bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loss of E-cadherin Enhances IGF1–IGF1R Pathway Activation and Sensitizes Breast Cancers to Anti-IGF1R/InsR Inhibitors
Authors: Nagle Alison M. , Levine Kevin M. , Tasdemir Nilgun , Scott Julie A. , Burlbaugh Kara , Kehm Justin , Katz Tiffany A. , Boone David N. , Jacobsen Britta M. , Atkinson Jennifer M. , Oesterreich Steffi , Lee Adrian V.
Published: June 2018

Purpose: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling regulates breast cancer initiation and progression and associated cancer phenotypes. We previously identified E-cadherin (CDH1) as a repressor of IGF1 signaling and in this study examined how loss of E-cadherin affects IGF1R signaling and response to anti-IGF1R/insulin receptor (InsR) therapies in breast cancer.

Experimental Design: Breast cancer cell lines were used to assess how altered E-cadherin levels regulate IGF1R signaling and response to two anti-IGF1R/InsR therapies. In situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) was used to define interaction between IGF1R and E-cadherin. TCGA RNA-seq and RPPA data were used to compare IGF1R/InsR activation in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) tumors. ER+ ILC cell lines and xenograft tumor explant cultures were used to evaluate efficacy to IGF1R pathway inhibition in combination with endocrine therapy.

Results: Diminished functional E-cadherin increased both activation of IGF1R signaling and efficacy to anti-IGF1R/InsR therapies. PLA demonstrated a direct endogenous interaction between IGF1R and E-cadherin at points of cell–cell contact. Increased expression of IGF1 ligand and levels of IGF1R/InsR phosphorylation were observed in E-cadherin–deficient ER+ ILC compared with IDC tumors. IGF1R pathway inhibitors were effective in inhibiting growth in ER+ ILC cell lines and synergized with endocrine therapy and similarly IGF1R/InsR inhibition reduced proliferation in ILC tumor explant culture.

Conclusions: We provide evidence that loss of E-cadherin hyperactivates the IGF1R pathway and increases sensitivity to IGF1R/InsR targeted therapy, thus identifying the IGF1R pathway as a potential novel target in E-cadherin–deficient breast cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 5165–77. ©2018 AACR.
The Effect of Binaural Beamforming Technology on Speech Intelligibility in Bimodal Cochlear Implant Recipients
Authors: Vroegop Jantien L. , Homans Nienke C. , Goedegebure André , Dingemanse J. Gertjan , van Immerzeel Teun , van der Schroeff Marc P.
Published: June 2018

Although the benefit of bimodal listening in cochlear implant users has been agreed on, speech comprehension remains a challenge in acoustically complex real-life environments due to reverberation and disturbing background noises. One way to additionally improve bimodal auditory performance is the use of directional microphones. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a binaural beamformer for bimodal cochlear implant (CI) users. This prospective study measured speech reception thresholds (SRT) in noise in a repeated-measures design that varied in listening modality for static and dynamic listening conditions. A significant improvement in SRT of 4.7 dB was found with the binaural beamformer switched on in the bimodal static listening condition. No significant improvement was found in the dynamic listening condition. We conclude that there is a clear additional advantage of the binaural beamformer in bimodal CI users for predictable/static listening conditions with frontal target speech and spatially separated noise sources.
Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Iceland
Authors: Elíasdóttir Ólöf , Kjartansson Ólafur , Olafsson Elias
Published: June 2018

Background: In this study, we examined multiple sclerosis (MS) point prevalence in the well-defined island population of Iceland. Methods: This study included all registered residents of Iceland with MS on the prevalence day, December 31, 2007. All included patients met at least one of the following criteria: McDonald criteria; Poser criteria for clinically definite MS, laboratory-supported definite MS, clinically probable MS; or criteria for primary progressive MS. The patients’ medical records were reviewed, including all available MRI data acquired prior to the prevalence day. Results: We identified 526 patients, of whom 73% (382) were women. The crude point prevalence of MS was 167.1 per 100,000 population on the prevalence day. With age adjustment made to the 2000 U.S. population, the prevalence was 166.5 per 100,000 population. The mean patient age on the prevalence day was 47 years(range 13–89) for both men and women. The mean age at diagnosis was 36 years (range 13–77): 35 years for women and 36 years for men. Conclusion: MS prevalence was high in Iceland compared to the prevalence mentioned in reports from most of the world, and was similar to prevalence rates in other Nordic countries.
Isoliquiritigenin Suppresses Osteosarcoma U2OS Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Regulating the PI3K/Akt Signalling Pathway
Authors: Chen Jing , Liu Cheng , Yang Qin-Qing , Ma Rui-Bin , Ke Ying , Dong Fang , Wu Xiao-E
Published: June 2018

Aims: Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid, that has been shown to have antioxidant, vasorelaxant, anti-inﬂammatory, and antitumor activities. This study aimed to explore the antitumor effect of ISL on human osteosarcoma U2OS cells and investigate the mechanism of this effect. Methods: The effect of ISL on osteosarcoma U2OS cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were determined by a CCK8 assay, a transwell invasion assay, a transwell migration assay, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting, respectively. In addition, the protein expression levels of Bcl2, Bax, active Caspase-3, Akt, mTOR, p70, and Cyclin D1 were detected by western blotting. Results: ISL suppressed cell proliferation, inhibited invasion and migration, and promoted apoptosis in U2OS cells. After treatment with ISL, the protein expression levels of Bax and active Caspase-3 increased, while the level of Bcl-2 declined significantly. Furthermore, the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR declined significantly compared with that of the control. Conclusion: ISL could retard proliferation and promote apoptosis of U2OS cells possibly by suppressing the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, indicating that it might be a potential therapeutic agent for osteosarcoma treatment.
A midiatização da cultura e a personagem do agente secreto James Bond no cinema
Authors: Santana Gelson , Lyra Bernadette
Published: June 2018

Objetiva-se verificar transformações ocorridas na personagem de James Bond no cinema ao longo das cinco décadas em que foram produzidos os filmes de 007, em decorrência de mudanças que emergem a partir do fenômeno da midiatização da cultura que hoje permeia a sociedade, não apenas se apropriando dos fenômenos culturais, mas também afetando seus modos de representação expressiva. Serão analisados aspectos como o conforto e a virilidade da personagem do agente secreto nos cinco primeiros e no sétimo filme da saga, com o escocês Sean Connery, em contraposição aos quatro últimos filmes, com o inglês Daniel Craig, para comprovar, na evidência cinematográfica, certos intercâmbios que ao longo do tempo ocorrem entre os eventos sociais e a cultura das mídias, em sua evolução política e audiovisual, da última metade do século XX até as primeiras décadas do século XXI.
Transformações e atualidade da teoria crítica
Authors: França Vera Veiga
Published: June 2018

Este artigo trata da crítica de mídia a partir de uma matriz teórica mais ampla, voltada para uma apreciação crítica do papel e das funções de diferentes mídias, tendo como referência e horizonte uma prática comunicativa dirigida para o bem comum. Essa crítica tem como parâmetro a relação e o comprometimento da mídia com o interesse coletivo e a justiça social. Essa matriz teórica, conhecida como teoria crítica, cumpre importante papel, inclusive o de fomentar um bom trabalho de crítica de mídia enquanto atividade específica – crítica de produtos, programas e conteúdos. A herança da teoria crítica é retomada neste estudo por costuras e releituras, num movimento cíclico de referências que dialogam e se modificam. O percurso da reflexão se organiza em quatro tópicos: breve discussão sobre o que é a teoria crítica e suas duas importantes matrizes; crítica e deslocamento dessas matrizes; indícios de um terceiro momento (a retomada); e a influência da teoria crítica nos estudos da comunicação.
Comunicação: José Geraldo Couto - Crítica do juízo, juízo da crítica
Authors: Couto José Geraldo
Published: June 2018

I Simpósio de Crítica de Mídia: Como Criticam os que Criticam?, promovido pelo Grupo de Pesquisa Crítica de Mídia e Práticas Culturais em setembro de 2017, na Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, o jornalista, crítico de cinema e tradutor José Geraldo Couto discutiu a relevância da crítica, a dimensão criativa e especializada da tarefa do crítico, as pressões do mercado, a proliferação de espaços novos de crítica na internet e a política tratada em aspectos cinematográficos. A revista RuMoRes apresenta a seguir os tópicos centrais dessa comunicação.
Adenosine Receptors Influence Hypertension in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats
Authors: Jackson Edwin K. , Gillespie Delbert G. , Mi Zaichuan , Cheng Dongmei
Published: June 2018

The influence of adenosine receptors on blood pressure in salt-sensitive hypertension is unknown. Here, we examined the effects of salt diets on arterial blood pressures (radiotelemetry) in female and male Dahl salt-sensitive wild-type versus female and male Dahl salt-sensitive A
1
, A
2A
, or A
2B
receptor knockouts (A
1
KOs, A
2A
KOs, and A
2B
KOs, respectively). At baseline, all rats were on a 0.3% salt diet; then separate groups were switched to either 4% or 8% salt diet for 2 weeks. Compared with wild-types, baseline pressures were not affected by knockout of A
1
or A
2B
receptors; yet, mean, systolic, and diastolic pressures were significantly (
P
<0.01) higher in A
2A
KOs versus wild-types, an effect independent of sex. During the second week on a 4% salt diet, mean, systolic, and diastolic blood pressures (mm Hg, mean±SEM) in female A
1
KOs (176±5, 209±5, and 147±4, respectively) and A
2B
KOs (166±8, 198±9, and 139±8, respectively) were significantly lower (
P
<0.001) than wild-type on a 4% salt diet (202±4, 240±5, and 172±3, respectively). Male A
1
KOs and A
2B
KOs were not protected against 4% salt diet–induced hypertension. This female advantage was overwhelmed by an 8% salt diet. Female and male A
2A
KOs were more salt sensitive, a phenotype that was apparent in male A
2A
KOs on 4% and 8% salt diets and in females on 8% salt diet. Female A
1
KOs and A
2B
KOs were less susceptible to salt-induced stroke and experienced improved survival. Adenosine receptors influence blood pressure and survival in salt-sensitive rats, and the impact of deleting adenosine receptors on blood pressure and survival depends on salt diet and sex.
Emergent Solutions to High-Dimensional Multitask Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Kelly Stephen , Heywood Malcolm I.
Published: June 2018

Algorithms that learn through environmental interaction and delayed rewards, or reinforcement learning (RL), increasingly face the challenge of scaling to dynamic, high-dimensional, and partially observable environments. Significant attention is being paid to frameworks from deep learning, which scale to high-dimensional data by decomposing the task through multilayered neural networks. While effective, the representation is complex and computationally demanding. In this work, we propose a framework based on genetic programming which adaptively complexifies policies through interaction with the task. We make a direct comparison with several deep reinforcement learning frameworks in the challenging Atari video game environment as well as more traditional reinforcement learning frameworks based on a priori engineered features. Results indicate that the proposed approach matches the quality of deep learning while being a minimum of three orders of magnitude simpler with respect to model complexity. This results in real-time operation of the champion RL agent without recourse to specialized hardware support. Moreover, the approach is capable of evolving solutions to multiple game titles simultaneously with no additional computational cost. In this case, agent behaviours for an individual game as well as single agents capable of playing all games emerge from the same evolutionary run.
Lupine Becomings—Tracking and Assembling Romanian Wolves through Multi-Sensory Fieldwork
Authors: O’Mahony Kieran , Corradini Andrea , Gazzola Andrea
Published: June 2018

This paper outlines the fieldwork methods utilized by ecologists in (re)presenting wolves in Romania. By revealing the processes and performances of this aspect of wildlife conservation, the paper highlights the complex more-than-human assemblages that make up wolf ecology. It briefly discusses the waysHAS(Human-Animal Studies) and the social sciences have addressed conservation and unpacked the oft obscured hinterland of bodies and technologies. It then blends field stories and ethnographic narrative to emphasize the multi-sensory techniques employed in non-invasive wolf research. By using this novel case, the paper contextualizes the significance of concepts such as becoming, affect, and attunement in creating partial affinities between researchers and wildlife. It argues that these contribute to an emplaced knowledge that allows practices to adapt to contingencies in field. This is important when modern, remote technologies aimed at minimizing effort in the field are seen to be a panacea for monitoring elusive wildlife.
Learning a Craft from Books
Authors: Hagendijk Thijs
Published: June 2018

The early modern period witnessed a great increase in the production and dissemination of artisanal handbooks, manuals and recipes. A central question is what role these texts played in the transmission of artisanal knowledge. This study explores the case of Dutch silversmith Willem van Laer (1674–1722) who published a Guidebook for upcoming gold- and silversmiths (1721), a comprehensive and well-received manual of the craft. To assess the role of the Guidebook in the acquisition of practical skills in the eighteenth century, this study employs traditional historical methods combined with historical re-enactment. I argue that effective use of the Guidebook depended on complementary hands-on education of master craftsmen, which suggests that the Guidebook was far from a DIY crash course and illustrates that the textual transmission of craft knowledge depended upon, rather than threatened, established routes to craft learning, such as apprenticeships.
Copystree
Authors: Pompei Simone , Loreto Vittorio , Tria Francesca
Published: June 2018

The reconstruction of phylogenies of cultural artefacts represents an open problem that mixes theoretical and computational challenges. Existing benchmarks rely on simulated phylogenies, where hypotheses on the underlying evolutionary mechanisms are unavoidable, or on real data phylogenies, for which no true evolutionary history is known. Here we introduce a web-based game, Copystree, where users create phylogenies of manuscripts through successive copying actions in a fully monitored setup. While players enjoy the experience, Copystree allows to build artificial phylogenies whose evolutionary processes do not obey any predefined theoretical mechanisms, being generated instead with the unpredictability of human creativity. We present the analysis of the data gathered during the first set of experiments and use the artificial phylogenies gathered for a first test of existing phylogenetic algorithms.
Armenian prosody in typology and diachrony
Authors: DeLisi Jessica
Published: June 2018

This paper examines the relationship between typology and historical linguistics through a case study from the history of Armenian, where two different stress systems are found in the modern language. The first is a penult system with no associated secondary stress ([… σ́σ]ω). The other, the so-called hammock pattern, has primary stress on the final syllable and secondary stress on the initial syllable of the prosodic word ([σ̀ … σ́]ω). Although penult stress patterns are by far more typologically common than the hammock pattern in the world’s languages, I will argue that the hammock pattern must be reconstructed for the period of shared innovation, the Proto-Armenian period.
Lectotype, epitype and amendment of Gastrodia angusta (Orchidaceae)
Authors: LI JIAN-WU , HUANG LU-QI , LI GUO-WU , PAN BO , YIN JIAN-TAO , JIN XIAO-HUA
Published: June 2018

Gastrodia angusta S. Chow et S. C. Chen was established in 1983 from Shiping County, Yunnan Province, China. However, the specimens cited were erroneous: 3 type and 1 isotype were apparently collected on two different days and in different places. Moreover, the description omitted some key characters, including outer surface of sepals lobes with mid-vine convex and with 3–5 dens, margins sometimes irregular erose, lip triangular-oblong, epichile margins undulate and irregular erose, apex rounded and sometime irregular erose, disc with a longitudinal yellow, rugose, 2 mm wide belt, margins of mesochile retrousse and folded, forming two upright, semi-orbicular lamella on hypochile, lamellae inside densely with orange-yellow powder particles (pseudo-pollen). We have therefore designated a lectotype and epitype, and provide a revised description.
Taxonomic notes on Leandra cordifolia (Melastomataceae)
Authors: CADDAH MAYARA KRASINSKI , MEIRELLES JULIA
Published: June 2018

A recent survey on Melastomataceae from the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil (Feldhaus et al. in prep.) revealed the problematic circumscription among Leandra cordifolia (Naudin) Cogniaux (1886: 98) and related taxa, here formally treated in order to untangle the case.
Contributions to the taxonomy of Rhyncholacis (Podostemaceae): Evidence of monophyly, description of a new species, and transfer of the monotypic Macarenia
Authors: PHILBRICK C. THOMAS , RUHFEL BRAD R. , BOVE CLAUDIA P.
Published: June 2018

We conducted a phylogenetic study of neotropical subfamily Podostemoideae with a focus on Rhyncholacis and the monotypic Macarenia using molecular data (plastid: rbcL, trnL intron; nuclear: ITS). Our results placed the five included species of Rhyncholacis, one of which is newly described herein, in a moderately well supported (73 BP) clade with M. clavigera. These results support the transfer of M. clavigera to Rhyncholacis (R. clavigera); the nomenclatural changes are made. In addition, a new species of Rhyncholacis (R. paulana C.T. Philbrick & C.P. Bove) is illustrated and described. Rhyncholacis paulana is distinguished from all other species in the genus by its simple pinnately lobed leaf, which is fleshy and undulate. All other species of Rhyncholacis have leaves that are pinnately lobed, the lobes of which are repeatedly divided, or pinnately compound and characterized by finely dissected pinnate segments.
Hilliella rhombea (Brassicaceae), a new species from eastern China
Authors: MA DAN-DAN , XIE WEN-YUAN , CHEN ZHENG-HAI , XIA GUO-HUA
Published: June 2018

Hilliella rhombea, a new species of Brassicaceae from Zhejiang, eastern China is described and illustrated. It is similar to Hilliella fumarioides (Dunn) Y. Z. Zhao, but can be distinguished from the latter fruit rhombic, valves membranous, glabrous or sparsely papillate.
Two species and a genus new for Thailand, with description of a new species of Neurolarthra Fischer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae)
Authors: YAO JUNLI , ACHTERBERG CORNELIS VAN , SHARKEY MICHAEL J. , CHAPMAN ERIC G. , CHEN JIAHUA
Published: June 2018

Neurolarthra Fischer, 1976, is a small braconid genus with two described species. The genus is revised using morphological characters and a phylogenetic analysis of COI sequence data; GenBank accession numbers of seven COI sequences from two species are included. A new species from Thailand is described and illustrated: N. karensharkeyae Yao n. sp. Neurolarthra Fischer and N. procera are reported for the first time from Thailand. A key to species of the genus Neurolarthra is presented.
A new highly troglomorphic Loxosceles (Araneae: Sicariidae) from Brazil
Authors: SOUZA MAYSA F.V.R. , FERREIRA RODRIGO L.
Published: June 2018

The spiders of the genus Loxosceles have been reported from caves in several regions of the world. Despite their commonness in subterranean habitats, the occurrence of troglomorphic species is quite rare. A new cave-dwelling species found in the Brazilian Caatinga can be included in the restricted list of troglomorphic Loxosceles by presenting the following troglomorphic traits: eyes with reduced diameter, absence of pigment around the eyes, appendage elongation and pale coloration. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe a new highly troglomorphic species of Loxosceles from Brazil, corresponding to the first troglomorphic species from South America. Loxosceles troglobia sp. nov. belongs to the gaucho group and can be distinguished from the other species of this group mainly by the presence of the troglomorphic characteristics mentioned above and by the shape of the female spermathecae and the male palp. The morphological traits, together with the fact that the new species was found only in inner and very humid portions of two nearby caves, indicate that it is troglobitic.
Coherent Turbulence in the Boundary Layer of Hurricane Rita (2005) during an Eyewall Replacement Cycle
Authors: Guimond Stephen R. , Zhang Jun A. , Sapp Joseph W. , Frasier Stephen J.
Published: June 2018

The structure of coherent turbulence in an eyewall replacement cycle in Hurricane Rita (2005) is presented from novel airborne Doppler radar observations using the Imaging Wind and Rain Airborne Profiler (IWRAP). The IWRAP measurements and three-dimensional (3D) wind vector calculations at a grid spacing of 250 m in the horizontal and 30 m in the vertical reveal the ubiquitous presence of organized turbulent eddies in the lower levels of the storm. The data presented here, and the larger collection of IWRAP measurements, currently are the highest-resolution Doppler radar 3D wind vectors ever obtained in a hurricane over the open ocean. Coincident data from NOAA airborne radars, the Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer, and flight-level data help to place the IWRAP observations into context and provide independent validation. The typical characteristics of the turbulent eddies are the following: radial wavelengths of ~1–3 km (mean value is ~2 km), depths from the ocean surface up to flight level (~1.5 km), aspect ratio of ~1.3, and horizontal wind speed perturbations of 10–20 m s−1. The most intense eddy activity is located on the inner edge of the outer eyewall during the concentric eyewall stage with a shift to the inner eyewall during the merging stage. The evolving structure of the vertical wind shear is connected to this shift and together these characteristics have several similarities to boundary layer roll vortices. However, eddy momentum flux analysis reveals that high-momentum air is being transported upward, in contrast with roll vortices, with large positive values (~150 m2 s−2) found in the turbulent filaments. In the decaying inner eyewall, elevated tangential momentum is also being transported radially outward to the intensifying outer eyewall. These results indicate that the eddies may have connections to potential vorticity waves with possible modifications due to boundary layer shear instabilities.
The Impact of Spatial Resolution, Land Use, and Spinup Time on Resolving Spatial Precipitation Patterns in the Himalayas
Authors: Bonekamp P. N. J. , Collier E. , Immerzeel W. W.
Published: June 2018

Frequently used gridded meteorological datasets poorly represent precipitation in the Himalayas because of their relatively low spatial resolution and the associated representation of the complex topography. Dynamical downscaling using high-resolution atmospheric models may improve the accuracy and quality of the precipitation fields. However, most physical parameterization schemes are designed for a spatial resolution coarser than 1 km. In this study the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model is used to determine which resolution is required to most accurately simulate monsoon and winter precipitation, 2-m temperature, and wind fields in the Nepalese Himalayas. Four model nests are set up with spatial resolutions of 25, 5, 1, and 0.5 km, respectively, and a typical 10-day period in summer and winter in 2014 are simulated. The model output is compared with observational data obtained from automatic weather stations, pluviometers, and tipping buckets in the Langtang catchment. Results show that, despite issues with the quality of the observational data due to undercatch of snowfall, the highest resolution of 500 m does provide the best match with the observations and gives the most plausible spatial distribution of precipitation. The quality of the wind and temperature fields is also improved, whereby the cold temperature bias is decreased. Our results further elucidate the performance of WRF at high resolution and demonstrate the importance of accurate surface boundary conditions and spinup time for simulating precipitation. Furthermore, they suggest that future modeling studies of High Mountain Asia should consider a subkilometer grid for accurately estimating local meteorological variability.
The Arctic Ocean Seasonal Cycles of Heat and Freshwater Fluxes: Observation-Based Inverse Estimates
Authors: Tsubouchi Takamasa , Bacon Sheldon , Aksenov Yevgeny , Naveira Garabato Alberto C. , Beszczynska-Möller Agnieszka , Hansen Edmond , de Steur Laura , Curry Beth , Lee Craig M.
Published: June 2018

This paper presents the first estimate of the seasonal cycle of ocean and sea ice heat and freshwater (FW) fluxes around the Arctic Ocean boundary. The ocean transports are estimated primarily using 138 moored instruments deployed in September 2005–August 2006 across the four main Arctic gateways: Davis, Fram, and Bering Straits, and the Barents Sea Opening (BSO). Sea ice transports are estimated from a sea ice assimilation product. Monthly velocity fields are calculated with a box inverse model that enforces mass and salt conservation. The volume transports in the four gateways in the period (annual mean ± 1 standard deviation) are −2.1 ± 0.7 Sv in Davis Strait, −1.1 ± 1.2 Sv in Fram Strait, 2.3 ± 1.2 Sv in the BSO, and 0.7 ± 0.7 Sv in Bering Strait (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). The resulting ocean and sea ice heat and FW fluxes are 175 ± 48 TW and 204 ± 85 mSv, respectively. These boundary fluxes accurately represent the annual means of the relevant surface fluxes. The ocean heat transport variability derives from velocity variability in the Atlantic Water layer and temperature variability in the upper part of the water column. The ocean FW transport variability is dominated by Bering Strait velocity variability. The net water mass transformation in the Arctic entails a freshening and cooling of inflowing waters by 0.62 ± 0.23 in salinity and 3.74° ± 0.76°C in temperature, respectively, and a reduction in density by 0.23 ± 0.20 kg m−3. The boundary heat and FW fluxes provide a benchmark dataset for the validation of numerical models and atmospheric reanalysis products.
Probabilistic Forecasting of Thunderstorms in the Eastern Alps
Authors: Simon Thorsten , Fabsic Peter , Mayr Georg J. , Umlauf Nikolaus , Zeileis Achim
Published: June 2018

A probabilistic forecasting method to predict thunderstorms in the European eastern Alps is developed. A statistical model links lightning occurrence from the ground-based Austrian Lightning Detection and Information System (ALDIS) detection network to a large set of direct and derived variables from a numerical weather prediction (NWP) system. The NWP system is the high-resolution run (HRES) of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) with a grid spacing of 16 km. The statistical model is a generalized additive model (GAM) framework, which is estimated by Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. Gradient boosting with stability selection serves as a tool for selecting a stable set of potentially nonlinear terms. Three grids from 64 × 64 to 16 × 16 km2 and five forecast horizons from 5 days to 1 day ahead are investigated to predict thunderstorms during afternoons (1200–1800 UTC). Frequently selected covariates for the nonlinear terms are variants of convective precipitation, convective potential available energy, relative humidity, and temperature in the midlayers of the troposphere, among others. All models, even for a lead time of 5 days, outperform a forecast based on climatology in an out-of-sample comparison. An example case illustrates that coarse spatial patterns are already successfully forecast 5 days ahead.
Unexplained Wealth Orders
Authors: Sproat Peter
Published: June 2018

This article examines unexplained wealth orders (UWOs)—a new investigative power introduced by the Criminal Finances Act 2017. In detail, it describes both the law and the rationale behind this new addition to the arsenal of anti-money laundering. It then identifies and considers the potential obstacles to the use of the new investigative order. Finally, in the light of these factors, it attempts to predict the nature and extent of the use of UWOs in the next decade.
Overexpressed Sirt1 in MSCs Promotes Dentin Formation in Bmi1-Deficient Mice
Authors: Wang H. , Lv C. , Gu Y. , Li Q. , Xie L. , Zhang H. , Miao D. , Sun W.
Published: June 2018

Sirt1 promotes odontoblastic gene expression in human dental pulp cells, whereas the inhibition of Sirt1 downregulates the expression of those genes. To investigate whether the overexpression of Sirt1 in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) driven by Prx1 promoter could rescue the dentin formation defects in Bmi1-deficient (Bmi1−/−) mice, we established the MSCs overexpressing Sirt1 in Bmi1 knockout mice (Sirt1TGBmi1−/−). First, we used Prx1-Cre/ROSAnTnG mice to demonstrate that Prx1 linage cells exist mainly in the pulp horns at 4 wk of age. Second, we found that 4-wk-old Sirt1TG mice had increased tooth volume as compared with wild-type (WT) littermates. The expression level of Sirt1 was significantly higher in dental papilla mesenchymal cells of Sirt1TG mice than WT mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the tooth mineralization, dental volume, dentin sialoprotein–immunopositive areas, odontoblastic gene expression, and percentage of proliferating BrdU-positive cells were significantly elevated in the Sirt1TG mice and dramatically reduced in the Bmi1–/– mice versus the WT littermates at 4 wk of age. However, the areas of predentin and the percentage of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells were significantly reduced in the Sirt1TG mice but dramatically increased in the Bmi1−/− mice as compared with the WT littermates. All these parameters were rescued in the Sirt1TGBmi1−/− mice versus the Bmi1−/− mice. Finally, by using dental papilla mesenchymal cells, we found that the overexpression of Sirt1 rescued the reduced cell proliferation and differentiation and increased the cell apoptosis caused by Bmi1 deficiency, which was associated with increased p53 deacetylation. Therefore, this study indicates that Sirt1 is a potential therapeutic target for promoting dentin formation in an anabolic approach to the treatment of dental developmental defects.
Times Thirty: Access, Maintenance, and Justice
Authors: Crooks Roderic N.
Published: June 2018

Based on an ethnographic project in a public high school in a low-income neighborhood in South Los Angeles, this paper argues that access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) cannot be taken as helpful or empowering on its own terms; instead, concerns about justice must be accounted for by the local communities technology is meant to benefit. This paper juxtaposes the concept of technological access with recent work in feminist science and technology studies (STS) on infrastructure, maintenance, and ethics. In contrast to popular descriptions of ICTs as emancipatory and transformative, in the setting of an urban school, access produced extensive demands for attention, time, and information. This paper focuses on the labor of a group of student workers, Student Technology Leaders (STLs), and how they became responsible for the significant amount of repair and maintenance work involved in keeping hundreds of new computing devices available for use. An expanded process of accounting can more realistically frame issues of justice and its relationship to ICTs. I use a town hall meeting held with these students as an example of a processual vision of justice, one that encourages the beneficiaries of technological access to evaluate costs, benefits, and ethical concerns together.
20 years of researching stroke through audit
Authors: Rudd Anthony G , Hoffman Alex , Paley Lizz , Bray Benjamin
Published: June 2018

Over the last 20 years, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have developed an audit programme that now encompasses nearly all patients admitted to hospital with a stroke. This article records and reviews some questions that have been answered using data from the audit: Is the rate of institutional care after rehabilitation a possible measure of outcome? Does stroke unit care in routine practice give the benefits shown in randomized controlled trials? How is the quality of stroke care affected by a patient’s age and the time of their stroke? Do patient-reported measures match those obtained from the professionals recording of processes of care? How do the processes of care after stroke affect mortality? Is thrombolysis safe to use in patients over the age of 80? Do staffing levels matter? Does assessing the safety of swallowing really make a difference? Do clinicians make rational decisions about end-of-life care in patients with haemorrhage? Does socioeconomic status influence the risk of stroke, outcome after stroke and the quality of stroke care? How much does stroke really cost in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The article concludes that this national audit has improved stroke care across the United Kingdom, has given answers to important questions that could not be answered in any other way and has shown that benefits found in research do generalize into real clinical benefits in day-to-day practice.
Probabilistic pose estimation using a Bingham distribution-based linear filter
Authors: Arun Srivatsan Rangaprasad , Xu Mengyun , Zevallos Nicolas , Choset Howie
Published: June 2018

Pose estimation is central to several robotics applications such as registration, hand–eye calibration, and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Online pose estimation methods typically use Gaussian distributions to describe the uncertainty in the pose parameters. Such a description can be inadequate when using parameters such as unit quaternions that are not unimodally distributed. A Bingham distribution can effectively model the uncertainty in unit quaternions, as it has antipodal symmetry, and is defined on a unit hypersphere. A combination of Gaussian and Bingham distributions is used to develop a truly linear filter that accurately estimates the distribution of the pose parameters. The linear filter, however, comes at the cost of state-dependent measurement uncertainty. Using results from stochastic theory, we show that the state-dependent measurement uncertainty can be evaluated exactly. To show the broad applicability of this approach, we derive linear measurement models for applications that use position, surface-normal, and pose measurements. Experiments assert that this approach is robust to initial estimation errors as well as sensor noise. Compared with state-of-the-art methods, our approach takes fewer iterations to converge onto the correct pose estimate. The efficacy of the formulation is illustrated with a number of examples on standard datasets as well as real-world experiments.
Leveraging State DOT Technology and Practice for Cost-Effective Pavement Management by Local Government Authorities
Authors: Wang Zhaohua , Tsai Yichang (James) , Bui Binh
Published: June 2018

To improve management of the pavement assets in Georgia’s local government authorities (LGs), there is a need to leverage the existing pavement management and maintenance technology and practice in the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). However, due to the difference in organizational structure and resource limitation of LGs, GDOT’s technology cannot be directly adopted. To address this issue, a research team at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) developed the Computerized Pavement Condition Evaluation System for Counties and Cities (COPACES-CC) that is based on GDOT’s current practice on pavement management and maintenance. To facilitate the technology transfer (T2) from GDOT to Georgia’s LGs, the Georgia Tech research team has collaborated with GDOT’s Office of Research, Local Technical Assistance Program, Office of Local Grants, and Office of Maintenance. LGs’ decision makers and stakeholders were also engaged in this T2 activity. This paper presents the research need and development of COPACES-CC, a guided T2 process that was adopted in three-stage development and implementation strategies, and the key factors that are related to the components of a guided T2. Conclusions and future recommendations are offered. It is hoped that the successful experience in the T2 of COPACES-CC could be useful and beneficial to other state DOTs and LGs.
Resolving Revenue Allocation Challenges in Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable National Development
Authors: Ohiomu Sylvester , Oluyemi Sunday Ade
Published: June 2018

This study examines the structure and formula for revenue allocation in Nigeria which has been fraught with challenges, proffers solution, and highlights its implications for sustainable national development. The work uses the methodology of Group Unit Root Test, auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) Bounds Testing and Cointegrating Long Run tests for robust policy recommendations. Using the Gross Domestic Product as the dependent variable and revenue allocation to the three levels of government, and oil revenue as the independent variables, the results from the study show that revenue allocations and the other variables have significant relationship with economic growth in Nigeria. Based on our findings, the study recommends among others that the current revenue allocation formula should be reviewed to embrace autonomy in its entirety to achieve national goals and objectives. Various levels of government should be adequately funded to enable it carry out its expenditure responsibilities to accelerate grass root development.

JEL classification: C22, C32, C58
Mental Health in the Cree Peoples of Northern Quebec: Relationships Among Trauma, Familial Psychological Distress, and Mood or Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Heath Laura M. , Torrie Jill , Gill Kathryn J.
Published: June 2018

Objective:

This study examined the physical and mental health of Cree adults, as well as the personal, clinical, and environmental factors associated with the presence of lifetime anxiety and mood disorders.

Methods:

Mental health was assessed using the computerised version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (CDIS-IV), and standardised instruments were used to assess physical health, addiction severity, and psychological distress in 506 randomly selected participants from 4 Northern Cree communities in Quebec.

Results:

Overall, 46.1% of participants reported chronic medical problems, 42.1% were current smokers and 34.5% met the DSM-IV criteria for an anxiety or mood disorder. Individuals with an anxiety or mood disorder were younger, predominantly female, and with higher educational levels, and a large proportion (47.7%) met the lifetime criteria for substance dependence. Hierarchical regression determined that anxiety or mood disorders were associated with serious problems getting along with parents, a history of physical and sexual abuse, and a lifetime diagnosis of substance dependence. Overall, 29.7% of Cree adults reported sexual abuse, 47.1% physical abuse, and 52.9% emotional abuse.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the high rates of physical and mental health problems in Cree communities and the association among parental history of psychological problems, history of abuse, and psychological distress. Participants expressed a desire for additional medical and psychological treatments to address the patterns of abuse, trauma, and mental disorders that are burdening the Cree communities in Northern Quebec.
Women’s Cigarette and Marijuana Use in Pregnancy: Identifying the Role of Past Versus Recent Violence Exposure
Authors: Miller-Graff Laura E. , Howell Kathryn H. , Grein Katherine , Keough Kathryn
Published: June 2018

Both cigarette smoking and marijuana use during pregnancy pose serious risks to healthy fetal development, yet little is known about the comparative contribution of recent versus past traumatic experiences to women’s smoking behavior. The current study aimed to examine the relative contributions of childhood adversity and past year intimate partner violence (IPV) to women’s cigarette and marijuana use during pregnancy in a high-risk, low-income sample. Participants ( n = 101) were interviewed to evaluate past year IPV, childhood adversity, and cigarette and marijuana use. Results indicated that approximately one in four pregnant women in the sample reported that they were currently smoking cigarettes. Only a minority of those who reported prepregnancy smoking (22.5%) were able to quit smoking once pregnant. Regarding marijuana use, 6.9% of women reported use during pregnancy, with 68.1% of women using prior to pregnancy ceasing use once pregnant. Results of multinomial regressions controlling for income and education indicated that past year physical abuse by a partner was associated with light cigarette use during pregnancy whereas high rates of childhood adversity were associated with moderate cigarette use during pregnancy. Sexual IPV was associated with marijuana use during pregnancy. Comprehensive assessment of women’s history of exposure to violence, including both past and recent exposure, provides insight into which women may have the most difficulty with unassisted cessation in the prenatal period. Providing better intervention and support around cigarette and marijuana cessation for women exposed to violence is a critical need, especially among groups that are at sociodemographic risk for substance use in pregnancy.
Multilayered Cellulosic Material as a Leather Alternative in the Footwear Industry
Authors: Nam Changhyun , Lee Young-A
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study was to develop a biodegradable material that could be used as a leather alternative material for the footwear industry, leading to reduce the negative environmental impact. Using an experimental research design, the researchers developed a multilayered cellulosic material (MCM) by bonding nonwoven cellulosic fiber mat, denim fabric, and hemp fabric and examined its properties compared with those of two-layered leathers, consisting of calf and pigskins (multilayered calf and pigskin leather [MCPL]), often used in the footwear industry. We hypothesized these two materials would have similar properties. No significant mean differences were found between MCM and MCPL in total heat loss and break force. The values of air permeability, evaporative potential, and permeability index of MCM were higher than those of MCPL. The findings of this study confirm the effectiveness of MCM for use as a leather alternative material when developing sustainable shoes and provide insights to the footwear industry.
Between History and Religion: The New Russian Martyrdom as an Invented Tradition
Authors: Bogumił Zuzanna , Łukaszewicz Marta
Published: June 2018

This article is part of the special cluster titled Social practices of remembering and forgetting of the communist past in Central and Eastern Europe, guest edited by Malgorzata Glowacka-Grajper

In the year 2000, during the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, more than one thousand victims of Soviet repressions—people persecuted and murdered by the Soviet regime—were glorified and named the New Russian Martyrs. By presenting the origin and background of the phenomenon, authors demonstrate that the New Martyrdom is a kind of invented tradition. They focus on analysis of the tension that occurs when history becomes religion by highlighting some problematic issues with regard to the New Martyrdom and showing how the Russian Orthodox Church is addressing them. The analysis sheds new light on the political use of religion for the creation of narrative about the past in contemporary Russia.
Supervisory board process: Evidence from French public hospitals
Authors: Laouer Radhoine
Published: June 2018

We mobilize theories of corporate governance and the theory of the social psychology of decision-making small groups to understand the operational process of the public hospital supervisory board. More precisely, we empirically test the mediation relationship of the decision-making process (effort norms, use of knowledge and skills, and conflict cognitive) between its structure (size, the composition, and diversity) and the performance of its roles (strategy, control, and service). A total of 320 questionnaires coming from members of the French public hospital supervisory board were collected. The aggregation of these individual answers generates a sample of 159 public hospital supervisory boards. The results of the tests of the assumptions of the research model confirm the fact that the structure of the supervisory board does not influence the performance of its roles. However, supervisory board effort norms positively affect the performance of its roles positively. Only effort norms and the use of knowledge and the skills partially play the role of mediator between the supervisory board structure and the performance of its roles. Practical and theoretical implications are exposed in the discussion.
Statistical Arbitrage Strategies under Different Market Conditions: The Case of the Greek Banking Sector
Authors: Mavrakis Emmanouil , Alexakis Christos
Published: June 2018

In this article, we examine the behaviour of cointegration-based pairs trading (PT) strategies, under different market conditions. Reported results indicate that changes in market conditions affect the stability of long-run relations between pairs of stocks, therefore suggesting that arbitrageurs should perform rebalancing between the examined stocks when a change in market trend is evident. The applicability of our results may be of importance to market participants; although cointegration applications have received considerable attention from hedge funds adopting statistical arbitrage (SA) strategies, little evidence has been reported for the validity of these trading strategies under changing market conditions.

JEL Classification: C32, G11
Mutual Fund Performance Using Unconditional Multifactor Models: Evidence from India
Authors: Agarwal Pankaj K. , Pradhan H. K.
Published: June 2018

In contrast to developed countries, Indian capital markets do not exhibit strong efficiency and therefore it appears possible that fund managers beat the benchmarks. We examine the existence of superior performance of open-ended equity mutual funds in India with various models including traditional Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)-based as well as recent Fama–French–Carhart (FFC)-factors-based models. We use a survivorship-bias free database including all schemes since inception till recently. We found evidence of stock picking and timing abilities in Indian fund managers. Our results are robust to changes in benchmarks, return frequency, and effects of heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation (HAC).