bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Place and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Monson Eva , Paquet Catherine , Daniel Mark , Brunet Alain , Caron Jean
Published: July 2016

Research on traumatic stress has focused largely on individual risk factors. A more thorough understanding of risk factors may require investigation of the contribution of neighborhood context, such as the associations between perceived neighbourhood disorder and social cohesion with reported trauma exposure (yes/no) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic status (past‐year PTSD, remitted). To examine these associations, we used a cross‐sectional analysis of an epidemiological catchment area survey (N = 2,433). Visible cues, indicating a lack of order and social control in the community (neighbourhood disorder), were associated with increased trauma exposure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.12, 1.31]). For trauma‐exposed individuals, neighbourhood disorder was associated with greater odds of lifetime PTSD (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.10, 1.75]), and the willingness of residents who realize common values to intervene for the common good (social cohesion), was associated with lower likelihood of past‐year PTSD (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI [0.42, 0.97]). For participants with a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD (including past‐year), increased social cohesion was associated with higher odds of remission (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI [1.55, 4.30]). Environmental contexts play a role in the development and progression of PTSD. As such, traumatic stress outcomes may be better understood through a perspective that integrates individual and contextual risk factors.
A three‐dimensional analysis of the endolymph drainage system in Ménière disease
Authors: Monsanto Rafael da Costa , Pauna Henrique F. , Kwon Geeyoun , Schachern Patricia A. , Tsuprun Vladimir , Paparella Michael M. , Cureoglu Sebahattin
Published: July 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

To measure the volume of the endolymph drainage system in temporal bone specimens with Ménière disease, as compared with specimens with endolymphatic hydrops without vestibular symptoms and with nondiseased specimens

Study Design

Comparative human temporal bone analysis.

Methods

We generated three‐dimensional models of the vestibular aqueduct, endolymphatic sinus and duct, and intratemporal portion of the endolymphatic sac and calculated the volume of those structures. We also measured the internal and external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct, as well as the opening (if present) of the utriculoendolymphatic (Bast's) valve and compared the measurements in our three study groups.

Results

The volume of the vestibular aqueduct and of the endolymphatic sinus, duct, and intratemporal endolymphatic sac was significantly lower in the Ménière disease group than in the endolymphatic hydrops group (P <.05). The external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct was also smaller in the Ménière disease group. Bast's valve was open only in some specimens in the Ménière disease group.

Conclusions

In temporal bones with Ménière disease, the volume of the vestibular aqueduct, endolymphatic duct, and intratemporal endolymphatic sac was lower, and the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct was smaller as compared with bones from donors who had endolymphatic hydrops without vestibular symptoms and with nondiseased bones. The open status of the Bast's valve in the Ménière disease group could be secondary to higher retrograde endolymph pressures caused by smaller drainage systems. These anatomic findings could correlate with the reason that some patients with hydrops develop clinical symptoms, whereas others do not.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 127:E170–E175, 2017
Prevalence and Correlates of Anti‐Parkinson Drug Use in a Nationally Representative Sample
Authors: Dahodwala Nabila , Willis Allison W. , Li Pengxiang , Doshi Jalpa A.
Published: July 2016

Background

Although numerous prescription drugs are available to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), little is known about national use in clinical practice and which factors may influence variability in care. The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of anti‐Parkinson drug use among Medicare beneficiaries with PD and to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with drug use.

Methods

This retrospective study was based on a random sample of annual 5% Medicare Part A and B claims linked with Medicare Part D drug files from 2007 through 2010. The study sample included fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries with continuous stand‐alone Part D enrollment who had been diagnosed with PD in the given year. First, any PD drug use and drug use by class (levodopa, dopamine agonist, anticholinerigc, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitors, and amantadine) were described. Using generalized estimating equation regressions, patient and provider characteristics associated with anti‐Parkinson drug use and choice were examined.

Results

Over 81% of patients with PD were treated with anti‐Parkinson drugs, and this proportion was stable over the 4 years of the study. The majority were treated with levodopa (90%); followed by dopamine agonists (29–31%); then monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, anticholinergics, amantadine, and catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitors (all between 5% and 11%). Holding all else equal, patients who were not seen by a neurologist (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.38–0.44; P < 0.001) and African‐American patients (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.93; P = 0.003) were significantly less likely to be treated.

Conclusions

Among a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries with PD, the majority received anti‐Parkinson drugs. However, there was relative under‐treatment of African‐Americans and patients who were not seen by a neurologist for care.
Evaluation of Doppler weather radar MEGHA‐2700 observations using Gematronik Doppler weather radar and TRMM Precipitation Radar
Authors: Subrahmanyam K. Venkata , Kishore Kumar Karanam , Kiran Kumar N. V. P. , Viswanathan G.
Published: July 2016

As a part of the MEGHA‐2700 validation after programme, Doppler weather radar (DWR) at Sriharikota (13.66 ° N, 80.23 ° E) is validated with the Chennai (13.07 ° N, 80.28 ° E DWR) (hereafter CHENNAI‐DWR) and simultaneous observations along with Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) measurements. Many simultaneous observations of weather systems were carried out using these two DWRs with an aim of validating the MEGHA‐2700. During this validation period, a tropical cyclone ‘OGNI’ formed in the Bay of Bengal on 28 October 2006. Simultaneous observations from these two radars are used for the present study along with TRMM‐PR measurements. A methodology is developed to interpolate two ground radars and PR volume scans into a fixed Cartesian grid box because the common volume observations minimize uncertainties associated with the sampling volumes and viewing angles. It is observed that MEGHA‐2700 systematically underestimates CHENNAI‐DWR reflectivity by ∼6.23 dB. The rainfall estimations from MEGHA‐2700 show that the bias adjustment reduces the total rainfall differences significantly between radar estimates and rain gauges. The significance of the present study lies in validating the indigenously developed DWR, which will form the basis for further research on cloud microphysics.
An evaluation strategy of skill of high‐resolution rainfall forecast for specific agricultural applications
Authors: Rakesh V. , Goswami Prashant
Published: July 2016

A strategy for validation of rainfall forecasts for specific agricultural applications is presented. The focus is mainly on the design of specific forecast advisories that are risk‐free and useful in spite of their inherent errors. The strategy works for these specific applications because the forecast advisories are based on when NOT to irrigate or apply fertilizer/pesticide because rain is predicted (risk‐free because wrong forecast only delays irrigation/application of fertilizer/pesticide within tolerance). Thus, unlike in conventional forecast evaluation, a forecast is considered as valid if the forecasted rain (or no rain) is correct for the day of the forecast (D0C) or the next day or the day after (designated D1C and D2C, respectively), as the farmer can afford to postpone the field application for a couple of days beyond the scheduled date. The methodology has been evaluated for rainfall forecasts over Karnataka (a state in southwest India with nearly 56% of the workforce engaged in agriculture). Here, forecast validation against rain gauge observations is presented at comparable resolutions for the southwest (June to September) and the northeast (October to December) monsoon seasons during 2011–2014. Analyses demonstrate that forecasts over several areas which may appear to be less reliable based on conventional evaluation (D0C) are found to have useful skill for the specific agro‐applications as evident from evaluation based on D1C and D2C criteria. Our analysis shows that the evaluation strategy presented is effective during the non‐rainy (January–May) season also. It is pointed out that such an approach can help to meet the challenges in designing and implementing best practices in agriculture by combining immediate gains for the end users with long‐term sustainability.
Relaxed quaternionic Gabor expansions at critical density
Authors: Hartmann Stefan
Published: July 2016

Shifted and modulated Gaussian functions play a vital role in the representation of signals. We extend the theory into a quaternionic setting, using two exponential kernels with two complex numbers. As a final result, we show that every continuous and quaternion‐valued signal f in the Wiener space can be expanded into a unique ℓ2 series on a lattice at critical density 1, provided one more point is added in the middle of a cell. We call that a relaxed Gabor expansion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CTE method and exact solutions for modified Boussinesq system
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Han , Shi Yu‐Bin , Yang Jian‐Wen
Published: July 2016

In this paper, the truncated Painlevé analysis and the consistent tanh expansion method are developed for the modified Boussinesq system, and new exact solutions such as the single‐soliton, the two‐soliton, the rational solutions, and the explicit interaction solutions among a soliton and the cnoidal periodic waves are obtained. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limited memory preconditioners for symmetric indefinite problems with application to structural mechanics
Authors: Gratton Serge , Mercier Sylvain , Tardieu Nicolas , Vasseur Xavier
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a class of limited memory preconditioners (LMP) for solving linear systems of equations with symmetric indefinite matrices and multiple right‐hand sides. These preconditioners based on limited memory quasi‐Newton formulas require a small number k of linearly independent vectors and may be used to improve an existing first‐level preconditioner. The contributions of the paper are threefold. First, we derive a formula to characterize the spectrum of the preconditioned operator. A spectral analysis of the preconditioned matrix shows that the eigenvalues are all real and that the LMP class is able to cluster at least k eigenvalues at 1. Secondly, we show that the eigenvalues of the preconditioned matrix enjoy interlacing properties with respect to the eigenvalues of the original matrix provided that the k linearly independent vectors have been prior projected onto the invariant subspaces associated with the eigenvalues of the original matrix in the open right and left half‐plane, respectively. Third, we focus on theoretical properties of the Ritz‐LMP variant, where Ritz information is used to determine the k vectors. Finally, we illustrate the numerical behaviour of the Ritz limited memory preconditioners on realistic applications in structural mechanics that require the solution of sequences of large‐scale symmetric saddle‐point systems. Numerical experiments show the relevance of the proposed preconditioner leading to a significant decrease in terms of computational operations when solving such sequences of linear systems. A saving of up to 43% in terms of computational effort is obtained on one of these applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of heteropolymeric to oligomeric character in electrospray deposited melanin films
Authors: Ali Mushtaq , Shah Said Karim , Abbas Mamatimin , Gunnella Roberto
Published: July 2016

The physicochemical
properties of eumelanin thin films realized by spray and electrospray deposition methods were investigated. We find a consistent improvement above the film quality reached from liquid solution, minimizing the detrimental effect of the solvent in the final morphology of the films. Furthermore a clear trend towards specific aggregation modalities made us able to significantly unveil some of the cumbersome physical mechanisms at the basis of the various properties that are often invoked for this important functional biomaterial. In particular, temperature dependent electrical resistance evidenced a semiconductor‐like character, with peculiar features of melanin organization explicated through crosslinked secondary structure as emerged from many observations obtained by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Foucault optical system by using a nondedicated conventional TEM
Authors: Nakajima Hiroshi , Kotani Atsuhiro , Harada Ken , Ishii Yui , Mori Shigeo
Published: July 2016

We have constructed an electron optical system for both Foucault imaging and small‐angle electron diffraction (SmAED) modes by using a nondedicated conventional transmission electron microscope. The objective lens is switched off as for Lorentz microscopy. An objective mini‐lens is utilized in order to make a crossover on the plane where a selected area aperture is located. The aperture works for an angular selection in the Foucault mode. The present electron optical system has two advantages: one is the independent control of the illumination and the imaging optics, and the other is the application of external magnetic fields to the specimen parallel to the optical axis with the objective lens. In SmAED mode, the maximum camera length is estimated to be approximately 1300 m. We succeeded in the observation of magnetic domain structures and SmAED patterns of the rhombohedral phase of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 by using the present electron optical system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chitosan Nanofibers for Specific Capture and Nondestructive Release of CTCs Assisted by pCBMA Brushes
Authors: Sun Na , Liu Min , Wang Jine , Wang Zhili , Li Xinpan , Jiang Bin , Pei Renjun
Published: July 2016

Over the last decade, significant progress has been made to develop sensitive devices for the capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood of cancer patients. However, simple capture and counting of CTCs cannot provide effective information for understanding the biology of them. In this work, a functional biointerface is fabricated for specific capture and nondestructive release of CTCs from blood samples. A nanostrucure of porous network based on chitosan nanofibers is fabricated by electrospinning, to mimic the function of extracellular matrices, and then the poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) (pCBMA) brushes integrating onto nanofiber interface provide the effect of interfacial properties to control nonspecific cell adhesion and the multivalent immobilization of aptamers to induce high efficient and specific CTC capture. Furthermore, a complementary sequence is used to efficiently hybridize with the aptamer to achieve nondestructive release of the captured target cells, assisted by the flexible space provided by pCBMA brushes. This work also shows how nanostructure and the interface molecules regulate the morphology of the captured CTCs, and reveals the importance of the controllable cell morphology on biointerface for an effective nondestructive release of the captured CTCs.
Combined Positron Emission Tomography and Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging of Sentinel Lymph Nodes Using PEGylated Radionuclide‐Embedded Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Sang Bong , Yoon GhilSuk , Lee Sang‐Woo , Jeong Shin Young , Ahn Byeong‐Cheol , Lim Dong‐Kwon , Lee Jaetae , Jeon Yong Hyun
Published: July 2016

New imaging probes with high sensitivity and stability are urgently needed to accurately detect sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) for successful cancer diagnosis. Herein, the use of highly sensitive and stable PEGylated radionuclide‐embedded gold nanoparticles (PEG‐RIe‐AuNPs) is reported for the detection of SLNs by combined positron emission tomography and Cerenkov luminescence imaging (PET/CLI). PEG‐RIe‐AuNPs show high sensitivity and stability both in vitro and in vivo, and are not toxic to normal ovarian and immune cells. In vivo PET/CLI imaging clearly reveals SLNs as early as 1 h post PEG‐RIe‐AuNP‐injection, with peak signals achieved at 6 h postinjection, which is consistent with the biodistribution results. Taken together, the data provide strong evidence that PEG‐RIe‐AuNPs are promising as potential lymphatic tracers in biomedical imaging for pre and intraoperative surgical guidance.
Big forensic data management in heterogeneous distributed systems: quick analysis of multimedia forensic data
Authors: Quick Darren , Choo Kim‐Kwang Raymond
Published: July 2016

The growth in the data volume and number of evidential data from heterogeneous distributed systems in smart cities, such as cloud and fog computing systems and Internet‐of‐Things devices (e.g. IP‐based CCTVs), has led to increased collection, processing and analysis times, potentially resulting in vulnerable persons (e.g. victims of terrorism incidents) being at risk. A process of Digital Forensic Data Reduction of source multimedia and forensic images has provided a method to reduce the collection time and volume of data. In this paper, a methodology of Digital Forensic Quick Analysis is outlined, which describes a method to review Digital Forensic Data Reduction subsets to pinpoint relevant evidence and intelligence from heterogeneous distributed systems in a timely manner. Applying the proposed methodology to real‐world data from an Australian police agency highlighted the timeliness of the process, resulting in significant improvements in processing times in comparison with processing a full forensic image. The Quick Analysis methodology, combined with Digital Forensic Data Reduction, has potential to locate evidence and intelligence in a timely manner. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Duplication and Collapse
Authors: Javier-Castellanos Amir Arturo ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2016

Kris McDaniel has argued that strong composition as identity entails a principle he calls the Plural Duplication Principle (PDP), and that (PDP) is inconsistent with the possibility of strongly emergent properties. Theodore Sider has objected that this possibility is only inconsistent with a closely analogous principle he calls the Set Duplication Principle (SDP). According to Sider, however, the friend of strong composition as identity is under no pressure to accept (SDP). In this paper, I argue that she has strong reason to accept either (SDP) or a principle that is also inconsistent with the possibility of strongly emergent properties.
Maternal marginal iodine deficiency limits dendritic growth of cerebellar purkinje cells in rat offspring by NF‐κB signaling and MAP1B
Authors: Yu Ye , Dong Jing , Wang Yuan , Wang Yi , Min Hui , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping , Chen Jie
Published: July 2016

Iodine deficiency (ID) during early pregnancy had an adverse effect on children's psychomotor and motor function. It is worth noting that maternal marginal ID tends to be a common public health problem. Whether marginal ID potentially had adverse effects on the development of cerebellum and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, our aim was to study the effects of marginal ID on the dendritic growth in filial cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) and the underlying mechanism. In the present study, we established Wistar rat models by feeding dam rats with a diet deficient in iodine and deionized water supplemented with potassium iodide. We examined the total dendritic length using immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis was conducted to investigate the activity of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signaling and microtubule‐associated protein 1B (MAP1B). Our results showed that marginal ID reduced the total dendritic length of cerebellar PCs, slightly down‐regulated the activity of NF‐κB signaling and decreased MAP1B in cerebellar PCs on postnatal day (PN) 7, PN14, and PN21. Our study may support the hypothesis that decreased T4 induced by marginal ID limits PCs dendritic growth, which may involve in the disturbance of NF‐κB signaling and MAP1B on the cerebellum. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1241–1251, 2017.
Anthocyanins from roselle extract arrest cell cycle G2/M phase transition via ATM/Chk pathway in p53‐deficient leukemia HL‐60 cells
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Chang , Huang Hui‐Pei , Chang Kai‐Ting , Wang Chau‐Jong , Chang Yun‐Ching
Published: July 2016

Cell cycle regulation is an important issue in cancer therapy. Delphinidin and cyanidin are two major anthocyanins of the roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa). In the present study, we investigated the effect of Hibiscus anthocyanins (HAs) on cell cycle arrest in human leukemia cell line HL‐60 and the analyzed the underlying molecular mechanisms. HAs extracted from roselle calyces (purity 90%) markedly induced G2/M arrest evaluated with flow cytometry analysis. Western blot analyses revealed that HAs (0.1–0.7 mg mL−1) induced G2/M arrest via increasing Tyr15 phosphorylation of Cdc2, and inducing Cdk inhibitors p27 and p21. HAs also induced phosphorylation of upstream signals related to G2/M arrest such as phosphorylation of Cdc25C tyrosine phosphatase at Ser216, increasing the binding of pCdc25C with 14‐3‐3 protein. HAs‐induced phosphorylation of Cdc25C could be activated by ATM checkpoint kinases, Chk1, and Chk2. We first time confirmed that ATM‐Chk1/2‐Cdc25C pathway as a critical mechanism for G2/M arrest in HAs‐induced leukemia cell cycle arrest, indicating that this compound could be a promising anticancer candidate or chemopreventive agents for further investigation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1290–1304, 2017.
Relay attacks concerns in wireless ad hoc, sensors, and RFID networks
Authors: Guizani Sghaier
Published: July 2016

The recent advancements in embedded and wireless systems have led to a new class of pervasive technologies, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Networks, Ad‐Hoc Networks, and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). These networks have presented promising solutions for a wide range of technological applications. However, privacy and security concerns in these systems have remained a matter of great concern. The privacy and security concerns in these networks become more serious when the networks are integrated. In this paper, simulation of relay attacks is presented on the commonly used ISO/IEC 14443 standard. A mobile phone and an RFID tag emulator have been used. The emulator and the phone are set to share RFID communication through a Bluetooth channel. The results of the relay attacks are then presented. Finally, the paper suggests possible solutions that can be implemented to protect against the attacks. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Allergy in Total Knee Replacement. Does it Exist?
Authors: Faschingbauer Martin , Renner Lisa , Boettner Friedrich
Published: July 2016

Background

There is little data on whether preexisting allergies to implant materials and bone cement have an impact on the outcome of TKA.

Questions/Purposes

This review article analyzes the current literature to evaluate the prevalence and importance of metal and cement allergies for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Methods

A review of the literature was performed using the following search criteria: “knee,” “arthroplasty,” and “allergy” as well as “knee,” “arthroplasty,” and “hypersensitivity.”

Results

One hundred sixteen articles were identified on PubMed, Seventy articles could be excluded by reviewing the title and abstract leaving 46 articles to be included for this review. The majority of the studies cited patch testing as the gold standard for screening and diagnosis of hypersensitivity following TKA. There is consensus that patients with self-reported allergies against metals or bone cement and positive patch test should be treated with hypoallergenic materials or cementless TKA. Treatment options include the following: coated titanium or cobalt-chromium implants, ceramic, or zirconium oxide implants.

Conclusion

Allergies against implant materials and bone cement are rare. Patch testing is recommended for patients with self-reported allergies. The use of special implants is recommended for patients with a confirmed allergy.
Efficacy of trifluridine and tipiracil (TAS-102) versus placebo, with supportive care, in a randomized, controlled trial of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer from Spain: results of a subgroup analysis of the phase 3 RECOURSE trial
Authors: Longo-Muñoz F. , Argiles G. , Tabernero J. , Cervantes A. , Gravalos C. , Pericay C. , Gil-Calle S. , Mizuguchi H. , Carrato-Mena A. , Limón M. L. , Garcia-Carbonero R.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

TAS-102 is a combination of the thymidine-based nucleoside analog trifluridine and the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor tipiracil. Efficacy and safety of TAS-102 in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) refractory or intolerant to standard therapies were evaluated in the phase 3 RECOURSE trial. Results of RECOURSE demonstrated significant improvement in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with TAS-102 versus placebo [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.68 and 0.48 for OS and PFS, respectively; both P < 0.001]. The current analysis evaluates efficacy and safety of TAS-102 in the RECOURSE Spanish subgroup.

Methods

Primary and key secondary endpoints were evaluated in a post hoc analysis of the RECOURSE Spanish subgroup, using univariate and multivariate analyses. Safety and tolerability were reported with descriptive statistics.

Results

The RECOURSE Spanish subgroup included 112 patients (mean age 61 years, 62 % male). Median OS was 6.8 months in the TAS-102 group (n = 80) versus 4.6 months in the placebo group (n = 32) [HR = 0.47; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.28–0.78; P = 0.0032). Median PFS was 2.0 months in the TAS-102 group and 1.7 months in the placebo group (HR = 0.47; 95 % CI: 0.30–0.74; P = 0.001). Eighty (100 %) TAS-102 versus 31 (96.9 %) placebo patients had adverse events (AEs). The most common drug-related ≥Grade 3 AE was neutropenia (40 % TAS-102 versus 0 % placebo). There was 1 (1.3 %) case of febrile neutropenia in the TAS-102 group versus none in the placebo group.

Conclusions

In the RECOURSE Spanish subgroup, TAS-102 was associated with significantly improved OS and PFS versus placebo, consistent with the overall RECOURSE population. No new safety signals were identified.

ClinicalTrials.gov study number

NCT01607957
An inflammatory and trophic disconnect biomarker profile revealed in Down syndrome plasma: Relation to cognitive decline and longitudinal evaluation
Authors: Iulita M. Florencia , Ower Alison , Barone Concetta , Pentz Rowan , Gubert Palma , Romano Corrado , Cantarella Rita Anna , Elia Flaviana , Buono Serafino , Recupero Marilena , Romano Carmelo , Castellano Sabrina , Bosco Paolo , Di Nuovo Santo , Drago Filippo , Caraci Filippo , Cuello A. Claudio
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Given that Alzheimer's pathology develops silently over decades in Down syndrome (DS), prognostic biomarkers of dementia are a major need.

Methods

We investigated the plasma levels of Aβ, proNGF, tPA, neuroserpin, metallo‐proteases and inflammatory molecules in 31 individuals with DS (with and without dementia) and in 31 healthy controls. We examined associations between biomarkers and cognitive decline.

Results

Aβ40 and Aβ42 were elevated in DS plasma compared to controls, even in DS individuals without dementia. Plasma Aβ correlated with the rate of cognitive decline across 2 years. ProNGF, MMP‐1, MMP‐3, MMP‐9 activity, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐10 were higher in DS plasma, even at AD‐asymptomatic stages. Declining plasma Aβ42 and increasing proNGF levels correlated with cognitive decline. A combined measure of Aβ and inflammatory molecules was a strong predictor of prospective cognitive deterioration.

Conclusions

Our findings support the combination of plasma and cognitive assessments for the identification of DS individuals at risk of dementia.
Circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancer: A review
Authors: McMullen Kyle P. , Chalmers Jeffrey J. , Lang Jas C. , Kumar Pawan , Jatana Kris R.
Published: July 2016

Carcinoma of the head and neck represents 3.5% of all cancers, and the vast majority of these tumors are squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). With a stable overall survival rate of 50% among all stages, there is continued interested in developing measures for early detection and disease aggressiveness. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been identified as a potential marker for early metastatic disease, response to treatment, and surveillance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this article, techniques of CTC detection, applications of CTC technology, and outcomes of HNSCC patients will be discussed.
Coronatin-2 from the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus kills Galleria mellonella larvae and incapacitates hemocytes
Authors: Boguś M.I. , Wieloch W. , Ligęza-Żuber M.
Published: July 2016

Coronatin-2, a 14.5 kDa protein, was isolated from culture filtrates of the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Costantin) Batko (Entomophthoramycota: Entomophthorales). After LC–MS/MS (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) analysis of the tryptic peptide digest of coronatin-2 and a mass spectra database search no orthologs of this protein could be found in fungi. The highest homology was observed to the partial translation elongation factor 1a from Sphaerosporium equinum (protein sequence coverage, 21%), with only one peptide sequence, suggesting that coronatin-2 is a novel fungal protein that has not yet been described. In contrast to coronatin-1, an insecticidal 36 kDa protein, which shows both elastolytic and chitinolytic activity, coronatin-2 showed no enzymatic activity. Addition of coronatin-2 into cultures of hemocytes taken from larvae of Galleria mellonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), resulted in progressive disintegration of nets formed by granulocytes and plasmatocytes due to rapid degranulation of granulocytes, extensive vacuolization of plasmatocytes accompanied by cytoplasm expulsion, and cell disintegration. Spherulocytes remained intact, while oenocytes rapidly disintegrated. Coronatin-2 produced 80% mortality when injected into G. mellonella at 5 µg larva−1. Further study is warranted to determine the relevance of the acute toxicity of coronatin-2 and its effects on hemocytes in vitro to virulence of C. coronatus against its hosts.
Agglutination Experiments with Typhoid Bacilli isolated from the Body
Authors: Patrick Adam
Published: July 2016

It is well known that typhoid bailli, freshly isolated from enteric fever patients, vary in their capacity to undergo agglutination. The following series of experiments was carried out with the object of discovering whether these differences in agglutinability are dependent on the stage of the disease at whih the bacillus is isolated, or on the body substance from which it is obtaind.
The prevalence, correlates, and help-seeking of eating disorders in Switzerland
Authors: Mohler-Kuo M. , Schnyder U. , Dermota P. , Wei W. , Milos G.
Published: July 2016

Background

Eating disorders (EDs) have long-term physical and mental impacts on those affected. However, few population-based studies have estimated the prevalence of EDs. We aimed to estimate the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of EDs using DSM-IV criteria, and to examine differences against the DSM-5 criteria for anorexia.

Method

A nationally representative sample of 10 038 residents in Switzerland was interviewed, and prevalence rates for anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) were assessed using WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interviews (WHO-CIDI).

Results

The lifetime prevalence rate for any ED was found to be 3.5%. Lifetime prevalence estimates for AN, BN, and/or BED were 1.2%, 2.4%, and 2.4%, respectively, among women and 0.2%, 0.9%, and 0.7%, respectively, among men. Utilizing the DSM-5 criteria, the prevalence of AN in women increased by more than 50%, from 1.2% to 1.9%. Among those meeting the criteria for any ED, only 49.4% of men and 67.9% of women had ever sought professional help about their problems with eating or weight.

Conclusions

The higher prevalence of BN we detected relative to other studies should prompt further monitoring for a possible increasing trend. The female v. male ratios, especially for bulimia and BED, are decreasing. Given that more than half of those affected have never consulted any professional about their problems with eating or weight, routine inquiries about eating and weight by clinicians, school teachers/psychologists, and family members may help those who are at risk, especially among men.
II.—Additions to the paper “On the Establishment of the Elementary Principles of Quaternions &c.,” in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Vol. XXVII
Authors: Plarr G.
Published: July 2016

Page 190, to the alinea (beginning with): “the sole condition to be satisfied, is,” &c. (ending with): “… the versor of the expression may then become what it may,” add:

provided this versor does not differ from the versor of the product

made by successive multiplication (according to the definition of multiplication of more than two vectors), the quaternions w + ω, w−ω being likened respectively to the products

by a proper choice of the vectors p and .
Astronomy Development in Morocco: a Challenge to Stimulate Science and Education
Authors: Chamcham Khalil
Published: July 2016

From my experience in Morocco, I discuss the difficulties one can face while trying to set up projects in a country where astronomy is a forgotten science: everything has to be built from scratch and, at the same time, one is required to keep up the pace at the international level. But, on the other side, it is quite a relief to see the strong demand from students and the public. In these circumstances even professional astronomy cannot survive without feedback from the public and long-term investment in education at all levels.
Astronomy in Cuba: Practice and Trends. An Effort to Develop a Non-Formal Education Programme
Authors: Pomares Oscar A.
Published: July 2016

In recent years, a daily increasing movement of non-professional astronomers has become the center of development for astronomy, a subject practically absent now from the national education system in Cuba. A key role in this movement has been played by the professional staff of the Department of Astronomy of the Institute of Geophysics and Astronomy. A direct outcome of this joint effort with amateurs is the research on meteors and comets, presented at two national and one international scientific meeetings.
Astronomy in Venezuela
Authors: Rosenzweig Patricia
Published: July 2016

Since the installation of the Observatorio Cagigal in Caracas, astronomy in Venezuela has developed steadily, and, in the last few decades, has been strong. Both theoretical and observational astronomy now flourish in Venezuela. A research group, Grupo de Astrofísica (GA) at the Universidad de Los Andes (ULA) in Mérida, started with few members but now has increased its numbers and undergone many transformations, promoting the creation of the Grupo de Astrofísica Teórica (GAT), the Grupo de Astronomía, the Centro de Astrofísica Teòrica (CAT), and with other collaborators initiated the creation of a graduate study program (that offers master’s and doctor’s degrees) in the Postgrado de Física Fundamental of ULA. With the financial support of domestic Science Foundations such as CONICIT, CDCHT, Fundacite, and individual and collective grants, many research projects have been started and many others are planned. Venezuelan astronomy has benefitted from the interest of researchers in other countries, who have helped to improve our scientific output and instrumentation. With the important collaboration of national and foreign institutions, astronomy is becoming one of the strongest disciplines of the next decade in Venezuela.
Is Astronomical Research Appropriate for Developing Countries?
Authors: Snowden Michael. S.
Published: July 2016

An unproductive 45-cm astronomical telescope, given by JICA (Japan) to Sri Lanka, raises general questions as to the reasons for unproductive pure science in developing countries. Before installation, site, maintenance, and scientific objectives were discussed. The facility was launched with a conference organised by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. Unfortunately, no research or significant education has resulted after four years. The annual operating cost is U.S. $5000 per year, including salary for a trainee, maintenance, and a modest promotional programme. Comparison with a similar installation in Auckland suggests lack of funding or technical competence do not explain the failure in Sri Lanka. The facility in New Zealand, on the roof of Auckland University’s Physics Department, has a slightly smaller budget but has led to modest but useful research and teaching. Lack of financial backing and expertise are often blamed for weak science in developing countries, but examination shows most of these countries have adequately skilled people, and plenty of resources for religion and military. General lack of motivation for science appears to be the principal reason. This lack of interest and highly inefficient bureaucracies are common to scientifically unproductive countries. They mostly lack the cultural and philosphical base of the European Renaissance that motivate the pursuit of modern science, an activity that violates human preferences. There are excellent facilities (ESO, SAAO, Cerro Tololo, and GONG) in some of these same countries, when administered from the West.
Robotic Telescopes: A Link between Astronomically Developed and Astronomically Developing Countries
Authors: Martinez Peter
Published: July 2016

Astronomers in developing countries are often confronted with multiple problems of access to good equipment and access to good astronomical sites. While there is no subsititute for personal experience of using qood equipment at a good site, access to robotic telescopes can address these problems of access to some extent. This paper explores the possibilities for at least moderately experienced observational astronomers in developing countries to conduct observing programmes using remote robotic telescopes at good astronomical sites.
Overcoming the English-Language Barrier
Authors: Mahoney Terry J.
Published: July 2016

Astronomers from non-English-speaking countries, who form a sizeable proportion of the astronomical research community, are obliged to communicate the results of their investigations in a language that is not their own. Consequently, good science is frequently masked by poor command of English, which can create an unnecessary barrier to the communication of scientific results. A suggested method of surmounting the language barrier is the setting up of scientific editorial services in at least the major astronomical centres. It is further argued that journal editors, rather than scientific referees, should be responsible for judging the linguistic and stylistic quality of articles presented for publication. The peer-review system would then be restricted exclusively to the scientific rather than linguistic content of papers presented.

The scientific Editorial Service of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, in operation since 1996, is briefly described in this context.
Making the Most of Publishing Software
Authors: Mahoney Terry J.
Published: July 2016

Astronomers nowadays have a wealth of sophisticated publishing software at their fingertips, but are they achieving acceptable standards of presentation?
Commission 31: Time: (L’Heure)
Authors: Fukushima T. , Petit G. , Backer D.C. , Beutler G. , Brumberg V.A. , Fliegel H.F. , Leschiutta S.M. , Luck J. , Paquet P. , Provebio E. , Qi G.R. , Thomas C. , Veillet C. , Winkler G.M.R. , Zhai Z.C.
Published: July 2016

The CCTF (formerly named CCDS) held its 14th meeting on 20-22 April 1999. Following the discussions, seven Recommendations were adopted and submitted to the Comité International des Poids et Mesures (CIPM). The list is the following:

1. Recommendation S 1 (1999): Mise-en-pratique of the definition of the second.

2. Recommendation S 2 (1999): On stating uncertainty in comparisons involving primary frequency standards.

3. Recommendation S 3 (1999): On the comparison of primary frequency standards.

4. Recommendation S 4 (1999): On the use of multi-channel and multi-code GPS and GLONASS time receivers.

5. Recommendation S 5 (1999): Time and frequency comparisons using GPS phase and code measurements.

6. Recommendation S 6 (1999): Future global navigation satellite systems.

7. Recommendation S 7 (1999): On Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer

Additionally discussed were the present form of UTC and mostly the interest of preserving the leap second. The advantages and disadvantages of several options regarding the future use of leap seconds were compared. The CCTF, however, felt that it did not have the authority to propose any action. Then CCTF decided to ask the BIPM Director to write to the relating international bodies including IAU so as to draw their attentions to this issue while recommending the usage of TAI in case a time scale without discontinuity is needed. Also it was decided, in order to make more expedite the process, to ask the opinions of the various Commissions of the Scientific Unions.
Commission 15: Physical Study of Comets, Minor Planets, and Meteorites (L’Etude Physique des Cometes, des Petites Planetes et des Meteorites)
Authors: Zappala Vincenzo , Uwe Keller H. , Bailey M. , Binzel R. P. , Capria M. T. , Feldman P. D. , Fernández J. , Lagerkvist C.-I. , Levasseur-Regourd A.-C. , Meech K. , Watanabe J. , West R. M.
Published: July 2016

The present report of Commission 15 has been, as usual, prepared primarily by the chairpersons of the two working groups. E. Tedesco wrote the section about Asteroids and Meteorites, with the assistance of A. Cellino, G. Consolmagno and C.-I. Lagerkvist. W. F. Huebner prepared the section about Comets, with the assistance of J. Benkhoff, H. Boehnhardt, J. Brandt, M. T. Capria, A. Cochran, G. Cremonese, M. Duncan, W. Huntress, H. Levison, and G. P. Tozzi. Moreover, the whole document has been assembled by K. Muinonen, who did the final editing, to merge the two reports and fit the document into the allotted space. Material taken from both major areas regarding the relationship between comets and asteroids has been combined into a single section.
Division IX: Optical and Infrared Techniques: (Techniques Optiques Et Infrarouges)
Authors: Sterken C. , Hearnshaw John B. , Landstreet John D. , Lelièvre G. , McLean Ian S. , Scarfe Colin D.
Published: July 2016

Division IX provides a forum for astronomers engaged in the innovation, development, and calibration of optical instrumentation and observational procedures, including data processing. The Reports of Commissions 9, 25 and 30 highlight the research topics covered from 1996 to 1999. Two Working Groups are associated with Comm. 9, viz. the Working Group on Sky Surveys, and the Working Group on Detectors; Commission 25 has one Working Group dealing with Infrared Astronomy. For a detailed account of progress over the last triennium, we refer to the following Reports of Commissions and Working Groups.
Working Group on Planetary System Nomenclature (Wgpsn): (Groupe de Travail Pour la Nomenclature du Systeme Planetaire)
Authors: Aksnes K. , Davies M. E. , Bergh C. de , Marov M. Ya. , Marsden B.G. , Moore P. , Owen T. C. , Shevchenko V. V. , Smith B. A. , Blue J. , Burba G. A. , Gaddis L. , Masson P.
Published: July 2016

Since July 1996, 815 new names on features on bodies in the Solar System have been assigned by the WGPSN and approved at the IAU General Assembly in Kyoto in 1997. Of these names, 666 were for Venus, 17 for Mars, 3 for the Moon, 125 for the Galilean satellites, 3 for the Uranian satellite Miranda, and 1 for the minor planet Ida. 71 additional names mostly on Venus have been selected and have been given or are awaiting provisional approval by the IAU Executive Committee (EC). These names are up for final approval at the next IAU General Assembly.
6. Astronomical Telegrams
Authors: Hers J. , Candy M. P. , Marsden B.G. , vacant  , Bardwell C.M. , Green D.W.E.
Published: July 2016

The Commission has been fortunate in being able to continue its work during the last triennium with a minimum of effort, and thanks for this should go largely to the Director of the Bureau, Dr B.G. Marsden, for his untiring dedication, as well as to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for its general support. If any question has arisen, it was where the line should be drawn between paid and unpaid contributions to the Circulars. This involves a somewhat delicate balance of interests between, on the one hand, the encouragement given to certain types of observations which have traditionally been published in the Circulars, (e.g. accurate positions of comets), and, on the other, the income on whi h the continued successful operation of the Bureau depends. The position will therefore have to be kept under review at all times. At present all evidence points to general satisfaction with current policy.
Solar Activity
Authors: Bumba V.
Published: July 2016

This report summarizes research on solar activity over an almost three-year period from January 1, 1979, till the end of June 1981. In preparing this report we respected the advice of the I.A.U. Executive Committee to cover the highlights of work carried out in the field of solar physics relevant to our Commission, and avoiding double work. Only a limited space was made available for our Commission. Given this restraint we tried to produce a comprehensive review. With great pleasure I appreciate the excellent cooperation of the members of our Executive Committee in the preparation of this report.
Commission 15: Physical Study of Comets, Minor Planets and Meteorites
Authors: Donn Bertram
Published: July 2016

The illness which prevented Dr. N. Richter from presiding over Commission 15 sessions in Montreal proved fatal on November 26, 1980.

Books published since 1978 dealing with the subject matter of Commission 15 are: (1) Comets and The Origin of Life, ed. C. Ponnomperuma, 1981, D. Reidel pub. Co., Dordrecht, Holland (designated C. P. Colloq. in Report); (2) Comets, ed. L. Wilkening, Univ. Arizona Press, 1982 (designated Comets, 1982 in Report) contains invited reviews of Tucson, IAU Colloquium No 61, “Comets” Gases, Ices, Grains, Plasma”. Contributed papers will appear in a volume of Icarus. Papers dealing with cometary and asteroidal orbits appear in IAU Symp. 81, 1979 and with cometary grains and meteorites in IAU Symp. 90, 1981. Proceedings of Workshops are: (1) “Experimental Approaches to Comets”, ed. J. Oro, 1978, Lunar and planetary Institute, Pub. 361; (2) “Modern Observational Techniques for Comets”, eds. J. Brandt et al., 1981, JPL Pub. 81-68, NASA.
27. Variable Stars
Authors: Fernie J.D.
Published: July 2016

With the enormous rise in publication costs, the space available for these triennial reports is becoming ever more precious, while the amount of research to be reported on becomes ever larger. Thus while my predecessors have used this introductory section to detail the symposia and colloquia held over the past three years, as well as other administrative matters, I have decided to omit this material (which is available elsewhere) in favour of maximizing the space available for science reporting.