bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Models of Neuromyelitis Optica
Authors: Bradl Monika , Lassmann Hans
Published: December 2013

For a long time, the most important inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), for example, multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO), were extremely hard to differentiate, often with severe consequences for affected patients. This changed with the discovery of NMO‐immunoglobulin G (IgG), a specific autoantibody which was detected in the vast majority of NMO patients, and with the demonstration that this autoantibody targets aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a water channel found on astrocytes in the CNS. These findings paved the way for the generation of experimental models of NMO. This chapter will discuss the contribution of experimental models to NMO research and what key questions remain to be addressed.
Downregulation of miR‐217 correlates with resistance of ph+ leukemia cells to ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Nishioka Chie , Ikezoe Takayuki , Yang Jing , Nobumoto Atsuya , Tsuda Masayuki , Yokoyama Akihito
Published: December 2013

This study found that long‐term exposure of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) K562 cells to BCR/ABL thyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) caused drug‐resistance in association with an increase in levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) and a decrease in levels of microRNA miR‐217. These observations are clinically relevant; an increase in levels of DNMT3A in association with downregulation of miR‐217 were noted in leukemia cells isolated from individuals with BCR/ABL TKI‐resistant Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) and CML. Further studies with TKI‐resistant K562 cells found that forced expression of miR‐217 inhibited expression of DNMT3A through a miR‐217‐binding site within the 3′‐untranslated region of DNMT3A and sensitized these cells to growth inhibition mediated by the TKI. Of note, long‐term exposure of K562 cells to dasatinib (10 nM) together with 5‐Aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐AzadC) (0.1 μM) potently inhibited proliferation of these cells in association with upregulation of miR‐217 and downregulation of DNMT3A in vitro. In addition, a decrease in levels of DNMT3A and an increase in levels of miR‐217 were noted in K562 tumors growing in immune‐deficient mice that were treated with the combination of 5‐AzadC and dasatinib. Taken together, Ph+ leukemia cells acquire TKI resistance via downregulation of miR‐217 and upregulation of DNMT3A. Inhibition of DNMT3A by forced expression of miR‐217 or 5‐AzadC may be useful to prevent drug resistance in individuals who receive TKI.
STAT3 gene mutations and their association with pure red cell aplasia in large granular lymphocyte leukemia
Authors: Ishida Fumihiro , Matsuda Kazuyuki , Sekiguchi Nodoka , Makishima Hideki , Taira Chiaki , Momose Kayoko , Nishina Sayaka , Senoo Noriko , Sakai Hitoshi , Ito Toshiro , Kwong Yok‐Lam
Published: December 2013

Large granular lymphocyte leukemia (LGL L) has been morphologically characterized as a group of lymphoproliferative diseases that include T‐cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T‐LGL L) and chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of natural killer cells (CLPD‐NK). We investigated mutations in the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) gene in Asian cohorts of T‐LGL L and CLPD‐NK (n = 42 and 11, respectively). Two mutations, Y640F and D661Y, were identified using direct sequencing or allele‐specific (AS) PCR. Y640F and D661Y mutations were found in seven and 18 patients, respectively. Two patients were positive for both mutations. Frequencies of STAT3 mutations in T‐LGL L and CLPD‐NK were 47.6% and 27.2%, respectively. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) was associated with the mutations (P = 0.005). The mutations were persistently found at stable levels in some patients after more than 5 years using AS‐quantitative PCR. The results of the present study indicate that the SH2 domain of the STAT3 gene is frequently mutated in Asian T‐LGL L and CLPD‐NK, and that PRCA is closely correlated with the mutations.
Effects of thalidomide on Fgf8, Bmp4 and Hoxa11 expression in the limb bud in Kbl:JW rabbit embryos
Authors: Kawamura Yoshinori , Yamashita Teruyoshi , Yamauchi Toshiaki , Matsumoto Kiyoshi , Sato Keiichiro
Published: December 2013

Thalidomide (TM) induces limb defects in humans and some animal species including rabbits. Although the mechanism of TM‐induced limb defects has been investigated for a long period, the limb development‐related genes expressions have not been vigorously characterized in rabbits. In this study, we investigated the Fgf8, Bmp4 and Hoxa11 expressions in TM‐treated JW rabbit embryos on gestation days (GDs) 10, 11 and 12 by whole mount in situ hybridization. On GDs 10 and 11, growth retardation of the embryo was induced by TM treatment. The Fgf8 expression lengths on GDs 10 and 11 in the forelimb bud were significantly or tended to be decreased in the TM‐treated embryos, which was correlated to the growth retardation and was not considered to be directly relevant to the teratogenic effect of TM in the forelimb. The TM‐induced characteristic changes in the expression pattern of Hoxa11 and Bmp4 on GDs 10 and/or 11 were not noted. On GD 12, TM‐induced growth retardation was not noted and the Fgf8 and Bmp4 expressions were not changed. On the contrary, Hoxa11 expression was narrowed at the anterior region, which was located on the radial side, and was not changed at the middle and posterior regions in the forelimb bud and in all regions in the hindlimb bud. Because the radius malformations were induced by TM treatment, we concluded the decrease in the Hoxa11 expression was related to the TM‐induced limb defects and can be a good marker for early prediction of the teratogenic effect of TM.
Serum and red blood cell folate testing for folate deficiency: new features?
Authors: De Bruyn Edward , Gulbis Béatrice , Cotton Frédéric
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Folate deficiency is assessed by serum and red blood cell folate measurements. Nevertheless, no consensus for the lower limit of serum folate reference values exists. We investigated the appropriate use of RBC folate to detect folate deficiency and the relationship between serum and RBC folate and with other parameters such as vitamin B12 and homocysteine in order to propose serum folate cut‐off values.

Methods

Retrospectively, 63 113 and 20 459 results of serum and RBC folate were collected. If present, the results of red cell indices, vitamin B12 and homocysteine were also collected.

Results

A significantly positive correlation between serum and RBC folate was demonstrated. A significant effect of serum folate levels under 6 μg/L (or 14 nm) was observed on RBC indices. A relation was found between vitamin B12 and folate, for serum and RBC. A significant rise in homocysteine concentrations was observed for serum folate levels under 8 μg/L (or 18 nm).

Conclusion

To observe haematological abnormalities, folate deficiency should be profound. Serum folate levels under 8 μg/L (or 18 nm) should be considered as a decision limit for folate depletion because a positive effect on homocysteine was observed. Fasting serum folate concentration should be preferred for assessing folate status. Our results suggest that the need for RBC folate testing is less meaningful.
High mobility group box 1 acts as an adjuvant for tuberculosis subunit vaccines
Authors: Grover Ajay , Troudt Jolynn , Foster Chad , Basaraba Randall , Izzo Angelo
Published: December 2013

In order to ensure an ample supply of quality candidate tuberculosis (TB) subunit vaccines for clinical trials, it is imperative to develop new immunostimulatory adjuvants. High Mobility Box Group 1 (HMGB1), a member of the alarmin group of immunostimulatory proteins, is released by antigen‐presenting cells under various conditions and has been shown to induce T helper type 1 cytokines. We report that HMGB1 is effective as an adjuvant to enhance the protective efficacy and cellular immune response of TB subunit vaccines and that it is not dependent on the interaction between HMGB1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products, a major receptor for HMGB1. In the mouse model of TB, HMGB1 protein, when formulated with dioctadecylammonium bromide and 6000 MW early secretory antigenic target (ESAT‐6), was protective as a subunit vaccine but did not protect as molecular adjuvant in an ESAT‐6‐based DNA formulation. We then evaluated the immunoprophylactic and protective potential of a fusion protein of HMGB1 and ESAT‐6. The HMGB1–ESAT‐6 fusion protein induced strong antigen‐specific T helper type 1 cytokines at 30 days post‐immunization. The fusion protein vaccine enhanced activated and effector memory CD4 and CD8 T‐cell responses in the lungs and spleens of mice at 80 days post vaccination. Vaccination with the HMGB1–ESAT‐6 fusion protein also resulted in elevated numbers of poly‐functional CD4 T cells co‐expressing interleukin‐2, interferon‐γ and tumour necrosis factor‐α. The potent cell‐mediated immune response generated by the fusion protein correlated with protection against subsequent challenge with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the mouse TB model.
The Strong Birthday Problem
Authors: Cortina Borja Mario
Published: December 2013

This issue marks the tenth birthday of Significance magazine. To mark it, Mario Cortina Borja examines the strong birthday problem.
Relieving my discomforts safely: the experiences of discontinuing HRT among menopausal women
Authors: Lee Pei‐Shan , Lee Chyi‐Long , Hu Shui‐Tao , Tsao Lee‐Ing
Published: December 2013

Aim and objectives

To generate a descriptive theoretical framework about the experiences of women who discontinued hormone replacement therapy.

Background

Some menopausal women would depend on hormone replacement therapy for relieving their menopausal symptoms. However, most of them feared of hormone replacement therapy's side effects and tried to discontinue hormone replacement therapy immediately. How did these women self‐manage their discomforts without using dependent medicine – hormone replacement therapy? There are few studies conducted on this issue.

Design

A grounded theory research was applied.

Methods

Nineteen Taiwanese women discontinuing hormone replacement therapy for three months, aged 45 to 67 years, participated in face‐to‐face audio‐taped interviews. Data collection, and coding of interviews, and data analysis occurred simultaneously. All conversations were audio‐recorded and then transcribed as verbatim text. The constant comparative method was used to analyse the interview data.

Results

‘Relieving my discomforts safely’ was the core theme for describing and guiding the process of discontinuing hormone replacement therapy. ‘Immediately discontinuing hormone replacement therapy – it would hurt my body’ was identified as the antecedent condition. Analyses showed five dimensions to the women's relieving my discomforts safely: (1) symptoms bothered me again, (2) negative emotions, (3) learning to let it go, (4) trying to use nonhormone replacement therapy or products and (5) choosing safely therapies as first priority. Finally, some women would choose their suitable nonhormone replacement therapy way, and some women would reuse hormone replacement therapy cautiously.

Conclusions

‘Relieving my discomforts safely’ was the first‐priority consideration for the menopausal women discontinuing hormone replacement therapy. It is the challenge to establish the health programme or management for helping these women felt safety and security to relieve their menopausal symptoms by using hormone replacement therapy or nonhormone replacement therapy.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare providers need to empower women the rights of decision‐making of using hormone replacement therapy and assist them in monitoring their health status to reduce their fear and uncertainty.
The Genitive of Negation in Russian
Authors: Harves Stephanie
Published: December 2013

This paper discusses the genitive of negation in Russian, one of the most well‐studied case alternations that exists in the language and the most well‐known diagnostic for unaccusativity. Direct objects and subjects of unaccusative predicates may occur in the genitive case under sentential negation, alternating with accusative and nominative, respectively. When these Noun Phrases (NPs) appear in the genitive, they tend to receive an indefinite, non‐specific, or existential interpretation. Recent semantic analyses of this construction argue that such NPs are best treated as properties of type , which are the result of a type‐shifting operation. In this paper, we examine five different types of approaches in analyzing this construction and show that in spite of the range of proposals that exists, a number of issues remain. The genitive of negation presents a puzzle that lies at the heart of the syntax–semantics interface. Putting together the syntactic and semantic generalizations that have been noted for this construction in a coherent way can shed light on the overall architecture of the grammar.
Distinctive features of degenerating Purkinje cells in spinocerebellar ataxia type 31
Authors: Yoshida Kunihiro , Asakawa Mika , Suzuki‐Kouyama Emi , Tabata Kenichi , Shintaku Masayuki , Ikeda Shu‐ichi , Oyanagi Kiyomitsu
Published: December 2013

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 (SCA31) is an autosomal dominant form of pure cerebellar ataxia that is caused by a disease‐specific insertion containing penta‐nucleotide repeats (TGGAA)n. Neuropathologically, cerebellar Purkinje cells are preferentially affected and reduced in number in SCA31, and they are often surrounded by halo‐like amorphous materials. In the present study, we performed neuropathological analyses on two SCA31 brains, and discussed the serial morphological changes of Purkinje cells in SCA31.We found that bent, elongated, often folded nuclei were observed frequently in degenerating Purkinje cells with the halo‐like structure. Conversely, Purkinje cells without this structure developed marked atrophy with severely slender and condensed nuclei. On the basis of these pathological findings, we propose two different processes for Purkinje cell degeneration in SCA31, namely, shrinkage of Purkinje cells with or without the halo‐like amorphous materials. The former, but not the latter, was considered to be specific to SCA31. Correspondingly, fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus was observed more frequently in Purkinje cells with the halo‐like structure than in those without this structure. We consider that the profound nuclear deformity and fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus are closely linked with the formation of the halo‐like structure in SCA31.
Visual activity and its association with myopia stabilisation
Authors: Scheiman Mitchell , Zhang Qinghua , Gwiazda Jane , Hyman Leslie , Harb Elise , Weissberg Erik , Weise Katherine K. , Dias Lynette ,   the COMET Study Group
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the association between outdoor and nearwork activities at baseline and myopia stabilisation by age 15 in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET).

Methods

Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial enrolled 469 children (ages: 6–11 years) with spherical equivalent myopia between −1.25 and −4.50 D, who were randomised to progressive addition or single vision lenses and followed for 5 years in their original lenses. At baseline, families recorded the child's outdoor and nearwork activities for 3 days within a week. Weekly hours spent in nearwork and outdoor activities were calculated for each participant. Refractions collected over 11 years were fit using the Gompertz function to determine each participant's myopia stabilisation age. Myopia for each child was then categorized as stable/not stable by age 15.

Results

Half (233/469) of participants had usable baseline activity diaries and refraction data that could be fit with the Gompertz function, 59.7% (139/233) had stable myopia by age 15 and 40.3% had myopia that was not yet stable. The frequency of stable myopia was similar for the two categories (median split) of outdoor activities: 60% (71/118) for ≤9.0 hours/week−1 and 59% (68/115) for >9.0 hours/week−1. 56% (64/114) of children reporting >21.0 h of baseline weekly nearwork activity had stable myopia by age 15 compared to 63% (75/119) with ≤21.0 h of near work (adjusted OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.43–1.29). Using baseline nearwork as a continuous variable, the multivariable odds ratio for the association between baseline nearwork hours and stabilisation by age 15 is 0.98: 95% CI: 0.96–1.00, a result trending towards significance.

Conclusion

While time spent in outdoor activities in childhood does not appear to be related to myopia stabilisation by age 15, less near work activity might potentially be associated with myopia stabilisation by that age.
Actions That We Ought, But Can't
Authors: King Alex
Published: December 2013

It is commonly assumed that ‘ought’ implies ‘can’, that is, that if we ought to do something, then it must be the case that we can do it. It is a frequent quip about this thesis that any account must specify three things: what is meant by the ‘ought’, what is meant by the ‘implies’, and what is meant by the ‘can’. Something is missed, though, when we state the thesis in its shortened, three‐word form. We overlook what it means to do something. It is, I think, not mere coincidence that nobody has discussed this issue: It is very difficult to specify what it means to do something in the relevant sense. This paper is devoted to fleshing out one way of doing something that is a problem for the thesis.
Transportation Costs and US Manufacturing FDI
Authors: Daniels Joseph P. , von der Ruhr Marc
Published: December 2013

In empirical models of foreign direct investment (FDI), distance is most often used to proxy for transportation costs and other pure‐trade costs. Given that distance is time invariant but transportation costs are not, this approach is less than satisfactory when actual transportation costs rise and fall over time.The contribution of this work is to explicitly control for transportation costs and thereby better understand their impact on FDI. We explore the impact of shipping costs on total US FDI stocks abroad, manufacturing stocks and service stocks using measures of sea‐shipping and air‐shipping costs in a Hausman–Taylor model that controls for endogeneity and allows for time‐invariant variables such as distance. We find that transportation costs have a positive and statistically significant relationship with US total and manufacturing FDI, suggesting a substitute relationship between FDI and trade flows consistent with horizontal MNE activity. As one would expect, these costs are insignificant for service stocks.
Income Convergence in African Countries: Evidence from a Stationary Test With Multiple Structural Breaks
Authors: Ranjbar Omid , Lee Chien‐Chiang , Chang Tsangyao , Chen Mei‐Ping
Published: December 2013

This paper examines the catching‐up (stochastic convergence in real per capita income) hypothesis for 52 African countries with respect to the USA. over the 1969‐2011 period, using a highly flexible stationarity test. The empirical results show (i) that all African countries experienced at least one break, switching between catching‐up and divergence paths during the sample period; (ii) that structural breaks tend to coincide with political instability, trade liberalisation policies and terms of trade shocks; (iii) that among the 52 African countries studied, only five lie on the catching‐up path, while the remaining 47 diverge from the USA. Our results show that the economic performance of African countries fall far behind those of the USA and that the economic growth tragedy of Africa continues.
System Design and Process Optimization for the Inkjet Printing of PEDOT:Poly(styrenesulfonate)
Authors: Wilson P. , Lekakou C. , Watts J. F.
Published: December 2013

A laboratory-scale inkjet printing system was designed for printing polymeric inks with the focus on PEDOT:PSS, a transparent, electrically conductive polymer. PEDOT:PSS inks with 0 and 1 wt. % Surfynol were tested rheologically in elongational and shear flows. A process model is presented and validated for the prediction of flow boundary after the ink exits the nozzle, including drop formation. Process optimization involved establishing a process window related to the voltage waveform, substrate temperature, speed and printed line-overlap, aiming at avoiding satellite drops, “coffee cup” rings, the Rayleigh instability, “stacked printed lines,” and discontinuities in the printed lines or films.
Assessment of Daily Activity Performance: Exploring the Option of Shortening the Test
Authors: Huiszoon Erwin , de Vreede Paul L. , Bramsen Inge , Kuiper Chris H.Z. , Miedema Harald S.
Published: December 2013

The Assessment of Daily Activity Performance (ADAP) test has been developed to measure the physical capacity of older adults to carry out instrumental activities of daily living (ADL). The present study explores the option to create a less time-consuming short version of the ADAP that can be completed in the individual’s home environment and that imposes less of a physical burden. Data from 141 independently living women aged 70 and older were analyzed using principal components analysis (PCA). PCA identified two factors, on which 10 of the original 21 items had loaded sufficiently to be eligible for inclusion in a short version. The ADAP short version is considerably shorter than the original test and provides a good representation of the constructs being measured. More research is necessary to develop a short version of the ADAP that is easily applicable in the home environment of older adults.
The Effects of a Long-Term Physical Activity Intervention on Serum Uric Acid in Older Adults at Risk for Physical Disability
Authors: Beavers Kristen M. , Hsu Fang-Chi , Serra Monica C. , Yank Veronica , Pahor Marco , Nicklas Barbara J.
Published: December 2013

Observational studies show a relationship between elevated serum uric acid (UA) and better physical performance and muscle function. The purpose of this paper was to determine whether regular participation in an exercise intervention, known to improve physical functioning, would result in increased serum UA. For this study, 424 older adults at risk for physical disability were randomized to participate in either a 12-mo moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) or a successful aging (SA) health education intervention. UA was measured at baseline, 6, and 12 mo (n = 368, 341, and 332, respectively). Baseline UA levels were 6.03 ± 1.52 mg/dl and 5.94 ± 1.55 mg/dl in the PA and SA groups, respectively. The adjusted mean UA at month 12 was 4.8% (0.24 mg/dl) higher in the PA compared with the SA group (p = .028). Compared with a health education intervention, a 1-yr PA intervention results in a modest increase in systemic concentration of UA in older adults at risk for mobility disability.
Allelic-Dependent Expression of an Activating Fc Receptor on B Cells Enhances Humoral Immune Responses
Authors: Li Xinrui , Wu Jianming , Ptacek Travis , Redden David T. , Brown Elizabeth E. , Alarcón Graciela S. , Ramsey-Goldman Rosalind , Petri Michelle A. , Reveille John D. , Kaslow Richard A. , Kimberly Robert P. , Edberg Jeffrey C.
Published: December 2013

Allele-dependent expression of activating FcγRIIc on human B cells enhances humoral immunity.
Post liver transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder mimics recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Poovorawan Kittiyod , Linlawan Sittikorn , Wisedopas Naruemon , Komolmit Piyawat
Published: December 2013

We report a case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related postliver transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in a patient with post liver transplant which initially presented in a CT scan image mimicking recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Histopathology showed atypical plasma cell-like infiltration, and immunohistochemistry confirmed diagnosis of EBV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Typical imaging from dynamic phases contrast CT scan might not accurately diagnose recurrent HCC in postorthotropic liver transplantation. Liver biopsy should be performed for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Angiosarcoma of penis
Authors: Gogoi Debojit , Hazra Shankar , Ghosh Bastab , Pal DilipKumar
Published: December 2013

A 29-year-old male patient presented with proliferative lesion in the glans penis without any inguinal lymphadenopathy. The biopsy showed a highly vascular malignant lesion. Subsequent metastasis work-up was negative. Partial amputation of the penis with close follow-up was performed. Final histopathology was consistent with angiosarcoma of the penis.
Delayed presentation of prolonged hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in a preterm small-for-gestational age neonate
Authors: Chong Jin Ho , Chandran Suresh , Agarwal Prathibha , Rajadurai Victor Samuel
Published: December 2013

Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in small-for-gestational age infants usually presents in the first two postnatal days. We present a preterm, small-for-gestational age infant who had hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia on day 13 of life. A female twin infant weighing 1390 g was born at 32+6 weeks of gestation. Her glycaemic profile was normal till day 13 of life, after which she was noted to be lethargic and hypoglycaemic and had hyperinsulinism, hypoketonaemia and hypofattyacidaemia, requiring high glucose infusion rate to maintain normoglycaemia, while negative for septic markers and metabolic screen. Initially, there was no response to diazoxide and the genetic studies forABCC8andKCNJ11gene mutations were negative. Delayed response to diazoxide was followed by complete resolution of hypoglycaemia in 5 months. This case highlights the importance of glucose monitoring in small-for-date infants for hypoglycaemia till they achieve full feeds and gain weight. Early recognition and appropriate management of hypoglycaemia in this group of infants have important implications for neurodevelopmental outcome.
Nebulised furosemide in the palliation of dyspnoea in cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Jeba Jenifer , George Reena , Pease Nikki
Published: December 2013

Background

Dyspnoea is experienced by approximately two-thirds of cancer patients at the end-of-life. Despite the use and assessment of various interventions, palliation of dyspnoea poses a clinical challenge. The benefit of nebulised furosemide in the palliation of dyspnoea among cancer patients remains uncertain. This systematic review was conducted to study the effectiveness of nebulised furosemide for dyspnoea in cancer, to ascertain the most appropriate dose and adverse effects, and to quantify the effects on respiratory rate, oxygenation status, observer-rated dyspnoea and opioid dose.

Methods

A systematic literature search of four databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials database and CINAHL) was carried out to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of nebulised furosemide for dyspnoea in cancer patients.

Results

The review identified 91 articles of which two RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The included RCTs had sample sizes of 7 and 15, respectively. Neither of the RCTs showed an improvement in dyspnoea with nebulised furosemide. Meta-analysis was not possible as the RCTs measured different domains of dyspnoea using different tools. Neither RCT highlighted significant adverse effects. Other outcomes of interest were not studied in the RCTs.

Conclusions

Evidence from this review, which is limited by the small number of RCTs and small sample size, does not show benefit with nebulised furosemide for the alleviation of dyspnoea in cancer. Adequately powered multicentre double-blinded RCTs are warranted to further define the potential role of this drug in the palliation of dyspnoea in advanced cancer.
Estimating reef fish discard mortality using surface and bottom tagging: effects of hook injury and barotrauma
Authors: Rudershausen P.J. , Buckel J.A. , Hightower J.E.
Published: December 2013

We estimated survival rates of discarded black sea bass (Centropristis striata) in various release conditions using tag–recapture data. Fish were captured with traps and hook and line from waters 29–34 m deep off coastal North Carolina, USA, marked with internal anchor tags, and observed for release condition. Fish tagged on the bottom using SCUBA served as a control group. Relative return rates for trap-caught fish released at the surface versus bottom provided an estimated survival rate of 0.87 (95% credible interval 0.67–1.18) for surface-released fish. Adjusted for results from the underwater tagging experiment, fish with evidence of external barotrauma had a median survival rate of 0.91 (0.69–1.26) compared with 0.36 (0.17–0.67) for fish with hook trauma and 0.16 (0.08–0.30) for floating or presumably dead fish. Applying these condition-specific estimates of survival to non-tagging fishery data, we estimated a discard survival rate of 0.81 (0.62–1.11) for 11 hook and line data sets from waters 20–35 m deep and 0.86 (0.67–1.17) for 10 trap data sets from waters 11–29 m deep. The tag-return approach using a control group with no fishery-associated trauma represents a method to accurately estimate absolute discard survival of physoclistous reef species.
Soybean fungal soil-borne diseases: a parameter for measuring the effect of agricultural intensification on soil health
Authors: Pérez-Brandán C. , Huidobro J. , Grümberg B. , Scandiani M.M. , Luque A.G. , Meriles J.M. , Vargas-Gil S.
Published: December 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of agricultural intensification on soil microbial diversity, chemical and physical parameters, and the decrease of the incidence of sudden death syndrome (Fusarium crassistipitatum) and charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) in soybean. Soils under different management systems were evaluated during 2 crop cycles: soybean monoculture for 24 and 11 years, soybean–maize rotation for 15 and 4 years, 1 year of soybean, and native vegetation. The incidence of both soil-borne diseases was higher under monoculture than under rotation. Increased populations of potential biocontrol agents (Trichoderma spp., Gliocladium spp., fluorescent pseudomonads) were associated with rotation treatments, especially in 2010–2011. The comparison of agricultural vs. native vegetation soil and the average of agricultural cycles showed that microbial biomass carbon and glomalin-related soil protein were higher in the rotation system than in monoculture (50% and 77%, respectively). Furthermore, from the community-level functional diversity (Biolog Eco plates), McIntosh index showed lower functional diversity in monoculture than in rotation and native vegetation plots. Agricultural intensification reduced microbial biomass carbon, glomalin-related soil protein, organic matter, total nitrogen, aggregate stability, and yield, and increased bulk density. Soil quality degradation was associated with the establishment of soil-borne pathogens and increased soybean plant susceptibility to disease.
Influence of hydrogen concentration on void-related microstructure in low hydrogen amorphous and crystalline silicon materials
Authors: Beyer W. , Breuer U. , Carius R. , Hilgers W. , Lennartz D. , Maier F.C. , Nickel N.H. , Pennartz F. , Prunici P. , Zastrow U.
Published: December 2013

The influence of implanted hydrogen (up to a concentration level of 3 at. %) on the microstructure of silicon (Si) materials is investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as by effusion of hydrogen and of (low dose) implanted helium. Three materials of low original hydrogen concentration, crystalline Si, electron beam evaporated amorphous Si, and plasma-deposited hydrogenated amorphous Si (using high deposition temperature) were investigated. Significant differences between crystalline and amorphous materials were observed. In crystalline Si, implanted hydrogen is found to generate multivacancies that trap diffusing helium while this is not the case in amorphous Si. Accordingly, cavities where hydrogen is located in amorphous Si must be smaller than divacancies. Those cavities in amorphous Si, present from the growth process, that trap helium tend to disappear when the implanted hydrogen concentration increases. Annealing of the materials up to temperatures of 575 °C was also studied. No significant change in the density of voids (trapping helium) occur but in case of crystalline Si the bonding sites of hydrogen as well as the diffusion paths of helium change.
On the number of soft quanta in classical field configurations
Authors: Mück Wolfgang
Published: December 2013

A crucial ingredient in the large-N quantum portrait of black holes proposed by Dvali and Gomez is the estimate of the number of soft quanta that make up the classical gravitational field. It is argued here that the coherent state formalism provides a way to calculate that number directly. As a consequence, the average energy of the soft quanta is such that the typical geometric size of the field source can be roughly interpreted as their de Broglie wavelength. The calculation is done for the electromagnetic field and for Newtonian gravity, and it is argued that the number of soft quanta should be unchanged in general relativity because of the long range nature of gravity.
The significance of microwaves in the environment and its effect on plants
Authors: Jayasanka Senavirathna Mudalige Don Hiranya , Asaeda Takashi
Published: December 2013

Wireless technologies are becoming popular due to convenient lower implementation costs and operational costs compared with wired technologies. Various wireless internet and communication technologies, such as worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) and long-term evolution (LTE), are expanding rapidly. As with mobile phones, all of these technologies operate using high-frequency electromagnetic waves in the microwave category (3 × 102 – 3 × 106 MHz). An increasing number of operators within a geographical area is resulting in high microwave densities in the environment. At the same time, wireless technologies are now utilizing radio frequency electromagnetic radiation of up to 5500 MHz, and frequency spectrum allocation tables indicate that countries have allocated additional high frequencies for broadcasting purposes. Scientists have widely investigated the effects of microwaves on humans and animals, and some findings confirm that such effects exist. In comparison, a very limited number of published studies have addressed the effects of microwaves on plants. The findings of these studies indicate that the effects of microwaves on plants depend on the plant family and growth stage involved as well as the exposure duration, frequency, and power density, among other factors. However, the number of published studies is not yet sufficient to support drawing strong conclusions regarding the effects of microwaves on whole plant communities. Therefore, further studies are necessary to support present findings and uncover new findings.
CHARMONIA PRODUCTION AT LHCB
Authors: ARTAMONOV ALEXANDER
Published: December 2013

In this article we present a short review on measurements of charmonia production at the LHCb experiment carried out during 2010, 2011 and 2012 data taking periods. The review covers the production of J/ψ, ψ(2S), χc, J/ψJ/ψ, as well as J/ψ in association with open charm. We also review the measurement of J/ψ polarization. The results are compared to theoretical predictions.
A SIMPLE SYNCHRONIZATION SCHEME OF COULLET SYSTEMS WITH UNKNOWN PARAMETERS
Authors: WANG ZUO-LEI , SHI XUE-RONG , JIANG YAOLIN
Published: December 2013

Synchronization of Coullet systems is investigated via back stepping method when parameters are unknown. A novel adaptive control scheme is presented, which contains a single controller. To achieve the synchronization of Coullet systems, sufficient conditions are derived and the unknown parameters are estimated. Finally, some numerical simulations are employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
MILLIMETER WAVE DETECTORS DEVELOPED ON THE BASIS OF DOPED SEMICONDUCTORS
Authors: GASPARYAN FERDINAND , VITUSEVICH SVETLANA
Published: December 2013

Semiconductor p-i-n structure with long i-base region doped with shallow donors/acceptors can be successfully used and have significant advantages in millimeter wave range as cooling THz receivers. It is shown that such detectors working in double current injection mode can have high current photosensitivity and detectivity, linear dependencies of sensitivity versus wavelength and applied voltage. Simulation results can be successfully used for detectors fabricated on the basis of several semiconductors: Si : Li , Si : O , Ge : B , Ge : Al , Ge : Ti , Ge : Be , Ge : P , Ge : As , Ge : Sb , GaAs : Li , GaAs : Zn , GaAs : Cd , GaAs : X , GaP : N , which covered wavelengths 40–200 μm. The simulation results made in this paper have demonstrated the ability of double injection structures to perform as practical and sensitive power detectors for THz radiation.
SPIN-PARITY EFFECT IN VIOLATION OF BELL'S INEQUALITIES
Authors: SONG ZHIGANG , LIANG J.-Q. , WEI L.-F.
Published: December 2013

Analytic formulas of Bell correlations are derived in terms of quantum probability statistics under the assumption of measuring outcome-independence and the Bell's inequalities (BIs) are extended to general bipartite-entanglement macroscopic quantum-states (MQS) of arbitrary spins. For a spin-½ entangled state we find analytically that the violations of BIs really resulted from the quantum nonlocal correlations. However, the BIs are always satisfied for the spin-1 entangled MQS. More generally the quantum nonlocality does not lead to the violation for the integer spins since the nonlocal interference effects cancel each other by the quantum statistical-average. Such a cancellation no longer exists for the half-integer spins due to the nontrivial Berry phase, and thus the violation of BIs is understood remarkably as an effect of geometric phase. Specifically, our generic observation of the spin-parity effect can be experimentally tested with the entangled photon-pairs.
CURVATURE-BASED CORRECTION ALGORITHM FOR AUTOMATIC LUNG SEGMENTATION ON CHEST CT IMAGES
Authors: HU SHICHENG , BI KESEN , GE QUANXU , LI MINGCHAO , XIE XIN , XIANG XIN
Published: December 2013

In order to ameliorate the lung defects caused by missed juxtapleural nodules in lung segmentation on chest computed tomography (CT) images, we develop a Newton–Cotes-based smoothing algorithm (NCBS) which is used as a preliminary step to remove noises as many as possible. Next considering the crescent outline features of the lung, we propose a curvature-based correction algorithm (CBC) for the determination of the correction threshold. The application of the proposed algorithms is demonstrated in the process of lung segmentation and the experimental results on 25 real datasets are illustrated. Furthermore, some experiments are conducted to investigate the effects of the key parameters in CBC on the performances of lung segmentation so as to decide their optimal values. In addition, the CBC is compared with other methods analytically and experimentally. The overall results show that our proposed algorithm in lung segmentation excels the related methods on the capability of automatic selection of the correction threshold, as well as the performances of accuracy, efficiency and feasibility.
A STRUCTURED MODEL FOR THE TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS OFMYCOBACTERIUM MARINUMBETWEEN AQUATIC ANIMALS
Authors: ACKLEH AZMY S. , SUTTON KARYN L. , MUTOJI K. NADINE , MALLICK AMRITA , ENNIS DON G.
Published: December 2013

Mycobacterium marinum (Mm), a genetically similar bacterium to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affects a number of fish industries (fisheries, aquaculture, aquariums and research stocks) on a comparable scale to tuberculosis (TB) in humans. Because of this, and the practical advantages of working with animal models as opposed to humans, Mm infections in recently established fish models provide a unique opportunity for the study of mycobacterial infections. We derive a model of transmission dynamics of Mm in fish, which either involves consumption of an infected host or a source of bacteria to ensure "activation" into a highly infectious state. We derive a model of transmission within a food web, in which infected fish behavior is structured by infection severity. This is a key component as chronic (seemingly asymptomatic) infection is prominent in both fish and human TB. We illustrate, via a novel numerical scheme, that this model can be used to reproduce experimental settings. We further argue that the framework developed herein is a useful tool to address key questions such as design in experimental settings and potential control strategies in large-scale situations.
LIPSCHITZ EQUIVALENCE OF MCMULLEN SETS
Authors: LI BOMING , LI WENXIA , MIAO JUN JIE
Published: December 2013

Let sets E and F be McMullen sets with the same number of rectangles in each line. We show that E and F are Lipschitz equivalent if they are dust-like or they satisfy the horizontal block separation condition (HBSC).
FLUCTUATION BEHAVIOR OF FINANCIAL RETURN INTERVAL SERIES MODEL FOR PERCOLATION ON SIERPINSKI CARPET LATTICE
Authors: DONG YANFANG , WANG JUN
Published: December 2013

A financial time series model is developed by the percolation system on the Sierpinski carpet lattice fractal. We investigate the fluctuation behaviors of various shuffled return interval series (original, randomly shuffled and by Zipf method) by applying the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis for the financial model and Shanghai composite index. Numerically we show the fluctuations of the generalized Hurst exponents for different order parameters, the nonlinear dependence of these scaling exponents and the singularity spectrum show that the return intervals possess the multifractality. By comparing the MF-DFA empirical results of the original series to those for the randomly shuffled series, the empirical research exhibits the multifractality is mainly due to the contributions of long-range correlations as well as the broad probability density function. Further we show that the shuffled series by Zipf method exhibits the similar properties for the positive orders.
MANAGING HESITANT INFORMATION IN GDM PROBLEMS UNDER FUZZY AND MULTIPLICATIVE PREFERENCE RELATIONS
Authors: XIA MEIMEI , XU ZESHUI
Published: December 2013

In the process of group decision making (GDM), preference relations (e.g. fuzzy preference relation and multiplicative preference relation) are very popular tools to express decision makers' preferences, especially when a set of alternatives (or criteria) are compared. However, most of the existing preference relations don't consider the hesitancy information, which allows the decision makers to provide all the possible values when comparing two alternatives (or criteria), and is a common situation in daily life. In this paper, we first define the concept of hesitant fuzzy preference relation and study its properties, based on which we give an approach to GDM. Motivated by the multiplicative preference relation and the hesitant fuzzy set, we introduce the hesitant multiplicative set and develop a series of hesitant multiplicative aggregation operators. Hesitant multiplicative preference relation is also defined to provide decision makers a very useful tool to express their hesitant preferences over alternatives, and then is applied to GDM. Additionally, an example is given to illustrate our results.
QUASI-ISOMETRIES, BOUNDARIES AND JSJ-DECOMPOSITIONS OF RELATIVELY HYPERBOLIC GROUPS
Authors: GROFF BRADLEY W.
Published: December 2013

We demonstrate the quasi-isometry invariance of two important geometric structures for relatively hyperbolic groups: the coned space and the cusped space. As applications, we produce a JSJ-decomposition for relatively hyperbolic groups which is invariant under quasi-isometries and outer automorphisms, as well as a related splitting of the quasi-isometry groups of relatively hyperbolic groups.
A Cutting Parameters Selection Method in Milling Aero-Engine Parts Based on Process Condition Matching
Authors: Hou Yongfeng , Zhang Dinghua , Luo Ming , Wu Baohai
Published: December 2013

An optimal selection method of process parameters based on process condition matching is proposed, for the difficulty of the process parameters selection in the milling of complex structure and difficult-to-cut material parts. The factors of process parameters selection are analyzed, process condition vector and process parameter vector are defined, and their quantitative expressions are proposed. The mapping of existing process condition vectors to the process parameter vectors is established, based on the process data accumulated in practical production. Then, process condition matching degree is defined. In the calculation of the matching degree, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is adopted to determine the affecting weights of process condition factors, and leveling matrix is adopted to eliminate the differences of dimensions and numerical scales between process condition factors. The optimal process parameters are achieved through matching the actual process condition to the existing process condition. A group of typical aero-engine part milling processes is taken as instance, and the feasibility and effectiveness of this method are verified. A typical aero-engine part CNC machining process database system has been designed and developed based on this method.
The In Situ Polymerization and Characterization of PA6/LiCl Composites
Authors: Sun Dandan , Li Jiang , Pan Qinghua , Hao Chaowei , Lai Guoqiao
Published: December 2013

PA6/LiCl composites were synthesized by in situ anionic polymerization based on the interaction between the inorganic salts and PA6. Sodium hydroxide as initiator and N-acetylcaprolactam as activator were used in the preparation of PA6/LiCl composites with variety of LiCl content. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) testing results showed that both of degree of crystallinity and melting temperature of the composites were decreased under the influence of LiCl. And theγcrystal phase proportion increased with increasing the LiCl content to appropriate amount.
Apocrine Sweat Gland Ductal Adenoma with Sebaceous Differentiation in a Dog
Authors: Michishita Masaki , Yasui Junki , Nakahira Rei , Yoshimura Hisashi , Takahashi Kimimasa
Published: December 2013

A 7-year-old male, Border Collie, developed a firm mass, measuring approximately 1 cm in diameter, in the left buccal skin. Histologically, the mass was composed of ductal structures lined by bilayered luminal epithelial and basaloid tumor cells along with a few nests of sebaceous cells. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the luminal epithelial tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin (CK, CAM5.2) and CK19 but not for CK14 or p63. In contrast, the basaloid tumor cells were positive for CK14, p63, andαSMA but not for CK19 or CAM5.2. CK8 expression was observed in both luminal epithelial and basaloid tumor cells. The tumor cells with sebaceous differentiation were positive for CK14 but not for the other markers. This is the first case of an apocrine sweat gland ductal adenoma with sebaceous differentiation occurring in the buccal skin of a dog.