Prinz’s rejection of Adam Smith’s model of impartial spectatorship as a viable corrective to empathic bias. I argue that Prinz’s case is unconvincing, insofar as it rests on an underdeveloped account of Smith’s view of critical self-regulation. By presenting a more detailed and attentive reading of Smithean impartial spectatorship, and exploring Smith’s compelling account of structural supports for sympathetic engagement, this paper demonstrates how Smith’s work is able to constructively engage with contemporary concerns regarding empathy’s role in guiding moral behaviour.
LGBT Rights in Malawi: One Step Back, Two Steps Forward? The Case of R v Steven Monjeza Soko and Tiwonge Chimbalanga Kachepa
Authors: Demone Bradley
Published: November 2016

In late 2009 two Malawians, a man and a transgender woman, united in an engagement ceremony. Police charged both under Malawi's anti-sodomy provisions. The case captured the nation's attention and drew scrutiny from foreign governments and human rights organizations. Several western nations threatened to withdraw aid unless the prosecution was discontinued. Nevertheless, the defendants were convicted and sentenced. Following a visit from the UN secretary general, Malawi's president pardoned the couple, but emphasized that the “two gay boys” had offended Malawi and its people. This article examines this case (R v Soko and Kachepa) and its impact on Malawi's LGBT rights movement. Using Thomas Stoddard's “rule-shifting, culture-shifting” paradigm, it considers the efficacy of international and domestic advocacy efforts and concludes that aid conditionality is, in many ways, counter productive. Conversely, multi-dimensional domestic advocacy is a promising strategy to change the relevant law and public attitudes associated with the Malawian LGBT community.
Statistical strategies for multiple testing in the safety evaluation of a genetically modified crop
Authors: VAHL C. I. , KANG Q.
Published: November 2016

Hazard identification is the first step in assessing the risk of a genetically modified (GM) crop. It employs the concept of substantial equivalence to evaluate crop safety. The current process relies on subjective opinions to integrate various comparisons among the GM crop, the non-GM counterpart and an assortment of non-GM references over an array of key endpoints measured in field trials. The pre-eminent need to control the consumer's risk in hazard identification has been left unaddressed. The current paper develops statistical strategies to resolve this issue. Hypotheses of individual tests are explicitly defined to reflect the study objectives. They are then grouped into families and connected by logical operators according to decision rules commonly used in crop safety evaluation. This pre-specification of hypotheses arranged in an organized layout leads to a simple, transparent decision-making process where the consumer's risk can be managed directly. A two-stage multiplicity adjustment procedure is created by applying fundamental principles for multiple testing to the newly assembled families of hypotheses. The practical utility of the proposed procedure is shown in a real-world example. Besides being easy to implement and convey, the proposed statistical strategies accommodate the addition of supportive evidence for safety and allow the nature of the genetic modification to be taken into account.
Echinoidea and Holothuroidea (Echinodermata) of the Trindade and Martin Vaz Archipelago, off Brazil, with new records and remarks on taxonomy and species composition
Authors: Martins Luciana , Souto Camilla , Braga Joel , Tavares Marcos
Published: November 2016

The degree of isolation of oceanic islands makes these environments an excellent model for evolutionary studies. Proper knowledge of the species composition of oceanic islands, however, is required to better understand evolutionary processes (e.g. speciation events). A 3-year survey in the shallow waters (up to 30 m) of the Trindade and Martin Vaz oceanic insular complex, and a literature review on the data published for these islands and for Fernando de Noronha and São Pedro and São Paulo oceanic archipelagos have been conducted to document the biodiversity of echinoids and holothuroids from these isolated Brazilian oceanic islands. Sixteen species were collected and characterized morphologically, including two first records for the South Atlantic and one for Brazil. Comparison with conspecific specimens from the Brazilian coast and congeners was also done. Species richness increased from six to 18; the richness in Trindade Island being the highest among the South Atlantic oceanic islands. However, these islands remain undersampled beyond 30-m depth. Endemism was very low, suggesting the potential role of oceanic currents and seamounts as stepping-stones in transoceanic dispersal of species to remote islands. The Brazilian oceanic islands are impoverished oceanic outposts of the Brazilian Province; nevertheless, endemic species and intraspecific morphological variations compared with the mainland suggest they may also be regions of speciation. Documenting their biodiversity is critical for effective management and conservation of their marine ecosystems.
Pathological and phylogenetic characterization ofAmphibiothecumsp. infection in an isolated amphibian (Lissotriton helveticus) population on the island of Rum (Scotland)
Authors: FIEGNA CATERINA , CLARKE CHARLOTTE L. , SHAW DARREN J. , BAILY JOHANNA L. , CLARE FRANCES C. , GRAY ALEXANDRA , GARNER TRENTON W. J. , MEREDITH ANNA L.
Published: November 2016

Outbreaks of cutaneous infectious disease in amphibians are increasingly being attributed to an overlooked group of fungal-like pathogens, the Dermocystids. During the last 10 years on the Isle of Rum, Scotland, palmate newts (Lissotriton helveticus) have been reportedly afflicted by unusual skin lesions. Here we present pathological and molecular findings confirming that the pathogen associated with these lesions is a novel organism of the order Dermocystida, and represents the first formally reported, and potentially lethal, case of amphibian Dermocystid infection in the UK. Whilst the gross pathology and the parasite cyst morphology were synonymous to those described in a study from infectedL. helveticusin France, we observed a more extreme clinical outcome on Rum involving severe subcutaneous oedema. Phylogenetic topologies supported synonymy between Dermocystid sequences from Rum and France and as well as their distinction fromAmphibiocystidiumspp. Phylogenetic analysis also suggested that the amphibian-infecting Dermocystids are not monophyletic. We conclude that theL. helveticus-infecting pathogen represents a single, novel species;Amphibiothecum meredithae.
Decision Support in Collision Situations at Sea
Authors: Pietrzykowski Zbigniew , Wołejsza Piotr , Borkowski Piotr
Published: November 2016

The known navigational systems in use perform information functions and as such are helpful in the process of safe conduct of a vessel. One of the ways to assist in reducing the number of marine accidents is the development of systems which perform decision support functions, i.e. automatically generate solutions to collision situations. The use of information (and communication) technologies including knowledge engineering allows the generation of proposals for anti-collision manoeuvres taking into account the COLREGs. Demand for further enhancement of navigational safety by limiting human errors has initiated a trend to convert navigational information systems into decision support systems. The implementation of decision support systems will potentially reduce the number of human errors, which translates into a reduction of accidents at sea and their adverse consequences. This paper presents a summary of the research to date on the navigational decision support system NAVDEC. The system has been positively verified in laboratory conditions and in field tests – on a motor ferry and a sailing ship. Challenges associated with the development and implementation of such systems are outlined.
Risk assessment of dengue fever in Zhongshan, China: a time-series regression tree analysis
Authors: LIU K.-K. , WANG T. , HUANG X.-D. , WANG G.-L. , XIA Y. , ZHANG Y.-T. , JING Q.-L. , HUANG J.-W. , LIU X.-X. , LU J.-H. , HU W.-B.
Published: November 2016

Dengue fever (DF) is the most prevalent and rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease globally. Control of DF is limited by barriers to vector control and integrated management approaches. This study aimed to explore the potential risk factors for autochthonous DF transmission and to estimate the threshold effects of high-order interactions among risk factors. A time-series regression tree model was applied to estimate the hierarchical relationship between reported autochthonous DF cases and the potential risk factors including the timeliness of DF surveillance systems (median time interval between symptom onset date and diagnosis date, MTIOD), mosquito density, imported cases and meteorological factors in Zhongshan, China from 2001 to 2013. We found that MTIOD was the most influential factor in autochthonous DF transmission. Monthly autochthonous DF incidence rate increased by 36·02-fold [relative risk (RR) 36·02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 25·26–46·78, compared to the average DF incidence rate during the study period] when the 2-month lagged moving average of MTIOD was >4·15 days and the 3-month lagged moving average of the mean Breteau Index (BI) was ⩾16·57. If the 2-month lagged moving average MTIOD was between 1·11 and 4·15 days and the monthly maximum diurnal temperature range at a lag of 1 month was <9·6 °C, the monthly mean autochthonous DF incidence rate increased by 14·67-fold (RR 14·67, 95% CI 8·84–20·51, compared to the average DF incidence rate during the study period). This study demonstrates that the timeliness of DF surveillance systems, mosquito density and diurnal temperature range play critical roles in the autochthonous DF transmission in Zhongshan. Better assessment and prediction of the risk of DF transmission is beneficial for establishing scientific strategies for DF early warning surveillance and control.
Embryonic development in Zungaro jahu
Authors: Marques Camila , Faustino Francine , Bertolucci Bruno , Paes Maria do Carmo Faria , Silva Regiane Cristina da , Nakaghi Laura Satiko Okada
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study was to characterize the embryonic development of Zungaro jahu, a fresh water teleostei commonly known as ‘jaú’. Samples were collected at pre-determined times from oocyte release to larval hatching and analysed under light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. At the first collection times, the oocytes and eggs were spherical and yellowish, with an evident micropyle. Embryo development took place at 29.4 ± 1.5°C and was divided into seven stages: zygote, cleavage, morula, blastula, gastrula, organogenesis, and hatching. The differentiation of the animal and vegetative poles occured during the zygote stage, at 10 min post-fertilization (mpf), leading to the development of the egg cell at 15 mpf. From 20 to 75 mpf, successive cleavages resulted in the formation of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 blastomeres. The morula stage was observed between 90 and 105 mpf, and the blastula and gastrula stage at 120 and 180 mpf; respectively. The end of the gastrula stage was characterized by the presence of the yolk plug at 360 mpf. Organogenesis followed, with differentiation of the cephalic and caudal regions, elongation of the embryo by the cephalo-caudal axis, and somitogenesis. Hatching occurred at 780 mpf, with mean larval total length of 3.79 ± 0.11 mm.
Dissecting aneurysm of the interventricular septum due to rupture of the sinus of Valsalva
Authors: Atiq Mehnaz , Ali Fatima , Hasan Sulaiman B.
Published: November 2016

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly. It occurs as an outpouching that progresses like a windsock, and it may rupture producing aortic regurgitation, cardiac tamponade, congestive heart failure, conduction abnormalities, and stroke. We describe a case of rupture of the sinus of Valsalva into the interventricular septum producing a large dissecting aneurysm. Despite the location, it did not produce a conduction abnormality.
Can Big Five Facets Distinguish between Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being? A Dominance Analysis
Authors: Marrero Rosario J. , Rey Mar , Hernández-Cabrera Juan Andrés
Published: November 2016

In this study, the aim was to analyze the relative importance of Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality facets for eudaimonic or psychological well-being (PWB) and hedonic or subjective well-being (SWB) through dominance analyses. The participants were 1,403 adult residents of Spain (mean age 37.2 years, SD = 13.9). As expected, facets captured a substantial proportion of the variance in PWB and SWB, with PWB being better predicted than SWB (explaining around 36–55% of the variance of PWB vs. 25% of the variance of SWB). Some facets were common to both types of well-being such as depression (explaining between 5–33% of the variance), vulnerability (explaining between 4–21% of the variance), positive emotions (explaining between 2-9% of the variance) and achievement striving (explaining between 2–10% of the variance), whereas others made a unique contribution according to type of well-being. Certain facets had a greater relative importance for women’s well-being -e.g., positive emotions explained 9% of the variance of self-acceptance for women vs. 3% for men- and others for men’s well-being -e.g., achievement striving explained 9% of the variance of personal growth for men vs. 2% for women-. The present results contribute to the literature by identifying which Big Five facets showed greater relative importance in explaining and distinguishing between PWB and SWB for women and men.
Relationship between endothelial function of micro- and macrocirculation in patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Poredoš Pavel , Bešič Hana , Jeraj Luka
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Background: In the pathogenesis of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD), different risk factors of atherosclerosis are involved which stimulate the development of the functional and morphological deterioration of vessel walls in macro- and microcirculation. The endothelial dysfunction (ED) of macrovessels has been proven, however, data on ED in microcirculation are sparse. Therefore, we have studied the relationship between micro- and macrocirculation in PAD patients. Patients and methods: The study included 85 participants: 30 patients had PAD without diabetes mellitus, 30 patients had PAD and diabetes mellitus type 2, and 25 were healthy controls. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and endothelium-independent dilation (NMD) were studied as markers of macrocirculation, while ED of microcirculation was determined by peripheral arterial tonometry, which enabled calculation of the reactive hyperemia index (RHI). Simultaneously, the augmentation index (AI) as a measure of arterial stiffness was calculated. Results: In comparison to healthy subjects, PAD patients had reduced FMD (5.7 ± 1.3 % vs. 10.0 ± 2.4 %, p < 0.001) and significantly decreased NMD (11.0 ± 2.9 % vs 23.0 ± 9.0 %, p < 0.001). Low-flow-mediated constriction was not significantly different between the groups. In both groups of patients, RHI was significantly lower than in the controls (1.75 ± 0.45 vs. 2.05 ± 0.54, p = 0.033). Furthermore, AI as an indicator of arterial stiffness was significantly higher in patient groups than in controls. However, there were no significant differences between the groups of PAD patients with and without diabetes mellitus in indicators of the functional capability of micro- and macrocirculation. An interrelationship was shown between risk factors and both FMD and NMD. Significant correlation was also found between FMD and RHI, as was a borderline correlation between FMD and AI. Conclusions: In PAD patients with and without diabetes, the functional capability of the entire arterial system is deteriorated. These patients have ED in micro- and macrocirculation, as well as increased arterial stiffness.
Fighting Fire with Satellite Data
Authors: Witman Sarah
Published: November 2016

As climate change worsens wildfire impact, scientists use satellites to study climate-fire interactions.
Novel aspects of autoimmunity
Authors: Smith Kenneth GC , Kaser Arthur
Published: November 2016

The November/December 2016 issue contains a Special Feature on Novel aspects of autoimmunity. Major scientific advances often arise at the interface of disciplines, or are made possible by transformative technological advances. Progress in our understanding of the basis of autoimmunity over recent years provides great examples of this, and we have selected four of these to highlight in this ICB Special Feature. Together these articles reveal how recent technological advances have revealed important mechanisms underlying autoimmune disease, mechanisms that can now be examined in humans as well as mouse models. Our increasing ability to conduct in‐depth studies in humans promises to continue to unlock the mysteries underlying autoimmunity, with inevitable benefits to patients with these diseases. Immunology & Cell Biology thanks the coordinators of this Special Feature ‐ Ken Smith and Arthur Kaser ‐ for their planning and input.
Introduction of neutralizing immunogenicity index to the rational design of MERS coronavirus subunit vaccines
Authors: Du Lanying , Tai Wanbo , Yang Yang , Zhao Guangyu , Zhu Qing , Sun Shihui , Liu Chang , Tao Xinrong , Tseng Chien-Te K. , Perlman Stanley , Jiang Shibo , Zhou Yusen , Li Fang
Published: November 2016

Viral subunit vaccines often contain immunodominant non-neutralizing epitopes that divert host immune responses. These epitopes should be eliminated in vaccine design, but there is no reliable method for evaluating an epitope’s capacity to elicit neutralizing immune responses. Here we introduce a new concept ‘neutralizing immunogenicity index’ (NII) to evaluate an epitope’s neutralizing immunogenicity. To determine the NII, we mask the epitope with a glycan probe and then assess the epitope’s contribution to the vaccine’s overall neutralizing immunogenicity. As proof-of-concept, we measure the NII for different epitopes on an immunogen comprised of the receptor-binding domain from MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Further, we design a variant form of this vaccine by masking an epitope that has a negative NII score. This engineered vaccine demonstrates significantly enhanced efficacy in protecting transgenic mice from lethal MERS-CoV challenge. Our study may guide the rational design of highly effective subunit vaccines to combat MERS-CoV and other life-threatening viruses.
Fission and fusion scenarios for magnetic microswimmer clusters
Authors: Guzmán-Lastra Francisca , Kaiser Andreas , Löwen Hartmut
Published: November 2016

Fission and fusion processes of particle clusters occur in many areas of physics and chemistry from subnuclear to astronomic length scales. Here we study fission and fusion of magnetic microswimmer clusters as governed by their hydrodynamic and dipolar interactions. Rich scenarios are found that depend crucially on whether the swimmer is a pusher or a puller. In particular a linear magnetic chain of pullers is stable while a pusher chain shows a cascade of fission (or disassembly) processes as the self-propulsion velocity is increased. Contrarily, magnetic ring clusters show fission for any type of swimmer. Moreover, we find a plethora of possible fusion (or assembly) scenarios if a single swimmer collides with a ringlike cluster and two rings spontaneously collide. Our predictions are obtained by computer simulations and verifiable in experiments on active colloidal Janus particles and magnetotactic bacteria.