bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Survey on the Modeling of Magnetic Tunnel Junctions for Circuit Simulation
Authors: Lim Hyein , Lee Seungjun , Shin Hyungsoon
Published: May 2016

Spin-transfer torque-based magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) is a promising candidate for universal memory that may replace traditional memory forms. It is expected to provide high-speed operation, scalability, low-power dissipation, and high endurance. MRAM switching technology has evolved from the field-induced magnetic switching (FIMS) technique to the spin-transfer torque (STT) switching technique. Additionally, material technology that induces perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) facilitates low-power operation through the reduction of the switching current density. In this paper, the modeling of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) is reviewed. Modeling methods and models of MTJ characteristics are classified into two groups, macromodels and behavioral models, and the most important characteristics of MTJs, the voltage-dependent MTJ resistance and the switching behavior, are compared. To represent the voltage dependency of MTJ resistance, some models are based on physical mechanisms, such as Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation or voltage-dependent conductance. Some behavioral models are constructed by adding fitting parameters or introducing new physical parameters to represent the complex switching behavior of an MTJ over a wide range of input current conditions. Other models that are not based on physical mechanisms are implemented by simply fitting to experimental data.
Weekly Physical Activity Levels of Older Adults Regularly Using a Fitness Facility
Authors: Turner Michael J. , Schmitt Emily E. , Hubbard-Turner Tricia
Published: May 2016

The aim of this paper was to determine if weekly physical activity levels were greater in an independent-living older adult population that was regularly participating in structured fitness activities. Also, lifetime exercise history and sex differences were investigated in an effort to understand how they relate to current weekly step activity. Total weekly step counts, measured with a pedometer, were assessed in two older adult groups; the first consisted of members of a local senior center who regularly used the fitness facility (74.5±6.0 yrs; mean ± SD) while the second group consisted of members who did not use the fitness facility (74.8±6.0 yrs). Participants also completed the Lifetime Physical Activity Questionnaire (LPAQ). No significant difference was found in the total number of weekly steps between groups (p=0.88) or sexes (p=0.27). The LPAQ suggested a significant decline in activity with aging (p=0.01) but no difference between groups (p=0.54) or sexes (p=0.80). A relationship was observed between current step activity and MET expenditure over the past year (p=0.008,r2=0.153) and from ages 35 to 50 years (p=0.037,r2=0.097). The lack of difference in weekly physical activity level between our groups suggests that independent-living older adults will seek out and perform their desired activity, in either a scheduled exercise program or other leisure-time activities. Also, the best predictor of current physical activity level in independent-living older adults was the activity performed over the past year.
Software for Apportionment of Asbestos-Related Mesotheliomas
Authors: Ross Robert M.
Published: May 2016

Patients with an asbestos-related mesothelioma may be legally entitled to financial compensation. In this context, a physician may be called upon to apportion the contribution of an asbestos containing product or facility where there was asbestos exposure in the development of that individual’s mesothelioma. This task is mathematically not simple. It is a complex function of each and the entire individual’s above-background asbestos exposures. Factors to be considered for each of these exposures are the amount of exposure to mesotheliogenic fibers, each of the asbestos containing products’ potency to cause mesothelioma, and the time period when the exposures occurred relative to when the mesothelioma was diagnosed. In this paper, the known factors related to asbestos-related mesothelioma risk are briefly reviewed and the software that is downloadable and fully functional in a Windows® environment is also provided. This software allows for rapid assessment of relative contributions and deals with the somewhat tedious mathematical calculations. With this software and a reasonable occupational history, if it is decided that the mesothelioma was due to above-background asbestos exposure, the contribution of an asbestos containing product or a time period of asbestos exposure can be apportioned.
Fractional Differentiation-Based Active Contour Model Driven by Local Intensity Fitting Energy
Authors: Gu Ming , Wang Renfang
Published: May 2016

A novel active contour model is proposed for segmentation images with inhomogeneity. Firstly, fractional order filter is defined by eight convolution masks corresponding to the image orientation in the eight compass directions. Then, the fractional order differentiation image is obtained and applied to the level set method. Secondly, we defined a new energy functional based on local image information and fractional order differentiation image; the proposed model not only can describe the input image more accurately but also can deal with intensity inhomogeneity. Local fitting term can enhance the ability of the model to deal with intensity inhomogeneity. The defined penalty term is used to reduce the occurrence of false boundaries. Finally, in order to eliminate the time-consuming step of reinitialization and ensure stable evolution of level set function, the Gaussian filtering method is used. Experiments on synthetic and real images show that the proposed model is efficient for images with intensity inhomogeneity and flexible to initial contour.
Aggressive Recurrence of Primary Hepatic Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Abdoh Qusay A. , Alnajjar Asma M. , Abaalkhail Faisal A. , Al Sebayel Mohammed , Al-Hussaini Hussa F. , Al-Hamoudi Waleed K. , Helmy Hazem , Almansour Mohamad , Elsiesy Hussien A.
Published: May 2016

HEHE is a rare neoplasm of vascular origin that occurs in the liver; UNOS reported a favorable outcome after liver transplantation in 110 patients with 1-year and 5-year survival of 80% and 64%.Case Report.A 40-year-old lady presented with a three-month history of right upper abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting, and significant loss of weight associated with scleral icterus and progressive abdominal distension. Examination revealed jaundice, hepatomegaly, and ascites. Serum bilirubin was 26.5 mg/dL and ALP was 552 CT. Abdomen and pelvis showed diffuse infiltrative neoplastic process of the liver with a mass effect and stretching of the hepatic and portal veins, in addition to bile duct dilatation. Viral hepatitis markers were negative and serum alpha fetoprotein was within reference range. Liver biopsy was consistent with HEHE, with positive endothelial markers (CD31, CD34, and factor VIII-related antigen). She underwent living related liver transplantation on June 2013 and was discharged after 20 days with normal liver enzymes. Four months later, she presented with diffuse disease recurrence. Liver biopsy confirmed disease recurrence; she received supportive treatment and unfortunately she died 2 weeks later.Conclusion.HEHE can have rapid and aggressive recurrence after liver transplantation.
A Hybrid Algorithm Based on Optimal Quadratic Spline Collocation and Parareal Deferred Correction for Parabolic PDEs
Authors: Liu Jun , Wang Yan , Li Rongjian
Published: May 2016

Parareal is a kind of time parallel numerical methods for time-dependent systems. In this paper, we consider a general linear parabolic PDE, use optimal quadratic spline collocation (QSC) method for the space discretization, and proceed with the parareal technique on the time domain. Meanwhile, deferred correction technique is also used to improve the accuracy during the iterations. In fact, the optimal QSC method is a correction of general QSC method. Along the temporal direction we embed the iterations of deferred correction into parareal to construct a hybrid method, parareal deferred correction (PDC) method. The error estimation is presented and the stability is analyzed. To save computational cost, we find out a simple way to balance the two kinds of iterations as much as possible. We also argue that the hybrid algorithm has better system efficiency and costs less running time. Numerical experiments by multicore computers are attached to exhibit the effectiveness of the hybrid algorithm.
Multiresolution Time-Domain Scheme for Terminal Response of Two-Conductor Transmission Lines
Authors: Tong Zongliang , Sun Lei , Li Ying , Luo Jianshu
Published: May 2016

This paper derives a multiresolution time-domain (MRTD) scheme for the two-conductor lossless transmission line equations based on Daubechies’ scaling functions. And a method is proposed to generate the scheme at the terminal and near the terminal of the lines. The stability and numerical dispersion of this scheme are studied, and the proposed scheme shows a better dispersion property than the conventional FDTD method. Then the MRTD scheme is extended to the two-conductor lossy transmission line equations. The MRTD scheme is implemented with different basis functions for both lossless and lossy transmission lines. Numerical results show that the MRTD schemes which use the scaling functions with high vanishing moment obtain more accurate results.
Multichannel Recorder for Low Frequency Signals: Application of Oscilloscope as Integrated Mobile Service for a Smartphone
Authors: Kochlan Michal , Zak Samuel , Hodon Michal , Micek Juraj , Karpis Ondrej
Published: May 2016

Data acquisition and processing are well known for some time. Many applications use powerful hardware to acquire, process, and visualize signal waveforms. But there are some applications that do not have to perform high resolution signal acquisition and process large amount of data, for example, low frequency applications of embedded design and applications for remote power grid monitoring. The paper describes special system for low frequency signal data sample acquisition, processing, and visualization implemented as a service on Android-based smart device. The service makes smart device functioning as an oscilloscope or arbitrary waveform generator which is accessible remotely through Bluetooth. The design respects low power consumption requirements, simplicity, and user friendliness in application design. Application scenario was implemented as wireless data acquisition system for power grid monitoring.
Bee Pollen as a Promising Agent in the Burn Wounds Treatment
Authors: Olczyk Paweł , Koprowski Robert , Kaźmierczak Justyna , Mencner Lukasz , Wojtyczka Robert , Stojko Jerzy , Olczyk Krystyna , Komosinska-Vassev Katarzyna
Published: May 2016

The aim of the present study was to visualize the benefits and advantages derived from preparations based on extracts of bee pollen as compared to pharmaceuticals commonly used in the treatment of burns. The bee pollen ointment was applied for the first time in topical burn treatment. Experimental burn wounds were inflicted on two white, domestic pigs. Clinical, histopathological, and microbiological assessment of specimens from burn wounds, inflicted on polish domestic pigs, treated with silver sulfadiazine or bee pollen ointment, was done. The comparative material was constituted by either tissues obtained from wounds treated with physiological saline or tissues obtained from wounds which were untreated. Clinical and histopathological evaluation showed that applied apitherapeutic agent reduces the healing time of burn wounds and positively affects the general condition of the animals. Moreover the used natural preparation proved to be highly effective antimicrobial agent, which was reflected in a reduction of the number of microorganisms in quantitative research and bactericidal activity of isolated strains. On the basis of the obtained bacteriological analysis, it may be concluded that the applied bee pollen ointment may affect the wound healing process of burn wounds, preventing infection of the newly formed tissue.
Development of Magnetorheological Resistive Exercise Device for Rowing Machine
Authors: Grigas Vytautas , Šulginas Anatolijus , Žiliukas Pranas
Published: May 2016

Training equipment used by professional sportsmen has a great impact on their sport performance. Most universal exercisers may help only to improve the general physical condition due to the specific kinematics and peculiar resistance generated by their loading units. Training of effective techniques and learning of psychomotor skills are possible only when exercisers conform to the movements and resistance typical for particular sports kinematically and dynamically. Methodology of developing a magnetorheological resistive exercise device for generating the desired law of passive resistance force and its application in a lever-type rowing machine are described in the paper. The structural parameters of a controllable hydraulic cylinder type device were found by means of the computational fluid dynamics simulation performed by ANSYS CFX software. Parameters describing the magnetorheological fluid as non-Newtonian were determined by combining numerical and experimental research of the resistance force generated by the original magnetorheological damper. A structural scheme of the device control system was developed and the variation of the strength of magnetic field that affects the magnetorheological fluid circulating in the device was determined, ensuring a variation of the resistance force on the oar handle adequate for the resistance that occurs during a real boat rowing stroke.
Static Consensus in Passifiable Linear Networks
Authors: Junussov Ibragim A.
Published: May 2016

Sufficient conditions of consensus (synchronization) in networks described by digraphs and consisting of identical deterministic SIMO systems are derived. Identical and nonidentical control gains (positive arc weights) are considered. Connection between admissible digraphs and nonsmooth hypersurfaces (sufficient gain boundary) is established. Necessary and sufficient conditions for static consensus by output feedback in networks consisting of certain class of double integrators are rediscovered. Scalability for circle digraph in terms of gain magnitudes is studied. Examples and results of numerical simulations are presented.
Hemodynamic Instability after Low-Energy Thigh Contusion Caused by Injury to the Femoral Artery: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Rodríguez-Roiz Juan Miguel , Ballesteros-Betancourt José , García-Tarriño Raquel , Rodríguez-Roiz Victor Antonio , Llusa Manuel
Published: May 2016

Acute vascular injuries have been described in relation to high-energy trauma accidents or in patients undergoing surgery in the femoral area. We describe a healthy patient who sustained a direct, low-energy contusion in the thigh and presented haemodynamic instability. Arteriography was used to locate the point of bleeding, and embolisation and vessel occlusion were carried out to stop the haemorrhage. The genetic study identified the COL3A1 gene mutation; accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV (vascular type).
Modeling and Finite Element Analysis Simulation of MEMS Based Acetone Vapor Sensor for Noninvasive Screening of Diabetes
Authors: Dennis John Ojur , Rabih Almur Abdelkreem Saeed , Md Khir Mohd Haris , Ahmed Mawahib Gafare Abdalrahman , Ahmed Abdelazez Yousif
Published: May 2016

Diabetes is currently screened invasively by measuring glucose concentration in blood, which is inconvenient. This paper reports a study on modeling and simulation of a CMOS-MEMS sensor for noninvasive screening of diabetes via detection of acetone vapor in exhaled breath (EB). The sensor has two structures: movable (rotor) and fixed (stator) plates. The rotor plate is suspended on top of the stator by support of four flexible beams and maintaining certain selected initial gaps of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 μm to form actuation and sensing parallel plate capacitors. A chitosan polymer of varied thicknesses (1–20 μm) is deposited on the rotor plate and modeled as a sensing element for the acetone vapor. The minimum polymer coating thickness required to detect the critical concentration (1.8 ppm) of acetone vapor in the EB of diabetic subjects is found to be 4–7 μm, depending on the initial gap between the rotor and stator plates. However, to achieve sub-ppm detection limit to sense the acetone vapor concentration (0.4–1.1 ppm) in the EB of healthy people, up to 20 μm polymer thickness is coated. The mathematically modeled results were verified using the 2008 CoventorWare simulation software and a good agreement within a 5.3% error was found between the modeled and the simulated frequencies giving more confidence in the predicted results.
Systematic Analysis of AU-Rich Element Expression in Cancer Reveals Common Functional Clusters Regulated by Key RNA-Binding Proteins
Authors: Hitti Edward , Bakheet Tala , Al-Souhibani Norah , Moghrabi Walid , Al-Yahya Suhad , Al-Ghamdi Maha , Al-Saif Maher , Shoukri Mohamed M. , Lánczky András , Grépin Renaud , Győrffy Balázs , Pagès Gilles , Khabar Khalid S.A.
Published: May 2016

Defects in AU-rich elements (ARE)-mediated posttranscriptional control can lead to several abnormal processes that underlie carcinogenesis. Here, we performed a systematic analysis of ARE-mRNA expression across multiple cancer types. First, the ARE database (ARED) was intersected with The Cancer Genome Atlas databases and others. A large set of ARE-mRNAs was over-represented in cancer and, unlike non-ARE-mRNAs, correlated with the reversed balance in the expression of the RNA-binding proteins tristetraprolin (TTP, ZFP36) and HuR (ELAVL1). Serial statistical and functional enrichment clustering identified a cluster of 11 overexpressed ARE-mRNAs (CDC6, KIF11, PRC1, NEK2, NCAPG, CENPA, NUF2, KIF18A, CENPE, PBK, TOP2A) that negatively correlated with TTP/HuR mRNA ratios and was involved in the mitotic cell cycle. This cluster was upregulated in a number of solid cancers. Experimentally, we demonstrated that the ARE-mRNA cluster is upregulated in a number of tumor breast cell lines when compared with noninvasive and normal-like breast cancer cells. RNA-IP demonstrated the association of the ARE-mRNAs with TTP and HuR. Experimental modulation of TTP or HuR expression led to changes in the mitosis ARE-mRNAs. Posttranscriptional reporter assays confirmed the functionality of AREs. Moreover, TTP augmented mitotic cell-cycle arrest as demonstrated by flow cytometry and histone H3 phosphorylation. We found that poor breast cancer patient survival was significantly associated with low TTP/HuR mRNA ratios and correlated with high levels of the mitotic ARE-mRNA signature. These results significantly broaden the role of AREs and their binding proteins in cancer, and demonstrate that TTP induces an antimitotic pathway that is diminished in cancer. Cancer Res; 76(14); 4068–80. ©2016 AACR.
Decreased Mitochondrial Mutagenesis during Transformation of Human Breast Stem Cells into Tumorigenic Cells
Authors: Ahn Eun Hyun , Lee Seung Hyuk , Kim Joon Yup , Chang Chia-Cheng , Loeb Lawrence A.
Published: May 2016

Rare stochastic mutations may accumulate during dormancy of stem-like cells, but technical limitations in DNA sequencing have limited exploring this possibility. In this study, we employed a recently established deep-sequencing method termed Duplex Sequencing to conduct a genome-wide analysis of mitochondrial (mt) DNA mutations in a human breast stem cell model that recapitulates the sequential stages of breast carcinogenesis. Using this method, we found significant differences in mtDNA among normal stem cells, immortal/preneoplastic cells, and tumorigenic cells. Putative cancer stem-like cell (CSC) populations and mtDNA copy numbers increased as normal stem cells become tumorigenic cells. Transformed cells exhibited lower rare mutation frequencies of whole mtDNA than did normal stem cells. The predicted mtDNA rare mutation pathogenicity was significantly lower in tumorigenic cells than normal stem cells. Major rare mutation types in normal stem cells are C>T/G>A and T>C/A>G transitions, while only C>T/G>A are major types in transformed cells. We detected a total of 1,220 rare point mutations, 678 of which were unreported previously. With only one possible exception (m10342T>C), we did not find specific mutations characterizing mtDNA in human breast CSCs; rather, the mitochondrial genome of CSCs displayed an overall decrease in rare mutations. On the basis of our work, we suggest that this decrease (in particular T>C/A>G transitions), rather than the presence of specific mitochondrial mutations, may constitute an early biomarker for breast cancer detection. Our findings support the hypothesis that the mitochondrial genome is altered greatly as a result of the transformation of normal stem cells to CSCs, and that mtDNA mutation signatures may aid in delineating normal stem cells from CSCs. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4569–78. ©2016 AACR.
The Effect of Hepatic Impairment on Outcomes in Phase I Clinical Trials in Cancer Subjects
Authors: Mansfield Aaron S. , Rudek Michelle A. , Vulih Diana , Smith Gary L. , Harris Pamela Jo , Ivy S. Percy
Published: May 2016

Purpose: The NCI Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program sponsors hepatic dysfunction phase I clinical trials (HDCT) and phase 1 clinical trials (P1CT) to determine safe doses and schedules of antineoplastic therapeutics. We sought to compare clinical outcomes between these trial types while stratifying by hepatotoxic agents.

Experimental Design: Individual subject data were extracted from the records of 51 NCI-sponsored HDCT and P1CT. The NCI's Organ Dysfunction Working Group's hepatic impairment categorization and two drug-induced liver injury (DILI) scales (FDA R ratio and Hy's law) were used to classify subjects. The number of cycles administered and treatment discontinuation reason were also evaluated and compared between groups.

Results: There were 513 and 1,328 subjects treated on HDCT (n = 9) and P1CT (n = 42), respectively. There were differing patterns of DILI with significant worsening of total bilirubin in subjects on HDCT, and worsening of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in subjects on P1CT. Cholestatic peak patterns of liver impairment (predominant increases in alkaline phosphatase rather than transaminases) were more frequent in HDCT. Criteria for Hy's law were met by 11 subjects on P1CT, but not by any subjects on HDCT. Disease progression was the most common reason for treatment discontinuation, followed by adverse events at similar frequencies in both HDCT and P1CT.

Conclusions: The differential effects on hepatotoxicity suggest that underlying hepatic function may affect susceptibility to and patterns of DILI. The incorporation of additional measures of hepatic function may help identify those at highest risk of hepatotoxicity in future trials because baseline liver tests did not. Clin Cancer Res; 22(22); 5472–9. ©2016 AACR.
P-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde Induces B16-F1 Melanoma Cell Differentiation via the RhoA-MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhao Lian-mei , Sun Guo-gui , Han Li-na , Liu Li-hua , Ren Feng-zhi , Li Lei , Ma Ming , Shan Bao-en
Published: May 2016

Background/Aims: Due to its antitumor and gastroprotective properties, cochinchina momordica seed (CMS), has been widely used to treat cancer patients in Asia. Our previous reports have shown that CMS is able to induce the differentiation of B16-F1 melanoma cells. However, its functional component and mechanism remain unclear and are addressed in this study. Methods and Results: CMSP (p-hydroxycinnamaldehyde isolated from CMS) inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasiveness of B16-F1 cells both in vivo and in vitro. CMSP also induced the differentiation of B16-F1 cells, as characterized by dendrite-like outgrowth, increased melanogenesis and enhanced tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, CMSP treatment reduced the level of malignant markers of melanoma, specifically S-100B and melanoma-derived growth regulatory protein precursor (MIA), in a concentration-dependent manner. According to a western blot analysis, B16-F1 cells treated with CMSP exhibited a sustained increase in p-P38 and decreased activities of ERK and JNK. Our data further indicated that the downregulation of GTP-RhoA, which was mediated by increased cAMP release, was involved in CMSP-induced changes in MAPK, while LPA (Lysophosphatidic acid) partially reversed CMSP-induced B16 cell differentiation. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that CMSP-induced differentiation of B16F1 cells may occur through the RhoA-MAPK axis, which suggests a new potential strategy for melanoma treatment.
Critical Role of Cx40 in Reduced Endothelial Electrical Coupling by Lipopolysaccharide and Hypoxia-Reoxygenation
Authors: Siddiqui Mohammad , Swarbreck Scott , Shao Qing , Secor Dan , Peng Tianqing , Laird Dale W. , Tyml Karel
Published: May 2016

Background: We discovered that lipopolysaccharide (LPS, an initiating factor in sepsis) and hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R, a confounding factor) reduce electrical coupling between microvascular endothelial cells from wild-type (WT) but not Cx40-/- mice. Because Cx40 knockout could result in nonspecific effects, this discovery may not establish the causal relationship between Cx40 and reduced coupling. Using the same cell culture model, we aimed to address this uncertainty by using the rescue-of-function approach. Methods/Results: Electrical coupling between endothelial cells (hind-limb muscle origin) was determined by electrophysiology. LPS, H/R and concurrent LPS + H/R reduced coupling between WT but not Cx40-/- cells. The defect in Cx40-/- cells was rescued by ectopic expression of Cx40, after infecting the cells with adenovirus encoding Cx40. Cx40-/- cells were also engineered to express mutant Cx40 that lacked the carboxyl terminal domain beginning at residue 236 (Cx40Δ237-358) or 344 (Cx40Δ345-358). No response to inflammatory stimuli was observed in cells expressing either of these 2 mutants. Conclusion: Our data establish the causal relationship between Cx40 and reduced coupling and suggest that the 345-358 amino acid motif of the Cx40 carboxyl terminal is required for reduced coupling. Cx40 may participate in compromised conducted response in the microvasculature during sepsis.
Dermoscopic and Immunohistochemical Changes in Acquired Melanocytic Nevi following Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B Therapy
Authors: Zaher Hesham , Bassiouny Dalia , Abdel Hay Rania , Samir Nesrin , Ragab Nanees , Sayed Safinaz
Published: May 2016

Background: Acquired melanocytic nevi (AMN) have been reported to undergo morphological and dermoscopic changes following exposure to narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) radiation. Objective: To study the morphological, dermoscopic and immunohistochemical changes in AMN following NB-UVB radiation. Methods: Suberythemogenic NB-UVB sessions were delivered to 40 patients with AMN. For each patient, a minimum of 2 nevi were selected. One nevus was surgically removed from each patient prior to sessions as control; for the other nevus, dermoscopic images were captured before and after NB-UVB sessions. The images were evaluated for changes. At the end, another nevus was surgically removed for immunohistochemical assessment of Ki-67 and melan-A. Results: Our study showed a statistically significant increase in the size of AMN following NB-UVB radiation. Benign dermoscopic changes were observed. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between some dermoscopic findings and the total cumulative dose of NB-UVB. Immunohistochemical analysis did not show any significant change in the exposed AMN. Conclusion: AMN irradiated with repeated suberythemogenic doses of NB-UVB showed benign morphological and dermoscopic changes, and this was confirmed by our immunohistochemical study.
Molecular Mechanisms of Arterial Stiffening
Authors: Cecelja Marina , Chowienczyk Phil
Published: May 2016

Stiffening of large arteries is a hallmark of vascular aging and one of the most important determinants of the age-related increase in blood pressure and cardiovascular disease events. Despite a substantial genetic component, the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic variability in arterial stiffness remain unknown. Previous genetic studies have identified several genetic variants that are associated with measures of arterial stiffness. Here, we review the relevant advances in the identification of pathways underlying arterial stiffness from genomic studies.
Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis in Black Americans
Authors: Shah Keyur B. , Mankad Anit K. , Castano Adam , Akinboboye Olakunle O. , Duncan Phillip B. , Fergus Icilma V. , Maurer Mathew S.
Published: May 2016

Transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis is a progressive infiltrative cardiomyopathy that mimics hypertensive and hypertrophic heart disease and often goes undiagnosed. In the United States, the hereditary form disproportionately afflicts black Americans, who when compared with whites with wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis, a phenotypically similar condition, present with more advanced disease despite having a noninvasive method for early identification (genetic testing). Although reasons for this are unclear, this begs to consider the inadequate access to care, societal factors, or a biological basis. In an effort to improve awareness and explore unique characteristics, we review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and therapeutic strategies for transthyretin amyloidosis and highlight diagnostic pitfalls and clinical pearls for identifying patients with amyloid heart disease.
Poor Outcome of Stroke Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in the Presence of Coexisting Spontaneous Echo Contrast
Authors: Yoo Joonsang , Song Dongbeom , Baek Jang-Hyun , Kim Young Dae , Nam Hyo Suk , Hong Geu-Ru , Kim Jinkwon , Lee Hye Sun , Heo Ji Hoe
Published: May 2016

Background and Purpose—

Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is frequently detected in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Coexisting SEC in patients with AF may be associated with heightened thrombogenicity, which affects stroke outcomes.

Methods—

Consecutive stroke patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography were included in this study. We compared initial stroke severity and functional outcome at 3 months between the patients with and those without SEC.

Results—

Of 440 patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography during a 7-year period, 193 (43.9%) patients had SEC. Stroke was more severe in the patients with SEC than in those without SEC (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score: median [interquartile range], 5 [2–12] versus 3 [1–8];
P
=0.004). The patients with SEC more frequently had poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale score of >2) at 3 months than those without SEC (32.3% versus 16.1%;
P
<0.001). On multivariate analysis, the presence of SEC was an independent factor of poor outcome (odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–3.53).

Conclusions—

In the ischemic stroke patients with nonvalvular AF, coexisting SEC was associated with more severe stroke and was predictive of poor long-term functional outcome.
Moving Matters: The Causal Effect of Moving Schools on Student Performance
Authors: Schwartz Amy Ellen , Stiefel Leanna , Cordes Sarah A.
Published: May 2016

Policy makers and analysts often view the reduction of student mobility across schools as a way to improve academic performance. Prior work indicates that children do worse in the year of a school move, but has been largely unsuccessful in isolating the causal effects of mobility. We use longitudinal data on students in New York City public elementary and middle schools to isolate the causal effects of school moves on student performance. We account for observed and time-invariant differences between movers and non-movers using rich data on student sociodemographic and education program characteristics and student fixed effects. To address the potential endogeneity of school moves arising from unobserved, time-varying factors, we use three sets of plausibly exogenous instruments for mobility: first-grade school grade span, grade span of zoned middle school, and building sale. We find that in the medium term, students making structural moves perform significantly worse in both English language arts (ELA) and math, whereas those making nonstructural moves experience a significant increase in ELA performance. In the short term, there is an additional negative effect for structural moves in ELA. These effects are meaningful in magnitude and results are robust to a variety of alternative specifications, instruments, and samples.
Adequate (or Adipose?) Yearly Progress: Assessing the Effect of “No Child Left Behind” on Children's Obesity
Authors: Anderson Patricia M. , Butcher Kristin F. , Schanzenbach Diane Whitmore
Published: May 2016

This paper investigates how accountability pressures under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) may have affected students’ rate of overweight. Schools facing pressure to improve academic outcomes may reallocate their efforts in ways that have unintended consequences for children's health. To examine the impact of school accountability, we create a unique panel dataset containing school-level data on test scores and students’ weight outcomes from schools in Arkansas. We code schools as facing accountability pressures if they are on the margin of making Adequate Yearly Progress, measured by whether the school's minimum-scoring subgroup had a passing rate within 5 percentage points of the threshold. We find evidence of small effects of accountability pressures on the percent of students at a school who are overweight. This finding is little changed if we controlled for the school's lagged rate of overweight, or use alternative ways to identify schools facing NCLB pressure.
Are Student Absences Worth the Worry in U.S. Primary Schools?
Authors: Gershenson Seth , Jacknowitz Alison , Brannegan Andrew
Published: May 2016

Student absences are a potentially important, yet understudied, input in the educational process. Using longitudinal data from a nationally representative survey and rich administrative records from North Carolina, we investigate the relationship between student absences and academic performance. Generally, student absences are associated with modest but statistically significant decreases in academic achievement. The harmful effects of absences are approximately linear, and are two to three times larger among fourth and fifth graders in North Carolina than among kindergarten and first-grade students in the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. In both datasets, absences similarly reduce achievement in urban, rural, and suburban schools. In North Carolina, the harm associated with student absences is greater among both low-income students and English language learners, particularly for reading achievement. Also, in North Carolina, unexcused absences are twice as harmful as excused absences. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.
New Legal Capacity Laws and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: An Overview of Five Countries in Europe
Authors: Fallon-Kund Marie , Bickenbach Jerome E
Published: May 2016

Several state parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) undertook recent revisions of their national legal capacity laws. These revisions aim to promote the autonomy of persons with disabilities as set forward by the CRPD. At the same time, the CRPD Committee calls for the abolishment of all forms of substitute decision-making through its first General Comment on Article 12 of the Convention. We thus describe the main components of new legal capacity laws of Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Switzerland and assess those in light of the General Comment. We argue that none of these countries completely abolished substitute decision-making regimes and align with the views that a more realistic interpretation should be given to the CRPD. Such interpretation would provide better guidance for countries in the implementation of Article 12.
Beautiful Surfaces
Authors: Chan Eleanor
Published: May 2016

The assumption that the Cartesian bête-machine is the invention of René Descartes (1596–1650) is rarely contested. Close examination of Descartes’ texts proves that this is a concept founded not on the basis of his own writings, but a subsequent critical interpretation, which developed and began to dominate his work after his death. Descartes’ Treatise on Man, published posthumously in two rival editions, Florentius Schuyl’s Latin translation De Homine (1662), and Claude Clerselier’s Traité de l’ homme, has proved particularly problematic. The surviving manuscript copies of the Treatise on Man left no illustrations, leaving both editors the daunting task of producing a set of images to accompany and clarify the fragmented text. In this intriguing case, the images can be seen to have spoken louder than the text which they illustrated. This paper assesses Schuyl’s choice to represent Descartes’ Man in a highly stylized manner, without superimposing Clerselier’s intentions onto De Homine.
That They All May be One?
Authors: Rich Jeremy
Published: May 2016

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Congolese pastor Jean Bokeleale’s church union movement divided US Protestant missionaries. Bokeleale’s goal of uniting all Congolese Protestant churches was sanctioned by Congolese leader Mobutu Sese Seko, and Bokeleale relied on cultural nationalist arguments to criticize missionaries who opposed his aims. Liberal missionaries gave financial assistance to Bokeleale and criticized evangelicals opposed to church union. Evangelical missionaries denounced Bokeleale as a demagogue, similar to Western criticism of Congolese prime minister Patrice Lumumba. This essay examines how missionary discussion of Bokeleale reveals debates over the role of missionaries in an independent Congo.
A new species of Matthiola (Brassicaceae, Anchonieae) from Iran
Authors: MAHMOODI MOHAMMAD , ZERAATKAR AMIN , GHAHREMANINEJAD FARROKH , MAASSOUMI ALI-ASGHAR
Published: May 2016

Matthiola iranica sp. nov. as a new species, is here described and illustrated from the Zanjan Province, NW of Iran. Taxonomic comments on the new species are given. Its morphological characteristics is compared with its presumed closest relative, M. farinosa and geographical distribution of both species is mapped. These two species differ by characters of leaves, inflorescences, flowers, fruits, and seeds. Matthiola iranica is endemic to the northern-west of Iran.
Two new species of the subgenus Cardiobioramix Kaszab (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Bioramix Bates) from the Sichuan Province, China
Authors: LI YUN-CHUN , EGOROV L.V. , SHI AI-MIN
Published: May 2016

Two new species of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae: Platyscelidini) belonging to the subgenus Cardiobioramix of the genus Bioramix are described. The first one, B. (C.) jinchuanensis sp. nov. known from the Chinese Province Sichuan Jinchuan, is characterized by the elongated parameres which are uniquely curved near the apex. The second one, B. (C.) maoxianensis sp. nov. described from Sichuan Maoxian and can be distinguished from the closely related B. (C.) szetschuana, B. (C.) kulzeri and B. (C.) subaenescens by the basally parallel parameres. A new identification key is provided to all known Chinese representatives of the subgenus Cardiobioramix.
Istiochrysis gen. nov., a new chrysidid genus from Oriental China (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae)
Authors: ROSA Paolo , FENG JUN , XU ZAI-FU
Published: May 2016

Istiochrysis Rosa & Xu, gen. nov. (type species Istiochrysis ziliolii Rosa, Feng & Xu, sp. nov.) in the tribe Chrysidini is described from Oriental part of China (Yunnan). The new genus is related to the genera Caenochrysis Kimsey & Bohart, 1981, Chrysidea Bischoff, 1913, and Trichrysis Lichtenstein, 1876, but can be separated from them by the unique crestate structure of male genitalia, shape of black spots on sternum 2, and facial depressions on scapal basin.
Impact of Synoptic Atmospheric Forcing on the Mean Ocean Circulation
Authors: Wu Yang , Zhai Xiaoming , Wang Zhaomin
Published: May 2016

The impact of synoptic atmospheric forcing on the mean ocean circulation is investigated by comparing simulations of a global eddy-permitting ocean–sea ice model forced with and without synoptic atmospheric phenomena. Consistent with previous studies, transient atmospheric motions such as weather systems are found to contribute significantly to the time-mean wind stress and surface heat loss at mid- and high latitudes owing to the nonlinear nature of air–sea turbulent fluxes. Including synoptic atmospheric forcing in the model has led to a number of significant changes. For example, wind power input to the ocean increases by about 50%, which subsequently leads to a similar percentage increase in global eddy kinetic energy. The wind-driven subtropical gyre circulations are strengthened by about 10%–15%, whereas even greater increases in gyre strength are found in the subpolar oceans. Deep convection in the northern North Atlantic becomes significantly more vigorous, which in turn leads to an increase in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) by as much as 55%. As a result of the strengthened horizontal gyre circulations and the AMOC, the maximum global northward heat transport increases by almost 50%. Results from this study show that synoptic atmospheric phenomena such as weather systems play a vital role in driving the global ocean circulation and heat transport, and therefore should be properly accounted for in paleo- and future climate studies.
The Eddy–Mean Flow Interaction and the Intrusion of Western Boundary Current into the South China Sea–Type Basin in an Idealized Model
Authors: Zhong Linhao , Hua Lijuan , Luo Dehai
Published: May 2016

In this paper, an ideal model of the role of mesoscale eddies in the Kuroshio intruding into the South China Sea (SCS) is developed, which represents the northwestern Pacific and the SCS as two rectangular basins connected by a gap. In the case of considering only intrinsic ocean variability, a time-dependent western boundary current (WBC) driven by steady wind is modeled under both eddy-resolving and noneddy-resolving resolutions. Almost all simulated WBCs intrude into the adjacent sea in the form of the Loop Current with multiple-state transitions and eddy-shedding processes, which have aperiodic variations on intraseasonal or interannual scales, determined by the eddy-induced WBC variation. For the parameters considered in this paper, the WBC intrusion exhibits a 30–90-day cycle in the presence of the subgrid-scale eddy forcing (SSEF) but a 300–500-day cycle in the absence of SSEF. Moreover, the roles of the grid-scale and subgrid-scale eddies in the WBC intrusion are studied by using the dynamically consistent decomposition developed by Berloff. Based on the large-sample composite analysis of the intrusion events, it is found that the Loop Current intensity is mainly determined by baroclinic processes through grid-scale, eddy–eddy interaction and subgrid-scale, eddy–flow interaction. The intrusion position and period are mainly regulated by the SSEF to the west of gap, where the balance between relative vorticity and isopycnal thickness SSEFs determines eddy detachment. Generally, the relative vorticity SSEF therein tends to induce WBC intrusion. However, the isopycnal thickness SSEF tends to induce eddy shedding, and WBC retreat thus determines the intrusion cycle through counteracting relative vorticity SSEF.
What did Sundaria read? Hindi books from Bareilly, c. 1870
Authors: Gandotra Smita
Published: May 2016

The Rohilkhand Literary Society, Bareilly, a voluntary association comprising Muslims and Hindus, printed seven instructional books for women in the 1870s. The Bareilly books are a measure of the vibrant Hindi print culture, emerging for women across colonial north India. The books were written in response to new initiatives by the colonial government and by local elite groups for promoting female education. Statistics on girls’ schools in this region remained dismal for decades. At a fundamental level, this essay argues that instead of merely employing school statistics, we reconsider the social history of female education with regard to print culture. The Bareilly books draw upon Sanskrit, Perso-Arabic, Avadhi, Bengali and English sources. They remind us of the multiple instructional and linguistic traditions within which women in this region came to read. The analytical template developed here explicitly foregrounds the range of discourses available to contemporary women readers. To ask the question, what did Sundaria read, is to suggest that women readers were being fashioned in ways that are not always reflected in statistics on schools or official statements by colonial officials.
Supporting quality supervision: Insights for organisational practice
Authors: Egan Ronnie , Maidment Jane , Connolly Marie
Published: May 2016

This article reports on the findings of a mixed-method study exploring the experiences of supervision within Australian social work. It looks particularly at the ways in which organisational cultures support supervision as a mechanism of practice improvement. The research suggests the need to better understand performance within the practice and supervision sphere, and create ways in which workers can be acknowledged to develop their skills in a supportive organisational environment. It argues that within a neoliberal context, supervision has the potential to assist in the management of competing workplace demands.
The diffusion of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) more than the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) in Africa: The influence of coercion and emulation
Authors: Mbise Amana Talala
Published: May 2016

In 1989, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a seminal instrument in protecting the rights of children. Uniquely, this convention was the only one to receive near universal ratification, with African countries comprising half of the first 20 to sign the convention. Ghana was first among these countries to ratify the convention. This set off a bandwagon effect of other African countries quickly ratifying the convention. However, a year later, African governments reacted to their low involvement in the drafting process of the UNCRC and also to what they thought to be an inadequate representation of the real experience of the African child in the UNCRC. Consequently, this group adopted their own version of the convention – the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). However, unlike the experience with the UNCRC, African nations were not quick to ratify their own Charter; the ACRWC is hardly discussed in public and policy forums in Africa, and its use among those charged with the protection of children is minimal. Using the lenses of policy diffusion, I assess the influence of coercion and emulation mechanisms on privileging the UNCRC which is used as the main organizing framework for child rights in most African countries. Additionally, I look at how Ghana’s political reputation influenced other African adopters, an effect which was not replicated with the ratification of the ACRWC. Implications for social work research, policy and practice are discussed.