bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term effect of low frequency stimulation of STN on dysphagia, freezing of gait and other motor symptoms in PD
Authors: Xie Tao , Bloom Lisa , Padmanaban Mahesh , Bertacchi Breanna , Kang Wenjun , MacCracken Ellen , Dachman Abraham , Vigil Julie , Satzer David , Zadikoff Cindy , Markopoulou Katerina , Warnke Peter , Kang Un Jung
Published: April 2018

Objective

To evaluate the long-term effect of 60 Hz stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) on dysphagia, freezing of gait (FOG) and other motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who have FOG at the usual 130 Hz stimulation.

Methods

This is a prospective, sequence randomised, crossover, double-blind study. PD patients with medication refractory FOG at 130 Hz stimulation of the STN were randomised to the sequences of 130 Hz, 60 Hz or deep brain stimulation off to assess swallowing function (videofluoroscopic evaluation and swallowing questionnaire), FOG severity (stand–walk–sit test and FOG questionnaire) and motor function (Unified PD Rating Scale, Part III motor examination (UPDRS-III)) at initial visit (V1) and follow-up visit (V2, after being on 60 Hz stimulation for an average of 14.5 months), in their usual medications on state. The frequency of aspiration events, perceived swallowing difficulty and FOG severity at 60 Hz compared with 130 Hz stimulation at V2, and their corresponding changes at V2 compared with V1 at 60 Hz were set as primary outcomes, with similar comparisons in UPDRS-III and its subscores as secondary outcomes.

Results

All 11 enrolled participants completed V1 and 10 completed V2. We found the benefits of 60 Hz stimulation compared with 130 Hz in reducing aspiration frequency, perceived swallowing difficulty, FOG severity, bradykinesia and overall axial and motor symptoms at V1 and persistent benefits on all of them except dysphagia at V2, with overall decreasing efficacy when comparing V2 to V1.

Conclusions

The 60 Hz stimulation, when compared with 130 Hz, has long-term benefits on reducing FOG, bradykinesia and overall axial and motor symptoms except dysphagia, although the overall benefits decrease with long-term use.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02549859; Pre-results.
Pyridostigmine bromide intoxication in two domestic cats
Authors: Santifort Koen Maurits , van Luin Matthijs , Mandigers Paul
Published: April 2018

A one‐year‐old female neutered cat died soon after presentation with severe signs of a cholinergic crisis. Its sibling was presented soon thereafter, in which cholinergic signs were also readily apparent. The owner, a myasthenia gravis patient, used pyridostigmine bromide tablets, and it was hypothesised that a pyridostigmine bromide intoxication was the cause of this cholinergic crisis. Treatment with 0.1 mg/kg atropine injected intramuscularly soon alleviated most of the cholinergic signs. Additional treatment, which included decontamination with enteral activated charcoal, intravenous fluid therapy, laxation and supportive care, as well as repeat administration of atropine, resulted in resolution of signs after 48 hours. A serum sample collected 30 hours after admission revealed that the total cholinesterase activity was reduced by 44 per cent, compared with a baseline value measured in a sample taken three weeks after the intoxication. This is the first report of human‐prescribed pyridostigmine bromide intoxication in domestic cats.
Unidirectional reflectionlessness and nonreciprocal perfect absorption in optical waveguide system based on phase coupling between two photonic crystal cavities
Authors: Liu Shu Jing , Zhang Cong , Bai Ruiping , Gu Xintong , Yin Hong Da , Liu Yan Hui , Zhang Ying Qiao , Jin Xing Ri , Lee YoungPak
Published: April 2018

We demonstrate the unidirectional reflectionlessness at exceptional points (EPs) and nonreciprocal perfect absorption near EPs based on phase coupling between two photonic crystal cavities (PCCs) in optical waveguide. In our scheme, when distance [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm), the reflectivities for forward and backward (backward and forward) directions are closed to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]), respectively, and absorptances of the nonreciprocal perfect absorptions for forward and backward directions are [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with the high quality factors of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively.
The history of the upstream oil and gas industry in Italy
Authors: Cazzini Ferdinando Franco
Published: April 2018

The aim of this work is to provide a synthetic history of the Italian upstream oil and gas industry, from its early start until today. Among European countries, Italy has one of the richest abundance of evidence of hydrocarbon seepages. The populations that have inhabited the country during the various historical periods took advantage of these phenomena, harvesting oil and bitumen from the surface. A testimony of such activity is an ingot of purified bitumen dated as first century AD found in central Italy. In the nineteenth century, seepages attracted the interest of oil companies that began to explore the Apennines. The drilling of the first modern oil well was realized in 1860 near Ozzano (Parma). The first onshore seismic reflection survey was acquired in 1940. The well Caviaga-1 was drilled in 1944 near Milan, discovering a gas field of 12.5 Bcm. It was one of the major European gas fields and it marked the starting point of the modern Italian petroleum industry. The widespread use of seismic reflection triggered an intense period of exploration. The first material oil discoveries were Ragusa (in 1954) and Gela (in 1956), both in Sicily. By the mid-1950s, the first offshore seismic survey started in the Adriatic Sea. In 1959, the drilling of well Gela 21, the first offshore well in Europe, boosted further exploration possibilities. During the following decades, the level of exploration and production (E&P) activities remained high, while from the beginning of the third millennium there has been a general slowdown. Since 2007, the level of exploration drilling has dropped to under 10 wells per year. In 2014, this negative trend was further confirmed with no exploratory wells drilled. The causes of this decline derive from the exploration maturity of the biogenic gas play and from the heavy bureaucratic processes involved in obtaining authorization. However, the main cause is probably the strong opposition from environmentalist associations to any kind of petroleum activities.
OrcFS
Authors: Yoo Jinsoo , Oh Joontaek , Lee Seongjin , Won Youjip , Ha Jin-Yong , Lee Jongsung , Shim Junseok
Published: April 2018

In this work, we develop the
Orchestrated File System (OrcFS)
for Flash storage. OrcFS vertically integrates the log-structured file system and the Flash-based storage device to eliminate the redundancies across the layers. A few modern file systems adopt sophisticated append-only data structures in an effort to optimize the behavior of the file system with respect to the append-only nature of the Flash memory. While the benefit of adopting an append-only data structure seems fairly promising, it makes the stack of software layers full of unnecessary redundancies, leaving substantial room for improvement. The redundancies include (i) redundant levels of indirection (address translation), (ii) duplicate efforts to reclaim the invalid blocks (i.e., segment cleaning in the file system and garbage collection in the storage device), and (iii) excessive over-provisioning (i.e., separate over-provisioning areas in each layer). OrcFS eliminates these redundancies via distributing the address translation, segment cleaning (or garbage collection), bad block management, and wear-leveling across the layers. Existing solutions suffer from high segment cleaning overhead and cause significant write amplification due to mismatch between the file system block size and the Flash page size. To optimize the I/O stack while avoiding these problems, OrcFS adopts three key technical elements.

First, OrcFS uses
disaggregate mapping
, whereby it partitions the Flash storage into two areas, managed by a file system and Flash storage, respectively, with different granularity. In OrcFS, the metadata area and data area are maintained by 4Kbyte page granularity and 256Mbyte superblock granularity. The
superblock-based storage management
aligns the file system section size, which is a unit of segment cleaning, with the superblock size of the underlying Flash storage. It can fully exploit the internal parallelism of the underlying Flash storage, exploiting the sequential workload characteristics of the log-structured file system. Second, OrcFS adopts
quasi-preemptive segment cleaning
to prohibit the foreground I/O operation from being interfered with by segment cleaning. The latency to reclaim the free space can be prohibitive in OrcFS due to its large file system section size, 256Mbyte. OrcFS effectively addresses this issue via adopting a polling-based segment cleaning scheme. Third, the OrcFS introduces
block patching
to avoid unnecessary write amplification in the partial page program. OrcFS is the enhancement of the F2FS file system. We develop a prototype OrcFS based on F2FS and server class SSD with modified firmware (Samsung 843TN). OrcFS reduces the device mapping table requirement to 1/465 and 1/4 compared with the page mapping and the smallest mapping scheme known to the public, respectively. Via eliminating the redundancy in the segment cleaning and garbage collection, the OrcFS reduces 1/3 of the write volume under heavy random write workload. OrcFS achieves 56% performance gain against EXT4 in
varmail
workload.
MicroRNAs as regulators of mitochondrial dysfunction and obesity
Authors: Murri Mora , el Azzouzi Hamid
Published: April 2018

Obesity, which has become a major global epidemic, is associated with numerous comorbidities and nearly every chronic condition. Mitochondria play a central role in this disorder, as they control cell metabolism, regulating important processes, such as ATP production, lipid β-oxidation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been shown to regulate many biological processes associated with obesity, comprising adipocyte differentiation, insulin action, and fat metabolism. In addition, recent studies have confirmed that miRs are important regulators of mitochondrial function by either directly modulating mitochondrial proteins or targeting mitochondrial regulators, thereby modulating metabolic process in the context of obesity. In this review, we describe the different roles of mitochondria in obesity, specifically in adipose tissue, and those miRs that are involved in mitochondrial dysfunction in this disease.
IL17A Regulates Tumor Latency and Metastasis in Lung Adeno and Squamous SQ.2b and AD.1 Cancer
Authors: You Ran , DeMayo Francesco J. , Liu Jian , Cho Sung-Nam , Burt Bryan M. , Creighton Chad J. , Casal Roberto F. , Lazarus Donald R. , Lu Wen , Tung Hui-Ying , Yuan Xiaoyi , Hill-McAlester Andrea , Kim Myunghoo , Perusich Sarah , Cornwell Loraine , Rosen Daniel , Song Li-zhen , Paust Silke , Diehl Gretchen , Corry David , Kheradmand Farrah
Published: April 2018

Somatic mutations can promote malignant transformation of airway epithelial cells and induce inflammatory responses directed against resultant tumors. Tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL) in early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) secrete distinct proinflammatory cytokines, but the contribution of these TILs to tumor development and metastasis remains unknown. We show here that TILs in early-stage NSCLC are biased toward IL17A expression (Th17) when compared with adjacent tumor-free tissue, whereas Th17 cells are decreased in tumor infiltrating locoregional lymph nodes in advanced NSCLC. Mice in which Pten and Smad4 (Pts4d/d) are deleted from airway epithelial cells develop spontaneous tumors, that share genetic signatures with squamous- (SQ.2b), and adeno- (AD.1) subtypes of human NSCLC. Pts4d/d mice globally lacking in IL17a (Pts4d/dIl17a–/–) showed decreased tumor latency and increased metastasis. Th17 cells were required for recruitment of CD103+ dendritic cells, and adoptive transfer of IL17a-sufficient CD4+ T cells reversed early tumor development and metastasis in Pts4d/dIl17a–/– mice. Together, these findings support a key role for Th17 cells in TILs associated with the Pts4d/d model of NSCLC and suggest therapeutic and biomarker strategies for human SQ2b and AD1 lung cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(6); 645–57. ©2018 AACR.
Free-Living Physical Activity Monitoring in Adult US Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Using a Consumer Wearable Device
Authors: DasMahapatra Pronabesh , Chiauzzi Emil , Bhalerao Rishi , Rhodes Jane
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Wearable devices have been used to characterize physical activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). The objectives of this study were to advance the literature on the utility of free-living physical activity tracking from secondary analyses of a pilot study in MS patients. Method: The original observational study was conducted in participants with MS at PatientsLikeMe (www.PatientsLikeMe.com), an online network of patients with chronic diseases. Participants completed a baseline self-assessment, and received a Fitbit OneTM wearable device with instructions to upload data. Eligible participants (1) self-reported MS, (2) logged on to the PatientsLikeMe website 90 days prior to enrollment, and (3) consented to participate electronically. Participants (1) < 18 years, (2) living outside the United States, and (3) requiring wheelchair assistance for most daily activities were excluded. The secondary analyses were limited to participants with complete data on MS type, disease duration, and Multiple Sclerosis Rating Scale (MSRS) and at least 7 days of wearable data. Step count was used as a measure of physical activity. Results: The analysis cohort of 114 participants uploaded a mean of 20.1 days of wearable data over the 23-day study (87% adherence); participants averaged 4,393 steps per day. The mean age of participants was 52 years, predominantly female (75%), relapsing-remitting type (79%), with mean disease duration of 16 years. Mean MSRS score within 30-day of baseline was 32; 72% reported mild-moderate walking disability. The reliability of step count measured by intraclass correlation was 0.55 for a single day, ≥0.7 for 2-day average, and ≥0.9 for 7-day average. After controlling for covariates, self-reported disease severity (MSRS quartile) was an independent predictor of step count (p < 0.001). Least square means (LS means) for participants that were least disabled (lowest quartile) was 5,937 steps, which was significantly higher than participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles (4,570, 3,490, and 3,272, respectively). Similarly, LS means of participants with no ambulatory disability (measured by MSRS walk component) was 6,931 steps, significantly higher than participants with greater disability (4,743, 4,394, 2,727 steps for symptomatic, mild, and moderate disability, respectively, p < 0.001). Discussion: Using an interactive platform, this study captured free-living mobility data in MS patients. Important metrics such as the use of a minimum of 2-day estimates and self-reported disability were found to be robust indicators and correlates, respectively, of participant activity levels. Further triangulation of such metrics may reduce the burden on patients, clinicians, and researchers when monitoring clinical status.
PROJETO JAGUARÉ : METODOLOGIA PARA REQUALIFICAÇÃO DE BACIAS HIDROGRÁFICAS URBANAS
Authors: Marques Taícia Helena Negrin , Rizzi Daniela , Pellegrino Paulo Renato Mesquita , Moura Newton Célio Becker
Published: April 2018

O Projeto Jaguaré reuniu uma equipe multidisciplinar formada por engenheiros, arquitetos urbanistas e de paisagem a fim de desenvolver uma metodologia replicável para a requalificação das bacias hidrográficas da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. Como estudo de caso piloto foi abordada a bacia do córrego Jaguaré, devido à existência de diversos tipos de uso e ocupação do solo, representativos das outras bacias hidrográficas da RMSP. Uma metodologia sistêmica foi desenvolvida, baseada na integração de estratégias e dispositivos de Infraestrutura Verde nas diversas escalas da paisagem urbana e periurbana, capazes de gerar redundância ao sistema de drenagem instalado e contribuir para o metabolismo urbano principalmente ao lidar com os problemas relacionados ao manejo dos volumes e da qualidade das águas de chuva. O presente artigo apresenta um panorama dos resultados atingidos pelo Projeto Jaguaré.
Oxidized CaMKII (Ca
2+
/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II) Is Essential for Ventricular Arrhythmia in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Wang Qiongling , Quick Ann P. , Cao Shuyi , Reynolds Julia , Chiang David Y. , Beavers David , Li Na , Wang Guoliang , Rodney George G. , Anderson Mark E. , Wehrens Xander H.T.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients are prone to ventricular arrhythmias, which may be caused by abnormal calcium (Ca
2+
) homeostasis and elevated reactive oxygen species. CaMKII (Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) is vital for normal Ca
2+
homeostasis, but excessive CaMKII activity contributes to abnormal Ca
2+
homeostasis and arrhythmias in cardiomyocytes. Reactive oxygen species induce CaMKII to become autonomously active. We hypothesized that genetic inhibition of CaMKII oxidation (ox-CaMKII) in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy can alleviate abnormal Ca
2+
homeostasis, thus, preventing ventricular arrhythmia. The objective of this study was to test if selective loss of ox-CaMKII affects ventricular arrhythmias in the
mdx
mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Methods and Results:

5-(6)-Chloromethyl-2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining revealed increased reactive oxygen species production in ventricular myocytes isolated from
mdx
mice, which coincides with elevated ventricular ox-CaMKII demonstrated by Western blotting. Genetic inhibition of ox-CaMKII by knockin replacement of the regulatory domain methionines with valines (MM-VV [CaMKII M281/282V]) prevented ventricular tachycardia in
mdx
mice. Confocal calcium imaging of ventricular myocytes isolated from
mdx
:MM-VV mice revealed normalization of intracellular Ca
2+
release events compared with cardiomyocytes from
mdx
mice. Abnormal action potentials assessed by optical mapping in
mdx
mice were also alleviated by genetic inhibition of ox-CaMKII. Knockout of the NADPH oxidase regulatory subunit p47

phox

normalized elevated ox-CaMKII, repaired intracellular Ca
2+
homeostasis, and rescued inducible ventricular arrhythmias in
mdx
mice.

Conclusions:

Inhibition of reactive oxygen species or ox-CaMKII protects against proarrhythmic intracellular Ca
2+
handling and prevents ventricular arrhythmia in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Left Ventricular Isovolumetric Relaxation Time Is Prolonged in Fetal Long-QT Syndrome
Authors: Clur Sally-Ann B. , Vink Arja S. , Etheridge Susan P. , Robles de Medina Pascale G. , Rydberg Annika , Ackerman Michael J. , Wilde Arthur A. , Blom Nico A. , Benson D. Woodrow , Herberg Ulrike , Donofrio Mary T. , Cuneo Bettina F.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Long-QT syndrome (LQTS), an inherited cardiac repolarization disorder, is an important cause of fetal and neonatal mortality. Detecting LQTS prenatally is challenging. A fetal heart rate (FHR) less than third percentile for gestational age is specific for LQTS, but the sensitivity is only ≈50%. Left ventricular isovolumetric relaxation time (LVIRT) was evaluated as a potential diagnostic marker for fetal LQTS.

Methods and Results:

LV isovolumetric contraction time, LV ejection time, LVIRT, cycle length, and FHR were measured using pulsed Doppler waveforms in fetuses. Time intervals were expressed as percentages of cycle length, and the LV myocardial performance index was calculated. Single measurements were stratified by gestational age and compared between LQTS fetuses and controls. Receiver-operator curves were performed for FHR and normalized LVIRT (N-LVIRT). A linear mixed-effect model including multiple measurements was used to analyze trends in FHR, N-LVIRT, and LV myocardial performance index. There were 33 LQTS fetuses and 469 controls included. In LQTS fetuses, the LVIRT was prolonged in all gestational age groups (
P
<0.001), as was the N-LVIRT. The best cutoff to diagnose LQTS was N-LVIRT ≥11.3 at ≤20 weeks (92% sensitivity, 70% specificity). Simultaneous analysis of N-LVIRT and FHR improved the sensitivity and specificity for LQTS (area under the curve=0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–1.00 at 21–30 weeks). N-LVIRT, LV myocardial performance index, and FHR trends differed significantly between LQTS fetuses and controls through gestation.

Conclusions:

The LVIRT is prolonged in LQTS fetuses. Findings of a prolonged N-LVIRT and sinus bradycardia can improve the prenatal detection of fetal LQTS.
Lesion Index–Guided Ablation Facilitates Continuous, Transmural, and Durable Lesions in a Porcine Recovery Model
Authors: Whitaker John , Fish Jeffrey , Harrison James , Chubb Henry , Williams Steven E. , Fastl Thomas , Corrado Cesare , Van Zaen Jérôme , Gibbs Jennifer , O’Neill Louisa , Mukherjee Rahul , Rittey Dianna , Thorsten Jason , Donskoy Elina , Sohal Manav , Rajani Ronak , Niederer Steve , Wright Matthew , O’Neill Mark D.
Published: April 2018

Background:

The Lesion Index (LSI) is a proprietary algorithm from Abbott Medical combining contact force, radiofrequency application duration, and radiofrequency current. It can be displayed during ablation with the TactiCath contact force catheter. The LSI Index was designed to provide real-time lesion formation feedback and is hypothesized to estimate the lesion diameter.

Methods and Results:

Before ablation, animals underwent cardiac computed tomography to assess atrial tissue thickness. Ablation lines (n=2–3 per animal) were created in the right atrium of 7 Göttingen mini pigs with point lesions (25 W). Within each line of ablation, the catheter tip was moved a prescribed distance (D/mm) according to 1 of 3 strategies: D=LSI+0 mm; D=LSI+2 mm; or D=LSI+4 mm. Two weeks after ablation, serial sections of targeted atrial tissue were examined histologically to identify gaps in transmural ablation. LSI-guided lines had a lower incidence of histological gaps (4 gaps in 69 catheter moves, 5.8%) than LSI+2 mm lines (7 gaps in 33 catheter moves, 21.2%) and LSI+4 mm lines (15 gaps in 23 catheter moves, 65.2%,
P
<0.05 versus D=LSI). ΔLSI was calculated retrospectively as the distance between 2 adjacent lesions above the mean LSI of the 2 lesions. ΔLSI values of ≤1.5 were associated with no gaps in transmural ablation.

Conclusions:

In this model of chronic atrial ablation, delivery of uninterrupted transmural linear lesions may be facilitated by using LSI to guide catheter movement. When ΔLSI between adjacent lesions is ≤1.5 mm, no gaps in atrial linear lesions should be expected.
Inhibiting Fibronectin Attenuates Fibrosis and Improves Cardiac Function in a Model of Heart Failure
Authors: Valiente-Alandi Iñigo , Potter Sarah J. , Salvador Ane M. , Schafer Allison E. , Schips Tobias , Carrillo-Salinas Francisco , Gibson Aaron M. , Nieman Michelle L. , Perkins Charles , Sargent Michelle A. , Huo Jiuzhou , Lorenz John N. , DeFalco Tony , Molkentin Jeffery D. , Alcaide Pilar , Blaxall Burns C.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Fibronectin (FN) polymerization is necessary for collagen matrix deposition and is a key contributor to increased abundance of cardiac myofibroblasts (MFs) after cardiac injury. We hypothesized that interfering with FN polymerization or its genetic ablation in fibroblasts would attenuate MF and fibrosis and improve cardiac function after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Methods:

Mouse and human MFs were used to assess the impact of the FN polymerization inhibitor (pUR4) in attenuating pathological cellular features such as proliferation, migration, extracellular matrix deposition, and associated mechanisms. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of inhibiting FN polymerization in vivo, wild-type mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of either pUR4 or control peptide (III-11C) immediately after cardiac surgery for 7 consecutive days. Mice were analyzed 7 days after I/R to assess MF markers and inflammatory cell infiltration or 4 weeks after I/R to evaluate long-term effects of FN inhibition on cardiac function and fibrosis. Furthermore, inducible, fibroblast-restricted, FN gene–ablated (Tcf21
MerCreMer
;
Fn
flox
) mice were used to evaluate cell specificity of FN expression and polymerization in the heart.

Results:

pUR4 administration on activated MFs reduced FN and collagen deposition into the extracellular matrix and attenuated cell proliferation, likely mediated through decreased c-myc signaling. pUR4 also ameliorated fibroblast migration accompanied by increased β1 integrin internalization and reduced levels of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase protein. In vivo, daily administration of pUR4 for 7 days after I/R significantly reduced MF markers and neutrophil infiltration. This treatment regimen also significantly attenuated myocardial dysfunction, pathological cardiac remodeling, and fibrosis up to 4 weeks after I/R. Last, inducible ablation of FN in fibroblasts after I/R resulted in significant functional cardioprotection with reduced hypertrophy and fibrosis. The addition of pUR4 to the FN-ablated mice did not confer further cardioprotection, suggesting that the salutary effects of inhibiting FN polymerization may be mediated largely through effects on FN secreted from the cardiac fibroblast lineage.

Conclusions:

Inhibiting FN polymerization or cardiac fibroblast gene expression attenuates pathological properties of MFs in vitro and ameliorates adverse cardiac remodeling and fibrosis in an in vivo model of heart failure. Interfering with FN polymerization may be a new therapeutic strategy for treating cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.
Hypertriglyceridemic Waist: A Simple Marker of High‐Risk Atherosclerosis Features Associated With Excess Visceral Adiposity/Ectopic Fat
Authors: LeBlanc Stéphanie , Coulombe François , Bertrand Olivier F. , Bibeau Karine , Pibarot Philippe , Marette André , Alméras Natalie , Lemieux Isabelle , Després Jean‐Pierre , Larose Eric
Published: April 2018

Background

Subclinical atherosclerosis identification remains challenging; abdominal visceral adiposity may improve risk stratification beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Hypertriglyceridemic waist, a visceral adiposity marker combining elevated triglycerides (≥2 mmol/L) and waist circumference (≥90 cm), has been related to carotid atherosclerosis, although associations with high‐risk features, including lipid‐rich necrotic core (LRNC), remain unknown. We tested the hypothesis that hypertriglyceridemic waist is an independent marker of high‐risk atherosclerosis features.

Methods and Results

In this cross‐sectional study including 467 white men (mean age, 45.9±14.8 years; range 19.4–77.6 years), carotid atherosclerosis characteristics were examined by magnetic resonance imaging and associations with hypertriglyceridemic waist and benefits beyond Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) were determined. Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis was present in 61.9% of participants, whereas 50.1% had LRNC. Hypertriglyceridemic waist was associated with carotid maximum wall thickness (
P
=0.014), wall volume (
P
=0.025), normalized wall index (
P
=0.004), and Carotid Atherosclerosis Score (derived from wall thickness and LRNC;
P
=0.049). Hypertriglyceridemic waist was associated with carotid LRNC volume beyond FRS (
P
=0.037) or PDAY (
P
=0.015), contrary to waist circumference alone (both
P
>0.05). Although 69.7% and 62.0% of participants with carotid atherosclerosis and/or LRNC were not high‐risk by FRS or PDAY, respectively, hypertriglyceridemic waist correctly reclassified 9.7% and 4.5% of them, respectively. Combining hypertriglyceridemic waist with FRS (net reclassification improvement=0.17;
P
<0.001) or PDAY (net reclassification improvement=0.05;
P
=0.003) was superior to each score alone in identifying individuals with carotid atherosclerosis and/or LRNC.

Conclusions

Hypertriglyceridemic waist is an independent marker of carotid high‐risk atherosclerosis features in men, improving on FRS and PDAY risk score.
Serum Magnesium Levels and Outcomes in Patients With Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Goyal Nitin , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Malhotra Konark , Houck Alexander L. , Khorchid Yasser M. , Pandhi Abhi , Inoa Violiza , Alsherbini Khalid , Alexandrov Andrei V. , Arthur Adam S. , Elijovich Lucas , Chang Jason J.
Published: April 2018

Background

Magnesium (Mg) has potential hemostatic properties. We sought to investigate the potential association of serum Mg levels (at baseline and at 48 hours) with outcomes in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (
ICH
).

Methods and Results

We reviewed data on all patients with spontaneous
ICH
with available Mg levels at baseline, over a 5‐year period. Clinical and radiological outcome measures included initial hematoma volume, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and
ICH
scores, in‐hospital mortality, favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale scores, 0–1), and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale scores, 0–2) at discharge. Our study population consisted of 299 patients with ICH (mean age, 61±13 years; mean admission serum Mg, 1.8±0.3 mg/dL). Increasing admission Mg levels strongly correlated with lower admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (Spearman's
r
, −0.141;
P
=0.015), lower
ICH
score (Spearman's
r
, −0.153;
P
=0.009), and lower initial hematoma volume (Spearman's
r
, −0.153;
P
=0.012). Higher admission Mg levels were documented in patients with favorable functional outcome (1.9±0.3 versus 1.8±0.3 mg/dL;
P
=0.025) and functional independence (1.9±0.3 versus 1.8±0.3 mg/dL;
P
=0.022) at discharge. No association between serum Mg levels at 48 hours and any of the outcome variables was detected. In multiple linear regression analyses, a 0.1‐mg/dL increase in admission serum Mg was independently and negatively associated with the cubed root of hematoma volume at admission (regression coefficient, −0.020; 95% confidence interval, −0.040 to −0.000;
P
=0.049) and admission
ICH
score (regression coefficient, −0.053; 95% confidence interval, −0.102 to −0.005;
P
=0.032).

Conclusions

Higher admission Mg levels were independently related to lower admission hematoma volume and lower admission
ICH
score in patients with acute spontaneous
ICH
.
SANAL TAKIMLARDA SAPKIN DAVRANIŞLAR
Authors: ÇETİNKAYA Ali Şükrü , GÜLEÇ Gürkan
Published: April 2018

Artan teknoloji ve internet kullanımı,
güncel bir sapkın davranış çeşidi olan sanal takımlarda sapkın davranışların
ortaya çıkmasına neden olmaktadır. Sanal takımlarda sapkın davranışlar, işletme
kaynaklarının amacına uygun kullanılmaması veya kontrolsüz kullanılması sonucunu
doğurmakta ve işletme için bir takım hukuki ve cezai yaptırımlar ortaya
çıkarmaktadır. İşletmeler açısından bu denli öneme haiz olan sapkın
davranışların sanal takımlar üzerindeki etkilerini araştıran çalışmalara rastlanılmamıştır.
Dolayısıyla bu nicel araştırmada, işletmelerde sapkın davranışların sanal
takımlar üzerindeki etkisi araştırılmıştır. Bünyesinde sanal takım bulunduran
sanayi ve kamu işletmelerinden elde edilen 228 geçerli anket verisi doğrusal regresyon
yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda; kişiler arası sapkın davranışların sanal takımlar üzerinde hem takım
algısı açısından hem de işbirliği yapılması açısından negatif yönde etkili
olduğu; örgüte yönelik sapkın davranışlar ile sanal takım işbirliği arasında
pozitif yönlü bir ilişki olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
İSTANBUL’DA YER ALAN RESTORANLARDAKİ YEŞİL UYGULAMALARIN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: Kurnaz Alper , Özdoğan Osman Nuri
Published: April 2018

Yeşil
restoranlar çevreye duyarlı hizmetler sunan ve bu hizmetleri sunabilmek için
gerekli alt yapıya sahip olan yiyecek içecek işletmeleridir. Bu çalışmanın
temel amacı, İstanbul’da yer alan restoranlardaki yeşil uygulamaların nasıl
yürütüldüğü ve neler yapıldığını keşfetmektir. Araştırma kapsamında sekiz tane
yeşil restoranla görüşülmüştür. 
Araştırmada veri toplama tekniklerinden yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme
tekniği kullanılmış ve analiz edilmiştir. Yapılan araştırmanın sonucunda ise
yeşil restoranların fiziki çekicilikleri, menü zenginliği, coğrafi konumları,
dış görünüş ve atmosferleri diğer restoranlardan ayıran özellikler olarak
değerlendirilmektedir.  Sektörde öncü
olmak, uluslararası bir zincir haline gelmek, büyümek ve en iyi olmak yeşil
restoranların hedefleri arasındadır. Su tasarruflu sistemlerin tüm
restoranlarda kullanıldığı görülmektedir. Enerji, en çok mutfak ekipmanları
tarafından harcanmaktadır.
AVRUPA BİRLİĞİ HUKUKU BAĞLAMINDA YETKİ VE DEMOKRASİ AÇIĞI SORUNLARINA SİYASAL BİR BAKIŞ
Authors: Ultan Mehlika Özlem
Published: April 2018

Uluslar üstü ve hükümetler
arası nitelikleri bünyesinde taşıyan bir örgüt olan Avrupa Birliği’nin
yetkileri konusu, Avrupa bütünleşme sürecinde başlangıçtan beri tartışılmakla
birlikte, Maastricht Antlaşması ile gittikçe önem kazanmıştır. Nice
Antlaşması’na ekli “Avrupa Birliği’nin Geleceği Deklarasyonu” ile Birliğin
yetkileri tanımlanmaya çalışılmış, son düzenleme ise 2009 yılından beri
yürürlükte olan Lizbon Antlaşması ile yapılmıştır. Avrupa Birliği’nde demokrasi
açığının giderilmesi sürecinde Birliğin yetkileriyle ilgili sorunların sürekli
gündeme geldiği görülmektedir. Birliğin dinamik yapısı, hem hukuksal hem de
yapısal olarak birçok değişim geçirmesine yol açmıştır. Birliğin sahip olduğu
yetkilerde yaşanan değişimler ve bu yetkilerin üye devletler nezdinde paylaşım
şekilleri, Birliğin hukuki yapısını etkileyen en önemli faktörler olarak
karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Lizbon Antlaşması ile Birliğin yetkileri liste halinde
sıralanmıştır. Böylece esnekliğin zorlaşabileceği, ancak kuralların önceden
belirlenmesinin şeffaflığı artıracağı öngörülmüştür. Bu doğrultuda, çalışmanın
amacı, Birliğin yetkilerini AB kurucu metinleri kapsamında değerlendirmek ve
Birliğin yetkilerinin gelişim sürecinin demokrasi açığını kapatması adına
kullanılan söylemlerin doğruluğunu analiz etmek olarak belirlenmiştir.
Supplement or Supplant? Estimating the Impact of State Lottery Earmarks on Higher Education Funding
Authors: Bell Elizabeth , Wehde Wesley , Stucky Madeleine
Published: April 2018

In the wake of declining state support for higher education, many state leaders have adopted lottery earmark policies, which designate lottery revenue to higher education budgets as an alternative funding mechanism. However, despite the ubiquity of lottery earmarks for higher education, it remains unclear whether this new source of revenue serves to supplement or supplant state funding for higher education. In this paper, we use a difference-in-differences design for the years 1990–2009 to estimate the impact on state appropriations and state financial aid levels of designating lottery earmark funding to higher education. Main findings indicate that lottery earmark policies are associated with a 5 percent increase in higher education appropriations, and a 135 percent increase in merit-based financial aid. However, lottery earmarks are also associated with a decrease in need-based financial aid of approximately 12 percent. These findings have serious distributional implications that should be considered when state lawmakers adopt lottery earmark policies for higher education.
SuperSpike: Supervised Learning in Multilayer Spiking Neural Networks
Authors: Zenke Friedemann , Ganguli Surya
Published: April 2018

A vast majority of computation in the brain is performed by spiking neural networks. Despite the ubiquity of such spiking, we currently lack an understanding of how biological spiking neural circuits learn and compute in vivo, as well as how we can instantiate such capabilities in artificial spiking circuits in silico. Here we revisit the problem of supervised learning in temporally coding multilayer spiking neural networks. First, by using a surrogate gradient approach, we derive SuperSpike, a nonlinear voltage-based three-factor learning rule capable of training multilayer networks of deterministic integrate-and-fire neurons to perform nonlinear computations on spatiotemporal spike patterns. Second, inspired by recent results on feedback alignment, we compare the performance of our learning rule under different credit assignment strategies for propagating output errors to hidden units. Specifically, we test uniform, symmetric, and random feedback, finding that simpler tasks can be solved with any type of feedback, while more complex tasks require symmetric feedback. In summary, our results open the door to obtaining a better scientific understanding of learning and computation in spiking neural networks by advancing our ability to train them to solve nonlinear problems involving transformations between different spatiotemporal spike time patterns.
Why Does Large Batch Training Result in Poor Generalization? A Comprehensive Explanation and a Better Strategy from the Viewpoint of Stochastic Optimization
Authors: Takase Tomoumi , Oyama Satoshi , Kurihara Masahito
Published: April 2018

We present a comprehensive framework of search methods, such as simulated annealing and batch training, for solving nonconvex optimization problems. These methods search a wider range by gradually decreasing the randomness added to the standard gradient descent method. The formulation that we define on the basis of this framework can be directly applied to neural network training. This produces an effective approach that gradually increases batch size during training. We also explain why large batch training degrades generalization performance, which previous studies have not clarified.
An annotated checklist to the trees and shrubs of the Upper Katanga (D.R. Congo)
Authors: MEERTS PIERRE
Published: April 2018

A checklist to the trees and shrubs of Upper Katanga (the Zambezian part of Katanga, ca. 260,000 km²) (D.R. Congo) is presented. It comprises 694 taxa (664 species, 15 subspecies, 15 varieties). For each accepted taxon the list provides habitat and geographic distribution. Eleven taxa are new records for the D.R. Congo and 29 are new records for Upper Katanga. Fourteen new synonyms are proposed. Two families stand out as particularly species-rich, i.e. Fabaceae (110 taxa, i.e. Caesalpinioideae: 50; Faboideae: 29; Mimosoideae: 31) and Rubiaceae (74). Six genera comprise 10 taxa or more i.e. Ficus (25), Combretum (17), Monotes (17), Brachystegia (15), Diospyros (11), Acacia (11). The three most important woody vegetation types in Upper Katanga have different phytogeographic and taxonomic assemblages: miombo woodland (254 taxa, 62% of which are Zambezian, over-representation of Caesalpinioideae), riverine and swamp forest (196 taxa, 36% of which are Guineo-Congolian, 17% Afromontane), and Zambezian dry evergreen forest (117 taxa, 37% of which are Guineo-Congolian, Rubiaceae over-represented). Twenty taxa (3%) are strictly endemic to Upper Katanga, most of which occur only in the Katango-Zambian sector of the Zambezian region. Taxonomic uncertainties are emphasized including 13 endemics known by one or two collections only. Forty-nine taxa are almost exclusively associated with termite mounds. For the miombo woodlands eight ecological groups of indicator species are proposed.
A new species of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Authors: MURUGAN C. , ARISDASON W.
Published: April 2018

Psychotria vasudevae, a new species belongs to the family Rubiaceae is described from the Little Nicobar Tribal Reserve and Katchal Island of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. This species is closely allied to Psychotria nicobarica, by having similar leaf shape (elliptic-oblanceolate), nature of inflorescence (terminal cyme), and 5-merous flowers but from which it can be distinguished by the more slender and glabrous stems, glabrous midrib with 12 or 13 pairs of secondary veins, acute stipules, longer calyx lobes, externally pubescent corolla lobes, papillose stigma and globose fruits. A detailed description, illustration, distribution map, and photographic plate are provided.
A new species of Habenaria (Orchidaceae) from Nepal
Authors: KOLANOWSKA MARTA
Published: April 2018

With about 800 species (Govaerts et al. 2010) Habenaria Willdenow (1805: 5) is one of the largest and most widespread genera in Orchidaceae. The highest diversity of the genus occurs in Brazil, southern and central Africa and East Asia (Kurzweil & Weber 1992). Species included in Habenaria are terrestrial herbs with fleshy tubers. Their leaves are arranged variously and basally contracted into amplexicaul sheaths. The flowers are usually resupinate, with dorsal sepal forming a hood with the petals (Xinqui & Cribb 2009). The gynostemium varies significantly between the species, especially in aspects of connective and rostellum form as well as length (Szlachetko & Rutkowski 2000).
Historical and Future Changes of Snowfall Events in China under a Warming Background
Authors: Zhou Botao , Wang Zunya , Shi Ying , Xu Ying , Han Zhenyu
Published: April 2018

Using station data and Regional Climate Model version 4 (RegCM4) simulations under the representative concentration pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) scenario, this article addresses historical and future changes of the wintertime snowfall over China. The observational results generally show a decrease in the frequency and an increase in the mean intensity of snowfalls in northwestern China (NWC), northeastern China (NEC), the eastern Tibetan Plateau (ETP), and southeastern China (SEC) since the 1960s. The total amount of wintertime snowfall, however, has increased in NWC, NEC, and ETP but decreased in SEC. The decrease in snow days is primarily due to the reduction of light snowfall events. The increase in the total amount is primarily explained by increases in heavy snowfalls, and the corresponding decrease is the result of decreases in light-to-heavy snowfalls. The RegCM4 ensemble, which can well simulate the observed snowfall climatology, projects that the snow days will be further reduced by the end of the twenty-first century relative to 1986–2005, primarily owing to the decline of light snowfall events. The total amount is projected to increase in NWC but decrease in the other three subregions. The increase in the total amount in NWC is attributed to increases in heavy and large snowfalls. Decreases in light snowfalls play a leading role in the decrease of the total amount in NEC. In ETP and SEC, the decrease in the total amount is the result of overall decreases in light-to-heavy snowfalls. The mechanism for such changes is an interesting topic to study in the future.
Improving the Simulation of Tropical Convective Cloud-Top Heights in CAM5 with CloudSat Observations
Authors: Wang Mingcheng , Zhang Guang J.
Published: April 2018

Using 4 years of CloudSat data, the simulation of tropical convective cloud-top heights (CCTH) above 6 km simulated by the convection scheme in the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5), is evaluated. Compared to CloudSat observations, CAM5 underestimates CCTH by more than 2 km on average. Further analysis of model results suggests that the dilute CAPE calculation, which has been incorporated into the convective parameterization since CAM4, is a main factor restricting CCTH to much lower levels. After removing this restriction, more convective clouds develop into higher altitudes, although convective clouds with tops above 12 km are still underestimated significantly. The environmental conditions under which convection develops in CAM5 are compared with CloudSat observations for convection with similar CCTHs. It is shown that the model atmosphere is much more unstable compared to CloudSat observations, and there is too much entrainment in CAM5. Since CCTHs are closely associated with cloud radiative forcing, the impacts of CCTH on model simulation are further investigated. Results show that the change of CCTH has important impacts on cloud radiative forcing and precipitation. With increased CCTHs, there is more cloud radiative forcing in tropical Africa and the eastern Pacific, but less cloud radiative forcing in the western Pacific. The contribution to total convective precipitation from convection with cloud tops above 9 km is also increased substantially.
Multiscale Land–Atmosphere Coupling and Its Application in Assessing Subseasonal Forecasts over East Asia
Authors: Zeng Dingwen , Yuan Xing
Published: April 2018

The land surface, with a memory longer than the atmosphere in nature, has been recognized as an important source for Subseasonal to Seasonal (S2S) predictability through land–atmosphere coupling at multiple time scales. Understanding of the land–atmosphere coupling is important for improving subseasonal forecasting that is expected to fill the gap between medium-range weather forecasts and seasonal forecasts. Based on reanalysis and S2S reforecast datasets, land–atmosphere coupling is investigated over East Asia from daily to monthly time scales during summertime. Reanalysis results show that soil moisture–evapotranspiration (ET) coupling is closely related to the monsoonal rain belt shift. The coupling can be significant over humid regions (e.g., south China) during postmonsoon periods, where soil is usually drier, but insignificant over semiarid regions (e.g., north China) after the arrival of a monsoon, where soil is wetter. The dependence of soil moisture–ET coupling on soil wetness conditions decreases as the time scale increases, indicating more significant coupling at longer time scales. Similar sensitivities to time scales are found between ET and lifting condensation level (LCL), and between ET and precipitation, especially over land–atmosphere coupling hotspots. Monthly coupling strength analysis shows that ET–LCL coupling is a key process that determines the soil moisture–precipitation coupling, and the response of convective instability to ET is stronger at longer time scales. Subseasonal forecasting models also show more significant land–atmosphere coupling at monthly than daily time scales, where the ECMWF and NCEP models that best reproduce the coupling and its changes with monsoonal rain belt shifts have the best precipitation forecast skill among S2S models.
Dynamics of an Abyssal Circulation Driven by Bottom-Intensified Mixing on Slopes
Authors: Callies Jörn , Ferrari Raffaele
Published: April 2018

The large-scale circulation of the abyssal ocean is enabled by small-scale diapycnal mixing, which observations suggest is strongly enhanced toward the ocean bottom, where the breaking of internal tides and lee waves is most vigorous. As discussed recently, bottom-intensified mixing induces a pattern of near-bottom up- and downwelling that is quite different from the traditionally assumed widespread upwelling. Here the consequences of bottom-intensified mixing for the horizontal circulation of the abyssal ocean are explored by considering planetary geostrophic dynamics in an idealized “bathtub geometry.” Up- and downwelling layers develop on bottom slopes as expected, and these layers are well described by boundary layer theory. The basin-scale circulation is driven by flows in and out of these boundary layers at the base of the sloping topography, which creates primarily zonal currents in the interior and a net meridional exchange along western boundaries. The rate of the net overturning is controlled by the up- and downslope transports in boundary layers on slopes and can be predicted with boundary layer theory.