bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Black-White Cardiovascular Disease Disparities After Target-Based Versus Personalized Benefit–Based Lipid and Blood Pressure Treatment
Authors: Basu Sanjay , Sussman Jeremy B. , Hayward Rodney A.
Published: August 2017

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of black-white morbidity and mortality disparities in the United States. Objectives: We sought to compare black-white CVD morbidity and mortality if lipid and blood pressure treatments were prescribed to achieve targeted lipid and blood pressure levels (treat-to-target [TTT]) or personalized CVD risk and treatment benefit estimates (benefit-based tailored treatment [BTT]). Methods: We utilized a microsimulation model of statin and blood pressure treatment based on a TTT approach (Joint National Commission 7; Adult Treatment Panel III) or a BTT approach (treating those with 10-year CVD risk ≥10%, a modification and extension of recent American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines). We input data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, isolating adults 40 to 75 years of age without prior CVD events. Results: We observed that TTT would prevent fewer CVD events (17.0 events prevented per 1,000 whites, 22.2 per 1,000 blacks) than the BTT approach (25.9 events prevented per 1,000 whites, 45.4 per 1,000 blacks). TTT could lower the national black-white CVD event rate disparity from 23.1 excess events per 1,000 blacks to 17.9 excess events (−23%), while BTT could lower the disparity to 3.6 excess events (−84% overall). The inferiority of TTT to BTT remained consistent in sensitivity analyses testing alternative treatment targets and either over- or underestimation of risk by commonly used equations. Conclusions: A BTT approach to lipid and blood pressure treatment would be expected to prevent more CVD events in the overall population and more effectively reduce national black-white CVD disparities than a traditional TTT approach.
Randomized Controlled Trial Testing the Efficacy of Platinum-Free Interval Prolongation in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: The MITO-8, MaNGO, BGOG-Ov1, AGO-Ovar2.16, ENGOT-Ov1, GCIG Study
Authors: Pignata Sandro , Scambia Giovanni , Bologna Alessandra , Signoriello Simona , Vergote Ignace B. , Wagner Uwe , Lorusso Domenica , Murgia Viviana , Sorio Roberto , Ferrandina Gabriella , Sacco Cosimo , Cormio Gennaro , Breda Enrico , Cinieri Saverio , Natale Donato , Mangili Giorgia , Pisano Carmela , Cecere Sabrina Chiara , Di Napoli Marilena , Salutari Vanda , Raspagliesi Francesco , Arenare Laura , Bergamini Alice , Bryce Jane , Daniele Gennaro , Piccirillo Maria Carmela , Gallo Ciro , Perrone Francesco
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) for patients with progressing ovarian cancer (OC) is more effective with a longer time interval from previous platinum treatment (platinum-free interval [PFI]). In 1999, it was hypothesized that prolonging PFI with single-agent non-PBC (NPBC) may offer a strategy to improve overall outcome. MITO-8 aimed to verify this hypothesis commonly used in clinical practice although it has not been prospectively tested.

Methods

MITO-8 is an open-label, prospective, randomized, superiority trial. Patients with OC who experienced disease progression 6 to 12 months after their last platinum treatment were randomly assigned 1:1 to the experimental sequence of NPBC followed by PBC at subsequent relapse or the standard reverse treatment sequence. Overall survival (OS) was the primary end point.

Results

Two hundred fifteen patients were enrolled (standard arm [n = 108]; experimental arm [n = 107]). The trial ended before planned because of slow enrollment. PFI was prolonged in the experimental arm (median, 7.8 v 0.01 months). There was no OS benefit in the experimental arm (median, 21.8 v 24.5 months; hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.94; P = .06). Progression-free survival after the sequence was significantly shorter in the experimental arm (median, 12.8 v 16.4 months; hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.92; P = .025). Global quality-of-life change after three cycles was worse in the experimental arm. Slight differences were observed in the incidence of adverse effects.

Conclusion

MITO-8 supports the recommendation that PBC not be delayed in favor of an NPBC in patients with partially platinum-sensitive OC. PBC should be used as a control arm in future trials of new drugs in this setting.
Bias, Confounding, and Interaction: Lions and Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!
Authors: Vetter Thomas R. , Mascha Edward J.
Published: August 2017

Epidemiologists seek to make a valid inference about the causal effect between an exposure and a disease in a specific population, using representative sample data from a specific population. Clinical researchers likewise seek to make a valid inference about the association between an intervention and outcome(s) in a specific population, based upon their randomly collected, representative sample data. Both do so by using the available data about the sample variable to make a valid estimate about its corresponding or underlying, but unknown population parameter. Random error in an experiment can be due to the natural, periodic fluctuation or variation in the accuracy or precision of virtually any data sampling technique or health measurement tool or scale. In a clinical research study, random error can be due to not only innate human variability but also purely chance. Systematic error in an experiment arises from an innate flaw in the data sampling technique or measurement instrument. In the clinical research setting, systematic error is more commonly referred to as systematic bias. The most commonly encountered types of bias in anesthesia, perioperative, critical care, and pain medicine research include recall bias, observational bias (Hawthorne effect), attrition bias, misclassification or informational bias, and selection bias. A confounding variable is a factor associated with both the exposure of interest and the outcome of interest. A confounding variable (confounding factor or confounder) is a variable that correlates (positively or negatively) with both the exposure and outcome. Confounding is typically not an issue in a randomized trial because the randomized groups are sufficiently balanced on all potential confounding variables, both observed and nonobserved. However, confounding can be a major problem with any observational (nonrandomized) study. Ignoring confounding in an observational study will often result in a “distorted” or incorrect estimate of the association or treatment effect. Interaction among variables, also known as effect modification, exists when the effect of 1 explanatory variable on the outcome depends on the particular level or value of another explanatory variable. Bias and confounding are common potential explanations for statistically significant associations between exposure and outcome when the true relationship is noncausal. Understanding interactions is vital to proper interpretation of treatment effects. These complex concepts should be consistently and appropriately considered whenever one is not only designing but also analyzing and interpreting data from a randomized trial or observational study.
HCN4 ion channel function is required for early events that regulate anatomical left-right patterning in a Nodal- and Lefty asymmetric gene expression-independent manner
Authors: Pai Vaibhav P. , Willocq Valerie , Pitcairn Emily J. , Lemire Joan M. , Paré Jean-François , Shi Nian-Qing , McLaughlin Kelly A. , Levin Michael
Published: August 2017

Laterality is a basic characteristic of all life forms, from single cell organisms to complex plants and animals. For many metazoans, consistent left-right asymmetric patterning is essential for the correct anatomy of internal organs, such as the heart, gut, and brain; disruption of left-right asymmetry patterning leads to an important class of birth defects in human patients. Laterality functions across multiple scales, where early embryonic, subcellular and chiral cytoskeletal events are coupled with asymmetric amplification mechanisms and gene regulatory networks leading to asymmetric physical forces that ultimately result in distinct left and right anatomical organ patterning. Recent studies have suggested the existence of multiple parallel pathways regulating organ asymmetry. Here, we show that an isoform of the Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide gated family of ion channels, HCN4, is important for correct left-right patterning. HCN4 channels are present very early in Xenopus embryos. Blocking HCN channels (Ih current) with pharmacological inhibitors leads to errors in organ situs. This effect is only seen when HCN4 channels are blocked early (pre-stage 10) and not by a later block (post-stage 10). Injections of HCN4-DN (dominant-negative) mRNA induces left-right defects only when injected in both blastomeres no later than the 2-cell stage. Analysis of key asymmetric genes’ expression showed that the sidedness of Nodal, Lefty, and Pitx2 expression is largely unchanged by HCN4 blockade, despite the randomization of subsequent organ situs, although the area of Pitx2 expression was significantly reduced. Together these data identify a novel, developmental role for HCN4 channels and reveal a new Nodal-Lefty-Pitx2 asymmetric gene expression-independent mechanism upstream of organ positioning during embryonic left-right patterning.
The Parkinson's disease-associated protein DJ-1 plays a positive nonmitochondrial role in endocytosis inDictyosteliumcells
Authors: Chen Suwei , Annesley Sarah J. , Jasim Rasha A. F. , Musco Vanessa J. , Sanislav Oana , Fisher Paul R.
Published: August 2017

The loss of function of DJ-1 caused by mutations of DJ-1 causes a form of familial Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, the role of DJ-1 in healthy and in PD cells is poorly understood. Even its subcellular localization in mammalian cells is uncertain, both cytosolic and mitochondrial locations having been reported. We show here that DJ-1 is normally located in the cytoplasm in healthy Dictyostelium discoideum cells. With its unique life cycle, straightforward genotype-phenotype relationships, experimental accesibility and genetic tractability, Dictyostelium discoideum offers an attractive model to investigate the roles of PD-associated genes. Furthermore, the study of mitochondrial biology, mitochondrial genome transcription and AMPK-mediated cytopathologies in mitochondrial dysfunction have been well developed in this organism. Unlike mammalian systems, Dictyostelium mitochondrial dysfunction causes a reproducible and readily assayed array of aberrant phenotypes – defective phototaxis, impaired growth, normal rates of endocytosis and characteristic defects in multicellular morphogenesis. This makes it possible to study whether the underlying cytopathological mechanisms of familial PD involve mitochondrial dysfunction. DJ-1 has a single homologue in the Dictyostelium genome. By regulating the expression level of DJ-1 in D. discoideum, we show here that in unstressed cells, DJ-1 is required for normal rates of endocytic nutrient uptake (phagocytosis and to a lesser extent pinocytosis) and thus growth. Reduced expression of DJ-1 had no effect on phototaxis in the multicellular migratory “slug” stage of the lifecycle, but resulted in thickened stalks in the final fruiting bodies. This pattern of phenotypes is distinct from that observed in Dictyostelium to result from mitochondrial dyfunction. Direct measurement of mitochondrial respiratory function in intact cells revealed that DJ-1 knock down stimulates while DJ-1 overexpression inhibits mitochondrial activity. Together our results suggest positive roles for DJ-1 in endocytic pathways and loss-of-function cytopathologies that are not associated with impaired mitochondrial function.
Comparison of Physical Adsorption Strength of Protective Agents via Ligand Exchange of Silver Nanoparticles Prepared by Vacuum Evaporation on Running Oil Substrate
Authors: Ienaga Takashi , Okada Soichiro , Nakahara Yoshio , Watanabe Mitsuru , Tamai Toshiyuki , Yajima Setsuko , Kimura Keiichi
Published: August 2017

We compared adsorption strength of protective agents via ligand exchange of silver nanoparticles synthesized by the improved vacuum evaporation on running oil substrate (VEROS) method. This comparison concerns physical adsorption of protective agents on the surface of silver nanoparticles instead of chemisorption. Clean surfaces of silver nanoparticles synthesized by the improved VEROS method were suitable for this investigation. All the experiments in this study were designed so that as far as possible protective agents did not ionize. Thus, oleic acid capped silver nanoparticles were synthesized by the improved VEROS method. Next, octanoic acid, n-octylamine and oleic acid were used as additive protective agents in ligand exchanges. The ligand exchange is also closely related to physical adsorption strength of protective agents on the surface of metal nanoparticles. Oleic acid on the surface of silver nanoparticles was exchanged by octanoic acid and vice versa under the same experimental conditions. On the other hand, oleic acid on the silver surface was not exchanged by n-octylamine. These results were remarkably different from those reported in general chemical synthetic methods but they were well consistent with our previous study on performance of protective agents in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles with the improved VEROS method.
Rotavirus Vaccines: a story of success with challenges ahead
Authors: O’Ryan Miguel
Published: August 2017

Approximately 40 years have passed since the discovery of the rotavirus and 10 years since the introduction and progressive dissemination of rotavirus vaccines worldwide. Currently, 92 countries have introduced rotavirus vaccines into national or subnational programs with evident impact in disease reduction. Two vaccines have been widely used, and four additional vaccines have been licensed and are being used in defined regions. In this context, one main issue that remains unsolved is the lower vaccine efficacy/effectiveness in low-income countries. An additional partially answered issue relates to rotavirus strain circulation in vaccinated populations. These issues are discussed in this review. The most imperative challenge ahead is to fulfill the WHO’s recommendation to introduce rotavirus vaccines in all countries.
RNAi targeting Caenorhabditis elegans α-arrestins marginally affects lifespan
Authors: Park Sangsoon , Jung Yoonji , An Seon Woo A. , Son Heehwa G. , Hwang Wooseon , Lee Dongyeop , Artan Murat , Park Hae-Eun H. , Jeong Dae-Eun , Lee Yujin , Lee Seung-Jae V.
Published: August 2017

Background: α-arrestins are a family of proteins that are implicated in multiple biological processes, including metabolism and receptor desensitization. Methods: Here, we sought to examine the roles of α-arrestins in the longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans through an RNA interference screen. Results: We found that knocking down each of 24 out of total 29 C. elegans α-arrestins had small or no effects on lifespan. Thus, individual C. elegans α-arrestins may have minor effects on longevity. Conclusions: This study will provide useful information for future research on the functional role of α-arrestins in aging and longevity.
INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGIZATION FACTORS ON THE YIELD OF WINTER RYE IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE KAMA OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Ахметзянов Марсель , Akhmetzyanov Marsel
Published: August 2017

The research was carried out on the experimental field of the General Agriculture, Plant protection and Selection Department of Kazan State Agrarian University by bookmarking a long-term in-patient experience. Research was conducted on two bookmarks of the stationary experience of General Agriculture Department in the links of the crop rotation of fallows - winter rye. The following issues were laid and studied at the station: crop rotations, nutrition backgrounds, soil cultivation. One of the tasks, set before the research, was to determine the effect of embedding biological agents into the soil on the indices of soil fertility and on crop yields in crop rotations. Nutrients contributed to the formation of a higher crop, even in the absence of fertilizers, for example, the straw yield was generated 22.5 centner per hectare, and with the use of intermediate syderat - 23.6, while without biogenes - 20.08 centner per hectare. A comparatively high yield was obtained with the use of siderate for a combined treatment system - 26.7 centner per hectare. When the estimated doses of mineral fertilizers were applied into the soil in terms of biologic background, the winter rye productivity increased even further, the increase to the background without fertilizers was 9.6-14.0 centner per hectare.
DOMESTIC ENZYMES IN PIG FODDER
Authors: Данилова Надежда , Danilova Nadezhda , Лаврентьев Анатолий , Lavrentev Anatoliy
Published: August 2017

One of the main promising areas in the technology of pigs feeding and the development of the industry is the use of enzyme preparations. Enzymes are specific proteins, that fulfill the role of biological catalysts in a living organism. Enzymes, unlike hormones and biostimulants, do not act on the animal organism, but on the components of the feed in the gastrointestinal tract, they do not accumulate in the body and products of animal husbandry. The scientific and economic experience was carried out on the basis of the CJSC “Progress” enterprise of the Yalchik district of the Chuvash Republic from May to October 2015. Studies were carried out on young pigs of large white breed at the age of 2 to 7 months. Three groups of clinically healthy gilts were formed according to the principle of analog groups of 12 heads in each one. The duration of scientific and economic experience was 150 days. The pigs of all groups were in the same conditions of feeding and maintenance, and they were fed mixed fodders in accordance with detailed feeding standards. Control samples are animals that received mixed feed, used in the farm when feeding young pigs. The feedstuff of the first experimental group was enriched additionally with a mixture of enzyme preparations №1 and №2, the second test group with mixture №1 and №3. At the beginning of the experiment in all groups, the average live weight of pigs was almost the same and amounted to 17.8 to 18.1 kg. At the end of the experiment, this parameter in the control group was 112.0 kg, in the first test group - 125.1 kg, in the second test group - 120.3 kg. Feed costs per 1 kg of gain were 4.82 energy feed unit in the control group, 4.25 energy feed unit in the first group and 4.44 energy feed unit in the second test group. The production was received for 1 ruble of additional costs in the first experimental group to 8.29 rubles and to 6.06 rubles in the second experimental group.
EFFICIENCY OF USE OF HORN- UNGULATED MEAL AND A ZEOLIC-CONTAINING FOSSIL MEAL FOR UNDERGROUND CROPS IN LIGHT-GRAY FOREST SOILS
Authors: Шашкаров Леонид , Shashkarov Leonid , Елисеев Иван , Eliseev Ivan , Елисеева Людмила , Eliseeva Lyudmila
Published: August 2017

Investigations on light gray forest soils of the Chuvash Republic were carried out to study the effectiveness of the use of horn-ungulated meal or keratin as a nitrogenous organic fertilizer and zeolite-containing trefoil as a sorbent-type soil improver. The use of horn-ungulted meal as a nitrogen fertilizer of organic origin helps to enhance the biological activity of the soil. Observations during the vegetation period revealed a more intense coloration of the leaf surface, as well as an increase in the area of the assimilative surface of fodder beet and potatoes. The results of the determination of quality indicators has revealed the possibility of obtaining environmentally friendly products, as there has been a decrease in the content of nitrates in root crops fodder beet and potato tubers, increased dry matter content and sugar content in root crops fodder beet and in the tubers of potato dry matter and starch.The conducted studies have revealed the possibility of replacing the mineral form of nitrogen fertilizer with a nitrogen fertilizer of organic origin - horn-ungulated meal (keratin), which is a waste of the livestock industry. The joint application of zeolite-containing fossil meal together with horn-ungulated meal and phosphoric-potassium mineral fertilizers positively affected the increase in the use of nutrients from them not only in the row crops in the year of application, but also in the subsequent barley culture, increasing its yield and economic efficiency.
Philosophy for pedagogues
Authors: Канке  , Kankye Viktor
Published: August 2017

Questions of the philosophy of science and the history of philosophy, ontology, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics are considered. The achievements of analytical philosophy, phenomenology, hermeneutics, post-structuralism and other philosophical trends of the present are taken into account. The theory of conceptual transduction is used. Particular attention is paid to the connection between philosophy and pedagogy. A workshop with test questions and tasks, tests and literature is given.
For students of higher pedagogical educational institutions, teachers, as well as for all interested in the issues of philosophy.
Open or closed exposure for palatally impacted maxillary canines? A review
Authors: Alkadhimi Aslam Fadel , Ganesan Kandasamy , Al-Awadhi Ebrahim A
Published: August 2017

Palatally impacted canines (PICs) can be surgically exposed using one of the two exposure methods: open or closed. There is generally lack of consensus with regards to the preferred exposure method, hence the choice of operative technique remains open to discussion. The two techniques are compared and the choice of surgical technique is assessed in terms of patient factors, orthodontic/surgical and radiographic factors. Taking all possible determinant factors into account, a flowchart for the selection of the surgical exposure technique is presented.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: As there are no clinical guidelines currently in the literature for the selection of surgical exposure method of PICs, carrying out this review article might help orthodontists and oral surgeons (especially juniors) in the selection process by following the proposed flowchart presented in this article, based on the available evidence in the literature.
Love in social care: Necessary pre-requisite or blurring of boundaries
Authors: Byrne John
Published: August 2017

This article is a practice reflection on the theme of love in social care. It explores the personal qualities required for social care practice and the role of a social care worker in residential child care . A definition of love is provided, and comparisons are made between the concepts of love and compassion. Questions are raised about the the issue of boundaries in the professional helping relationship and the impact of defensive practice on children's emotional development. The article concludes that love and compassion are essentially the same thing, and that since compassion is a necessary pre-requisite for the work, love is, and always will be a the core of everything we do.
Aroha: ‘Loving’ within a statutory and bi-cultural residential environment
Authors: Sutherland Andrew
Published: August 2017

‘Aroha’, as the closest Maori language equivalent of the English word ‘love’, is a concept now ingrained in practice ideals for youth residential work in Aotearoa/New Zealand, as part of a wider social services framework. This has been a purposeful shift over the last quarter century to align with the principle of bi-cultural partnership in social policy, the intentions of which can be traced to early colonial times. ‘Aroha’ will be explored as an appropriate, cross-cultural residential practice path in the relationship between young people and residential staff. Observations of how this ‘love’ has been put into practice while maintaining professional standards will be highlighted, alongside discussion of how this might interweave with similar strands of thought from the discipline of social pedagogy.
The umbrella of boundaries, love, and grief
Authors: Chalupa Michelle
Published: August 2017

While working in the life-space of children and youth it is hard to imagine an interaction that does not contain some level of caring or love that guides interventions and interactions while being governed by professional boundaries. Caring and love in practice requires a level of reflection that acts as a check to ensure these boundaries are adhered to. This article is a reflexive moment in an experienced Child and Youth Care Practitioner’s career when a youth who she had cared for was involved in a motor vehicle accident and died.
Radiostereometric migration measurement of an uncemented Cerafit® femoral stem: 26 patients followed for 10 years
Authors: Sesselmann Stefan , Hong Yotung , Schlemmer Frank , Hussnaetter Isabell , Mueller Lutz A. , Forst Raimund , Tschunko Franz
Published: August 2017

Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) is the gold standard for evaluating micromotions of orthopaedic implants. The method is applied for identifying novel design weaknesses in endoprostheses. Current research frequently assesses relatively short time periods. Short-term RSA studies have been widely used for predicting the long-term stability of many hip prosthetic designs, but only a few studies have focused on uncemented hip implants, especially for extended periods. The purpose of this study was to analyse the migration pattern of the Cerafit®femoral stem within 10 years and to verify the predictive value of short-term RSA after 2 years for this uncemented femoral hip stem. Twenty-six patients were followed for 10 years. Ten years after implantation, a mean subsidence of 0.22 mm±0.56 mm, a mean internal rotation of 0.59°±1.67° and a mean maximum total point motion (MTPM) of 1.28 mm±0.54 mm were detected. The main migration took place in the first 6 weeks after surgery (subsidence of 0.36 mm±0.73 mm; internal rotation of 0.62°±1.49°, MTPM of 1.05 mm±0.68 mm). All the migration values measured were small. No late-onset migration was observed. This study suggests that the Cerafit®implants are stable after 10 years. Thus, RSA could be the best tool to assess long-term implant behaviour.
Teachers’ perceptions on the changing role of language in the curriculum
Authors: Skinnari Kristiina , Nikula Tarja
Published: August 2017

This article is concerned with the role of language(s) in education from the viewpoint of secondary school subject teachers in Finland at the time of transition to a new curriculum. The curriculum highlights the role of language throughout education and makes reference to changes in society that foreground multilingualism. Seven mainstream and CLIL content teachers of different subjects were interviewed and employing qualitative content analysis, the data were scrutinised under four language-related themes: multilingualism, multiliteracy, subject-specific language, and the role of language in knowledge construction. The results indicate teachers as reasonably well aware of subject-specific language of their field and of the value of multiliteracy practices. Multilingualism as the diversity of students’ languages and its impact on pedagogical practices received less attention. Overall, the teachers’ orientation to the language ideological statements in the new curriculum were widely agreed upon even if the ideas still remained somewhat abstract in the transition phase before actual implementation to the praxis.
Geochemistry of sandstones and shales from the Ecca Group, Karoo Supergroup, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: Implications for provenance, weathering and tectonic setting
Authors: Baiyegunhi Christopher , Liu Kuiwu , Gwavava Oswald
Published: August 2017

Geochemical compositions of twenty-four sandstone and shale samples from the Ecca Group were analysed to decipher their provenance, paleoweathering conditions and tectonic setting. The shales have high Fe
Catalytic oxidation of lignin to dicarboxylic acid over the CuFeS2 nanoparticle catalyst
Authors: Bi Zhihao , Li Zhihao , Yan Lifeng
Published: August 2017

CuFeS2nanoparticles have been synthesized and used as catalyst for the degradation of lignin. Under mild condition of reaction at 60°C and 5 h in the presence of 2 ml hydrogen peroxide, lignin can be degraded completely and converted to dicarboxylic acids, such as oxalic acid (OA), fumaric acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid (SA), carbon oxides, and aromatic compounds. The major product is OA (up to 30% selectivity) and SA. On the basis of the chemicals detected, we proposed a logical mechanism similar to Fenton reaction. The results reveal that HO˙ and HOO−, formed from the cleavage of hydrogen peroxide over the catalyst, play an essential role in the oxidation of lignin to destroy its aromatic structure and generate carboxylic or DCA. This is a potential method to convert native lignin as a renewable feedstock to produce valuable chemicals.
Ecological perspectives on youth alcohol consumption in the Kuala Lumpur conurbation: a place-based study in Malaysia
Authors: Singh Sangeeta Kaur , Kaen Lee Voon , Hei Low Weng , Villiers-Tuthill Amanda , Allotey Pascale , Reidpath Daniel D.
Published: August 2017

Objective

The objectives of this study were to investigate the patterns of alcohol consumption and ecological factors influencing those patterns in the Klang Valley. The study focuses on youth from the Chinese, Indian and Malay ethnic groups in Malaysia, resident in urban and semi-urban areas of the Klang Valley.

Methods

Data were collected with a combination of interviews and self-administered questionnaires available in Bahasa Malaysia and English were adapted from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The study sample consisted of 326 respondents: 103 Malays, 111 Chinese and 112 Indians. There were 171 males and 155 females, with mean age of 20.56 and 20.59 years, respectively, were identified by convenience sampling in six sites.

Results

A combination of at least one family member and one friend who consumed alcohol was a significant driver of alcohol use: 80% in this category had tried alcohol; 55% were current drinkers; and 35% were binge drinkers. With at least one family member, the respective figures were 72%, 48%, and 30%; and with at least one friend, but no family pattern of consumption, the figures dropped to 64%, 42% and 26%, respectively. With respect to ethnicity, 72% of Chinese youth had tried alcohol or were current drinkers (49%). The figure was lower for Indian youth (47% and 37%, respectively) and Malay youth (15% and 9%, respectively). In the binge drinking category, however, the highest figures were from the Indian youth (31%) followed by Chinese youth (23%) and significantly less in Malay youth (5%). Alcohol consumption was consistently higher among males: 54% had tried alcohol, 44% were current drinkers, and 30% were binge drinkers, compared to 36%, 18% and 9% of female youth, respectively.

Conclusion

Family alcohol consumption patterns were most strongly associated with consumption patterns which varied across the three ethnic groups. Family education regarding family influence on youth’s alcohol consumption patterns is warranted.
On the Uniqueness of p-Best Approximation in Probabilistic Normed Spaces
Authors: Goudarzi H. R.
Published: August 2017

The main aim of this paper is to present some basic as well as essential results involving the notion of p-Chebyshev sets in probabilistic normed spaces. In particular, we discuss the convexity of p-Chebyshev sets, decomposition of the space into its special subspaces, and we see a characterization of p-Chebyshev sets in quotient spaces.
Towards pervasive eye tracking
Authors: Kasneci Enkelejda
Published: August 2017

The human gaze provides paramount cues for communication and interaction. Following this insight, gaze-based interfaces have been proposed for human-computer interaction (HCI) since the early 90s, with some believing that such interfaces will revolutionize the way we interact with our devices. Since then gaze-based HCI in stationary scenarios (e. g., desktop computing) has been rapidly maturing, and the production costs of mainstream eye trackers have been steadily decreasing. In consequence, a variety of new applications with the ambitious goal to apply eye tracking to dynamic, real-world HCI tasks and scenarios have emerged. This article gives an overview of the research conducted by the Perception Engineering Group at the University of Tübingen.
Altered thymocyte and T cell development in neonatal mice with hyperoxia-induced lung injury
Authors: Angusamy Sowmya , Mansour Tamer , Abdulmageed Mohammed , Han Rachel , Schutte Brian C. , LaPres John , Harkema Jack R. , Omar Said A.
Published: August 2017

Background:

The adaptive immune system of neonates is relatively underdeveloped. The thymus is an essential organ for adaptive T cell development and might be affected during the natural course of oxygen induced lung injury. The effect of prolonged hyperoxia on the thymus, thymocyte and T cell development, and its proliferation has not been studied extensively.

Methods:

Neonatal mice were exposed to 85% oxygen (hyperoxia) or room air (normoxia) up to 28 days. Flow cytometry using surface markers were used to assay for thymocyte development and proliferation.

Results:

Mice exposed to prolonged hyperoxia had evidence of lung injury associated alveolar simplification, a significantly lower mean weight, smaller thymic size, lower mean thymocyte count and higher percentage of apoptotic thymocytes. T cells subpopulation in the thymus showed a significant reduction in the count and proliferation of double positive and double negative T cells. There was a significant reduction in the count and proliferation of single positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Conclusions:

Prolonged hyperoxia in neonatal mice adversely affected thymic size, thymocyte count and altered the distribution of T cells sub-populations. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that prolonged hyperoxia causes defective development of T cells in the thymus.
Can Scientific and Technological Talent Aggregation Accelerate Economic Growth? An Empirical Study
Authors: Zhang Xionglin , Lü Wenjuan , Lin Feng
Published: August 2017

Scientific and technological talent has become one of the key elements to accelerate economic development all over the world. The internal mechanism of the promoting of economic growth by scientific and technological talent gathering has been analyzed using mathematical modeling methods based on two regional cases. Further the conclusion has been extended to multi-location application. The scientific and technological talent gathering index has been introduced in the application. The data used was accessed from China Population Statistics Yearbook, Science and Technology of China Statistical Yearbook and China Statistical Yearbook. The regional concentration index of scientific and technological talent in different regions has been calculated based on the data. Findings of the research affirmed the positive correlation between scientific and technological talent gathering and regional economic growth. Finally recommendations to promote regional scientific and technological talent aggregation have been proposed.
A Cooperative Mechanism Between China Post and Private Express Firm for Remote Area Express Market
Authors: Yang Ling , Zhang Juzhi
Published: August 2017

Focusing on the universal express service market, this paper introduces a cooperative mechanism between China Post and private express companies. To investigate whether this cooperative mechanism works, the authors develop a pricing model for the express service market in three different scenarios, i.e., China Post monopolizes the remote area market, competes with a private express company, and cooperatively provides service to the private company. Comparison between the three different scenarios shows that the proposed cooperative mechanism will benefit both firms. The authors also introduce a revenue sharing contract to coordinate the system, and investigate the optimal regulation price.
Adverse Selection Risk Early-Warning of Agricultural Insurance Towards Food Quality Safety — Illustrated by an example of vegetable sites in Shandong province
Authors: Zhang Dongling , Yang Zehui
Published: August 2017

From the perspective of the agricultural food quality safety, for the adverse selection because of the asymmetric information in agricultural insurance, an analysis approach based on multi-classification discrete choice model is proposed. On the basis of building an agricultural food safety risk evaluation index system, applying the linguistic information processing method, the panel valuation data is aggregated to obtain the integrated evaluation values. An ordered logistic model is put forward, and the calculation analysis steps are given. This research is illustrated by an example of export vegetable sites in Shandong province. The research indicates that the quality safety is the new component of agricultural risk, and the effective risk analysis can be on guard against the adverse selection in agricultural insurance practice. As well the linguistic information can be effectively aggregated with less lost by this method, the classes of agricultural food quality risk are ordinal, and approach will promote the extension and application in agricultural insurance to crop farming.
Power of Moran’s I Test for Spatial Dependence in Panel Data Models with Time Varying Spatial Weights Matrices
Authors: Ou Bianling , Zhao Xin , Wang Mingxi
Published: August 2017

The spatial weights matrix is usually specified to be time invariant. However, when it are constructed with economic/socioeconomic distance, trade /demographic/climatic characteristics, these characteristics might be changing over time, and then the spatial weights matrix substantially varies over time. This paper focuses on power of Moran’s I test for spatial dependence in panel data models with where spatial weights matrices can be time varying (TV-Moran). Compared with Moran’s I test with time invariant spatial weights matrices (TI-Moran), the empirical power of TV-Moran test for spatial dependence are evaluated. Our extensive Monte Carlo simulation results indicate that Moran’s I test with misspecified time invariant spatial weights matrices is questionable; Instead, TV-Moran test has shown superiority in higher power, especially for cases with negative spatial correlation parameters and the large time dimension.
Linear Quadratic Nash Game of Stochastic Singular Time-Delay Systems with Multiple Decision Makers
Authors: Zhu Huainian , Zhang Guangyu , Zhang Chengke , Zhu Ying , Zhou Haiying
Published: August 2017

This paper discusses linear quadratic Nash game of stochastic singular time-delay systems governed by Itô’s differential equation. Sufficient condition for the existence of Nash strategies is given by means of linear matrix inequality for the first time. Moreover, in order to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed theory, stochastic H2∕H∞control with multiple decision makers is discussed as an immediate application.
Crystal structure of di-μ-iodido-bis(6-(p-tolyl)-2,2′-bipyridine-κ2
N,N′)dicopper(I) — 2-(diphenylphosphoryl)benzoic acid (1/2), C36H29CuIN2O3P
Authors: Yang Shengyun , Yao Gang
Published: August 2017

C36H29CuIN2O3P, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 9.4713(3) Å, b = 11.8586(4) Å, c = 14.7597(5) Å, α = 93.5250(10)°, β = 90.61(10)°, γ = 108.99(10)°, V = 1563.71(9) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0279, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0688, T = 293 K.
On the determinants of the 2008 financial crisis: a Bayesian approach to the selection of groups and variables
Authors: Chen Ray-Bing , Chen Yi-Chi , Chu Chi-Hsiang , Lee Kuo-Jung
Published: August 2017

We consider the determinants of the 2008 crisis and address two main forms of model uncertainty: the uncertainty in selecting theoretical groups and the uncertainty in selecting explanatory variables. We introduce Bayesian hierarchical formulation that allows for the joint treatment of group and variable selection using the Group-wise Gibbs sampler. Our group variable selection shows that pre-crisis financial policies and trade linkages play a particularly important role in explaining the severity of the crisis, alongside institutions, and within the selected groups we identify a broader set of variables correlated with the crisis, which in turn leads to an improvement in prediction performance. In the robustness analysis we also find that our results are not qualitatively changed on alternative measures of crisis intensity, different groupings of variables, or prior assumptions. We further argue that the established results in the literature may well be attributed to different prior choices used in the analysis.
Characterizing Gnostic Scriptural Interpretation
Authors: Busch Austin
Published: August 2017

Analysis of a range of Gnostic writings (the
Religiöse Symbole im öffentlichen Raum: Symbolwirkung als kollektive Intentionalität einer Deutungsgemeinschaft
Authors: Schlieter Jens
Published: August 2017

Wie im Aufsatz anhand von Fallbeispielen gezeigt wird, bietet die geläufige Bestimmung des religiösen Symbols, die von der Präsenz des Symbolisierten im Symbol und der Ähnlichkeit beider ausgeht, keine Hilfe bei der Analyse des Prozesses, wie ein Symbol im öffentlichen Raum religiöse Bedeutung erhält. Im Anschluss an John R. Searle wird anhand buddhistischer Deutungen ikonischer Symbole in Europa die Argumentation verfolgt, dass Symbole erst durch die kollektive Intentionalität von Deutungsgemeinschaften zu sozialen Tatsachen werden, deren Wirkmacht darin besteht, dass eine Gemeinschaft Interaktionen mit den ikonischen Symbolen unter normativen Erwartungen beobachtet. Gegen Theorien der „agency“ der Dinge wird vertreten, dass die Funktion der Symbole nur über sprachliche Zuschreibungen, genauer, über deklarative Sprechakte, sichergestellt wird. Aus deskriptiver Sicht muss zudem die Herstellungsabsicht berücksichtigt werden, mit der die Symbole geschaffen wurden, während religiöse Deutungen über diese oft hinweggehen. In Konflikten, die durch differente Deutungen über das Artefakt als religiöses Symbol oder als Kunstobjekt entstehen, kann nicht mit Verweis auf den „Transzendenzbezug“ des Symbols argumentiert werden. Die Herstellungsabsicht einbeziehend, sind somit die von religiöser Seite eingeforderten Achtungserweise vor dem Objekt vielmehr als Achtungserweise gegenüber der kollektiven Intentionalität der entsprechenden Deutungsgemeinschaft zu thematisieren.
Russell's Leibniz Notebook
Authors: Arthur Richard T.W. , Griffin Nicholas
Published: August 2017

In preparation for his lectures on Leibniz delivered in Cambridge in Lent Term 1899, Russell started in the summer of 1898 to keep notes on writings by and about Leibniz in a large notebook of the type he commonly used for notetaking at this time. This article prints, with annotation, all the material on Leibniz in that notebook.
High-Temperature Erosion and its Mechanisms of Hastelloy X Superalloy under Hot Air Jet Conditions
Authors: Thirugnanasambantham K. G. , Natarajan Srinivasan
Published: August 2017

Hastelloy X is a nickel-based superalloy, widely used in high temperature applications such as aircraft and land-based turbines. This technical paper deals with the high temperature erosion mechanisms and the surface roughness of Hastelloy X. The erosion mechanism of the Hastelloy X was studied using hot air jet erosion experiments at 800°C with varying parameters, like angle of impingement and erodent velocity. Characterization of the eroded samples was done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs and high-resolution universal tribometer to determine the erosion mechanisms and surface roughness values. SEM micrographs of eroded samples reveal that lip formation, cutting, and ploughing are the dominant erosion mechanisms of Hastelloy X at a 45° angle of impingement, whereas, at 90°, it is lip extrusion followed by flattening of lip and detachment of platelet.
Histone Hypervariants H2A.Z.1 and H2A.Z.2 Play Independent and Context-Specific Roles in Neuronal Activity-Induced Transcription ofArc/Arg3.1and Other Immediate Early Genes
Authors: Dunn Carissa J. , Sarkar Pushpita , Bailey Emma R. , Farris Shannon , Zhao Meilan , Ward James M. , Dudek Serena M. , Saha Ramendra N.
Published: August 2017

The histone variant H2A.Z is an essential and conserved regulator of eukaryotic gene transcription. However, the exact role of this histone in the transcriptional process remains perplexing. In vertebrates, H2A.Z has two hypervariants, H2A.Z.1 and H2A.Z.2, that have almost identical sequences except for three amino acid residues. Due to such similarity, functional specificity of these hypervariants in neurobiological processes, if any, remain largely unknown. In this study with dissociated rat cortical neurons, we asked if H2A.Z hypervariants have distinct functions in regulating basal and activity-induced gene transcription. Hypervariant-specific RNAi and microarray analyses revealed that H2A.Z.1 and H2A.Z.2 regulate basal expression of largely nonoverlapping gene sets, including genes that code for several synaptic proteins. In response to neuronal activity, rapid transcription of our model geneArcis impaired by depletion of H2A.Z.2, but not H2A.Z.1. This impairment is partially rescued by codepletion of the H2A.Z chaperone, ANP32E. In contrast, under a different context (after 48 h of tetrodotoxin, TTX), rapid transcription ofArcis impaired by depletion of either hypervariant. Such context-dependent roles of H2A.Z hypervariants, as revealed by our multiplexed gene expression assays, are also evident with several other immediate early genes, where regulatory roles of these hypervariants vary from gene to gene under different conditions. Together, our data suggest that H2A.Z hypervariants have context-specific roles that complement each other to mediate activity-induced neuronal gene transcription.