bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: May 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to thank the following reviewers for reviewing manuscripts from January 1, 2015, to June 30, 2015. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Redfame Publishing appreciates the following reviewers’ rigorous and conscientious efforts for this journal. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review during this period.   Anna Maria Mouza Begoña Montero-Fleta Christine Barrow Emanuel Boussios Gamal Ibraheem Ghadah AlMurshidi Jasmine Harvey Jianquan Cheng Kareen Tonsing Ludmila Ribeiro Luigia Simona Sica Manzoor Khan Afridi, Mariano D. Perelman Matthew Dabros Mei-Se Chien Michael Brooks Mohd. Noor Mat Yazid MUTABAZI Placide Parveen Kaur Patricia Wiener Paulito Valeriano Hilario Raymond Chan Robert Costello Roberto Franzini Tibaldeo Yaghoob Foroutan Zitha Mokomane
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: May 2016

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 4, Number 1     Abdul Azim Akhtar Abdul Zahoor Khan Ali Massoud Benedict Chico Agoha Imran Ali Sandano Jangraiz Khan Jehu Onyekwere Nnaji Jenny Tonsing Julia M. Mack K.O. Aramide Katja Eman Linda Chernus Manzoor Khan Afridi Maria Virginia G Aguilar Ombretta Caldarice Paula Hanasz Priyono Rachita Shrivastava Roy Seyyedeh Mina Hamedi Hamedi Zitha Mokomane               James Young Editorial Assistant On behalf of, The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science Studies Redfame Publishing 9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416 Beaverton, OR 97008, USA URL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: May 2016

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 4, Number 5 Abdul Azim Akhtar Abdul Zahoor Khan Ahmet Yıkmış Aslan,Yasin Begoña Montero-Fleta Dipankar Chatterjee Hanaa Youssef Shaarawy Henry Poduthas Jehu Onyekwere Nnaji Julia M. Mack Małgorzata Haładewicz Maria Virginia G Aguilar Michael Brooks Muharrem Ekşi Nasir M. Ali Oluwagbemiga Paul Agboola Ombretta Caldarice Patricia Wiener Priyono Rachita Shrivastava Roy Sanro Serpa Zitha Mokomane Zlatan Begić                   James Young Editorial Assistant On behalf of, The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science Studies Redfame Publishing 9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416 Beaverton, OR 97008, USA URL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
Physical Activity in People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review of Correlates
Authors: Vancampfort Davy , Richards Justin , Stubbs Brendon , Akello Grace , Gbiri Caleb Ademola , Ward Philip B. , Rosenbaum Simon
Published: May 2016

Background:

People with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely than the general population to be physically inactive. The present review systematically evaluated correlates of physical activity across the socioecological model for people with PTSD.

Methods:

Two independent reviewers searched Embase, PubMed, PsycARTICLES, and CINAHL from inception until June 2015, combining the medical subject heading “posttraumatic stress disorder” or “PTSD,” with “physical activity” or “exercise.” Data were extracted by the same independent researchers and summarized according to the socioecological model.

Results:

Eight papers involving 1368 (994 men) participants (age range = 18–70 years) were eligible and enabled evaluation of 21 correlates. The only correlate (n ≥ 4) consistently associated with lower physical activity participation in people with PTSD was symptoms of hyperarousal. No consistent facilitators were identified.

Conclusions:

Hyperarousal symptoms are associated with lower physical activity participation among people with PTSD and should be considered in the design and delivery of individualized exercise programs targeting this population. The role of social, environmental, and policy factors on physical activity participation among people with PTSD is unknown and should be addressed by future research.
Lower Odds of Poststroke Symptoms of Depression When Physical Activity Guidelines Met: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2012
Authors: Aaron Stacey E. , Gregory Chris M. , Simpson Annie N.
Published: May 2016

Background:

One-third of individuals with stroke report symptoms of depression, which has a negative impact on recovery. Physical activity (PA) is a potentially effective therapy. Our objective was to examine the associations of subjectively assessed PA levels and symptoms of depression in a nationally representative stroke sample.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 175 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2012 cycle. Moderate, vigorous, and combination equivalent PA metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes per week averages were derived from the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and .the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines/American College of Sports Medicine recommendations of ≥500 MET-minutes per week of moderate, vigorous, or combination equivalent PA were used as cut points. Depression symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Results:

Meeting moderate PA guidelines resulted in 74% lower odds of having depression symptoms (P < .0001) and 89% lower odds of major symptoms of depression (P = .0003). Meeting vigorous guidelines showed a 91% lower odds of having mild symptoms of depression (P = .04). Participating in some moderate, vigorous, or combination equivalent PA revealed the odds of depression symptoms 13 times greater compared with meeting guidelines (P = .005); odds of mild symptoms of depression were 9 times greater (P = .01); and odds of major symptoms of depression were 15 times greater (P = .006).

Conclusions:

There is a lower risk of developing mild symptoms of depression when vigorous guidelines for PA are met and developing major symptoms of depression when moderate guidelines met. Participating in some PA is not enough to reduce the risk of depression symptoms.
Longitudinal Associations Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Development of Executive Functioning Across the Transition to First Grade
Authors: Vandenbroucke Loren , Seghers Jan , Verschueren Karine , Wijtzes Anne I. , Baeyens Dieter
Published: May 2016

Background:

The current study investigates how children’s amount of daily physical activity relates to subcomponents of executive functions, the cognitive processes needed for goal-directed behavior. Previous studies rarely determined this association at the subcomponent level and did not explicitly examine the period when children make the transition to first grade, despite its importance for the development of executive functions.

Methods:

In a sample of 54 children, working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility were thoroughly measured at the subcomponent level at the end of kindergarten and first grade. In the middle of first grade, children wore a pedometer for 7 consecutive days.

Results:

Regression analyses showed that performance on a measure of the visuospatial sketchpad, the central executive, and fluency was predicted by children’s amount of daily physical activity after controlling for initial task performance.

Conclusions:

The development of the visuospatial sketchpad (working memory), the central executive (working memory), and fluency (cognitive flexibility) might be improved by increasing the amount of time being physically active. However, as other subcomponents of executive functioning were not affected, the role of other aspects of physical activity, such as intensity and content, in the development of executive functions should be further investigated.
Microbes make the cancer
Authors: Kashyap Purna
Published: May 2016

Changes in gut microbiota can promote intestinal tumor development by activating the epithelial calcineurin-NFAT pathway.
Growth and metabolic profiling of the novel thermophilic bacteriumThermoanaerobactersp. strain YS13
Authors: Peng Tingting , Pan Siyi , Christopher Lew P. , Sparling Richard , Levin David B.
Published: May 2016

A strictly anaerobic, thermophilic bacterium, designated strain YS13, was isolated from a geothermal hot spring. Phylogenetic analysis using the 16S rRNA genes and cpn60 UT genes suggested strain YS13 as a species of Thermoanaerobacter. Using cellobiose or xylose as carbon source, YS13 was able to grow over a wide range of temperatures (45–70 °C), and pHs (pH 5.0–9.0), with optimum growth at 65 °C and pH 7.0. Metabolic profiling on cellobiose, glucose, or xylose in 1191 medium showed that H2, CO2, ethanol, acetate, and lactate were the major metabolites. Lactate was the predominant end product from glucose or cellobiose fermentations, whereas H2and acetate were the dominant end products from xylose fermentation. The metabolic balance shifted away from ethanol to H2, acetate, and lactate when YS13 was grown on cellobiose as temperatures increased from 45 to 70 °C. When YS13 was grown on xylose, a metabolic shift from lactate to H2, CO2, and acetate was observed in cultures as the temperature of incubation increased from 45 to 65 °C, whereas a shift from ethanol and CO2to H2, acetate, and lactate was observed in cultures incubated at 70 °C.
Visibly Pushdown Transducers with Well-Nested Outputs
Authors: Reynier Pierre-Alain , Talbot Jean-Marc
Published: May 2016

Visibly pushdown transducers (VPTs) are visibly pushdown automata extended with outputs. They have been introduced oto model transformations of nested words, i.e. words with a call/return structure. When outputs are also structured and well nested words, VPTs are a natural formalism to express tree transformations evaluated in streaming. We prove the class of VPTs with well-nested outputs to be decidable in PTIME. Moreover, we show that this class is closed under composition and that its type-checking against visibly pushdown languages is decidable.
Convergent perturbation theory for lattice models with fermions
Authors: Sazonov V. K.
Published: May 2016

The standard perturbation theory in QFT and lattice models leads to the asymptotic expansions. However, an appropriate regularization of the path or lattice integrals allows one to construct convergent series with an infinite radius of the convergence. In the earlier studies, this approach was applied to the purely bosonic systems. Here, using bosonization, we develop the convergent perturbation theory for a toy lattice model with interacting fermionic and bosonic fields.
Game Theory-Based Analysis on Interactions Among Secondary and Malicious Users in Coordinated Jamming Attack in Cognitive Radio Systems
Authors: Meamari Ehsan , Afhamisisi Khadijeh , Shahhoseini Hadi Shahriar
Published: May 2016

IEEE 802.22 Standard utilizes cognitive radio (CR) techniques to allow sharing unused spectrum band. CR is vulnerable to various attacks such as jamming attacks. This paper has focused on coordinated jamming attacks. A simple strategy for secondary users is to change their bands and switch to other appropriate bands when the jamming attack has occurred. Also, the malicious users should switch to other bands in order to jam the secondary users. To address this problem, a game theoretical method is proposed to analyze coordinated jamming attacks in CR. Then, using Nash equilibrium on the proposed game, the most appropriate bands have been found to switch as well as the optimal switching probabilities for both secondary and malicious users. Meanwhile, effects of different parameters like the number of malicious users are investigated in changing the optimal switching probabilities by analysis of the model.
Moment of inertia of even–even proton-rich nuclei using a particle-number conserving approach in the isovector neutron–proton pairing case
Authors: Hammache Faiza , Allal N. H. , Fellah M. , Oudih M. R.
Published: May 2016

An expression of the particle-number projected nuclear moment of inertia (MOI) has been established in the neutron–proton (np) isovector pairing case within the cranking model. It generalizes the one obtained in the like-particles pairing case. The formalism has been, as a first step, applied to the picket-fence model. As a second step, it has been applied to deformed even–even nuclei such as [Formula: see text] and of which the experimentally deduced values of the pairing gap parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], are known. The single-particle energies and eigenstates used are those of a deformed Woods–Saxon mean-field. It was shown, in both models, that the np pairing effect and the projection one are non-negligible. In realistic cases, it also appears that the np pairing effect strongly depends on [Formula: see text], whereas the projection effect is practically independent from the same quantity.
Optimal and Suboptimal Noises Enhancing Mutual Information in Threshold System
Authors: Zhai Qiqing , Wang Youguo
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we investigate the efficacy of noise enhancing information transmission in a threshold system. At first, in the frame of stochastic resonance (SR), optimal noise (Opt N) is derived to maximize mutual information (MI) of this nonlinear system. When input signal is discrete (binary), the optimal SR noise is found to have a finite distribution. In contrast, when input signal is continuous, the optimal SR noise is a constant one. In addition, suboptimal SR noises are explored as well with optimization methods when the types of noise added into the system are predetermined. We find that for small thresholds, suboptimal noises do not exist. Only when thresholds reach some level, do suboptimal noises come into effect. Meanwhile, we have discussed the impact of tails in noise distribution on SR effect. Finally, this paper extends the single-threshold system to an array of multi-threshold devices and presents the corresponding efficacy of information transmission produced by optimal and suboptimal SR noises. These results may be beneficial to quantization and coding.
The global solution and nonlinear stability for the coupled CGL–Burgers equations for sequential flames in ℝN
Authors: Wu Xinglong , Guo Boling
Published: May 2016

The present paper is devoted to the study of the global solution and nonlinear stability to the coupled complex Ginzburg–Landau and Burgers (CGL–Burgers) equations for sequential flames which describe the interaction of the excited oscillatory and the damped monotonic mode governing a sequential chemical reaction. If the solution blows up in finite time, we derive the lower bound of blow-up rate of blow-up solution.
Mathematical analysis of a spatially distributed soil carbon dynamics model
Authors: Hammoudi Alaaeddine , Iosifescu Oana , Bernoux Martial
Published: May 2016

The aim of this paper is to study the mathematical properties of a new model of soil carbon dynamics which is a reaction–diffusion–advection system with a quadratic reaction term. This is a spatial version of Modeling Organic changes by Micro-Organisms of Soil model, recently introduced by M. Pansu and his group. We show here that for any nonnegative initial condition, there exists a unique nonnegative weak solution. Moreover, if we assume time periodicity of model entries, taking into account seasonal effects, we prove existence of a minimal and a maximal periodic weak solution. In a particular case, these two solutions coincide and they become a global attractor of any bounded solution of the periodic system.
Interplay of inertia and heterogeneous dynamics in an ensemble of Kuramoto oscillators
Authors: Ha Seung-Yeal , Noh Se Eun , Park Jinyeong
Published: May 2016

We study the dynamic interplay between inertia and heterogeneous dynamics in an ensemble of Kuramoto oscillators. When external fields and internal forces are exerted on a system of Kuramoto oscillators, each oscillator has its own distinct dynamics, so that there is no notion of collective dynamics in the ensemble, and complete synchronization is not observed in such systems. In this paper, we study a relaxed version of synchronization, namely the “practical synchronization”, of Kuramoto oscillators, emerging from the dynamic interplay between inertia and heterogeneous decoupled dynamics. We will show that for some class of initial configurations and parameters, the fluctuation of phases and frequencies around the average values will be proportional to the inverse of the coupling strength. We provide several numerical examples, and compare these with our analytical results.
Time-Accurate Flow Simulations Using a Finite-Volume Based Lattice Boltzmann Flow Solver with Dual Time Stepping Scheme
Authors: Guzel Goktan , Koc Ilteris
Published: May 2016

In this study, the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) is implemented through a finite-volume approach to perform 2D, incompressible, and time-accurate fluid flow analyses on structured grids. Compared to the standard LBM (the so-called stream and collide scheme), the finite-volume approach followed in this study necessitates more computational effort, but the major limitations of the former on grid uniformity and Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) number that is to be one are removed. Even though these improvements pave the way for the possibility of solving more practical fluid flow problems with the LBM, time-accurate simulations are still restricted due to the stability criteria dictated by high-aspect ratio grid cells that are usually required for adequate resolution of boundary layers and the stiffness due to the nature of the equation that are being solved. To overcome this limitation, a Dual Time Stepping (DTS) scheme, which iterates the solution in pseudo time using an Implicit-Explicit (IMEX) Runge–Kutta method while advancing the solution in physical time with an explicit scheme (backward difference formula), is developed and implemented. The accuracy of the resulting flow solver is evaluated using benchmark flow problems and overall second-order accuracy is demonstrated.
Economic Resilience: What Role for Policies?
Authors: Caldera Sánchez Aida , Rasmussen Morten , Röhn Oliver
Published: May 2016

The global financial crisis highlighted the importance of strengthening the resilience of our economies to adverse shocks. In this paper, we take stock of studies carried out primarily within, but also outside the OECD, to better understand the role of macroeconomic and structural policies in spurring or mitigating the vulnerabilities that can lead to costly shocks, as well as the role of policies in mitigating the shock impact and speeding the recovery. Then we offer tentative insights on how policies can be geared to address vulnerabilities early on, mitigate the impact of shocks and speed recoveries, as well as highlight possible trade-offs that exist across policy areas.
Getting the Dog to Bark: Disclosing Fiscal Risks from the Financial Sector
Authors: Irwin Timothy C.
Published: May 2016

Fiscal reporting is intended to warn of fiscal crises while there is still time to prevent them. The financial crisis thus seems to reveal a failure of fiscal reporting: Before the crisis, even government reports on fiscal risk typically did not mention banks as a possible source of fiscal problems. One reason for silence was that the risk arose partly from implicit guarantees, and governments may have feared that disclosure would increase moral hazard. The crisis cast doubt, however, on the effectiveness of silence in mitigating risks. This paper discusses how fiscal risks from the financial sector could be discussed in reports on fiscal risk, with a view to encouraging their mitigation.
On concentration dependence of arsenic diffusivity in silicon
Authors: Velichko O. I.
Published: May 2016

An analysis of the equations used for modeling thermal arsenic diffusion in silicon has been carried out. It was shown that for arsenic diffusion governed by the vacancy-impurity pairs and the pairs formed due to interaction of impurity atoms with silicon self-interstitials in a neutral charge state, the doping process can be described by the Fick’s second law equation with a single effective diffusion coefficient which takes into account two impurity flows arising due to interaction of arsenic atoms with vacancies and silicon self-interstitials, respectively. Arsenic concentration profiles calculated with the use of the effective diffusivity agree well with experimental data if the maximal impurity concentration is near the intrinsic carrier concentration. On the other hand, for higher impurity concentrations a certain deviation in the local regions of arsenic distribution is observed. The difference from the experiment can occur due to the incorrect use of effective diffusivity for the description of two different impurity flows or due to the formation of nonuniform distributions of neutral vacancies and neutral self-interstitials in heavily doped silicon layers. We also suppose that the migration of nonequilibrium arsenic interstitial atoms makes a significant contribution to the formation of a low concentration region on thermal arsenic diffusion.
An interphase model for effective elastic properties of concrete composites
Authors: Shi Chunxiang , Tu Qingsong , Fan Houfu , Li Shaofan
Published: May 2016

In this work, the Eshelby tensor of a finite spherical domain is employed to construct an interphase model to evaluate elastic properties of concrete composites. Explicit formulations of the interphase model via multi-inclusion method for a class of concrete composites are derived. The theoretical estimate based on an improved Hashin–Shtrikman bounds for the Young’s modulus of two-phase concrete composite material are used as a comparison result in the analysis, and the influence of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) on elastic properties of three-phase concrete composite is studied. Moreover, the homogenization results predicted by the proposed interphase model are compared with the published experimental data. Results obtained in this work show that the proposed interphase model can provide a very accurate estimate of the effective elastic properties of complex concrete composite materials.
Loss of CTRP5 improves insulin action and hepatic steatosis
Authors: Lei Xia , Rodriguez Susana , Petersen Pia S. , Seldin Marcus M. , Bowman Caitlyn E. , Wolfgang Michael J. , Wong G. William
Published: May 2016

The gene that encodes C1q/TNF-related protein 5 (CTRP5), a secreted protein of the C1q family, is mutated in individuals with late-onset retinal degeneration. CTRP5 is widely expressed outside the eye and also circulates in plasma. Its physiological role in peripheral tissues, however, has yet to be elucidated. Here, we show that Ctrp5 expression is modulated by fasting and refeeding, and by different diets, in mice. Adipose expression of CTRP5 was markedly upregulated in obese and diabetic humans and in genetic and dietary models of obesity in rodents. Furthermore, human CTRP5 expression in the subcutaneous fat depot positively correlated with BMI. A genetic loss-of-function mouse model was used to address the metabolic function of CTRP5 in vivo. On a standard chow diet, CTRP5-deficient mice had reduced fasting insulin but were otherwise comparable with wild-type littermate controls in body weight and adiposity. However, when fed a high-fat diet, CTRP5-deficient animals had attenuated hepatic steatosis and improved insulin action. Loss of CTRP5 also improved the capacity of chow-fed aged mice to respond to subsequent high-fat feeding, as evidenced by decreased insulin resistance. In cultured adipocytes and myotubes, recombinant CTRP5 treatment attenuated insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation. Our results provide the first genetic and physiological evidence for CTRP5 as a negative regulator of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Inhibition of CTRP5 action may result in the alleviation of insulin resistance associated with obesity and diabetes.
Vitamin D status and metabolism in an ovine pregnancy model: effect of long-term, high-altitude hypoxia
Authors: Goyal Ravi , Billings Tara L. , Mansour Trina , Martin Courtney , Baylink David J. , Longo Lawrence D. , Pearce William J. , Mata-Greenwood Eugenia
Published: May 2016

Vitamin D status increases during healthy mammalian pregnancy, but the molecular determinants remain uncharacterized. The first objective of this study was to determine the effects of pregnancy, and the second objective was to examine the role of chronic hypoxia on vitamin D status and metabolism in an ovine model. We analyzed the plasma levels of cholecalciferol, 25-OH-D, and 1α,25-(OH)2D in nonpregnant ewes, near-term pregnant ewes, and their fetuses exposed to normoxia (low altitude) or hypoxia (high-altitude) for 100 days. Hypoxic sheep had increased circulating levels of 25-OH-D and 1α,25-(OH)2D compared with normoxic sheep. Hypoxia increases in 25-OH-D were associated with increased expression of renal 25-hydroxylases CYP2R1 and CYP2J. Pregnancy did not increase further the plasma levels of 25-OH-D, but it significantly increased those of the active metabolite, 1α,25-(OH)2D, in both normoxic and hypoxic ewes. Increased bioactivation of vitamin D correlated with increased expression of the vitamin D-activating enzyme CYP27b1 and decreased expression of the inactivating enzyme CYP24a1 in maternal kidneys and placentas. Hypoxia increased parathyroid hormone levels and further increased renal CYP27b1. Pregnancy and hypoxia decreased the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in maternal kidney and lung, with opposite effects on placental VDR. We conclude that ovine pregnancy is a model of increased vitamin D status, and long-term hypoxia further improves vitamin D status due to pregnancy- and hypoxia-specific regulation of VDR and metabolic enzymes.
Acquired Resistance to Clinical Cancer Therapy: A Twist in Physiological Signaling
Authors: Wicki Andreas , Mandalà Mario , Massi Daniela , Taverna Daniela , Tang Huifang , Hemmings Brian A. , Xue Gongda
Published: May 2016

Although modern therapeutic strategies have brought significant progress to cancer care in the last 30 years, drug resistance to targeted monotherapies has emerged as a major challenge. Aberrant regulation of multiple physiological signaling pathways indispensable for developmental and metabolic homeostasis, such as hyperactivation of pro-survival signaling axes, loss of suppressive regulations, and impaired functionalities of the immune system, have been extensively investigated aiming to understand the diversity of molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer development and progression. In this review, we intend to discuss the molecular mechanisms of how conventional physiological signal transduction confers to acquired drug resistance in cancer patients. We will particularly focus on protooncogenic receptor kinase inhibition-elicited tumor cell adaptation through two major core downstream signaling cascades, the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways. These pathways are crucial for cell growth and differentiation and are frequently hyperactivated during tumorigenesis. In addition, we also emphasize the emerging roles of the deregulated host immune system that may actively promote cancer progression and attenuate immunosurveillance in cancer therapies. Understanding these mechanisms may help to develop more effective therapeutic strategies that are able to keep the tumor in check and even possibly turn cancer into a chronic disease.
The Clinical Management of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Moulin Dwight E
Published: May 2016

Chronic neuropathic pain as a result of injury to the central or peripheral nervous system is common in clinical practice, and is especially predominant in the elderly. The present review summarizes the epidemiology, clinical features, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis and management of neuropathic pain and specifically details an evidence‐based approach to the pharmacological treatment of this disabling condition. Preventive strategies and novel treatment approaches are required to improve the management of neuropathic pain.
Expressing Redundancy among Linear-Epitope Sequence Data Based on Residue-Level Physicochemical Similarity in the Context of Antigenic Cross-Reaction
Authors: Caoili Salvador Eugenio C.
Published: May 2016

Epitope-based design of vaccines, immunotherapeutics, and immunodiagnostics is complicated by structural changes that radically alter immunological outcomes. This is obscured by expressing redundancy among linear-epitope data as fractional sequence-alignment identity, which fails to account for potentially drastic loss of binding affinity due to single-residue substitutions even where these might be considered conservative in the context of classical sequence analysis. From the perspective of immune function based on molecular recognition of epitopes, functional redundancy of epitope data (FRED) thus may be defined in a biologically more meaningful way based on residue-level physicochemical similarity in the context of antigenic cross-reaction, with functional similarity between epitopes expressed as the Shannon information entropy for differential epitope binding. Such similarity may be estimated in terms of structural differences between an immunogen epitope and an antigen epitope with reference to an idealized binding site of high complementarity to the immunogen epitope, by analogy between protein folding and ligand-receptor binding; but this underestimates potential for cross-reactivity, suggesting that epitope-binding site complementarity is typically suboptimal as regards immunologic specificity. The apparently suboptimal complementarity may reflect a tradeoff to attain optimal immune function that favors generation of immune-system components each having potential for cross-reactivity with a variety of epitopes.
Randomized Phase II Study of Docetaxel plus Personalized Peptide Vaccination versus Docetaxel plus Placebo for Patients with Previously Treated Advanced Wild Type EGFR Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Takayama Koichi , Sugawara Shunichi , Saijo Yasuo , Maemondo Makoto , Sato Atsushi , Takamori Shinzo , Harada Taishi , Sasada Tetsuro , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Kishimoto Junji , Yamada Akira , Noguchi Masanori , Itoh Kyogo , Nakanishi Yoichi
Published: May 2016

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of personalized peptide vaccination (PPV) combined with chemotherapy for patients with previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Patients and Methods. Previously treated PS0-1 patients with IIIB/IV EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) wild genotype NSCLC were randomly assigned to docetaxel (60 mg/m2on Day 1) plus PPV based on preexisting host immunity or docetaxel plus placebo. Docetaxel administration was repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression. Personalized peptides or placebo was injected subcutaneously weekly in the first 8 weeks and biweekly in subsequent 16 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).Results. PPV related toxicity was grade 2 or less skin reaction. The median PFS for placebo arm and PPV arm was 52 days and 59 days, respectively. There was no significant difference between two arms by log-rank test (p=0.42). Interestingly, PFS and overall survival (OS) in humoral immunological responder were significantly longer than those in nonresponder.Conclusion. PPV did not improve the survival in combination with docetaxel for previously treated advanced NSCLC. However, PPV may be efficacious for the humoral immunological responders and a further clinical investigation is needed.
Increase in Growth Cone Size Correlates with Decrease in Neurite Growth Rate
Authors: Ren Yuan , Suter Daniel M.
Published: May 2016

Several important discoveries in growth cone cell biology were made possible by the use of growth cones derived from culturedAplysiabag cell neurons, including the characterization of the organization and dynamics of the cytoskeleton. The majority of theseAplysiastudies focused on large growth cones induced by poly-L-lysine substrates at early stages in cell culture. Under these conditions, the growth cones are in a steady state with very little net advancement. Here, we offer a comprehensive cellular analysis of the motile behavior ofAplysiagrowth cones in culture beyond this pausing state. We found that average growth cone size decreased with cell culture time whereas average growth rate increased. This inverse correlation of growth rate and growth cone size was due to the occurrence of large growth cones with a peripheral domain larger than 100 μm2. The large pausing growth cones had central domains that were less consistently aligned with the direction of growth and could be converted into smaller, faster-growing growth cones by addition of a three-dimensional collagen gel. We conclude that the significant lateral expansion of lamellipodia and filopodia as observed during these culture conditions has a negative effect on neurite growth.
Viscosity Solution of Mean-Variance Portfolio Selection of a Jump Markov Process with No-Shorting Constraints
Authors: Kounta Moussa
Published: May 2016

We consider the so-called mean-variance portfolio selection problem in continuous time under the constraint that the short-selling of stocks is prohibited where all the market coefficients are random processes. In this situation the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation of the value function of the auxiliary problem becomes a coupled system of backward stochastic partial differential equation. In fact, the value functionVoften does not have the smoothness properties needed to interpret it as a solution to the dynamic programming partial differential equation in the usual (classical) sense; however, in such casesVcan be interpreted as a viscosity solution. Here we show the unicity of the viscosity solution and we see that the optimal and the value functions are piecewise linear functions based on some Riccati differential equations. In particular we solve the open problem posed by Li and Zhou and Zhou and Yin.
Nonlinear Dynamics of a Toxin-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton System with Self- and Cross-Diffusion
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Zhao Min , Yu Hengguo , Dai Chuanjun , Wang Nan , Wang Beibei
Published: May 2016

A nonlinear system describing the interaction between toxin-producing phytoplankton and zooplankton was investigated analytically and numerically, where the system was represented by a couple of reaction-diffusion equations. We analyzed the effect of self- and cross-diffusion on the system. Some conditions for the local and global stability of the equilibrium were obtained based on the theoretical analysis. Furthermore, we found that the equilibrium lost its stability via Turing instability and patterns formation then occurred. In particular, the analysis indicated that cross-diffusion can play an important role in pattern formation. Subsequently, we performed a series of numerical simulations to further study the dynamics of the system, which demonstrated the rich dynamics induced by diffusion in the system. In addition, the numerical simulations indicated that the direction of cross-diffusion can influence the spatial distribution of the population and the population density. The numerical results agreed with the theoretical analysis. We hope that these results will prove useful in the study of toxic plankton systems.
Early Social Enrichment Improves Social Motivation and Skills in a Monogenic Mouse Model of Autism, theOprm1−/−Mouse
Authors: Garbugino Luciana , Centofante Eleonora , D’Amato Francesca R.
Published: May 2016

Environmental enrichment has been proven to have positive effects on both behavioral and physiological phenotypes in rodent models of mental and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we used mice lacking theµ-opioid receptor gene (Oprm1−/−), which has been shown to have deficits in social competence and communication, to assess the hypothesis that early enrichment can ameliorate sociability during development and adulthood. Due to the immaturity of sensory-motor capabilities of young pups, we chose as environmental stimulation a second lactating female, who provided extra maternal care and stimulation from birth. The results show that double mothering normalized the abnormal response to maternal separation inOprm1−/−pups and increased social motivation in juveniles and adult knockout mice. Additionally, we observed thatOprm1−/−mice act as less attractive social partners than wild types, which suggests that social motivation can be modulated by the stimulus employed. This experiment supports previous findings suggesting that early social environmental stimulation has profound and long-term beneficial effects, encouraging the use of nonpharmacological interventions for the treatment of social defects in neurodevelopmental diseases.
Application of the Liver Maximum Function Capacity Test in Acute Liver Failure: A Helpful Tool for Decision-Making in Liver Transplantation?
Authors: Vondran Florian Wolfgang Rudolf , Schumacher Carsten , Johanning Kai , Hartleben Björn , Knitsch Wolfgang , Wiesner Olaf , Jaeckel Elmar , Manns Michael Peter , Klempnauer Juergen , Bektas Hueseyin , Lehner Frank
Published: May 2016

Background. Despite aggressive intensive medical management acute liver failure (ALF) may require high-urgency liver transplantation (LTx). Available prognostic scores do not apply for all patients; reliable tools to identify individuals in need of LTx are highly required. The liver maximum function capacity test (LiMAx) might represent an appropriate option. Referring to a case of ALF afterAmanita phalloides-intoxication the potential of the LiMAx-test in this setting is discussed.Presentation of Case. LiMAx was performed in a 27-year-old patient prior to and after high-urgency LTx. In accordance with clinical appearance of hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy, and acute kidney failure, the LiMAx-test constituted a fulminant course of ALF with hardly any detectable metabolic activity. Following LTx with a marginal donor organ (95% hepatosteatosis), uptake of liver function was demonstrated by postoperative increase of the LiMAx-value. The patient was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 26.Discussion. ALF often is associated with a critical state of the patient that requires almost immediate decision-making regarding further therapy. Application of a noninvasive liver function test might help to determine the prognosis of ALF and support decision-making for or against LTx as well as acceptance of a critical donor organ in case of a critically ill patient.
30 : 2: A Game Designed to Promote the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Protocol
Authors: Boada Imma , Rodriguez-Benitez Antonio , Garcia-Gonzalez Juan Manuel , Thió-Henestrosa Santiago , Sbert Mateu
Published: May 2016

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first-aid key survival technique used to stimulate breathing and keep blood flowing to the heart. Its effective administration can significantly increase the survival chances of cardiac arrest victims. We propose 30 : 2, a videogame designed to introduce the main steps of the CPR protocol. It is not intended for certification and training purpose. Driven by the 2010 European Resuscitation Council guidelines we have designed a game composed of eight mini games corresponding to the main steps of the protocol. The player acts as a helper and has to solve a different challenge. We present a detailed description of the game creation process presenting the requirements, the design decisions, and the implementation details. In addition, we present some first impressions of our testing users (25 children, five of each age from 8 to 12 years old and 12 males and 13 females). We evaluated clarity of instructions and three settings of the game: the aesthetics of scenarios, the playability, and the enjoyability of each mini game. All games were well punctuated, and there are no significantly differences between their sex. The proposed game can be a suitable tool to disseminate and promote CPR knowledge.
Integrable 2D Time-Irreversible Systems with a Cubic Second Integral
Authors: Yehia H. M. , Elmandouh A. A.
Published: May 2016

We construct a very rare integrable 2D mechanical system which admits a complementary integral of motion cubic in the velocities in the presence of conservative potential and velocity-dependent (gyroscopic) forces. Special cases are given interpretation as a motion of a particle on a sphere endowed with a Riemannian metric, a particle in the Euclidean plane, and new generalizations of two cases of motion of a rigid body with a cubic integral, known by names of Goriachev-Chaplygin and Goriachev.
Establishment of a Cytocompatible Cell-Free Intervertebral Disc Matrix for Chondrogenesis with Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Huang Zhao , Kohl Benjamin , Kokozidou Maria , Arens Stephan , Schulze-Tanzil Gundula
Published: May 2016

Tissue-engineered intervertebral discs (IVDs) utilizing decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) could be an option for the reconstruction of impaired IVDs due to degeneration or injury. The objective of this study was to prepare a cell-free decellularized human IVD scaffold and to compare neotissue formation in response to recellularization with human IVD cells (hIVDCs) or human bone marrow-derived (hBM) mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). IVDs were decellularized via freeze-thaw cycles, detergents and trypsin. Histological staining was performed to monitor cell removal and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) removal. The decellularized IVD was preconditioned using bovine serum albumin and fetal bovine serum before its cytocompatibility for dynamically cultured hBM-MSCs (chondrogenically induced or not) and hIVDCs was compared after 14 days. In addition, DNA, total collagen and GAG contents were assessed. The decellularization protocol achieved maximal cell removal, with only few remaining cell nuclei compared with native tissue, and low toxicity. The DNA content was significantly higher in scaffolds seeded with hIVDCs compared with native IVDs, cell-free and hBM-MSC-seeded scaffolds (p < 0.01). The GAG content in the native tissue was significantly higher compared to the others groups except for the scaffolds reseeded with chondrogenically induced hBM-MSCs (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significantly increased total collagen content in the chondrogenically induced hBM-MSCs group (p < 0.01) compared with the native IVDs, cell-free and hIVDC-seeded scaffolds (p < 0.01); both recolonizing cell types were more evenly distributed on the scaffold surface, but only few cells penetrated the scaffold. The resulting decellularized ECM was cytocompatible and allowed hBM-MSCs/hIVDCs survival and ECM production.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Frontotemporal Dementia Consensus Criteria in the Late-Onset Frontal Lobe Syndrome
Authors: Vijverberg Everard G.B. , Dols Annemiek , Krudop Welmoed A. , Peters Anne , Kerssens Cora J. , van Berckel Bart N.M. , Wattjes Mike P. , Barkhof Frederik , Gossink Flora , Prins Niels D. , Stek Max L. , Scheltens Philip , Pijnenburg Yolande A.L.
Published: May 2016

Background/Aims: We aimed to prospectively assess the diagnostic accuracy of the revised criteria for behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) among subjects presenting with a frontal lobe syndrome in middle-late adulthood. Methods: Patients were included based on a predominant behavioural clinical presentation, a Frontal Behavioural Inventory (FBI) score of ≥11 and/or a Stereotypy Rating Inventory (SRI) score of ≥10. At baseline, the fulfilment of the international consensus criteria for behavioural variant FTD (FTDC) was systematically recorded. The 2-year follow-up consensus diagnosis was used as the gold standard to calculate sensitivity and specificity of the FTDC criteria for possible and probable bvFTD. Results: Two-year follow-up data were available for 116 patients (85%). Two-year follow-up consensus diagnoses consisted of probable/definite bvFTD (n = 27), other dementia (n = 30), psychiatric disorders (n = 46) and other neurological disorders (n = 13). Sensitivity for possible bvFTD was 85% (95% CI 70-95%) at a specificity of 27% (95% CI 19-37%). Sensitivity for probable bvFTD was 85% (95% CI 69-95%), whereas their specificity was 82% (95% CI 73-89%). Conclusions: We found a good diagnostic accuracy for FTDC probable bvFTD. However, the specificity for FTDC possible bvFTD was low. Our results reflect the symptomatic overlap between bvFTD, other neurological conditions and psychiatric disorders, and the relevance of adding neuroimaging to the diagnostic process.
Self-Expanding Metal Stenting in the Management of a Benign Colonic Stricture
Authors: Jessamy Kegan , Ozden Nuri , Simon Howard M. , Kobrossi Semaan , Ubagharaji Ezinnaya
Published: May 2016

Colonic postanastomotic strictures occur in 1.5–8% of patients following colorectal surgery. Traditionally, colonic strictures were treated by multiple modalities including endoscopic dilatation. Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) have been indicated in the management of benign colonic strictures; however, there are limited available data with regard to their efficacy. We present the case of a 68-year-old male who had perforated sigmoid diverticulitis followed by Hartmann’s procedure with eventual reanastomosis 6 months later. He subsequently developed benign colonic stricture, which was treated with a metal stent. SEMS are associated with a low mortality rate and are appropriate in treating acute colonic obstruction as a result of benign stricture in the setting of postanastomosis.