bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute blood loss stimulates fibroblast growth factor 23 production
Authors: Rabadi Seham , Udo Ikemesit , Leaf David E. , Waikar Sushrut S. , Christov Marta
Published: September 2017

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) production is upregulated by iron deficiency and hypoxia. However, the influence of acute blood loss, and the resulting increases in circulating erythropoietin, on FGF23 production is unknown. Using wild-type C57BL/6 mice, we show that acute loss of 10% total blood volume leads to an increase in plasma C-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) levels within 6 h, while plasma levels of intact FGF23, phosphate, calcium, parathyroid hormone, iron, and ferritin remain similar to control mice without acute blood loss. Volume resuscitation with PBS did not significantly alter these findings. The increase in plasma cFGF23 levels in bled animals was accompanied by increased plasma erythropoietin levels at 6 h. Administration of erythropoietin led to an acute increase in plasma cFGF23 levels similar to that observed in acute blood loss. Fgf23 mRNA expression was increased 20-fold in bone marrow, but not in bone, of bled vs. control mice, suggesting bone marrow as a key source of elevated plasma FGF23 levels following acute blood loss. To extend these findings to humans, we measured plasma cFGF23 levels in 131 critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit. In univariate and multivariate models, we found a positive association between number of red blood cell transfusions, an indirect indicator of acute blood loss, and plasma cFGF23 levels. We conclude that FGF23 production is rapidly increased after acute blood loss and that erythropoietin may be the mediator of this increase. Thus erythropoietin may represent a novel physiological regulator of FGF23 production.
New Linear Cryptanalysis of Chinese Commercial Block Cipher Standard SM4
Authors: Liu Yu , Liang Huicong , Wang Wei , Wang Meiqin
Published: September 2017

SM4 is a Chinese commercial block cipher standard used for wireless communication in China. In this paper, we use the partial linear approximation table of S-box to search for three rounds of iterative linear approximations of SM4, based on which the linear approximation for 20-round SM4 has been constructed. However, the best previous identified linear approximation only covers 19 rounds. At the same time, a linear approximation for 19-round SM4 is obtained, which is better than the known results. Furthermore, we show the key recovery attack on 24-round SM4 which is the best attack according to the number of rounds.
Factors for a Successful Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in Very Large Uteri
Authors: Krentel Harald , De Wilde Rudy Leon
Published: September 2017

Minimally invasive hysterectomy is a standard procedure. Different approaches, as laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, and subtotal and total laparoscopic hysterectomy, have been described and evaluated by various investigations as safe and cost-effective methods. In particular, in comparison to abdominal hysterectomy, the minimally invasive methods have undoubted advantages for the patients. The main reason for a primary abdominal hysterectomy or conversion to abdominal hysterectomy during a minimal invasive approach is the uterine size. We describe our course of action in the retrospective analysis of five cases of total minimal-access hysterectomy, combining the laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy and the vaginal extirpation of the cervix in uterine myomatosis with a uterine weight of more than 1000 grams, and discuss the factors that limit the use of laparoscopy in the treatment of big uteri. Trail Registration. The case report is registered in Research Registry under the UIN researchregistry743.
Determination of Collection Points for Disjoint Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ji Xiaofei , Chi Baichuan , Cao Jiangtao
Published: September 2017

When the connection in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is broken, a subset of nodes which serve as the data collection points (CPs) can buffer the data from sensors and transfer these data to mobile data collectors (MDCs) to restore the connectivity of WSNs. One of the existing problems is how to decide the numbers and positions of CPs for obtaining an optimal path of MDC. In order to deal with this problem, a selection method of CPs is proposed to reduce the traveling distance of MDCs. Meanwhile, with this selection method, the changing rules and the stability of the path of MDC are theoretically proved. A 100-node WSN is implemented to test the proposed method. The evaluation results verify that the proposed method is efficient and valuable.
Landslide Susceptibility Assessment Using Frequency Ratio Technique with Iterative Random Sampling
Authors: Oh Hyun-Joo , Lee Saro , Hong Soo-Min
Published: September 2017

This paper assesses the performance of the landslide susceptibility analysis using frequency ratio (FR) with an iterative random sampling. A pair of before-and-after digital aerial photographs with 50 cm spatial resolution was used to detect landslide occurrences in Yongin area, Korea. Iterative random sampling was run ten times in total and each time it was applied to the training and validation datasets. Thirteen landslide causative factors were derived from the topographic, soil, forest, and geological maps. The FR scores were calculated from the causative factors and training occurrences repeatedly ten times. The ten landslide susceptibility maps were obtained from the integration of causative factors that assigned FR scores. The landslide susceptibility maps were validated by using each validation dataset. The FR method achieved susceptibility accuracies from 89.48% to 93.21%. And the landslide susceptibility accuracy of the FR method is higher than 89%. Moreover, the ten times iterative FR modeling may contribute to a better understanding of a regularized relationship between the causative factors and landslide susceptibility. This makes it possible to incorporate knowledge-driven considerations of the causative factors into the landslide susceptibility analysis and also be extensively used to other areas.
High Prevalence of Autoimmune Diabetes and Poor Glycaemic Control among Adults in Madagascar: A Brief Report from a Humanitarian Health Campaign in Ambanja
Authors: Maddaloni Ernesto , Pastore Giovanlorenzo , Del Buono Marco Giuseppe , Porcari Aldostefano , Fittipaldi Mario , Garilli Francesco , Tiberti Claudio , Angeletti Silvia , Pozzilli Paolo , Mottini Giovanni , Napoli Nicola
Published: September 2017

Madagascar is a geographically isolated country considered a biodiversity hotspot with unique genomics. Both the low-income and the geographical isolation represent risk factors for the development of diabetes. During a humanitarian health campaign conducted in Ambanja, a rural city in the northern part of Madagascar, we identified 42 adult subjects with diabetes and compared their features to 24 randomly enrolled healthy controls. 42.9% (n=18) of diabetic subjects showed HbA1c values ≥ 9.0%. Unexpectedly, waist circumference and BMI were similar in people with diabetes and controls. Different from the healthy controls, diabetic subjects showed a low prevalence of obesity (5.7% versus 30%, p=0.02). Accordingly, we found a high prevalence of autoimmune diabetes as 12% of people with diabetes showed positivity for the autoantibody against glutamic acid decarboxylase. Diabetic subjects with positive autoantibody had higher HbA1c values (11.3 ± 4.1% versus 8.3 ± 2.6%, p=0.03) compared to diabetic subjects with negative autoantibody. In conclusion, here we describe the presence of diabetes and its features in a rural area of Northern Madagascar, documenting poor glycaemic control and a high prevalence of autoimmune diabetes. These data highlight that the diabetes epidemic involves every corner of the world possibly with different patterns and features.
Significant Bradycardia in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Dexmedetomidine and Fentanyl
Authors: Hui Channing , Cardinale Maria , Yegneswaran Balaji
Published: September 2017

Purpose. To report a case series of three patients who developed significant bradycardia while receiving the combination of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl for sedation and analgesia. Materials and Methods. This is a case series of patients obtained from a mixed medical, surgical, and cardiac ICU in a community teaching hospital. Three intubated patients receiving fentanyl and dexmedetomidine infusion developed sudden bradycardia requiring intervention. In all three cases, adjustments to therapy were required. Results. All three patients experienced significant bradycardia, with a heart rate less than 50 bpm, and one patient briefly developed asystole. In Case  1, the fentanyl infusion rate was reduced by 67% and the dexmedetomidine infusion rate was reduced by 25%. In Case  2, the sedation was changed to midazolam, and in Case  3, both fentanyl and dexmedetomidine were discontinued. In all three cases, there were no further incidences of significant bradycardia following intervention. Conclusions. Fentanyl used in combination with dexmedetomidine can result in clinically significant bradycardia. Further study is warranted to identify risk factors and elucidate the mechanisms that result in life-threatening bradycardia.
Experimental Investigation of Seismic-Induced Hydrodynamic Pressures on a Vertical Wall under Conditions of Wave Resonance
Authors: Zhou YiLiang , Yao LingKan , Gao MingYuan , Ai Hongzhou
Published: September 2017

The distribution of hydrodynamic pressure acting on the structural face of a dam significantly influences the stability of the dam. The present study investigates the development of the hydrodynamic pressure acting on the surface of a dam at different heights with respect to time during earthquakes with different dominant frequencies using a shaking table. The results demonstrate that the variation in the hydrodynamic pressure significantly follows the seismically accelerated wave motion in the absence of resonance. However, under conditions of resonance, the fluctuations in the hydrodynamic pressure exhibit similarities with a sine wave, and the positive peak values present some hysteresis. The experimental pressure values in the absence of resonance present parabolic distributions with respect to the water height that are in good agreement with the corresponding hydrodynamic pressures determined by Westergaard’s equation, while conditions of wave resonance produce a uniform distribution of hydrodynamic pressures with greater values and much longer periods of increased hydrodynamic pressure than the case of nonresonance. In addition, the seismic frequency, fundamental frequency of the reservoir, maximum peak seismic acceleration, and initial water depth are treated as variables. An empirical equation is derived to predict the maximum hydrodynamic pressure in conjunction with wave resonance conditions.
Self-Reported Nutrition Education Received by Australian Midwives before and after Registration
Authors: Arrish Jamila , Yeatman Heather , Williamson Moira
Published: September 2017

Educating midwives to provide nutrition advice is essential. Limited research focuses on midwives’ nutrition education. This paper explores self-reported nutrition education received by Australian midwives before and after registration. It draws on quantitative and qualitative data from a larger online survey conducted with the members of the Australian College of Midwives (response rate = 6.9%,n=329). Descriptive and content analyses were used. Of the midwives, 79.3% (n=261) reported receiving some nutrition education during, before, and/or after registration. However, some described this coverage as limited. It lacked sufficient focus on topics such as weight management, nutrition assessment, and nutrition for vulnerable groups. Continuing education often occurred through personal initiatives, such as the midwife enrolling in external courses or exploring issues on the Internet and with colleagues. The majority of participants indicated a need for increased nutrition education (94.2%,n=310) and guidelines tailored for them to provide nutrition advice (87.8%,n=289). Australian midwives may not be receiving adequate nutrition education to provide nutrition advice. Inclusion of evidence-based nutrition components in midwifery education and regular updates for practising midwives focusing on challenging nutrition issues is required to ensure that they are supported in this important role.
DNA Methylation Events as Markers for Diagnosis and Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Dexheimer Geórgia Muccillo , Alves Jayse , Reckziegel Laura , Lazzaretti Gabrielle , Abujamra Ana Lucia
Published: September 2017

During the onset and progression of hematological malignancies, many changes occur in cellular epigenome, such as hypo- or hypermethylation of CpG islands in promoter regions. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression and is a key event for tumorigenesis. The continuous search for biomarkers that signal early disease, indicate prognosis, and act as therapeutic targets has led to studies investigating the role of DNA in cancer onset and progression. This review focuses on DNA methylation changes as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, response to treatment, and early toxicity in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Here, we report that distinct changes in DNA methylation may alter gene function and drive malignant cellular transformation during several stages of leukemogenesis. Most of these modifications occur at an early stage of disease and may predict myeloid/lymphoid transformation or response to therapy, which justifies its use as a biomarker for disease onset and progression. Methylation patterns, or its dynamic change during treatment, may also be used as markers for patient stratification, disease prognosis, and response to treatment. Further investigations of methylation modifications as therapeutic biomarkers, which may correlate with therapeutic response and/or predict treatment toxicity, are still warranted.
Millimeter-Wave Single-Layer Dual-Frequency Reflectarray Antenna
Authors: Ren Jinjing , Menzel Wolfgang
Published: September 2017

To fulfill the dual-frequency requirements, elements are needed to resonate at two different, independently adjustably frequencies. A low weight, low cost, and easy to fabricate single-layer dual-frequency reflectarray is designed, fabricated, and measured, with gain values of 27 and 29.2 dBi at 20 and 30 GHz, respectively.
MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Celano Marilena , Rosignolo Francesca , Maggisano Valentina , Pecce Valeria , Iannone Michelangelo , Russo Diego , Bulotta Stefania
Published: September 2017

Optimal management of patients with thyroid cancer requires the use of sensitive and specific biomarkers. For early diagnosis and effective follow-up, the currently available cytological and serum biomarkers, thyroglobulin and calcitonin, present severe limitations. Research on microRNA expression in thyroid tumors is providing new insights for the development of novel biomarkers that can be used to diagnose thyroid cancer and optimize its management. In this review, we will examine some of the methods commonly used to detect and quantify microRNA in biospecimens from patients with thyroid tumor, as well as the potential applications of these techniques for developing microRNA-based biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of thyroid cancers.
Comparative Evaluation between Sulfasalazine Alone and in Combination with Herbal Medicine on DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis Mice
Authors: Shin Mi-Rae , Kim Kyeong Jo , Kim Soo Hyun , Kim Su Ji , Seo Bu-Il , An Hyo-Jin , Roh Seong-Soo
Published: September 2017

The present study aimed to investigate the comparative evaluation of pharmacological efficacy between sulfasalazine alone and sulfasalazine in combination with herbal medicine on dextran sodium sulfate- (DSS-) induced UC in mice. Balb/c mice received 5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days to induce colitis. Animals were divided into five groups (n=9): Group I (normal group), Group II (DSS control group), Group III (DSS + sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg)), Group IV (DSS + sulfasalazine (60 mg/kg)), and Group V (DSS + sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg) + Cinnamomi Cortex and Bupleuri Radix mixture (30 mg/kg) (SCB)). Colonic pathological changes were analyzed using hematoxyline/eosin staining. The antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic protein levels were determined using western blotting. SCB supplementation, as well as sulfasalazine, suppressed colonic length and mucosal inflammatory infiltration. In addition, SCB treatment significantly reduced the expression of proinflammatory signaling molecules through suppression of both mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways and prevented the apoptosis of the colon. Moreover, SCB administration significantly led to the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes including SOD and catalase. Taken together, SCB treatment might offer a better treatment for human UC than sulfasalazine alone or may be useful as an alternative therapeutic strategy against UC, without any evidence of side effects.
Coulomb-Type Interaction under Lorentz Symmetry Breaking Effects
Authors: Vitória R. L. L. , Belich H. , Bakke K.
Published: September 2017

Based on models of confinement of quarks, we analyse a relativistic scalar particle subject to a scalar potential proportional to the inverse of the radial distance and under the effects of the violation of the Lorentz symmetry. We show that the effects of the Lorentz symmetry breaking can induce a harmonic-type potential. Then, we solve the Klein-Gordon equation analytically and discuss the influence of the background of the violation of the Lorentz symmetry on the relativistic energy levels.
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width: A Novel Predictive Indicator for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Authors: Li Ning , Zhou Heng , Tang Qizhu
Published: September 2017

The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) obtained from a standard complete blood count (CBC) is a convenient and inexpensive biochemical parameter representing the variability in size of circulating erythrocytes. Over the past few decades, RDW with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) has been used to identify quite a few hematological system diseases including iron-deficiency anemia and bone marrow dysfunction. In recent years, many clinical studies have proved that the alterations of RDW levels may be associated with the incidence and prognosis in many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs). Therefore, early detection and intervention in time of these vascular diseases is critical for delaying their progression. RDW as a new predictive marker and an independent risk factor plays a significant role in assessing the severity and progression of CVDs. However, the mechanisms of the association between RDW and the prognosis of CVDs remain unclear. In this review, we will provide an overview of the representative literatures concerning hypothetical and potential epidemiological associations between RDW and CVDs and discuss the underlying mechanisms.
Thai Finger-Spelling Recognition Using a Cascaded Classifier Based on Histogram of Orientation Gradient Features
Authors: Silanon Kittasil
Published: September 2017

Hand posture recognition is an essential module in applications such as human-computer interaction (HCI), games, and sign language systems, in which performance and robustness are the primary requirements. In this paper, we proposed automatic classification to recognize 21 hand postures that represent letters in Thai finger-spelling based on Histogram of Orientation Gradient (HOG) feature (which is applied with more focus on the information within certain region of the image rather than each single pixel) and Adaptive Boost (i.e., AdaBoost) learning technique to select the best weak classifier and to construct a strong classifier that consists of several weak classifiers to be cascaded in detection architecture. We collected 21 static hand posture images from 10 subjects for testing and training in Thai letters finger-spelling. The parameters for the training process have been adjusted in three experiments, false positive rates (FPR), true positive rates (TPR), and number of training stages (N), to achieve the most suitable training model for each hand posture. All cascaded classifiers are loaded into the system simultaneously to classify different hand postures. A correlation coefficient is computed to distinguish the hand postures that are similar. The system achieves approximately 78% accuracy on average on all classifier experiments.
Leadership and Bullying in the Forestry Organization of Turkey
Authors: Bayramoğlu Mahmut M. , Toksoy Devlet
Published: September 2017

It is observed that the importance of executive-employee relationships is continuously increasing in today’s professional life in addition to the importance of leadership types of managers along with the efficiency of employees as well as the sufficiency of these people in their social relations. Communication of employees with one another and with their manager, along with their social relations, is among the most important factors that sustain an organization. Bullying is a kind of psychological terror that takes place in the form of repeated attacks among workers, as well as by the manager on the employees, aiming to instill stress, job dissatisfaction, and exhaustion on the employees. It has been put forth especially by recent studies that the leadership styles of the managers are highly influential on bullying. The study was carried out with 1189 forest engineers working at 25 different Regional Directorates of Forestry in Turkey. The status of engineers subject to bullying in addition to the effects of leadership types on bullying was determined as a result of the statistical analyses carried out. The results of the study were evaluated comprehensively in comparison with other studies in the relevant literature, thus developing suggestions for preventing bullying behaviors that vary across leadership types.
An Accurate PSO-GA Based Neural Network to Model Growth of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Asadnia Mohsen , Khorasani Amir Mahyar , Warkiani Majid Ebrahimi
Published: September 2017

By combining particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithms (GA) this paper offers an innovative algorithm to train artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the purpose of calculating the experimental growth parameters of CNTs. The paper explores experimentally obtaining data to train ANNs, as a method to reduce simulation time while ensuring the precision of formal physics models. The results are compared with conventional particle swarm optimization based neural network (CPSONN) and Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) techniques. The results show that PSOGANN can be successfully utilized for modeling the experimental parameters that are critical for the growth of CNTs.
A Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant MK-2206, an AKT Inhibitor, with Anastrozole in Clinical Stage II or IIIPIK3CA-Mutant ER-Positive and HER2-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Ma Cynthia X. , Suman Vera , Goetz Matthew P. , Northfelt Donald , Burkard Mark E. , Ademuyiwa Foluso , Naughton Michael , Margenthaler Julie , Aft Rebecca , Gray Richard , Tevaarwerk Amye , Wilke Lee , Haddad Tufia , Moynihan Timothy , Loprinzi Charles , Hieken Tina , Barnell Erica K. , Skidmore Zachary L. , Feng Yan-Yang , Krysiak Kilannin , Hoog Jeremy , Guo Zhanfang , Nehring Leslie , Wisinski Kari B. , Mardis Elaine , Hagemann Ian S. , Vij Kiran , Sanati Souzan , Al-Kateb Hussam , Griffith Obi L. , Griffith Malachi , Doyle Laurence , Erlichman Charles , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: September 2017

Purpose: Hyperactivation of AKT is common and associated with endocrine resistance in estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) breast cancer. The allosteric pan-AKT inhibitor MK-2206 induced apoptosis in PIK3CA-mutant ER+ breast cancer under estrogen-deprived condition in preclinical studies. This neoadjuvant phase II trial was therefore conducted to test the hypothesis that adding MK-2206 to anastrozole induces pathologic complete response (pCR) in PIK3CA mutant ER+ breast cancer.

Experimental Design: Potential eligible patients with clinical stage II/III ER+/HER2− breast cancer were preregistered and received anastrozole (goserelin if premenopausal) for 28 days in cycle 0 pending tumor PIK3CA sequencing. Patients positive for PIK3CA mutation in the tumor were eligible to start MK-2206 (150 mg orally weekly, with prophylactic prednisone) on cycle 1 day 2 (C1D2) and to receive a maximum of four 28-day cycles of combination therapy before surgery. Serial biopsies were collected at preregistration, C1D1 and C1D17.

Results: Fifty-one patients preregistered and 16 of 22 with PIK3CA-mutant tumors received study drug. Three patients went off study due to C1D17 Ki67 >10% (n = 2) and toxicity (n = 1). Thirteen patients completed neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery. No pCRs were observed. Rash was common. MK-2206 did not further suppress cell proliferation and did not induce apoptosis on C1D17 biopsies. Although AKT phosphorylation was reduced, PRAS40 phosphorylation at C1D17 after MK-2206 persisted. One patient acquired an ESR1 mutation at surgery.

Conclusions: MK-2206 is unlikely to add to the efficacy of anastrozole alone in PIK3CA-mutant ER+ breast cancer and should not be studied further in the target patient population. Clin Cancer Res; 23(22); 6823–32. ©2017 AACR.
Towards Individualized Tracheobronchial Stents: Technical, Practical and Legal Considerations
Authors: Freitag Lutz , Gördes Martin , Zarogoulidis Paul , Darwiche Kaid , Franzen Daniel , Funke Faustina , Hohenforst-Schmidt Wolfgang , Dutau Hervé
Published: September 2017

Stent placement has been established as a standard procedure for treating airway obstructions. Other indications are localized malacias and fistulas. Though many different stents with various diameters and lengths are available, the shapes are hardly ever ideal because of the distorted anatomy in patients with diseased airways. There are technical and legal limitations for customizing purchased airway stents. Individually tailored stents would be preferable. New techniques of additive manufacturing such as 3D printing make it possible to produce optimized stents for a particular patient. Using CT data and bronchoscopic images, stents can be constructed that match a particular anatomical situation and apply the optimized expansion force. We give an overview of the currently available manufacturing techniques for polymeric stents and report about our own experience. Direct on-site printing of polyurethane stents in a hospital and printing individual extrusion molds for silicone stents in a certified cleanroom are both feasible. Furthermore, there are promising attempts of combining mechanically customized stents with surface modifications, drug-eluting features, biodegradability, and time-dependent adaptation (4D printing). Truly optimized airway stents with the potential of solving the well-known stent problems such as granulation tissue formation, remodeling, mucostasis, and infections are in reach. The technical hurdles are probably easier to overcome than the legal constraints. The legal situations are discussed from a physician's and a manufacturer's perspective.
Stereotype Knowledge and Endorsement in Schizophrenia
Authors: Castelli Luigi , D'Alpaos Francesca , Carraro Luciana , Pavan Florencia , Galfano Giovanni , Forti Bruno
Published: September 2017

Background: Social cognition is severely impaired in schizophrenia. Emotion processing, attributional biases, and theory of mind are often impaired, as well as the understanding of shared social knowledge. So far, little is known about stereotype knowledge and endorsement in schizophrenia. Sampling and Methods: White patients with schizophrenia and matched healthy respondents reported both their personal beliefs and the predicted beliefs of other people toward Black (study 1) and Gypsy individuals (study 2). Results: Results showed that respondents in the clinical sample displayed less stereotype endorsement as compared to the matched healthy respondents. Most importantly, the contents of the responses provided by the 2 samples were strongly overlapped. Conclusions: Findings indicate that individuals with schizophrenia tend to hold less negative attitudes toward stigmatized outgroups and, most notably, that knowledge about culturally transmitted stereotypes is relatively preserved in schizophrenia. Future research should address the generalizability of the findings in relation to the perception of other stigmatized social groups.
Body Height and Incident Risk of Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Zöller Bengt , Ji Jianguang , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: September 2017

Background—

Body height has been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the association can be confounded with shared familial factors (genetic/environmental). A cosibling design is useful for deeper understanding about the relationship between VTE and height.

Methods and Results—

From Swedish national registry databases, we used a corelative design with full siblings alongside a general Swedish population sample. A cohort of male conscripts (n=1 610 870), born in 1951 to 1992 without previous VTE, was followed from enlistment (1969–2010) until 2012. Another cohort of first-time pregnant women (n=1 093 342) from the medical birth register, without previous VTE, was followed from first pregnancy (1982–2012) until 2012. Using the Multi-Generation Register, we identified all full-sibling pairs discordant for height. This cosibling design allowed for adjustment for familial factors (genetic/environmental). Compared with the tallest women (>185 cm) and men (>190 cm), there was a graded decreased risk by lower height for both men and women. The risk was lowest in women and men with the shortest stature (<155 and <160 cm, respectively): hazard ratios=0.31 (95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.42) and 0.35 (95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.55), respectively. There was a graded association also in the cosibling design comparing siblings with varying degree of discordance for height (reference was the taller sibling): ≥10 cm difference between brothers hazard ratios=0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.61–0.78) and sisters hazard ratios=0.65 (95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.80), respectively.

Conclusions—

Height is an independent predictor of VTE. The use of sibling pairs reduces the likelihood that familial confounding explains the results. The findings are important for the understanding of the pathogenesis of VTE.
Heart Failure Is Common and Under-Recognized in Patients With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia
Authors: Gilotra Nisha A. , Bhonsale Aditya , James Cynthia A. , te Riele Anneline S.J. , Murray Brittney , Tichnell Crystal , Sawant Abhishek , Ong Chin Siang , Judge Daniel P. , Russell Stuart D. , Calkins Hugh , Tedford Ryan J.
Published: September 2017

Background:

Heart failure (HF) prevalence in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) varies depending on study cohort and is not well characterized. This study sought to determine prevalence and predictors of HF in ARVC/D.

Methods and Results:

Clinical HF, defined as at least 1 HF sign or symptom, was retrospectively adjudicated for 289 patients meeting ARVC/D Task Force Criteria. HF was present in 142 patients (49%): 113 had isolated RV involvement and 29 had evidence of LV dysfunction. Average age of HF onset was 40±14 years. Most commonly reported symptoms were exertional dyspnea (78%) and fatigue (73%). Only 40% (n=57/142) had signs of volume overload. Left-sided HF signs were rare. Patients with clinical HF before ARVC/D diagnosis (n=31) were older (
P
=0.005) and met fewer Task Force Criteria (
P
=0.013) than those who developed HF after ARVC/D presentation. Female sex (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–4.01;
P
=0.01) and lateral precordial T-wave inversions (odds ratio, 9.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–91.1;
P
=0.043) were associated with increased odds of HF. Additionally, patients with symptomatic LV dysfunction had higher odds of lateral precordial T-wave inversions (odds ratio, 18.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.92–116.18;
P
=0.002). Patients with HF were more likely to undergo heart transplantation (15/142 versus 1/147;
P
<0.001) or die during study follow-up period (7 versus 0;
P
=0.007).

Conclusions:

HF symptoms, especially exertional dyspnea, are common in ARVC/D; yet, classic left-sided signs are typically absent and less than half have evidence of volume overload. Given the unique predominately right-sided phenotype, a large portion of patients with HF may be under-recognized.
β-Arrestin2 Improves Post–Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure via Sarco(endo)plasmic Reticulum Ca
2+
-ATPase–Dependent Positive Inotropy in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: McCrink Katie A. , Maning Jennifer , Vu Angela , Jafferjee Malika , Marrero Christine , Brill Ava , Bathgate-Siryk Ashley , Dabul Samalia , Koch Walter J. , Lymperopoulos Anastasios
Published: September 2017

Heart failure is the leading cause of death in the Western world, and new and innovative treatments are needed. The GPCR (G protein–coupled receptor) adapter proteins βarr (β-arrestin)-1 and βarr-2 are functionally distinct in the heart. βarr1 is cardiotoxic, decreasing contractility by opposing β
1
AR (adrenergic receptor) signaling and promoting apoptosis/inflammation post–myocardial infarction (MI). Conversely, βarr2 inhibits apoptosis/inflammation post-MI but its effects on cardiac function are not well understood. Herein, we sought to investigate whether βarr2 actually increases cardiac contractility. Via proteomic investigations in transgenic mouse hearts and in H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes, we have uncovered that βarr2 directly interacts with SERCA2a (sarco[endo]plasmic reticulum Ca
2+
-ATPase) in vivo and in vitro in a β
1
AR-dependent manner. This interaction causes acute SERCA2a SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier)-ylation, increasing SERCA2a activity and thus, cardiac contractility. βarr1 lacks this effect. Moreover, βarr2 does not desensitize β
1
AR cAMP-dependent procontractile signaling in cardiomyocytes, again contrary to βarr1. In vivo, post-MI heart failure mice overexpressing cardiac βarr2 have markedly improved cardiac function, apoptosis, inflammation, and adverse remodeling markers, as well as increased SERCA2a SUMOylation, levels, and activity, compared with control animals. Notably, βarr2 is capable of ameliorating cardiac function and remodeling post-MI despite not increasing cardiac βAR number or cAMP levels in vivo. In conclusion, enhancement of cardiac βarr2 levels/signaling via cardiac-specific gene transfer augments cardiac function safely, that is, while attenuating post-MI remodeling. Thus, cardiac βarr2 gene transfer might be a novel, safe positive inotropic therapy for both acute and chronic post-MI heart failure.
Numinous Presences in Two Buddhist Sūtras: Toward a Comparative Phenomenology
Authors: O’Leary Joseph S.
Published: September 2017

Experiences of ‘presence’ are common in religion. This essay attempts to approach presence along phenomenological lines, arguing that the pluralism of the phenomena and contexts referred to is not an obstacle to a methodologically open dialogue between different experiences. Despite the impersonalism of Buddhist conceptions of ultimate reality, personal presences play a considerable role even in two scriptures devoted to evoking this ultimate emptiness. Conversely the vibrant personalism of Biblical presentations of the divine does not exclude the possibility of a Buddhist critique and tempering of them, even if the two styles of approaching ultimate reality cannot be expected to coincide.
State of the Climate in 2016
Authors: Blunden Jessica , Arndt Derek S.
Published: September 2017

Editor’s note: For easy download the posted pdf of the State of the Climate for 2017 is a low-resolution file. A high-resolution copy of the report is available by clicking here. Please be patient as it may take a few minutes for the high-resolution file to download.
Arterial Wall Characteristics in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease. Preliminary Data Obtained at Different Arterial Sites by Radiofrequency-Based Wall Tracking System
Authors: Valerio Fiore , Stefano Pedri , Michaela Kozakova , Santo Signorelli Salvatore
Published: September 2017

The common carotid artery (CCA) and the common femoral artery (CFA) have different characteristics. We compared CCA and CFA intima-media thickness (IMT), diameter and stiffness in 50 healthy controls, 50 patients with cardiovascular risk factors (CV-RFs), and 50 patients with peripheral artery diseases (PADs) using radiofrequency-based ultrasound (Rf-US). Common femoral artery-IMT was significantly and similarly increased in patients with both CV-RF and PAD, whereas CCA-IMT was significantly greater only in patients with PAD. Common carotid artery diameter was increased and CFA diameter was decreased in patients with PAD. Common carotid artery and CFA pulse wave velocity (PWV) was increased only in patients with PAD. In the study population, age was directly related to CCA-IMT, diameter, and PWV ( r = .52, .31, and .38; P < .0001 for all) but not to CFA vascular parameters ( P = .10, .62, and .67). Common femoral artery–PWV was inversely related to the ankle–brachial index ( r = −.30; P < .0001). Common femoral artery parameters are less linked to aging than the CCA parameters and may provide additional information on the atherosclerotic process. The Rf-US may be a useful tool for the more complex evaluation of arteries and assessing the impact of age and RFs on arteries.
Identity, Social Mobility, and Ethnic Mobilization: Language and the Disintegration of the Soviet Union
Authors: Marquardt Kyle L.
Published: September 2017

The disintegration of the Soviet Union is an essential case for the study of ethnic politics and identity-based mobilization. However, analyses in this article demonstrate that commonly used measures of ethnic diversity and politically relevant group concentration show little consistent relationship with events of ethnic mobilization in Soviet regions during the period 1987-1992. In contrast, the proportion of a regional population that did not speak a metropolitan language has a consistently strong negative relationship with mobilization across these regions. In line with recent work on identity politics, I argue that a lack of proficiency in a metropolitan language marks nonspeakers as outsiders and hinders their social mobility. Regions with many of these individuals thus have a relatively high potential for identity-based mobilization. These findings provide further impetus for looking beyond ethnic groups in measuring identity-based cleavages, and indicate that language can play an important role in political outcomes aside from proxying ethnicity.
Polyurethanes from modified castor oil and chitosan
Authors: Arévalo-Alquichire Said , Ramírez Claudia , Andrade Laura , Uscategui Yomaira , Diaz Luis E , Gómez-Tejedor José A , Vallés-Lluch Ana , Valero Manuel F
Published: September 2017

Polyurethanes (PUs) from castor oil (CO), modified CO (MCO) by transesterification reaction, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) in an NCO/OH ratio equal to 1, and chitosan (CS) were synthesized to assess their potential as biomaterials. PUs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, hydroxyl value (ASTM D1957), thermogravimetric analysis, Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Also, contact angle, water retention and in vitro degradation in PBS, and cell viability on fibroblast were performed. The hydroxyl value confirms CO modification, and IR analysis confirms urethane bond formation. The thermal assay does not show new degradation stages and polyol with a high functionality had better hardness performance due to the increase in cross-linking. The micrograph shows micro-phase separation of both polymers. The contact angle shows the hydrophobic surface with an angle over 65°, and the CS and polyol type do not affect swelling and in vitro degradation due to phase separation between both polymers. The cell viability was over 70% in all cases, and solid polymers and degradation products involve non-cytotoxic effects on the samples. The results suggest a potential for these formulations in the biomedical field.
Twenty Years of IALSP: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Dragojevic Marko
Published: September 2017

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the International Association of Language and Social Psychology (IALSP). In this article, a brief historical account of the association is presented, followed by a discussion of the association’s current status and future prospects.
Analysis of damage in relation to different classifications of pre-collapse osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Zhang Ying , Tian Kewei , Ma Xianghao , Zhang Leilei , Sun Ruibo , Wang Huichao , Liu Youwen , Zhou Guangquan
Published: September 2017

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the damage pattern of the stress transfer path (STP) for the Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification of pre-collapse osteonecrosis of the femoral head. We aimed to provide a specific biomechanical basis for treatment decisions of each subtype.

Methods

Five computational models were used in the experiment. Different necrotic classifications were simulated based on the JIC classification system. Damage patterns of the STP were used for qualitative assessment and average stresses were used for quantitative analysis.

Results

The STP of type A showed a strong similarity to the healthy level, which was consistent with the bone density distribution in X-rays and previous simulations results. The damaged area of principal stress of type B was approximately 25% of the healthy level. The STPs of types C1 and C2 were broken and the damaged areas of principal stress were more than 50% of the healthy level. The efficiency of stress transfer was reduced.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the damage patterns and stress transfer efficiency of the femoral head are associated with necrotic classifications.
Migration, Agency, and the Sex Industry: Practitioners’ Perspectives on Foreign Sex Workers in Turkey
Authors: Kaya Omur , Erez Edna
Published: September 2017

The article presents the political, economic, and sociocultural factors that make Turkey an attractive destination for foreign sex workers, and reviews trends in official statistics of arrested traffickers, rescued victims, and deportation of migrant illegal sex workers. In-depth interviews of 20 law enforcement and nongovernmental organizations staff members, who in the course of their work come into close contact with foreign sex workers, shed light on the statistics. The interview data provide insights into the structure of the Turkish sex market, the factors that bring foreign women to work in this market, and the impact of legal reforms on the circumstances of foreign sex workers. The article concludes with the implications of the findings for public policy.
The dynamics of bank location decisions in Australia
Authors: Heard Christopher , Menezes Flavio M , Rambaldi Alicia N
Published: September 2017

This article exploits a large panel to study trends in, and determinants of, the decisions made by the four largest Australian banks about whether to establish or maintain branch- and automated teller machine (ATM)-level presence in a local market between 2002 and 2013. These decisions are potentially important for competition in local banking markets. Our analysis suggests that past presence is the most important factor for explaining current presence in a particular local market. Moreover, we present evidence that the four largest banks co-locate branches. The relationship between the location of other (smaller) banks and the location of the four largest banks is less clear; there is some limited evidence that this relationship is negative for two of the four largest banks. Our results also suggest that the four largest banks displayed changed behaviour in terms of their branch location decisions after the global financial crisis and that the changes differed between banks. Our analysis of ATM location decisions reveals that the four largest banks follow different strategies. These results suggest that Australian banks did not shy away from this limited form of competition, either before or after the global financial crisis (GFC).

JEL Classification: C23, D43, G21, L13
Contending With Defense Industry Reallocations: A Literature Review of Relevant Factors
Authors: Zullo Roland , Liu Yijun
Published: September 2017

The authors review research on the destabilizing effects of defense department reallocations at the firm and community levels, with the intent to inform current intervention policy for assisting firms and regions dependent on defense spending and to lay the groundwork for evaluative research. The existing literature provides at least 10 firm-level and 7 community-level factors affecting economic stabilization following a loss in defense industry dollars. The 10 microlevel factors are product specialization, product technology, industry condition, new market target, civilian market experience, firm size, location and status in the network, workforce skills, operational assets, and personnel policy. The seven meso level factors are economic integration, urbanization, economic diversity, health of local economy, local demand for workforce skill, capital asset utilization, and land use policy.
Collaborative technological innovation in an academic, user-oriented Big Science facility
Authors: Hallonsten Olof , Christensson Oskar
Published: September 2017

The innovation systems framework enables a view of innovation as a process involving different actors in different constellations, but it has nonetheless most often been paired with quantitatively oriented studies of patents, licences and spin-offs. In this article, the authors use two cases of technological innovation at an academically organized but user-oriented research facility for experiments in a variety of natural science disciplines. They analyse the academic organization of the lab and its durable and symbiotic relationship with its user community and commercial firms in relevant technological areas to show that technological innovation with scientific as well as commercial relevance can take place in constellations where trust and mutual benefit have replaced formalized practices such as patenting. The article contributes to our understanding of how contemporary Big Science is organized and how it can support technology transfer and the commercialization of research and technologies.
Towards openness and inclusiveness
Authors: Steinthorsson Runolfur Smari , Hilmarsson Eirikur , Janusson Hilmar Bragi
Published: September 2017

The authors outline the establishment of the University of Iceland Science Park (UISP) and trace the main ideas that have guided its creation and development. With the Science Park still in an early phase of growth, the article explores the extent to which its development has been in line with concepts such as the entrepreneurial university and the Triple Helix as well as the body of knowledge on science parks. The authors consider science parks as knowledge-based ecosystems with an emphasis on openness, inclusiveness and co-creation. A review of UISP in light of the theoretical discussion reveals that certain aspects of its development are in accordance with the body of knowledge, but that there are also patterns of activity and ideas worthy of further research.