bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A protocol for management of blood loss in surgical treatment of peritoneal malignancy by cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Sargant N. , Roy A. , Simpson S. , Chandrakumaran K. , Alves S. , Coakes J. , Bell J. , Knight J. , Wilson P. , Mohamed F. , Cecil T. , Moran B.
Published: March 2016

Background and aims

The treatment of peritoneal malignancies with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been shown to be associated with massive surgical blood loss. Maintaining high fibrinogen levels throughout surgery may reduce blood loss in these patients. The primary aim of the study was to see if Tranexamic Acid (TXA) and cryoprecipitate reduced surgical blood loss and hence red cell transfusions. A comparison was made with a cohort of patients treated with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) alone. The secondary aim was to measure the effect of both protocols on coagulation parameters and the incidence of arterial or venous thrombosis.

Method

We used prospectively collected data from 201 patients who had complete CRS with HIPEC for peritoneal malignancy using different protocols during two discrete 12‐month time periods.

Results

The new transfusion protocol led to a higher average fibrinogen level intra‐operatively and post‐operatively, with a significant reduction in average RBC, FFP and platelet transfusion intra‐operatively per patient from 4·2 to 1·8 units, 6·2 to 0·2 units and 0·1 to 0 units, respectively.

No significant difference in PT or APTT was seen between patients treated with the standard and new protocols. Venous thrombosis occurred in seven patients treated with the standard protocol and five with the new protocol. A single case of arterial thrombosis was seen in both groups.

Conclusion

Patients treated with upfront TXA and cryoprecipitate during CRS required less RBC transfusion than those treated with the standard protocol of early FFP.
A proportional assist ventilator to unload respiratory muscles experimentally during exercise in humans
Authors: Dominelli Paolo B. , Henderson William R. , Sheel A. William
Published: March 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Can a modern proportional assist ventilator (PAV) function sufficiently well to unload the respiratory muscles during exercise?

What is the main finding and its importance?

A PAV can be constructed with contemporary hardware and software and be used at all exercise intensities to unload the respiratory muscles by up to 70%. Previously, PAVs have allowed researchers to address many fundamental physiological problems in clinical and healthy populations, but those versions are no longer functional or available. We describe the creation of a PAV that permits researchers to use it as an experimental tool.

Manipulation of the normally occurring work of breathing (WOB) during exercise can provide insights into whole‐body regulatory mechanisms in clinical patients and healthy subjects. One method to reduce the WOB uses a proportional assist ventilator (PAV). Suitable commercially available units are not capable of being used during heavy exercise. This investigation was undertaken in order to create a PAV and assess the degree to which the WOB could be reduced during exercise. A PAV works by creating a positive mouth pressure (Pm) during inspiration, which consequently reduces the WOB. Spontaneous breathing patterns can be maintained, and the amplitude of Pm is calculated using the equation of motion and predetermined proportionality constants. We generated positive Pm using a breathing apparatus consisting of rigid tubing, solenoid valves to control the airflow direction and a proportional valve connected to compressed gas. Healthy male and female subjects were able to use the PAV successfully while performing cycling exercise over a range of intensities (50–100% of maximal workload) for different durations (from 30 s to 20 min) and different protocols (constant versus progressive workload). Inspiratory WOB was reduced up to 90%, while total WOB was reduced by 70%. The greatest reduction in WOB (50–75%) occurred during submaximal exercise, but at maximal ventilations (>180 l min−1) a 50% reduction was still possible. The calculated change in WOB and subsequent reduction in respiratory muscle oxygen consumption resulted in equivalent reductions in whole‐body oxygen consumption. With adequate familiarization and practice, our PAV can consistently reduce the WOB across a range of exercise intensities.
Physiological adaptations to chronic stress in healthy humans – why might the sexes have evolved different energy utilisation strategies?
Authors: Jones Alexander , Pruessner Jens C. , McMillan Merlin R. , Jones Russell W. , Kowalik Grzegorz T. , Steeden Jennifer A. , Williams Bryan , Taylor Andrew M. , Muthurangu Vivek
Published: March 2016

Key points

The human stress response activates the autonomic nervous system and endocrine systems to increase performance during environmental challenges.

This response is usually beneficial, improving the chance of overcoming environmental challenges, but costs resources such as energy.

Humans and other animals are known to adapt their responses to acute stress when they are stimulated chronically, presumably to optimise resource utilisation. Characterisation of these adaptations has been limited.

Using advanced imaging techniques, we show that cardiovascular and endocrine physiology, reflective of energy utilisation during acute stress, and energy storage (fat) differ between the sexes when they are exposed to chronic stress.

We examine possible evolutionary explanations for these differences, related to energy use, and point out how these physiological differences could underpin known disparities between the sexes in their risk of important cardiometabolic disorders such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Obesity and associated diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, are the dominant human health problems in the modern era. Humans develop these conditions partly because they consume excess energy and exercise too little. Stress might be one of the factors contributing to these disease‐promoting behaviours. We postulate that sex‐specific primordial energy optimisation strategies exist, which developed to help cope with chronic stress but have become maladaptive in modern societies, worsening health. To demonstrate the existence of these energy optimisation strategies, we recruited 88 healthy adults with varying adiposity and chronic stress exposure. Cardiovascular physiology at rest and during acute stress (Montreal Imaging Stress Task), and body fat distribution were measured using advanced magnetic resonance imaging methods, together with endocrine function, cardiovascular energy use and cognitive performance. Potential confounders such as lifestyle, social class and employment were accounted for. We found that women exposed to chronic stress had lower adiposity, greater acute stress cardiovascular responses and better cognitive performance. Conversely, chronic stress‐exposed men had greater adiposity and lower cardiovascular responses to acute stress. These results provide initial support for our hypothesis that differing sex‐specific energy conservation strategies exist. We propose that these strategies have initially evolved to benefit humans but are now maladaptive and increase the risk of disorders such as obesity, especially in men exposed to chronic stress.
Helium ions for radiotherapy? Physical and biological verifications of a novel treatment modality
Authors: Krämer Michael , Scifoni Emanuele , Schuy Christoph , Rovituso Marta , Tinganelli Walter , Maier Andreas , Kaderka Robert , Kraft‐Weyrather Wilma , Brons Stephan , Tessonnier Thomas , Parodi Katia , Durante Marco
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

Modern facilities for actively scanned ion beam radiotherapy allow in principle the use of helium beams, which could present specific advantages, especially for pediatric tumors. In order to assess the potential use of these beams for radiotherapy, i.e., to create realistic treatment plans, the authors set up a dedicated 4He beam model, providing base data for their treatment planning system TRiP98, and they have reported that in this work together with its physical and biological validations.

Methods:

A semiempirical beam model for the physical depth dose deposition and the production of nuclear fragments was developed and introduced in TRiP98. For the biological effect calculations the last version of the local effect model was used. The model predictions were experimentally verified at the HIT facility. The primary beam attenuation and the characteristics of secondary charged particles at various depth in water were investigated using 4He ion beams of 200 MeV/u. The nuclear charge of secondary fragments was identified using a ΔE/E telescope. 3D absorbed dose distributions were measured with pin point ionization chambers and the biological dosimetry experiments were realized irradiating a Chinese hamster ovary cells stack arranged in an extended target.

Results:

The few experimental data available on basic physical processes are reproduced by their beam model. The experimental verification of absorbed dose distributions in extended target volumes yields an overall agreement, with a slight underestimation of the lateral spread. Cell survival along a 4 cm extended target is reproduced with remarkable accuracy.

Conclusions:

The authors presented a simple simulation model for therapeutical 4He beams which they introduced in TRiP98, and which is validated experimentally by means of physical and biological dosimetries. Thus, it is now possible to perform detailed treatment planning studies with 4He beams, either exclusively or in combination with other ion modalities.
Coordination in International and Domestic Sports Events: Examining Stakeholder Network Governance
Authors: Naraine Michael L. , Schenk Jessie , Parent Milena M.
Published: March 2016

This paper sought to examine the stakeholder network governance structures of two international and two domestic multisports events focusing on (a) exploring the structural connectedness of these networks and (b) illuminating powerful stakeholders vis-à-vis centrality and the ability to control the network’s flow. An exploratory, comparative case study design was built by means of 58 interviews and 550 archival materials. Findings highlight international sports events are sparsely connected networks with power concentrated in the organizing committee, government, and venue stakeholders, who broker coordination with other stakeholders. In contrast, domestic sport event organizing committees appear more decentralized as coordinating actors: Sport organizations, sponsors, and community-based stakeholders emerged as highly connected, powerful stakeholders. Domestic event governance decentralization highlights a potential imbalance in stakeholder interests through network flow control by multiple actors, while the governments’ centrality in international events demonstrates not only mode-dependent salience but also visibility/reputational risks and jurisdictional responsibilities-based salience.
Sport Scandal and Sponsorship Decisions: Team Identification Matters
Authors: Chien P. Monica , Kelly Sarah J. , Weeks Clinton S.
Published: March 2016

We conducted an experiment to investigate the impact of sport scandal on consumer attitudes toward a range of sport stakeholders. We examined the effects of fans’ social identity (fan of scandalized team vs. fan of rival team), scandal severity (single perpetrator vs. multiple perpetrators), and the sponsor brand’s response to the scandal (sponsorship retention vs. termination) on consumers’ attitudes toward the implicated team, the scandal perpetrators, the sport, and sponsor brand. We find evidence of differential reactions to scandal reflecting social identity, such that fans support their own team despite increased scandal severity but negatively judge a rival team’s transgressions. Results suggest that where fans are concerned, sponsors may be better served to continue with a sponsorship following scandal than to terminate, even for some forms of severe scandal. However, termination may receive more positive evaluation from rival team fans; hence continuation of sponsorship needs to accompany a tempered approach.
A Pan-Dengue Virus Reverse Transcription-Insulated Isothermal PCR Assay Intended for Point-of-Need Diagnosis of Dengue Virus Infection by Use of the POCKIT Nucleic Acid Analyzer
Authors: Go Yun Young , Rajapakse R. P. V. Jayanthe , Kularatne Senanayake A. M. , Lee Pei-Yu Alison , Ku Keun Bon , Nam Sangwoo , Chou Pin-Hsing , Tsai Yun-Long , Liu Yu-Lun , Chang Hsiao-Fen Grace , Wang Hwa-Tang Thomas , Balasuriya Udeni B. R.
Published: March 2016

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is considered a major public health problem in developing tropical countries where the virus is endemic and continues to cause major disease outbreaks every year. Here, we describe the development of a novel, inexpensive, and user-friendly diagnostic assay based on a reverse transcription-insulated isothermal PCR (RT-iiPCR) method for the detection of all four serotypes of DENV in clinical samples. The diagnostic performance of the newly established pan-DENV RT-iiPCR assay targeting a conserved 3′ untranslated region of the viral genome was evaluated. The limit of detection with a 95% confidence was estimated to be 10 copies of
in vitro
-transcribed (IVT) RNA. Sensitivity analysis using RNA prepared from 10-fold serial dilutions of tissue culture fluid containing DENVs suggested that the RT-iiPCR assay was comparable to the multiplex real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay for DENV-1, -3, and -4 detection but 10-fold less sensitive for DENV-2 detection. Subsequently, plasma collected from patients suspected of dengue virus infection (
n
= 220) and individuals not suspected of dengue virus infection (
n
= 45) were tested by the RT-iiPCR and compared to original test results using a DENV NS1 antigen rapid test and the qRT-PCR. The diagnostic agreement of the pan-DENV RT-iiPCR, NS1 antigen rapid test, and qRT-PCR tests was 93.9%, 84.5%, and 97.4%, respectively, compared to the composite reference results. This new RT-iiPCR assay along with the portable POCKIT nucleic acid analyzer could provide a highly reliable, sensitive, and specific point-of-need diagnostic assay for the diagnosis of DENV in clinics and hospitals in developing countries.
Emancipating Chlamydia: Advances in the Genetic Manipulation of a Recalcitrant Intracellular Pathogen
Authors: Bastidas Robert J. , Valdivia Raphael H.
Published: March 2016

Chlamydia
species infect millions of individuals worldwide and are important etiological agents of sexually transmitted disease, infertility, and blinding trachoma. Historically, the genetic intractability of this intracellular pathogen has hindered the molecular dissection of virulence factors contributing to its pathogenesis. The obligate intracellular life cycle of
Chlamydia
and restrictions on the use of antibiotics as selectable markers have impeded the development of molecular tools to genetically manipulate these pathogens. However, recent developments in the field have resulted in significant gains in our ability to alter the genome of
Chlamydia
, which will expedite the elucidation of virulence mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the challenges affecting the development of molecular genetic tools for
Chlamydia
and the work that laid the foundation for recent advancements in the genetic analysis of this recalcitrant pathogen.
Structural Constraints on Human Norovirus Binding to Histo-Blood Group Antigens
Authors: Singh Bishal K. , Leuthold Mila M. , Hansman Grant S.
Published: March 2016

Human norovirus interacts with the polymorphic human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), and this interaction is thought to be important for infection. The genogroup II genotype 4 (GII.4) noroviruses are the dominant cluster, evolve every other year, and are thought to modify their binding interactions with different HBGA types. Most human noroviruses bind HBGAs, while some strains were found to have minimal or no HBGA interactions. Here, we explain some possible structural constraints for several noroviruses that were found to bind poorly to HBGAs by using X-ray crystallography. We showed that one aspartic acid was flexible or positioned away from the fucose moiety of the HBGAs and this likely hindered binding, although other fucose-interacting residues were perfectly oriented. Interestingly, a neighboring loop also appeared to influence the loop hosting the aspartic acid. These new findings might explain why some human noroviruses bound HBGAs poorly, although further studies are required.
Antibody Binding Alters the Characteristics and Contents of Extracellular Vesicles Released by Histoplasma capsulatum
Authors: Matos Baltazar Ludmila , Nakayasu Ernesto S. , Sobreira Tiago J. P. , Choi Hyungwon , Casadevall Arturo , Nimrichter Leonardo , Nosanchuk Joshua D.
Published: March 2016

Diverse fungal species release extracellular vesicles, indicating that this is a common pathway for the delivery of molecules to the extracellular space. However, there has been no study reporting the impact of antibody binding to the fungal cell on extracellular vesicle release. In the present work, we observed that treatment ofH. capsulatumcells with Hsp60-binding MAbs significantly changed the size and cargo of extracellular vesicles, as well as the enzymatic activity of certain virulence factors, such as laccase and phosphatase. Furthermore, this finding demonstrates that antibody binding can directly impact protein loading in vesicles and fungal metabolism. Hence, this work presents a new role for antibodies in the modification of fungal physiology.
Unusual aetiology of abdominal wall abscess: cholecystocutaneous fistula presenting 20 years after open subtotal cholecystectomy
Authors: Maynard William , McGlone Emma Rose , Deguara Jean
Published: March 2016

A 68-year-old woman presented to the emergency department, with an abscess in the right upper anterior abdominal wall. She had a medical history of an open cholecystectomy 20 years prior, diabetes, obesity and a laparotomy for perforated sigmoid diverticular disease complicated by a large parastomal hernia. CT revealed this subcutaneous abscess to track intra-abdominally through the liver and communicate with the gallbladder fossa. The abscess was incised and drained. The wound initially drained pus, and then bile. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram (MRCP) demonstrated a remnant gallbladder containing 2 gallstones, a cholecystocutaneous fistula, portal vein thrombosis and cavernous transformation of the bile duct. The patient improved and was discharged. The patient's case history and imaging were discussed with the tertiary referral centre, in a multidisciplinary team. After an extensive and balanced discussion, the patient declined a completion cholecystectomy and continues to have occasional discharge from the fistula in her right upper quadrant.
Distributive shock, cardiac arrhythmias and multiple organ failure following surgery of a fourth ventricular epidermoid
Authors: Bercker Sven , Meixensberger Jürgen , Laudi Sven , Renner Christof
Published: March 2016

A 33-years-old male patient presented with cardiac arrhythmias, acute shock and multiple organ dysfunction after the surgical removal of a massive epidermoid posterior to the brainstem. The patient initially presented with paraesthesia along the right C6 dermatome due to a big tumour at the brain stem. Surgical removal was performed without adverse events and he was transferred to our intensive care unit (ICU) immediately after the operation. Though initially showing a stable postsurgical course he developed cardiac arrhythmias and a state of acute distributive shock with consecutive multi organ failure. Extensive diagnostic measures could not identify a specific cause for this rapid deterioration. However, under carefully monitored symptomatic therapy the patient improved quickly, was extubated 72 h after admission and discharged from the ICU 6 days later. The follow-up did not show any persisting neurological deficits and no evidence of a residual tumour in the MRI-study.
Cervical vertebral actinomycosis mimicking malignancy in a paediatric patient
Authors: Prajapati Shyam , Yoon Daniel J , Benitez Carlos L , Buyuk Arzu
Published: March 2016

Actinomycesspp are found in the flora of the oral cavity and vagina and may cause infection with abscess formation and draining sinuses. Cervicofacial manifestations of actinomycosis involve head and neck soft tissue, however, spread to the cervical spine is rare. We report a case of an 8-year-old boy, presenting with neck pain for 1 month and denying a history of trauma or procedures. Radiography revealed an ulceration of the posterior oropharyngeal mucosa with a defect extending to the C1-C2 vertebra, mimicking a neoplastic process. The patient underwent laryngoscopy and multiple biopsies were taken from the ulcer and bone, showing severe osteomyelitis and intraosseous filamentous organisms, morphologically consistent withActinomycesspp. The boy received long-term antibiotics with response to treatment. Actinomycosis has rarely been reported in the cervical vertebrae of paediatric patients. This should be considered as a differential diagnosis for such a presentation as prompt antibiotic treatment may be lifesaving.
Visor use among National Hockey League players and its relationship to on-ice performance
Authors: Micieli Robert , Micieli Jonathan A
Published: March 2016

Objective

To assess the use of half and three-quarter visors among National Hockey League (NHL) players and investigate the relationship between skill level and on-ice statistics such as points, penalty minutes and ice time and visor use.

Design

All players who played at least one game during the 2014–2015 NHL season were included in the study. Visor usage including three-quarter visor use was determined using official in-game images and video. Player information and statistics were obtained from a statistical hockey database. A multiple logistic regression model was used to study how the different player statistics influenced the probability of a player wearing a visor.

Results

Visor use was 87.1% among all NHL players (N=881) and 81.7% among all non-rookie players (N=612). Players who wore a visor were on average younger, played more games during the season, had more points, goals, assists and received more playing time. Players who did not wear a visor had 3 times more penalty minutes for every 100 min played. Only 11 (1.2%) players wore a three-quarter visor and these players were much older and contributed more to their team's offence when compared with the players who wore a one-half visor.

Conclusions

Visor usage in the NHL continues to increase independent of new legislation making it mandatory for rookie players to wear a visor. Based on the results and the logistic regression model built in the study, those players who have the highest risk for not wearing a visor can be identified to help establish targeted interventions.
Biomechanical analysis in veterinary practice
Authors: Prankel Susanne , Corbett Mark , Bevins Joe , Davies John
Published: March 2016

Motion analysis systems and other biomechanical techniques are increasingly used in referral and general practice to increase the accuracy of diagnosis or progress reports. Objective measures are particularly useful when the same animal is assessed multiple times (eg, to assess rehabilitation following surgery) or by different members of staff (intra‐ or interobserver agreement). In addition, subclinical changes or otherwise inaccessible information can be detected. This article gives an overview of biomechanical analysis and explains the practicality and use of several means of gathering kinematic and kinetic data in the veterinary field, as well as indicating applications of their use.
Expression of embryonic stem cell markers in keloid-associated lymphoid tissue
Authors: Grant Chelsea , Chudakova Daria A , Itinteang Tinte , Chibnall Alice M , Brasch Helen D , Davis Paul F , Tan Swee T
Published: March 2016

Aims

To identify, characterise and localise the population of primitive cells in keloid scars (KS).

Methods

5-µm-thick formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of KS samples from 10 patients underwent immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for the embryonic stem cell (ESC) markers OCT4, SOX2, pSTAT3 and NANOG, and keloid-associated lymphoid tissue (KALT) markers CD4 and CD20. NanoString gene expression analysis and in situ hybridisation (ISH) were used to determine the abundance and localisation of the mRNA for these ESC markers.

Results

IHC staining revealed the expression of the ESC markers OCT4, SOX2, pSTAT3 and NANOG by a population of cells within KS tissue. These are localised to the endothelium of the microvessels within the KALTs. NanoString gene expression analysis confirmed the abundance of the transcriptional expression of the same ESC markers. ISH localised the expression of the ESC transcripts to the primitive endothelium in KS tissue.

Conclusions

This report demonstrates the expression of ESC markers OCT4, SOX2, pSTAT3 and NANOG by the endothelium of the microvessels within the KALTs. These findings show a unique niche of primitive cells within KS, expressing ESC markers, revealing a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of KS.
The day we started HPV triage
Authors: Deen Suha , Vreynhoef Sue , Gandhi Nirav , Juliana Anita , Nunns David , O'Neill David
Published: March 2016

Aims

Following the introduction of the triage test in cervical screening, which was designed to identify a subgroup who were at risk of underlying high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), there has been a significant change in the number and profile of cervical biopsies. In this study, analysis of the progressive change in diagnostic categories has been performed to identify the impact of the triage test on the service.

Methods

Cases referred for colposcopy, with corresponding subsequent tissue diagnoses, were identified by electronic search of the histopathology accession database using suitable coding terms for the period between October and April of four consecutive years. A likelihood ratio test was devised to assess the significance of the observed progressive increase in total numbers of cervical biopsies.

Results

As anticipated from the pilot studies, implementation of the new guidelines led to a significant increase in the number of women referred for colposcopy. However, the annual increase was greater than expected. During this period, there was a change in the profile of histological diagnoses, characterised by: conspicuous rise in the number of cervical biopsies reported as ‘human papillomavirus change only’ or ‘CIN1’ (21–29% and 12–21%, of the total cervical biopsies, respectively); fall in mean CIN scores.

Conclusions

The change in guidelines has led to an increase in patients referred for colposcopy; in turn this has led to an increase in number of specimens (particularly those with lower grades of dysplasia) submitted for histological assessment. This change of workload profile has implications for resourcing services for colposcopy and histopathology.
Republished: Novel balloon application for rescue and realignment of a proximal end migrated pipeline flex embolization device into the aneurysmal sac: complication management
Authors: Martínez-Galdámez Mario , Ortega-Quintanilla Joaquin , Hermosín Antonio , Crespo-Vallejo Eduardo , Ailagas Juan José , Pérez Santiago
Published: March 2016

The pipeline embolization device (PED) has become a routine firstline option for the treatment of an increasing population of intracranial aneurysms at many neurovascular centers. Intraprocedural complications during PED deployment, or complications associated with migration of the device, are rarely reported problems. Significant mismatch in luminal diameter between the inflow vessel and the outflow vessel or excessive dragging–stretching of the PED have been related to ‘watermelon seed’ or ‘accordion’ effects, respectively, resulting in stent migration. Here we present a novel balloon technique that was successfully used to realign an in situ flow diverting stent that had prolapsed into a large aneurysm. This represents a useful salvage technique and should be considered when encountering this potential complication.
Novel insights into RAD51 activity and regulation during homologous recombination and DNA replication
Authors: Godin Stephen K. , Sullivan Meghan R. , Bernstein Kara A.
Published: March 2016

In this review we focus on new insights that challenge our understanding of homologous recombination (HR) and Rad51 regulation. Recent advances using high-resolution microscopy and single molecule techniques have broadened our knowledge of Rad51 filament formation and strand invasion at double-strand break (DSB) sites and at replication forks, which are one of most physiologically relevant forms of HR from yeast to humans. Rad51 filament formation and strand invasion is regulated by many mediator proteins such as the Rad51 paralogues and the Shu complex, consisting of a Shu2/SWS1 family member and additional Rad51 paralogues. Importantly, a novel RAD51 paralogue was discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans, and its in vitro characterization has demonstrated a new function for the worm RAD51 paralogues during HR. Conservation of the human RAD51 paralogues function during HR and repair of replicative damage demonstrate how the RAD51 mediators play a critical role in human health and genomic integrity. Together, these new findings provide a framework for understanding RAD51 and its mediators in DNA repair during multiple cellular contexts.
Long-term fire history of maple (Acer) forest sites in the central St. Lawrence Lowland, Quebec
Authors: Payette Serge , Pilon Vanessa , Couillard Pierre-Luc , Frégeau Mathieu
Published: March 2016

In the St-Lawrence lowlands, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) is considered the dominant species of old-growth deciduous forests, whereas red maple (Acer rubrum L.) tends to dominate sites recently disturbed by logging and agricultural practices. Considering that the long-term influence of fire is not documented for such stands, we reconstructed the postglacial tree composition (as deduced from charcoal species) and fire history of a sugar maple stand (Ste-Françoise area) and a red maple stand (Villeroy area) located southwest of Québec City, Canada. The sites are 10 km apart and show contrasting soil and landform features. Using botanical identification and 14C dating of soil macrocharcoal, we found that fire struck both maple stands 14–20 times since deglaciation. Most fires occurred in the early Holocene and during the last 2000 years, with the mid Holocene being a period with low fire frequency or no fires. During the last 1600 years, the Villeroy stand shifted from a Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière – conifer forest to a mixed forest and, most recently, to a red maple stand as fire became more frequent, possibly due to human activities of the last 400 years. This study confirms the influence of fire on the development of maple forests. Fire should be considered as an important disturbance factor in the dynamics of temperate deciduous and mixed forests.
Long-term demographic trends in a fire-suppressed mixed-conifer forest
Authors: Levine Carrie R. , Krivak-Tetley Flora , van Doorn Natalie S. , Ansley Jolie-Anne S. , Battles John J.
Published: March 2016

In the western United States, forests are experiencing novel environmental conditions related to a changing climate and a suppression of the historical fire regime. Mixed-conifer forests, considered resilient to disturbance due to their heterogeneity in structure and composition, appear to be shifting to a more homogeneous state, but the timescale of these shifts is not well understood. Our objective was to assess the effects of climate and fire suppression on stand dynamics and demographic rates of an old-growth mixed-conifer forest in the Sierra Nevada. We used a Bayesian hierarchical analysis to quantify species and community rates of recruitment, growth, and mortality. Despite a warming climate, we found that stand density, basal area, and carbon have increased over 56 years. Fir recruitment and growth significantly exceeded the community-level median rates, whereas pine recruitment and growth was significantly lower than the community-level median rates. Shifts in species composition from a well-mixed stand to a more dense fir-dominated stand appear to be driven by low growth and recruitment rates of pines relative to firs. In forests such as these with consistent and relatively low mortality rates, we recommend that restoration and management activities be focused on promoting pine recruitment and growth.
Quark–gluon plasma corresponding to a charged rotating hairy black hole
Authors: Naji J. , Heshmatian S.
Published: March 2016

We consider a charged rotating black hole in three dimensions with a scalar charge and discuss the jet-quenching parameter. We find that the effect of scalar charge and electric charge is to increase the jet-quenching parameter while the rotation of the black hole may decrease the value of the jet-quenching parameter. We find that viscosity of quark–gluon plasma is enhanced because of the electric and scalar charges.
DRIFT spectroscopy combined with sodium hypochlorite oxidation reveals different organic matter characteristics in density-size fractions of organically managed soils
Authors: Aoyama Masakazu
Published: March 2016

The objective of this study was to characterize the organic matter (OM) in density-size fractions of soil samples from a commercial organic farm using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy. The soil samples were separated by density fractionation with a sodium iodide (Nal) solution (1.6 g cm–3) into free particulate OM (fPOM), occluded particulate OM (oPOM), heavy particulate OM (hPOM), and mineral-associated OM (MAOM) fractions. The OM characterization by DRIFT spectroscopy was the difference in spectra obtained before and after sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) oxidation. However, the infrared absorption bands derived from the soil mineral matrix interfered with the detection of the absorption bands of polysaccharides. An increase in the amount of organic C under organic management was observed for all the density-size fractions, but the functional group composition of the NaClO-oxidizable OM differed among the fractions. The NaClO-oxidizable OM in the fPOM fraction was characterized by a high lignin content, whereas the oPOM fraction had high amounts of aliphatic compounds and lignin. The hPOM fraction contained less lignin and more proteinous materials, and the MAOM fraction was rich in proteinous materials. This study demonstrates that DRIFT spectroscopy combined with NaClO oxidation is a powerful tool for characterizing the relatively unstable OM in soils.
Low-Resolution Face Recognition of Multi-Scale Blocking CS-LBP and Weighted PCA
Authors: Li Jiadi , Chen Zhenxue , Liu Chengyun
Published: March 2016

A novel method is proposed in this paper to improve the recognition accuracy of Local Binary Pattern (LBP) on low-resolution face recognition. More precise descriptors and effectively face features can be extracted by combining multi-scale blocking center symmetric local binary pattern (CS-LBP) based on Gaussian pyramids and weighted principal component analysis (PCA) on low-resolution condition. Firstly, the features statistical histograms of face images are calculated by multi-scale blocking CS-LBP operator. Secondly, the stronger classification and lower dimension features can be got by applying weighted PCA algorithm. Finally, the different classifiers are used to select the optimal classification categories of low-resolution face set and calculate the recognition rate. The results in the ORL human face databases show that recognition rate can get 89.38% when the resolution of face image drops to 12[Formula: see text]10 pixel and basically satisfy the practical requirements of recognition. The further comparison of other descriptors and experiments from videos proved that the novel algorithm can improve recognition accuracy.
Noise Robust Speech Recognition Using Deep Belief Networks
Authors: Farahat Mahboubeh , Halavati Ramin
Published: March 2016

Most current speech recognition systems use Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to deal with the temporal variability of speech and Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) to determine how well each state of each HMM fits a frame or a short window of frames of coefficients that represents the acoustic input. In these systems acoustic inputs are represented by Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients temporal spectrogram known as frames. But MFCC is not robust to noise. Consequently, with different train and test conditions the accuracy of speech recognition systems decreases. On the other hand, using MFCCs of larger window of frames in GMMs needs more computational power. In this paper, Deep Belief Networks (DBNs) are used to extract discriminative information from larger window of frames. Nonlinear transformations lead to high-order and low-dimensional features which are robust to variation of input speech. Multiple speaker isolated word recognition tasks with 100 and 200 words in clean and noisy environments has been used to test this method. The experimental results indicate that this new method of feature encoding result in much better word recognition accuracy.
Japanese Economy: Facing the Constraint of an Ageing and Declining Population
Authors: XING Yuqing
Published: March 2016

Abenomics entered its third year of implementation in 2015 with mixed results. The qualitative and quantitative easing had caused Japanese monetary base to surge to 70% of its nominal gross domestic product. Inflation had turned positive in 2015, but remained far below the 2% target set. Government debt continued to climb. Wage growth was too little to increase household consumption. The positive effects of Abenomics were likely to be counterbalanced by the ageing population.
3D geometry and kinematic evolution of extensional fault-related folds, NW Red Sea, Egypt
Authors: Khalil Samir M. , McClay Ken R.
Published: March 2016

Fault-related folds are common structural features found at a variety of scales in extensional settings, and have been recognized in both outcrop and subsurface studies. However, the detailed geometry and origin of complex 3D folds adjacent to normal faults are poorly known, and, in some cases, are interpreted to be due to strike-slip tectonics and post-rift contraction. Here we examine the 3D geometry of seismic-scale folds in a rift margin – the Red Sea – and discuss the interrelationship between the growth of normal faults and the development of their related folds. Detailed field mapping of the NW Red Sea rift system has shown that the rift margin is dominated by two large extensional fault systems formed by a series of linked NNW-, north–south- and NNE-striking fault segments. These linked segments exhibit distinct zigzag fault patterns and combine to form a number of NNW-trending faults that dip NE with dominant hanging-wall stratal dips to the SW. Hanging-wall stratal dips define 3D extensional fault-related synclinal folds in pre- and early synrift strata. The hanging-wall synclines are kilometre-scale, gently doubly plunging, with curved axial surface traces orientated sub-parallel to the bounding faults. Field data demonstrated that these folds are formed by along-strike variations in fault displacements, and they form transverse synclines combined with hanging-wall extensional fault-propagation folds. The complex 3D geometry of the hanging-wall synclines is the result of the along-strike segment linkage. Adjacent to the bounding faults, the stratal dips are sub-parallel to the faults as a result of extensional fault-propagation folding controlled by highly anisotropic pre-rift strata. Palaeo-strain analyses of fault-slip data, together with analysis of the fold geometry, clearly indicate that the faulting and folding in the NW Red Sea are formed by pure NE–SW extension during the Late Oligocene–Miocene rifting, and that contraction or strike-slip tectonics need not be invoked.
Leveraging Human Computations to Improve Schematization of Spatial Relations from Imagery
Authors: Rao Huaming , Huang Shih-Wen , Fu Wai-Tat
Published: March 2016

The process of generating schematic maps of salient objects from a set of pictures of an indoor environment is challenging. It has been an active area of research as it is crucial to a wide range of context- and location-aware services, as well as for general scene understanding. Although many automated systems have been developed to solve the problem, most of them either require predefining labels or expensive equipment, such as RGBD sensors or lasers, to scan the environment. In this article, we introduce a prototype system to show how human computations can be utilized to generate schematic maps from a set of pictures, without making strong assumptions or demanding extra devices. The system requires humans (crowd workers from Amazon Mechanical Turks) to do simple spatial mapping tasks in various conditions, and their data are aggregated by filtering and clustering techniques that allow salient cues to be identified in the pictures and their spatial relations to be inferred and projected on a two-dimensional map. In particular, we tested and demonstrated the effectiveness of two methods that improved the quality of the generated schematic map: (1) We encouraged humans to adopt an allocentric representations of salient objects by guiding them to perform mental rotations of these objects and (2) we sensitized human perception by guided arrows superimposed on the imagery to improve the accuracy of depth and width estimation. We demonstrated the feasibility of our system by evaluating the results of schematic maps generated from indoor pictures taken from an office building. By calculating Riemannian shape distances between the generated maps to the ground truth, we found that the generated schematic maps captured the spatial relations well. Our results showed that the combination of human computations and machine clustering could lead to more-accurate schematized maps from imagery. We also discuss how our approach may have important insights on methods that leverage human computations in other areas.
Comparison of compensatory reserve during lower-body negative pressure and hemorrhage in nonhuman primates
Authors: Hinojosa-Laborde Carmen , Howard Jeffrey T. , Mulligan Jane , Grudic Greg Z. , Convertino Victor A.
Published: March 2016

Compensatory reserve was measured in baboons ( n = 13) during hemorrhage (Hem) and lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) using a machine-learning algorithm developed to estimate compensatory reserve by detecting reductions in central blood volume during LBNP. The algorithm calculates compensatory reserve index (CRI) from normovolemia (CRI = 1) to cardiovascular decompensation (CRI = 0). The hypothesis was that Hem and LBNP will elicit similar CRI values and that CRI would have higher specificity than stroke volume (SV) in predicting decompensation. Blood was removed in four steps: 6.25%, 12.5%, 18.75%, and 25% of total blood volume. Four weeks after Hem, the same animals were subjected to four levels of LBNP that was matched on the basis of their central venous pressure. Data (mean ± 95% confidence interval) indicate that CRI decreased ( P < 0.001) from baseline during Hem (0.69 ± 0.10, 0.57 ± 0.09, 0.36 ± 0.10, 0.16 ± 0.08, and 0.08 ± 0.03) and LBNP (0.76 ± 0.05, 0.66 ± 0.08, 0.36 ± 0.13, 0.23 ± 0.11, and 0.14 ± 0.09). CRI was not different between Hem and LBNP ( P = 0.20). Linear regression analysis between Hem CRI and LBNP CRI revealed a slope of 1.03 and a correlation coefficient of 0.96. CRI exhibited greater specificity than SV in both Hem (92.3 vs. 82.1) and LBNP (94.8 vs. 83.1) and greater ROC AUC in Hem (0.94 vs. 0.84) and LBNP (0.94 vs. 0.92). These data support the hypothesis that Hem and LBNP elicited the same CRI response, suggesting that measurement of compensatory reserve is superior to SV as a predictor of cardiovascular decompensation
GLP-1 and weight loss: unraveling the diverse neural circuitry
Authors: Kanoski Scott E. , Hayes Matthew R. , Skibicka Karolina P.
Published: March 2016

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is currently one of the most promising biological systems for the development of effective obesity pharmacotherapies. Long-acting GLP-1 analogs potently reduce food intake and body weight, and recent discoveries reveal that peripheral administration of these drugs reduces food intake largely through humoral pathways involving direct action on brain GLP-1 receptors (GLP-1R). Thus, it is of critical importance to understand the neural systems through which GLP-1 and long-acting GLP-1 analogs reduce food intake and body weight. In this review, we discuss several neural, physiological, cellular and molecular, as well as behavioral mechanisms through which peripheral and central GLP-1R signaling reduces feeding. Particular attention is devoted to discussion regarding the numerous neural substrates through which GLP-1 and GLP-1 analogs act to reduce food intake and body weight, including various hypothalamic nuclei (arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, periventricular hypothalamus, lateral hypothalamic area), hindbrain nuclei (parabrachial nucleus, medial nucleus tractus solitarius), hippocampus (ventral subregion; vHP), and nuclei embedded within the mesolimbic reward circuitry [ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc)]. In some of these nuclei [VTA, NAc, and vHP], GLP-1R activation reduces food intake and body weight without concomitant nausea responses, suggesting that targeting these specific pathways may be of particular interest for future obesity pharmacotherapy. The widely distributed neural systems through which GLP-1 and GLP-1 analogs act to reduce body weight highlight the complexity of the neural systems regulating energy balance, as well as the challenges for developing effective obesity pharmacotherapies that reduce feeding without producing parallel negative side effects.
Calcium-permeable ion channels in the kidney
Authors: Zhou Yiming , Greka Anna
Published: March 2016

Calcium ions (Ca2+) are crucial for a variety of cellular functions. The extracellular and intracellular Ca2+concentrations are thus tightly regulated to maintain Ca2+homeostasis. The kidney, one of the major organs of the excretory system, regulates Ca2+homeostasis by filtration and reabsorption. Approximately 60% of the Ca2+in plasma is filtered, and 99% of that is reabsorbed by the kidney tubules. Ca2+is also a critical signaling molecule in kidney development, in all kidney cellular functions, and in the emergence of kidney diseases. Recently, studies using genetic and molecular biological approaches have identified several Ca2+-permeable ion channel families as important regulators of Ca2+homeostasis in kidney. These ion channel families include transient receptor potential channels (TRP), voltage-gated calcium channels, and others. In this review, we provide a brief and systematic summary of the expression, function, and pathological contribution for each of these Ca2+-permeable ion channels. Moreover, we discuss their potential as future therapeutic targets.