bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex relationships among firm risk, asymmetric volatility, volatility skew, and the leverage effect
Authors: Hsiao Chih‐Tung , Chang Dong‐Shang , Liu Shu‐Ming
Published: July 2016

In finance, the asymmetric volatility phenomenon (AVP) and volatility skew are two well‐known topics related to firm risk. In early research, the AVP was documented by Black (Proc 1976 Meetings Business Econ Stat Sect 1976, 177–181), who proposed two possible explanations. The veracity of one such explanation, the “leverage effect,” has long remained controversial. The volatility skew is considered to represent collective phenomena caused by heterogeneous beliefs regarding firm risk among investors. Although the relationship between leverage and firm size has been investigated, the investigations have yielded inconsistent conclusions. All related empirical evidence indicates that the relationships among firm risk, asymmetric volatility, volatility skew, and the leverage effect are complex. Regarding accounting principles, Ryan (Account Horizons 1997, 11, 85–95) proposed two concepts for describing firm risk. One of those concepts, “sources of operating risk versus leverage,” revealed the key to linking firm risk to leverage. Among the multidisciplinary methodologies, cybernetics plays a crucial role in complex systems research. The causal nets and feedback loop analysis of cybernetics offer accurate descriptions of realities in terms of causality, nonlinearity, and temporality. This study uses cybernetics to connect the accounting risk concept in microlevel analysis to volatility changes in macrolevel phenomena. This not only validates interdisciplinary analysis with different evidence but also enables the development of a managerial interpretation of different states of firm risk. This study contributes a novel approach that involves the application of a microlevel concept to macrolevel analysis and evidences the “less is more” art of modeling complex phenomena (Schuster, Complexity 2005, 11, 11–13). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 329–341, 2016
Accuracy of flow cytometry and cytomorphology for the diagnosis of meningeal involvement in lymphoid neoplasms: A systematic review
Authors: Canovi Simone , Campioli Daniele
Published: July 2016

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement by lymphoid neoplasms is a relatively infrequent event that demands accurate identification. The purpose of this article is to review studies comparing diagnostic accuracy of flow cytometry (FCM) and cytomorphology (CM) for meningeal involvement from lymphoid neoplasms. Primary publications from the last 26 years were identified searching MedLine, Scopus, and Web of Science and systematically scanning bibliographies of identified articles. Only studies reporting complete results were included. We assessed study quality using the QUADAS‐2 tool. For each study, we extracted informations regarding study population, technical details about sample preparation, data analysis, and results. Twenty‐seven studies were included. A great heterogeneity regarding study populations and analytical procedures was observed among studies. Percentages of samples giving a positive result with both FCM and CM range from 0.3% to 42.9% among studies, whereas double negative samples go from 0% to 96.3%. Samples with positive FCM but negative CM are reported by 89% (24/27) of the studies with rates ranging from 3.5% to 61.5% of total specimens. On the contrary, samples with positive CM and negative FCM are found in 48% (13/27) of the studies with percentages ranging from 0.5% to 10%. Despite all the differences observed among studies, almost all of them state that employing flow cytometry along with conventional cytology increases the number of positive CSF samples for lymphoma involvement, although a few cases remain in whom only morphology can correctly identify malignant cells. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:841–856. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A critical assessment of the performance criteria in confirmatory analysis for veterinary drug residue analysis using mass spectrometric detection in selected reaction monitoring mode
Authors: Berendsen Bjorn J.A. , Meijer Thijs , Wegh Robin , Mol Hans G.J. , Smyth Wesley G. , Armstrong Hewitt S. , van Ginkel Leen , Nielen Michel W.F.
Published: July 2016

Besides the identification point system to assure adequate set‐up of instrumentation, European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC includes performance criteria regarding relative ion abundances in mass spectrometry and chromatographic retention time. In confirmatory analysis, the relative abundance of two product ions, acquired in selected reaction monitoring mode, the ion ratio should be within certain ranges for confirmation of the identity of a substance. The acceptable tolerance of the ion ratio varies with the relative abundance of the two product ions and for retention time, CD 2002/657/EC allows a tolerance of 5%. Because of rapid technical advances in analytical instruments and new approaches applied in the field of contaminant testing in food products (multi‐compound and multi‐class methods) a critical assessment of these criteria is justified. In this study a large number of representative, though challenging sample extracts were prepared, including muscle, urine, milk and liver, spiked with 100 registered and banned veterinary drugs at levels ranging from 0.5 to 100 µg/kg. These extracts were analysed using SRM mode using different chromatographic conditions and mass spectrometers from different vendors. In the initial study, robust data was collected using four different instrumental set‐ups. Based on a unique and highly relevant data set, consisting of over 39 000 data points, the ion ratio and retention time criteria for applicability in confirmatory analysis were assessed. The outcomes were verified based on a collaborative trial including laboratories from all over the world. It was concluded that the ion ratio deviation is not related to the value of the ion ratio, but rather to the intensity of the lowest product ion. Therefore a fixed ion ratio deviation tolerance of 50% (relative) is proposed, which also is applicable for compounds present at sub‐ppb levels or having poor ionisation efficiency. Furthermore, it was observed that retention time shifts, when using gradient elution, as is common practice nowadays, are mainly observed for early eluting compounds. Therefore a maximum retention time deviation of 0.2 min (absolute) is proposed. These findings should serve as input for discussions on the revision of currently applied criteria and the establishment of a new, globally accepted, criterion document for confirmatory analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of DNA methylation associated with Acer rubrum (red maple) adaptation to metals: analysis of global DNA modifications and methylation‐sensitive amplified polymorphism
Authors: Kim Nam‐Soo , Im Min‐Ji , Nkongolo Kabwe
Published: July 2016

Red maple (Acer rubum), a common deciduous tree species in Northern Ontario, has shown resistance to soil metal contamination. Previous reports have indicated that this plant does not accumulate metals in its tissue. However, low level of nickel and copper corresponding to the bioavailable levels in contaminated soils in Northern Ontario causes severe physiological damages. No differentiation between metal‐contaminated and uncontaminated populations has been reported based on genetic analyses. The main objective of this study was to assess whether DNA methylation is involved in A. rubrum adaptation to soil metal contamination. Global cytosine and methylation‐sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) analyses were carried out in A. rubrum populations from metal‐contaminated and uncontaminated sites. The global modified cytosine ratios in genomic DNA revealed a significant decrease in cytosine methylation in genotypes from a metal‐contaminated site compared to uncontaminated populations. Other genotypes from a different metal‐contaminated site within the same region appear to be recalcitrant to metal‐induced DNA alterations even ≥30 years of tree life exposure to nickel and copper. MSAP analysis showed a high level of polymorphisms in both uncontaminated (77%) and metal‐contaminated (72%) populations. Overall, 205 CCGG loci were identified in which 127 were methylated in either outer or inner cytosine. No differentiation among populations was established based on several genetic parameters tested. The variations for nonmethylated and methylated loci were compared by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). For methylated loci, molecular variance among and within populations was 1.5% and 13.2%, respectively. These values were low (0.6% for among populations and 5.8% for within populations) for unmethylated loci. Metal contamination is seen to affect methylation of cytosine residues in CCGG motifs in the A. rubrum populations that were analyzed.
Do not feed the wildlife: associations between garbage use, aggression, and disease in banded mongooses (Mungos mungo)
Authors: Flint Bonnie Fairbanks , Hawley Dana M. , Alexander Kathleen A.
Published: July 2016

Urbanization and other human modifications of the landscape may indirectly affect disease dynamics by altering host behavior in ways that influence pathogen transmission. Few opportunities arise to investigate behaviorally mediated effects of human habitat modification in natural host–pathogen systems, but we provide a potential example of this phenomenon in banded mongooses (Mungos mungo), a social mammal. Our banded mongoose study population in Botswana is endemically infected with a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex pathogen, M. mungi, that primarily invades the mongoose host through the nasal planum and breaks in the skin. In this system, several study troops have access to human garbage sites and other modified landscapes for foraging. Banded mongooses in our study site (N = 4 troops, ~130 individuals) had significantly higher within‐troop aggression levels when foraging in garbage compared to other foraging habitats. Second, monthly rates of aggression were a significant predictor of monthly number of injuries in troops. Finally, injured individuals had a 75% incidence of clinical tuberculosis (TB) compared to a 0% incidence in visibly uninjured mongooses during the study period. Our data suggest that mongoose troops that forage in garbage may be at greater risk of acquiring TB by incurring injuries that may allow for pathogen invasion. Our study suggests the need to consider the indirect effects of garbage on behavior and wildlife health when developing waste management approaches in human‐modified areas.
The functional extinction of Andean megafauna
Authors: Rozas‐Davila Angela , Valencia Bryan G. , Bush Mark B.
Published: July 2016

Controversy exists over the cause and timing of the extinction of the Pleistocene megafauna. In the tropical Andes, deglaciation and associated rapid climate change began ~8,000 years before human arrival, providing an opportunity to separate the effects of climate change from human hunting on megafaunal extinction. We present a paleoecological record spanning the last 25,000 years from Lake Pacucha, Peru (3,100 m elevation). Fossil pollen, charcoal, diatoms, and the dung fungus Sporormiella, chronicle a two‐stage megaherbivore population collapse. Sporormiella abundance, the proxy for megafaunal presence, fell sharply at ~21,000 years ago, but rebounded prior to a permanent decline between ~16,800 and 15,800 years ago. This two‐stage decline in megaherbivores resulted in a functional extinction by ~15,800 years ago, 3,000 years earlier than known human occupation of the high Andes. Declining megaherbivore populations coincided with warm, wet intervals. Climatic instability and megafaunal population collapse triggered an ecological cascade that resulted in novel floral assemblages, and increases in woody species, fire frequency, and plant species that were sensitive to trampling. Our data revealed that Andean megafaunal populations collapsed due to positive feedbacks between habitat quality and climate change rather than human activity.
Left ventricular ejection fraction recovery in patients with heart failure treated with intravenous iron: a pilot study
Authors: Núñez Julio , Monmeneu José Vicente , Mollar Anna , Núñez Eduardo , Bodí Vicent , Miñana Gema , García‐Blas Sergio , Santas Enrique , Agüero Jaume , Chorro Francisco J. , Sanchis Juan , López‐Lereu Maria Pilar
Published: July 2016

Aims

In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and iron deficiency, treatment with intravenous iron has shown a clinical improvement regardless of anaemic status. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T2* sequence has shown a potential utility for evaluating myocardial iron deficiency. We aimed to evaluate whether T2* sequence significantly changes after ferric carboximaltose (FCM) administration, and if such changes correlate with changes in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods and results

In this pilot study, we included eight patients with chronic symptomatic (New York Heart Association II–III) HFrEF and iron deficiency. A CMR, including T2* analysis, was performed before and at a median of 43 days (interquartile range = 35–48) after intravenous FCM administration. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient (r) was used for bivariate contrast as appropriate. A partial correlation analysis was performed between ΔLVEF and ΔT2* while controlling for anaemia status at baseline. Anaemia was present in half of patients. After FCM administration, T2* decreased from a median of 39.5 (35.9–48) to 32 ms (32–34.5), P = 0.012. Simultaneously, a borderline increase in median of LVEF [40% (36–44.5) to 48.5% (38.5–53), P = 0.091] was registered. In a bivariate correlational analysis, ΔT2* was highly correlated with ΔLVEF (r = −0.747, P = 0.033). After controlling for anaemia at baseline, the association between ΔT2* and ΔLVEF persisted [r(partial): −0.865, R2(partial): 0.748, P = 0.012]. A median regression analysis backed‐up these findings.

Conclusions

In a small sample of patients with HFrEF and iron deficiency, myocardial iron repletion assessed by CMR was associated to left ventricular remodelling. Further studies are warranted.
Asymmetric Synthesis of β‐Amino‐α‐hydroxy Aldehyde Derivatives Bearing a Quaternary Stereogenic Center
Authors: Drelich Piotr , Skrzyńska Anna , Albrecht Łukasz
Published: July 2016

An organocatalytic approach for the stereoselective synthesis of β‐amino‐α‐hydroxy aldehydes bearing a fully substituted stereogenic center in the α‐position with respect to the aldehyde moiety is presented. It utilizes a one‐pot reaction cascade involving an aziridination reaction followed by a sodium methoxide initiated rearrangement. In order to control the chemoselectivity of the rearrangement, a new aziridinating reagent enabling the introduction of a nosyl protecting group at the nitrogen atom has been designed and introduced. Products of the reaction have thus been obtained exclusively as dimethyl acetal. The possibility to deprotect the aldehyde moiety with the preservation of the introduced optical purity has also been demonstrated.
DevOps for network function virtualisation: an architectural approach
Authors: Karl Holger , Dräxler Sevil , Peuster Manuel , Galis Alex , Bredel Michael , Ramos Aurora , Martrat Josep , Siddiqui Muhammad Shuaib , van Rossem Steven , Tavernier Wouter , Xilouris George
Published: July 2016

The Service Programming and Orchestration for Virtualised Software Networks (SONATA) project targets both the flexible programmability of software networks and the optimisation of their deployments by means of integrating Development and Operations in order to accelerate industry adoption of software networks and reduce time‐to‐market for networked services. SONATA supports network function chaining and orchestration, making service platforms modular and easier to customise to the needs of different service providers, and introduces a specialised Development and Operations model for supporting developers. © 2016 The Authors. Transactions on Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A 3D finite element ALE method using an approximate Riemann solution
Authors: Chiravalle V. P. , Morgan N. R.
Published: July 2016

Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite volume methods that solve a multidimensional Riemann‐like problem at the cell center in a staggered grid hydrodynamic (SGH) arrangement have been proposed. This research proposes a new 3D finite element arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian SGH method that incorporates a multidimensional Riemann‐like problem. Two different Riemann jump relations are investigated. A new limiting method that greatly improves the accuracy of the SGH method on isentropic flows is investigated. A remap method that improves upon a well‐known mesh relaxation and remapping technique in order to ensure total energy conservation during the remap is also presented. Numerical details and test problem results are presented. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the application of the generalized monod kinetics model to describe the human corneal oxygen‐consumption rate during soft contact lens wear
Authors: Compañ V. , Aguilella‐Arzo M. , Del Castillo L. F. , Hernández S. I. , Gonzalez‐Meijome J. M.
Published: July 2016

This work is an analysis of the application of the generalized Monod kinetics model describing human corneal oxygen consumption during soft contact lens wear to models previously used by Chhabra et al. (J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 2009a;90:202‐209, Optom Vis Sci 2009b;86:454‐466) and Larrea and Büchler (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2009;50:1076‐1080). We use oxygen tension fromin vivoestimations provided by Bonanno [Bonanno et al., Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2002;43:371‐376, and Bonannoet al2009]. We consider four hydrogel and six silicone hydrogel lenses. The cornea is considered a single homogeneous layer, with constant oxygen permeability regardless of the type of lens worn. Our calculations yield different values for the maximum oxygen consumption rateQc,max, whith differents oxygen tensions (high and lowpc) at the cornea‐tears interface. Surprisingly, for both models, we observe an increase in oxygen consumption near an oxygen tension of 105 mmHg until a maximum is reached, then decreasing for higher levels of oxygen pressure. That is, when lowering the pressure of oxygen, the parameterQc,maxinitially increases depending on the intensity of the change in pressure. Which, it could be related with the variation of the pH. Furthermore, it is also noted that to greater reductions in pressure, this parameter decreases, possibly due to changes in the concentration of glucose related to the anaerobic respiration. The averagedin vivohuman corneal oxygen consumption rate of 1.47 × 10−4cm3of O2/cm3tissues, with Monod kinetics model, considering all the lenses studied, is smaller than the average oxygen consumption rate value obtained using the Larrea and Büchler model. The impact that these calculations have on the oxygen partial pressure available at different depths in the corneal tissue is presented and discussed, taking into consideration previous models used in this study. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2269–2281, 2017.
All‐trans retinoic acid improved impaired proliferation of neural stem cells and suppressed microglial activation in the hippocampus in an Alzheimer's mouse model
Authors: Takamura Risa , Watamura Naoto , Nikkuni Miyu , Ohshima Toshio
Published: July 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairment with neuronal loss. The number of patients suffering from AD has increased, but none of the present therapies stops the progressive symptoms in patients with AD. It has been reported that the activation of microglial cells induces harmful chronic inflammation, leading to neuronal death. Furthermore, the impairment of adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus has been observed earlier than amyloid plaque formation. Inflammatory response may lead to impaired adult neurogenesis in patients with AD. This study examines the relationship between adult neurogenesis and neuroinflammation using APPswe/PS1M146V/tauP301L (3 × Tg) mice. We observed a decline in the proliferation of neural stem cells and the occurrence of severe inflammation in the hippocampus of 3 × Tg mouse brains at 12 months of age. Previously, our research had shown an anti‐inflammatory effect of all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in the 3 × Tg mouse brain. We found that ATRA has effects on the recovery of proliferative cells along with suppression of activated microglia in the hippocampus. These results suggest that the inhibition of microglial activation by ATRA leads to recovery of adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus in an AD mouse model. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perceived Support From Multiple Sources: Associations With PTSD Symptoms
Authors: DiMauro Jennifer , Renshaw Keith D. , Smith Brian N. , Vogt Dawne
Published: July 2016

Perceived social support is negatively associated with severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the literature lacks data about specific sources of support. Using 2 service member (SM) samples (n = 207 and 465), this study examined perceived support from family/friends and the broader public. SMs perceived high support from both sources. In multivariate regressions, perceived support from the broader public was not significantly associated with severity of PTSD symptoms, but it demonstrated a nearly identical effect size (β = −.21) as support from family/friends (β = −.23) in a sample of active duty and National Guard/Reserve SMs. We found that, SMs perceived high levels of support from the broader public, with modest evidence that such perceptions may relate to severity of PTSD.
From calibration to real‐time operations: an assessment of three precipitation benchmarks for a Swiss river system
Authors: Andres Norina , Lieberherr Gian , Sideris Ioannis V. , Jordan Frédéric , Zappa Massimiliano
Published: July 2016

In hydrometeorological prediction systems, meteorological real‐time data and forecast data from numerical weather prediction models are needed as input for hydrological and hydraulic models. This paper evaluates the application of a validated hydrological–hydraulic model chain by using real‐time operationally available precipitation‐forcing datasets as a benchmark. The analyses should detect the problems occurring once the prediction system will leave the calibration environment and need to be reconfigured for real‐time deployment. The precipitation‐forcing benchmarks used for 2013 were rain gauge measurements, quantitative radar estimates, quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) and a radar–rain gauge merged precipitation product generated by spatio‐temporal co‐kriging (with external drift). The discharge was simulated in a transnational river basin in southern Switzerland and northern Italy. The best discharge simulation results were obtained when rain gauge data from automatic measurement stations were used as meteorological input for the models, because these were used for the model calibration. The modelled radar QPE greatly underestimated the rainfall volume, and thus the simulated discharge, because the raw radar time series were too short for calibration. Therefore, quantile mapping was applied to post‐process the radar QPE. Quantile mapping, as applied in this work with relatively short available radar‐only precipitation records, appears to be unsuitable for operational use, but adequate as a post‐processing method for past data series. Combining the rain gauge and radar QPE improved simulations significantly compared with the original radar QPE. A lower performance was found in the Italian region because the meteorological stations were not considered there for processing this product.
Climate change effects on groundwater resources: a new assessment method through climate indices and effective precipitation in Beliş district, Western Carpathians
Authors: Nistor Mărgărit‐Mircea , Dezsi Ştefan , Cheval Sorin , Baciu Mădălina
Published: July 2016

Climate change is a topic of enormous interest due to its direct impact and long‐term consequences. The ongoing climate warming is triggering global impacts and it is likely to alter natural systems at the local scale, too. The observed climate variability in the Romanian Carpathians has been tackled by several researchers and the negative impact of climate change on groundwater vulnerability has also been assessed. A temporal analysis of four climate indices (De Martonne, UNEP Index, Johansson Continentality Index and Pinna Combinative Index) and crop evapotranspiration over the past 50 years was performed to understand the climate trends in the Beliş district, to estimate the effective precipitation in the area and to assess the effects of climate change on groundwater resources. Land cover data were extracted from satellite images and crop evapotranspiration data were evaluated based on field co‐efficients. An examination of the climate index trends and change points was carried out using the Rodionov test. In the study area, the climate indices indicated very humid and marine climate conditions. At the same time, it was noticed that the crop evapotranspiration values increased from 1961 to 2013 and the annual effective precipitation ranged between 200–300 mm. In order to understand the impacts of climate change on groundwater resources, an innovative method was proposed using an inference matrix that combines the climate indices and effective precipitation. Based on this method, the climate indices and effective precipitation for four decades indicated a low impact of climate change on groundwater resources in the Beliş district.
Procrustes problems and inverse eigenproblems for multilevel block α‐circulants
Authors: Xu Wei‐Ru , Chen Guoliang , Gong Yi
Published: July 2016

Let n = (n1,n2,…,nk) and α = (α1,α2,…,αk) be integer k‐tuples with αi∈{1,2,…,ni−1} and
for all i = 1,2,…,k. Multilevel block α‐circulants are (k + 1)‐level block matrices, where the first k levels have the block αi‐circulant structure with orders
and the entries in the (k + 1)‐st level are unstructured rectangular matrices with the same size
. When k = 1, Trench discussed on his paper "Inverse problems for unilevel block α‐circulants" the Procrustes problems and inverse problems of unilevel block α‐circulants and their approximations. But the results are not perfect for the case gcd(α,n) > 1 (i.e., gcd(α1,n1) > 1). In this paper, we also discuss Procrustes problems for multilevel block α‐circulants. Our results can further make up for the deficiency when k = 1. When
, inverse eigenproblems for this kind of matrices are also solved. By using the related results, we can design an artificial Hopfield neural network system that possesses the prescribed equilibria, where the Jacobian matrix of this system has the constrained multilevel α‐circulative structure. Finally, some examples are employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prorenin/renin receptor blockade promotes a healthy fat distribution in obese mice
Authors: Tan Paul , Blais Carolane , Nguyen Thi M.‐D. , Schiller Peter W. , Gutkowska Jolanta , Lavoie Julie L.
Published: July 2016

Objective

Administration of the handle region peptide (HRP), a (pro)renin receptor blocker, decreases body weight gain and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in high‐fat/high‐carbohydrate (HF/HC) diet‐fed mice. The objective of this study was to elucidate potential mechanisms implicated in these observations.

Methods

Mice were given a normal or a HF/HC diet along with saline or HRP for 10 weeks.

Results

In HF/HC‐fed mice, HRP increased the expression of several enzymes implicated in lipogenesis and lipolysis in subcutaneous fat (SCF) while the expression of the enzyme implicated in the last step of lipogenesis decreased in VAT. A reduction was also observed in circulating free fatty acids in these animals which was accompanied by normalized adipocyte size in VAT and increased adipocyte size in SCF. ''Beiging'' is the evolution of a white adipose tissue toward a brown‐like phenotype characterized by an increased mitochondrial density and small lipid droplets. HRP increased the expression of' “beiging” markers in SCF of HF/HC diet‐fed mice.

Conclusions

HRP treatment may favor healthy fat storage in SCF by activating a triglyceride/free fatty acid cycling and “beiging,” which could explain the body weight and fat mass reduction.
Upper airway viruses and bacteria and clinical outcomes in children with cough
Authors: O'Grady Kerry‐Ann F. , Grimwood Keith , Sloots Theo P. , Whiley David M. , Acworth Jason P. , Phillips Natalie , Marchant Julie , Goyal Vikas , Chang Anne B.
Published: July 2016

Background: Cough is symptomatic of a broad range of acute and chronic pediatric respiratory illnesses. No studies in children have tested for an extended panel of upper airway respiratory viruses and bacteria to identify whether they predict cough outcomes, irrespective of clinical diagnosis at the time of acute respiratory illness (ARI). We therefore determined whether upper airway microbes independently predicted hospitalization and persistent cough 28‐days later in children presenting with an ARI, including cough as a symptom. Methods: A cohort study of children aged <15‐years were followed for 28‐days after presenting to a pediatric emergency department with an ARI where cough was also a symptom. Socio‐demographic factors, presenting clinical features and a bilateral anterior nasal swab were collected at enrolment. Polymerase chain reaction assays tested for seven respiratory bacteria and 17 viruses. Predictors of hospitalization and persistent cough at day‐28 were evaluated in logistic regression models. Results: Eight hundred and seventeen children were included in the analysis; median age 27.7‐months. 116 (14.2%, 95%CI 11.8, 16.6) children were hospitalized and 163 (20.0%, 95%CI 17.2, 22.7) had persistent cough at day‐28. Hospitalized children were more likely to have RSV A or B detected on nasal swab than those not admitted (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.8, 95%CI 1.0, 3.3). M. catarrhalis was the only microbial difference between children with and without cough persistence (aRR for those with cough at day 28: 2.1, 95%CI 1.3, 3.1). Discussion: An etiologic role for M. catarrhalis in the pathogenesis of persistent cough post‐ARI is worth exploring, especially given the burden of chronic cough in children and its relationship with chronic lung disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:373–381. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bufalin induces apoptosis in vitro and has Antitumor activity against human lung cancer xenografts in vivo
Authors: Wu Shin‐Hwar , Bau Da‐Tian , Hsiao Yung‐Ting , Lu Kung‐Wen , Hsia Te‐Chun , Lien Jin‐Cherng , Ko Yang‐Ching , Hsu Wu‐Huei , Yang Su‐Tso , Huang Yi‐Ping , Chung Jing‐Gung
Published: July 2016

Bufalin has been shown to be effective against a variety of cancer cells, but its role in lung cancer has never been studied in an animal model. In this study, we evaluated bufalin effects in a human lung cancer cell line NCI‐H460 both in vitro and in vivo. Bufalin caused significant cytotoxicity in NCI‐H460 cells at a concentration as low as 1 μM. DNA condensation was observed in bufalin‐treated cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was reduced and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased in bufalin‐treated NCI‐H460 cells. Levels of several proapoptotic proteins such as Fas, Fas‐ligand, cytochrome c, apoptosis protease activating factor‐1, endonuclease G, caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 were increased after bufalin treatment. At the same time, anti‐apoptotic B‐cell lymphoma 2 protein levels were reduced. Bufalin decreased glucose regulated protein‐78 gene expression but increased growth arrest‐ and DNA damage‐inducible 153 gene expression. Bufalin injected intraperitoneally in a dose‐dependent manner reduced tumor size in BALB/C nu/nu mice implanted with NCI‐H460 cells. Bufalin injection did not produce significant drug‐related toxicity in experimental animals except at a high dose (0.4 mg kg−1). In conclusion, low concentrations of bufalin can induce apoptosis in the human lung cancer cell line NCI‐H460 in vitro. Bufalin also reduced tumor size in mice injected with NCI‐H460 cells without significant drug‐related toxicity. These results indicate that bufalin may have potential to be developed as an agent for treating human non‐small cell lung cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1305–1317, 2017.
National Trends in the Surgical Treatment of Non‐advanced Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC): An Evaluation of Adherence with the 2009 American Thyroid Association Guidelines
Authors: Chang Eun Hae Estelle , Lutfi Waseem , Feinglass Joseph , Reiher Alexandra Eudokia , Moo‐Young Tricia , Bhayani Mihir Kiran
Published: July 2016

Background

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) represents the third most common type of thyroid cancer, and the prognosis depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis and completeness of tumor resection. In 2009, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) published guidelines with evidence‐based recommendations for the treatment of MTC. This study aimed to determine national adherence rates of the treatment according to the ATA guidelines specific for MTC.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with MTC from 2004 to 2013 were identified from the National Cancer Database. Guideline adherence rates for the treatment of MTC before and after the publication of ATA guidelines were analyzed and compared to determine patient and clinical variables that affected treatment.

Results

A total of 3693 patients diagnosed with MTC were identified. We found 60.3 % of the patients had localized MTC and 39.7 % had regional metastases. Older age, female sex and having Medicaid or being uninsured were directly correlated with more advanced disease upon diagnosis (p < 0.001). Overall, a greater proportion of patients received care in accordance with the recommendations following the ATA guidelines’ publication in 2009: 61.4 % of patients treated between 2004 and 2008 versus 66.8 % of patients treated between 2009 and 2013 received care in accordance with the recommendations (p < 0.01). Factors such as older age, African American race, localized disease at diagnosis, lower estimated median zip code household income and being treated in a community versus an academic hospital were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving care in accordance with the guidelines.

Conclusion

Adherence rates to the ATA recommendations for the treatment of MTC increased modestly following the publication of guidelines in 2009 with the largest increase seen in community hospitals. Being older, African American, diagnosed with localized disease and treated in a community hospital rather than in an academic institution was correlated with a lower likelihood of receiving treatment in accordance with the guidelines. Efforts should be made to continuously increase the adherence rates to the MTC ATA guidelines and to decrease socioeconomic disparities that continue to exist in the treatment of MTC.
Proteomic characterization of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) overexpressing or silenced colorectal cancer cells unveils a novel protein network associated with an aggressive phenotype
Authors: Milone Maria Rita , Pucci Biagio , Colangelo Tommaso , Lombardi Rita , Iannelli Federica , Colantuoni Vittorio , Sabatino Lina , Budillon Alfredo
Published: July 2016

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) is a transcription factor of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily implicated in a wide range of processes, including tumorigenesis. Its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still debated; most reports support that PPARγ reduced expression is associated with poor prognosis. We employed 2‐Dimensional Differential InGel Electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) followed by Liquid Chromatography (LC)‐tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) to identify differentially expressed proteins and the molecular pathways underlying PPARγ expression in CRC progression. We identified several differentially expressed proteins in HT29 and HCT116 CRC cells and derived clones either silenced or overexpressing PPARγ, respectively. In Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) they showed reciprocal relation with PPARγ and a strong relationship with networks linked to cell death, growth and survival. Interestingly, five of the identified proteins, ezrin (EZR), isoform C of prelamin‐A/C (LMNA), alpha‐enolase (ENOA), prohibitin (PHB) and RuvB‐like 2 (RUVBL2) were shared by the two cell models with opposite expression levels, suggesting a possible regulation by PPARγ. mRNA and western blot analysis were undertaken to obtain a technical validation and confirm the expression trend observed by 2‐D DIGE data. We associated EZR upregulation with increased cell surface localization in PPARγ‐overexpressing cells by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. We also correlated EZR and PPARγ expression in our series of CRC specimens and the expression profiling of all five proteins levels in the publicly available colon cancer genomic data from Oncomine and Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) datasets. In summary, we identified a panel of proteins correlated with PPARγ expression that could be associated with CRC unveiling new pathways to be investigated for the selection of novel potential prognostic/predictive biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.
Time series analysis of financial stability of banks: Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ghassan Hassan B. , Fachin Stefano
Published: July 2016

Islamic banks are characterized by their compliance to Islamic laws and practices, primarily the prohibition of interest and the trading of loans. During the 2008–2009 financial crisis, when a large number of conventional banks announced bankruptcy, no Islamic bank failures were reported. However, there is no clear consensus in the literature on the question of whether Islamic banks are more or less stable than conventional banks. To shed some light on this issue, we studied a sample of Saudi banks using quarterly data over a period centered on the 2008 financial crisis. Careful analysis of the data suggested first of all that many of the variables typically used in financial stability studies may be non‐stationary, a methodological point largely ignored in the literature. Using time series methods suitable for this type of data, we concluded that individual heterogeneity may matter more than either the conventional or Islamic nature of the banks. Concentrating on the largest banks, we find the Islamic banks contribute positively to the stability of the system.
Stability analysis of thermoacoustic interactions in vortex shedding combustors using Poincaré map
Authors: Singaravelu Balasubramanian , Mariappan Sathesh
Published: July 2016

Vortex separation and breakdown are an important source of unsteady heat release rate fluctuations in thermoacoustic systems. The coupling between the acoustic field and the energy released by vortex breakdown can cause combustion instability. The objective of this work is to perform linear stability analyses and to quantify the stability of thermoacoustic interactions where vortex breakdown is the dominant cause of heat release rate fluctuations. The dynamics of the system is modelled as a kicked oscillator, where the energy released by vortex breakdown is represented as the kick. Assuming small fluctuations, periodic and low values of kick, a Poincaré map is derived analytically. The stability of the system is determined from the eigenvalues associated with the Poincaré map. The results allow us to identify the region where vortex shedding or the acoustic mode is dominant. Previous experimental investigations report the transition between the two modes for variation in the flow Mach number. Similar transitions are observed in the present study.
Radiocarbon Chronology of the Mesolithic, Neolithic, Aeneolithic, and Bronze Age Sites in the Trans-Urals (Russia): A General Framework
Authors: Chairkina Natalia M , Kuzmin Yaroslav V , Hodgins Gregory W L
Published: July 2016

The chronology of the Mesolithic, Neolithic, Aeneolithic, and Bronze Age sites in the Trans-Urals (Russia) was studied, and a framework for previously established cultural complexes is suggested based on 153 radiocarbon dates. In this new chronological model, the Mesolithic is dated to ~10,000–6500 cal BC; the Neolithic complexes exist at ~6500–3800 cal BC; the Aeneolithic is dated to ~4300–2800 cal BC; the Early Bronze Age spans ~2500–2100 cal BC; and the Late Bronze Age can be preliminary assigned to ~1600–1100 cal BC.
New records of giant campanilid gastropods (Mollusca) from the southern North Sea Basin: implications for Eocene and Quaternary palaeogeography
Authors: Wesselingh F.P. , Janse A.C. , Vervoenen M. , van Nieulande F.A.D.
Published: July 2016

Three specimens of the large-sized Eocene campanilid gastropod genus Campanile have been dredged from the modern sea floor in the Bruine Bank area (North Sea, Dutch sector). The material is identified here as Campanile parisiense rarinodosum, a subspecies hitherto unknown from the North Sea Basin. All three shells are strongly abraded, reflecting their secondary derivation. The new finds suggest that fossiliferous strata of probably late Lutetian (middle Eocene) age are represented in the southern North Sea Basin, situated most likely in the southeastern part of the UK sector. The present material of Campanile must have been reworked into the Dutch sector via Quaternary rivers. The occurrence of Campanile parisiense rarinodosum would indicate close biogeographic ties between the North Sea and the western French Atlantic basins during the late Lutetian. These new records thus shed light on the palaeogeography of the area during two widely separated geological time slices.
A brachiopod-dominated sea-floor assemblage from the Late Pliocene of the eastern Netherlands
Authors: Wesselingh F.P. , Peters W.J.M. , Munsterman D.K.
Published: July 2016

A sea-floor assemblage from hardened sandstone boulders in which lingulid brachiopods predominate is recorded from the Oosterhout Formation near Balgoy (province of Gelderland, the Netherlands). Dinoflagellate cysts indicate a late Early-Late Pliocene (late Zanclean-Piacenzian) age of these boulders; the entire assemblage is indicative of clear marine waters near storm wave base along the southeastern margin of the North Sea Basin at the time. A possible commensal relationship between the lingulid brachiopods and the gastropod Calyptraea chinensis is implied.
Can Recent traces help in recognising probable jellyfish remains from the Muschelkalk of Winterswijk? A comment
Authors: Cadée G.C.
Published: July 2016

A possible other explanation is given for one of the probably jellyfish remains published by Oosterink & Winkelhorst in this Journal. Comparison with Recent traces suggests one (fig. 12) might be a ‘scribe mark’.
The Geology of the Wicken Vision Area, lower Cam valley, Cambridgeshire, UK
Authors: Boreham S.
Published: July 2016

The geology of the Wicken Vision Area in the lower Cam valley is described with reference to a stacked series of ten cross-sections through Holocene and Pleistocene deposits, and Cretaceous/Jurassic bedrock across the region. A detailed cross-section through a Holocene palaeochannel, with radiocarbon dating and pollen analyses is also presented. The structural geology of the bedrock and the stratigraphic arrangement of the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits are used to describe landscape development for the area. This study offers a new understanding of the stratigraphy and context of the Holocene, Weichselian and earlier Pleistocene deposits of the lower Cam valley, and provides a unique view of sediment architecture in valley-fill sediments at the fen edge.
The discovery of the Fat Sand Play (Solling Formation, Triassic), Northern Dutch offshore – a case of serendipity
Authors: Jager J. de
Published: July 2016

In 1992, the well L9-7, drilled by the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) unexpectedly found a thick previously unknown sandstone interval with excellent reservoir characteristics in the Middle Buntsandstein (Triassic) of the Dutch Northern Offshore: the ‘Fat Sand’. A follow-up well, L9-8, found this reservoir gas-bearing in an accumulation that turned out have recoverable reserves of circa 1 Tcf of gas distributed over several fault compartments. This serendipitous discovery led to a frantic period in NAM's office trying to understand the setting of this local sand development and, most importantly, assess follow-up potential; could this sand be present elsewhere in a trapping configuration? The local depocentre in which the Fat Sand accumulated is considered to be caused by local extension along a strongly listric fault soling out on the top of the Zechstein Salt. This supra-salt fault seems to be caused by early east-west extension in the Dutch northern offshore. The shape of the fault plane was strongly influenced by the presence of the nearby Zechstein Salt, and by early salt flow, which was also triggered by E-W extension.
Unraveling the shallow geology of the western Wadden Sea using high resolution seismics
Authors: Paap B.F. , Dubelaar C.W. , Gunnink J.L. , Oost A.P.
Published: July 2016

Modelling of the shallow subsurface of the Dutch Wadden Sea is merely based on lithological information extracted from a limited amount of core samples. In order to improve the subsurface model and to provide a better basis for engineering purposes, seismic data have recently been acquired, processed and interpreted. This study focuses on the interpretation of seismic data in a pilot area in the southwestern part of the Dutch Wadden Sea near the Afsluitdijk. In order to acquire a maximum detail of subsurface information in a time-efficient way, multiple types of seismic systems were deployed simultaneously in a ‘one-sweep-survey’, providing information over depth ranges up to 60 m subsurface depth. Data from three seismic systems are presented; a chirp system, a boomer and sparker source in combination with hydrophone streamers. Geological interpretation of the seismic data was made by identifying seismic facies units and subsequently correlating them to geological cross-sections, running parallel to the Afsluitdijk. Geological cross-sections were derived from the existing geological and hydrogeological model and from relatively densely spaced borehole information. Six key reflectors were identified on the seismic data along the Dutch Afsluitdijk that make up four seismic facies units. Results of seismic profiles show good recognition of internal structures in especially Holocene sediments. A clay plug and a shallowing of a channel at the eastern side of the pilot area were interpreted as channel infills resulting from the rather sudden dominance by newer tidal channels to the west, probably coinciding with the opening of the Marsdiep channel. The channel wall deposits observed were interpreted as a turning of the drainage channel after closure of the IJsselmeer. Strong reflections of deeper levels (>15 m below Dutch vertical datum, i.e. N.A.P.) were interpreted as clay/sand interfaces in the Middle-Pleistocene Urk Formation and were more continuous than previously thought. It is concluded that high resolution seismics add valuable information yielding improved understanding of the sedimentary structure of the shallow subsurface, which in turn can be useful for near future engineering works along the Afsluitdijk.