bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic threshold changeable multi‐policy secret sharing scheme
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhou You‐sheng , Li Dao‐feng
Published: June 2015

Efficient secret sharing schemes play important roles in many areas such as key management, trust management, and secure multi‐party protocols. In order to reduce the communication costs of threshold changeable secret sharing scheme, a dynamic threshold changeable secret sharing scheme is proposed based on RSA cryptography system and discrete logarithm problem. The threshold value of the scheme can be decided according to the secure demand, and each participant's secret shadow is selected by the participant himself; therefore, secure channel is avoided, and communication costs are reduced. The shadows do not need to be changed when renewing the sharing secret, deleting old participants, or adding new participants, so the secret shadows are reusable. Moreover, the efficient solutions against multiform cheating are proposed; therefore, the scheme is highly secure and practical. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A tutorial on structural equation modeling for analysis of overlapping symptoms in co‐occurring conditions using MPlus
Authors: Gunzler Douglas D. , Morris Nathan
Published: June 2015

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a very general approach to analyzing data in the presence of measurement error and complex causal relationships. In this tutorial, we describe SEM, with special attention to exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and multiple indicator multiple cause modeling. The tutorial is motivated by a problem of symptom overlap routinely faced by clinicians and researchers, in which symptoms or test results are common to two or more co‐occurring conditions. As a result of such overlap, diagnoses, treatment decisions, and inferences about the effectiveness of treatments for these conditions can be biased. This problem is further complicated by increasing reliance on patient‐reported outcomes, which introduces systematic error based on an individual's interpretation of a test questionnaire. SEM provides flexibility in handling this type of differential item functioning and disentangling the overlap. Scales and scoring approaches can be revised to be free of this overlap, leading to better care. This tutorial uses an example of depression screening in multiple sclerosis patients in which depressive symptoms overlap with other symptoms, such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, and functional impairment. Details of how MPlus (Muthén & Muthén, Los Angeles, CA, USA) software can be used to address the symptom overlap problem, including data requirements, code and output are described in this tutorial. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction Study of a Cold‐Rolled and Annealed Fe–17Mn–2Si–3Al–1Ni–0.06C wt% Steel
Authors: Gazder Azdiar A. , Saleh Ahmed A. , Nancarrow Mitchell J. B. , Mitchell David R. G. , Pereloma Elena V.
Published: June 2015

This study applies the recently developed transmission Kikuchi diffraction technique to investigate the microstructures and micro‐textures of a multi‐phase Fe–17Mn–3Al–2Si–1Ni–0.08C wt% steel that concurrently exhibits twinning‐ and transformation‐induced plasticity effects. The steel was cold rolled to 66% thickness reduction and subsequently annealed at 625 °C for 300 s. The cold‐rolled microstructure mainly consisted of α′ martensite interspersed with blocky ϵ martensite and remanent nanometer‐sized grains of γ. Annealing at 625 °C led to the partial transformation of α′ → γ and the reversion of ϵ → γ such that the microstructure comprised predominant nanometer‐sized γ grains interspersed with a smaller α′ phase and a trace fraction of nanometer‐sized ϵ along γ grain boundaries. During deformation via cold rolling and reverse transformation during annealing, micro‐texture analysis indicated the operation of the Shoji‐Nishiyama, Kurdjumov‐Sachs, and Burgers ORs between γ ↔ ϵ, γ ↔ α′, and ϵ ↔ α′, respectively.
Roll‐Forming Design of Eco‐Friendly Stud using Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Sim Jung Kil , Lee Tea Hee , Keum Young Tag
Published: June 2015

Recently, the eco‐friendly stud obtained by expanding the sheared pattern of the web and by roll‐forming the flange is going to prevail because of the scrapless manufacturing process. In order to design the shearing pattern for the eco‐friendly stud, the finite element analysis and Taguchi method are employed. For the design of expanding process of sheared patterns, the whole roll‐forming processes are simulated by finite element method. Six geometries are considered to see the durability and fire resistance of the dry wall, for which structural and thermal analyses are performed. For determining the best, the orthogonal array and smaller‐the‐better characteristics of the Taguchi method are utilized. As the roll gap of the upper‐and‐lower roll type causes flange buckling, the side roll type is adopted. The stress and strain distributions as well as the formed shape obtained from the finite element simulation are used for the successful design of the roll‐forming processes. The material cost of the eco‐friendly stud can be reduced, compared to the conventional stud. Moreover, the expanding process by side rolls shortens the length of the roll‐forming process and minimizes the die cost.
A semantic‐based classification and regression tree approach for modelling complex spatial rules in motor vehicle crashes domain
Authors: Effati Meysam , Sadeghi‐Niaraki Abolghasem
Published: June 2015

Innovative data mining and knowledge discovery approaches that take advantage of geospatial analysis can be useful for analysis of motor vehicle crashes on regional highway corridors. This study presents an Ontology‐based Classification and Regression Tree (OCART) approach to induct crash rules on regional highway corridors by adding ontological reasoning to Classification and Regression Tree (CART) decision rules. It develops an ontology‐driven geospatial framework to predict the motor vehicles crash severity through the proposed OCART approach. A system prototype has been developed and implemented on a regional highway corridor in order to illustrate and evaluate the proposed method. The results demonstrate the application of ontological reasoning and spatial computation significantly improves the performance of CART crash rules. The proposed method reveals new relationships among crash severities and contributing factors that have been kept implicit in CART decision rules. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2015, 5:181–194. doi: 10.1002/widm.1152

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Hierarchies and Trees

Technologies > Classification

Technologies > Machine Learning
A high‐throughput method for quantifying metabolically active yeast cells
Authors: Nandy Subir Kumar , Knudsen Peter Boldsen , Rosenkjaer Alexander , Lantz Anna Eliasson , Thykaer Jette , Workman Mhairi
Published: June 2015

By redesigning the established methylene blue reduction test for bacteria and yeast, we present a cheap and efficient methodology for quantitative physiology of eukaryotic cells applicable for high‐throughput systems. Validation of the method in fermenters and high‐throughput systems proved equivalent, displaying reduction curves that interrelated directly with CFU counts. For growth rate estimation, the methylene blue reduction test (MBRT) proved superior, since the discriminatory nature of the method allowed for the quantification of metabolically active cells only, excluding dead cells. The drop in metabolic activity associated with the diauxic shift in yeast proved more pronounced for the MBRT‐derived curve compared with OD curves, consistent with a dramatic shift in the ratio between live and dead cells at this metabolic event. This method provides a tool with numerous applications, e.g. characterizing the death phase of stationary phase cultures, or in drug screens with pathogenic yeasts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chromosome VIII disomy influences the nonsense suppression efficiency and transition metal tolerance of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Zadorsky S. P. , Sopova Y. V. , Andreichuk D. Y. , Startsev V. A. , Medvedeva V. P. , Inge‐Vechtomov S. G.
Published: June 2015

The SUP35 gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes the translation termination factor eRF3. Mutations in this gene lead to the suppression of nonsense mutations and a number of other pleiotropic phenotypes, one of which is impaired chromosome segregation during cell division. Similar effects result from replacing the S. cerevisiae SUP35 gene with its orthologues. A number of genetic and epigenetic changes that occur in the sup35 background result in partial compensation for this suppressor effect. In this study we showed that in S. cerevisiae strains in which the SUP35 orthologue from the yeast Pichia methanolica replaces the S. cerevisiae SUP35 gene, chromosome VIII disomy results in decreased efficiency of nonsense suppression. This antisuppressor effect is not associated with decreased stop codon read‐through. We identified SBP1, a gene that localizes to chromosome VIII, as a dosage‐dependent antisuppressor that strongly contributes to the overall antisuppressor effect of chromosome VIII disomy. Disomy of chromosome VIII also leads to a change in the yeast strains’ tolerance of a number of transition metal salts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Surface Active Properties of Sulfonated Acrylate Esters Based on Al‐Cedre Oil
Authors: El-Dougdoug Wagdy Ibrahim A. , Riya Mohamed Abo , Mahy Basma A.
Published: June 2015

Sulfonated acrylate esters have been synthesized by using renewable raw materials such as fatty alcohols of Al‐Ceder oil. Mixed fatty acids were isolated from Al‐Ceder oil by hydrolysis; both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were isolated from the mixed fatty acids. The methyl esters of mixed fatty acid, saturated and unsaturated acids of Al‐Cedre oil were subjected to reduction with (LiAlH4) to give the corresponding fatty alcohols. The products of the reduction process were saponified and the hydroxyl values were estimated to further confirm the reduction occurrence. The acrylate esters were synthesized by esterification of acrylic acid with fatty alcohols of C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, and C18:2 mixed saturated, mixed unsaturated and mixed fatty acids of Al‐Cedre oil, respectively. This esterification was followed by addition of NaHSO3 to form bisulfite adducts. The structures of the prepared surfactants were characterized by IR and 1HNMR spectroscopy. A series of useful surface parameters, stability towards acids and base hydrolysis and calcium stability have been determined.
Development and Validation of a Simple Reversed‐Phase HPLC‐UV Method for Determination of Malondialdehyde in Olive Oil
Authors: Al‐Rimawi Fuad
Published: June 2015

A simple, precise, accurate and selective method was developed and validated for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) in olive oil. Separation was achieved on a reversed‐phase C8 column using a mobile phase consisting of methanol/0.8 % phosphoric acid (10:90, v/v), at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and UV detection at 220 nm. This method was validated according to the requirements for new methods, which include accuracy, precision, selectivity, robustness, a limit of detection, limit of quantitation (LOQ), linearity and range. The current method demonstrated good linearity over the range of 0.5–1000 ppm of MDA with r2 greater than 0.999. The recovery of MDA in olive oil ranged from 97.1 to 99.1 %. The method was selective where MDA was distinctly separated from other compounds of the oil with good resolution. The method was also precise where the RSD of the peak areas of replicate injections of MDA standard solution were less than 1 %. The degree of reproducibility of the results obtained as a result of small deliberate variations in the method parameters and by changing the analytical operators proved that the method is robust and rugged. The low LOQ of MDA (0.5 ppm) using this method enables quantitation of MDA at low concentration.
Effects of cooling rate and Al on MnS formation in medium-carbon non-quenched and tempered steels
Authors: Li Meng-long , Wang Fu-ming , Li Chang-rong , Yang Zhan-bing , Meng Qing-yong , Tao Su-fen
Published: June 2015

The effect of Al on the morphology of MnS in medium-carbon non-quenched and tempered steel was investigated at three different cooling rates of 0.24, 0.43, and 200°C·s-1. The formation mechanisms of three types of MnS were elucidated based on phase diagram information combined with crystal growth models. The morphology of MnS is governed by the precipitation mode and the growth conditions. A monotectic reaction and subsequent fast solidification lead to globular Type I MnS. Type II MnS inclusions with different morphological characteristics form as a result of a eutectic reaction followed by the growth in the Fe matrix. Type III MnS presents a divorced eutectic morphology. At the cooling rate of 0.24°C·s−1, the precipitation of dispersed Type III MnS is significantly enhanced by the addition of 0.044wt% acid-soluble Al (Als), while Type II MnS clusters prefer to form in steels with either 0.034wt% or 0.052wt% Als. At the relatively higher cooling rates of 200°C·s−1 and 0.43°C·s−1, the formation of Type I and Type II MnS inclusions is promoted, and the influence of Al is negligible. The results of this work are expected to be employed in practice to improve the mechanical properties of non-quenched and tempered steels.
Citations as a Currency: Every Performance Measure Creates Its Own Behaviour
Authors: Oppewal Harmen
Published: June 2015

This commentary discusses how citations, when adopted as benchmarks, influence publication and assessment behaviours of researchers and institutions. It compares benchmarking based on Google Scholar with current research assessment practices, as exemplified by the ERA assessment in Australia. It then discusses the role of journals in the codifying and dissemination of knowledge and how the adoption of citation based assessment changes the status of citations and changes citation behaviours. It is concluded that journals will continue to be important as an intermediary in knowledge creation.
Implications of perihepatic adhesions in women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Mullins Edward , Agarwal Nilesh , Oliver Reeba , Odejinmi Jimi Funlayo
Published: June 2015

Objective

To establish whether the finding of perihepatic adhesions (PHAs) at laparoscopy for ectopic pregnancy (EP) is associated with poor perioperative and reproductive outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of all cases of EP managed surgically at a teaching hospital in northeast London in 2003–2013. Data for symptoms, reproductive history, ultrasonography findings, blood parameters, and findings at surgery were compared between patients with and without perihepatic adhesions (PHAs) identified at laparoscopy.

Results

Among 802 women with EP, PHAs were identified during surgery for 60 (7.5%). Compared with women without PHAs, patients with PHAs were significantly more likely to have had previous pelvic inflammatory disease, previous EP, previous tubal surgery, and the finding of abnormal contralateral adnexa or other adhesions during laparoscopy (P ≤ 0.024 for all). They also had higher preoperative hemoglobin concentrations and smaller hemoperitoneum volumes (P ≤ 0.04 for both).

Conclusion

Women with PHAs at laparoscopy for EP had lower blood loss than did those without PHAs. The finding of PHAs was associated with an increased rate of recurrent EP, irrespective of a previous history of PID or EP.
Distress of Routine Activities and Perceived Safety Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression, and Alcohol Use: 2002 Washington, DC, Sniper Attacks
Authors: Fullerton Carol S. , Herberman Mash Holly B. , Benevides K. Nikki , Morganstein Joshua C. , Ursano Robert J.
Published: June 2015

Objective

For over 3 weeks in October 2002, a series of sniper attacks in the Washington, DC, area left 10 people dead and 3 wounded. This study examined the relationship of distress associated with routine activities and perceived safety to psychological and behavioral responses.

Methods

Participants were 1238 residents of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area (aged 18 to 90 years, mean=41.7 years) who completed an Internet survey including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and items pertaining to distress related to routine activities, perceived safety, and alcohol use. Data were collected at one time point approximately 3 weeks after the first sniper shooting and before apprehension of the suspects. Relationships of distress and perceived safety to post-traumatic stress, depressive symptoms, and increased alcohol use were examined by using linear and logistic regression analyses.

Results

Approximately 8% of the participants met the symptom criteria for probable post-traumatic stress disorder, 22% reported mild to severe depression, and 4% reported increased alcohol use during the attacks. Distress related to routine activities and perceived safety were associated with increased post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms and alcohol use.

Conclusion

Distress and perceived safety are associated with specific routine activities and both contribute to psychological and behavioral responses during a terrorist attack. These findings have implications for targeted information dissemination and risk communication by community leaders. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:509–515)
Resilience of Nurses in the Face of Disaster
Authors: Turner Stephanie B.
Published: June 2015

Objective

On April 27, 2011, the state of Alabama encountered a horrific day of tornados that left a trail of damage throughout the state. The city of Tuscaloosa was devastated by an EF-4 that resulted in many victims and casualties. Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa had a massive inflow of victims with both mild and major injuries. When disasters such as this occur, nurses must respond with efficiency and effectiveness to help as many victims as possible. However, little is known about the psychological effects of disasters on nurses and how these impact nurses both personally and professionally. Because resilience can directly impact how a nurse responds to a situation, this article aimed to examine the resilience levels of nurses working during the disaster.

Methods

This study was part of a larger study examining the needs of nurses both before and after disasters. Ten nurses were interviewed and completed a 10-item survey on resilience, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The full range of scores on this scale is from 0 to 40, with higher scores reflecting greater resilience.

Results

In this survey of 10 nurses, the scores ranged from 33 to 40, with a mean score of 36.7.

Conclusions

The nurses who were interviewed and completed the survey possessed a high level of resilience. More research should be done on the causes of increased resilience in nurses after disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:601–604)
Phoenix Rising: Working-Class Life and Urban Reconstruction, c. 1945–1967
Authors: Todd Selina
Published: June 2015

Between 1945 and 1967, England's town and city centers were reconstructed. This article argues that this process of civic redevelopment transformed working-class people's experience of urban life. Frequently represented as a social problem or simply ignored by prewar planning and political rhetoric on civic participation, working-class people were treated as vital to civic life in postwar England. This change had profound implications for people's experience of civic life and for class identity. However, historians of urban change have focused on planners and politicians, while the few histories of postwar working-class life that exist concentrate on selfhood, home, and neighborhood life. Drawing on personal testimonies, press reports, and planning documents this paper argues that working-class people were active agents of change in England's civic centers. Moreover, the experience of civic reconstruction encouraged the development of a sense of entitlement for a more secure and fuller life than earlier generations had experienced. The rebuilding of the civic centers was widely recognized as an achievement of ordinary working-class people, and the rebuilt centers were understood as places that should and could provide for their needs.
Passes and Protection in the Making of a British Mediterranean
Authors: Stein Tristan
Published: June 2015

Between the end of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth, the security of British navigation in and around the corsair-infested waters of the Mediterranean depended on indented parchment passports—Mediterranean passes. This article recovers the history of the Mediterranean pass and traces the development of the Mediterranean pass system from its origins in England's mid-seventeenth-century treaties with the North African regencies to its role in the emergence of Britain's Mediterranean empire over the course of the long eighteenth century. At its inception, the Mediterranean pass system formed an interstate regulatory regime that mediated between North African and British naval power by providing a means to identify British vessels at sea and to limit the protection of Britain's treaties to them. During the eighteenth century, however, foreign merchants and shipowners, especially from Genoa, sought out the security of British passes by moving to Britain's colonies at Gibraltar and Minorca. The resulting incorporation of foreigners into the British pass system fundamentally altered the nature and significance of the pass and contributed to the development of Britain's imperial presence in the Mediterranean. This article reveals how the growth of British power and the interactions of British consuls and imperial officials with mariners and merchants from around the Mediterranean transformed the pass from a document of identification into an instrument of imperial protection that helped sustain Britain's Mediterranean outposts in the eighteenth century and make possible the dramatic expansion of the British Empire further into that sea at the start of the nineteenth.
Nonlinear electrohydrodynamics of slightly deformed oblate drops
Authors: Lanauze Javier A. , Walker Lynn M. , Khair Aditya S.
Published: June 2015

The transient deformation of a weakly conducting (‘leaky dielectric’) drop under a uniform DC electric field is computed via an axisymmetric boundary integral method, which accounts for surface charge convection and a finite relaxation time scale over which the drop interface charges. We focus on drops that attain an ultimate oblate (major axis normal to the applied field) steady-state configuration. The computations predict that as the time scale for interfacial charging increases, a shape transition from prolate deformation (major axis parallel to the applied field) to oblate deformation occurs at intermediate times due to the slow buildup of charge at the surface of the drop. Convection of surface charge towards the equator of the drop is shown to weaken the steady-state oblate deformation. Additionally, convection results in sharp shock-like variations in surface charge density near the equator of the drop. Our numerical results are then compared with an experimental system consisting of a millimetre-sized silicone oil drop suspended in castor oil. Agreement in the transient deformation is observed between our numerical results and experimental measurements for moderate electric field strengths. This suggests that both charge relaxation and charge convection are required, in general, to quantify the time-dependent deformation of leaky dielectric drops. Importantly, accurate prediction of the observed modest deformation requires a nonlinear model. Discrepancies between our numerical calculations and experimental results arise as the field strength is increased. We believe that this is due to the observed onset of rotation and three-dimensional flow at such high electric fields in the experiments, which an axisymmetric boundary integral formulation naturally cannot capture.
Image Simulation for Mingantu Ultrawide Spectral Radioheliograph in the Decimetre Wave Range
Authors: Du Jing , Yan Yihua , Wang Wei , Liu Donghao
Published: June 2015

The MUSER is a solar-dedicated radio interferometric array, which will observe the Sun over a wide range of radio frequencies (0.4–15 GHz), and make high time, space and frequency resolution images of the Sun simultaneously. MUSER is located in Mingantu Station in Inner Mongolia of China, which is about 400 kilometres away from Beijing. MUSER consists of two arrays: MUSER-I and MUSER-II. MUSER-I contains 40 antennas with 4.5-m aperture operating at 400 MHz to 2 GHz. MUSER-II contains 60 antennas with 2-m aperture operating at 2 to 15 GHz. Currently, MUSER has already been established and entered into the stage of test observation. This work is focus on the imaging performance of MUSER-I. This paper introduces MUSER-I briefly, presents the analysis of the array configurations, and evaluates the image quality mainly using the dynamic range, fidelity index, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio, also make some actual solar model simulations with CASA, the results will be shown below.
Accounting for Nonconvergence in Global Wool Marketing before 1939
Authors: Merrett David Tolmie , Ville Simon
Published: June 2015

From the mid-nineteenth century, raw wool became a global commodity as new producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere supplied the world's growing textile industries in the North. The selling practices of these big-five exporters—Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Uruguay—ranged from auction through a hybrid of auction and private sale to exclusively private sale. We explore why these countries persisted with different marketing arrangements, contradicting two streams of literature on institutions: isomorphism and the new institutional economics. The article makes several important contributions through blending distinct branches of theory and by focusing on the international constraints to convergence in an earlier period of globalization.
Sponge diversity gradients in marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Gerovasileiou Vasilis , Voultsiadou Eleni
Published: June 2015

Although sponges constitute the dominant animal group in marine caves globally, few studies have investigated quantitatively their diversity patterns in this habitat. Regarding Mediterranean marine caves, data describing the structure and diversity gradients of sponge assemblages are available for the north-western basin, while information for the eastern Mediterranean is almost inexistent. In this study, the sponge assemblages in two Aegean marine caves (eastern Mediterranean Sea) with different topography were examined using a non-destructive method. In each cave, three quadrats (25 × 25 cm) were photographed at 5 m intervals, along three transects: one along the ceiling and two along the opposite walls. Per cent coverage for each sponge species was calculated using advanced image processing software. Our analyses revealed a rich sponge assemblage, which consisted of 50 species assigned to eight growth forms. Resemblance analysis for the surveyed caves revealed two major groups of samples corresponding to the shadowy outer and the darker internal cave sectors. However, differences in species composition as well as divergent spatial patterns of species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity and morphological diversity were found not only between the caves but also between different transects within each cave. Sponge morphological diversity presented significant positive correlation with species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity in both caves, suggesting that it could possibly be used as a surrogate measure for describing sponge diversity gradients in Mediterranean caves. Cave topography was found to have a significant effect on the observed diversity patterns and assemblage structure, highlighting the high level of individuality in these unique habitats.
Molecular phylogeny of anoplocephalid tapeworms (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) infecting humans and non-human primates
Authors: DOLEŽALOVÁ JANA , VALLO PETER , PETRŽELKOVÁ KLÁRA J. , FOITOVÁ IVONA , NURCAHYO WISNU , MUDAKIKWA ANTOINE , HASHIMOTO CHIE , JIRKŮ MILAN , LUKEŠ JULIUS , SCHOLZ TOMÁŠ , MODRÝ DAVID
Published: June 2015

Anoplocephalid tapeworms of the genus Bertiella Stiles and Hassall, 1902 and Anoplocephala Blanchard, 1848, found in the Asian, African and American non-human primates are presumed to sporadic ape-to-man transmissions. Variable nuclear (5.8S-ITS2; 28S rRNA) and mitochondrial genes (cox1; nad1) of isolates of anoplocephalids originating from different primates (Callicebus oenanthe, Gorilla beringei, Gorilla gorilla, Pan troglodytes and Pongo abelii) and humans from various regions (South America, Africa, South-East Asia) were sequenced. In most analyses, Bertiella formed a monophyletic group within the subfamily Anoplocephalinae, however, the 28S rRNA sequence-based analysis indicated paraphyletic relationship between Bertiella from primates and Australian marsupials and rodents, which should thus be regarded as different taxa. Moreover, isolate determined as Anoplocephala cf. gorillae from mountain gorilla clustered within the Bertiella clade from primates. This either indicates that A. gorillae deserves to be included into the genus Bertiella, or, that an unknown Bertiella species infects also mountain gorillas. The analyses allowed the genetic differentiation of the isolates, albeit with no obvious geographical or host-related patterns. The unexpected genetic diversity of the isolates studied suggests the existence of several Bertiella species in primates and human and calls for revision of the whole group, based both on molecular and morphological data.
Subnationalism and Social Development: A Comparative Analysis of Indian States
Authors: Singh Prerna
Published: June 2015

The quality of life that a person leads depends critically on where it is led. Even taking into account levels of economic development, the chances of an individual surviving through infancy, growing up literate, or living a healthy, long life vary dramatically across regions of the world, in different countries, and within the same country. What are the causes of such variation in wellbeing? This article points to a factor that has been virtually ignored in the vast scholarship on social welfare and development—the solidarity that emerges from a sense of shared identity. The argument marks an important departure from the traditional emphasis on the role of class and electoral politics, as well as from the dominant view of the negative implications of identity for welfare. Combining statistical analyses of all Indian states and a comparative historical analysis of two Indian provinces, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, this article demonstrates how the strength of attachment to the subnational political community—subnationalism—can drive a progressive social policy and improve developmental outcomes.
The Fist-and-Phallus Pendants from Roman Catterick
Authors: Parker Adam
Published: June 2015

A collection of six fist-and-phallus amulets from excavations at Catterick, North Yorks., is here reconsidered alongside their unique context. The group consists of five amulets from a single infant inhumation and a sixth found separate from the rest. All exhibit features defining them as a clear group of objects; they are all curved with a phallus and a fist making themanus ficajoined in the centre by a scallop shell. There are three left-handed and three right-handed fists. The traditional interpretation of fist-and-phallus type amulets relates to military ideas of strength and virility, but in the context provided by this small group it is clear that their apotropaic function should be given additional credence. No other context in Roman Britain directly associates the fist-and-phallus type and infant inhumation.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL DEVICES: A SURVEY OF NON-EUROPEAN UNION AGENCIES
Authors: Ciani Oriana , Wilcher Britni , Blankart Carl Rudolf , Hatz Maximilian , Rupel Valentina Prevolnik , Erker Renata Slabe , Varabyova Yauheniya , Taylor Rod S.
Published: June 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review and compare current health technology assessment (HTA) activities for medical devices across non-European Union HTA agencies.

Methods: HTA activities for medical devices were evaluated from three perspectives: organizational structure, processes, and methods. Agencies were primarily selected upon membership of existing HTA networks. The data collection was performed in two stages: stage 1–agency Web-site assessment using a standardized questionnaire, followed by review and validation of the collected data by a representative of the agency; and stage 2–semi-structured telephone interviews with key informants of a sub-sample of agencies.

Results: In total, thirty-six HTA agencies across twenty non-EU countries assessing medical devices were included. Twenty-seven of thirty-six (75 percent) agencies were judged at stage 1 to have adopted HTA-specific approaches for medical devices (MD-specific agencies) that were largely organizational or procedural. There appeared to be few differences in the organization, process and methods between MD-specific and non–MD-specific agencies. Although the majority (69 percent) of both categories of agency had specific methods guidance or policy for evidence submission, only one MD-specific agency had developed methodological guidelines specific to medical devices. In stage 2, many MD-specific agencies cited insufficient resources (budget, skilled employees), lack of coordination (between regulator and reimbursement bodies), and the inability to generalize findings from evidence synthesis to be key challenges in the HTA of medical devices.

Conclusions: The lack of evidence for differentiation in scientific methods for HTA of devices raises the question of whether HTA needs to develop new methods for medical devices but rather adapt existing methodological approaches. In contrast, organizational and/or procedural adaptation of existing HTA agency frameworks to accommodate medical devices appear relatively commonplace.
Motor skills of 5-year-old children who underwent early cardiac surgery
Authors: Long Suzanne H. , Eldridge Beverley J. , Harris Susan R. , Cheung Michael M. H.
Published: June 2015

Aims

To describe the motor proficiency of 5-year-old children who underwent early infant cardiac surgery and had atypical infant gross motor development. To identify risk factors for motor dysfunction at 5 years of age.

Methods

A total of 33 children (80.5% participation rate) were re-assessed by a physiotherapist blinded to the diagnosis and previous clinical course, using standardised motor assessment tools.

Results

Motor proficiency was categorised as below average or well below average in 41% of the study patients. Approximately 30% of the cohort had balance deficits. Motor abilities at 4 months and 2 years of age were associated with motor proficiency at age 5; however, atypical motor development in infancy was not predictive of below-average or well below-average scores at age 5. Risk factors associated with motor ability at age 5 included respiratory support and intensive care length of stay in the 1st year of life, asymmetrical crawling in infancy, and cyanotic CHD at age 5.

Conclusions

Despite differences from other reported studies in terms of cohort diagnoses and age at surgery, the rate of motor dysfunction was similar, with rates much higher than expected in typical children. Further assessment is needed in later childhood to determine the significance of these findings.
The functional overlap of executive control and language processing in bilinguals
Authors: CODERRE EMILY L. , SMITH JASON F. , VAN HEUVEN WALTER J.B. , HORWITZ BARRY
Published: June 2015

The need to control multiple languages is thought to require domain-general executive control in bilinguals such that the executive control and language systems become interdependent. However, there has been no systematic investigation into how and where executive control and language processes overlap in the bilingual brain. If the concurrent recruitment of executive control during bilingual language processing is domain-general and extends to non-linguistic control, we hypothesize that regions commonly involved in language processing, linguistic control, and non-linguistic control may be selectively altered in bilinguals compared to monolinguals. A conjunction of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from a flanker task with linguistic and non-linguistic distractors and a semantic categorization task showed functional overlap in the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) in bilinguals, whereas no overlap occurred in monolinguals. This research therefore identifies a neural locus of functional overlap of language and executive control in the bilingual brain.
Osteoprotegerin is a significant prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis independent of the Mayo staging
Authors: Kastritis E , Gavriatopoulou M , Dimopoulos M A , Eleutherakis-Papaiakovou E , Kanellias N , Roussou M , Pamboucas C , Toumanidis S T , Terpos E
Published: June 2015

Bone metabolism has not been systematically studied in primary (AL) amyloidosis. Thus we prospectively evaluated bone remodeling indices in 102 patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis, 35 healthy controls, 35 newly diagnosed myeloma and 40 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance patients. Bone resorption markers (C-telopeptide of type-1 collagen, N-telopeptide of type-1 collagen) and osteoclast regulators (soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG)) were increased in AL patients compared with controls (P<0.01), but bone formation was unaffected. Myeloma patients had increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation compared with AL patients, while sRANKL/OPG ratio was markedly decreased in AL, due to elevated OPG in AL (P<0.001). OPG correlated with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (P<0.001) and was higher in patients with cardiac involvement (P=0.028) and advanced Mayo stage (P=0.001). OPG levels above the upper value of healthy controls was associated with shorter survival (34 versus 91 months; P=0.026), while AL patients with OPG levels in the top quartile had very short survival (12 versus 58 months; P=0.024). In Mayo stage 1 disease, OPG identified patients with poor survival (12 versus >60 months; P=0.012). We conclude that increased OPG in AL is not only a compensation to osteoclast activation but may also reflect early cardiac damage and may identify patients at increased risk of death within those with earlier Mayo stage.
Specific humoral response of hosts with variable schistosomiasis susceptibility
Authors: Driguez Patrick , McWilliam Hamish EG , Gaze Soraya , Piedrafita David , Pearson Mark S , Nakajima Rie , Duke Mary , Trieu Angela , Doolan Denise L , Cardoso Fernanda C , Jasinskas Algis , Gobert Geoffrey N , Felgner Philip L , Loukas Alex , Meeusen Els , McManus Donald P
Published: June 2015

The schistosome blood flukes are some of the largest global causes of parasitic morbidity. Further study of the specific antibody response during schistosomiasis may yield the vaccines and diagnostics needed to combat this disease. Therefore, for the purposes of antigen discovery, sera and antibody‐secreting cell (ASC) probes from semi‐permissive rats and sera from susceptible mice were used to screen a schistosome protein microarray. Following Schistosoma japonicum infection, rats had reduced pathology, increased antibody responses and broader antigen recognition profiles compared with mice. With successive infections, rat global serological reactivity and the number of recognized antigens increased. The local antibody response in rat skin and lung, measured with ASC probes, increased after parasite migration and contributed antigen‐specific antibodies to the multivalent serological response. In addition, the temporal variation of anti‐parasite serum antibodies after infection and reinfection followed patterns that appear related to the antigen driving the response. Among the 29 antigens differentially recognized by the infected hosts were numerous known vaccine candidates, drug targets and several S. japonicum homologs of human schistosomiasis resistance markers—the tegument allergen‐like proteins. From this set, we prioritized eight proteins that may prove to be novel schistosome vaccine and diagnostic antigens.
Realization of Large-Area Wrinkle-Free Monolayer Graphene Films Transferred to Functional Substrates
Authors: Park Byeong-Ju , Choi Jin-Seok , Kim Hyun-Suk , Kim Hyun-You , Jeong Jong-Ryul , Choi Hyung-Jin , Jung Hyun-June , Jung Min-Wook , An Ki-Seok , Yoon Soon-Gil
Published: June 2015

Structural inhomogeneities, such as the wrinkles and ripples within a graphene film after transferring the free-standing graphene layer to a functional substrate, degrade the physical and electrical properties of the corresponding electronic devices. Here, we introduced titanium as a superior adhesion layer for fabricating wrinkle-free graphene films that is highly applicable to flexible and transparent electronic devices. The Ti layer does not influence the electronic performance of the functional substrates. Experimental and theoretical investigations confirm that the strong chemical interactions between Ti and any oxygen atoms unintentionally introduced on/within the graphene are responsible for forming the clean, defect-free graphene layer. Our results accelerate the practical application of graphene-related electronic devices with enhanced functionality. The large-area monolayer graphenes were prepared by a simple attachment of the Ti layer with the multi-layer wrinkle-free graphene films. For the first time, the graphene films were addressed for applications of superior bottom electrode for flexible capacitors instead of the novel metals.
In vivo imaging of CREB phosphorylation in awake-mouse brain
Authors: Ishimoto Tetsuya , Mano Hiroki , Mori Hisashi
Published: June 2015

The cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) is a phosphorylation-dependent transcription factor that plays important roles in memory consolidation and several neuropsychological disorders. Although analyzing the spatiotemporal pattern of CREB phosphorylation is required for elucidating the mechanism of memory consolidation, imaging of phosphorylation of a particular protein in the brain of live animals is impossible at present. Here, we developed a method for visualizing the CREB phosphorylation in the cerebral cortex of an awake mouse using a split luciferase technique. Using this technique, we demonstrated the correlation between the change in CREB phosphorylation at a particular region in the brain and behavioral consequences induced by the administration of reserpine, a psychotropic agent.
ASK1 is involved in cognitive impairment caused by long-term high-fat diet feeding in mice
Authors: Toyama Kensuke , Koibuchi Nobutaka , Hasegawa Yu , Uekawa Ken , Yasuda Osamu , Sueta Daisuke , Nakagawa Takashi , Ma Mingjie , Kusaka Hiroaki , Lin Bowen , Ogawa Hisao , Ichijo Hidenori , Kim-Mitsuyama Shokei
Published: June 2015

Although high-fat diet intake is known to cause obesity and diabetes, the effect of high-fat diet itself on cognitive function remains to be clarified. We have previously shown that apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is responsible for cognitive impairment caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. The present work, by using ASK1 deficient mice, was undertaken to explore the influence of chronic high-fat diet intake on cognitive function and the role of ASK1. Cognitive function in wild-type mice fed high-fat diet from 2 to 24 months of age was significantly impaired compared to those fed control diet, which was associated with the significant white matter lesions, reduction of hippocampal capillary density and decrement of hippocampal neuronal cell. However, ASK1 deficiency abolished the development of cognitive impairment and cerebral injury caused by high-fat diet. Our results provided the evidence that high-fat diet itself causes cognitive impairment and ASK1 participates in such cognitive impairment.
Gradual reduction in rRNA transcription triggers p53 acetylation and apoptosis via MYBBP1A
Authors: Kumazawa Takuya , Nishimura Kazuho , Katagiri Naohiro , Hashimoto Sayaka , Hayashi Yuki , Kimura Keiji
Published: June 2015

The nucleolus, whose primary function is ribosome biogenesis, plays an essential role in p53 activation. Ribosome biogenesis is inhibited in response to cellular stress and several nucleolar proteins translocate from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm, where they activate p53. In this study, we analysed precisely how impaired ribosome biogenesis regulates the activation of p53 by depleting nucleolar factors involved in rRNA transcription or rRNA processing. Nucleolar RNA content decreased when rRNA transcription was inhibited. In parallel with the reduced levels of nucleolar RNA content, the nucleolar protein Myb-binding protein 1 A (MYBBP1A) translocated to the nucleoplasm and increased p53 acetylation. The acetylated p53 enhanced p21 and BAX expression and induced apoptosis. In contrast, when rRNA processing was inhibited, MYBBP1A remained in the nucleolus and nonacetylated p53 accumulated, causing cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase by inducing p21 but not BAX. We propose that the nucleolus functions as a stress sensor to modulate p53 protein levels and its acetylation status, determining cell fate between cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by regulating MYBBP1A translocation.
A comparison of NBI and WLI cystoscopy in detecting non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A prospective, randomized and multi-center study
Authors: Ye Zhangqun , Hu Jia , Song Xiaodong , Li Fan , Zhao Xuetao , Chen Shan , Wang Xiaofeng , He Dalin , Fan Jinhai , Ye Dingwei , Xing Jinchun , Pan Tiejun , Wang Dongwen
Published: June 2015

Several single-center studies have investigated whether narrow-band imaging (NBI) cystoscopy is more effective in detecting primary and recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) compared with white-light imaging (WLI) cystoscopy. In this study, we further evaluated the diagnostic value of NBI cystoscopy compared with WLI cystoscopy for primary NMIBC in a multi-center study. Suspected bladder cancer patients from 8 research centers received both NBI and WLI. Two experienced doctors in each center were responsible for the NBI and WLI assessments, respectively. The number of tumors and position of each tumor were recorded and suspicious tissues were clamped and histologically examined. The sensitivity, specificity and false-positive rate of NBI and WLI were evaluated. Of the 384 patients, 78 had a confirmed urothelial carcinoma (UC). The sensitivities of NBI and WLI were 97.70% and 66.67%, respectively (P < 0.0001); the specificities were 50% and 25%, respectively; and the false positive rates were 50% and 75%, respectively. Based on 300 valid biopsy specimens, the NBI and WLI sensitivities were 98.80% and 75.45%, respectively (P < 0.0001). These results suggest that NBI has a high sensitivity and has superior early bladder tumor and carcinoma in situ (CIS) detection rates compared with WLI cystoscopy.