bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Different A-, A-B-, and B-Site Incorporated in (Ba0.5Sr0.5)TiO3 on Photocatalytic Application
Authors: Tubchareon Tassanee , Klaysri Rachan , Praserthdam Piyasan
Published: December 2015

The structural modification of Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 (BST) nanocatalyst was successfully synthesized via sol-gel process. The BST catalyst was modified by A-site (A-BST), A-B-site (A-B-BST), and B-site (B-BST) in order to investigate the effect of structurally modified BST catalyst for photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue. The structurally modified BST catalysts can increase the nonradiation energy such as phonon energy compared to that of BST one. The partial incorporation of the A-BST catalyst was evidenced by the higher-ordered structure by increasing number of Ti4+ ions and the lattice oxygen. The A-B-BST and A-BST catalysts were given more electron-transfer in the TiO6 than that of BST and B-BST catalysts, respectively. The A-B-BST catalyst promoted the oxidation of the lattice oxygen by holes capturing to form the chemisorbed oxygen, presenting the highest photobleaching activity of methylene blue. On the other hand, more oxygen vacancies recombination of BST catalyst compared to that of structurally modified BST catalysts presented the reduction of photocatalytic activity.
The Interpretation of Dyspnea in the Patient with Asthma
Authors: Lavietes Marc H.
Published: December 2015

Physicians have noted dyspnea in severely ill asthmatic patients to be associated with fright or panic; in more stable patients dyspnea may reflect characteristics including lung function, personality and behavioral traits. This study evaluates the symptom of dyspnea in 32 asthmatic patients twice: first when acutely ill and again after an initial response to therapy. Spirometry was performed, dyspnea quantified (Borg scale), and panic assessed with a specialized measure of acute panic (the acute panic inventory (API)) in the 32 patients before and again after treatment. After treatment, questionnaires to evaluate somatization and panic disorder were also administered. When acutely ill, both the API and all spirometric measures (PEFR; FEV1; IC) correlated with dyspnea. Multiple linear regression showed that measures of the API, the peak expiratory flow rate, and female sex taken together accounted for 41% of dyspnea in acute asthma. After treatment, the API again predicted dyspnea while spirometric data did not. Those subjects who described themselves as having chronic panic disorder reported high grades of dyspnea after treatment also. We conclude that interpretations of the self-report of asthma differ between acutely ill and stable asthmatic patients.
Review on Pervaporation: Theory, Membrane Performance, and Application to Intensification of Esterification Reaction
Authors: Jyoti Ghoshna , Keshav Amit , Anandkumar J.
Published: December 2015

The esterification reaction is reversible and has low yield. In order to increase the yield of reaction, it is required to simultaneously remove the product of reaction. For this membranes are the viable approach. Pervaporation membranes have success in removal of components in dilute forms. Membrane performance is represented in terms of flux, sorption coefficient, separation factor, and permeance. These factors are related to the thickness of membrane, temperature, and feed concentration. Higher flux is observed at lower membrane thickness and higher feed concentration of water and lower selectivity is observed at higher temperatures due to increased free volume, lower viscosity, and higher feed side pressure. Different factors affect the pervaporation aided esterification reactor setup such as effect of initial molar ratios of the reactants, effect of catalyst concentration, effect of membrane area, and effect of temperature. Large membrane size could provide higher surface for the transfer of acid, though the challenges of membrane rupture do surround the studies. In the present review work, we tried to collaborate the works in totality of the pervaporation design starting from the membrane behavior to the process behavior. Different prospective fields are also explored which need investigation.
A Review of the Effects of Major Atmospheric Pollutants on Pollen Grains, Pollen Content, and Allergenicity
Authors: Sénéchal Hélène , Visez Nicolas , Charpin Denis , Shahali Youcef , Peltre Gabriel , Biolley Jean-Philippe , Lhuissier Franck , Couderc Rémy , Yamada Ohri , Malrat-Domenge Audrey , Pham-Thi Nhân , Poncet Pascal , Sutra Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2015

This review summarizes the available data related to the effects of air pollution on pollen grains from different plant species. Several studies carried out either on in situ harvested pollen or on pollen exposed in different places more or less polluted are presented and discussed. The different experimental procedures used to monitor the impact of pollution on pollen grains and on various produced external or internal subparticles are listed. Physicochemical and biological effects of artificial pollution (gaseous and particulate) on pollen from different plants, in different laboratory conditions, are considered. The effects of polluted pollen grains, subparticles, and derived aeroallergens in animal models, in in vitro cell culture, on healthy human and allergic patients are described. Combined effects of atmospheric pollutants and pollen grains‐derived biological material on allergic population are specifically discussed. Within the notion of “polluen,” some methodological biases are underlined and research tracks in this field are proposed.
Using Genetic Programming with Prior Formula Knowledge to Solve Symbolic Regression Problem
Authors: Lu Qiang , Ren Jun , Wang Zhiguang
Published: December 2015

A researcher can infer mathematical expressions of functions quickly by using his professional knowledge (called Prior Knowledge). But the results he finds may be biased and restricted to his research field due to limitation of his knowledge. In contrast, Genetic Programming method can discover fitted mathematical expressions from the huge search space through running evolutionary algorithms. And its results can be generalized to accommodate different fields of knowledge. However, sinceGPhas to search a huge space, its speed of finding the results is rather slow. Therefore, in this paper, a framework of connection between Prior Formula Knowledge andGP(PFK-GP) is proposed to reduce the space ofGPsearching. The PFK is built based on the Deep Belief Network (DBN) which can identify candidate formulas that are consistent with the features of experimental data. By using these candidate formulas as the seed of a randomly generated population,PFK-GPfinds the right formulas quickly by exploring the search space of data features. We have comparedPFK-GPwith ParetoGPon regression of eight benchmark problems. The experimental results confirm that thePFK-GPcan reduce the search space and obtain the significant improvement in the quality of SR.
A Fault Diagnosis Method for Rolling Bearings Based on Feature Fusion of Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis and Alpha Stable Distribution
Authors: Xiong Qing , Zhang Weihua , Lu Tianwei , Mei Guiming , Liang Shulin
Published: December 2015

When rolling bearings fail, it is usually difficult to determine the degree of damage. To address this problem, a new fault diagnosis method was developed to perform feature extraction and intelligent classification of various fault position and damage degree of rolling bearing signals. Firstly, Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MFDFA) was used to compute five MFDFA features while five Alpha Stable Distribution (ASD) features were obtained by fitting the distribution to the vibration signals of each status and calculating the Probability Density Function (PDF). Secondly, Kernel Principle Component Analysis (KPCA) was used to achieve dimensionality reduction fusion of the combination of original features to gain the Kernel Principle Component Fusion Features (KPCFFs). Thirdly, the KPCFFs served as the input of Least Squares Support Vectors Machine (LSSVM) based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to assess rolling bearings’ fault position and damage severity. Finally, the effectiveness of the method was validated by bench test data. The results demonstrated that the developed method can achieve intelligent diagnosis of rolling bearings’ fault position and damage degree and can yield better diagnosis accuracy than single feature method or corresponding single feature fusion method.
TRPV1 and PLC Participate in Histamine H4 Receptor-Induced Itch
Authors: Jian Tunyu , Yang Niuniu , Yang Yan , Zhu Chan , Yuan Xiaolin , Yu Guang , Wang Changming , Wang Zhongli , Shi Hao , Tang Min , He Qian , Lan Lei , Wu Guanyi , Tang Zongxiang
Published: December 2015

Histamine H4 receptor has been confirmed to play a role in evoking peripheral pruritus. However, the ionic and intracellular signaling mechanism of activation of H4 receptor on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons is still unknown. By using cell culture and calcium imaging, we studied the underlying mechanism of activation of H4 receptor on the DRG neuron. Immepip dihydrobromide (immepip)—a histamine H4 receptor special agonist under cutaneous injection—obviously induced itch behavior of mice. Immepip-induced scratching behavior could be blocked by TRPV1 antagonist AMG9810 and PLC pathway inhibitor U73122. Application of immepip (8.3–50 μM) could also induce a dose-dependent increase in intracellular Ca2+(Ca2+i) of DRG neurons. We found that 77.8% of the immepip-sensitized DRG neurons respond to the TRPV1 selective agonist capsaicin. U73122 could inhibit immepip-induced Ca2+responses. In addition, immepip-inducedCa2+iincrease could be blocked by ruthenium red, capsazepine, and AMG9810; however it could not be blocked by TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031. These results indicate that TRPV1 but not TRPA1 is the important ion channel to induce the DRG neurons’ responses in the downstream signaling pathway of histamine H4 receptor and suggest that TRPV1 may be involved in the mechanism of histamine-induced itch response by H4 receptor activation.
Radiological Features of Gastrointestinal Lymphoma
Authors: Lo Re Giuseppe , Federica Vernuccio , Midiri Federico , Picone Dario , La Tona Giuseppe , Galia Massimo , Lo Casto Antonio , Lagalla Roberto , Midiri Massimo
Published: December 2015

Gastrointestinal lymphomas represent 5–20% of extranodal lymphomas and mainly occur in the stomach and small intestine. Clinical findings are not specific, thus often determining a delay in the diagnosis. Imaging features at conventional and cross-sectional imaging must be known by the radiologist since he/she plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and disease assessment, thus assisting in the choice of the optimal treatment to patients. This review focuses on the wide variety of imaging presentation of esophageal, gastric, and small and large bowel lymphoma presenting their main imaging appearances at conventional and cross-sectional imaging, mainly focusing on computed tomography and magnetic resonance, helping in the choice of the best imaging technique for the disease characterization and assessment and the recognition of potential complications.
Classifying EEG Signals during Stereoscopic Visualization to Estimate Visual Comfort
Authors: Frey Jérémy , Appriou Aurélien , Lotte Fabien , Hachet Martin
Published: December 2015

With stereoscopic displays a sensation of depth that is too strong could impede visual comfort and may result in fatigue or pain. We used Electroencephalography (EEG) to develop a novel brain-computer interface that monitors users’ states in order to reduce visual strain. We present the first system that discriminates comfortable conditions from uncomfortable ones during stereoscopic vision using EEG. In particular, we show that either changes in event-related potentials’ (ERPs) amplitudes or changes in EEG oscillations power following stereoscopic objects presentation can be used to estimate visual comfort. Our system reacts within 1 s to depth variations, achieving 63% accuracy on average (up to 76%) and 74% on average when 7 consecutive variations are measured (up to 93%). Performances are stable (≈62.5%) when a simplified signal processing is used to simulate online analyses or when the number of EEG channels is lessened. This study could lead to adaptive systems that automatically suit stereoscopic displays to users and viewing conditions. For example, it could be possible to match the stereoscopic effect with users’ state by modifying the overlap of left and right images according to the classifier output.
The Involvement of Neuron-Specific Factors in Dendritic Spinogenesis: Molecular Regulation and Association with Neurological Disorders
Authors: Hu Hsiao-Tang , Shih Pu-Yun , Shih Yu-Tzu , Hsueh Yi-Ping
Published: December 2015

Dendritic spines are the location of excitatory synapses in the mammalian nervous system and are neuron-specific subcellular structures essential for neural circuitry and function. Dendritic spine morphology is determined by the F-actin cytoskeleton. F-actin remodeling must coordinate with different stages of dendritic spinogenesis, starting from dendritic filopodia formation to the filopodia-spines transition and dendritic spine maturation and maintenance. Hundreds of genes, including F-actin cytoskeleton regulators, membrane proteins, adaptor proteins, and signaling molecules, are known to be involved in regulating synapse formation. Many of these genes are not neuron-specific, but how they specifically control dendritic spine formation in neurons is an intriguing question. Here, we summarize how ubiquitously expressed genes, including syndecan-2, NF1 (encoding neurofibromin protein), VCP, and CASK, and the neuron-specific gene CTTNBP2 coordinate with neurotransmission, transsynaptic signaling, and cytoskeleton rearrangement to control dendritic filopodia formation, filopodia-spines transition, and dendritic spine maturation and maintenance. The aforementioned genes have been associated with neurological disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), mental retardation, learning difficulty, and frontotemporal dementia. We also summarize the corresponding disorders in this report.
Laparoscopy-Assisted Percutaneous Cholangiography in Biliary Atresia Diagnosis: Comparison with Open Technique
Authors: Alkan Murat , Tutus Kamuran , Fakıoglu Ender , Ozden Onder , Hatipoglu Zehra , Iskit Serdar Hilmi , Tuncer Recep , Zorludemir Unal
Published: December 2015

Introduction. Biliary atresia is a surgical cause of prolonged jaundice, which needs to be diagnosed with cholangiography that has traditionally been performed via laparotomy. Laparoscopic assistance has lately been introduced to avoid unnecessary laparotomy. We aim to evaluate the benefits of the laparoscopy-assisted cholangiography and compare it to the traditional procedure via laparotomy.Patients and Method. The medical records of the cases who had undergone cholangiography for prolonged jaundice between 2007 and 2014 were analyzed. The patients were grouped according to cholangiography technique (laparotomy/laparoscopy). The laparoscopy and laparotomy groups with patent bile ducts were focused and compared in terms of operation duration, postoperative initiation time of enteral feeding, and full enteral feeding achievement time.Results. Sixty-one infants with prolonged jaundice were evaluated between 2007 and 2014. Among the patients with patent bile ducts, operation duration, postoperative enteral feeding initiation time, and the time to achieve full enteral feeding were shorter in laparoscopy group.Conclusion. Laparoscopic cholangiography is safe and less time-consuming compared to laparotomy, with less postoperative burden. As early age of operation is a very important prognostic factor, laparoscopic evaluation should be an early option in work-up of the infants with prolonged jaundice with direct hyperbilirubinemia, for diagnosis/exclusion of biliary atresia.
Latitudinal Change of Tropical Cyclone Maximum Intensity in the Western North Pacific
Authors: Choi Jae-Won , Cha Yumi , Kim Hae-Dong , Kang Sung-Dae
Published: December 2015

This study obtained the latitude where tropical cyclones (TCs) show maximum intensity and applied statistical change-point analysis on the time series data of the average annual values. The analysis results found that the latitude of the TC maximum intensity increased from 1999. To investigate the reason behind this phenomenon, the difference of the average latitude between 1999 and 2013 and the average between 1977 and 1998 was analyzed. In a difference of 500 hPa streamline between the two periods, anomalous anticyclonic circulations were strong in 30°–50°N, while anomalous monsoon trough was located in the north of South China Sea. This anomalous monsoon trough was extended eastward to 145°E. Middle-latitude region in East Asia is affected by the anomalous southeasterlies due to these anomalous anticyclonic circulations and anomalous monsoon trough. These anomalous southeasterlies play a role of anomalous steering flows that make the TCs heading toward region in East Asia middle latitude. As a result, TCs during 1999–2013 had higher latitude of the maximum intensity compared to the TCs during 1977–1998.
Recognition of ZnT8, Proinsulin, and Homologous MAP Peptides in Sardinian Children at Risk of T1D Precedes Detection of Classical Islet Antibodies
Authors: Niegowska Magdalena , Paccagnini Daniela , Mannu Carla , Targhetta Clara , Songini Marco , Sechi Leonardo A.
Published: December 2015

As numerous studies put in evidence the increasing incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children, an early diagnosis is of great importance to define correct treatment and diet. Currently, the identification of classical islet autoantibodies is the primary biomarker for diagnosis in subjects at risk, especially in pediatric patients. Recent studies suggest that detection of antibodies against ZnT8 protein in preclinical phase can predict the development of T1D. We previously demonstrated a significant association ofMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosis(MAP) with T1D in adult Sardinian patients. To enforce this finding, we investigated the presence of antibodies against ZnT8 and proinsulin (PI) with respective homologous epitopes: MAP3865c133–141/ZnT8186–194, MAP3865c125–133/ZnT8178–186, MAP2404c70–85/PI46–61, and MAP1,4αgbp157–173/PI64–80, in 23 children at risk for T1D, formerly involved in the TRIGR study, and 22 healthy controls (HCs). Positivity to anti-MAP and homologous human peptides was detected in 48% of at-risk subjects compared to 5,85% HCs, preceding appearance of islet autoantibodies. Being MAP easily transmitted to humans with infected cow’s milk and detected in retail infant formulas, MAP epitopes could be present in extensively hydrolyzed formula and act as antigens stimulatingβ-cell autoimmunity.
Recent Advances in Bidirectional Modeling and Structural Control
Authors: Paul Satyam , Yu Wen , Li Xiaoou
Published: December 2015

This paper provides an overview of building structure modeling and control under bidirectional seismic waves. It focuses on different types of bidirectional control devices, control strategies, and bidirectional sensors used in structural control systems. This paper also highlights the various issues like system identification techniques, the time-delay in the system, estimation of velocity and position from acceleration signals, and optimal placement of the sensors and control devices. The importance of control devices and its applications to minimize bidirectional vibrations has been illustrated. Finally, the applications of structural control systems in real buildings and their performance have been reviewed.
Design of a Road Friendly SAS System for Heavy-Duty Vehicles Based on a Fuzzy-Hybrid-ADD and GH-Control Strategy
Authors: Zhao Jing , Wong Pak Kin , Xie Zhengchao , Ma Xinbo , Wei Caiyang
Published: December 2015

Semiactive suspension (SAS) system has been widely used for its outstanding performance in offering competent ride quality, road holding, and handling capacity. However, the road friendliness is also one of the crucial factors that should be attached in the design of the SAS system for heavy-duty vehicles. In this study, a fuzzy controlled hybrid-acceleration driven damper (ADD) and ground hook- (GH-) control strategy is proposed for SAS system of heavy-duty vehicles. Firstly, a quarter-vehicle model with SAS system is constructed. Then, aiming to improve the ride quality and road friendliness, a hybrid-ADD and GH-control strategy is proposed under the coordination of the fuzzy controller. Numerical results show that the ride quality and road friendliness of the SAS system with the proposed control strategy outperform those with traditional hybrid-sky hook and ground hook-control strategy. It is also verified that the proposed strategy is superior to the sole ADD approach and sole ground hook approach in improving the vehicle overall performance.
Prediction of Soil Deformation in Tunnelling Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Lai Jinxing , Qiu Junling , Feng Zhihua , Chen Jianxun , Fan Haobo
Published: December 2015

In the past few decades, as a new tool for analysis of the tough geotechnical problems, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been successfully applied to address a number of engineering problems, including deformation due to tunnelling in various types of rock mass. Unlike the classical regression methods in which a certain form for the approximation function must be presumed, ANNs do not require the complex constitutive models. Additionally, it is traced that the ANN prediction system is one of the most effective ways to predict the rock mass deformation. Furthermore, it could be envisaged that ANNs would be more feasible for the dynamic prediction of displacements in tunnelling in the future, especially if ANN models are combined with other research methods. In this paper, we summarized the state-of-the-art and future research challenges of ANNs on the tunnel deformation prediction. And the application cases as well as the improvement of ANN models were also presented. The presented ANN models can serve as a benchmark for effective prediction of the tunnel deformation with characters of nonlinearity, high parallelism, fault tolerance, learning, and generalization capability.
Dust Particle Size Distributions during Spring in Yinchuan, China
Authors: Shao Jiangfeng , Mao Jiandong
Published: December 2015

Dust particle size distributions in Yinchuan, China, were measured during March and April 2014, using APS-3321 sampler. The distributions were measured under different dust conditions (background, floating dust, blowing dust, and dust storm) and statistical analyses were performed. The results showed that, under different dust conditions, the instantaneous number concentrations of dust particles differed widely. For example, during blowing sand and dust storm conditions, instantaneous dust particles concentrations varied substantially, while, under floating dust conditions, concentration differences were relatively small. The average dust particles size distributions were unimodal under all dust conditions, but the average surface area and mass size distributions were all bimodal. These distributions had peaks in different locations under different dust conditions. Under different dust conditions, wind speed and humidity were very important factors for particles size distributions. With increasing wind speed and decreasing humidity, fine particles were dominant in the atmosphere and the number and mass distributions of the coarse particles were indicative of long-range transport from surrounding deserts. Different dust conditions had different influences on PM1, PM2.5, and PM10concentrations.
EEG Radiotelemetry in Small Laboratory Rodents: A Powerful State-of-the Art Approach in Neuropsychiatric, Neurodegenerative, and Epilepsy Research
Authors: Lundt Andreas , Wormuth Carola , Siwek Magdalena Elisabeth , Müller Ralf , Ehninger Dan , Henseler Christina , Broich Karl , Papazoglou Anna , Weiergräber Marco
Published: December 2015

EEG radiotelemetry plays an important role in the neurological characterization of transgenic mouse models of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases as well as epilepsies providing valuable insights into underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and thereby facilitating the development of new translational approaches. We elaborate on the major advantages of nonrestraining EEG radiotelemetry in contrast to restraining procedures such as tethered systems or jacket systems containing recorders. Whereas a main disadvantage of the latter is their unphysiological, restraining character, telemetric EEG recording overcomes these disadvantages. It allows precise and highly sensitive measurement under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Here we present a detailed description of a straightforward successful, quick, and efficient technique for intraperitoneal as well as subcutaneous pouch implantation of a standard radiofrequency transmitter in mice and rats. We further present computerized 3D-stereotaxic placement of both epidural and deep intracerebral electrodes. Preoperative preparation of mice and rats, suitable anaesthesia, and postoperative treatment and pain management are described in detail. A special focus is on fields of application, technical and experimental pitfalls, and technical connections of commercially available radiotelemetry systems with other electrophysiological setups.
Rectal Tumour Staging with Endorectal Ultrasound: Is There Any Difference between Western and Eastern European Countries?
Authors: Fábián Anna , Bor Renáta , Farkas Klaudia , Bálint Anita , Milassin Ágnes , Rutka Mariann , Tiszlavicz László , Wittmann Tibor , Nagy Ferenc , Molnár Tamás , Szepes Zoltán
Published: December 2015

Background. Rectal tumour management depends highly on locoregional extension. Rectal endoscopic ultrasound (ERUS) is a good alternative to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, in Hungary only a small amount of rectal tumours is examined with ERUS.Methods. Our retrospective study (2006–2012) evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of ERUS and compares the results, the first data from Central Europe, with those from Western Europe. The effect of neoadjuvant therapy, rectal probe type, and investigator’s experience were also assessed.Results. 311 of the 647 ERUS assessed locoregional extension. Histological comparison was available in 177 cases: 67 patients underwent surgery alone; 110 received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT); ERUS preceded CRT in 77 and followed it in 33 patients. T-staging was accurate in 72% of primarily operated patients. N-staging was less accurate (62%). CRT impaired staging accuracy (64% and 59% for T- and N-staging). Rigid probes were more accurate (79%). At least 30 examinations are needed to master the technique.Conclusions. The sensitivity of ERUS complies with the literature. ERUS is easy to learn and more accurate in early stages but unnecessary for restaging after CRT. Staging accuracy is similar in Western and Central Europe, although the number of examinations should be increased.
Small-Bowel Neoplasms: Role of MRI Enteroclysis
Authors: Faggian Angela , Fracella Maria Rosaria , D’Alesio Grazia , Alabiso Maria Eleonora , Berritto Daniela , Feragalli Beatrice , Miele Vittorio , Iasiello Francesca , Grassi Roberto
Published: December 2015

Small-bowel neoplasms are the 3%–6% of all gastrointestinal tract neoplasms. Due to the rarity of these lesions, the low index of clinical suspicion, and the inadequate radiologic examinations or incorrect interpretation of radiologic findings, a delay in diagnosis of 6–8 months from the first symptoms often occurs. Even if conventional enteroclysis and capsule endoscopy are the most common procedures used to accurately depict the bowel lumen and mucosal surface, their use in evaluating the mural and extramural extents of small-bowel tumors is limited. Instead multidetector computed tomographic enteroclysis and magnetic resonance enteroclysis have the potential to simultaneously depict intraluminal, mural, and extraintestinal abnormalities. In particular MR enteroclysis has an excellent soft tissue contrast resolution and multiplanar imaging capability. It can provide anatomic, functional, and real time information without the need of ionizing radiation. MR findings, appearances of the lesions, combined with the contrast-enhancement behavior and characteristic of the stenosis are important to differentiate small-bowel neoplasm from other nonneoplastic diseases.
ESR1 Mutations in Breast Cancer: Proof-of-Concept Challenges Clinical Action
Authors: Gu Guowei , Fuqua Suzanne A.W.
Published: December 2015

Wang and colleagues demonstrate that digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) identified ESR1 mutations in 7% of primary breast cancers. ESR1 mutations were also readily detected in metastatic tissues and circulating tumor DNA in the blood. These results suggest that ddPCR may be amendable for monitoring tumor burden, and to predict relapse. Clin Cancer Res; 22(5); 1034–6. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Wang et al., p. 1130
Elevated Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1 and Placental-Like Growth Factor Levels Are Associated With Development and Mortality Risk in Heart Failure
Authors: Hammadah Muhammad , Georgiopoulou Vasiliki V. , Kalogeropoulos Andreas P. , Weber Malory , Wang Xi , Samara Michael A. , Wu Yuping , Butler Javed , Tang W.H. Wilson
Published: December 2015

Background—

Vascular endothelial dysfunction may play an important role in the progression of heart failure (HF). We hypothesize that elevated levels of vascular markers, placental-like growth factor, and soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with HF. We also assessed possible triggers of sFlt-1 elevation in animal HF models.

Methods and Results—

We measured plasma placental-like growth factor and sFlt-1 in 791 HF patients undergoing elective coronary angiogram. Median (interquartile range) placental-like growth factor and sFlt-1 levels were 24 (20–29) and 382 (277–953) pg/mL, respectively. After 5 years of follow-up, and after using receiver operator characteristic curves to determine optimal cutoffs, high levels of sFlt-1 (≥280 pg/mL; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–2.09;
P
=0.035) but not placental-like growth factor (≥25 pg/mL; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.94–1.71,
P
=0.12) were associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In addition, significant elevation of sFlt-1 levels was observed in left anterior descending artery ligation and transverse aortic constriction HF mouse models after 4 and 8 weeks of follow-up, suggesting vascular stress and ischemia as triggers for sFlt-1 elevation in HF.

Conclusions—

Circulating sFlt-1 is generated as a result of myocardial injury and subsequent HF development. Elevated levels of sFlt-1 are associated with adverse outcomes in stable patients with HF.
Choline Diet and Its Gut Microbe–Derived Metabolite, Trimethylamine N-Oxide, Exacerbate Pressure Overload–Induced Heart Failure
Authors: Organ Chelsea L. , Otsuka Hiroyuki , Bhushan Shashi , Wang Zeneng , Bradley Jessica , Trivedi Rishi , Polhemus David J. , Tang W.H. Wilson , Wu Yuping , Hazen Stanley L. , Lefer David J.
Published: December 2015

Background—

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbe–dependent metabolite of dietary choline and other trimethylamine-containing nutrients, is both elevated in the circulation of patients having heart failure and heralds worse overall prognosis. In animal studies, dietary choline or TMAO significantly accelerates atherosclerotic lesion development in ApoE-deficient mice, and reduction in TMAO levels inhibits atherosclerosis development in the low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mouse.

Methods and Results—

C57BL6/J mice were fed either a control diet, a diet containing choline (1.2%) or a diet containing TMAO (0.12%) starting 3 weeks before surgical transverse aortic constriction. Mice were studied for 12 weeks after transverse aortic constriction. Cardiac function and left ventricular structure were monitored at 3-week intervals using echocardiography. Twelve weeks post transverse aortic constriction, myocardial tissues were collected to evaluate cardiac and vascular fibrosis, and blood samples were evaluated for cardiac brain natriuretic peptide, choline, and TMAO levels. Pulmonary edema, cardiac enlargement, and left ventricular ejection fraction were significantly (
P
<0.05, each) worse in mice fed either TMAO- or choline-supplemented diets when compared with the control diet. In addition, myocardial fibrosis was also significantly greater (
P
<0.01, each) in the TMAO and choline groups relative to controls.

Conclusions—

Heart failure severity is significantly enhanced in mice fed diets supplemented with either choline or the gut microbe–dependent metabolite TMAO. The present results suggest that additional studies are warranted examining whether gut microbiota and the dietary choline→TMAO pathway contribute to increased heart failure susceptibility.
Temporal Trends and Hospital Variation in Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Use in Veterans Discharged With Heart Failure
Authors: Dev Sandesh , Lacy Mary E. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Wu Wen‐Chih
Published: December 2015

Background

Despite concerns about mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist therapies (MRAs) underuse and misuse in patients with heart failure, temporal and institutional variations of MRA prescription have not been reported.

Methods and Results

We studied a national sample of veterans hospitalized for heart failure between 2003 and 2009 and left ventricular ejection fraction <40%. We identified ideal and non‐ideal candidates for MRA therapy based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. We measured temporal trends and hospital variation of MRA prescriptions within 90 days after discharge. We determined the median odds ratio (MOR), a measure of the relative odds of an MRA prescription for 2 individuals with similar characteristics discharged at 2 randomly selected hospitals. From 37 126 patients (n=131 hospitals), 9355 were ideal‐MRA candidates, and 4056 were non‐ideal candidates. Among ideal candidates, 36% received an MRA, but there was a decline in use (41% in 2003 to 31% in 2009,
P
<0.001). Of non‐ideal candidates, 27% received an MRA with a decline in use (34% in 2003 to 22% in 2009,
P
<0.001). Hospital MRA prescription ranged from 0% to 71% for ideal candidates and 0% to 100% for non‐ideal candidates. The median odds ratios of MRA prescription for ideal and non‐ideal candidates were 1.44 and 1.36, respectively; a median odds ratio >1.2 indicates significant practice‐level variation.

Conclusions

There was decreasing MRA use between 2003 and 2009 with wide institutional variation in MRA prescription, which suggests opportunities for improvement to stimulate MRA use in ideal candidates while further reducing use in those with contraindications.
Aldosterone Predicts Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic Disease in the General Community: A 4‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Buglioni Alessia , Cannone Valentina , Sangaralingham S. Jeson , Heublein Denise M. , Scott Christopher G. , Bailey Kent R. , Rodeheffer Richard J. , Sarzani Riccardo , Burnett John C.
Published: December 2015

Background

We recently reported that normal aldosterone levels are associated with cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disease in a sample of the
US
general community (Visit 1). For the current analyses we used the same cohort in a new 4‐year follow‐up study (Visit 2).

Methods and Results

We measured aldosterone at Visit 1 and analyzed its predictive role for new diseases at Visit 2 (n=1140). We measured aldosterone at Visit 2 and investigated its associations with disease at Visit 2 (n=1368). We analyzed aldosterone continuously and we also dichotomized the variable as whether subjects were in the third tertile versus second and first tertiles. As continuous variable at Visit 1, aldosterone predicted new onset hypertension (
HTN
) (
OR
=1.36,
CI
=1.13–1.63,
P
=0.001), central obesity (
OR
=1.36,
CI
=1.07–1.73,
P
=0.011), and use of lipid‐lowering drugs (
OR
=1.25,
CI
=1.05–1.48,
P
=0.012) at Visit 2, after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. When in the third tertile (8.5–88.6 ng/dL), aldosterone predicted type 2 diabetes (T2
DM
,
OR
=1.96,
CI
=1.03–3.70,
P
=0.039). At Visit 2, aldosterone remained associated with
HTN
, obesity, and chronic kidney disease (
CKD
), as reported for Visit 1. However, aldosterone was not associated with heart failure (
HF
) at Visit 1 and 2, nor was aldosterone a predictor of
HF
between visits.

Conclusions

Aldosterone predicts new
HTN
, central obesity, T2
DM
, and use of lipid‐lowering drugs in the general community and remains associated with
HTN
, obesity, and
CKD
over 4 years. Aldosterone is not associated nor predicts
HF
. Further studies are warranted to evaluate aldosterone as therapeutic target in the general community.
Characteristics of Early and Late Adopting Hospitals Providing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Taiwan
Authors: Lu Tsung‐Hsueh , Huang Yu‐Tung , Lee Jo‐Chi , Yang Li‐Tan , Liang Fu‐Wen , Yin Wei‐Hsian , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: December 2015

Background

Studies in the United States suggested that the characteristics of hospitals providing percutaneous coronary intervention (
PCI
) differed from those not providing
PCI
. However, little is known on the differences between the characteristics of early‐adopting hospitals and those of late‐adopting hospitals, and on their potential impacts on
PCI
volume and access.

Methods and Results

We used inpatient claims data from 1997 to 2012 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program to identify the hospitals offering
PCI
. Geographic information systems (
GIS
) were used to determine the population access to
PCI
hospital. As of 2012, 88 hospitals were capable of providing
PCI
. On the basis of the year that the hospitals started providing
PCI
, 32 hospitals were designated as early adopters (before 1998), 23 as early majority (1998–2002), 24 as late majority (2003–2007), and 16 as laggards (2008–2012). Hospitals that adopted
PCI
later were smaller in size and closer to an existing
PCI
hospital and had lower
PCI
volumes performed and less bypass surgery support. The median
PCI
volumes in 2012 were n=706, 330, 138, and 81 in early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards, respectively. Despite the low volume of
PCI
performed in laggard hospitals, the percentage with
ST
‐elevation myocardial infarction and acute myocardial infarction as principal discharge diagnosis was higher than their early‐adopting hospital counterparts. The percentage of the Taiwanese population living within 40 km of
PCI
hospitals (appropriate access defined in this study) was 95.7% in 1997 and 98.0% in 2002, and this has remained unchanged since 2002.

Conclusions

The characteristics of early‐adopting hospitals differed from those of late‐adopting hospitals. Despite lower
PCI
volume performed in late‐adopting hospitals, many of them are in remote areas and provide needed and timely services for patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Grotius and Empire
Authors: Boisen Camilla
Published: December 2015

This article reviews Andrew Fitzmaurice’s recent book Sovereignty, Property and Empire 1500–1800 with a critical examination of the author’s analysis of Hugo Grotius. Unlike other works of intellectual history that focus on the relationship between empire and political theory, this book offers a refreshing account of how Western political thought also provided a critique of empire. Using the law of occupation to explain the origin of property and political society, Fitzmaurice demonstrates how ‘occupation’ was used to both justify and criticise extra-European imperial expansion. His analysis of Grotius is centred on ‘occupation’, explaining that even though Grotius’s political thought supports an imperialistic thesis, there is also evidence of anti-imperialist sentiments running through his works. I argue, however, that whilst Fitzmaurice provide a sound and interesting account of the role occupation plays in explaining Grotius’s two different accounts of property in De Indis and De jure belli ac pacis, he disregards the broader philosophical implications this has for Grotius’s theory of property.
On Good Faith and Bad Faith: Introductory Note
Authors: Eyffinger Arthur
Published: December 2015

In this Introductory Note Grotius’ views on Good Faith, Humanity, and Justice as exposed in De fide et perfidia (1602) are addressed with reference to the theories he developed in De jure praedae (1605) and later elaborated in De jure belli ac pacis (1625).
Grotius’s Biography: On Henk Nellen’s Hugo Grotius. A Lifelong Struggle
Authors: Palladini Fiammetta
Published: December 2015

In this review article of Henk Nellen, Hugo Grotius. A lifelong struggle for Peace in Church and State, 1583–1645 the story of Grotius’s life is outlined and issues of interpretation are discussed. It is argued that this biography supports the argument that Grotius towards the end of his life was close to becoming a Catholic. It seems plausible that Grotius’s principled refusal to request permission to return to the Republic may have been connected to his disappointment about his own less principled behaviour in 1618.
Chronologische Adynata Grimmelshausens
Authors: Bässler Andreas
Published: December 2015

Grimmelshausen’s chronological structures are sometimes taken for symptoms of a picaresque realism. When contradictions are found, commentators marginalise them, since any notion of the imperfection of the author, or of the concept of the unreliable narrator, must nevertheless allow that the postulation of coherent chronological order does not fail. But Grimmelshausen generates paradoxical constructions of adynata, in order to confuse the thought of coherent time.
Naturkonzeption und Spracharbeit im puͦch von den naturleichen dingen Konrads von Megenberg
Authors: Bulang Tobias
Published: December 2015

Medieval ‘books of natural things’ contain various concepts of nature. On the one hand, there is the idea of nature as God’s creation, on the other, the Aristotelian concept of nature shaped by causes and effects and by processes of growth and decline. Practical knowledge about animals pertaining, for instance, to medicine or hunting, appears in late medieval encyclopaedias as well. Konrad’s book shows that these different concepts manifest themselves in the translation from the Latin sources into the vernacular. The choice of German equivalents for Latin words and phrases in Konrad’s ‘book of natural things’ ist guided and shaped by a philosophical reflection upon varying concepts of nature.
Ein lateinisches Gedicht von 1658 über eine Pestepidemie in Neustettin
Authors: Döpp Siegmar
Published: December 2015

Unter den zahlreichen lateinisch geschriebenen Schriften des 16. und 17. Jahrhunderts, welche der Phänomenologie der Pest gewidmet sind, finden sich auch einige in Versform. 1658 befasste sich der Theologe und Schulmann Christian Alwart (nicht: Ehlwart, wie in Handbüchern des 19. Jahrhunderts zu lesen) in einem größeren Gedicht mit der Epidemie, welche den kleinen Ort Neustettin in Pommern heimgesucht hatte. Als ganzes scheint das Gedicht verschollen zu sein; erhalten haben sich davon jedoch 84 Verse (60 daktylische Hexameter und eine Ode), welche Franz Woken in einem Werk von 1732 zitiert. Aus diesen Versen und aus Wokens Angaben lassen sich literarischer Charakter, Struktur und Tendenz des Gedichts rekonstruieren: Es ist insofern ein beachtenswertes Dokument, als es einen lebhaften Eindruck von der erregten Atmosphäre vermittelt, welche in der kleinstädtischen Gemeinschaft während der Pest geherrscht hat.
Veränderte Kritik an der zeitgenössischen Kasualpoesie bei Moritz Gottlieb Saphir (1826)
Authors: Kiesant Knut
Published: December 2015

In 1826 Moritz Gottlieb Saphir published a Critical and satirical essay about the mass-produced occasional poetry in his journal Berliner Schnellpost für Literatur und Geselligkeit. Saphir’s polemic is comparable with critical positions of J. W. v. Goethe and H. Heine in their distance to the changing conditions of printing and market situation in literature at the beginning of the 19th century.
Zu den mehrsprachigen Schriften des württembergischen Leibarztes Johann Bauhin
Authors: Schaffert Henrike
Published: December 2015

The article examines the use of the vernacular as a specialist language in natural scientific papers around the year 1600. The interaction between Friedrich I, duke of Württemberg, Jacob Foillet, the first printer in Montbéliard, and Johann Bauhin (1541–1613), personal physician of the Württemberg family and botanist, is used as a case study. Several of Bauhin’s papers are translated from Latin into the vernacular (French and German) or directly written in the vernacular, and most of them in both French and German. I show that different recipient groups and functional contexts are targeted and that in return the (vernacular) knowledge of people with practical skills and understanding is opened up to scholarly discourse.
Zeigen und Bezeugen exorbitanter Objekte im Fastnacht- und Fronleichnamsspiel
Authors: Scheuer Hans Jürgen
Published: December 2015

Carnival and Corpus Christi Play, considered to be opposite extremes of medieval theatricality, cannot simply be divided according to their content, the one being seen as profane, the other as sacred. Focusing on the Nuremberg Vastnachtspiel vom Dreck and the series of extant German Corpus Christi plays, this essay rather argues that both forms partake in the same hyperbolic movement of representation by transforming the symbolic unity of myth and ritual. This happens either from the angle of the pointedly expressed word (iocus), set free from any ritual prescription, or from the angle of the gesture (ludus), no longer subjected to any illustrative function regarding mythical narratives. Against the backdrop of the tripartite Augustinian scheme of visionary epistemology (according to De Genesi ad Litteram) my analysis will show how both modalities, starting from their respective end of the theatrical spectrum, develop strategies in preparing mental and devotional attitudes toward the intellectual perception of God (ostensio Dei) by means of staging word or gesture (ostentatio).
Reflections, Affect, and Subjectivity in the Yiddish ‘Magelene’ Adaptation
Authors: Annegret Oehme
Published: December 2015

This paper explores the role of the Yiddish Magelene adaptation within the European narrative tradition. To uncover seemingly minor changes and expose the original agenda of this adaptation, this paper offers a close reading of the text through the lens of Spinoza’s Ethics suggesting that the text exhibits a more individualized worldview by offering an insight into the internal processes of the protagonists. This paper seeks to track these changes in the text’s construction of subjectivity with regard to three major points: activity and passivity of the characters, expansion of communicative space, and relativization of sources of authority (God and the narrator).
Poetry and the Contemporary Epoch
Authors: Maksimović Miroslav
Published: December 2015

In this polemical piece, the author attempts to diagnose the state of the art of poetry in the context of the global market as a dominant social value system. He finds that poetry as a fundamental human need for freedom, is based on the concept of “freedom of meaning”, not “freedom” of the market. The “free market” is for him a misnomer which conceals the contemporary global dependence on profit and a hectic way of life in the pursuit of profit. This is to the detriment of poetry which while never profitable contains the seeds of what it is to be human. However, while poetry does not (co-)exist with the market, even this fact is worthy of being recorded in poetry. Thus poets have to deal with the contemporary situation by re-inventing themselves, and finding new (modern, even market) means of solving poetic questions, following the advice of Vasko Popa and the example of the poet of the advertisement, Dušan Radović.