bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic reconstructions of invasion history
Authors: Cristescu Melania E.
Published: February 2015

A diverse array of molecular markers and constantly evolving analytical approaches have been employed to reconstruct the invasion histories of the most notorious invasions. Detailed information on the source(s) of introduction, invasion route, type of vectors, number of independent introductions and pathways of secondary spread has been corroborated for a large number of biological invasions. In this review, I present the promises and limitations of current techniques while discussing future directions. Broad phylogeographic surveys of native and introduced populations have traced back invasion routes with surprising precision. These approaches often further clarify species boundaries and reveal complex patterns of genetic relationships with noninvasive relatives. Moreover, fine‐scale analyses of population genetics or genomics allow deep inferences on the colonization dynamics across invaded ranges and can reveal the extent of gene flow among populations across various geographical scales, major demographic events such as genetic bottlenecks as well as other important evolutionary events such as hybridization with native taxa, inbreeding and selective sweeps. Genetic data have been often corroborated successfully with historical, geographical and ecological data to enable a comprehensive reconstruction of the invasion process. The advent of next‐generation sequencing, along with the availability of extensive databases of repository sequences generated by barcoding projects opens the opportunity to broadly monitor biodiversity, to identify early invasions and to quantify failed invasions that would otherwise remain inconspicuous to the human eye.
Highly variable reproductive isolation among pairs ofCatostomusspecies
Authors: Mandeville Elizabeth G. , Parchman Thomas L. , McDonald David B. , Buerkle C. Alex
Published: February 2015

Hybridization between diverged taxa tests the strength of reproductive isolation and can therefore reveal mechanisms of reproductive isolation. However, it remains unclear how consistent reproductive isolation is across species' ranges and to what extent reproductive isolation might remain polymorphic as species diverge. To address these questions, we compared outcomes of hybridization across species pairs ofCatostomusfishes in three rivers in the Upper Colorado River basin, where an introduced species,C. commersoni, hybridizes with at least two native species,C. discobolusandC. latipinnis. We observed substantial heterogeneity in outcomes of hybridization, both between species pairs and across geographically separate rivers within each species pair. We also observed hybridization of additional related species with our focal species, suggesting that reproductive isolation in this group involves interactions of multiple evolutionary and ecological factors. These findings suggest that a better understanding of the determinants of variation in reproductive isolation is needed and that studies of reproductive isolation in hybrids should consider how the dynamics and mechanisms of reproductive isolation vary over ecological space and over evolutionary time. Our results also have implications for the conservation and management of native catostomids in the Colorado River basin. Heterogeneity in outcomes of hybridization suggests that the threat posed by hybridization and genetic introgression to the persistence of native species probably varies with extent of reproductive isolation, both across rivers and across species pairs.
Identification in Structural Vector Autoregressive Models with Structural Changes, with an Application to US Monetary Policy
Authors: Bacchiocchi Emanuele , Fanelli Luca
Published: February 2015

A growing line of research makes use of structural changes and different volatility regimes found in the data in a constructive manner to improve the identification of structural parameters in structural vector autoregressions (SVARs). A standard assumption made in the literature is that the reduced form unconditional error covariance matrix varies while the structural parameters remain constant. Under this hypothesis, it is possible to identify the SVAR without needing to resort to additional restrictions. With macroeconomic data, the assumption that the transmission mechanism of the shocks does not vary across volatility regimes is debatable. We derive novel necessary and sufficient rank conditions for local identification of SVARs, where both the error covariance matrix and the structural parameters are allowed to change across volatility regimes. Our approach generalizes the existing literature on ‘identification through changes in volatility’ to a broader framework and opens up interesting possibilities for practitioners. An empirical illustration focuses on a small monetary policy SVAR of the US economy and suggests that monetary policy has become more effective at stabilizing the economy since the 1980s.
A new method to evaluate the positional stability of a self‐drilling miniscrew
Authors: Chen G. , Chen S. , Zhang X. Y. , Jiang R. P. , Liu Y. , Shi F. H. , Xu T. M.
Published: February 2015

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the positional stability of miniscrews during orthodontic treatment change in cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Setting and Sample Population

Twenty adult volunteers were enrolled.

Methods

In all participants, at least two maxillary first premolars were extracted because of protrusion. Each volunteer received six miniscrews in the maxilla, including two loaded miniscrews to retract anterior teeth and four unloaded miniscrews. CBCT scans were obtained at the beginning of space closure (T1) and approximately 11.8 months later (T2). Three‐dimensional miniscrew models were constructed at T1 and T2, and the central axes were calculated using a principal component analysis (PCA) technique. Finally, we measured and compared the angle change of all the miniscrews from T1 to T2.

Results

The angle change values of the unloaded and loaded miniscrews were 1.64 ± 1.25° and 1.67 ± 1.15°, respectively. No significant differences in the angle change were observed.

Conclusion

Cone‐beam computed tomography images revealed both the unloaded and loaded miniscrews to be positionally stable during en‐masse retraction in this study.
Nanoparticles for controlled delivery and sustained release of chlorhexidine in the oral environment
Authors: Garner S , Barbour ME
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is in widespread use as a topical antimicrobial agent. Within the field of oral medicine, it is used in the prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia as well as in the treatment of oral candidosis and microbial‐associated lichenoid reactions. The objective of this study was to develop a strategy for controlled, sustained topical delivery of CHX using nanoparticle technology.

Methods

Chlorhexidine was applied to hydroxyapatite, selected as a tooth analogue, as conventional CHX digluconate solutions and as aqueous suspensions of CHX hexametaphosphate nanoparticles with total CHX concentrations of 1, 2.2 and 5 mM. Soluble CHX release from the treated hydroxyapatite was monitored over a period of 7 days.

Results

A repeated‐measures ANOVA with post hoc LSD test indicated that CHX release was 2–3× greater, and sustained for longer, when CHX was delivered as CHX hexametaphosphate nanoparticles than in aqueous solution with 2.2 and 5 mM CHX (P = 0.020 and 0.013, respectively), but there was no statistically significant difference at 1 mM CHX (P = 0.172).

Conclusions

Chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate nanoparticles increased both the local dose and duration of soluble CHX delivery when applied to hydroxyapatite surfaces. This may provide a means to deliver a sustained dose of CHX with less frequent interventions.
Emotions and Emotion Regulation in Intractable Conflict: Studying Emotional Processes Within a Unique Context
Authors: Halperin Eran , Pliskin Ruthie
Published: February 2015

Recent years have seen researchers making initial steps towards drawing on insights from emotion research in the study of intractable intergroup conflicts, but the knowledge on emotion and emotion regulation cannot simply be implanted “as is” into the study of these unique contexts. The present article begins with a discussion of the unique context of intractable conflicts and continues with an examination of the existing knowledge on emotion and emotion regulation in these conflicts. From there it proceeds to detail the contextual factors unique to intractable conflict that must be taken into account when studying these constructs, focusing on three such factors: long‐term emotional sentiments, entrenched conflict‐supporting ideology, and clinical factors related to the repeated exposure to violence associated with life in conflict. For each factor, the article examines existing theories and empirical knowledge on its influence over the type and magnitude of emotion experienced, the behavioral and political outcome of emotional experiences, and on emotion regulation processes. When existing theory and knowledge are limited, we present theory and propose directions for future research. Finally, the article discusses the challenges facing those wishing to integrate conflict studies and emotion research and benefit fully, theoretically, empirically, and on the applied level from such an interdisciplinary integration.
Evolutionary Political Psychology: On the Origin and Structure of Heuristics and Biases in Politics
Authors: Petersen Michael Bang
Published: February 2015

People decide on political issues using judgmental shortcuts called heuristics. What is the origin of these political heuristics? Traditionally, heuristics have been viewed as learned from the structure of elite debates. This article outlines a different view: that many political heuristics are evolved, biological adaptations that helped our ancestors deal with political problems in small‐scale social groups. By analyzing these evolved origins, it becomes possible to develop novel, testable predictions regarding the structure of political heuristics. This argument is illustrated through an extensive review of studies on the structure of the so‐called “deservingness” heuristic. The article concludes by outlining four principles that should guide future research on heuristics in political psychology.
‘The Imperial Spirit’: British Fascism and Empire, 1919–1940
Authors: Stocker Paul
Published: February 2015

This article analyses the relationship between British fascism and Empire during the interwar period. Based on the premise that historians have neglected the imperial dimension of fascist ideology in interwar Britain, a brief review of existing scholarship will be undertaken before an analysis of fascist ideological conceptions of the British Empire. Looking at the three major fascist parties during the interwar era, the British Fascisti (BF), Imperial Fascist League (IFL) and British Union of Fascists (BUF), it will be demonstrated that whilst unequivocal support for the Empire was a consistent theme throughout fascist rhetoric, individual parties adapted their imperial visions according to their respective ideology. For the BF, the Empire was under constant threat from communist subversion at home and abroad. The IFL looked to demonstrate how international Jewry was attempting to destroy the British Empire. The BUF, developing the most sophisticated ideology and policies relating to Empire, believed a unified ‘organic’ Empire must be consolidated through trade and one ruler if Britain was to remain a global power fit to fight off the pincers of Jewish and communist subversion. This article will conclude by highlighting the need for further enquiry into the relationship between the extreme right and Empire.
Marriage in American Muslim Communities
Authors: Hammer Juliane
Published: February 2015

Marriage in its relation to religion, specifically Islam, is intrinsically linked to questions of sexual and gender norms. US Muslim communities,extremely diverse in their backgrounds, negotiate marriage in their discourses on a spectrum that constructs ‘American’ and ‘Muslim’ as opposing ends, while the realities of American Muslim marriage present a much more richly textured and thus complex picture. Norms and practices are co‐developed in a complicated web of gender debates, distinctions of religion from culture, and developments within the American religious, social, and political environment that American Muslims share.
Famine: Adam Smith and Foucauldian Political Economy
Authors: Williams Callum
Published: February 2015

It is often assumed that the attitudes of the early political economists, such as Smith, to issues of scarcity and famine were dogmatically laissez‐faire. This view has been given fresh impetus by Michel Foucault's recently published lectures on the history of political economy. The article challenges this view. By examining Smith's texts and analyzing the way that Smith was received by critics in the century following the publication of the Wealth of Nations, the article argues that contemporary interpretations of Smith's views on scarcity and famine must be nuanced.
Unpacking the Power of the Mommy Wars
Authors: Crowley Jocelyn Elise
Published: February 2015

In recent years, Mommy Wars discourse, or an expressed judgment between mothers who work for pay and those who stay at home with their children, has emerged as a significant part of American culture. Yet knowledge about both its substantive underpinnings and the breadth of its influence across racial groups is limited. On these points, some research has suggested that racial differences regarding adherence to particular mothering ideologies will drive Mommy Wars discourse among white, middle‐class mothers but not among African American, middle‐class mothers. This study investigates 125 middle‐class yet racially diverse mothers about the content and prevalence of Mommy Wars discourse among their peers. Contrary to expectations, Mommy Wars discourse, although based on strong beliefs regarding appropriate maternal practices, was limited in its scope. In addition, Mommy Wars discourse was a minority perspective among the peers of white, middle‐class mothers, but a plurality perspective among the peers of African American, middle‐class mothers.
Factors affecting urine reagent strip blood results in dogs and nonhuman primates and interpretation of urinalysis in preclinical toxicology studies: a Multi‐Institution Contract Research Organization and BioPharmaceutical Company Perspective
Authors: Aulbach Adam D. , Schultze Eric , Tripathi Niraj K. , Hall Robert L. , Logan Michael R. , Meyer Denny J.
Published: February 2015

Background

Urinalysis data in preclinical toxicology studies can be influenced by preanalytic and analytic factors which have the potential to confound interpretation. There is a paucity of information regarding positive reagent strip urinary blood reactions in healthy nonhuman primates (NHP) and Beagle dogs used in preclinical toxicology studies.

Objectives

The objectives were (1) to establish historical control data for reagent strip urinary blood reactions in healthy NHP and Beagle dogs, (2) to determine the incidence of positive urinary blood reactions during predose and dosing phases, and (3) to determine if collection practice was a relevant parameter.

Methods

Historical control data from 2 institutions in the biopharmaceutical industry were retrospectively analyzed for reagent strip urinary blood reactions in healthy NHP and Beagles. The incidence of positive results between the 2 institutions with different urine collection practices and between males and females was compared.

Results

The incidence of positive urinary blood reactions in NHP was comparable between institutions (≤ 14% in males; ≤ 33% in females), while the incidence of positive urinary blood reactions in Beagles was more variable (≤ 77% in males; ≤ 69% in females), and higher in females during the dosing phase.

Conclusions

Positive urinary blood results that could potentially be misinterpreted as toxicologically relevant were identified in healthy NHP and Beagles during predose and dosing phases. Different incidences of positive results between the 2 institutions were likely related to collection practices. Strategies to reduce feces and food contamination of collected urine samples should help minimize false‐positive urinary blood reactions.
Joint Distribution of Environmental Condition at Five European Offshore Sites for Design of Combined Wind and Wave Energy Devices
Authors: Li Lin , Gao Zhen , Moan Torgeir
Published: February 2015

The design of wind turbines requires information about joint data for wind and wave conditions. Moreover, combining offshore wind and wave energy facilities is a potential way to reduce the cost of offshore wind farms. To design combined offshore renewable energy concepts, it is important to choose sites where both wind and wave energy resources are substantial. This paper deals with joint environmental data for five European offshore sites which serve as basis for the analysis and comparison of combined renewable energy concepts developed in the EU FP7 project—MARINA Platform. The five sites cover both shallow and deep water, with three sites facing the Atlantic Ocean and two sites in the North Sea. The long-term joint distributions of wind and wave parameters are presented for these sites. Simultaneous hourly mean wind and wave hindcast data from 2001 to 2010 are used as a database. The joint distributions are modeled by fitting analytical distributions to the hindcast data. The long-term joint distributions can be used to estimate the wind and wave power output from each combined concept and to estimate the fatigue lifetime of the structure. The marginal distributions of wind and wave parameters are also provided. Based on the joint distributions, contour surfaces are established for combined wind and wave parameters for which the probability of exceedance corresponds to a return period of 50 years. The design points on the 50-year contour surfaces are suggested for extreme response analysis of combined concepts.
Specific Heat of Tribological Wear Debris Material
Authors: Maciąg Maria
Published: February 2015

Stationary processes of solid friction, heating and wear are analyzed in this paper on the basis of the first principle of thermodynamics. Analytical dependences between physical parameters of a tribological system have been determined. Densities of extensive quantity fluxes are referred to elementary surface and elementary time, which has permitted to include intensive quantities, especially temperature, in the model presented here. Although the discussion is restricted to the phenomenological approach, conclusions regarding some microscopic properties of the matter in the process of fragmentation are drawn directly from the laws of energy and mass conservation. Differences between specific heat of the starting material cp and of the debris produced cp′ are emphasized. The model of the friction process described by Maciąg, M. (2010, “Thermodynamic Model of the Metallic Friction Process,” ASME J. Tribol., 132(3), pp. 1–7) has been modified and a new method of evaluating cp′ is proposed. Results of standard friction and wear testing are used to describe selected tribological systems in quantitative terms based on the thermodynamic model discussed here (Sadowski, J., and Żurowski, W., 1992, “Thermodynamic Aspects of Metals' Wear-Resistance,” Tribol. Lubr. Eng., 3, pp. 152–159). Very high specific heat of tribological wear debris material is found at the moment of the material's production. To conclude, results of theoretical and experimental analysis are discussed and their interpretation is proposed. Applicability of the system magnitudes C and D to modeling of friction and wear is highlighted.
Evolution in the Design of V-Shaped Highly Conductive Pathways Embedded in a Heat-Generating Piece
Authors: Hajmohammadi M. R. , Lorenzini G. , Joneydi Shariatzadeh O. , Biserni C.
Published: February 2015

This paper presents the evolution of architecture of high conductivity pathways embedded into a heat generating body on the basis of Constructal theory. The main objective is to introduce new geometries for the highly conductive pathways, precisely configurations shaped as V. Four types of V-shaped inserts, evolving from “V1” to “V4,” have been comparatively considered. Geometric optimization of design is conducted to minimize the peak temperature of the heat generating piece. Many ideas emerged from this work: first of all, the numerical results demonstrated that the V-shaped pathways remarkably surpass the performance of some basic configurations already mentioned in literature, i.e., “I and X-shaped” pathways. Furthermore, the evolution of configurations from V1 to V4 resulted in a gradual reduction of the hot spot temperature, according to the principle of “optimal distribution of imperfections” that characterizes the constructal law.
Constructal Law: Optimization as Design Evolution
Authors: Bejan Adrian
Published: February 2015

Here, I review the physics meaning of optimization, knowledge and design evolution, and why these concepts and human activities are profoundly useful for human life. A law of physics is a concise statement that summarizes a phenomenon that occurs in nature. A phenomenon is a fact, circumstance, or experience that is apparent to the human senses and can be described. The design in nature phenomenon facilitates access for everything that flows, evolves, spreads, and is collected: river basins, atmospheric and ocean currents, animal life and migration, and technology (the evolution of the “human-and-machine species,” wealth, life). This phenomenon is summarized by the constructal law: the occurrence and evolution of designs in nature, its time direction. Based on its record, the constructal law accounts for the design phenomenon and also for all the phenomena that have been described individually (ad-hoc) with end-design (destiny) statements of “optimality” (min, max). Most notably, the constructal law accounts for contradictory end-design statements such as minimum entropy production and maximum entropy production, and minimum flow resistance and maximum flow resistance.
Synthesis of Zn-Doped Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles Via Coprecipitation Method for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent
Authors: Salehpour Firooz , Khorramdin Ainaz , Shokrollahi Hooman , Pezeshki Arastoo , Mirzaei Farhad , Nader Nader D.
Published: February 2015

Two different preparations of biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), both (MnFe2O4 and Mn0.91Zn0.09Fe2O4) coated with methoxy polyethylene glycol aldehyde (m-PEG-CHO) were prepared through coprecipitation method. The prepared powder was reanalyzed for material structure with an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and for particle size using a transition electron microscope (TEM). Magnetic saturation (MS) and coercivity (HC) of the formed particles were examined by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Surface structure of the samples was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Biocompatible ferrofluids were intravenously injected into four rabbits. Then the magnetic resonance (MR) images of brain were obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments before and after intravenous injection of ferrofluids. The MNPs demonstrate super paramagnetic behavior with a spinel structure measuring 30–40 nm in size. Doping of these magnetite nanoparticles with zinc resulted in decreases in crystallite size from 24.23 nm to 21.15 nm, the lattice parameter from 8.45 Å to 8.43 Å and the coercivity from 41.20 Oe to 13.07 Oe. On the other hand, saturation magnetization increased from 50.12 emu/g to 57.36 emu/g following zinc doping. Image exposure analysis revealed that the reduction of MR signal intensity for zinc-doped magnetite nanoparticles was more than nondoped nanoparticles (shorter T2 relaxation time) thereby making the images darker.
Integration of Genetic Programing With Genetic Algorithm for Correlating Heat Transfer Problems
Authors: Liu Yan , Yang Jian , Xu Jing , Cheng Zhi-long , Wang Qiu-wang
Published: February 2015

In the present paper, the genetic programing (GP) is integrated with the genetic algorithm (GA) for deriving heat transfer correlations. In the process of developing heat transfer correlations with the approach (GP with GA (GPA)), the GP is first employed to obtain some potential optimal forms. After that, the forms are further optimized with the global GA to reach minimum errors between the predicted values and experimental values. With the proposed approach, three typical different heat transfer problems are applied to the data reduction processes from published experimental data, which are heat transfer in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger (STHE) with continuous helical baffles, a single row heat exchanger with helically finned tubes and a finned oval-tube heat exchanger with double rows of tubes, respectively. The results indicate that the GPA approach could improve the performance of heat transfer correlations obtained with the GP. Compared with the power-law-based correlations, the heat transfer correlations obtained with the approach have higher predicted accuracies and more excellent robustness.
Fabrication of pseudo-spin-valve giant magnetoresistance arrays for nanomagnet logic by liftoff and the snow-jet process
Authors: Li Peng , Sankar Vijay , Shah Faisal , Dey Himadri , Csaba Gyorgy , Porod Wolfgang , Bernstein Gary H. , Niemier Michael , Hu Xiaobo S. , Nahas Joseph
Published: February 2015

In Nanomagnet Logic, an electronic read-out device converts magnetization to electronic signals. A giant magnetoresistance (GMR) stack, with simple deposition procedures, is a good candidate for this purpose. In this paper, the authors propose a way to pattern GMR films with the help of a CO2 snow-jet to simplify device fabrication procedures. A scanning electron microscope and a vibrating sample magnetometer were used to characterize the devices and verify the feasibility of the fabrication method. Results have shown that the CO2 snow-jet process can remove sidewalls of nanopillars that are formed after lift-off of sputtered films, and the nanopillars are uniform in shape and size. This method presents a new way to fabricate electronic readout devices for Nanomagnet Logic circuits.
Anomalous structural evolution and 3×3 reconstruction of a clean Si(111) surface observed after thermal desorption of thallium
Authors: Kocán Pavel , Krejčí Ondřej , Tochihara Hiroshi
Published: February 2015

The authors have observed anomalous structural evolution of a clean Si(111) surface, which was prepared first by thallium (Tl) deposition on a Si(111)7 × 7 surface, leading to incomplete formation of a Tl/Si(111)1 × 1 structure at 300 °C and subsequent desorption of Tl at 350 °C. Thus prepared clean Si(111) surfaces exhibit structural changes with increase of temperature: 2×1→(3×3)R30°→2×1→5×5→7×7, as observed by low-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. Among the above structures, the (3×3)R30° formed at 450–550 °C is found not to be a simple adatom structure. Instead, by means of ab-initio calculations a new metastable (3×3)R30° reconstruction was found, having analogous structural features and formation origin to a 2 × 1 reconstruction known as the Pandey chain model. This new (3×3)R30° model is 0.09 eV per surface atom less favorable than the 2 × 1 reconstruction. A reason for the anomalous occurrence of the (3×3)R30° structure is explored with an aid of Monte Carlo simulations.
Association Between Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Canadian Adults
Authors: Cohen Alina , Baker Joseph , Ardern Chris I.
Published: February 2015

Background:

Obesity is associated with impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQL), whereas physical activity (PA) is a promoter of HRQL.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between BMI and PA with HRQL in younger and older Canadian adults.

Methods:

Data from the 2012 annual component of the Canadian Community Health Survey (N = 48,041; = 30 years) were used to capture self-reported body mass index (BMI-kg/m2), PA (kcal/kg/day, KKD), and HRQL. Interactions between PA and age on the BMI and HRQL relationship were assessed using general linear models and logistic regression.

Results:

Those younger (younger: μ = 0.79 ± 0.02; older: μ = 0.70 ± 0.02) and more active (active: μ = 0.82 ± 0.02; moderately active: μ = 0.77 ± 0.03; inactive: μ = 0.73 ± 0.01) reported higher HRQL. Older inactive underweight, normal weight, and overweight adults have lower odds of high HRQL.

Conclusion:

PA was associated with higher HRQL in younger adults. In older adults, BMI and PA influenced HRQL.
Bilateral putaminal necrosis and bronopol toxicity
Authors: Trivisano Marina , Carapelle Elena , Martino Tommaso , Specchio Luigi Maria
Published: February 2015

Among alcohols, methanol intoxication is the most frequently associated with cerebral toxicity, causing retinal damage and putaminal necrosis. This consequence is believed to be due to the transformation of methanol into formic acid. We describe the case of a patient who presented with acute impairment of consciousness and tetraparesis after she had been drinking several bottles of a topical antiseptic solution (Lysoform Medical) containing 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propandiol (bronopol) among excipients, in order to lose weight during previous months. Moreover, she had been on a strict slimming diet. Soon after admission, a severe respiratory and metabolic impairment became rapidly evident, requiring an intensive care unit admission. Cerebral MRI showed the presence of bilateral putaminal necrosis. She recovered in 10 days, surprisingly, without any evident clinical neurological signs. Methanol, also bronopol, when diluted in aqueous solution, at warm temperature and/or higher pH, may release formaldehyde, which is converted into formic acid, a basal ganglia toxic compound.
Unique MRI findings for differentiation of an early stage of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Aoki Takanori , Hagiwara Masahiro , Yabuki Hidehiko , Ito Akira
Published: February 2015

CT scan and ultrasonography images revealed two small uniformly low-density and hypoechoic lesions in the liver, respectively, 7 years after curative resection of rectal cancer, in a 74-year-old man. The area of the liver including the two lesions was segmentally resected. Two lesions were histopathologically confirmed as early but active stage alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by accidental ingestion of eggs of the fox tapeworm,Echinococcus multilocularis. This case is very unique and rare, since early stage hepatic AE cases have only accidentally been confirmed from cases in which malignant hepatic tumours were suspected, and because two independent AE lesions were detected. Abdominal MRI showed two isointense tumour lesions with small areas of high-signal intensity in their centres on T2-weighted images. MRI findings appear to reflect the macroscopic view and microscopic findings of early stage AE with active cyst in the centre of each hepatic lesion well.
Endothelial Glucocorticoid Receptor Suppresses Atherogenesis—Brief Report
Authors: Goodwin Julie E. , Zhang Xinbo , Rotllan Noemi , Feng Yan , Zhou Han , Fernández-Hernando Carlos , Yu Jun , Sessa William C.
Published: February 2015

Objective—

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the endothelial glucocorticoid receptor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results—

Control mice and mice lacking the endothelial glucocorticoid receptor were bred onto an
Apoe
knockout background and subjected to high-fat diet feeding for 12 weeks. Assessment of body weight and total cholesterol and triglycerides before and after the diet revealed no differences between the 2 groups of mice. However, mice lacking the endothelial glucocorticoid receptor developed more severe atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta, brachiocephalic artery, and aortic sinus, as well as a heightened inflammatory milieu as evidenced by increased macrophage recruitment in the lesions.

Conclusions—

These data suggest that the endothelial glucocorticoid receptor is important for tonic inhibition of inflammation and limitation of atherosclerosis progression in this model.
Race Is a Key Variable in Assigning Lipoprotein(a) Cutoff Values for Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment
Authors: Guan Weihua , Cao Jing , Steffen Brian T. , Post Wendy S. , Stein James H. , Tattersall Mathew C. , Kaufman Joel D. , McConnell Joseph P. , Hoefner Daniel M. , Warnick Russell , Tsai Michael Y.
Published: February 2015

Objective—

We aimed to examine associations of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) concentrations with coronary heart disease (CHD) and determine whether current Lp(a) clinical laboratory cut points identify risk of disease incidence in 4 races/ethnicities of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Approach and Results—

A subcohort of 1323 black, 1677 white, 548 Chinese American, and 1044 Hispanic MESA participants were followed up during a mean 8.5-year period in which 235 incident CHD events were recorded. Lp(a) mass concentrations were measured using a turbidimetric immunoassay. Cox regression analysis determined associations of Lp(a) with CHD risk with adjustments for lipid and nonlipid variables. Lp(a) concentrations were continuously associated with risk of CHD incidence in black (hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–2.04] and white participants (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02–1.45). Examining Lp(a) risk by the 50 mg/dL cut point revealed higher risks of incident CHD in all races except Chinese Americans: blacks (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.03–2.76), whites (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.15–2.88); Hispanics (HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.17–4.78). The lower Lp(a) cut point of 30 mg/dL identified higher risk of CHD in black participants alone (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.08–3.21).

Conclusions—

Our findings suggest that the 30 mg/dL cutoff for Lp(a) is not appropriate in white and Hispanic individuals, and the higher 50 mg/dL cutoff should be considered. In contrast, the 30 mg/dL cutoff remains suitable in black individuals. Further research is necessary to develop the most clinically useful Lp(a) cutoff values in individual races/ethnicities.
Higher Oily Fish Consumption in Late Pregnancy Is Associated With Reduced Aortic Stiffness in the Child at Age 9 Years
Authors: Bryant Jennifer , Hanson Mark , Peebles Charles , Davies Lucy , Inskip Hazel , Robinson Sian , Calder Philip C. , Cooper Cyrus , Godfrey Keith M.
Published: February 2015

Rationale:

Higher pulse wave velocity (PWV) reflects increased arterial stiffness and is an established cardiovascular risk marker associated with lower long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in adults. Experimentally, maternal fatty acid intake in pregnancy has lasting effects on offspring arterial stiffness.

Objective:

To examine the association between maternal consumption of oily fish, a source of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in pregnancy and child’s aortic stiffness age 9 years.

Methods and Results:

In a mother–offspring study (Southampton Women’s Survey), the child’s descending aorta PWV was measured at the age of 9 years using velocity-encoded phase-contrast MRI and related to maternal oily fish consumption assessed prospectively during pregnancy. Higher oily fish consumption in late pregnancy was associated with lower childhood aortic PWV (sex-adjusted β=−0.084 m/s per portion per week; 95% confidence interval, −0.137 to −0.031;
P
=0.002; n=226). Mother’s educational attainment was independently associated with child’s PWV. PWV was not associated with the child’s current oily fish consumption.

Conclusions:

Level of maternal oily fish consumption in pregnancy may influence child’s large artery development, with potential long-term consequences for later cardiovascular risk.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-Minute Protocol Is a Brief, Valid, Reliable, and Feasible Cognitive Screen for Telephone Administration
Authors: Wong Adrian , Nyenhuis David , Black Sandra E. , Law Lorraine S.N. , Lo Eugene S.K. , Kwan Pauline W.L. , Au Lisa , Chan Anne Y.Y. , Wong Lawrence K.S. , Nasreddine Ziad , Mok Vincent
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Canadian Stroke Network Vascular Cognitive Impairment Harmonization working group proposed a brief cognitive protocol for screening of vascular cognitive impairment. We investigated the validity, reliability, and feasibility of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-minute protocol (MoCA 5-minute protocol) administered over the telephone.

Methods—

Four items examining attention, verbal learning and memory, executive functions/language, and orientation were extracted from the MoCA to form the MoCA 5-minute protocol. One hundred four patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack, including 53 with normal cognition (Clinical Dementia Rating, 0) and 51 with cognitive impairment (Clinical Dementia Rating, 0.5 or 1), were administered the MoCA in clinic and a month later, the MoCA 5-minute protocol over the telephone.

Results—

Administration of the MoCA 5-minute protocol took 5 minutes over the telephone. Total score of the MoCA 5-minute protocol correlated negatively with age (
r
=−0.36;
P
<0.001) and positively with years of education (
r
=0.41;
P
<0.001) but not with sex (ρ=0.03;
P
=0.773). Total scores of the MoCA and MoCA 5-minute protocol were highly correlated (
r
=0.87;
P
<0.001). The MoCA 5-minute protocol performed equally well as the MoCA in differentiating patients with cognitive impairment from those without (areas under receiver operating characteristics curve for MoCA 5-minute protocol, 0.78; MoCA=0.74;
P
>0.05 for difference; Cohen
d
for group difference, 0.80–1.13). It differentiated cognitively impaired patients with executive domain impairment from those without (areas under receiver operating characteristics curve, 0.89;
P
<0.001; Cohen
d
=1.7 for group difference). Thirty-day test–retest reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.89).

Conclusions—

The MoCA 5-minute protocol is a free, valid, and reliable cognitive screen for stroke and transient ischemic attack. It is brief and highly feasible for telephone administration.
Stroke Lesion Volumes and Outcome Are Not Different in Hemispheric Stroke Side Treated With Intravenous Thrombolysis Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Criteria
Authors: Golsari Amir , Cheng Bastian , Sobesky Jan , Schellinger Peter D. , Fiehler Jens , Gerloff Christian , Thomalla Götz
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—

Patients with right hemispheric stroke (RHS) have been reported to have fewer good outcomes after thrombolysis. We aimed at evaluating outcome after stroke thrombolysis with regards to the affected hemisphere controlling for stroke lesion volume as a potential confounder.

Methods—

We retrospectively analyzed data from a prospective study of patients with acute stroke treated with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator, based on magnetic resonance imaging criteria within 6 hours of symptom onset. Neurological deficit was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Lesion volume on acute perfusion imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion imaging/DWI mismatch were measured. Clinical outcome was assessed after 90 days using the modified Rankin Scale, and relation to affected hemisphere was studied by multivariate analysis.

Results—

Of 173 patients, 55 (32%) presented with RHS, whereas 118 (68%) had left HS. Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was lower in RHS (11.7 versus 13.6;
P
=0.031). There were no differences in DWI lesion volume (11.0 versus 17.8 mL;
P
=0.519), perfusion imaging lesion volume (98.9 versus 118.3 mL;
P
=0.395), perfusion imaging/DWI mismatch (60 versus 85.05 mL;
P
=0.283). Clinical outcome was also comparable for both groups (modified Rankin Scale, 0–1;
P
=0.327). In multivariate analysis, DWI lesion volume (
P
<0.001) and age were associated with modified Rankin Scale at day 90, whereas affected hemisphere was not.

Conclusions—

We did not find differences between RHS and left HS with regards to stroke lesions volumes or outcome after thrombolysis. Previously reported hemisphere-related differences in stroke outcome may partly results from imbalances in stroke lesion volume between RHS and left HS.
Cannabis and Stroke
Authors: Hackam Daniel G.
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—

An increasing number of case reports link cannabis consumption to cerebrovascular events. Yet these case reports have not been scrutinized using criteria for causal inference.

Methods—

All case reports on cannabis and cerebrovascular events were retrieved. Four causality criteria were addressed: temporality, adequacy of stroke work-up, effects of rechallenge, and concomitant risk factors that could account for the cerebrovascular event.

Results—

There were 34 case reports on 64 patients. Most cases (81%) exhibited a temporal relationship between cannabis exposure and the index event. In 70%, the evaluation was sufficiently comprehensive to exclude other sources for stroke. About a quarter (22%) of patients had another stroke after subsequent re-exposure to cannabis. Finally, half of patients (50%) had concomitant stroke risk factors, most commonly tobacco (34%) and alcohol (11%) consumption.

Conclusions—

Many case reports support a causal link between cannabis and cerebrovascular events. This accords well with epidemiological and mechanistic research on the cerebrovascular effects of cannabis.
Binary Image Classification: A Genetic Programming Approach to the Problem of Limited Training Instances
Authors: Al-Sahaf Harith , Zhang Mengjie , Johnston Mark
Published: February 2015

In the computer vision and pattern recognition fields, image classification represents an important yet difficult task. It is a challenge to build effective computer models to replicate the remarkable ability of the human visual system, which relies on only one or a few instances to learn a completely new class or an object of a class. Recently we proposed two genetic programming (GP) methods, one-shot GP and compound-GP, that aim to evolve a program for the task of binary classification in images. The two methods are designed to use only one or a few instances per class to evolve the model. In this study, we investigate these two methods in terms of performance, robustness, and complexity of the evolved programs. We use ten data sets that vary in difficulty to evaluate these two methods. We also compare them with two other GP and six non-GP methods. The results show that one-shot GP and compound-GP outperform or achieve results comparable to competitor methods. Moreover, the features extracted by these two methods improve the performance of other classifiers with handcrafted features and those extracted by a recently developed GP-based method in most cases.
The Axiology of Military Wills
Authors: Rudnicki Jan
Published: February 2015

The institution of military will, derived from Roman imperial law, developed into many various models. Despite crucial differences, all the models can be described as special forms of testaments restricted to soldiers and sailors, thus always having an element of personal privilege. The differences, on the other hand, prove that each model represents another ideas and principles concerning testamentary law. Every lawmaker has to decide how to balance two colliding principles: freedom of testation and security of legal circulation. The case of military will, via its uniqueness, gives an opportunity to look through fundamental models of solving of this collision.
Length as the Exclusive Distinctive Feature: A Perception Experiment of Fuqing Tones
Authors: Lam Man Fong
Published: February 2015

Pitch is generally regarded as the exclusive distinctive tonal feature in tone descriptions of Chinese dialects. By means of acoustic experiments, this paper investigates the tones of the Fuqing dialect. The results show that the F0 of the shangsheng and yangqu tones are nearly identical. A perception experiment involving identification tests was conducted to explore the influence of tone length on tonal perception. The results show that length functions as the exclusive distinctive feature. This demonstrates the vital role length plays in a description of the tones of the Fuqing dialect.
Rules for Connecting the Tones of Two-Syllable Words in Beijing Mandarin
Authors: Wu Wei
Published: February 2015

When two Chinese syllables are uttered sequentially, the tone of each syllable has its own pitch and contour. Two adjacent tones in spontaneous speech must overcome the contradictions in pitch and contour in order to form a tonally smooth unit, and there must be some rules governing the process. Taking the tonal pattern of two-syllable words in Beijing Mandarin as the object of study and based on analyses of experimental phonetics, this paper reveals three rules in connecting two tones in actual speech, namely connection at the same pitch level, connection with pitch adjustment, and connection with highlighting.
The Development Patterns of Consonants in Old Mongolian
Authors: Harnud Huhe
Published: February 2015

The present study is the first systematic comparative work on consonants in Mongolic languages, the purpose of which is to establish a basis for the historical-comparative study of the development of consonants in the Mongolic languages. This comparative study is based on data from the following languages: Classical Written Mongolian, Modern Mongolian, Monguor, Moghol, Dagur, Shira Yugur, Buriad, Kalmuck, Dongxiang, Baoan and Chakhar sub-dialect.
A Comparison of Vowel Normalization Methods and Their Applications
Authors: Jiao Lei
Published: February 2015

In this paper I discuss the necessity and possibility of the application of normalization methods in phonetic studies, especially in the acoustic analysis of vowels. I also compare and evaluate the vowel normalization methods listed in Adank et al. (2004), with the method of calculating the centrality of vowels after normalization. The results show that the Z-score method and CLIH1 method are the most effective in centralizing the data and eliminating gender differences.
Temporal and Spatial Interpolation of the Standardized Precipitation Index for Computational Efficiency in the Dynamic Drought Index Tool
Authors: DeGaetano Arthur T. , Belcher Brian N. , Noon William
Published: February 2015

The feasibility of interpolating gamma-distribution parameters between different precipitation accumulation intervals (durations) is statistically evaluated. The interpolation of these parameters for a specific accumulation interval, but ending on different dates, is similarly assessed. Such interpolation increases the computational efficiency of drought-monitoring tools that require calculation of the standardized precipitation index (SPI) for any user-specified accumulation period on any given day. Spatial interpolation of the distribution parameters is also assessed. Given a 60-yr period of record, few statistically significant differences were found between gamma-distribution percentiles interpolated between fixed base durations and those computed directly. Shorter interpolation intervals (generally 30 days) were required for the shortest (e.g., 30 days) durations, whereas interpolation over periods of as long as 180 days could be used for the longest (between 360 and 720 days) durations. Interpolating the distribution parameters to different ending dates on the basis of those computed for the end of each month was also appropriate. The spatial interpolation of gamma-distribution parameters, although viable in practice for monitoring large-scale drought conditions, was associated with larger SPI differences than was the spatial interpolation of the SPI index itself or the interpolation of historical precipitation and the subsequent calculation of gamma-distribution parameters on the basis of these values.