bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal‐stem‐cell‐derived exosomes accelerate skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: Nakamura Yoshihiro , Miyaki Shigeru , Ishitobi Hiroyuki , Matsuyama Sho , Nakasa Tomoyuki , Kamei Naosuke , Akimoto Takayuki , Higashi Yukihito , Ochi Mitsuo
Published: April 2015

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is used for treatment of many diseases. The paracrine role of MSCs in tissue regeneration is attracting particular attention. We investigate the role of MSC exosomes in skeletal muscle regeneration. MSC exosomes promote myogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro, and muscle regeneration in an in vivo model of muscle injury. Although MSC exosomes had low concentrations of muscle‐repair‐related cytokines, a number of repair‐related miRNAs were identified. This study suggests that the MSC‐derived exosomes promote muscle regeneration by enhancing myogenesis and angiogenesis, which is at least in part mediated by miRNAs such as miR‐494.
Nitric oxide is a potent inhibitor of the cbb3‐type heme‐copper oxidases
Authors: Arjona Davinia , Wikström Mårten , Ädelroth Pia
Published: April 2015

C‐type heme‐copper oxidases terminate the respiratory chain in many pathogenic bacteria, and will encounter elevated concentrations of NO produced by the immune defense of the host. Thus, a decreased sensitivity to NO in C‐type oxidases would increase the survival of these pathogens. Here we have compared the inhibitory effect of NO in C‐type oxidases to that in the mitochondrial A‐type. We show that O2‐reduction in both the Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Vibrio cholerae C‐type oxidases is strongly and reversibly inhibited by submicromolar NO, with an inhibition pattern similar to the A‐type. Thus, NO tolerance in pathogens with a C‐type terminal oxidase has to rely mainly on other mechanisms.
Arabidopsis mitochondrial voltage‐dependent anion channel 3 (AtVDAC3) protein interacts with thioredoxin m2
Authors: Zhang Min , Takano Tetsuo , Liu Shenkui , Zhang Xinxin
Published: April 2015

Voltage‐dependent anion channels (VDACs) are conserved mitochondrial outer membrane proteins. A yeast two‐hybrid screen identified interaction between Arabidopsis VDAC3 and the chloroplast protein thioredoxin m2 (AtTrx m2). This was confirmed via pull‐down assay. A bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay located the interaction in mitochondria. AtVDAC3 and AtTrx m2 transcripts were expressed in multiple tissues and up‐regulated by abiotic stress. Under NaCl stress, AtVDAC3 overexpression inhibited growth and increased H2O2 accumulation, while AtTrx m2 overexpression conferred resistance to NaCl and reduced H2O2. Results indicate that both AtVDAC3 and AtTrx m2 are involved in ROS signaling and play opposite roles in NaCl stress response.
Estimating demand for a new contraceptive method: Projections for the introduction of Sayana Press
Authors: Khan Sadaf , Grady Breanne , Tifft Sara
Published: April 2015

Objective

To describe a demand estimation exercise conducted in response to an initiative to introduce Sayana Press in Sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Methods

Secondary data sources were used to develop estimates of the number of Sayana Press units needed for countrywide introductions in 12 countries. To estimate uptake, the number of women who had stated an intention to use injectables was calculated. Two sets of assumptions (one conservative, one more ambitious) were used to assess conversion to actual use.

Results

Even with the use of very conservative assumptions, and assuming no method switching, Sayana Press was estimated to have the potential to cumulatively reach 3–6 million women by 2016.

Conclusion

This projected uptake in a relatively short period and at the very beginning of an adoption curve suggests that Sayana Press has promise for countries looking to expand their list of contraceptive choices.
The Role of Physiatry in Regenerative Medicine: The Past, The Present, and Future Challenges
Authors: Sepúlveda Fernando , Baerga Luis , Micheo William
Published: April 2015

Historically, the foundation of physical medicine and rehabilitation training has provided the capabilities to optimize nonoperative treatments of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including acute and chronic muscle, tendon, ligament, and cartilage disorders. Such treatments include the use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), therapeutic modalities (eg, thermal and manual therapies), and corticosteroid injections in conjunction with specific rehabilitation exercises. Although NSAIDs, modalities, and corticosteroids may be helpful for short‐term pain reduction and early recovery of function, they do not typically reverse the structural changes associated with degenerative conditions and may contribute to worse long‐term outcomes by potentially interfering with tissue healing. Regenerative interventions, including platelet‐rich plasma and mesenchymal stem cells, recently have been used to treat refractory painful conditions such as chronic tendinopathies because of the potential of these interventions to facilitate tissue healing. The future development of these regenerative techniques will require a variety of conditions to be met, including determining the most appropriate procedures based on the disease being treated; establishing the optimal preparations of these regenerative techniques; and providing clinicians, patients, and regulatory agencies with high‐quality evidence demonstrating the safety, effectiveness, and long‐term results of these treatments. Clarification of current regulatory uncertainty, improved access for all patients, proper training for clinicians who incorporate these techniques into their practice, and determination of the most appropriate postinjection protocols will allow physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists to play a unique role in the long‐term management of patients with musculoskeletal and sports injuries. This article will also address the role physiatristsshouldhave in the inevitable growth of regenerative medicine applications.
Regenerative Treatments to Enhance Orthopedic Surgical Outcome
Authors: Murrell William D. , Anz Adam W. , Badsha Humeira , Bennett William F. , Boykin Robert E. , Caplan Arnold I.
Published: April 2015

In orthopedic surgery there has been a never‐ending quest to improve surgical outcome and the patient's experience. Progression has been marked by the refinement of surgical techniques and instruments and later by enhanced diagnostic imaging capability, specifically magnetic resonance. Over time implant optimization was achieved, along with the development of innovative minimally invasive arthroscopic technical skills to leverage new versions of classic procedures and implants to improve short‐term patient morbidity and initial, mid‐term, and long‐term patient outcomes. The use of regenerative and/or biological adjuncts to aid the healing process has followed in the drive for continual improvement, and major breakthroughs in basic science have significantly unraveled the mechanisms of key healing and regenerative pathways. A wide spectrum of primary and complementary regenerative treatments is becoming increasingly available, including blood‐derived preparations, growth factors, bone marrow preparations, and stem cells. This is a new era in the application of biologically active material, and it is transforming clinical practice by providing effective supportive treatments either at the time of the index procedure or during the postoperative period. Regenerative treatments are currently in active use to enhance many areas of orthopedic surgery in an attempt to improve success and outcome. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the peer‐reviewed evidence‐based literature, highlighting the clinical outcomes in humans both with preclinical data and human clinical trials involving regenerative preparations within the areas of rotator cuff, meniscus, ligament, and articular cartilage surgical repair.
Cellular Supplementation Technologies for Painful Spine Disorders
Authors: DePalma Michael J. , Gasper Justin J.
Published: April 2015

Low back pain affects more than 80% of adults. A proportion of these adults develops chronic low back pain (CLBP) and becomes disabled by their condition. CLBP is expensive to diagnose and treat and in terms of associated loss of productivity in the work place setting by affected individuals. Although challenging, the source of CLBP can be identified. Contemporary literature contains several studies that have established prevalence estimates for various structural sources of CLBP. In young adults, the intervertebral disk is a common source of CLBP, once it incurs annular injury that heals incompletely. Effective treatment for painful disks currently is an unmet clinical need. In older adults, the facet and sacroiliac joints are more commonly responsible for CLBP. Although certain minimally invasive techniques do exist for these painful joints, an effective restorative intervention has yet to be established. Annular injury precipitates a physiologic response that can lead to a catabolic state within the disk that impairs disk restoration. Cell loss is a feature of this process as well as the pathophysiology associated with painful facet and sacroiliac joints. Cellular supplementation is an attractive treatment strategy to initiate the repair of an injured lumbosacral structure. The introduction of exogenous cells may lead to increased extracelluar matrix production and reduced pain and disability in diskogenic CLBP. Compelling data in animal studies have been produced, stimulating Food and Drug Administration−regulated trials in humans. Numerous questions remain regarding cell viability and sufficient native nutrients to support these cells. Clinical research protocols have focused predominantly on diskogenic CLBP, and very few have addressed painful facet and/or sacroiliac joints.
Technical Issues in Harvesting and Concentrating Stem Cells (Bone Marrow and Adipose)
Authors: Bowen Jay E.
Published: April 2015

The area of regenerative medicine, through the use of cell‐based or biologic therapies, affords various options even with the choice of autologous stem cells and requires the clinician to use the currently evolving science along with the art of medicine. Potential sources for stem cells are embryos, fetuses, and adults (adipose tissue or adult cells, usually from skin [induced pluripotent], amniotic fluid, cartilage, bone marrow, menstrual blood, peripheral blood, placenta, skin, teeth, synovium, or umbilical cord blood). Issues regarding the source of stem cells include ethical and political/regulatory concerns, cell frequency, ease/difficulty of extraction, ease/difficulty of graft preparation, and host reaction to the implant. The most common sources of stem cells for orthopedic conditions are adipose tissue and bone marrow. Various opinions are expressed within the medical literature for and against both of these stem cell sources. This article will review patient concerns and preparation for obtaining cells; equipment, supplies, and staffing for the procedures; techniques, pearls, pitfalls, and risks of the procedures; and the manner of/options for processing the cells.
A Call for a Standard Classification System for Future Biologic Research: The Rationale for New PRP Nomenclature
Authors: Mautner Kenneth , Malanga Gerard A. , Smith Jay , Shiple Brian , Ibrahim Victor , Sampson Steven , Bowen Jay E.
Published: April 2015

Autologous cell therapies including platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate (BMC) are increasingly popular options for soft tissue and joint‐related diseases. Despite increased clinical application, conflicting research has been published regarding the efficacy of PRP, and few clinical publications pertaining to BMC are available. Preparations of PRP (and BMC) can vary in many areas, including platelet concentration, number of white blood cells, presence or absence of red blood cells, and activation status of the preparation. The potential effect of PRP characteristics on PRP efficacy is often not well understood by the treating clinician, and PRP characteristics, as well as the volume of PRP delivered, are unfortunately not included in the methods of many published research articles. It is essential to establish a standard reporting system for PRP that facilitates communication and the interpretation and synthesis of scientific investigations. Herein, the authors propose a new PRP classification system reflecting important PRP characteristics based on contemporary literature and recommend adoption of minimal standards for PRP reporting in scientific investigations. Widespread adoption of these recommendations will facilitate interpretation and comparison of clinical studies and promote scientifically based progress in the field of regenerative medicine.
Poiseuille and Couette flows in the transitional and fully turbulent regime
Authors: Orlandi Paolo , Bernardini Matteo , Pirozzoli Sergio
Published: April 2015

We present an extensive compilation of direct numerical simulation (DNS) data for Poiseuille and Couette flows, from the laminar into the fully turbulent regime, with the goal of highlighting similarities and differences. The data suggest that, for a given bulk velocity, Couette flow yields less resistance than Poiseuille flow and greater turbulence kinetic energy, which may be beneficial for more efficient diffusion, thus suggesting the effectiveness of fluid transport devices based on moving belts as opposed to classical ducts. Both flows exhibit similar trends for the wall-parallel velocity variances, which increase logarithmically with the Reynolds number. The shear stress and the wall-normal stress tend to saturate faster in Couette flow, which can thus be regarded as a limit to which Poiseuille flow tends, in the limit of high Reynolds number. Excess production over dissipation is found in the outer part of Poiseuille and Couette flow, which is responsible for non-local transfer of energy. However, the structure of the core flow seems to attain an asymptotic state which consists of a parabolic and linear mean velocity profile, respectively, and it seems unlikely that substantial changes to this scenario will occur at Reynolds numbers reachable by DNS in the foreseeable future.
Optimal Design for Compact Heat Exchanger (Che) by Heat Transfer Viewpoint as an Air Pre-Heater
Authors: Ghadamian H. , Ozgoli H. A. , Esmailie F.
Published: April 2015

In the provided research, the design of CHE (Compact Heat Exchanger) is evaluated and discussed from the heat transfer aspect. Benefiting from present equations and considering the objective concepts, the procedural chart is proposed for achieving optimal design. The main goal of this research study is implementing a new algorithm for optimization to modify a conventional design of CHE. Nonlinear gradient mathematical modeling with different scenarios on free or related variables is developed to cover the purpose of maximizing total heat transfer capacity. By mathematical programming analysis, a model has been provided for optimal design and developed in the GAMS (Generalized Algebraic Modelling System) software. Also for further model test rig development purpose, the proposed model has been incorporated in Matlab software using independent variants and the accuracy of the responses was again evaluated. The comparison indicated 109W/K difference in the exchanged thermal energy rate compared to the optimal exchanger operation conditions. After introducing case study to this model, an acceptable response with 0.997W/K difference on optimal point was achieved. Solving the model indicated 0.833W/K difference with the optimal point, which confirms the resulted technical responses.
Continuum Damage Approach for Fatigue Life Prediction of Viscoplastic Solder Joints
Authors: Benabou L. , Sun Z. , Pougnet P. , Dahoo P. R.
Published: April 2015

The accurate and effective prediction of the failure for an inelastic structure, such as a solder joint in an electronic chip packaging, remains a current issue. Subjected to sub-critical cyclic loading, the solder can undergo fatigue cracks, leading to the failure of the whole system after a certain number of power cycles. In this paper, a model for describing the viscoplastic behavior of the solder material under power cycling is implemented in the finite element code Abaqus and a continuum damage procedure is used for lifetime prediction. Damage initiation criterion and damage evolution law, based both on the inelastic strain energy per stabilized cycle as proposed by Darveaux, are used in conjunction with the direct cyclic procedure available in Abaqus. This latter technique allows reducing the considerable computation time needed to obtain the stabilized states during the repetitive loading cycles.
Influences of Diaphragm Materials on the Performance of a Microspeaker
Authors: Wang C.-N. , Chang J.-R. , Chang W.-C.
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a diaphragm material on the performance of a microspeaker. The finite element method was adopted to analyze the mode shapes and the displacement of the diaphragm under a force load. The Rayleigh integral was then calculated to determine the radiated sound pressure and frequency response of a loudspeaker. The location of the voice coil was also investigated. Locating the voice coil at approximately 53% to 76% of coil-radius/diaphragm-radius ratio yielded a favorable mode shape distribution and performance for the loudspeaker. In addition, two loudspeaker designs, Models A and B, were analyzed to determine the effects of the diaphragm material. The numerical results of Models A and B, indicated that the mode shape is a crucial factor when considering the materials used in a loudspeaker diaphragm. The property of a material at the inflection point of a mode shape obviously affects the modal frequency. According to this observation, the most crucial first and second axial symmetric modes in a loudspeaker design can be adjusted and the performance can be improved.
An Assesment of the Impacted Composite Single-Lap Adhesive Joints
Authors: Çallioğlu H. , Ergun E.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this experimental study is to investigate impact behaviors of the
composite single-lap adhesive joints. The increasing impact energies, which are
ranged from approximately 5 J to 30 J, are performed at the center of the
composite plates having three different overlap lengths. It is shown that the
overlap lengths and impact energy levels affect considerably the impact
responses of the composite single lap joints. It is also shown that the bending
stiffness of the composite increases by increase in the overlap length. An
energy profiling method (EPM) is used to identify the penetration and
perforation thresholds of composite lap joints. The damaged composite plates are
visually inspected.
Unequal We Fight: Between- and Within-Group Inequality and Ethnic Civil War
Authors: Kuhn Patrick M. , Weidmann Nils B.
Published: April 2015

When and why ethnic groups rebel remains a central puzzle in the civil war literature. In this paper, we examine how different types of inequalities affect both an ethnic group’s willingness and opportunity to fight. We argue that political and economic inter-group inequalities motivate ethnic groups to initiate a fight against the state, and that intra-group economic inequality lowers their elite’s costs of providing the necessary material and/or purposive incentives to overcome collective action problems inherent to rebel recruitment. We therefore predict that internally unequal ethnic groups excluded from power and/or significantly richer or poorer relative to the country’s average are most likely to engage in a civil war. To assess our claim empirically, we develop a new global measure of economic inequality by combining high-resolution satellite images of light emissions, spatial population data, and geocoded ethnic settlement areas. After validating our measure at the country- and group level, we include it in a standard statistical model of civil war onset and find considerable support for our theoretical prediction: greater economic inequality within an ethnic group significantly increases the risk of conflict, especially if political or economic inequalities between groups provide a motive.
Diet, nutrients and metabolism: cogs in the wheel driving Alzheimer's disease pathology?
Authors: Creegan Rhona , Hunt Wendy , McManus Alexandra , Rainey-Smith Stephanie R.
Published: April 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disease that manifests clinically as a slow global decline in cognitive function, including deterioration of memory, reasoning, abstraction, language and emotional stability, culminating in a patient with end-stage disease, totally dependent on custodial care. With a global ageing population, it is predicted that there will be a marked increase in the number of people diagnosed with AD in the coming decades, making this a significant challenge to socio-economic policy and aged care. Global estimates put a direct cost for treating and caring for people with dementia at $US604 billion, an estimate that is expected to increase markedly. According to recent global statistics, there are 35·6 million dementia sufferers, the number of which is predicted to double every 20 years, unless strategies are implemented to reduce this burden. Currently, there is no cure for AD; while current therapies may temporarily ameliorate symptoms, death usually occurs approximately 8 years after diagnosis. A greater understanding of AD pathophysiology is paramount, and attention is now being directed to the discovery of biomarkers that may not only facilitate pre-symptomatic diagnosis, but also provide an insight into aberrant biochemical pathways that may reveal potential therapeutic targets, including nutritional ones. AD pathogenesis develops over many years before clinical symptoms appear, providing the opportunity to develop therapy that could slow or stop disease progression well before any clinical manifestation develops.
Ideas and Welfare Reform in Saskatchewan: Entitlement, Workfare or Activation?
Authors: Daigneault Pierre-Marc
Published: April 2015

Many provinces have enacted substantial reforms of their social assistance regime in the 1990s. However, we know surprisingly little about the ideas that underlie welfare reform in Canada. In particular, few empirical studies have directly examined the ideas of policy actors. This article presents a retrospective case study of a major policy initiative, namely Saskatchewan'sBuilding Independence(BI), and examines its alignment with three paradigms of social assistance. Data come primarily from interviews with policy actors. This study concludes that the policy ideas informing BI align closely with the activation paradigm but also share some similarities with the entitlement and workfare paradigms. The significance of this finding is then discussed in light of three issues: 1) Aboriginal people, 2) the perspective of social assistance clients, and 3) “Third Way” ideology. This article concludes with a research agenda on ideas and policy change.
Finiteness Properties of Some Groups of Local Similarities
Authors: Farley Daniel S. , Hughes Bruce
Published: April 2015

Hughes has defined a class of groups that we call finite similarity structure (FSS) groups. Each FSS group acts on a compact ultrametric space by local similarities. The best-known example is Thompson’s group V. Guided by previous work on Thompson’s group, we show that many FSS groups are of type F∞. This generalizes work of Ken Brown from the 1980s.
The ‘believe’-construction in Standard Arabic
Authors: AL-BALUSHI RASHID
Published: April 2015

This paper presents an analysis for the ‘believe’-construction in Standard Arabic (SA). The analysis proposed here assumes theVisibility Condition, whereby structural Case is necessary to render arguments visible at LF for θ-role assignment (Aoun 1979, Chomsky 1981). The earlier approaches are untenable because they do not make proper provision for the Case-visibility requirements of the complement clause of ‘believe’. Thus, they are not extendable to SA since they ignore the Case-visibility requirements of the CP complement ofð̣anna‘believe’, assuming that CPs require Case for visibility (Uriagereka 2006, 2008). These requirements can be satisfied if we assume the distinction between structural Case and lexical case established in Al-Balushi (2011: 126–157) based on SA data, where structural Case is licensed on arguments and lexical case is assigned to non-arguments, nominals merged in A-bar positions. I thus propose that the Acc-marked DP (embedded subject/matrix object) does not receive structural Acc Case from the matrix v*0, but rather lexical Acc case from the matrix predicateð̣anna, as a lexical element, reserving the structural Acc Case for the CP argument. I also argue that this DP is an A-bar element, co-indexed with an empty category argumentproin the embedded clause.
What is the impact of genome-wide supported risk variants for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder on brain structure and function? A systematic review
Authors: Gurung R. , Prata D. P.
Published: April 2015

The powerful genome-wide association studies (GWAS) revealed common mutations that increase susceptibility for schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD), but the vast majority were not known to be functional or associated with these illnesses. To help fill this gap, their impact on human brain structure and function has been examined. We systematically discuss this output to facilitate its timely integration in the psychosis research field; and encourage reflection for future research. Irrespective of imaging modality, studies addressing the effect of SZ/BD GWAS risk genes (ANK3, CACNA1C, MHC, TCF4, NRGN, DGKH, PBRM1, NCANandZNF804A) were included. Most GWAS risk variations were reported to affect neuroimaging phenotypes implicated in SZ/BD: white-matter integrity (ANK3andZNF804A), volume (CACNA1CandZNF804A) and density (ZNF804A); grey-matter (CACNA1C, NRGN, TCF4andZNF804A) and ventricular (TCF4) volume; cortical folding (NCAN) and thickness (ZNF804A); regional activation during executive tasks (ANK3, CACNA1C, DGKH, NRGNandZNF804A) and functional connectivity during executive tasks (CACNA1CandZNF804A), facial affect recognition (CACNA1CandZNF804A) and theory-of-mind (ZNF804A); but inconsistencies and non-replications also exist. Further efforts such as standardizing reporting and exploring complementary designs, are warranted to test the reproducibility of these early findings.
The other Victorians: age, sickness and poverty in 19th-century Ireland
Authors: GILLEARD CHRIS
Published: April 2015

Drawing primarily upon data from the various censuses conducted in Ireland after the Act of Union in 1800, this paper seeks to elucidate the changing position of older people in Ireland during the Victorian period. Following the Great Famine of 1845–1849, it is argued, Ireland was transformed from a young, growing country to one that, by the end of the 19th century, had become ‘prematurely’ old. By the end of Victoria's reign, not only had Ireland grown ‘old’, but its older population were more likely to be identified as paupers. Later-life expectancy decreased and sickness and infirmity among the over-60 s increased. By employing a stricter form of ‘less eligibility’ in the drafting and implementation of the Irish Poor Law, proportionately more older people received indoor relief than outdoor relief compared with the rest of the British Isles. Not until the Old Age Pensions Act in 1908 did these disparities begin to change, by which time many of these ‘other’ Victorians had passed away.
Volume ignition via time-like detonation in pellet fusion
Authors: Csernai L.P. , Strottman D.D.
Published: April 2015

Relativistic fluid dynamics and the theory of relativistic detonation fronts are used to estimate the space–time dynamics of the burning of the Deuterium–Tritium fuel in laser-driven pellet fusion experiments. The initial “High foot” heating of the fuel makes the compressed target transparent to radiation, and then a rapid ignition pulse can penetrate and heat up the whole target to supercritical temperatures in a short time, so that most of the interior of the target ignites almost simultaneously and instabilities will have no time to develop. In these relativistic, radiation-dominated processes both the interior, time-like burning front, and the surrounding space-like part of the front will be stable against Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities. To achieve this rapid, volume ignition the pulse heating up the target to supercritical temperature should provide the required energy in less than 10 ps.
Erratum to “On surface links whose link groups are abelian”
Authors: ITO TETSUYA , NAKAMURA INASA
Published: April 2015

In the article [1] we claimed a strict inequality n(n – 1) < 4g(S) for an abelian surface link S of rank n (Theorem 2.1).
Epidemiology ofClostridium difficileinfection: results of a hospital-based study in Krakow, Poland
Authors: CZEPIEL J. , KĘDZIERSKA J. , BIESIADA G. , BIRCZYŃSKA M. , PERUCKI W. , NOWAK P. , GARLICKI A.
Published: April 2015

Over the past two decadesClostridium difficileinfection (CDI) has appeared as a major public health threat. We performed a retrospective study based on the records of patients hospitalized for CDI at the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, between 2008 and 2014. In the study period, CDI occurred in 1009 individuals. There were 790 (78%) individuals who developed infection only once, whereas 219 (22%) developed infection more than once. The percentage of deaths within 14 days of CDI confirmation was 2·4%, with a mean age of 74·2 ± 15·9 years. Crude mortality was 12·9% in medical wards, 5·6% for surgical wards and 27·7% in the ICU setting. The time span between diagnosis and death was 5·1 days on average. Between 2008 and 2012 a 6·5-fold increase of CDI frequency with a posterior stabilization and even reduction in 2013 and 2014 was observed. According to the data analysed, 2/3 patients in our population developed CDI during their hospitalization even though they were admitted for different reasons. Medical wards pose a significantly higher risk of CDI than the surgical ones. Age is a risk factor for CDI recurrence. In the case of patients who died, death occurred shortly after diagnosis. The first CDI episode poses much higher risk of mortality than the consecutive ones.
Language co-activation and lexical selection in bimodal bilinguals: Evidence from picture–word interference
Authors: GIEZEN MARCEL R. , EMMOREY KAREN
Published: April 2015

We used picture–word interference (PWI) to discover a) whether cross-language activation at the lexical level can yield phonological priming effects when languages do not share phonological representations, and b) whether semantic interference effects occur without articulatory competition. Bimodal bilinguals fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and English named pictures in ASL while listening to distractor words that were 1) translation equivalents, 2) phonologically related to the target sign through translation, 3) semantically related, or 4) unrelated. Monolingual speakers named pictures in English. Production of ASL signs was facilitated by words that were phonologically related through translation and by translation equivalents, indicating that cross-language activation spreads from lexical to phonological levels for production. Semantic interference effects were not observed for bimodal bilinguals, providing some support for a post-lexical locus of semantic interference, but which we suggest may instead reflect time course differences in spoken and signed production in the PWI task.
Connection between dynamically derived IMF normalisation and stellar populations
Authors: McDermid Richard M.
Published: April 2015

In this contributed talk I present recent results on the connection between stellar population properties and the normalisation of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) measured using stellar dynamics, based on a large sample of 260 early-type galaxies observed as part of the ATLAS3D project. This measure of the IMF normalisation is found to vary non-uniformly with age- and metallicity-sensitive absorption line strengths. Applying single stellar population models, there are weak but measurable trends of the IMF with age and abundance ratio. Accounting for the dependence of stellar population parameters on velocity dispersion effectively removes these trends, but subsequently introduces a trend with metallicity, such that ‘heavy’ IMFs favour lower metallicities. The correlations are weaker than those found from previous studies directly detecting low-mass stars, suggesting some degree of tension between the different approaches of measuring the IMF. Resolving these discrepancies will be the focus of future work.
Commentary to Adam Oliver’s 'Incentivising improvements in health care delivery'
Authors: Vrangbaek Karsten
Published: April 2015

The commentary discusses key issues for assessment of performance management within health care. It supports the ambition to develop more realistic understandings of performance management based on insights from behavioral economics as suggested by Adam Oliver. However, it also points to several pitfalls and potential risks to consider when doing so. The commentary concludes that this is a promising field, but further research is needed to support the development of policy instruments.
Historical occurrence of Carcharhinus spp. in the Sea of Marmara during the 1950s
Authors: Kabasakal Hakan
Published: April 2015

Our current knowledge on the carcharhinid sharks occurring in Turkey's seas comprises rudimentary data. Recently discovered photographic evidence suggests thatCarcharhinusspp. have been present in the Sea of Marmara since the 1950s. This evidence also extends the known historical distributional range ofCarcharhinusspp. into Marmaric waters, a northern extension of the Mediterranean basin. The results of previous and recent ichthyological inventories of the Sea of Marmara suggest that, currently, no species of the Carcharhinidae family occur in Marmaric waters. Further studies could provide an answer to the question: do any species of the Carcharhinidae family inhabit the Sea of Marmara?
Improving deliberative participation: connecting mini-publics to deliberative systems
Authors: Felicetti Andrea , Niemeyer Simon , Curato Nicole
Published: April 2015

This article argues for the assessment of deliberative mini-publics as a dynamic part of a wider deliberative system. The approach draws primarily on Dryzek’s (2009) deliberative capacity building framework, which describes the democratic process as ideally involving authentic deliberation, inclusiveness in the deliberative process, and consequentiality or deliberation’s influence on decisions as well as positive impact on the system. This approach is illustrated using the comparative assessment of two mini-public case studies: the Australian Citizens’ Parliament and Italy’sIniziativa di Revisione Civica(Civic Revision Initiative). The application of deliberative capacity as a standard for evaluating mini-publics in systemic terms reveals differences between the cases. The deliberative capacity of both cases overlap, but they do so for different reasons that stem from the interconnections between their specific designs and other components of the deliberative system.
Wideband and compact slot loaded annular ring microstrip antenna using L-probe proximity-feed for wireless communications
Authors: Singh Anil Kumar , Gangwar Ravi Kumar , Kanaujia Binod K.
Published: April 2015

A wideband orthogonally slot cut annular ring microstrip antenna fed by L-shaped probe is investigated using modal expansion cavity model and circuit theory approach. Simulation of the proposed antenna is performed using Ansoft HFSS and simulated results are compared with the measured and theoretical results. The impedance bandwidth of about 37.46% is observed at resonant frequency 3.15 GHz. The proposed antenna realizes an improvement in bandwidth of 13.46% and miniaturization in physical dimension about 10% from earlier reported structures. An improvement in bandwidth and miniaturization is due to thick substrate, L-probe feed, and orthogonally loaded slots. The measured results of fabricated antennas are in good agreement with simulated and theoretical results.
Bandwidth enhancement of patch antennas using neural network dependent modified optimizer
Authors: Jain Satish K.
Published: April 2015

Since a conventional microstrip patch antenna is inherently a narrowband radiator, stacked-patch antennas are commonly used either to enhance the bandwidth or to achieve multi-band characteristics. However, the stacked patch structure has a number of geometrical variables which need to be optimized to achieve the desired characteristics. The conventional design procedure involves repeated costly and time-consuming simulations on an electromagnetic simulator to optimize the various geometrical parameters to arrive at the desired radiation characteristics. In this paper, the task of stacked patch antenna design has been approached as an optimization problem. In order to make a faster CAD module for the stacked-antenna design problem, the simulator has been replaced by a trained artificial neural network (ANN) and embedded in a particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSOA). The ANN is helpful in constructing the “function mapping black-box”, which can relate the frequencies and associated bandwidths of the antenna with its dimensional parameters. The role of the PSOA is to decide the geometrical parameters of the antenna, in response to the designer-specified frequencies and bandwidths. In order to validate the authenticity of the proposed method, a number of antennas have been designed, fabricated, and tested in the laboratory. Simulated and measured results have been compared which establish the accuracy of the proposed technique.
Maternal diet as a modifier of offspring epigenetics
Authors: Lillycrop K. A. , Burdge G. C.
Published: April 2015

There has been a substantial body of evidence, which has shown that genetic variation is an important determinant of disease risk. However, there is now increasing evidence that alterations in epigenetic processes also play a role in determining susceptibility to disease. Epigenetic processes, which include DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs play a central role in regulating gene expression, determining when and where a gene is expressed as well as the level of gene expression. The epigenome is highly sensitive to a variety of environmental factors, especially in early life. One factor that has been shown consistently to alter the epigenome is maternal diet. This review will focus on how maternal diet can modify the epigenome of the offspring, producing different phenotypes and altered disease susceptibilities.
Analysis of immunoglobulin transcripts and hypermutation following SHIVAD8 infection and protein-plus-adjuvant immunization
Authors: Francica Joseph R. , Sheng Zizhang , Zhang Zhenhai , Nishimura Yoshiaki , Shingai Masashi , Ramesh Akshaya , Keele Brandon F. , Schmidt Stephen D. , Flynn Barbara J. , Darko Sam , Lynch Rebecca M. , Yamamoto Takuya , Matus-Nicodemos Rodrigo , Wolinsky David ,   NISC Comparative Sequencing Program, Barnabas Betty , Blakesley Robert , Bouffard Gerry , Brooks Shelise , Coleman Holly , Dekhtyar Mila , Gregory Michael , Guan Xiaobin , Gupta Jyoti , Han Joel , Ho Shi-ling , Legaspi Richelle , Maduro Quino , Masiello Cathy , Maskeri Baishali , McDowell Jenny , Montemayor Casandra , Mullikin James , Park Morgan , Riebow Nancy , Schandler Karen , Schmidt Brian , Sison Christina , Stantripop Mal , Thomas James , Thomas Pamela , Vemulapalli Meg , Young Alice , Nason Martha , Valiante Nicholas M. , Malyala Padma , De Gregorio Ennio , Barnett Susan W. , Singh Manmohan , O’Hagan Derek T. , Koup Richard A. , Mascola John R. , Martin Malcolm A. , Kepler Thomas B. , Douek Daniel C. , Shapiro Lawrence , Seder Robert A.
Published: April 2015

Developing predictive animal models to assess how candidate vaccines and infection influence the ontogenies of Envelope (Env)-specific antibodies is critical for the development of an HIV vaccine. Here we use two nonhuman primate models to compare the roles of antigen persistence, diversity and innate immunity. We perform longitudinal analyses of HIV Env-specific B-cell receptor responses to SHIVAD8 infection and Env protein vaccination with eight different adjuvants. A subset of the SHIVAD8-infected animals with higher viral loads and greater Env diversity show increased neutralization associated with increasing somatic hypermutation (SHM) levels over time. The use of adjuvants results in increased ELISA titres but does not affect the mean SHM levels or CDR H3 lengths. Our study shows how the ontogeny of Env-specific B cells can be tracked, and provides insights into the requirements for developing neutralizing antibodies that should facilitate translation to human vaccine studies.
Regulation of autophagy and the ubiquitin–proteasome system by the FoxO transcriptional network during muscle atrophy
Authors: Milan Giulia , Romanello Vanina , Pescatore Francesca , Armani Andrea , Paik Ji-Hye , Frasson Laura , Seydel Anke , Zhao Jinghui , Abraham Reimar , Goldberg Alfred L. , Blaauw Bert , DePinho Ronald A. , Sandri Marco
Published: April 2015

Stresses like low nutrients, systemic inflammation, cancer or infections provoke a catabolic state characterized by enhanced muscle proteolysis and amino acid release to sustain liver gluconeogenesis and tissue protein synthesis. These conditions activate the family of Forkhead Box (Fox) O transcription factors. Here we report that muscle-specific deletion of FoxO members protects from muscle loss as a result of the role of FoxOs in the induction of autophagy–lysosome and ubiquitin–proteasome systems. Notably, in the setting of low nutrient signalling, we demonstrate that FoxOs are required for Akt activity but not for mTOR signalling. FoxOs control several stress–response pathways such as the unfolded protein response, ROS detoxification, DNA repair and translation. Finally, we identify FoxO-dependent ubiquitin ligases including MUSA1 and a previously uncharacterised ligase termed SMART (Specific of Muscle Atrophy and Regulated by Transcription). Our findings underscore the central function of FoxOs in coordinating a variety of stress-response genes during catabolic conditions.
Multinuclear metal-binding ability of a carotene
Authors: Horiuchi Shinnosuke , Tachibana Yuki , Yamashita Mitsuki , Yamamoto Koji , Masai Kohei , Takase Kohei , Matsutani Teruo , Kawamata Shiori , Kurashige Yuki , Yanai Takeshi , Murahashi Tetsuro
Published: April 2015

Carotenes are naturally abundant unsaturated hydrocarbon pigments, and their fascinating physical and chemical properties have been studied intensively not only for better understanding of the roles in biological processes but also for the use in artificial chemical systems. However, their metal-binding ability has been virtually unexplored. Here we report that β-carotene has the ability to assemble and align ten metal atoms to afford decanuclear homo- and heterometal chain complexes. The metallo–carotenoid framework shows reversible metalation–demetalation reactivity with multiple metals, which allows us to control the size of metal chains as well as the heterobimetallic composition and arrangement of the carotene-supported metal chains.
A Quaternary Mechanism Enables the Complex Biological Functions of Octameric Human UDP-glucose Pyrophosphorylase, a Key Enzyme in Cell Metabolism
Authors: Führing Jana Indra , Cramer Johannes Thomas , Schneider Julia , Baruch Petra , Gerardy-Schahn Rita , Fedorov Roman
Published: April 2015

In mammals, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) is the only enzyme capable of activating glucose-1-phosphate (Glc-1-P) to UDP-glucose (UDP-Glc), a metabolite located at the intersection of virtually all metabolic pathways in the mammalian cell. Despite the essential role of its product, the molecular basis of UGP function is poorly understood. Here we report the crystal structure of human UGP in complex with its product UDP-Glc. Beyond providing first insight into the active site architecture, we describe the substrate binding mode and intermolecular interactions in the octameric enzyme that are crucial to its activity. Importantly, the quaternary mechanism identified for human UGP in this study may be common for oligomeric sugar-activating nucleotidyltransferases. Elucidating such mechanisms is essential for understanding nucleotide sugar metabolism and opens the perspective for the development of drugs that specifically inhibit simpler organized nucleotidyltransferases in pathogens.
The natural compound chebulagic acid inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor A mediated regulation of endothelial cell functions
Authors: Lu Kai , Basu Sujit
Published: April 2015

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) plays an important role in tumour angiogenesis and its angiogenic action is mainly mediated through its VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). Therefore drugs targeting VEGFA/VEGFR-2 are being presently used in the clinics for treatment of several types of solid malignant tumours. We here in report that low dose of chebulagic acid (CA), a hydrolysable tannin found in myrobalan fruits can inhibit VEGFA induced vascular permeability, endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tube formation and thereby, angiogenesis by suppressing VEGFR-2 phosphorylation. CA may thus be an effective and useful natural inhibitor of VEGFA mediated angiogenesis.
Electronic transport in two-dimensional high dielectric constant nanosystems
Authors: Ortuño M. , Somoza A. M. , Vinokur V. M. , Baturina T. I.
Published: April 2015

There has been remarkable recent progress in engineering high-dielectric constant two dimensional (2D) materials, which are being actively pursued for applications in nanoelectronics in capacitor and memory devices, energy storage and high-frequency modulation in communication devices. Yet many of the unique properties of these systems are poorly understood and remain unexplored. Here we report a numerical study of hopping conductivity of the lateral network of capacitors, which models two-dimensional insulators and demonstrate that 2D long-range Coulomb interactions lead to peculiar size effects. We find that the characteristic energy governing electronic transport scales logarithmically with either system size or electrostatic screening length depending on which one is shorter. Our results are relevant well beyond their immediate context, explaining, for example, recent experimental observations of logarithmic size dependence of electric conductivity of thin superconducting films in the critical vicinity of superconductor-insulator transition where a giant dielectric constant develops. Our findings mark a radical departure from the orthodox view of conductivity in 2D systems as a local characteristic of materials and establish its macroscopic global character as a generic property of high-dielectric constant 2D nanomaterials.
Copper Salts Mediated Morphological Transformation of Cu2O from Cubes to Hierarchical Flower-like or Microspheres and Their Supercapacitors Performances
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhang Yu , Zhu Pengli , Zhou Fengrui , Zeng Wenjin , Lu Daoqiang Daniel , Sun Rong , Wong Chingping
Published: April 2015

Monodisperse Cu2O of different microstructures, such as cubes, flower-like and microspheres, have been extensively synthesized by a simple polyol reduction method using different copper salts, i.e. (Cu(acac)2, Cu(OH)2 and Cu(Ac)2·H2O). The effects of copper salts on the morphology of Cu2O were investigated in details through various characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis absorption spectra. The effects of morphology on the electrochemical properties were further studied. Among the different structures, Cu2O with the microspheric morphology shows the highest specific capacitance and the best cycling stability compared with those of the other two structures, thus bear larger volume charge during the electrochemical reaction due to the microspheres of small nanoparticles.