bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gradual Carotid Artery Stenosis in Mice Closely Replicates Hypoperfusive Vascular Dementia in Humans
Authors: Hattori Yorito , Enmi Jun‐ichiro , Iguchi Satoshi , Saito Satoshi , Yamamoto Yumi , Tsuji Masahiro , Nagatsuka Kazuyuki , Kalaria Rajesh N. , Iida Hidehiro , Ihara Masafumi
Published: February 2016

Background

Existing rodent models of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) show abrupt changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and do not reliably replicate the clinical pathogenesis of VCI. We therefore aimed to develop a mouse model of VCI where CBF is gradually reduced, followed by subsequent progressive motor and cognitive impairment, after surgical intervention.

Methods and Results

Adult C57BL/6J male mice were subjected to gradual common carotid artery stenosis (GCAS) surgery by using an ameroid constrictor vessel‐constricting device with an inner diameter of 0.75 mm. The common carotid arteries narrowed gradually after gradual constriction of ameroid constrictors over 28 days after GCAS, with subsequent 79.3% area stenosis as a result of smooth muscle cell proliferation and macrophage infiltration in the tunica intima. The 28‐day survival rate was 91%. Arterial spin labeling demonstrated gradual and continuous reduction of cortical and subcortical CBF (ratio to the preoperative value) to 54.6% and 51.5%, respectively, over 28 days. However, magnetic resonance angiography showed increment of collateral flow signals in the leptomeningeal artery. Rarefaction and proliferation of astrocytes and microglia, with loss of oligodendrocytes, were found in the white matter at 32 days. Hippocampal neuronal loss was observed in only 25% of GCAS mice, consistent with lack of abnormalities in the Morris water maze test. The rotarod test showed motor impairment, and the Y‐maze test showed working memory deficits.

Conclusions

The GCAS model successfully generated gradual and continuous CBF reduction over 28 days, with replication of key histological, radiological, and behavioral features associated with cerebral hypoperfusion leading to VCI.
A Comparative Study of Minimally Supervised Morphological Segmentation
Authors: Ruokolainen Teemu , Kohonen Oskar , Sirts Kairit , Grönroos Stig-Arne , Kurimo Mikko , Virpioja Sami
Published: February 2016

This article presents a comparative study of a subfield of morphology learning referred to as minimally supervised morphological segmentation. In morphological segmentation, word forms are segmented into morphs, the surface forms of morphemes. In the minimally supervised data-driven learning setting, segmentation models are learned from a small number of manually annotated word forms and a large set of unannotated word forms. In addition to providing a literature survey on published methods, we present an in-depth empirical comparison on three diverse model families, including a detailed error analysis. Based on the literature survey, we conclude that the existing methodology contains substantial work on generative morph lexicon-based approaches and methods based on discriminative boundary detection. As for which approach has been more successful, both the previous work and the empirical evaluation presented here strongly imply that the current state of the art is yielded by the discriminative boundary detection methodology.
Online Learning for Statistical Machine Translation
Authors: Ortiz-Martínez Daniel
Published: February 2016

We present online learning techniques for statistical machine translation (SMT). The availability of large training data sets that grow constantly over time is becoming more and more frequent in the field of SMT—for example, in the context of translation agencies or the daily translation of government proceedings. When new knowledge is to be incorporated in the SMT models, the use of batch learning techniques require very time-consuming estimation processes over the whole training set that may take days or weeks to be executed. By means of the application of online learning, new training samples can be processed individually in real time. For this purpose, we define a state-of-the-art SMT model composed of a set of submodels, as well as a set of incremental update rules for each of these submodels. To test our techniques, we have studied two well-known SMT applications that can be used in translation agencies: post-editing and interactive machine translation. In both scenarios, the SMT system collaborates with the user to generate high-quality translations. These user-validated translations can be used to extend the SMT models by means of online learning. Empirical results in the two scenarios under consideration show the great impact of frequent updates in the system performance. The time cost of such updates was also measured, comparing the efficiency of a batch learning SMT system with that of an online learning system, showing that online learning is able to work in real time whereas the time cost of batch retraining soon becomes infeasible. Empirical results also showed that the performance of online learning is comparable to that of batch learning. Moreover, the proposed techniques were able to learn from previously estimated models or from scratch. We also propose two new measures to predict the effectiveness of online learning in SMT tasks. The translation system with online learning capabilities presented here is implemented in the open-source Thot toolkit for SMT.
How the “Torah of Moses” Became Revelation
Authors: Lambert David
Published: February 2016

Noting that, in the Hebrew Bible, law, but not narrative, is attributed to Moses, this paper argues that the notion of the “Torah of Moses” as revealed literature, word for word dictation to Moses, is to be traced to a late Second Temple construction of the Pentateuch as apocalypse. The move is evident in the Book of Jubilees, who introduces his work with a detailed account of revelation at Sinai that includes his own work, the “Divisions of the Times,” an apocalypse, but not the “Torah of Moses.” However, as Jubilees overlaps with Genesis in great measure and, it is argued, refrains from alluding to the Pentateuch throughout, the claim would seem to be that the “Divisions of the Times” actually preceded the Pentateuch as one of its sources. The implications of this view for understanding Rewritten Bible and interpretation in the late Second Temple period are considered.
Implementation of the New eu Directive on Confiscation in Poland: The Challenge of Overcoming the Negative Historical Experiences of Confiscation Orders
Authors: Ochnio Ariadna H.
Published: February 2016

The Polish Parliament deliberately omitted the possibility of property confiscation from the Penal Code of 1997 due to negative historical experiences. However, pursuant to this Code, a court may order the forfeiture of the objects, tools and proceeds of crime or their equivalent. Under Polish law, rulings governing extended forfeiture are facilitated by a number of rebuttable legal presumptions. Against the background of Poland’s legal and historic conditions, this article explores the possible problems faced when amending criminal law in line with Directive 2014/42/eu on the freezing and confiscation of the instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the eu. The author explains the reasons for Polish sensitivities towards providing appropriate guarantees of criminal proceedings when discussing how to re-introduce confiscation into national law. The challenge is to overcome the national legal tradition of confiscation without reducing the guarantees of a fair criminal trial.
Independent Directors: Decision-Makers in the us, Powerless Advisers in China
Authors: Yan Wenjia
Published: February 2016

As a global popular corporate governance system developed in the us, independent directors were officially adopted by China through ‘Guiding Opinions on the Establishment of Systems of Independent Directors by Listed Companies’ (hereinafter Independent Directors Opinion) in 2001 and through Article 123 of Company Law when it was amended in 2005. The emphasis on minority shareholders’ protection by adopting independent directors in China can be attributed to the global influence of the American corporate governance model, which depends on disinterested directors as independent decision-makers. However, with more than 10 years having passed, independent directors serve as powerless advisers rather than decision-makers in China. Accordingly, this paper aims to ascertain some profound reasons for powerless advisers in China and provide recommendations to address this problem by comparing the role of independent directors in China and the us.
New and unusual species of cyanobacteria, diatoms and green algae, with a description of a new genus Ekerewekia gen. nov. (Chlorophyta) from the table mountain Churí-tepui, Chimantá Massif (Venezuela)
Authors: KAŠTOVSKÝ JAN , VESELÁ JANA , BOHUNICKÁ MARKÉTA , FUČÍKOVÁ KAROLINA , ŠTENCLOVÁ LENKA , BREWER-CARÍAS CHARLES
Published: February 2016

The unique character of biotas on table mountains (tepuis) is well documented for macroscopic organisms. However, much less is known about the microorganisms inhabiting these unusual and diverse biotopes. Previously, new algal and cyanobacterial taxa have been described from South American table mountains, providing evidence for the frequently disputed concept of microorganismal endemism. The present study adds additional support for this concept. A number of unusual microalgae were found during a 2012 expedition on the top of Churí-tepui (Chimantá Massif, Venezuela). These organisms were thoroughly examined and we herein propose the establishment of two new species of cyanobacteria—Schizothrix venezuelana sp. nov., Porphyrosiphon latissimus sp. nov., two diatoms—Eunotia churiensis sp. nov. and E. multirimoportulata sp. nov.; and one filamentous green alga, for which we also present molecular phylogenetic support, Ekerewekia churiensis gen. et sp. nov. (Chlorophyta). These novel species are morphologically unique and because no such forms have been reported elsewhere in the world, they are potentially endemic to tepuis.
Epidendrum centroamericanum, a new name for Epidendrum tripetalum (Orchidaceae)
Authors: MOLINARI-NOVOA EDUARDO
Published: February 2016

Epidendrum tripetalum Hágsater & E.Santiago in Hágsater & Sánchez-Saldaña (2007: t. 997) is a Central American species named after its petal-like labellum. The type comes from the Nicaraguan natural reserve of Cerro Musún, and two paratypes are cited from Belize. However, the epithet is preoccupied within the genus by an obscure Mexican species published by Sessé & Mociño (1894: 205), found in Tenampulco, Puebla. Those species mainly differ by having different inflorescences (opposite to the leaves and one-flowered in the former species; terminal, racemose in the latter), and cannot be assumed to be the same. Therefore, in order to provide an unequivocal name for the recently described species, it is renamed as Epidendrum centroamericanum.
Cassidinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) types deposited at Sun Yat-sen
University, Guangzhou, China
Authors: SEKERKA LUKÁŠ , JIA FENGLONG , PANG HONG , BOROWIEC LECH
Published: February 2016

Type specimens of Cassidinae deposited at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China were studied and as a result following new synonymies are proposed: Cassida expansa Gressitt, 1952 = C. smaragdocruciata Medvedev & Eroshkina, 1982 syn. nov.; C. concha Solsky, 1872 = C. juglans Gressitt, 1942 syn. nov.; Rhoptrispa dilaticotnis (Duvivier, 1891) = Rhadinosa abnormis Gressitt & Kimoto, 1963 syn. nov. Lasiochila fukiena Gressitt, 1950 stat. nov. is removed from synonymy of L. insulana Uhmann, 1929. Each taxon is provided with photograph of dorsal habitus and additional comment clarifiyng its status where necessary.
Emschermannia ramificata—a new genus and species of solitary entoproct from the Kara Sea, Russia
Authors: BORISANOVA ANASTASIA O.
Published: February 2016

A new genus and species of solitary entoproct, Emschermannia ramificata, is described from the Kara Sea. It is an epibiont of the nephtyid polychaete Aglaophamus malmgreni, collected from 25–472 m depth. The species is about 250–300 μm long, with 8–10 tentacles, and buds are formed from a frontal area of the calyx. The calyx and stalk are not separated from each other by a cuticular septum, and a star-cell complex is absent. Emschermannia ramificata attaches to a substratum via a basal plate from which pseudostolons grow. Zooidal morphology conforms to that of the Loxosomatidae, but the attachment structure is unique among solitary entoprocts; it resembles basal plates and stolons of colonial entoprocts, but pseudostolons of Emschermannia serve only for attachment, not for budding. Overall, the morphology of Emschermannia may be considered intermediate between that of solitary and colonial forms, with relevance to evolutionary development within Entoprocta.
Build an early foundation for algebra success
Authors: Knuth Eric , Stephens Ana , Blanton Maria , Gardiner Angela
Published: February 2016

Research tells us that success in algebra is a factor in many other important student outcomes. Emerging research also suggests that students who are started on an algebra curriculum in the earlier grades may have greater success in the subject in secondary school. What’s needed is a consistent, algebra-infused mathematics curriculum all throughout the earlier grades. The authors outline three foundational principles for students to learn in the early grades, which can help them with the algebra they encounter in secondary school.
Understanding and Challenging Populist Negativity towards Politics: The Perspectives of British Citizens
Authors: Stoker Gerry , Hay Colin
Published: February 2016

This article adapts and develops the idea of a cynical or ‘stealth’ understanding of politics to explore how citizens’ estrangement from formal politics is processed cognitively through a populist lens. Earlier work has shown the widespread presence of stealth attitudes in the United States and Finland. We show that stealth attitudes are also well established in Britain, demonstrate their populist character and reveal that age, newspaper readership and concerns about governing practices help predict their adoption by individuals. Yet our survey findings also reveal a larger body of positive attitudes towards the practice of democracy suggesting that there is scope for challenging populist cynicism. We explore these so-called ‘sunshine’ attitudes and connect them to the reform options favoured by British citizens. If we are to challenge populist negativity towards politics, we conclude that improving the operation of representative politics is more important than offering citizens new forms of more deliberative participation.
Social Capital on Facebook
Authors: Weiqin Eliza Leong , Campbell Marilyn , Kimpton Melanie , Wozencroft Kelly , Orel Alexandra
Published: February 2016

Online relationship formation through social networking sites helps to meet the developmental need for intimacy in emerging adults. Through the use of the rich get richer and the social compensation hypotheses, it is evident that personality characteristics such as extraversion and introversion impact online relationship formation. However, there is a lack of research on the amount of relational benefits, in terms of social capital, accrued from these relationships. This study addressed this issue by examining how the online communication styles of extraverts and introverts mediate the relationship between the personality variables and the accumulation of online social capital. Support for the rich get richer hypothesis was found, with extraversion leading to the accumulation of bonding social capital. This relationship was mediated by the active communication behaviors of extraverts.
Design criterion involving comprehensive performance characteristics of nozzle–flapper valves
Authors: Zhu Yuchuan , Fei Shangshu
Published: February 2016

The traditional parameter design rule for the nozzle–flapper valves has always followed the maximum control pressure sensitivity criterion; however, this article queries the validity of this traditional parameter design theory for the comprehensive performance characteristics of a flapper–nozzle valve. Accordingly, a new parameter design rule, which involves symmetry, linearity and sensitivity of the control pressure, was constructed from a detailed and rigorous mathematical derivation that employs a non-dimensional analysis method. Then, an effect verification of the new criterion and a comparison between the pressure–flow curves and three key valve coefficients, which are dominated by the traditional rule and the new criterion, respectively, are performed. Finally, the comprehensive performance characteristics of the flapper–nozzle valve, such as the reliability, response, accuracy, sensitivity, efficiency, anti- disturbance and control pressure range, which are produced by the two parameter design rules, are compared. The results indicate that the performance of nozzle–flapper valve followed by the new parameter design criteria is superior to the performance directed by the traditional one with respect to various indexes, such as the reliability, response, accuracy and anti-disturbance. In addition, for the design of nozzle–flapper valves, the studies have also revealed that the optimal values of the structural parameter are dependent on the actual flapper motion ranges and the priority of the above-mentioned performance indexes. All these new findings can develop and supplement the existing design theory of nozzle–flapper valve and can also be beneficial to the design of double-nozzle–flapper electro-hydraulic servo valves.
Assuring Business School Learning With Games
Authors: Wolfe Joseph
Published: February 2016

Background. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) has stated that business games can and should be used for business school Assurance of Learning (AoL) programs. There is no direct objective evidence that business games are valid for such applications.

Aim. The purpose of the study presented in this article was to examine the extent to which a business game could be used for such applications.

Method. The validity of THE GLOBAL BUSINESS GAME was examined by assessing the degree to which it was available, accessed, used, engaged in and otherwise demonstrated internal validity in a large European university program.

Results. The recorded data for the game revealed that many of its enrolled players either did not directly engage in the experience, or were only minimally involved. Those who were completely engaged in the experience obtained superior economic results and created strategies and implementations that were rational, goal-oriented and correct for the simulation’s modeled competitive environment.

Conclusions. A large-scale business game can serve as an assurance of learning device, but it is only an incomplete evaluator due to subject non-involvement.

Recommendations. Game publishers that state their games are valid for assurance of learning purposes should present objective evidence of their validity claims. Those engaged in assurance of learning programs should employ other methods for measuring outcomes than those used in this study. Those using business games should take measures to insure their participants are engaged and are accountable within its teaching structure.
Getting Through the Gate
Authors: Green Jennifer P. , Tonidandel Scott , Cortina Jose M.
Published: February 2016

This study empirically examined the statistical and methodological issues raised in the reviewing process to determine what the “gatekeepers” of the literature, the reviewers and editors, really say about methodology when making decisions to accept or reject manuscripts. Three hundred and four editors’ and reviewers’ letters for 69 manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Business and Psychology were qualitatively coded using an iterative approach. Systematic coding generated 267 codes from 1,751 statements that identified common methodological and statistical errors by authors and offered themes across these issues. We examined the relationship between the issues identified and manuscript outcomes. The most prevalent methodological and statistical topics were measurement, control variables, common method variance, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Common errors included the choice and comprehensiveness of analyses. This qualitative analysis of methods in reviews provides insight into how current methodological debates reveal themselves in the review process. This study offers guidance and advice for authors to improve the quality of their research and for editors and reviewers to improve the quality of their reviews.
Editorial gatekeeping in citizen journalism
Authors: Lindner Andrew M
Published: February 2016

Editorial staff play an essential role as gatekeepers within professional journalism. Citizen journalism has the potential to depart from routine journalistic practices and allow for more democratic posting of unmoderated content. Nonetheless, many citizen journalism web sites do have an editorial staff and no existing research has explored the contributions of editors to citizen journalism web sites. I theorize that the editorial staff on citizen journalism sites serve as legitimating organizational structures within the larger organizational field and, as citizen gatekeepers, who enforce journalistic routines. Using a content analysis of a sample (n = 326) drawn from the largest sampling frame of English-language citizen journalism web sites based in the United States to date (n = 1958), I examine the characteristics of citizen journalism web sites with an editorial model as well as how the presence of an editorial staff is associated with the practice of journalistic routines common in professional journalism.
Qualities in friendship – Within an outside perspective – Definitions expressed by adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities
Authors: Sigstad Hanne Marie Høybråten
Published: February 2016

Background:

This study examined how adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities define qualities of friendship and discussed the extent to which these definitions adhere to established definitions of close friendship.

Materials and Methods:

The study was based on qualitative interviews with 11 adolescents in secondary school. The interviews were supplemented with information from six parents. A thematic structural analysis was used to identify themes.

Results:

Qualities of friendship were categorized as mutual preference, mutual enjoyment, shared interactions, care, mutual trust and bonding. The criteria for close friendship seem to be fulfilled, albeit to a moderate degree. Closeness and reciprocity appear to be significant in this study, although these features have been considered less relevant within this target group in previous research.

Conclusions:

Differences in definitions may explain divergent results compared with other studies, and the need to achieve equivalence in friendship may be another.
Modulation of Superficial Zone Protein/Lubricin/PRG4 by Kartogenin and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Surface Zone Chondrocytes in Bovine Articular Cartilage
Authors: Miyatake Kazumasa , Iwasa Kenjiro , McNary Sean M. , Peng Gordon , Reddi A. Hari
Published: February 2016

Objective

Superficial zone protein (SZP)/lubricin/PRG4 functions as a boundary lubricant in articular cartilage to decrease friction and wear. As articular cartilage lubrication is critical for normal joint function, the accumulation of SZP at the surface of cartilage is important for joint homeostasis. Recently, a heterocyclic compound called kartogenin (KGN) was found to induce chondrogenic differentiation and enhance mRNA expression of lubricin. The objective of this study was to determine whether KGN can stimulate synthesis of SZP in superficial zone, articular chondrocytes.

Design

We investigated the effects of KGN and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on articular cartilage and synovium of the bovine knee joint by evaluating SZP secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Monolayer, micromass, and explant cultures of articular cartilage, and monolayer culture of synoviocytes, were treated with KGN. SZP accumulation in the medium was evaluated and mRNA expression was measured through quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

TGF-β1 stimulated SZP secretion by superficial zone chondrocytes in monolayer, explant, and micromass cultures as expected. In addition, SZP secretion was inhibited by IL-1β in explant cultures, and enhanced by TGF-β1 in synoviocyte monolayer cultures. Although KGN elicited a 1.2-fold increase in SZP mRNA expression in combination with TGF-β1, KGN neither stimulated any significant increases in SZP synthesis nor prevented catabolic decreases in SZP production from IL-1β.

Conclusions

These data suggest that the chondrogenic effects of KGN depend on cellular phenotype and differentiation status, as KGN did not alter SZP synthesis in differentiated, superficial zone articular chondrocytes.
Adsorption of Pb(II) on raw and organically modified Jordanian bentonite
Authors: Hamadneh I. , Abu-Zurayk R. , Abu-Irmaileh B. , Bozeya A. , Al-Dujaili A. H.
Published: February 2016

A comparative study using bentonite (BT), hexadecyltrimethylammonium-modified bentonite (BT-HDTMA) and phenyl fatty hydroxamic acid-modified bentonite (BT-PFHA) as adsorbents for the removal of Pb(II) has been proposed. These adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and surface area measurement. Cation exchange capacity was also determined in this study. The adsorbent capabilities for Pb(II) from aqueous solution were investigated, and the optimal experimental conditions including adsorption time, adsorbent dosage, the initial concentration of Pb(II), pH and temperature that might influence the adsorption performance were also investigated. The experimental equilibrium adsorption data were tested by four widely used two-parameter equations, the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin- Radushkevich (D-R) and Temkin isotherms. The monolayer adsorption capacities of BT, BT-HDTMA and BT-PFHA for Pb(II) were 149.3, 227.3 and 256.4 mg/g, respectively. The experimental kinetic data were analysed by pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion kinetics models. The experimental data fitted very well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. Determination of the thermodynamic parameters, ΔG, ΔH and ΔS showed the adsorption to be feasible, spontaneous and exothermic.
Synthesis and application of a porous composite material synthesized via an in situ technique
Authors: Zheng Shu-Qin , Ren Shao , Yu Hong-Xia , Zhang Jian-Ce , Zhu Wei
Published: February 2016

Novel composite materials with wide pores were synthesized by an in situ technique using kaolin, palygorskite and pseudoboehmite as raw materials. The characterization results indicated that the synthesis components and conditions influenced the micro-, meso- and macro-porosity of the composite materials. The composites contained 53.5% zeolite Y and had much larger specific surface areas and pore volumes as well as significant hydrothermal stability. Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts were prepared based on the composite materials. The results indicated that the as-prepared catalysts possessed a unique pore structure which assisted in diffusion-controlled reactions. In addition, the attrition resistance, activity and hydrothermal stability of the catalyst studied were superior to those of a reference catalyst. The catalyst studied also exhibited excellent nickel and vanadium passivation performance, strong ‘bottoms upgrading’ selectivity and better gasoline and coke selectivity.
Larger number of invariant natural killer T cells in PBSC allografts correlates with improved GVHD-free and progression-free survival
Authors: Malard Florent , Labopin Myriam , Chevallier Patrice , Guillaume Thierry , Duquesne Alix , Rialland Fanny , Derenne Sophie , Peterlin Pierre , Leauté Anne-Gaelle , Brissot Eolia , Gregoire Marc , Moreau Philippe , Saas Philippe , Gaugler Béatrice , Mohty Mohamad
Published: February 2016

We studied the impact of a set of immune cells contained within granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood stem cell grafts (naïve and memory T-cell subsets, B cells, regulatory T cells, invariant natural killer T cells [iNKTs], NK cells, and dendritic cell subsets) in patients (n = 80) undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), using the composite end point of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-free and progression-free survival (GPFS) as the primary end point. We observed that GPFS incidences in patients receiving iNKT doses above and below the median were 49% vs 22%, respectively (P = .007). In multivariate analysis, the iNKT dose was the only parameter with a significant impact on GPFS (hazard ratio = 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.85; P = .01). The incidences of severe grade III to IV acute GVHD and National Institutes of Health grade 2 to 3 chronic GVHD (12% and 16%, respectively) were low and associated with the use of antithymocyte globulin in 91% of patients. No difference in GVHD incidence was reported according to the iNKT dose. In conclusion, a higher dose of iNKTs within the graft is associated with an improved GPFS. These data may pave the way for prospective and active interventions aiming to manipulate the graft content to improve allo-SCT outcome.
Forkhead Box F1 promotes breast cancer cell migration by upregulating lysyl oxidase and suppressing Smad2/3 signaling
Authors: Nilsson Gisela , Kannius-Janson Marie
Published: February 2016

Background

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) increases cell migration and is implicated in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. We have previously described the involvement of the transcription factors, nuclear factor I-C2 (NFI-C2) and Forkhead box F1 (FoxF1), in the regulation of EMT and invasion during breast tumor progression. NFI-C2 counteracts these processes and FoxF1 is a directly repressed target of NFI-C2. FoxF1 induces EMT and invasiveness and enhances xenograft tumorigenicity in nude mice. Here we identify oppositely regulated targets of NFI-C2 and FoxF1 involved in these processes and further study a possible role for FoxF1 in tumorigenesis.

Methods

We used Affymetrix microarray to detect changes in the transcriptome of a mouse mammary epithelial cell line upon overexpression of NFI-C2 or FoxF1. To elucidate the effects and signaling events following FoxF1 overexpression we investigated in vitro invasion capacity and changes in transcription and protein expression resulting from RNAi and inhibitor treatment.

Results

The extracellular matrix enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) was negatively regulated by NFI-C2 and positively regulated by FoxF1, and upregulation of LOX following FoxF1 overexpression in mouse mammary epithelial cells increased in vitro cell invasion. In the nuclei of FoxF1-overexpressing cells, the phosphorylation of Smad2 decreased, while that of p38 increased. Depletion of LOX by RNAi enhanced phosphorylation of Smad2 by a focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-dependent mechanism. In addition, induced expression of FoxF1 in a non-malignant human mammary epithelial cell line showed that the increase in LOX transcription and the suppression of Smad2 activity are early effects of FoxF1.

Conclusion

These data show that FoxF1 enhances invasion in a LOX-dependent manner, is involved in the regulation of Smad2 signaling, and that FoxF1 overexpression ultimately leads to activation of p38 MAPK signaling. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of signaling pathways known to be important during breast tumor progression.
Development of the Statistical Reasoning in Biology Concept Inventory (SRBCI)
Authors: Deane Thomas , Nomme Kathy , Jeffery Erica , Pollock Carol , Birol Gülnur
Published: February 2016

We followed established best practices in concept inventory design and developed a 12-item inventory to assess student ability in statistical reasoning in biology (Statistical Reasoning in Biology Concept Inventory [SRBCI]). It is important to assess student thinking in this conceptual area, because it is a fundamental requirement of being statistically literate and associated skills are needed in almost all walks of life. Despite this, previous work shows that non–expert-like thinking in statistical reasoning is common, even after instruction. As science educators, our goal should be to move students along a novice-to-expert spectrum, which could be achieved with growing experience in statistical reasoning. We used item response theory analyses (the one-parameter Rasch model and associated analyses) to assess responses gathered from biology students in two populations at a large research university in Canada in order to test SRBCI’s robustness and sensitivity in capturing useful data relating to the students’ conceptual ability in statistical reasoning. Our analyses indicated that SRBCI is a unidimensional construct, with items that vary widely in difficulty and provide useful information about such student ability. SRBCI should be useful as a diagnostic tool in a variety of biology settings and as a means of measuring the success of teaching interventions designed to improve statistical reasoning skills.
Contemporary Test Validity in Theory and Practice: A Primer for Discipline-Based Education Researchers
Authors: Reeves Todd D. , Marbach-Ad Gili
Published: February 2016

Most discipline-based education researchers (DBERs) were formally trained in the methods of scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry, and physics, rather than social science disciplines such as psychology and education. As a result, DBERs may have never taken specific courses in the social science research methodology—either quantitative or qualitative—on which their scholarship often relies so heavily. One particular aspect of (quantitative) social science research that differs markedly from disciplines such as biology and chemistry is the instrumentation used to quantify phenomena. In response, this Research Methods essay offers a contemporary social science perspective on test validity and the validation process. The instructional piece explores the concepts of test validity, the validation process, validity evidence, and key threats to validity. The essay also includes an in-depth example of a validity argument and validation approach for a test of student argument analysis. In addition to DBERs, this essay should benefit practitioners (e.g., lab directors, faculty members) in the development, evaluation, and/or selection of instruments for their work assessing students or evaluating pedagogical innovations.
Morbidity and Mortality of Laparoscopic Versus Open D2 Distal Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hu Yanfeng , Huang Changming , Sun Yihong , Su Xiangqian , Cao Hui , Hu Jiankun , Xue Yingwei , Suo Jian , Tao Kaixiong , He Xianli , Wei Hongbo , Ying Mingang , Hu Weiguo , Du Xiaohui , Chen Pingyan , Liu Hao , Zheng Chaohui , Liu Fenglin , Yu Jiang , Li Ziyu , Zhao Gang , Chen Xinzu , Wang Kuan , Li Ping , Xing Jiadi , Li Guoxin
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The safety and efficacy of radical laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LG) with D2 lymphadenectomy for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) remain controversial. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare laparoscopic and conventional open distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissections for AGC.

Patients and Methods

Between September 2012 and December 2014, 1,056 patients with clinical stage T2-4aN0-3M0 gastric cancer were eligible for inclusion. They were randomly assigned to either the LG with D2 lymphadenectomy group (n = 528) or the open gastrectomy (OG) with D2 lymphadenectomy group (n = 528). Fifteen experienced surgeons from 14 institutions in China participated in the study. The morbidity and mortality within 30 days after surgery between the LG (n = 519) and the OG (n = 520) groups were compared on the basis of the modified intention-to-treat principle. Postoperative complications were stratified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Results

The compliance rates of D2 lymphadenectomy were similar between the LG and OG groups (99.4% v 99.6%; P = .845). The postoperative morbidity was 15.2% in the LG group and 12.9% in OG group with no significant difference (difference, 2.3%; 95% CI, –1.9 to 6.6; P = .285). The mortality rate was 0.4% for the LG group and zero for the OG group (difference, 0.4%; 95% CI, –0.4 to 1.4; P = .249). The distribution of severity was similar between the two groups (P = .314).

Conclusion

Experienced surgeons can safely perform LG with D2 lymphadenectomy for AGC.
Metabolite Signatures of Metabolic Risk Factors and their Longitudinal Changes
Authors: Yin Xiaoyan , Subramanian Subha , Willinger Christine M. , Chen George , Juhasz Peter , Courchesne Paul , Chen Brian H. , Li Xiaohang , Hwang Shih-Jen , Fox Caroline S. , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Muntendam Pieter , Fuster Valentin , Bobeldijk-Pastorova Ivana , Sookoian Silvia C. , Pirola Carlos J. , Gordon Neal , Adourian Aram , Larson Martin G. , Levy Daniel
Published: February 2016

Context:

Metabolic dysregulation underlies key metabolic risk factors—obesity, dyslipidemia, and dysglycemia.

Objective:

To uncover mechanistic links between metabolomic dysregulation and metabolic risk by testing metabolite associations with risk factors cross-sectionally and with risk factor changes over time.

Design:

Cross-sectional—discovery samples (n = 650; age, 36–69 years) from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) and replication samples (n = 670; age, 61–76 years) from the BioImage Study, both following a factorial design sampled from high vs low strata of body mass index, lipids, and glucose. Longitudinal—FHS participants (n = 554) with 5–7 years of follow-up for risk factor changes.

Setting:

Observational studies.

Participants:

Cross-sectional samples with or without obesity, dysglycemia, and dyslipidemia, excluding prevalent cardiovascular disease and diabetes or dyslipidemia treatment. Age- and sex-matched by group.

Interventions:

None.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detected 119 plasma metabolites. Cross-sectional associations with obesity, dyslipidemia, and dysglycemia were tested in discovery, with external replication of 37 metabolites. Single- and multi-metabolite markers were tested for association with longitudinal changes in risk factors.

Results:

Cross-sectional metabolite associations were identified with obesity (n = 26), dyslipidemia (n = 21), and dysglycemia (n = 11) in discovery. Glutamic acid, lactic acid, and sitosterol associated with all three risk factors in meta-analysis (P < 4.5 × 10−4). Metabolites associated with longitudinal risk factor changes were enriched for bioactive lipids. Multi-metabolite panels explained 2.5–15.3% of longitudinal changes in metabolic traits.

Conclusions:

Cross-sectional results implicated dysregulated glutamate cycling and amino acid metabolism in metabolic risk. Certain bioactive lipids were associated with risk factors cross-sectionally and over time, suggesting their upstream role in risk factor progression. Functional studies are needed to validate findings and facilitate translation into treatments or preventive measures.
The Myb-domain protein ULTRAPETALA1 INTERACTING FACTOR 1 controls floral meristem activities in Arabidopsis
Authors: Moreau Fanny , Thévenon Emmanuel , Blanvillain Robert , Lopez-Vidriero Irene , Franco-Zorrilla Jose Manuel , Dumas Renaud , Parcy François , Morel Patrice , Trehin Christophe , Carles Cristel C.
Published: February 2016

Higher plants continuously and iteratively produce new above-ground organs as leaves, stems and flowers. These organs arise from shoot apical meristem structures which homeostasis depends on coordination between self-renewal of stem cells and their differentiation into organ founder cells. This coordination is stringently controlled by the central WUSCHEL (WUS) transcription factor that is both necessary and sufficient for stem cell specification in Arabidopsis thaliana. ULTRAPETALA1 (ULT1) was previously identified as a plant-specific, negative regulator of WUS expression. However molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation remain unknown. ULT1 protein contains a SAND putative DNA-binding domain and a B-box, previously proposed as protein interaction domain in eukaryotes. Here we characterise a novel partner of ULT1, named ULT1 INTERACTING FACTOR 1 (UIF1) that contains a Myb domain and an EAR motif. UIF1 and ULT1 function in the same pathway for regulation of organ number in the flower. Moreover, UIF1 displays DNA binding activity and specifically binds to WUS regulatory elements. We thus provide genetic and molecular evidences that UIF1 and ULT1 work together in floral meristem homeostasis, likely via direct repression of WUS expression.
Non-Destructive Determination of Quality Traits of Cashew Apples (Anacardium Occidentale, L.) Using a Portable near Infrared Spectrophotometer
Authors: Ribeiro Lívia Paulia Dias , da Silva Ana Priscila Monteiro , de Lima Aliny Alencar , de Oliveira Silva Ebenézer , Rinnan Åsmund , Pasquini Celio
Published: February 2016

The prediction of cashew apple quality by non-destructive analysis using a portable (100 g), near infrared spectrophotometer has been investigated. The quality parameters of interest were: soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio and ascorbic acid (AA). Partial least squares calibration models were developed using the spectral range from 950 nm to 1600 nm available with the portable spectrophotometer, with a spectral resolution of 10 nm. The model was validated using an independent set of samples. Validation results gave root mean square error of prediction values of 0.6%, 0.04%, 2.7 and 27 mg 100 mL−1 for SSC, TA, SSC/TA and AA, respectively. According to the results, this highly portable spectrometer can be used to monitor and control cashew apple postharvest quality, and may constitute an important tool for genome wide selection in cashew breeding programmes.
Identification of Historic Artists' Pigments Using Spectral Reflectance and X-Ray Diffraction Properties I. Iron Oxide and Oxy-Hydroxide-Rich Pigments
Authors: Cloutis Edward , MacKay Alesha , Norman Leif , Goltz Doug
Published: February 2016

The chemical and mineralogical analyses of art have important cultural, scholarly and historic applications. Investigations can be performed to learn about the history of a particular object, or to investigate techniques for conservation and restoration purposes. In this study, a suite of historic artists' pigments, synthetic samples and end members were analysed to detect specific characteristics that can be applied to their identification and differentiation from other pigments. We combined and compared reflectance spectroscopy (RS; 350–2500 nm) with X-ray diffractometry (XRD) for this purpose. We focused on pigments rich in iron oxides and oxy-hydroxides, specifically ochres, siennas, umbers and “red oxides”. It was found that these two techniques are often complementary, and have different strengths and weaknesses. XRD was found to be able to detect a wider range of accessory minerals than RS, and its strength lies in discrimination on the basis of mineral structure. It is less sensitive than RS for detection of poorly crystalline/amorphous phases and fine-grained components. RS is very sensitive to detection and discrimination of different Fe-oxy-hydroxides in the wavelength region below ∼1200 nm. At longer wavelengths (>1200 nm), reflectance spectra can detect the presence of accessory minerals that possess strong absorption features. The analytical strength of RS lies in discrimination on the basis of composition, which is usually linked to specific crystallographic structures. RS and XRD data acquired for powdered mineral pigments can be successfully integrated for the identification of sub-groups within the iron oxy-hydroxide-rich group of pigments, but require further investigation for individual sample discrimination. RS and XRD are also able to verify, disprove or refine identification of the phase(s) that make up these pigments. A major practical advantage of RS over XRD is that RS is a non-destructive, non-contact technique, whereas XRD normally requires removal of a sample from a cultural artefact. One of the main findings is that the reflectance spectra of the pigments present in the mixtures retained their diagnostic absorption features even when mixed with linseed oil. Our results show that RS can be used to discriminate various Fe oxy-hydroxide-rich pigments as well as confirm the organic nature of binders; this has important implications for restoration and conservation of cultural artefacts.
Technical Note—Nonparametric Data-Driven Algorithms for Multiproduct Inventory Systems with Censored Demand
Authors: Shi Cong , Chen Weidong , Duenyas Izak
Published: February 2016

We propose a nonparametric data-driven algorithm called DDM for the management of stochastic periodic-review multiproduct inventory systems with a warehouse-capacity constraint. The demand distribution is not known a priori and the firm only has access to past sales data (often referred to as censored demand data). We measure performance of DDM through regret, the difference between the total expected cost of DDM and that of an oracle with access to the true demand distribution acting optimally. We characterize the rate of convergence guarantee of DDM. More specifically, we show that the average expected T-period cost incurred under DDM converges to the optimal cost at the rate of O(T−1/2). Our asymptotic analysis significantly generalizes approaches used in Huh and Rusmevichientong (2009) for the uncapacitated single-product inventory systems. We also discuss several extensions and conduct numerical experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm.