bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular mapping of five soybean genes involved in male-sterility, female-sterility
Authors: Speth Benjamin , Rogers Joshua P. , Boonyoo Napatsakorn , VanMeter A.J. , Baumbach Jordan , Ott Alina , Moore Jerott , Cina Tyler , Palmer Reid , Sandhu Devinder
Published: June 2015

In soybean, asynaptic and desynaptic mutants lead to abnormal meiosis and fertility reduction. Several male-sterile, female-sterile mutants have been identified and studied in soybean, however, some of these mutants have not been mapped to locations on soybean chromosomes. The objectives of this study were to molecularly map five male-sterile, female-sterile genes (st2, st4, st5, st6, and st7) in soybean and compare the map locations of these genes with already mapped sterility genes. Microsatellite markers were used in bulked segregant analyses to locate all five male-sterile, female-sterile genes to soybean chromosomes, and markers from the corresponding chromosomes were used on F2 populations to generate genetic linkage maps. The st2, st4, st5, st6, and st7 genes were located on molecular linkage group (MLG) B1 (chromosome 11), MLG D1a (chromosome 01), MLG F (chromosome 13), MLG B2 (chromosome 14), and D1b (chromosome 02), respectively. The st2, st4, st5, st6, and st7 genes were flanked to 10.3 (∼399 kb), 6.3 (∼164 kb), 3.9 (∼11.8 Mb), 11.0 (∼409 kb), and 5.3 cM (∼224 kb), and the flanked regions contained 57, 17, 362, 52, and 17 predicted genes, respectively. Future characterization of candidate genes should facilitate identification of the male- and female-fertility genes, which may provide vital insights on structure and function of genes involved in the reproductive pathway in soybean.
Neutrino–antineutrino mass splitting in the Standard Model: Neutrino oscillation and baryogenesis
Authors: Fujikawa Kazuo , Tureanu Anca
Published: June 2015

By adding a neutrino mass term to the Standard Model, which is Lorentz and [Formula: see text] invariant but nonlocal to evade CPT theorem, it is shown that nonlocality within a distance scale of the Planck length, that may not be fatal to unitarity in generic effective theory, can generate the neutrino–antineutrino mass splitting of the order of observed neutrino mass differences, which is tested in oscillation experiments, and non-negligible baryon asymmetry depending on the estimate of sphaleron dynamics. The one-loop order induced electron–positron mass splitting in the Standard Model is shown to be finite and estimated at [Formula: see text], well below the experimental bound [Formula: see text]. The induced CPT violation in the K-meson in the Standard Model is expected to be even smaller and well below the experimental bound [Formula: see text].
How Does Investor Sentiment Affect Implied Risk-Neutral Distributions of Call and Put Options?
Authors: Szu Wen-Ming , Wang Yi-Chen , Yang Wan-Ru
Published: June 2015

This paper investigates the characteristics of implied risk-neutral distributions separately derived from Taiwan stock index call and put options prices. Differences in risk-neutral skewness and kurtosis between call and put options indicate deviations from put-call parity. We find that the sentiment effect is significantly related to differences between call and put option prices. Our results suggest the differential impact of investor sentiment and consumer sentiment on call and put option traders' expectations about underlying asset prices. Moreover, rational and irrational sentiment components have different influences on call and put option traders' beliefs.
Static polarization of the supramolecular dyads of fullerene C60 with porphyrin derivatives
Authors: Krasnov Pavel O. , Kuzubov Alexandr A. , Kholtobina Anastasia S. , Varganov Sergey A. , Kuzubova Maria V.
Published: June 2015

The nonlinear optical properties of four supramolecular dyads consisting of fullerene C 60 non-covalently bonded to porphyrin, porphyrazine, tetrabenzoporphyrin and phthalocyanine were investigated by calculating their electronic polarizability and first- and second-order hyperpolarizabilities using the finite field method and the density functional theory with the Grimme dispersion correction. Large first- and second-order hyperpolarizabilities result in nonlinear dependence of the polarization of dyads on the strength of external electric field. The increase in the size of the π-conjugated electron system of the porphyrin analogs leads to the increase of the polarizability and first- and second-order hyperpolarizabilities of the dyads. The absence of the covalent bonds between the components of the dyads prevents the field-induced electron transfer from porphyrin analogs to fullerene. The main reason for the nonlinear behavior of the polarization of dyads is the mutual polarization of fullerene and porphyrin analogs amplified by the external electric field.
The reservoir characterization of the Sea Lion Field
Authors: Griffiths Alun
Published: June 2015

The reservoirs that form the Sea Lion Field comprise a series of canyon-fed fans deposited into a deep, anoxic lake, on the hanging wall of the basin boundary fault. The fans primarily form stratigraphic traps with an element of fault seal on the west flank. These fans are dominated by mass flow and high-density turbidite sands, with subordinate low-density turbidites set within lacustrine shales. The fans mapped on seismic profiles are partitioned into lobes, based on sand bodies penetrated into the wells or the conceptual model where correlation between wells is not possible. Ten facies are identified from core but attempts to discriminate facies met with mixed success. Facies are therefore combined into four associations (‘Rock Types’) for use in dynamic flow modelling. Rock Types are distributed within the fans using a hierarchical reservoir architecture (‘fan-lobe-surge’). This paper describes the reservoir and fluid characteristics, and outlines the challenges associated with converting the detailed geological model into a form suitable for reservoir simulation, while preserving the main reservoir features that will influence fluid movement within the reservoir
Magnetization carriers of grey to red deep-water limestones in the GSSP of the Givetian–Frasnian boundary (Puech de la Suque, France): signals influenced by moderate diagenetic overprinting
Authors: Devleeschouwer Xavier , Riquier Laurent , Bábek Ondřej , De Vleeshouwer David , Petitclerc Estelle , Sterckx Sarane , Spassov Simo
Published: June 2015

Limestones at the Puech de la Suque Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Givetian–Frasnian boundary show a drastic change towards much higher magnetic susceptibility values in the Givetian rocks. Different rock magnetic parameters indicate that ferromagnetic minerals are the main controlling factor. The ferromagnetic fraction is composed of low- (magnetite-type) and high-coercivity (hematite and goethite) phases. Confirmed by the spectral reflectance, high coercivity minerals are fluctuating along the section with a higher abundance in the basal Frasnian. These phases may be of secondary origin and produced during burial stage. The magnetite-type phase contains two different grain-size populations. The identified that Stable Single-domain/Superparamagnetic (SSD/SP) particles are of diagenetic origin and their amount decreases slightly upwards. A second group of magnetite grains correspond to coarse-grained particles identified using the squareness v. coercive force plot. It is tentatively suggested here that these particles present throughout the section are of primary origin. On the contrary, the paramagnetic minerals underwent a clear diagenetic overprinting and may represent secondary minerals. The presence of a primary ferromagnetic carrier allowed the use of spectral analyses, leading to the detection of spectral peaks at 1.25 and 4 cycles/m, which can be interpreted as the result of 405-kyr and 100-kyr eccentricity forcing, respectively.
Preordering using a Target-Language Parser via Cross-Language Syntactic Projection for Statistical Machine Translation
Authors: Goto Isao , Utiyama Masao , Sumita Eiichiro , Kurohashi Sadao
Published: June 2015

When translating between languages with widely different word orders, word reordering can present a major challenge. Although some word reordering methods do not employ source-language syntactic structures, such structures are inherently useful for word reordering. However, high-quality syntactic parsers are not available for many languages. We propose a preordering method using a target-language syntactic parser to process source-language syntactic structures without a source-language syntactic parser. To train our preordering model based on ITG, we produced syntactic constituent structures for source-language training sentences by (1) parsing target-language training sentences, (2) projecting constituent structures of the target-language sentences to the corresponding source-language sentences, (3) selecting parallel sentences with highly synchronized parallel structures, (4) producing probabilistic models for parsing using the projected partial structures and the Pitman-Yor process, and (5) parsing to produce full binary syntactic structures maximally synchronized with the corresponding target-language syntactic structures, using the constraints of the projected partial structures and the probabilistic models. Our ITG-based preordering model is trained using the produced binary syntactic structures and word alignments. The proposed method facilitates the learning of ITG by producing highly synchronized parallel syntactic structures based on cross-language syntactic projection and sentence selection. The preordering model jointly parses input sentences and identifies their reordered structures. Experiments with Japanese--English and Chinese--English patent translation indicate that our method outperforms existing methods, including string-to-tree syntax-based SMT, a preordering method that does not require a parser, and a preordering method that uses a source-language dependency parser.
A Unified Model for Solving the OOV Problem of Chinese Word Segmentation
Authors: Li Xiaoqing , Zong Chengqing , Su Keh-yih
Published: June 2015

This article proposes a unified, character-based, generative model to incorporate additional resources for solving the out-of-vocabulary (OOV) problem of Chinese word segmentation, within which different types of additional information can be utilized independently in corresponding submodels. This article mainly addresses the following three types of OOV: unseen dictionary words, named entities, and suffix-derived words, none of which are handled well by current approaches. The results show that our approach can effectively improve the performance of the first two types with positive interaction in F-score. Additionally, we also analyze reason that suffix information is not helpful. After integrating the proposed generative model with the corresponding discriminative approach, our evaluation on various corpora---including SIGHAN-2005, CIPS-SIGHAN-2010, and the Chinese Treebank (CTB)---shows that our integrated approach achieves the best performance reported in the literature on all testing sets when additional information and resources are allowed.
An Extension of ATL with Strategy Interaction
Authors: Wang Farn , Schewe Sven , Huang Chung-Hao
Published: June 2015

We propose an extension to
ATL
(
alternating-time temporal logic
), called
BSIL
(
basic strategy-interaction logic
), for specifying collaboration among agents in a multiagent system. We show that BSIL is strictly more expressive than ATL
+
but incomparable with ATL
*
,
GL
(
game logic
), and
AMC
(
alternating μ-calculus
) in expressiveness. We show that a memoryful strategy is necessary for fulfilling a specification in BSIL. We establish that the BSIL model-checking problem is PSPACE-complete. However, BSIL model checking can be performed in time quadratic in the model for fixed formulas. The BSIL (and hence ATL
+
) satisfiability is 2EXPTIME-complete. Finally, we report our experiment with a model checker for BSIL.
Neuroprotective Properties of the Standardized Extract fromCamellia sinensis(Green Tea) and Its Main Bioactive Components, Epicatechin and Epigallocatechin Gallate, in the 6-OHDA Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Bitu Pinto Natália , da Silva Alexandre Bruno , Neves Kelly Rose Tavares , Silva Aline Holanda , Leal Luzia Kalyne A. M. , Viana Glauce S. B.
Published: June 2015

Camellia sinensis(green tea) is largely consumed, mainly in Asia. It possesses several biological effects such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The objectives were to investigate the neuroprotective actions of the standardized extract (CS), epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on a model of Parkinson’s disease. Male Wistar rats were divided into SO (sham-operated controls), untreated 6-OHDA-lesioned and 6-OHDA-lesioned treated for 2 weeks with CS (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg), EC (10 mg/kg), or EGCG (10 mg/kg) groups. One hour after the last administration, animals were submitted to behavioral tests and euthanized and their striata and hippocampi were dissected for neurochemical (DA, DOPAC, and HVA) and antioxidant activity determinations, as well as immunohistochemistry evaluations (TH, COX-2, and iNOS). The results showed that CS and catechins reverted behavioral changes, indicating neuroprotection manifested as decreased rotational behavior, increased locomotor activity, antidepressive effects, and improvement of cognitive dysfunction, as compared to the untreated 6-OHDA-lesioned group. Besides, CS, EP, and EGCG reversed the striatal oxidative stress and immunohistochemistry alterations. These results show that the neuroprotective effects of CS and its catechins are probably and in great part due to its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, pointing out their potential for the prevention and treatment of PD.
Effects of Atmospheric Refraction on an Airborne Weather Radar Detection and Correction Method
Authors: Wang Lei , Wei Ming , Yang Tao , Liu Ping
Published: June 2015

This study investigates the effect of atmospheric refraction, affected by temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity, on airborne weather radar beam paths. Using three types of typical atmospheric background sounding data, we established a simulation model for an actual transmission path and a fitted correction path of an airborne weather radar beam during airplane take-offs and landings based on initial flight parameters and X-band airborne phased-array weather radar parameters. Errors in an ideal electromagnetic beam propagation path are much greater than those of a fitted path when atmospheric refraction is not considered. The rates of change in the atmospheric refraction index differ with weather conditions and the radar detection angles differ during airplane take-off and landing. Therefore, the airborne radar detection path must be revised in real time according to the specific sounding data and flight parameters. However, an error analysis indicates that a direct linear-fitting method produces significant errors in a negatively refractive atmosphere; a piecewise-fitting method can be adopted to revise the paths according to the actual atmospheric structure. This study provides researchers and practitioners in the aeronautics and astronautics field with updated information regarding the effect of atmospheric refraction on airborne weather radar detection and correction methods.
Predisposing Factors, Microbial Characteristics, and Clinical Outcome of Microbial Keratitis in a Tertiary Centre in Hong Kong: A 10-Year Experience
Authors: Ng Alex Lap-Ki , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Choi Chile Chi-Lai , Yuen Leonard Hsu , Yim Suk-Ming , Chan Keith Shun-Kit , Lai Jimmy Shiu-Ming , Wong Ian Yat-Hin
Published: June 2015

Purpose.To study the risk factors, microbial profile, antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and outcome for microbial keratitis over the past 10 years in a tertiary center in Hong Kong.Methods.All cases with corneal scraping performed in Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong from January 2004 to December 2013 were included. Clinical outcome was defined as poor if the final visual acuity (VA) was abnormal or worse than presenting VA, a major complication occurred, or therapeutic keratoplasty was required.Results.347 scrapes were performed in the 10-year period growing 130 microorganisms (32.3% culture positive rate). Contact lens use was the commonest risk factor. The commonest isolates were coagulase-negativeStaphylococcusandPseudomonas aeruginosa.Fluoroquinolone susceptibility was tested in 47 Gram-negative bacteria with 93.6% susceptibility (100% forPseudomonas).90.7% of cases had good visual outcome. Multivariate logistic regression showed age (p=0.03), trauma (p=0.006), and ulcer size >3 mm (p=0.039) to be independently associated with poor outcome.Conclusion. There was no shifting trend in the isolate distribution or emergence of resistant strains in our study. Contact lens wear was the commonest risk factor, withPseudomonasbeing the most frequent isolate in this group. It remained 100% susceptible to fluoroquinolones and 97% cases had good visual outcome.
The Quantum Well of One-Dimensional Photonic Crystals
Authors: Liu Xiao-Jing , Ma Ji , Meng Xiang-Dong , Li Hai-Bo , Lu Jing-Bin , Li Hong , Chen Wan-Jin , Wu Xiang-Yao , Zhang Si-Qi , Wu Yi-Heng
Published: June 2015

We have studied the transmissivity of one-dimensional photonic crystals quantum well (QW) with quantum theory approach. By calculation, we find that there are photon bound states in the QW structure(BA)6(BBABB)n(AB)6, and the numbers of the bound states are equal ton+1. We have found that there are some new features in the QW, which can be used to design optic amplifier, attenuator, and optic filter of multiple channel.
Locomotor Ecology of Propithecus verreauxi in Kirindy Mitea National Park
Authors: Furnell Simon , Blanchard Mary L. , Crompton Robin H. , Sellers William I.
Published: June 2015

The locomotor behaviour of 2 groups of Propithecus verreauxi (Verreaux's sifaka) was studied over an 8-month period in Kirindy Mitea National Park (KMNP), Madagascar. This paper assesses the major characteristics of their locomotion, focusing on the extent that seasonal variation in climate and habitat, and local variation in habitat, is reflected in changes in locomotor behaviour. P. verreauxi is a committed leaper with a strong preference for vertical and angled supports. We found clear between-group differences in support orientation and diameter suggesting local variation in habitat. During the dry season, P. verreauxi utilizes smaller-diameter supports than in the rainy season. While this difference cannot yet be ascribed to any single cause, we discuss the factors which may contribute to this result.
Cerebral Palsy in Children as a Risk Factor for Malnutrition
Authors: Perenc Lidia , Przysada Grzegorz , Trzeciak Jadwiga
Published: June 2015

Aim: The main aim of this study was to determine some malnutrition risk factors among children with cerebral palsy (CP). Children with CP often require the assistance of physical therapy centers. Experience suggests that, apart from physical disabilities, this group often suffers from malnutrition. Methods: Data were gathered in the hospital among 128 children aged 3-18 years who were suffering from CP. The children were admitted from 2011 to 2013 to the Center for Neurological Physical Therapy for children in the Regional Hospital No. 2. St. Queen Jadwiga in Rzeszow (RORE). Statistical analyses were conducted for data on gender, age, type of CP, motor function level according to Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS), body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin levels in blood. Results: The risk of anemia differs based on gender - the risk is 6 times greater among boys than among girls (p = 0.0398). Risk of malnutrition is 3.5 times higher in children with tetraplegia than in children with diplegia or hemiplegia (p = 0.0043). Higher GMFCS scores are connected to greater proportions of malnourished children (for BMI z-score <-1.64, p = 0.0010). Conclusions: Among children with CP, malnourishment risk factors are male gender for anemia and tetraplegia and high GMFCS values.
Benchmarking Transcriptome Quantification Methods for Duplicated Genes in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Kwon Taejoon
Published: June 2015

Xenopus is an important model organism for the study of genome duplication in vertebrates. With the full genome sequence of diploid Xenopus tropicalis available, and that of allotetraploid X. laevis close to being finished, we will be able to expand our understanding of how duplicated genes have evolved. One of the key features in the study of the functional consequence of gene duplication is how their expression patterns vary across different conditions, and RNA-seq seems to have enough resolution to discriminate the expression of highly similar duplicated genes. However, most of the current RNA-seq analysis methods were not designed to study samples with duplicate genes such as in X. laevis. Here, various computational methods to quantify gene expression in RNA-seq data were evaluated, using 2 independent X. laevis egg RNA-seq datasets and 2 reference databases for duplicated genes. The fact that RNA-seq can measure expression levels of similar duplicated genes was confirmed, but long paired-end reads are more informative than short single-end reads to discriminate duplicated genes. Also, it was found that bowtie, one of the most popular mappers in RNA-seq analysis, reports significantly smaller numbers of unique hits according to a mapping quality score compared to other mappers tested (BWA, GSNAP, STAR). Calculated from unique hits based on a mapping quality score, both expression levels and the expression ratio of duplicated genes can be estimated consistently among biological replicates, demonstrating that this method can successfully discriminate the expression of each copy of a duplicated gene pair. This comprehensive evaluation will be a useful guideline for studying gene expression of organisms with genome duplication using RNA-seq in the future.
Anti-Social Behaviors Associated with Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use among Male Adolescents
Authors: Hallgren Mats , Pope Jr Harrison G. , Kanayama Gen , Hudson James I. , Lundin Andreas , Källmén Håkan
Published: June 2015

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) have been linked to a range of problematic behaviors, but AAS use is still sometimes portrayed as more benign than other forms of classical drug abuse. To address this issue, we compared the prevalence of anti-social behaviors among adolescent AAS users, non-AAS illicit drug users, and drug non-users. We examined 3 waves (2004, 2008, and 2012) of self-reported cross-sectional data from a secondary school survey conducted in Stockholm, Sweden (total n = 19,773; response percentage, 79.6%). Across all survey years, the risk ratios for virtually all measured anti-social behaviors were significantly higher among AAS users compared to non-AAS illicit drug users and to drug non-users.
Desmoglein 2–Dependent Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Is Caused by a Loss of Adhesive Function
Authors: Kant Sebastian , Holthöfer Bastian , Magin Thomas M. , Krusche Claudia A. , Leube Rudolf E.
Published: June 2015

Background—

The desmosomal cadherin desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) localizes to the intercalated disc coupling adjacent cardiomyocytes. Desmoglein 2 gene (
DSG2
) mutations cause arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) in human and transgenic mice. AC is characterized by arrhythmia, cardiodilation, cardiomyocyte necrosis with replacement fibrosis, interstitial fibrosis, and intercalated disc dissociation. The genetic
DSG2
constellations encountered are compatible with loss of adhesion and altered signaling. To further elucidate pathomechanisms, we examined whether heart-specific Dsg2 depletion triggers cardiomyopathy.

Methods and Results—

Because
DSG2
knockouts die during early embryogenesis, mice were prepared with cardiomyocyte-specific
DSG2
ablation. Healthy transgenic animals were born with a functional heart presenting intercalated discs with incorporated desmosomal proteins. Dsg2 protein expression was reduced below 3% in the heart. All animals developed AC during postnatal growth with pronounced chamber dilation, calcifying cardiomyocyte necrosis, aseptic inflammation, interstitial and focal replacement fibrosis, and conduction defects with altered connexin 43 distribution. Electron microscopy revealed absence of desmosome-like structures and regional loss of intercalated disc adhesion. Mice carrying 2 mutant
DSG2
alleles coding for Dsg2 lacking part of the adhesive EC1-EC2 domains present an indistinguishable phenotype, which is similar to that observed in human AC patients.

Conclusions—

The observations show that the presence of Dsg2 is not essential for late heart morphogenesis and for cardiac contractility to support postnatal life. On increasing mechanical demands, heart function is severely compromised as evidenced by the onset of cardiomyopathy with pronounced morphological alterations. We propose that loss of Dsg2 compromises adhesion, and that this is a major pathogenic mechanism in
DSG2
-related and probably other desmosome-related ACs.
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Karakikes Ioannis , Ameen Mohamed , Termglinchan Vittavat , Wu Joseph C.
Published: June 2015

Disease models are essential for understanding cardiovascular disease pathogenesis and developing new therapeutics. The human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has generated significant enthusiasm for its potential application in basic and translational cardiac research. Patient-specific iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes offer an attractive experimental platform to model cardiovascular diseases, study the earliest stages of human development, accelerate predictive drug toxicology tests, and advance potential regenerative therapies. Harnessing the power of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes could eliminate confounding species-specific and interpersonal variations and ultimately pave the way for the development of personalized medicine for cardiovascular diseases. However, the predictive power of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes as a valuable model is contingent on comprehensive and rigorous molecular and functional characterization.
Pseudacanthicus pitanga: a new species of Ancistrini (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from rio Tocantins Basin, North Brazil
Authors: CHAMON CARINE C.
Published: June 2015

The genus Pseudacanthicus comprises five valid species distributed in the Amazon, Guyana and Suriname basins: P. serratus, P. fordii, P. histrix, P. spinosus and P. leopardus. A new species of Pseudacanthicus from the Tocantins river basin is described. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of dark blotches anostomosing to form continuous zigzag bands alongside longitudinal keels; absence of blotches on ventral surface of body; faint blotches on head; all fins with orange to red color on unbranched ray and sometimes on subsequent branched rays; and sphenotic and sixth infraorbital not in contact. Brief comments on the phylogeny of the genus, ornamental fisheries activities, threats and conservation of the new species are also provided.
New data on the genus Platypalpus (Diptera: Hybotidae) from the Caucasus with description of seven new species
Authors: KUSTOV SEMEN , SHAMSHEV IGOR , GROOTAERT PATRICK
Published: June 2015

Currently, 47 species of the genus Platypalpus are known from the Caucasus including fourteen species recorded herein for the first time: P. albicornis (Zetterstedt, 1842), P. baldensis (Strobl, 1899), P. caroli Grootaert, 1987, P. ciliaris (Fallén, 1816), P. clarandus (Collin, 1926), P. collini (Chvála, 1966), P. cothurnatus Macquart, 1827, P. infectus (Collin, 1926), P. longicornis (Meigen, 1822), P. luteicornis (Meigen, 1838), P. nigrinus (Meigen, 1822), P. pseudociliaris (Strobl, 1910), P. ruficornis (von Roser, 1840), and P. smirnovi Kovalev, 1978. In addition, seven new species are described: P. akhunensis sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory), P. kintrishiensis sp. nov. (Georgia), P. lantsovi sp. nov. (Georgia), P. pseudosilvahumidus sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory, Karachay-Cherkessia), P. sinevi sp. nov. (Russia: Karachay-Cherkessia), P. subcaucasicus sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory, Dagestan) and P. teberdaensis sp. nov. (Russia: Karachay-Cherkessia). A key to species of Platypalpus from the Caucasus is presented for the first time.
Short-term Peripheral Auditory Effects of Cranial Irradiation
Authors: Gasser Rutledge Krysta L. , Prasad Kumar G. , Emery Kara R. , Mikulec Anthony A. , Varvares Mark , Gratton Michael Anne
Published: June 2015

Objectives:

Assess postcranial irradiation: (1) short-term threshold shift, (2) short-term peripheral auditory histopathology, and (3) the mouse as an experimental model.

Methods:

Adult mice were exposed to single-dose radiation of 10 to 60 Gy. Pre- and post-irradiation (baseline, 2-8 days) audiometric brainstem response data were recorded with analysis of cochlear ultrastructure.

Results:

Significant threshold shift occurred at all test frequencies in mice exposed to ≥20 Gy at 4 to 6 days post-irradiation. Ultrastructurally in Rosenthal’s canal and the spiral lamina, neuronal density and extracellular matrix decreased dramatically. There was overall preservation of hair cells, stria vascularis, and vasculature. No difference within Gy group was noted in the frequency or severity of pathology along the length of the cochlea.

Conclusions:

The initial impact of radiation in the first week post-exposure focuses on spiral ganglion cell bodies and peripheral projections, resulting in significant threshold shift for irradiation dosages ≥20 Gy. This study demonstrates that the mouse is a viable model for study of short-term peripheral auditory effects using single-dose cranial irradiation. Additionally, with access to a precise animal irradiator, the mouse may be used as an experimental model for a fractionated irradiation dosage of 10 Gy, simulating stereotactic therapeutic cranial irradiation.
D'Annunzio – Debussy: Un sodalizio “moderno”
Authors: Lisciani-Petrini Enrica
Published: June 2015

Fra dicembre 1910 e maggio 1911 il poeta Gabriele D'Annunzio e il compositore Claude Debussy danno vita a quell'opera controversa, di difficile comprensione, eppure di assoluto interesse per il significato storico-culturale, che è Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien: un “mistero in cinque mansioni” scritto in ottonari francesi. Un'opera che, in controluce, consente di leggere la cifra profonda del primo Novecento e delle grandi rivoluzioni che in quel nevralgico momento si stavano determinando, in campo artistico ma più in generale sul piano culturale. Infatti, a una visione centrata sulle certezze razionalistiche, stava subentrando una visione basata sulla consapevolezza dell'inafferrabilità dell'essere profondo del reale e delle cose. Il Martyre de Saint Sébastien, con la sua veste sapientemente mitologica per quanto riguarda il contenuto poetico, e con la sua tessitura musicale che scardina ogni principio tonale e dunque ogni compattezza strutturale, riverbera esattamente quella consapevolezza. Di conseguenza, e al contempo, esso consente di guardare a D'Annunzio ben al di là della vulgata, spesso fuorviante, che lo avvolge; e insieme di scorgere le straordinarie innovazioni stilistiche introdotte da Debussy, che anticipano ricerche musicali recenti, quali quelle di Messiaen e degli spettralisti. In tal senso il Martyre de Saint Sébastien rappresenta un'opera chiave del XX secolo.
Considering Music Lyrics and Imagery in the Sexual Health of Black College Students
Authors: Chandler Rasheeta , Ross Henry , Kolar Stephanie , Kip Kevin , Simmons Dantrell
Published: June 2015

Sexual risk taking and potential sequelae such as sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, may be related to music videos that display suggestive imagery and lyrics. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore characteristics of music lyrics and imagery that might have implications on sexual arousal in Black college students. For four consecutive weeks, the top 20 Hip Hop/R&B music tracks from the official Billboard Charts website were selected. A convenience sample of 27 self-identified Black college students aged 18 to 24 were asked to rate the sexually explicit content in each video. There was a modest association between visual sexual explicitness scores for each video and scores on the Sexual Arousal and Desire Inventory (SADI) for females, and a strong association between visual sexual explicitness for each video and scores on the SADI for males.
Effect of Nasal Corticosteroid on Secretory Immunoglobulin A Measured in Rat Nasal Lavage
Authors: Aksoy Fadlullah , Dogan Remzi , Kocak Ilker , Veyseller Bayram , Ozturan Orhan , Incir Said
Published: June 2015

Objective

In this study, we aimed to experimentally investigate the effects of nasal corticosteroids on the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in nasal mucosa in rats.

Study Design

Prospective, randomized control trial.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Subject and Methods

Twenty‐four male Sprague Dawley rats were included in our study. The rats were randomized into 3 groups. In group 1, nasal mometasone furoate was applied to the rats for 30 days. Saline was applied to group 2 for 30 days. Group 3 was the control group and received no treatment throughout the study period. Nasal lavage was conducted on both nasal openings of all rats in the 3 groups at the beginning of the study and on days 15 and 30, and the lavage solution (distilled water) was collected by aspiration.

Results

In group 1, the sIgA value was significantly higher at day 15 than at baseline. No significant difference was found between the sIgA values on day 15 and day 30. In groups 2 and 3, there were no significant differences in sIgA values at baseline, day 15, and day 30. The sIgA value of group 1 on day 15 was significantly higher than the values of groups 2 and 3. The sIgA value of group 1 on day 30 was significantly higher than the values of groups 2 and 3.

Conclusion

Topical corticosteroids (mometasone furoate) applied to the nasal mucosa significantly increase nasal sIgA levels.
National Institutes of Health Funding for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Gouveia Christopher J. , Qureshi Hannan A. , Kern Robert C. , Shintani Smith Stephanie
Published: June 2015

Objective

To describe current levels and trends of funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to recognize the current status of otolaryngologists in OSA research.

Study Design

Scientometric analysis.

Methods

The NIH RePORTER database was queried for the search term “obstructive sleep apnea” for all available years. Sex, degree, academic department, NIH funding source, geography, funding totals and years, and h‐index of principal investigators (PIs) were collected and summarized.

Results

A total of 397 projects spanning 1242 total funding years were funded. Of the 273 individual PIs, 33.3% (91/273) were female. Regarding credentials, 52.4% of PIs (143/273) were MD or MD/PhD, and 41.0% (112/273) were PhD alone. Academic departments of PIs were most often medicine (34.1%), pediatrics (12.1%), cell biology/physiology (10.6%), and psychiatry (7.7%). Seven otolaryngology faculty members had received NIH funding for OSA research (2.6% of total PIs) since 2000. They accounted for 8 grants (0.25% of total grants) and $7,235,729 (1.5% of total dollars) of research funding.

Conclusion

Despite studies showing increasing levels of OSA surgery being performed and major areas of research and clinical opportunity, otolaryngologists represent a small minority of OSA research funding. This information may help direct our specialty when setting priorities regarding research funding, as research into the basic science and clinical management of OSA represents a broad and interdisciplinary pursuit.
Personal Projects Analysis in occupational therapy research: A scoping review
Authors: Arcand-Dusseault Caroline , Egan Mary
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Personal Projects Analysis has been used in occupational therapy research to better understand occupation. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe Personal Projects Analysis and examine how it has been used in occupational therapy research.

Method

Occupational therapy studies using Personal Projects Analysis were identified and described in terms of sample, research question, design, use of Personal Projects Analysis, and results.

Findings

Fifteen studies in which Personal Projects Analysis was used in occupational therapy research were retrieved. Three of the four Personal Projects Analysis modules have been used in occupational therapy research on project characteristics and subjective well-being, types of projects affected by health problems, and occupational balance. Only one paper described a clinical use of Personal Projects Analysis in occupational therapy.

Conclusion

Personal Projects Analysis is a useful evaluation for occupational therapy research and a potential tool for practice.
Headaches after traumatic spinal cord injury in Estonia
Authors: Sabre Liis , Rugo Mariann , Asser Toomas , Kõrv Janika , Braschinsky Mark
Published: June 2015

Background

Patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) often suffer from different types of pain. However, headaches after TSCI have not been studied.

Aim

The aim of this article is to examine the occurrence of headache among patients with TSCI.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included individuals with TSCI from 1997 to 2012 in Estonia. Patients with TSCI were interviewed via telephone. The interview was based on a questionnaire specifically designed to identify headache type using the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (beta version).

Results

There were 73 patients with a mean age 37.1 ± 10.6 years. The mean time since TSCI was 7.5 ± 4.0 years. The most frequently mentioned pain was headache (71%), followed by back pain (60%) and pain in neck (44%). Headaches were more frequent after the trauma compared with the headaches before TSCI (71% vs 51%, p = 0.02). Headaches that arose after TSCI were not related to the concomitant brain injury ( p = 0.15). The occurrence of headache did not depend on the severity or the level of the TSCI. Eighty-five percent of patients had not contacted any physician and headache was not diagnosed.

Conclusions

This is the first study that evidentially shows that headache is the most prevalent pain condition after TSCI. Despite this, the majority of patients never consult a physician, nor is their headache diagnosed or appropriately managed. This indicates that further studies are needed to provide evidence regarding the prevalence and causes of headache and its impact on quality of life.
The Effect of Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, and Statins on the Development of Rotator Cuff Disease
Authors: Lin Tony Tung-Liang , Lin Ching-Heng , Chang Chia-Li , Chi Chun-Han , Chang Shin-Tsu , Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng
Published: June 2015

Background:

The intrinsic risk factors of rotator cuff disease (RCD) include degeneration, inflammation, oxidative stress, and circulation impairment. Both diabetes and hyperlipidemia are thought to increase these risk factors and therefore potentially enhance RCD development. However, few studies, and few longitudinal follow-up studies in particular, exist to prove this.

Hypothesis:

Both diabetes and hyperlipidemia can increase a patient’s risk of developing RCD.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 498,678 participants, including 28,391 diagnosed with diabetes and 25,621 with hyperlipidemia in the year 2000, were followed for an 11-year period. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore the effect of (1) diabetes, (2) hyperlipidemia, (3) diabetes with/without insulin use, and (4) hyperlipidemia with/without statin use on the development of RCD. In the subgroup of patients with hyperlipidemia, multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were also performed to explore the relationship between statin use and RCD development.

Results:

During an 11-year follow-up period, 26,664 patients developed RCD. The crude hazard ratio (HR) for RCD in patients with diabetes as compared with those without diabetes was 2.11 (95% CI, 2.02-2.20; P < .0001). The crude HR for RCD in patients with hyperlipidemia as compared with those without hyperlipidemia was 2.00 (95% CI, 1.92-2.08; P < .0001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that, in addition to older age and female sex, both diabetes and hyperlipidemia increased the risk of RCD (diabetes: HR, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.41-1.54]; P < .0001) (hyperlipidemia: HR, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.42-1.55]; P < .0001). An elevated risk still existed in patients with diabetes with/without insulin use (diabetes with insulin use: HR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.35-1.51]; P < .0001) (diabetes without insulin use: HR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.53-1.75]; P < .0001). An increased risk also existed in patients with hyperlipidemia with/without statin use (hyperlipidemia with statin use: HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.10-1.23]; P < .0001) (hyperlipidemia without statin use: HR, 2.01 [95% CI, 1.89-2.13]; P < .0001). In the subgroup of patients with hyperlipidemia, statin use was associated with a lower risk of developing RCD when compared with no statin use (rosuvastatin: HR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.35-0.49]; P < .0001) (simvastatin: HR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.54-0.71]; P < .0001) (other statins: HR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.60-0.72]; P < .0001).

Conclusion:

The present longitudinal, population-based follow-up study showed that either diabetes or hyperlipidemia alone was an independent risk factor for RCD development. Statin use might provide protection against RCD in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Technology and Property
Authors: Dugger William M.
Published: June 2015

The application of scarcity and private property to technology is misguided because technology is a special kind of commons, particularly ill-suited for conversion to private property and market pricing. Emphasizing the de-centering of technology, the article explores technology’s communal aspects, Ostrom’s commons, and the dialectical process involved in the social construction of technology. An appendix adds institutional context.
Reducing the Digital Divide
Authors: Delello Julie A. , McWhorter Rochell R.
Published: June 2015

America’s older adult population is increasing at a dramatic rate due to better health care, technology, and improved living conditions. However, as individuals 65 years and older begin to live longer and experience multiple life changes, there is a larger incidence of social isolation leading to loneliness, depression, and a general decline in health. This mixed-method study aimed to explore whether information and communication technologies, specifically iPads, improved the lives of older adults. Our findings suggest that the use of technology increased knowledge, elicited closer family ties, and led to a greater overall connection to society.
Probabilistic simulation for the certification of railway vehicles
Authors: Funfschilling Christine , Perrin Guillaume , Sebes Michel , Bezin Yann , Mazzola Laura , Nguyen-Tajan Mac-Lan
Published: June 2015

The present dynamic certification process that is based on experiments has been essentially built on the basis of experience. The introduction of simulation techniques into this process would be of great interest. However, an accurate simulation of complex, nonlinear systems is a difficult task, in particular when rare events (for example, unstable behaviour) are considered. After analysing the system and the currently utilized procedure, this paper proposes a method to achieve, in some particular cases, a simulation-based certification. It focuses on the need for precise and representative excitations (running conditions) and on their variable nature. A probabilistic approach is therefore proposed and illustrated using an example.

First, this paper presents a short description of the vehicle / track system and of the experimental procedure. The proposed simulation process is then described. The requirement to analyse a set of running conditions that is at least as large as the one tested experimentally is explained. In the third section, a sensitivity analysis to determine the most influential parameters of the system is reported. Finally, the proposed method is summarized and an application is presented.
The effect of electronic patient records on hepatitis B vaccination completion rates at a genitourinary medicine clinic
Authors: Kuria Patrick , Brook Gary , McSorley John
Published: June 2015

The study was conducted to assess whether the introduction of an electronic patient records-based system affected hepatitis B vaccination completion rates and post-vaccination return rates, when compared to a paper-based system. Data were gathered for three groups of patients: those commencing vaccination (a) when paper records were in use (paper records group), (b) after electronic patient records were introduced (basic electronic patient records group) and (c) after electronic patient records were enhanced with recall (enhanced electronic patient records group). Compared to the paper records group, the third dose completion rates for patients managed using electronic patient records did not differ significantly: 74/119 (62.2%) paper vs. 58/98 (59.2%) basic electronic patient records, p = 0.652 and 89/130 (68.5%) enhanced electronic patient records, p = 0.298. On sub-group analysis, completion rates in patients of black ethnicity in the enhanced electronic patient records group were significantly higher than those in the paper records group: 16/19 (84.2%) enhanced electronic patient records vs. 11/23 (47.8%) paper, p = 0.014. Patients in the enhanced electronic patient records group were more likely than those in the paper records group to attend for measurement of hepatitis B surface antibody levels: 61/130 (46.9%) vs. 39/119 (32.8%), p = 0.023.
Comparison of clinical and serological differences among juvenile-, adult-, and late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in Korean patients
Authors: Choi J H , Park D J , Kang J H , Yim Y R , Lee K E , Lee J W , Wen L , Kim T J , Park Y W , Lee J K , Lee S S
Published: June 2015

Objectives

We investigated whether systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients could be distinguished based on the time of disease onset and, if so, whether the groups differed in their clinical and laboratory features in ethnically homogeneous Korean patients.

Methods

We enrolled 201 SLE patients with available clinical data at the time of onset of SLE from the lupus cohort at Chonnam National University Hospital. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including autoantibodies, and concomitant diseases were found at the time of diagnosis of SLE by reviewing patient charts. We divided SLE patients according to age at SLE diagnosis into three groups: juvenile-onset SLE (JSLE, diagnosed at ≤ 18 years), adult-onset SLE (ASLE, diagnosed at 19–50 years), and late-onset SLE (LSLE, diagnosed at >50 years), and compared baseline demographic, clinical, and relevant laboratory findings.

Results

Of the 201 patients, 27 (14.4%), 149 (74.1%), and 25 (12.4%) were JSLE, ASLE, and LSLE patients, respectively. Fever, oral ulcers, nephritis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were more common in JSLE patients than ASLE or LSLE patients ( p < 0.05, < 0.05, 0.001, < 0.05, and < 0.05, respectively). However, Sjögren’s syndrome was more frequent in LSLE patients than JSLE or ASLE patients ( p < 0.05). Disease activity was significantly higher in JSLE patients than in ASLE or LSLE patients ( p < 0.001). Anti-dsDNA and anti-nucleosome antibodies were found more frequently in JSLE patients and less frequently in LSLE patients ( p < 0.05 and 0.005, respectively) and decreased complement levels were more common in JSLE patients and less common in LSLE patients ( p < 0.001, 0.001, and < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that SLE patients present with different clinical and serological manifestations according to age at disease onset. JSLE patients have more severe disease activity and more frequent renal involvement and LSLE patients have milder disease activity, more commonly accompanied by Sjögren’s syndrome, at disease onset.