bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide compendium and functional assessment of in vivo heart enhancers
Authors: Dickel Diane E. , Barozzi Iros , Zhu Yiwen , Fukuda-Yuzawa Yoko , Osterwalder Marco , Mannion Brandon J. , May Dalit , Spurrell Cailyn H. , Plajzer-Frick Ingrid , Pickle Catherine S. , Lee Elizabeth , Garvin Tyler H. , Kato Momoe , Akiyama Jennifer A. , Afzal Veena , Lee Ah Young , Gorkin David U. , Ren Bing , Rubin Edward M. , Visel Axel , Pennacchio Len A.
Published: October 2016

Whole-genome sequencing is identifying growing numbers of non-coding variants in human disease studies, but the lack of accurate functional annotations prevents their interpretation. We describe the genome-wide landscape of distant-acting enhancers active in the developing and adult human heart, an organ whose impairment is a predominant cause of mortality and morbidity. Using integrative analysis of >35 epigenomic data sets from mouse and human pre- and postnatal hearts we created a comprehensive reference of >80,000 putative human heart enhancers. To illustrate the importance of enhancers in the regulation of genes involved in heart disease, we deleted the mouse orthologs of two human enhancers near cardiac myosin genes. In both cases, we observe in vivo expression changes and cardiac phenotypes consistent with human heart disease. Our study provides a comprehensive catalogue of human heart enhancers for use in clinical whole-genome sequencing studies and highlights the importance of enhancers for cardiac function.
Inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics for predicting persistent positivity of interferon gamma release assay in dialysis population
Authors: Shu Chin-Chung , Hsu Chia-Lin , Lee Chih-Yuan , Wu Vin-Cent , Yang Feng-Jung , Wang Jann-Yuan , Yu Chong-Jen , Lee Li-Na
Published: October 2016

The interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is useful for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), however the rate of negative conversion is high, especially in dialysis patients. Few studies have focused on predicting persistently positive patients who are at high risk of tuberculosis reactivation. We screened dialysis patients, and used QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFT-GIT) to identify LTBI. Of the 157 participants who had initially positive QFT-GIT, 82 had persistently positivity and 75 had negative conversion. The persistently positive group were younger, more were current smokers, and had higher plasma level of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and QFT-GIT responses than the negative conversion group. Multivariate logistic regression for persistent positivity revealed that high plasma sTREM-1 and QFT-GIT response, young age and TB contact history were independent factors. Currently smoking had borderline significance. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve using the multi-factor model was 0.878, higher than 0.821 by QFT-GIT response of 0.95 IU/ml. In conclusion, dialysis patients with persistent LTBI status may be associated with a young age, high plasma sTREM-1, strong QFT-GIT response, currently smoking, and TB contact history. If resources are limited, these five predictors can be used to prioritize QFT-GIT-positive dialysis patients for LTBI treatment.
Undermining and Strengthening Social Networks through Network Modification
Authors: Mellon Jonathan , Yoder Jordan , Evans Daniel
Published: October 2016

Social networks have well documented effects at the individual and aggregate level. Consequently it is often useful to understand how an attempt to influence a network will change its structure and consequently achieve other goals. We develop a framework for network modification that allows for arbitrary objective functions, types of modification (e.g. edge weight addition, edge weight removal, node removal, and covariate value change), and recovery mechanisms (i.e. how a network responds to interventions). The framework outlined in this paper helps both to situate the existing work on network interventions but also opens up many new possibilities for intervening in networks. In particular use two case studies to highlight the potential impact of empirically calibrating the objective function and network recovery mechanisms as well as showing how interventions beyond node removal can be optimised. First, we simulate an optimal removal of nodes from the Noordin terrorist network in order to reduce the expected number of attacks (based on empirically predicting the terrorist collaboration network from multiple types of network ties). Second, we simulate optimally strengthening ties within entrepreneurial ecosystems in six developing countries. In both cases we estimate ERGM models to simulate how a network will endogenously evolve after intervention.
Neocortical grey matter distribution underlying voluntary, flexible vocalizations in chimpanzees
Authors: Bianchi Serena , Reyes Laura D. , Hopkins William D. , Taglialatela Jared P. , Sherwood Chet C.
Published: October 2016

Vocal learning is a key property of spoken language, which might also be present in nonhuman primate species, such as chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), to a limited degree. While understanding the origins of vocal learning in the primate brain may help shed light on the evolution of speech and language, little is still known regarding the neurobiological correlates of vocal flexibility in nonhuman primates. The current study used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to assess whether the cerebral cortex of captive chimpanzees that learned to voluntarily produce sounds to attract the attention of a human experimenter (attention-getting sounds) differs in grey matter distribution compared to chimpanzees that do not exhibit this behavior. It was found that chimpanzees that produce attention-getting sounds were characterized by increased grey matter in the ventrolateral prefrontal and dorsal premotor cortices. These findings suggest that the evolution of the capacity to flexibly modulate vocal output may be associated with reorganization of regions for motor control, including orofacial movements, in the primate brain.
Construction of CuS/Au Heterostructure through a Simple Photoreduction Route for Enhanced Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution and Photocatalysis
Authors: Basu Mrinmoyee , Nazir Roshan , Fageria Pragati , Pande Surojit
Published: October 2016

An efficient Hydrogen evolution catalyst has been developed by decorating Au nanoparticle on the surface of CuS nanostructure following a green and environmental friendly approach. CuS nanostructure is synthesized through a simple wet-chemical route. CuS being a visible light photocatalyst is introduced to function as an efficient reducing agent. Photogenerated electron is used to reduce Au(III) on the surface of CuS to prepare CuS/Au heterostructure. The as-obtained heterostructure shows excellent performance in electrochemical H2 evolution reaction with promising durability in acidic condition, which could work as an efficient alternative for novel metals. The most efficient CuS-Au heterostructure can generate 10 mA/cm2 current density upon application of 0.179 V vs. RHE. CuS-Au heterostructure can also perform as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutant. This dual nature of CuS and CuS/Au both in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis has been unveiled in this study.
The functional activity and effective connectivity of pulvinar are modulated by individual differences in threat-related attentional bias
Authors: Hakamata Yuko , Sato Eisuke , Komi Shotaro , Moriguchi Yoshiya , Izawa Shuhei , Murayama Norio , Hanakawa Takashi , Inoue Yusuke , Tagaya Hirokuni
Published: October 2016

The pulvinar is important in selective attention, particularly to visual stimuli under the focus of attention. However, the pulvinar is assumed to process emotional stimuli even outside the focus of attention, because of its tight connection with the amygdala. We therefore investigated how unattended emotional stimuli affect the pulvinar and its effective connectivity (EC) while considering individual differences in selective attention. fMRI in 41 healthy human subjects revealed that the amygdala, but not the pulvinar, more strongly responded to unattended fearful faces than to unattended neutral faces (UF > UN), although we observed greater EC from the pulvinar to the amygdala. Interestingly, individuals with biased attention toward threat (i.e., attentional bias) showed significantly increased activity (UF > UN) and reduced grey matter volume in the pulvinar. These individuals also exhibited stronger EC from the pulvinar to the attention-related frontoparietal network (FPN), whereas individuals with greater attentional control showed more enhanced EC from the pulvinar to the amygdala, but not the FPN (UF > UN). The pulvinar may filter unattended emotional stimuli whose sensitivity depends on individual threat-related attentional bias. The connectivity patterns of the pulvinar may thus be determined based on individual differences in threat-related attentional bias and attentional control.
Two-dimensional symbiotic solitons and vortices in binary condensates with attractive cross-species interaction
Authors: Ma Xuekai , Driben Rodislav , Malomed Boris A. , Meier Torsten , Schumacher Stefan
Published: October 2016

We consider a two-dimensional (2D) two-component spinor system with cubic attraction between the components and intra-species self-repulsion, which may be realized in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates, as well as in a quasi-equilibrium condensate of microcavity polaritons. Including a 2D spatially periodic potential, which is necessary for the stabilization of the system against the critical collapse, we use detailed numerical calculations and an analytical variational approximation (VA) to predict the existence and stability of several types of 2D symbiotic solitons in the spinor system. Stability ranges are found for symmetric and asymmetric symbiotic fundamental solitons and vortices, including hidden-vorticity (HV) modes, with opposite vorticities in the two components. The VA produces exceptionally accurate predictions for the fundamental solitons and vortices. The fundamental solitons, both symmetric and asymmetric ones, are completely stable, in either case when they exist as gap solitons or regular ones. The symmetric and asymmetric vortices are stable if the inter-component attraction is stronger than the intra-species repulsion, while the HV modes have their stability region in the opposite case.
Seven 365-Million-Year-Old Trilobites Moulting within a Nautiloid Conch
Authors: Zong Rui-Wen , Fan Ruo-Ying , Gong Yi-Ming
Published: October 2016

A nautiloid conch containing many disarticulated exoskeletons ofOmegops cornelius(Phacopidae, Trilobita) was found in the Upper Devonian Hongguleleng Formation of the northwestern margin of the Junggar Basin, NW China. The similar number of cephala, thoraces and pygidia, unbroken thoraces, explicit exuviae, and lack of other macrofossils in the conch, indicate that at least seven individual trilobites had moulted within the nautiloid living chamber, using the vacant chamber of a dead nautiloid as a communal place for ecdysis. This exuvial strategy manifests cryptic behaviour of trilobites, which may have resulted from the adaptive evolution induced by powerful predation pressure, unstable marine environments, and competition pressure of organisms occupying the same ecological niche in the Devonian period. The unusual presence of several trilobites moulting within a nautiloid conch is possibly associated with social behaviours in face of a serious crisis. New materials in this study open a window for understanding the survival strategy of marine benthic organisms, especially predator-prey interactions and the behavioural ecology of trilobites in the middle Palaeozoic.
Toward understanding long-distance extracellular electron transport in an electroautotrophic microbial community
Authors: Yates Matthew D. , Eddie Brian J. , Kotloski Nicholas J. , Lebedev Nikolai , Malanoski Anthony P. , Lin Baochuan , Strycharz-Glaven Sarah M. , Tender Leonard M.
Published: October 2016

Here we show that long-distance extracellular electron transport occurs in a cathodic biofilm capable of CO2fixation and O2respiration.
Butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol-based amphiphilic stereoisomers for membrane protein study: importance of chirality in the linker region
Authors: Das Manabendra , Du Yang , Mortensen Jonas S. , Ribeiro Orquidea , Hariharan Parameswaran , Guan Lan , Loland Claus J. , Kobilka Brian K. , Byrne Bernadette , Chae Pil Seok
Published: October 2016

Chirality variation in amphiphile architecture resulted in a significant difference in detergent efficacy for membrane protein stabilisation.
Umgang mit Bewerbern: Schluss mit der Schönfärberei!
Authors: Schäfer Julia
Published: October 2016

Nicht nur Bewerber setzen auf Eigenmarketing. Auch Krankenhäuser betreiben heute in Ausschreibungen und Vorstellungsgesprächen oft gekonnt Imagepflege. Doch das ist nicht immer klug: Ist die Stelle oder die Situation des Hauses heikel, empfiehlt es sich, eher mit offenen Karten zu spielen. Das beugt Enttäuschungen vor.
Stabilizers of ergodic actions of lattices and commensurators
Authors: Creutz Darren , Peterson Jesse
Published: October 2016

We prove that any ergodic measure-preserving action of an irreducible lattice in a semisimple group, with finite center and each simple factor having rank at least two, either has finite orbits or has finite stabilizers. The same dichotomy holds for many commensurators of such lattices.

The above are derived from more general results on groups with the Howe-Moore property and property

(
T
)

(T)

. We prove similar results for commensurators in such groups and for irreducible lattices (and commensurators) in products of at least two such groups, at least one of which is totally disconnected.
Development of Low Glycemic Index (GI) Foods by Incorporating Pulse Ingredients into Cereal‐Based Products: Use of In Vitro Screening and In Vivo Methodologies
Authors: Fujiwara Natsuki , Hall Clifford , Jenkins Alexandra L.
Published: October 2016

Pulse ingredients (pea and lentil flour, pea protein, and pea fiber) were incorporated into 94 different food products. Products included pastas, breads, crackers, extruded snacks, cookies, cereal bars, and muffins. Products were screened for estimated glycemic index using an in vitro method. Based on the screening results, five products (pasta, bread, cracker, granola bar, and cookie) were selected for in vivo glycemic index (GI) testing. For each control (containing 100% wheat flour), a pulse variant (containing up to 50% pulse ingredients) was developed. Ten healthy subjects consumed each test meal in addition to three control white bread meals on separate days during the in vivo GI testing. GI values of the control and pulse variant meals were 61.3 ± 5.1 versus 54.6 ± 7.6 (pasta), 61.4 ± 5.6 versus 53.4 ± 4.7 (focaccia bread), 46.0 ± 4.2 versus 41.5 ± 3.1 (cracker), 35.4 ± 3.6 versus 34.8 ± 5.0 (granola bar), and 41.6 ± 3.8 versus 37.6 ± 3.0 (cookie). The difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Mean GI difference between control and pulse variant was 4.8 ± 2.6, with all pulse variants falling into the low GI category. Palatability scores showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between the control and pulse variant. The data support substituting wheat flour with pulse ingredients to reduce the GI value without changing palatability of the products.
Improving treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Thomsen Kendra , Zuber Kim , Davis Jane , Thomas Greg
Published: October 2016

Objective:

Kidneys in a Box (KIB) was developed to identify the effect of a performance improvement CME (PI-CME) project on the management of patients with diabetes who are at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The program provided nonnephrology practitioners with research-based interventions known to slow CKD progression.

Methods:

PAs were given the KIB tool kit, which described the scope of CKD identified high-risk diagnoses such as diabetes, and listed six modifiable risk factors that have been shown to slow progression of diabetic kidney disease when implemented. The PAs self-selected the factor(s) and evaluated 10 charts of patients diagnosed with diabetes before implementing the modifications. After implementing changes for a minimum of 12 weeks, the PAs again self-selected 10 different charts and evaluated the extent of the intervention application. A preintervention/postintervention assessment and demographic sheet were then submitted to the American Academy of Nephrology PAs for CME credit.

Results:

302 PAs completed the program in the first 24 months, with full data available for 213 PAs. Statistically significant improvement was shown in five of the six areas: CKD staging, urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR), statin use, over-the-counter (OTC) yellow alert medications, and A1C. Improvement in smoking cessation interventions did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions:

Known interventions to slow progression of diabetic kidney disease can be effective if implemented in early stages of the disease. KIB demonstrates that education focused on the nonnephrology PA can be effective in slowing CKD progression.
Requirements for human natural killer cell development informed by primary immunodeficiency
Authors: Mace Emily M.
Published: October 2016

Purpose of review

Human natural killer (NK) cell development is poorly understood; however, we gain important insight from cases of human primary immunodeficiency that affect the generation of mature human NK cell subsets. In this review, monogenic primary immunodeficiencies that highlight critical requirements for human NK cell development are discussed.

Recent findings

Increased resolution in NK cell phenotyping has revealed NK cell deficiencies that affect the distribution of NK cell subsets found in peripheral blood. These, in addition to those that prevent the generation of mature NK cells, identify important requirements for the maturation and homeostasis of human NK cells. The serious and often life-threatening viral susceptibility that accompanies these highlights the nonredundant role that NK cells play in human health and disease.

Human NK cell deficiency may occur in cases where NK cells are present in normal numbers but subsets are affected.
Embracing Medical Education’s Global Mission
Authors: Farmer Paul E. , Rhatigan Joseph J.
Published: October 2016

Shortages of trained health care workers plague low- and middle-income countries around the world. When resources are scarce, the ability to support medical education is severely constrained. While there are many important “building blocks” of health systems that need to be bolstered in low- and middle-income countries, the authors propose that U.S. academic medicine can make unique contributions in the realm of human resource development—specifically, increasing the supply of physicians who directly provide health care to the populations they serve and who often manage and lead these health systems. Strengthening medical education in low- and middle-income countries is critical to improving the quantity and quality of physicians to staff and lead these health systems. The authors provide specific examples of how U.S. institutions are pursuing this global endeavor, including the Academic Partnership Providing Access to Healthcare in Kenya, the Medical Education Partnership Initiative throughout Africa, partnerships between U.S. medical schools and with institutions in Qatar and Singapore, and postgraduate medical education efforts in Vietnam and Haiti. They urge that the U.S. academic medicine community embrace this challenge as part of its mission to ensure that all those who, wherever they may live, have the ability, the dedication, and the compassion to pursue a career in medicine be given the opportunity to do so.
Breast Milk Stem Cells
Authors: Briere Carrie-Ellen , McGrath Jacqueline M. , Jensen Todd , Matson Adam , Finck Christine
Published: October 2016

Background:

The benefits of breast milk are well described, yet the mechanistic details related to how breast milk protects against acute and chronic diseases and optimizes neurodevelopment remain largely unknown. Recently, breast milk was found to contain stem cells that are thought to be involved in infant development.

Purpose:

The purpose of this review was to synthesize all available research involving the characterization of breast milk stem cells to provide a basis of understanding for what is known and what still needs further exploration.

Methods/Search Strategy:

The literature search was conducted between August and October 2015 using the CINAHL, PubMed, and reference list searching. Nine studies addressed characterization of human breast milk stem cells.

Findings/Results:

Five research teams in 4 countries have published studies on breast milk stem cells. Current research has focused on characterizing stem cells in full-term breast milk. The amount, phenotype, and expression of breast milk stem cells are known to vary between mothers, and they have been able to differentiate into all 3 germ layers (expressing pluripotent characteristics).

Implications for Practice:

There is much to learn about breast milk stem cells. Given the potential impact of this research, healthcare professionals should be aware of their presence and ongoing research to determine benefits for infants.

Implications for Research:

Extensive research is needed to further characterize stem cells in breast milk (full-term and preterm), throughout the stages of lactation, and most importantly, their role in the health of infants, and potential for use in regenerative therapies.
Characteristics and predictors of mortality among frequent users of an Emergency Department in Switzerland
Authors: Griffin Judith L. , Yersin Marie , Baggio Stéphanie , Iglesias Katia , Velonaki Venetia-Sofia , Moschetti Karine , Burnand Bernard , Wasserfallen Jean-Blaise , Vu Francis , Ansermet Corine , Hugli Olivier , Daeppen Jean-Bernard , Bodenmann Patrick
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Frequent Emergency Department (ED) users have an elevated mortality, yet little is known about risk factors. Our aim was to characterize deceased frequent ED users and determine predictors of mortality.

Methods

This is a post-hoc analysis of all-cause mortality among frequent ED users participating in a randomized clinical trial on case management at the Lausanne University Hospital (Switzerland). We enrolled 250 frequent ED users (5+ visits/past year) in a 12-month randomized clinical trial; those with an estimated survival of fewer than 18 months were excluded. The primary outcome was 12-month all-cause mortality. We performed descriptive statistics to compare the baseline characteristics of living and deceased participants, and examined predictors of all-cause mortality using logistic regressions, including age adjustment.

Results

Twenty of the 250 (8%) frequent users died during the 12-month follow-up. Seven (35%) deaths were because of cardiac causes and six (30%) were because of cancer. The median age at death was 71 years. Deceased participants were older and more likely to report any somatic determinant, chronic illness, and medical comorbidity. Age (odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.11) and medical comorbidity (odds ratio 4.76, 95% confidence interval 1.86–12.15) were statistically significant predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

Despite excluding those with an estimated survival of fewer than 18 months, 8% of frequent ED users died during the study. Age and medical comorbidity were significant predictors of mortality. Interventions, such as case management, should target older frequent ED users and those with multiple medical conditions, and future research should explore their potential impact on mortality.
Partnering to Establish and Study Simulation in International Nursing Education
Authors: Garner Shelby L. , Killingsworth Erin , Raj Leena
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this article was to describe an international partnership to establish and study simulation in India. A pilot study was performed to determine interrater reliability among faculty new to simulation when evaluating nursing student competency performance. Interrater reliability was below the ideal agreement level. Findings in this study underscore the need to obtain baseline interrater reliability data before integrating competency evaluation into a simulation program.
Changes in Cognitive Function Over 96 Weeks in Naive Patients Randomized to Darunavir–Ritonavir Plus Either Raltegravir or Tenofovir–Emtricitabine: A Substudy of the NEAT001/ANRS143 Trial
Authors: Winston Alan , Stöhr Wolfgang , Antinori Andrea , Amieva Helene , Perré Philippe , De Wit Stephane , Reynes Jacques , Gompels Mark , d'Arminio Monforte Antonella , Gatell Jose-Maria , Grarup Jesper , Pozniak Anton , Babiker Abdel , Raffi François , Richert Laura ,   for the NEAT 001/ANRS 143 Study Group
Published: October 2016

Background:

Improvements in cognitive function are described after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), with sparse data on differences between cART strategies.

Methods:

We assessed changes in cognition, over 96 weeks, in therapy-naive HIV-positive adults randomized to darunavir/ritonavir (800/100 mg once daily) with either raltegravir (400 mg twice daily, Arm1) or tenofovir/emtricitabine (245/200 mg once daily, Arm2). Seven cognitive tests were administered at baseline and week (W) 96. Changes from baseline in individual cognitive test scores and composite score (NPZ) were assessed. Comparisons between treatment arms were by intention to treat and associations with immunological and virological parameters by regression models.

Findings:

Of 343 subjects enrolled, 208 completed the W96 cognitive assessment. Baseline median (interquartile range) CD4+count and plasma HIV RNA were 348 (282–398) cells per microliter and 4.7 (4.2–5.1) log10copies per milliliter, respectively. At W96, numbers with plasma HIV RNA undetectable and remaining on randomized cART were 85 (92%) and 110 (96%), and 84 (90%) and 107 (93%) in Arm1 and Arm2, respectively. Overall performance significantly improved by W96 in 5 of 7 individual tests and in NPZ. Mean changes in NPZ were 0.28 versus 0.21 for Arm1 and 2, respectively (P= 0.37). No statistically significant differences between study treatment arms were observed in individual cognitive domains apart from attention (greater improvement in Arm1,P= 0.0499). At W96, NPZ score increase was associated with increase in CD4+(P= 0.001) but not HIV RNA area under curve (P= 0.60).

Interpretation:

Subsequent to the initiation of cART, immunological recovery rather than type of antiretroviral therapy is the major driver of changes in cognitive function.
Retroviral restriction: nature's own solution
Authors: Jones Christopher E. , McKnight Áine
Published: October 2016

Purpose of review

The present review will discuss recent advances in the development of anti-HIV therapies inspired by studies of the mechanisms of host restriction factor-mediated resistance to HIV infection.

Recent findings

Manipulating the interplay between host cell restriction factors and viral accessory factors that overcome them can potentially be therapeutically useful. Preliminarily successful therapies – some of which are entering clinical trials – either inhibit the ability of virus to evade restriction factor-mediated immunity, or promote intracellular levels of restriction factors. These aims are achieved by multiple means, which are discussed.

Many restriction factors appear to provide potentially useful targets for anti-HIV therapies, so time and interest should be invested in investigating ways to successfully therapeutically manipulate restriction factor-mediated immunity.
Maximal spectral surfaces of revolution converge to a catenoid
Authors: Ariturk Sinan
Published: October 2016

We consider a maximization problem for eigenvalues of the Laplace–Beltrami operator on surfaces of revolution in

R

3

with two prescribed boundary components. For every
j
, we show there is a surface
Σ

j

that maximizes the
j
th Dirichlet eigenvalue. The maximizing surface has a meridian which is a rectifiable curve. If there is a catenoid which is the unique area minimizing surface with the prescribed boundary, then the eigenvalue maximizing surfaces of revolution converge to this catenoid.
Theory of electric creep and electromechanical coupling with domain evolution for non-poled and fully poled ferroelectric ceramics
Authors: Xia Xiaodong , Wang Yang , Zhong Zheng , Weng George J.
Published: October 2016

Unlike mechanical creep with inelastic deformation, electric creep with domain evolution is a rarely studied subject. In this paper, we present a theory of electric creep and related electromechanical coupling for both non-poled and fully poled ferroelectric ceramics. We consider electric creep to be a time-dependent process, with an initial condition lying on the
D
(electric displacement) versus
E
(electric field) hysteresis loop. Both processes are shown to share the same Gibbs free energy and thermodynamic driving force, but relative to creep, the hysteresis loop is just a field-dependent process. With this view, we develop a theory with a single thermodynamic driving force but with two separate kinetic equations, one for the field-dependent loops in terms of a Lorentzian-like function and the other for the time-dependent
D
in terms of a dissipation potential. We use the 0°–90° and then 90°–180° switches to attain these goals. It is demonstrated that the calculated results are in broad agreement with two sets of experiments, one for a non-poled PIC-151 and the other for a fully poled PZT-5A. The theory also shows that creep polarization tends to reach a saturation state with time and that the saturated polarization has its maximum at the coercive field.
Pair correlation and twin primes revisited
Authors: Conrey Brian , Keating Jonathan P.
Published: October 2016

We establish a connection between the conjectural two-over-two ratios formula for the Riemann zeta-function and a conjecture concerning correlations of a certain arithmetic function. Specifically, we prove that the ratios conjecture and the arithmetic correlations conjecture imply the same result. This casts a new light on the underpinnings of the ratios conjecture, which previously had been motivated by analogy with formulae in random matrix theory and by a heuristic recipe.
Transcriptome from saffron (Crocus sativus) plants in Jammu and Kashmir reveals abundant soybean mosaic virus transcripts and several putative pathogen bacterial and fungal genera
Authors: Chakraborty Sandeep
Published: October 2016

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a spice with immense economic and medicinal relevance, due to its anticancer and chemopreventive properties. Although the genomic sequence of saffron is not publicly available, the RNA-seq based transcriptome of saffron from Jammu and Kashmir provides several, yet explored, insights into the metagenome of the plant from that region. In the current work, sequence databases were created in the YeATS suite from the NCBI and Ensembl databases to enable faster comparisons. These were used to determine the metagenome of saffron. Soybean mosaic virus, a potyvirus, was found to be abundantly expressed in all five tissues analyzed. Recent studies have highlighted that issues arising from latent potyvirus infections in saffron is severely underestimated. Bacterial and fungal identification is made complex due to symbiogenesis, especially in the absence of the endogenous genome. Symbiogenesis results in transcripts having significant homology to bacterial genomes and eu-karyotic genomes. A stringent criterion based on homology comparison was used to identify bacterial and fungal transcripts, and inferences were constrained to the genus level.Leifsonia,ElizabethkingiaandStaphylococcuswere some of the identified bacteria, whileMycosphaerellaandPyrenophorawere among the fungi detected. Among the bacterial genera,L. xyliis the causal agent for ratoon stunting disease in sugarcane, whileE. meningosepticaandS. haemolyticus, having acquired multiresistance against available antimicrobial agents, are important in clinical settings.MycosphaerellaandPyrenophoraincorporate several pathogenic species. It is shown that a transcript from heat shock protein of the fungiCladosporium cladosporioideshas been erroneously annotated as a saffron gene. The detection of these pathogens should enable proper strategies for ensuring better yields. The functional annotation of proteins in the absence of a genome is subject to errors due to the existence of significantly homologous proteins in organisms from different branches of life.
Decoupling the Wrist: A Cadaveric Experiment Examining Wrist Kinematics Following Midcarpal Fusion and Scaphoid Excision
Authors: Nichols Jennifer A. , Bednar Michael S. , Havey Robert M. , Murray Wendy M.
Published: October 2016

At the wrist, kinematic coupling (the relationship between flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation) facilitates function. Although the midcarpal joint is critical for kinematic coupling, many surgeries, such as 4-corner fusion (4CF) and scaphoidexcision 4-corner fusion (SE4CF), modify the midcarpal joint. This study examines how 4CF and SE4CF influence kinematic coupling by quantifying wrist axes of rotation. Wrist axes of rotation were quantified in 8 cadaveric specimens using an optimization algorithm, which fit a 2-revolute joint model to experimental data. In each specimen, data measuring the motion of the third metacarpal relative to the radius was collected for 3 conditions (nonimpaired, 4CF, SE4CF). The calculated axes of rotation were compared using spherical statistics. The angle between the axes of rotation was used to assess coupling, as the nonimpaired wrist has skew axes (ie, angle between axes approximately 60°). Following 4CF and SE4CF, the axes are closer to orthogonal than those of the nonimpaired wrist. The mean angle (±95% confidence interval) between the axes was 92.6° ± 25.2° and 99.8° ± 22.0° for 4CF and SE4CF, respectively. The axes of rotation defined in this study can be used to define joint models, which will facilitate more accurate computational and experimental studies of these procedures.
NoC-Based Implementation of Free Form Deformations in Medical Imaging Registration
Authors: Mushtaq Uzma , Hasan Osman , Awwad Falah
Published: October 2016

These days, computer-based image registration techniques are increasingly being used in the area of medical imaging as they offer significant benefits for aligning different images together and for visualizing their combined images. However, these techniques require an enormous amount of computation time due to the high resolution and complex nature of the medical images. We propose to alleviate this problem by using a dedicated Network-on-Chip (NoC)-based hardware platform for image registration. This paper describes a novel technique for field-programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation of the B-Spline-based free form deformation (FFD) algorithm, i.e., a widely used algorithm for modeling geometric shapes in a computerized environment. For performance enhancement, we have utilized a lightweight circuit-switched NoC architecture, which is adaptable to most FPGAs. The design description is captured in the Verilog language and implemented using the Xilinx XC2v6000 device at 37[Formula: see text]MHz. The proposed design is parameterizable at the compile time and supports a wide range of the image resolutions and computational precisions. The experimental results have shown a significant improvement in performance when compared with the other existing hardware implementations of the B-spline-based FFD algorithm.
Analyzing Technological Knowledge Diffusion Among Technological Fields Using Patent Data: The Example of Microfluidics
Authors: Zheng Qiao , Huang Lu-Cheng , Wu Fei-Fei , Dan Wu , Hui Zhang
Published: October 2016

Study of technological knowledge diffusion can provide a basis for R&D planners to invest new R&D projects with a proper direction. In this paper, we introduce a modified method to analyze the diffusion degree of technological knowledge among different technological fields using patent data at the technology patent class level. This method first generates a patent citation network related to a specific research area and then establishes a technological field diffusion matrix according to the concordance between the patent document and the corresponding patent class. After that indicators are set up to measure the diffusion degree of technological field from two aspects of diffusion depth and breadth and then we discern the diffusion type of typical fields. Finally, we conduct microfluidic technology as a case study to prove the feasibility of the method.
Information Recovery and Causality: A Tribute to George Judge
Authors: Rausser Gordon , Bessler David A.
Published: October 2016

In Professor George Judge's pursuit of information recovery and isolating causality in noisy effects observational data, there is a critical distinction between deductive and inductive empirical analysis. For the former, we bring together a synthesis of the literature that has emerged since Koopmans' measurement with theory philosophy. For the latter, we present a host of methodologies that attempt to isolate the causal mechanisms existing in patterns revealed in noisy measurement data. The deductive focus is limited by available theoretical constructs, whereas the inductive focus is fraught with data mining complications, ultimately finding its potential validation in forecasting.
An Evaluative History of Bisphosphonate Drugs: Dual Physiologic Effects of Pyrophosphate as Inspiration for a Novel Pharmaceutical Class
Authors: Hinshaw W. Banks , DeLong Allyn F.
Published: October 2016

The documented history of the development of the bisphosphonate drugs is reviewed in sufficient detail to permit independent evaluation of the consistency of the conclusions reached from the available data. The evidence developed during the early interval of these studies 1960–1975 was sufficient to establish that pyrophosphate shares the subsequently established dual bisphosphonate characteristics of bone resorption inhibition and prevention of tissue mineralization.
Kids’ Perceptions toward Children’s Ward Healing Environments: A Case Study of Taiwan University Children’s Hospital
Authors: Woo Jeng-Chung , Lin Yi-Ling
Published: October 2016

This paper summarizes the opinions of experts who participated in designing the environment of a children’s hospital and reports the results of a questionnaire survey conducted among hospital users. The grounded theory method was adopted to analyze 292 concepts, 79 open codes, 25 axial codes, and 4 selective codes; in addition, confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analysis were performed to identify elements for designing a healing environment in a children’s hospital, and 21 elements from 4 dimensions, namely, emotions, space design, interpersonal interaction, and pleasant surroundings, were determined. Subsequently, this study examined the perceptions of 401 children at National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital. The results revealed that, regarding the children’s responses to the four dimensions and their overall perception, younger children accepted the healing environment to a significantly higher degree than did older children. The sex effect was significant for the space design dimension, and it was not significant for the other dimensions.
A (in)visibilidade do intérprete: a representação de Abed em Notas sobre Gaza
Authors: Nascimento Gabriela C.T.N.
Published: October 2016

O papel do intérprete, tradutor, guia ou “faz tudo”, é muitas vezes omitido em zonas de conflito. Dificilmente se vê a representação de tradutores, intérpretes e linguistas em matérias jornalísticas. No entanto, para conseguir transmitir uma notícia, coletar dados, documentos e entrevistar testemunhas, é fundamental contar com a companhia de um intérprete local em contextos de guerra. Com o propósito de melhor exemplificar a importância de mediador linguístico e cultural, um dos muitos papéis que o intérprete assume, escolheu-se o livro Notas sobre Gaza, de Joe Sacco, trabalho relevante nas esferas jornalística, literária e linguística, que traz diversos elementos do ofício de tradutores e intérpretes. A reconstrução de memórias, lembranças e eventos da guerra são coladas e remendadas com a ajuda de Abed, o intérprete de Sacco em sua segunda visita à Gaza. A alteridade e a identidade aparecem na narrativa. O tom autobiográfico da reportagem se mistura com o olhar objetivo de jornalista formando uma obra singular. O intérprete, que antes era desconhecido, se torna visível para o leitor, bem como para a mídia. Assim, alguns exemplos da representação de Abed mostram a situação de (in)visibilidade do intérprete e quão delicado e perigoso é o seu trabalho.
Tradução de quadrinhos: uma reflexão sobre a identidade cultural pelo viés do estereótipo do judeu na linguagem dos quadrinhos
Authors: Rosa Gisele Marion
Published: October 2016

Em uma narrativa como a história em quadrinhos, em que se encontra uma relação de interdependência entre texto e imagem na construção do significado, parece-nos mais provável que as estratégias recorrentes de tradução recaiam na literalidade (Vinay & Dalbernet 1995), pois o texto verbal, em princípio, não poderia contradizer a ilustração que o acompanha, mas sim manter a relação estabelecida entre os dois códigos encontrada no original. Além disso, consideramos um aspecto central da formação do gênero Quadrinhos o caráter de inovação em relação às normas vigentes da linguagem verbal e não verbal, do ponto de vista da sua criação artística, onde temos “uma hibridização bem-sucedida de ilustração e prosa” (Eisner 2010). Desse modo, a linguagem inovadora e potencialmente plástica desse gênero, devido à liberdade de criação, propicia um espaço ideal para tratar de temas sensíveis e que instigam o debate e reformulação de conceitos enraizados numa dada cultura. Isto posto, propomos apresentar brevemente os dados de nossa investigação sobre como se dá o tratamento do estereótipo do judeu para o estudo da identidade cultural em um estudo de caso, a tradução de A História dos Judeus, de Stan Mack. Defendemos que a fruição de um objeto cultural na linguagem dos quadrinhos, quando traduzido e atravessando fronteiras, resulta numa comunicação intercultural que promove o diálogo, a evolução de pensamentos, conceitos e modos de ver o mundo pelo contato com o Outro numa velocidade maior do que aquela encontrada na leitura de livros em prosa. Procuramos identificar, assim, se a tradução apresentou uma tendência ao esvaziamento do estereótipo ou sua legitimação na construção do sentido. Ou em outras palavras, investigar se houve nas traduções uma revisão do estereótipo apresentado nas obras originais. Para tanto, foi feito o levantamento dos itens lexicais e elementos da ilustração que se referem ao universo da cultura judaica e analisamos o modo como eles são trazidos para as traduções.
A tradução das inscrições em Watchmen
Authors: Hanna Kátia
Published: October 2016

Este artigo ocupa-se da tradução das inscrições em quatro edições brasileiras de Watchmen, a clássica história em quadrinhos de Alan Moore e Dave Gibbons. O original foi lançado nos EUA entre 1986 e 1987 em doze fascículos pela DC Comics e logo reunidos num único livro. Hoje possui o status de graphic novel. Inscrições são aqui consideradas signos verbais grafados em objetos, como letreiros, jornais, cartas e bilhetes, rótulos de produtos, entre outros. As inscrições fundamentais, aquelas que cumprem papel no progresso da diegese, são sempre traduzidas. Por outro lado, as inscrições contextualizadoras, que informam o leitor do contexto social, cultural ou geográfico podem receber uma das seguintes estratégias: tradução, tradução no rodapé, adaptação cultural, não tradução, apagamento, ou a combinação das estratégias anteriores. A análise das versões da editora Abril em seis fascículos (1988), a do selo da Abril Jovem (1999), em formato original de doze capítulos, da posterior reunião em quatro livros pela Via Lettera (2005-2006), e da Edição Definitiva, em formato álbum de luxo e volume único, lançada pela editora Panini (2011) demonstrou que as estratégias passaram do apagamento e da não tradução para a tradução e a adaptação cultural.
Emerging Risk Factors for Recurrent Vascular Events in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source
Authors: Ueno Yuji , Yamashiro Kazuo , Tanaka Ryota , Kuroki Takuma , Hira Kenichiro , Kurita Naohide , Urabe Takao , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: October 2016

Background and Purpose—

Underlying embolic causes diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography could be implicated in mechanisms of embolic stroke of undetermined source. We aimed to explore factors, including underlying embolic causes, related to recurrent vascular events in embolic stroke of undetermined source.

Methods—

Patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for embolic stroke of undetermined source and whose potential embolic sources were examined by transesophageal echocardiography were included. Recurrent vascular events, including ischemic stroke, cardiovascular and peripheral artery diseases, and vascular death, were retrospectively analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to explore factors, including clinical characteristics, embolic causes on transesophageal echocardiography, and the Calcification in the Aortic Arch, Age, Multiple Infarction score (CAM), based on the degree of aortic arch calcification on chest radiograph (0–3 points), age (≥70 years; 1 point), and multiple infarctions on magnetic resonance imaging (multiple infarcts in 1, 2, or ≥3 territories of large intracranial arteries, 1, 2, or 3 points) associated with recurrent vascular events.

Results—

A total of 177 patients (age, 64.1±14.2 years; 127 men) were enrolled. Thirty-one patients had recurrent vascular events (follow-up, 3.5±2.7 years; annualized rate, 5.0% per person-year). Among embolic causes on transesophageal echocardiography, incidence of recurrent vascular events was high in patients with large aortic arch plaques (7.5% per person-year). Diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio, 2.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–5.32;
P
=0.012) and CAM score grade (hazard ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–4.72;
P
=0.026) predicted recurrent vascular events.

Conclusions—

History of diabetes mellitus and the CAM score could be novel risk factors for recurrent vascular events in embolic stroke of undetermined source.
A proposed optimal incision method to obtain gut contents from preserved anurans
Authors: Döring Britta , Mecke Sven , Mader Felix , Kaiser Hinrich
Published: October 2016

Information on the diet of anuran species based on gut content analyses have been published by numerous researchers, yet the details of the incision method used to open the abdominal cavity of preserved specimens in preparation for such examinations are rarely explained in the presented methods. Our objective is to formally propose an optimal incision into the pleuroperitoneal cavity of liquid-preserved anuran specimens to gain access to and permit easy removal of parts of the digestive tract in preparation for food spectrum analyses. In our experience, this U-shaped cut is easy to perform and teach. It also provides better access to the pleuroperitoneal cavity than a small ventrolateral incision and is less destructive than the classic textbook medial “double T-incision” routinely listed in dissection protocols.
Redescription of the type species of the genus Thuylamea Nguyên, 2001 (Decapoda, Caridea, Alpheidae), based on a female specimen
Authors: Wang Yanrong , Sha Zhongli
Published: October 2016

Thuylamea Nguyên, 2001 was originally established based on male specimens from Vietnam. One female specimen identified as Thuylamea camelus Nguyên, 2001 is now described and illustrated in the present paper. Differences between male and female are discussed.