bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A controlled, before-and-after trial of an urban sanitation intervention to reduce enteric infections in children: research protocol for the Maputo Sanitation (MapSan) study, Mozambique
Authors: Brown Joe , Cumming Oliver , Bartram Jamie , Cairncross Sandy , Ensink Jeroen , Holcomb David , Knee Jackie , Kolsky Peter , Liang Kaida , Liang Song , Nala Rassul , Norman Guy , Rheingans Richard , Stewart Jill , Zavale Olimpio , Zuin Valentina , Schmidt Wolf-Peter
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Access to safe sanitation in low-income, informal settlements of Sub-Saharan Africa has not significantly improved since 1990. The combination of a high faecal-related disease burden and inadequate infrastructure suggests that investment in expanding sanitation access in densely populated urban slums can yield important public health gains. No rigorous, controlled intervention studies have evaluated the health effects of decentralised (non-sewerage) sanitation in an informal urban setting, despite the role that such technologies will likely play in scaling up access.

Methods and analysis

We have designed a controlled, before-and-after (CBA) trial to estimate the health impacts of an urban sanitation intervention in informal neighbourhoods of Maputo, Mozambique, including an assessment of whether exposures and health outcomes vary by localised population density. The intervention consists of private pour-flush latrines (to septic tank) shared by multiple households in compounds or household clusters. We will measure objective health outcomes in approximately 760 children (380 children with household access to interventions, 380 matched controls using existing shared private latrines in poor sanitary conditions), at 2 time points: immediately before the intervention and at follow-up after 12 months. The primary outcome is combined prevalence of selected enteric infections among children under 5 years of age. Secondary outcome measures include soil-transmitted helminth (STH) reinfection in children following baseline deworming and prevalence of reported diarrhoeal disease. We will use exposure assessment, faecal source tracking, and microbial transmission modelling to examine whether and how routes of exposure for diarrhoeagenic pathogens and STHs change following introduction of effective sanitation.

Ethics

Study protocols have been reviewed and approved by human subjects review boards at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Ministry of Health, Republic of Mozambique.

Trial registration number

NCT02362932.
BAFF (B cell activating factor) transcript level in peripheral blood of patients with SLE is associated with same-day disease activity as well as global activity over the next year
Authors: Zollars Eric , Bienkowska Jadwiga , Czerkowicz Julie , Allaire Norm , Ranger Ann M , Magder Laurence , Petri Michelle
Published: June 2015

Objectives

Quantitating gene expression is a potential method of developing biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because of the known pathological role of B cell activating factor (BAFF) in SLE, we explored the association between BAFF gene expression and clinical activity in SLE.

Methods

A total of 275 patients with SLE completed this phase of a prospective observational study. At entry into the study, the BAFF gene expression levels were determined in peripheral blood RNA. Serum concentration of BAFF protein was also measured. We then determined clinical associations with SLE disease history, SLE activity on the same day and SLE activity over the course of the next year.

Results

Elevated BAFF gene expression was associated with a history of more leucopenia and serologically with more autoantibodies (anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-Ro, anti-La and anti-RNP) and low complement. Patients with higher amounts of BAFF transcript had higher measured levels of clinical disease activity. Initial high levels of BAFF gene expression also predicted increased disease activity over the course of the next year. In contrast, serum concentration of BAFF protein was not strongly associated with same-day global disease activity or with future disease activity.

Conclusions

BAFF gene expression level is associated with clinical and serological SLE activity on the same day and predictive of clinical activity over the next year. BAFF gene expression is a better measure and predictor of SLE disease activity than the serum BAFF protein level.
Thermodynamic quantities and phase diagrams of spin-1 Blume–Capel bilayer Ising model
Authors: Kantar Ersin , Ertaş Mehmet
Published: June 2015

An effective field theory with correlations has been used to study the critical behavior of the spin-1 Blume–Capel bilayer Ising model on a square lattice. The effects of the Hamiltonian parameters on thermodynamic quantities and phase diagrams are investigated in detail. We found that the system exhibits the first and the second order transitions as well as tricritical point. Furthermore, we have observed that the change of tricritical point values depends on interaction parameters.
Study of multiplicity correlations in nucleus–nucleus interactions at high energy
Authors: Mohery M. , Sultan E. M. , Baz Shadiah S.
Published: June 2015

In the present paper, some results on the correlations of the nucleus–nucleus interactions, at high energy, between different particle multiplicities are reported. The correlations between the multiplicities of the different charged particles emitted in the interactions of 22 Ne and 28 Si nuclei with emulsion at (4.1–4.5)A GeV/c have been studied. The correlations of the compound multiplicity nc, defined as the sum of both numbers of the shower particles ns and grey particles ng, have been investigated. The experimental data have been compared with the corresponding theoretical ones, calculated according to the modified cascade evaporation model (MCEM). An agreement has already been fairly obtained between the experimental values and the calculated ones. The dependence of the average compound multiplicity, on the numbers of shower, grey, black and heavy particles is obvious and the values of the slope have been found to be independent of the projectile nucleus. On the other hand, the variation of the average shower, grey, black and heavy particles is found to increase linearly with the compound particles. A strong correlation has been observed between the number of produced shower particles and the number of compound particles. Moreover, the value of the average compound multiplicity is found to increase with the increase of the projectile mass. Finally, an attempt has also been made to study the scaling of the compound multiplicity distribution showing that the compound multiplicity distribution is nearly consistent with the KNO scaling behavior.
MULTI-CULTURAL TEAMS AS SOURCES FOR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION: THE ROLE OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY ON TEAM PERFORMANCE
Authors: BOUNCKEN RICARDA , BREM ALEXANDER , KRAUS SASCHA
Published: June 2015

Multi-cultural teams are seen as a wellspring of creativity and innovativeness. Yet, we still miss an in-depth study of their potential and challenges during the innovation process in firms. This is a serious omission as many international firms are in need of improving their global innovation position by the inclusion of insights from team members of different nationalities with knowledge about markets and culture. To derive first insights, we conducted a longitudinal qualitative study in a large global company with 70 personal interviews in five innovation teams over a period of two years. These data, based on semi-structured interviews, provide us with rich information about effects of cultural diversity in teams in the innovation process. Data were analysed through a thematic network analysis and two coders inductively forming categories. Results indicate that cross-cultural teams have a high potential of creativity, but are confronted with difficulties arising from different working- and communication styles which have to be proactively managed from the beginning. While progressing, teams learn to cope with this diversity related to some more surface-level cultural dimensions and members even align. Yet, diversity of power distance induces conflicts that deeply impact the innovation process. Based on these findings, we develop a set of propositions, which lead into a conceptual model on the effects of multi-cultural team work on creativity and innovation. Finally, we discuss further implications for research and practice.
The NASA Volcano Sensor Web, advanced autonomy and the remote sensing of volcanic eruptions: a review
Authors: Davies Ashley Gerard , Chien Steve , Tran Daniel , Doubleday Joshua
Published: June 2015

The Volcano Sensor Web (VSW) is a globe-spanning net of sensors and applications for detecting volcanic activity. Alerts from the VSW are used to trigger observations from space using the
Earth Observing-1
(
EO-1
) spacecraft. Onboard
EO-1
is the Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment (ASE) advanced autonomy software. Using ASE has streamlined spacecraft operations and has enabled the rapid delivery of high-level products to end-users. The entire process, from initial alert to product delivery, is autonomous. This facility is of great value as a rapid response is vital during a volcanic crisis. ASE consists of three parts: (1) Science Data Classifiers, which process
EO-1
Hyperion data to identify anomalous thermal signals; (2) a Spacecraft Command Language; and (3) the Continuous Activity Scheduling Planning Execution and Replanning (CASPER) software that plans and replans activities, including downlinks, based on available resources and operational constraints. For each eruption detected, thermal emission maps and estimates of eruption parameters are posted to a website at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, in Pasadena, CA. Selected products are emailed to end-users. The VSW uses software agents to detect volcanic activity alerts generated from a wide variety of sources on the ground and in space, and can also be easily triggered manually.
Effects of milrinone and epinephrine or dopamine on biventricular function and hemodynamics in right heart failure after pulmonary regurgitation
Authors: Hyldebrandt Janus Adler , Agger Peter , Sivén Eleonora , Wemmelund Kristian Borup , Heiberg Johan , Frederiksen Christian Alcaraz , Ravn Hanne Berg
Published: June 2015

Right ventricular failure (RVF) secondary to pulmonary regurgitation (PR) impairs right ventricular (RV) function and interrupts the interventricular relationship. There are few recommendations for the medical management of severe RVF after prolonged PR. PR was induced in 16 Danish landrace pigs by plication of the pulmonary valve leaflets. Twenty-three pigs served as controls. At reexamination the effect of milrinone, epinephrine, and dopamine was evaluated using biventricular conductance and pulmonary catheters. Seventy-nine days after PR was induced, RV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) had increased by 33% ( P = 0.006) and there was a severe decrease in the load-independent measurement of contractility (PRSW) (−58%; P = 0.003). Lower cardiac index (CI) (−28%; P < 0.0001), mean arterial pressure (−15%; P = 0.01) and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) (36%; P < 0.0001) were observed compared with the control group. The interventricular septum deviated toward the left ventricle (LV). Milrinone improved RV-PRSW and CI and maintained systemic pressure while reducing central venous pressure (CVP). Epinephrine and dopamine further improved biventricular PRSW and CI equally in a dose-dependent manner. Systemic and pulmonary pressures were higher in the dopamine-treated animals compared with epinephrine-treated animals. None of the treatments improved stroke volume index (SVI) despite increases in contractility. Strong correlation was detected between SVI and LV-EDVI, but not SVI and biventricular contractility. In RVF due to PR, milrinone significantly improved CI, SvO2, and CVP and increased contractility in the RV. Epinephrine and dopamine had equal inotropic effect, but a greater vasopressor effect was observed for dopamine. SV was unchanged due to inability of both treatments to increase LV-EDVI.
Evaluation of Antidiabetic Effects of the Traditional Medicinal PlantGynostemma pentaphyllumand the Possible Mechanisms of Insulin Release
Authors: Lokman Ezarul Faradianna , Gu Harvest F. , Wan Mohamud Wan Nazaimoon , Östenson Claes-Göran
Published: June 2015

Aims. To evaluate the antidiabetic effects ofGynostemma pentaphyllum(GP) in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat, an animal model of type 2 diabetes, and to investigate the mechanisms of insulin release.Methods. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed and plasma insulin levels were measured.Results. An oral treatment withGP(0.3 g/kg of body weight daily) for two weeks in GK rats improved glucose tolerance versus placebo group (P<0.01). Plasma insulin levels were significantly increased in theGP-treated group. The insulin release fromGP-treated GK rats was 1.9-fold higher as compared to the control group (P<0.001).GPstimulated insulin release in isolated GK rat islets at high glucose. Opening of ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channels by diazoxide and inhibition of calcium channels by nifedipine significantly decreased insulin response toGP. Furthermore, the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 decreased the insulin response toGP(P<0.05). In addition,GP-induced insulin secretion was decreased after preincubation of GK islets with pertussis toxin to inhibit exocytoticGeproteins (P<0.05).Conclusion.The antidiabetic effect ofGPis associated with the stimulation of insulin release from the islets.GP-induced insulin release is partly mediated via K-ATP and L-type Ca2+channels, the PKA system and also dependent on pertussis toxin sensitiveGe-protein.
Operative Management of OSAS in a Complex Case of Proteus Syndrome
Authors: Cantone Elena , Cavaliere Michele , Castagna Giovanni , Marino Anna , Del Vecchio Luigi , Iengo Maurizio
Published: June 2015

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disorder in childhood with high prevalence in syndromic subjects with craniofacial malformations. Proteus Syndrome (PS) is a rare hamartoneoplastic disorder associated with disproportionate and asymmetric overgrowth of body parts and hypertrophy or malformation of lymphatic tissues, such as palatine tonsils. We report a case of a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with Proteus Syndrome (PS) and suffering from OSAS due to asymmetric palatine tonsillar hypertrophy, treated with partial resection of left tonsil. To avoid the risk of a general anesthesia and remove only the obstructive portion of the palatine tonsil bipolar radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy (RFITT) under local anesthesia was performed. Recovery of the obstructive respiratory disease was obtained. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature of partial tonsillar resection performed in a patient with PS suffering from OSAS under local anesthesia.
Seismic Stability Time-Frequency Analysis Method of Reinforced Retaining Wall
Authors: Changwei Yang , Shixian Zhang , Jianjing Zhang , Junwei Bi
Published: June 2015

The first-order differential equation of the seismic active earth pressure is established by horizontal slices analysis method, based on the elastic wave theory, with the summarized dynamic analysis model of the reinforced retaining wall and the plane of fracture assumed as linear type. And then this paper proposes a time-frequency analysis method for the internal antiseismic stability analysis on the retaining wall. The reasonability of this method is verified by the results from other methods, for example, rule. The internal frictional angle of filling earth, the seismic intensity, and the frequency of the input earthquake wave have a predominant effect on the needed total tensile force of the lacing wires, which shows that (1) the needed total tensile force of the lacing wires goes up with the increase of the PGA and the internal frictional angle; (2) the needed total tensile force of the expandability lacing wires is bigger than that of the nonexpandability lacing wires; (3) the needed total tensile force of lacing wires is saddle distributed and the force achieves maximum value when the frequency of input wave equals the natural frequency of reinforced retaining wall. Besides, if the reinforced retaining wall is designed in compliance with the rules, the emergency capacity of reinforced retaining wall is reduced. At last, this paper not only takes into account the effect of three factors of the seismic wave (PGA, frequency, and duration) on the internal antiseismic stability analysis of reinforced retaining wall but also provides some valuable references for the time-frequency seismic design of other retaining structures.
Computational Methods for Coupled Fluid-Structure-Electromagnetic Interaction Models with Applications to Biomechanics
Authors: Mihai Felix , Youn Inja , Griva Igor , Seshaiyer Padmanabhan
Published: June 2015

Multiphysics problems arise naturally in several engineering and medical applications which often require the solution to coupled processes, which is still a challenging problem in computational sciences and engineering. Some examples include blood flow through an arterial wall and magnetic targeted drug delivery systems. For these, geometric changes may lead to a transient phase in which the structure, flow field, and electromagnetic field interact in a highly nonlinear fashion. In this paper, we consider the computational modeling and simulation of a biomedical application, which concerns the fluid-structure-electromagnetic interaction in the magnetic targeted drug delivery process. Our study indicates that the strong magnetic fields, which aid in targeted drug delivery, can impact not only fluid (blood) circulation but also the displacement of arterial walls. A major contribution of this paper is modeling the interactions between these three components, which previously received little to no attention in the scientific and engineering community.
Extra-Axial Hematoma and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Induced Aplastic Anemia: The Role of Hematological Diseases in Subdural and Epidural Hemorrhage
Authors: Menger Richard P. , Dossani Rimal H. , Thakur Jai Deep , Farokhi Frank , Morrow Kevin , Guthikonda Bharat
Published: June 2015

Objective and Importance. To illustrate the development of spontaneous subdural hematoma secondary to aplastic anemia resulting from the administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. This is the first report of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole potentiating coagulopathy leading to any form of intracranial hematoma.Clinical Presentation. A 62-year-old female developed a bone marrow biopsy confirmed diagnosis of aplastic anemia secondary to administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole following a canine bite. She then developed a course of waxing and waning mental status combined with headache and balance related falls. CT imaging of the head illustrated a 3.7 cm×6.6 mm left frontal subdural hematoma combined with a 7.0 mm×1.7 cm left temporal epidural hematoma.Conclusion. Aplastic anemia is a rare complication of the administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Thrombocytopenia, regardless of cause, is a risk factor for the development of spontaneous subdural hematoma. Given the lack of a significant traumatic mechanism, this subset of subdural hematoma is more suitable to conservative management.
Optimization of Vibration Reduction Ability of Ladder Tracks by FEM Coupled with ACO
Authors: Jin Hao , Liu Weining , Zhou Shunhua
Published: June 2015

Ladder track, which has drawn increased attention in scientific communities, is an effective method for reducing vibrations from underground railways. In order to optimize the vibration reduction ability of ladder track, a new method, that is, the finite element method (FEM) coupled with ant colony optimization (ACO), has been proposed in this paper. We describe how to build the FEM model verified by the vibration tests in the Track Vibration Abatement and Control Laboratory and how to couple the FEM with ACO. The density and elasticity modulus of the sleeper pad are optimized using this method. After optimization, the vibration acceleration level of the supporting platform in the 1–200 Hz range was reduced from 102.8 dB to 94.4 dB. The optimized density of the sleeper pad is 620 kg/m3, and the optimized elasticity modulus of the sleeper pad is 6.25 × 106 N/m2.
A Practical Method of Nonprobabilistic Reliability and Parameter Sensitivity Analysis Based on Space-Filling Design
Authors: He Xin-dang , Gou Wen-xuan , Liu Yong-shou , Gao Zong-zhan
Published: June 2015

Using the convex model approach, the bounds of uncertain variables are only required rather than the precise probability distributions, based on which it can be made possible to conduct the reliability analysis for many complex engineering problems with limited information. In this paper, three types of convex model including interval, ellipsoid, and multiellipsoid convex uncertainty model are investigated, and a uniform model of nonprobabilistic reliability analysis is built. In the reliability analysis process, an effective space-filling design is introduced to generate representative samples of uncertainty space so as to reduce the computational cost and provide an accurate depiction of possible model outcome. Finally, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient is used to perform parameters global sensitivity analysis. Three numerical examples are investigated to demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of the presented method.
Pulmonic Valve Repair in a Patient with Isolated Pulmonic Valve Endocarditis and Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Glew Timothy , Feliciano Migdalia , Finkielstein Dennis , Hecht Susan , Hoffman Daryl
Published: June 2015

A 49-year-old woman with sickle cell disease presented with one month of exertional dyspnea, weakness, and fever and was diagnosed with isolated pulmonic valve endocarditis secondary to methicillin-resistantStaphylococcusbacteremia in the setting of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter. Chest computerized tomography showed multiple bilateral pulmonary nodular opacities consistent with septic emboli. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms revealed a large echodensity on the pulmonic valve requiring vegetation excision and pulmonic valve repair. In conclusion, isolated pulmonic valve endocarditis is a rare cause of infective endocarditis that warrants a high index of clinical suspicion. Furthermore the management of patients with sickle cell disease and endocarditis requires special consideration.
Predictor-Corrector LU-SGS Discontinuous Galerkin Finite Element Method for Conservation Laws
Authors: Ma Xinrong , Liu Sanyang , Xie Gongnan
Published: June 2015

Efficient implicit predictor-corrector LU-SGS discontinuous Galerkin (DG) approach for compressible Euler equations on unstructured grids is investigated by adding the error compensation of high-order term. The original LU-SGS and GMRES schemes for DG method are discussed. Van Albada limiter is employed to make the scheme monotone. The numerical experiments performed for the transonic inviscid flows around NACA0012 airfoil, RAE2822 airfoil, and ONERA M6 wing indicate that the present algorithm has the advantages of low storage requirements and high convergence acceleration. The computational efficiency is close to that of GMRES scheme, nearly 2.1 times greater than that of LU-SGS scheme on unstructured grids for 2D cases, and almost 5.5 times greater than that of RK4 on unstructured grids for 3D cases.
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Presenting as Acute Polyneuropathy Mimicking Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Authors: Camara-Lemarroy Carlos R. , Infante-Valenzuela Adrian , Villareal-Montemayor Hector J. , Soto-Rincon Carlos A. , Davila-Olalde Javier A. , Villareal-Velazquez Hector J.
Published: June 2015

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a small-vessel vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) which commonly affects the peripheral nervous system. A 38-year-old female with a history of asthma presented with a 2-week history of bilateral lower extremity paresthesias that progressed to symmetric ascending paralysis. Nerve conduction studies could not rule out Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and plasmapheresis was considered. Her blood work revealed marked eosinophilia (>50%), she had purpuric lesions in her legs, and a head magnetic resonance image showed evidence of pansinusitis. Coupled with a history of asthma we suspected EGPA-associated neuropathy and started steroid treatment. The patient showed rapid and significant improvement. ANCAs were later reported positive. ANCA-associated vasculitides present most often as mononeuritis multiplex, but they can mimic GBS and should always be considered in the differential diagnosis, since the treatment strategies for these conditions are radically different.
An Autoimmune Response Signature Associated with the Development of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Reflects Disease Pathogenesis
Authors: Katayama Hiroyuki , Boldt Clayton , Ladd Jon J. , Johnson Melissa M. , Chao Timothy , Capello Michela , Suo Jinfeng , Mao Jianning , Manson JoAnn E. , Prentice Ross , Esteva Francisco , Wang Hong , Disis Mary L. , Hanash Samir
Published: June 2015

The repertoire of antigens associated with the development of an autoimmune response in breast cancer has relevance to detection and treatment strategies. We have investigated the occurrence of autoantibodies associated with the development of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in the before diagnosis setting and in samples collected at the time of diagnosis of TNBC. Lysate arrays containing protein fractions from the TNBC MDA-MB-231 cell line were hybridized with TNBC plasmas from the Women's Health Initiative cohort, collected before clinical diagnosis and with plasmas from matched controls. An immune response directed against spliceosome and glycolysis proteins was observed with case plasmas as previously reported in estrogen receptor+ breast cancer. Importantly, autoantibodies directed against networks involving BRCA1, TP53, and cytokeratin proteins associated with a mesenchymal/basal phenotype were distinct to TNBC before diagnosis samples. Concordant autoantibody findings were observed with mouse plasma samples collected before occurrence of palpable tumors from a C3(1)-T triple negative mouse model. Plasma samples collected at the time of diagnosis of stage II TNBC and from matched healthy controls were subjected to proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry to identify Ig-bound proteins yielding a predominance of cytokeratins, including several associated with a mesenchymal/basal phenotype among cases compared with controls. Our data provide evidence indicative of a dynamic repertoire of antigens associated with a humoral immune response reflecting disease pathogenesis in TNBC. Cancer Res; 75(16); 3246–54. ©2015 AACR.
Proper Voltage-Dependent Ion Channel Function in Dysferlin-Deficient Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Rubi Lena , Gawali Vaibhavkumar S. , Kubista Helmut , Todt Hannes , Hilber Karlheinz , Koenig Xaver
Published: June 2015

Background/Aims: Dysferlin plays a decisive role in calcium-dependent membrane repair in myocytes. Mutations in the encoding DYSF gene cause a number of myopathies, e.g. limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B). Besides skeletal muscle degenerative processes, dysferlin deficiency is also associated with cardiac complications. Thus, both LGMD2B patients and dysferlin-deficient mice develop a dilated cardiomyopathy. We and others have recently reported that dystrophin-deficient ventricular cardiomyocytes from mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy show significant abnormalities in voltage-dependent ion channels, which may contribute to the pathophysiology in dystrophic cardiomyopathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate if dysferlin, like dystrophin, is a regulator of cardiac ion channels. Methods and Results: By using the whole cell patch-clamp technique, we compared the properties of voltage-dependent calcium and sodium channels, as well as action potentials in ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from the hearts of normal and dysferlin-deficient (dysf) mice. In contrast to dystrophin deficiency, the lack of dysferlin did not impair the ion channel properties and left action potential parameters unaltered. In connection with normal ECGs in dysf mice these results suggest that dysferlin deficiency does not perturb cardiac electrophysiology. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that dysferlin does not regulate cardiac voltage-dependent ion channels, and implies that abnormalities in cardiac ion channels are not a universal characteristic of all muscular dystrophy types.
Cerebral Palsy and Polymorphism of the Chemokine CCL18 in Very Preterm Children
Authors: Kallankari Hanna , Huusko Johanna M. , Kaukola Tuula , Ojaniemi Marja , Mahlman Mari , Marttila Riitta , Kingsmore Stephen F. , Haataja Leena , Lavoie Pascal M. , Synnes Anne , Hallman Mikko
Published: June 2015

Background: Prematurity and hereditary factors predispose to cerebral palsy (CP). Previously, low cord blood levels of the anti-inflammatory chemokine CCL18 have been found to be associated with risk of CP in preterm children. Objectives: To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CCL18 and susceptibility to CP, as well as the association between the SNPs and cord blood levels of CCL18. Methods: The original population comprised very-low-gestational-age (VLGA; <32 weeks) children from northern and central Finland (25 cases, 195 controls). Five CCL18 SNPs were genotyped and examined for associations with CP and cord blood CCL18. The replication population comprised Caucasian VLGA children from southern Finland and Canada (23 cases, 248 controls). Results: In the original population, SNP rs2735835 was associated with CP; the minor allele A was underrepresented in cases compared to controls (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.21-0.83, p = 0.01). This association remained significant after adjustment for multiple testing and risk factors of CP, and after combining the original and replication populations (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33-0.83, p = 0.005). Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) additively predicted CP. The Rs2015086 genotype was modestly associated with CCL18 concentration. Conclusions: A common CCL18 polymorphism together with IVH had an additive influence on CP susceptibility. Developmentally regulated CCL18, confined to primates, may be involved in the complex sequence of events leading to brain injury and predisposition to CP phenotype.
Effects of Intramuscular Injection of Autologous Immunoglobulin on Clinical Severity and Serum IgE Concentration in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Nahm Dong-Ho , Kim Myoung-Eun , Cho Su-Mi
Published: June 2015

Background/Objective: The management of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is often difficult for both patients and physicians. We hypothesized that repeated intramuscular injections of autologous immunoglobulin can induce clinical improvement in patients with AD by correcting immune dysfunction. Methods: Seventeen adult patients with severe AD were treated by intramuscular injection of 50 mg autologous immunoglobulin (mainly IgG with a purity ≥97%) twice a week for 4 weeks. The standardized clinical severity scoring system for AD (SCORAD) value and serum IgE concentration were measured at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Results: SCORAD values and serum IgE concentrations significantly decreased at 4, 8, and 12 weeks compared to baseline (p < 0.05). No significant side effects were observed. Conclusions: Repeated intramuscular injections of autologous immunoglobulin significantly decreased the clinical severity and serum IgE concentration in patients with severe AD. Further studies are required to evaluate the clinical significance of these findings.
Oral Contraceptive Use, Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity, and Systemic Hemodynamics in Young Women
Authors: Harvey Ronee E. , Hart Emma C. , Charkoudian Nisha , Curry Timothy B. , Carter Jason R. , Fu Qi , Minson Christopher T. , Joyner Michael J. , Barnes Jill N.
Published: June 2015

Endogenous female sex hormones influence muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), a regulator of arterial blood pressure and important factor in hypertension development. Although ≈80% of American women report using hormonal contraceptives sometime during their life, the influence of combined oral contraceptives (OCs) on MSNA and systemic hemodynamics remains equivocal. The goal of this study was to determine whether women taking OCs have altered MSNA and hemodynamics (cardiac output and total peripheral resistance) at rest during the placebo phase of OC use compared with women with natural menstrual cycles during the early follicular phase. We retrospectively analyzed data from studies in which healthy, premenopausal women (aged 18–35 years) participated. We collected MSNA values at rest and hemodynamic measurements in women taking OCs (n=53; 25±4 years) and women with natural menstrual cycles (n=74; 25±4 years). Blood pressure was higher in women taking OCs versus those with natural menstrual cycles (mean arterial pressure, 89±1 versus 85±1 mm Hg, respectively;
P
=0.01), although MSNA was similar in both groups (MSNA burst incidence, 16±1 versus 18±1 bursts/100 heartbeats, respectively;
P
=0.19). In a subset of women in which detailed hemodynamic data were available, those taking OCs (n=33) had similar cardiac output (4.9±0.2 versus 4.7±0.2 L/min, respectively;
P
=0.47) and total peripheral resistance (19.2±0.8 versus 20.0±0.9 U, respectively;
P
=0.51) as women with natural menstrual cycles (n=22). In conclusion, women taking OCs have higher resting blood pressure and similar MSNA and hemodynamics during the placebo phase of OC use when compared with naturally menstruating women in the early follicular phase.
Preparatory Activity in Posterior Temporal Cortex Causally Contributes to Object Detection in Scenes
Authors: Reeder Reshanne R. , Perini Francesca , Peelen Marius V.
Published: June 2015

Theories of visual selective attention propose that top–down preparatory attention signals mediate the selection of task-relevant information in cluttered scenes. Neuroimaging and electrophysiology studies have provided correlative evidence for this hypothesis, finding increased activity in target-selective neural populations in visual cortex in the period between a search cue and target onset. In this study, we used online TMS to test whether preparatory neural activity in visual cortex is causally involved in naturalistic object detection. In two experiments, participants detected the presence of object categories (cars, people) in a diverse set of photographs of real-world scenes. TMS was applied over a region in posterior temporal cortex identified by fMRI as carrying category-specific preparatory activity patterns. Results showed that TMS applied over posterior temporal cortex before scene onset (−200 and −100 msec) impaired the detection of object categories in subsequently presented scenes, relative to vertex and early visual cortex stimulation. This effect was specific to category level detection and was related to the type of attentional template participants adopted, with the strongest effects observed in participants adopting category level templates. These results provide evidence for a causal role of preparatory attention in mediating the detection of objects in cluttered daily-life environments.
Description of Sangeeta sinuomacula sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Megophthalminae: Agalliini) from Yunnan Province of Southwest China
Authors: LI HU , DAI REN-HUAI , LI ZI-ZHONG
Published: June 2015

A new species, Sangeeta sinuomacula Li, Dai & Li sp. nov., of tribe Agalliini of subfamily Megophthalminae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is described and illustrated from Yunnnan Province of Southwest China. The new species is easily distinguished from other Sangeeta species by the aedeagal shaft with a pair of slender processes instead of lamelliform lateral expansions. A key to Sangeeta species and updated checklist with distribution are provided.
A new species of Busoniomimus Maldonado-Capriles (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Idiocerinae) from Malaysia with a key to species of the genus
Authors: XUE QINGQUAN , ZHANG YALIN
Published: June 2015

A new species, Busoniomimus umbellatus sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Malaysia. In addition the female of B. hainanensis Zhang & Li is described from China. A key is provided to males of this genus.
Redescription of Argizala brasiliensis Walker, 1869 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Trigonidiidae: Nemobiinae: Pteronemobiini) and consideration of its morphological proximity to other Pteronemobiini Nearctic genera
Authors: PEREIRA MARCELO RIBEIRO , MARTINS LUCIANO DE P. , FERNANDES MARIA LUIZA , ZEFA EDISON , SPERBER CARLOS FRANKL
Published: June 2015

Although male crickets provide more informative characters for the delimitation of species and genera, many taxonomic descriptions are based only on females. This is the case for Argizala Walker, 1869 and its two valid species, A. brasiliensis Walker, 1869 and A. hebardi Rehn, 1915. We provide herein a redescription of A. brasiliensis based on a male collected in the Pampa Biome, Capão do Leão municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. We present photographs of epitype and male genitalia, and discuss the diagnostic features of the genus and its morphological proximity to other Pteronemobiini Nearctic genera.
Ograniczenia w kształtowaniu się społeczeństwa obywatelskiego na Ukrainie
Authors: Maliszewska Alicja Maria
Published: June 2015

Obstacles on the path towards a civil society in UkraineThis article centers on key difficulties that hamper the development of a civil society in independent Ukraine. A special emphasis is put on phenomena such as: lack of a homogeneous national identity, non-existence of the collective memory shared by all Ukraine citizens, the Soviet mentality, oligarchic structures, and failure to build social capital. The work is based on the scientific literature on a civil society in Ukraine. Ograniczenia w kształtowaniu się społeczeństwa obywatelskiego na UkrainieCelem artykułu jest próba przedstawienia przeszkód stojących na drodze rozwoju społeczeństwa obywatelskiego na Ukrainie po uzyskaniu przez nią niepodległości. Duży nacisk położony został na ukazanie takich zjawisk, jak: brak jednolitej tożsamości narodowej Ukraińców, nieistnienie jednej pamięci zbiorowej podzielanej przez wszystkich obywateli, mentalność sowiecka, oligarchiczna władza oraz niewypracowanie kapitału społecznego. Pracę przygotowano na podstawie literatury naukowej poświęconej kwestii społeczeństwa obywatelskiego na Ukrainie.
A Formal Analysis of the Feedback Concept in Climate Models. Part III: Feedback Dynamics and the Seasonal Cycle in a Floquet Analysis
Authors: Lahellec Alain , Reimer Krista
Published: June 2015

This article introduces a new decomposition of climate feedback mechanisms based on their characteristic times. As the last of a series of three, it complements the first two parts by Lahellec and Dufresne to give a comprehensive review of climate feedbacks that will help to ensure consistency between practice and theory. In Parts I and II, analysis of the climate response to perturbations at the large spatial scales and time scales necessary to obtain linearity restricted the characterization to the slow components of the response. This part incorporates the fast mechanisms’ impact on the climate feedbacks, bringing the seasonal cycle into the analysis. Thanks to the Floquet theory, the authors could extend the formal framework of Parts I and II to incorporate the fast mechanisms. An illustration of the formal results with a simple 1D model highlights a clear distinction between the role of fast (intraseasonal) and slow (decadal) feedbacks, with an application to the water-cycle feedback of Part II. The same implementation of the Gâteaux difference in LMDZ, the GCM of LMD, as in Part II is used for comparing results with the authors’ toy model. This comparison essentially validates the Floquet decomposition obtained with the toy model: the fast component linked to precipitation is contributing negatively to the water-cycle feedback while the slow component is building up the positive feedback. The comparison also provides further insight on the sensitivity of models’ precipitation to climate warming.
Characteristics of Heat Sources and Clouds over Eastern China and the Tibetan Plateau in Boreal Summer
Authors: Chen Jinghua , Wu Xiaoqing , Yin Yan , Xiao Hui
Published: June 2015

In this study, the summer clouds and precipitation over eastern China and the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are examined by analyzing the satellite observations and the apparent heat source Q1 and moisture sink Q2 computed from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis. The vertically integrated [Q1] and [Q2] and precipitation have similar interannual variations in eastern China, revealing the important contribution from the condensation process. This relationship is weakened in east TP (ETP) because of the contribution of the surface sensible heat flux. In west TP (WTP), [Q1] is negatively correlated with precipitation because the surface sensible heat flux can be sharply weakened by the decrease of ground–air temperature difference due to rainfall. High clouds and deep convection are closely related with [Q1] and [Q2] over eastern China and ETP, while middle clouds and nimbostratus are responsible for the condensation over WTP. During the rainy summer, more convective rains and stronger upward motion appear in eastern China. Greater Q1 and Q2 and stronger upward motion present over ETP, while weaker Q1 and upward motion are observed over WTP in the rainy summer when compared to the dry summer. The cloud-water path over eastern China positively correlates with [Q1] and [Q2] over ETP. The deep convection over eastern China also positively correlates with the convection over ETP. These correlations suggest that moisture due to the evaporation of cloud water in anvil clouds detrained from the deep convection over ETP can be transported downstream and benefit the development of convection over eastern China.
Workforce Reductions at Women-Owned Businesses in the United States
Authors: Matsa David A. , Miller Amalia R.
Published: June 2015

The authors find that privately held firms owned by women were less likely than those owned by men to downsize their workforces during the Great Recession. Year-to-year employment reductions were as much as 29% smaller at women-owned firms, even after controlling for industry, size, and profitability. Using data that allow the authors to control for additional detailed firm and owner characteristics, they also find that women-owned firms operated with greater labor intensity after the previous recession and were less likely to hire temporary or leased workers. These patterns extend previous findings associating female business leadership with increased labor hoarding.
Newsroom moves and the newspaper crisis evaluated: space, place, and cultural meaning
Authors: Usher Nikki
Published: June 2015

Across the United States, newspapers are physically relocating their headquarters to smaller spaces, often away from the centers of downtown. This is the latest manifestation of the newspaper crisis manifest through a tangible and visible public manner. This article investigates these newsroom moves through a discussion of space, looking at why these moves matter by examining their impact on how journalists do their work and journalists’ sense of cultural meaning. The article relies on a two-part field study of The Miami Herald for data. The article finds that physical newsroom moves are perceived to impact coverage, that objects inside the newsroom can also be symbols of newsroom decline and invigoration, and that saying goodbye to a building gives journalists the sense they may perhaps be losing their institutional relevance.
High-performance nanofibrous membrane for removal of Cr(VI) from contaminated water
Authors: Liu Yang , Ma Hongyang , Liu Brendan , Hsiao Benjamin S , Chu Benjamin
Published: June 2015

A simple and effective approach for the preparation of electrospun nanofibrous microfiltration membrane having positive surface charges, capable of removing Cr(VI) from contaminated water, was demonstrated. In this membrane, polyacrylonitrile was electrospun into a nanofibrous scaffold with an average fiber diameter of about 200 nm. Polyvinylamine, a positively charged polymer was grafted onto the nanofibrous scaffold through cross-linking reaction by glutaraldehyde. The microfiltration characteristics of the original and modified membranes, such as the maximum and mean pore size, particle rejection ratio, pure water flux and mechanical strength, were investigated. The effects of the pH value (1.0 to 13.0) and initial Cr(VI) concentration (5 mg/L to 100 mg/L) on the static adsorption rate of the membrane were also studied. Both experimental and theoretical results showed that the optimal pH range for Cr(VI) adsorption was from 3.0 to 5.0. Due to the high surface charge density, the polyvinylamine -grafted nanofibrous membrane exhibited a saturation adsorption capacity of 57.1 mg Cr(VI) per gram of the membrane, based on the Langmuir model analysis, and also a high Cr(VI) adsorption capacity in the dynamic adsorption test. In addition, this membrane could be regenerated from the desorption of Cr(VI) using a 0.1 mol/L of NaOH aqueous solution.
Anti-leukemia activity of semi-synthetic phenolic derivatives from Polygonum limbatum Meisn.
Authors: Nkuété Antoine Honoré Lonfouo , Kuete Victor , Gozzini Davide , Migliolo Ludovico , Oliveira Aline Lima , Wabo Hippolyte K , Tane Pierre , Vidari Giovanni , Efferth Thomas , Franco Octávio Luiz
Published: June 2015

Background

The present report describes the semi-synthesis of a few O-prenylated phenolic derivatives and their in vitro antitumor activities. These compounds were prepared by modifying two naturally occurring antitumor phenols, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(1′-hydroxy-1′-phenyl-methyl)-6-methoxy-chroman-4-one (A) and 2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′,6′-dimethoxychalcone (B), previously isolated from Polygonum limbatum Meisn. (Polygonaceae). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means and comparison with published data. The cytotoxicity of compounds was determined by using the resazurin assay in the parental drug-sensitive CCRF-CEM cell line and its multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein-over-expressing subline, CEM/ADR5000.

Results

We describe in the present paper four new semi-synthetic derivatives of A and B: 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-7-O-(3′-methylbut-2′-enyl)chroman-4-one (1), trivially named metapchromone, 5-acetoxy-6-methoxy-7-O-[3′-methylbut-2′enyl]chroman-4-one (2), trivially named sargisin, 2′-hydroxy-3′,6′-dimethoxy-4′-O-(3″-methylbut-2″-enyl)chalcone (3) trivially named limbachalcone A, and 2′-acetoxy-3′,6′-dimethoxy-4′-O-(3″-methylbut-2″-enyl)chalcone (4) trivially named tsedengchalcone. Their preliminary cytotoxic activities have been determined. We also report herein the isolation of 1-methylhydantoin (C) and betulinic acid (D) from Polygonum limbatum for the first time.

Conclusions

The study clearly suggests that semi-synthesis involving O-prenylation and acetylation of chalcones or other chromanones should be avoided in a search for anticancer drugs. This conclusion should be helpful when selecting substituents for the synthesis of potential anticancer drugs.