bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Interesting Case of Life-Threatening Hypercalcemia Secondary to Atypical Parathyroid Adenoma versus Parathyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Mishra Ankur , Newman David
Published: May 2014

Context.Severe hypercalcemia is a life-threatening condition. Atypical parathyroid adenoma and parathyroid carcinomas are uncommon causes which can be difficult to differentiate.Objective.We report a case of a 36-year-old male with very high serum calcium due to a possible atypical parathyroid adenoma versus parathyroid carcinoma.Case Illustration.A serum calcium level of 23.2 mg/dl was noted on admission. He was initially treated with IV hydration, pamidronate, and salmon calcitonin to lower his calcium levels. He also underwent a surgical en bloc resection of parathyroid mass. Pathology showed a mixed picture consistent with possible atypical adenoma versus parathyroid carcinoma. However, due to the possible involvement of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, parathyroid carcinoma was more likely. Also after operation the patient developed hungry bones syndrome and his calcium was replaced vigorously. He continues to be on calcium, vitamin D, and calcitriol supplementation.Results.A review of the literature was conducted to identify previous studies pertaining to parathyroid adenomas and parathyroid cancer.Conclusion.We thereby conclude that hypercalcemia requires very careful monitoring especially after operation. Also it can be very difficult to distinguish between atypical parathyroid adenomas and parathyroid carcinomas as in our case and no clear cut guidelines yet exist to differentiate the two based on histology.
Synthesis, Characterization, X-Ray Crystal Structure, and Antimicrobial Activity of 1,1′-(3,4-Diphenylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl)diethanone
Authors: Mabkhot Yahia Nasser , Aldawsari Fahad D. , Al-Showiman S. S. , Barakat Assem , Choudhary M. Iqbal , Yousuf Sammer
Published: May 2014

Synthesis of 1,1′-(3,4-diphenylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl)diethanone (4) is reported here. The structure of compound4was deduced by1H-NMR,13C-NMR, FT-IR, MS, microanalysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP21/nwitha= 9.3126(7) Å,b= 9.5867(7) Å,c= 20.2811(15) Å,α= 90°,β= 95.436(2)°,γ= 90°,V= 1802.5(2) Å3, andZ= 4. The molecules are packed in crystal structure by weak intermolecular C10–H10A⋯ S1 hydrogen bonding interactions. Compound4can be a useful intermediate for the synthesis of diphenylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene. Compound4was found to be active against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilisandStaphylococcus pneumoniae) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and also was found to be active against fungi (Aspergillus fumigatusandCandida albicans).
Investigation of PACAP Fragments and Related Peptides in Chronic Retinal Hypoperfusion
Authors: Werling Dora , Reglodi Dora , Kiss Peter , Toth Gabor , Szabadfi Krisztina , Tamas Andrea , Biro Zsolt , Atlasz Tamas
Published: May 2014

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) has neuroprotective effects in different neuronal and retinal injuries. Retinal ischemia can be effectively modelled by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO), which causes chronic hypoperfusion-induced degeneration in the entire rat retina. The retinoprotective effect of PACAP 1-38 and VIP is well-established in ischemic retinopathy. However, little is known about the effects of related peptides and PACAP fragments in ischemic retinopathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential retinoprotective effects of different PACAP fragments (PACAP 4-13, 4-22, 6-10, 6-15, 11-15, and 20-31) and related peptides (secretin, glucagon) in BCCAO-induced ischemic retinopathy. Wistar rats (3-4 months old) were used in the experiment. After performing BCCAO, the right eyes of the animals were treated with PACAP fragments or related peptides intravitreal (100 pM), while the left eyes were injected with saline serving as control eyes. Sham-operated (without BCCAO) rats received the same treatment. Routine histology was performed 2 weeks after the surgery; cells were counted and the thickness of retinal layers was compared. Our results revealed significant neuroprotection by PACAP 1-38 but did not reveal retinoprotective effect of the PACAP fragments or related peptides. These results suggest that PACAP 1-38 has the greatest efficacy in ischemic retinopathy.
Meta-Analysis of Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR) rs2228671 Polymorphism and Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Ye Huadan , Zhao Qianlei , Huang Yi , Wang Lingyan , Liu Haibo , Wang Chunming , Dai Dongjun , Xu Leiting , Ye Meng , Duan Shiwei
Published: May 2014

Low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) can regulate cholesterol metabolism by removing the excess low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood. Since cholesterol metabolism is often disrupted in coronary heart disease (CHD),LDLRas a candidate gene of CHD has been intensively studied. The goal of our study is to evaluate the overall contribution ofLDLRrs2228671 polymorphism to the risk of CHD by combining the genotyping data from multiple case-control studies. Our meta-analysis is involved with 8 case-control studies among 7588 cases and 9711 controls to test the association betweenLDLRrs2228671 polymorphism and CHD. In addition, we performed a case-control study ofLDLRrs2228671 polymorphism with the risk of CHD in Chinese population. Our meta-analysis showed that rs2228671-T allele was significantly associated with a reduced risk of CHD (P=0.0005, odds ratio (OR) = 0.83, and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.75–0.92). However, rs2228671-T allele frequency was rare (1%) and was not associated with CHD in Han Chinese (P=0.49), suggesting an ethnic difference ofLDLRrs2228671 polymorphism. Meta-analysis has established rs2228671 as a protective factor of CHD in Europeans. The lack of association in Chinese reflects an ethnic difference of this genetic variant between Chinese and European populations.
Dynamical Behavior and Stability Analysis in a Hybrid Epidemiological-Economic Model with Incubation
Authors: Liu Chao , Yue Wenquan , Liu Peiyong
Published: May 2014

A hybrid SIR vector disease model with incubation is established, where susceptible host population satisfies the logistic equation and the recovered host individuals are commercially harvested. It is utilized to discuss the transmission mechanism of infectious disease and dynamical effect of commercial harvest on population dynamics. Positivity and permanence of solutions are analytically investigated. By choosing economic interest of commercial harvesting as a parameter, dynamical behavior and local stability of model system without time delay are studied. It reveals that there is a phenomenon of singularity induced bifurcation as well as local stability switch around interior equilibrium when economic interest increases through zero. State feedback controllers are designed to stabilize model system around the desired interior equilibria in the case of zero economic interest and positive economic interest, respectively. By analyzing corresponding characteristic equation of model system with time delay, local stability analysis around interior equilibrium is discussed due to variation of time delay. Hopf bifurcation occurs at the critical value of time delay and corresponding limit cycle is also observed. Furthermore, directions of Hopf bifurcation and stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions are studied. Numerical simulations are carried out to show consistency with theoretical analysis.
Neural Network Inverse Model Control Strategy: Discrete-Time Stability Analysis for Relative Order Two Systems
Authors: Hussain M. A. , Mohd Ali Jarinah , Khan M. J. H.
Published: May 2014

This paper discusses the discrete-time stability analysis of a neural network inverse model control strategy for a relative order two nonlinear system. The analysis is done by representing the closed loop system in state space format and then analyzing the time derivative of the state trajectory using Lyapunov’s direct method. The analysis shows that the tracking output error of the states is confined to a ball in the neighborhood of the equilibrium point where the size of the ball is partly dependent on the accuracy of the neural network model acting as the controller. Simulation studies on the two-tank-in-series system were done to complement the stability analysis and to demonstrate some salient results of the study.
Stochastic Modeling and Analysis with Energy Optimization for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Xu DongHong , Wang Ke
Published: May 2014

Due to the battery limitation of wireless sensor network (WSN), there is imperative requirement of energy saving and optimization in practical application of WSN. In order to optimize the energy of WSN, in this paper, a stochastic energy model for WSN is proposed. The model is based on the continuous time Markovian decision processes (CMDP) machine and spans both energy consumption and ensued transition costs. We use PRISM to analyze stochastic CMDP strategies of sensor devices as the formal framework. Simulation experiment is carried out to evaluate the model with given performance criteria. The result shows that the given model can effectively balance energy optimization and perform with high efficiency in WSN.
Tract-Based Spatial Statistics: Application to Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Wai Yau-Yau , Hsu Wen-Chuin , Fung Hon-Chung , Lee Jiann-Der , Chan Hsiao-Lung , Tsai Ming-Lun , Lin Yu-Chun , Wu Yih-Ru , Ying Leslie , Wang Jiun-Jie
Published: May 2014

Rationale and Objectives. The primary objective of the current investigation was to characterize white matter integrity in different subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using tract-based spatial statistics of diffusion tensor imaging.Materials and Methods. The study participants were divided into 4 groups of 30 subjects each as follows: cognitively healthy controls, amnestic MCI, dysexecutive MCI, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). All subjects underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, apolipoprotein E genotyping, and 3-tesla MRI. The diffusion tensor was reconstructed and then analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics. The changes in brain white matter tracts were also examined according to the apolipoprotein Eε4 status.Results. Compared with controls, amnestic MCI patients showed significant differences in the cerebral white matter, where changes were consistently detectable in the frontal and parietal lobes. We found a moderate impact of the apolipoprotein Eε4 status on the extent of white matter disruption in the amnestic MCI group. Patients with AD exhibited similar but more extensive alterations, while no significant changes were observed in dysexecutive MCI patients.Conclusion. The results from this study indicate that amnestic MCI is the most likely precursor to AD as both conditions share significant white matter damage. By contrast, dysexecutive MCI seems to be characterized by a distinct pathogenesis.
Correlation of Altered Expression of the Autophagy Marker LC3B with Poor Prognosis in Astrocytoma
Authors: Winardi Daniel , Tsai Hung-Pei , Chai Chee-Yin , Chung Chia-Li , Loh Joon-Khim , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Hsieh Ching-Liang
Published: May 2014

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most serious malignant brain tumors and is characterized by resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Recent studies suggest that autophagy may play an important role not only in the regulation of cancer development and progression but also in determining the response of cancer cells to anticancer therapy. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between protein expressions of two autophagy markers, LC3B and Beclin-1, with clinical parameters in astrocytoma patients. Furthermore, the expression of CD133, a marker of the cancer stem-like cells, in astrocytoma patients was also investigated. A total of 106 thin-section slides were retrospectively collected from astrocytoma patients. LC3B, but not Beclin-1, protein expression was found to significantly correlate with resistance to radiation- or chemotherapy. In addition, high intensity of LC3B staining was predictive of poor prognosis. Furthermore, survival time of patients with high-level expression in both CD133 and LC3B was significantly shorter than those with weak expression in both CD133 and LC3B. These results suggest that astrocytoma cancer stem-like cells together with enhanced autophagy may cause resistance to radiation therapy/chemotherapy and that targeting the cancer stem-like cell in astrocytoma may offer a viable therapeutic approach.
C-Kit Expression, Angiogenesis, and Grading in Canine Mast Cell Tumour: A Unique Model to Study C-Kit Driven Human Malignancies
Authors: Patruno Rosa , Marech Ilaria , Zizzo Nicola , Ammendola Michele , Nardulli Patrizia , Gadaleta Claudia , Introna Marcello , Capriuolo Gennaro , Rubini Rosa Angela , Ribatti Domenico , Gadaleta Cosmo Damiano , Ranieri Girolamo
Published: May 2014

Canine cutaneous mast cell tumour (CMCT) is a c-Kit driven tumour sharing similar c-Kit aberrations found in human gastrointestinal stromal tumour. CMCT is classified into three forms: well- (G1), intermediately (G2) (more benign diseases), and poorly (G3) differentiated (malignant) forms. We assess a correlation between c-Kit status, grading, and angiogenesis in CMCTs to explore their potential significance in humans. C-Kit receptor (c-KitR) expression, microvascular density (MVD), and mast cell granulated and degranulated status density (MCGD and MCDD, resp.) were analyzed in 97 CMCTs, by means of histochemistry, immunohistochemistry double staining, and image analysis system. Data showed that predominantly diffuse cytoplasmic- and predominantly focal paranuclear- (Golgi-like) c-Kit protein (PDC-c-Kit and PFP-c-Kit, resp.) expression correlate with high MVD, G3 histopathological grade, and MCDD. Moreover, predominant cell membrane-c-KitR (PCM-c-KitR) expression status correlates with low MVD, G1-G2 histopathological grade, and MCGD. These findings underline the key role of c-Kit in the biopathology of canine MCTs, indicating a link between aberrant c-Kit expression, increased angiogenesis, and higher histopathological grade. CMCT seems to be a model to study contributions of c-Kit activated MCs in tumour angiogenesis and to evaluate the inhibition of MCs activation by means of c-Kit tyrosine kinase inhibitors, currently translated in humans.
Contaminated Pond Water Favors Cholera Outbreak at Haibatpur Village, Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India
Authors: Biswas Dilip Kumar , Bhunia Rama , Maji Dipankar , Das Palash
Published: May 2014

Health workers reported an increased number of diarrhea cases at Haibatpur village on June 17, 2012. This outbreak was investigated with the followingobjectives: to confirm the existence of diarrhea outbreak, to find out the risk factors, and propose control measures. Cases were listed; spot map and epidemic curve were drawn. Attack rate was calculated by age and sex and risk factors were found out by calculating odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Rectal swabs were taken and water specimens were collected for laboratory test. Forty-one cases of patients were identified with overall attack rate (AR) was 5% (41/780). AR among men was higher 6% (25/404) than women. There was no death.V. cholerae01 Eltor Ogawa was isolated from one (1/4) stool specimen. Spot map showed cases clustered around two ponds which were contaminated with coliform organisms. The underground water was a bit saline in nature. Using pond water for preparation of fermented rice (Panta Bhat) (OR 4.73, 95% CI 1.69–13.51), washing utensil in pond water (OR 7.31, 95% CI 1.77–42.29) were associated with cholera outbreak. Health education was done to villagers. Disinfection of two ponds with bleaching powder was done. We proposed supplying of safe drinking water and repairing defective deep tube well to village.
On the Free Vibration Modeling of Spindle Systems: A Calibrated Dynamic Stiffness Matrix
Authors: Gaber Omar , Hashemi Seyed M.
Published: May 2014

The effect of bearings on the vibrational behavior of machine tool spindles is investigated. This is done through the development of a calibrated dynamic stiffness matrix (CDSM) method, where the bearings flexibility is represented by massless linear spring elements with tuneable stiffness. A dedicated MATLAB code is written to develop and to assemble the element stiffness matrices for the system’s multiple components and to apply the boundary conditions. The developed method is applied to an illustrative example of spindle system. When the spindle bearings are modeled as simply supported boundary conditions, the DSM model results in a fundamental frequency much higher than the system’s nominal value. The simply supported boundary conditions are then replaced by linear spring elements, and the spring constants are adjusted such that the resulting calibrated CDSM model leads to the nominal fundamental frequency of the spindle system. The spindle frequency results are also validated against the experimental data. The proposed method can be effectively applied to predict the vibration characteristics of spindle systems supported by bearings.
Positive Solutions for Coupled Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Liu Wenning , Yan Xingjie , Qi Wei
Published: May 2014

We consider the existence of positive solutions for a coupled system of nonlinear fractional differential equations with integral boundary values. Assume the nonlinear term is superlinear in one equation and sublinear in the other equation. By constructing two conesK1,K2and computing the fixed point index in product coneK1×K2, we obtain that the system has a pair of positive solutions. It is remarkable that it is established on the Cartesian product of two cones, in which the feature of two equations can be opposite.
Pharmacopuncture for Cancer Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cheon Soyeon , Zhang Xiuyu , Lee In-Seon , Cho Seung-Hun , Chae Younbyoung , Lee Hyangsook
Published: May 2014

Background. Pharmacopuncture, injection to acupoints with pharmacological medication or herbal medicine, is a new acupuncture therapy widely available in Korea and China for cancer‐related symptoms. However, the evidence is yet to be clear. Objective. To determine pharmacopuncture’s effectiveness on cancer‐related symptoms. Methods. Eleven databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of pharmacopuncture in cancer patients. The Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) assessment tool was used for quality assessment. Results. Twenty‐two studies involving 2,459 patients were included. Five trials of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) underwent meta‐analysis. Pharmacopuncture significantly relieved severity of CINV compared with control group (3 trials, risk ratio (RR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14–1.44). The frequency of CINV was also significantly reduced with pharmacopuncture (2 trials, RR 2.47, 95% CI = 2.12–2.89). Seventeen trials studied various symptoms, and in most studies, pharmacopuncture significantly relieved pain, ileus, hiccup, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms and improved quality of life in various cancer patients. ROB was generally high. Conclusion. It may be suggested with caution that pharmacopuncture may help various symptom relief in cancer patients, but it is hard to draw a firm conclusion due to clinical heterogeneity and high ROB of the included studies, hence warranting further investigation.
A Wideband Printed Directional Antenna Array with Impedance Regulating Load
Authors: Kang Chun-Ying , Lin Shu , Jing Li-Wen , Tian Yu , Dong Jia-Xin , Lu Jia
Published: May 2014

We proposed a broadband directional antenna array working at mobile communication frequency band, which achieves a relative bandwidth of 50.7%. This binary antenna array is fed by two branches of the balanced microstrip. To enhance the antenna bandwidth, we introduced a section of loading metal strip. The antenna prototype has aS11lower than −10 dB within the 1.5 GHz to 2.52 GHz frequency band, particularly from 2.01 GHz to 2.50 GHz, theS11is lower than −15 dB. The gain varies with relatively small variation within the working band, which is 5.4 dBi to 8.7 dBi.
Insomnia in Sweden: A Population-Based Survey
Authors: Mallon Lena , Broman Jan-Erik , Åkerstedt Torbjörn , Hetta Jerker
Published: May 2014

Aims. Estimate the prevalence of insomnia and examine effects of sex, age, health problems, sleep duration, need for treatment, and usage of sleep medication.Methods. A sample of 1,550 subjects aged 18–84 years was selected for a telephone interview. The interview was completed by 1,128 subjects (72.8%).Results. 24.6% reported insomnia symptoms. Insomnia disorder, that is, insomnia symptoms and daytime consequences, was reported by 10.5%. The prevalence was similar among all age groups, with the exception of women aged 40–49 years who demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence, 21.6%. Having at least one physical or psychiatric disorder was reported by 82.8% of subjects with insomnia disorder. Mean sleep duration for subjects with insomnia disorder was 5.77 hours on weeknights and 7.03 hours on days off/weekends. The corresponding figures for subjects without insomnia disorder were 7.04 hours and 7.86 hours, respectively. Among those with insomnia disorder 62.5% expressed a need for treatment, and 20.0% used prescribed sleep medication regularly.Conclusions. Insomnia disorder is highly prevalent in the population. There are significant associations between insomnia disorder and physical and psychiatric disorders. A majority of subjects with insomnia disorder expressed a need for treatment, indicating a public health problem.
Serum Leptin Levels in Pemphigus: A Case Control Study
Authors: Mozafari Nikoo , Robati Reza M. , Younespour Shima
Published: May 2014

Background. Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease mediated by autoantibodies directed against keratinocyte adhesion molecules. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, plays a role in immune responses and promotes autoimmunity.Objectives. This study was conducted to determine whether serum leptin levels are altered in pemphigus patients and whether there is any correlation between leptin levels and the severity of disease.Methods. This study included 47 newly diagnosed patients with pemphigus and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Clinical characteristics and pemphigus area and activity score (PAAS) were assessed. Serum leptin levels (ng/mL) were measured by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results. Patients did not differ significantly in serum leptin levels from healthy controls (median (range): 10.8 (0.1–110) ng/mL versus 12 (0.5–69.9) ng/mL andP=0.53). There was no significant association between serum leptin concentrations and severity of disease measured by PAAS (rs=0.06,P=0.70).Conclusion. The results suggest that pemphigus does not have a direct influence on serum leptin levels and the pathogenesis of pemphigus seems to be not dependent on the connection with adipose tissue.
Biocompatibility Issues of Next Generation Decellularized Bioprosthetic Devices
Authors: Spina Michele , Naso Filippo , Zancan Irene , Iop Laura , Dettin Monica , Gerosa Gino
Published: May 2014

With respect to the limited lifespan of glutaraldehyde-treated bioprostheses (BHVs) to date there is almost no alternative when heart valve replacement surgery is required and most advanced current research attempts to develop tissue engineered valve scaffolds to be implanted in vivo or after in vitro preconditioning and dynamic seeding with host cells. However the clinical outcomes of grafting detergent-based cell-depleted tissue engineered xenogeneic constructs are still controversial. Insufficient quantitative evaluations performed at preclinical level about the residual content of xenogeneic epitopes, detergents, and nucleic acid materials in such scaffolds have led to disappointing and disastrous results. The risk of these dramatic accidents reoccurring remains very high unless safety and reliable control tools aimed to reach their complete removal, in order to consider tissues biocompatible and suitable for clinical practice.
New Progress in Angiogenesis Therapy of Cardiovascular Disease by Ultrasound Targeted Microbubble Destruction
Authors: Liao Yang-Ying , Chen Zhi-Yi , Wang Yi-Xiang , Lin Yan , Yang Feng , Zhou Qiu-Lan
Published: May 2014

Angiogenesis plays a vital part in the pathogenesis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and has become one of the hotspots that are being discussed in the past decades. At present, the promising angiogenesis therapies are gene therapy and stem cell therapy. Besides, a series of studies have shown that the ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) was a novel gene delivery system, due to its advantages of noninvasiveness, low immunogenicity and toxicity, repeatability and temporal and spatial target specificity; UTMD has also been used for angiogenesis therapy of cardiovascular disease. In this review, we mainly discuss the combination of UTMD and gene therapy or stem cell therapy which is applied in angiogenesis therapy in recent researches, and outline the future challenges and good prospects of these approaches.
Searching for Alternative Plasmonic Materials for Specific Applications
Authors: Bansal Amit , Verma S. S.
Published: May 2014

The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based optical properties such as light scattering, absorption, and extinction efficiencies of multimetallic and metal-semiconductor nanostructures will be studied. The effect of size, surrounding medium, interaction between the particles, composition of the particles, and substrate on LSPR peak position, its line width, and maxima of cross-sections will also be discussed to optimize the selected systems for various applications like plasmonic sensors and biomedical applications and to enhance the efficiency of solar cells. Therefore, by varying all these factors, the LSPR peak of multimetallic and metal-semiconductor nanostructures can be tuned over the entire UV-visible to infrared (IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Moreover the optical properties of underlying semiconductor materials can be enhanced by combining the semiconductor with noble metal nanoparticles.
Unraveling Natalizumab Effects on Deregulated miR-17 Expression in CD4+T Cells of Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Meira Maria , Sievers Claudia , Hoffmann Francine , Rasenack Maria , Kuhle Jens , Derfuss Tobias , Kappos Ludwig , Lindberg Raija L. P.
Published: May 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. Accumulating evidence supports their involvement in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we compare miR-17 expressions in CD4+T cells from relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients treated with natalizumab versus untreated patients. miR-17 was downregulated under natalizumab treatment and upregulated during relapse, therefore supporting a possible role of miR-17 in MS immunopathogenesis. Downregulation of miR-17 was associated with upregulation of PTEN, BIM, E2F1, and p21 target genes.In vitromiR-17 inhibition was associated with upregulation of the same targets and resulted in impaired CD4+T cell activation and proliferation. We further describe deregulated TGFBR2 expression in untreated patients versus healthy volunteers (HVs) and confirmin vitrothe link between miR-17 and TGFBR2 expressions. These findings support an effect of natalizumab on expression of specific miRNA and subsequent expression of genes involved in proliferation and control of the cell cycle.
Interference Assembly and Fretting Wear Analysis of Hollow Shaft
Authors: Han Chuanjun , Zhang Jie
Published: May 2014

Fretting damage phenomenon often appears in the interference fit assembly. The finite element model of hollow shaft and shaft sleeve was established, and the equivalent stress and contact stress were computed after interference assembly. The assembly body of hollow shaft and shaft sleeve was in whirling bending load, and the contact status (sticking, sliding, and opening) and the distribution of stress along one typical contact line were computed under different loads, interferences, hollow degrees, friction coefficient, and wear quantity. Judgment formula of contact state was fixed by introducing the corrected coefficientk. The computation results showed that the “edge effect” appears in the contact surface after interference fit. The size of slip zone is unchanged along with the increase of bending load. The greater the interference value, the bigger the wear range. The hollow degree does not influence the size of stick zone but controls the position of the junction point of slip-open. Tangential contact stress increases with the friction coefficient, which has a little effect on normal contact stress. The relationship between open size and wear capacity is approximately linear.
Acupuncture Point Laterality: Investigation of Acute Effects of Quchi (LI11) in Patients with Hypertension Using Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Litscher Gerhard , Cheng Wei-Ping , Cheng Guang-Yu , Wang Lu , Zhao Jian , Litscher Daniela , Gaischek Ingrid , Sheng Zemin , Kuang Haixue
Published: May 2014

Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease worldwide. Over 70% of the patients use antihypertensive drugs, so nonpharmacological treatments in addition to the medication are important. Our goal was to investigate acupuncture treatment on the Quchi acupoint using heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) and to find out whether there is a laterality in acute effects. Sixty hypertensive patients (36 female, 24 male; mean age ± SD 55.8 ± 9.7 years) were randomly assigned to two manual needle acupuncture groups (group A: left Quchi (LI11) acupoint, group B: right Quchi acupoint). There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in HR immediately after inserting and stimulating the needle at the left and the right Quchi acupuncture point. In contrast, total HRV increased immediately after inserting the needle, but this increase was significant only towards the end of the stimulation phase and after removing the needle. There were some differences between stimulation of the left and right Quchi acupoint, but they remained insignificant. This study provides evidence that there is a beneficial effect on heart rate variability in patients with hypertension and that there are some effects of laterality of the acupoint Quchi.
Remembering Feminist Remimesis: A Riddle in Three Parts
Authors: Schneider Rebecca
Published: May 2014

Freud's “riddle” that women are, themselves, “the problem” takes on new significance in thinking back through the “remimetic” strategies and tactics of mid-century feminist performance art. What sorts of “problems” arise with the stellar success of women artists in the 2000s, and the new status of “global art star” for artists such as Marina Abramović and Cindy Sherman? What may have been left out of the picture? Perhaps the recent “living archive” re.act.feminism installation by curators Bettina Knaup and Beatrice Stammer may provide some clues.
An Audience Is Divided: Benjamin Patterson, Clifford Owens, and the Politics of Representation
Authors: Young Gillian Turner
Published: May 2014

Scored on the horizon of the Voting Rights Act, Benjamin Patterson's 1964 First Symphony begins with a vote that divides the audience as it opens representational democracy to unexpected outcomes. As the only black Fluxus artist, Patterson's approach to representation as both a political and artistic problematic proves foundational for Clifford Owens's 2011/12 living anthology of African American performance at MoMA PS1.
Ecologies, Post-Modern Urbanisms, and Symbolic Economies: A Comparative Assessment of American Urban Sociology
Authors: Hunter Marcus Anthony
Published: May 2014

Abstract

The field of urban sociology has been significantly linked to particular cities, with cities such as Chicago (il), Los Angeles (ca), and New York City (ny) have become hallmarks reflecting both the possibilities and the limitations of the urban sociological imagination. Using what have been three major foci in American urban sociology – 1) Organization of the City, 2) Ethnography and 3) Neighborhoods – using a comparative assessment of the field this paper seeks to apprehend the larger understandings, trends and methods in the field. Comparing urban sociological methods and theories through sections focusing on the three aforementioned themes, this article underscores paths taken in the field whilst highlighting potential new directions.
Women affiliated with Muslims Against Crusaders and Women4Shariah
Authors: Ilyas Mohammed
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Over the last few years we have seen a number of Muslim women being convicted of terrorism such as Roshonara Choudhry for stabbing MP Stephen Timms in 2010 and Shasta Khan for bomb making in 2012. These cases demonstrate that Muslim women, like their male counterparts are also targets for radicalization and recruitment from political and violent Islamist groups in the uk. Although it is important to explore the acquisition of extreme ideas and the move to violence but access to such individuals is very difficult. Access to women involved in Islamist groups is possible but is fraught with problems. This paper is based on preliminary findings from interviews carried out with Muslim women that were affiliated with political Islamist groups Muslim Against Crusaders (proscribed in 2011) and Women4Shariah. It explores how they become affiliated with the groups, and what impact this has had on their lives.
New species of Bryozoa from Madeira associated with rhodoliths
Authors: SOUTO JAVIER , REVERTER-GIL OSCAR , OSTROVSKY ANDREW N.
Published: May 2014

Four new species of cheilostomate Bryozoa encrusting rhodoliths on Maërl beds are described from material collected at a single locality at Madeira Island. These are Coronellina atlantica n. sp., Hippothoa muripinnata n. sp., Chorizopora rosaria n. sp. and Hippoporella maderensis n. sp. A species of Schizomavella is left in open nomenclature. The genus Coronellina is transferred from the family Calescharidae and assigned to Microporidae. The close similarity of C. atlantica n. sp., a non-opesiulate species with deep depressions, to Coronellina fagei with opesiules, implies that the generally accepted evolutionary sequence from non-opesiulate to opesiulate species might not be the rule.
Two new species of Chelifera Macquart from China (Diptera: Empididae)
Authors: WANG XIWEI , YAN SHANCHUN , YANG DING
Published: May 2014

Two new Chelifera species, C. liuae sp. nov. from Sichuan and C. tibetensis sp. nov. from Tibet, are described. The genus Chelifera is recorded from Tibet for the first time. Cheliefera tibetensis is assigned to the C. rhombicercus-group. An updated key to the species of Chelifera from China is provided.
AEROgui: A Graphical User Interface for the Optical Properties of Aerosols
Authors: Pedrós R. , Gómez-Amo J.L. , Marcos C.R. , Utrillas M.P. , Gandía S. , Tena F. , Lozano J.A. Martinez
Published: May 2014

Atmospheric aerosols have an uncertain effect on climate and serious impacts on human health. The uncertainty in the aerosols' role on climate has several sources. First, aerosols have great spatial and temporal variability. The spatial variability arises from the fact that aerosols emitted in a certain place can travel thousands of kilometers, swept by the winds to modify the destination region's climate. The spatial variability also means that aerosols are inhomogeneously distributed in the vertical direction, which can lead to a differential effect on the energy balance depending on the aerosols' altitude. On the other hand, aerosols experience physical and chemical transformations in the time they spend in the atmosphere, commonly known as aging, which modifies its optical properties. These factors make necessary the use of two approaches for the study of the aerosol impact on climate: global aerosol models and satellite- and ground-based measurements. The disagreement between the estimates of the two approaches is the main cause of the climate uncertainty. One way to reduce climate uncertainty is to create new tools to simulate more realistic aerosol scenarios. We present a graphical user interface to obtain aerosol optical properties: extinction, scattering, and absorption coefficients; single-scattering albedo; asymmetry parameter; and aerosol optical depth. The tool can be used to obtain the optical properties of the external and internal mixture of several aerosol components. Interface outputs have successfully been compared to a black carbon plume and to aging mineral dust.
Development of a High-Resolution Gridded Daily Meteorological Dataset over Sub-Saharan Africa: Spatial Analysis of Trends in Climate Extremes
Authors: Chaney Nathaniel W. , Sheffield Justin , Villarini Gabriele , Wood Eric F.
Published: May 2014

Assessing changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme meteorological events and their impact on water resources, agriculture, and infrastructure is necessary to adequately prepare and adapt to future change. This is a challenge in data-sparse regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, where a lack of high-density and temporally consistent long-term in situ measurements complicates the analysis. To address this, a temporally homogenous and high-temporal- and high-spatial-resolution meteorological dataset is developed over sub-Saharan Africa (5°S–25°N), covering the time period between 1979 and 2005. It is developed by spatially downscaling the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis to a 0.1° spatial resolution, detecting and correcting for temporal inhomogeneities, and by removing random errors and biases by assimilating quality-controlled and gap-filled Global Summary of the Day (GSOD) in situ measurements. The dataset is then used to determine the statistical significance and magnitude of changes in climate extremes between 1979 and 2005. The results suggest a shift in the distribution of daily maximum and minimum temperatures toward a warmer mean with a faster increase in warm than cold events. Changes in the mean annual precipitation and heavy rainfall events are significant only in regions affected by the Sahel droughts of the 1970s and 1980s.
Summer Soil Moisture Spatiotemporal Variability in Southeastern Arizona
Authors: Stillman Susan , Ninneman Jason , Zeng Xubin , Franz Trenton , Scott Russell L. , Shuttleworth William J. , Cummins Ken
Published: May 2014

Soil moisture is important for many applications, but its measurements are lacking globally and even regionally. The Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) in southeastern Arizona has measured near-surface 5-cm soil moisture with 19 in situ probes since 2002 within its 150 km2 area. Using various criteria to identify erroneous data, it is found that in any given period from 1 July to 30 September from 2002 to 2011, 13–17 of these probes were producing reasonable data, and this is sufficient to estimate area-averaged seasonal soil moisture. A soil water balance model is then developed using rainfall as its only input to spatially extrapolate soil moisture estimates to the 88 rain gauges located within the watershed and to extend the measurement period to 56 years. The model is calibrated from 2002 to 2011 so that the daily in situ and modeled soil moisture time series have a high average correlation of 0.89 and a root-mean-square deviation of 0.032 m3 m−3. By interpolating modeled soil moisture from the 88 rain gauges to a 100-m gridded domain over WGEW, it is found that spatial variability often increases when 88 (rather than 13–17) estimates are taken. While no trend in the spatial average surface soil moisture is found, large variability in the spatial average soil moisture from 1 July to 30 September is observed from year to year, ranging from 0.05 to 0.09 m3 m−3. In addition to spatiotemporal analysis of WGEW, this gridded soil moisture product from 1956 to 2011 can be used for validation of satellite-based and reanalysis products and land surface models.
Cloud Initialization in the Rapid Update Cycle of HIRLAM
Authors: de Haan Siebren , van der Veen Siebe H.
Published: May 2014

The Nowcasting Satellite Application Facility (NWC SAF) cloud mask from the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite is introduced in the initialization step of an hourly Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) of the High Resolution Limited Area Model (HIRLAM). MSG cloud-top temperatures and synoptic cloud-base height information are combined at analysis time. This cloud initialization scheme is applied to an experimental run, which is a copy of the operational Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute [Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (KNMI)] RUC model. The experimental run was employed during the period June–December 2011. The RUC model has a forecast length of 6 h. Cloud cover forecasts are verified against MSG cloud cover information and synoptic observations. Forecasts of precipitation, surface pressure, 2-m temperature, and upper-air temperature are verified against synoptic observations and aircraft temperature observations. It is shown that including MSG cloud information in the RUC considerably improves the forecasts of most of these model fields, when compared to the operational control RUC. Both the bias and standard deviation of the errors of the cloud cover forecast are reduced substantially. Forecasts of light precipitation show a slight negative impact, but forecasts of heavy precipitation become better. The bias in 3D temperature fields disappears nearly completely. The error bias of 2-m temperatures has become larger. Two case studies are presented. The first case study had very good forecast performance with respect to low clouds when compared to the reference run. The second case study shows an ambiguous impact; there are still some deficiencies in the cloud initialization and cloud forecast when focusing on a single location.
Book Review: Ruby Lal, Coming of Age in Nineteenth-century India: The Girl Child and the Art of Playfulness
Authors: Bano Shadab
Published: May 2014

Ruby Lal, Coming of Age in Nineteenth-century India: The Girl Child and the Art of Playfulness, Cambridge University Press, New Delhi, 2012, pp. 229, ₹895.
Book Review: Gavin Rand and Crispin Bates, eds, Mutiny at the Margins: New Perspectives on the Indian Uprising of 1857
Authors: Farooqui Amar
Published: May 2014

Gavin Rand and Crispin Bates, eds, Mutiny at the Margins: New Perspectives on the Indian Uprising of 1857 (Volume 4: Military Aspects of the Indian Uprising), SAGE Publications, New Delhi, 2013, pp. xxix + 154, ₹850 (hardback).
Book Review: Ramnarayan S. Rawat, Reconsidering Untouchability: Chamars and Dalit History in North India
Authors: Mohan Sanal
Published: May 2014

Ramnarayan S. Rawat, Reconsidering Untouchability: Chamars and Dalit History in North India, Permanent Black (co-published with Indiana University Press), Ranikhet, May 2012, pp. 292, ₹695 (Hardback). ISBN 81-7824-355-5.
“I've Got Better Things to Worry About”: Police Perceptions of Graffiti and Street Art in a Large Mid-Atlantic City
Authors: Ross Jeffrey Ian , Wright Benjamin S.
Published: May 2014

The majority of scholarly research on graffiti and street art has examined this phenomenon in terms of its distribution and the nature of the perpetrators. Rarely has the law enforcement response been investigated. To better understand this neglected aspect, the investigators constructed a survey that they administered to a sample of officers in a large Mid-Atlantic police department to determine their attitudes, in particular their perceptions, regarding graffiti, street art, and perpetrators of this behavior. The survey takes into consideration important police-related variables and situational factors to provide a portrait of officer perceptions. The major finding indicates that the shift and race of police officers might have an influence on their decisions to stop, question, and arrest suspects on graffiti and street art vandalism-related charges. This is consistent with other studies of police perceptions of illegal behavior.
‘Freedom to’ and ‘freedom from’: A new vision for sex-positive politics
Authors: Fahs Breanne
Published: May 2014

While the sex-positive movement has made a significant contribution to the advancement of women's sexuality, much of this work has emphasized ‘positive liberty,’ that is, women's freedom to expand sexual expression and sexual diversity. This work has largely ignored women's freedom from oppressive mandates and requirements about their sexuality, that is, ‘negative liberty.’ Drawing upon anarchist theories from the 19th and 20th centuries, political theories of positive and negative liberty, early radical feminist arguments, and the infamous ‘sex wars’ of the 1980s, the fundamental tension between women's freedom to do what they want, and freedom from doing what others require of them, proves a critical juncture in feminist understandings of sexual freedom. To illustrate this, I examine seven key examples where women are caught between joyous celebrations of sexual progress and disturbingly regressive attacks on their sexual empowerment: orgasm, sexual satisfaction, treatment for sexual dysfunction, rape and sexual coercion, body hair as ‘personal choice,’ same-sex eroticism, and sexual fantasy. Ultimately, I argue that the sex-positive movement must advance its politics to include a more serious consideration of the freedom from as it relates to the freedom to. In doing so, tensions around the ‘sex wars’ could evolve into a more cohesive and powerful feminist movement.
Multiple transcription factors directly regulate Hox gene lin-39 expression in ventral hypodermal cells of the C. elegans embryo and larva, including the hypodermal fate regulators LIN-26 and ELT-6
Authors: Liu Wan-Ju , Reece-Hoyes John S , Walhout Albertha JM , Eisenmann David M
Published: May 2014

Background

Hox genes encode master regulators of regional fate specification during early metazoan development. Much is known about the initiation and regulation of Hox gene expression in Drosophila and vertebrates, but less is known in the non-arthropod invertebrate model system,C. elegans. TheC. elegansHox genelin-39is required for correct fate specification in the midbody region, including the Vulval Precursor Cells (VPCs). To better understandlin-39regulation and function, we aimed to identify transcription factors necessary forlin-39expression in the VPCs, and in particular sought factors that initiatelin-39expression in the embryo.

Results

We used the yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) method to screen for factors that bound to 13 fragments from thelin-39region: twelve fragments contained sequences conserved betweenC. elegansand two other nematode species, while one fragment was known to drive reporter gene expression in the early embryo in cells that generate the VPCs. Sixteen transcription factors that bind to eightlin-39genomic fragments were identified in yeast, and we characterized several factors by verifying their physical interactionsin vitro, and showing that reduction of their function leads to alterations inlin-39levels andlin-39::GFPreporter expressionin vivo. Three factors, the orphan nuclear hormone receptor NHR-43, the hypodermal fate regulator LIN-26, and the GATA factor ELT-6 positively regulatelin-39expression in the embryonic precursors to the VPCs. In particular, ELT-6 interacts with an enhancer that drives GFP expression in the early embryo, and the ELT-6 site we identified is necessary for proper embryonic expression. These three factors, along with the factors ZTF-17, BED-3 and TBX-9, also positively regulatelin-39expression in the larval VPCs.

Conclusions

These results significantly expand the number of factors known to directly bind and regulatelin-39expression, identify the first factors required forlin-39expression in the embryo, and hint at a positive feedback mechanism involving GATA factors that maintainslin-39expression in the vulval lineage. This work indicates that, as in other organisms, the regulation of Hox gene expression inC. elegansis complicated, redundant and robust.