bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced long axis strain is associated with heart failure and cardiovascular events in the multi‐ethnic study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Gjesdal Ola , Yoneyama Kihei , Mewton Nathan , Wu Colin , Gomes Antoinette S. , Hundley Gregory , Prince Martin , Shea Steven , Liu Kiang , Bluemke David A. , Lima Joao A.C.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To propose long axis strain (LAS), a novel index of global left ventricle (LV) function, as a sensitive and powerful predictor of hard cardiovascular events and heart failure in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Materials and Methods

Strain is an index of relative myocardial deformation, and enables normalization for differences in heart size. Measurement of strain conventionally requires dedicated software and protocols for image acquisition. LAS, however, can be analyzed using a caliper tool from conventional LV long axis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cine loops, reflecting the average myocardial contraction in the longitudinal direction. In all, 1651 participants (53% men) of the MESA study, without a history of myocardial infarction or heart failure, were assessed using conventional cine MR images. LV lengths were assessed at end‐diastole (EDL) and end‐systole (ESL), and LAS was calculated as 100*(EDL‐ESL)/EDL. Participants were followed for 6.8 ± 1.8 years for a composite endpoint of congestive heart failure or hard cardiovascular events, and the predictive ability of LAS was tested, unadjusted and adjusted for established cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

A total of 114 events were observed. Mean LAS was 11.7 ± 2.5% and 10.0 ± 2.7% in participants without and with events, respectively (P < 0.001). Increased LAS reduced the hazard ratio to 0.75 for univariate, and 0.88 for multivariate assessments, respectively (both P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Assessment of long axis LV deformation by LAS is feasible and reproducible. Moreover, LAS predicts hard cardiovascular events and congestive heart failure in a multi‐ethnic population without overt cardiovascular disease at inclusion. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:178–185.
Vibrational and reorientational dynamics, crystal structure and solid–solid phase transition studies in [Ca(H2O)6]Cl2 supported by theoretical (DFT) calculations
Authors: Hetmańczyk Joanna , Hetmańczyk Łukasz , Migdał‐Mikuli Anna , Mikuli Edward
Published: January 2016

[Ca(H2O)6]Cl2 between 93 and 300 K possesses two solid phases. One phase transition (PT) of the first‐order type at
 = 218.0 K (on heating) and
 = 208.0 K (on cooling) was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal hysteresis of this PT (10 K), as well as the heat flow anomaly sharpness, suggests that the detected PT is a first‐order one. The entropy change value [ΔS ≈ 8.5 J mol−1 K−1 ≈ Rln(2.8)] associated with the observed PT suggests a moderate degree of molecular dynamical disorder of the high‐temperature phase. The temperature dependencies of the full width at half maximum values of the infrared band are due to ρ(H2O)A2 mode (at 205 cm−1), and two Raman bands are arising from τ(H2O)E and τ(H2O)A1 modes (at ca. 410 and 682 cm−1, respectively), suggesting that the observed PT is associated with a sudden change of speed of the H2O reorientational motions. The estimated mean value of activation energy for the reorientation of the H2O ligands in the high‐temperature phase is ca. 11.4 kJ mol−1 from Raman spectroscopy and 11.9 kJ mol−1 from infrared spectroscopy. X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction measurement and spectroscopic studies (infrared, Raman and inelastic neutron scattering) also confirm that [Ca(H2O)6]Cl2 includes two sets of differently bonded H2O molecules. Ab initio calculations of the complete unit cell of one molecule of calcium chloride with a different number of water molecules (2, 4 and 6) have also been carried out. A comparison of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR), Fourier Transform Raman Scattering (FT‐RS) and inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopies results with periodic density functional theory calculations was used to provide a complete assignment of the vibrational spectra of [Ca(H2O)6]Cl2. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of methods for the measurement of CO2 and CH4 emissions from surface water reservoirs: Results from an international workshop held at Three Gorges Dam, June 2012
Authors: Zhao Yan , Sherman Bradford , Ford Phillip , Demarty Maud , DelSontro Tonya , Harby Atle , Tremblay Alain , Øverjordet Ida Beathe , Zhao Xinfeng , Hansen Bjørn Henrik , Wu Bingfang
Published: January 2016

Fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) from hydroelectric and water supply reservoirs are receiving increasing attention around the world with a number of research groups having undertaken measurements of these emissions across a range of lakes and reservoirs located in different climates and landscapes. The use of floating chambers (aka flux chambers) is the most common technique for direct measurement of these fluxes. However, the relative performance of different measurement systems, especially different chamber designs, is not well documented. We report the results of an international workshop held in June 2012 at Three Gorges Dam, China, to compare measurements performed by four groups with extensive chamber monitoring experience: the Chinese Academy of Science (China), CSIRO (Australia), SINTEF (Norway), Hydro‐Québec/Environnement Illimité (Canada). A fifth group, Eawag (Switzerland), performed hydroacoustic surveys to detect ebullition in the water column. We recommend CH4 as a more suitable trace gas for comparing methodologies due to its relative stability in the surface layer of the water column, for example, it is not subject to significant diurnal changes due to photosynthesis and respiration. Measured fluxes agreed to within 20% between the four teams suggesting that the shape and dimensions of the floating chambers and the chamber gas flow rates (i.e., chamber residence time) did not have an appreciable systematic effect on the measured fluxes for the relatively low wind speeds prevalent at the reservoir. The CO2 and CH4 fluxes measured during the workshop agree well with previous measurements in Three Gorges Reservoir.
Effect of silver diamine fluoride and ammonium hexafluorosilicate applications with and without Er:YAG laser irradiation on the microtensile bond strength in sound and caries‐affected dentin
Authors: Kucukyilmaz Ebru , Savas Selcuk , Akcay Merve , Bolukbasi Basak
Published: January 2016

Background and Objective

Cariostatic and preventive agents are applied to create caries‐resistant dentin surfaces and may affect subsequent resin bonding. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different agents with and without Er:YAG laser irradiation on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of resin composite to sound dentin (SD) and caries‐affected dentin (CAD), and to assess the morphological and chemical changes in the specimens.

Materials and Methods

Ninety‐six extracted molar teeth were divided into a control group (deionized water) and two experimental groups (ammonium hexafluorosilicate [SiF], silver diamine fluoride [SDF]), that subdivided according to different conditions (SD, CAD, SD+laser irradiation, CAD+laser irradiation). After treatment procedures, the teeth were restored and the µTBS was tested with a universal testing machine. Morover, 144 teeth were prepared and after treatment modalities; morphological changes of the surface were investigated and elemental analyses were performed using scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). The data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results

SDF and SiF applications reduced the µTBS values in both the SD and CAD subgroups (P < 0.05). Laser irradiation increased the µTBS values in the SiF group and the values were adversely affected in the SDF group (P < 0.05). Fluoride content of the specimens increased in all of the treatment groups, compared with the control group. Silver content was detected only in the SDF group, and silicon was detected only in the SiF group.

Conclusions

The µTBS values of resin composite, surface morphology and chemical characteristics of dentin were affected by the material type, dentin condition and laser irradiation and the use of SiF and SDF solutions under the resin restorations do not seem appropriate. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:62–69, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stratification of the aggressiveness of prostate cancer using pre‐biopsy multiparametric MRI (mpMRI)
Authors: Dwivedi Durgesh Kumar , Kumar Rajeev , Bora Girdhar S. , Thulkar Sanjay , Sharma Sanjay , Gupta Siddhartha Datta , Jagannathan Naranamangalam R.
Published: January 2016

Risk stratification, based on the Gleason score (GS) of a prostate biopsy, is an important decision‐making tool in prostate cancer management. As low‐grade disease may not need active intervention, the ability to identify aggressive cancers on imaging could limit the need for prostate biopsies. We assessed the ability of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) in pre‐biopsy risk stratification of men with prostate cancer. One hundred and twenty men suspected to have prostate cancer underwent mpMRI (diffusion MRI and MR spectroscopic imaging) prior to biopsy. Twenty‐six had cancer and were stratified into three groups based on GS: low grade (GS ≤ 6), intermediate grade (GS = 7) and high grade (GS ≥ 8). A total of 910 regions of interest (ROIs) from the peripheral zone (PZ, range 25–45) were analyzed from these 26 patients. The metabolite ratio [citrate/(choline + creatine)] and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of voxels were calculated for the PZ regions corresponding to the biopsy cores and compared with histology. The median metabolite ratios for low‐grade, intermediate‐grade and high‐grade cancer were 0.29 (range: 0.16, 0.61), 0.17 (range: 0.13, 0.32) and 0.13 (range: 0.05, 0.23), respectively (p = 0.004). The corresponding mean ADCs (×10–3 mm2/s) for low‐grade, intermediate‐grade and high‐grade cancer were 0.99 ± 0.08, 0.86 ± 0.11 and 0.69 ± 0.12, respectively (p < 0.0001). The combined ADC and metabolite ratio model showed strong discriminatory ability to differentiate subjects with GS ≤ 6 from subjects with GS ≥ 7 with an area under the curve of 94%. These data indicate that pre‐biopsy mpMRI may stratify PCa aggressiveness noninvasively. As the recent literature data suggest that men with GS ≤ 6 cancer may not need radical therapy, our data may help limit the need for biopsy and allow informed decision making for clinical intervention. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parallel Jacobi–Davidson with block FSAI preconditioning and controlled inner iterations
Authors: Ferronato Massimiliano , Janna Carlo , Pini Giorgio
Published: January 2016

The Jacobi–Davidson (JD) algorithm is considered one of the most efficient eigensolvers currently available for non‐Hermitian problems. It can be viewed as a coupled inner‐outer iteration, where the inner one expands the search subspace and the outer one reduces the eigenpair residual. One of the difficulties in the JD efficient use stems from the definition of the most appropriate inner tolerance, so as to avoid useless extra work and keep the number of outer iterations under control. To this aim, the use of an efficient preconditioner for the inner iterative solver is of paramount importance. The present paper describes a fresh implementation of the JD algorithm with controlled inner iterations and block factorized sparse approximate inverse preconditioning for non‐Hermitian eigenproblems in a parallel computational environment. The algorithm performance is investigated by comparison with a freely available software package such as SLEPc. The results show that combining the inner tolerance control with an efficient preconditioning technique can allow for a significant improvement of the JD performance, preserving a good scalability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐pot fabrication of robust interpenetrating hydrogels via orthogonal click reactions
Authors: Murakami Takuya , Brown Hugh R. , Hawker Craig J.
Published: January 2016

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels have been fabricated through a facile one‐pot approach from tetra/bifunctional telechelic macromonomers with epoxy, amine, azide, and alkyne groups by orthogonal double click reactions: epoxy‐amine reaction and copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition. Both the crosslinked networks are simultaneously constructed in water from the biocompatible poly (ethylene glycol)‐based macromonomers. The crosslinking density of each network was finely tuned by the macromonomer structure, permitting control of network molecular weights between crosslinks of the final gels. Compared to corresponding single network gels, the IPN gels containing both tightly and loosely crosslinked networks exhibited superior mechanical properties with shear moduli above 15 kPa and fracture stresses over 40 MPa. The synthetic versatility of this one‐pot approach will further establish design principles for the next generation of robust hydrogel materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1459–1467
Cold Physical Plasmas in the Field of Hygiene—Relevance, Significance, and Future Applications
Authors: Kramer Axel , Bekeschus Sander , Matthes Rutger , Bender Claudia , Stope Matthias B. , Napp Matthias , Lademann Olaf , Lademann Jürgen , Weltmann Klaus‐Dieter , Schauer Frieder
Published: January 2016

Cold physical plasmas ignited a technological spark in industry, biotechnology, and medicine. Especially the field of hygiene benefited of the plasma's exceptional activity against pathogenic microorganisms. Together with plasma‐based surface functionalization, these qualities are highly relevant in a variety of processes in health care, such as the decontamination or sterilization of medical devices, food, packaging materials, waste water, or indoor air. In medicine, plasma has proven to show promising antiseptic results on skin and mucosal membranes in infection‐related diseases in dermatology and dentistry. This comprehensive review will discuss the current applications of cold plasma in the fields of hygiene, and will provide a promising outlook on many applications yet to come.
The impact of food allergens on airway responsiveness in schoolchildren with asthma: A DBPCFC study
Authors: Krogulska Aneta , Dynowski Jarosław , Jędrzejczyk Magdalena , Sardecka Izabela , Małachowska Beata , Wąsowska‐Królikowska Krystyna
Published: January 2016

Background and Objective

Despite the growing evidence of a possible link between asthma and food allergy (FA), so far, the involvement of food in inducing respiratory symptoms has not been fully evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of food allergens on respiratory symptoms and bronchial reactivity (BHR) in schoolchildren with asthma.

Methods

The initial study group consisted of 362 children with asthma. In the end, 22 children with concomitant FA, and 18 without FA, were selected to participate in the study. Spirometry and Methacholine Inhalation Challenge (MIC) were conducted prior to and after the completion of a double blind placebo control food challenge (DBPCFC).

Results

The food‐induced asthmatic reactions were observed in nine (2.5%) out of all 362 children with asthma. Mean FEV1 prior to and after allergen or placebo challenge did not differ between the groups studied. Increase of BHR after DBPCFC was seen in 17 (4.7%) children with asthma. The mean PC20 value in children with FA was 1.41 ± 1.12 mg/ml prior to the allergen challenge and 0.86 ± 0.71 mg/ml (P = 0.002) after the test, whereas these values were 1.93 ± 1.68 mg/ml and 2.02 ± 1.75 mg/ml, respectively, in children without FA (P > 0.05). Significant differences were noted after the allergen provocation in children with FA as compared to children without FA (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Although food allergens are a rare trigger of food‐induced asthmatic reactions in schoolchildren with asthma, they could enhance BHR, despite a lack of evident clinical respiratory signs and decreased in FEV1 values after food challenge. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:787–795. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of acidification, lipid removal and mathematical normalization on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions in beaked whale (Ziphiidae) bone
Authors: Tatsch Ana Carolina C. , Secchi Eduardo R. , Botta Silvina
Published: January 2016

Rationale

The analysis of stable isotopes in tissues such as teeth and bones has been used to study long‐term trophic ecology and habitat use in marine mammals. However, carbon isotope ratios (δ13C values) can be altered by the presence of 12C‐rich lipids and carbonates. Lipid extraction and acidification are common treatments used to remove these compounds. The impact of lipids and carbonates on carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N values), however, varies among tissues and/or species, requiring taxon‐specific protocols to be developed.

Methods

The effects of lipid extraction and acidification and their interaction on carbon and nitrogen isotope values were studied for beaked whale (Ziphiidae) bone samples. δ13C and δ15N values were determined in quadruplicate samples: control, lipid‐extracted, acidified and lipid‐extracted followed by acidification. Samples were analyzed by means of elemental analysis isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the efficiency of five mathematical models developed for estimating lipid‐normalized δ13C values from untreated δ13C values was tested.

Results

Significant increases in δ13C values were observed after lipid extraction. No significant changes in δ13C values were found in acidified samples. An interaction between both treatments was demonstrated for δ13C but not for δ15N values. No change was observed in δ15N values for lipid‐extracted and/or acidified samples. Although all tested models presented good predictive power to estimate lipid‐free δ13C values, linear models performed best.

Conclusions

Given the observed changes in δ13C values after lipid extraction, we recommend a priori lipid extraction or a posteriori lipid normalization, through simple linear models, for beaked whale bones. Furthermore, acidification seems to be an unnecessary step before stable isotope analysis, at least for bone samples of ziphiids. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zum Einfluss von Knotenblechanschlüssen auf das Tragverhalten von druckbelasteten Fachwerkstäben
Authors: Lange Jörg , Abel Tobias
Published: January 2016

Fachwerkstäbe, die mittels Knotenblechanschlüssen an die Gurte von Fachwerken angeschlossen werden, weisen unter Umständen eine reduzierte Druckbeanspruchbarkeit auf. Der Grund hierfür liegt häufig in der reduzierten Steifigkeit des Knotenblechs gegenüber dem Fachwerkstab. Reine festigkeitsbasierte Nachweise an den Knotenblechen reichen dann nicht aus, um auch die Forderung des Stabilitätsnachweises einzuhalten.

Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Einflüsse einzelner Parameter sowie die Erfordernisse bei der Modellbildung für Fachwerkstäbe mit Knotenblechanschlüssen aufgezeigt. Weiterhin werden Konstruktionsregeln vorgestellt, die den Anwender bei der Ermittlung der erforderlichen Knotenblechsteifigkeit unterstützen können.

The influence of gusset plates on the bearing behaviour of truss members in compression. Web members of trusses may be connected to the top or bottom chord by gusset plates, which might lead to a reduction of their buckling resistance. This is due to the smaller stiffness of the gusset plate in comparison to the member. A design of the plate based on the strength of the material only is not sufficient in these cases since the stability must be checked too.

In this paper the effects of various parameters are presented. Furthermore it is shown how web members and gusset plates should be modelled to obtain reasonable results. Design aides are given to help determining an appropriate stiffness.
The Integrated Energy Decision Support System
Authors: Alfaris Anas , Khiyami Abdulaziz , Alawad Abdullah , Alsaati Adnan , Hadhrawi Mohammed
Published: January 2016

In this paper we introduce a decision support system framework termed the Integrated Energy Decision Support System (IEDSS). IEDSS was developed for energy planning at national and regional levels to inform energy planners at multiple levels of government. IEDSS employs system dynamics modeling to enable the rapid evaluation of the outcomes of different supply and demand policies at the national level. Agent‐Based models are used to mimic the interactions between different entities when applying the framework at the regional level of government. Within the IEDSS framework policy makers specify a set of policy decisions and choose from a set of uncertain futures to investigate the performance of their policy decisions. Together these form a scenario for which IEDSS computes a set of output parameters that are used to evaluate the resulting outcome. As a model‐driven DSS, IEDSS can be utilized in two ways. The first is as a single‐user DSS that deploys a scenario‐based planning approach which informs decision makers by mapping the solution space and the resultant effects caused by their policy choices. The second is as a group‐based DSS that enhances communication and collaborative decision making between multiple entities. IEDSS is developed on a software platform that utilizes the front‐end computation to handle templates, style sheets, and visualizations, while the backend is focused on data retrieval, models execution, and performance optimization. IEDSS was developed to address the power sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a case study, but the framework and capabilities of its platform are applicable to any generalized case.
Energy distance
Authors: Rizzo Maria L. , Székely Gábor J.
Published: January 2016

Energy distance is a metric that measures the distance between the distributions of random vectors. Energy distance is zero if and only if the distributions are identical, thus it characterizes equality of distributions and provides a theoretical foundation for statistical inference and analysis. Energy statistics are functions of distances between observations in metric spaces. As a statistic, energy distance can be applied to measure the difference between a sample and a hypothesized distribution or the difference between two or more samples in arbitrary, not necessarily equal dimensions. The name energy is inspired by the close analogy with Newton's gravitational potential energy. Applications include testing independence by distance covariance, goodness‐of‐fit, nonparametric tests for equality of distributions and extension of analysis of variance, generalizations of clustering algorithms, change point analysis, feature selection, and more. WIREs Comput Stat 2016, 8:27–38. doi: 10.1002/wics.1375

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Multivariate Analysis

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Nonparametric Methods
Autologous Fat Transplantation to the Reconstructed Breast Does not Hinder Assessment of Mammography and Ultrasound: A Cohort Study
Authors: Lindegren Anna , Chantereau Marie Wickman , Bygdeson Malin , Azavedo Edward , Schultz Inkeri
Published: January 2016

Background

Autologous fat transplantation (AFT) to the breast can correct defects and be a part of a breast reconstruction to achieve a better aesthetic result. The impact of AFT on the radiological evaluation and detection of cancer remains unclarified. The aim of this study is to investigate whether AFT induces lasting modifications.

Methods

In the present study, a valuation was performed of 44 breasts from 37 patients examined with mammography and ultrasound before and after autologous fat transplantation. Breast radiologists evaluated the images using a study specific protocol.

Results

AFT did not hinder post‐operative assessment of mammograms or ultrasound. No detectable changes with serious clinical impact were found after injections of mean 177 ml (34–516) of fat in one to four sessions. The rate of oil cysts was significantly higher after AFT than pre‐operatively (2.3 vs. 34.1 % p = 0.0013). Significantly more post‐operative oil cysts were detected after injection of larger volumes of fat (144 vs. 243 ml, p = 0.013). No significant differences were found in the post‐operative images regarding age at surgery, follow‐up time, or time from previous breast surgery.

Conclusion

AFT does not impair assessment of mammograms and ultrasound in patients who have a history of breast cancer surgery or prophylactic mastectomy.
Mixed Micellization Study of Alkyltrimethylammonium and Alkyltriphenylphosphonium Bromides in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Padasala Shailesh , Kanoje Bharatkumar , Kuperkar Ketan , Bahadur Pratap
Published: January 2016

Mixed micellization study of cationic surfactants viz. alkyltrimethylammonium bromides (CnTAB) and alkyltriphenylphosphonium bromides (CnTPPB) with similar hydrophobic groups (C12‐, C14‐, and C16‐) was performed using tensiometry and UV–visible light spectrophotometry techniques. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of the single and binary surfactant mixtures were obtained from a plot of surface tension versus the logarithm of surfactant concentration (Cs). The degree of synergy and various mixed micelle parameters like interaction parameter (β), activity coefficients (fm) and interfacial parameters like surface pressure (πCMC), packing parameter (P), surface excess concentration (Гmax), surface tension at the CMC (γCMC), and minimum area per molecule (Amin) were evaluated using the regular solution theory (RST). Thermodynamic parameters were calculated using several proposed models which suggest the mixed micellar system to be more thermodynamically stable than their respective individual components. In addition, a dye solubilization study was performed using a spectrophotometric method to validate the CMC data obtained from tensiometric method. Conductometric measurements were also carried out for the mixture of C12TAB + C12TPPB only as it showed a more negative β, indicating a higher degree of synergism.
Twin pregnancy in a 51‐year‐old woman who underwent autologous cryopreservation at the age of 36 years: case report
Authors: Kotera Tomoki , Shibata Takashi , Kato Hiroki , Watanabe Hirohiko , Nakago Satoshi
Published: January 2016

Climacteric women are able to become pregnant using oocytes donated earlier in life. However, adverse effects on such donated oocytes have been identified. We report a case of a successful dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy achieved using autologous fertilized cryopreserved oocytes in a climacteric woman. A 51‐year‐old woman became pregnant using autologous fertilized oocytes that had been frozen for 15 years. On her first visit, multiple leiomyoma of the uterus and gestational diabetes mellitus were diagnosed, and proteinuria began to appear at 30 weeks. In spite of our concerns these complications did not exacerbate and the clinical course for both mother and neonates was favorable. This is the first report of a live twin birth achieved using autologous cryopreserved oocytes in a climacteric woman. This case report may be of value to women who desire postponement of their infertility treatment and the professional assisted reproduction community.
Interactive granular computing
Authors: Skowron Andrzej , Jankowski Andrzej , Dutta Soma
Published: January 2016

Decision support in solving problems related to complex systems requires relevant computation models for the agents as well as methods for reasoning on properties of computations performed by agents. Agents are performing computations on complex objects [e.g., (behavioral) patterns, classifiers, clusters, structural objects, sets of rules, aggregation operations, (approximate) reasoning schemes]. In Granular Computing (GrC), all such constructed and/or induced objects are called granules. To model interactive computations performed by agents, crucial for the complex systems, we extend the existing GrC approach to Interactive Granular Computing (IGrC) approach by introducing complex granules (c-granules or granules, for short). Many advanced tasks, concerning complex systems, may be classified as control tasks performed by agents aiming at achieving the high-quality computational trajectories relative to the considered quality measures defined over the trajectories. Here, new challenges are to develop strategies to control, predict, and bound the behavior of the system. We propose to investigate these challenges using the IGrC framework. The reasoning, which aims at controlling of computations, to achieve the required targets, is called an adaptive judgement. This reasoning deals with granules and computations over them. Adaptive judgement is more than a mixture of reasoning based on deduction, induction and abduction. Due to the uncertainty the agents generally cannot predict exactly the results of actions (or plans). Moreover, the approximations of the complex vague concepts initiating actions (or plans) are drifting with time. Hence, adaptive strategies for evolving approximations of concepts are needed. In particular, the adaptive judgement is very much needed in the efficiency management of granular computations, carried out by agents, for risk assessment, risk treatment, and cost/benefit analysis. In the paper, we emphasize the role of the rough set-based methods in IGrC. The discussed approach is a step towards realization of the Wisdom Technology (WisTech) program, and is developed over years, based on the work experience on different real-life projects.
Before Anarchy
Authors: Christov Theodore
Published: January 2016

How did the 'Hobbesian state of nature' and the 'discourse of anarchy' - separated by three centuries - come to be seen as virtually synonymous? Before Anarchy offers a novel account of Hobbes's interpersonal and international state of nature and rejects two dominant views. In one, international relations is a warlike Hobbesian anarchy, and in the other, state sovereignty eradicates the state of nature. In combining the contextualist method in the history of political thought and the historiographical method in international relations theory, Before Anarchy traces Hobbes's analogy between natural men and sovereign states and its reception by Pufendorf, Rousseau and Vattel in showing their intellectual convergence with Hobbes. Far from defending a 'realist' international theory, the leading political thinkers of early modernity were precursors of the most enlightened liberal theory of international society today. By demolishing twentieth-century anachronisms, Before Anarchy bridges the divide between political theory, international relations and intellectual history.
The Law of the Whale Hunt
Authors: Deal Robert
Published: January 2016

Whale oil lit the cities and greased the machines of the Industrial Revolution. In light of its importance, competition between whalers was high. Far from courts and law enforcement, competing crews of American whalers not known for their gentility and armed with harpoons tended to resolve disputes at sea over ownership of whales. Left to settle arguments on their own, whalemen created norms and customs to decide ownership of whales pursued by multiple crews. The Law of the Whale Hunt provides an innovative examination of how property law was created in the absence of formal legal institutions regulating the American whaling industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Using depositions, court testimony, logbooks, and other previously unused primary sources, Robert Deal tells an exciting story of American whalers hunting in waters from the North Atlantic to the South Pacific and the Sea of Okhotsk.
Indigenous Elites and Creole Identity in Colonial Mexico, 1500–1800
Authors: Villella Peter B.
Published: January 2016

Modern Mexico derives many of its richest symbols of national heritage and identity from the Aztec legacy, even as it remains a predominantly Spanish-speaking, Christian society. This volume argues that the composite, neo-Aztec flavor of Mexican identity was, in part, a consequence of active efforts by indigenous elites after the Spanish conquest to grandfather ancestral rights into the colonial era. By emphasizing the antiquity of their claims before Spanish officials, native leaders extended the historical awareness of the colonial regime into the pre-Hispanic past, and therefore also the themes, emotional contours, and beginning points of what we today understand as 'Mexican history'. This emphasis on ancient roots, moreover, resonated with the patriotic longings of many creoles, descendants of Spaniards born in Mexico. Alienated by Spanish scorn, creoles associated with indigenous elites and studied their histories, thereby reinventing themselves as Mexico's new 'native' leadership and the heirs to its prestigious antiquity.
The International Diplomacy of Israel's Founders
Authors: Quigley John
Published: January 2016

During the early to mid-twentieth century, the Zionist Organization secured a series of political victories on the international stage, leading to the foundation of a Jewish state and to its ability to expand its territorial control within Palestine. The International Diplomacy of Israel's Founders provides a revisionist account of the founding of Israel by exposing the misrepresentations and false assurances of Zionist diplomats during this formative period of Israeli history. By comparing diplomatic statements at the United Nations and elsewhere against the historical record, it sheds new light on the legacies of such leaders as Chaim Weizmann, David Ben Gurion, Abba Eban, and Shabtai Rosenne. Including coverage of little-discussed moments in early Israeli history, this book offers an important new perspective for anyone interested in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Path to Sustained Growth
Authors: Wrigley E. A.
Published: January 2016

Before the industrial revolution prolonged economic growth was unachievable. All economies were organic, dependent on plant photosynthesis to provide food, raw materials, and energy. This was true both of heat energy, derived from burning wood, and mechanical energy provided chiefly by human and animal muscle. The flow of energy from the sun captured by plant photosynthesis was the basis of all production and consumption. Britain began to escape the old restrictions by making increasing use of the vast stock of energy contained in coal measures, initially as a source of heat energy but eventually also of mechanical energy, thus making possible the industrial revolution. In this concise and accessible account of change between the reigns of Elizabeth I and Victoria, Wrigley describes how during this period Britain moved from the economic periphery of Europe to becoming briefly the world's leading economy, forging a path rapidly emulated by its competitors.
THE BREAD OF AŠŠUR
Authors: Postgate Nicholas
Published: January 2016

As today, bread in antiquity came in a multitude of varieties, some of which were specific to particular regions or populations. Examining the terminology and iconography of breads in Assyrian texts, it is clear that there was a continuity of certain types of bread peculiar to Assyria from the Middle Assyrian period to the final century of the Assyrian empire. This exemplifies the strength of Assyria's identity over half a millennium, and the persistence of its cultural independence in some respects from its Babylonian neighbour. The majority of the written sources refer to cultic activities, and the conservatism expected in cultic contexts no doubt contributes to the long-term persistence of certain types of bread. There may even be reason to see one variety (ḫuḫḫurtu) as the forerunner of a bread used in Jewish cultic contexts to this day (challah).
Symmetric and asymmetric inertial instability of zonal jets on the -plane with complete Coriolis force
Authors: Tort Marine , Ribstein Bruno , Zeitlin Vladimir
Published: January 2016

Symmetric and asymmetric inertial instability of the westerly mid-latitude barotropic Bickley jet is analysed without the traditional approximation which neglects the vertical component of the Coriolis force, as well as the contribution of the vertical velocity to the latter. A detailed linear stability analysis of the jet at large Rossby numbers on the non-traditional $f$-plane is performed for long waves in both the two-layer rotating shallow-water and continuously stratified Boussinesq models. The dependence of the instability on both the Rossby and Burger numbers of the jet is investigated and compared to the traditional case. It is shown that non-traditional effects significantly increase the growth rate of the instability at small enough Burger numbers (weak stratifications) for realistic aspect ratios of the jet. The main results are as follows. (i) Two-layer shallow-water model. In the parameter regimes where the jet is inertially stable on the traditional $f$-plane, the symmetric inertial instability with respect to perturbations with zero along-jet wavenumber arises on the non-traditional $f$-plane. Both non-traditional symmetric and asymmetric (small but non-zero wavenumbers) inertial instabilities have higher growth rates than their traditional counterparts. (ii) Continuously stratified model. It is shown that by a proper change of variables the linear stability problem for the barotropic jet, on the non-traditional $f$-plane, can be rendered separable and analysed along the same lines as in the traditional approximation. Neutral, weak and strong background stratifications are considered. For the neutral stratification the jet is inertially unstable if the traditional approximation is relaxed, while its traditional counterpart is not. For a sufficiently weak stratification, both symmetric and asymmetric inertial instabilities have substantially higher growth rates than in the traditional approximation. The across-jet structure of non-traditional unstable modes is strikingly different, as compared to those under the traditional approximation. No discernible differences between the two approximations are observed for strong enough stratifications. The influence of dissipation and non-hydrostatic effects upon the instability is quantified.
Vitamin A in regulation of insulin responsiveness: mini review
Authors: Noy Noa
Published: January 2016

Vitamin A, retinol, circulates in blood bound to retinol-binding protein (RBP4) which, in turn, associates with another serum protein, transthyretin (TTR), to form a ternary retinol-RBP4-TTR complex. At some tissues, retinol-bound (holo-) RBP4 is recognised by a receptor termed stimulated by retinoic acid 6 (STRA6) which transports retinol into cells. This mini-review summarises evidence demonstrating that, in addition to functioning as a retinol transporter, STRA6 is also a signalling receptor which is activated by holo-RBP4. The data show that STRA6-mediated retinol transport induces receptor phosphorylation, in turn activating a Janus kinases2/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)3/5 cascade that culminates in induction of STAT target genes. STRA6-mediated retinol transport and cell signalling are inter-dependent, and both functions critically rely on intracellular retinol trafficking and metabolism. Hence, STRA6 couples ‘sensing’ of vitamin A homeostasis and metabolism to cell signalling, allowing it to control important biological functions. For example, by inducing the expression of the STAT target gene suppressor of cytokine signalling 3, STRA6 potently suppresses insulin responses. These observations provide a rationale for understanding the reports that elevation in serum levels of RBP4, often observed in obese mice and human subjects, causes insulin resistance. The observations indicate that the holo-RBP4 /STRA6 signalling cascade may comprise an important link through which obesity leads to insulin resistance and suggest that the pathway may be a novel target for treatment of metabolic diseases.
Making a story make sense: Does evidentiality matter in discourse coherence?
Authors: TOSUN SÜMEYRA , VAID JYOTSNA
Published: January 2016

Evidentiality refers to the linguistic marking of the nature/directness of source of evidence of an asserted event. Some languages (e.g., Turkish) mark source obligatorily in their grammar, while other languages (e.g., English) provide only lexical options for conveying source. The present study examined whether or under what conditions firsthand source information is relied on more than nonfirsthand sources in establishing discourse coherence. Turkish- and English-speaking participants read a series of somewhat incongruous two-sentence narratives and were to come up with a way of completing each narrative so that it would form a coherent story. Each narrative contrasted two source types (firsthand vs. hearsay, firsthand vs. inference, or inference vs. hearsay) and two information types (general vs. particular information) each presented first or second. Analysis of story completions showed greater overall reliance on firsthand information when it was presented secondandreferred to a particular event. When the firsthand source occurred first and the particular event occurred second, the latter was favored, especially by Turkish participants. Taken together, the findings suggest that evidentiality interacts with information type in establishing discourse coherence and that both firsthand and particular information are relied on more when presented later rather than earlier in discourse.
Principles of Disaster Planning for the Pediatric Population
Authors: Allen Gwenn M. , Parrillo Steven J. , Will Jean , Mohr Johnathon A.
Published: January 2016

Unique physiological, developmental, and psychological attributes of children make them one of the more vulnerable populations during mass-casualty incidents. Because of their distinctive vulnerabilities, it is crucial that pediatric needs are incorporated into every stage of disaster planning. Individuals, families, and communities can help mitigate the effects of disasters on pediatric populations through ongoing awareness and preventive practices. Mitigation efforts also can be achieved through education and training of the healthcare workforce. Preparedness activities include gaining Emergency Medical Services for Children Pediatric Facility Recognition, conducting pediatric disaster drills, improving pediatric surge capacity, and ensuring that the needs children are incorporated into all levels of disaster plans. Pediatric response can be improved in a number of ways, including: (1) enhanced pediatric disaster expertise; (2) altered decontamination protocols that reflect pediatric needs; and (3) minimized parent-child separation. Recovery efforts at the pediatric level include promoting specific mental health therapies for children and incorporating children into disaster relief and recovery efforts. Improving pediatric emergency care needs should be at the forefront of every disaster planner's agenda.
Are Individuals in Rorschach Nonpatient Samples Truly Psychologically	Healthy?
Authors: Rosso Anna Maria , Camoirano Andrea , Schiaffino Gabriele
Published: January 2016

Abstract. The aim of this study was to collect a Rorschach Comprehensive System (RCS) adult nonpatient sample from Italy using more stringent exclusion criteria and controlling for psychopathology, taking into account the methodological suggestions of Ritzler and Sciara (2008) . The authors hypothesized that: (a) adult nonpatient samples are not truly psychologically healthy, in that a high number of psychopathological symptoms are experienced by participants, particularly anxiety and depression, although they have never been in psychological treatment; (b) significant differences emerge between healthy and nonhealthy groups on Rorschach variables, particularly on CS psychopathological indexes; (c) RCS psychopathological indexes are significantly correlated in the expected direction with scores on psychopathological scales. The results confirmed the hypotheses, indicating the need to collect psychologically healthy samples in addition to normative and nonpatient samples. Because differences were found in the comparison between Exner’s sample (2007) and the healthy group in this study regarding form quality and coping styles, the authors suggest that future research should investigate the construct validity of ambitent style and culturally specific influences on form quality. Moreover, the Rorschach scientific community needs to have more extensive form quality tables, enriched with objects that are currently not included.
Vanishing Sea Ice Could Trigger More Arctic Precipitation
Authors: Sullivan Cody
Published: January 2016

A promising method for evaluating Arctic precipitation predicts retreating sea ice will increase snow and rainfall in the Arctic and counteract some of global climate change's effects regionally.
Computational ligand design in enantio- and diastereoselective ynamide [5+2] cycloisomerization
Authors: Straker R. N. , Peng Q. , Mekareeya A. , Paton R. S. , Anderson E. A.
Published: January 2016

Transition metals can catalyse the stereoselective synthesis of cyclic organic molecules in a highly atom-efficient process called cycloisomerization. Many diastereoselective (substrate stereocontrol), and enantioselective (catalyst stereocontrol) cycloisomerizations have been developed. However, asymmetric cycloisomerizations where a chiral catalyst specifies the stereochemical outcome of the cyclization of a single enantiomer substrate—regardless of its inherent preference—are unknown. Here we show how a combined theoretical and experimental approach enables the design of a highly reactive rhodium catalyst for the stereoselective cycloisomerization of ynamide-vinylcyclopropanes to [5.3.0]-azabicycles. We first establish highly diastereoselective cycloisomerizations using an achiral catalyst, and then explore phosphoramidite-complexed rhodium catalysts in the enantioselective variant, where theoretical investigations uncover an unexpected reaction pathway in which the electronic structure of the phosphoramidite dramatically influences reaction rate and enantioselectivity. A marked enhancement of both is observed using the optimal theory-designed ligand, which enables double stereodifferentiating cycloisomerizations in both matched and mismatched catalyst–substrate settings.
A cell cycle-dependent BRCA1–UHRF1 cascade regulates DNA double-strand break repair pathway choice
Authors: Zhang Haoxing , Liu Hailong , Chen Yali , Yang Xu , Wang Panfei , Liu Tongzheng , Deng Min , Qin Bo , Correia Cristina , Lee Seungbaek , Kim Jungjin , Sparks Melanie , Nair Asha A. , Evans Debra L. , Kalari Krishna R. , Zhang Pumin , Wang Liewei , You Zhongsheng , Kaufmann Scott H. , Lou Zhenkun , Pei Huadong
Published: January 2016

BRCA1 is an important mediator of the DNA damage response, which promotes homologous recombination (HR) and antagonizes 53BP1-dependent non-homologous end joining in S/G2 phase. But how this is achieved remains unclear. Here, we report that the E3 ubiquitin ligase UHRF1 (Ubiquitin-like, with PHD and RING finger domains 1) directly participates in the interplay between BRCA1 and 53BP1. Mechanistically, UHRF1 is recruited to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by BRCA1 in S phase, which requires the BRCT domain of BRCA1 and phosphorylated Ser674 of UHRF1. Subsequently, UHRF1 mediates K63-linked polyubiquitination of RIF1, and results in its dissociation from 53BP1 and DSBs thereby facilitating HR initiation. Thus, UHRF1 is a key regulator of DSB repair choice, which is separate from its role in heterochromatin formation and epigenetic regulator.