bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photomagnetic and nonlinear optical properties in cis‐trans green fluoroprotein chromophore coupled Bis‐imino nitroxide diradicals
Authors: Bhattacharya Debojit , Shil Suranjan , Misra Anirban , Bytautas Laimutis , Klein Douglas J.
Published: July 2015

The current study extends an earlier investigation (Bhattacharya, et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2012, 14, 6905) to further explore various photomagnetic and optical properties of bis‐imino nitroxide, that is, (IN)2‐based green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore coupled diradicals revealing new significant features. The conversion mechanisms of selected trans‐isomers into their corresponding cis‐conformers are discussed in detailed using a number of recently‐developed density functional theory (DFT) functionals based on the Minnesota suite of DFT‐models as well as using some other DFT functionals developed earlier. To provide a more in‐depth analysis of variations in magnetic properties as trans‐conformers (singlet ground‐state) convert into their cis‐analogues (triplet ground‐state), the changes in exchange magnetic coupling constants J are compared with the variation of the selected aromaticity indices. The aromaticity indices include the nuclear independent chemical shift [NICS(0)] values calculated at the center of ring structures and the harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity. Furthermore, the investigation of static nonlinear optical response properties in the (IN)2‐based GFP chromophore coupled diradicals reveal unusually large static first hyperpolarizabilities for these systems which is highly significant for practical applications in optics and optoelectronics. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DVB‐S2X physical layer performance results over realistic channel models
Authors: Cioni Stefano , Ginesi Alberto
Published: July 2015

The second‐generation satellite digital video broadcasting (DVB‐S2) standard has been recently reviewed with the aim of improving its spectral efficiency over a wide range of signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs). In this paper, three typical satellite channel configurations have been presented, which are associated with the three main DVB‐S2 core markets: direct‐to‐home (DTH) broadcasting, broadband services, and distribution/contribution/high‐speed IP links. This work is focused on the physical layer performance analysis of the new DVB‐S2 extensions (DVB‐S2X) waveform under realistic satellite channel models. Particular emphasis has been devoted to the maximization of the spectral efficiency as a function of the transmission symbol rate and in combination with the roll‐off factor of the pulse‐shaping filter, in the presence of state‐of‐the‐art modulation and demodulation techniques. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An optimization‐based tool to support the cost‐effective production of software architecture documentation
Authors: Nicoletti Matias , Schiaffino Silvia , Diaz‐Pace J. Andres
Published: July 2015

Some of the challenges faced by most software projects are tight budget constraints and schedules, which often make managers and developers prioritize the delivery of a functional product over other engineering activities, such as software documentation. In particular, having little or low‐quality documentation of the software architecture of a system can have negative consequences for the project, as the architecture is the main container of the key design decisions to fulfill the stakeholders' goals. To further complicate this situation, generating and maintaining architectural documentation is a non‐trivial and time‐consuming activity. In this context, we present a tool approach that aims at (i) assisting the documentation writer in their tasks and (ii) ensuring a cost‐effective documentation process by means of optimization techniques. Our tool, called SADHelper, follows the principle of producing reader‐oriented documentation, in order to focus the available, and often limited, resources on generating just enough documentation that satisfies the stakeholders' concerns. The approach was evaluated in two experiments with users of software architecture documents, with encouraging results. These results show evidence that our tool can be useful to reduce the documentation costs and even improve the documentation quality, as perceived by their stakeholders. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gaining Policy Insight with a System Dynamics Model of Pain Medicine Prescribing, Diversion and Abuse
Authors: Wakeland Wayne , Nielsen Alexandra , Schmidt Teresa D.
Published: July 2015

Misuse of pain medicine is a leading cause of accidental deaths in the USA—over 15 000 deaths annually. A system dynamics model was developed and used to study the impact of three types of policy interventions to reduce adverse outcomes. Besides medical usage, the model also includes the diversion of pain medicines and their nonmedical use. Model behavior compared favourably with historical data at multiple points in the system. A prescription drug monitoring program intervention reduced nonmedical overdoses through supply restriction, and an intervention to reduce popularity of nonmedical usage reduced nonmedical overdoses by curtailing demand. A tamper‐resistant drug formulation intervention resulted in decreased risk to individuals but increased overdose deaths. Key policy insights are that supply and demand must be carefully considered; that the feedback loops, which created the problem, can help to identify solutions; and that outcome metrics must be carefully chosen. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modulate Experimental Autoimmune Arthritis by Modifying Early Adaptive T Cell Responses
Authors: Lopez-Santalla Mercedes , Mancheño-Corvo Pablo , Menta Ramon , Lopez-Belmonte Juan , DelaRosa Olga , Bueren Juan A. , Dalemans Wilfried , Lombardo Eleuterio , Garin Marina I.
Published: July 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells with immunosuppressive properties. They have emerged as a very promising treatment for autoimmunity and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Recent data have identified that GM-CSF-expressing CD4 T cells and Th17 cells have critical roles in the pathogenesis of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Although many studies have demonstrated that MSCs can either prevent or suppress inflammation, no studies have addressed their modulation on GM-CSF-expressing CD4 T cells and on the plasticity of Th17 cells. To address this, a single dose of human expanded adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (eASCs) was administered to mice with established collagen-induced arthritis. A beneficial effect was observed soon after the infusion of the eASCs as shown by a significant decrease in the severity of arthritis. This was accompanied by reduced number of pathogenic GM-CSF+CD4+ T cells in the spleen and peripheral blood and by an increase in the number of different subsets of regulatory T cells like FOXP3+CD4+ T cells and IL10+IL17−CD4+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes (LNs). Interestingly, increased numbers of Th17 cells coexpressing IL10 were also found in draining LNs. These results demonstrate that eASCs ameliorated arthritis after the onset of the disease by reducing the total number of pathogenic GM-CSF+CD4+ T and by increasing the number of different subsets of regulatory T cells in draining LNs, including Th17 cells expressing IL10. All these cellular responses, ultimately, lead to the reestablishment of the regulatory/inflammatory balance in the draining LNs. Stem Cells  2015;33:3493–3503
Growth hormone replacement therapy regulates microRNA-29a and targets involved in insulin resistance
Authors: Galimov Artur , Hartung Angelika , Trepp Roman , Mader Alexander , Flück Martin , Linke Axel , Blüher Matthias , Christ Emanuel , Krützfeldt Jan
Published: July 2015

Replacement of growth hormone (GH) in patients suffering from GH deficiency (GHD) offers clinical benefits on body composition, exercise capacity, and skeletal integrity. However, GH replacement therapy (GHRT) is also associated with insulin resistance, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. We demonstrate that in GH-deficient mice (growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (Ghrhr)lit/lit), insulin resistance after GHRT involves the upregulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the downregulation of microRNA miR-29a in skeletal muscle. Based on RNA deep sequencing of skeletal muscle from GH-treated Ghrhrlit/lit mice, we identified several upregulated genes as predicted miR-29a targets that are negative regulators of insulin signaling or profibrotic/proinflammatory components of the ECM. Using gain- and loss-of-function studies, five of these genes were confirmed as endogenous targets of miR-29a in human myotubes (PTEN, COL3A1, FSTL1, SERPINH1, SPARC). In addition, in human myotubes, IGF1, but not GH, downregulated miR-29a expression and upregulated COL3A1. These results were confirmed in a group of GH-deficient patients after 4 months of GHRT. Serum IGF1 increased, skeletal muscle miR-29a decreased, and miR-29a targets were upregulated in patients with a reduced insulin response (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)) after GHRT. We conclude that miR-29a could contribute to the metabolic response of muscle tissue to GHRT by regulating ECM components and PTEN. miR-29a and its targets might be valuable biomarkers for muscle metabolism following GH replacement.

Key messages

GHRT most significantly affects the ECM cluster in skeletal muscle from mice.

GHRT downregulates miR-29a and upregulates miR-29a targets in skeletal muscle from mice.

PTEN, COL3A1, FSTL1, SERPINH1, and SPARC are endogenous miR-29a targets in human myotubes.

IGF1 decreases miR-29a levels in human myotubes.

miR-29a and its targets are regulated during GHRT in skeletal muscle from humans.
Fine‐root production and litterfall: main contributions to net primary production in an old‐growth evergreen broad‐leaved forest in southwestern Japan
Authors: Van Do Tran , Sato Tamotsu , Saito Satoshi , Kozan Osamu
Published: July 2015

Net primary production (NPP) is an important index for evaluating the patterns, processes, and dynamics of carbon cycling in forest ecosystems. In this study, we estimated the NPP in a warm‐temperate old‐growth evergreen broad‐leaved forest in southwestern Japan. The estimation was based on four compartments: aboveground stand increment (ΔM), aboveground litterfall (Lf), fine‐root production (Fr), and coarse root increment (ΔCr). The data for ΔM and ΔCr were collected from a permanent 200 × 200 m2 plot over a 4‐year interval, while Lf and Fr were collected over a 1‐year interval. The NPP was 4.65 g m−2 day−1, of which ΔM accounted for 25.2 %, Lf accounted for 38.7 %, Fr accounted for 33.4 %, and the remaining 2.7 % was attributed to ΔCr. There was a significant regression between aboveground litterfall and fine‐root production (R2 = 0.65, P < 0.05). Fine‐root decomposition (0.66 g m−2 day−1) accounted for 14.2 % of the NPP, leading to a higher belowground NPP in the present study compared with that in other forests. We conclude that an estimation of the decomposition of dead fine‐roots by the continuous inflow method must be included to improve the accuracy of NPP estimations for forest ecosystems.
Environmental product declarations entering the building sector: critical reflections based on 5 to 10 years experience in different European countries
Authors: Passer Alexander , Lasvaux Sébastien , Allacker Karen , De Lathauwer Dieter , Spirinckx Carolin , Wittstock Bastian , Kellenberger Daniel , Gschösser Florian , Wall Johannes , Wallbaum Holger
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Growing awareness of the environmental performance of construction products and buildings brings about the need for a suitable method to assess their environmental performance. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has become a widely recognised and accepted method to assess the burdens and impacts throughout the life cycle. This LCA-based information may be in the form of environmental product declarations (EPD) or product environmental footprints (PEF), based on reliable and verifiable information. All of these use LCA to quantify and report several environmental impact categories and may also provide additional information. To better understand on the one hand existing EPD programmes (EN 15804) for each country and on the other the recent developments in terms of EU reference document (e.g. PEF), the authors decided to write this review paper based on the outcomes of the EPD workshop that was held prior to SB13 Graz conference.

Methods

This paper presents the state of the art in LCA and an overview of the EPD programmes in five European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland) based on the workshop in the first part and a comprehensive description and comparison of the PEF method and EN 15804 in the second part. In the last part, a general conclusion will wrap up the findings and results will provide a further outlook on future activities.

Results and discussion

The high number of EPD programmes underlines the fact that there is obviously a demand for assessments of the environmental performance of construction materials. In the comparison between and experiences of the different countries, it can be seen that more similarities than differences exist. A comparison between PEF and EPD shows differences, e.g. LCIA impact categories and recycling methodology.

Conclusions

Independent of raising awareness of the construction material environmental performance, the existence of so many environmental claims calls for clarification and harmonisation. Additionally, construction materials being assessed in the voluntary approaches have to follow the harmonised approach following the principles of the European Construction Products Regulation (regulated) not to foster barriers of trade. The authors therefore highly appreciate the most recent activities of the sustainability of construction works (CEN/TC 350 committee http://portailgroupe.afnor.fr/public_espacenormalisation/CENTC350/index.html) currently working on these issues at the EU level. Finally, the LCA community is further encouraged to increase the background life cycle inventory data and life cycle inventory modelling as well as the meaningfulness of certain environmental impact categories, such as toxicity, land use, biodiversity and resource usage.
Seasonal Variations in the Fatty Acid Composition of Phospholipid and Triacylglycerol in Gonad and Liver of Mastacembelus simack
Authors: Kaçar Semra , Başhan M.
Published: July 2015

The seasonal effects on the fatty acid composition of triacylglycerol (TG) and phospholipid (PL) in the gonad and liver of Mastacembelus simack were determined using the gas chromatographic method. The most abundant fatty acids in the investigated seasons and tissues were palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1n‐9), palmitoleic acid (C16:1n‐7), arachidonic acid (C20:4n‐6), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n‐3), and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n‐3). The distribution proportions of ∑SFA (saturated fatty acids), ∑MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) and ∑PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) were found to be different among PL and TG fractions in all seasons. The total lipid content of gonad and liver were 1.32 (November)–4.90 % (September) and 1.32 (September)–3.94 % (January), respectively. It was shown that the total lipid and fatty acid compositions in the gonad and liver of fish were significantly influenced by seasons.
Alterations of membrane protein expression in red blood cells of Alzheimer's disease patients
Authors: Várady György , Szabó Edit , Fehér Ágnes , Németh Adrienn , Zámbó Boglárka , Pákáski Magdolna , Janka Zoltán , Sarkadi Balázs
Published: July 2015

Preventive measures, prognosis, or selected therapy in multifactorial maladies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), require the application of a wide range of diagnostic assays. There is a large unmet need for relatively simple, blood‐based biomarkers in this regard. We have recently developed a rapid and reliable flow cytometry and antibody‐based method for the quantitative measurement of various red blood cell (RBC) membrane proteins from a drop of blood. Here, we document that the RBC expression of certain membrane proteins, especially that of the GLUT1 transporter and the insulin receptor (INSR), is significantly higher in AD patients than in age‐matched healthy subjects. The observed differences may reflect long‐term metabolic alterations relevant in the development of AD. These findings may pave the way for a diagnostic application of RBC membrane proteins as relatively stable and easily accessible personalized biomarkers in AD.
The Polished MS-30 Stem with a Solid Centralizer: A Minimum 10-year Review of Radiological and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Ka-Bon Kwok , Jason Fan Chi-Ho , Bobby Ng Kin-Wan
Published: July 2015

Background/Purpose

MS-30 is a triple tapered cemented femoral stem. Before 2005, it was used together with a solid centralizer. We wanted to investigate its effect on the migration behaviour and survivorship of polished stem with a minimum of 10 years.

Methods

Twenty-seven hips in 26 patients were available for follow-up. The mean length of follow-up was 12.1 years. Clinical outcomes were documented with the Harris Hip Score. Radiographs were examined for evidence of aseptic loosening.

Results

The average Harris Hip Score was 74.8. No stem was revised for aseptic loosening. Two stems (7.4%) developed radiolucent lines of more than 2 mm width with osteolysis. The mean subsidence was 0.77 mm. The survival rate at the 10th postoperative year, with aseptic loosening as the end point, was 100%.

Conclusion

The polished MS-30 stem with a solid centralizer has a satisfactory long-term outcome. Its mean subsidence was less than that of other polished tapered stems reported in the literature.
Marked gender differences in progression of mild cognitive impairment over 8 years
Authors: Lin Katherine A. , Choudhury Kingshuk Roy , Rathakrishnan Bharath G. , Marks David M. , Petrella Jeffrey R. , Doraiswamy P. Murali ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: July 2015

Introduction

This study examined whether, among subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), women progressed at faster rates than men.

Methods

We examine longitudinal rates of change from baseline in 398 MCI subjects (141 females and 257 males) in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative‐1, followed for up to 8 years (mean, 4.1 ± 2.5 years) using mixed‐effects models incorporating all follow‐ups (mean, 8 ± 4 visits).

Results

Women progressed at faster rates than men on the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale‐cognitive subscale (ADAS‐Cog; P = .001) and clinical dementia rating‐sum of boxes (CDR‐SB; P = .003). Quadratic fit for change over time was significant for both ADAS‐Cog (P = .001) and CDR‐SB (P = .004), and the additional acceleration in women was 100% for ADAS‐Cog and 143% for CDR‐SB. The variability of change was greater in women. The gender effect was greater in apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carriers.

Discussion

Women with MCI have greater longitudinal rates of cognitive and functional progression than men. Studies to confirm and uncover potential mechanisms appear to be warranted.

Trial Registration

ADNI ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00106899.
Modulation of adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH)-induced expression of stress-related genes by PUFA in inter-renal cells from European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Montero Daniel , Terova Genciana , Rimoldi Simona , Tort Lluis , Negrin Davinia , Zamorano María Jesús , Izquierdo Marisol
Published: July 2015

Dietary fatty acids have been shown to exert a clear effect on the stress response, modulating the release of cortisol. The role of fatty acids on the expression of steroidogenic genes has been described in mammals, but little is known in fish. The effect of different fatty acids on the release of cortisol and expression of stress-related genes of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) head kidney, induced by a pulse of adenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH), was studied. Tissue was maintained in superfusion with 60 min of incubation with EPA, DHA, arachidonic acid (ARA), linoleic acid or α-linolenic acid (ALA) during 490 min. Cortisol was measured by RIA. The quantification of stress-related genes transcripts was conducted by One-Step TaqMan real-time RT-PCR. There was an effect of the type of fatty acid on the ACTH-induced release of cortisol, values from ALA treatment being elevated within all of the experimental period. The expression of some steroidogenic genes, such as the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) andc-fos, were affected by fatty acids, ALA increasing the expression of StAR after 1 h of ACTH stimulation whereas DHA, ARA and ALA increased the expression ofc-fosafter 20 min. ARA increased expression of the 11β-hydroxylase gene. Expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was increased in all the experimental treatments except for ARA. Results corroborate previous studies of the effect of different fatty acids on the release of cortisol in marine fish and demonstrate that those effects are mediated by alteration of the expression of steroidogenic genes.
TRANSFINITE RECURSION IN HIGHER REVERSE MATHEMATICS
Authors: SCHWEBER NOAH
Published: July 2015

In this paper we investigate the reverse mathematics of higher-order analogues of the theory $$ATR_0$$ within the framework of higher order reverse mathematics developed by Kohlenbach [11]. We define a theory $$RCA_0^3$$, a close higher-type analogue of the classical base theory $$RCA_0$$ which is essentially a conservative subtheory of Kohlenbach’s base theory $$RCA_{\rm{0}}^\omega$$. Working over $$RCA_0^3$$, we study higher-type analogues of statements classically equivalent to $$ATR_0$$, including open and clopen determinacy, and examine the extent to which $$ATR_0$$ remains robust at higher types. Our main result is the separation of open and clopen determinacy for reals, using a variant of Steel’s tagged tree forcing; in the presentation of this result, we develop a new, more flexible framework for Steel-type forcing.
FORKING AND STABILITY IN THE REPRESENTATIONS OF A C*-ALGEBRA
Authors: ARGOTY CAMILO
Published: July 2015

We show that the theory of a nondegenerate representation of a C*-algebra ${\cal A}$ over a Hilbert space H is superstable. Also, we characterize forking, orthogonality and domination of types.
CONSERVATIVITY FOR THEORIES OF COMPOSITIONAL TRUTH VIA CUT ELIMINATION
Authors: LEIGH GRAHAM E.
Published: July 2015

We present a cut elimination argument that witnesses the conservativity of the compositional axioms for truth (without the extended induction axiom) over any theory interpreting a weak subsystem of arithmetic. In doing so we also fix a critical error in Halbach’s original presentation. Our methods show that the admission of these axioms determines a hyper-exponential reduction in the size of derivations of truth-free statements.
Estimation of habitual iodine intake in Japanese adults using 16 d diet records over four seasons with a newly developed food composition database for iodine
Authors: Katagiri Ryoko , Asakura Keiko , Sasaki Satoshi , Hirota Naoko , Notsu Akiko , Miura Ayako , Todoriki Hidemi , Fukui Mitsuru , Date Chigusa
Published: July 2015

Although habitual seaweed consumption in Japan would suggest that iodine intake in Japanese is exceptionally high, intake data from diet records are limited. In the present study, we developed a composition database of iodine and estimated the habitual intake of iodine among Japanese adults. Missing values for iodine content in the existing composition table were imputed based on established criteria. 16 d diet records (4 d over four seasons) from adults (120 women aged 30–69 years and 120 men aged 30–76 years) living in Japan were collected, and iodine intake was estimated. Habitual intake was estimated with the Best-power method. Totally, 995 food items were imputed. The distribution of iodine intake in 24 h was highly skewed, and approximately 55 % of 24 h values were < 300 μg/d. The median iodine intake in 24 h was 229 μg/d for women and 273 μg/d for men. All subjects consumed iodine-rich foods (kelp or soup stock) on one or more days of the sixteen survey days. The mean (median) habitual iodine intake was 1414 (857) μg/d for women and 1572 (1031) μg/d for men. Older participants had higher intake than younger participants. The major contributors to iodine intake were kelp (60 %) and soup stock (30 %). Habitual iodine intake among Japanese was sufficient or higher than the tolerable upper intake level, particularly in older generations. The association between high iodine intake as that observed in the present study and thyroid disease requires further study.
Induction of autophagy through the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-dependent amino acid response pathway in maternal skeletal muscle may function as the molecular memory in response to gestational protein restriction to alert offspring to maternal nutrition
Authors: Wang Huan , Wilson Gabriel J. , Zhou Dan , Lezmi Stéphane , Chen Xiuwen , Layman Donald K. , Pan Yuan-Xiang
Published: July 2015

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanistic basis of protein deficiency during pregnancy in mother that is transduced to offspring. To this end, timed-pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were fed either a control (20 % of energy from protein) or low-protein (LP, 8 % of energy from protein) diet during gestation. Tissues were collected after delivery from rat dams, and skeletal muscle was collected at postnatal day 38 from the offspring. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were performed to determine mRNA and protein levels. Histological analysis was performed to evaluate myofibre size. LP dams gained significantly less weight during pregnancy, developed muscle atrophy, and had significantly lower circulating threonine and histidine levels than control dams. The mRNA expression of the well-known amino acid response (AAR) pathway-related target genes was increased only in the skeletal muscle of LP dams, as well as the protein expression levels of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α). The mRNA expression of autophagy-related genes was significantly increased in the skeletal muscle of LP dams. Moreover, the mRNA expression of genes involved in both AAR and autophagy pathways remained elevated and was memorised in the muscle of LP offspring that consumed a post-weaning control diet. Additionally, the LP diet increased an autophagy marker, microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) protein expression in the skeletal muscle of rat dams, consistent with the initiation of autophagy. The LP diet further increased ATF4 binding at the predicted regions of AAR and autophagy pathway-related genes. Increased binding of ATF4 unveils the crucial role of ATF4 in the activation of autophagy in response to protein restriction. Our data suggest that molecular changes in maternal muscle are memorised in the offspring long after gestational protein restriction, reinforcing the role of maternal signalling in programming offspring health.
A CONTINUUM OF C*-NORMS ON (H) ⊗ (H) AND RELATED TENSOR PRODUCTS
Authors: OZAWA NARUTAKA , PISIER GILLES
Published: July 2015

For any pairM,Nof von Neumann algebras such that the algebraic tensor productM⊗Nadmits more than one C*-norm, the cardinal of the set of C*-norms is at least 2ℵ0. Moreover, there is a family with cardinality 2ℵ0of injective tensor product functors for C*-algebras in Kirchberg's sense. Let${\mathbb B}$=∏nMn. We also show that, for any non-nuclear von Neumann algebraM⊂${\mathbb B}$(ℓ2), the set of C*-norms on${\mathbb B}$⊗Mhas cardinality equal to 22ℵ0.
CLASSES OF SEQUENTIALLY LIMITED OPERATORS
Authors: FOURIE JAN H. , ZEEKOEI ELROY D.
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief discussion of both the normed space of operator p-summable sequences in a Banach space and the normed space of sequentially p-limited operators. The focus is on proving that the vector space of all operator p-summable sequences in a Banach space is a Banach space itself and that the class of sequentially p-limited operators is a Banach operator ideal with respect to a suitable ideal norm- and to discuss some other properties and multiplication results of related classes of operators. These results are shown to fit into a general discussion of operator [Y,p]-summable sequences and relevant operator ideals.
The Politics of Ambiguity: Conditional Manumission, Labor Contracts, and Slave Emancipation in Brazil (1850s–1888)
Authors: Chalhoub Sidney
Published: July 2015

Although it seems that slaves in Brazil in the nineteenth century had a better chance of achieving freedom than their counterparts in other slave societies in the Americas, studies also show that a significant proportion of manumissions there were granted conditionally. Freedom might be dependent on a master’s death, on a master’s daughter marriage, on continued service for a number of years, etc. The article thus focuses on controversies regarding conditional manumission to explore the legal and social ambiguities between slavery and freedom that prevailed in nineteenth-century Brazilian society. Conditional manumission appeared sometimes as a form of labor contract, thought of as a situation in which a person could be nominally free and at the same time subject to forms of compulsory labor. In the final crisis of abolition, in 1887–1888, with slaves leaving the plantations in massive numbers, masters often granted conditional manumission as an attempt to guarantee the compulsory labor of their bonded people for more years.
At the Borders of Non-Work: Poor Female Workers and Definitions of Vagrancy in Early Twentieth-Century Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Garzoni Lerice de Castro
Published: July 2015

This article discusses how residents of early twentieth-century Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, defined vagrancy. Commentators on the 1890 Penal Code sought to explain the terms of the article related to vagrancy, article number 399, and its application. Evaristo de Moraes, a lawyer, essayist, and public intellectual at that time, similarly dedicated several works to this topic, as did journalists and literary writers who worked in the press. But these debates in the lettered realm were not isolated from the views and actions of average citizens, a phenomenon that one can observe by reading the criminal proceedings against women who were arrested for repeat offenses against anti-vagrancy laws. In the interventions and arguments of the accused and their defenders, it is possible to observe how vagrancy took on new meanings and how, over the course of time, the relationship between these women and the world of work evolved.
Religious and spiritual interventions in mental health care: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials
Authors: Gonçalves J. P. B. , Lucchetti G. , Menezes P. R. , Vallada H.
Published: July 2015

Background.

Despite the extensive literature assessing associations between religiosity/spirituality and health, few studies have investigated the clinical applicability of this evidence. The purpose of this paper was to assess the impact of religious/spiritual interventions (RSI) through randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Method.

A systematic review was performed in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Collaboration, Embase and SciELO. Through the use of a Boolean expression, articles were included if they: (i) investigated mental health outcomes; (ii) had a design consistent with RCTs. We excluded protocols involving intercessory prayer or distance healing. The study was conducted in two phases by reading: (1) title and abstracts; (2) full papers and assessing their methodological quality. Then, a meta-analysis was carried out.

Results.

Through this method, 4751 papers were obtained, of which 23 remained included. The meta-analysis showed significant effects of RSI on anxiety general symptoms (p< 0.001) and in subgroups: meditation (p< 0.001); psychotherapy (p= 0.02); 1 month of follow-up (p< 0.001); and comparison groups with interventions (p< 0.001). Two significant differences were found in depressive symptoms: between 1 and 6 months and comparison groups with interventions (p= 0.05). In general, studies have shown that RSI decreased stress, alcoholism and depression.

Conclusions.

RCTs on RSI showed additional benefits including reduction of clinical symptoms (mainly anxiety). The diversity of protocols and outcomes associated with a lack of standardization of interventions point to the need for further studies evaluating the use of religiosity/spirituality as a complementary treatment in health care.
Agency policy preferences, congressional letter-marking and the allocation of distributive policy benefits
Authors: Mills Russell W. , Kalaf-Hughes Nicole , MacDonald Jason A.
Published: July 2015

When allocating distributive benefits, bureaucrats must balance their own policy preferences with requests from members of Congress. The elimination of earmarking may provide agency personnel with greater discretion in the allocation of distributive benefits. Using a novel data set of congressional letters written in support of their community’s air traffic control towers, we estimate a model that explores the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to issue national interest exemptions to continue operations at towers slated for closure as a result of budget sequestration. Our analysis suggests that members of Congress do not enjoy the influence they possessed under earmarking when using a new method, letter-marking, to influence how agencies distribute benefits.
EFFECTIVENESS OF DIAPERS AMONG PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC INCONTINENCE IN THAILAND
Authors: Teerawattananon Yot , Anothaisintawee Thunyarat , Tantivess Sripen , Wattanadilokkul Ubonwan , Krajaisri Pranorn , Yotphumee Sudarat , Wongviseskarn Jaraspas , Tonmukayakul Utsana , Khampang Roongnapa
Published: July 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess effect of adult diapers on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the independent level of performing activities of daily living (ADLs) in people with urinary or fecal incontinence. Psychological consequences of patients’ caregivers were also measured.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at two rehabilitation centers in Thailand. People aged 15 years or greater with chronic urinary or fecal incontinence were eligible. Study participants received adult diapers for 10 weeks after recruitment. Thai EuroQol Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) and the Barthel Index were measured at baseline and weeks 2, 6, and 10 to evaluate HRQOL and the independent level of performing ADLs, respectively. The Braden Scale was used to assess the risk of having pressure ulcers. Mean differences in the Thai EQ-5D, the Barthel Index, and the Braden Scale, before and after receiving adult diapers, were estimated using a multilevel linear regression model.

Results: There were ninety patients and forty-eight caregivers who took part in this study. HRQOL and independent level of performing ADLs had improved significantly by week 10 after receiving adult diapers with mean differences of 0.102 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.046–0.158) and 4.40 (95% CI, 1.74–7.07), respectively. The risk of having pressure ulcers had significantly decreased by 67 percent (95% CI, 16 percent–78 percent) by week 10 after receiving adult diapers.

Conclusions: The results indicate a significant improvement of HRQOL and the independent level of performing ADLs among incontinent patients after receiving adult diapers. These results were used to inform the development of the health benefits package under the Universal Health Coverage Scheme in Thailand.
A sharp ultimate bound of the solutions to some second-order evolution equations with nonlinear damping
Authors: Aloui Faouzia
Published: July 2015

We establish a sharp ultimate bound of the solution to a second-order dissipative nonlinear equation with bounded forcing term.
Fairness, Benefiting by Lottery and the Chancy Satisfaction of Moral Claims
Authors: VONG GERARD
Published: July 2015

This article offers a new theory about how using lotteries to distribute scarce benefits satisfies beneficiaries' claims. In the first section of the article I criticize John Broome's view and on the basis of these criticisms set out four desiderata for a philosophically adequate account of claim satisfaction by lottery. In section II I propose and defend a new view called the dual structure view, so called because it posits that claimants have two types of claims in the relevant scarce benefit distribution cases under discussion. This view meets all the desiderata set out in section I. Section III draws out the practical implications of my view for a variety of temporally extended cases, including the distribution of corneas to patients who have suffered corneal degeneration.
Childhood maltreatment is associated with altered frontolimbic neurobiological activity during wakefulness in adulthood
Authors: Insana Salvatore P. , Banihashemi Layla , Herringa Ryan J. , Kolko David J. , Germain Anne
Published: July 2015

Childhood maltreatment can disturb brain development and subsequently lead to adverse socioemotional and mental health problems across the life span. The long-term association between childhood maltreatment and resting–wake brain activity during adulthood is unknown and was examined in the current study. Forty-one medically stable and medication-free military veterans (M = 29.31 ± 6.01 years, 78% male) completed a battery of clinical assessments and had [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography neuroimaging scans during quiet wakefulness. After statistically adjusting for later-life trauma and mental health problems, childhood maltreatment was negatively associated with brain activity within a priori defined regions that included the left orbital frontal cortex and left hippocampus. Childhood maltreatment was significantly associated with increased and decreased brain activity within six additional whole-brain clusters that included the frontal, parietal–temporal, cerebellar, limbic, and midbrain regions. Childhood maltreatment is associated with altered neural activity in adulthood within regions that are involved in executive functioning and cognitive control, socioemotional processes, autonomic functions, and sleep/wake regulation. This study provides support for taking a life span developmental approach to understanding the effects of early-life maltreatment on later-life neurobiology, socioemotional functioning, and mental health.
Well-filtered spaces and their dcpo models
Authors: XI XIAOYONG , ZHAO DONGSHENG
Published: July 2015

A topological space X is called well-filtered if for any filtered family $\mathcal{F}$ of compact saturated sets and an open set U, ∩ $\mathcal{F}$ ⊆ U implies F ⊆ U for some F ∈ $\mathcal{F}$. Every sober space is well-filtered and the converse is not true. A dcpo (directed complete poset) is called well-filtered if its Scott space is well-filtered. In 1991, Heckmann asked whether every UK-admitting (the same as well-filtered) dcpo is sober. In 2001, Kou constructed a counterexample to give a negative answer. In this paper, for each T1 space X we consider a dcpo D(X) whose maximal point space is homeomorphic to X and prove that X is well-filtered if and only if D(X) is well-filtered. The main result proved here enables us to construct new well-filtered dcpos that are not sober (only one such example is known by now). A space will be called K-closed if the intersection of every filtered family of compact saturated sets is compact. Every well-filtered space is K-closed. Some similar results on K-closed spaces are also proved.
Mating system modulates degree of seed dormancy inHypericum elodesL. (Hypericaceae)
Authors: Carta Angelino , Bedini Gianni , Giannotti Angela , Savio Laura , Peruzzi Lorenzo
Published: July 2015

Knowledge of processes responsible for seed dormancy can improve our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of reproductive systems. We examined the influence of the breeding system on primary seed dormancy inHypericum elodes, an Atlantic–European softwater pools specialist plant that exhibits a mixed mating strategy (the ability to both self- and cross-pollinate) to set seeds. Seeds were obtained through hand pollination treatments performed in a natural population during three consecutive years. Primary dormancy of seeds recovered from each pollination treatment was measured by analysing the seed germination response at dispersal and after various periods of cold stratification. While all collected seeds exhibited physiological dormancy, the degree of primary dormancy was associated with the pollination treatments. Weak and rapid loss of primary dormancy characterized seeds recovered from self-pollinated flowers, while stronger dormancy was found in seeds obtained from cross-pollination. The association between pollination treatments and primary dormancy indicated that the mating system should be considered as a source of variation for dormancy degree, proportional to self- and cross-pollinations (selfing rate) within populations of this species. These results suggest that by shedding seeds with various degrees of dormancy, plants may distribute their offspring across time by means of polymorphism in germination response. We conclude that seed germination alone is not an appropriate fitness measure for inbreeding depression estimates, unless dormancy is removed.
Early development and allometric growth patterns of the grumatã (Prochilodus vimboidesKner, 1859)
Authors: Souza Guilherme , Melo Edésio J. T. , Caramaschi Erica P. , Andrade Dalcio R. , Monteiro Leandro R.
Published: July 2015

The objective of this study was to characterize the early development and allometric growth of the grumatã (Prochilodus vimboides). We describe a sample of 266 eggs and larvae obtained through induced spawning. The eggs were spherical (mean 3.7 mm diameter), exhibited a yellow yolk and were non-adhesive and pelagic after fertilization and hydration. The time elapsed between the early cleavage and post-flexion stages was considered short (328 hours, 8054 hour-degrees) in regard to the development times of other Neotropical rheophilic species, but time to hatching was considerably longer than in otherProchilodusspecies. The most notable anatomical changes were observed between the end of the yolk larval stage and the beginning of the pre-flexion stage, when the larvae displayed directed swimming and the digestive system became functional, enabling the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding. After hatching, the larvae grew from 6.04 to 15.15 mm in total length average. Two growth phases were observed at this stage: a non-linear asymptotic curve in yolk-sac larvae, and a linear constant-rate growth phase after exogenous feeding started. Allometric growth related to standard length was positive for head length, negative for eye diameter, and switched between phases from negative to positive in body depth and head height. Morphological development and allometric growth in different larval phases impose drastic anatomical and physiological changes that are synchronic with habitat changes and the flood cycles during the reproductive period.
Knock-in fibroblasts and transgenic blastocysts for expression of human FGF2 in the bovine β-casein gene locus using CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease-mediated homologous recombination
Authors: Jeong Young-Hee , Kim Yeong Ji , Kim Eun Young , Kim Se Eun , Kim Jiwoo , Park Min Jee , Lee Hong-Gu , Park Se Pill , Kang Man-Jong
Published: July 2015

Many transgenic domestic animals have been developed to produce therapeutic proteins in the mammary gland, and this approach is one of the most important methods for agricultural and biomedical applications. However, expression and secretion of a protein varies because transgenes are integrated at random sites in the genome. In addition, distal enhancers are very important for transcriptional gene regulation and tissue-specific gene expression. Development of a vector system regulated accurately in the genome is needed to improve production of therapeutic proteins. The objective of this study was to develop a knock-in system for expression of human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in the bovine β-casein gene locus. The F2A sequence was fused to the human FGF2 gene and inserted into exon 3 of the β-casein gene. We detected expression of human FGF2 mRNA in the HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells by RT-PCR and human FGF2 protein in the culture media using western blot analysis when the knock-in vector was introduced. We transfected the knock-in vector into bovine ear fibroblasts and produced knock-in fibroblasts using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system. Moreover, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was more efficient than conventional methods. In addition, we produced knock-in blastocysts by somatic cell nuclear transfer using the knock-in fibroblasts. Our knock-in fibroblasts may help to create cloned embryos for development of transgenic dairy cattle expressing human FGF2 protein in the mammary gland via the expression system of the bovine β-casein gene.
NLP meets the cloud
Authors: DALE ROBERT
Published: July 2015

With NLP services now widely available via cloud APIs, tasks like named entity recognition and sentiment analysis are virtually commodities. We look at what's on offer, and make some suggestions for how to get rich.
Direct Sea Trade Between Early Islamic Iraq and Tang China: from the Exchange of Goods to the Transmission of Ideas
Authors: GEORGE ALAIN
Published: July 2015

This article is a historical study of maritime trade between Tang China and early Islamic Iraq, in the seventh to tenth centuries. While the existence, in this period, of merchant communities from the Arab-Persian Gulf in Chinese ports has been known for a long time, the present study seeks to contextualise their emergence, to articulate the socio-economic conditions of their trade, and to consider the extent to which these were conducive to transmissions of ideas. Building upon scholarly findings accumulated in different disciplines, it outlines patterns of exchange that, while limited in scope, were more systemic than has hitherto been assumed.