bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conclusion
Authors: Schlesinger Jonathan
Published: September 2017

The resulting analysis of these dynamics provides a framework for rethinking the global invention of nature. We cannot understand the invention of “pure” nature, both within and beyond the China, without a more nuanced and multifocal understanding of empires or the archives they produced. Putting peripheral places like Mongolia at the center of our histories, and learning to look both ways across frontiers, allows us to gain new vantages on how to transcend entrenched distinctions between foreign and frontier, coast and continent, East and West. Ultimately, modern “nature” and Qing “purity” belong to a broader, global matrix of historical inventions. Nature as we know today has deep, imperial roots.
Introduction
Authors: Haggard Stephan , Noland Marcus
Published: September 2017

This chapter reviews the theoretical literature on the effectiveness of sanctions and inducements, with a particular emphasis on the latter. It distinguishes between quid pro quo models of engagement and more transformative models. With respect to the former, the chapter walks through coordination and bargaining problems as well as how the effectiveness of sanctions is affected by characteristics of the target state. It also calls into question the logic of transformative engagement with respect to certain types of authoritarian regimes, and provides an historical review of diplomacy around the Korean peninsula since 1990.
The Microeconomics of Engagement
Authors: Haggard Stephan , Noland Marcus
Published: September 2017

This chapter draws on two unprecedented surveys of firms based in China and South Korea engaged in trade and investment with North Korea. It examines both the nature of cross-border exchange as well as the formal and informal institutions that underpin it and provides evidence of ongoing state control. Chinese firms in particular report that the business environment is highly corrupt; a consideration of dispute settlement and measures of trust suggest how the development of cross-border exchange is limited by the regime's overall economic strategy. South Korean firms operate in an enclave setting that imports South Korean property rights, and China my be moving to such a model over time. These findings cast doubt on the engagement model.
Conclusion
Authors: Haggard Stephan , Noland Marcus
Published: September 2017

This chapter looks back at our findings, measuring them against some of the analytic expectations established in our introduction in Chapter 1. It then asks two speculative questions. First, what if North Korea were to change? How might that affect the conclusions drawn here? Particular consideration is given to economic reform processes. Second, what if the major parties undertook different strategies with respect to North Korea? These questions permit us to engage in some comparisons with other relevant cases, most notably Iran, and to consider a new spate of diplomatic initiatives—including both sanctions and proposals for engagement—introduced in the wake of the fourth nuclear test in early 2016.
The Power of Economists within the State
Authors: Christensen Johan
Published: September 2017

Why have some countries gone further than others in adopting market–conforming policies? Although previous studies have highlighted political parties, production regimes, and political institutions, this book points to the varying position of economic experts within the state to explain the persistent differences in economic policies across developed countries. Although economists were key agents of the turn toward the market in public policy, their impact depended crucially on the historical institutionalization of economic expertise within state bureaucracies. Drawing on insights from the sociology of professions and public administration, the book puts forward a novel argument about economists as policy actors. This argument emphasizes on the one hand the historical–institutional preconditions for the influence of economists and on the other hand the analytical and normative resources available to economists in policy making. The argument is explored through a comparative investigation of taxation policy, one of the core areas of market-oriented reform from 1980 onwards. Based on historical evidence and a large number of in–depth interviews with policy–making elites, the book analyzes the actors and institutions that shaped tax policy across a set of small, advanced countries–New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, and Denmark–over the period 1980–2010. This analysis yields surprising conclusions about the driving forces behind market-oriented reform.
The New Economics and Politics of Taxation
Authors: Christensen Johan
Published: September 2017

This chapter provides an introduction to the changing economics and politics of taxation. It describes the rise and fall of the postwar tax regime and discusses the new economic ideas about taxation that emerged in the 1970s. These new ideas about efficient and neutral taxation were part of the background for the global “tax reform movement” of the 1980s. The chapter surveys the core elements of the tax policy changes adopted worldwide since that time. Yet, importantly, it argues that these general trends conceal great variation in the adoption of market principles in taxation. The chapter traces the diverging tax policy trajectories of four countries that serve as examples of the broader variation in reform: New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, and Denmark.
Norway
Authors: Christensen Johan
Published: September 2017

Contrary to conventional notions about social-democratic tax policies, Norway adopted a major market-oriented reform of taxation in the early 1990s. This chapter connects this surprising turn toward market principles to the role of economists within the Norwegian state. Economists were granted a powerful position in the bureaucracy during the Keynesian era. Paradoxically, the close links established between the finance ministry and the economics discipline in this period made the bureaucracy highly receptive to the later shift toward neoclassical economics. New economic ideas were brought into the ministry by U.S–trained economists hired to key positions in the organization. This spurred the formulation and advocacy of a broad efficiency–oriented reform program, which had a major impact on the economic policies enacted by Norwegian governments from the late 1980s onwards.
The Unframing Image
Authors: Peretz Eyal
Published: September 2017

The book opens its investigation of the category of the “off” by examining a paradigmatic painting of the early modern period, Rembrandt’s The Sacrifice of Isaac. The painting is shown to involve a reflection on the historical significance of the modern category of the “off”. The key element is the painting’s attempt to differentiate the dimension of the outside the frame (the “off”) of a modern painting from the outside the frame in a sacred image. While in the sacred image the outside is conceived as the divine, in the modern painting the outside marks the disappearance of the divine. This new dimension of the “off” is also conceived, due to its critique of the logic of the divine, as what allows for a liberation from the logic of sacrifice that guided the monotheistic religions.
The Actor of the Crowd—The Great Dictator
Authors: Peretz Eyal
Published: September 2017

This chapter stages a confrontation, a confrontation which Chaplin himself staged in The Great Dictator, between the two most famous and influential screen “personas” of the 20th century, Chaplin and Hitler. Both Chaplin and Hitler understood the screen as an arena in relation to which the question of the modern city crowd is raised, and they both saw their task, the task of a movie star, as transforming the crowds, helping them out of their condition of anxiety of the modern world and abandonment by the ruling powers. However, whereas Chaplin’s project is a revolutionary and liberatory one, allowing the crowds to conceive of themselves as part of an unprecedented democratic project, Hitler’s “project” cancels the freedom of the crowds and submits them to a ruling fascistic identity.
What Is a Cinema of Jewish Vengeance?
Authors: Peretz Eyal
Published: September 2017

This chapter examines film genre by taking a look at the project of a cinematic heir of Hawks, Quentin Tarantino, in his Inglourious Basterds. Moving as he does between multiple genres without hierarchy, Tarantino discovers in Inglourious Basterds the weight behind this logic, which is that of making the screen the arena of a historical witnessing to the dimension of the “off”. The film expresses three main cinematic ideas. First, that the only way for film to activate the dimension of the “off” is by creating an unstable generic system where cracks between genres allow the “off-screen” to leak into the film. Second, that violence has to do with the attempt to eliminate the “off,” and is always accompanied by the creation of images without an “off.” Third, that the task of the modern cinematic image is to liberate the image from all false images.
Molecular mechanism for muscarinic M1 receptor‐mediated endocytosis of TWIK‐related acid‐sensitive K+ 1 channels in rat adrenal medullary cells
Authors: Matsuoka Hidetada , Inoue Masumi
Published: September 2017

Key points

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR)‐mediated increase in excitability in rat adrenal medullary cells is at least in part due to inhibition of TWIK (tandem of P domains in a weak inwardly rectifying K+ channel)‐related acid‐sensitive K+ (TASK)1 channels.

In this study we focused on the molecular mechanism of mAChR‐mediated inhibition of TASK1 channels.

Exposure to muscarine resulted in a clathrin‐dependent endocytosis of TASK1 channels following activation of the muscarinic M1 receptor (M1R).

This muscarinic signal for the endocytosis was mediated in sequence by phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC), and then the non‐receptor tyrosine kinase Src with the consequent tyrosine phosphorylation of TASK1.

The present results establish that TASK1 channels are tyrosine phosphorylated and internalized in a clathrin‐dependent manner in response to M1R stimulation and this translocation is at least in part responsible for muscarinic inhibition of TASK1 channels in rat AM cells.

Activation of muscarinic receptor (mAChR) in rat adrenal medullary (AM) cells induces depolarization through the inhibition of TWIK‐related acid‐sensitive K+ (TASK)1 channels. Here, pharmacological and immunological approaches were used to elucidate the molecular mechanism for this mAChR‐mediated inhibition. TASK1‐like immunoreactive (IR) material was mainly located at the cell periphery in dissociated rat AM cells, and its majority was internalized in response to muscarine. The muscarine‐induced inward current and translocation of TASK1 were suppressed by dynasore, a dynamin inhibitor. The muscarinic translocation was suppressed by MT7, a specific M1 antagonist, and the dose–response curves for muscarinic agonist‐induced translocation were similar to those for the muscarinic inhibition of TASK1 currents. The muscarine‐induced inward current and/or translocation of TASK1 were suppressed by inhibitors for phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC), and/or Src. TASK1 channels in AM cells and PC12 cells were transiently associated with Src and were tyrosine phosphorylated in response to muscarinic stimulation. After internalization, TASK1 channels were quickly dephosphorylated even while they remained in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic TASK1‐like IR material quickly recycled back to the cell periphery after muscarine stimulation for 0.5 min, but not 10 min. We conclude that M1R stimulation results in internalization of TASK1 channels through the PLC–PKC–Src pathway with the consequent phosphorylation of tyrosine and that this M1R‐mediated internalization is at least in part responsible for muscarinic inhibition of TASK1 channels in rat AM cells.
A metric for characterization of two-dimensional spatial coherence
Authors: Brown Daniel C. , Brownstead Cale F. , Gabrielson Thomas B. , Lyons Anthony P.
Published: September 2017

A metric is developed providing a quantitative measure of the two-dimensional spatial coherence of scattered fields. The metric is based on fitting a function similar to bivariate Gaussian to measured two-dimensional coherence surfaces. This function provides a robust fit to the measured data for a range of coherence lengths and surface asymmetries. Through an eigendecomposition of the bivariate Gaussian covariance matrix, it is possible to define surface orientation as well as coherence lengths along the major and minor axes. The metric is applied to normal-incidence scattering data collected in recent field trials at Seneca Lake, NY.
Engaging College Students by Singing the Science
Authors: Heineman Richard H.
Published: September 2017

Setting scientific ideas to music can increase student engagement and help with memorization. However, some instructors may be intimidated by the thought of performing educational music for their STEM students, or concerned that it is frivolous. To address this issue, I spell out step by step protocols for either writing one’s own parody songs to teach specific concepts, or finding songs online (which can be used directly or modified). I also discuss presentation techniques that help students, such as showing lyrics and adding annotations that clarify or emphasize ideas. A survey suggests that this approach is appreciated and effective.
A Simple Activity to Enhance the Learning Experience of Reading Primary Literature
Authors: Liao Min-Ken
Published: September 2017

Countless studies have demonstrated the benefits and the importance of incorporating primary literature into undergraduate curriculum. However, even with regular exposures to primary literature, students still find the reading task confusing and frustrating. Most educators are conscientious about choosing realistically challenging research articles that match students’ abilities and knowledge, so the negative experiences students have had are more likely due to fear-based emotions than skills. To help students overcome the initial fear of reading a research article, I first presented to them just the title of the paper, with 3 guiding questions, and encouraged them to get into the journey of the researchers by prompting them to speculate “What must they have done to write a paper with such a title?” I gave students 10-15 minutes to reflect upon the title and to jot down the answers to the 3 guiding questions. Depending on the students, time and the paper, we did not always have a class discussion after the reflection, but we always had one after students read the paper. While reading the paper, students were reminded to compare the paper with the notes they jotted down before reading it. Students responded positively to this simple activity. Facing just the title of the paper is certainly less intimidating than combating the entire paper at once. Once the initial fear has overcome, the reading task becomes less daunting. This activity is simple, flexible, and easily implemented and surveys showed that it effectively enhanced students’ experience in reading primary literature.
Establishing Good Laboratory Practice at Small Colleges and Universities
Authors: Bornstein-Forst Susan M.
Published: September 2017

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) provide guidelines for proper operation of equipment, maintenance and sanitation, reporting structures, and related activities. These practices are routinely employed at large academic and research-based institutions. However, they are often overlooked or omitted at smaller colleges and universities where staff and resources are limited. Incorrect assumptions and presumed responsibilities can lead to safety hazards, damage to equipment, loss of infrastructure, and confusion regarding operations and oversight. This report addresses the development of the “who, what, when, how, and where” policies and SOPs that constitute GLP. Once established and utilized by all departmental members, these structures ensure that academic and research-related activities are conducted safely and efficiently.
Photo Animation Brings Scientists Back to Life in the Classroom
Authors: Goudsouzian Lara K.
Published: September 2017

In biology textbooks and in lecture slides, it is customary to describe the significance of a historical scientific experiment alongside a still photograph of the scientist who performed the work. This method communicates information about the scientists' works, but can be a dry method to describe an exciting and dynamic historical individual. I have developed a method to animate still photographs and engravings of historical scientists and narrate them in the first person. This method is rapid, inexpensive, and does not require more than average technical ability. The animated historical scientists directly address the students to educate them about their own personal lives, struggles, and achievements.
Student Buy-In Toward Formative Assessments: The Influence of Student Factors and Importance for Course Success
Authors: Brazeal Kathleen R. , Couch Brian A.
Published: September 2017

Formative assessment (FA) techniques, such as pre-class assignments, in-class activities, and post-class homework, have been shown to improve student learning. While many students find these techniques beneficial, some students may not understand how they support learning or may resist their implementation. Improving our understanding of FA buy-in has important implications, since buy-in can potentially affect whether students fully engage with and learn from FAs. We investigated FAs in 12 undergraduate biology courses to understand which student characteristics influenced buy-in toward FAs and whether FA buy-in predicted course success. We administered a mid-semester survey that probed student perceptions toward several different FA types, including activities occurring before, during, and after class. The survey included closed-ended questions aligned with a theoretical framework outlining key FA objectives. We used factor analysis to calculate an overall buy-in score for each student and general linear models to determine whether certain characteristics were associated with buy-in and whether buy-in predicted exam scores and course grades. We found that unfixed student qualities, such as perceptions, behaviors, and beliefs, consistently predicted FA buy-in, while fixed characteristics, including demographics, previous experiences, and incoming performance metrics, had more limited effects. Importantly, we found that higher buy-in toward most FA types predicted higher exam scores and course grades, even when controlling for demographic characteristics and previous academic performance. We further discuss steps that instructors can take to maximize student buy-in toward FAs.
Student Misconceptions about Plants – A First Step in Building a Teaching Resource
Authors: Wynn April N. , Pan Irvin L. , Rueschhoff Elizabeth E. , Herman Maryann A. B. , Archer E. Kathleen
Published: September 2017

Plants are ubiquitous and found in virtually every ecosystem on Earth, but their biology is often poorly understood, and inaccurate ideas about how plants grow and function abound. Many articles have been published documenting student misconceptions about photosynthesis and respiration, but there are substantially fewer on such topics as plant cell structure and growth; plant genetics, evolution, and classification; plant physiology (beyond energy relations); and plant ecology. The available studies of misconceptions held on those topics show that many are formed at a very young age and persist throughout all educational levels. Our goal is to begin building a central resource of plant biology misconceptions that addresses these underrepresented topics, and here we provide a table of published misconceptions organized by topic. For greater utility, we report the age group(s) in which the misconceptions were found and then map them to the ASPB – BSA Core Concepts and Learning Objectives in Plant Biology for Undergraduates, developed jointly by the American Society of Plant Biologists and the Botanical Society of America.
Teaching the History of Microbiology and the Transformation of the Laboratory: A Study in Miniature
Authors: Guthertz Linda S.
Published: September 2017

This article presents a technique for bringing the history of microbiology to life in an exciting way. Eight miniature models were created, based on photographs or drawings, showing scientists at work in their labs. The models chosen represent important discoveries in microbiology, illustrating changes and advances in techniques and tools over the history of the discipline from 1600 through 2000. They serve as a novel and engaging teaching tool. While the instructor still presents the historic facts, the use of models provides the feeling of being there! They can also serve as a record for the future.
Applied Theatre Facilitates Dialogue about Career Challenges for Scientists
Authors: Segarra Verónica A. , Zavala MariaElena , Hammonds-Odie Latanya
Published: September 2017

The design of programs in support of a strong, diverse, and inclusive scientific workforce and academe requires numerous difficult conversations about sensitive topics such as the challenges scientists can face in their professional development. Theatre can be an interactive and effective way to foster discussion around such subjects. This article examines the implementation and benefits of such interactive strategies in different contexts, including the benefits of getting early career academics and professionals talking about some of the situations that women and underrepresented minorities face in the workplace, while allowing more seasoned professionals and colleagues to join in the conversation.
Design and Revision of an Open-Educational Resource Microbiology Lab Manual Using Student Feedback
Authors: Petersen Joan , McLaughlin Susan K.
Published: September 2017

Open educational resources are becoming increasingly important in higher education, and are a valuable resource for instructors who want to customize course content while saving their students money. We designed, revised, and assessed an open educational resource for our Principles of Microbiology course. Student feedback was used to guide the revisions, which took place over the course of several semesters. Student survey responses to lab manual content were very positive, and students overwhelmingly favored a no-cost online manual over one that is commercially published. The process we used to develop this lab manual serves as an example for others who might want to develop their own customized materials for their courses.
Modeling and Visualizing Bacterial Colony Purification Without the Use of Bacteria or Laboratory Equipment
Authors: Axler-DiPerte Grace L.
Published: September 2017

Microorganisms typically exist in diverse and heterogeneous communities within their various environmental niches. The isolation of an individual species from these communities is an essential laboratory skill to study of the properties and behaviors of that organism. To achieve this separation, the “quadrant streak” for single colony purification is often included in undergraduate microbiology laboratory curricula. To aid student mastery of this technique, I have developed a simulated culture purification activity that allows students to immediately visualize the dilution and separation of an artificial microbial community with the goal of isolating purified colonies. This tool uses readily available, inexpensive, art supplies to simulate a mixed bacterial culture. The “mixed culture” consists of craft glitter of at least two distinct colors, held together with water-soluble, highly pigmented watercolor or gouache paint. Students practice aseptic technique by using a paintbrush to mimic an inoculating loop to streak and dilute the culture on a piece of cardstock. Sterilization of the “loop” is simulated by rinsing the brush. Students will immediately self-assess whether they are correctly performing the quadrant streak, rather than having to wait until the next laboratory session for bacteria to grow, which may allow them to master the technique sooner.
Fate and transport of free-phase and dissolved-phase hydrocarbons in peat and peatlands: developing a conceptual model
Authors: Gharedaghloo Behrad , Price Jonathan S.
Published: September 2017

Physical and chemical, and pore-scale to field-scale properties of peat soil affect the migration of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) and dissolved-phase solutes in contaminated peatlands in a way not anticipated based on the current understanding derived from their behavior in mineral soil systems. Peat pore surface wettability, which is determined by pore surface chemistry, has strong hysteresis and shows hydrophilic and hydrophobic behaviors during water drainage from and water imbibition into pore spaces. This leads to high residual NAPL saturation in pore spaces. Systematic reduction of pore radius size with depth associated with greater peat decomposition in a typical peat profile leads to an increase in NAPL-entry capillary pressure and a reduction in peat permeability with increasing depth. The former leads to stronger capillarity in deeper peat horizons, causing resistance to NAPL percolation compared to that in shallow ones; along with decreased permeability with depth, this results in higher NAPL mobility in shallower peat. The cumulative effect is preferential horizontal migration of NAPL in shallow less decomposed peat horizons. Occupation of peat macro-pores by NAPL dramatically decreases the effective water permeability and leads to lower rates of water infiltration and groundwater discharge in the contaminated area. With respect to dissolved-phase hydrocarbons, the dual porosity structure of peat soil, which exhibits larger pores and higher effective porosity near the surface, also favours preferential transport in the surface peat layer, and leads to increasing solute retardation with depth. In addition, adsorption of hydrocarbon solutes onto natural dissolved organic carbon present in peat pore water influences the effective adsorption of hydrocarbon solutes onto peat by reducing the apparent adsorption partitioning coefficient. The concepts and evidence presented in this manuscript suggest both free-phase and dissolved-phase hydrocarbon have restricted mobility in peatlands. On this basis, in large peatlands where ecological function is not notably impacted, a case can be made for allowing natural processes to degrade the hydrocarbon, rather than the common response of digging up and disposing of contaminated soils, which destroys the ecosystem function.
Cosmological wheel of time: A classical perspective of f(R) gravity
Authors: Yadav Bal Krishna , Verma Murli Manohar
Published: September 2017

It is shown that the structures in the universe can be interpreted to show a closed wheel of time, rather than a straight arrow. An analysis in [Formula: see text] gravity model has been carried out to show that due to local observations, a small arc at any given spacetime point would invariably indicate an arrow of time from past to future, though on a quantum scale it is not a linear flow but a closed loop, a fact that can be examined through future observations.
AVERAGE GEODESIC DISTANCE OF SIERPINSKI CARPET
Authors: ZHAO LUMING , WANG SONGJING , Xi LIFENG
Published: September 2017

We obtain the average geodesic distance on the Sierpinski carpet in terms of the integral of geodesic distance on self-similar measure. We find out the finite pattern phenomenon of integral inspired by the notion of finite type on self-similar sets with overlaps.
Modeling and Simulating Methods for the Desiccation Cracking
Authors: Hirobe Sayako , Oguni Kenji
Published: September 2017

The desiccation cracks can be observed on dry-out soil fields or other various materials under desiccation. These cracks have a net-like structure and tessellate the surface of the materials into polygonal cells. The averaged cell size changes systematically depending on the size of the specimen. In spite of the varieties of the materials, these fundamental features of the cell topology are conserved. This implies the existence of the governing mechanism behind the desiccation crack phenomenon regardless of the materials. In this paper, the desiccation crack phenomenon is modeled by the coupling of desiccation, deformation, and fracture. We perform simulations for the reproduction of the desiccation cracking based on this coupling model. In the simulations, the finite element analysis for the desiccation problem and the analysis of particle discretization scheme finite element method for the deformation and the fracture problems are weakly coupled. The results of the simulations show the satisfactory agreements with the experimental observations in terms of the geometry of the crack pattern, the increase tendency of the averaged cell size depending on the size of the specimen, and the hierarchical sequence of the cell formation. These agreements indicate that the proposed model and method capture the fundamental features and the mechanism of the desiccation cracking.
An Effective Layout Decomposition Method for DSA with Multiple Patterning in Contact-Hole Generation
Authors: Yang Yunfeng , Luk Wai-Shing , Zhou Hai , Pan David Z. , Zhou Dian , Yan Changhao , Zeng Xuan
Published: September 2017

Directed self-assembly (DSA) complemented with multiple patterning (MP) is an attractive next generation lithography (NGL) technique for contact-hole generation. Nevertheless, a high-quality DSA-aware layout decomposer is required to enable the technology. In this article, we introduce an efficient method which incorporates a set packing for generating DSA template candidates and a local search method. Besides, a multi-start strategy is integrated into the framework to prevent the local minima. Our framework encourages the reuse of existing coloring solvers. Hence, the development cost can significantly be reduced. In addition, for DSA multiple patterning where the number of masks is larger than two, we present an efficient iterative partition based method. Experimental results show that compared with the state-of-the-art work, our methods can achieve roughly 100× speedup for double patterning, and 78.8% conflict reduction with 5× speedup for triple patterning on the dense graphs.
Expression Profiling of Long Noncoding RNA Splice Variants in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells: Lipopolysaccharide EffectsIn Vitro
Authors: Chowdhury Imran H. , Narra Hema P. , Sahni Abha , Khanipov Kamil , Schroeder Casey L. C. , Patel Jignesh , Fofanov Yuriy , Sahni Sanjeev K.
Published: September 2017

Endothelial cell interactions with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) involve both activating and repressing signals resulting in pronounced alterations in their transcriptome and proteome. Noncoding RNAs are now appreciated as posttranscriptional and translational regulators of cellular signaling and responses, but their expression status and roles during endothelial interactions with LPS are not well understood. We report on the expression profile of long noncoding (lnc) RNAs of human microvascular endothelial cells in response to LPS. We have identified a total of 10,781 and 8310 lncRNA transcripts displaying either positive or negative regulation of expression, respectively, at 3 and 24 h posttreatment. A majority of LPS-induced lncRNAs are multiexonic and distributed across the genome as evidenced by their presence on all chromosomes. Present among these are a total of 44 lncRNAs with known regulatory functions, of which 41 multiexonic lncRNAs have multiple splice variants. We have further validated splice variant-specific expression of EGO (NONHSAT087634) and HOTAIRM1 (NONHSAT119666) at 3 h and significant upregulation of lnc-IL7R at 24 h. This study illustrates the genome-wide regulation of endothelial lncRNA splice variants in response to LPS and provides a foundation for further investigations of differentially expressed lncRNA transcripts in endothelial responses to LPS and pathophysiology of sepsis/septic shock.
The Italian Version of the Five-Word Test: A Simple Diagnostic Test for Dementia due to Alzheimer’s Disease in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Rozzini Luca , Ceraso Anna , Zanetti Marina , Pelizzari Silvia , Tomasoni Evita , Accardo Vivian , Padovani Alessandro
Published: September 2017

Background. The five-word test (FWT) is a neuropsychological tool (derived from the Grober and Buschke paradigm), measuring hippocampal memory trace consolidation. The study aimed to validate the test for the Italian language and to verify its ability to discriminate patients affected by mild cognitive impairment and dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease from healthy matches.Methods. 217 subjects (127 controls, 47 MCI due to AD, and 43 AD) underwent neuropsychological evaluation. The Spearman rank coefficient (ρ) was used to assess the correlation between immediate (IRS), delayed (DRS), and total score (TRS) of the FWT and correspondent matches of a specific short story test, while receiving operator characteristic (ROC) curves were built to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of both.Results. Correlation between almost all the scores was significant in all the diagnostic subgroups; the ROC curves of the two tests were not statistically different. A TRS of the FWT with a cut-off of ≤9/10 could accurately discriminate AD patients (sensitivity: 97%, specificity: 94%) and MCI due to AD (sensitivity: 76%, specificity: 68%) from control matches.Conclusion. FWT is a simple and valid test of hippocampal memory which appears recommendable in routine clinical practice.
Reduced Inspiratory Muscle Strength in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Authors: Rehling Thomas , Banghøj Anne Margareta , Kristiansen Marie Hvelplund , Tarnow Lise , Molsted Stig
Published: September 2017

Background. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is related to type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and it may be associated with reduced inspiratory muscle strength (IMS). The aim of this study was to investigate the IMS in patients with T2DM, with or without OSA. Methods. Patients with T2DM with OSA (n=33) and without OSA (n=28) were included. The maximum IMS was tested using the POWERbreathe KH2 device. Reference IMS values were data calculated using an algorithm based on general populations and adjusted for age and gender. Results. There was no difference in IMS between the OSA group (median (range) 77 (35–124) cmH2O) and the non-OSA group (84 (33–122) cmH2O) (p=0.97). The IMS values were reduced in the OSA group compared with the reference values (92.9 (62.3–100.0) cmH2O) (p=0.030), whereas the non-OSA group did not have reduced IMS. When the IMS values of all T2DM patients were compared with reference values, the IMS values were 79 (33–124) cmH2O and 93.8 (62.3–102.4) cmH2O, respectively (p=0.017). Conclusion. No difference in IMS between patients with T2DM with or without OSA was found. However, patients with T2DM and OSA had reduced IMS compared with age- and gender-matched references whereas the non-OSA group did not have reduced IMS.
Diagenetic Heterogeneity of Deep Sandstones and Its Relationship to Oil Emplacement: A Case Study from the Middle Jurassic Toutunhe Formation in the Fukang Sag, Central Junggar Basin (NW China)
Authors: Cao Binfeng , Luo Xiaorong , Zhang Likuan , Sui Fenggui , Lin Huixi , Lei Yuhong
Published: September 2017

The Middle Jurassic Toutunhe Formation at depths of approximately 4000–6000 m has increasingly come into focus as a current deep reservoir target in the central Junggar Basin (NW China). Based on petrography, SEM, stable isotopes, and fluid inclusion analyses, the goals of this study were to investigate the effect of depositional lithofacies on sandstone diagenetic heterogeneity and to examine the relationship between diagenetic evolution and oil charge within a heterogeneous reservoir. Grain size controls the overall abundance of cement and porosity and reservoir properties through its effect on ductile lithic sand grains and hence on mechanical compaction. Early diagenetic calcite cement is an exception to this trend. Ductile lithic-rich, very fine-grained sandstones featured compaction of easily deformed, clay-rich grains, resulting in a very rapid loss of porosity during burial. In contrast, dissolution and cementation occurred as well as ductile compaction in the fine-grained sandstones. Two episodes of oil charge occurred in the relatively coarser-grained sandstone lithofacies. Diagenesis progressed alternately with oil emplacement, and some diagenetic alterations and oil charge occurred simultaneously. Ductile lithic-rich, highly compacted sandstones and tightly calcite-cemented sandstones can create permeability barriers embedded in permeable reservoir sandstones, probably resulting in heterogeneous flow.
Susceptibility of In Vitro Melanoma Skin Cancer to Photoactivated Hypericin versus Aluminium(III) Phthalocyanine Chloride Tetrasulphonate
Authors: Ndhundhuma I. M. , Abrahamse H.
Published: September 2017

The sensitivity of human melanoma cells to photoactivated Hypericin (Hyp) compared to aluminium(III) phthalocyanine chloride tetrasulphonate (AlPcS4Cl) is reported in this study. Melanoma cells (A375 cell line) were treated with various concentrations of Hyp or AlPcS4Cl alone, for 1, 4, and 24 hrs; varying doses of laser irradiation alone (594 or 682 nm); or optimal concentrations of PSs combined with laser irradiation. Changes in cell morphology, viability, membrane integrity, and proliferation after treatment of cells were determined using inverted microscopy, Trypan blue cell exclusion, Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) membrane integrity, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) cell proliferation assay, respectively. More than 60% of cell survival was observed when cells were treated with 2.5 μM of Hyp or AlPcS4Cl alone at all incubation times or with 5 J/cm2 of 594 or 682 nm laser alone. Combination of PSs and respective lasers leads to a statistically significant incubation time-dependent decrease in survival of cells. Flow cytometry using the FITC Annexin V/PI apoptosis kit demonstrated that cell death induced after Hyp-PDT is via early and late apoptosis whereas early apoptosis was the main mechanism observed with AlPcS4Cl-PDT. Hyp-PDT compared to AlPcS4Cl-PDT is indicated to be a more effective cancer cell death inducer in melanoma cells.
Magnetic Resonance Colonography May Predict the Need for Bowel Resection in Colorectal Endometriosis
Authors: Scardapane Arnaldo , Lorusso Filomenamila , Francavilla Mariantonietta , Bettocchi Stefano , Fascilla Fabiana Divina , Angelelli Giuseppe , Scioscia Marco
Published: September 2017

Purpose. To define if MRI findings in patients with deep pelvic endometriosis (DPE) may be predictive for the need of bowel resection. Material and Methods. A retrospective survey of 196 pelvic MRIs of women who received laparoscopic procedures for DPE was carried out. A pelvic MRI was performed in all patients: it consisted in T2w-TSE sequences in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes and T1w and THRIVE sequences in the axial plane; the exam was completed by MR-Colonography. Intestinal lesions were measured in short and long axis and the degree of stenosis was established. A multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of intestinal resection. Results. 57/196 patients received an intestinal resection. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated a predictive value of short axis (Odds-Ratio = 2.29, p=0.011) and stenosis (Odds-Ratio = 1.20, p=0.003). ROC analysis showed that a cut-off value of 11 mm for the short axis and 30% for the stenosis may correctly classify, respectively, 96,94% (sensitivity 92,9% and specificity 98,56%) and 97,96% (sensitivity 94,74% and specificity 99,3%) of the cases. Conclusion. The presence of an endometriotic rectal nodule > 11 mm in short axis causing a stenosis > 30% in pelvic MRI reliably predicts the need of a rectal resection.
Plasma Metabolomics Analysis Based on GC‐MS in Infertile Males with Kidney‐Yang Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Zheng Piao , Wang Yun , Lu Hongmei , Zhou Xinyi , Tang Tao , Fan Rong , Zhang Chunhu , Cui Hanjin , Wang Yang , Luo Jiekun
Published: September 2017

Introduction. Chinese medicine syndrome diagnosis is the key requisite in the treatment of male infertility with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Kidney‐Yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) is the critical Chinese medicine syndrome of male infertility. To explore the modernized mechanisms of KYDS in male infertility, this study aims to investigate the metabolomics of males with KYDS. Methods. The gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry method was applied to analyze the plasma samples of 67 infertile males with KYDS compared with 55 age‐matched healthy controls. The chemometric methods including principal component and partial least squares‐discriminate analyses were employed to identify the potential biochemical patterns. With the help of the variable importance for the projection and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, the potential biomarkers were extracted to define the clinical utility. Simultaneously the high‐quality KEGG metabolic pathways database was used to identify the related metabolic pathways. Results. The metabolomics profiles of infertile males with KYDS including 10 potential biomarkers and six metabolic pathways were identified. They precisely distinguished infertile males with KYDS from healthy controls. Conclusions. These potential biomarkers and pathways suggest the substantial basis of infertile males with KYDS. The metabolomics profiles highlight the modernized mechanisms of infertile males with KYDS.
TSPO PET Imaging: From Microglial Activation to Peripheral Sterile Inflammatory Diseases?
Authors: Largeau Bérenger , Dupont Anne-Claire , Guilloteau Denis , Santiago-Ribeiro Maria-João , Arlicot Nicolas
Published: September 2017

Peripheral sterile inflammatory diseases (PSIDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that gathers several chronic insults involving the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal system and wherein inflammation is the cornerstone of the pathophysiology. In PSID, timely characterization and localization of inflammatoryfociare crucial for an adequate care for patients. In brain diseases,in vivopositron emission tomography (PET) exploration of inflammation has matured over the last 20 years, through the development of radiopharmaceuticals targeting the translocator protein-18 kDa (TSPO) as molecular biomarkers of activated microglia. Recently, TSPO has been introduced as a possible molecular target for PSIDs PET imaging, making this protein a potential biomarker to address disease heterogeneity, to assist in patient stratification, and to contribute to predicting treatment response. In this review, we summarized the major research advances recently made in the field of TSPO PET imaging in PSIDs. Promising preliminary results have been reported in bowel, cardiovascular, and rheumatic inflammatory diseases, consolidated by preclinical studies. Limitations of TSPO PET imaging in PSIDs, regarding both its large expression in healthy peripheral tissues, unlike in central nervous system, and the production of peripheral radiolabeled metabolites, are also discussed, regarding their possible consequences on TSPO PET signal’s quantification.
Power-Efficient Computing: Experiences from the COSA Project
Authors: Cesini Daniele , Corni Elena , Falabella Antonio , Ferraro Andrea , Morganti Lucia , Calore Enrico , Schifano Sebastiano Fabio , Michelotto Michele , Alfieri Roberto , De Pietri Roberto , Boccali Tommaso , Biagioni Andrea , Lo Cicero Francesca , Lonardo Alessandro , Martinelli Michele , Paolucci Pier Stanislao , Pastorelli Elena , Vicini Piero
Published: September 2017

Energy consumption is today one of the most relevant issues in operating HPC systems for scientific applications. The use of unconventional computing systems is therefore of great interest for several scientific communities looking for a better tradeoff between time-to-solution and energy-to-solution. In this context, the performance assessment of processors with a high ratio of performance per watt is necessary to understand how to realize energy-efficient computing systems for scientific applications, using this class of processors. Computing On SOC Architecture (COSA) is a three-year project (2015–2017) funded by the Scientific Commission V of the Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), which aims to investigate the performance and the total cost of ownership offered by computing systems based on commodity low-power Systems on Chip (SoCs) and high energy-efficient systems based on GP-GPUs. In this work, we present the results of the project analyzing the performance of several scientific applications on several GPU- and SoC-based systems. We also describe the methodology we have used to measure energy performance and the tools we have implemented to monitor the power drained by applications while running.
An Improved Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm Using Minimum Distance of Point to Line
Authors: Fan Zhengwu , Wang Tie , Cheng Zhi , Li Guoxing , Gu Fengshou
Published: September 2017

In a multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm, selection of the global best particle for each particle of the population from a set of Pareto optimal solutions has a significant impact on the convergence and diversity of solutions, especially when optimizing problems with a large number of objectives. In this paper, a new method is introduced for selecting the global best particle, which is minimum distance of point to line multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MDPL-MOPSO). Using the basic concept of minimum distance of point to line and objective, the global best particle among archive members can be selected. Different test functions were used to test and compare MDPL-MOPSO with CD-MOPSO. The result shows that the convergence and diversity of MDPL-MOPSO are relatively better than CD-MOPSO. Finally, the proposed multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm is used for the Pareto optimal design of a five-degree-of-freedom vehicle vibration model, which resulted in numerous effective trade-offs among conflicting objectives, including seat acceleration, front tire velocity, rear tire velocity, relative displacement between sprung mass and front tire, and relative displacement between sprung mass and rear tire. The superiority of this work is demonstrated by comparing the obtained results with the literature.
HeartCare+: A Smart Heart Care Mobile Application for Framingham-Based Early Risk Prediction of Hard Coronary Heart Diseases in Middle East
Authors: Elsayed Hoda Ahmed Galal , Galal Mariam Ahmed , Syed Liyakathunisa
Published: September 2017

Background. Healthcare is a challenging, yet so demanding sector that developing countries are paying more attention to recently. Statistics show that rural areas are expected to develop a high rate of heart diseases, which is a leading cause of sudden mortality, in the future. Thus, providing solutions that can assist rural people in detecting the cardiac risks early will be vital for uncovering and even preventing the long-term complications of cardiac diseases. Methodology. Mobile technology can be effectively utilized to limit the cardiac diseases’ prevalence in rural Middle East. This paper proposes a smart mobile solution for early risk detection of hard coronary heart diseases that uses the Framingham scoring model. Results. Smart HeartCare+ mobile app estimates accurately coronary heart diseases’ risk over 10 years based on clinical and nonclinical data and classifies the patient risk to low, moderate, or high. HeartCare+ also directs the patients to further treatment recommendations. Conclusion. This work attempts to investigate the effectiveness of the mobile technology in the early risk detection of coronary heart diseases. HeartCare+ app intensifies the communication channel between the lab workers and patients residing in rural areas and cardiologists and specialist residing in urban places.