bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking the capsid proteins of enveloped viruses: multifunctionality from genome packaging to genome transfection
Authors: Freire João M. , Santos Nuno C. , Veiga Ana Salomé , Da Poian Andrea T. , Castanho Miguel A. R. B.
Published: March 2015

Regardless of the debate on whether there is a place for viruses in the tree of life, it is consensual that they co‐evolve with their hosts under the pressure of genome minimization. The abundance of multifunctional viral structural proteins is a consequence of this pressure. The molecular key to multifunctionality is the existence of intrinsically disordered domains together with ordered domains in the same protein. Capsid proteins, the hallmark of viruses, are not exceptions because they have coexisting ordered and disordered domains that are crucial for multifunctionality. It is also frequent to find supercharged proteins (i.e. proteins for which the net charge per unit molecular mass is > +0.75/kDa) among viral capsid proteins. All flaviviruses having annotated proteins in the ExPASy Viralzone database have supercharged capsid proteins. Moreover, cell‐penetrating sequences/domains are frequent in viral proteins, even when they are not supercharged. Altogether, the findings strongly suggest that the ability to translocate membranes was acquired, conserved and optimized throughout the evolution of some viral proteins as part of their multifunctionality. The fitness of capsid proteins to translocate membranes carrying genomes was experimentally demonstrated with dengue virus capsid protein. This protein is potentially able to help the fusion process and translocate the RNA genome across the hemifused membrane formed by the viral envelope and the endosomal membrane. In addition, one of the cell‐penetrating domains of the capsid protein also has antibacterial activity. This may be reminiscent of parasitic bacteria–bacteria competition for the same host and shed light on the origins of enveloped viruses.
A comparison between cutting and animal grazing for dry‐matter yield, quality and tiller density of perennial ryegrass cultivars
Authors: Cashman P. A. , McEvoy M. , Gilliland T. J. , O'Donovan M.
Published: March 2015

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.) evaluation trials are often conducted under simulated grazing to identify the most productive cultivars. It is unclear whether simulated grazing identifies the most productive cultivar for animal‐grazed swards. Ten cultivars were established as plots and managed concurrently under simulated grazing (SG), animal grazing (AG) and conservation (CON). The experiment lasted 3 years with dry‐matter (DM) off‐take, digestibility, tiller density and ground‐cover score recorded in all years. A good relationship existed betweenDMoff‐take underSGandCON(R2 = 0·73). The relationship betweenSGandAGwas strongest in year 2 and 3 (R2 = 0·53 and 0·55 respectively). HighDMproduction was observed inSGswards in year 1; this was weakly related to theDMproduction of theAGsward. Across the 3 years, theCONtreatment had higher yields than either of the other two treatments and was poorly correlated toDMyield underAG, confirming that cultivars should be evaluated under a similar defoliation frequency to their intended use. Tiller density declined quickest underCONand slowest underAG. Some reranking of cultivars occurred between defoliation managements. The results show that simulated grazing is a useful indicator ofDMyield performance of animal‐grazed swards.
Prevalence and burden of vertebral fractures in older men and women with hip fracture: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Di Monaco Marco , Castiglioni Carlotta , Di Monaco Roberto , Tappero Rosa
Published: March 2015

Aim

To investigate the prevalence and burden (combination of number and severity) of vertebral fractures in men and women with hip fracture.

Methods

We investigated 458 of 490 hip‐fracture patients admitted consecutively to a rehabilitation hospital. Lateral radiographs of the spine were taken 19.2 ± 5.5 days (mean ± SD) after hip‐fracture occurrence. To obtain a summary measure of vertebral fracture burden, we calculated the spinal deformity index (SDI) by summing the fracture grades assessed using Genant's method of all vertebrae (T4 to L4).

Results

The median SDI score was 2 in both the 411 women and the 47 men (interquartile range 0–4 in both groups), and no significant between‐sex differences were found (P = 0.52). A total of 69% of the women (95% CI 65–74%), and 60% of the men (95% CI 45–74%) had at least one mild vertebral fracture (SDI score ≥1), 41% of the women (95% CI 36–46%) and 38% of the men (95% CI 24–53%) had a SDI score ≥3, whereas 16% of the women (95% CI 12% 19%) and 17% of the men (95%CI 6−28%) had at least one severe vertebral fracture. Sex was not significantly associated with a SDI score ≥1, or ≥3 or with the presence of at least one severe vertebral fracture after adjustment for age, hip‐fracture type, cognitive impairment, pressure ulcers, neurological impairment, comorbidities, number of medications in use and Barthel index scores.

Conclusions

The prevalence of vertebral fractures was high after hip fracture in both men and women. We found no significant between‐sex differences in the prevalence and burden of vertebral fractures. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 16: 352–357.
Sarcopenia is an independent risk factor of dysphagia in hospitalized older people
Authors: Maeda Keisuke , Akagi Junji
Published: March 2015

Aim

Sarcopenia can cause varying physical function disorders, including dysphagia. Malnutrition, a potential result of dysphagia, can also cause sarcopenia. However, the association between sarcopenia and dysphagia is not fully understood, despite evidence suggesting correlations between deglutition disorders and degenerative loss of muscle mass. The present study investigated the prevalence of dysphagia among patients with sarcopenia, and the association between the two conditions.

Methods

We included 224 older adults (mean age 82.5 ± 8.4 years; 37.9% men). Individuals who had a stroke or other diseases that could directly cause dysphagia were excluded. Logistic regression analyses were carried out after adjusting for potential causes of sarcopenia, including malnutrition, a low activity of daily living levels and aging, to investigate the relationship between the skeletal muscle index (SMI), prevalence of sarcopenia diagnosed based on a low SMI and grip strength, and swallowing functions. The Mini‐Nutritional Assessment short form was used to assess their nutritional status, and the Barthel Index was used to evaluate their activities of daily living.

Results

The prevalences of sarcopenia and dysphagia were 76.8% and 30.0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that Barthel Index, SMI and presence of sarcopenia were significant independent factors for the prevalence of dysphagia, after adjusting for sex, age and nutritional status. Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed that SMI in males, and both hand‐grip strength and SMI in females were lower in dysphagic subjects than in non‐dysphagic subjects (P ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion

Sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for dysphagia among older individuals. However, further studies are required to define causality. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 515‐521.
Finding the Balance: European Military Power in Early Modern Asia
Authors: Clulow Adam
Published: March 2015

This article assesses recent developments in the debate over European military superiority in early modern Asia. It does so by focusing on Tonio Andrade's groundbreaking 2011 study, Lost Colony: The Untold Story of China's First Great Victory over the West, which stakes out a valuable middle ground between two clashing positions by suggesting that while Europeans did possess a genuine technological advantage it was not nearly as expansive as is sometimes assumed by supporters of the military revolution thesis. The goal of this article is to summarize Andrade's findings and to consider whether his limited advantage template can be applied to East Asia's second great military power, Tokugawa Japan.
The Development of Papal Provisions in Medieval Europe
Authors: Smith Thomas W.
Published: March 2015

The system of papal provision – through which medieval clergy were appointed to ecclesiastical benefices across Christendom – has remained controversial ever since its inception in the 12th century. Xenophobic contemporary commentators, such as the 13th‐century English chronicler Matthew Paris, lambasted the appointment of large numbers of foreign clergy to church livings through papal intervention – criticism that has endured in the modern historiography on papal provisions. The predominant historiographical interpretation remains that popes proactively developed an autocratic and nepotistic system of provision, expanding their own powers to reserve benefices through encyclicals such asLicet ecclesiarum, so as to increase their authority over the western Church, and to finance the curia by rewarding cardinals and kinsmen with valuable benefices in local churches throughout the West. An unresolved tension in the historiography has been created, however, by a newer approach that emphasises the importance of petitioners, rather than the popes, in fuelling the development of curial institutions. This article maps the state of the historiography, synthesises the differing scholarly traditions and suggests avenues for future research.
Fear of cancer is associated with cancer information seeking, scanning and avoiding: a cross‐sectional study among cancer diagnosed and non‐diagnosed individuals
Authors: Nelissen Sara , Beullens Kathleen , Lemal Marijke , Van den Bulck Jan
Published: March 2015

Background

Nowadays, there is an abundance of health and cancer information in the mass media. Because of this high amount of information, it is possible for individuals to find or incidentally encounter cancer information, but it is also possible to be overloaded by this information and, consequently, to avoid it. Previous studies have indicated that fear of cancer could be both positively and negatively related to behaviours such as screening, help‐seeking and information avoidance.

Objective

The aims of this study were (1) to assess the relationship between fear of cancer and cancer information acquisition and avoiding behaviour, (2) to examine whether this relationship was curvilinear, and (3) to determine whether this relationship was moderated by being diagnosed with cancer or not.

Method

Six hundred and twenty‐one cancer diagnosed and 1387 non‐diagnosed individuals were recruited through a convenience sample in Flanders (Belgium) and filled in a standardised survey questionnaire.

Results

The results showed a positive linear association between fear of cancer and information seeking, scanning and avoiding. Being diagnosed with cancer or not did not moderate this relationship.

Conclusion

Fear of cancer is positively associated with cancer information acquisition and avoiding behaviour. This suggests that fear of cancer predicts different behaviours in different individuals.
High c‐Met expression in stage I–II pancreatic adenocarcinoma: proposal for an immunostaining scoring method and correlation with poor prognosis
Authors: Neuzillet Cindy , Couvelard Anne , Tijeras‐Raballand Annemilaï , de Mestier Louis , de Gramont Armand , Bédossa Pierre , Paradis Valérie , Sauvanet Alain , Bachet Jean‐Baptiste , Ruszniewski Philippe , Raymond Eric , Hammel Pascal , Cros Jérôme
Published: March 2015

Aims

c‐Met is an emerging biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); there is no consensus regarding the immunostaining scoring method for this marker. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of c‐Met overexpression in resected PDAC, and to elaborate a robust and reproducible scoring method for c‐Met immunostaining in this setting.

Methods and results

c‐Met immunostaining was graded according to the validated MetMab score, a classic visual scale combining surface and intensity (SI score), or a simplified score (high c‐Met: ≥20% of tumour cells with strong membranous staining), in stage I–II PDAC. A computer‐assisted classification method (Aperio software) was developed. Clinicopathological parameters were correlated with disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival(OS). One hundred and forty‐nine patients were analysed retrospectively in a two‐step process. Thirty‐seven samples (whole slides) were analysed as a pre‐run test. Reproducibility values were optimal with the simplified score (kappa = 0.773); high c‐Met expression (7/37) was associated with shorter DFS [hazard ratio (HR) 3.456, P = 0.0036] and OS (HR 4.257, P = 0.0004). c‐Met expression was concordant on whole slides and tissue microarrays in 87.9% of samples, and quantifiable with a specific computer‐assisted algorithm. In the whole cohort (n = 131), patients with c‐Methigh tumours (36/131) had significantly shorter DFS (9.3 versus 20.0 months, HR 2.165, P = 0.0005) and OS (18.2 versus 35.0 months, HR 1.832, P = 0.0098) in univariate and multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Simplified c‐Met expression is an independent prognostic marker in stage I–II PDAC that may help to identify patients with a high risk of tumour relapse and poor survival.
Lymphomatous variant of hairy cell leukaemia: a distinctive presentation mimicking low‐grade B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Liu Hui , Wang Wei , Tang Guilin , Yin Cheng Cameron , Muzzafar Tariq , Medeiros Leonard Jeffrey , Hu Shimin
Published: March 2015

Aims

Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is an indolent B‐cell neoplasm that primarily involves the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen. Rarely, patients with HCL present with a lymphoma‐like clinicopathological picture mimicking other types of low‐grade B‐cell lymphoma. Distinguishing HCL from other types of lymphoma is essential, given the different treatments and prognoses. We report two cases of the lymphomatous variant of HCL to draw attention to this unusual presentation.

Methods and results

Two cases of HCL presented initially as salivary gland and soft tissue masses. Morphologically, the neoplastic cells showed a typical fried‐egg or monocytoid appearance with reniform nuclei, and were positive for CD11c, CD20, CD25, CD103, annexin A1, and cyclin D1. Both cases were positive for the BRAF V600E mutation, as shown by pyrosequencing and mutation‐specific immunohistochemistry. The diagnosis was challenging in both patients, and one patient experienced 5 years of disease relapse and progression after treatment with multiple lymphoma‐type regimens before the final diagnosis of HCL was established and complete remission was achieved following cladribine therapy.

Conclusions

HCL can very rarely present as an extranodal mass. Being aware of this unusual presentation of HCL is essential to avoid diagnostic confusion with other types of low‐grade B‐cell lymphoma and to facilitate appropriate therapy.
Host–parasitoid interactions on urban roofs: an experimental evaluation to determine plant patch colonisation and resource exploitation
Authors: Quispe Ivone , Fenoglio Maria S.
Published: March 2015

In cities, green roofs may favour an increase in the local diversity, although the role they play on host–parasitoid interactions is still unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the specialist leaf‐minerLiriomyza commelinaeand its parasitoid assemblage are able to colonise and exploit patches located on roofs, but with a lower efficiency than at ground level. We also predicted that parasitoid species may differ in their abilities to colonise patches on roofs due to traits related to their life strategy (idio/koinobionts) and morphology (body size).

Through experimental exposure of non‐mined and mined host plants located at ground level and on the bare roofs of houses, we determined colonisation levels for the leaf‐miner and its parasitoids respectively. Changes in leaf‐miner abundance, parasitism rates and parasitoid species richness were also investigated.

L. commelinaewas able to locate host plants on rooftops, but revealed a lower rate of colonisation and abundance than on the ground. A few species of the parasitoid assemblage were associated with the leaf‐miner in plants on roofs, resulting in decreasing colonisation rates, less species richness and lower parasitism. Interestingly, parasitoid species categorised as ‘small’ did not colonise plants on roofs.

Our results provide evidence on how habitats at height influence host–parasitoid interactions in cities, representing one of the first approaches to the biological role that green roofs might have on them.
Research on a Micro Piezoelectric Gyroscope with Concentrated Rocking‐Mass
Authors: Cheng Yuxiang , Zhang Weiping , Tang Jian , Liu Wu , Wang Yinghai , Chen Wenyuan
Published: March 2015

This study introduces a Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) piezoelectric gyroscope with a concentrated rocking‐mass, made from PZT ceramic. The gyroscope operates in the rocking mode with a frequency of 91.3 kHz. This gyroscope follows the study of the MEMS piezoelectric BAW gyroscope with an improvement of fewer boundary constraints, which enhances the device's operability and characteristic. Through the MEMS fabrication process, the device with a side of length 12 mm achieves a rate sensitivity of 30.7 μV/°/s and a bias stability of 8.6°/s. This study describes the design, fabrication, circuit system, and characteristics of this micro piezoelectric gyroscope.
Consumers' perceptions of functional foods: trust and food‐neophobia in a cross‐cultural context
Authors: Dolgopolova Irina , Teuber Ramona , Bruschi Viola
Published: March 2015

Consumers' perceptions of functional foods are complicated by perceived risks and complexity that appear from growing and sometimes confusing information flow. Social trust can serve as a mean for the reduction of risk and complexity. It is thus vital to understand the sources of distrust and food‐neophobia as well as coping mechanisms used by consumers to ensure food provision and safety. We discuss the results of a qualitative inquiry in the form of focus groups into consumers' perceptions of functional foods in Russia and Germany. Altogether eight focus group interviews were carried out in different parts of Russia and Germany in December–January 2012–2013. A total of 59 people participated in the discussions. Different perspectives provided by the discussions in the two countries indicate different levels of trust. Deeper culturally embedded and wider‐spread distrust in formal institutions in Russia pushes consumers towards developing informal networks to ensure food provision and safety. It leads to high levels of food‐neophobia as consumers perceive traditions as the most important guarantee for healthy food. On the other hand, German participants indicate a number of formal institutions that are trustworthy and through which information concerning novel and healthy attributes in foods can be communicated. We provide exploratory views on the importance of social trust in consumers' perceptions of functional foods and lay out mechanisms that consumers develop to deal with increasing risk and complexity in food choices.
Distribution of cytokine gene polymorphisms in five Malay subethnic groups in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Norhalifah H. K. , Zafarina Z. , Sundararajulu P. , Norazmi M. N. , Edinur H. A.
Published: March 2015

In this survey, we have successfully genotyped 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 13 cytokine genes for five Malay subethnic groups (Kelantan, Acheh, Mandailing, Minangkabau and Patani Malays) using polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific primer cytokine genotyping kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Most of the cytokine genes showed similar pattern of allelic spectra with wild‐type alleles (e.g. ILIa−889/C, ILIB+3962/C and IL6 nt565/G) that represent more than 80% in the studied Malay subethnic groups. These newly observed cytokine alleles and subsequent analyses clearly indicate genetic contribution from Asia in the studied Malay subethnic groups with evidence of admixture from neighbouring populations in Patani Malays. The cytokine data sets for the five Malay subethnic groups deposited in this report can also be used as reference standard for searching suitable donor for allograft transplant and diseases association study. This is particularly relevance as our analyses showed differences between the Malay subethnic groups and other populations screened for cytokine genes.
Imputation of class I and II HLA loci using high‐density SNPs from ImmunoChip and their associations with Kawasaki disease in family‐based study
Authors: Shrestha S. , Wiener H. W. , Aissani B. , Shendre A. , Tang J. , Portman M. A.
Published: March 2015

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in most developed countries including the United States. The etiology of KD is not known; however, epidemiological and immunological data suggest infectious or immune‐related factors in the manifestation of the disease. Further, KD has several hereditary features that strongly suggest a genetic component to disease pathogenesis. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) loci have also been reported to be associated with KD, but results have been inconsistent, in part, because of small study samples and varying linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns observed across different ethnic groups. To maximize the informativeness of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes in the major histocompatibility (MHC) region, we imputed classical HLA I (A, B, C) and HLA II (DRB1, DQA1, DQB1) alleles using SNP2HLA method from genotypes of 6700 SNPs within the extended MHC region contained in the ImmunoChip among 112 White patients with KD and their biological parents from North America and tested their association with KD susceptibility using the transmission disequilibrium test. Mendelian consistency in the trios suggested high accuracy and reliability of the imputed alleles (class I = 97.5%, class II = 96.6%). While several SNPs in the MHC region were individually associated with KD susceptibility, we report over‐transmission of HLA‐C*15 (z = +2.19, P = 0.03) and under‐transmission of HLA‐B*44 (z = −2.49, P = 0.01) alleles from parents to patients with KD. HLA‐B*44 has been associated with KD in other smaller studies, and both HLA‐C*15 and HLA‐B*44 have biological mechanisms that could potentially be involved in KD pathogenesis. Overall, inferring HLA loci within the same ethnic group, using family‐based information is a powerful approach. However, studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to evaluate the correlations of the strength and directions between the SNPs in MHC region and the imputed HLA alleles with KD.
Antithrombotic Treatment at Onset of Stroke with Atrial Fibrillation, Functional Outcome, and Fatality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hannon Niamh , Arsava Ethem M. , Audebert Heinrich J. , Ay Hakan , Crowe Morgan , Chróinín Danielle Ní , Furie Karen , McGorrian Catherine , Molshatzki Noa , Murphy Sean , Noone Imelda , O'Donnell Martin , Schenkel Johannes , Tan Kit M. , Tanne David , Kelly Peter J.
Published: March 2015

Background

In atrial fibrillation–associated stroke, conflicting data exist regarding association between therapeutic vitamin K-antagonist anticoagulation (International Normalized Ratio 2–3) and early death and functional outcome, and few data exist relating to late outcome in ischemic and haemorrhagic atrial fibrillation–stroke.

Aim

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of oral anticoagulation at stroke onset, death and functional outcome.

Methods

We performed a systematic review, searching multiple sources. Studies were included if outcomes in atrial fibrillation–associated stroke were reported stratified by pre-stroke antithrombotic status, with documented International Normalized Ratio at onset. Outcomes were survival and good functional outcome (modified Rankin score 0–2) at discharge/30 days, and at one-year.

Results

Of eight studies (3552 patients) in ischemic stroke, International Normalized Ratio ≥ 2 compared with other treatments (International Normalized Ratio < 2, antiplatelet, or no anti-thrombotic) was associated with good outcome [pooled odds ratio 1·9 (95% confidence interval) 1·5–2·5, P < 0·001] and improved survival at 30 days discharge (pooled odds ratio for death 0·4, confidence interval 0·2–0·5, P < 0·001). The net benefit remained after inclusion of haemorrhagic stroke (odds ratio for good outcome 1·89, confidence interval 1·45–2·46, P < 0·001). At one-year, improved functional outcome for International Normalized Ratio ≥ 2 (pooled odds ratio 1·7, confidence interval 1·0–2·7, P = 0·04) and survival (odds ratio for death 0·5, confidence interval 0·4–0·8, P = 0·001) were also observed.

Conclusions

Therapeutic International Normalized Ratio at stroke onset was associated with early and late improved survival and functional recovery suggesting sustained benefit for warfarin anticoagulation for stroke outcome in atrial fibrillation patients. Long-term outcome data following stroke in patients taking new oral anticoagulants is required.
Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage in the ALIAS Multicenter Trial: Relationship to Endovascular Thrombolytic Therapy
Authors: Ginsberg Myron D. , Hill Michael D.
Published: March 2015

Background

In the ALIAS (Albumin in Acute Stroke) Part 2 Multicenter Trial, 85% of subjects received standard-of-care intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, and 21% received some form of endovascular thrombolysis. The overall rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was within the expected range but was higher in albumin-treated subjects than in saline-treated subjects.

Aims and Methods

Using the trial's Public Use Dataset, we analyzed factors contributing to symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in the ‘safety sample’ of 830 subjects.

Results

Four hundred sixteen subjects received albumin therapy, and 414 received saline. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator was given to 68·2%; intravenous tissue plasminogen activator plus endovascular intervention in 16·4%; and endovascular therapy alone in 4·3%. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 41 subjects – within the first 12 h in one-third of cases, and within the first day in ∼60%. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator had been used in 78% of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage subjects – no higher than in the overall cohort. In contrast, 48·8% of subjects with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage had received endovascular therapy – a rate markedly higher than the 20·7% rate for the entire cohort ( P = 0·0001). Sixty-eight point three percent of subjects with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage had received albumin, and 31·7% saline (risk ratio 2·14, P = 0·025). Other factors associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were baseline NIHSS and ASPECTS scores and the SEDAN score. Forty-one point four percent of subjects with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage died. The odds ratio for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was 3·89 (95% confidence interval 2·04–7·41) with endovascular therapy and 2·15 (confidence interval 1·08–4·25) with albumin.

Conclusions

Endovascular thrombolysis was the major factor predisposing to symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and albumin contributed to this predisposition. The latter may be mediated by albumin's influence on platelet aggregation or collateral perfusion.
Effects of Candesartan in Acute Stroke on Vascular Events during Long-Term Follow-up: Results from the Scandinavian Candesartan Acute Stroke Trial (SCAST)
Authors: Hornslien Astrid G. , Sandset Else C. , Igland Jannicke , Terént Andreas , Boysen Gudrun , Bath Philip M. W. , Murray Gordon D. , Berge Eivind
Published: March 2015

Background

Randomized-controlled trials have shown no beneficial short-term effects of blood pressure lowering treatment in the acute phase of stroke.

Aim

We aimed to see whether blood pressure lowering treatment with candesartan in the acute phase can lead to benefits that become apparent over a longer period of follow-up.

Methods

The Scandinavian candesartan Acute Stoke Trial was a randomized- and placebo-controlled trial of candesartan in 2,029 patients with acute stroke and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg. Trial treatment was given for seven-days, and the primary follow-up period was six-months. We have used the national patient registries and the cause of death registries in the Scandinavian countries to collect data on vascular events and deaths up to three-years from randomization. The primary end-point was the composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death, and we used Cox proportional hazards regression model for analysis.

Results

Long-term data were available for 1,256 of the 1,286 patients (98%) from Scandinavia. The risk of the primary composite end-point did not differ significantly between the groups (candesartan 178/632 events, placebo 203/624 events, hazard ratio = 0·87, 95% confidence interval 0·71–1·07). There were also no statistically significant differences for the secondary end-points stroke and all-cause death, or in any of the pre-specified subgroups.

Conclusions

Treatment with candesartan in the acute phase of stroke was not associated with clear long-term clinical benefits. This result supports the conclusion from trials with short-term follow-up, that blood pressure lowering treatment with candesartan should not be given routinely to patients with acute stroke and raised blood pressure.
Venous tumor thrombus consistency is not predictive of survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma: A retrospective study of 147 patients
Authors: Antonelli Alessandro , Sodano Mario , Sandri Marco , Tardanico Regina , Yarigina Marina , Furlan Maria , Galvagni Giacomo , Zanotelli Tiziano , Cozzoli Alberto , Simeone Claudio
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic role of venous tumor thrombus consistency in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of the data of patients with renal cell carcinoma and a tumor thrombosis submitted to surgery from 2000 to 2013 was carried out. Histological slides were revised by two uropathologists, blinded of the clinical outcome, to assess venous tumor thrombus consistency classified as solid venous tumor thrombus consistency or friable venous tumor thrombus consistency. The statistical correlation between venous tumor thrombus consistency and other adverse features was assessed. Then the predictive ability of an integrated prognostic model, generated by Cox regression and random survival forest, was evaluated, with and without the inclusion of venous tumor thrombus consistency, by integrated Brier score, dynamic receiver operating characteristic curves, integrated discrimination improvement index and category‐less net reclassification index.

Results

The data of 147 patients were analyzed, 79 with a solid venous tumor thrombus consistency and 68 with a friable venous tumor thrombus consistency, followed for a median period of 40.5 months. Venous tumor thrombus consistency was assessed with a high interobserver agreement (145/147 cases). The presence of a friable venous tumor thrombus consistency was associated with some adverse prognostic factors (symptoms, lymphnodal and distant metastasis, larger tumor diameter, higher cephalad thrombosis level, necrosis, microvascular invasion) and to a worse cancer‐specific and overall survival at univariate analysis. However, venous tumor thrombus consistency was not predictive of survival, and did not improve the performance of a multivariable model that included a set of informative predictors.

Conclusion

Venous tumor thrombus consistency does not seem to have an independent prognostic role in patients with renal cell carcinoma.
Morphological analysis of the effects of intraoperative transrectal compression of the prostate during high‐intensity focused ultrasound for localized prostate cancer
Authors: Shoji Sunao , Hashimoto Akio , Nakamoto Masahiko , Fukuda Norio , Fujikawa Hiroshi , Endo Kazuyuki , Tomonaga Tetsuro , Nakano Mayura , Terachi Toshiro , Uchida Toyoaki
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of transrectal compression of the prostate for intra‐operative prostatic swelling and intraprostatic point shift during high‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Methods

Patients treated with whole‐gland high‐intensity focused ultrasound as primary monotherapy for localized prostate cancer were enrolled in the study. Using the standard and compression method, the volumes of degassed water in the balloon covering the high‐intensity focused ultrasound probe were 50 mL and 80–160 mL, respectively. To identify prostatic swelling and shift during high‐intensity focused ultrasound and the volume occupied by the non‐enhanced area, three‐dimensional prostate models were reconstructed using ultrasound and contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

In comparison with the standard (n = 40) and compression (n = 48) methods, intraoperative increase in the prostate volume (21% vs 5.3%; P = 0.044), intraprostatic point shift (4 mm vs 2 mm, P = 0.040 in the transition zone; 3 mm vs 0 mm; P = 0.001 in the peripheral zone) and the volume occupied by the non‐enhanced area (89% vs 96%; P = 0.001) were significantly suppressed. The biochemical disease‐free survival rate in patients treated using the compression method was significantly improved relative to the standard method (92.6% vs 76.5%; P = 0.038). Regarding complications, there was no significant difference in the rate of urethral stricture (P = 0.9), urinary tract infection (P = 0.9), incontinence (P = 0.3), erectile dysfunction (P = 0.9) or recto‐urethral fistula between the patients treated using the standard and compression methods.

Conclusions

Intraoperative transrectal compression suppresses intraoperative increase in the prostate volume and intraprostatic point shift during high‐intensity focused ultrasound, having the potential to achieve precise whole‐gland and lesion‐targeted focal therapy.
Migration, Household Tasks, and Gender: Evidence from the Republic of Georgia
Authors: Torosyan Karine , Gerber Theodore P. , Goñalons-Pons Pilar
Published: March 2015

We examine whether migration affects the gender division of household tasks and participation in leisure within origin-country households using survey data from the Republic of Georgia. Our theoretical framework identifies two sets of mechanisms whereby migration might influence gender differences in home activities: migrant experience effects and migrant absence effects. We test for both types of effects on the probability that men and women perform gender atypical household tasks and engage in leisure activities by comparing households with and without currently absent and return migrants using probit regressions. We find evidence for both migration absence and migration experience effects on gender differences in housework and leisure. However, these effects are complex and contradictory: Generally, male migration tends to exacerbate gender differences in the sending household while female migration tends to ameliorate them.
Collaborative distribution between two logistics service providers
Authors: Yang Feng , Yang Mingming , Xia Qiong , Liang Liang
Published: March 2015

Mathematical models are described for collaborative distribution between two logistics service providers (LSPs). We find that (a) collaborative distribution is conditionally profitable for LSPs, and the conditions for cooperation are given; (b) LSPs save more costs primarily by shortening the delivery distance and decreasing delivery speed; (c) collaborative distribution makes the delivery time either shorter or longer; (d) if one LSP changes its equilibrium price, the total profit conditionally increases, and this condition is related to demand structure and delivery cost structure; and (e) collaborative distribution can solve the personalization of delivery time and reduce pollution to some extent. For the companies sharing the incremental profit, we characterize a transfer payment contract that includes fixed and variable fees. Our findings suggest that LSPs should adopt collaborative distribution to formulate an optimal distribution plan to save costs and shorten the delivery time, and should select partners with smaller cost parameters and both different and moderate speeds. In addition, warehouse and vehicle sharing are beneficial to the implementation of collaborative distribution.
An ABC heuristic for optimizing moveable ambulance station location and vehicle repositioning for the city of São Paulo
Authors: Andrade Luiz Augusto C. G. , Cunha Claudio B.
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we address the problem of determining the optimal location of ambulance stations, as well as the vehicle allocation and repositioning for the mobile emergency care service of São Paulo (SAMU‐SP), in Brazil. This problem arises in the context of seeking to reduce expected ambulance response times, which was within 27 minutes in São Paulo for 98% of the requests. In order to bring down total response times closer to internationally acceptable standards, SAMU‐SP devised the concept of moveable ambulance stations that can be installed in available public spaces, such as squares and parks, and can be periodically relocated to ensure a good coverage at all times. This new concept, however, was not an easy sell. It was necessary to demonstrate clearly the benefits that such stations, if properly located, could provide in the context of limited budgetary resources when compared to the traditional facilities in regular buildings. In this context, we propose a novel artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm to guide SAMU‐SP in its strategic decisions involving their service network, as well as in the allocation and repositioning of ambulances to each stand‐by point in order to cope with varying demand at different time periods. This model was applied to analyze different scenarios, including one that was implemented in the short term and yielded an improvement of over 40% in the expected coverage.
Challenging National Borders from Within: The Political‐Class Formation of Indigenous Peasants in Latin America*
Authors: Otero Gerardo , Jugenitz Heidi A.
Published: March 2015

Nous explorons la récente mobilisation des paysans autochtones en Amérique latine et soutenons qu'elle recherche une reconnaissance des différences culturelles et ainsi remet en question les définitions hégémoniques du statut de nation et de l'internationalisme néolibéral. Les luttes autochtones incluent l'autodétermination et l'usage collectif du territoire pour la reproduction de l'identité indigène, et ébranlent directement les élans néolibéraux vers la privatisation et l'individualisation. Nous mettons en doute à la fois les points de vue marxistes et les théories des nouveaux mouvements sociaux sur les politiques de l'identité. À la place, nous proposons une synthèse théorique où la classe et l'identité servent de parties constitutives à la formation d'une classe politique.
Negotiating the “Global” within the Global Playscapes of Mount Everest*
Authors: Frohlick Susan E.
Published: March 2015

En anthropologie du tourisme, les termes « touriste » et « local » sont souvent utilisés pour conceptualiser les relations sociales du tourisme international, où les sujets mobiles des « pays industrialisés » rendent visite aux « autres » du « tiers monde », non mobiles. La mondialisation, à la fois comme discours et comme condition, est en train de changer les contours et les conceptualisations des espaces touristiques. Dans cet article, l'auteure montre comment différents sujets négocient le « mondial » et comment les alpinistes récréationnels du Népal négocient leurs identités en tant que « locaux » aussi bien que sujets mondiaux, mobiles et voyageurs dans le cadre du « paysage récréationnel mondial » de l'himalayisme. Elle suggère que la question de savoir qui peut être un touriste dans un monde en voie de mondialisation devrait être examinée de très près.
Negotiating Boundaries of Refugee Resettlement: A Study of Settlement Patterns and Social Support*
Authors: Simich Laura
Published: March 2015

Cet article analyse des aspects du processus bureaucratique dans la négociation du lieu d'établissement et du soutien social par et pour les réfugiés réétablis au Canada. Les questions théoriques soulevées comprennent la capacité d'adaptation des réfugiés et les effets des structures du pouvoir sur des réseaux de migrants. ***Il décrit une étude qualitative des raisons sous‐jacentes à la migration secondaire vers l'Ontario des réfugiés subventionnés par le gouvernement. L'étude démontre que les réfugiés recherchent du soutien social lorsqu'ils déménagent de leur lieu d'établissement initial pour rejoindre leur famille élargie et analyse comment la bureaucratie de réétablissement, poussée par des intérêts politiques aussi bien qu'humanitaires, essaie de contrôler le processus en contradiction avec les préférences des réfugiés. L'on passe en revue la négociation de l'établissement et les définitions des soutiens sociaux pertinents par les bureaucrates et les réfugiés. En conclusion, l'on suggère d'apporter une plus grande attention à l'autodétermination des réfugiés pour améliorer l'établissement au Canada.
Domain Wall Motion Across Various Grain Boundaries in Ferroelectric Thin Films
Authors: Marincel Daniel M. , Zhang Huairuo , Jesse Stephen , Belianinov Alex , Okatan Mahmut B. , Kalinin Sergei V. , Rainforth W. Mark , Reaney Ian M. , Randall Clive A. , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan
Published: March 2015

Domain wall movement at and near engineered 10°, 15°, and 24° tilt and 10° and 30° twist grain boundaries was measured by band excitation piezoresponse force microscopy for Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 films with Zr/Ti ratio of 45/55 and 52/48. A minimum in nonlinear response was observed at the grain boundary for the highest angle twist and tilt grain boundaries, while a maximum in nonlinear response was observed at the 10° tilt grain boundaries. The observed nonlinear response was correlated with the domain configurations imaged in cross section by transmission electron microscopy.
Complex Effect of Sm3+/W6+ Codoping on α‐β Phase Transformation and Phonon Scattering of Oxygen‐Deficient La2Mo2O9
Authors: Haoran Lu , Chang‐An Wang
Published: March 2015

Lanthanum molybdate, La2Mo2O9, has been attracted considerable attention owing to its high concentration of intrinsic oxygen vacancies, which could be reflected by enhanced phonon scattering and low thermal conductivity. A new series of La2Mo2O9‐based oxides of the general formula La2−xSmxMo2−xWxO9, where x ≤ 0.2, were synthesized by citric acid sol–gel process. The variation in thermal conductivity with Sm3+and W6+ fractions was analyzed based on structure information provided by X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The fully dense La2−xSmxMo2−xWxO9 ceramics showed a minimum thermal conductivity value [κ = 0.84 W·(m·K)−1,T = 1073 K] at the composition of La1.8Sm0.2Mo1.8W0.2O9, which stems from the multiple enhanced phonon scatterings due to mass and strain fluctuations at the La3+ and Mo6+ sites as well as the high concentration of intrinsic oxygen vacancies embedded in the crystal lattice. The thermal conductivities present an abrupt decrease at the structural transition, which is due to the phase transformation from a low‐temperature ordered form (monoclinic α‐La2Mo2O9) to a high‐temperature disordered form (cubic β‐La2Mo2O9).
Preparation of M@BiFeO3 Nanocomposites (M = Ag, Au) Bowl Arrays with Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Zhang Xingang , Wang Bo , Wang Xiuzhang , Xiao Xiangheng , Dai Zhigao , Wu Wei , Zheng Junfeng , Ren Feng , Jiang Changzhong
Published: March 2015

High surface area BiFeO3 (BFO) bowl arrays photocatalyst loaded with different size noble metal nanoparticles were successfully prepared by combining templates method and thermal evaporation followed by heating. The structural and optical properties of the BiFeO3 bowl arrays and the composite M@BFO bowl arrays (M = Ag, Au) were comparatively characterized. The composite M@BFO bowl arrays showed much higher photocatalytic performance than the pure BFO bowl arrays. The enhanced photocatalytic property of the composite structure could be ascribed to the enhanced near‐field amplitudes of localized surface plasmon of the noble metal nanoparticles which boost the separation of electron–hole pairs and the transfer mechanism of electrons.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Enhanced Luminescence of Garnet‐Type Ca3Ga2Ge3O12:Cr3+ by Codoping Bi3+
Authors: Liu Chengyin , Xia Zhiguo , Molokeev Maxim S. , Liu Quanlin
Published: March 2015

Garnet‐type compound Ca3Ga2Ge3O12 and Cr3+‐doped or Cr3+/Bi3+ codped Ca3Ga2Ge3O12 phosphors were prepared by a solid‐state reaction. The crystal structure of Ca3Ga2Ge3O12 host was studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and further determined by the Rietveld refinement. Near‐infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) and long‐lasting phosphorescence (LLP) emission can be observed from the Cr3+‐doped Ca3Ga2Ge3O12 sample, and the enhanced NIR PL emission intensity and LLP decay time can be realized in Cr3+/Bi3+ codped samples. The optimum concentration of Cr3+ in Ca3Ga2Ge3O12 phosphor was about 6 mol%, and optimum Bi3+ concentration induced the energy‐transfer (ET) process between Bi3+ and Cr3+ ions was about 30 mol%. Under different excitation wavelength from 280 to 453 nm, all the samples exhibit a broadband emission peaking at 739 nm and the intensity of NIR emission increases owing to the ET behavior from Bi3+ to Cr3+ ions. The critical ET distance has been calculated by the concentration‐quenching method. The thermally stable luminescence properties were also studied and the introduction of Bi3+ can also improve the thermal stability of the NIR emission.
Nitridation of Silicon Powders Catalyzed by Cobalt Nanoparticles
Authors: Gu Yajun , Lu Lilin , Zhang Haijun , Cao Yingnan , Li Faliang , Zhang Shaowei
Published: March 2015

The effect of Co nanoparticles (NPs) on the nitridation of silicon (Si) was studied. CoNPs were deposited homogeneously on the surfaces of Si powders using anin situreduction method usingNaBH4as a reducing reagent.Sipowders impregnated with 0.5–2.0 wt% CoNPs were nitrided in 1200°C–1400°C for 2 h. The resultant silicon nitride powders were characterized byXRD,FE‐SEM,TEM, andEDS. The results showed that: (1) CoNPs significantly decreased the Si nitridation temperature, and the nitridation could be completed at 1300°C upon using 2 wt% CoNPs as catalysts. For comparison, the Si conversion could not be completed even at a temperature as high as 1400°C in the case without using a catalyst; (2) many Si3N4whiskers with 80–320 nm in diameter and tens micrometers in length were generated and uniformly distributed in the final products. They were single‐crystalline α‐Si3N4grown along the [101] direction. The enhanced nitridation in the case of using CoNPs as a catalyst was attributed two following factors, the increased bond length and weakened bond strength inN2caused by the electron donation from theCoatoms to theNatoms.