bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engagement research in social and environmental accounting
Authors: Correa Carmen , Larrinaga Carlos
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider the potential of engagement research by exploring the literature on engagement research. Engagement research in social and environmental accounting (SEA) aims to enhance the social, environmental and ethical accountability of organizations and conceives that understanding SEA demands engaging with the (social and organizational) fields in which SEA is envisaged and practiced.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this respect, the paper suggests a dialogue between the expectations about engagement research and what has been delivered in the literature. This paper reviews 32 articles publishing engagement research studies to explore the methodology of engagement research.

Findings

– The paper concludes that this methodology is consistent with notions of research in the context of application and extended peer-review communities. Further, this study shows a promising cross-fertilization between interpretive insight and critical enlightenment in engagement research. The paper also explores in more depth three methodological issues: what is specific about engagement research, particularly compared to stakeholder engagement; that the decision about the locus of engagement research does not seem to be driven by the characteristics of organizations, but by the potential insight and enlightenment that the empirical setting can yield; and, finally, that engagement research requires more space for reflexivity.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a reference for the methodological design of engagement research studies.
Acute cutaneous graft‐versus‐host disease resembling type II (atypical adult) pityriasis rubra pilaris
Authors: Surjana Devita , Robertson Ivan , Kennedy Glen , James Daniel , Weedon David
Published: February 2015

We present a case of cutaneous acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) with confluent erythematous perifollicular hyperkeratosis and ichthyosiform scale in the clinical pattern of type II (atypical adult) pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP), which developed 26 days after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant. Skin histology confirmed features of both aGVHD and PRP. The skin lesions were refractory to oral prednisolone and cyclosporine and only partially responsive to a combination of i.v. methylprednisolone, oral tacrolimus, oral mycophenolate mofetil, and infusions of anti‐thymocyte globulin and the tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitor, etanercept.
Clinical diagnostic approach to congenital agenesis of right lung with dextrocardia: a case report with review of literature
Authors: Xie Lijian , Zhao Jian , Shen Jie
Published: February 2015

Background and Aim

Congenital lung agenesis is extremely rare. The aim of this article is to evaluate the clinical diagnostic approach to congenital lung agenesis with a case report.

Methods

We described a 44‐day‐old male child with right pulmonary agenesis presented to us with severe respiratory distress. He was misdiagnosed as a case of foreign body bronchus at emergency room according chest X‐ray. Right lung agenesis was confirmed by CT scan. Echocardiography showed dextrocardia, absence of right pulmonary artery and small atrial septal defect. Then we reviewed the related literature with Medline and Pubmed databases.

Conclusion

It is recommended that CT scan is the key diagnostic approach for lung agenesis and invasive diagnostic procedures and prophylactic surgery should not be done in asymptomatic cases.
TCL1 expression predicts overall survival in patients with mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Shin Su‐Jin , Roh Jin , Cha Hee Jeong , Choi Yoo Duk , Kim Jin‐Man , Min Soo Kee , Kim Ji Eun , Eom Dae‐Woon , Lee Hojung , Kim Hyun‐Jung , Yoon Dok Hyun , Suh Cheolwon , Huh Jooryung
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has a heterogeneous clinical course. Although most cases show a poor prognosis, a minority has an indolent course. It is difficult to identify indolent MCL cases prospectively. T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma protein 1 (TCL1) is expressed by several B‐cell lymphomas, including MCL. This study examined the expression of TCL1 and its prognostic relevance for MCL.

Methods

Clinical data for 162 patients with MCL were collected. Of these, 144 cases with available tissues for tissue microarray construction and immunostaining were included in the analysis. TCL1 staining was quantified using the Nuclear Quant application with Pannoramic™ Viewer v. 1.14. High TCL1 expression was defined as moderate to strong nuclear and/or cytoplasmic staining in 40% or more of the cells.

Results

High TCL1 expression was observed in 39 of 144 samples (27.1%). Patients with low TCL1 expression were more likely to present with blastoid/pleomorphic morphology (P = 0.010). Low TCL1 expression was associated with significantly shorter overall survival (OS, P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis identified low TCL1 expression (P = 0.003), high‐risk MIPI (P = 0.027), and anemia (P = 0.018) as adverse prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that TCL1 expression profile may have a role in the prediction of overall outcome in patient with MCL and call for prospective studies.
Investigating the genetic basis of fever‐associated syndromic epilepsies using copy number variation analysis
Authors: Hartmann Corinna , von Spiczak Sarah , Suls Arvid , Weckhuysen Sarah , Buyse Gunnar , Vilain Catheline , Van Bogaert Patrick , De Jonghe Peter , Cook Joseph , Muhle Hiltrud , Stephani Ulrich , Helbig Ingo , Mefford Heather C.
Published: February 2015

Fever‐associated syndromic epilepsies ranging from febrile seizures plus (FS+) to Dravet syndrome have a significant genetic component. However, apart from SCN1A mutations in >80% of patients with Dravet syndrome, the genetic underpinnings of these epilepsies remain largely unknown. Therefore, we performed a genome‐wide screening for copy number variations (CNVs) in 36 patients with SCN1A‐negative fever‐associated syndromic epilepsies. Phenotypes included Dravet syndrome (n = 23; 64%), genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) and febrile seizures plus (FS+) (n = 11; 31%) and unclassified fever‐associated epilepsies (n = 2; 6%). Array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was performed using Agilent 4 × 180K arrays. We identified 13 rare CNVs in 8 (22%) of 36 individuals. These included known pathogenic CNVs in 4 (11%) of 36 patients: a 1q21.1 duplication in a proband with Dravet syndrome, a 14q23.3 deletion in a proband with FS+, and two deletions at 16p11.2 and 1q44 in two individuals with fever‐associated epilepsy with concomitant autism and/or intellectual disability. In addition, a 3q13.11 duplication in a patient with FS+ and two de novo duplications at 7p14.2 and 18q12.2 in a patient with atypical Dravet syndrome were classified as likely pathogenic. Six CNVs were of unknown significance. The identified genomic aberrations overlap with known neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting that fever‐associated epilepsy syndromes may be a recurrent clinical presentation of known microdeletion syndromes.
Drosophilablood cells and their role in immune responses
Authors: Vlisidou Isabella , Wood Will
Published: February 2015

Drosophila melanogasterhas been extensively used to study the humoral arm of innate immunity because of the developmental and functional parallels with mammalian innate immunity. However, the fly cellular response to infection is far less understood. Investigative work onDrosophilahaemocytes, the immunosurveillance cells of the insect, has revealed that they fulfil roles similar to mammalian monocytes and macrophages. They respond to wound signals and orchestrate the coagulation response. In addition, they phagocytose and encapsulate invading pathogens, and clear up apoptotic bodies controlling inflammation. This review briefly describes theDrosophilahaematopoietic system and discusses what is currently known about the contribution of haemocytes to the immune response upon infection and wounding, during all stages of development.
Climate Trends but Little Net Water Supply Shift in One of Canada's Most Water‐Stressed Regions over the Last Century
Authors: Fleming S.W. , Barton M.
Published: February 2015

The southern interior ecoprovince (SIE) of British Columbia, Canada represents the northernmost extent of the great western North American deserts, it is experiencing some of the nation's fastest economic and population growth making it one of Canada's most water‐stressed regions, and it includes two headwater basins of the transboundary (Canada‐US) Columbia River. Statistical trend analyses were performed on 90‐year regional indicator time series for annual conditions in observed temperature, precipitation, and streamflow reflecting the three major SIE river basins: the Thompson, and transboundary Okanagan and Similkameen. Results suggest that regional climate has grown warmer and wetter, but with little net impact on total water supply availability. The outcome might reflect mutual cancellation of increases in precipitation inputs vs. evapotranspiration losses. Conclusions appeared largely insensitive to low‐pass data filtering, Pacific Decadal Oscillation effects, or solar output variability. Ensemble historical global climate model runs over the same time interval support this absence of appreciable trend in regionally integrated annual runoff volume, but a possible mismatch in precipitation results suggests a direction for further study. Overall, while important changes in hydrologic timing and extremes are likely occurring here, there is limited evidence for a net change in overall water supply availability over the last century.
A novel mutation in IL36RN underpins childhood pustular dermatosis
Authors: Ellingford J.M. , Black G.C.M. , Clayton T.H. , Judge M. , Griffiths C.E.M. , Warren R.B.
Published: February 2015

Background

Chronic pustular dermatoses are severe and debilitating autoinflammatory conditions that can have a monogenic basis. Their clinical features are, however, complex with considerable overlap. Null and missense mutations in the genes encoding interleukin (IL)‐1 family (IL‐1 and IL‐36) anti‐inflammatory receptor antagonist (Ra) cytokines can underlie the development of severe pustular dermatoses.

Objective

We present a clinical and genetic study of four children of Pakistani descent with similar clinical presentations and treatment course, each of whom suffers from a severe pustular dermatosis, initially described as a pustular variant of psoriasis. We use DNA sequencing to refine the diagnosis of two of the children studied.

Methods

Bidirectional Sanger sequencing was performed on the coding regions of the IL‐1Ra and IL‐36Ra genes (IL1RN and IL36RN, respectively), for the four affected children and their parents.

Results

We identified a novel homozygous missense mutation in IL36RN in two siblings, and showed the molecular basis of the condition to be both distinct from psoriasis and distinct between the two families studied.

Conclusions

We describe a novel mutation which underpins the diagnosis of childhood pustular dermatosis. Molecular diagnostics can be used to aid the clinical diagnosis and potential treatment of autoinflammatory conditions.
The expression of nitrate transporter genes reveals different nitrogen statuses of dominant diatom groups in the southern East China Sea
Authors: Kang Lee‐Kuo , Gong Gwo‐Ching , Wu Yi‐Hsuan , Chang Jeng
Published: February 2015

In this study, the mRNA levels of the Nrt2 nitrate transporter gene were used as a molecular indicator of nitrogen status in two dominant diatom groups, Skeletonema and Chaetoceros, which inhabit the southern East China Sea (ECS). To accurately interpret the abundance of Nrt2 transcripts in situ, maximum and minimum expression levels were determined under conditions of nitrogen deprivation and ammonium addition, respectively. In August 2010, Nrt2 transcript levels in Skeletonema at the inner shelf region exhibited a mean of 111 mmole/(mole EFL); at the mid‐shelf region, the mean Nrt2 mRNA levels were 298 mmole/(mole EFL), which was very close to the maximum levels observed under nitrogen starvation. By contrast, the Nrt2 transcript levels in Chaetoceros were low at all of the shelf locations, except at one station in the mid‐shelf region. The cross‐shelf mean was 2.86 mmole/(mole EFL), which was similar to the expression levels observed in cultured Chaetoceros under conditions of sufficient ammonium. Similar expression patterns were observed in diatoms in the southern ECS in June 2011, but the Nrt2 transcript levels in Skeletonema at the inner shelf region were reduced to a mean of 28.6 mmole/(mole EFL). Regression analysis indicated that cell abundance and Nrt2 expression were closely related to the nutricline depth in the coastward half of the southern ECS for Skeletonema but not for Chaetoceros. These results indicate that the evaluated species differ in nitrogen status, which may reflect their evolutionary strategies to survive in a fluctuating marine environment.
On the complexity of triggering evolutionary radiations
Authors: Bouchenak‐Khelladi Yanis , Onstein Renske E. , Xing Yaowu , Schwery Orlando , Linder H. Peter
Published: February 2015

Recent developments in phylogenetic methods have made it possible to reconstruct evolutionary radiations from extant taxa, but identifying the triggers of radiations is still problematic. Here, we propose a conceptual framework to explore the role of variables that may impact radiations. We classify the variables into extrinsic conditions vs intrinsic traits, whether they provide background conditions, trigger the radiation, or modulate the radiation.

We used three clades representing angiosperm phylogenetic and structural diversity (Ericaceae, Fagales and Poales) as test groups. We located radiation events, selected variables potentially associated with diversification, and inferred the temporal sequences of evolution.

We found 13 shifts in diversification regimes in the three clades. We classified the associated variables, and determined whether they originated before the relevant radiation (backgrounds), originated simultaneously with the radiations (triggers), or evolved later (modulators).

By applying this conceptual framework, we establish that radiations require both extrinsic conditions and intrinsic traits, but that the sequence of these is not important. We also show that diversification drivers can be detected by being more variable within a radiation than conserved traits that only allow occupation of a new habitat. This framework facilitates exploration of the causative factors of evolutionary radiations.
Utilizing systems biology to unravel stomatal function and the hierarchies underpinning its control
Authors: MEDEIROS DAVID B. , DALOSO DANILO M. , FERNIE ALISDAIR R. , NIKOLOSKI ZORAN , ARAÚJO WAGNER L.
Published: February 2015

Stomata control the concomitant exchange of CO2 and transpiration in land plants. While a constant supply of CO2 is need to maintain the rate of photosynthesis, the accompanying water losses must be tightly regulated to prevent dehydration and undesired metabolic changes. The factors affecting stomatal movement are directly coupled with the cellular networks of guard cells. Although the guard cell has been used as a model for characterization of signaling pathways, several important questions about its functioning remain elusive. Current modeling approaches describe the stomatal conductance in terms of relatively few easy‐to‐measure variables being unsuitable for in silico design of genetic manipulation strategies. Here, we argue that a system biology approach, combining modeling and high‐throughput experiments, may be used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying stomata control and to determine targets for modulation of stomatal responses to environment. In support of our opinion, we review studies demonstrating how high‐throughput approaches have provided a systems‐view of guard cells. Finally, we emphasize the opportunities and challenges of genome‐scale modeling and large‐scale data integration for in silico manipulation of guard cell functions to improve crop yields, particularly under stress conditions which are of pertinence both to climate change and water use efficiency.
Obedience and Believing a Person
Authors: McMyler Benjamin
Published: February 2015

I argue that there is a mutually illuminating parallel between the concept of obedience and the concept of believing a person. Just as both believing what a person says and believing what a person says for the reason that the person says it are insufficient for believing the person, so acting as a person demands and acting as a person demands for the reason that the person demands it are insufficient for obeying the person. Unlike the concept of believing a person, however, the concept of obedience has two distinct senses, one applying to coerced action and one applying to non‐coerced action based on authoritative directives. While the former sense of obedience has no theoretical analogue, the latter sense of obedience can be understood as the practical analogue of the theoretical case of believing a person, making room for a deep parallel between believing and acting on authority.
International Comparison of Public and Private Employees’ Work Motives, Attitudes, and Perceived Rewards
Authors: Bullock Justin B. , Stritch Justin M. , Rainey Hal G.
Published: February 2015

This article presents a conceptual perspective on the distinctive characteristics of public organizations and their personnel. This perspective leads to hypotheses that public organizations deliver distinctive goods and services that influence the motives and rewards for their employees. These hypotheses are tested with evidence from the International Social Survey Programme in order to compare public and private employees in 30 nations. Public employees in 28 of the 30 nations expressed higher levels of public‐service‐oriented motives. In all of the countries, public employees were more likely to say they receive rewards in the form of perceived social impact. In most of the countries, public employees placed less importance on high income as a reward and expressed higher levels of organizational commitment.

Practitioner Points

The findings presented here add to previous evidence that public employees seek and attain more altruistic and public‐service‐oriented rewards than private sector employees. In particular, we add evidence that these differences hold in many different nations and cultural contexts.

Compensation and incentive system reforms in many governments have often concentrated on financial incentives and streamlining procedures for discipline and removal. Such matters are important but should not drive out concerns with showing public employees the impact of their work on the well‐being of others and on the community and society. Leaders and managers should invest in incentive systems that emphasize such motives and rewards.

Leaders and managers should invest in the use of altruistic and socially beneficial motives and rewards in recruiting systems.
Porphyromonas gingivalis B cell Antigen Epitope Vaccine, pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL, Promoted RagB‐Specific Antibody Production and Tfh Cells Expansion
Authors: Kong F. , Zheng D. , She P. , Ni P. , Zhu H. , Xu H. , Su Z.
Published: February 2015

The outer membrane protein RagB is one of the major virulence factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). To prevent periodontitis and associated systemic diseases induced by P. gingivalis, we built B cell antigen epitope vaccine characterized by pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL to induce a protective immune responses. The B cell antigen epitope and scrambled peptide of ragB were predicted, cloned into pIRES and constructed pIRES‐ragB', pIRES‐scrambled epitopes and pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL. pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL was transfected into COS‐7 cells. Subsequently, the 6‐week‐old female BALB/c mice were challenged by P. gingivalis following three time immunization by pIRES, pIRES‐ragB', pIRES‐scrambled epitopes and pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL. The levels of RagB‐specific antibody in the serum and Tfh cells in the spleen were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. And higher levels of RagB‐specific IgG were produced in the immunized mice with pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL. Additionally, the number of Tfh cells was also expanded and lesions were diminished in pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL mice comparing with control groups. Our results clearly demonstrated that P. gingivalis B cell antigen epitope vaccine, pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL, could induce protective immune responses. Furthermore, our data also indicated that pIRES‐ragB'‐mGITRL was a potential therapeutic vaccine against P. gingivalis.
Negotiating Fitness, From Consumption to Virtuous Production
Authors: Neville Ross D. , Gorman Catherine , Flanagan Sheila , Dimanche Frédéric
Published: February 2015

By shifting our attention toward everyday life, its manifold commitments and responsibilities, this paper examines the potential for “fitness” to take on an extended meaning beyond consumption activity. In the opening sections, Robert Nozick’s (1974) “Experience Machine” thought experiment is presented as an alternative analytic frame for interpreting the problem of fitness in terms of a tension between mere activity and experience. In relation to this tension, the paper presents findings from a study of experienced participants and emphasizes the possibilities of a virtuous production through fitness. In particular, we emphasize that there is much work to be done in sedimenting (and maintaining) an appropriate frame of reference for “doing fitness” and that “being someone through fitness” might operate as an indexical marker of virtue.

En dirigeant notre attention vers la vie de tous les jours et ses multiples engagements et responsabilités, nous examinons dans cet article le potentiel du « fitness » d’avoir une signification étendue au-delà de l’activité de consommation. Dans les premières sections, l’expérience de pensée de la « machine à expérience » de Robert Nozick (1974) est présentée comme un cadre analytique alternatif pour l’interprétation du problème de la condition physique en termes de tension entre simple activité et expérience. En lien avec cette tension, cet article présente les résultats d’une étude de participants expérimentés et met l’accent sur les possibilités d’une production vertueuse par l’intermédiaire de la condition physique. En particulier, nous soulignons qu’il y a beaucoup de travail à faire dans la sédimentation (et le maintien) d’un cadre de référence approprié pour « faire de l’activité physique » et qu’« être quelqu’un par l’intermédiaire de la condition physique » peut agir comme indicateur de vertu.
What Can Al Pacino Teach Norwegian Youth Athletes? A Norwegian Coach’s Ritual Use of Hollywood Media to Produce Team Culture
Authors: Broch Trygve B.
Published: February 2015

This article examines a coach’s use of a Hollywood film as a ritualized means for addressing concerns arising from boys’ participation in Norwegian handball. Through the prism of the ritual I elucidate a set of underlying cultural processes that are unlikely to be unique to this sport and setting. Participant observation among 15 year-old handballers was conducted throughout the 2011–2012 season. Here I focus on how Hollywood meaning was used and received at the arena. Meso analysis reveals how and why the movie became a significant part of the team’s praxis and how ritual allowed competent actors to embrace or reject its meaning. This ritualized media use maintained a system of stratification that was rendered tolerable and meaningful for all squad members, albeit in differing ways.
‘Legends’ in ‘Lingerie’: Sexuality and Athleticism in the 2013 Legends Football League US Season
Authors: Khomutova Anastasiya , Channon Alex
Published: February 2015

This paper explores the representation of female athletes within the Legends Football League (LFL; formerly ‘Lingerie Football League’) in 2013. Specifically, the study seeks to understand the vision of women’s sport, and female athletes, which the LFL propagates. Drawing on a combined content and semiotic analysis of the commentary and visuals featured in 26 LFL matches broadcast online in 2013, our data suggests that the LFL presents apparently conflicting images of sexualized, but ‘powerful’ female athletes. We discuss these data relative to competing interpretive approaches to female sexuality in sports media, and join other sports media scholars in advocating audience reception research as a necessary next step to grasping this emergent sport’s significance. Cet article examine la représentation d’athlètes féminines au sein de la Legends Football League (« Ligue de football des légendes » ou LFL, anciennement la « Lingerie Football League » ou « Ligue de football en lingerie ») en 2013. L’étude cherche spécifiquement à comprendre la vision du sport féminin et des athlètes féminines que la LFL propage. En se basant sur une analyse de contenu et sémiotique des commentaires et images trouvés dans les retransmissions en ligne de 26 matchs de la LFL en 2013, les données suggèrent que la LFL présente des images apparemment contradictoires d’athlètes sexualisées mais « puissantes ». Nous discutons ces données par rapport à d’autres approches interprétatives pour étudier la sexualité féminine dans les médias sportifs. Nous nous joignons aussi à d’autres chercheurs sur les médias sportifs en prônant la recherche sur la réception de l’audience comme prochaine étape afin de mieux saisir la signification de ce sport émergent.
“Just Because I Dance like a Ho I’m Not a Ho”: Cheerleading at the Intersection of Race, Class, and Gender
Authors: Johnson Chelsea Mary Elise
Published: February 2015

Feminist sociologists of sport have critiqued cheerleading for perpetuating gendered divisions of labor and dismissing women’s athleticism. However, no research has centered the experiences of black college cheerleaders or cheerleaders with formal feminist education. Through ethnography and interviews with cheerleaders who attend a historically black college (HBCU) for women, this research reveals how race, class, gender, and ideological perspective mutually inform the HBCU cheerleading style and how cheerleaders interpret their own performances. Squad members deploy womanist language, adopt a sexual politics of respectability off the court, and emphasize the cultural constraint of choreography to negotiate a perceived contradiction between being upwardly mobile black college women and participating in sexualized extracurricular athletics. This intersectional analysis makes visible limits to the liberal feminist ideal of individual empowerment for women in sport and the importance of institutional context in race and gender theory.
An estimate of the thermodynamic pressure in high-energy collisions
Authors: Tawfik Abdel Nasser
Published: February 2015

We introduce a novel approach to estimate the thermodynamic pressure from heavy-ion collisions based on recently measured higher-order moments of particle multiplicities by the STAR experiment. We start with fitting the experimental results in the most-central collisions. Then, we integrate them back to lower ones. For example, we find that the first-order moment, the mean multiplicity, is exactly reproduced from the integral of variance, the second-order moment. Therefore, the zeroth-order moment, the thermodynamic pressure, can be estimated from the integral of the mean multiplicity. The possible comparison between such a kind of pressure (deduced from the integral of particle multiplicity) and the lattice pressure and the relating of Bjorken energy density to the lattice energy density are depending on lattice QCD at finite baryon chemical potential and first-principle estimation of the formation time of the quark–gluon plasma (QGP).
Temporalized Structure of Bodies of Evidence in the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model
Authors: Sirbiladze Gia , Gelashvili Koba , Khutsishvili Irina , Sikharulidze Anna
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we perform the analysis of temporalized structure of bodies of evidence to construct more precise decisions based on the mathematical model of experts’ evaluations. The relation of information precision is defined on a monotone sequence of the bodies of evidence. For determining of a body of evidence the maximum principles of nonspecificity measure, the Shannon and Shapley entropies are applied. Corresponding mathematical programming problems are constructed. A new approach for the numerical solution of these problems is developed. The temporalized structure of bodies of evidence is used for precising the decision in the well-known Kaufmann’s theory of expertons. A measure of increase of decision precision is introduced, which takes into account all steps of temporalization. The temporalized method of expertons is applied to the problem of decision risk management, where the investment fund expert commission provides evaluation of competition results. In our specially created decision-making model, the goal of the expert technology is to aggregate and refine subjective evaluations provided by the expert commission members. The model performs as an adviser that assists the expert commission in selecting of decision with a minimum risks. The results of developed method are then compared with other well-known methods and aggregation operators such as: mean, median, ordered weighed averaging (OWA) and method of expertons.
Quantum-state transfer between atom and macroscopically distinguishable cavity field in Jaynes–Cummings model
Authors: Zhang Gang , Li Guan-Rong , Song Zhi
Published: February 2015

We present a scheme for transferring quantum state between atom and cavity field in Jaynes–Cummings model (JC) in the aid of spin-echo-like technique. It is based on the facts that the atom in a cavity can induce the generation of modified coherent states (MCSs), which can be shown to be macroscopically distinguishable, and the anti-commutation relation between the Hamiltonian and the z-component Pauli matrix. We show that this scheme is applicable for a class of cavity field states. The application on two-cavity system provides an alternative scheme for preparation of non-local superpositions of quasi-classical light states. Numerical simulation shows that the proposed schemes are efficient.
Synthesis and characterization of a sulfur-containing phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle hybrid
Authors: Blas-Ferrando Vicente M. , Ortiz Javier , Fernández-Lázaro Fernando , Sastre-Santos Ángela
Published: February 2015

This work reports on the synthesis and characterization of a new gold nanoparticle-zinc phthalocyanine system, AuNP - S (t Bu )3 ZnPc , prepared by a ligand exchange reaction of tetraoctylammonium bromide with a novel unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine which contains one thioester group in the peripheral position [ AcS (t Bu )3 ZnPc ]. The AuNP - S (t Bu )3 ZnPc hybrid was characterized using UV-vis and 1 H NMR spectroscopies. Transmission electron microscopy allowed the estimation of the size, which was calculated to be ~5 nm. AuNPs - S (t Bu )3 ZnPc conjugate showed much lower fluorescence quantum yield values than the AcS (t Bu )3 ZnPc demonstrating either an energy or electron transfer from the ZnPc to the AuNP . The AuNP - S (t Bu )3 ZnPc hybrid has been anchored to a TiO 2 semiconducting layer using lipoic acid. A solid configuration of TiO 2-lipoic acid- AuNP - S (t Bu )3 ZnPc has been prepared by anchoring lipoic acid to the TiO 2 ( TiO 2-LA) and introducing later the TiO 2-LA with free thiol groups in a toluene solution of AuNP - S (t Bu )3 ZnPc . We have also observed by UV-vis and fluorescence measurements the importance of the ZnPc in avoiding AuNP aggregation on the TiO 2 surface.
AgriVillage
Authors: Prada Rui , Prendinger Helmut , Yongyuth Panita , Nakasoneb Arturo , Kawtrakulc Asanee
Published: February 2015

Agriculture, while of uttermost importance for society, may also have a strong negative impact on the environment. Hence we propose a game that offers players the opportunity to experience the effects of different styles of agriculture on the environment. The game was built with the purpose of promoting the awareness of agriculture issues, such as, (1) the impact of fertilizers in sources of fresh water, (2) the problems related to deforestation and impact on the weather, and (3) the importance of balancing environmental and economic perspectives in order to produce food of good quality with low impact on the environment—and at the same time keep the activity sustainable. To make players care about these issues, we added a direct impact of the players' actions on a population of non-player characters, the villagers, whose simple autonomous behaviors resemble that of living entities. The game was implemented in the multi-user online three-dimensional (3-D) virtual world platform Open-Simulator, which supports an immersive user experience and high accessibility. An experiment was performed and showed that the game improved players' knowledge about agriculture and their awareness of the environmental impact of agriculture.
Improving Gameplay in First Person 3-D Games using Multiple Displays
Authors: Roman Fernando , Maciel Anderson , Nedel Luciana
Published: February 2015

Games are everywhere and, with the sharp improvement of graphics in the later years, a new challenge is to create better interfaces to amplify the sensorial experience of game players. In this context, the present work proposes a desktop-based CAVE system using a variable number of displays with dynamic angles between them. Our hypothesis is that such a system provides an improvement in the players' peripheral vision for 3-D first person games. This would even benefit the player performance. In our implementation we used augmented reality and computer vision techniques to calibrate the monitors. Graphics libraries (ARToolK ARToolKit it and OpenGL) have been used to detect and calibrate monitors within the same 3-D space and calculate the angles between them. The open source game AssaultCube has been modified to support 12 monitors and different camera angles. The game is not only entertaining, but has been implemented as a use case for user tests, with a configuration of three monitors. Tests have shown the desktop CAVE system allows for performance improvement once the players make significantly less look-around movements with the mouse while keeping the average number of kills and deaths favorable in relation to a conventional one monitor setup.
An Assessment Of The Clinical Usefulness Of Two Serum Markers, CA 15 3 and HMFG 2 in Localized And Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Bliss P. , Fiskent J. , Roulstent J. , Leonard R. C. F.
Published: February 2015

CA 15 3 is a circulating glycoprotein defined by two monoclonal antibodies (115 D 8 and DF 3) with good specificity for breast cancer. Tumour‐associated antigens have been detected by the monoclonal antibody HMFG 2 using a low pH ELISA method. We compare the values obtained using these two assays in patients with localized and metastatic breast cancer. CA 15 3 and HMFG 2 levels were measured in 61 patients, 24 localized and 37 metastatic, evaluated by standard biochemical and radiological testing. Of the patients with metastatic disease 78.4 per cent had an elevated CA 15 3 level whereas only 8.3 per cent of patients with localized disease had an elevated level (χ2=28·2 p=0.00I); 29·8 per cent of patients with metastatic disease had elevated HMFG 2 levels while among those with localized disease 16·7 per cent had elevated levels (χ2=0.57 p=NS). We conclude that only CA 15 3 is a useful marker in advanced disease.
Monoclonal Anti‐Idiotype Antibody to HSV‐1 Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody: Production and Characterization
Authors: Dar Veenita S. , Seth Pradeep
Published: February 2015

This study is an attempt to produce and characterize murine monoclonal antibodies directed against the paratope of HSV‐1 neutralizing monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibody 138 C5G10 which was neutralising and directed to 120 K antigen gB of HSV‐1 was used as the idiotype. We were able to produce three Ab‐2 monoclonal antibodies as characterized using immunofluorescence, ELISA and RIA. The findings of the present study suggest that two antiidiotypes 3AiB3E10 and 3AiB5D10 share the same unique fine specificity while 3AiB3C9 has a different specificity on 138 C5GI0 paratope. The utility of such ‘surrogate’ antigens in serological assays and modulation of immune response is discussed.
Refractory Rheumatic Disorder: Atypical Postpregnancy Osteoporosis
Authors: Mourgues Cindy , Malochet-Guinamand Sandrine , Soubrier Martin
Published: February 2015

This is a case report on a young patient with severe osteoporosis that was initially revealed when she presented with polyarthralgia during her second pregnancy. Postpartum, the pain increased and her X-ray did not show any abnormalities. A bone scintigraphy was performed. It indicated an inflammatory rheumatic disorder. Six months after partum, an investigation of right coxalgia revealed a spontaneous basicervical fracture. Given the persistent polyarthralgia, the patient underwent a new scintigraphy, which revealed areas of what looked to be old rib and L1 fractures. A subsequent full body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed signal abnormalities that could indicate multiple lower limb bone fractures. Despite exhaustive biological, radiological, and histological testing, no secondary cause for the osteoporosis was found. The patient was started on teriparatide. We finally concluded that, despite the atypical presentation, the patient was suffering from postpregnancy osteoporosis. It is possible that the frequency of occurrence of this still poorly understood disease is underestimated.
Acupuncture Antiarrhythmic Effects on Drug Refractory Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Park Jimin , Kim Hyun Soo , Lee Seung Min , Yoon Kanghyun , Kim Woo-shik , Woo Jong Shin , Lee Sanghoon , Kim Jin-Bae , Kim Weon
Published: February 2015

Background.Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of arrhythmia. Several trials have suggested that acupuncture may prevent AF. However, the efficacy of acupuncture for AF prevention has not been well investigated. Therefore, we designed a prospective, two-parallel-armed, participant and assessor blinded, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial to investigate acupuncture in persistent AF (ACU-AF).Methods.A total of 80 participants will be randomly assigned to active acupuncture or sham acupuncture groups in a 1 : 1 ratio. Both groups will take the same antiarrhythmic medication during the study period. Patients will receive 10 sessions of acupuncture treatment once a week for 10 weeks. The primary endpoint is AF recurrence rate. Secondary endpoints are left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) changes in function and volume, and inflammatory biomarker changes.Ethics.This study protocol was approved by the institutional review boards (IRBs) of Kyung Hee University Hospital (number 1335-04). This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.govNCT02110537.
On the Dynamical Behavior of Toxic-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton Model with Delay
Authors: Rehim Mehbuba , Wu Weixin , Muhammadhaji Ahmadjan
Published: February 2015

A toxin producing phytoplankton-zooplankton model with inhibitory exponential substrate and time delay has been formulated and analyzed. Since the liberation of toxic substances by phytoplankton species is not an instantaneous process but is mediated by some time lag required for maturity of the species and the zooplankton mortality due to the toxic phytoplankton bloom occurs after some time laps of the bloom of toxic phytoplankton, we induced a discrete time delay to both of the consume response function and distribution of toxic substance term. Furthermore, based on the fact that the predation rate decreases at large toxic-phytoplankton density, the system is modelled via a Tissiet type functional response. We study the dynamical behaviour and investigate the conditions to guarantee the coexistence of two species. Analytical methods and numerical simulations are used to obtain information about the qualitative behaviour of the models.
Early Metacarpal Bone Mineral Density Loss Using Digital X-Ray Radiogrammetry and 3-Tesla Wrist MRI in Established Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Longitudinal One-Year Observational Study
Authors: Rastogi Anshul , Algulin Jakob , Mangat Pamela , Lim Adrian K. P. , Satchithananda Keshthra , Hajnal Joseph V. , Taylor Peter C.
Published: February 2015

Objectives. Early change in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by periarticular osteopenia. We investigated the relationship of early metacarpal digital X-ray radiogrammetry bone mineral density (DXR-BMD) change rate (RC-BMD, mg/cm2/month) to longitudinal changes in hand and feet radiographic and wrist MRI scores over 1 year. Materials and Methods. 10 RA patients completed the study and had wrist 3T-MRI and hand and feet X-rays at various time points over 1 year. MRI was scored by RAMRIS, X-ray was done by van der Heijde modified Sharp scoring, and RC-BMD was analysed using dxr-online. Results. There was good correlation amongst the two scorers for MRI measures and ICC for erosions: 0.984, BME: 0.943, and synovitis: 0.657. Strong relationships were observed between RC-BMD at 12-week and 1-year change in wrist marrow oedema (BME) (r=0.78, P=0.035) but not with erosion, synovitis, or radiographic scores. Conclusion. Early RC-BMD correlates with 1-year wrist BME change, which is a known predictor of future erosion and joint damage. However, in our pilot study, early RC-BMD did not show relationships to MRI erosion or radiographic changes over 1 year. This may reflect a slower kinetic in the appearance of MRI/radiographic erosions, generating the hypothesis that RC-BMD may be a more sensitive and early structural prognostic marker in RA follow-up.
Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Extracts of the African Medicinal PlantXimenia caffra
Authors: Zhen Jing , Guo Yue , Villani Tom , Carr Steve , Brendler Thomas , Mumbengegwi Davis R. , Kong Ah-Ng Tony , Simon James E. , Wu Qingli
Published: February 2015

A method was developed for identification and quantification of polyphenols in the leaves ofXimenia caffrausing HPLC/UV/MS. Based on analyzing the MS and UV data and in comparison to the authentic standards, a total of 10 polyphenols were identified and quantified, including gallic acid, catechin, quercetin, kaempferol, and their derivatives. The total content of these compounds was found to be approximately 19.45 mg/g in the leaf and the most abundant is quercetin-rutinoside (9.08 mg/g). The total phenolic content as measured by Folin-Ciocalteu assay was 261.87 ± 7.11 mg GAE/g and the total antioxidant capacity as measuredin vitrowas 1.46 ± 0.01 mmol Trolox/g. The antiproliferative effect of the leaf extract was measured by MTS assay with IC50value of 239.0 ± 44.5 μg/mL. Cell-based assays show that the leaf extract inhibits the mRNA expression of proinflammatory genes (IL-6, iNOS, and TNF-α) by using RT-qPCR, implying its anti-inflammatory effects. It was further demonstrated that the underlying therapeutic mechanism involves the suppression of NF-κB, a shared pathway between cell death and inflammation.
Selective Inhibition of HDAC1 and HDAC2 as a Potential Therapeutic Option for B-ALL
Authors: Stubbs Matthew C. , Kim Wonil , Bariteau Megan , Davis Tina , Vempati Sridhar , Minehart Janna , Witkin Matthew , Qi Jun , Krivtsov Andrei V. , Bradner James E. , Kung Andrew L. , Armstrong Scott A.
Published: February 2015

Purpose: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have recently emerged as efficacious therapies that target epigenetic mechanisms in hematologic malignancies. One such hematologic malignancy, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), may be highly dependent on epigenetic regulation for leukemia development and maintenance, and thus sensitive to small-molecule inhibitors that target epigenetic mechanisms.

Experimental Design: A panel of B-ALL cell lines was tested for sensitivity to HDACi with varying isoform sensitivity. Isoform-specific shRNAs were used as further validation of HDACs as relevant therapeutic targets in B-ALL. Mouse xenografts of B-cell malignancy–derived cell lines and a pediatric B-ALL were used to demonstrate pharmacologic efficacy.

Results: Nonselective HDAC inhibitors were cytotoxic to a panel of B-ALL cell lines as well as to xenografted human leukemia patient samples. Assessment of isoform-specific HDACi indicated that targeting HDAC1-3 with class I HDAC-specific inhibitors was sufficient to inhibit growth of B-ALL cell lines. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated knockdown of HDAC1 or HDAC2 resulted in growth inhibition in these cells. We then assessed a compound that specifically inhibits only HDAC1 and HDAC2. This compound suppressed growth and induced apoptosis in B-ALL cell lines in vitro and in vivo, whereas it was far less effective against other B-cell–derived malignancies.

Conclusions: Here, we show that HDAC inhibitors are a potential therapeutic option for B-ALL, and that a more specific inhibitor of HDAC1 and HDAC2 could be therapeutically useful for patients with B-ALL. Clin Cancer Res; 21(10); 2348–58. ©2015 AACR.
Novel Actions of Next-Generation Taxanes Benefit Advanced Stages of Prostate Cancer
Authors: de Leeuw Renée , Berman-Booty Lisa D. , Schiewer Matthew J. , Ciment Stephen J. , Den Robert B. , Dicker Adam P. , Kelly William K. , Trabulsi Edouard J. , Lallas Costas D. , Gomella Leonard G. , Knudsen Karen E.
Published: February 2015

Purpose: To improve the outcomes of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), there is an urgent need for more effective therapies and approaches that individualize specific treatments for patients with CRPC. These studies compared the novel taxane cabazitaxel with the previous generation docetaxel, and aimed to determine which tumors are most likely to respond.

Experimental design: Cabazitaxel and docetaxel were compared via in vitro modeling to determine the molecular mechanism, biochemical and cell biologic impact, and cell proliferation, which was further assessed ex vivo in human tumor explants. Isogenic pairs of RB knockdown and control cells were interrogated in vitro and in xenograft tumors for cabazitaxel response.

Results: The data herein show that (i) cabazitaxel exerts stronger cytostatic and cytotoxic response compared with docetaxel, especially in CRPC; (ii) cabazitaxel induces aberrant mitosis, leading to pyknotic and multinucleated cells; (iii) taxanes do not act through the androgen receptor (AR); (iv) gene-expression profiling reveals distinct molecular actions for cabazitaxel; and (v) tumors that have progressed to castration resistance via loss of RB show enhanced sensitivity to cabazitaxel.

Conclusions: Cabazitaxel not only induces improved cytostatic and cytotoxic effects, but also affects distinct molecular pathways, compared with docetaxel, which could underlie its efficacy after docetaxel treatment has failed in patients with CRPC. Finally, RB is identified as the first potential biomarker that could define the therapeutic response to taxanes in metastatic CRPC. This would suggest that loss of RB function induces sensitization to taxanes, which could benefit up to 50% of CRPC cases. Clin Cancer Res; 21(4); 795–807. ©2015 AACR.