bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bringing Home Baby
Authors: Mohomed Iqbal
Published: May 2017

Now that mobile phones are a ubiquitous computing medium, we are seeing a stream of connected (and sometimes intelligent) devices. It's interesting to consider whether these so-called "smart" devices can help new parents and caregivers of young children. In this article, some problem areas that might be quite simple are considered -- except that the technology solution must be both childproof and accurate enough to entrust the health and safety of your precious cherub. AT CES 2017, a slew of products were introduced that attempted to do exactly that, to help reassure parents in some way.
Flying Blind with Reactive Control of Aerial Drones
Authors: Mottola Luca , Whitehouse Kamin
Published: May 2017

Aerial drones represent a new breed of mobile computing. Compared to mobile phones and connected cars that only opportunistically sense or communicate, they offer direct control over their movements. Because of this, drones are enabling a range of sophisticated applications, such as photogrammetry and 3D reconstruction [12], as well as exploration of near-inaccessible areas.
Language and the Newness of Media
Authors: Gershon Ilana
Published: May 2017

How is the newness of new media constructed? Rejecting technological determinism, linguistic anthropologists understand that newness emerges when previous strategies for coordinating social interactions are challenged by a communicative channel. People experience a communicative channel as new when it enables people to circulate knowledge in new ways, to call forth new publics, to occupy new communicative roles, to engage in new forms of politics and control—in short, new social practices. Anthropologists studying media have been modifying the analytical tools that linguistic anthropologists have developed for language to uncover when and how media are understood to provide the possibilities for social change and when they are not. Taking coordination to be a vulnerable achievement, I address recent work that elaborates on the ways that linguistic anthropology segments communication to explore how a particular medium offers its own distinctive forms of authorship, circulation, storage, and audiences.
Circulating motilin, ghrelin, and GLP-1 and their correlations with gastric slow waves in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Wu Gao-Jue , Cai Xu-Dong , Xing Jie , Zhong Guang-Hui , Chen Jiande D. Z.
Published: May 2017

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) commonly complain upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, especially anorexia. Hemodialysis (HD) has been noted to improve GI symptoms; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study was designed 1) to study effects of HD on GI symptoms and gastric slow waves; and 2) to investigate possible roles of ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1): the study recruited 13 healthy controls, 20 CKD patients without HD (CKD group), and 18 CKD patients with HD (HD group). Dyspeptic symptoms, autonomic functions, gastric slow waves, and plasma level of ghrelin and GLP-1 were analyzed. First, the CKD patients with HD showed markedly lower scores of anorexia (0.6 ± 0.2 vs. 3.2 ± 0.4, P < 0.001) compared with patients without HD. Second, the CKD group but not HD group showed a significant reduction (25.6%) in the percentage of normal gastric slow waves, compared with controls. Third, the CKD group exhibited a significantly lower ghrelin level compared with the HD group (26.8 ± 0.9 vs. 34.1 ± 2.3 ng/l, P < 0.02) and a higher GLP-1 level (29.4 ± 2.8 vs. 20.0 ± 2.1 pmol/l, P < 0.05) compared with controls. Moreover, the percentage of normal slow waves was positively correlated with ghrelin ( r = 0.385, P = 0.019) but negatively correlated with GLP-1 ( r = −0.558, P < 0.001) in all CKD patients. Hemodialysis improves upper GI symptoms and gastric slow waves in CKD patients. An increase in ghrelin and a decrease in GLP-1 might be involved in the HD-induced improvement in gastric slow waves.
Functional connectivity between somatosensory and motor brain areas predicts individual differences in motor learning by observing
Authors: McGregor Heather R. , Gribble Paul L.
Published: May 2017

We show that individual differences in preobservation brain function can predict subsequent observation-related gains in motor learning. Preobservation resting-state functional connectivity within a sensory-motor network may be used as a biomarker for the extent to which observation promotes motor learning. This kind of information may be useful if observation is to be used as a way to boost neuroplasticity and sensory-motor recovery for patients undergoing rehabilitation for diseases that impair movement such as stroke.
Effect of Irradiation on Quality of Vacuum-Packed Spicy Beef Chops
Authors: Zhao Liming , Zhang Yin , Guo Siya , Xiong Wei , Xia Hu , Liu Wenlong , Pan Zhongli , Venkitasamy Chandrasekar
Published: May 2017

To develop an alternative pasteurization process for the spicy beef jerky (SBJ), it was treated with irradiation doses of 0, 0.5, 1.5, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kGy and the sensory attributes, texture properties, drip loss, and the protein biological efficiency were studied. The results showed that lightness, drip loss, and off-odor of SBJ increased, while the hardness, chewiness, gumminess, color preference, and taste of SBJ decreased with the increase in irradiation dose. This tendency was obvious as the irradiation dose increased to 6 kGy and 8 kGy. The possible reason for these quality changes might be due to the free radicals produced by irradiation. This speculation is supported by the decrease of the content of capsanthin and the increase of the content of TBARS of SBJ with the increase in irradiation dose. The plate counts of treated SBJ indicated that 4 kGy was suitable for pasteurization of SBJ.
Proteases Revisited: Roles and Therapeutic Implications in Fibrosis
Authors: Kryczka Jakub , Boncela Joanna
Published: May 2017

Proteases target many substrates, triggering changes in distinct biological processes correlated with cell migration, EMT/EndMT and fibrosis. Extracellular protease activity, demonstrated by secreted and membrane-bound protease forms, leads to ECM degradation, activation of other proteases (i.e., proteolysis of nonactive zymogens), decomposition of cell-cell junctions, release of sequestered growth factors (TGF-βand VEGF), activation of signal proteins and receptors, degradation of inflammatory inhibitors or inflammation-related proteins, and changes in cell mechanosensing and motility. Intracellular proteases, mainly caspases and cathepsins, modulate lysosome activity and signal transduction pathways. Herein, we discuss the current knowledge on the multidimensional impact of proteases on the development of fibrosis.
Evaluation of Wind Energy Potential as a Power Generation Source in Chad
Authors: Didane Djamal Hissein , Rosly Nurhayati , Zulkafli Mohd Fadhli , Shamsudin Syariful Syafiq
Published: May 2017

Long-term wind speed data for thirteen meteorological stations, measured over a five-year period, were statistically analyzed using the two-parameter Weibull distribution function. The purpose of this study is to reveal for the first time the wind power potentials in Chad and to provide a comprehensive wind map of the country. The results show that the values of the shape and scale parameters varied over a wide range. Analysis of the seasonal variations showed that higher wind speed values occur when the weather condition is generally dry and they drop considerably when the weather condition is wet. It was also observed that the wind speed increases as one moves from the southern zone to the Saharan zone. Although the wind power at each site varies significantly, however, the potentials of most of the sites were encouraging. Nevertheless, according to the PNNL classification system, they are favorable for small-scale applications only. A few stations in the middle of Sudanian and Sahel regions are found to be not feasible for wind energy generation due to their poor mean wind speed. The prevailing wind direction for both Saharan and Sahel regions is dominated by northeastern wind, while it diverged to different directions in the Sudanian zone.
Serum Amyloid A Induces a Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Switch through the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Xincai , Chen Jinqin , Wang Shixun
Published: May 2017

Atherosclerosis is an important pathological condition which is accompanied by a vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype switch toward a synthetic phenotype. As an acute-phase protein, Serum Amyloid A (SAA) is thought to have a close relationship to atherosclerosis development. However, no study has investigated the direct effect of SAA on the VSMC phenotype switch, as well as the underlying mechanisms. The purpose of our study was to explore the effect of SAA on the VSMC phenotype switch and the potential mechanisms involved. In our study, we found that SAA induced the VSMC phenotype switch which reduced expression of the smooth muscle cell (SMC) marker and enhanced expression of the matrix synthesis related marker. The proliferative ability of VSMCs was also increased by SAA treatment. Furthermore, our research found that SAA activated the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Finally, by applying the ERK1/2 and p38 inhibitors, U0126 and SB203580, we demonstrated that the SAA-induced VSMC phenotype switch was p38-dependent. Taken together, these results indicated that SAA may play an important role in promoting the VSMC phenotype switch through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Have a Heterogenic Cytokine Secretion Profile
Authors: Wu Yongkang , Hoogduijn Martin J. , Baan Carla C. , Korevaar Sander S. , Kuiper Ronella de , Yan Lin , Wang Lanlan , Besouw Nicole M. van
Published: May 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ASC) have immune regulatory function, which makes them interesting candidates for cellular therapy. ASC cultures are however heterogeneous in phenotype. It is unclear whether all ASC contribute equally to immunomodulatory processes. ASC are also responsive to cytokine stimulation, which may affect the ratio between more and less potent ASC populations. In the present study, we determined IL-6 receptor (CD126 and CD130 subunits) and IFN-γ receptor (CD119) expression on ASC by flow cytometry. The production of IL-6 and IFN-γ was measured by ELISA and the frequency of IL-6 and IFN-γ secreting cells by ELISPOT. The results showed that ASC did not express CD126, and only 10–20% of ASC expressed CD130 on their surface, whereas 18–31% of ASC expressed CD119. ASC produced high levels of IL-6 and 100% of ASC were capable of secreting IL-6. Stimulation by IFN-γ or TGF-β had no effect on IL-6 secretion by ASC. IFN-γ was produced by only 1.4% of ASC, and TGF-β significantly increased the frequency to 2.7%. These results demonstrate that ASC cultures are heterogeneous in their cytokine secretion and receptor expression profiles. This knowledge can be employed for selection of potent, cytokine-producing, or responsive ASC subsets for cellular immunotherapy.
The Effect of Sodium Valproate on the Glioblastoma U87 Cell Line Tumor Development on the Chicken Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane and on EZH2 and p53 Expression
Authors: Kavaliauskaitė Dovilė , Stakišaitis Donatas , Martinkutė Justė , Šlekienė Lina , Kazlauskas Arūnas , Balnytė Ingrida , Lesauskaitė Vaiva , Valančiūtė Angelija
Published: May 2017

Literature data support evidences that glioblastoma (GBM) patients experience prolonged survival due to sodium valproate (NaVP) treatment. The study assessed the human GBM cell U87 xenograft studied in the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model evaluating NaVP effect on tumor. Three groups of tumors (eachn= 10) were studied: nontreated, treated with 4 mM, and treated with 8 mM of NaVP. The majority of tumors without NaVP treatment during tumor growth destroyed the chorionic epithelium, invaded the mesenchyme, and induced angiogenesis. Incidence of tumor formation on CAM without invasion into the mesenchyme was higher when U87 cells were treated with NaVP; the effect significantly increased with NaVP concentration. Treatment with 8 mM of NaVP did not show clear dynamics of tumor growth during 5 days; at the same time, the angiogenesis failed. With a strong staining of EZH2, p53 in tumors without NaVP treatment was found, and NaVP significantly decreased the expression of EZH2- and p53-positive cells; the effect was significantly higher at its 8 mM concentration. NaVP has a function in blocking the growth, invasion, and angiogenesis of tumor in the CAM model; tumor growth interferes with EZH2 and p53 molecular pathways, supporting the NaVP potential in GBM therapy.
Differences in the Tongue Features of Primary Dysmenorrhea Patients and Controls over a Normal Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Kim Jihye , Lee Haebeom , Kim Hyunho , Kim Jong Yeol , Kim Keun Ho
Published: May 2017

Background. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between tongue features and the existence of menstrual pain and to provide basic information regarding the changes in tongue features during a menstrual cycle. Methods. This study was conducted at the Kyung Hee University Medical Center. Forty‐eight eligible participants aged 20 to 29 years were enrolled and assigned to two groups according to their visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. Group A included 24 females suffering from primary dysmenorrhea (PD) caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome with VAS ≥ 4. In contrast, Group B included 24 females with few premenstrual symptoms and VAS < 4. All participants completed four visits (menses‐follicular‐luteal‐menses phases), and the tongue images were taken by using a computerized tongue image analysis system (CTIS). Results. The results revealed that the tongue coating color value and the tongue coating thickness in the PD group during the menstrual phase were significantly lower than those of the control group (P = 0.031 and P = 0.029, resp.). Conclusions. These results suggest that the tongue features obtained from the CTIS may serve as a supplementary means for the differentiation of syndromes and the evaluation of therapeutic effect and prognosis in PD. Trial Registration. This trial was registered with Clinical Research Information Service, registration number KCT0001604, registered on 27 August 2015.
Transosseous Repair of Root Tears of the Lateral Meniscus: Operative Technique and Short-Term Clinical Follow-Up of 28 Patients
Authors: Driessen Arne , Balke Maurice , White William James , Fink Markus , Betsch Marcel , Fröhlich Matthias , Koenen Paola , Höher Jürgen
Published: May 2017

An avulsion of the posterior tibial insertion of the lateral meniscus occurs during rotational distortion of the knee and can be associated with a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). We performed a follow-up of 28 patients who, following anatomical ACL reconstruction using the ipsilateral semitendinosus graft, underwent either transosseous repair of the posterior lateral meniscus root (n=14) or no intervention (n=14). The meniscus root tears were classified as Forkel I lesions. All patients were examined 6 months after surgery and undertook scoring using International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC). Comparing the repair group with the no repair group the subjective IKDC 6 months after surgery was 75,72% (±1,019) and 75,56 (±1,058). Regarding the objective IKDC 8 × A (57,1%) and 6 × B (42,9%) could be ascertained in the repair group whereas 6 × A (42,9%), 6 × B (42,9%), and 2 × C (14,3%) scoring could be ascertained in the no repair group. It remains unclear if surgery on type Forkel I PLMRT provides benefits compared to the nonsurgical procedures as in both groups stability might occur. The purpose of this article was to report the outcome of surgical repair of lateral meniscus root tears.
A Generalized Demodulation and Hilbert Transform Based Signal Decomposition Method
Authors: Hu Zhi-Xiang , Ren Wei-Xin , Wang Zuo-Cai , Jing Yue-Ling , Yang Xia
Published: May 2017

This paper proposes a new signal decomposition method that aims to decompose a multicomponent signal into monocomponent signal. The main procedure is to extract the components with frequencies higher than a given bisecting frequency by three steps: (1) the generalized demodulation is used to project the components with lower frequencies onto negative frequency domain, (2) the Hilbert transform is performed to eliminate the negative frequency components, and (3) the inverse generalized demodulation is used to obtain the signal which contains components with higher frequencies only. By running the procedure recursively, all monocomponent signals can be extracted efficiently. A comprehensive derivation of the decomposition method is provided. The validity of the proposed method has been demonstrated by extensive numerical analysis. The proposed method is also applied to decompose the dynamic strain signal of a cable-stayed bridge and the echolocation signal of a bat.
A Rare Case of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma with Urinary Bladder Metastasis
Authors: Katz Heather , Saad Rahoma E. , Denning Krista , Pacioles Toni O.
Published: May 2017

Metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma to the urinary bladder is extremely rare. We describe a previously healthy 49-year-old female with recent diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction with metastatic disease to the liver. Biopsy was positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). She received six cycles of Cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil, and Herceptin and subsequently developed symptomatic anemia and hematuria. Cystoscopy with retroflexion was performed and she received a transurethral resection of bladder tumor with fulguration. Pathology of the bladder tumor revealed similar morphology to her liver metastasis and immunohistochemical stains were consistent with metastatic esophageal cancer. Three weeks after being diagnosed with metachronous urinary bladder metastasis from esophageal adenocarcinoma primary, she expired. She only received her first cycle of palliative chemotherapy with Ramucirumab and Paclitaxel.
Development of Absorbed Blasting Vibration Energy Index for the Evaluation of Human Comfort in Multistorey Buildings
Authors: Yao Qiang , Yang Xingguo , Li Hongtao
Published: May 2017

There have been civil disputes and complaints regarding the negative effects of blasting vibration on buildings around the blasting site. By considering the effect of blasting vibration on a human body as a process of energy transfer and conversion, the human body absorbed blasting vibration energy (ABVE) index has been developed for comfort evaluation. Using dynamic monitoring and theoretical analysis, the elevation amplification effect and selective amplification effect on different frequency components of the ABVE have been investigated. The elevation amplification factor and selective amplification coefficients on different frequency components of the ABVE index for a typical 4-storey brick and concrete building have been determined. Based on the results, the magnitude and frequency components of the ABVE index in different parts especially in different storeys for the typical building have been determined. According to the characteristics of human body’s response to vibrations of different frequencies, the frequency-based weighting method of ABVE index has been simplified. By calculating the combined effect of vibrations from all directions, the total human body ABVE and its frequency components at different floors of the building can be determined accurately. This can be used to evaluate the human body comfort against blasting vibration at different floors.
The HGF/c-MET Pathway Is a Driver and Biomarker of VEGFR-inhibitor Resistance and Vascular Remodeling in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Cascone Tina , Xu Li , Lin Heather Y. , Liu Wenbin , Tran Hai T. , Liu Yuan , Howells Kathryn , Haddad Vincent , Hanrahan Emer , Nilsson Monique B. , Cortez Maria A. , Giri Uma , Kadara Humam , Saigal Babita , Park Yun-Yong , Peng Weiyi , Lee Ju-Seog , Ryan Anderson J. , Jüergensmeier Juliane M. , Herbst Roy S. , Wang Jing , Langley Robert R. , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Lee Jack J. , Heymach John V.
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Resistance to VEGFR inhibitors is a major obstacle in the treatment of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the cellular mechanisms mediating resistance of NSCLCs to VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Experimental Design: We generated murine models of human NSCLC and performed targeted inhibition studies with the VEGFR TKIs cediranib and vandetanib. We used species-specific hybridization of microarrays to compare cancer (human) and stromal (mouse) cell transcriptomes of TKI-sensitive and -resistant tumors. We measured tumor microvascular density and vessel tortuosity to characterize the effects of therapy on the tumor vascular bed. Circulating cytokine and angiogenic factor levels in patients enrolled in VEGFR TKI trials were correlated with clinical outcomes.

Results: Murine xenograft models of human lung adenocarcinoma were initially sensitive to VEGFR TKIs, but developed resistance to treatment. Species-specific microarray analysis identified increased expression of stromal-derived hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as a candidate mediator of TKI resistance and its receptor, c-MET, was activated in cancer cells and tumor-associated stroma. A transient increase in hypoxia-regulated molecules in the initial response phase was followed by adaptive changes resulting in a more tortuous vasculature. Forced HGF expression in cancer cells reduced tumor sensitivity to VEGFR TKIs and produced tumors with tortuous blood vessels. Dual VEGFR/c-MET signaling inhibition delayed the onset of the resistant phenotype and prevented the vascular morphology alterations. In patients with cancer receiving VEGFR TKIs, high pretreatment HGF plasma levels correlated with poorer survival.

Conclusions: HGF/c-MET pathway mediates VEGFR inhibitor resistance and vascular remodeling in NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 23(18); 5489–501. ©2017 AACR.
Pro-Angiogenesis Therapy and Aging: A Mini-Review
Authors: Ambrose Charles T.
Published: May 2017

Apart from major illnesses and chronic afflictions, the elderly experience lesser ailments, such as muscle weakness, cold intolerance, and transient memory lapses. Physical signs in the aged include wrinkled skin and the slow healing of skin abrasions. These ailments and signs are grouped together because they may be due in part to an age-linked, waning microcirculation. A reduced capillary density (CD) throughout the body of aged people and animals has been reported in over 40 papers. The reduced CD is due in turn to declining levels of angiogenic growth factors (AGFs) throughout the body during old age, as documented in 7 reports in the literature. From this perspective, old age is a deficiency state of AGFs, much like the reduced testosterone levels in elderly males. The above data on reduced CD and AGFs are the basis for the “angiogenesis hypothesis of aging”, whose corollary suggests pro-angiogenesis therapy for symptoms and signs of old age. Several AGFs are now available in recombinant forms (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor) and have been used safely in animal experiments and in short-term clinical trials.
Prevent Pancreatic Fistula after Pancreatoduodenectomy: Possible Role of Ultrasound Elastography
Authors: D'Onofrio Mirko , Tremolada Giulia , De Robertis Riccardo , Crosara Stefano , Ciaravino Valentina , Cardobi Nicolò , Marchegiani Giovanni , Pulvirenti Alessandra , Allegrini Valentina , Salvia Roberto , Bassi Claudio , Pozzi Mucelli Roberto
Published: May 2017

Background: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the utility of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) on pancreatic tissue as a preoperative predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Studied patients underwent exclusively to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) surgery. Methods: Shear wave velocity of pancreas was measured using ARFI in 71 patients scheduled for PD. An intraoperative pancreas palpation was made by surgeons. A postoperative clinical evaluation to detect occurrence of POPF was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values together with the accuracy of the method were investigated. Results: Incidence of fistula observed in 17 patients with soft pancreas was approximately 53% vs. 47% without fistula. Percentage of patients without fistula was higher (66%) among 24 patients with medium parenchymal texture values, and was even higher (69%) in 26 patients with hard pancreas. Comparing ARFI and intraoperative pancreatic palpation, low wave velocity values (≤1.40 m/s) match 60% with soft parenchyma assessed by palpation and high values (>2 m/s) match 59% with hard pancreas on palpation. Conclusions: This study shows that ARFI elastography may be clinically useful as a preoperative predictor of pancreatic fistula following PD.
Incremental Prognostic Use of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Asymptomatic/Minimally Symptomatic Patients With Severe Bioprosthetic Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Redo Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Naji Peyman , Shah Shailee , Svensson Lars G. , Gillinov A. Marc , Johnston Douglas R. , Rodriguez L. Leonardo , Grimm Richard A. , Griffin Brian P. , Desai Milind Y.
Published: May 2017

Background—

With improved survival of patients undergoing primary bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR), reoperation to relieve severe prosthetic aortic stenosis (PAS) is increasing. Timing of redo surgery in asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic patients remains controversial. Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a marker of subclinical LV dysfunction. In asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic patients with severe PAS undergoing redo AVR, we sought to determine whether LV-GLS provides incremental prognostic use.

Methods and Results—

We studied 191 patients with severe bioprosthetic PAS (63±16 years, 58% men) who underwent redo AVR between 2000 and 2012 (excluding mechanical PAS, severe other valve disease transcatheter AVR, and LV ejection fraction <50%). Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was calculated. Standard echocardiography data were obtained. LV-GLS was measured on 2-, 3-, and 4-chamber views using velocity vector imaging. Severe PAS was defined as aortic valve area <0.8 cm
2
, mean aortic valve gradient ≥40 mm Hg, and dimensionless index <0.25. A composite outcome of death and congestive heart failure admission was recorded. At baseline, mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, LV ejection fraction, mean aortic valve gradients, and right ventricular systolic pressure were 7±6, 58±6%, 54±10 mm Hg and 40±14 mm Hg, whereas 50% had >2+ aortic regurgitation. Median LV-GLS was −14.2% (−11.4, −17.1%). At 4.2±3 years, 41 (22%) patients met the composite end point (2.5% deaths and 1% strokes at 30 days postoperatively). On multivariable Cox survival analysis, LV-GLS was independently associated with longer-term composite events (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.33),
P
<0.01. The C statistic for the clinical model (Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, degree of aortic regurgitation, and right ventricular systolic pressure) was 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.54–0.79),
P
<0.001. Addition of LV-GLS to the clinical model increased the C statistic significantly to 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.58–0.81),
P
<0.001.

Conclusions—

In asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic patients with severe bioprosthetic PAS undergoing redo AVR, baseline LV-GLS provides incremental prognostic use over established predictors and could potentially aid in surgical timing and risk stratification.
Renal Dysfunction Induced by Kidney-Specific Gene Deletion of
Hsd11b2
as a Primary Cause of Salt-Dependent Hypertension
Authors: Ueda Kohei , Nishimoto Mitsuhiro , Hirohama Daigoro , Ayuzawa Nobuhiro , Kawarazaki Wakako , Watanabe Atsushi , Shimosawa Tatsuo , Loffing Johannes , Zhang Ming-Zhi , Marumo Takeshi , Fujita Toshiro
Published: May 2017

Genome-wide analysis of renal sodium-transporting system has identified specific variations of Mendelian hypertensive disorders, including
HSD11B2
gene variants in apparent mineralocorticoid excess. However, these genetic variations in extrarenal tissue can be involved in developing hypertension, as demonstrated in former studies using global and brain-specific
Hsd11b2
knockout rodents. To re-examine the importance of renal dysfunction on developing hypertension, we generated kidney-specific
Hsd11b2
knockout mice. The knockout mice exhibited systemic hypertension, which was abolished by reducing salt intake, suggesting its salt-dependency. In addition, we detected an increase in renal membrane expressions of cleaved epithelial sodium channel-α and T53-phosphorylated Na
+
-Cl
−
cotransporter in the knockout mice. Acute intraperitoneal administration of amiloride-induced natriuresis and increased urinary sodium/potassium ratio more in the knockout mice compared with those in the wild-type control mice. Chronic administration of amiloride and high-KCl diet significantly decreased mean blood pressure in the knockout mice, which was accompanied with the correction of hypokalemia and the resultant decrease in Na
+
-Cl
−
cotransporter phosphorylation. Accordingly, a Na
+
-Cl
−
cotransporter blocker hydrochlorothiazide significantly decreased mean blood pressure in the knockout mice. Chronic administration of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone significantly decreased mean blood pressure of the knockout mice along with downregulation of cleaved epithelial sodium channel-α and phosphorylated Na
+
-Cl
−
cotransporter expression in the knockout kidney. Our data suggest that kidney-specific deficiency of 11β-HSD2 leads to salt-dependent hypertension, which is attributed to mineralocorticoid receptor–epithelial sodium channel–Na
+
-Cl
−
cotransporter activation in the kidney, and provides evidence that renal dysfunction is essential for developing the phenotype of apparent mineralocorticoid excess.
Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus on β-Blockers
Authors: Tsujimoto Tetsuro , Sugiyama Takehiro , Shapiro Martin F. , Noda Mitsuhiko , Kajio Hiroshi
Published: May 2017

Although the use of β-blockers may help in achieving maximum effects of intensive glycemic control because of a decrease in the adverse effects after severe hypoglycemia, they pose a potential risk for the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia. This study aimed to evaluate whether the use of β-blockers is effective in patients with diabetes mellitus and whether its use is associated with the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia. Using the ACCORD trial (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes) data, we performed Cox proportional hazards analyses with a propensity score adjustment. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of a cardiovascular event during the study period, which included nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death. The mean follow-up periods (±SD) were 4.6±1.6 years in patients on β-blockers (n=2527) and 4.7±1.6 years in those not on β-blockers (n=2527). The cardiovascular event rate was significantly higher in patients on β-blockers than in those not on β-blockers (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.72;
P
<0.001). In patients with coronary heart disease or heart failure, the cumulative event rate for cardiovascular events was also significantly higher in those on β-blockers than in those not on β-blockers (hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.60;
P
=0.03). The incidence of severe hypoglycemia was significantly higher in patients on β-blockers than in those not on β-blockers (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.64;
P
=0.02). In conclusion, the use of β-blockers in patients with diabetes mellitus was associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events.
Markets Matter: The Potential of Intra-Regional Trade in ASEAN and Its Implications for Asian Regionalism
Authors: Chen Lurong , Lombaerde Philippe De , Cuyvers Ludo
Published: May 2017

This paper attempts to shed new light on further deepening the economic integration process in Southeast Asia using a quantitative assessment of the potential for further developing intra-regional trade. It is evident that ASEAN's export space is expanding faster than the world average and that there is still room for ASEAN countries to further develop the role of their intra-regional trade. To improve its export potential, ASEAN should liberalize trade not only intra-regionally but also globally. It could be in ASEAN's interest to accelerate the pace of regional integration under frameworks that involve the participation of non-ASEAN countries, especially an ASEAN Framework for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Impact of Extensive and Intensive Margins of Foreign Direct Investment on Domestic Corporate Performance: Evidence from Japanese Automobile Parts Suppliers
Authors: Matsuura Toshiyuki
Published: May 2017

This study uses firm-level data on Japanese automobile parts suppliers to investigate the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on domestic corporate performance. We use the automobile makers’ FDI as an instrumental variable for suppliers’ FDI and estimate the impact of both the extensive and intensive margins of FDI. We find that whereas the intensive margin of FDI does not significantly impact corporate performance, the extensive margin positively influences sales and total factor productivity. Furthermore, the impact of the initial FDI entry brings stronger effects than that of subsequent FDI flows.
The Effect of Community Traumatic Events on Student Achievement: Evidence from the Beltway Sniper Attacks
Authors: Gershenson Seth , Tekin Erdal
Published: May 2017

Community traumatic events such as mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters have the potential to disrupt student learning. For example, these events can reduce instructional time by causing teacher and student absences, school closures, and disturbances to classroom and home routines. This paper uses a quasi-experimental research design to identify the effects of the 2002 “Beltway Sniper” attacks on student achievement in Virginia's public elementary schools. To identify the causal impact of these events, the empirical analysis uses a difference-in-differences strategy that exploits geographic variation in schools’ proximity to the attacks. The main results indicate that the attacks significantly reduced school-level proficiency rates in schools within five miles of an attack. Evidence of a causal effect is most robust for math proficiency rates in the third and fifth grades, and third-grade reading proficiency, suggesting that the shootings caused a decline in school proficiency rates of about 2 to 5 percent. Particularly concerning from an equity standpoint, these effects appear to be entirely driven by achievement declines in schools that serve higher proportions of racial minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Finally, results from supplementary analyses suggest these deleterious effects faded out in subsequent years.
Strategizing Marriage: A Genealogical Analysis of Korean Marriage Networks
Authors: Lee Sangkuk , Lee Wonjae
Published: May 2017

The genealogy of the Andong Gwon-ssi in the Seongwha period—the oldest extant genealogy in Korean history—offers a unique opportunity to explore political changes and gain insight into the formation of inner circles in Korea during the thirteenth to fifteenth century. Social-network analysis of the marriage networks within this genealogy reveals that for elite families in medieval Korea, marital strategy was as important as ancestry to the maintenance of social/political status.
Return and Repetition: Methods for Material Culture Studies
Authors: Smith Kate , Hannan Leonie
Published: May 2017

Repetition has long been an important tool in such fields of humanities research as literary studies and art history, in which scholars repeatedly return to texts and images to develop critically engaged understandings. Historians also need to adopt repetition as a distinct methodology, particularly in relation to the material world. Repetitive engagement with the material world has the potential to open up new research avenues for historians, through a greater awareness of the questions prompted by things. It also provides a means of developing much-needed material literacies and extending and expanding modes of attention.
Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing: Our Global Past
Authors: Rotberg Robert I.
Published: May 2017

“Genocide” provides a useful optic with which to understand and examine purposeful purges of Mesopotamian, Alexandrine, Visogothic, Norman, Mongol, and Spanish (during the Inquisition) people, and those of more modern times. Raphaël Lemkin’s cross-disciplinary arguments, developed in the crucible of an unfolding Holocaust and trimmed and refined at the United Nations, offer new insights into the actions of rulers and ruling classes, into the elimination or forcible assimilation of all manner of groups, and into the kinds of decisions that dominant populations made throughout recorded time to brand, and then discriminate against and persecute, weaker or minority groups.
Prefrontal Cortex in Control: Broadening the Scope to Identify Mechanisms
Authors: Alexander William H. , Brown Joshua W. , Collins Anne G. E. , Hayden Benjamin Y. , Vassena Eliana
Published: May 2017

Sometime in the past two decades, neuroimaging and behavioral research converged on pFC as an important locus of cognitive control and decision-making, and that seems to be the last thing anyone has agreed on since. Every year sees an increase in the number of roles and functions attributed to distinct subregions within pFC, roles that may explain behavior and neural activity in one context but might fail to generalize across the many behaviors in which each region is implicated. Emblematic of this ongoing proliferation of functions is dorsal ACC (dACC). Novel tasks that activate dACC are followed by novel interpretations of dACC function, and each new interpretation adds to the number of functionally specific processes contained within the region. This state of affairs, a recurrent and persistent behavior followed by an illusory and transient relief, can be likened to behavioral pathology. In Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 29:10 we collect contributed articles that seek to move the conversation beyond specific functions of subregions of pFC, focusing instead on general roles that support pFC involvement in a wide variety of behaviors and across a variety of experimental paradigms.
Extraction of Synaptic Input Properties in Vivo
Authors: Puggioni Paolo , Jelitai Marta , Duguid Ian , van Rossum Mark C.W.
Published: May 2017

Knowledge of synaptic input is crucial for understanding synaptic integration and ultimately neural function. However, in vivo, the rates at which synaptic inputs arrive are high, so that it is typically impossible to detect single events. We show here that it is nevertheless possible to extract the properties of the events and, in particular, to extract the event rate, the synaptic time constants, and the properties of the event size distribution from in vivo voltage-clamp recordings. Applied to cerebellar interneurons, our method reveals that the synaptic input rate increases from 600 Hz during rest to 1000 Hz during locomotion, while the amplitude and shape of the synaptic events are unaffected by this state change. This method thus complements existing methods to measure neural function in vivo.
Experimental evidence that high humidity is an essential cue for web building in Pasilobus spiders
Authors: Miyashita Tadashi , Kasada Minoru , Tanikawa Akio
Published: May 2017

Spiders in the subfamily Cyrtarachninae, including bolas spiders, are moth specialists, and it has been suggested that these spiders initiate web-weaving under high humidity. Here we usedPasilobus hupingensisto experimentally test whether Cyrtarachninae spiders build webs exclusively under high humidity. The results showed that humidity, as well as temperature and prey feeding history, affected web-building probability, but humidity had a much stronger effect. Moreover, spiders never constructed webs at under <70% humidity. We suggest that a mechanical property in sticky materials derived from moth specialization; namely, unusually high, yet rapidly degrading stickiness, is likely to have promoted the evolution of plastic foraging behaviour that varies with humidity.
Identity of the oribatid mite Oribata curva and transfer to Trichogalumna (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae), with discussion of nomenclatural and biogeographical issues in the ‘curva’ species-group
Authors: NORTON ROY A. , ERMILOV SERGEY G.
Published: May 2017

Based on the study of type material, other historical specimens, and new collections, the adult of the thelytokous oribatid mite Oribata curva Ewing, 1907 (Galumnidae) is redescribed and the name is recombined to Trichogalumna curva (Ewing, 1907) comb. nov. A confusing history of synonymies and misidentifications is traced in detail, and their effect on published statements about biogeography is assessed. Reliable records of T. curva are only those from North America. The tropical mite Pergalumna ventralis (Willmann, 1932) is not a subspecies of T. curva. The widely-reported Trichogalumna nipponica (Aoki, 1966) and other similar species form a complex with T. curva that needs further morphological and molecular assessment.
Tadpole of the Critically Endangered Sterling’s Toothed Toad (Oreolalax sterlingae)
Authors: ROWLEY JODI J. L. , TAPLEY BENJAMIN , CHUNG NGUYEN THANH , ALTIG RONALD
Published: May 2017

Sterling’s Toothed Toad, Oreolalax sterlingae (Nguyen et al. 2013), was described from near the summit of the highest peak in Vietnam, Mount Fansipan, Lao Cai Province. The species is the only member of the genus in Vietnam and is presently known from a single stream system on Mount Fansipan at about 2800 m elevation. The closest congener occurs more than 200 km away in China (Fei et al. 2010), and the relationship of O. sterlingae within the genus is not known. Because of its extremely small range and profound habitat modifications and pollution at the site, O. sterlingae was recently assessed as Critically Endangered (IUCN SSC 2015).
UTASiMo: a simulation-based tool for task analysis
Authors: Angelopoulou Anastasia , Mykoniatis Konstantinos
Published: May 2017

Research on task analysis and human performance has focused on the development of adequate tools, models, and methods to understand, analyze, and improve the relationship between humans and systems. As technology continues to advance and to change the nature of human work, techniques of analysis are changing to meet the new needs. This work attempts to fill the gaps in the current task analysis tools and describes the architecture and development of a simulation model, named UTASiMo. UTASiMo is a simulation tool that aims to enhance task analysis by automatically generating a multi-method simulation model for well-defined tasks based on a spreadsheet template filled in by the user. The generated model analyzes and simulates tasks performed by individual simulated agents representing human operators while accounting for the estimation of an operator’s utilization and error prediction. This work highlights the design, development, and evaluation of the hybrid architecture (discrete event and agent based) of UTASiMo. The development of the system dynamics model, which is responsible for the human error assessment, is a work in progress and is excluded from the present paper. A real-world case study has been adapted to evaluate the hybrid architecture of UTASiMo. The same case study was modeled using the Micro Saint simulation tool. The results produced by UTASiMo were compared with the real-world data as well as with the results produced by Micro Saint for validation purposes. The comparisons indicate the validity of the UTASiMo-generated model and also that the hybrid architecture produces more variability in the results than using only one method. The comparisons also show promise that the tool will reduce the time and effort of the task analysis simulation.
Numerical simulation for in-cloud icing of three-dimensional wind turbine blades
Authors: Wang Zhengzhi , Zhu Chunling
Published: May 2017

Icing will occur when wind turbines are installed in cold and humid regions. Blade icing will reduce the efficiency of wind turbines. In this paper, a numerical simulation method is proposed for glaze, mixed, and rime ice accretion on three-dimensional wind turbine blades. The air flow field is calculated by the multiple reference frame model and droplet trajectories are obtained using the Eulerian two-phase flow method. In the ice accretion calculation, a three-dimensional icing calculation model is established and a new water flow distribution method based on shear force and centrifugal force is presented. The calculation results of ice shapes are compared with the experimental results and the good agreement proves the validity of the icing numerical simulation method. Based on the calculation results, the influence of centrifugal force on the ice shape is studied. Finally, the droplet impingement characteristics and ice shapes of the wind turbine blade are simulated. The results show that the in-cloud icing of wind turbine blades occurs mainly near the leading edge. The icing thickness is thicker and the icing range is wider with the increase of spanwise length.
Changing Attitudes and Knowledge Toward SNAP Application
Authors: Bird Carolyn L. , McClelland Jacquelyn W.
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

To examine effectiveness of an educational intervention on attitude and knowledge related to accessing and qualifying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

Community sites (38) in North Carolina.

Participants:

Low-income adult participants who provided data (n = 558).

Intervention:

Participants completed pre- and postsurveys for the 45-minute program.

Measures:

Theoretically based surveys measured knowledge requisite to the decision to apply for SNAP benefits.

Analysis:

Paired sample t tests tested the hypothesis of “no difference” in postintervention knowledge.

Results:

Knowledge gains were statistically significant on all questions ( P < .01) including the amount of food a minimum benefit could purchase, how to apply for SNAP, how the electronic benefit transfer card and benefits work, eligibility restrictions, and how to receive application assistance. Subsequent percentage change analyses revealed the strongest intervention effects to be how to apply and accessing application assistance.

Conclusion:

Effective theory-based programs can improve knowledge and dispel myths concerning SNAP participation among low-income participants.