bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary CD103 expression regulates airway inflammation in asthma
Authors: Bernatchez Emilie , Gold Matthew J. , Langlois Anick , Lemay Anne-Marie , Brassard Julyanne , Flamand Nicolas , Marsolais David , McNagny Kelly M. , Blanchet Marie-Renee
Published: February 2015

Although CD103+ cells recently emerged as key regulatory cells in the gut, the role of CD103 ubiquitous expression in the lung and development of allergic airway disease has never been studied. To answer this important question, we evaluated the response of Cd103 −/− mice in two separate well-described mouse models of asthma (ovalbumin and house dust mite extract). Pulmonary inflammation was assessed by analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage content, histology, and cytokine response. CD103 expression was analyzed on lung dendritic cells and T cell subsets by flow cytometry. Cd103 −/− mice exposed to antigens developed exacerbated lung inflammation, characterized by increased eosinophilic infiltration, severe tissue inflammation, and altered cytokine response. In wild-type mice exposed to house dust mite, CD103+ dendritic cells are increased in the lung and an important subset of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and T regulatory cells express CD103. Importantly, Cd103 −/− mice presented a deficiency in the resolution phase of inflammation, which supports an important role for this molecule in the control of inflammation severity. These results suggest an important role for CD103 in the control of airway inflammation in asthma.
Anti-inflammatory macrophages improve skeletal muscle recovery from ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Hammers David W. , Rybalko Viktoriya , Merscham-Banda Melissa , Hsieh Pei-Ling , Suggs Laura J. , Farrar Roger P.
Published: February 2015

The presence of macrophages (MPs) is essential for skeletal muscle to properly regenerate following injury. The aim of this study was the evaluation of MP profiles and their importance in skeletal muscle recovering from tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Using flow cytometry, we identified two distinct CD11b+ MP populations that differ in expression of the surface markers Ly-6C and F4/80. These populations are prominent at 3 and 5 days of reperfusion and molecularly correspond to inflammatory and anti-inflammatory MP phenotypes. Sorted MP populations demonstrated high levels of IGF-I expression, and whole muscle post-I/R IGF-I expression strongly correlates with F4/80 expression. This suggests MPs largely influence postinjury IGF-I upregulation. We additionally demonstrate that direct intramuscular injection of FACS-isolated CD11b+Ly-6CloF4/80hi MPs improves the functional and histological recovery of I/R-affected muscle. Taken together, these data further support the substantial influence of the innate immune system on muscle regeneration and suggest MP-focused therapeutic approaches may greatly facilitate skeletal muscle recovery from substantial injury.
Prolonged observation time reveals temporal fluctuations in the sublingual microcirculation in pigs given arginine vasopressin
Authors: Kildal Anders Benjamin , Stenberg Thor Allan , Sanden Espen , Myrmel Truls , How Ole-Jakob
Published: February 2015

Intravital videomicroscopy of sublingual microcirculation is used to monitor critically ill patients. Existing guidelines suggest averaging handheld video recordings of ∼20 s in duration from five areas. We assessed whether an extended observation time may provide additional information on the microcirculation. Pigs ( n = 8) under general anesthesia were divided between two groups, one with manually held camera, in which microcirculation was assessed continuously for 1 min in five areas, and one with a fixed camera, in which the observation time was extended to 10 min in a single area. The microcirculation was challenged by infusing arginine vasopressin (AVP). In the fixed group, ischemic acute heart failure was induced by left coronary microembolization, and the AVP infusion was repeated. All recordings were divided into 20-s sequences, and the small-vessel microvascular flow index (MFI) was scored and averaged for each measurement point. When administering 0.003, 0.006, and 0.012 IU·kg−1·min−1of AVP, we observed that the small-vessel MFI in the fixed 10-min group was significantly reduced (2.03 ± 0.38, 0.98 ± 0.18, and 0.48 ± 0.11) compared with both the initial 20 s (2.77 ± 0.04, 2.06 ± 0.04, and 1.74 ± 0.06; P < 0.05) and the 1-min total (2.63 ± 0.09, 1.70 ± 0.07, and 1.33 ± 0.16; P < 0.05) in the handheld group. In acute heart failure, the cardiac output decreased to half of the preischemic values. Interestingly, the small-vessel MFI was more affected by the administration of 0.001 and 0.003 IU·kg−1·min−1of AVP in acute heart failure (1.62 ± 0.60 and 1.16 ± 0.38) compared with preischemic values (2.86 ± 0.09 and 2.03 ± 0.38; P < 0.05). In conclusion, a prolonged recording time reveals temporal heterogeneity that may impact the assessment of microcirculatory function.
Preclinical Pharmacologic Evaluation of Pralatrexate and Romidepsin Confirms Potent Synergy of the Combination in a Murine Model of Human T-cell Lymphoma
Authors: Jain Salvia , Jirau-Serrano Xavier , Zullo Kelly M. , Scotto Luigi , Palermo Carmine F. , Sastra Stephen A. , Olive Kenneth P. , Cremers Serge , Thomas Tiffany , Wei Ying , Zhang Yuan , Bhagat Govind , Amengual Jennifer E. , Deng Changchun , Karan Charles , Realubit Ronald , Bates Susan E. , O'Connor Owen A.
Published: February 2015

Purpose: T-cell lymphomas (TCL) are aggressive diseases, which carry a poor prognosis. The emergence of new drugs for TCL has created a need to survey these agents in a rapid and reproducible fashion, to prioritize combinations which should be prioritized for clinical study. Mouse models of TCL that can be used for screening novel agents and their combinations are lacking. Developments in noninvasive imaging modalities, such as surface bioluminescence (SBL) and three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US), are challenging conventional approaches in xenograft modeling relying on caliper measurements. The recent approval of pralatrexate and romidepsin creates an obvious combination that could produce meaningful activity in TCL, which is yet to be studied in combination.

Experimental Design: High-throughput screening and multimodality imaging approach of SBL and 3D-US in a xenograft NOG mouse model of TCL were used to explore the in vitro and in vivo activity of pralatrexate and romidepsin in combination. Corresponding mass spectrometry–based pharmacokinetic and immunohistochemistry-based pharmacodynamic analyses of xenograft tumors were performed to better understand a mechanistic basis for the drug:drug interaction.

Results: In vitro, pralatrexate and romidepsin exhibited concentration-dependent synergism in combination against a panel of TCL cell lines. In a NOG murine model of TCL, the combination of pralatrexate and romidepsin exhibited enhanced efficacy compared with either drug alone across a spectrum of tumors using complementary imaging modalities, such as SBL and 3D-US.

Conclusions: Collectively, these data strongly suggest that the combination of pralatrexate and romidepsin merits clinical study in patients with TCLs. Clin Cancer Res; 21(9); 2096–106. ©2015 AACR.
Induction of T-cell Immunity Overcomes Complete Resistance to PD-1 and CTLA-4 Blockade and Improves Survival in Pancreatic Carcinoma
Authors: Winograd Rafael , Byrne Katelyn T. , Evans Rebecca A. , Odorizzi Pamela M. , Meyer Anders R.L. , Bajor David L. , Clendenin Cynthia , Stanger Ben Z. , Furth Emma E. , Wherry E. John , Vonderheide Robert H.
Published: February 2015

Disabling the function of immune checkpoint molecules can unlock T-cell immunity against cancer, yet despite remarkable clinical success with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that block PD-1 or CTLA-4, resistance remains common and essentially unexplained. To date, pancreatic carcinoma is fully refractory to these antibodies. Here, using a genetically engineered mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in which spontaneous immunity is minimal, we found that PD-L1 is prominent in the tumor microenvironment, a phenotype confirmed in patients; however, tumor PD-L1 was found to be independent of IFNγ in this model. Tumor T cells expressed PD-1 as prominently as T cells from chronically infected mice, but treatment with αPD-1 mAbs, with or without αCTLA-4 mAbs, failed in well-established tumors, recapitulating clinical results. Agonist αCD40 mAbs with chemotherapy induced T-cell immunity and reversed the complete resistance of pancreatic tumors to αPD-1 and αCTLA-4. The combination of αCD40/chemotherapy plus αPD-1 and/or αCTLA-4 induced regression of subcutaneous tumors, improved overall survival, and conferred curative protection from multiple tumor rechallenges, consistent with immune memory not otherwise achievable. Combinatorial treatment nearly doubled survival of mice with spontaneous pancreatic cancers, although no cures were observed. Our findings suggest that in pancreatic carcinoma, a nonimmunogenic tumor, baseline refractoriness to checkpoint inhibitors can be rescued by the priming of a T-cell response with αCD40/chemotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(4); 399–411. ©2015 AACR.
Dendritic Cells in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Zernecke Alma
Published: February 2015

Atherosclerotic vascular disease is driven by chronic inflammation involving both innate and adaptive immune responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are found in healthy arteries and accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions and engage in diverse pathogenic and protective mechanisms during atherogenesis. DCs contribute to early foam cell formation, regulate lipid metabolism, and control pro- and antiatherosclerotic T-cell responses by multifarious mechanisms. We, here, review the roles of DCs and plasmacytoid DCs in experimental models of atherosclerosis and the approaches to target DCs in therapeutic vaccination strategies. We, furthermore, discuss the evidence of the potential function of DCs in human atherosclerosis, and dissect the efforts to harness DC subsets as biomarkers of disease. Finally, we discuss necessary future steps that will help to understand the specific contribution of bona fide DCs in atherosclerosis to move toward novel therapeutic approaches.
Endothelial PPAR-γ Protects Against Vascular Thrombosis by Downregulating P-Selectin Expression
Authors: Jin Hong , Gebska Milena A. , Blokhin Ilya O. , Wilson Katina M. , Ketsawatsomkron Pimonrat , Chauhan Anil K. , Keen Henry L. , Sigmund Curt D. , Lentz Steven R.
Published: February 2015

Objective—

We tested the hypothesis that endothelial peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ protects against vascular thrombosis using a transgenic mouse model expressing a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ mutant (E-V290M) selectively in endothelium.

Approach and Results—

The time to occlusive thrombosis of the carotid artery was significantly shortened in E-V290M mice compared with nontransgenic littermates after either chemical injury with ferric chloride (5.1±0.2 versus 10.1±3.3 minutes;
P
=0.01) or photochemical injury with rose bengal (48±9 versus 74±9 minutes;
P
=0.04). Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated the upregulation of NF-κB target genes, including P-selectin, in aortic endothelial cells from E-V290M mice (
P
<0.001). Plasma P-selectin and carotid artery P-selectin mRNA were elevated in E-V290M mice (
P
<0.05). P-selectin–dependent leukocyte rolling on mesenteric venules was increased in E-V290M mice compared with nontransgenic mice (53±8 versus 25±7 per minute;
P
=0.02). The shortened time to arterial occlusion in E-V290M mice was reversed by administration of P-selectin–blocking antibodies or neutrophil-depleting antibodies (
P
=0.04 and
P
=0.02, respectively) before photochemical injury.

Conclusions—

Endothelial peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ protects against thrombosis through a mechanism that involves downregulation of P-selectin expression and diminished P-selectin–mediated leukocyte–endothelial interactions.
Implementing a Simple Care Bundle Is Associated With Improved Outcomes in a National Cohort of Patients With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Turner Melanie , Barber Mark , Dodds Hazel , Murphy David , Dennis Martin , Langhorne Peter , Macleod Mary-Joan
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—

Further research is needed to better identify the methods of evaluating processes and outcomes of stroke care. We investigated whether achieving 4 evidence-based components of a care bundle in a Scotland-wide population with ischemic stroke is associated with 30-day and 6-month outcomes.

Methods—

Using national datasets, we looked at the effect of 4 standards (stroke unit entry on calendar day of admission [day 0] or day following [day 1], aspirin on day 0 or day 1, scan on day 0, and swallow screen recorded on day 0) on mortality and discharge to usual residence, at 30 days and 6 months. Data were corrected for the validated 6 simple variables, admission year, and hospital-level random effects.

Results—

A total of 36 055 patients were included. Achieving stroke unit admission, swallow screen, and aspirin standards were associated with reduced 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.82 [0.75–0.90], 0.88 [0.77–0.99], and 0.39 [0.35–0.43], respectively). Thirty-day all-cause mortality was higher when fewer standards were achieved, from 0 versus 4 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.95 [1.91–4.55]) to 3 versus 4 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.21 [1.09–1.34]). This effect persisted at 6 months. When less than the full care bundle was achieved, discharge to usual residence was less likely at 6 months (3 versus 4 standards; adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.91 [0.85–0.98]).

Conclusions—

Achieving a care bundle for ischemic stroke is associated with reduced mortality at 30 days and 6 months and increased likelihood of discharge to usual residence at 6 months.
Association Between Left Atrial Abnormality on ECG and Vascular Brain Injury on MRI in the Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Kamel Hooman , Bartz Traci M. , Longstreth W.T. , Okin Peter M. , Thacker Evan L. , Patton Kristen K. , Stein Phyllis K. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Heckbert Susan R. , Kronmal Richard A. , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Soliman Elsayed Z.
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—

Emerging evidence suggests that atrial disease is associated with vascular brain injury in the absence of atrial fibrillation.

Methods—

The Cardiovascular Health Study prospectively enrolled community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years. Among participants who underwent MRI, we examined associations of ECG left atrial abnormality with brain infarcts and leukoaraiosis. P-wave terminal force in lead V
1
was the primary measure of left atrial abnormality; P-wave area and duration were secondary predictors. We excluded participants with atrial fibrillation before or on their index ECG. Primary outcomes were incident infarcts and worsening leukoaraiosis from initial to follow-up scan ≈5 years later. Secondary outcomes were prevalent infarcts and degree of leukoaraiosis on initial MRI. Relative risk (RR) and linear regression models were adjusted for vascular risk factors.

Results—

Among 3129 participants with ≥1 scan, each SD increase in P-wave terminal force in lead V
1
was associated with a 0.05-point (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0003–0.10) higher baseline white matter grade on a 10-point scale. P-wave terminal force in lead V
1
was associated with prevalent infarcts of any type (RR per SD, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04–1.16) and more so with prevalent nonlacunar infarcts (RR per SD, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.08–1.38). Among 1839 participants with 2 scans, P-wave terminal force in lead V
1
was associated with worsening leukoaraiosis (RR per SD, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01–1.18), but not with incident infarcts (RR per SD, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.93–1.20). Sensitivity analyses adjusting for incident atrial fibrillation found similar results. P-wave area and duration were not associated with outcomes.

Conclusions—

ECG left atrial abnormality is associated with vascular brain injury in the absence of documented atrial fibrillation.
Gender, War, and Josephus
Authors: Reeder Caryn A.
Published: February 2015

In accordance with traditional Greco-Roman constructions of gender, the Roman victory in the First Jewish Revolt left the Jews emasculated. In Jewish War, Josephus reconstructs the masculinity of the Jews through descriptions of their daring raids, courageous fighting, and the choice of death over surrender; by depicting the loyal Herodian rulers as undeniably masculine, the Jewish women as unquestionably feminine, and the rebel leaders as dishonorably effeminate; and finally, by exploiting the inherent contradictions in Roman military masculinity. According to Jewish War, the Jews as a whole can be honorably masculine despite the failure of the revolt, a conclusion supported by the further development of Jewish masculinity in Josephus’s later writings.
Taxonomic study of the leafhopper genus Thagria Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae) from Guangxi, China
Authors: FAN ZHI-HUA , LI ZI-ZHONG , DAI REN-HUAI
Published: February 2015

The paper deals with 21 valid species of the genus Thagria from Guangxi Autonomous Region, China. Eight new species are described and illustrated: T. biprocessa Fan & Dai, sp. nov., T. decussata Fan & Dai, sp. nov., T. irregularis Fan & Dai, sp. nov., T. multispinosa Fan & Dai, sp. nov., T. paramultipars Fan & Li, sp. nov., T. triangula Fan & Li, sp. nov., T. trifasciata Fan & Li, sp. nov. and T. webbi Fan & Li, sp. nov.. A key is given to distinguish all species of this genus from Guangxi, China and maps showing the geographic distribution of new species are also provided. The name Thagria xuae nom. emend. is given for T. xui Nielson.
A modified cavity slide for temporary preparation and illustration of insect genitalia in glycerin
Authors: AMENT DANILO CÉSAR
Published: February 2015

The taxonomy of most groups of insects is largely dependent on genitalic characters, which can be extremely complex, even asymmetric (Huber et al. 2007). The study of small, complex insect terminalia, then, often requires microscopic examination of this structure in more than one view, using temporary slide mounting. The temporary mounting generally consists of the placement of the structure in a cavity slide filled with glycerin or glycerin jelly with a cover slide. The preparation in glycerin may be faster than in glycerin jelly if the problem of stabilizing the structure in the correct position can be overcome.
Species of Thripinae (Thysanoptera) from bamboo in Malaysia, with one new species and six new records
Authors: NG Y.F. , MOUND L. A.
Published: February 2015

Nine species of Thripinae that inhabit bamboo are recorded from Malaysia. Clypeothrips idrisi sp.n. is described as a second species in the genus, and Trichromothrips bruncurrum Reyes is considered a syn.n. of Neocorynothrips asiaticus Ramakrishna & Margabandhu. Six species are newly recorded from Malaysia: N. asiaticus, Okajimaella tubercula, Simulothrips banpoti, Stenchaetothrips bambusicola, S. bambusae and S. spinalis. Seven species of Stenchaetothrips are now known from Malaysia. Illustrations and descriptions of each species are provided.
Disentangling a taxonomic nightmare: a revision of the Australian, Indomalayan and Pacific species of Altica Geoffroy, 1762 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)
Authors: REID C. A. M. , BEATSON M.
Published: February 2015

The genus Altica Geoffroy, 1762, is revised for Australia, the west Pacific region and the Indomalayan Archipelago, with 6 valid species: A. aenea (Olivier, 1808); A. birmanensis (Jacoby, 1896); A. caerulea (Olivier, 1791); A. corrusca (Erichson, 1842); A. cyanea Weber, 1801; A. gravida (Blackburn, 1896). The following new synonymy is recognised, in original combinations, senior synonym first: Galeruca aenea Olivier = Haltica ignea Blackburn, 1889, syn. nov., = Haltica bicolora Jacoby, 1904, syn. nov., = Altica jussiaeae Gressitt, 1955, syn. nov.; Galeruca caerulea Olivier = Haltica elongata Jacoby, 1884, syn. nov., = Altica brevicosta Weise, 1922; Haltica corrusca Erichson = Haltica pagana Blackburn, 1896, syn. nov.; Haltica birmanensis Jacoby = Haltica indica Shukla, 1960, syn. nov. Altica brevicosta and A. birmanensis are removed from synonymy with A. cyanea and A. indica is removed from synonymy with A. caerulea. The Altica caerulea of Maulik and subsequent authors (not Olivier) is a misidentification of two species, correctly named A. cyanea and A. birmanensis. The Altica cyanea of Maulik and subsequent authors (not Weber) is a misidentification, correctly named A. aenea. Altica bicosta Shukla, 1960, is removed from synonymy with A. brevicosta and regarded as a valid species. Altica splendida Olivier, 1808, and Haltica ferruginis Blackburn, 1889, are transferred to Sutrea Baly, 1876, as S. splendida (comb. nov.) and S. ferruginis (comb. nov.). The type species of Sutrea is designated as S. elegans Baly, 1876. Altica albicornis Medvedev, 2004, is transferred to Phygasia Dejean, 1836, as P. albicornis (comb. nov.). Lectotypes are designated for A. australis, A. birmanensis, A. caerulea, A. cyanea, A. elongata, A. ignea and A. pagana. A neotype is designated for A. aenea. Altica caerulea is newly recorded from Australia and A. cyanea is removed from the Australian fauna. Altica corrusca and A. gravida are endemic to Australia; all published records of these species from outside Australia refer to the widespread Asian-Pacific species A. aenea. The single record of the European Altica oleracea (L., 1758) from New Caledonia is regarded as a label error and this species removed from the Pacific fauna. A key, based primarily on genitalic structures, is provided for the six regional species and all are redescribed. Host plant records are reviewed: A. corrusca is a minor agricultural pest; A. aenea, A. caerulea and A. cyanea may be useful for biocontrol of weeds.
Persanura hyrcanica, a new genus and species of Neanurinae (Collembola: Neanuridae) from Iran, with a key to genera of the tribe Neanurini
Authors: MAYVAN MAHMOOD MEHRAFROZ , SHAYANMEHR MASOUMEH , SMOLIS ADRIAN , SKARŻYŃSKI DARIUSZ
Published: February 2015

Persanura hyrcanica, a new genus and species of Neanurini from Iran is described and illustrated. It has a unique suite of morphological characters: labrum with only 4 chaetae, fusion of tubercles So and L on head, tubercle Di on th. II–III with 2 chaetae and separation of tubercles Di on abd. V. The erected genus is closely related to Neanura MacGillivray, 1893, Kalanura Smolis, 2007 and Xylanura Smolis, 2011. An updated key to genera of the tribe Neanurini is given.
Toward Improved Forecasts of Sea-Breeze Horizontal Convective Rolls at Super High Resolutions. Part II: The Impacts of Land Use and Buildings
Authors: Chen Guixing , Zhu Xinyue , Sha Weiming , Iwasaki Toshiki , Seko Hiromu , Saito Kazuo , Iwai Hironori , Ishii Shoken
Published: February 2015

Horizontal convective rolls form in coastal areas around Sendai Airport during sea-breeze events. Using a building-resolving computational fluid dynamics model nested in an advanced forecast system with a data assimilation scheme, the authors perform a series of sensitivity experiments to investigate the impacts of land use and buildings on these rolls. The results show that the roll positions, intensities, and structures are significantly affected by variations in land use and the presence of buildings. Land-use heterogeneity is responsible for generating rolls with evident regional features. Major rolls tend to develop downwind of warm surfaces, and they dominate over neighboring rolls; thus, a heterogeneity-scale mode is imposed on the inherent roll wavelength. The roll’s rapid growth is attributable to warm surfaces that initiate a strong coupling among turbulent thermals, convective updrafts, pressure perturbations, and secondary flows in sea breezes. The heterogeneity-induced features differ considerably from the nearly homogeneous features that form over uniform surfaces. Additionally, the wake flow behind buildings helps organize near-surface warm air into streamwise bands that drive streaky ejections. The building-induced turbulence acts to modify secondary flows and displace roll updrafts toward building wakes. Such effects are most effective over villages with scattered houses that are aligned with the ambient wind. Building signatures are elongated in downwind open areas due to sustained secondary circulations. An analysis of turbulent kinetic energy shows that both land use and buildings regulate energy generation and transport, resulting in a clear response in roll growth. Thus, including complex surfaces in forecast models helps determine detailed characteristics and structures of roll convection over coastal regions.
A Novel Therapy for Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Authors: Gu Jian , Mao Xiaohui , Li Cong , Ao Huafei , Yang Xizhi
Published: February 2015

Purpose:

The purpose of our article was to explore the effect of ethosomes containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with different sizes on laryngotracheal stenosis treatment.

Methods:

The physical characteristics of ethosomes containing 5-FU were investigated, including size, shape, and entrapment percentage. The effect of ethosomes containing 5-FU was evaluated on the airway stenosis rabbit model. The formation of fibrous/scar tissue was investigated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the permeation depth was observed under fluorescence microscope.

Results:

The mean sizes of 5-FU ethosomes extruded by D = 50 nm and D = 100 nm pore were 60 ± 10 nm and 110 ± 13 nm, respectively. The 5-FU entrapment percentage of ethosomes was determined to be 15% (D = 60 ± 10 nm) and 32% (D = 110 ± 13 nm). After being treated by ethosomes containing 5-FU (D = 60 ± 10 nm), the fibroblast and collagenous fiber distributed sparsely in the deep scar tissue. The permeation capability of ethosomes containing 5-FU (D = 60 nm) was significantly better than ethosomes (D = 110 nm). Besides, the 5-FU ethosomes resulted in less stenosis than 5-FU only.

Conclusions:

Topical administration of 5-FU ethosomes may be a novel candidate therapy for laryngotracheal stenosis treatment.
Missed Appointments
Authors: Samuels Ronald C. , Ward Valerie L. , Melvin Patrice , Macht-Greenberg Michael , Wenren Larissa M. , Yi Jessica , Massey Gordon , Cox Joanne E.
Published: February 2015

Background. Missed appointments complicate primary care services. Objective. To determine factors associated with missed pediatric appointments. Design/Methods. A convenience sample of 1537 patients who missed appointments were called and 386 (25%) families completed the 26-item survey. Those with high no-show rates were compared with the rest using χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests. Initial covariates with P < .2 were included in a multivariate logistic regression model. Results. Common reasons for missing appointments were the following: forgot (27%), transportation problems (21%), and time off of work (14%). The high no-show group had more African Americans ( P = .030) and older patients ( P = .003). Higher no-show rates correlated with well child visits ( P = .029) and perception of “excellent health” ( P = .022). In the logistic regression model, well child appointments (odds ratio = 2.56) and increasing age in years (odds ratio = 1.11) were associated with higher no-show rates. Conclusions. Efforts to decrease no-show rates should target older patients and well child visits.
Data Acquisition and Remote Control Systems in Coal Mines: A Serbian Experience
Authors: Marjanovic Dobrivoje , Grozdanovic Miroljub , Janackovic Goran
Published: February 2015

The paper presents the development and application of measurement and control devices and control information systems in coal mines with underground exploitation. The locations of units for measuring the concentration of methane, carbon monoxide and oxygen; the control of short circuits on ventilation doors; the control of main fan depression and the airflow speed are proposed. As a result of the research, the structure of control information system in Senje mine and ergonomic analysis of measurement and control devices in this mine are presented. Further modes of development of control information systems in underground mines in Serbia and solutions for their reconstruction are proposed.
Exclude Me If You Can
Authors: Pfundmair Michaela , Aydin Nilüfer , Du Hongfei , Yeung Susanna , Frey Dieter , Graupmann Verena
Published: February 2015

We examined how individualistic versus collectivistic cultural backgrounds affected the psychological experience of social exclusion. We found that Turkish, Chinese, and Indian participants (collectivistic background) differed in their experience of social exclusion from German participants (individualistic background): German participants experienced lower fulfillment of psychological needs in response to social exclusion, whereas Turkish, Chinese, and Indian participants were affected to a lesser extent (Turkey, India, Hong Kong) or not at all (mainland China) by social exclusion manipulations. Testing two different explanatory mechanisms in Study 3, we found that the difference in dealing with social exclusion was not associated with activating social representations in participants with collectivistic background but with exclusion being associated with more threat in participants with individualistic background. In Study 4, cultural differences emerged also on the physiological level: German participants’ heart rates were increased when excluded, whereas Chinese participants showed no change in heart rate during exclusion. The results are discussed regarding their implications for the role of self-construal and culture when dealing with the threat of social exclusion.
From cell phones to conflict? Reflections on the emerging ICT–political conflict research agenda
Authors: Dafoe Allan , Lyall Jason
Published: February 2015

From mobilizing masses to monitoring rebels, information and communication technologies (ICT) are transforming political conflict. We reflect on the contributions made by the articles of this special issue to the emerging ICT–political conflict research agenda, highlighting strengths of these articles, and offering suggestions for moving forward. Elaborate theory is crucial: it informs our standards of evidence, our choice of statistical models, our tests of competing theories, and our efforts to draw appropriate generalizations. Qualitative data is often neglected as a source of evidence, especially for evaluating the many competing mechanisms in this literature. Alternative explanations for results should be taken seriously, especially more mundane ones like confounding, measurement, and selection biases. We discuss in detail the risk that measurement bias could account for the prominent association between cellular coverage and (reported) conflict, and recommend several ways of evaluating and bounding this risk. We discuss the problem of temporal and spatial dependence for statistical inference – a problem that is often present for studies of ICTs – and point out that methodological solutions rely on (rarely stated) causal assumptions. Finally, we highlight key areas for future research, recommend a commitment to transparency best practices, and conclude with a discussion of the policy implications of this research.
Identifying Issues and Concerns With the Use of Interval-Based Systems in Single Case Research Using a Pilot Simulation Study
Authors: Ledford Jennifer R. , Ayres Kevin M. , Lane Justin D. , Lam Man Fung
Published: February 2015

Momentary time sampling (MTS), whole interval recording (WIR), and partial interval recording (PIR) are commonly used in applied research. We discuss potential difficulties with analyzing data when these systems are used and present results from a pilot simulation study designed to determine the extent to which these issues are likely to be problematic in the context of single case design studies. Results indicate that WIR and PIR may result in invalid effect size estimations. Although MTS more closely paralleled actual duration, it may induce variability in relatively short sessions, increasing the likelihood of Type II errors. Suggestions for practitioners, consumers, and researchers include careful use and reporting of data collected using interval-based systems and continued investigation of properties of these systems, particularly on the effects on effect size estimations.
Reconsolidation of state power into urbanising villages: Shareholding reforms as a strategy for governance in the Pearl River Delta region
Authors: Wong Siu Wai
Published: February 2015

Shareholding Cooperatives (SCs) are the officially recognised organisations responsible for managing villagers’ collectively owned assets. In recent years, massive land requisitions in the Pearl River Delta region have led many villages to experience a rapid expansion in their collective assets, highlighting the indispensable role of SCs in reshaping the landscape of local governance. Based upon an in-depth case study of the Guangzhou Luogang District, this study shows that the local state has engaged with shareholding reforms to achieve two main objectives: inducing compliance amongst villagers and promoting the accountability of village cadres in the management of collective assets. These empirical findings suggest that shareholding reforms were not simply a process of market building or property rights reforms driven by local initiatives. Rather, they should also be interpreted as a process of state power reconsolidation, whereby the local government sought to regain its control over the urbanising villages.
Farms are not zoos: A post-colonial study on enclosure and conservation of military heritage buildings in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Lawrence WC , Ho Daniel CW
Published: February 2015

This paper explains the importance of distinguishing de facto from de jure property rights, confused by some economists, in heritage conservation planning. A comparative study on three Hong Kong examples of British colonial military buildings is used to show how neither de jure private property rights nor de facto close access is a solution to the problem of open access to heritage buildings. Also, a government museum is only a partial solution to the problem of promoting an authentic historic sense of history in a post-colonial environment. The examples to be examined are the coastal gun batteries on Devil’s Peak, the coastal gun batteries on Cape D’Aguilar, and the Museum of Coastal Defence inside the old Lei Yue Mun Fort. With the help of site photos, the case studies demonstrate that heritage buildings can only be preserved when at least three conditions are satisfied: (a) there is an intention to conserve; (b) there is a viable scheme to conserve; and (c) there is effective regulation of access. Open access, however, can have some merits as a process of information discovery by members of the public.
Stability And Predictive And Incremental Accuracy Of The Individual Items Of Static-99r And Static-2002r In Predicting Sexual Recidivism
Authors: Helmus Leslie-Maaike , Thornton David
Published: February 2015

This study investigated a potential source of variability in actuarial scale performance: the individual items. Using data from 8,053 sex offenders across 22 samples, we examined the predictive and incremental accuracy of the items from Static-99R and Static-2002R, and the stability of predictive accuracy across samples. Generally, all items had significant predictive accuracy and contributed incrementally to predicting sexual recidivism, with few exceptions. Roughly half the items demonstrated significant variability in their predictive accuracy across samples, although this was often variability in the magnitude of predictiveness as opposed to the direction. Some moderator effects were found, with the most common being the country of the study (which influenced accuracy in different directions depending on the item) and whether the offenders were preselected as unusually high risk or need (lower discrimination was found in these samples). The findings support the Static-99R and Static-2002R items with few exceptions, and possibilities for future research are highlighted.
Relationships Between Body Areas Satisfaction, Exercise, and Mood in Obese African American Women
Authors: Tennant Gisèle A.
Published: February 2015

Despite a rate of morbid obesity that is 2.5 times that of European American women, African American women have higher body areas satisfaction than any other ethnicities. Previous research suggested differences in African American women’s attitudes toward body image may contribute to a lack of motivation to engage in weight management behaviors, such as physical activity. In addition, factors such as self-efficacy, self-regulation, and mood have been shown to affect healthy behavior participation but have not been studied among obese African American women. This study investigated if changes from baseline to posttreatment in self-efficacy and self-regulation for exercise and mood mediatedthe association between changes in body areas satisfaction and physical activity. The study used archival data consisting of 109 obese African American women who participated in a 6-month weight management intervention. The relationship between changes in body areas satisfaction and physical activity was mediated by changes in self-regulation for exercise and mood but not by change in self-efficacy for exercise. These findings may help in devising treatments targeted at this population. Implications are discussed.
Buddhist Concepts as Implicitly Reducing Prejudice and Increasing Prosociality
Authors: Clobert Magali , Saroglou Vassilis , Hwang Kwang-Kuo
Published: February 2015

Does Buddhism really promote tolerance? Based on cross-cultural and cross-religious evidence, we hypothesized that Buddhist concepts, possibly differing from Christian concepts, activate not only prosociality but also tolerance. Subliminally priming Buddhist concepts, compared with neutral or Christian concepts, decreased explicit prejudice against ethnic, ideological, and moral outgroups among Western Buddhists who valued universalism (Experiment 1, N = 116). It also increased spontaneous prosociality, and decreased, among low authoritarians or high universalists, implicit religious and ethnic prejudice among Westerners of Christian background (Experiment 2, N = 128) and Taiwanese of Buddhist/Taoist background (Experiment 3, N = 122). Increased compassion and tolerance of contradiction occasionally mediated some of the effects. The general idea that religion promotes (ingroup) prosociality and outgroup prejudice, based on research in monotheistic contexts, lacks cross-cultural sensitivity; Buddhist concepts activate extended prosociality and tolerance of outgroups, at least among those with socio-cognitive and moral openness.
Functional Communication Training
Authors: Durand V. Mark , Moskowitz Lauren
Published: February 2015

Thirty years ago, the first experimental demonstration was published showing that educators could improve significant challenging behavior in children with disabilities by replacing these behaviors with forms of communication that served the same purpose, a procedure called functional communication training (FCT). Since the publication of that paper, hundreds of demonstrations of the effectiveness of this approach have been published. This article describes the original study, the basic steps involved in using FCT, and how this approach can be used to reduce challenging behavior among toddlers and preschoolers.
Probabilistic lane detection and lane tracking for autonomous vehicles using a cascade particle filter
Authors: Lee Minchae , Jang Chulhoon , Sunwoo Myoungho
Published: February 2015

This paper proposes a robust lane detection algorithm with a cascade particle filter that incorporates a model decomposition approach. Despite the sophisticated tracking mechanism of a particle filter, the conventional particle-filter-based lane detection system suffers from an estimation accuracy problem and a high computational load. In order to improve the robustness and the computation time for lane detection systems, the proposed cascade particle filter decomposes a lane model into two submodels: a straight model and a curve model. By dividing the lane model, not only can the computation time be decreased, but also the accuracy of the lane state estimation system can be increased. The proposed lane detection algorithm and the cascade particle filter were evaluated on various roads and environmental conditions with the autonomous vehicle A1, which was the winner of the 2010 and 2012 Autonomous Vehicle Competition in the Republic of Korea organized by the Hyundai motor group. The proposed algorithm proved to be sufficiently robust and fast to be applied to autonomous vehicles as well as to intelligent vehicles for improving the vehicle safety.
Finite element simulations of high-frequency crash signals for robust crash discrimination
Authors: Pawlowski Marco , Yigit Emrah , Meywerk Martin
Published: February 2015

This work presents finite element simulations of a crash-management system and a body-in-white vehicle structure under low-speed crash conditions. The simulation models can be used to predict the excitation of high-frequency acceleration signals due to the initial impact and deformation of the crash-management system. In recent years, modern crash detection systems started to use frequency crash signals up to 20 kHz to distinguish between different crash severity levels and to trigger the restraint systems accordingly. The parameterization and application of such crash detection systems to new vehicle models require extensive testing of vehicle prototypes. The discussed approach allows assessment of the virtual components with respect to the signal quality at an early design stage. The first part of the study covers a ball-drop test to identify and isolate relevant modelling parameters. The second part discusses a crash-management system model and a low-speed crash with a body-in-white vehicle structure. Although finite element method crash simulations have already become a standard tool for assessment of the vehicle safety, no published work was found on the excitation of crash signals in that particular frequency range. The results show that the present-day finite element method is already capable of simulating frequency signals up to 20 kHz, which are excited through complex deformation processes. The simulation results are validated by experimental data and are within the measuring accuracy and the experimental repeatability. Simulations of crash signals allow simultaneous design optimization of the vehicle components and the crash detection system.
Multi-motion robots control based on bioelectric signals from single-channel dry electrode
Authors: Shen Hui-Min , Hu Liang , Lee Kok-Meng , Fu Xin
Published: February 2015

This article presents a multi-motion control system to help severe disabled people operate an auxiliary appliance using neck-up bioelectric signals measured by a single-channel dry electrode on the forehead. The single-channel dry-electrode multi-motion control system exhibits several practical advantages over its conventional counterparts that use multi-channel wet-electrodes; among the challenges is an effective technique to extract bioelectric features for reliable implementation of multi degrees-of-freedom motion control. Using both time and frequency characteristics of the single-channel dry-electrode measurements, motion commands are derived from multiple feature signals associated with concentration demands and different eye-blink actions for use in a two-level control strategy that has been developed to control predefined multi degrees-of-freedom motion trajectories. Test paradigms were designed to pre-calibrate the users’ feature signals to statistically account for individual variances. Experimental trials were then carried out on able-bodied and disabled volunteers to validate the universal applicability of the algorithms. The classification success rates for two different eye-blink feature signals were approximately 95% with an average time of 2.4 s for executing a concentration feature signal. The single-channel dry-electrode–based technique has been validated on a 6-degree-of-freedom robot arm demonstrating its significant potentials to help patients suffering severe motor dysfunctions operate a multi-motion auxiliary appliance in everyday living where the ease of use is a priority.
Scarcity Frames Value
Authors: Shah Anuj K. , Shafir Eldar , Mullainathan Sendhil
Published: February 2015

Economic models of decision making assume that people have a stable way of thinking about value. In contrast, psychology has shown that people’s preferences are often malleable and influenced by normatively irrelevant contextual features. Whereas economics derives its predictions from the assumption that people navigate a world of scarce resources, recent psychological work has shown that people often do not attend to scarcity. In this article, we show that when scarcity does influence cognition, it renders people less susceptible to classic context effects. Under conditions of scarcity, people focus on pressing needs and recognize the trade-offs that must be made against those needs. Those trade-offs frame perception more consistently than irrelevant contextual cues, which exert less influence. The results suggest that scarcity can align certain behaviors more closely with traditional economic predictions.
In vitro study of the binding between chlorpyrfos and sex hormones using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Farhadi K , Tahmasebi R , Biparva P , Maleki R
Published: February 2015

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are compounds that alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system. Organophosphorus insecticides, as chlorpyrifos (CPS), receive an increasing consideration as potential endocrine disrupters. Physiological estrogens, including estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and diethylstilbestrol (DES) fluctuate with life stage, suggesting specific roles for them in biological and disease processes. There has been great interest in whether certain organophosphorus pesticides can affect the risk of breast cancer. An understanding of the interaction processes is the key to describe the fate of CPS in biological media. The objectives of this study were to evaluate total, bound, and freely dissolved amount of CPS in the presence of three estrogenic sex hormones (ESHs). In vitro experiments were conducted utilizing a headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The obtained Scatchard plot based on the proposed SPME-HPLC method was employed to determine CPS-ESHs binding constant and the number of binding sites as well as binding percentage of each hormone to CPS. The number of binding sites per studied hormone molecule was 1.10, 1, and 0.81 for E1, E2, and DES, respectively. The obtained results confirmed that CPS bound to one class of binding sites on sex hormones.