bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thymosin-α1 expands deficient IL-10-producing regulatory B cell subsets in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Giacomini Elena , Rizzo Fabiana , Etna Marilena P , Cruciani Melania , Mechelli Rosella , Buscarinu Maria Chiara , Pica Francesca , D’Agostini Cartesio , Salvetti Marco , Coccia Eliana M , Severa Martina
Published: February 2017

Background:

B cells are key pathogenic effectors in multiple sclerosis (MS) and several therapies have been designed to restrain B cell abnormalities by directly targeting this lymphocyte population.

Objectives:

Moving from our data showing a Toll-like receptor (TLR)7-driven dysregulation of B cell response in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and having found a low serum level of Thymosin-α1 (Tα1) in patients, we investigated whether the addition of this molecule to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) would influence the expansion of regulatory B cell subsets, known to dampen autoimmune inflammation.

Methods:

Serum Tα1 level was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Cytokine expression was evaluated by Cytometric Bead Array (CBA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). B cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results:

Tα1 pre-treatment induces an anti-inflammatory status in TLR7-stimulated RRMS PBMC cultures, reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-1β while significantly increasing the regulatory IL-10 and IL-35. Indeed, Tα1 treatment enhanced expansion of CD19+CD24+CD38hi transitional-immature and CD24low/negCD38hi plasmablast-like regulatory B cell subsets, which likely inhibit both interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17 production.

Conclusion::

Our study reveals a deficient ability of B cells from MS patients to differentiate into regulatory subsets and unveils a novel anti-inflammatory and repurposing potential for Tα1 in MS targeting B cell response.
Active liver X receptor signaling in phagocytes in multiple sclerosis lesions
Authors: Mailleux Jo , Vanmierlo Tim , Bogie Jeroen FJ , Wouters Elien , Lütjohann Dieter , Hendriks Jerome JA , van Horssen Jack
Published: February 2017

Objective:

We sought to determine the liver X receptor (LXR) ligands present in human macrophages after myelin phagocytosis and whether LXRs are activated in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions.

Methods:

We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry to determine expression of LXRs and their response genes in human phagocytes after myelin phagocytosis and in active MS lesions. We used gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis to determine LXR-activating oxysterols and cholesterol precursors present and formed in myelin and myelin-incubated cells, respectively.

Results:

Myelin induced LXR response genes ABCA1 and ABCG1 in human monocyte-derived macrophages. In active MS lesions, we found that both gene expression and protein levels of ABCA1 and apolipoprotein E ( APOE) are upregulated in foamy phagocytes. Moreover, we found that the LXR ligand 27-hydroxycholesterol (27OHC) is significantly increased in human monocyte-derived macrophages after myelin uptake.

Conclusion:

LXR response genes are upregulated in phagocytes present in active MS lesions, indicating that LXRs are activated in actively demyelinating phagocytes. In addition, we have shown that myelin contains LXR ligands and that 27OHC is generated in human monocyte-derived macrophages after myelin processing. This suggests that LXRs in phagocytes in active MS lesions are activated at least partially by (oxy)sterols present in myelin and the generation thereof during myelin processing.
Reconciliation of hospital discharge summaries and changes in patient medications
Authors: Piggott Liam
Published: February 2017

Family doctors will regularly have patients who are admitted to hospital. On discharge, many of these patients may have alterations to the medications that require attention by their family doctor, to either start a new repeat prescription or amend previous ones. This action should be clearly documented, so it can be recognised easily that the discharge summary has been reviewed. This study looks at the action taken and coding related to hospital discharge summaries in a general practice in the United Kingdom. The practice was very accurate and safe in making correct changes to medications but had low rates of documenting and coding that the discharge summary has been reviewed and actioned as required. A uniform code was recommended, and required documentation related to discharge summaries included in the practice’s training materials for locum and training doctors.
Remarks on research of anaphora resolution in situations of language contact: Cross-linguistic influence and the PAS
Authors: Romano Francesco Bryan
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

This article proposes a new definition of cross-linguistic influence on anaphora resolution in situations of language contact appealing to the Position of Antecedent Strategy.

Design:

To this effect it examines existing evidence for and definitions of cross-linguistic influence across Spanish, Italian, Greek, and English, four languages research has concentrated on most intensively.

Data and analysis:

Methodological and theoretical issues are brought to the fore and the evidence of cross-linguistic influence re-evaluated in light of recent investigations of L1 processing of Spanish, Italian, and Greek anaphora.

Findings/conclusions:

The re-evaluation points to the conclusion that null pronouns are interpreted and processed in similar ways by native speakers, L2 speakers, and L1 attriters, even if speakers have contact with or are very proficient in languages such as English or Swedish where null anaphora is unavailable. Overt pronouns in Italian are more similar to Greek than Spanish and cross-linguistic influence affects only overt anaphora.

Originality:

If cross-linguistic influence is conceived in terms of the Position of Antecedent Strategy, then apparently contradictory cases such as the over-production of overt forms by Spanish speakers of Italian and the balanced co-reference of Spanish overt forms to topic and non-topic antecedents can be accounted for.

Significance/implications:

Cross-linguistic influence takes place from the language with less towards the language with more categorical biases. Recommendations for future research with the populations studied, data analysis and collection, and linguistic structures examined are made.
Managing respiratory disease
Authors: Lunn Sarah , Restrick Louise , Stern Myra
Published: February 2017

The diverse and evolving role of a psychologist within a respiratory multidisciplinary team (MDT) is described, providing a working model for service provision. The rationale for appointing a psychologist within a respiratory MDT is presented first, citing relevant policy and research and outlining the wider psychosocial impact of respiratory disease. This is followed by an insight into the psychologist’s role by highlighting important areas, including key therapy themes and the challenge of patient engagement. The way in which the psychologist supports the collective aims and aspirations of respiratory colleagues to provide a more holistic package of care is illustrated throughout.
Endovascular Repair of a Splenic Artery Aneurysm With Anomalous Origin From the Superior Mesenteric Artery
Authors: Jayakumar Lalithapriya , Caputo Francis J. , Lombardi Joseph V.
Published: February 2017

A 22 year old female with a history of recurrent abdominal pain was transferred to our institution with a diagnosis of splenic artery aneurysm identified on imaging. CT angiography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a partially thrombosed 3.0 cm splenic artery aneurysm without signs of rupture and with an anomalous origin from the superior mesenteric artery. The patient was successfully treated with endovascular exclusion of the aneurysm. Herein we review some of the nuances of endovascular repair of splenic artery aneurysm.
Fast and accurate near-duplicate image elimination for visual sensor networks
Authors: Zhou Zhili , Wu QM Jonathan , Huang Fang , Sun Xingming
Published: February 2017

Currently, a huge amount of visual data such as digital images and videos have been collected by visual sensor nodes, that is, camera nodes, and distributed on visual sensor networks. Among the visual data, there are a lot of near-duplicate images, which cause a serious waste of limited storage, computing, and transmission resources of visual sensor networks and a negative impact on users’ experience. Thus, near-duplicate image elimination is urgently demanded. This article proposes a fast and accurate near-duplicate elimination approach for visual sensor networks. First, a coarse-to-fine clustering method based on a combination of global feature and local feature is proposed to cluster near-duplicate images. Then in each near-duplicate group, we adopt PageRank algorithm to analyze the contextual relevance among images to select and reserve seed image and remove the others. The experimental results prove that the proposed approach achieves better performances in the aspects of both efficiency and accuracy compared with the state-of-the-art approaches.
An automatic shoe-groove feature extraction method based on robot and structural laser scanning
Authors: Wu Xiaojun , Li Zefei , Wen Peizhi
Published: February 2017

In order to improve the operational efficiency of robot-based shoe manufacturing, a method of shoe-groove tracking based on industrial robot is presented in the article. First, side surface of a shoe upper with a sole is scanned with a laser scanning device. The presented approach mainly consists of two steps: reconstruction of three-dimensional point cloud and feature curve extraction. It is difficult to extract the closed groove curve on shoe surface. We propose an innovative method to simplify the feature extraction through projecting geometric information from three dimension to two dimension, which is convenient to identify longest groove feature line in two-dimensional space. After detecting the two-dimensional groove line, we back project it to three-dimensional space to identify the three-dimensional thick groove point set. Finally, we thin and fit the groove curve into a trackable sequential curve. The experimental results show that the proposed system can effectively detect the shoe groove and generate trackable sequential curve. We also simulate the robot tracking process in a virtual environment to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented method.
Introducing MultiScale technique with CACM-RL
Authors: Gómez Plaza Mariano , Arribas Navarro Tomás , Sánchez Prieto Sebastián
Published: February 2017

Control Adjoining Cell Mapping and Reinforcement Learning (CACM-RL) is a promising technique used to implement controllers. However, it needs many resources so that it can be only applied to simple problems. The contribution of this work is to describe MultiScale approach in order to be used together with CACM-RL technique to overcome its limitations. The main challenge is to verify and validate its efficiency in real-time and in resource-limited systems. MultiScale approach is truly useful when different levels of resolution are needed in the state space, regardless of the number of dimensions. In this way, a set of different regions inside the state space where each region has a specific optimal policy (also different resolutions) is defined. The results described in this article show the feasibility to run MultiScale in real time and find the minimum number of policies to solve the optimal control problem in an automatic way. In the considered test cases, a significant reduction in the total number of cells used is achieved when using MultiScale.
Relative risk of hemorrhage during pregnancy in patients with brain arteriovenous malformations
Authors: van Beijnum Janneke , Wilkinson Tim , Whitaker Heather J , van der Bom Johanna G , Algra Ale , Vandertop W Peter , van den Berg René , Brouwer Patrick A , Rinkel Gabriël JE , Kappelle L Jaap , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam ,   for the Scottish Audit of Intracranial Vascular Malformations collaborators, Klijn Catharina JM
Published: February 2017

Background

It is unclear whether the risk of bleeding from brain arteriovenous malformations is higher during pregnancy, delivery, or puerperium. We compared occurrence of brain arteriovenous malformation hemorrhage in women during this period with occurrence of hemorrhage outside this period during their fertile years.

Methods

We included all women with ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (16–41 years) from a retrospective database of patients with brain arteriovenous malformations in four Dutch university hospitals (n = 95) and from the population-based Scottish Audit of Intracranial Vascular Malformations (n = 44). We estimated the relative rate of brain arteriovenous malformation rupture (before any treatment) during exposed time (pregnancy, delivery, puerperium) versus non-exposed time during fertile years, using the case-crossover design as primary analysis, and the self-controlled case-series design as secondary analysis.

Results

In 17 of 95 Dutch women and in 3 of 44 Scottish women, hemorrhages occurred while pregnant; none occurred during delivery or puerperium. In Dutch women, the relative rate of brain arteriovenous malformation rupture during pregnancy, delivery, or puerperium was 6.8 (95% confidence interval 3.6–13) according to the case-crossover method and 7.1 (95% confidence interval 3.4–13) using the self-controlled case-series method. In Scottish women, the relative rate was 1.3 (95% confidence interval 0.39–4.1) using the case-crossover method and 1.7 (95% confidence interval 0.0–4.4) according to the self-controlled case-series method. Because of limited overlap of confidence intervals, we refrained from pooling the cohorts.

Conclusions

Case-crossover and self-controlled case series analyses reveal an increase in relative rate of brain arteriovenous malformation rupture during pregnancy in the Dutch cohort but not in the Scottish cohort. Since point estimates varied between both cohorts and numbers are relatively small, the clinical implications of our findings are uncertain.
Semi-quantitative analysis of cerebral FDG-PET reveals striatal hypermetabolism and normal cortical metabolism in a case of VGKCC limbic encephalitis
Authors: Moloney Patrick , Boylan Ruth , Elamin Marwa , O’Riordan Sean , Killeen Ronan , McGuigan Christopher
Published: February 2017

In the context of delayed autoimmune encephalitis antibody results, functional imaging can support the diagnosis of limbic encephalitis associated with anti-voltage-gated potassium channel complex (VGKCC) antibodies. Here we present a typical case of VGKCC encephalitis in a 69-year-old woman whose symptoms responded to plasmapheresis. A cerebral 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan performed prior to commencing treatment revealed striatal hypermetabolism assessed qualitatively and semi-quantitatively, with normal uptake in the cortex and cerebellum when analysed semi-quantitatively. Repeat FDG-PET imaging performed three months later revealed normalisation of striatal hypermetabolism. Previous case reports have described striatal hypermetabolism and/or cortical hypometabolism in patients with VGKCC encephalitis. However, most of these descriptions were based on qualitative analyses only and may represent the relative change in cortical metabolism compared with striatal metabolism. We recommend semi-quantitative analysis of cerebral FDG-PET, in addition to reporting the qualitative FDG-PET images.
In Your Face: Startle to Emotional Facial Expressions Depends on Face Direction
Authors: Åsli Ole , Michalsen Henriette , Øvervoll Morten
Published: February 2017

Although faces are often included in the broad category of emotional visual stimuli, the affective impact of different facial expressions is not well documented. The present experiment investigated startle electromyographic responses to pictures of neutral, happy, angry, and fearful facial expressions, with a frontal face direction (directed) and at a 45° angle to the left (averted). Results showed that emotional facial expressions interact with face direction to produce startle potentiation: Greater responses were found for angry expressions, compared with fear and neutrality, with directed faces. When faces were averted, fear and neutrality produced larger responses compared with anger and happiness. These results are in line with the notion that startle is potentiated to stimuli signaling threat. That is, a forward directed angry face may signal a threat toward the observer, and a fearful face directed to the side may signal a possible threat in the environment.
The politics and construction of identity and childhood: Chinese immigrant families in New Zealand
Authors: Chan Angel , Spoonley Paul
Published: February 2017

Diverse immigrants have significantly transformed the ethnic make-up of New Zealand, and they have brought with them diverse identities to this country. Findings from a doctoral research project which involved exploring Chinese immigrant parents’ identity choices for themselves and their children highlight the complex politics of identity. Within the field of education, children’s acquisition of a positive identity is closely related to valued self-worth, and a sense of shared identity is further believed to promote beneficial relationships, sense of belonging and social cohesion. Identity theories, nonetheless, argue that contemporary individual identities are fluid and hybrid, and an over-emphasis on collective identity creates boundaries, exclusion and tension. This article applies some of these theoretical frames to critically examine the identity choices of Chinese immigrant parent participants and argues for the need to re-examine the notion of identity. The implications of these identity choices on their children’s childhood and social and education practices are also analysed.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: MicroRNA-30d promotes angiogenesis and tumor growth via MYPT1/c-JUN/VEGFA pathway and predicts aggressive outcome in prostate cancer
Authors: Lin Zhuo-yuan , Chen Guo , Zhang Yan-qiong , He Hui-chan , Liang Yu-xiang , Ye Jian-heng , Liang Ying-ke , Mo Ru-jun , Lu Jian-ming , Zhuo Yang-jia , Zheng Yu , Jiang Fu-neng , Han Zhao-dong , Wu Shu-lin , Zhong Wei-de , Wu Chin-Lee
Published: February 2017

Background

Even though aberrant expression of microRNA (miR)-30d has been reported in prostate cancer (PCa), its associations with cancer progression remain contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical significance, biological functions and underlying mechanisms of miR-30d deregulation in PCa.

Methods

Involvement of miR-30d deregulation in malignant phenotypes of PCa was demonstrated by clinical sample evaluation, and in vitro and in vivo experiments. The mechanisms underlying its regulatory effect on tumor angiogenesis were determined.

Results

miR-30d over-expression was observed in both PCa cells and clinical specimens. High-miR-30d was distinctly associated with high pre-operative PSA and Gleason score, advanced clinical and pathological stages, positive metastasis and biochemical recurrence (BCR), and reduced overall survival of PCa patients. Through gain- and loss-of-function experiments, we found that miR-30d promoted PCa cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and capillary tube formation of endothelial cells, as well as in vivo tumor growth and angiogenesis in a mouse model. Simulation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1), acting as a direct target of miR-30d, antagonized the effects induced by miR-30d up-regulation in PCa cells. Notably, miR-30d/MYPT1 combination was identified as an independent factor to predict BCR of PCa patients. Furthermore, miR-30d exerted its pro-angiogenesis function, at least in part, by inhibiting MYPT1, which in turn, increased phosphorylation levels of c-JUN and activated VEGFA-induced signaling cascade in endothelial cells.

Conclusions

miR-30d and/or its target gene MYPT1 may serve as novel prognostic markers of PCa. miR-30d promotes tumor angiogenesis of PCa through MYPT1/c-JUN/VEGFA pathway.
Efficacy of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Sexual Functioning of Breast Cancer Survivors: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hummel Susanna B. , van Lankveld Jacques J.D.M. , Oldenburg Hester S.A. , Hahn Daniela E.E. , Kieffer Jacobien M. , Gerritsma Miranda A. , Kuenen Marianne A. , Bijker Nina , Borgstein Paul J. , Heuff Gijsbert , Lopes Cardozo Alexander M.F. , Plaisier Peter W. , Rijna Herman , van der Meij Suzan , van Dulken Eric J. , Vrouenraets Bart C. , Broomans Eva , Aaronson Neil K.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

We evaluated the effect of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on sexual functioning and relationship intimacy (primary outcomes) and body image, menopausal symptoms, marital functioning, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of a sexual dysfunction.

Patients and Methods

We randomly assigned 169 BCSs to either Internet-based CBT or a waiting-list control group. The CBT consisted of weekly therapist-guided sessions, with a maximum duration of 24 weeks. Self-report questionnaires were completed by the intervention group at baseline (T0), midtherapy (T1), and post-therapy (T2) and at equivalent times by the control group. We used a mixed-effect modeling approach to compare the groups over time.

Results

Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a significant improvement over time in overall sexual functioning (effect size for T2 [EST2] = .43; P = .031), which was reflected in an increase in sexual desire (EST1 = .48 and EST2 = .72; P < .001), sexual arousal (EST2 = .50; P = .008), and vaginal lubrication (EST2 = .46; P = .013). The intervention group reported more improvement over time in sexual pleasure (EST1 = .32 and EST2 = .62; P = .001), less discomfort during sex (EST1 = .49 and EST2 = .66; P = .001), and less sexual distress (EST2 = .59; P = .002) compared with the control group. The intervention group reported greater improvement in body image (EST2 = .45; P = .009) and fewer menopausal symptoms (EST1 = .39; P = .007) than the control group. No significant effects were observed for orgasmic function, sexual satisfaction, intercourse frequency, relationship intimacy, marital functioning, psychological distress, or health-related quality of life.

Conclusion

Internet-based CBT has salutary effects on sexual functioning, body image, and menopausal symptoms in BCSs with a sexual dysfunction.
Systematic Literature Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Treatment Outcomes in Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: van Beurden-Tan Chrissy H.Y. , Franken Margreet G. , Blommestein Hedwig M. , Uyl-de Groot Carin A. , Sonneveld Pieter
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Since 2000, many new treatment options have become available for relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) after a long period in which dexamethasone and melphalan had been the standard treatment. Direct comparisons of these novel treatments, however, are lacking. This makes it extremely difficult to evaluate the relative added value of each new treatment. Our aim was to synthesize all efficacy evidence, enabling a comparison of all current treatments for R/R MM.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review to identify all publicly available phase III randomized controlled trial evidence. We searched Embase, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, and the Web site www.ClinicalTrials.gov . In addition, two trials presented at two international hematology congresses (ie, ASCO 2016 and European Hematology Association 2016) were added to include the most recent evidence. In total, 17 randomized controlled trials were identified, including 18 treatment options. The evidence was synthesized using a conventional network meta-analysis. To include all treatments within one network, two treatment options were combined: (1) bortezomib monotherapy and bortezomib plus dexamethasone, and (2) thalidomide monotherapy and thalidomide plus dexamethasone.

Results

The combination of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone was identified as the best treatment. It was most favorable in terms of (1) hazard ratio for progression-free survival (0.13; 95% credible interval, 0.09 to 0.19), and (2) probability of being best (99% of the simulations). This treatment combination reduced the risk of progression or death by 87% versus dexamethasone, 81% versus bortezomib plus dexamethasone, and 63% versus lenalidomide plus dexamethasone.

Conclusion

Our network meta-analysis provides a complete overview of the relative efficacy of all available treatments for R/R MM. Until additional data from randomized studies are available, on the basis of this analysis, the combination of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone seems to be the best treatment option.
Late Relapse of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: An Analysis of the German Hodgkin Study Group HD7 to HD12 Trials
Authors: Bröckelmann Paul J. , Goergen Helen , Kohnhorst Charlotte , von Tresckow Bastian , Moccia Alden , Markova Jana , Meissner Julia , Kerkhoff Andrea , Ludwig Wolf-Dieter , Fuchs Michael , Borchmann Peter , Engert Andreas
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Clinical characteristics, therapeutic approaches, and prognosis of late relapse (LR) in patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) are poorly understood. We performed a comprehensive analysis of LR of Hodgkin lymphoma (LR-HL).

Methods

To estimate the incidence of LR-HL, we retrospectively analyzed 6,840 patients with cHL included in the German Hodgkin Study Group trials HD7 to HD12. Patients who experienced a relapse > 5 years into remission were compared with patients in continued remission for > 5 years and with those who experienced a relapse ≤ 5 years after first diagnosis.

Results

With a median observation time of 10.3 years, 141 incidences of LR-HL were observed. Cumulative incidences at 10, 15, and 20 years rose linearly and were 2.5%, 4.3%, and 6.9%, respectively. The standardized incidence ratio for HL with respect to age- and sex-matched German reference data was 84.5 (95% CI, 71.2 to 99.7). LR-HL was more frequently observed in patients with early-stage favorable than unfavorable or advanced stage at first diagnosis (15-year cumulative incidence, 5.3% v 3.9% and 3.9%, respectively; P = .01). Overall survival from first diagnosis was worse after LR compared with nonrelapse survivors (10-year estimate, 95.8% v 86.1%; hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.7 to 3.5; P < .001). In patients with LR-HL, survival was better compared with 466 patients with earlier relapse (hazard ratio, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.9, P = .01). Forty-four percent and 49% of patients with LR-HL and earlier relapse, respectively, received stem cell transplantations.

Conclusion

Apart from treatment-associated adverse effects, survivors after initially successful therapy for cHL are at an 85-fold risk for recurrence of disease compared with the general German population. After risk-adapted treatment strategies, especially in early-stage favorable HL, regular clinical follow-up is recommended for timely detection of LR-HL. With adequate treatment, prognosis of LR-HL is better compared with early relapses.
Polymerization of Furylthiazoles with Palladium-Catalyzed Direct Arylation Polycondensation
Authors: Ashida Kana , Murase Yuki , Miyagawa Naoki , Okano Kentaro , Mori Atsunori
Published: February 2017

Effective transformation of a biomass-derived heteroaromatic compound furfural into conjugated polymer is described. Furylthiazole composed of furan and thiazole rings is employed as a monomer and palladium-catalyzed C–H coupling polycondensation furnishes the corresponding formal alternating copolymer. The coupling reaction in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 (20 mol %) as a catalyst undergoes polymerization in >99% yield with Mn = 10.2 × 103.
Kv4.2 knockout mice display learning and memory deficits in the Lashley maze
Authors: Smith Gregory D. , Gao Nan , Lugo Joaquin N.
Published: February 2017

Background: Potassium channels have been shown to be involved in neural plasticity and learning. Kv4.2 is a subunit of the A-type potassium channel. Kv4.2 channels modulate excitability in the dendrites of pyramidal neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. Deletion of Kv4.2 results in spatial learning and conditioned fear deficits; however, previous studies have only examined deletion of Kv4.2 in aversive learning tests.

Methods: For the current study, we used the Lashley maze as an appetitive learning test. We examined Kv4.2 wildtype (WT) and knockout (KO) mice in the Lashley maze over 4 days during adulthood. The first day consisted of habituating the mice to the maze. The mice then received five trials per day for the next 3 days. The number of errors and the time to the goal box was recorded for each trial. The goal box contained a weigh boat with an appetitive reward (gelatin with sugar). There was an intertrial interval of 15 minutes.

Results: We found that Kv4.2 KO mice committed more errors across the trials compared to the WT mice p<0.001. There was no difference in the latency to find the goal box over the period.

Discussion: Our finding that deletion of Kv4.2 resulted in more errors in the Lashley maze across 15 trials contribute to a growing body of evidence that Kv4.2 channels are significantly involved in learning and memory.
Behavioral Price Discrimination in the Presence of Switching Costs
Authors: Cosguner Koray , Chan Tat Y. , (Seethu) Seetharaman P. B.
Published: February 2017

We study the strategic impacts of behavioral price discrimination (BPD) on manufacturers and retailers in a distribution channel when there are switching costs in consumer demand. Unlike previous empirical studies of behavioral price discrimination, which rely only on differences in price elasticity across customers, our pricing model allows the firm strategies to additionally account for differences in price elasticity across time (due to switching costs). We estimate a dynamic pricing model using empirical data from the cola category and, through a series of counterfactuals, we find that the retailer should simply outsource the data analytics and customization of coupons to manufacturers and improve its profit beyond what it can achieve by proactively couponing on its own. We further find that serving as an information broker to sell its customer database to manufacturers can be a vital source of profit to the retailer. By contrast, manufacturers end up worse off, illustrating that customer information is a potent source of channel power to the retailer. Finally, we show that simply using customers’ most recent purchase information can significantly impact firms’ profits. BPD based on this information is easy to implement and of low cost to manufacturers and retailers.

Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2016.1024 .
Generalized left and right Weyl spectra of upper triangular operator matrices
Authors: Hai Guojun , Cvetkovic-Ilic Dragana
Published: February 2017

In this paper, for given operators $A\in\B(\H)$ and $B\in\B(\K)$, the sets of all $C\in \B(\K,\H)$ such that $M_C=\bmatrix{cc} A&C\\0&B\endbmatrix$ is generalized Weyl and generalized left (right) Weyl, are completely described. Furthermore, the following intersections and unions of the generalized left Weyl spectra $$ \bigcup_{C\in\B(\K,\H)}\sigma^g_{lw}(M_C) \;\;\; \mbox{and} \;\;\; \bigcap_{C\in\B(\K,\H)}\sigma^g_{lw}(M_C) $$ are also described, and necessary and sufficient conditions which two operators $A\in\B(\H)$ and $B\in\B(\K)$ have to satisfy in order for $M_C$ to be a generalized left Weyl operator for each $C\in\B(\K,\H)$, are presented.
Relationship of extender and packaging system an the length of preservation and the quality of chilled semen of Boer goat
Authors: Febretrisiana Arie , Anwar . , Sinulingga Simon
Published: February 2017

The aim of this research was to compare the effectiveness of different extender (either Triladyl or Tris Egg Yolk extender) and different packaging method (pool and straw) of chilled semen an the length of preservation and the quality of chilled semen of Boer goat. Semen was collected using an artificial vagina from 3 two years old Boer bucks with body weight of 50-55 kg. It was evaluated under a microscope, then each was diluted either in Tris egg yolk extender (TEY) or Triladyl. Those diluted sperms were then packed either in pool or straw and preserved at 5⁰C refrigerator. Sperm motility, viability and membrane integrity of each group were evaluated every 24 h for up to 5 days. Results showed that sperm motility in Triladyl of  pool packaging system up to 3 days was higher than straw packaging system or TEY in pool or straw packaging system which were 45.8%, 26.1%, 32.1% and 9.1%, respectively (P<0.05). Percentage of sperm membrane integrity showed the same pattern to Triladyl both in pool and straw packaging system which was higher than TEY group (75.2% and 77,2%; P<0.05). Sperm viability in Triladyl both in pool or straw packaging system decreased (P<0.05) after 3 days of preservation (77.1% and 76.2%) but TEY significanly decreased after 4 days of preservation either in pool or straw packaging system (73.2% and 58.0%; P<0.05). It was concluded that sperm quality decreased with increasing of the length of preservation while Triladyl extender in pool packaging system showed the best quality.
Key Words: Chilled Semen, Boer, Triladyl, Tris Egg Yolk, Straw
Series method to solve conformable fractional ric-cati differential equations
Authors: Al Masalmeh Mohammed
Published: February 2017

This paper investigates and states some properties of conformable fractional derivative, Further Study and applies the series solution for a case of conformable fractional Riccati deferential equation with variable coefficients â€œwhich is arising in stochastic gamesâ€ or â€œhyperbolic boundary control." Recently, Prof. Roshdi Khalil introduced a new and interesting definition for the C F D, which is simpler than the previous definition in Caputo and Riemann-Liouville. It leads to many extensions of the classical theorems in calculus.
Neurofibrosarcoma: case series in south-south Nigeria
Authors: Asuquo Maurice , Nwagbara Victor , Nnoli Martin , Ashindoitiang John , Ugbem Theophilus , Akpan Samuel
Published: February 2017

Neurofibrosarcoma is a malignancy that occurs more frequently in patients with neurofibromatosis- 1 (NF- 1) and rarely may arise independently. This is a presentation of 3 consecutive patients with histologic diagnosis of neurofibrosarcoma who presented to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar from 2011-2013. Two patients presented were associated with NF-1 and were a decade younger than the one without NF-1. Late presentation and poor follow up were notable underlying factors. Long term follow up of patients with NF -1 for early diagnosis and adequate treatment will improve outcome.
Enhancing formal specification and verification of e-commerce protocol
Authors: Al-Refai Hasan , Batiha Khaldoun
Published: February 2017

Lots of work have been attempted to enhance the SET protocol performance special attention is on E-payment phase. This paper thoroughly analyzes recent works on payment phase; it has been found that this subject requires considerable enhancements, since there are areas, which require further study such as: E-payment phase in SET protocol.E-payment phase is vast and complex phase it has long series of steps. The behavior of environment is assumed by the phase and is restricted to the rules built by their proposed protocol. This paper will follow Ph-Spi calculus for formalizing and analyzing enhanced payment phase of SET protocol by reducing the number of transactions with many additional operators.A new agent controller will be formally modeled, which we can rely upon to make automated decisions during interaction with a dynamic protocol environment. So, this agent controller is used to terminate the transaction process in any case of fraud or attack. This paper is conjunction between our previous works of E-payment phase in SET protocol and other works in Ph-Spi calculus in purpose of analyzing and proving the main security properties: authentication and privacy to evaluate the efficiency of the enhanced security of electronic payment phase for SET protocol (E-SET) using Ph-Spi calculus.
Humanitarian Care and the Ends of Life: The Politics of Aging and Dying in a Palestinian Refugee Camp
Authors: Feldman Ilana
Published: February 2017

What is it to live as a refugee over the long term? One thing that it can mean—and in the Palestinian case of nearly seventy years of displacement, what it necessarily has meant for many people—is to die as a refugee. This essay explores the consequences of the ways in which humanitarian work has been compelled to take up the end of life as a humanitarian concern. Drawing on fieldwork in the Burj al Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, it explores care for the aging and dying as a setting in which key aspects of the social world produced through humanitarianism are brought into existence and view. The problems of the end of life introduce additional challenges into the conundrums of long-term humanitarianism, occurring at the intersection of humanitarian practice and Palestinian experience. With the questions of services for the aging and dying foregrounded, the possibility of the future becomes a site of confrontation among, and within, providers and recipients. Often, this future appears to be foreclosed.
EXAMINING STUDENTS’ NEEDS FOR ENGLISH AS REQUIRED COURSE IN DIPONEGORO UNIVERSITY
Authors: Wulandari Dwi
Published: February 2017

This study is aimed at finding out what students need in taking English as required course, what students want to learn, and how they want to learn. The data were taken from 500 questionnaires distributed to students. The data revealed that most of the students do have positive attitude in learning English, and because of this the students have more chances to take the best of their learning. However, as most of the students also take English because they are required to do so, there are also some factors that may discourage learners’ motivation in learning, i.e. materials selection, and teaching methods. Kajian ini ditujukan untuk mengetahui apa yang diinginkan oleh mahasiswa dalam mengambil mata kuliah MKDU Bahasa Inggris, secara spesifik untuk mengetahui materi apa yang mereka ingin pelajari, dan bagaimana mereka ingin mempelajarinya. Data diambil dari kuesioner yang disebarkan pada 500 mahasiswa. Analisis data menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar siswa memiliki sikap bahasa yang positif  dalam mepelajari Bahasa Inggris, dan oleh karenanya mahasiswa memiliki kesempatan lebih banyak untuk mengambil keuntungan terbesar dari perkuliahan tersebut. Namun demikian, karena sebagian besar mahasiswa mengambil mata kuliah tersebut karena kewajiban, ada beberapa hal yang menyurutkan motivasi mahasiswa, yakni pemilihan materi, dan metode mengajar dosen  Bahasa Inggris.
VARIETY USING OF ADDRESS FORMS IN JAPANESE SOCIETY IN PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIOLINGUISTICS AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL LINGUISTICS
Authors: Mangga Stephanus
Published: February 2017

Every social and cultural community has its own appropriate ways and forms to address someone. Addressing someone in appropriate way is a sign of respect and honorific. This paper describes various uses of address forms in Japanese society. Japanese society has four address forms in common: ―chan, ―kun, ―san, and ―sama forms. They are related to social dimensions: social distance scale, status scale, and formality scale. In addition, background of various uses of the forms in perspective of sociolinguistics and anthropological linguistics is thought as reflection of cultural aspects which exist in Japanese society.  Those are politeness-deference aspects, seniority-junior aspects, and insider-outsider aspects. Finally, there are two major findings of this study: (1) various uses of address forms in Japanese society and cultural relation to social dimensions, (2) various uses of address forms in Japanese society and Japanese culture as a reflection of cultural aspects. Setiap komunitas sosial dan budaya memiliki cara-cara dan bentuk-bentuknya sendiri untuk memanggil seseorang. Memanggil seseorang dengan cara yang tepat adalah sebagai tanda penghargaan dan penghormatan. Penelitian ini adalah tentang perbedaan penggunaan bentuk panggilan dalam masyarakat Jepang. Secara umum, masyarakat Jepang memiliki empat bentuk panggilan yaitu –chan, -kun, -san, dan –sama. Perbedaan dalam menggunakan bentuk tersebut dikaitkan dengan dimensi sosial contohnya skala jarak sosial, status sosial, dan formalitas. Sedangkan dalam perspektif sosiolinguistik dan linguistik antropologi, latar belakang perbedaan dalam menggunakan bentuk-bentuk sapaan adalah sebagai refleksi aspek budaya yang ada dalam masyarakat Jepang seperti aspek-aspek kesopanan-penghargaan, aspek-aspek senioritas-junioritas, dan aspek-aspek ke dalam dan ke luar. Dari penelitian ini didapat dua temuan utama: (1) perbedaan dalam menggunakan bentuk-bentuk sapaan di masyarakat Jepang dan budaya yang berkaitan dengan dimensi social, (2) perbedaan dalam menggunakan bentuk-bentuk sapaan dalam masyarakat dan budaya Jepang sebagai refleksi aspek budaya.
Social – Cultural Sustainability of a Local Community through Visual Identification on the Example of the Town of Zabok
Authors: Dončić Siniša Hajdaš , Đurek Nikola
Published: February 2017

In order for a local community to set up mechanisms for shaping and enforcing public politics which strengthen local communities, historical research that would lead to the identity of a local community must be conducted thus enabling the identification of the community as a tourist destination. Analytical-synthetic method will be used to define the concept of a local community, that is the sustainability of a local community as one element of sustainability in general, as well as the concept of a tourist destination. The identity of a local community may be presented using basic means of visual communication (graphic design, typography, photography, illustration), which if defined and applied appropriately, will improve the distinguished identity of a local community.
Interpretation as a Value (RE)Construction of the Legal Norm
Authors: Pavčnik Marijan
Published: February 2017

In the context of a normative concretisation of the statute, the term “statute” is not synonymous with the law that can be repeated in light of a concrete case. In this context, the interpreter is the one who (1) “reconstructs” the possibilities contained in the statute, (2) articulates more precisely the contents of these possibilities, and (3) chooses the combination of possibilities that corresponds most closely to the legally relevant features of the life case (which also must be interpreted). Thus the interpreter’s productivity consists in recognizing a legal provision as referring to a type of conduct − for example, as recognizing that the statutory signs “exceeding the speed limit” refer to, inter alia, a type of behaviour known as driving a car too fast through a town. Moreover, the decision-maker has decided the case just this way, which means it is the decision-maker and not the “statutory text” that has excluded the possibility of any other legal solution (e. g. of driving too fast in a state of emergency). The statute refers to cases that will only occur in the future and are at the present moment, in a more or less defined way, envisaged by the legislator. Irrespective of the extent and intensiveness of the envisaging, the interpretation must remain true to the core meaning of the norm and to the semantic possibilities of the statute text.
Personal Pronouns ja [I] and on [he] in the Communication Context
Authors: Bodnárová Martina
Published: February 2017

Contribution presents a partial research probe into the problems of non-institutional dialogue of adults in Eastern Slovakia focused on two representative means of a personal pronouns subsystem – ja [I] and on [he]. We observe their communication use in the spontaneous communication through the prism of the adult dialogue typology (cf. Bodnárová, 2012). One of the main issues associated with the group of the personal pronouns is the motivation of the explicit expression of pronominal subject. In the contribution we reflect on this particular issue, based on the existing research of the analogous issues, above all in Slovak and Czech linguistics. Despite of this fact, it is not limited to affirmative findings and exemplification, but it attempts to deepen and complement the already known findings through their own original material. In addition to communication and pragmatic approach we also apply point of view of the personal deixis and syntax.
“This is a […] Story;”” the Refusal of a Master Text in Noah Hawley’s Fargo
Authors: Redmon Allen H.
Published: February 2017

Each episode of Noah Hawley’s first two seasons of Fargo begins with the same claim: “this is a true story.” The claim might invite the formation of what Thomas Leitch (2007) calls a “privileged master text,” except that Hawley undermines the creation of such a text in at least two ways. On the one hand, Hawley uses his truth claim as a way to direct his audience into the film he is adapting – Joel and Ethan Coen’s (1996) film by the same name. Hawley ensures throughout his first season that those who know or who come-to-know the Coens’ work will recognize his story as an extension of the Coens’s world. Hawley references the Coens’ world so much that his audience is never entirely outside the Coens’ universe, and certainly not in any world a story based on a true event might pretend to occupy. At the same time, Hawley allows different speakers to make the opening truth claim by the end of his second season, which further prevents his truth assertion from locating viewers in any actual world. Hawley’s second move reveals that true stories are always subjective stories, which means they are always constructed stories. In this way, a true story is no more definitive than any other story. All stories are, in keeping with Jorge Luis Borges’ attitude toward definitive texts, only a draft or a version of a story. Every telling invites another, alternative retelling. A true story is, therefore, above all a story.
Development of Inverse Cambia and Structure of Secondary Xylem in Ipomoea turbinata (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Rajput Kishore S.
Published: February 2017

Structural transformation of mechanical tissues during the shift from a freestanding to a climbing habit is a characteristic of lianas, which are increasingly abundant in tropical forests. The modification of mechanical tissue and the evolution of a new growth pattern serve to increase stem flexibility and conductive efficiency. In Ipomoea turbinata Lag. (Convolvulaceae), the stem thickens via the formation of two distinct types of successive cambia: functionally normal successive cambia (producing xylem centripetally and phloem centrifugally), and inverse cambia (producing xylem centrifugally and phloem centripetally). The former originates from pericyclic derivatives (parenchyma cells located outside the primary phloem), while the latter originates from the conjunctive parenchyma located on the inner margin of the secondary xylem formed from vascular cambium. The secondary xylem produced by normal cambia is significantly more abundant than the xylem formed by inverse cambia. During primary growth, intraxylary primary phloem differentiates concomitantly with the protoxylem at the periphery of the pith; additional intraxylary secondary phloem is added from adjacent parenchyma cells as the plant ages. During initiation of every successive cambium, middle cells in the meristem give rise to cambium, and cells on either side of it serve as sites for initiation of future cambia. The functional role of inverse cambia remains unknown and awaits further experimental studies.