bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oscillatory brain activity in the alpha range is modulated by the content of word‐prompted mental imagery
Authors: Bartsch Felix , Hamuni Gilava , Miskovic Vladimir , Lang Peter J. , Keil Andreas
Published: January 2015

Mental imagery is a fundamental cognitive process of interest to basic scientists and clinical researchers. This study examined large‐scale oscillatory brain activity in the alpha band (8–12 Hz) during language‐driven mental imagery using dense‐array EEG. Three experiments demonstrated relative increases in alpha amplitude: (1) during imagery prompted by words compared to fixation without imagery instruction, (2) during imagery of word content compared to imagery of geometric shapes, and (3) during imagery of emotionally evocative words compared to imagery of less emotionally arousing content. Alpha increases for semantically loaded imagery were observed in parieto‐occipital regions, sustained throughout the imagery period. Findings imply that alpha oscillations index active memory and internal cognitive processing, reflecting neural communication in cortical networks representing motor, semantic, and perceptual aspects of the imagined scene.
Complementarity of internal and external R&D: is there a difference between product versus process innovations?
Authors: Krzeminska Anna , Eckert Christine
Published: January 2015

Previous research on complementarity of research and development (R&D) has generated inconsistent results and focused predominantly on product innovations, neglecting process innovations. Although process innovations are important for firm efficiency, growth, and performance, little is known about complementarity of internal and external R&D activities in process innovations. Because of the different characteristics of knowledge involved in product versus process innovations, firms should benefit less from complementing internal with external R&D for process innovations than product innovations in terms of knowledge creation but should at the same time be less prone to the risks of unwanted knowledge transfer. Our empirical analysis of cross‐sectional firm‐level data of the German manufacturing sector from 2001, 2005, and 2009 comprises a direct complementarity test for product versus process innovations. The results confirm previous evidence for significant complementarities between internal and external R&D for product innovations but find limited existence of complementarity for process innovations. As implication for R&D management, our study highlights the differences between process and product innovations and how they translate into differences in complementarity of internal and external R&D activities.
Incidence of viral infection detected by PCR and real‐time PCR in childhood community‐acquired pneumonia: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Min , Cai Feng , Wu Xiaodong , Wu Ting , Su Xin , Shi Yi
Published: January 2015

Several studies examining the incidence of viral infection in childhood community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or real‐time PCR methods have been reported. We systematically searched Pubmed and Embase for studies reporting the incidence of respiratory viral infection in childhood CAP. The pooled incidences of viral infection were calculated with a random‐effects model. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analysis and a univariant metaregression analysis. We included 21 eligible reports in our study. We found significant heterogeneity on the incidence of viral infection in childhood CAP. The random effects pooled incidence was 57.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 50.8–64.1). The pooled incidence of mixed infection was 29.3% (95%CI: 23.0–35.6) with considerable heterogeneity. The pooled incidence of mixed infection was 29.3% (95%CI: 23.0–35.6). Rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and bocavirus were found to be the three most common viruses in childhood CAP. We also demonstrated that respiratory viruses were detected in 76.1% of patients aged ≤1 year, 63.1% of patients aged 2–5 years and 27.9% of patients aged ≥ 6 years. We conclude that respiratory viruses are widely detected in paediatric patients with CAP by PCR or real‐time PCR methods. More than half of viral infections are probably concurrent with bacterial infections. Rhinovirus, RSV and bocavirus are the three most frequent viruses identified in childhood CAP; the incidence of viral infection decreased with age.
Sensitivity Analysis, Dominant Factors, and Robustness of the ECETOC TRA v3, Stoffenmanager 4.5, and ART 1.5 Occupational Exposure Models
Authors: Riedmann R. A. , Gasic B. , Vernez D.
Published: January 2015

Occupational exposure modeling is widely used in the context of the E.U. regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals (REACH). First tier tools, such as European Centre for Ecotoxicology and TOxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) targeted risk assessment (TRA) or Stoffenmanager, are used to screen a wide range of substances. Those of concern are investigated further using second tier tools, e.g., Advanced REACH Tool (ART). Local sensitivity analysis (SA) methods are used here to determine dominant factors for three models commonly used within the REACH framework: ECETOC TRA v3, Stoffenmanager 4.5, and ART 1.5. Based on the results of the SA, the robustness of the models is assessed.

For ECETOC, the process category (PROC) is the most important factor. A failure to identify the correct PROC has severe consequences for the exposure estimate. Stoffenmanager is the most balanced model and decision making uncertainties in one modifying factor are less severe in Stoffenmanager. ART requires a careful evaluation of the decisions in the source compartment since it constitutes ∼75% of the total exposure range, which corresponds to an exposure estimate of 20–22 orders of magnitude.

Our results indicate that there is a trade off between accuracy and precision of the models. Previous studies suggested that ART may lead to more accurate results in well‐documented exposure situations. However, the choice of the adequate model should ultimately be determined by the quality of the available exposure data: if the practitioner is uncertain concerning two or more decisions in the entry parameters, Stoffenmanager may be more robust than ART.
Multiple Interacting Risk Factors: On Methods for Allocating Risk Factor Interactions
Authors: Price Bertram , MacNicoll Michael
Published: January 2015

A persistent problem in health risk analysis where it is known that a disease may occur as a consequence of multiple risk factors with interactions is allocating the total risk of the disease among the individual risk factors. This problem, referred to here as risk apportionment, arises in various venues, including: (i) public health management, (ii) government programs for compensating injured individuals, and (iii) litigation. Two methods have been described in the risk analysis and epidemiology literature for allocating total risk among individual risk factors. One method uses weights to allocate interactions among the individual risk factors. The other method is based on risk accounting axioms and finding an optimal and unique allocation that satisfies the axioms using a procedure borrowed from game theory. Where relative risk or attributable risk is the risk measure, we find that the game‐theory‐determined allocation is the same as the allocation where risk factor interactions are apportioned to individual risk factors using equal weights. Therefore, the apportionment problem becomes one of selecting a meaningful set of weights for allocating interactions among the individual risk factors. Equal weights and weights proportional to the risks of the individual risk factors are discussed.
Development and content validity of a screening instrument for gaming addiction in adolescents: The Gaming Addiction Identification Test (GAIT)
Authors: Vadlin Sofia , Åslund Cecilia , Nilsson Kent W.
Published: January 2015

This study describes the development of a screening tool for gaming addiction in adolescents – the Gaming Addiction Identification Test (GAIT). Its development was based on the research literature on gaming and addiction. An expert panel comprising professional raters (n = 7), experiential adolescent raters (n = 10), and parent raters (n = 10) estimated the content validity of each item (I‐CVI) as well as of the whole scale (S‐CVI/Ave), and participated in a cognitive interview about the GAIT scale. The mean scores for both I‐CVI and S‐CVI/Ave ranged between 0.97 and 0.99 compared with the lowest recommended I‐CVI value of 0.78 and the S‐CVI/Ave value of 0.90. There were no sex differences and no differences between expert groups regarding ratings in content validity. No differences in the overall evaluation of the scale emerged in the cognitive interviews. Our conclusions were that GAIT showed good content validity in capturing gaming addiction. The GAIT needs further investigation into its psychometric properties of construct validity (convergent and divergent validity) and criterion‐related validity, as well as its reliability in both clinical settings and in community settings with adolescents.
Organizing Polarized Delivery of Exosomes at Synapses
Authors: Mittelbrunn Maria , Vicente‐Manzanares Miguel , Sánchez‐Madrid Francisco
Published: January 2015

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that transport different molecules between cells. They are formed and stored inside multivesicular bodies (MVB) until they are released to the extracellular environment. MVB fuse along the plasma membrane, driving non‐polarized secretion of exosomes. However, polarized signaling potentially directs MVBs to a specific point in the plasma membrane to mediate a focal delivery of exosomes. MVB polarization occurs across a broad set of cellular situations, e.g. in immune and neuronal synapses, cell migration and in epithelial sheets. In this review, we summarize the current state of the art of polarized MVB docking and the specification of secretory sites at the plasma membrane. The current view is that MVB positioning and subsequent exosome delivery requires a polarizing, cytoskeletal dependent‐trafficking mechanism. In this context, we propose scenarios in which biochemical and mechanical signals could drive the polarized delivery of exosomes in highly polarized cells, such as lymphocytes, neurons and epithelia.
A Second Las17 Monomeric Actin‐Binding Motif Functions in Arp2/3‐Dependent Actin Polymerization During Endocytosis
Authors: Feliciano Daniel , Tolsma Thomas O. , Farrell Kristen B. , Aradi Al , Di Pietro Santiago M.
Published: January 2015

During clathrin‐mediated endocytosis (CME), actin assembly provides force to drive vesicle internalization. Members of the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family play a fundamental role stimulating actin assembly. WASP family proteins contain a WH2 motif that binds globular actin (G‐actin) and a central‐acidic motif that binds the Arp2/3 complex, thus promoting the formation of branched actin filaments. Yeast WASP (Las17) is the strongest of five factors promoting Arp2/3‐dependent actin polymerization during CME. It was suggested that this strong activity may be caused by a putative second G‐actin‐binding motif in Las17. Here, we describe the in vitro and in vivo characterization of such Las17 G‐actin‐binding motif (LGM) and its dependence on a group of conserved arginine residues. Using the yeast two‐hybrid system, GST‐pulldown, fluorescence polarization and pyrene‐actin polymerization assays, we show that LGM binds G‐actin and is necessary for normal Arp2/3‐mediated actin polymerization in vitro. Live‐cell fluorescence microscopy experiments demonstrate that LGM is required for normal dynamics of actin polymerization during CME. Further, LGM is necessary for normal dynamics of endocytic machinery components that are recruited at early, intermediate and late stages of endocytosis, as well as for optimal endocytosis of native CME cargo. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments show that LGM has relatively lower potency compared to the previously known Las17 G‐actin‐binding motif, WH2. These results establish a second G‐actin‐binding motif in Las17 and advance our knowledge on the mechanism of actin assembly during CME.
New Export Pathway in Plasmodium falciparum‐Infected Erythrocytes: Role of the Parasite Group II Chaperonin, PfTRiC
Authors: Mbengue Alassane , Vialla Emilie , Berry Laurence , Fall Gamou , Audiger Nicolas , Demettre‐Verceil Edith , Boteller David , Braun‐Breton Catherine
Published: January 2015

The export of numerous proteins to the plasma membrane of its host erythrocyte is essential for the virulence and survival of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The Maurer's clefts, membrane structures transposed by the parasite in the cytoplasm of its host erythrocyte, play the role of a marshal platform for such exported parasite proteins. We identify here the export pathway of three resident proteins of the Maurer's clefts membrane: the proteins are exported as soluble forms in the red cell cytoplasm to the Maurer's clefts membrane in association with the parasite group II chaperonin (PfTRIC), a chaperone complex known to bind and address a large spectrum of unfolded proteins to their final location. We have also located the domain of interaction with PfTRiC within the amino‐terminal domain of one of these Maurer's cleft proteins, PfSBP1. Because several Maurer's cleft membrane proteins with different export motifs seem to follow the same route, we propose a general role for PfTRiC in the trafficking of malarial parasite proteins to the host erythrocyte.
Renal sympathetic nerves – what have they got to do with cardiovascular disease?
Authors: Barrett Carolyn J.
Published: January 2015

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

This review examines the role played by renal sympathetic nerves in the regulation of cardiovascular function, focusing on changes that occur during the development of hypertension and heart failure.

What advances does it highlight?

While elevated levels of renal sympathetic activity are a feature of many cardiovascular diseases, the relationship is not straightforward, especially in the case of hypertension. This review highlights that before consideration of targeting the renal nerves in the clinical management of cardiovascular diseases it is essential that their role in the development of the disease is established.

In recent years, with the development of new clinical techniques to target the renal nerves specifically, we have seen a renewed interest in the role of the renal sympathetic nerves in the development of cardiovascular diseases. In understanding the potential of renal nerve ablation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, first the role played by these nerves in cardiovascular regulation must be determined. Elevated renal sympathetic activity not only has the potential to increase fluid retention but may also act in a feedforward manner to increase sympathetic activation further, increasing the workload of the heart and the potential for arrhythmias. Direct recordings of renal sympathetic nerve activity in animal models of hypertension and renal noradrenaline spillover levels in individual patients with hypertension have illustrated that hypertension is not always accompanied by an increase in renal sympathetic activity. Elevated renal sympathetic nerve activity is a feature of severe heart failure, but whether removal of the renal nerves then compromises the ability to maintain cardiac function when faced with a stressor such as sepsis remains unclear. Understanding when increased renal sympathetic drive is contributing to the progression of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart failure would appear to be the key to understanding when renal nerve ablation is likely to be of benefit.
Increased mitochondrial emission of reactive oxygen species and calpain activation are required for doxorubicin‐induced cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathy
Authors: Min Kisuk , Kwon Oh‐Sung , Smuder Ashley J. , Wiggs Michael P. , Sollanek Kurt J. , Christou Demetra D. , Yoo Jeung‐Ki , Hwang Moon‐Hyon , Szeto Hazel H. , Kavazis Andreas N. , Powers Scott K.
Published: January 2015

Key points

Although doxorubicin is a highly effective anti‐tumour agent, the administration of this drug is associated with significant side effects, including contractile dysfunction and myopathy of both cardiac and skeletal muscles. The mechanism(s) responsible for doxorubicin‐induced contractile dysfunction and myopathy in cardiac and skeletal muscles remains unclear.

In the present study, we report that increased mitochondrial oxidant production and calpain activation are major contributors to the development of doxorubicin‐induced myopathy. Moreover, treatment with a mitochondrial‐targeted peptide protects against doxorubicin‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and myopathy in both heart and skeletal muscles.

These experiments provide insight into the mechanisms responsible for DOX‐induced contractile dysfunction and myopathy in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Importantly, our results may provide the basis for developing therapeutic approaches to prevent doxorubicin‐induced cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathy.

Although doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective anti‐tumour agent used to treat a variety of cancers, DOX administration is associated with significant side effects, including myopathy of both cardiac and skeletal muscles. The mechanisms responsible for DOX‐mediated myopathy remain a topic of debate. We tested the hypothesis that both increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission and activation of the cysteine protease calpain are required for DOX‐induced myopathy in rat cardiac and skeletal muscle. Cause and effect was determined by administering a novel mitochondrial‐targeted anti‐oxidant to prevent DOX‐induced increases in mitochondrial ROS emission, whereas a highly‐selective pharmacological inhibitor was exploited to inhibit calpain activity. Our findings reveal that mitochondria are a major site of DOX‐mediated ROS production in both cardiac and skeletal muscle fibres and the prevention of DOX‐induced increases in mitochondrial ROS emission protects against fibre atrophy and contractile dysfunction in both cardiac and skeletal muscles. Furthermore, our results indicate that DOX‐induced increases in mitochondrial ROS emission are required to activate calpain in heart and skeletal muscles and, importantly, calpain activation is a major contributor to DOX‐induced myopathy. Taken together, these findings show that increased mitochondrial ROS production and calpain activation are significant contributors to the development of DOX‐induced myopathy in both cardiac and skeletal muscle fibres.
Large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BK) channels promote secretagogue‐induced transition from spiking to bursting in murine anterior pituitary corticotrophs
Authors: Duncan Peter J. , Şengül Sevgi , Tabak Joël , Ruth Peter , Bertram Richard , Shipston Michael J.
Published: January 2015

Key points

Corticotroph cells of the anterior pituitary are electrically excitable and are an integral component of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis which governs the neuroendocrine response to stress.

Corticotrophs display predominantly single spike activity under basal conditions that transition to complex bursting behaviours upon stimulation by the hypothalamic secretagogues corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP); however, the underlying mechanisms controlling bursting are unknown.

In this study, we show that CRH and AVP induce different patterns of corticotroph electrical activity, and we use an electrophysiological approach combined with mathematical modelling to show the ionic mechanisms for these differential effects.

The data reveal that secretagogue‐induced bursting is dependent on large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BK) channels and is driven primarily by CRH whereas AVP promotes an increase in single‐spike frequency through BK‐independent pathways involving activation of non‐selective cation conductances.

As corticotroph excitability is differentially regulated by CRH and AVP this may allow corticotrophs to respond appropriately to different stressors.

Anterior pituitary corticotroph cells are a central component of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis essential for the neuroendocrine response to stress. Corticotrophs are excitable cells that receive input from two hypothalamic secretagogues, corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) to control the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Although corticotrophs are spontaneously active and increase in excitability in response to CRH and AVP the patterns of electrical excitability and underlying ionic conductances are poorly understood. In this study, we have used electrophysiological, pharmacological and genetic approaches coupled with mathematical modelling to investigate whether CRH and AVP promote distinct patterns of electrical excitability and to interrogate the role of large conductance calcium‐ and voltage‐activated potassium (BK) channels in spontaneous and secretagogue‐induced activity. We reveal that BK channels do not play a significant role in the generation of spontaneous activity but are critical for the transition to bursting in response to CRH. In contrast, AVP promotes an increase in single spike frequency, a mechanism independent of BK channels but dependent on background non‐selective conductances. Co‐stimulation with CRH and AVP results in complex patterns of excitability including increases in both single spike frequency and bursting. The ability of corticotroph excitability to be differentially regulated by hypothalamic secretagogues provides a mechanism for differential control of corticotroph excitability in response to different stressors.
Complete Genome Sequence of Sphingobacterium sp. Strain ML3W, Isolated from Wings of Myotis lucifugus Infected with White Nose Syndrome
Authors: Smith Stephen A. , Krasucki Stephen P. , McDowell John V. , Balke Virginia L.
Published: January 2015

Sphingobacterium sp. strain ML3W was isolated from the wing of a bat infected with white nose syndrome. We report the complete 5.33-Mb genome sequence of Sphingobacterium sp. strain ML3W, obtained using Pacific Biosciences technology. Being the second complete Sphingobacterium sequence, this will increase knowledge of the genus.
Development of a tool for defining and identifying the dying patient in hospital: Criteria for Screening and Triaging to Appropriate aLternative care (CriSTAL)
Authors: Cardona-Morrell Magnolia , Hillman Ken
Published: January 2015

Objective

To develop a screening tool to identify elderly patients at the end of life and quantify the risk of death in hospital or soon after discharge for to minimise prognostic uncertainty and avoid potentially harmful and futile treatments.

Design

Narrative literature review of definitions, tools and measurements that could be combined into a screening tool based on routinely available or obtainable data at the point of care to identify elderly patients who are unavoidably dying at the time of admission or at risk of dying during hospitalisation.

Main measurements

Variables and thresholds proposed for the Criteria for Screening and Triaging to Appropriate aLternative care (CriSTAL screening tool) were adopted from existing scales and published research findings showing association with either in-hospital, 30-day or 3-month mortality.

Results

Eighteen predictor instruments and their variants were examined. The final items for the new CriSTAL screening tool included: age ≥65; meeting ≥2 deterioration criteria; an index of frailty with ≥2 criteria; early warning score >4; presence of ≥1 selected comorbidities; nursing home placement; evidence of cognitive impairment; prior emergency hospitalisation or intensive care unit readmission in the past year; abnormal ECG; and proteinuria.

Conclusions

An unambiguous checklist may assist clinicians in reducing uncertainty patients who are likely to die within the next 3 months and help initiate transparent conversations with families and patients aboutend-of-lifecare. Retrospective chart review and prospective validation will be undertaken to optimise the number of prognostic items for easy administration and enhanced generalisability. Development of an evidence-based tool for defining and identifyingthe dying patientin hospital: CriSTAL.
Job strain and trajectories of change in episodic memory before and after retirement: results from the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Andel Ross , Infurna Frank J , Hahn Rickenbach Elizabeth A , Crowe Michael , Marchiondo Lisa , Fisher Gwenith G
Published: January 2015

Background

We examined indicators of job strain in relation to level and change in episodic memory in the years leading up to as well as following retirement.

Methods

Our analyses centre on 3779 individuals from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (baseline age 57.3 years) who reported gainful employment in an occupation for 10+ years prior to retirement, and who were assessed for episodic memory performance over up to 20 years (median 8 waves over 16 years). We used ratings from the Occupational Information Network (O*Net) to score occupations for job control and job demands, and to measure job strain (job demands/job control).

Results

Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and cardiovascular disease, less job control and greater job strain were not significantly associated with change in episodic memory in the period leading up to retirement, but were associated with significantly poorer episodic memory at retirement and an accelerated rate of decline in episodic memory following retirement. The results did not vary for men and women or by self-employment status.

Conclusions

Job strain expressed mainly as low job control is linked to poorer episodic memory at retirement and more decline after retirement. Job characteristics appear to have implications for cognitive ageing independent of relevant confounds.
A closer look at the role of healthcare in the recent mortality decline in the Netherlands: results of a record linkage study
Authors: Peters F , Nusselder W J , Mackenbach J P
Published: January 2015

Background

Since 2002, Dutch mortality rates decreased rapidly after decades of stagnation. On the basis of indirect evidence, previous research has suggested that this decline was due to a sudden expansion of healthcare. We tested two corollaries of this hypothesis—first, that the decline was concentrated among those with ill-health and second, that the decline can be statistically accounted for by increases in healthcare utilisation.

Methods

We linked the Dutch health interview survey to the mortality register and constructed two cohorts, consisting of 7691 persons interviewed in 2001/2002 and 8362 persons interviewed in 2007/2008, each with a 5-year mortality follow-up (659 deaths in total). The change in mortality between both cohorts was computed using Cox proportional hazard models. We estimated the change in mortality by severity of chronic conditions and with respect to the inclusion of indicators of healthcare utilisation.

Results

Between the two study cohorts, mortality declined by 15% (95% CI 2% to 29%), and mortality reduction was greatest for those suffering from fatal and non-fatal conditions with a decline of 58% (95% CI 35% to 78%). Even after adjustment for health status and risk factors, most indicators of healthcare utilisation were associated with higher instead of lower mortality and changes in healthcare utilisation did not explain the decline in mortality.

Conclusions

Our results only partly confirm the hypothesis that an expansion of healthcare explains the recent mortality decline in the Netherlands. Owing to confounding by health status, it is difficult to reproduce the mortality-lowering effects of healthcare utilisation of individual level studies in the open population.
Evaluation of B lymphocyte stimulator and a proliferation inducing ligand as candidate biomarkers in lupus nephritis based on clinical and histopathological outcome following induction therapy
Authors: Parodis Ioannis , Zickert Agneta , Sundelin Birgitta , Axelsson Magnus , Gerhardsson Jakob , Svenungsson Elisabet , Malmström Vivianne , Gunnarsson Iva
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major cause of morbidity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). B cells have a central role in the pathogenesis of SLE. B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and a proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) are pivotal in B cell homeostasis. We aimed to investigate a potential role of serum BLyS and APRIL as biomarkers in LN, especially as predictors of treatment response.

Methods

Sixty-four patients with active LN (52 proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN); 12 membranous LN) were included. Renal biopsies were performed at baseline and after immunosuppressive treatment. Serum levels of BLyS, APRIL and autoantibodies were measured on both biopsy occasions and in 64 individually matched controls. Renal biopsies were evaluated using the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society classification, and scored for Activity Index and Chronicity Index. Clinical responders (CR) were required to have ≥50% reduction in proteinuria, normal or improved renal function, and inactive urinary sediment. Histopathological responders (HR) were required to have ≥50% improvement in Activity Index.

Results

Baseline BLyS levels were significantly higher in LN patients compared with controls (p<0.001) and remained unchanged following induction treatment. APRIL levels were significantly higher in patients compared with controls at baseline (p=0.005) and decreased following treatment (p<0.001). Among PLN patients, APRIL levels decreased significantly only in responders (CR: p=0.009; HR: p=0.01). Baseline BLyS levels <1.5 ng/mL predicted treatment response, attaining a positive predictive value of 92% for CR with PLN at baseline.

Conclusions

BLyS and APRIL were affected differently by immunosuppression; BLyS levels remained unchanged following therapy while APRIL levels decreased. Despite unchanged BLyS levels following therapy, low baseline levels predicted both clinical and histopathological improvement. Our data support APRIL as a candidate biomarker of renal disease activity in lupus patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis and point to low baseline BLyS levels predicting treatment response in LN, especially in PLN.
Efficacy of high-resolution cone-beam CT in the evaluation of carotid atheromatous plaque
Authors: Tanabe Jun , Tanaka Michihiro , Kadooka Keisuke , Hadeishi Hiromu
Published: January 2015

Introduction

A major disadvantage of carotid artery stenting (CAS) is the high incidence of perioperative cerebral embolism. Cerebral embolism after CAS is associated with soft plaque. Currently, higher spatial resolution imaging can be obtained with cone-beam CT (CB-CT). The correlation between the degree of contrast enhancement of the vasa vasorum (VV) on CB-CT and the vulnerability of plaque in terms of risk factors for CAS was evaluated.

Methods

18 patients who underwent CAS had high-resolution CB-CT to evaluate enhancement of the VV covering carotid plaque performed intraoperatively. The appearance of the surface of the carotid plaque was classified as either enhancing (VV-positive) or non-enhancing (VV-negative). Carotid plaque vulnerability on black-blood MRI (BB-MRI) and postoperative ipsilateral ischemic lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were analyzed in the two groups.

Results

Of the 18 patients, 9 were VV-positive and 9 were VV-negative. The proportion of ipsilateral new ischemic lesions on DWI was significantly higher in the VV-positive group than in the VV-negative group (8/9 patients (88.9%) vs 3/9 patients (33.3%), p=0.026). BB-MRI was performed preoperatively in 15 of 18 patients. The proportion of unstable plaque on BB-MRI was significantly higher in the VV-positive group than in the VV-negative group (9/9 patients (100%) vs 1/6 patients (16.7%), p=0.002).

Conclusions

Enhancement of the VV covering carotid plaque on high-resolution CB-CT was significantly associated with unstable plaque on BB-MRI and postoperative ipsilateral new ischemic lesions.
LV Segmentation Using Stochastic Resonance and Evolutionary Cellular Automata
Authors: Dakua Sarada Prasad
Published: January 2015

High-level noise and low contrast characteristics in medical images continue to present major bottlenecks in their segmentation despite increased imaging modalities. This paper presents a semi-automatic algorithm that utilizes the noise for enhancing the contrast of low contrast input magnetic resonance images followed by a new graph cut method to reconstruct the surface of left ventricle. The main contribution in this work is a new formulation for preventing the conventional cellular automata method to leak into surrounding regions of similar intensity. Instead of segmenting each slice of a subject sequence individually, we empirically select a few slices, segment them, and reconstruct the left ventricular surface. During the course of surface reconstruction, we use level sets to segment the rest of the slices automatically. We have throughly evaluated the method on both York and MICCAI Grand Challenge workshop databases. The average Dice coefficient (in %) is found to be 92.4 ± 1.3 (value indicates the mean and standard deviation) whereas false positive ratio, false negative ratio, and specificity are found to be 0.019, 7.62 × 10-3, and 0.75, respectively. Average Hausdorff distance between segmented contour and ground truth is determined to be 2.94 mm. The encouraging quantitative and qualitative results reflect the potential of the proposed method.
Empty black holes, firewalls, and the origin of Bekenstein–Hawking entropy
Authors: Saravani Mehdi , Afshordi Niayesh , Mann Robert B.
Published: January 2015

We propose a novel solution for the endpoint of gravitational collapse, in which spacetime ends (and is orbifolded) at a microscopic distance from black hole event horizons. This model is motivated by the emergence of singular event horizons in the gravitational aether theory, a semiclassical solution to the cosmological constant problem(s) and thus suggests a catastrophic breakdown of general relativity close to black hole event horizons. A similar picture emerges in fuzzball models of black holes in string theory, as well as the recent firewall proposal to resolve the information paradox. We then demonstrate that positing a surface fluid in thermal equilibrium with Hawking radiation, with vanishing energy density (but nonvanishing pressure) at the new boundary of spacetime, which is required by Israel junction conditions, yields a thermodynamic entropy that is identical to the Bekenstein–Hawking area law, SBH, for charged rotating black holes. To our knowledge, this is the first derivation of black hole entropy that only employs local thermodynamics. Furthermore, a model for the microscopic degrees of freedom of the surface fluid (which constitute the microstates of the black hole) is suggested, which has a finite, but Lorentz-violating, quantum field theory. Finally, we comment on the effects of physical boundary on Hawking radiation and show that relaxing the assumption of equilibrium with Hawking radiation sets SBH as an upper limit for Black Hole entropy.
Moving Load Identification of Small and Medium-Sized Bridges Based on Distributed Optical Fiber Sensing
Authors: Yang Cai Qian , Yang Dan , He Yi , Wu Zhi Shen , Xia Ye Fei , Zhang Yu Feng
Published: January 2015

A novel method was proposed for the moving load identification of bridges based on the influence line theory and distributed optical fiber sensing technique. The method of load and vehicle speed identification was firstly theoretically studied, and then numerical simulation was also performed to study its accuracy and robustness. The numerical results showed that this method was characterized by high accuracy and excellent resistance to noise. Finally, the load identification of an actual continuous pre-stressed concrete beam bridge was carried out with the proposed method. The bridge consists of four pre-stressed box beams. At the same time, a weigh-in-motion system was also installed about 200 m in front of the bridge to measure the speed and moving loads with a purpose of comparing the load identification of the proposed method. Long gauge fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors with a gauge length of 1.0 m were adhered to the bottom of the beams. The individual loaded vehicles and the corresponding structure response were mainly monitored as standard samples, and the speed and weight of the sample vehicles were monitored and identified with the proposed method. The results revealed that the distributed long gauge FBG sensors were capable of sensing the structure response precisely and identifying the traffic load. On the basis of the design information and ambient vibration testing results, a refined model was established and the response under unit moving load was acquired for load identification. It was also shown that the sensors in different positions can achieve accurate vehicle speed and weight, the relative error of which are within 10% and 15%, respectively.
Nonuniform N-multiwavelet sets and multiwavelet induced isomorphisms
Authors: Masood Dania , Singh Pooja
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we introduce the notion of a nonuniform N-multiwavelet set and provide a characterization for it. Besides, we describe the counterpart of wavelet induced isomorphism for a dyadic multiwavelet set as well as for a nonuniform N-multiwavelet set of order L.
Patenting in the University and Public Research Centers Considering Their Knowledge Profiles
Authors: Corona Leonel
Published: January 2015

One important agent in the process of converting scientific knowledge into technology are University Research Centers (RCs), which are engaged in scientific research (Sc), technology development (Tech), technical services (S), and teaching activities (t). The products of these activities are the publication of "papers", graduation of students, mainly Masters and Ph.Ds., services and patents which are part of technology development and technology transfer (TT) to industry. The mix of these functional activities and products defines the RC's profile.

This paper focuses on how patents contribute to the Mexico National University (UNAM [note: UNAM is the Spanish acronym of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.]) RCs' profiles. The statistical analysis shows no direct effect of technology intensity on patenting. There is no sustained increase in UNAM patenting for the period 1975–2007, although two maximum peaks of patent granted appeared in 1993 and in 2005 which were triggered by a variety of internal and external events. One explanation of this pattern is the role played by the UNAM's Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) which have moved forward and backwards changing from being a centralized agency to a more flexible and diverse organization within RCs, showing a lack of a proactive university policy on patenting and TT. An overlapping policy of the disciplinary UNAM's RC structure with entrepreneurial attitudes could provide better dynamics for applied science and technology, and would have a positive impact on TT.
Disguised Carbon Tariff: Concept and Its Governance
Authors: WANG Mou , ZHANG Wen , LIU Junyan
Published: January 2015

Carbon tariff is a trade issue that is of great concern among the international community. The South and the North have big disputes on this issue because of the trade interests attached to it. Developing countries oppose to almost any policies and measures concerning carbon tariff. Hence, some countries seek alternative approaches to achieve similar effects of carbon tariff through more covert technical approaches, such as setting up production standards, carbon labeling, etc. This paper summarizes these covert approaches as "disguised carbon tariff", and defines them as policies and measures that can achieve similar effects as carbon tariff. These disguised carbon tariffs, although not levied at borders, impose the same restrictions on export products and services from developing countries. Disguised carbon tariff has diverse forms, existing in different regions, and has evolved into different new kinds. The governance of disguised carbon tariff requires reinforcing the leading position of the UNFCCC on the issue of carbon emission governance. Relevant international discussions on carbon emission issues should give high priority and respect to the principles in the UNFCCC, especially the "common but differentiated responsibilities" principle. Responsibilities and obligations between the developed and developing countries on tackling climate change should be treated differently. And an international cooperation model that is based on mutual trust between the South and the North should be established to achieve good environmental and climate governance.
Sedimentological constraints on the late Silurian history of the Highland Boundary Fault, Scotland: implications for Midland Valley Basin development
Authors: Hartley Adrian J. , Leleu Sophie
Published: January 2015

The relationship between movement on the Highland Boundary Fault and deposition of the Lower Old Red Sandstone in the Midland Valley Basin of Scotland is controversial. Most models favour mid-Silurian to early Devonian sinistral movement on the Highland Boundary Fault and development of a transtensional Midland Valley Basin. To constrain Highland Boundary Fault movement during the late Silurian, we examine the basal Lower Old Red Sandstone alluvial succession exposed adjacent to the Highland Boundary Fault. A lack of synsedimentary fault movement indicators, coupled with an increase in stratal thickness across the fault, indicates that the Highland Boundary Fault was not active during Lower Old Red Sandstone sedimentation. A transtensional basin model cannot be sustained.
Localization and stretch-dependence of lung elastase activity in development and compensatory growth
Authors: Young Sarah Marie , Liu Sheng , Joshi Rashika , Batie Matthew R. , Kofron Matthew , Guo Jinbang , Woods Jason C. , Varisco Brian Michael
Published: January 2015

Synthesis and remodeling of the lung matrix is necessary for primary and compensatory lung growth. Because cyclic negative force is applied to developing lung tissue during the respiratory cycle, we hypothesized that stretch is a critical regulator of lung matrix remodeling. By using quantitative image analysis of whole-lung and whole-lobe elastin in situ zymography images, we demonstrated that elastase activity increased twofold during the alveolar stage of postnatal lung morphogenesis in the mouse. Remodeling was restricted to alveolar walls and ducts and was nearly absent in dense elastin band structures. In the mouse pneumonectomy model of compensatory lung growth, elastase activity increased threefold, peaking at 14 days postpneumonectomy and was higher in the accessory lobe compared with other lobes. Remodeling during normal development and during compensatory lung growth was different with increased major airway and pulmonary arterial remodeling during development but not regeneration, and with homogenous remodeling throughout the parenchyma during development, but increased remodeling only in subpleural regions during compensatory lung growth. Left lung wax plombage prevented increased lung elastin during compensatory lung growth. To test whether the adult lung retains an innate capacity to remodel elastin, we developed a confocal microscope-compatible stretching device. In ex vivo adult mouse lung sections, lung elastase activity increased exponentially with strain and in peripheral regions of lung more than in central regions. Our study demonstrates that lung elastase activity is stretch-dependent and supports a model in which externally applied forces influence the composition, structure, and function of the matrix during periods of alveolar septation.
Assessment of protein synthesis in highly aerobic canine species at the onset and during exercise training
Authors: Miller Benjamin F. , Ehrlicher Sarah E. , Drake Joshua C. , Peelor Frederick F. , Biela Laurie M. , Pratt-Phillips Shannon , Davis Michael , Hamilton Karyn L.
Published: January 2015

Canis lupus familiaris, the domesticated dog, is capable of extreme endurance performance. The ability to perform sustained aerobic exercise is dependent on a well-developed mitochondrial reticulum. In this study we examined the cumulative muscle protein and DNA synthesis in groups of athletic dogs at the onset of an exercise training program and following a strenuous exercise training program. We hypothesized that both at the onset and during an exercise training program there would be greater mitochondrial protein synthesis rates compared with sedentary control with no difference in mixed or cytoplasmic protein synthesis rates. Protein synthetic rates of three protein fractions and DNA synthesis were determined over 1 wk using2H2O in competitive Alaskan Huskies and Labrador Retrievers trained for explosive device detection. Both groups of dogs had very high rates of skeletal muscle protein synthesis in the sedentary state [Alaskan Huskies: Mixed = 2.28 ± 0.12, cytoplasmic (Cyto) = 2.91 ± 0.10, and mitochondrial (Mito) = 2.62 ± 0.07; Labrador Retrievers: Mixed = 3.88 ± 0.37, Cyto = 3.85 ± 0.06, and Mito = 2.92 ± 0.20%/day]. Mitochondrial (Mito) protein synthesis rates did not increase at the onset of an exercise training program. Exercise-trained dogs maintained Mito protein synthesis during exercise training when mixed (Mixed) and cytosolic (Cyto) fractions decreased, and this coincided with a decrease in p-RpS6 but also a decrease in p-ACC signaling. Contrary to our hypothesis, canines did not have large increases in mitochondrial protein synthesis at the onset or during an exercise training program. However, dogs have a high rate of protein synthesis compared with humans that perhaps does not necessitate an extra increase in protein synthesis at the onset of aerobic exercise training.
Effects of caffeine and maltodextrin mouth rinsing on P300, brain imaging, and cognitive performance
Authors: De Pauw K. , Roelands B. , Knaepen K. , Polfliet M. , Stiens J. , Meeusen R.
Published: January 2015

Caffeine (CAF) and maltodextrin (MALT) mouth rinses (MR) improve exercise performance. The current experiment aims to determine the effect of CAF and MALT MR on cognitive performance and brain activity. Ten healthy male subjects (age 27 ± 3 yr) completed three experimental trials. Each trial included four Stroop tasks: two familiarization tasks, and one task before and one task after an MR period. The reaction time (in milliseconds) and accuracy (percent) of simple, congruent, and incongruent stimuli were assessed. Electroencephalography was applied throughout the experiment to record brain activity. The amplitudes and latencies of the P300 were determined during the Stroop tasks before and after the MR period. Subjects received MR with CAF (0.3 g/25 ml), MALT (1.6 g/25 ml), or placebo (PLAC) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. During MR, the brain imaging technique standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography was applied. Magnitude-based inferences showed that CAF MR is likely trivial (63.5%) and likely beneficial (36.4%) compared with PLAC MR, and compared with MALT MR likely beneficial to reaction time on incongruent stimuli (61.6%). Additionally, both the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were activated only during CAF MR, potentially explaining the likely beneficial effect on reaction times. MALT MR increased brain activity only within the orbitofrontal cortex. However, this brain activation did not alter the reaction time. Furthermore, no significant differences in the accuracy of stimuli responses were observed between conditions. In conclusion, only CAF MR exerted a likely beneficial effect on reaction time due to the subsequent activation of both the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortexes.