bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Microbial Signature Provides Insight into the Mechanistic Basis of Coral Success across Reef Habitats
Authors: Hernandez-Agreda Alejandra , Leggat William , Bongaerts Pim , Ainsworth Tracy D.
Published: July 2016

For ecosystems vulnerable to environmental change, understanding the spatiotemporal stability of functionally crucial symbioses is fundamental to determining the mechanisms by which these ecosystems may persist. The coral
Pachyseris speciosa
is a successful environmental generalist that succeeds in diverse reef habitats. The generalist nature of this coral suggests it may have the capacity to form functionally significant microbial partnerships to facilitate access to a range of nutritional sources within different habitats. Here, we propose that coral is a metaorganism hosting three functionally distinct microbial interactions: a ubiquitous core microbiome of very few symbiotic host-selected bacteria, a microbiome of spatially and/or regionally explicit core microbes filling functional niches (<100 phylotypes), and a highly variable bacterial community that is responsive to biotic and abiotic processes across spatial and temporal scales (>100,000 phylotypes). We find that this coral hosts upwards of 170,000 distinct phylotypes and provide evidence for the persistence of a select group of bacteria in corals across environmental habitats of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. We further show that a higher number of bacteria are consistently associated with corals on mesophotic reefs than on shallow reefs. An increase in microbial diversity with depth suggests reliance by this coral on bacteria for nutrient acquisition on reefs exposed to nutrient upwelling. Understanding the complex microbial communities of host organisms across broad biotic and abiotic environments as functionally distinct microbiomes can provide insight into those interactions that are ubiquitous niche symbioses and those that provide competitive advantage within the hosts’ environment.

IMPORTANCE
Corals have been proposed as the most diverse microbial biosphere. The high variability of microbial communities has hampered the identification of bacteria playing key functional roles that contribute to coral survival. Exploring the bacterial community in a coral with a broad environmental distribution, we found a group of bacteria present across all environments and a higher number of bacteria consistently associated with mesophotic corals (60 to 80 m). These results provide evidence of consistent and ubiquitous coral-bacterial partnerships and support the consideration of corals as metaorganisms hosting three functionally distinct microbiomes: a ubiquitous core microbiome, a microbiome filling functional niches, and a highly variable bacterial community.
Randomised clinical study comparing the effectiveness and physiological effects of hypertonic and isotonic polyethylene glycol solutions for bowel cleansing
Authors: Yamano Hiro-o , Matsushita Hiro-o , Yoshikawa Kenjiro , Takagi Ryo , Harada Eiji , Tanaka Yoshihito , Nakaoka Michiko , Himori Ryogo , Yoshida Yuko , Satou Kentarou , Imai Yasushi
Published: July 2016

Objectives

Bowel cleansing is necessary before colonoscopy, but is a burden to patients because of the long cleansing time and large dose volume. A low-volume (2 L) hypertonic polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid solution (PEG-Asc) has been introduced, but its possible dehydration effects have not been quantitatively studied. We compared the efficacy and safety including the dehydration risk between hypertonic PEG-Asc and isotonic PEG regimens.

Design

This was an observer-blinded randomised study. Participants (n=310) were allocated to receive 1 of 3 regimens on the day of colonoscopy: PEG-Asc (1.5 L) and water (0.75 L) dosed with 1 split (PEG-Asc-S) or 4 splits (PEG-Asc-M), or PEG-electrolyte solution (PEG-ES; 2.25 L) dosed with no split. Dehydration was analysed by measuring haematocrit (Ht).

Results

The cleansing time using the hypertonic PEG-Asc-S (3.33±0.48 hours) was significantly longer than that with isotonic PEG-ES (3.05±0.56 hours; p<0.001). PEG-Asc-M (3.00±0.53 hours) did not have this same disadvantage. Successful cleansing was achieved in more than 94% of participants using each of the 3 regimens. The percentage changes in Ht from baseline (before dosing) to the end of dosing with PEG-Asc-S (3.53±3.32%) and PEG-Asc-M (4.11±3.07%) were significantly greater than that with PEG-ES (1.31±3.01%).

Conclusions

These 3 lower volume regimens were efficacious and had no serious adverse effects. Even patients cleansed with isotonic PEG-ES showed significant physiological dehydration at the end of dosing. The four-split PEG-Asc-M regimen is recommended because of its shorter cleansing time without causing serious nausea.

Trial registration number

UMIN000013103; Results.
Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds
Authors: Cupp Aaron R. , Erickson Richard A. , Fredricks Kim T. , Swyers Nicholas M. , Hatton Tyson W. , Amberg Jon J.
Published: July 2016

Resource managers need effective methods to prevent the movement of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. In this study, we evaluated dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) as a barrier and deterrent to silver (278 ± 30.5 mm) and bighead (212 ± 7.7 mm) carp movement in continuous-flow outdoor ponds. As a barrier, CO2 significantly reduced upstream movement but was not 100% effective at blocking fish passage. As a deterrent, we observed a significant shift away from areas of high CO2 relative to normal movement before and after injection. Carbon dioxide concentrations varied across the pond during injection and reached maximum concentrations of 74.5 ± 1.9 mg·L–1 CO2; 29 532 – 41 393 μatm (1 atm = 101.325 kPa) at the site of injection during three independent trials. We conclude that CO2 altered silver and bighead carp movement in outdoor ponds and recommend further research to determine barrier effectiveness during field applications.
Genetic stock identification of Atlantic salmon and its evaluation in a large population complex
Authors: Vähä Juha-Pekka , Erkinaro Jaakko , Falkegård Morten , Orell Panu , Niemelä Eero
Published: July 2016

Addressing biocomplexity in fisheries management is a challenge requiring an ability to differentiate among distinct populations contributing to fisheries. We produced extensive genetic baseline data involving 36 sampling locations and 33 microsatellite markers, which allowed characterization of the genetic structure and diversity in a large Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population complex of the River Teno system, northernmost Europe. Altogether, we identified 28 hierarchically structured and genetically distinct population segments (global FST= 0.065) corresponding exceptionally well with their geographical locations. An assessment of factors affecting the stock identification accuracy indicated that the identification success is largely defined by the interaction of genetic divergence and the baseline sample sizes. The choice between the two statistical methods tested for performance in genetic stock identification, ONCOR and cBAYES, was not critical, albeit the latter demonstrated slightly higher identification accuracy and lower sensitivity to population composition of the mixture sample. The strong genetic structuring among populations together with a powerful marker system allowed for accurate stock identification of individuals and enabled assessment of stock compositions contributing to mixed-stock fisheries.
Carbon sequestration potential of cropland reforestation on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains
Authors: Li Lu , Chang Yapeng , Li Xiaofei , Qiao Xuewei , Luo Qinghui , Xu Zeyuan , Xu Zhonglin
Published: July 2016

The effect of land-use changes on soil carbon stocks has been an increasing concern in the context of global climate change. Through natural reforestation programs, abandoned cropland holds the potential of sequestering soil organic carbon (SOC) if the original forest could be recovered. In this study, we initially delineated the potential distribution of forest species on the north slope of the Tianshan Mountains using species distribution models. We then estimated the corresponding sequestration potential of SOC in the area delineated for reforestation. The deforestated area of a Picea schrenkiana forest converted to cropland (PSC) was defined by the potential and actual distributions of forest and cropland. The SOC contents of the forest and cropland soils were obtained through field sampling and laboratory analysis. We found that the area of the PSC was 26.77 × 105 ha, and the SOC loss (per unit area) derived from the conversion of forestland to cropland was 171.70 ± 28.20 Mg ha−1. The total SOC loss from the study area was 459.70 ± 75.49 Tg. This result implies that continuing the reforestation programs being implemented in the study area would increase SOC by the same amount. Additionally, we also estimated the total amount of carbon that would be sequestered in the aboveground and underground forest biomass on former cropland.
Review of characterization methods for water-soluble polymers used in oil sand and heavy oil industrial applications
Authors: Wang Xiaomeng
Published: July 2016

Water-soluble polymers have been used in many applications in the oil sand and heavy oil industries, including drilling, enhanced oil recovery, tailings treatment, and water treatment. Because they are water soluble, residual polymer can remain with the aqueous phase, potentially leading to environmental impacts. Investigating the environmental fate of these water-soluble polymers is particularly important as they may be toxic to aquatic biota or terrestrial animal life. However, since polymers are somewhat complex because of their high molecular weight, there are many challenges in their measurement, especially in complex matrices. In this paper, polymers used in oilfield applications, particularly in the oil sand or heavy oil industries, are reviewed and various analytical methods for polymer characterization are compared.
New analytical forms of wave function in coordinate space and tensor polarization of deuteron
Authors: Zhaba V. I.
Published: July 2016

The coefficients of new analytical forms for the deuteron wave function (DWF) in coordinate space for NijmI, NijmII, Nijm93, Reid93 and Argonne v18 potentials have been numerically calculated. The obtained wave functions do not contain any superfluous knots. The designed parameters of the deuteron are in good agreement with the experimental and theoretical data. The tensor polarization [Formula: see text] calculated based on the wave functions is proportionate to the earlier published results.
A new approach to the classical and quantum dynamics of branes
Authors: Pavšič Matej
Published: July 2016

It is shown that the Dirac–Nambu–Goto brane can be described as a point particle in an infinite-dimensional brane space with a particular metric. This suggests a generalization to brane spaces with arbitrary metric, including the “flat” metric. Then quantization of such a system is straightforward: it is just like quantization of a bunch of noninteracting particles. This leads us to a system of a continuous set of scalar fields. For a particular choice of the metric in the space of fields we find that the classical Dirac–Nambu–Goto brane theory arises as an effective theory of such an underlying quantum field theory. Quantization of branes is important for the brane world scenarios, and thus for “quantum gravity.”
DYNAMICS OF COMPETING STRAINS WITH SATURATED INFECTIVITY AND MUTATION ON NETWORKS
Authors: WU QINGCHU , FU XINCHU
Published: July 2016

This paper deals with the dynamical behavior of a two-strain epidemic model in a complex network with saturated infectivity and mutation. The model is shown to exhibit the phenomena of strain coexistence where two epidemic strains co-exist and strain replacement where the strain with smaller basic reproduction number can become predominant. By using the stability and persistence theory of dynamical systems, we calculate the epidemic threshold, and show that above which at least one strain persists in a population, and also obtain the critical values to discriminate the strain coexistence and replacement. The results suggest that the newly mutated strain can spread in the population, even if it has a very small transmissivity.
REMARKS ON DIMENSIONS OF CARTESIAN PRODUCT SETS
Authors: WEI CHUN , WEN SHENGYOU , WEN ZHIXIONG
Published: July 2016

Given metric spaces [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], it is well known that [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] denote the Hausdorff, packing, lower box-counting, and upper box-counting dimension of [Formula: see text], respectively. In this paper, we shall provide examples of compact sets showing that the dimension of the product [Formula: see text] may attain any of the values permitted by the above inequalities. The proof will be based on a study on dimension of products of sets defined by digit restrictions.
WALL SHEAR STRESS AND OSCILLATORY SHEAR INDEX DISTRIBUTION IN CAROTID ARTERY WITH VARYING DEGREE OF STENOSIS: A HEMODYNAMIC STUDY
Authors: BASAVARAJA PRASHANTH , SURENDRAN ANISH , GUPTA AJAY , SABA LUCA , LAIRD JOHN R. , NICOLAIDES ANDREW , MTUI EDWARD E. , BARADARAN HEDIYEH , LAVRA FRANCESCO , SURI JASJIT S.
Published: July 2016

A significant proportion of cerebral stroke is a consequence of the arterial stenotic plaque rupture causing local thrombosis or distal embolization. The formation and subsequent rupture of the plaque depends on wall shear stress (WSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI). The purpose of the present study was to understand the effect of hemodynamics on the spatial and temporal variations of WSS and OSI using realistic models with varying degree of carotid artery stenosis (DOS). Multiple CT volumes were obtained from subjects in the carotid bifurcation zone and the 3D models were generated. A finite volume-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method was utilized to understand the hemodynamics in pulsatile flow conditions. It was observed that high stenosis models occupied a large value of normalized WSS in the internal carotid artery (ICA) whereas they had smaller values of normalized WSS in the common carotid artery (CCA). For clinical use, the authors recommend using the spatial average value of oscillatory shear rather than the maximum value for an accurate knowledge about the severity of stenosis. The resultant vorticity changes the direction of spin after the bifurcation zone. Additionally, we propose the use of limiting streamlines as a novel and convenient method to identify the disturbed flow regions that are prone to atherogenesis.
A hindered subphthalocyanine that forms crystals with included aromatic solvent but will not play ball with C60
Authors: Burt Luke A. , Bezzu C. Grazia , McMonagle Charlie J. , Moggach Stephen A. , McKeown Neil B.
Published: July 2016

A novel subphthalocyanine containing bulky substituents placed at its peripheral sites (i.e. 2,3,9,10,16,17-hexa(2′,6′-di-iso-propylphenoxy)boron subphthalocyanine) was prepared and assessed for supramolecular binding with C[Formula: see text], through crystallisation and fluorescence studies. Three different crystal polymorphs of the subphthalocyanine were obtained that showed inclusion of a single aromatic solvent molecule within the well-defined cavity of the molecule but complete exclusion of C[Formula: see text]. Analysis of the crystal structures indicated that the bowl-shaped cavity of the subphthalocyanine molecule was only accessible to small molecules due to the steric congestion surrounding the macrocycle, which results in hindered rotation of the substituents on the NMR timescale. Enhanced solubility, up to 42.0 g/L in common organic solvents, was demonstrated consistent with the crystal structures which are dominated by relatively weak intermolecular interactions, which allow solvent molecules to play a role in crystallisation.
Bench to bedside: the next steps for biomarkers in acute kidney injury
Authors: Pickering John W. , Endre Zoltan H.
Published: July 2016

No new biomarker of acute kidney injury (AKI) has entered routine clinical practice after a decade of promise, although liver-fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipoprotein (NGAL), and the combination of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) are approved for use in some jurisdictions. Acceptance of creatinine as a surrogate of not just glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but also renal injury, changes in nephrologist workloads, failure to establish the added value of each biomarker to current clinical variables across multiple clinical settings, the lack of treatment options, and simply an insufficient passage of time, have all contributed to the lack of progress. Future studies should establish reference intervals for biomarkers, associate biomarkers with meaningful clinical outcomes including mortality and development of chronic kidney disease, and assess the added value to clinical models. The real value of biomarkers will be determined with intervention trials that use an elevated biomarker to triage to treatment. Ideally, such treatments will be linked directly to the physiological processes, which the biomarker identifies.
Repetition priming of motor activity mediated by a central pattern generator: the importance of extrinsic vs. intrinsic program initiators
Authors: Siniscalchi Michael J. , Cropper Elizabeth C. , Jing Jian , Weiss Klaudiusz R.
Published: July 2016

Repetition priming is characterized by increased performance as a behavior is repeated. Although this phenomenon is ubiquitous, mediating mechanisms are poorly understood. We address this issue in a model system, the feeding network of Aplysia. This network generates both ingestive and egestive motor programs. Previous data suggest a chemical coding model: ingestive and egestive inputs to the feeding central pattern generator (CPG) release different modulators, which act via different second messengers to prime motor activity in different ways. The ingestive input to the CPG (neuron CBI-2) releases the peptides feeding circuit activating peptide and cerebral peptide 2, which produce an ingestive pattern of activity. The egestive input to the CPG (the esophageal nerve) releases the peptide small cardioactive peptide. This model is based on research that focused on a single aspect of motor control (radula opening). Here we ask whether repetition priming is observed if activity is triggered with a neuron within the core CPG itself and demonstrate that it is not. Moreover, previous studies demonstrated that effects of modulatory neurotransmitters that induce repetition priming persist. This suggests that it should be possible to “prime” motor programs triggered from within the CPG by first stimulating extrinsic modulatory inputs. We demonstrate that programs triggered after ingestive input activation are ingestive and programs triggered after egestive input activation are egestive. We ask where this priming occurs and demonstrate modifications within the CPG itself. This arrangement is likely to have important consequences for “task” switching, i.e., the cessation of one type of motor activity and the initiation of another.
Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Potential of Subthreshold Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Zhang Hong Yang , Qin Yong Jie , Yang Yang Fan , Xu Jian Gang , Yu Min Bin
Published: July 2016

Purpose.To compare the efficacy of subthreshold and conventional selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in the patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods.Fifty-two eyes from fifty-two POAG patients were randomized into two groups, one group treated with subthreshold SLT using two-thirds of the conventional energy and the other one treated with the conventional energy. IOP was measured with the Goldmann tonometer and the anterior chamber inflammation was determined using laser flare meter.Results.The initial energy dosage used in subthreshold SLT group was significantly lower than the amount of the energy used in conventional SLT group (0.4±0.1 mJ versus0.6±0.1 mJ,P=0.030). The total energy dosage was also significantly lower in subthreshold SLT group compared to the other group (37.6±3.3 mJ versus51.8±5.7 mJ,P=0.036). However, the level of inflammation in aqueous humor, amount of reduction in IOP, and the success rate in controlling IOP was the same in both groups.Conclusion.The efficacy of subthreshold SLT group in reducing IOP in POAG patients is comparable to the efficacy of conventional SLT group.
Esophageal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Assisted by an Overtube with a Traction Forceps: An Animal Study
Authors: Ohata Ken , Fu Kuangi , Sakai Eiji , Nonaka Kouichi , Tashima Tomoaki , Minato Yohei , Ohno Akiko , Ito Takafumi , Tsuji Yosuke , Chiba Hideyuki , Yamawaki Makoto , Hemmi Hideyuki , Nakaya Teruo , Fukushima Junichi , Matsuhashi Nobuyuki
Published: July 2016

Esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is technically difficult. To make it safer, we developed a novel method using overtube with a traction forceps (OTF) for countertraction during submucosal dissection. We conducted anex vivoanimal study and compared the clinical outcomes between OTF-ESD and conventional method (C-ESD). A total of 32 esophageal ESD procedures were performed by four beginner and expert endoscopists. After circumferential mucosal incision for the target lesion, structured as the isolated pig esophagus 3 cm long, either C-ESD or OTF-ESD was randomly selected for submucosal dissection. All the ESD procedures were completed as en bloc resections, while perforation only occurred in a beginner’s C-ESD procedure. The dissection time for OTF-ESD was significantly shorter than that for C-ESD for both the beginner and expert endoscopists (22.8±8.3 min versus7.8±4.5 min,P<0.001, and11.3±4.4 min versus5.9±2.5 min,P=0.01, resp.). The frequency and volume of the submucosal injections were significantly smaller for OTF-ESD than for C-ESD (1.3±0.6times versus2.9±1.5times,P<0.001, and5.3±2.8 mL versus15.6±7.3 mL,P<0.001, resp.). Histologically, muscular injury was more common among the C-ESD procedures (80% versus 13%,P=0.009). Our results indicated that the OTF-ESD technique is useful for the safe and easy completion of esophageal ESD.
Variability and Trend of Annual Maximum Daily Rainfall in Northern Algeria
Authors: Ghenim Abderrahmane Nekkache , Megnounif Abdesselam
Published: July 2016

The daily rainfall dataset of 35 weather stations covering the north of Algeria was studied for a period up to 43 years, recorded after 1970s. The variability and trends in annual maximum daily rainfall (AMDR) time series and their contributions in annual rainfall (AR) were investigated. The analysis of the series was based on statistical characteristics, Burn’s seasonality procedure, Mann-Kendall test, and linear regression technique. The contribution of the AMDR to AR analysis was subjected to both the Buishand test and the double mass curve technique. The AMDR characteristics reveal a strong temporal irregularity and have a wide frequency of occurrence in the months of November and December while the maximum intensity occurred in October. The observed phenomenon was so irregular that there was no dominant season and the occurrence of extreme event can arrive at any time of the year. The AMDR trends showed that only six of 35 stations have significant trend. For other stations, no clear trend was highlighted. This result was confirmed by the linear regression procedure. On the contrary, the contribution of AMDR in annual totals exhibited a significant increasing trend for 57% of the sites studied with a growth rate of up to 50%.
Some Aspects of Structural Modeling of Damage Accumulation and Fracture Processes in Metal Structures at Low Temperature
Authors: Lepov Valeriy , Grigoriev Albert , Achikasova Valentina , Lepova Kyunna
Published: July 2016

The problem of brittle fracture of structures at low temperature conditions connected to damage accumulation and ductile-brittle transition in metals. The data for locomotive tire contact impact fatigue and spalling are presented. The results of experimental testing showed the impact toughness drop at low temperature. The internal friction method was applied to revealing of the mechanism of dislocation microstructure changes during the low temperature ductile-brittle transition. It has been shown for the first time that the transition is not connected to interatomic interactions but stipulated by thermofluctuation on nucleus such as microcracks and by their further growth and coalescence. From now on, the proposed mechanism would be used for theoretical and numerical modeling of damage accumulation and fracture in materials.
Optimal Investment-Consumption Strategy under Inflation in a Markovian Regime-Switching Market
Authors: Wu Huiling
Published: July 2016

This paper studies an investment-consumption problem under inflation. The consumption price level, the prices of the available assets, and the coefficient of the power utility are assumed to be sensitive to the states of underlying economy modulated by a continuous-time Markovian chain. The definition of admissible strategies and the verification theory corresponding to this stochastic control problem are presented. The analytical expression of the optimal investment strategy is derived. The existence, boundedness, and feasibility of the optimal consumption are proven. Finally, we analyze in detail by mathematical and numerical analysis how the risk aversion, the correlation coefficient between the inflation and the stock price, the inflation parameters, and the coefficient of utility affect the optimal investment and consumption strategy.
Lack ofp53Augments Antitumor Functions in Cytolytic T Cells
Authors: Banerjee Anirban , Thyagarajan Krishnamurthy , Chatterjee Shilpak , Chakraborty Paramita , Kesarwani Pravin , Soloshchenko Myroslawa , Al-Hommrani Mazen , Andrijauskaite Kristina , Moxley Kelly , Janakiraman Harinarayanan , Scheffel Matthew J. , Helke Kristi , Armenson Kent , Palanisamy Viswanathan , Rubinstein Mark P. , Mayer Elizabeth-Garrett , Cole David J. , Paulos Chrystal M. , Voelkel-Johnson Christina , Nishimura Michael I. , Mehrotra Shikhar
Published: July 2016

Repetitive stimulation of T-cell receptor (TCR) with cognate antigen results in robust proliferation and expansion of the T cells, and also imprints them with replicative senescence signatures. Our previous studies have shown that life-span and antitumor function of T cells can be enhanced by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) or intervening with ROS-dependent JNK activation that leads to its activation-induced cell death. Because tumor suppressor protein p53 is also a redox active transcription factor that regulates cellular ROS generation that triggers downstream factor–mediating apoptosis, we determined if p53 levels could influence persistence and function of tumor-reactive T cells. Using h3T TCR transgenic mice, with human tyrosinase epitope–reactive T cells developed on p53 knockout (KO) background, we determined its role in regulating antitumor T-cell function. Our data show that as compared with h3T cells, h3T-p53 KO T cells exhibited enhanced glycolytic commitment that correlated with increased proliferation, IFNγ secretion, cytolytic capacity, expression of stemness gene signature, and decreased TGF-β signaling. This increased effector function correlated to the improved control of subcutaneously established murine melanoma after adoptive transfer of p53-KO T cells. Pharmacological inhibition of human TCR-transduced T cells using a combination of p53 inhibitors also potentiated the T-cell effector function and improved persistence. Thus, our data highlight the key role of p53 in regulating the tumor-reactive T-cell response and that targeting this pathway could have potential translational significance in adoptive T-cell therapy. Cancer Res; 76(18); 5229–40. ©2016 AACR.
Postmortem Study of Validation of Low Signal on Fat-Suppressed T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging as Marker of Lipid Core in Middle Cerebral Artery Atherosclerosis
Authors: Yang Wen-Jie , Chen Xiang-Yan , Zhao Hai-Lu , Niu Chun-Bo , Zhang Bing , Xu Yun , Wong Ka-Sing , Ng Ho-Keung
Published: July 2016

Background and Purpose—

High signal on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images in middle cerebral artery plaques on ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging was verified to be intraplaque hemorrhage histologically. However, the underlying plaque component of low signal on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images (LST1) has never been explored. Based on our experience, we hypothesized that LST1 might indicate the presence of lipid core within intracranial plaques.

Methods—

1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging was performed in the postmortem brains to scan the cross sections of bilateral middle cerebral arteries. Then middle cerebral artery specimens were removed for histology processing. LST1 presence was identified on magnetic resonance images, and lipid core areas were measured on the corresponding histology sections.

Results—

Total 76 middle cerebral artery locations were included for analysis. LST1 showed a high specificity (96.9%; 95% confidence interval, 82.0%–99.8%) but a low sensitivity (38.6%; 95% confidence interval, 24.7%–54.5%) for detecting lipid core of all areas. However, the sensitivity increased markedly (81.2%; 95% confidence interval, 53.7%–95.0%) when only lipid cores of area ≥0.80 mm
2
were included. Mean lipid core area was 5× larger in those with presence of LST1 than in those without (1.63±1.18 mm
2
versus 0.32±0.31 mm
2
;
P
=0.003).

Conclusions—

LST1 is a promising imaging biomarker of identifying intraplaque lipid core, which may be useful to distinguish intracranial atherosclerotic disease from other intracranial vasculopathies and to assess plaque vulnerability for risk stratification of patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease. In vivo clinical studies are required to explore the correlation between LST1 and clinical outcomes of patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease.
Multiple Infarcts Are Associated With Long-Term Stroke Recurrence and All-Cause Mortality in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients
Authors: Nezu Tomohisa , Mukai Tomoya , Uemura Junichi , Yamashita Mutsumi , Kitano Takaya , Wada Yuko , Yagita Yoshiki
Published: July 2016

Background and Purpose—

Brain infarct patterns that are observed via diffusion-weighted imaging are useful for classifying stroke subtypes. However, it is unclear whether infarct patterns can predict long-term outcomes in cryptogenic stroke patients. Herein, we investigated the association between acute brain infarct patterns and long-term stroke outcomes in cryptogenic stroke patients.

Methods—

Acute cryptogenic stroke patients were consecutively enrolled between April 2008 and March 2012. Diffusion-weighted imaging ischemic lesion patterns were classified as single lesions, scattered lesions in one vascular territory, or multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories. Survivors (at discharge) were followed up for 3 years after stroke onset.

Results—

A total of 272 cryptogenic stroke patients (132 women; aged 72±13 years) were enrolled. Among these patients, 169 (62.1%) had a single lesion, 38 (14.0%) had scattered lesions, and 65 (23.9%) had multiple lesions. Next, 261 patients (96.0%) were evaluated to assess right-to-left shunting, and 61 patients (23.4%) exhibited right-to-left shunting. On patient admission, right-to-left shunting and increased D-dimer levels were independently associated with multiple lesions but not single or scattered lesions. During the follow-up period (median, 1093 days), 30 patients (11.0%) developed recurrent stroke and 35 patients (12.9%) died. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that multiple infarcts were independently associated with recurrent stroke and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 3.79; 95% confidence interval, 2.24–6.37;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Multiple brain infarcts on diffusion-weighted imaging were independently associated with long-term stroke outcomes in cryptogenic stroke patients.
‘Bringing in Those Who Are Far’: Jewish Sociology and the Reconstruction of Jewish Life in Post-War Europe
Authors: Wallet Bart
Published: July 2016

Sociology played a major role in the reconstruction of European Jewry after 1945. It offered a putatively objective language, enabling Jews of different religious and political leanings to collaborate. With Jewish communities having been devastated by the war, policy makers now sought quantitative data regarding composition, orientation, and the needs of these populations. Through institutions, journals and conferences, American Jewish theories, and models were transferred to Europe, but were channelled for a distinct function. Demographic research and Jewish community centres were developed with the goal of locating and attracting ‘marginal Jews’ so as to reconnect them to community life. Jewish sociology in post-war Europe was part of a major effort towards reconstruction of Jewish communities; this effort was based on scientific methods and aimed at ‘saving’ all remaining Jews for the greater Jewish cause.
The Sociological Myth: A 1954 Controversy on Secularization Narratives
Authors: Paul Herman
Published: July 2016

The term ‘sociology’ in 1950s theological discourse had connotations far beyond the field known as pastoral sociology. When in 1954 the Dutch theologian Henk Berkhof criticized “the sociological myth” that he saw permeating the churches in his country, at stake was not the legitimacy of pastoral sociology such as practiced by Wim Banning, among others, but the missionary priorities of churches in societies increasingly perceived as ‘modern’ and ‘secular.’ This article shows that, for Berkhof, ‘sociology’ was synonymous to a ‘quantitative’ mode of thinking that manifested itself most prominently in secularization narratives of a sort popularized by reform-oriented missionary theologians such as Hans Hoekendijk. A close reading of the debate following Berkhof’s attack on “the sociological myth” reveals that ‘sociology’ served as shorthand for sustained attention to the questions and concerns of “modern men,” which in turn presupposed a rather untraditional understanding of the relation between ‘church’ and ‘world’ as well as a historicist account of the relation between past and present.
The Lasting Impact of the ‘Sociological Moment’ on the Churches’ Discourse of ‘Secularization’ in West Germany
Authors: Mittmann Thomas
Published: July 2016

This paper focuses on the effect of the religious sociology on the churches’ discourse of “secularization.” The research results refer to transformations within the Catholic and Protestant Church(es) in West Germany since the 1950s. At this point the purpose is not to give comprehensive insight into that topic. Rather, a few general trends are to be considered here.

The secularization discourses within the West German Churches can be described as a periodization with three stages. In the period from 1945 to the late 1950s “secularization” was used to give an orientation after the devastating experiences of the Second World War. The concept was at that stage most understood in the classical meaning of a religious decline. “Secularization” was the mirror-image of past, present, and more importantly, the future. The chance of a religious revival on the one hand and the fear of a godless communism on the other hand were the main topics of the secularization discourse in the postwar period.

In the 1960s we can find a kind of “theologization” of “secularization.” Based on the work of theologians such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paul Tillich, and Friedrich Gogarten it was the aim to integrate a changed understanding of “secularization” in the sense of a necessary “Verweltlichung” or “Weltlichkeit” into a “modern” and future oriented church model. The churchly debate was influenced and inspired by the general politicization of the West German society.

The third period began in the 1970s, but was fully developed in the 1980s. The secularization discourse followed the trend of a scientification of the Churches. The definition of “secularization” was more and more affected by sociological patterns and the theological dimension moved into the background. The churchly discussion benefited primarily from the extension of Church Sociology to Sociology of Religions. This impact of the “sociological moment” improved the future prospects of the Churches, as long as they were willing to adapt to modern society by changing their symbolic, ritual, and institutional form. Already, at the end of the 1970s the first indications of a changed perception of the significance of religion were seen. This also involved attempts to replace the theory of secularization with more plausible accounts of the future of religion.
Effects of Southeastern Pacific Sea Surface Temperature on the Double-ITCZ Bias in NCAR CESM1
Authors: Song Fengfei , Zhang Guang J.
Published: July 2016

The double intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is a long-standing bias in the climatology of coupled general circulation models (CGCMs). The warm biases in southeastern Pacific (SEP) sea surface temperature (SST) are also evident in many CGCMs. In this study, the role of SEP SST in the double ITCZ is investigated by prescribing the observed SEP SST in the Community Earth System Model, version 1 (CESM1). Both the double ITCZ and dry equator problems are significantly improved with SEP SST prescribed. Both atmospheric and oceanic processes are involved in the improvements. The colder SST over the SEP decreases the precipitation, which enhances the southeasterly winds outside the prescribed SST region, cooling the ocean via increased evaporation. The enhanced descending motion over the SEP strengthens the Walker circulation. The easterly winds over the equatorial Pacific enhance upwelling and shoal the thermocline over the eastern Pacific. The changes of surface wind and wind curl lead to a weaker South Equatorial Countercurrent and stronger South Equatorial Current, preventing the warm water from expanding eastward, thereby improving both the double ITCZ and dry equator. The enhanced Walker circulation also increases the low-level wind convergence and reduces the wind speed in the tropical western Pacific, leading to warmer SST and stronger convection there. The stronger convection in turn leads to more cloud and reduces the incoming solar radiation, cooling the SST. These competing effects between radiative heat flux and latent heat flux make the atmospheric heat flux secondary to the ocean dynamics in the western Pacific warming.
Elemental Detection of Cerium and Gadolinium in Aqueous Aerosol Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Authors: Williams Ammon N. , Phongikaroon Supathorn
Published: July 2016

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to detect and measure the concentrations of Ce and Gd in aqueous aerosol solutions. A total of 36 standards, with concentrations of Ce and Gd ranging from 100 parts per million (ppm) to 10 000 ppm, were made to explore the relationship between them. In this study, a Collison nebulizer with an argon carrier gas was used to generate the aerosol droplets. For each liquid sample, ten repetitions of 200 laser shots each were recorded. The percent relative standard deviations (%RSD) were on an average of 7.5% between the ten different sample repetitions. Due to the close proximity of the Ce and Gd lines, it was challenging to identify peaks with low interferences. However, several lines were identified, calibration curves were constructed, and the best curves were generated using the 457.228 nm line for Ce and the 409.861 nm line for Gd. The LODs for these curves were calculated to be 209.7 ppm and 216.4 ppm for the Ce line and Gd line, respectively.
Improving moisture absorbent and transfer abilities by modifying superfine fiber synthetic leather base with collagen-chrome tannins
Authors: Wang Xuechuan , Xu Na , Guo Peiying , Wang Qiang
Published: July 2016

The superfine fiber synthetic leather base (SFSLB) is composed of the two components of nylon fibers and polyurethane. SFSLB has excellent performance, especially in terms of mechanical properties. However, compared with native leather, SFSLB has a hot feeling due to its poor moisture absorbent and transfer abilities. So our study proposed a method of grafting collagen-chrome tannins (C-CrT) on nylon fiber in the SFSLB for improving the moisture absorbent and transfer abilities. A three-step surface modification was developed, involving washing pretreatment, sulfuric acid hydrolysis and grafting of C-CrT on SFSLB. The dosage of sulfuric acid and chrome tannins, bath ratio, reaction temperature and the time for collagen permeation and chrome tannin cross-linking were optimized via single-factor experiments. Their efficiency was determined by measuring static water-vapor transmission rate (SWVT) and liquid wicking rate. The results showed that the dosage of sulfuric acid was 15% and chrome tannins was 5%, the bath ratio was 1500%, the reaction temperature was 60℃ and the time for collagen permeation and chrome tannin cross-linking was 3 hours. Under this condition, the SWVT of modified SFSLB was 986 g/m2 · 24 h, and the liquid wicking rate was 1.323 mm/s. Compared with untreated SFSLB, the SWVT and liquid wicking rate of modified SFSLB were improved by 90.35% and 344%, respectively. The static state contact angle, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used for the determination of sample surface performance, morphology and chemical composition, and states before and after treatment, respectively.
The Recent Occupation and Industry Employment Patterns of American Veterans
Authors: Schulker David
Published: July 2016

Programs aiming to ease the transition from military to civilian life have increasingly focused on specific occupation areas where veteran skills might overlap with civilian job requirements. This research uses the American Community Survey to examine the occupations and industries that veterans tend to work in as well as how veteran incomes compare to similar nonveterans in each area. Results show that veterans tend to seek civilian occupations where military experience is likely to apply, as areas of veteran overrepresentation echo technical military functions. Furthermore, veterans generally tend to earn higher incomes than similar nonveterans in these areas of potential military–civilian overlap, but most income differences are relatively moderate. The results imply that programs encouraging transitioning military members to find a civilian occupation that is similar to their military experience may better assist those in military occupations with clear civilian applications.
Civil obedience and disobedience
Authors: Cooke Maeve
Published: July 2016

This article offers a general framework for thinking about civil disobedience as transformative political action. Positing authority as the mode of power corresponding to obedience, and authority and freedom as internally related, it proposes a model of freedom and political authority as a basis for this framework. The framework is sufficiently general to allow for context-dependent variations – for example, as to whether publicity or non-violence is required – while specifying a view of civil disobedience as transformative action driven by a constellation of ethical, legal and political concerns. A reconfigured conception of conscience has a place within this account, but is not an indispensable element.
Gabapentin for Perioperative Analgesia in Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Authors: Sanders James G. , Dawes Patrick J. D.
Published: July 2016

Objective

Recent research has investigated the role of gabapentin in perioperative pain relief in otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery. This review aims to identify whether sufficient evidence exists for the routine use of gabapentin in the perioperative setting.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, and Google Scholar.

Review Methods

A comprehensive systematic search was performed with keywords for articles up to November 2015. The systematic review included all randomized, placebo‐, and active‐controlled trials investigating the role of perioperative gabapentin for pain in otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery. The studies were assessed for risk of bias and selected and reviewed by the main author. Selected trials were required to have data in the form of pain intensity scores, analgesic consumption, adverse effects, or return to normal function.

Results

A total of 14 randomized controlled trials were included, of which 4 had an active control. The placebo‐controlled trials included 4 for tonsillectomy, 3 for rhinology, and 3 for thyroidectomy. These studies were not suitable for meta‐analysis. Trial quality involving gabapentin in tonsillectomy surgery is variable. The higher‐quality studies reported significantly reduced analgesic consumption in the gabapentin groups, with the effect on pain scores less clear. There was a significant benefit, within the first 24 hours, in pain and analgesic consumption as compared with placebo favoring the gabapentin groups following rhinologic and thyroid surgery.

Conclusion

Overall, gabapentin appears to have a significant beneficial effect on perioperative pain relief and analgesic consumption in otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery procedures within the first 24 hours.
A long-living case of carotid aneurysm caused by inflammatory leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Morita Ichiro , Isoda Ryuutaro , Hirabayashi Youko , Naomoto Yoshio
Published: July 2016

We report here on a long-surviving patient with a vascular leiomyosarcoma arising in the right common carotid artery, and some possible reasons for the long-term survival. The patient was a 40-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a right common carotid aneurysm and underwent aneurysmectomy with graft replacement. Two years and nine months after her surgery, she developed a cerebral infarction and left hemiparesis due to graft occlusion, but later achieved functional recovery through physical rehabilitation. She has been alive for 20 years since her surgery.
Quantifying reperfusion of the ischemic region on whole-brain computed tomography perfusion
Authors: Lin Longting , Cheng Xin , Bivard Andrew , Levi Christopher R , Dong Qiang , Parsons Mark W
Published: July 2016

To derive the reperfusion index best predicting clinical outcome of ischemic stroke patients, we retrospectively analysed the acute and 24-h computed tomography perfusion data of 116 patients, collected from two centres equipped with whole-brain computed tomography perfusion. Reperfusion index was defined by the percentage of the ischemic region reperfused from acute to 24-h computed tomography perfusion. Recanalization was graded by arterial occlusive lesion system. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of reperfusion and recanalization in predicting good clinical outcome, defined as modified Rankin Score of 0–2 at 90 days. Among previous reported reperfusion measurements, reperfusion of the Tmax>6 s region resulted in higher prognostic value than recanalization at predicting good clinical outcome (area under the curve = 0.88 and 0.74, respectively, p = 0.002). Successful reperfusion of the Tmax>6 s region (≥60%) had 89% sensitivity and 78% specificity in predicting good clinical outcome. A reperfusion index defined by Tmax>2 s or by mean transit time>145% had much lower area under the curve in comparison to Tmax>6 s measurement (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), and had no significant difference to recanalization at predicting clinical outcome (p = 0.58 and 0.63, respectively). In conclusion, reperfusion index calculated by Tmax>6 s is a stronger predictor of clinical outcome than recanalization or other reperfusion measures.