bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Outcomes in Adult Weight Loss Studies That Include Diet and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Millstein Rachel A.
Published: November 2014

Background. Measuring success of obesity interventions is critical. Several methods measure weight loss outcomes but there is no consensus on best practices. This systematic review evaluates relevant outcomes (weight loss, BMI, % body fat, and fat mass) to determine which might be the best indicator(s) of success.Methods. Eligible articles described adult weight loss interventions that included diet and physical activity and a measure of weight or BMI change and body composition change.Results. 28 full-text articles met inclusion criteria. Subjects, settings, intervention lengths, and intensities varied. All studies measured body weight (−2.9 to −17.3 kg), 9 studies measured BMI (−1.1 to −5.1 kg/m2), 20 studies measured % body fat (−0.7 to −10.2%), and 22 studies measured fat mass (−0.9 to −14.9 kg). All studies found agreement between weight or BMI and body fat mass or body fat % decreases, though there were discrepancies in degree of significance between measures.Conclusions. Nearly all weight or BMI and body composition measures agreed. Since body fat is the most metabolically harmful tissue type, it may be a more meaningful measure of health change. Future studies should consider primarily measuring % body fat, rather than or in addition to weight or BMI.
An Adaptive Nonlinear Control for Gyro Stabilized Platform Based on Neural Networks and Disturbance Observer
Authors: Fang Jiancheng , Yin Rui
Published: November 2014

In order to improve the tracking performance of gyro stabilized platform with disturbances and uncertainties, an adaptive nonlinear control based on neural networks and reduced‐order disturbance observer for disturbance compensation is developed. First the reduced‐order disturbance observer estimates the disturbance directly. The error of the estimated disturbance caused by parameter variation and measurement noise is then approximated by neural networks. The phase compensation is also introduced to the proposed control law for the desired sinusoidal tracking. The stability of the proposed scheme is analyzed by the Lyapunov criterion. Experimental results show the validity of the proposed control approach.
Graphical Conversion between Compliance and Modulus, Permittivity and Electric Modulus, and Impedance and Admittance
Authors: Nakanishi Masahiro
Published: November 2014

Spectrometries probing relaxation and retardation phenomena, such as dielectric, mechanical, and impedance spectroscopies, often require the analyses with both susceptibilities spectra z and its reciprocals 1/z (e.g., complex permittivity and electric modulus, mechanical compliance and mechanical modulus, and impedance and admittance). In the present paper, the geometric relation between z and 1/z is derived and the procedure to convert z into 1/z on a Cole-Cole diagram is proposed. This method helps us to relate them intuitively and yields clearer understanding on their interrelations. Moreover, it opens the new route for the geometric approach to derive many mathematical properties of spectra. The relation between peak position of z spectrum and that of 1/z spectrum and the shape of spectra are discussed on the basis of this method.
Sensitivity of Larvae and Adult and the Immunologic Characteristics ofLitopenaeus vannameiunder the Acute Hypoxia
Authors: Zhou Hailong , Li Yuhu , Wei Lin , Zhang Zhihuai , Huang Hao , Diao Xiaoping , Xiang Jianhai
Published: November 2014

Litopenaeus vannameiis one of the most commercially important species of shrimp in the world. In this study, we performed acute hypoxia tests withLitopenaeus vannameito estimate 12 h median lethal concentration (LC50) values at different life stages. The results indicated that the 12 h LC50values were significantly different in different life stages of shrimp(P<0.05). The maximum value of 12 h LC50was 2.113 mg L−1for mysis III, and the minimum value was 0.535 mg L−1for adult shrimp with an average total length of 6 cm. The study also determined the hemocyanin concentration (HC) and the total hemocyte counts (THC) in the conditions of hypoxia and reoxygenation. These results showed that the THC decreased and the HC increased under hypoxia, and the THC increased and the HC decreased in the condition of reoxygenation. These results can provide fundamental information for shrimp farming and seedling and also can guide the breeding selection, as well as being very helpful to better understand the hypoxia stress mechanism of shrimp.
Potential Antioxidant Anthraquinones Isolated fromRheum emodiShowing Nematicidal Activity againstMeloidogyne incognita
Authors: Tripathi Brijesh , Bhatia Rohit , Pandey Alka , Gaur Jitender , Chawala Gautam , Walia Suresh , Choi Eun Ha , Attri Pankaj
Published: November 2014

Antioxidant and nematicidal properties were evaluated forR. emodiextractives which are extracted by standardizing and adopting accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) method along with traditional Soxhlet extraction. The extracted material was separated using flash chromatography and the separation conditions and solvents were standardized for the extracted plant constituents. The purity was detected by using analytical reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). LC-MS/MS detection in the direct infusion mode of the isolated, purified products afforded four anthraquinones, characterized by their infrared spectra (IR) and1H spectra as chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, and aloe-emodin. Five antraquinone glucoside derivatives and piceatannol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside have also been detected from the extracted product. Duringin vitroevaluation the antioxidant potential of methanolic crude extract (CE1) was the highest, followed by ethyl acetate crude extract (CE2) and chloroform extract (CE3) in DPPH radical scavenging activity. The CE1 also demonstrated outstanding nematicidal activity as compared with other extracts, pure anthraquinones, and even positive control azadirachtin. The study conclusively demonstrated the antioxidant potential ofR. emodiextracts and also its ability in extenuating theMeloidogyne incognita(root-knot nematode). The bioassay results can be extrapolated to actual field condition and clinical studies.
A New Evolutionary-Incremental Framework for Feature Selection
Authors: Sigari Mohamad-Hoseyn , Pourshahabi Muhammad-Reza , Pourreza Hamid-Reza
Published: November 2014

Feature selection is an NP-hard problem from the viewpoint of algorithm design and it is one of the main open problems in pattern recognition. In this paper, we propose a new evolutionary-incremental framework for feature selection. The proposed framework can be applied on an ordinary evolutionary algorithm (EA) such as genetic algorithm (GA) or invasive weed optimization (IWO). This framework proposes some generic modifications on ordinary EAs to be compatible with the variable length of solutions. In this framework, the solutions related to the primary generations have short length. Then, the length of solutions may be increased through generations gradually. In addition, our evolutionary-incremental framework deploys two new operators called addition and deletion operators which change the length of solutions randomly. For evaluation of the proposed framework, we use that for feature selection in the application of face recognition. In this regard, we applied our feature selection method on a robust face recognition algorithm which is based on the extraction of Gabor coefficients. Experimental results show that our proposed evolutionary-incremental framework can select a few number of features from existing thousands features efficiently. Comparison result of the proposed methods with the previous methods shows that our framework is comprehensive, robust, and well-defined to apply on many EAs for feature selection.
Cyclic Oligolactic Acid in Direct Polycondensation PLLA and Its Extraction with Organic Solvent
Authors: Nomura Keiichiro , Nakatsuchi Yuta , Shinmura Ryugo , Pivsa-Art Sommai , Pivsa-Art Weraporn , Aso Yuji , Ohara Hitomi
Published: November 2014

The contents of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) prepared by direct condensation polymerization without using a catalyst were studied. 1H NMR and mass spectrometry analyses suggested that PLLA contained cyclic oligo(L-lactic acid) (c-OLLA) with 3–20 repeat units. Notably, only c-OLLA was extracted and isolated using hexane or cyclohexane at 4°C; thus the hydrophobicity, topology, and temperature dependence of the solubility of the obtained PLLA enabled the selective extraction of c-OLLA. The effect of cyclic compounds on direct polycondensation and the potential for c-OLLA to form molecular inclusion complexes were also discussed.
Identification of Ocular and Auditory Manifestations of Congenital Rubella Syndrome in Mbingo
Authors: Jivraj Imran , Rudnisky Chris J. , Tambe Emmanuel , Tipple Graham , Tennant Matthew T. S.
Published: November 2014

Purpose. Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is a global cause of preventable hearing impairment, blindness, and intellectual impairment. The present study sought to identify ocular and auditory manifestations of CRS in school-aged children in Mbingo, Cameroon.Design. Cross sectional study.Subjects. Students at two schools, one for children with hearing impairment, were screened for cataract, congenital glaucoma, and pigmentary retinopathy.Methods. Students underwent seven-field digital fundus photography through a dilated pupil using a Topcon NW200 nonmydriatic camera. Images were assessed by retina specialists in Canada via teleophthalmology. Clinical evidence was integrated to form case definitions for CRS based on Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Serological evidence of rubella infection was obtained using standardized IgG antibody titers.Main Outcome Measure. Number of probable and suspicious cases of CRS.Results. Between September 2009 and May 2010, 320 students participated. There were 28 (10.2%) probable cases, 104 (37.8%) suspects, and 143 (52.0%) unaffected. Rubella IgG serology was positive in 79 (48.7%) of children with hearing impairment and 11 (7.4%) of children with normal hearing.Conclusions. The present study identified 28 probable cases of CRS. Furthermore, 92.6% of students with normal hearing did not possess rubella IgG antibodies making future cases of CRS likely without intervention.
A Novel Guidance Law with Line‐of‐Sight Acceleration Feedback for Missiles against Maneuvering Targets
Authors: Ma Kemao , Zhang Xiaoyu
Published: November 2014

Terminal guidance law design and its implementation are considered for homing missiles against maneuvering targets. The lateral acceleration dynamics are taken into account in the design. In the guidance law design, the line‐of‐sight acceleration signals are incorporated into the acceleration reference signals to compensate for the targets’ maneuvers. Then the commanded accelerations are designed and the convergent tracking of the lateral accelerations to these signals is proven theoretically. In the guidance implementation, a linear high‐gain differentiator is used to estimate the line‐of‐sight rates and the line‐of‐sight acceleration signals. To avoid the magnifying effects of higher order differentiation, a practical design of commanded accelerations is given to realize approximate tracking of the lateral accelerations to the given reference signals. Simulation is conducted for both cases with and without measurement noises. The simulation results justify the feasibility of the design and the implementation.
Hypoxia-Induced SUMOylation of E3 Ligase HAF Determines Specific Activation of HIF2 in Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Koh Mei Yee , Nguyen Vuvi , Lemos Robert , Darnay Bryant G. , Kiriakova Galina , Abdelmelek Mena , Ho Thai H. , Karam Jose , Monzon Federico A. , Jonasch Eric , Powis Garth
Published: November 2014

Clear-cell renal cell cancer (CRCC) is initiated typically by loss of the tumor-suppressor VHL, driving constitutive activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1) and HIF2. However, whereas HIF1 has a tumor-suppressor role, HIF2 plays a distinct role in driving CRCC. In this study, we show that the HIF1α E3 ligase hypoxia-associated factor (HAF) complexes with HIF2α at DNA to promote HIF2-dependent transcription through a mechanism relying upon HAF SUMOylation. HAF SUMOylation was induced by hypoxia, whereas HAF-mediated HIF1α degradation was SUMOylation independent. HAF overexpression in mice increased CRCC growth and metastasis. Clinically, HAF overexpression was associated with poor prognosis. Taken together, our results show that HAF is a specific mediator of HIF2 activation that is critical for CRCC development and morbidity. Cancer Res; 75(2); 316–29. ©2014 AACR.
KAP1 Promotes Proliferation and Metastatic Progression of Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Addison Joseph B. , Koontz Colton , Fugett James H. , Creighton Chad J. , Chen Dongquan , Farrugia Mark K. , Padon Renata R. , Voronkova Maria A. , McLaughlin Sarah L. , Livengood Ryan H. , Lin Chen-Chung , Ruppert J. Michael , Pugacheva Elena N. , Ivanov Alexey V.
Published: November 2014

KAP1 (TRIM28) is a transcriptional regulator in embryonic development that controls stem cell self-renewal, chromatin organization, and the DNA damage response, acting as an essential corepressor for KRAB family zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZNF). To gain insight into the function of this large gene family, we developed an antibody that recognizes the conserved zinc fingers linker region (ZnFL) in multiple KRAB-ZNF. Here, we report that the expression of many KRAB-ZNF along with active SUMOlyated KAP1 is elevated widely in human breast cancers. KAP1 silencing in breast cancer cells reduced proliferation and inhibited the growth and metastasis of tumor xenografts. Conversely, KAP1 overexpression stimulated cell proliferation and tumor growth. In cells where KAP1 was silenced, we identified multiple downregulated genes linked to tumor progression and metastasis, including EREG/epiregulin, PTGS2/COX2, MMP1, MMP2, and CD44, along with downregulation of multiple KRAB-ZNF proteins. KAP1-dependent stabilization of KRAB-ZNF required direct interactions with KAP1. Together, our results show that KAP1-mediated stimulation of multiple KRAB-ZNF contributes to the growth and metastasis of breast cancer. Cancer Res; 75(2); 344–55. ©2014 AACR.
Aberrant Myosin 1b Expression Promotes Cell Migration and Lymph Node Metastasis of HNSCC
Authors: Ohmura Gaku , Tsujikawa Takahiro , Yaguchi Tomonori , Kawamura Naoshi , Mikami Shuji , Sugiyama Juri , Nakamura Kenta , Kobayashi Asuka , Iwata Takashi , Nakano Hiroshi , Shimada Taketoshi , Hisa Yasuo , Kawakami Yutaka
Published: November 2014

Lymph node metastasis is the major clinicopathologic feature associated with poor prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, web-based bioinformatics meta-analysis was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of lymph node metastasis of human HNSCC. Preferential upregulation of Myosin 1b (MYO1B) transcript in HNSCC datasets was identified. Myo1b mRNA was highly expressed in human HNSCC cells and patient tissue specimens compared with their normal counterparts as shown by quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyses. Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-detected Myo1b expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases in patients with oral cancer of the tongue. HNSCC with high expression of Myo1b and chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), another metastasis-associated molecule, was strongly associated with lymph node metastasis. RNA interference (RNAi) of Myo1b in HNSCC cells, SAS and HSC4, significantly inhibited migratory and invasive abilities through decreased large protrusion formation of cell membranes. Finally, Myo1b knockdown in SAS cells significantly inhibited in vivo cervical lymph node metastases in a cervical lymph node metastatic mouse model system.

Implications: Myo1b is functionally involved in lymph node metastasis of human HNSCC through enhanced cancer cell motility and is an attractive target for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with HNSCC. Mol Cancer Res; 13(4); 721–31. ©2014 AACR.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Causing Posterior Fossa Lesions: Description of a Case Series and Assessment of Safety of Anticoagulation
Authors: Aguiar de Sousa Diana , Ferro José M. , Canhão Patrícia , Barinagarrementeria Fernando , Bousser Marie-Germaine , Stam Jan , Nogueira Pinto Amélia , Viana Baptista Miguel , Béjot Yannick , Dequatre-Ponchelle Nelly ,   the ISCVT Investigators
Published: November 2014

Background: Isolated posterior fossa parenchymal lesions associated with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) are rare. Posterior fossa lesions are an independent predictor of death in CVT. We aim to describe the characteristics and outcome of patients with CVT and isolated posterior fossa lesions and assess the safety of anticoagulation in patients with posterior fossa lesions associated with CVT. Methods: We retrieved data from all patients with posterior fossa parenchymal lesions in the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT) cohort related to clinical features, therapy and outcome. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate associations. To assess the safety of anticoagulation in CVT patients with posterior fossa lesions we considered all patients with a lesion in this topography, either isolated or with concomitant supratentorial lesions, and compared the rate of new intracranial haemorrhages on repeated imaging with the remaining cohort. Results: Out of 624 patients, 12 had isolated posterior fossa lesions and 14 had posterior fossa lesion with accompanying supratentorial lesions. The lateral sinus was most frequently occluded (n = 11). Involvement of the superior sagittal sinus was significantly less frequent compared to the remaining patients of the cohort (p = 0.013). None of the patients with isolated posterior fossa lesion died but 3 remained dependent on follow-up. Poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≥3) was more frequent in patients with any posterior fossa lesion, even when on anticoagulation (29.2% vs. 11.9%; OR 3.04; 95% CI 1.2-7.6; p = 0.018). Of the 24 anticoagulated patients with a posterior fossa lesion, 3 (12.5%) had new haemorrhages on repeated imaging, compared with 30 out of 495 anticoagulated patients (6.1%) without posterior fossa lesions (p = 0.19). Conclusions: We describe the largest series of CVT patients with associated posterior fossa lesions. When compared to anticoagulated CVT patients without posterior fossa lesions, CVT patients with posterior fossa lesions on full anticoagulation did not have a significant increase in the rate of new intracranial haemorrhages.
Chronology, Magnitude and Duration of Expression of Putative Sex-Determining/Differentiation Genes in a Turtle with Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination
Authors: Bieser Kayla L. , Wibbels Thane
Published: November 2014

The red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) possesses temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) in which the incubation temperature determines gonadal sex. Although a number of mammalian gene homologues have been identified in reptiles with TSD, the exact sex-determining trigger(s) is not known. To date, the current study represents the most comprehensive simultaneous evaluation of the chronology of mRNA expression profiles of putative sex-determining/differentiation genes (Dmrt1, Sox9, Amh, Lhx9, and Foxl2) from gonads incubated at male- and female-producing temperatures in T. scripta. Additionally, sex-reversing treatments with 17β-estradiol and letrozole were examined. At a male-producing temperature, Dmrt1 expression was sexually dimorphic by stage 17, Sox9 by 19 and Amh by 21. In contrast, Foxl2 did not significantly increase until after the thermosensitive period at a female-producing temperature. Treatment with 17β-estradiol resulted in reduced gonad size and/or inhibited gonadal development and differentiation. Gene expression was subsequently low in this group. Sex reversal utilizing letrozole failed to produce testes at a female-producing temperature and as such, gene expression was comparable to ovary. These results indicate that Dmrt1 and Sox9 are potential triggers for testis differentiation and Amh, Lhx9 and Foxl2 represent a conserved core set of genes in the sex-determining/differentiation pathway of TSD species.
The Effect of Overweight/Obesity on Cardiovascular Responses to Acute Psychological Stress in Men Aged 50-70 Years
Authors: Torres Susan J. , Turner Anne I. , Jayasinghe Sisitha U. , Reynolds John , Nowson Caryl A.
Published: November 2014

Background: To determine the effect of adiposity in males aged 50-70 years on cardiovascular responses to acute psychological stress. Methods: Lean (BMI 20-25 kg/m2) (n = 21) and overweight/obese (BMI 27-35 kg/m2) (n = 21) men aged 50-70 years were subjected to psychological stress. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total peripheral resistance, and cardiac output were measured by a Finometer during resting (60 min), stress (30 min), and recovery (90 min). Results: The lean group had a significantly higher SBP stress reactivity when compared to the overweight/obese group (51.5 ± 3.7% vs. 41.0 ± 2.9% (mean ± SEM) ; p < 0.05). A significant effect of time was observed for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total peripheral resistance, and cardiac output (p < 0.0001 for all). There were significant time × body type interactions for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total peripheral resistance, and cardiac output (p < 0.05 for all). Total peripheral resistance during recovery was higher in the lean compared to the overweight/obese group (p < 0.05). In the lean group, systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability remained elevated after stress (p < 0.05) but returned to resting levels in the overweight/obese group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Moderate adiposity in men was associated with reduced systolic blood pressure % reactivity, total peripheral resistance, and blood pressure variability after psychological stress. Overweight/obese men appear to be at no greater risk of unfavorable cardiovascular responses to stress.
Re-Entry Using Anatomically Determined Isthmuses
Authors: Kapel Gijsbert F.L. , Reichlin Tobias , Wijnmaalen Adrianus P. , Piers Sebastiaan R.D. , Holman Eduard R. , Tedrow Usha B. , Schalij Martin J. , Stevenson William G. , Zeppenfeld Katja
Published: November 2014

Background—

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an important cause of late morbidity and mortality in repaired congenital heart disease. The substrate often includes anatomic isthmuses that can be transected by radiofrequency catheter ablation similar to isthmus block for atrial flutter. This study evaluates the long-term efficacy of isthmus block for treatment of re-entry VT in adults with repaired congenital heart disease.

Methods and Results—

Thirty-four patients (49±13 years; 74% male) with repaired congenital heart disease who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation of VT in 2 centers were included. Twenty-two (65%) had a preserved left and right ventricular function. Patients were inducible for 1 (interquartile range, 1–2) VT, median cycle length: 295 ms (interquartile range, 242–346). Ablation aimed to transect anatomic isthmuses containing VT re-entry circuit isthmuses. Procedural success was defined as noninducibility of any VT and transection of the anatomic isthmus and was achieved in 25 (74%) patients. During long-term follow-up (46±29 months), all patients with procedural success (18/25 with internal cardiac defibrillators) were free of VT recurrence but 7 of 18 experienced internal cardiac defibrillator-related complications. One patient with procedural success and depressed cardiac function received an internal cardiac defibrillator shock for ventricular fibrillation. None of the 18 patients (12/18 with internal cardiac defibrillators) with complete success and preserved cardiac function experienced any ventricular arrhythmia. In contrast, VT recurred in 4 of 9 patients without procedural success. Four patients died from nonarrhythmic causes.

Conclusions—

In patients with repaired congenital heart disease with preserved ventricular function and isthmus-dependent re-entry, VT isthmus ablation can be curative.
Randomized Comparison of Renal Denervation Versus Intensified Pharmacotherapy Including Spironolactone in True-Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Rosa Ján , Widimský Petr , Toušek Petr , Petrák Ondřej , Čurila Karol , Waldauf Petr , Bednář František , Zelinka Tomáš , Holaj Robert , Štrauch Branislav , Šomlóová Zuzana , Táborský Miloš , Václavík Jan , Kociánová Eva , Branny Marian , Nykl Igor , Jiravský Otakar , Widimský Jiří
Published: November 2014

This prospective, randomized, open-label multicenter trial evaluated the efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation (Symplicity, Medtronic) versus intensified pharmacological treatment including spironolactone (if tolerated) in patients with true-resistant hypertension. This was confirmed by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after excluding secondary hypertension and confirmation of adherence to therapy by measurement of plasma antihypertensive drug levels before enrollment. One-hundred six patients were randomized to renal denervation (n=52), or intensified pharmacological treatment (n=54) with baseline systolic blood pressure of 159±17 and 155±17 mm Hg and average number of drugs 5.1 and 5.4, respectively. A significant reduction in 24-hour average systolic blood pressure after 6 months (−8.6 [95% cofidence interval: −11.8, −5.3] mm Hg;
P
<0.001 in renal denervation versus −8.1 [95% cofidence interval: −12.7, −3.4] mm Hg;
P
=0.001 in pharmacological group) was observed, which was comparable in both groups. Similarly, a significant reduction in systolic office blood pressure (−12.4 [95% cofidence interval: −17.0, −7.8] mm Hg;
P
<0.001 in renal denervation versus −14.3 [95% cofidence interval: −19.7, −8.9] mm Hg;
P
<0.001 in pharmacological group) was present. Between-group differences in change were not significant. The average number of antihypertensive drugs used after 6 months was significantly higher in the pharmacological group (+0.3 drugs;
P
<0.001). A significant increase in serum creatinine and a parallel decrease of creatinine clearance were observed in the pharmacological group; between-group difference were borderline significant. The 6-month results of this study confirmed the safety of renal denervation. In conclusion, renal denervation achieved reduction of blood pressure comparable with intensified pharmacotherapy.
Intracerebroventricular Infusion of the (Pro)renin Receptor Antagonist PRO20 Attenuates Deoxycorticosterone Acetate-Salt–Induced Hypertension
Authors: Li Wencheng , Sullivan Michelle N. , Zhang Sheng , Worker Caleb J. , Xiong Zhenggang , Speth Robert C. , Feng Yumei
Published: November 2014

We previously reported that binding of prorenin to the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) plays a major role in brain angiotensin II formation and the development of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension. Here, we designed and developed an antagonistic peptide, PRO20, to block prorenin binding to the PRR. Fluorescently labeled PRO20 bound to both mouse and human brain tissues with dissociation constants of 4.4 and 1.8 nmol/L, respectively. This binding was blocked by coincubation with prorenin and was diminished in brains of neuron-specific PRR-knockout mice, indicating specificity of PRO20 for PRR. In cultured human neuroblastoma cells, PRO20 blocked prorenin-induced calcium influx in a concentration- and AT
1
receptor–dependent manner. Intracerebroventricular infusion of PRO20 dose-dependently inhibited prorenin-induced hypertension in C57Bl6/J mice. Furthermore, acute intracerebroventricular infusion of PRO20 reduced blood pressure in both DOCA-salt and genetically hypertensive mice. Chronic intracerebroventricular infusion of PRO20 attenuated the development of hypertension and the increase in brain hypothalamic angiotensin II levels induced by DOCA-salt. In addition, chronic intracerebroventricular infusion of PRO20 improved autonomic function and spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in mice treated with DOCA-salt. In summary, PRO20 binds to both mouse and human PRRs and decreases angiotensin II formation and hypertension induced by either prorenin or DOCA-salt. Our findings highlight the value of the novel PRR antagonist, PRO20, as a lead compound for a novel class of antihypertensive agents and as a research tool to establish the validity of brain PRR antagonism as a strategy for treating hypertension.
Does Low Diastolic Blood Pressure Contribute to the Risk of Recurrent Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease Events?
Authors: Franklin Stanley S. , Gokhale Sohum S. , Chow Vincent H. , Larson Martin G. , Levy Daniel , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Mitchell Gary F. , Wong Nathan D.
Published: November 2014

Whether low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is a risk factor for recurrent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in persons with isolated systolic hypertension is controversial. We studied 791 individuals (mean age 75 years, 47% female, mean follow-up time: 8±6 years) with DBP <70 (n=225) versus 70 to 89 mm Hg (n=566) after initial CVD events in the original and offspring cohorts of the Framingham Heart Study. Recurrent CVD events occurred in 153 (68%) participants with lower DBP and 271 (48%) with higher DBP (
P
<0.0001). Risk of recurrent CVD events in risk factor-adjusted Cox regression was higher in those with DBP <70 mm Hg versus DBP 70 to 89 mm Hg in both treated (hazard ratio, 5.1 [95% confidence interval: 3.8–6.9]
P
<0.0001) and untreated individuals (hazard ratio, 11.7 [95% confidence interval: 6.5–21.1]
P
<0.0001; treatment interaction:
P
=0.71). Individually, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke recurrent events were more likely with DBP <70 mm Hg versus 70 to 89 mm Hg (
P
<0.0001). To examine for an effect of wide pulse pressure on excess risk associated with low DBP, we defined 4 binary groupings of pulse pressure (≥68 versus <68 mm Hg) and DBP (<70 versus 70–89 mm Hg). CVD incidence rates were higher only in the group with pulse pressure ≥68 and DBP <70 mm Hg (76% versus 46%–54%;
P
<0.001). Persons with isolated systolic hypertension and prior CVD events have increased risk for recurrent CVD events in the presence of DBP <70 mm Hg versus DBP 70 to 89 mm Hg, whether treated or untreated, supporting wide pulse pressure as an important risk modifier for the adverse effect of low DBP.
Dialogue and Community: The Ethical Claim of Tradition
Authors: Kögler Hans-Herbert
Published: November 2014

The essay reconstructs an ethical approach towards history. The hermeneutic insight into the requirement for a dialogical access to the meaning of history is shown to entail an ethical dimension. The central thesis is that tradition raises an existential claim towards the interpreter that requires a dialogical recognition of the other’s expressed perspectives. The essay develops this thesis via a concept of tradition as an intersubjective community based on dialogue, which is inspired by Hans-Georg Gadamer’s reflections on the intertwinement of dialogical interpretation, tradition, and the ethical recognition of the other. The Gadamerian concept of tradition will nevertheless be radically revised so as to be suitable for historical interpretation. Dialogical recognition will now reach beyond the textual claims of linguistically raised validity claims to include an existential openness towards the other’s fully situated life-projects and narratives. The argument culminates in the introduction of an existential claim that history entails, and from there establishes a thorough rejection and critique of interpretive objectivism as well as of interpretive presentism.
Hermeneutics, Life and Dialogue
Authors: Froeyman Anton
Published: November 2014

In this paper, I formulate an existentialist view on the dialogue with the past, based on the philosophy of Martin Buber. This view is meant to supplement the traditional, hermeneutical view on the dialogue with the past. In the first part of this paper, I argue that the traditional hermeneutic view on the dialogue with the past is somewhat restricted. In the work of people such as Schleiermacher, Dilthey or even Gadamer, dialogue is always regarded as a primarily cognitive event, focused on the “I” rather than the “you.” I argue that this means that they take only one aspect of the metaphor into account, and ignore the more existential dimension of dialogue. As an alternative, I use the philosophy of Martin Buber to formulate a point of view that does embrace the existential side of dialogue. I also compare the Buberian view of dialogue with that of Gadamer, and I suggest in which a Buberian historian would differ from a Gadamerian historian.
15-Year Free Education in Hong Kong: Perspectives from the Online Communities
Authors: Fong Ricci W.
Published: November 2014

With the introduction of 15-year free education in Macau and several provinces in Mainland China in recent years, a heated debate has broken out in Hong Kong over the proposal of providing free pre-primary education in addition to the existing 12-year free education at primary and secondary levels. A sea of different views has been voiced via various media since 2010 and the debate persists. In an attempt to help reconcile the ceaseless debate, this study was executed to delineate the major reasons, arguments, and concerns put forth by different parties in the debate. To this end, a set of online content analyses was conducted. The findings suggested that members of the community tended to support the implementation of 15-year free education, but several fundamental issues have been neglected by the supporting party and addressing these issues would be imperative. In light of the present findings, this study has identified the common interests shared by the supporters and opponents of the proposal which could offer a new light to understanding this debate. It is hoped that the findings and discussion could provide insights into how the issues concerned could be resolved, and in the long run, contribute to the development of pre-primary education in Hong Kong.
Free Early Childhood Education in Rural China: A Case Study of Ningshan
Authors: Ying Q. Cai , Ying Hai
Published: November 2014

The education authority of Ningshan County in China’s Shaanxi Province launched the 3-year free early childhood education (ece) policy in 2011, which includes waiving the tuition fees, enhancing children’s nutrition, and improving the facilities and administration of kindergartens. Such efforts have successfully increased the enrollment rate of ece which grew from 53.75% in 2009 to 92.4% in 2013. In this study, a field investigation of the implementation of the free ece policy in Ningshan County was carried out, and its impacts and implications for authorities to revise the policy were discussed. The authors urge local governments to take into account the local economic and social contexts in the formulation of free ece policies so that the policies in rural China could be feasible and sustainable.
Free Kindergarten Education in City D: A Case Study in Shandong
Authors: Pan Yue-Juan , Yang Yi , Liu Min
Published: November 2014

The objective of this research is to understand the preconditions and difficulties for implementing free early childhood education in rural China. A case study of City D was conducted in Shandong province. City D announced the 3-year free kindergarten education policy in 2009, but only District H had successfully launched it in public kindergartens in the rural areas by 2012. Although the policy was welcomed by families in rural area, the implementation was difficult to both the district governments and the local kindergartens. The major difficulties encountered in the process of implementing this policy included the lack of funding support, the absence of supporting policy and assurance measures, and the discrimination against migrant children from rural areas. To solve the problems, this study suggests a multiple-stage method for developing a practical and continuous model and the funding responsibility moving from district and county government to those of the upper levels.
Evaluating the Free Early Childhood Education Policies in Taiwan with the 3A2S Framework
Authors: Leung Suzannie K. Y.
Published: November 2014

The policy of ‘free’ education for young children has come to be a concern in some parts of the Asia-Pacific region in the recent decades. When the early childhood education (ece) policies of Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and some of the provinces on the Mainland China were being studied, the policies in Taiwan have also received some attention. In this paper, the ece policies of Taiwan have been reviewed with the 3A2S framework which refers to accessibility, affordability, accountability, sustainability, and social justice. In doing so, the most up-to-date data from the national and educational statistics of Taiwan were used for the analysis. This policy review does allow us to see how Taiwan has dealt with ece. While there are indications that some of the elements of the framework have had positive effect, others require additional research and reform in the future.
Bulk Hook Echo Raindrop Sizes Retrieved Using Mobile, Polarimetric Doppler Radar Observations
Authors: French Michael M. , Burgess Donald W. , Mansell Edward R. , Wicker Louis J.
Published: November 2014

Polarimetric radar observations obtained by the NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory mobile, X-band, dual-polarization radar (NOXP) are used to investigate “hook echo” precipitation properties in several tornadic and nontornadic supercells. Hook echo drop size distributions (DSDs) were estimated using NOXP data obtained from 2009 to 2012, including during the second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2). Differences between tornadic and nontornadic hook echo DSDs are explored, and comparisons are made with previous observations of estimated hook echo DSDs made from stationary S- and C-band Doppler radars. Tornadic hook echoes consistently contain radar gates that are characterized by small raindrops; nontornadic hook echoes are mixed between those that have some small-drop gates and those that have almost no small-drop gates. In addition, the spatial distribution of DSDs was estimated using the high-spatial-resolution data afforded by NOXP. A unique polarimetric signature, an area of relatively low values of differential radar reflectivity factor ZDR south and east of the tornado, is observed in many of the tornadic cases. Also, because most data were obtained using 2-min volumetric updates, the evolution of approximated hook echo precipitation properties was studied during parts of the life cycles of three tornadoes. In one case, there is a large decrease in the percentage of large-raindrop gates and an increase in the percentage of small-raindrop gates in the minutes leading up to tornado formation. The percentage of large-drop gates generally increases prior to and during tornado dissipation. Near-storm environmental data are used to put forth possible relationships between bulk hook echo DSDs and tornado production and life cycle.
Dynamical Adjustment of the Northern Hemisphere Surface Air Temperature Field: Methodology and Application to Observations*
Authors: Smoliak Brian V. , Wallace John M. , Lin Pu , Fu Qiang
Published: November 2014

The influence of atmospheric circulation changes reflected in spontaneously occurring sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies upon surface air temperature (SAT) variability and trends is investigated using partial least squares (PLS) regression, a statistical method that seeks to maximally explain covariance between a predictand time series or field and a predictor field. Applying PLS regression in any one of the three variants described in this study (pointwise, PC-wise, and fieldwise), the method yields a dynamical adjustment to the observed NH SAT field that accounts for approximately 50% of the variance in monthly mean, cold season data. It is shown that PLS regression provides a more parsimonious and statistically robust dynamical adjustment than an adjustment method based on the leading principal components of the extratropical SLP field. The usefulness of dynamical adjustment is demonstrated by applying it to the attribution of cold season SAT trends in two reference intervals: 1965–2000 and 1920–2011. The adjustment is shown to reconcile much of the spatial structure and seasonal differences in the observed SAT trends. The dynamically adjusted SAT fields obtained from this analysis provide datasets capable of being analyzed for residual variability and trends associated with thermodynamic and radiative processes.
Nonstationary Analysis of Annual Maximum Streamflow of Canada
Authors: Tan Xuezhi , Gan Thian Yew
Published: November 2014

Both natural climate change and anthropogenic impacts may cause nonstationarities in hydrological extremes. In this study, long-term annual maximum streamflow (AMS) records from 145 stations over Canada were used to investigate the nonstationary characteristics of AMS, which include abrupt changes and monotonic temporal trends. The nonparameteric Pettitt test was applied to detect abrupt changes, while temporal monotonic trend analysis in AMS series was conducted using the nonparameteric Mann–Kendall and Spearman tests, as well as a parametric Pearson test. Nonstationary frequency analysis of the AMS series was done using a group of nonstationary probability distributions. The nonstationary characteristics of Canadian AMS were further investigated in terms of the Hurst exponent (H), which represents the long-term persistence (LTP) of streamflow data. The results presented here indicate that for Canadian AMS data, abrupt changes are detected more frequently than monotonic trends, partly because many rivers began to be regulated in the twentieth century. Drainage basins that have experienced significant land-use changes are more likely to show temporal trends in AMS, compared to pristine basins with stable land-use conditions. The nonstationary characteristics of AMS were accounted for by fitting the data with probability distributions with time-varying parameters. Large H found in almost ⅔ of the Canadian AMS dataset indicates strong LTP, which may partly represent the presence of long-term memories in many Canadian river basins. Furthermore, H values of AMS data are positively correlated with the basin area of Canadian rivers. It seems that nonstationary frequency analysis, instead of the traditional stationary hydrologic frequency analysis, should be employed in the future.
Impact of RCM Spatial Resolution on the Reproduction of Local, Subdaily Precipitation
Authors: Olsson Jonas , Berg Peter , Kawamura Akira
Published: November 2014

Many hydrological hazards are closely connected to local precipitation (extremes), especially in small and urban catchments. The use of regional climate model (RCM) data for small-scale hydrological climate change impact assessment has long been nearly unfeasible because of the low spatial resolution. The RCM resolution is, however, rapidly increasing, approaching the size of small catchments and thus potentially increasing the applicability of RCM data for this purpose. The objective of this study is to explore to what degree subhourly temporal precipitation statistics in an RCM converge to observed point statistics when gradually increasing the resolution from 50 to 6 km. This study uses precipitation simulated by RCA3 at seven locations in southern Sweden during 1995–2008. A positive impact of higher resolution was most clearly manifested in 10-yr intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves. At 50 km the intensities are underestimated by 50%–90%, but at 6 km they are nearly unbiased, when averaged over all locations and durations. Thus, at 6 km, RCA3 apparently generates low-frequency subdaily extremes that resemble the values found in point observations. Also, the reproduction of short-term variability and less extreme maxima were overall improved with increasing resolution. For monthly totals, a slightly increased overestimation with increasing resolution was found. The bias in terms of wet fraction and wet spell characteristics was overall not strongly dependent on resolution. These metrics are, however, influenced by the cutoff threshold used to separate between wet and dry time steps as well as the wet spell definition.
Impact of Storm-Scale Lightning Data Assimilation on WRF-ARW Precipitation Forecasts during the 2013 Warm Season over the Contiguous United States
Authors: Fierro Alexandre O. , Clark Adam J. , Mansell Edward R. , MacGorman Donald R. , Dembek Scott R. , Ziegler Conrad L.
Published: November 2014

This work evaluates the performance of a recently developed cloud-scale lightning data assimilation technique implemented within the Weather Research and Forecasting Model running at convection-allowing scales (4-km grid spacing). Data provided by the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network for the contiguous United States (CONUS) were assimilated in real time over 67 days spanning the 2013 warm season (May–July). The lightning data were assimilated during the first 2 h of simulations each day. Bias-corrected, neighborhood-based, equitable threat scores (BC-ETSs) were the chief metric used to quantify the skill of the forecasts utilizing this assimilation scheme. Owing to inferior observational data quality over mountainous terrain, this evaluation focused on the eastern two-thirds of the United States.

During the first 3 h following the assimilation (i.e., 3-h forecasts), all the simulations suffered from a high wet bias in forecasted accumulated precipitation (APCP), particularly for the lightning assimilation run (LIGHT). Forecasts produced by LIGHT, however, had a noticeable, statistically significant (α = 0.05) improvement over those by the control run (CTRL) up to 6 h into the forecast with BC-ETS differences often exceeding 0.4. This improvement was seen independently of the APCP threshold (ranging from 2.5 to 50 mm) and the neighborhood radius (ranging from 0 to 40 km) selected. Past 6 h of the forecast, the APCP fields from LIGHT progressively converged to that of CTRL probably due to the longer-term evolution being bounded by the large-scale model environment. Thus, this computationally inexpensive lightning assimilation scheme shows considerable promise for routinely improving short-term (≤6 h) forecasts of high-impact weather by convection-allowing forecast models.
Structure and Agency in Networked, Distributed Work
Authors: Halgin Daniel S. , Gopalakrishnan Gopakumar M. , Borgatti Stephen P.
Published: November 2014

In this article, we examine the social structure of workplace relationships (both actual and desired ties) in networked distributed work. We focus on the role of human agency in forming networks needed to succeed in this environment. In particular, we address how employee work engagement enables individuals to occupy the network positions that they need in order to succeed in networked and virtual settings. We analyze a distributed team within a large multinational firm involved in software development and delivery activities and find that highly engaged employees have personal networks that are anchored locally (i.e., strong ties with colleagues who are collocated and more transitive triples) and connect globally (i.e., strong ties with distant colleagues and more liaison brokerage ties across geographic locations). We also find a general tendency for all respondents to desire new ties that reach across global locations to improve performance at work. However, only the highly engaged employees achieve these ties highlighting the role of motivation and agency associated with engagement.