bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Black–White Disparities in Criminal Justice Referrals to Drug Treatment: Addressing Treatment Need or Expanding the Diagnostic Net?
Authors: McElrath Karen , Taylor Angela , Tran Kimberly
Published: October 2016

Slightly more than half of admissions to U.S. publicly-funded treatment for marijuana use are referred by the criminal justice system; this pattern has remained for at least 20 years. Nationally, Blacks comprise nearly a third of treatment admissions for marijuana use. This article explores the interplay between race and criminal justice referrals to treatment for marijuana use. Using data from the (U.S.) 2011 Treatment Episode Data Set, we examine the relationship between race and diagnosis of cannabis use disorder (dependence versus abuse) among referrals to community-based treatment in North Carolina. We compare Black/White differences in cannabis diagnoses across four referral sources: the criminal justice system, healthcare providers, self, and other sources. Race was significantly related to type of diagnosis across all four referral sources, however, the nature of the relationship was distinctly different among criminal justice referrals with Whites being more likely than Blacks to be diagnosed with cannabis dependence. Moreover, the marijuana use profiles of criminal justice referrals differed substantially from individuals referred by other sources. The findings suggest that diagnoses of cannabis abuse (rather than dependence) may have worked to widen the diagnostic net by “capturing” individuals under control of the criminal justice system who manifested few problems with marijuana use, other than their involvement in the criminal justice system. The potential for a net-widening effect appeared to be most pronounced for Blacks.
Phosphorus SAD Phasing for Nucleic Acid Structures: Limitations and Potential
Authors: Harp Joel , Pallan Pradeep , Egli Martin
Published: October 2016

Phasing of nucleic acid crystal diffraction data using the anomalous signal of phosphorus, P-SAD, at Cukα wavelength has been previously demonstrated using Z-DNA. Since the original work on P-SAD with Z-DNA there has been, with a notable exception, a conspicuous absence of applications of the technique to additional nucleic acid crystal structures. We have reproduced the P-SAD phasing of Z-DNA using a rotating-anode source and have attempted to phase a variety of nucleic acid crystals using P-SAD without success. A comparison of P-SAD using Z-DNA and a representative nucleic acid, the Dickerson-Drew dodecamer, is presented along with a S-SAD using only two sulfurs to phase a 2’-thio modified DNA decamer. A theoretical explanation for the limitation of P-SAD applied to nucleic acids is presented to show that the relatively high atomic displacement parameter of phosphorus in the nucleic acid backbone is responsible for the lack of success in applying P-SAD to nucleic acid diffraction data.
Entropy-Based Application Layer DDoS Attack Detection Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Johnson Singh Khundrakpam , Thongam Khelchandra , De Tanmay
Published: October 2016

Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is one of the major threats to the web server. The rapid increase of DDoS attacks on the Internet has clearly pointed out the limitations in current intrusion detection systems or intrusion prevention systems (IDS/IPS), mostly caused by application-layer DDoS attacks. Within this context, the objective of the paper is to detect a DDoS attack using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) classification algorithm with genetic algorithm (GA) as learning algorithm. In this work, we analyzed the standard EPA-HTTP (environmental protection agency-hypertext transfer protocol) dataset and selected the parameters that will be used as input to the classifier model for differentiating the attack from normal profile. The parameters selected are the HTTP GET request count, entropy, and variance for every connection. The proposed model can provide a better accuracy of 98.31%, sensitivity of 0.9962, and specificity of 0.0561 when compared to other traditional classification models.
Breaking up Is Hard to Do: Why the Eurozone Will Survive
Authors: Aslett Kevin , Caporaso James
Published: October 2016

Since revelations of the Greek fiscal deficit in the fall of 2009, the breakup of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has moved from unthinkable to plausible. The debate over the future of the EMU has become increasingly relevant, as numerous efforts to solve the Greek crisis have not been successful. Neither have basic competitiveness differences between countries in the core and periphery of the European Union been eliminated. Proposed solutions include development of a banking union, regulatory measures to monitor trade and capital imbalances, fiscal reforms on the part of countries in trouble, and centralized fiscal capacity on the part of the EMU itself to offset the liabilities of the indebted states. While the crisis seems to be contained, it is by no means solved. This leads to the question: “Will the euro survive?” We answer this question in the affirmative, but in doing so we argue that continuation of the EMU is different from the question of whether the EMU should have been created in the first place. Some reasons for continuation of the EMU were present at its creation; others have developed in a path‐dependent way as the Eurozone has evolved.
Estimate of Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Resource in Daqing Oilfield, Northeast China
Authors: Jiang Guangzheng , Wang Yi , Shi Yizuo , Zhang Chao , Tang Xiaoyin , Hu Shengbiao
Published: October 2016

Development and utilization of deep geothermal resources, especially a hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal resource, is beneficial for both economic and environmental consideration in oilfields. This study used data from multiple sources to assess the geothermal energy resource in the Daqing Oilfield. The temperature logs in boreholes (both shallow water wells and deep boreholes) and the drilling stem test temperature were used to create isothermal maps in depths. Upon the temperature field and thermophysical parameters of strata, the heat content was calculated by 1 km × 1 km × 0.1 km cells. The result shows that in the southeastern part of Daqing Oilfield, the temperature can reach 150 °C at a depth of 3 km. The heat content within 3–5 km is 24.28 × 1021 J, wherein 68.2% exceeded 150 °C. If the recovery factor was given by 2% and the lower limit of temperature was set to be 150 °C, the most conservative estimate for recoverable HDR geothermal resource was 0.33 × 1021 J. The uncertainties of the estimation are mainly contributed to by the temperature extrapolation and the physical parameter selections.
Switching Control of Wind Turbine Sub-Controllers Based on an Active Disturbance Rejection Technique
Authors: Xiao Yancai , Hong Yi , Chen Xiuhai , Huo Wenjian
Published: October 2016

Wind power generation systems require complex control systems with multiple working conditions and multiple controllers. Under different operating conditions, switching without disturbancebetweenthesub-controllersplaysacriticalroleinensuringthestabilityofpowersystems. The sub-controllers of two typical cases in the permanent magnet direct drive (PMDD) wind turbine running process are studied, one is the proportional integral (PI) controller in the maximum power points tracking (MPPT) stage, the other is the fuzzy pitch angle controller in the constant power stage. The switching strategy of the two sub-controllers is the emphasis in this research. Based on the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC), the switching mode of the sub-controllers is proposed, which can effectively restrain the sudden changes of the rotor current during the switching process, and improve the quality of power generation. The feasibility and effectiveness of the sub-controller switching strategy is veriﬁed by Matlab/Simulink simulation for a 2 MW PMDD wind turbine.
Effects of Topographical and Edaphic Factors on Tree Community Structure and Diversity of Subtropical Mountain Forests in the Lower Lancang River Basin
Authors: Zhang Changshun , Li Xiaoying , Chen Long , Xie Gaodi , Liu Chunlan , Pei Sha
Published: October 2016

We investigated community structure and tree species diversity of six subtropical mountain forests in relation to 11 topographical and edaphic factors in Lower Lancang River Basin, Yunnan Province, China, based on a census of all trees with diameter at breast height ≥5 cm in 45 0.06-ha plots. The forests were as follows: a river valley monsoon forest, semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved forest, monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest, mid-mountain humid evergreen broad-leaved forest, summit mossy dwarf forest, and warm needle-leaved forest. Owing to the variation in microenvironment, forest structure (tree density, mean height, mean diameter at breast height, mean basal area at breast height) and tree diversity indices (the number of species, Margalef richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity, Simpson’s index, and Pielou’s evenness) differed significantly among forest types but did not differ among sites. We recorded a total of 5155 canopy trees belonging to 204 tree species, 104 genera, and 50 families at three sites, and the co-occurrence of tree species between adjacent communities was higher. A clear forest community distribution along an altitudinal gradient suggested that elevation was important in tree species distribution. Ordination identified elevation, slope degree, slope position, soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, and available nitrogen as significant explanatory variables of tree species distribution and showed that elevation was more important than the rest of the environmental variables in affecting local woody plant distribution. Understanding relationships between tree species distribution and environmental factors in subtropical mountain forests of the Lower Lancang River Basin would enable us to apply these findings to forest management and vegetation restoration.
OprD Repression upon Metal Treatment Requires the RNA Chaperone Hfq in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ducret Verena , Gonzalez Manuel , Scrignari Tiziana , Perron Karl
Published: October 2016

The metal‐specific CzcRS two‐component system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is involved in the repression of the OprD porin, causing in turn carbapenem antibiotic resistance in the presence of high zinc concentration. It has also been shown that CzcR is able to directly regulate the expression of multiple genes including virulence factors. CzcR is therefore an important regulator connecting (i) metal response, (ii) pathogenicity and (iii) antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa. Recent data have suggested that other regulators could negatively control oprD expression in the presence of zinc. Here we show that the RNA chaperone Hfq is a key factor acting independently of CzcR for the repression of oprD upon Zn treatment. Additionally, we found that an Hfq‐dependent mechanism is necessary for the localization of CzcR to the oprD promoter, mediating oprD transcriptional repression. Furthermore, in the presence of Cu, CopR, the transcriptional regulator of the CopRS two‐component system also requires Hfq for oprD repression. Altogether, these results suggest important roles for this RNA chaperone in the context of environment‐sensing and antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa.
Downregulation of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is essential for the Induction of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Yao Yizhou , Hu Hao , Yang Yong , Zhou Guoqiang , Shang Zengfu , Yang Xiaodong , Sun Kang , Zhan Shenghua , Yu Zhengyuan , Li Peiyao , Pan Guofeng , Sun Liang , Zhu Xinguo , He Songbing
Published: October 2016

Increasing evidence indicates that elevated expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 gene (EZH2) in many human malignant tumors acts a significant role in the oncogenic process. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still unclarified. It is evident that apoptosis and autophagy of tumor cells is crucial for the tumorigenesis and progression of cancer, however, the exact role of EZH2 plays in apoptosis and autophagy has not been fully elucidated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our previous study found that the expression level of EZH2 was higher in CRC tumor tissues than in the paired normal tissues using immunohistochemical analysis. We also recently found that the autophagy‐related gene‐related protein Ambra1 plays an important role in the autophagy pathway in CRC cells. In this study, mRNA and protein expression of EZH2 in four CRC cell lines were tested at first and RKO and HCT116 cells showed the highest levels among them. Here we transfected with EZH2‐shRNA, or added DZNep (an EZH2 inhibitor) to RKO and HCT116 cells in order to detect the effect of EZH2 on autophagy via determining the change of the protein expression of LC3 and Ambra1. The outcome indicated an obvious decrease of autophagy level in cells transfected with EZH2‐shRNA or DZNep. We also found the apoptotic rate of cells was elevated significantly after downregulation of EZH2. In addition, compared to control group, CRC cells transfected with EZH2‐shRNA or added DZNep revealed a significantly increased G1 cell cycle rate and an obvious decrease in the G2 cell cycle rate. Further analysis showed that knockdown of EZH2 induced cell-cycle arrest in CRC cells. Meanwhile, downregulation of EZH2 in CRC cells induces autophagy and apoptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that EZH2 plays a critical role in autophagy and apoptosis in the progression of CRC, which potentially facilitates the development of an ideal strategy for combating colorectal cancer.
Extraction of Natural Antioxidants from the Thelephora ganbajun Mushroom by an Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Technique and Evaluation of Antiproliferative Activity of the Extract against Human Cancer Cells
Authors: Xu Dong-Ping , Zheng Jie , Zhou Yue , Li Ya , Li Sha , Li Hua-Bin
Published: October 2016

The Thelephora ganbajun mushroom has been found to be a potential rich source of natural antioxidants. In this study, an ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique together with GRAS (generally recognized as safe) solvents (ethanol and water) was used to maximize the extraction of antioxidants from Thelephora ganbajun. Five extraction parameters (ethanol concentration, solvent to solid ratio, extraction time, temperature and ultrasound power) were investigated by single-factor experiments, and then a central composite rotatable design was employed to study interaction of three key extraction parameters. The optimum conditions were as follows: 57.38% ethanol, 70.15 mL/g solvent to solid ratio, 10.58 min extraction time, 40 °C extraction temperature and 500 W ultrasound power. Under the optimum conditions, the antioxidant activity obtained was 346.98 ± 12.19 µmol Trolox/g DW, in accordance with the predicted value of 344.67 µmol Trolox/g DW. Comparison of UAE with conventional maceration and Soxhlet extraction, the UAE method showed stronger extract efficiency in a shorter extraction time. These results showed that UAE was an effective technique to extract antioxidants from Thelephora ganbajun. Furthermore, the extracts obtained under the optimized conditions exhibited antiproliferative activities toward human lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), liver (HepG2) and colon (HT-29) cancer cells, especially for liver and lung cancer cells. In addition, rutin, 2-hydrocinnamic acid and epicatechin were identified in the extract, which might contribute to antioxidant and antiproliferative activities.
Identification, Molecular Cloning of IL-1β and Its Expression Profile during Nocardia seriolae Infection in Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides
Authors: Ho Ping-Yueh , Byadgi Omkar , Wang Pei-Chyi , Tsai Ming-An , Liaw Li-Ling , Chen Shih-Chu
Published: October 2016

In the present study, IL-1β cDNA was identified and analyzed from largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Full length IL-1β mRNA was obtained using Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE), which contains 78 bp 3′-UTR, a 455 bp 5′-UTR, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 702 bp coding for 233 amino acid residues. The molecular weight and theoretical isoelectric point of largemouth bass IL-1β protein was predicted to be 26.7 kDa and 6.08 respectively. A largemouth bass IL-1β phylogenetic analysis showed a close relation to the IL-1βs of striped trumpeter (Latris lineata), Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi), and Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus). Peptidoglycan upregulated IL-1β in the spleen and head kidney, while lipopolysaccharide upregulated detectable levels of IL-1β in the spleen only. Largemouth bass, challenged with Nocardia seriolae (1.0 × 106 cfu/mL), showed a significant increase in IL-1β at 3 and 5 days post infection (dpi) in the spleen, while in the head kidney significant expression was found at 2 and 3 dpi, peaking at 3 dpi. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) showed significantly higher expression in the spleen at 3 and 5 dpi, and in the head kidney at 1 and 3 dpi, with expression decreasing at 5 dpi in both tissues.
Modulation of Compartmentalised Cyclic Nucleotide Signalling via Local Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase Activity
Authors: Brescia Marcella , Zaccolo Manuela
Published: October 2016

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are the only enzymes that degrade the cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP, and play a key role in modulating the amplitude and duration of the signal delivered by these two key intracellular second messengers. Defects in cyclic nucleotide signalling are known to be involved in several pathologies. As a consequence, PDEs have long been recognized as potential drug targets, and they have been the focus of intense research for the development of therapeutic agents. A number of PDE inhibitors are currently available for the treatment of disease, including obstructive pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction, and heart failure. However, the performance of these drugs is not always satisfactory, due to a lack of PDE-isoform specificity and their consequent adverse side effects. Recent advances in our understanding of compartmentalised cyclic nucleotide signalling and the role of PDEs in local regulation of cAMP and cGMP signals offers the opportunity for the development of novel strategies for therapeutic intervention that may overcome the current limitation of conventional PDE inhibitors.
Plant Resistance Inducers against Pathogens in Solanaceae Species—From Molecular Mechanisms to Field Application
Authors: Alexandersson Erik , Mulugeta Tewodros , Lankinen Åsa , Liljeroth Erland , Andreasson Erik
Published: October 2016

This review provides a current summary of plant resistance inducers (PRIs) that have been successfully used in the Solanaceae plant family to protect against pathogens by activating the plant’s own defence. Solanaceous species include many important crops such as potato and tomato. We also present findings regarding the molecular processes after application of PRIs, even if the number of such studies still remains limited in this plant family. In general, there is a lack of patterns regarding the efficiency of induced resistance (IR) both between and within solanaceous species. In many cases, a hypersensitivity-like reaction needs to form in order for the PRI to be efficient. “-Omics” studies have already given insight in the complexity of responses, and can explain some of the differences seen in efficacy of PRIs between and within species as well as towards different pathogens. Finally, examples of field applications of PRIs for solanaceous crops are presented and discussed. We predict that PRIs will play a role in future plant protection strategies in Solanaceae crops if they are combined with other means of disease control in different spatial and temporal combinations.
Strategies for Extending Metabolomics Studies with Stable Isotope Labelling and Fluxomics
Authors: Srivastava Anubhav , Kowalski Greg , Callahan Damien , Meikle Peter , Creek Darren
Published: October 2016

This is a perspective from the peer session on stable isotope labelling and fluxomics at the Australian & New Zealand Metabolomics Conference (ANZMET) held from 30 March to 1 April 2016 at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. This report summarizes the key points raised in the peer session which focused on the advantages of using stable isotopes in modern metabolomics and the challenges in conducting flux analyses. The session highlighted the utility of stable isotope labelling in generating reference standards for metabolite identification, absolute quantification, and in the measurement of the dynamic activity of metabolic pathways. The advantages and disadvantages of different approaches of fluxomics analyses including flux balance analysis, metabolic flux analysis and kinetic flux profiling were also discussed along with the use of stable isotope labelling in in vivo dynamic metabolomics. A number of crucial technical considerations for designing experiments and analyzing data with stable isotope labelling were discussed which included replication, instrumentation, methods of labelling, tracer dilution and data analysis. This report reflects the current viewpoint on the use of stable isotope labelling in metabolomics experiments, identifying it as a great tool with the potential to improve biological interpretation of metabolomics data in a number of ways.
The Redox Status of Cancer Cells Supports Mechanisms behind the Warburg Effect
Authors: Moreira Jorgelindo , Hamraz Minoo , Abolhassani Mohammad , Bigan Erwan , Pérès Sabine , Paulevé Loïc , Nogueira Marcel , Steyaert Jean-Marc , Schwartz Laurent
Published: October 2016

To better understand the energetic status of proliferating cells, we have measured the intracellular pH (pHi) and concentrations of key metabolites, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) in normal and cancer cells, extracted from fresh human colon tissues. Cells were sorted by elutriation and segregated in different phases of the cell cycle (G0/G1/S/G2/M) in order to study their redox (NAD, NADP) and bioenergetic (ATP, pHi) status. Our results show that the average ATP concentration over the cell cycle is higher and the pHi is globally more acidic in normal proliferating cells. The NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH redox ratios are, respectively, five times and ten times higher in cancer cells compared to the normal cell population. These energetic differences in normal and cancer cells may explain the well-described mechanisms behind the Warburg effect. Oscillations in ATP concentration, pHi, NAD+/NADH, and NADP+/NADPH ratios over one cell cycle are reported and the hypothesis addressed. We also investigated the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of human and mice normal and cancer cell lines. A drastic decrease of the MMP is reported in cancer cell lines compared to their normal counterparts. Altogether, these results strongly support the high throughput aerobic glycolysis, or Warburg effect, observed in cancer cells.
A Simple Method for Fabrication of Microstructures Using a PDMS Stamp
Authors: Lee Hun , Koh Domin , Xu Linfeng , Row Sindhu , Andreadis Stelios , Oh Kwang
Published: October 2016

We report a simple method to fabricate PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) microwell arrays on glass by using a PDMS stamp to study cell-to-cell adhesion. In the cell-to-cell study, a glass substrate is required since glass has better cell attachment. The microwell arrays are replicated from an SU-8 master mold, and then are transferred to a glass substrate by lifting the PDMS stamp, followed by oxygen plasma bonding of the PDMS stamp on the glass substrate. For the cell-to-cell adhesion, four different types of PDMS arrays (e.g., rectangle, bowtie, wide-rhombus, and rhombus) were designed to vary the cell-to-cell contact length. The transfer success rates of the microwell arrays were measured as a function of both the contact area of the PDMS and the glass substrate and the different ratios between the base polymers and the curing agent. This method of generating the microwell arrays will enable a simple and robust construction of PDMS-based devices for various biological applications.
Effect of Raw Material, Pressing and Glycosidase on the Volatile Compound Composition of Wine Made From Goji Berries
Authors: Yuan Guanshen , Ren Jie , Ouyang Xiaoyu , Wang Liying , Wang Mengze , Shen Xiaodong , Zhang Bolin , Zhu Baoqing
Published: October 2016

This study investigated the effect of raw material, pressing, and glycosidase on the aromatic profile of goji berry wine. The free-run and the pressed juice of dried and fresh goji berries were used for wine production, whereas glycosidase was applied to wine after fermentation. Dried goji berry fermented wine exhibited much stronger fruity, floral, caramel, and herbaceous odors due to higher levels of esters, β-ionone and methionol. However, fresh berry fermented wine possessed stronger chemical notes due to higher levels of 4-ethylphenol. Pressing treatment reduced the fruity and caramel odors in these fermented wines, and fresh berry free-run juice fermented wine exhibited the least floral aroma. Glycosidase addition did not alter the aromatic composition of wines. The principal component analysis indicated that goji raw material played a primary role in differentiating the aromatic profiles of the wines due to the difference on the content of 20 esters, nine benzenes, eight aldehydes/ketones, three acids, two alcohols and six other volatiles. The content differences on isopentyl alcohol, styrene, benzyl alcohol, 1-octanol, (E)-5-decen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, and β-cyclocitral resulted in the segregation of the wines with and without the pressing treatment, especially for fresh berry fermented wine.
Transformation of Tertiary Benzyl Alcohols into the Vicinal Halo-Substituted Derivatives Using N-Halosuccinimides
Authors: Ajvazi Njomza , Stavber Stojan
Published: October 2016

The efficiency of direct conversion of tertiary alcohols bearing a β-hydrogen atom to vicinal halohydrins—chlorohydrins and bromohydrins—under green reaction conditions was tested preliminarily on model tertiary benzyl alcohols. Tertiary alcohols were successfully directly halogenated to vicinal halohydrins with N-halosuccinimide in aqueous media. The efficiency of the reaction in water was significantly improved in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate as the surfactant.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adolescents According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III and International Diabetes Federation
Authors: Kim Seonho , So Wi-Young
Published: October 2016

In both adults and children, metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been attributed to risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease such as insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. This descriptive study aimed to compare the prevalence of MetS and diagnostic components according to the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2330 Korean adolescents (10–18 years), using data from the 2010–2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-V. The NCEP-ATP III and IDF were used to diagnose MetS and yielded prevalence rates of 5.7% and 2.1%, respectively, with no sex-related differences. The most frequent MetS diagnostic components according to the NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria were high triglyceride levels (21.2%) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (13.6%), respectively; approximately 50.1% and 33.1% of adolescents had at least one MetS diagnostic component according to the respective criteria. Both overweight/obese male and female adolescents exhibited significantly increased prevalence rates of MetS and related diagnostic components, compared to normal-weight adolescents. In conclusion, the prevalence rates of MetS and diagnostic components differ according to the NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria. Henceforth, efforts are needed to establish diagnostic criteria for Korean adolescents.
Antiproliferative and Antiangiogenic Effects of Punica granatum Juice (PGJ) in Multiple Myeloma (MM)
Authors: Tibullo Daniele , Caporarello Nunzia , Giallongo Cesarina , Anfuso Carmelina , Genovese Claudia , Arlotta Carmen , Puglisi Fabrizio , Parrinello Nunziatina , Bramanti Vincenzo , Romano Alessandra , Lupo Gabriella , Toscano Valeria , Avola Roberto , Brundo Maria , Di Raimondo Francesco , Raccuia Salvatore
Published: October 2016

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal B-cell malignancy characterized by an accumulation of clonal plasma cells (PC) in the bone marrow (BM) leading to bone destruction and BM failure. Despite recent advances in pharmacological therapy, MM remains a largely incurable pathology. Therefore, novel effective and less toxic agents are urgently necessary. In the last few years, pomegranate has been studied for its potential therapeutic properties including treatment and prevention of cancer. Pomegranate juice (PGJ) contains a number of potential active compounds including organic acids, vitamins, sugars, and phenolic components that are all responsible of the pro-apoptotic effects observed in tumor cell line. The aim of present investigation is to assess the antiproliferative and antiangiogenic potential of the PGJ in human multiple myeloma cell lines. Our data demonstrate the anti-proliferative potential of PGJ in MM cells; its ability to induce G0/G1 cell cycle block and its anti-angiogenic effects. Interestingly, sequential combination of bortezomib/PGJ improved the cytotoxic effect of the proteosome inhibitor. We investigated the effect of PGJ on angiogenesis and cell migration/invasion. Interestingly, we observed an inhibitory effect on the tube formation, microvessel outgrowth aorting ring and decreased cell migration and invasion as showed by wound-healing and transwell assays, respectively. Analysis of angiogenic genes expression in endothelial cells confirmed the anti-angiogenic properties of pomegranate. Therefore, PGJ administration could represent a good tool in order to identify novel therapeutic strategies for MM treatment, exploiting its anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects. Finally, the present research supports the evidence that PGJ could play a key role of a future therapeutic approach for treatment of MM in order to optimize the pharmacological effect of bortezomib, especially as adjuvant after treatment.
Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Chinese Men and Women
Authors: Dai Xiao-Wei , Wang Cheng , Xu Ying , Guan Ke , Su Yi-Xiang , Chen Yu-Ming
Published: October 2016

Limited studies have examined the association between sodium (Na) and potassium (K) levels and the risk of atherosclerosis. This study examined whether higher Na and Na/K levels and low K levels were independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. This community-based cross-sectional study included 3290 subjects (1067 men and 2223 women) 40 to 75 years of age in Guangzhou, China, between 2011 and 2013. Urinary excretion of Na and K were measured from the first morning void, and creatinine-adjusted values were used. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid common artery and the carotid bifurcation was measured with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Dietary K and Na intake and other covariates were obtained by face-to-face interviews. A significant positive association was seen between urinary Na excretion and carotid atherosclerosis after adjustment for age, sex, and other lifestyle covariates. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the highest (vs. lowest) quartile of urinary Na were 1.32 (1.04–1.66) for carotid plaques, 1.48 (1.18–1.87) for increased common carotid artery IMT, and 1.55 (1.23–1.96) for increased carotid bifurcation IMT (all p-trend < 0.01). A similar positive association was observed between urinary Na/K levels and carotid plaque and increased IMT, and between dietary Na intake and increased bifurcation IMT. Regarding potassium data, we only found a significantly lower presence of carotid plaque (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57–0.91) for quartile 2 (vs. 1) of urinary K. Our findings suggest that higher levels of urinary excretion Na and Na/K are significantly associated with greater presence of carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese adults.
Evaluation of the Initial Thematic Output from a Continuous Change-Detection Algorithm for Use in Automated Operational Land-Change Mapping by the U.S. Geological Survey
Authors: Pengra Bruce , Gallant Alisa , Zhu Zhe , Dahal Devendra
Published: October 2016

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has begun the development of operational, 30-m resolution annual thematic land cover data to meet the needs of a variety of land cover data users. The Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) algorithm is being evaluated as the likely methodology following early trials. Data for training and testing of CCDC thematic maps have been provided by the USGS Land Cover Trends (LC Trends) project, which offers sample-based, manually classified thematic land cover data at 2755 probabilistically located sample blocks across the conterminous United States. These samples represent a high quality, well distributed source of data to train the Random Forest classifier invoked by CCDC. We evaluated the suitability of LC Trends data to train the classifier by assessing the agreement of annual land cover maps output from CCDC with output from the LC Trends project within 14 Landsat path/row locations across the conterminous United States. We used a small subset of circa 2000 data from the LC Trends project to train the classifier, reserving the remaining Trends data from 2000, and incorporating LC Trends data from 1992, to evaluate measures of agreement across time, space, and thematic classes, and to characterize disagreement. Overall agreement ranged from 75% to 98% across the path/rows, and results were largely consistent across time. Land cover types that were well represented in the training data tended to have higher rates of agreement between LC Trends and CCDC outputs. Characteristics of disagreement are being used to improve the use of LC Trends data as a continued source of training information for operational production of annual land cover maps.
Modeling and Control of the Redundant Parallel Adjustment Mechanism on a Deployable Antenna Panel
Authors: Tian Lili , Bao Hong , Wang Meng , Duan Xuechao
Published: October 2016

With the aim of developing multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) coupling systems with a redundant parallel adjustment mechanism on the deployable antenna panel, a structural control integrated design methodology is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the modal information from the finite element model of the structure of the antenna panel is extracted, and then the mathematical model is established with the Hamilton principle; Secondly, the discrete Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller is added to the model in order to control the actuators and adjust the shape of the panel. Finally, the engineering practicality of the modeling and control method based on finite element analysis simulation is verified.
Design and Construction of a Bilateral Haptic System for the Remote Assessment of the Stiffness and Range of Motion of the Hand
Authors: Oscari Fabio , Oboe Roberto , Daud Albasini Omar , Masiero Stefano , Rosati Giulio
Published: October 2016

The use of haptic devices in the rehabilitation of impaired limbs has become rather popular, given the proven effectiveness in promoting recovery. In a standard framework, such devices are used in rehabilitation centers, where patients interact with virtual tasks, presented on a screen. To track their sessions, kinematic/dynamic parameters or performance scores are recorded. However, as Internet access is now available at almost every home and in order to reduce the hospitalization time of the patient, the idea of doing rehabilitation at home is gaining wide consent. Medical care programs can be synchronized with the home rehabilitation device; patient data can be sent to the central server that could redirect to the therapist laptop (tele-healthcare). The controversial issue is that the recorded data do not actually represent the clinical conditions of the patients according to the medical assessment scales, forcing them to frequently undergo clinical tests at the hospital. To respond to this demand, we propose the use of a bilateral master/slave haptic system that could allow the clinician, who interacts with the master, to assess remotely and in real time the clinical conditions of the patient that uses the home rehabilitation device as the slave. In this paper, we describe a proof of concept to highlight the main issues of such an application, limited to one degree of freedom, and to the measure of the stiffness and range of motion of the hand.
Conditional Entropy and Location Error in Indoor Localization Using Probabilistic Wi-Fi Fingerprinting
Authors: Berkvens Rafael , Peremans Herbert , Weyn Maarten
Published: October 2016

Localization systems are increasingly valuable, but their location estimates are only useful when the uncertainty of the estimate is known. This uncertainty is currently calculated as the location error given a ground truth, which is then used as a static measure in sometimes very different environments. In contrast, we propose the use of the conditional entropy of a posterior probability distribution as a complementary measure of uncertainty. This measure has the advantage of being dynamic, i.e., it can be calculated during localization based on individual sensor measurements, does not require a ground truth, and can be applied to discrete localization algorithms. Furthermore, for every consistent location estimation algorithm, both the location error and the conditional entropy measures must be related, i.e., a low entropy should always correspond with a small location error, while a high entropy can correspond with either a small or large location error. We validate this relationship experimentally by calculating both measures of uncertainty in three publicly available datasets using probabilistic Wi-Fi fingerprinting with eight different implementations of the sensor model. We show that the discrepancy between these measures, i.e., many location estimates having a high location error while simultaneously having a low conditional entropy, is largest for the least realistic implementations of the probabilistic sensor model. Based on the results presented in this paper, we conclude that conditional entropy, being dynamic, complementary to location error, and applicable to both continuous and discrete localization, provides an important extra means of characterizing a localization method.
L'université et la ville
Authors: Amiot Michel , Frickey Alain
Published: October 2016

Il est couramment admis que la présence d'une université dans une ville est un facteur important pris en compte dans les choix de localisation des grandes entreprises. Nice en serait-il le contre-exemple, puisque IBM et Texas Instruments se sont installées en 1963 et 1962 avant la création de l'université ? L'analyse montre que, dans les années récentes, les diplômés de l'université n'ont pas été préférentiellement recrutés par ces grandes firmes. Celles-ci, insérées dans un réseau et une stratégie de type international, recrutent dans un espace national les cadres de niveau le plus élevé et utilisent le marché local pour les emplois subalternes. Au lieu de passer en revue les politiques de recrutement des autres types d'employeurs locaux, il a paru plus productif de se placer du côté de l'université pour appréhender le devenir des étudiants de l'université de Nice et, par là, caractériser les liaisons entre l'université et le marché de l'emploi local.

L'enquête porte sur le devenir universitaire et non universitaire de tous les. étudiants inscrits à l'université de Nice en première année en 1971-1972, et cela pendant six années consécutives. L'analyse longitudinale du devenir d'une cohorte, utilisée pour la première fois dans le domaine de l'enseignement supérieur, est seule capable de fournir des indications sur le taux d'élimination et le devenir précis des étudiants : on apprend ainsi que la région fournit un débouché à la majorité de ses étudiants. En résumé, pour un candidat de l'enseignement supérieur, plus le cycle d'études est long et le grade universitaire obtenu élevé, plus nombreuses sont les chances d'émigrer hors de la région. Plus le cycle d'études est court, ou raccourci, plus forte est la probabilité de trouver un emploi à Nice ou dans la région. Ainsi s'éclairent non seulement le fonctionnement de l'université comme machine à sélectionner, à éliminer et à produire des diplômés, mais aussi les mécanismes migratoires d'une tranche particulière de la population.
Mobilité et transformation des modes de vie ouvriers
Authors: Campagnac Elizabeth
Published: October 2016

Mobility and change in workers' ways of life. (E. Campagnac, p. 80-89)

The number of workers being picked up daily by Dunkerque firms has very much increased since the establishment of Usinor's iron and steel works and so has the geographical area of the picking up since it now stretches to the Calais region and the Pas-de-Calais coal basin. Considered to be a remedy to the scarcity of dwellings and of skilled labour in Dunkerque' s agglomeration, this picking up network organised by firms should have been reduced once housing and training had reached the quantitative standards sought : all the more so since 1975 when unemployment developed in Dunkerque even among skilled labour. Instead of being reduced, picking up networks have on the contrary further developed since they in fact meet the logics of the firms' creation of a «labor basin», not only at the scale of the town and its outskirts but at the regional scale.

The author seeks a link between these moving practices widely spread among workers and the other components of their ways of life. There are in fact different ways of life among workers and their determining factors are here brought forward : the individual's place in the division of labour, his kind of qualification (workmen by trade/ «fordian» workmen ) ; the former social structuring of the regional space now belonging to the labor basin of the big firms in Dunkerque.

Mobility phenomena are thus approached from the point of view of their determining factors as related to a way of life. If «way of life» is to be defined as the relation between consumption practices and production practices, it must be pointed out that the former are not immediately and mechanisticly determined by the latter.
La recherche sociologique. Pourquoi ?
Authors: Dreyfus Jacques
Published: October 2016

L'apport de la sociologie, contrairement à une affirmation souvent soutenue, ne va pas toujours dans le sens que l'on savait déjà et peut mettre en évidence les impasses d'une politique dont les effets risquent d'être exactement contraires à ceux que l'on souhaitait. J. Dreyfus montre en outre que les résultats des recherches sociologiques doivent être référés aux problématiques qui les sous-tendent et n'acquièrent pleinement leur sens que par rapport à l'ensemble théorique qui les a suscités. De plus, même un résultat chiffré, apparemment sans ambiguïté, et significatif par lui-même, nécessite une interprétation. Plusieurs exemples pris parmi des recherches récentes permettent de pousser la réflexion sur le «bon usage» de la recherche sociologique. Ainsi un travail récent conclut que 70 % des mal-logés ne s'estiment pas tels. S'agit-il vraiment d'une «cécité culturelle» des mal-logés sur leur sort comme l'avancent les auteurs ? Ce résultat conduit-il à mettre en cause toute une politique de l'amélioration des conditions de logement ? Plusieurs interprétations de ce résultat inattendu sont avancées. Une autre recherche sur les situations migratoires — la Fonction miroir — jette un jour nouveau non seulement sur les errements des politiques de normalisation dont ont bénéficié les habitants des bidonvilles, mais aussi sur la violence cachée inhérente à toute politique d'intégration de communautés en marge : il s'agit de «faire taire la tribu» et d'obliger l'immigré à vivre par lui-même, à accepter toutes sortes de frustrations et la solitude, alors qu'auparavant il était porté par le groupe et les voisins. Autre exemple analysé dans l'article : la recherche sur les effets de la multiplication des résidences secondaires dans les communes rurales — la Campagne inventée — conduit à une analyse des effets de l'introduction d'un logique urbaine (élaboration des plans d'occupation des sols) dans les communautés rurales. La recherche montre que chaque village, tout comme chaque communauté paysanne, constitue un cas particulier. La planification de l'espace rural demande un arsenal souple de moyens entre lesquels le sociologue aidera à choisir, s'il a su pénétrer les structures des communautés en cause.

Là encore, il faut craindre que des mesures apparemment logiques n'aient des effets allant exactement à l'encontre des objectifs poursuivis. Car que deviendraient les espaces naturels et agricoles sans des communautés paysannes vivantes ?
Recherche locale et pouvoir : L'expérience d'une équipe
Authors: Huet Armel
Published: October 2016

Local research and the power-structure. (Armel Huet, p.23-54)

In a certain number of French cities a social science research team has been able to carry out its investigations in a limited geographical field, but with a certain amount of continuity, by contributing in a significant way to the knowledge of local problems as well as to the transformation of the society in general with respect to town and regional planning. This article by Armel Huet deals with the example of the Rennes research team and treats the conditions of the researchers' integration into the local scene, the financing of the research — quite dependent on contractual research programs sponsored by the authorities — and its impact on the orientation and carrying out of the work. The development of a research program and the accumulation of analyses of a local society inevitably raise serious problems concerning relations with the authorities. Through his analyses of these problems, Armel Huet defines the specific characteristics of a «local research» in the social sciences : With the main aim of analyzing the basic problems of the society through a deep (and experienced) understanding of a particular geographical environment, it is nonetheless subordi- nated, within the national research system, to a «center» that is expected to produce the syntheses. The regional teams, equipped with the necessary means, should be in a position to «perfect the sciences», in the words of Montesquieu.

As an integral part of the scientific community, equipped with the necessary means by the national system, the regional teams must maintain a special relationship with the authorities who are also consumers of locally-produced knowledge. But they, on their part, should respect the independence of the research teams and their operating rules, accepting contradictory analyses and thus the right of the researchers to make mistakes (or to be right), encouraging and assisting the research without trying to control it.