bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telementoring with project ECHO: a pilot study in Europe
Authors: Ní Cheallaigh Clíona , O’Leary Aisling , Keating Shay , Singleton Aileen , Heffernan Sheila , Keenan Eamon , Robson Lisa , Sears Jess , Moloney John , Arora Sanjeev , Bergin Colm , Norris Suzanne ,   On behalf of the Irish Hepatitis C Outcomes Research Network
Published: August 2017

The Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) project is a novel educational intervention designed in New Mexico to transfer subspecialty knowledge about hepatitis C virus (HCV) to primary care providers, thereby increasing patient access to HCV care. The ECHO model has been shown to deliver educational benefits and to result in good treatment outcomes for HCV-infected individuals in the USA; however, this approach has not been assessed in a European setting.

We sought to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and implementation of the ECHO model in Ireland using a pilot study. We present a descriptive review of recruitment, participation, retention and cost of the intervention as well as a qualitative review of the views of participants on the barriers, benefits and acceptability of the ECHO model. In the original Project ECHO in New Mexico, geographical distance posed the greatest barrier to accessing HCV care. In Ireland, people who inject drugs (PWID) were identified by interviewees as the main group facing barriers to accessing specialist HCV care. State-employed doctors and nurses caring for large numbers of HCV-infected PWID in opiate substitution treatment centres and homeless hostels were successfully recruited to participate in the project. Self-employed general practitioners did not participate, due mainly to a lack of time and the absence of reimbursement for participation. Practitioners who participated in the pilot reported benefits to themselves and their patients and would like to continue to participate in similar multidisciplinary, multisite educational interventions in the future.
Associations of fibroblast growth factor 23, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone with 5-year outcomes in a prospective primary care cohort of people with chronic kidney disease stage 3
Authors: Shardlow Adam , McIntyre Natasha J , Fluck Richard J , McIntyre Christopher W , Taal Maarten W
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Vitamin D deficiency, elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) have each been associated with increased mortality in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous studies have focused on the effects of FGF23 in relatively advanced CKD. This study aims to assess whether FGF23 is similarly a risk factor in people with early CKD, and how this risk compares to that associated with vitamin D deficiency or elevated PTH.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Thirty-two primary care practices.

Participants

One thousand six hundred and sixty-four people who met Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definitions for CKD stage 3 (two measurements of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2at least 90 days apart) prior to study recruitment.

Outcome measures

All-cause mortality over the period of study follow-up and progression of CKD defined as a 25% fall in eGFR and a drop in GFR category, or an increase in albuminuria category.

Results

Two hundred and eighty-nine participants died during the follow-up period. Vitamin D deficiency (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.58) and elevated PTH (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.84) were independently associated with all-cause mortality. FGF23 was associated with all-cause mortality in univariable but not multivariable analysis. Fully adjusted multivariable models of CKD progression showed no association with FGF23, vitamin D status or PTH.

Conclusions

In this cohort of predominantly older people with CKD stage 3 and low risk of progression, vitamin D deficiency and elevated PTH were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality but elevated FGF23 was not. While FGF23 may have a role as a risk marker in high-risk populations managed in secondary care, our data suggest that it may not be as important in CKD stage 3, managed in primary care.

Trial registration number

National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Portfolio Study Number 6632.
Priorities for research in miscarriage: a priority setting partnership between people affected by miscarriage and professionals following the James Lind Alliance methodology
Authors: Prior Matthew , Bagness Carmel , Brewin Jane , Coomarasamy Arri , Easthope Lucy , Hepworth-Jones Barbara , Hinshaw Kim , O'Toole Emily , Orford Julie , Regan Lesley , Raine-Fenning Nick , Shakespeare Judy , Small Rachel , Thornton Jim , Metcalf Leanne
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To identify and prioritise important research questions for miscarriage.

Design

A priority setting partnership using prospective surveys and consensus meetings following methods advocated by the James Lind Alliance.

Setting

UK.

Participants

Women and those affected by miscarriage working alongside healthcare professionals.

Results

In the initial survey, 1093 participants (932 women who have experienced miscarriage, 8 partners, 17 family members, friends or colleagues, 104 healthcare professionals and eight charitable organisations) submitted 3279 questions. A review of existing literature identified a further 64. Non-questions were removed, and the remaining questions were categorised and summarised into 58 questions. In an interim electronic survey, 2122 respondents chose their top 10 priorities from the 58 summary questions. The 25 highest ranked in the survey were prioritised at a final face-to-face workshop. In summary, the top 10 priorities were ranked as follows: research into preventative treatment, emotional aspects in general, investigation, relevance of pre-existing medical conditions, emotional support as a treatment, importance of lifestyle factors, importance of genetic and chromosomal causes, preconception tests, investigation after different numbers of miscarriage and male causal factors.

Conclusions

These results should be the focus of future miscarriage research. Presently, studies are being conducted to address the top priority; however, many other priorities, especially psychological and emotional support, are less well researched areas. We hope our results will encourage both researchers and funders to focus on these priorities.
What is the impact of giant cell arteritis on patients’ lives? A UK qualitative study
Authors: Liddle Jennifer , Bartlam Roisin , Mallen Christian D , Mackie Sarah L , Prior James A , Helliwell Toby , Richardson Jane C
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Clinical management of giant cell arteritis (GCA) involves balancing the risks and burdens arising from the disease with those arising from treatment, but there is little research on the nature of those burdens. We aimed to explore the impact of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and its treatment on patients’ lives.

Methods

UK patients with GCA participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was employed.

Results

24 participants were recruited (age: 65–92 years, time since diagnosis: 2 months to >6 years). The overarching themes from analysis were: ongoing symptoms of the disease and its treatment; and ‘life-changing’ impacts. The overall impact of GCA on patients’ lives arose from a changing combination of symptoms, side effects, adaptations to everyday life and impacts on sense of normality. Important factors contributing to loss of normality were glucocorticoid-related treatment burdens and fear about possible future loss of vision.

Conclusions

The impact of GCA in patients’ everyday lives can be substantial, multifaceted and ongoing despite apparent control of disease activity. The findings of this study will help doctors better understand patient priorities, legitimise patients’ experiences of GCA and work with patients to set realistic treatment goals and plan adaptations to their everyday lives.
Fluoride exposure and indicators of thyroid functioning in the Canadian population: implications for community water fluoridation
Authors: Barberio Amanda M , Hosein F Shaun , Quiñonez Carlos , McLaren Lindsay
Published: August 2017

Background

There are concerns that altered thyroid functioning could be the result of ingesting too much fluoride. Community water fluoridation (CWF) is an important source of fluoride exposure. Our objectives were to examine the association between fluoride exposure and (1) diagnosis of a thyroid condition and (2) indicators of thyroid functioning among a national population-based sample of Canadians.

Methods

We analysed data from Cycles 2 and 3 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Logistic regression was used to assess associations between fluoride from urine and tap water samples and the diagnosis of a thyroid condition. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between fluoride exposure and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level (low/normal/high). Other available variables permitted additional exploratory analyses among the subset of participants for whom we could discern some fluoride exposure from drinking water and/or dental products.

Results

There was no evidence of a relationship between fluoride exposure (from urine and tap water) and the diagnosis of a thyroid condition. There was no statistically significant association between fluoride exposure and abnormal (low or high) TSH levels relative to normal TSH levels. Rerunning the models with the sample constrained to the subset of participants for whom we could discern some source(s) of fluoride exposure from drinking water and/or dental products revealed no significant associations.

Conclusion

These analyses suggest that, at the population level, fluoride exposure is not associated with impaired thyroid functioning in a time and place where multiple sources of fluoride exposure, including CWF, exist.
The efficacy and safety of endovascular recanalization of occluded large cerebral arteries during the subacute phase of cerebral infarction: a case series report
Authors: Chen Kangning , Hou Xianhua , Zhou Zhenhua , Li Guangjian , Liu Qu , Gui Li , Hu Jun , Shi Shugui
Published: August 2017

Background

Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator with or without mechanical thrombectomy during the acute phase are approved therapies for ischaemic stroke. Due to the short treatment time window (<6 hours) and often treatment failure, these patients would still have an intracranial arterial occlusion (IAO). It is unclear whether these patients can benefit from subsequent interventional recanalizationof their occluded artery in the subacute phase. In this retrospective study, we have examined the efficacy and safety in patients who have received either percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for IAO in the subacute phase of their stroke.

Methods

Patients with subacute symptomatic ischaemic stroke caused by IAO were assessed to identify the responsible artery and low perfusion areas by CT angiography, MR angiography or digital subtraction angiography. In eligible patients, a PTA or PTAS was performed to reopen the occluded artery. Regular antithrombotic therapy, use of statins, control of risk factors and rehabilitation therapy were prescribed after the procedure. All patients had regular follow-up up to 12 months.

Results

PTA or PTAS was performed in 16 patients with cerebral infarction caused by IAO in the subacute phase. After the procedure, 12 cases were recanalized, two were partially recanalized and two failed to open. One patient with left C6 segment occlusion of the carotid artery had a central retinal artery embolism after PTAS. The perioperative adverse events were 6.25%. At 3 months, the distribution of modified Rankin scale scores was 0 (seven cases), 1 (three cases), 2 (five cases) and 3 (one case).

Conclusion

Selective PTA or PTAS could be performed in ischaemic stroke patients with a small infarct size and large area of hypoperfusion from an occluded large cerebral artery after the acute phase. It may improve neurological dysfunction and reduce the incidence of disability.
Kolaviron attenuates ischemia/reperfusion injury in the stomach of rats
Authors: Odukanmi Olugbenga Adeola , Salami Adeola Temitope , Ashaolu Onaara Peter , Adegoke Adeoti Gbemisola , Olaleye Samuel Babafemi
Published: August 2017

Kolaviron (KV), an active complex of at least 3 compounds in Garcinia kola seed, which is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, was investigated for its gastro-protective effect in the stomach of rats subjected to ischemia/reperfusion-induced gastric ulceration. Male adult Wistar rats (180–210 g) were randomized into 6 groups (n = 15) as follows: (i) control, (ii) ulcerated untreated (UU), (iii) KV alone (KVA), (iv) KV + ulcer (KVU), (v) ulcer + KV (UKV), and (vi) ulcer + omeprazole (20 mg/kg). Ulcer was induced through ischemia/reperfusion method after 2 weeks of daily oral KV (100 mg/kg). Rats were weighed daily, and gastric acid secretion, ulcer scores, hematological, biochemical, and histological variables were assessed 1 h after induction at 3 and 7 days post-ulceration. Body weight decreased in KVA (179.1 ± 1.6 g), and KVU (170.1 ± 2.2 g) compared with UU (199.0 ± 1.4 g). Gastric acid secretion decreased significantly in KVU after 1 h and 3 days post-ulceration (0.27 ± 0.03 mEq/L; 0.49 ± 0.02 mEq/L) compared with UU (0.60 ± 0.06 mEq/L; 0.85 ± 0.29 mEq/L), respectively. There was significant reduction in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio of KVA (0.29 ± 0.06) and KVU (0.35 ± 0.02) compared with UU (0.54 ± 0.04). Malondialdehyde level decreased significantly with concomitant increase in anti-oxidative activities and nitric oxide level in the KV treated groups (KVA, KVU, UKV) compared with UU. In conclusion, treatment with KV protects the stomach by reducing gastric acid secretion, promoting antioxidant activity and suppressing action of reactive oxygen species.
Changes in HDL-c concentrations after 16 weeks of combined training in postmenopausal women: characteristics of positive and negative responders
Authors: Diniz Tiego A. , Rossi Fabricio E. , Fortaleza Ana Claudia Souza , Neves Lucas Melo , Christofaro Diego Giulliano Destro , Buonani Camila , Lira Fabio S. , Campos Eduardo Zapaterra , Prado Wagner Luiz do , Freitas Jr Ismael Forte
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to investigate the individual characteristics of body composition and metabolic profile that could explain interindividual variation in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations in response to 16 weeks of combined strength plus aerobic (combined) training in postmenopausal women. The participants were divided into tertiles based on percentage of changes in HDL-c concentrations after combined training. Only women in the upper tertile (positive responders: Δ > 10.4%; n = 19) and lower tertile (negative responders: Δ < −1.4%; n = 19) were considered for analyses. The total body fat (BF), trunk fat (TF), android fat (AF), gynoid fat, and lean body mass were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The metabolic profile – glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, HDL-c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) – were assessed. After 16 weeks, both positive and negative responders presented similar improvement in body composition, such as a decrease in percentage and kilograms of BF, TF, and AF, and increase in lean body mass (p value for time < 0.05). As expected, there was an effect of time and also a significant interaction (time vs. group) (p value < 0.001) in the improvement of HDL-c, with higher values for positive responders. Regarding metabolic profile, there were significant interactions (time vs. group) for triacylglycerol (p value = 0.032) and VLDL (p value = 0.027) concentrations, with lower values for positive responders. Our results suggests there is heterogeneity in combined training-induced HDL-c changes in postmenopausal women, and the positive responders were those who presented more pronounced decreases in triacylglycerol and VLDL concentrations.
Genome-wide identification and analysis of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor gene family in Ustilaginoidea virens
Authors: Yin Weixiao , Cui Peng , Wei Wei , Lin Yang , Luo Chaoxi
Published: August 2017

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor (TF) family is one of the largest and most diverse TF families widely distributed across the eukaryotes. The bZIP TF family plays an important role in growth, development, and response to abiotic or biotic stresses, which have been well characterized in plants, but not in plant pathogenic fungi. In this study, we performed genome-wide and systematic bioinformatics analysis of bZIP genes in the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens, the causal agent of rice false smut disease. We identified 28 bZIP family members in the U. virens genome by searching for the bZIP domain in predicted genes. The gene structures, motifs, and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed for bZIP genes in U. virens (UvbZIP). Together with bZIP proteins from two other fungi, the bZIP genes can be divided into eight groups according to their phylogenetic relationships. Based on RNA-Seq data, the expression profiles of UvbZIP genes at different infection stages were evaluated. Results showed that 17 UvbZIP genes were up-regulated during the infection period. Furthermore, 11 infection-related UvbZIP genes were investigated under H2O2 stress and the expression level of eight genes were changed, which confirmed their role in stress tolerance and pathogenicity. In summary, our genome-wide systematic characterization and expression analysis of UvbZIP genes provided insight into the molecular function of these genes in U. virens and provides a reference for other pathogens.
Cytogenetic analysis and mapping of leaf rust resistance inAegilops speltoidesTausch derived bread wheat line Selection2427 carrying putative gametocidal gene(s)
Authors: Niranjana M. , Vinod  , Sharma J.B. , Mallick Niharika , Tomar S.M.S. , Jha S.K.
Published: August 2017

Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) is a major biotic stress affecting wheat yields worldwide. Host-plant resistance is the best method for controlling leaf rust. Aegilops speltoides is a good source of resistance against wheat rusts. To date, five Lr genes, Lr28, Lr35, Lr36, Lr47, and Lr51, have been transferred from Ae. speltoides to bread wheat. In Selection2427, a bread wheat introgresed line with Ae. speltoides as the donor parent, a dominant gene for leaf rust resistance was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 3B (LrS2427). None of the Lr genes introgressed from Ae. speltoides have been mapped to chromosome 3B. Since none of the designated seedling leaf rust resistance genes have been located on chromosome 3B, LrS2427 seems to be a novel gene. Selection2427 showed a unique property typical of gametocidal genes, that when crossed to other bread wheat cultivars, the F1showed partial pollen sterility and poor seed setting, whilst Selection2427 showed reasonable male and female fertility. Accidental co-transfer of gametocidal genes with LrS2427 may have occurred in Selection2427. Though LrS2427 did not show any segregation distortion and assorted independently of putative gametocidal gene(s), its utilization will be difficult due to the selfish behavior of gametocidal genes.
Exploring activity-driven network with biased walks
Authors: Wang Yan , Wu Ding Juan , Lv Fang , Su Meng Long
Published: August 2017

We investigate the concurrent dynamics of biased random walks and the activity-driven network, where the preferential transition probability is in terms of the edge-weighting parameter. We also obtain the analytical expressions for stationary distribution and the coverage function in directed and undirected networks, all of which depend on the weight parameter. Appropriately adjusting this parameter, more effective search strategy can be obtained when compared with the unbiased random walk, whether in directed or undirected networks. Since network weights play a significant role in the diffusion process.
An improved game-theoretic approach to uncover overlapping communities
Authors: Sun Hong-Liang , Ch’ng Eugene , Yong Xi , Garibaldi Jonathan M. , See Simon , Chen Duan-Bing
Published: August 2017

How can we uncover overlapping communities from complex networks to understand the inherent structures and functions? Chen et al. firstly proposed a community game (Game) to study this problem, and the overlapping communities have been discovered when the game is convergent. It is based on the assumption that each vertex of the underlying network is a rational game player to maximize its utility. In this paper, we investigate how similar vertices affect the formation of community game. The Adamic–Adar Index (AA Index) has been employed to define the new utility function. This novel method has been evaluated on both synthetic and real-world networks. Experimental study shows that it has significant improvement of accuracy (from 4.8% to 37.6%) compared with the Game on 10 real networks. It is more efficient on Facebook networks (FN) and Amazon co-purchasing networks than on other networks. This result implicates that “friend circles of friends” of Facebook are valuable to understand the overlapping community division.
The crossed structure of Hopf bimodules
Authors: Zhu Haixing
Published: August 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be a Hopf algebra with bijective antipode. We first define some generalized Hopf bimodules. Next, we show that these Hopf bimodules form a new tensor category with a crossed structure, which is equivalent to the category of some generalized Yetter–Drinfeld modules introduced by Panaite and Staic. Finally, based on this equivalence, we verify that the category of Hopf bimodules admits the structure of a braided [Formula: see text]-category in the sense of Turaev.
Cyclic and negacyclic codes of length 4ps over 𝔽pm + u𝔽pm
Authors: Dinh Hai Q. , Sharma Anuradha , Rani Saroj , Sriboonchitta Songsak
Published: August 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be the finite field of order [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is an odd prime and [Formula: see text] is a positive integer. In this paper, we determine the algebraic structures of all cyclic and negacyclic codes of length [Formula: see text] over the finite commutative chain ring [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a positive integer. We also obtain the number of codewords in each of these codes. Among others, we establish the duals of all such codes and derive some self-dual cyclic and negacyclic codes of length [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text]
An empirical Bayes method for robust variance estimation in detecting DEGs using microarray data
Authors: You Na , Wang Xueqin
Published: August 2017

The microarray technology is widely used to identify the differentially expressed genes due to its high throughput capability. The number of replicated microarray chips in each group is usually not abundant. It is an efficient way to borrow information across different genes to improve the parameter estimation which suffers from the limited sample size. In this paper, we use a hierarchical model to describe the dispersion of gene expression profiles and model the variance through the gene expression level via a link function. A heuristic algorithm is proposed to estimate the hyper-parameters and link function. The differentially expressed genes are identified using a multiple testing procedure. Compared to SAM and LIMMA, our proposed method shows a significant superiority in term of detection power as the false discovery rate being controlled.
A hierarchy of generalized Jaulent–Miodek equations and their explicit solutions
Authors: Geng Xianguo , Guan Liang , Xue Bo
Published: August 2017

A hierarchy of generalized Jaulent–Miodek (JM) equations related to a new spectral problem with energy-dependent potentials is proposed. Depending on the Lax matrix and elliptic variables, the generalized JM hierarchy is decomposed into two systems of solvable ordinary differential equations. Explicit theta function representations of the meromorphic function and the Baker–Akhiezer function are constructed, the solutions of the hierarchy are obtained based on the theory of algebraic curves.
INNOVATION MANAGEMENT CONTROL: BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ITS EMERGENCE AND EVOLUTION AS A RESEARCH FIELD
Authors: TKOTZ ALEXANDER , MUNCK JAN CHRISTOPH , WALD ANDREAS ERICH
Published: August 2017

Innovation Management Control (IMC) supports innovation management with valuable information, thus improving innovation effectiveness and efficiency. Literature has shown that different elements of a management control system must be interdependent and that its design must form a coherent system of controls that spans the entire process under control. Accordingly, IMC covers the entire innovation process. However, IMC literature is spread over numerous journals from different disciplines, which may prevent the development of holistic IMC systems. We present a bibliometric analysis that provides insights into the development of IMC as a research field and examines the severity of knowledge dispersal. We build on a database covering 549 papers. The aim of the study is to reveal IMCs emergence and evolution as a research field, and future research directions. Our study shows that IMC combines several subfields and that dispersion is present in IMC, thus slowing knowledge transfer and hindering rapid progress.
Microwave-Assisted Controllable Synthesis of Nickel Nanoparticles Embedded in Mesoporous Silica for Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol
Authors: Cao Jingyuan , Wang Fei , Liang Shuai , Tong Xue , Zhang Zhongnan , Feng Jian , Wang Haifeng , Jiang Xingmao
Published: August 2017

Nickel nanoparticles embedded in mesoporous silica (Ni/SiO[Formula: see text] were successfully synthesized by microwave-assisted in situ self-assembly method using colloidal silica, urea and nickel nitrate as precursors and glucose as carbon template, which resulted in mesoporous structure of silica through removal of template. Ni nanoparticles were uniformly well-dispersed within mesoporous silica, which were 3.5–4.0[Formula: see text]nm in diameter and had a very narrow particle size distribution. In addition, particle size of Ni nanoparticles can be controllably adjusted by microwave power. As-prepared Ni/SiO2 catalyst exhibited better catalytic activity for reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) than Ni/SiO2-IM catalyst, which was mainly attributed to confinement effect of mesoporous silica support. This simple and versatile method can also be extended to cover many kinds of other supported catalysts for broad applications in many other catalytic reactions in the future.
The temperature effect on the magneto-mechanical response of magnetostrictive composites for stress sensing applications
Authors: Yoffe Alexander , Kaniel Hadas , Shilo Doron
Published: August 2017

Stress induced magnetic field changes in epoxy-based Terfenol-D composite materials offer a unique way for stress sensing by using a remote magnetic field sensor. In this paper, we report simultaneous measurements of the stress, strain and emitted magnetic field during compressive tests performed at different temperatures in the range of [Formula: see text]C–65[Formula: see text]C. The observed results are explained based on the physical processes that occur at different stresses and temperature ranges. Measurement results reveal a temperature range ([Formula: see text]C–45[Formula: see text]C) suitable for stress sensing applications, at which the reverse magnetostrictive response is almost temperature insensitive. At 65[Formula: see text]C, the epoxy demonstrated a significant softening due to the glass transition, indicating that a high glass transition temperature is an important desired property for the epoxy matrix.
Cobalt and sulfur co-doped TiO2 nanostructures with enhanced photo-response properties for photocatalyst
Authors: Jin Qiu , Nie Chaoyin , Shen Qianqian , Xu Yusheng , Nie Yanzhong
Published: August 2017

Cobalt (Co) and sulfur (S) co-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) catalysts were synthesized via sol–gel method. The structure of TiO2was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The valence states of elements were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the optical-absorption properties of the catalysts were tested using the ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer. The results showed that the grain sizes of Co and S co-doped TiO2 decreased with the increase of Co and S doping concentration within a certain range, and then the catalysts had obvious red shift on the absorption of visible light. Sample (2%Co–5%S–TiO2) showed excellent light absorption characteristics and the photo-response threshold increased significantly to about 760[Formula: see text]nm. Also, the further degradation test under visible light shows the 2%Co–5%S-TiO2 sample exhibit apparently improved degradation efficiency for Rhodamine B compared to the undoped one.
Sorting permutations: Games, genomes, and cycles
Authors: Adamyk K. L. M. , Holmes E. , Mayfield G. R. , Moritz D. J. , Scheepers M. , Tenner B. E. , Wauck H. C.
Published: August 2017

Permutation sorting, one of the fundamental steps in pre-processing data for the efficient application of other algorithms, has a long history in mathematical research literature and has numerous applications. Two special-purpose sorting operations are considered in this paper: context directed swap, (cds) and context directed reversal, (cdr). These are special cases of sorting operations that were studied in prior work on permutation sorting. Moreover, cds and cdr have been postulated to model molecular sorting events that occur in the genome maintenance program of certain species of single-celled organisms called ciliates. This paper investigates mathematical aspects of these two sorting operations. The main result of this paper is a generalization of previously discovered characterizations of cds-sortability of a permutation. The combinatorial structure underlying this generalization suggests natural combinatorial two-player games. These games are the main mathematical innovation of this paper.
Software Vulnerability Analysis and Discovery Using Machine-Learning and Data-Mining Techniques
Authors: Ghaffarian Seyed Mohammad , Shahriari Hamid Reza
Published: August 2017

Software security vulnerabilities are one of the critical issues in the realm of computer security. Due to their potential high severity impacts, many different approaches have been proposed in the past decades to mitigate the damages of software vulnerabilities. Machine-learning and data-mining techniques are also among the many approaches to address this issue. In this article, we provide an extensive review of the many different works in the field of software vulnerability analysis and discovery that utilize machine-learning and data-mining techniques. We review different categories of works in this domain, discuss both advantages and shortcomings, and point out challenges and some uncharted territories in the field.
Spatial Partition-Based Particle Filtering for Data Assimilation in Wildfire Spread Simulation
Authors: Long Yuan , Hu Xiaolin
Published: August 2017

This article develops a spatial partition-based particle filtering framework to support data assimilation for large-scale wildfire spread simulation effectively. The developed spatial partition-based particle filtering framework breaks the system state and observation data into smaller spatial regions and then carries out localized particle filtering based on these spatial regions. Particle Filters (PFs) hold great promise to support data assimilation for spatial temporal simulations, such as wildfire spread simulation, to achieve more accurate simulation or prediction results. However, PFs face major challenges to work effectively for complex spatial temporal simulations due to the high-dimensional state space of the simulation models, which typically cover large areas and have a large number of spatially dependent state variables. The developed framework exploits the spatial locality property of system state and observation data and employs the divide-and-conquer principle to reduce state dimension and data complexity. This framework is especially developed for a discrete event cellular space model (the wildfire simulation model), which significantly differs from prior works that use numerical models specified by partial differential equations (PDEs) with continuous variables. Within this framework, a two-level automated spatial partitioning method is presented to provide automated and balanced spatial partitions with fewer boundary sensors. The developed framework is applied to a wildfire spread simulation and achieved improved results compared to using standard PF-based data assimilation methods.
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II-dependent regulation of atrial myocyte late Na+ current, Ca2+ cycling, and excitability: a mathematical modeling study
Authors: Onal Birce , Gratz Daniel , Hund Thomas J.
Published: August 2017

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects more than three million people per year in the United States and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Both electrical and structural remodeling contribute to AF, but the molecular pathways underlying AF pathogenesis are not well understood. Recently, a role for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the regulation of persistent “late” Na+ current ( INa,L) has been identified. Although INa,L inhibition is emerging as a potential antiarrhythmic strategy in patients with AF, little is known about the mechanism linking INa,L to atrial arrhythmogenesis. A computational approach was used to test the hypothesis that increased CaMKII-activated INa,L in atrial myocytes disrupts Ca2+ homeostasis, promoting arrhythmogenic afterdepolarizations. Dynamic CaMKII activity and regulation of multiple downstream targets [ INa,L, L-type Ca2+ current, phospholamban, and the ryanodine receptor sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-release channel (RyR2)] were incorporated into an existing well-validated computational model of the human atrial action potential. Model simulations showed that constitutive CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of Nav1.5 and the subsequent increase in INa,L effectively disrupt intracellular atrial myocyte ion homeostasis and CaMKII signaling. Specifically, increased INa,L promotes intracellular Ca2+ overload via forward-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity, which greatly increases RyR2 open probability beyond that observed for CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of RyR2 alone. Increased INa,L promotes atrial myocyte repolarization defects (afterdepolarizations and alternans) in the setting of acute β-adrenergic stimulation. We anticipate that our modeling efforts will help identify new mechanisms for atrial NaV1.5 regulation with direct relevance for human AF.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we present a novel computational model to study the effects of late Na+ current ( INa,L) in human atrial myocytes. Simulations predict that INa,L promotes intracellular accumulation of Ca2+, with subsequent dysregulation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) signaling and ryanodine receptor 2-mediated Ca2+ release. Although INa,L plays a small role in regulating atrial myocyte excitability at baseline, CaMKII-dependent enhancement of the current promoted arrhythmogenic dynamics.

Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/camkii-dependent-regulation-of-atrial-late-sodium-current-and-excitability/ .
Carotid artery stenosis in hypertensive rats impairs dilatory pathways in parenchymal arterioles
Authors: Matin Nusrat , Fisher Courtney , Jackson William F. , Diaz-Otero Janice M. , Dorrance Anne M.
Published: August 2017

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for vascular cognitive impairment and is strongly associated with carotid artery stenosis. In normotensive rats, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) leads to cognitive impairment that is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent dilation in parenchymal arterioles (PAs). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of BCAS on PA function and structure in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats, a model of human essential hypertension. Understanding the effects of hypoperfusion on PAs in a hypertensive model could lead to the identification of therapeutic targets for cognitive decline in a model that reflects the at-risk population. We hypothesized that BCAS would impair endothelium-dependent dilation in PAs and induce artery remodeling compared with sham rats. PAs from BCAS rats had endothelial dysfunction, as assessed using pressure myography. Inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandin production had no effect on PA dilation in sham or BCAS rats. Surprisingly, inhibition of epoxyeicosatrienoic acid production increased dilation in PAs from BCAS rats but not from sham rats. Similar results were observed in the presence of inhibitors for all three dilatory pathways, suggesting that epoxygenase inhibition may have restored a nitric oxide/prostaglandin-independent dilatory pathway in PAs from BCAS rats. PAs from BCAS rats underwent remodeling with a reduced wall thickness. These data suggest that marked endothelial dysfunction in PAs from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats with BCAS may be associated with the development of vascular cognitive impairment.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study assessed the structure and function of parenchymal arterioles in a model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and hypertension, both of which are risk factors for cognitive impairment. We observed that impaired dilation and artery remodeling in parenchymal arterioles and abolished cerebrovascular reserve capacity may mediate cognitive deficits.
The beginnings of cardiac catheterization and the resulting impact on pulmonary medicine
Authors: West John B.
Published: August 2017

The early history of cardiac catheterization has many interesting features. First, although it would be natural to assume that the procedure was initiated by cardiologists, two of the three people who shared the Nobel Prize for the discovery were pulmonologists, while the third was a urologist. The primary objective of the pulmonologists André Cournand and Dickinson Richards was to obtain mixed venous blood from the right heart so that they could use the Fick principle to calculate total pulmonary blood flow. Cournand’s initial catheterization studies were prompted by his reading of an account by Werner Forssmann, who catheterized himself 12 years before. His bold experiment was one of the most bizarre in medical history. In the earliest studies that followed, Cournand and colleagues first passed catheters into the right atrium, and then into the right ventricle, and finally, the pulmonary artery. At the time, the investigators did not appreciate the significance of the low vascular pressures, nor that what they had done would revolutionize interventional cardiology. Within a year, William Dock predicted that there would be a very low blood flow at the top of the upright lung, and he proposed that this was the cause of the apical localization of pulmonary tuberculosis. The fact that the pulmonary vascular pressures are very low has many implications in lung disease. Cardiac catheterization changed the face of investigative cardiology, and its instigators were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1956.
High-altitude champions: birds that live and migrate at altitude
Authors: Laguë Sabine L.
Published: August 2017

High altitude is physiologically challenging for vertebrate life for many reasons, including hypoxia (low environmental oxygen); yet, many birds thrive at altitude. Compared with mammals, birds have additional enhancements to their oxygen transport cascade, the conceptual series of steps responsible for acquiring oxygen from the environment and transporting it to the mitochondria. These adaptations have allowed them to inhabit a number of high-altitude regions. Waterfowl are a taxon prolific at altitude. This minireview explores the physiological responses of high-altitude waterfowl (geese and ducks), comparing the strategies of lifelong high-altitude residents to those of transient high-altitude performers, providing insight into how birds champion high-altitude life. In particular, this review highlights and contrasts the physiological hypoxia responses of bar-headed geese ( Anser indicus), birds that migrate biannually through the Himalayas (4,500–6,500 m), and Andean geese ( Chloephaga melanoptera), lifelong residents of the Andes (4,000–5,500 m). These two species exhibit markedly different ventilatory and cardiovascular strategies for coping with hypoxia: bar-headed geese robustly increase convective oxygen transport elements (i.e., heart rate and total ventilation) whereas Andean geese rely predominantly on enhancements that are likely morphological in origin (i.e., increases in lung oxygen diffusion and cardiac stroke volume). The minireview compares the short- and long-term cardiovascular and ventilatory trade-offs of these different physiological strategies and offers hypotheses surrounding their origins. It also draws parallels to high-altitude human physiology and research, and identifies a number of areas of further research. The field of high-altitude avian physiology offers a unique and broadly applicable insight into physiological enhancements in hypoxia.
Validation of Immunohistochemical Assays for Integral Biomarkers in the NCI-MATCH EAY131 Clinical Trial
Authors: Khoury Joseph D. , Wang Wei-Lien , Prieto Victor G. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Kalhor Neda , Hameed Meera , Broaddus Russell , Hamilton Stanley R.
Published: August 2017

Biomarkers that guide therapy selection are gaining unprecedented importance as targeted therapy options increase in scope and complexity. In conjunction with high-throughput molecular techniques, therapy-guiding biomarker assays based upon immunohistochemistry (IHC) have a critical role in cancer care in that they inform about the expression status of a protein target. Here, we describe the validation procedures for four clinical IHC biomarker assays—PTEN, RB, MLH1, and MSH2—for use as integral biomarkers in the nationwide NCI-Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (NCI-MATCH) EAY131 clinical trial. Validation procedures were developed through an iterative process based on collective experience and adaptation of broad guidelines from the FDA. The steps included primary antibody selection; assay optimization; development of assay interpretation criteria incorporating biological considerations; and expected staining patterns, including indeterminate results, orthogonal validation, and tissue validation. Following assay lockdown, patient samples and cell lines were used for analytic and clinical validation. The assays were then approved as laboratory-developed tests and used for clinical trial decisions for treatment selection. Calculations of sensitivity and specificity were undertaken using various definitions of gold-standard references, and external validation was required for the PTEN IHC assay. In conclusion, validation of IHC biomarker assays critical for guiding therapy in clinical trials is feasible using comprehensive preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic steps. Implementation of standardized guidelines provides a useful framework for validating IHC biomarker assays that allow for reproducibility across institutions for routine clinical use. Clin Cancer Res; 24(3); 521–31. ©2017 AACR.
Radiosensitization In Vivo by Histone Deacetylase Inhibition with No Increase in Early Normal Tissue Radiation Toxicity
Authors: Groselj Blaz , Ruan Jia-Ling , Scott Helen , Gorrill Jessica , Nicholson Judith , Kelly Jacqueline , Anbalagan Selvakumar , Thompson James , Stratford Michael R.L. , Jevons Sarah J. , Hammond Ester M. , Scudamore Cheryl L. , Kerr Martin , Kiltie Anne E.
Published: August 2017

As the population ages, more elderly patients require radiotherapy-based treatment for their pelvic malignancies, including muscle-invasive bladder cancer, as they are unfit for major surgery. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find radiosensitizing agents minimally toxic to normal tissues, including bowel and bladder, for such patients. We developed methods to determine normal tissue toxicity severity in intestine and bladder in vivo, using novel radiotherapy techniques on a small animal radiation research platform (SARRP). The effects of panobinostat on in vivo tumor growth delay were evaluated using subcutaneous xenografts in athymic nude mice. Panobinostat concentration levels in xenografts, plasma, and normal tissues were measured in CD1-nude mice. CD1-nude mice were treated with drug/irradiation combinations to assess acute normal tissue effects in small intestine using the intestinal crypt assay, and later effects in small and large intestine at 11 weeks by stool assessment and at 12 weeks by histologic examination. In vitro effects of panobinostat were assessed by qPCR and of panobinostat, TMP195, and mocetinostat by clonogenic assay, and Western blot analysis. Panobinostat resulted in growth delay in RT112 bladder cancer xenografts but did not significantly increase acute (3.75 days) or 12 weeks' normal tissue radiation toxicity. Radiosensitization by panobinostat was effective in hypoxic bladder cancer cells and associated with class I HDAC inhibition, and protein downregulation of HDAC2 and MRE11. Pan-HDAC inhibition is a promising strategy for radiosensitization, but more selective agents may be more useful radiosensitizers clinically, resulting in fewer systemic side effects. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 381–92. ©2017 AACR.

See all articles in this MCT Focus section, “Developmental Therapeutics in Radiation Oncology.”
Endo-Urological Techniques for Benign Uretero-Ileal Strictures Have Poor Efficacy and Affect Renal Function
Authors: Fransen van de Putte Elisabeth E. , de Wall Liesbeth L. , van Werkhoven Erik , Heldeweg Eddi A. , Bex Axel , van der Poel Henk G. , van Rhijn Bas W.G. , Horenblas Simon , Hendricksen Kees
Published: August 2017

Introduction: Uretero-ileal strictures (UES) following urinary diversion are therapeutically challenging. We compared the efficacy, safety and renal outcome following therapeutic endo-urological techniques (EUTs) and open surgical revision of the anastomosis (SRA) for UES. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analysed all EUTs and SRAs performed for UES in 2 hospitals between 1987 and 2015. Restenosis was defined as recurrent radiographically diagnosed hydronephrosis and re-intervention. Renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) decrease was correlated with the number of EUTs per patient. Results: Eighty-five UES were treated with 105 EUTs and 31 open revisions. Due to total obstruction, 28 (27%) EUTs were aborted. During a median follow-up of 33 months, restenosis occurred following 53 out of 77 (69%) completed EUTs and 4 out of 31 (13%) SRAs (p < 0.001 on univariable and multivariable analyses). No serious (Clavien ≥3b) EUT-related complications occurred vs. 5 (19%) related to SRA (p < 0.001). The number of finalised EUTs was independently associated with eGFR loss (β = 12.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 loss per EUT, p = 0.008), with a significant cutoff value of >1 EUTs. SRA did not affect renal function (β = 6.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 loss, p = 0.276). Conclusions: Although EUTs are less invasive, they have an inferior efficacy to SRA. Our results suggest that a maximum of one EUT may be attempted without significantly compromising renal function.