bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Neural Output Feedback Control of Stochastic Nonlinear Systems with Unmodeled Dynamics
Authors: Xia Xiaonan , Zhang Tianping
Published: July 2015

An adaptive neural output feedback control scheme is investigated for a class of stochastic nonlinear systems with unmodeled dynamics and unmeasured states. The unmeasured states are estimated by K-filters, and unmodeled dynamics is dealt with by introducing a novel description based on Lyapunov function. The neural networks weight vector used to approximate the black box function is adjusted online. The unknown nonlinear system functions are handled together with some functions resulting from theoretical deduction, and such method effectively reduces the number of adaptive tuning parameters. Using dynamic surface control (DSC) technique, Itô formula, and Chebyshev’s inequality, the designed controller can guarantee that all the signals in the closed-loop system are bounded in probability, and the error signals are semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded in mean square or the sense of four-moment. Simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Development of High-Resolution Total Variation Diminishing Scheme for Linear Hyperbolic Problems
Authors: Abu Saleem Rabie A. , Kozlowski Tomasz
Published: July 2015

A high-resolution, total variation diminishing (TVD) stable scheme is derived for scalar hyperbolic problems using the method of flux limiters. The scheme was constructed by combining the 1st-order upwind scheme and the 3rd-order quadratic upstream interpolation scheme (QUICK) using new flux limiter function. The new flux limiter function was established by imposing several conditions to ensure the TVD properties of the scheme. For temporal discretization, the theta method was used, and values for the parameter θ were chosen such that the scheme is unconditionally stable. Numerical results are presented for one-dimensional pure advection problems with smooth and discontinuous initial conditions and are compared to those of other known numerical schemes. The results show that the proposed numerical method is stable and of higher order than other common schemes.
An Approach to Modeling the Impact of Traffic Incident on Urban Expressway
Authors: Li Yaping , Lu Jian , Li HongWu , Xiao Huihui , Liu Qingchao
Published: July 2015

To identify network bottlenecks of urban expressway effectively is a foundational work for improving network traffic condition and preventing traffic congestion. This study proposes a methodology to estimate the impact of traffic incident on urban expressway on the basis of modified cell transmission model. The metastable state was taken into account in the proposed method to reflect the actual operating state of traffic flow on urban expressway as much as possible. Regarding the location of traffic incident, the method of cell restructuring settings was discussed. We then proceed to introduce a new concept of the effected length in a given time period as the evaluation indicator to directly depict the influence of traffic incident. The proposed method was tested on a 6516-meter urban expressway section of west second ring road in Beijing. The simulation results indicated that the proposed methodology performs well to predict the impact of traffic incident on urban expressway.
Type 1 Diabetes Modifies Brain Activation in Young Patients While Performing Visuospatial Working Memory Tasks
Authors: Gallardo-Moreno Geisa B. , González-Garrido Andrés A. , Gudayol-Ferré Esteban , Guàrdia-Olmos Joan
Published: July 2015

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the effects of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) on cognitive functions. T1D onset usually occurs during childhood, so it is possible that the brain could be affected during neurodevelopment. We selected young patients of normal intelligence with T1D onset during neurodevelopment, no complications from diabetes, and adequate glycemic control. The purpose of this study was to compare the neural BOLD activation pattern in a group of patients with T1Dversushealthy control subjects while performing a visuospatial working memory task. Sixteen patients and 16 matched healthy control subjects participated. There was no significant statistical difference in behavioral performance between the groups, but, in accordance with our hypothesis, results showed distinct brain activation patterns. Control subjects presented the expected activations related to the task, whereas the patients had greater activation in the prefrontal inferior cortex, basal ganglia, posterior cerebellum, and substantia nigra. These different patterns could be due to compensation mechanisms that allow them to maintain a behavioral performance similar to that of control subjects.
Performance of a Code Migration for the Simulation of Supersonic Ejector Flow to SMP, MIC, and GPU Using OpenMP, OpenMP+LEO, and OpenACC Directives
Authors: Couder-Castañeda C. , Barrios-Piña H. , Gitler I. , Arroyo M.
Published: July 2015

A serial source code for simulating a supersonic ejector flow is accelerated using parallelization based on OpenMP and OpenACC directives. The purpose is to reduce the development costs and to simplify the maintenance of the application due to the complexity of the FORTRAN source code. This research follows well-proven strategies in order to obtain the best performance in both OpenMP and OpenACC. OpenMP has become the programming standard for scientific multicore software and OpenACC is one true alternative for graphics accelerators without the need of programming low level kernels. The strategies using OpenMP are oriented towards reducing the creation of parallel regions, tasks creation to handle boundary conditions, and a nested control of the loop time for the programming in offload mode specifically for the Xeon Phi. In OpenACC, the strategy focuses on maintaining the data regions among the executions of the kernels. Experiments for performance and validation are conducted here on a 12-core Xeon CPU, Xeon Phi 5110p, and Tesla C2070, obtaining the best performance from the latter. The Tesla C2070 presented an acceleration factor of 9.86X, 1.6X, and 4.5X compared against the serial version on CPU, 12-core Xeon CPU, and Xeon Phi, respectively.
High Percentage of ADAM-10 Positive Melanoma Cells Correlates with Paucity of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes but Does Not Predict Prognosis in Cutaneous Melanoma Patients
Authors: Donizy Piotr , Zietek Marcin , Leskiewicz Marek , Halon Agnieszka , Matkowski Rafal
Published: July 2015

ADAM-10 (CDw156, CD156c, and kuzbanian) is a protein belonging to a superfamily of metalloproteases, enzymes capable of degrading the extracellular matrix. ADAMs have also been shown to be primarily involved in ectodomain cleavage. The aim of the study was to assess the expression and intracellular location of ADAM-10 in 104 primary skin melanomas and 16 metastatic lesions from regional lymph nodes. Also, prognostic significance of ADAM-10 expression in primary tumor cells and metastatic lesion cells was evaluated during 5-year observation. It was revealed that high expression of ADAM-10 positive cells was strictly related with lower intensity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (P=0.037), which suggests that ADAM-10 regulates immunoresponse in melanoma initiation and progression. No statistically significant correlations were found between ADAM-10 expression in primary tumor cells and nodal metastases and other histopathological parameters analyzed. Decreased immunoreactivity of ADAM-10 in cancer cells from regional lymph nodes was correlated with worse prognosis; however this correlation was statistically nonsignificant (P=0.065). Review of the literature shows that our study is the first one ever to describe the significance of ADAM-10 expression in correlation with detailed histopathological parameters of the primary tumor and data on long-term survival of cutaneous melanoma patients.
Loss of RACK1 Promotes Metastasis of Gastric Cancer by Inducing a miR-302c/IL8 Signaling Loop
Authors: Chen Ling , Min Lingqiang , Wang Xuefei , Zhao Junjie , Chen Hua , Qin Jing , Chen Weidong , Shen Zhenbin , Tang Zhaoqing , Gan Qiangjun , Ruan Yuanyuan , Sun Yihong , Qin Xinyu , Gu Jianxin
Published: July 2015

Gastric cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer represent the major reason for its poor prognosis. In this study, we found that loss of the receptor for activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1) promoted the metastasis of gastric cancer by enhancing the autocrine of IL8 in vitro and in vivo. microRNA (miRNA; miR) array identified that RACK1 modulated the expression of a series of miRNAs, including the miR-302 cluster, and RACK1 modulated the IL8 expression and tumor invasion through miRNA-302c. Moreover, upregulation of IL8 in turn decreased the level of miRNA-302c and induced IL8 expression in a feedback manner. Tissue microarray also indicated that RACK1 was correlated with invasion/metastasis phenotype, IL8 expression, as well as 5-year survival in clinical cases of gastric cancer. Together, our results imply that loss of RACK1 in gastric cancer links epigenetics to inflammatory cytokines to promote tumor metastasis. Cancer Res; 75(18); 3832–41. ©2015 AACR.
Genome-wide Gene–Asbestos Exposure Interaction Association Study Identifies a Common Susceptibility Variant on 22q13.31 Associated with Lung Cancer Risk
Authors: Liu Chen-yu , Stücker Isabelle , Chen Chu , Goodman Gary , McHugh Michelle K. , D'Amelio Anthony M. , Etzel Carol J. , Li Su , Lin Xihong , Christiani David C.
Published: July 2015

Background: Occupational asbestos exposure has been found to increase lung cancer risk in epidemiologic studies.

Methods: We conducted an asbestos exposure–gene interaction analyses among several Caucasian populations who were current or ex-smokers. The discovery phase included 833 Caucasian cases and 739 Caucasian controls, and used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with gene–asbestos interaction effects. The top ranked SNPs from the discovery phase were replicated within the International Lung and Cancer Consortium (ILCCO). First, in silico replication was conducted in those groups that had GWAS and asbestos exposure data, including 1,548 cases and 1,527 controls. This step was followed by de novo genotyping to replicate the results from the in silico replication, and included 1,539 cases and 1,761 controls. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the SNP–asbestos exposure interaction effects on lung cancer risk.

Results: We observed significantly increased lung cancer risk among MIRLET7BHG (MIRLET7B host gene located at 22q13.31) polymorphisms rs13053856, rs11090910, rs11703832, and rs12170325 heterozygous and homozygous variant allele(s) carriers (P < 5 × 10−7 by likelihood ratio test; df = 1). Among the heterozygous and homozygous variant allele(s) carriers of polymorphisms rs13053856, rs11090910, rs11703832, and rs12170325, each unit increase in the natural log-transformed asbestos exposure score was associated with age-, sex-, smoking status, and center-adjusted ORs of 1.34 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–1.51], 1.24 (95% CI, 1.14–1.35), 1.28 (95% CI, 1.17–1.40), and 1.26 (95% CI, 1.15–1.38), respectively, for lung cancer risk.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MIRLET7BHG polymorphisms may be important predictive markers for asbestos exposure–related lung cancer.

Impact: To our knowledge, our study is the first report using a systematic genome-wide analysis in combination with detailed asbestos exposure data and replication to evaluate asbestos-associated lung cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(10); 1564–73. ©2015 AACR.
Cellular Senescence Markers p16INK4a and p21CIP1/WAF Are Predictors of Hodgkin Lymphoma Outcome
Authors: Caliò Anna , Zamò Alberto , Ponzoni Maurilio , Zanolin Maria Elisabetta , Ferreri Andrés J.M. , Pedron Serena , Montagna Licia , Parolini Claudia , Fraifeld Vadim E. , Wolfson Marina , Yanai Hagai , Pizzolo Giovanni , Doglioni Claudio , Vinante Fabrizio , Chilosi Marco
Published: July 2015

Purpose: There is evidence that Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) could display some molecular and morphologic markers of cellular senescence (CS). We hypothesized that CS mechanisms may have potential prognostic relevance in cHL and investigated whether the expression of the well-established CS biomarkers p21CIP1/WAF1 and p16INK4a by HRS cells might be predictive of the probability of event-free survival (EFS).

Experimental Design: The study analyzed a retrospective cohort of 147 patients and the results were validated on a cohort of 91 patients independently diagnosed and treated in a different institution. p16INK4a and p21CIP1/WAF1 were categorized as dichotomous variables (< or ≥ 30% of HRS cells at diagnosis) and evaluated in univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: Both molecules were independent prognostic factors. A positive staining of one of the two molecules in more than 30% HRS cells predicted a better EFS (P < 0.01). p16INK4a/p21CIP1/WAF1 together as a unique categorical variable (both <30%, either <30%, both ≥ 30%) sorted out three prognostic groups with better, intermediate, or worse outcome either overall or within I–II, bulky and advanced stages. The presence or the lack of the robust expression of p21CIP1/WAF1 and/or p16INK4a defined the prognosis in our series.

Conclusions: These findings point to (i) the relevance of CS-related mechanisms in cHL, and to (ii) the prognostic value of a simple, reproducible, and low-cost immunohistochemical evaluation of p16INK4a and p21CIP1/WAF1 expression. Clin Cancer Res; 21(22); 5164–72. ©2015 AACR.
Less Can Be More for Gene Dose and Drug Sensitivity
Authors: Gatz Susanne A. , Shipley Janet M.
Published: July 2015

CDK4 is preclinically validated as a therapeutic target in PAX3–FOXO1 fusion gene-positive rhabdomyosarcomas. Pharmacologic targeting showed sensitivity but, contrary to expectation, CDK4 genomic amplification and overexpression associated with 25% of cases that exhibited the lowest sensitivities. This emphasizes the importance of tumor-specific preclinical studies to define and understand drug sensitivity. Clin Cancer Res; 21(21); 4750–2. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Olanich et al., p. 4947
Receptor-Interacting Protein 140 Orchestrates the Dynamics of Macrophage M1/M2 Polarization
Authors: Lin Yi-Wei , Lee Bomi , Liu Pu-Ste , Wei Li-Na
Published: July 2015

Macrophage classical (M1) versus alternative (M2) polarization is critical for the homeostatic control of innate immunity. Uncontrolled macrophage polarization is frequently implicated in diseases. This study reports a new functional role for receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) in regulating this phenotypic switch. RIP140 is required for M1 activation, and its degradation is critical to LPS-induced endotoxin tolerance (ET). Here, we found that failure to establish RIP140 degradation-mediated ET prevents M2 polarization, and reducing RIP140 level facilitates an M1/M2 switch, resulting in more efficient wound healing in animal models generated with either transgenic or bone marrow transplant procedures. The M2-suppressive effect is elicited by a new function of RIP140 that, in macrophages exposed to M2 cues, is exported to cytosol, forming complexes with CAPNS1 (calpain regulatory subunit) to activate calpain 1/2, that activates PTP1B phosphatase. The activated PTP1B then reduces STAT6 phosphorylation, thereby suppressing the efficiency of M2 polarization. It is concluded that RIP140 plays dual roles in regulating the M1-M2 phenotype switch: the first, in the nucleus, is an M1 enhancer and the second, in the cytosol, is an M2 suppressor. Modulating the level and/or subcellular distribution of RIP140 can be a new therapeutic strategy for diseases where inflammatory/anti-inflammatory responses are critical.
Description of the SAGhE Cohort: A Large European Study of Mortality and Cancer Incidence Risks after Childhood Treatment with Recombinant Growth Hormone
Authors: Swerdlow Anthony J. , Cooke Rosie , Albertsson-Wikland Kerstin , Borgström Birgit , Butler Gary , Cianfarani Stefano , Clayton Peter , Coste Joël , Deodati Annalisa , Ecosse Emmanuel , Gausche Ruth , Giacomozzi Claudio , Kiess Wieland , Hokken-Koelega Anita C.S. , Kuehni Claudia E. , Landier Fabienne , Maes Marc , Mullis Primus-E. , Pfaffle Roland , Sävendahl Lars , Sommer Grit , Thomas Muriel , Tollerfield Sally , Zandwijken Gladys R.J. , Carel Jean-Claude
Published: July 2015

Background: The long-term safety of growth hormone treatment is uncertain. Raised risks of death and certain cancers have been reported inconsistently, based on limited data or short-term follow-up by pharmaceutical companies. Patients and Methods: The SAGhE (Safety and Appropriateness of Growth Hormone Treatments in Europe) study assembled cohorts of patients treated in childhood with recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) in 8 European countries since the first use of this treatment in 1984 and followed them for cause-specific mortality and cancer incidence. Expected rates were obtained from national and local general population data. The cohort consisted of 24,232 patients, most commonly treated for isolated growth failure (53%), Turner syndrome (13%) and growth hormone deficiency linked to neoplasia (12%). This paper describes in detail the study design, methods and data collection and discusses the strengths, biases and weaknesses consequent on this. Conclusion: The SAGhE cohort is the largest and longest follow-up cohort study of growth hormone-treated patients with follow-up and analysis independent of industry. It forms a major resource for investigating cancer and mortality risks in r-hGH patients. The interpretation of SAGhE results, however, will need to take account of the methods of cohort assembly and follow-up in each country.
Primary Intraventricular Brain Abscess Resulting in Isolated Dilation of the Inferior Horn and Unilateral Hydrocephalus
Authors: Inamasu Joji , Moriya Shigeta , Kawazoe Yushi , Nagahisa Shinya , Hasegawa Mitsuhiro , Hirose Yuichi
Published: July 2015

Primary intraventricular brain abscesses are rare, and there are no established treatment guidelines for this condition. We report a case in which isolated ventricular dilatation and unilateral hydrocephalus developed after seemingly successful conservative management and which required surgical diversion of the cerebrospinal fluid. A 59-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with high-grade fever and headache. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abscesses in the bilateral posterior horn. Although surgical evacuation of the abscesses was considered, conservative management with antibiotics was selected because of the paucity of severe neurological deficits and the concern that an attempt to evacuate the intraventricular abscess might lead to inadvertent rupture of the abscess capsule and acute ventriculitis. Despite reduction in the abscess volume, the patient developed an altered mental status 4 weeks after admission. Follow-up MRI revealed isolated dilation of the left inferior horn, compressing the brainstem. Emergency fenestration of the dilated inferior horn was performed, and endoscopic observation revealed an encapsulated abscess with adhesion to the ventricular wall which was thought responsible for the ventricular dilation and unilateral hydrocephalus. Two weeks after the initial surgery, the unilateral hydrocephalus was treated by placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Eradication of the intraventricular brain abscesses without surgical evacuation may justify the conservative management of this patient. However, the possibility that earlier surgical evacuation might have prevented development of the isolated ventricular dilation cannot be denied. Additional clinical experience is required to determine which treatment (surgical vs. conservative) is more appropriate in patients with primary intraventricular brain abscesses.
Clinical Profile of Athletes With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sheikh Nabeel , Papadakis Michael , Schnell Frédéric , Panoulas Vasileios , Malhotra Aneil , Wilson Mathew , Carré François , Sharma Sanjay
Published: July 2015

Background—

The phenotype of individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who exercise regularly is unknown. This study characterized the clinical profile of young athletes with HCM.

Methods and Results—

The electrical, structural, and functional cardiac parameters from 106 young (14–35 years) athletes with HCM were compared with 101 sedentary HCM patients. A subset of athletes with HCM exhibiting morphologically mild (13–16 mm), concentric disease was compared with 55 healthy athletes with mild physiological left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Most athletes with HCM (96%) exhibited T-wave inversion and had milder LVH (15.8±3.4 mm versus 19.7±6.5 mm,
P
<0.001), larger left ventricular cavity dimensions (47.8±6.0 mm versus 44.3±7.7 mm,
P
<0.001), and superior indices of diastolic function (average
E
/
E
′ 7.9±2.4 versus 10.7±3.9,
P
<0.001) compared with sedentary HCM patients. In athletes with HCM, LVH was frequently (36%) confined to the apex and only 15 individuals (14%) exhibited mild concentric LVH mimicking physiological LVH. In these 15 athletes, conventional structural and functional cardiac parameters showed modest sensitivity and specificity for differentiating HCM from physiological LVH: 13% had a left ventricular cavity >54 mm, 87% had a left atrium ≤40, and 100% had an
E
/
E
′ <12.

Conclusions—

Athletes with HCM exhibit less LVH, larger left ventricular cavities, and normal indices of diastolic function compared with sedentary patients. Only a minority of athletes with HCM constitute the conventional gray zone of mild, concentric LVH. In this minority, conventional echocardiographic parameters alone are insufficient to differentiate HCM from physiological LVH and should be complemented by additional structural and functional assessments to minimize the risk of false reassurance.
Hemodynamic Characteristics Including Pulmonary Hypertension at Rest and During Exercise Before and After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Lundgren Jakob , Rådegran Göran
Published: July 2015

Background

Little is known about the hemodynamic response to exercise in heart failure patients at various ages before and after heart transplantation (
HT
). This information is important because postoperative hemodynamics may be a predictor of survival. To investigate the hemodynamic response to
HT
and exercise, we grouped our patients based on preoperative age and examined their hemodynamics at rest and during exercise before and after
HT
.

Methods and Results

Ninety‐four patients were evaluated at rest prior to HT with right heart catheterization at our laboratory. Of these patients, 32 were evaluated during slight supine exercise before and 1 year after
HT
. Postoperative evaluations were performed at rest 1 week after
HT
and at rest and during exercise at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after
HT
. The exercise patients were divided into 2 groups based on preoperative age of ≤50 or >50 years. There were no age‐dependent differences in the preoperative hemodynamic exercise responses. Hemodynamics markedly improved at rest and during exercise at 1 and 4 weeks, respectively, after
HT
; however, pulmonary and, in particular, ventricular filling pressures remained high during exercise at 1 year after
HT
, resulting in normalized pulmonary vascular resistance response but deranged total pulmonary vascular resistance response.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that, (1) in patients with heart failure age ≤50 or >50 years may not affect the hemodynamic response to exercise to the same extent as in healthy persons, and (2) total pulmonary vascular resistance may be more adequate than pulmonary vascular resistance for evaluating the exercise response after
HT
.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated With QT Prolongation in the General Population
Authors: Hung Chi‐Sheng , Tseng Ping‐Huei , Tu Chia‐Hung , Chen Chien‐Chuan , Liao Wei‐Chih , Lee Yi‐Chia , Chiu Han‐Mo , Lin Hung‐Ju , Ho Yi‐Lwun , Yang Wei‐Shiung , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Chen Ming‐Fong
Published: July 2015

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (
NAFLD
) is independently associated with
QT
prolongation among patients with diabetes. It has not yet been determined whether this association remains valid in the general population. We designed an observational study to explore this association.

Methods and Results

We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of 31 116 consecutive participants in our health management program. Heart rate–corrected
QT
(
QT
c) interval was derived from 12‐lead electrocardiography and by Bazett's formula.
NAFLD
was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and classified as
none, mild, moderate
, or
severe
, according to the ultrasonographic criteria. A multivariable linear regression model was fitted for the association between
QT
c interval and potential predictors (including demographic, anthropometric, biochemical factors, and comorbidities). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were fitted to assess the association between the severity of
NAFLD
and
QT
c prolongation, with the adjustment of significant predictors derived from multivariable linear regression. The mean
QT
c interval was 421.3 ms (
SD
45.4 ms). In the multivariable linear regression analyses, mild, moderate, and severe
NAFLD
were associated with increases of 2.55, 6.59, and 12.13 ms, respectively, in
QT
c interval compared with no
NAFLD
(all
P
<0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression analyses, mild, moderate, and severe
NAFLD
were associated with an increased risk for
QT
c prolongation, with odds ratios of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.21,
P
<0.05), 1.61 (95% CI: 1.36 to 1.9,
P
<0.001), and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.16 to 2.24,
P
<0.01), respectively, in women, and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.21,
P
<0.05), 1.39 (95% CI: 1.22 to 1.59,
P
<0.001), and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.16 to 2.24,
P
<0.001), respectively, in men, after adjusting for predictors known to be associated with the
QT
c interval. The association remained significant among subgroups with or without diabetes.

Conclusions

The severity of
NAFLD
was associated with a higher risk for
QT
c prolongation in the general population with and without diabetes.
Heart‐Specific Knockout of the Mitochondrial Thioredoxin Reductase (
Txnrd2
) Induces Metabolic and Contractile Dysfunction in the Aging Myocardium
Authors: Kiermayer Claudia , Northrup Emily , Schrewe Anja , Walch Axel , de Angelis Martin Hrabe , Schoensiegel Frank , Zischka Hans , Prehn Cornelia , Adamski Jerzy , Bekeredjian Raffi , Ivandic Boris , Kupatt Christian , Brielmeier Markus
Published: July 2015

Background

Ubiquitous deletion of thioredoxin reductase 2 (
Txnrd2
) in mice is embryonically lethal and associated with abnormal heart development, while constitutive, heart‐specific
Txnrd2
inactivation leads to dilated cardiomyopathy and perinatal death. The significance of
Txnrd2
in aging cardiomyocytes, however, has not yet been examined.

Methods and Results

The tamoxifen‐inducible heart‐specific α
MHC‐MerCreMer
transgene was used to inactivate
lox
P‐flanked
Txnrd2
alleles in adult mice. Hearts and isolated mitochondria from aged knockout mice were morphologically and functionally analyzed. Echocardiography revealed a significant increase in left ventricular end‐systolic diameters in knockouts. Fractional shortening and ejection fraction were decreased compared with controls. Ultrastructural analysis of cardiomyocytes of aged mice showed mitochondrial degeneration and accumulation of autophagic bodies. A dysregulated autophagic activity was supported by higher levels of lysosome‐associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1), microtubule‐associated protein 1A/1B‐light chain 3‐I (
LC
3‐I), and
p62
in knockout hearts. Isolated
Txnrd2
‐deficient mitochondria used less oxygen and tended to produce more reactive oxygen species. Chronic hypoxia inducible factor 1, α subunit stabilization and altered transcriptional and metabolic signatures indicated that energy metabolism is deregulated.

Conclusions

These results imply a novel role of
Txnrd2
in sustaining heart function during aging and suggest that
Txnrd2
may be a modifier of heart failure.
An Asander’s Gold Stater with Magic Graffito and a Labrys from the Settlement Tsemesskaya Roscha
Authors: Abramzon Mikhail G. , Karpov Dmitriï A. , Sudarev Nikolaï I.
Published: July 2015

The article is a publication of two remarkable votives found during the archaeological survey of the sacrificial complex in the Bosporan fortified settlement Tsemesskaya Roshcha. The first find is a gold stater of the Bosporan King Asander marked with regnal year 8. Gold staters of Asander with the 8th year of his reign were unknown before the discovery of such a specimen at the settlement Kara-Tobe in 2006. Thus, the presented coin found in 2013 is the second known example. The coin was used as an amulet-apotropaeos with the magic graffito in form of a pentagram and the letter Λ (lambda) and also a blue glass-eye bead were sacrificed as votives to Apollo and Zeus (?), while the garrison was leaving the fortress. Apart from these goods, an iron double-axe was found at some distance from the sacrifice. It may well be that the labrys is also a ritual artifact or a votive, although it is not directly related to the sacrificial complex with the gold coin-amulet.
Urban Defenses at Bīr-koṭ-ghwaṇḍai, Swat (Pakistan)
Authors: Olivieri Luca M.
Published: July 2015

This article reports on the latest data provided by the 2014 excavation campaign at the Early Historic urban site of Bīr-koṭ-ghwaṇḍai, Swat. The campaign, which followed an intensive 3-year excavation carried out inside the sw quarter of the ancient town, focused on the sw external area, and revealed a complex sequence of constructions, collapses and abandonment of the external defenses of the site. The new data are compared with others from previous excavation campaigns in the same site.
Rabbinic Literature and the Christian Scriptures
Authors: Neusner Jacob
Published: July 2015

The Rabbinic literature may be compared with the Christian Scriptures and vice versa, thus providing evidence of the beliefs held by authoritative sages of the two different communities of Judaism. The Rabbinic tradition is relevant to New Testament studies insofar as the two bodies of writings appeal to the same holy Scripture. By analyzing how they respond to that Scripture, we learn the choices people face and we better understand the context in which they made their decisions. Here, by evaluating one aggadic example and one halakhic one, we see how, in their treatment of Scripture, the Rabbinic literature and the New Testament appear to intersect but primarily part company. The result is a deeper comprehension of the distinctive ideologies and values of each tradition.
The Halakhic Validity of Israel’s Judicial System among Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Halakhic Decisors
Authors: Kleinman Ron S.
Published: July 2015

This paper examines the approaches of three Israeli ultra-Orthodox halakhic decisors and rabbinical judges to civil law and adjudication in Israel. Based primarily on Israel’s building and condominium housing laws, it reveals that the approaches of these decisors appear largely to reflect their distinctive ideological and sociological stances towards Israeli civil law and its civil judicial system. Rabbis Israel Grossman and Shmuel Wosner confer halakhic validity on construction that is in violation of civil law, justifying it on the need to enlarge flats due to large family size and crowded conditions. On the other hand, Rabbi Asher Weiss objects to illegal building work, viewing it as “bad custom.” He maintains that religious Jews should serve as civil court lawyers and judges, regarding this as a holy undertaking. His attitude towards the civil judicial system is more sympathetic than that of Rabbis Grossman and Wosner. In each of their views, these Rabbis bring to their interpretation of Jewish law sources their distinctive ideological perspectives towards modern Israel’s civil law.
A revision of the fish genus Oxyurichthys (Gobioidei: Gobiidae) with descriptions of four new species
Authors: PEZOLD FRANK L. , LARSON HELEN K.
Published: July 2015

The widespread tropical gobionelline fish genus Oxyurichthys is monophyletic due to its species sharing two characters considered derived within the Stenogobius Group of the Gobionellinae (Gobioidei: Gobiidae), a transversely broadened (spatulate) third neural spine that is usually bifid, and no preopercular cephalic lateralis canal. It is most closely related to Oligolepis, also of the Indo-west Pacific, and Ctenogobius, an Atlantic-eastern Pacific genus. Sixteen valid species of Oxyurichthys are redescribed and illustrated and four new species are described, O. limophilus from the western Indian Ocean, O. rapa from French Polynesia, and O. chinensis and O. zeta from the western Pacific. Nineteen species share two additional synapomorphies, a rounded fleshy tongue and a palatine lacking an elongate posterior strut, and form the sister group to the plesiomorphous Oxyurichthys keiensis, known from South Africa and Madagascar. One species, O. stigmalophius, occurs in the western Atlantic. There are no records of this genus from the continental eastern Pacific or the eastern Atlantic. Previous accounts from the Gulf of Guinea region of West Africa are references to Gobionellus occidentalis. Many Oxyurichthys species are limited to shallow estuarine and coastal waters with bottom substrates of silt or other fine sediments, but several are known from depths exceeding 10 m and are often collected by trawling.
Trends in Snow Cover and Related Quantities at Weather Stations in the Conterminous United States
Authors: Knowles Noah
Published: July 2015

Trend tests, linear regression, and canonical correlation analysis were used to quantify changes in National Weather Service Cooperative Observer (COOP) snow depth data and derived quantities, precipitation, snowfall, and temperature over the study period 1950–2010. Despite widespread warming, historical trends in snowfall and snow depth are generally mixed owing to competing influences of trends in precipitation. Trends toward later snow-cover onset in the western half of the conterminous United States and earlier onset in the eastern half and a widespread trend toward earlier final meltoff of snow cover combined to produce trends toward shorter snow seasons in the eastern half of the United States and in the west and longer snow seasons in the Great Plains and southern Rockies. The annual total number of days with snow cover exhibited a widespread decline. Monthly trend patterns show the dominant influence of temperature trends on occurrence of snow cover in the warmer snow-season months and a combination of temperature and precipitation trends in the colder months. A canonical correlation analysis indicated that most trends presented here took hold in the 1970s, consistent with the temporal pattern of global warming during the study period.
Estimating Subsurface Velocities from Surface Fields with Idealized Stratification
Authors: LaCasce J. H. , Wang J.
Published: July 2015

A previously published method by Wang et al. for predicting subsurface velocities and density from sea surface buoyancy and surface height is extended by incorporating analytical solutions to make the vertical projection. One solution employs exponential stratification and the second has a weakly stratified surface layer, approximating a mixed layer. The results are evaluated using fields from a numerical simulation of the North Atlantic. The simple exponential solution yields realistic subsurface density and vorticity fields to nearly 1000 m in depth. Including a mixed layer improves the response in the mixed layer itself and at high latitudes where the mixed layer is deeper. It is in the mixed layer that the surface quasigeostrophic approximation is most applicable. Below that the first baroclinic mode dominates, and that mode is well approximated by the analytical solution with exponential stratification.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage-Related Public Service Advertisements and Their Influence on Parents
Authors: Jordan Amy , Bleakley Amy , Hennessy Michael , Vaala Sarah , Glanz Karen , Strasser Andrew A.
Published: July 2015

In this article, we describe a novel experimental approach for identifying the effectiveness of distinct persuasive strategies used in audiovisual (television-format) public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to encourage parents to reduce their children’s sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Eight-hundred and seven parents were assigned to one of three experimental conditions with exposure to PSAs using distinct emotional appeals (fear, humor, and nurturance) or a control (non-SSB PSA). Parents’ emotional and cognitive responses to the ads and intentions to cut back on their child’s SSB consumption were assessed using a path analysis. Findings show no significant difference in the experimental versus control groups on intention to reduce children’s intake. However, parents who had greater feelings of empowerment and hope, and greater perceived argument strength post-PSA viewing were significantly more likely to intend to cut back their children’s SSB consumption. Additionally, parent characteristics moderated the paths between the experimental conditions and mediators. Fathers felt significantly less empowerment/hope and fewer positive emotions than mothers in the humor condition, and lighter SSB consumers felt significantly less empowerment and hope and positive emotions than heavy SSB consumers in the fear condition. The findings of this study suggest that health-related messages directed at parents may be most effective if they present strong arguments and elicit feelings of empowerment and hope.
Carotid Plaques Correlates in Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Waluś-Miarka Małgorzata , Czarnecka D. , Wojciechowska W. , Kloch-Badełek M. , Kapusta M. , Sanak M. , Wójcik M. , Małecki M. T. , Starzyk J. , Idzior-Waluś B.
Published: July 2015

Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. We compared factors associated with the presence of carotid plaques and carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT), markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, in 241 patients with FH (98, 40.7% men; mean age 41 ± 18.4 years). Patients with FH having carotid plaques (36.5%) had mean age, apolipoprotein (apo) B, glucose, apoA1, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP, waist/hip ratio (WHR), and body mass index higher than patients without plaques. Logistic regression revealed that apoB (odds ratio [OR] per 1 unit change 1.03, P = .005), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; OR per 1 standard deviation [SD] change 0.59, P = .015), and non-HDL-C (OR per 1SD change 1.53, P = .04) were significantly associated with the presence of plaques. The cIMT correlated with obesity parameters, BP, apoB, glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, creatinine, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and alanine transaminase ( P < .001). Regression analysis revealed that cIMT was significantly associated with apoB, SBP, and WHR. These results confirm the role of apoB-containing lipoproteins and low HDL-C with the presence of carotid plaques and apoB, BP, and WHR with cIMT.
Outbound Foreign Direct Investment from China and India
Authors: Das Khanindra Ch. , Banik Nilanjan
Published: July 2015

Chinese and Indian enterprises have been increasingly involved in international business thereby attracting global attention since the turn of the 21st century. This article examines outbound investment experiences of Chinese and Indian multinationals and compares and contrasts the investment development trajectory for both the countries. The comparisons and contrasts are made with respect to government policy, motivations for outbound investment, financing of investment, success rate in overseas acquisition, sectoral composition, characteristics of multinational enterprises (MNEs), and the challenges and impact of such investments in the light of differences in economic and institutional parameters between the two countries. It can be observed that there are more differences than similarities in the trajectory of outbound investments by Chinese and Indian enterprises. These differences arise due to the economic and institutional structure and the development path chosen by the two countries. Due to the differences between Chinese and Indian economic development trajectories, which are unique in many ways, it is not meaningful to make a straightforward comparison of outbound foreign direct investment (FDI) experience of the two countries. Nevertheless, the main differences with regard to outward investment by Indian and Chinese enterprises can be observed in areas such as the degree of involvement of the public sector enterprises, financing of overseas investments, success rate of proposed mergers and acquisitions (M&A), sectoral composition of such investments, investment motives, and so on. Various challenges facing outward FDI from China and India are highlighted, some of which could be addressed by specific economic and institutional reforms. The tale of the two countries examined in this article taken together contains important insights for emerging country enterprises and governments on the challenges and opportunities of global business.
The Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Debate
Authors: Chonzom Tshering
Published: July 2015

An interview of the Dalai Lama in September 2014 sparked massive debate on the issue of his reincarnation that lasted many months. Much of the discussion overlooked the need to verify sources and relied on mere summaries of the said interview. The ‘incomplete’ media reports, have, among other things, had a very noticeable impact on the already fragile Sino-Tibetan relations. Particularly interesting are the reactions by Chinese officials and media. The first part of this commentary deals with this aspect followed by an attempt to decode the message underlying the Dalai Lama’s purported statements on his reincarnation. Instead of relying on mere summaries of interviews, this analysis takes up the full interviews available in video and transcribed format and identifies the sources of the concerns on both sides of the Sino-Tibetan divide.
The Domestic and Global Origins of Transnational Advocacy
Authors: Hanegraaff Marcel , Braun Caelesta , De Bièvre Dirk , Beyers Jan
Published: July 2015

This article explains varying levels of transnational advocacy initiated by domestic organized interests. Theoretically, we integrate the constraining and enabling impact of the domestic context with factors related to global opportunity structures. We test our hypotheses with an original data set consisting of all national organized interests that attended the Ministerial Conferences of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the period 1995 through 2011. Instead of viewing transnational advocacy as a reaction to a lack of domestic political attention and an attempt to compensate for domestic deprivation, our analyses actually show the opposite. Organized interests that originate from democratic, mostly wealthy countries, and that enjoy robust access to domestic resources, are much more responsive to shifts in the global policy agenda. More generally, our analysis of the factors that drive transnational advocacy point at the irrelevance to artificially juxtapose domestic and global explanations.
The Journal of Commonwealth Literature: The 1980s
Authors: Quayson Ato
Published: July 2015

This article reviews the state of Commonwealth literary studies in the 1980s and the place of The Journal of Commonwealth Literature in showcasing key critical trends that led to the flourishing of postcolonial literary studies in the 1990s and after.
Afterword: The Journal of Commonwealth Literature, postcolonial studies, and the provinces
Authors: Whittle Matthew
Published: July 2015

This Afterword to the 50th anniversary issue of The Journal of Commonwealth Literature reflects on the journal’s establishment in Leeds, and the broader place that provincial regions played in generating interest in postcolonial and Commonwealth literatures. Drawing on archival research, it seeks to explore how the shifts in attitudes towards class and race in post-war Britain can be read as contributing to a dissent from a metropolitan literary establishment.
Tensile and biocompatibility properties of synthesized nano-hydroxyapatite reinforced ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposite
Authors: Mirsalehi Seyed A , Sattari Mohammadali , Khavandi Alireza , Mirdamadi Shamsodin , Naimi-Jamal Mohammad R
Published: July 2015

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene–based nanocomposites reinforced with nano-sized hydroxyapatite particles were fabricated using internal mixer and compression molding with different weight percent of the nano-hydroxyapatite. In this study, first, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel. Then, the mechanical and biological properties of nanocomposites were studied by tensile test and proliferation and cell adhesion assays using MG-63 osteoblast cells, respectively. Results of the tensile test showed that incorporation of 50 wt% nano-hydroxyapatite led to a 345.64% and 57.58% increase in Young's modulus and yield strength (compared to the pure ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene), respectively. The effect of the nano-hydroxyapatite powders on the MG-63 osteoblast cells behavior was compared to those of a composite (positive control) and a negative control samples. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed that cell–biomaterial interaction was carried out on the surface of the nanocomposites with normal phenotypic shape. Results of MTT assay exhibited that all samples are biocompatible.
Molecular level analysis of carbon nanofiber reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Sharma Sumit , Chandra Rakesh , Kumar Pramod , Kumar Navin
Published: July 2015

The present study focuses on modeling of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and evaluating the effect of their reinforcement in polypropylene (PP) matrix. A novel approach for modeling of CNF has been explained in this study. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has been used to study the effect of CNF volume fraction ( Vf) and aspect ratio ( l/d) on mechanical properties of CNF–PP composites. Materials Studio 5.5 has been used as a tool for finding the modulus and damping in composites. CNF composition in PP was varied by volume from 0 to 16%. Aspect ratio of CNF was varied from l/d = 5 to l/d = 100. Results have also been obtained for longitudinal loss factor ( η11). To the best of the knowledge of the authors, till date there is no study, either experimental or analytical, which predicts η11 for CNF–PP composites at nanoscale. Hence, this will be a valuable addition in the area of nanocomposites. Results show that with only 2% addition by volume of CNF in PP, E11 increases by 748%. Thereafter, the increase is at a lower rate. Increase in E22 is very less in comparison to the increase in E11. With increase in CNF aspect ratio ( l/d) till l/d = 60, the longitudinal loss factor ( η11) decreases rapidly. Thereafter, the decrease is smaller. Results of this study are in agreement with those predicted by Shinichi et al.
The Maoist Enemy: China’s Challenge in 1960s East Germany
Authors: Slobodian Quinn
Published: July 2015

This article examines the challenge of Chinese communism in East Germany in the 1960s. It shows how the Sino–Soviet Split and the Chinese Cultural Revolution endangered the public transcripts of East German state socialism by undermining its organizing metaphors and principles. Chinese cadres used their East Berlin embassy as a stage, showcase and megaphone for their dissenting vision of communism throughout the decade, winning some support from elderly communists, young anti-authoritarians and students from the Global South. Studying the East German campaign against what was known as ‘Mao Zedong Thought' sheds light on the transnational traffic of actors and ideas within the Second World in the turbulent decade of the 1960s. The official and vernacular response to the Maoist challenge suggests that East German ideology was constituted by a double demarcation in the 1960s, against Western social democracy and capitalism to its right and Chinese communism to its left.