bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The application of light front holographic QCD to B physics
Authors: Ahmady M.R. , Lord S. , Sandapen R.
Published: January 2015

Light front holography is a formalism developed by Brodsky and de Téramond in which analytic forms for the hadronic bound state wavefunctions can be obtained. We have used the holographic light front wavefunctions thus obtained to calculate the distribution amplitudes of the light vector mesons ρ and K∗. As a result, we are able to calculate the form factors for B → ρ, K∗ transitions as well as ΛQCD/mb contributions in radiative B(s) → (ρ, K∗)γ decays. We compare our predictions to the available experimental data.
Variation in sperm morphometry of the African cyprinid Barbus neumayeri (Neumayer’s barb)
Authors: Martínez M.L. , Mullin V. , Schulte-Hostedde A.
Published: January 2015

In this study, we explored variation in sperm morphometry of the African cyprinid Barbus neumayeri Fischer, 1884 (Neumayer’s barb) across seven sites with a wide range in dissolved oxygen, from hypoxic swamps to intermittent normoxic streams to well-oxygenated rivers. We explore whether fish physiological condition (K) or hypoxia can affect the reproductive traits, and whether condition–hypoxia dependence of sperm traits including head length (LH), head width (WH), flagellum length (LF), and hydrodynamic ratio (HR) vary across sampling sites. Significant differences were found in fish total length (P = 0.0212), as well as in K, left and right testis masses, total gonad mass, and gonadosomatic index (P < 0.0001 for all traits). Total gonad mass was lower in hypoxic sites than in well-oxygenated sites. Interestingly, the left and right testes from normoxic environments were double the size of testes from hypoxic environments. Despite little variation in sperm flagellum length, sperm heads were longer in swamps than in streams or rivers, giving the sperm head a more hydrodynamic shape. This variation in HR may be beneficial in the more stagnant waters of the swamp compared with the other environments. Future studies are necessary to understand whether variation in sperm morphology correlates with sperm swimming performance and male reproductive capacity.
Identification of genes associated with low furanocoumarin content in grapefruit
Authors: Chen Chunxian , Yu Qibin , Wei Xu , Cancalon Paul F. , Gmitter, Jr. Fred G.
Published: January 2015

Some furanocoumarins in grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) are associated with the so-called grapefruit juice effect. Previous phytochemical quantification and genetic analysis suggested that the synthesis of these furanocoumarins may be controlled by a single gene in the pathway. In this study, cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) analysis of fruit tissues was performed to identify the candidate gene(s) likely associated with low furanocoumarin content in grapefruit. Fifteen tentative differentially expressed fragments were cloned through the cDNA-AFLP analysis of the grapefruit variety Foster and its spontaneous low-furanocoumarin mutant Low Acid Foster. Sequence analysis revealed a cDNA-AFLP fragment, Contig 6, was homologous to a substrate-proved psoralen synthase gene, CYP71A22, and was part of citrus unigenes Cit.3003 and Csi.1332, and predicted genes Ciclev10004717m in mandarin and orange1.1g041507m in sweet orange. The two predicted genes contained the highly conserved motifs at one of the substrate recognition sites of CYP71A22. Digital gene expression profile showed the unigenes were expressed only in fruit and seed. Quantitative real-time PCR also proved Contig 6 was down-regulated in Low Acid Foster. These results showed the differentially expressed Contig 6 was related to the reduced furanocoumarin levels in the mutant. The identified fragment, homologs, unigenes, and genes may facilitate further furanocoumarin genetic study and grapefruit variety improvement.
The geometry of loop spaces I: Hs-Riemannian metrics
Authors: Maeda Yoshiaki , Rosenberg Steven , Torres-Ardila Fabián
Published: January 2015

A Riemannian metric on a manifold M induces a family of Riemannian metrics on the loop space LM depending on a Sobolev space parameter s. We compute the connection forms of these metrics and the higher symbols of their curvature forms, which take values in pseudodifferential operators (ΨDOs). These calculations are used in the followup paper [10] to construct Chern–Simons classes on TLM which detect nontrivial elements in the diffeomorphism group of certain Sasakian 5-manifolds associated to Kähler surfaces.
A remark to a division algorithm in the proof of Oka's first coherence theorem
Authors: Noguchi Junjiro
Published: January 2015

The problem is the locally finite generation of a relation sheaf ℛ(τ1,…,τq) in 𝒪Cn. After τj reduced to Weierstrass' polynomials in zn, it is the key for applying an induction on n to show that elements of ℛ(τ1,…,τq) are expressed as a finite linear sum of zn-polynomial-like elements of degree at most p = max j deg zn τj over 𝒪Cn. In that proof one is used to use a division by τj of the maximum degree, deg zn τj = p (Oka (1948); Cartan (1950); Hörmander (1966); Narasimhan (1966); Nishino (1996), etc.) Here we shall confirm that the division above works by making use of τk of the minimum degree, min j deg zn τj, and show that there is a degree structure in the locally finite generator system. This proof is naturally compatible with the simple case when some τj is a unit, and gives some improvement in the degree estimate of generators.
Phenomenology of harmless family gauge bosons to $K^0-\bar{K}^0$ mixing
Authors: Koide Yoshio
Published: January 2015

When we try to consider family gauge bosons with a lower energy scale, a major obstacle is constraints from the observed [Formula: see text] mixings [Formula: see text]. Against such a conventional view, we point out that, in a U(3) family gauge boson model, the bosons are harmless to any [Formula: see text] mixings independently of explicit values of the family mixings, if masses Mij of the gauge bosons [Formula: see text] (i, j are family indexes) satisfy a relation [Formula: see text]. If such the case can be realized together with an inverted mass hierarchy [Formula: see text], we can consider family gauge bosons with a considerably lower scale, so that we can expect rich signs for family gauge bosons in a TeV scale.
A review of design and modeling of magnetorheological valve
Authors: Abd Fatah Abdul Yasser , Mazlan Saiful Amri , Koga Tsuyoshi , Zamzuri Hairi , Zeinali Mohammadjavad , Imaduddin Fitrian
Published: January 2015

Following recent rapid development of researches in utilizing Magnetorheological (MR) fluid, a smart material that can be magnetically controlled to change its apparent viscosity instantaneously, a lot of applications have been established to exploit the benefits and advantages of using the MR fluid. One of the most important applications for MR fluid in devices is the MR valve, where it uses the popular flow or valve mode among the available working modes for MR fluid. As such, MR valve is widely applied in a lot of hydraulic actuation and vibration reduction devices, among them are dampers, actuators and shock absorbers. This paper presents a review on MR valve, discusses on several design configurations and the mathematical modeling for the MR valve. Therefore, this review paper classifies the MR valve based on the coil configuration and geometrical arrangement of the valve, and focusing on four different mathematical models for MR valve: Bingham plastic, Herschel–Bulkley, bi-viscous and Herschel–Bulkley with pre-yield viscosity (HBPV) models for calculating yield stress and pressure drop in the MR valve. Design challenges and opportunities for application of MR fluid and MR valve are also highlighted in this review. Hopefully, this review paper can provide basic knowledge on design and modeling of MR valve, complementing other reviews on MR fluid, its applications and technologies.
Light-induced coherent magnon excitation in monolayer magnetic nanodots
Authors: Feng Peng , Xie Jianqiao
Published: January 2015

We develop a quantum theory to deal with the coherent magnon excitation in monolayer magnetic nanodots induced by a circularly polarized light. In our theoretical model, the exchange interaction, the magnetic dipole interaction and the light-matter interaction are all taken into account and an effective dynamic equations governing the magnon excitation is derived by a continuum approximation. Our theoretical model shows that the helicity of light and the magnetic dipole interaction govern the magnon excitation and result in the occurrence of various patterns for the spin z-component distribution. We present a scheme to manipulate the single-mode magnon excitation by properly tuning the light frequency.
COMPARISON OF PROXIMAL IN VITRO TOOTH CONTACTS IN CLASS II RESTORATIONS WITH DIFFERENT RESTORATIVE MATERIALS AND CAVITY SIZES USING A NEW MEASUREMENT DEVICE
Authors: CHANG WEN-JEN , CHANG YEN-HSIANG , WANG HSUAN , LIN CHUN-LI
Published: January 2015

This study used a newly developed proximal contact strength (PCS) device to evaluate the tightness of proximal tooth contact for Class II cavity size restoration with different materials using an auxiliary separation ring system. A measurement device based on the equilibrium of forces acted on the clamp rod converts a pull-out force between interdental spaces on a force sensing resistor to express the PCS. This device was designed using dental floss as the test end and can be moved with constant speed during measurement through a bevel gear that transforms the rotation of motor shaft into linear movement of clamp rod. A manikin model was used with 60 artificial first molars in which an mesial occlusal (MO) preparation was ground. Samples were divided into six groups (each n = 10) for simulating amalgam and resin composite restoration with three different cavity sizes. The different cavities were defined using the ratio of the actual isthmus width to the intercuspal width (W) to 1/3, 2/3 and 1. The PCS value in each sample was measured after restoration. The result showed that the mean PCS value and standard deviation were 2283.1 ± 216.5 gf, 2419.1 ± 375 gf and 1737.6 ± 372.7 g for 1/3 W, 2/3 W and W cavities of the amalgam restoration, respectively. The corresponding PCS values were 1178.0 ± 230.4 gf, 1205.8 ± 249.1 gf and 1247.0 ± 157.5 gf for 1/3 W, 2/3 W and W cavities of the resin composite restoration. PCS values with amalgam restoration were larger than those for resin composite restorations under the same cavity size. Large cavity (W) PCS might be lost with amalgam restoration. No significant difference was found in resin composite restoration PCS among the different cavity sizes.
ALIGNMENT OF CELLULAR FOCAL CONTACTS AND THEIR SHAPES BY SUBSTRATE ANISOTROPY
Authors: LIU YAN , LUO YUANCAI , WANG DELING , GAO YANFEI
Published: January 2015

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is accomplished by the clustering of receptor–ligand bonds into focal contacts on the cell-substrate interface. The contractile forces applied onto these focal contacts lead to elastic deformation of the surrounding, which results into a cellular mechanosensory capability that plays a key role in cell adhesion, spreading, and migration, among many others. The mechanosensitivity can be manipulated by the substrate anisotropy, by which focal contacts may align into certain directions so to minimize the total mechanical potential energy. Using the elastic anisotropic contact analysis, this work systematically analyzes the dependence of the alignment on the elastic anisotropy, and more importantly, the direction of the inclined contractile forces. The contact displacement fields are a complex function of the elastic constants, so simple analysis based on tensile or shear softest direction cannot properly predict the alignment orientation. It is also proved that if these focal contacts are of elongated shape, the major axis will be parallel to the alignment direction.
ELASTICITY OF DIFFERENTIATED AND UNDIFFERENTIATED HUMAN NEUROBLASTOMA CELLS CHARACTERIZED BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
Authors: ZHAO SHIJIA , STAMM ALEX , LEE JEONG SOON , GRUVERMAN ALEXEI , LIM JUNG YUL , GU LINXIA
Published: January 2015

Human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells, with its ability to differentiate into neurons, have been widely used as the in vitro cell culture model for neuroscience research, especially in studying the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and developing therapeutic strategies. Cellular elasticity could potentially serve as a biomarker to quantitatively distinguish undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. The goal of this work is to characterize the retinoic acid (RA) induced alternations of elastic properties of SH-SY5Y cells using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The elasticity was measured at multiple points of a single cell. Results have shown that the differentiation of SH-SY5Y cell led to a larger elastic modulus, which is three times more than that of undifferentiated cells. A higher indentation rate applied during AFM measurements led to a larger elastic modulus of the cell. This work provides new insights into the differentiation process identified by the elasticity marker, which could be extended to investigate the function, health and ageing of cells.
Construction of Dulac functions for mathematical models in population biology
Authors: Osuna Osvaldo , Vargas-De-León Cruz
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we present a method for constructing a Dulac function for mathematical models in population biology, in the form of systems of ordinary differential equations in the plane.
Approach to a Limiting Cycle in Thermally Relaxing Media
Authors: Klik Ivo , Chang Ching-Ray
Published: January 2015

The thermally activated dynamics of an uniaxial superparamagnetic particle are studied here from the point of view of approach towards a steady state minor hysteresis loop representing a limiting cycle. The particle is initially at an arbitrary state, and is driven by a sufficiently small external applied ac magnetic field till the limiting minor hysteresis loop is reached with a desired precision. The number of periods required to reach the limiting cycle is found to satisfy an Arrhenius-type law, with an exponential dependence on the inverse ambient temperature. We tentatively associate this result with energy dissipation, its origin, however, remains quite unclear.
The Energy-Water-Food Nexus and Its Implications for China–Africa Cooperation on Climate Change
Authors: YU Hongyuan
Published: January 2015

In the context of climate change, security is not only a relationship between countries, but also the interdependence between issues. In the African region, water, energy, and food form a security nexus with great sensitivity and vulnerability. Security nexus provides a new explanation for resources competition, cooperation, and conflict in the African region, and promotes water-food-energy research shift from the technical aspects to foreign policy level, and finally provides new international political ideas for resource and environmental solutions in Africa. In the perspective of security nexus, solving the ecological problems in Africa through international cooperation is not a simple technical issue, but an international political and economic issue. Based on the special political and economic advantages that China owns, jointly coping with the challenges of security nexus of China and Africa will provide an important opportunity to deepen their friendly and cooperative relations, broaden social basis of China–Africa relationship, and seek new growth points for economic cooperation.
GaP Homojunction LEDs Fabricated by Dressed-Photon-Phonon-Assisted Annealing
Authors: Kim Jun Hyoung , Kawazoe Tadashi , Ohtsu Motoichi
Published: February 2015

By using a homojunction-structured GaP single crystal, we generated a photon energy higher than the bandgap energy (2.26 eV). The device was fabricated by performing dressed-photon-phonon- (DPP-) assisted annealing, while applying a forward-bias current, on a p-n homojunction structure formed by implanting a dopant (Zn) into an n-type GaP substrate. The DPP-assisted annealing increased the light emission intensity in an energy band above 2.32 eV by at least 550% compared with that before annealing.
Self-Organized Fission Control for Flocking System
Authors: Liu Mingyong , Yang Panpan , Lei Xiaokang , Li Yang
Published: February 2015

This paper studies the self-organized fission control problem for flocking system. Motivated by the fission behavior of biological flocks, information coupling degree (ICD) is firstly designed to represent the interaction intensity between individuals. Then, from the information transfer perspective, a “maximum-ICD” based pairwise interaction rule is proposed to realize the directional information propagation within the flock. Together with the “separation/alignment/cohesion” rules, a self-organized fission control algorithm is established that achieves the spontaneous splitting of flocking system under conflict external stimuli. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Osteoid Osteoma Treated with Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: Çakar Murat , Esenyel Cem Zeki , Seyran Metin , Tekin Ali Çağrı , Adaş Müjdat , Bayraktar Mehmet Kürşad , Coşkun Ünsal
Published: February 2015

Purpose.Our aim is to evaluate the results of treatment with computed tomography (CT) guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for osteoid osteomas which were localized in a difficult area for operation.Materials and Methods.Glenoid, distal tibia, humerus shaft, proximal humerus, and in third finger of the hand proximal phalanx were involved in one patient. Proximal femur was involved in three patients, distal femur was involved in three patients, and proximal tibia was involved in two patients. 9 males and 4 females were aged 4 to 34 years (mean age: 18.5 years). All patients had pain and were evaluated with X-rays, CT, bone scintigraphy, and MRI. In all patients, RF ablation was performed with local anesthesia. The lesion heated to 90°C for 6 minutes.Results.All of the patients achieved complete pain relief after ablation and were fully weight bearing without any support. In all patients, there was soft tissue edema after the procedure. During follow-up, all patients were free from the pain and there was no sign about the tumor. There was no other complication after the process.Conclusion.CT guided RFA is a minimally invasive, safe, and cost-effective treatment for osteoid osteoma placed in difficult area for surgery.
A Unique Subset of Epithelial Ovarian Cancers with Platinum Sensitivity and PARP Inhibitor Resistance
Authors: Ceccaldi Raphael , O'Connor Kevin W. , Mouw Kent W. , Li Adam Y. , Matulonis Ursula A. , D'Andrea Alan D. , Konstantinopoulos Panagiotis A.
Published: January 2015

Platinum and PARP inhibitor (PARPi) sensitivity commonly coexist in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) due to the high prevalence of alterations in the homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathway that confer sensitivity to both drugs. In this report, we describe a unique subset of EOC with alterations in another DNA repair pathway, the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, which may exhibit a discordance in sensitivities to these drugs. Specifically, 8% of high-grade serous EOC from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset exhibited NER alterations, including nonsynonymous or splice site mutations and homozygous deletions of NER genes. Tumors with NER alterations were associated with improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), compared with patients without NER alterations or BRCA1/2 mutations. Furthermore, patients with tumors with NER alterations had similar OS and PFS as BRCA1/2-mutated patients, suggesting that NER pathway inactivation in EOC conferred enhanced platinum sensitivity, similar to BRCA1/2-mutated tumors. Moreover, two NER mutations (ERCC6-Q524* and ERCC4-A583T), identified in the two most platinum-sensitive tumors, were functionally associated with platinum sensitivity in vitro. Importantly, neither NER alteration affected HR or conferred sensitivity to PARPi or other double-strand break–inducing agents. Overall, our findings reveal a new mechanism of platinum sensitivity in EOC that, unlike defective HR, may lead to a discordance in sensitivity to platinum and PARPi, with potential implications for previously reported and ongoing PARPi trials in this disease. Cancer Res; 75(4); 628–34. ©2015 AACR.
Generation 2.5 Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting the Androgen Receptor and Its Splice Variants Suppress Enzalutamide-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cell Growth
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshiaki , Loriot Yohann , Beraldi Eliana , Zhang Fan , Wyatt Alexander W. , Nakouzi Nader Al , Mo Fan , Zhou Tianyuan , Kim Youngsoo , Monia Brett P. , MacLeod A. Robert , Fazli Ladan , Wang Yuzhuo , Collins Colin C. , Zoubeidi Amina , Gleave Martin
Published: January 2015

Purpose: Enzalutamide (ENZ) is a potent androgen receptor (AR) antagonist with activity in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC); however, progression to ENZ-resistant (ENZ-R) CRPC frequently occurs with rising serum PSA levels, implicating AR full-length (ARFL) or variants (AR-Vs) in disease progression.

Experimental Design: To define functional roles of ARFL and AR-Vs in ENZ-R CRPC, we designed 3 antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) targeting exon-1, intron-1, and exon-8 in AR pre-mRNA to knockdown ARFL alone or with AR-Vs, and examined their effects in three CRPC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts.

Results: ENZ-R-LNCaP cells express high levels of both ARFL and AR-V7 compared with CRPC-LNCaP; in particular, ARFL levels were approximately 12-fold higher than AR-V7. Both ARFL and AR-V7 are highly expressed in the nuclear fractions of ENZ-R-LNCaP cells even in the absence of exogenous androgens. In ENZ-R-LNCaP cells, knockdown of ARFL alone, or ARFL plus AR-Vs, similarly induced apoptosis, suppressed cell growth and AR-regulated gene expression, and delayed tumor growth in vivo. In 22Rv1 cells that are inherently ENZ-resistant, knockdown of both ARFL and AR-Vs more potently suppressed cell growth, AR transcriptional activity, and AR-regulated gene expression than knockdown of ARFL alone. Exon-1 AR-ASO also inhibited tumor growth of LTL-313BR patient-derived CRPC xenografts.

Conclusions: These data identify the AR as an important driver of ENZ resistance, and while the contributions of ARFL and AR-Vs can vary across cell systems, ARFL is the key driver in the ENZ-R LNCaP model. AR targeting strategies against both ARFL and AR-Vs is a rational approach for AR-dependent CRPC. Clin Cancer Res; 21(7); 1675–87. ©2015 AACR.
Arming the Melanoma Sentinel Lymph Node through Local Administration of CpG-B and GM-CSF: Recruitment and Activation of BDCA3/CD141+ Dendritic Cells and Enhanced Cross-Presentation
Authors: Sluijter Berbel J.R. , van den Hout Mari F.C.M. , Koster Bas D. , van Leeuwen Paul A.M. , Schneiders Famke L. , van de Ven Rieneke , Molenkamp Barbara G. , Vosslamber Saskia , Verweij Cornelis L. , van den Tol M. Petrousjka , van den Eertwegh Alfons J.M. , Scheper Rik J. , de Gruijl Tanja D.
Published: January 2015

Melanoma-induced suppression of dendritic cells (DC) in the sentinel lymph node (SLN) interferes with the generation of protective antitumor immunity. In an effort to strengthen immune defense against metastatic spread, we performed a three-arm phase II study comprising 28 patients with stage I–II melanoma randomized to receive intradermal injections around the primary tumor excision site of saline or low-dose CpG-B, alone or combined with GM-CSF, before excision of the SLNs. After pathologic examination, 5 patients were diagnosed with stage III melanoma based on the presence of tumor cells in the SLNs. Combined CpG/GM-CSF administration resulted in enhanced maturation of all identifiable conventional (cDC) and plasmacytoid (pDC) DC subsets and selectively induced increased frequencies of SLN-resident BDCA3/CD141+ cDC subsets that also expressed the C-type lectin receptor CLEC9A. Correlative in vivo analyses and in vitro studies provided evidence that these subsets were derived from BDCA3+ cDC precursors in the blood that were recruited to the SLNs in a type I IFN-dependent manner and subsequently matured under the combined influence of CpG and GM-CSF. In line with their reported functional abilities, frequencies of in vivo CpG/GM-CSF–induced BDCA3/CD141+ DCs correlated with increased ex vivo cross-presenting capacity of SLN suspensions. Combined local CpG/GM-CSF delivery thus supports protective antimelanoma immunity through concerted activation of pDC and cDC subsets and recruitment of BDCA3+ cDC subsets with T cell–stimulatory and cross-priming abilities. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(5); 495–505. ©2015 AACR.
The Expression Analysis of Nanog in the Developing Rat Myocardial Tissues
Authors: Guo Zhi-kun , Guo Kang , Luo Huanhuan , Mu Ling-min , Li Qiong , Chang Yu-qiao
Published: January 2015

Objectives: To investigate the expression dynamic of nanog gene in the development of rat myocardial tissues. Methods: SD rats were studied at 5 time points before and after birth. The techniques of immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting and RT-PCR were used to investigate the expression of nanog gene in the rat myocardial tissues at different embryonic (E) and postnatal (P) stages, and image analysis system was used for the quantitative analysis. Results: The immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and western blotting analyses have shown that expression of nanog protein was highest in the rat myocardial tissues at E18, then it gradually declined at postnatal stages (P<0.05), and became nearly undetectable in most myocardial tissues at P30 with very few remaining nanog-positive cells. RT-PCR result indicated that the expression of nanog gene was strong at E18, but gradually decreased from E18 to P30. Conclusion: The mRNA transcription and protein translation of nanog gene in the rat heart gradually decreased with every consecutive growth stage. This indicates that nanog gene has potential regulatory functions in the differentiation of myocardial cells during rat development.
Allergogenic Profile in Patients with Different Subtypes of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps
Authors: Xu Ming , Ye Xiaolei , Zhao Feng , He Yong , Chen Lei
Published: January 2015

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between allergy and different subtypes of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Methods: A total of 83 patients with CRSwNP and 20 patients with nasal septum deviation (NSD) as controls were enrolled in our study. Nasal tissue was obtained from all subjects during surgery. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed and the CRSwNP cases were classified into eosinophilic nasal polyps (ENP) and noneosinophilic nasal polyps (nENP) cases according to the percent of eosinophils. The Allergy Screen test was used to detect total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) against 5 kinds of common inhalant allergens. Results: There were 28 (33.73%) patients with ENP and 55 with nENP. Total IgE levels were significantly increased in ENP compared with nENP patients. The IgE level was significantly correlated with the eosinophil count. According to the 5 kinds of common inhalant allergens, only ENP patients exhibited higher sensitivity to dust mites. Conclusion: Patients with ENP showed significantly higher IgE levels when compared with patients with nENP based on allergy.
Glutamate Dehydrogenase and Alkaline Phosphatase as Very Early Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Piras-Straub Katja , Khairzada Khaleda , Gerken Guido , Saner Fuat , Treckmann Jürgen , Paul Andreas , Canbay Ali , Herzer Kerstin
Published: January 2015

Background: Although long-term survival rates for patients undergoing liver transplant (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are good, the relatively high rate of tumor recurrence after LT necessitates the identification of biological parameters that supplement morphological predictors of recurrence. Method: From chart review we identified 175 patients who received liver transplantation due to HCC at our center between January 2000 and December 2013. We documented demographic and clinical data, as well as clinicopathological characteristics of the tumors, with a focus on liver values at the time of LT. Results: HCC recurred in 23% of LT patients. Most recurrences (59%) occurred within 12 months after LT; hardly any recurrence was detected later than 3 years after LT. Recurrence was positively correlated with tumor size, tumor stage and alpha-fetoprotein level (AFP), and it was most likely with certain causes of liver disease. Interestingly, tumor recurrence was independently predicted by serum levels of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) at the time of LT. Conclusions: Because all HCC recurrence occurs within 36 months after LT, HCC detected more than 3 years after LT may be considered de novo. Liver values, with GLDH and AP being the most preponderant, serve as easy-to-assess biomarkers which contribute to predict the risk of tumor recurrence.
Obesity and Arterial Stiffness in Children
Authors: Cote Anita T. , Phillips Aaron A. , Harris Kevin C. , Sandor George G.S. , Panagiotopoulos Constadina , Devlin Angela M.
Published: January 2015

Objective—

Childhood obesity is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness is considered one of the earliest detectable measures of vascular damage. There is controversy in the literature regarding the effects of childhood obesity on arterial stiffness. The objective of this study is to systematically review the literature and to conduct a meta-analysis comparing measures of central arterial stiffness in children and adolescents with obesity to healthy body mass index controls.

Approach and Results—

Literature searches were conducted using databases (eg, MEDLINE, EMBASE) and citations cross-referenced. Studies assessing central pulse wave velocity or β-stiffness index were included. A random effects meta-analysis of the standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals in arterial stiffness between children with obesity and control children was performed for each arterial stiffness measure. A total of 523 studies were identified. Fifteen case–control studies were included, with 2237 children/adolescents (1281 with obesity, 956 healthy body mass index controls) between 5 and 24 years of age. All studies measuring carotid and aortic β-stiffness index and 10/12 studies measuring central pulse wave velocity reported greater arterial stiffness in children/adolescents with obesity compared with controls. A random effects meta-analysis was performed revealing a significant effect of obesity on pulse wave velocity (standardized mean difference=0.718; 95% confidence interval=0.291–1.415), carotid β-stiffness index (0.862; 0.323–1.402), and aortic β stiffness index (1.017; 0.419–1.615).

Conclusion—

These findings indicate that child/adolescent obesity is associated with greater arterial stiffness. However, further research is needed to address confounders, such as pubertal status, that may affect this relationship in children. In the future, these techniques may be useful in risk stratification and guiding clinical management of obese children to optimize cardiovascular outcomes.
Design Mining Interacting Wind Turbines
Authors: Preen Richard J. , Bull Larry
Published: January 2015

An initial study has recently been presented of surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithms used to design vertical-axis wind turbines wherein candidate prototypes are evaluated under fan-generated wind conditions after being physically instantiated by a 3D printer. Unlike other approaches, such as computational fluid dynamics simulations, no mathematical formulations were used and no model assumptions were made. This paper extends that work by exploring alternative surrogate modelling and evolutionary techniques. The accuracy of various modelling algorithms used to estimate the fitness of evaluated individuals from the initial experiments is compared. The effect of temporally windowing surrogate model training samples is explored. A surrogate-assisted approach based on an enhanced local search is introduced; and alternative coevolution collaboration schemes are examined.
A Case Study of Controlling Crossover in a Selection Hyper-heuristic Framework Using the Multidimensional Knapsack Problem
Authors: Drake John H. , Özcan Ender , Burke Edmund K.
Published: January 2015

Hyper-heuristics are high-level methodologies for solving complex problems that operate on a search space of heuristics. In a selection hyper-heuristic framework, a heuristic is chosen from an existing set of low-level heuristics and applied to the current solution to produce a new solution at each point in the search. The use of crossover low-level heuristics is possible in an increasing number of general-purpose hyper-heuristic tools such as HyFlex and Hyperion. However, little work has been undertaken to assess how best to utilise it. Since a single-point search hyper-heuristic operates on a single candidate solution, and two candidate solutions are required for crossover, a mechanism is required to control the choice of the other solution. The frameworks we propose maintain a list of potential solutions for use in crossover. We investigate the use of such lists at two conceptual levels. First, crossover is controlled at the hyper-heuristic level where no problem-specific information is required. Second, it is controlled at the problem domain level where problem-specific information is used to produce good-quality solutions to use in crossover. A number of selection hyper-heuristics are compared using these frameworks over three benchmark libraries with varying properties for an NP-hard optimisation problem: the multidimensional 0-1 knapsack problem. It is shown that allowing crossover to be managed at the domain level outperforms managing crossover at the hyper-heuristic level in this problem domain.
Koffka’s Aesthetic Gestalt
Authors: Spehar Branka , van Tonder Gert J.
Published: January 2015

A neglected theory of aesthetics by the eminent Gestaltist Kurt Koffka is reviewed with the hope that it will spark new interest in the Gestalt contribution to art. Koffka’s particular emphasis on the art object, its perceptual qualities and its relation with the intentional self holds the potential for advancing scientific theories of aesthetic experience.
A Land of Gates: Covenant Communities in the Book of Deuteronomy
Authors: Frese Daniel A.
Published: January 2015

A noticeable feature of the D source’s rhetorical style is the repetitive use of stock terms and phrases, such as “the place which Yahweh your god will choose to establish his name.” The term שעריך “your gates” is one such term, and it occurs 27 times in D with a non-standard meaning when compared to the normal use of שער “gate” throughout the Hebrew Bible. The precise referent of שעריך has received very little scholarly attention, though a few different meanings have been suggested or implied: that “gates” are towns, that they are towns other than Jerusalem, that they are Israelite clans, or that they are literal, physical gates. In this paper I review and critique these suggestions, and propose a new definition for שעריך based on an analysis of its use in D. I conclude that שעריך refers to any covenantally-granted Israelite settlement within Canaan.
Teaching Children in the Instruction of Amenemope and Deuteronomy
Authors: Awabdy Mark A.
Published: January 2015

The Instruction of Amenemope and the book of Deuteronomy share a common conviction about the nature and intent of parental teaching. This commonality is marked by basic lexical analogues, as well as three conceptual analogues from the broader contexts of the two compositions. Consequently, this study provides further evidence for the claim that Deuteronomy evinces wisdom influence.
Imagery and Analogy in Psalm 58:4-9
Authors: Miglio Adam E.
Published: January 2015

This article treats the images and logic of Ps 58:4-9. Drawing on Stanley Tambiah’s work on “performative analogies,” it compares the images of serpents and unborn children as well as the ways in which these images are used in Ps 58 with incantations from Syro-Mesopotamia. It focuses on the similarities between Ps 58 and Syro-Mesopotamian incantatory traditions, emphasizing how the latter serves as a catalyst for understanding Ps 58 as a YHWHistic religio-magical expression.
Linear Filtering of Sample Covariances for Ensemble-Based Data Assimilation. Part II: Application to a Convective-Scale NWP Model
Authors: Ménétrier Benjamin , Montmerle Thibaut , Michel Yann , Berre Loïk
Published: January 2015

In Part I of this two-part study, a new theory for optimal linear filtering of covariances sampled from an ensemble of forecasts was detailed. This method, especially designed for data assimilation (DA) schemes in numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems, has the advantage of using optimality criteria that involve sample estimated quantities and filter output only. In this second part, the theory is tested with real background error covariances computed using a large ensemble data assimilation (EDA) at the convective scale coupled with a large EDA at the global scale, based respectively on the Applications of Research to Operations at Mesoscale (AROME) and ARPEGE operational NWP systems. Background error variances estimated with a subset of this ensemble are filtered and evaluated against values obtained with the remaining members, which are considered as an independent reference. Algorithms presented in Part I show relevant results, with the homogeneous filtering being quasi optimal. Heterogeneous filtering is also successfully tested with different local criteria, yet at a higher computational cost, showing the full generality of the method. As a second application, horizontal and vertical localization functions are diagnosed from the ensemble, providing pertinent localization length scales that consistently depend on the number of members, on the meteorological variables, and on the vertical levels.
Occupational career attainment during modernization. A study of Dutch men in 841 municipalities between 1865 and 1928
Authors: Schulz Wiebke , Maas Ineke , van Leeuwen Marco HD
Published: February 2015

This paper addresses the effects of modernization processes on occupational career attainment. We ask whether modernization processes increased the success of occupational careers, and whether the effect of social background varies by regional level of modernization. We analyse a unique data set with information about the careers of around 7000 men who were active in the labour market in the Netherlands between 1865 and 1928. Modernization processes are measured at the municipality level (e.g. presence of post office and train station, educational expansion). The results of cross-classified multilevel growth models show that in municipalities with more advanced modernization, men enjoy higher social status at the beginning of their career, but that their status grows more slowly over the course of their career. The effect of social background hardly varies in response to modernization processes. Our results indicate that regional modernization processes have had restricted impact on individual mobility outcomes.
The Role of Acoustics in the Perceived Suitability of, and Well-Being in, Informal Learning Spaces
Authors: Scannell Leila , Hodgson Murray , García Moreno Villarreal Jorge , Gifford Robert
Published: January 2015

Post-secondary institutions require appropriately designed informal learning spaces (ILSs) outside of classrooms for studying and group-work activities, but few studies have investigated how these spaces perform, especially in terms of acoustics. We measured objective acoustical characteristics and architectural features in 23 such spaces, and captured environmental assessments and well-being outcomes from a survey of 850 student occupants. Objective measures indicated that sound levels generated by occupants and other sound sources tended to exceed maximum values recommended by standards. Some components of perceived suitability and well-being were greater in spaces with lower background sound levels (e.g., from ventilation systems), but with more occupant-generated sound, and more reverberation. Furthermore, some design features such as more vegetation, the presence of soft furnishings, and lower seating density predicted some components of perceived suitability and well-being. This evaluation of ILSs offers lessons for designers and suggests additional directions for further study.
Modeling of elastic properties of cell-wall material in nanoclay-reinforced foams
Authors: Shishkina Oksana , Lomov Stepan V , Verpoest Ignaas , Gorbatikh Larissa
Published: January 2015

A new micromechanical model that predicts anisotropic elastic properties of cell-wall material in nanoclay-reinforced polymeric foams is proposed. The model accounts for the reorientation of nanoclays during the foaming process, due to the stretching of the foam cell walls. Elastic moduli of bulk nanocomposites were studied first. It was found that given the high aspect ratio of nanoclays, they cannot be randomly placed in a representative volume element without having them intersect each other at high weight fractions. At 1.5 wt% the nanoclays already align and form clusters resulting in a significant effect on the stiffness of the nanocomposite. The number of silicate layers per cluster stack was also found to influence the Young’s modulus of the nanocomposite. When reinforcing polypropylene (PP) with 2 wt% of nanoclays, the modulus of elasticity decreased by 17% when the number of clays in a cluster went from 1 (fully exfoliated system) to 5. The stretching of the nanocomposite was shown to reorient nanoclays and, consequently, to change the stiffness of the cell wall. For the PP reinforced with 1 wt% of nanoclays and a stretching ratio of 6.5, the modulus increased by 15%.
Skin comfort of base layer wool garments. Part 3: The effect of ethnicity on perceptions of comfort using Chinese and Australian wearers
Authors: Speijers Jane , Stanton John H , Naylor Geoffrey RS , Ramankutty Padmaja , Tester David
Published: January 2015

There is commercial interest in designing wool next-to-skin garments specifically for the domestic Chinese market. However, the current understanding of comfort has largely been obtained from studies with Caucasian wearers and its applicability to Chinese wearers is unknown. A study was undertaken that examined the tactile, thermal and moisture-based sensations of two groups of untrained female wearers drawn from an urban population in Australia: 25 Chinese wearers who had been born in China to Chinese parents and 23 control wearers. Sensations were recorded during a series of activities in a range of controlled climatic environments while wearing next-to-skin garments made from different fiber types (wool and cashmere) and different fiber diameters (15.5–20.3 µm). There is no evidence from this experiment to conclude that Chinese wearers are more sensitive in their discomfort, prickle and scratch response than the control wearers. They recorded lower scores and smaller increases in scores in response to activity, environment and garment type than the control wearers. For sensations that relate to the feel of garments against the skin, the Chinese group experienced increased sensation in comparison to the control group during a range of motion activities, for the 20.3 µm wool garment only. For sensations that relate to the thermophysiological state of the body, the control group experienced increased sensation as temperature and activity rose in comparison to the Chinese group. These differences in the sensational responses to activity and environment were associated with similar responses in discomfort scores.
Explaining whistle blowing processes in the Norwegian labour market: Between individual power resources and institutional arrangements
Authors: Skivenes Marit , Trygstad Sissel
Published: January 2015

The aim of this article is to examine the explanatory forces of power resources and institutional factors on whistle blowing activity, its effectiveness and reactions. The authors analyse survey material of 6000 Norwegian employees across sectors and industries, and find that individual power resources have little impact, but the organizational power resources of positions, and institutional factors matter. Departing from a Norwegian labour market model, this is a result that encourages continued focus on codetermination, democracy and openness.
Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Lang Russell , Rispoli Mandy
Published: February 2015

The purpose of Behavior Modification’s special issue on academics is to feature a collection of studies involving behavioral interventions designed to improve academic outcomes. Studies published in this special issue address a variety of academic subjects (e.g., reading, science, social studies) for students with learning, emotional, behavioral, and developmental disabilities. A total of three rigorous literature reviews and six well-designed intervention studies are presented. The studies included in the special issue clearly illustrate the potential benefit of behavioral interventions designed to improve academic performance and related behaviors (e.g., task engagement, school readiness).
Malnutrition and Cachexia in Heart Failure
Authors: Rahman Adam , Jafry Syed , Jeejeebhoy Khursheed , Nagpal A. Dave , Pisani Barbara , Agarwala Ravi
Published: January 2015

Heart failure is a growing public health concern. Advanced heart failure is frequently associated with severe muscle wasting, termed cardiac cachexia. This process is driven by systemic inflammation and tumor necrosis factor in a manner common to other forms of disease‐related wasting seen with cancer or human immunodeficiency virus. A variable degree of malnutrition is often superimposed from poor nutrient intake. Cardiac cachexia significantly decreases quality of life and survival in patients with heart failure. This review outlines the evaluation of nutrition status in heart failure, explores the pathophysiology of cardiac cachexia, and discusses therapeutic interventions targeting wasting in these patients.
The ravages of social catastrophe
Authors: Cayli Baris
Published: January 2015

The social order of the current system has brought an increase in the public dissents and turned to a ‘normalized sociological pathology’ of the postmodern world. The unyielding public resistance examples in different cultural geographies, which are fragmented, limited and yet significant and expanding struggles, convey the message that the global order of the Powerful has entered the age of stagnation. This article aims to shed new light on the relationship between the social protests and global order that has given rise to new identities of local and global injustice. I argue that social protests in the last years display discernible patterns of a change in cultural perceptions of the activists in different public spaces. On the one hand, this signals the emergence of a new public order in the 21st century. On the other hand, the ravages of social catastrophe shape the very dynamics of the same public culture. ‘Enduring and resisting public cultures’ is introduced in this article as a benchmark to identify ethnographic struggles of the activists for the quest of a new public space, which represents ‘Another World’.