bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clostridium Difficile Infection in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Tirath Ankita , Tadros Sandra , Coffin Samuel L , Kintziger Kristina W , Waller Jennifer L , Baer Stephanie L , Colombo Rhonda E , Huber Lu Y , Kheda Mufaddal F , Nahman N Stanley
Published: October 2016

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may be at increased risk for CDI. Patients with ESRD with CDI have increased mortality, longer length of stay, and higher costs. The present studies extend these observations and address associated comorbidities, incidence of recurrence, and risk factors for mortality. We queried the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) for patients with ESRD diagnosed with CDI, and assessed for the incidence of infection, comorbidities, and mortality. The records of 419,875 incident dialysis patients from 2005 to 2008 were reviewed. 4.25% had a diagnosis of a first CDI. In the majority of patients with CDI positive, a hospitalization or ICU stay was documented within 90 days prior to the diagnosis of CDI. The greatest adjusted relative risk (aRR) of CDI was present in patients with HIV (aRR 2.68), age ≥65 years (aRR 1.76), and bacteremia (aRR 1.74). The adjusted HR (aHR) for death was 1.80 in patients with CDI. The comorbidities demonstrating the greatest risk for death in dialysis patients with CDI included age ≥65 years and cirrhosis (aHR 2.28 and 1.76, respectively). Recurrent CDI occurred in 23.6%, was more common in Caucasians, and in those who were older. CDI is a common occurrence in patients with ESRD, with elderly patients, patients with HIV positive, and bacteremic patients at highest risk for infection. Patients with CDI had nearly a twofold increased risk of death.
A semi-nested real-time PCR method to detect low chimerism percentage in small quantity of hematopoietic stem cell transplant DNA samples
Authors: Aloisio Michelangelo , Bortot Barbara , Gandin Ilaria , Severini Giovanni Maria , Athanasakis Emmanouil
Published: October 2016

Chimerism status evaluation of post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation samples is essential to predict post-transplant relapse. The most commonly used technique capable of detecting small increments of chimerism is quantitative real-time PCR. Although this method is already used in several laboratories, previously described protocols often lack sensitivity and the amount of the DNA required for each chimerism analysis is too high. In the present study, we compared a novel semi-nested allele-specific real-time PCR (sNAS-qPCR) protocol with our in-house standard allele-specific real-time PCR (gAS-qPCR) protocol. We selected two genetic markers and analyzed technical parameters (slope, y-intercept, R2, and standard deviation) useful to determine the performances of the two protocols. The sNAS-qPCR protocol showed better sensitivity and precision. Moreover, the sNAS-qPCR protocol requires, as input, only 10 ng of DNA, which is at least 10-fold less than the gAS-qPCR protocols described in the literature. Finally, the proposed sNAS-qPCR protocol could prove very useful for performing chimerism analysis with a small amount of DNA, as in the case of blood cell subsets.
Fundamental groups of a class of rational cuspidal plane curves
Authors: Muhammed Uludağ A.
Published: October 2016

We compute the presentations of fundamental groups of the complements of a class of rational cuspidal projective plane curves classified by Flenner, Zaidenberg, Fenske and Saito. We use the Zariski–Van Kampen algorithm and exploit the Cremona transformations used in the construction of these curves. We simplify and study the group presentations so obtained and determine if they are abelian, finite or big, i.e. if they contain free non-abelian subgroups. We also study the quotients of these groups to some extent.
Sequentially split ∗-homomorphisms between C*-algebras
Authors: Barlak Selçuk , Szabó Gábor
Published: October 2016

We define and examine sequentially split ∗-homomorphisms between C*-algebras and C*-dynamical systems. For a ∗-homomorphism, the property of being sequentially split can be regarded as an approximate weakening of being a split-injective inclusion of C*-algebras. We show for a sequentially split ∗-homomorphism that a multitude of C*-algebraic approximation properties pass from the target algebra to the domain algebra, including virtually all important approximation properties currently used in the classification theory of C*-algebras. We also discuss various settings in which sequentially split ∗-homomorphisms arise naturally from context. One particular class of examples arises from compact group actions with the Rokhlin property. This allows us to recover and extend the presently known permanence properties of Rokhlin actions with a unified conceptual approach and a simple proof. Moreover, this perspective allows us to obtain new results about such actions, such as a generalization of Izumi’s original [Formula: see text]-theory formula for the fixed point algebra, or duality between the Rokhlin property and approximate representability.
Modeling pedestrian flow on multi-storey stairs considering turning behavior
Authors: Zhu Kongjin , Yang Yue , Niu Yi , Fu Zhijian , Shi Qin
Published: October 2016

Pedestrian flow both in normal and emergency situations (i.e. evacuation) has been widely studied by means of experiments as well as modeling methods. In this paper, an extended lattice-gas model is proposed to reproduce the pedestrian flow on multi-storey stairs during evacuations. Two-stage turning strategy is incorporated into the proposed model to simulate the 180[Formula: see text] turning behaviors of pedestrians on staircase mid-landings, and some movement characteristics such as walking preference and the probabilistic feature of turning are also considered in the extended model. The effectiveness of the model is demonstrated on different evacuation scenarios with different basic parameters. The results show that turning behavior indeed influences the pedestrian flow under the emergency situation (i.e. the drift force in the lattice-gas model is large) while walking preference has a clear negative effect on the pedestrian flow at the normal situations (i.e. the drift force in the lattice-gas model is small). In addition, the results indicate that the entrance period has more effect on the flow performance when compared with the entrance rate. The study may be useful for understanding the flow phase of pedestrians on stairs and developing efficient strategy for crowd management during evacuations.
Transverse spin observables in hard-scattering hadronic processes within collinear factorization
Authors: Pitonyak Daniel
Published: October 2016

We review what is currently known about the transverse spin structure of hadrons, in particular from observables that can be analyzed within a collinear framework. These effects have been around for 40 years and represent a critical test of perturbative QCD. We look at both proton–proton and lepton–nucleon collisions for various final states. While the main focus is on transverse single-spin asymmetries, we also discuss how longitudinal-transverse double-spin asymmetries offer a complimentary, yet equally important, source of information on the quark–gluon content of hadrons. We also summarize some recent progress in solidifying the theoretical formalism behind these observables and give an outlook on future directions of research.
Dynamics of measurement-induced nonlocality of quantum states in a structured environment
Authors: Ma Xiao San , Cheng Mu-Tian , Ying Qiao
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we analyze the dynamics of the measurement-induced nonlocality (MIN) of two-qubit states undergoing decoherence induced by a structured environment modeled as a collection of simple harmonic oscillators. For the Markovian dynamics, MIN and the concurrence decrease monotonically with the scaled time and the decoherence time of the former is longer than that of the latter. While for the non-Markovian dynamics, MIN can revive for finite time periods after its disappearance immediately. With a comparison, the concurrence can revive for finite time periods after its complete disappearance which lasts for some time. The MIN takes a zero value for some discrete time points while the concurrence takes a zero value for finite time periods. In this sense, we can say that the MIN is more robust than the concurrence to decoherence. Finally, the non-Markovianity measure has been examined and we find that the strong non-Markovianity of the dynamical process corresponds to a large amplitude of the revival of MIN and the concurrence.
A Simple Algorithm for Specs Definition in Wireless Receivers
Authors: Pipino Alessandra , De Matteis Marcello , Wan Karen , Baschirotto Andrea
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a system-level design procedure for wireless receivers, which allows an optimum distribution of the specifications-per-stage along the receiver. The main idea hereby developed is to start from a specific set of requirements (given by the selected telecommunications standards) in terms of bit-error-rate (BER) and blocker mask scenario in frequency domain, and to finally achieve a certain set of specifications for each stage in the receiver chain (i.e., LNA, mixer, baseband and ADC). The proposed system-level design algorithm allows fixing the receiver specifications-per-stage with a reduced set of equations and successive iterations. Moreover, an optimum design for baseband section (i.e., complex filter and the ADC) is also found, by achieving an optimum trade-off between filter order and ADC equivalent-number-of-bits (ENOB). In order to validate the hereby proposed algorithm, a low-energy Bluetooth low-IF receiver has been modeled and simulated (by Simulink), and extensive time-domain simulation results have been provided, complying with the expected Bluetooth standard signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SNDR).
De Jonquières’ formula for a family of nodal curves
Authors: Lee Kwangwoo
Published: October 2016

For a given linear system on a curve, the number of divisors of a certain type contained in this system is known as the formula of de Jonquières. In this paper, we give an algorithm for getting a general de Jonquières formula for a family of nodal curves. Using this algorithm we obtain one of such formulas for a particular case; on a single partition [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] for a one parameter family of nodal curves. Moreover we retrieve the classical de Jonquières’ formula for a single curve using the method developed in this paper.
Quotient manifolds of flows
Authors: Gompf Robert E.
Published: October 2016

This paper investigates which smooth manifolds arise as quotients (orbit spaces) of flows of vector fields. Such quotient maps were already known to be surjective on fundamental groups, but this paper shows that every epimorphism of countably presented groups is induced by the quotient map of some flow, and that higher homology can also be controlled. Manifolds of fixed dimension arising as quotients of flows on Euclidean space realize all even (and some odd) intersection pairings, and all homotopy spheres of dimension at least two arise in this manner. Most Euclidean spaces of dimensions five and higher have families of topologically equivalent but smoothly inequivalent flows with quotient homeomorphic to a manifold with flexibly chosen homology. For [Formula: see text], there is a topological flow on (ℝ2r+1 − 8 points) × ℝm that is unsmoothable, although smoothable near each orbit, with quotient an unsmoothable topological manifold.
A note on applications of the d-invariant and Donaldson's theorem
Authors: Greene Joshua Evan
Published: October 2016

This paper contains two remarks about the application of the [Formula: see text]-invariant in Heegaard Floer homology and Donaldson's diagonalization theorem to knot theory. The first is the equivalence of two obstructions they give to a 2-bridge knot being smoothly slice. The second carries out a suggestion by Stefan Friedl to replace the use of Heegaard Floer homology by Donaldson's theorem in the proof of the main result of [J. E. Greene, Lattices, graphs, and Conway mutation, Invent. Math. 192(3) (2013) 717–750] concerning Conway mutation of alternating links.
Physical effects of the gravitational Θ-parameter
Authors: Fischler Willy , Kundu Sandipan
Published: October 2016

We describe the effect of the gravitational [Formula: see text]-parameter on the behavior of the stretched horizon of a black hole in [Formula: see text]-dimensions. The gravitational [Formula: see text]-term is a total derivative, however, it affects the transport properties of the horizon. In particular, the horizon acquires a third-order parity violating, dimensionless transport coefficient which affects the way localized perturbations scramble on the horizon. In the context of the gauge/gravity duality, the [Formula: see text]-term induces a nontrivial contact term in the energy–momentum tensor of a [Formula: see text]-dimensional large-N gauge theory, which admits a dual gravity description. As a consequence, the dual gauge theory in the presence of the [Formula: see text]-term acquires the same third-order parity violating transport coefficient.
Gravitational waves, gamma ray bursts, and black stars
Authors: Vachaspati Tanmay
Published: October 2016

Stars that are collapsing towards forming a black hole but appear frozen near their Schwarzschild horizon are termed “black stars”. The collision of two black stars leads to gravitational radiation during the merging phase followed by a delayed gamma ray burst during coalescence. The recent observation of gravitational waves by LIGO, followed by a possible gamma ray counterpart by Fermi, suggests that the source may have been a merger of two black stars with profound implications for quantum gravity and the nature of black holes.
Cost-Optimal Time-dEpendent Routing with Time and Speed Constraints in Directed Acyclic Road Networks
Authors: Liu Yaqiong , Seah Hock Soon , Shou Guochu
Published: October 2016

Travel costs on road networks always change over time which implies road networks are time dependent. Most studies on time-dependent road networks simply find the shortest path with the least travel time without considering waiting at some nodes, or fuel consumption and toll fee. In real-world applications or computer games, waiting may be allowed at some nodes but disallowed at other nodes; a user can traverse an edge at different speeds; monetary travel cost contains fuel cost and toll fees; and users usually prefer the minimum-cost route under time and speed constraints. Therefore, we study Cost-Optimal Time-dEpendent Routing (COTER) problem with time and speed constraints. We utilize two fuel consumption models and compute the minimum fuel consumption with given travel time for highway edges via nonlinear optimization. We allow the toll fee function to be an arbitrary single-valued time-dependent function. We define an Optimal Cost (OC) function for each candidate node [Formula: see text], and derive the recurrence relation formula between [Formula: see text]’s incoming neighbors’ OC-functions and [Formula: see text]’s OC-functions. To solve COTER, we propose a five-step algorithm, namely, ALG-COTER, which uses Fibonacci-heap optimized Dijkstra, topological sorting, dynamic programming, binary min-heap optimization, nonlinear optimization, and backtracking algorithms. Experimental results on three real-world road networks of different sizes demonstrate that our algorithm finds the optimal route efficiently and is scalable to different parameters.
The geometry of warped product singularities
Authors: Stoica Ovidiu Cristinel
Published: October 2016

In this article, the degenerate warped products of singular semi-Riemannian manifolds are studied. They were used recently by the author to handle singularities occurring in General Relativity, in black holes and at the big-bang. One main result presented here is that a degenerate warped product of semi-regular semi-Riemannian manifolds with the warping function satisfying a certain condition is a semi-regular semi-Riemannian manifold. The connection and the Riemann curvature of the warped product are expressed in terms of those of the factor manifolds. Examples of singular semi-Riemannian manifolds which are semi-regular are constructed as warped products. Applications include cosmological models and black holes solutions with semi-regular singularities. Such singularities are compatible with a certain reformulation of the Einstein equation, which in addition holds at semi-regular singularities too.
A limit theorem for stochastically decaying partitions at the edge
Authors: Jeong In-Jee , Sodin Sasha
Published: October 2016

We provide a combinational proof of the fact that the sequence of rows of certain stochastically decaying partitions, after appropriate scaling in time and length, converges to the Airy line ensemble. Our argument is based on a modification of the moment method, and it highlights the similarity between random partitions and random matrices.
Quantitative characterization of the excavation damaged zone fracture network in the Meuse/Haute-Marne Underground Research Laboratory:
in situ
experiment and numerical interpretation of helium injection test
Authors: Shao Hua , Göthling Sebastian , Liu Wenting , Hesser Jürgen , Morel Jacques , Sönnke Jürgen
Published: October 2016

In the underground laboratory of Meuse/Haute-Marne (Bure) in France, different fracture types have been intensively investigated. Within a co-operative project between BGR and ANDRA, geophysical measurements and borehole gas tests were conducted in three well-designed boreholes in the gallery GRM to characterize the fracture structure and to determine the gas tracer velocity within fracture networks.

On the basis of seismic measurements and nitrogen gas interference tests, helium was injected into an interval of borehole OHZ3003, where an unloading joint has been identified. The injection took place in the form of a 10 min ‘pulse’ with an injection pressure of 2 bar. The other two boreholes, OHZ3002, where an upper part of the shear-mode fractures (‘chevron’ pattern) dominate, and OHZ3001, where shear-mode fractures (subvertical ‘oblique’ fractures and ‘chevron’ pattern) exist, served as observation holes. To maintain the pressure gradient between the injection hole and the observation holes, nitrogen gas was subsequently flushed into the injection hole. Two breakthrough curves of helium concentration and pressure developments in the two observation holes were continuously monitored using two helium leakage detectors and pressure gauges.

To interpret the measured pressure and concentration data, numerical models were constructed. A 3D model was used to simulate nitrogen gas flow and 2D models were applied to simulate a helium transport process. The real volume of the injection interval was considered in the model and the experimental process was simulated. Using the calibrated transport parameter data for a helium tracer from previous studies in the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory, the calculated breakthrough curves agreed well with those obtained from measuring the variation in permeability. The permeability derived from the helium tracer test agrees well with the estimation obtained from the nitrogen gas tests.
TRAIL deficiency and PP2A activation with salmeterol ameliorates egg allergen-driven eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Sokulsky Leon A. , Collison Adam M. , Nightingale Scott , Fevre Anna Le , Percival Elizabeth , Starkey Malcolm R. , Hansbro Philip M. , Foster Paul S. , Mattes Joerg
Published: October 2016

Food antigens are common inflammatory triggers in pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) promotes eosinophilic inflammation through the upregulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Midline (MID)-1 and subsequent downregulation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), but the role of this pathway in EoE that is experimentally induced by repeated food antigen challenges has not been investigated. Esophageal mucosal biopsies were collected from children with EoE and controls and assessed for TRAIL and MID-1 protein and mRNA transcript levels. Wild-type and TRAIL-deficient (Tnfsf10−/−) mice were administered subcutaneous ovalbumin (OVA) followed by oral OVA challenges. In separate experiments, OVA-challenged mice were intraperitoneally administered salmeterol or dexamethasone. Esophageal biopsies from children with EoE revealed increased levels of TRAIL and MID-1 and reduced PP2A activation compared with controls. Tnfsf10−/− mice were largely protected from esophageal fibrosis, eosinophilic inflammation, and the upregulation of TSLP, IL-5, IL-13, and CCL11 when compared with wild-type mice. Salmeterol administration to wild-type mice with experimental EoE restored PP2A activity and also prevented esophageal eosinophilia, inflammatory cytokine expression, and remodeling, which was comparable to the treatment effect of dexamethasone. TRAIL and PP2A regulate inflammation and fibrosis in experimental EoE, which can be therapeutically modulated by salmeterol.
Renal sympathetic denervation attenuates hypertension and vascular remodeling in renovascular hypertensive rats
Authors: Li Peng , Huang Pei-Pei , Yang Yun , Liu Chi , Lu Yan , Wang Fang , Sun Wei , Kong Xiang-Qing
Published: October 2016

Li P, Huang P, Yang Y, Liu C, Lu Y, Wang F, Sun W, Kong X. Renal sympathetic denervation attenuates hypertension and vascular remodeling in renovascular hypertensive rats. J Appl Physiol 122: 121–129, 2017. First published October 14, 2016; doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01019.2015 .—Sympathetic activity is enhanced in patients with essential or secondary hypertension, as well as in various hypertensive animal models. Therapeutic targeting of sympathetic activation is considered an effective antihypertensive strategy. We hypothesized that renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) attenuates hypertension and improves vascular remodeling and renal disease in the 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) rat model. Rats underwent 2K1C modeling or sham surgery; then rats underwent RSD or sham surgery 4 wk later, thus resulting in four groups (normotensive-sham, normotensive-RSD, 2K1C-sham, and 2K1C-RSD). Norepinephrine was measured by ELISA. Echocardiography was used to assess heart function. Fibrosis and apoptosis were assessed by Masson and TUNEL staining. Changes in mean arterial blood pressure in response to hexamethonium and plasma norepinephrine levels were used to evaluate basal sympathetic nerve activity. The 2K1C modeling success rate was 86.8%. RSD reversed the elevated systolic blood pressure induced by 2K1C, but had no effect on body weight. Compared with rats in the 2K1C-sham group, rats in the 2K1C-RSD group showed lower left ventricular mass/body weight ratio, interventricular septal thickness in diastole, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness in systole, whereas fractional shortening and ejection fraction were higher. Right kidney apoptosis and left kidney hypertrophy were not changed by RSD. Arterial fibrosis was lower in animals in the 2K1C-RSD group compared with those in the 2K1C-sham group. RSD reduced plasma norepinephrine and basal sympathetic activity in rats in the 2K1C-RSD group compared with rats in the 2K1C-sham group. These results suggest a possible clinical efficacy of RSD for renovascular hypertension.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The effects of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) on hypertension, cardiac function, vascular fibrosis, and renal apoptosis were studied in the 2K1C rat model. Results showed that RSD attenuated hypertension, improved vascular remodeling, and reduced vascular fibrosis through decreased sympathetic activity in the 2K1C rat model, but it did not change the kidney size, renal apoptosis, or renal caspase-3 expression. These results could suggest possible clinical efficacy of RSD for renovascular hypertension.
Translational Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Maxwell Jessica E. , Sherman Scott K. , Howe James R.
Published: October 2016

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are rare tumors, but have been increasing in incidence. Although typically thought of as indolent, more than half of patients present with metastatic disease. For many years, the only mutations commonly known in these tumors were those in the MEN1 gene. Recently, the genetics underlying PNETs have been further defined through exome sequencing. The most frequent alterations found in sporadic PNETs are in MEN1, DAXX/ATRX, and a variety of genes in the mTOR pathway. Confirmation of these mutations has prompted trials with a number of drugs active in these pathways, and two drugs were eventually approved in 2011—sunitinib and everolimus. New data additionally identify the MET and CD47 receptors as potential novel drug targets. Yet despite improvements in progression-free survival with sunitinib and everolimus, further studies defining when to use these agents and factors associated with limitations in their utility are needed. As more discoveries are made in the laboratory that elucidate additional molecular mechanisms important in the initiation and metastasis of PNETs, continued efforts to translate these discoveries into distinct new therapies will be needed to improve patient survival. Clin Cancer Res; 22(20); 5022–9. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Endocrine Cancers: Revising Paradigms.”
The Effects of Polyadenylation Status on MPFs During In Vitro Porcine Oocyte Maturation
Authors: Liu Huiyu , Gao Yan , Zhai Bo , Jiang Hao , Ding Yu , Zhang Lianjiang , Li Changhong , Deng Qiong , Yu Xianfeng , Zhang Jiabao
Published: October 2016

Aims: This study aims to clarify the effects of polyadenylation status on M-phase promoting factors (MPFs) during in vitro porcine oocyte maturation. Methods: In this study, porcine follicular oocytes from large follicles (> 5 millimeter (mm)) and small follicles (< 3 mm) were examined at different follicular developmental stages. The polyadenylation of maternal mRNAs was inhibited by the addition of 3'-deoxyadenosine (3'-da) during the germinal vesicle (GV)(0 h), GV breakdown (GVBD)(18 h), metaphase I (MI)(28 h), and metaphase II (MII) (44 h) stages. In addition, the expression levels and poly-(A) tail lengths of the maternal mRNAs Cyclin B1 and cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2) were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Immunofluorescence was used to assess spindle formation and chromosome alignment in the examined oocytes. Results: In large-follicle oocytes, the effects of inhibiting polyadenylation caused the percentage of mature to be significantly lower for the treated group than for the untreated group (p < 0.01). 3'-da can significantly improve the rate of small oocyte maturation in vitro and inhibits Cdc2 polyadenylation. Cyclin B1 plays a significant role in promoting the maturation of large-follicle oocytes. Polyadenylation contributes to the formation of dominant follicles and facilitates the selection of dominant follicles. However, the inhibition of adenylation affected spindle formation-related propulsion and chromosome alignment in both large- and small-follicle oocytes. The first polar body could not be extruded in certain large follicles. Conclusions: 3'-da can significantly improve the rate of small oocyte maturation in vitro, but it can also affect spindle formation-related propulsion and chromosome alignment.
Pectolinarigenin Suppresses the Tumor Growth in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Chengyu , Cheng Yin , Liu Hongyi , Xu Yaping , Peng Hu , Lang Juntian , Liao Jianchun , Liu Haibin , Liu Huanhai , Fan Jingping
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is one of the common human malignant diseases all over the world, and chemotherapy remains the main therapy for NPC. However, the survival and life quality of NPC patients are still very poor. Thus, novel and selective anti-tumor agents are pressingly needed. Our previous study identified pectolinarigenin as a novel effective anti-tumor drug candidate for NPC. In this study, we further investigated its anti-tumor activities and explored the potential molecular mechanism. Methods: NPC C666-1 cells were cultured and treated by pectolinarigenin. Cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, Transwell assay and wound healing assay were conducted and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential and ROS were also observed. NPC subcutaneous xenograft mice model was established to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of pectolinarigenin in vivo. Results: We observed that treatment of pectolinarigenin inhibited cell viability and cell migration of NPC C666-1 cells in concentration- and time-dependent manner. Pectolinarigenin induced cell apoptosis in C666-1 cells detected by flow cytometry analysis, which was associated with the activation of mitochondrial-related apoptosis and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pectolinarigenin also activated caspase signaling pathway. The in vivo experiment of subcutaneous xenograft mice model also indicated that the administration of pectolinarigenin could decrease the tumor growth of NPC and no severe toxicity was observed. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we conclude that pectolinarigenin could suppress the tumor growth of NPC, which verifies it as a new therapeutic agent for treating this devastating disease.
Glutaredoxin Desensitizes Lens to Oxidative Stress by Connecting and Integrating Specific Signaling and Transcriptional Regulation for Antioxidant Response
Authors: Fan Qi , Zhang Yonglong , Liu Yanfeng , Yang Jin , Li Dan , Tang Yating , Cai Lei , Zhao Zhennan , Zhou Peng , Lu Yi
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development of cataracts, and glutaredoxins (Grxs) play a major protective role against oxidative stress in the lens. This study aimed to reveal the global regulatory network of Grx1. Methods: Stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) was used in a proteome-wide quantitative approach to identify the Grx1 regulatory signaling cascades at a subcellular resolution in response to oxidative stress. Results: A total of 1,291 proteins were identified to be differentially expressed, which were further categorized into a variety of signaling cascades including redox regulation, apoptosis, cell cycle control, glucose metabolism, protein synthesis, DNA damage response, protein folding, proteasome and others. Thirteen key signaling node molecules representing each pathway were verified. Notably, the subunits of proteasome complexes, which play a pivotal role in preventing cytotoxicity via the degradation of oxidized proteins, were highly enriched by Grx1. By data-dependent network analysis, we found global functional links among these signaling pathways which elucidate how Grx1 integrates the operation of these regulatory networks in an interconnected way for H2O2-induced response. Conclusion: Our data provide a system-wide insight into the function of Grx1 and provide a basis for further mechanistic investigation of Grx1 in antioxidant responses in the lens.
Vaginal Probiotic Administration in the Management of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Daskalakis George J. , Karambelas Alexis K.
Published: October 2016

Objective: To examine the influence of vaginal probiotic administration as an adjunct to standard antibiotic treatment on perinatal outcome in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomized trial of cases with PPROM (24-34 weeks) that were admitted to our department between 2011 and 2015. Forty-nine cases received vaginal probiotics for 10 days in combination with antibiotic prophylaxis and were compared to 57 others that received only antibiotics for the same time period. Results: The mean gestational age at birth (35.49 vs. 32.53 weeks), the mean duration of the latency period (5.60 vs. 2.48 weeks), and the mean birth weight (2,439.08 vs. 2,004.81 g) were significantly higher in the study group in comparison to the controls. Moreover, the neonates of the study group had a lower chance to enter the neonatal intensive care unit or the neonatal special care unit, shorter total hospitalization time, and lower need for oxygen administration and mechanical ventilation, as well as lower length of oxygen administration. Conclusions: Vaginal probiotics as an adjunct to antibiotic prophylaxis in women with PPROM prolonged the latency period and improved the perinatal outcome.
New View on Endothelial Cell Migration
Authors: Kick Kerstin , Nekolla Katharina , Rehberg Markus , Vollmar Angelika M. , Zahler Stefan
Published: October 2016

Objective—

Cell–matrix interactions are crucial for regulating cellular activities, such as migration. This is of special importance for morphogenic processes, such as angiogenesis (the development of new blood vessels). Most of our understanding of cell migration relies on 2-dimensional (2D) experiments. However, the awareness that 3D settings might elicit different results has increased. Knowledge about endothelial cell (EC) behavior in 3D environments and the influence of matrix composition on EC migration, in particular, is still limited.

Approach and Results—

We characterize the migration of single ECs through 2 structurally different hydrogels: spongy Matrigel and fibrillar collagen I. Our observations reveal an elongated migration phenotype in Matrigel and a rounded phenotype with pronounced cell blebs (blebs >2 µm) in collagen I, which have not previously been described in ECs. Directed migration seems to depend on Rac1 and Cdc42 in collagen, but not in Matrigel (shown using appropriate pharmacological inhibitors). By applying anti-integrin antibodies and supplementing laminin in collagen gels, we identify laminin as the main determinant of the elongated phenotype. Laminin seems to induce a morphological switch between modes of migration. As an in situ proof of principle, we performed live imaging of EC migration during vascular growth in a murine retina in the absence and presence of anti-integrin antibodies.

Conclusions—

We show that, surprisingly, ECs can evade the pharmacological inhibition of central signaling pathways involved in migration (contractility, small GTPases, and proteolysis) by shifting gears between modes of migration. This finding indicates an unexpected contextual plasticity of EC behavior.
Age and Cardiovascular Risk Attributable to Apolipoprotein B, Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol or Non‐High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
Authors: Sniderman Allan D. , Islam Shofiqul , McQueen Matthew , Pencina Michael , Furberg Curt D. , Thanassoulis George , Yusuf Salim
Published: October 2016

Background

Higher concentrations of the apolipoprotein B (apoB) lipoproteins increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, whether the risk associated with apoB lipoproteins varies with age has not been well examined.

Methods and Results

We determined the associations for total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (
LDL
)‐cholesterol (
LDL
‐C), non‐high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (non‐
HDL
‐C), apoB, apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I), and
HDL
‐cholesterol (
HDL
‐C) with myocardial infarction at different ages in 11 760 controls and 8998 myocardial infarction cases of the
INTERHEART
Study. Logistic regression was used to compute the odds ratio of myocardial infarction for 1 SD change in each lipid marker by decade from <40 to >70 years of age. Except for those >70, plasma levels of total cholesterol,
LDL
‐C, and non‐
HDL
‐C and apoB were greater in cases than controls. However, the average levels of these markers decreased significantly as age increased. By contrast, levels of apoA‐I and
HDL
‐C were significantly greater in controls than cases but increased significantly as age increased. The cardiovascular risk associated with the atherogenic lipid markers differed at different ages. Most notably, there was a significant decline in the odds ratio for total cholesterol,
LDL
‐C, and non‐
HDL
‐C, and apoB with increases in age whereas the odds ratios associated with apoA‐I and
HDL
‐C were consistent across the age groups.

Conclusions

These data indicate that the risk of cardiovascular events associated with apoB particles is greater in younger compared to older individuals. This finding is consistent with greater relative benefit from
LDL
‐lowering therapy in younger compared to older individuals and so argues for therapy in younger individuals with elevated lipids.
Short Time Interval Between Neurologic Event and Carotid Surgery Is Not Associated With an Increased Procedural Risk
Authors: Tsantilas Pavlos , Kuehnl Andreas , König Thomas , Breitkreuz Thorben , Kallmayer Michael , Knappich Christoph , Schmid Sofie , Storck Martin , Zimmermann Alexander , Eckstein Hans-Henning
Published: October 2016

Background and Purpose—

Guidelines recommend that carotid endarterectomy should be performed within 2 weeks in patients with a symptomatic carotid stenosis. Because a Swedish register study indicated that patients treated within the first days after a stroke or transient ischemic attack might have an increased perioperative stroke and mortality risk, this study aimed to find out whether these findings are also true under everyday conditions in Germany.

Methods—

Secondary data analysis including 56 336 elective carotid endarterectomy procedures performed for symptomatic carotid stenosis under everyday conditions between 2009 and 2014. The patient cohort was divided into 4 groups according to time interval between index event and surgery (I: 0–2, II: 3–7, III: 8–14, and IV: 14–180 days). Primary outcome was any in-hospital stroke or death. For risk-adjusted analyses, a multilevel multivariable regression model was used.

Results—

Mean patients’ age was 71.1±9.6 years; 67.5% were men. Overall rate of any stroke or death was 2.5% (n=1434). Risk of any in-hospital stroke or death was 3.0% in group I, 2.5% in group II, 2.6% in group III, and 2.3% in group IV. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the time interval was not significantly associated with the primary outcome.

Conclusions—

The time interval between the index event and carotid endarterectomy was not associated with the risk of any in-hospital stroke or death in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis in Germany. In clinically stable patients, carotid endarterectomy might, therefore, be performed safely as soon as possible after the neurological index event.
The Non-Messianic Psalter of Gerald H. Wilson
Authors: Goswell Gregory
Published: October 2016

The sequential reading of the macrostructure of the Psalter pioneered by Gerald Wilson produced a seachange in Psalms scholarship, however, his non-messianic reading of the Psalter continues to evoke controversy and attract criticism. In this article I attempt to answer Wilson’s critics who find fault with his reading of the Psalter on the basis of the presence of Psalms 110 and 132 in Book v, psalms that are usually classified as ‘royal’ and seen as promoting a strongly messianic hope. After a review of Wilson’s arguments, I analyse the immediate context, the key words and the theocratic focus of Psalms 110 and 132. These features provide support for Wilson’s thesis that ‘David’ in Book v is no messianic cipher, but an exemplary model of loyal devotion to God’s kingship. This viewpoint in no way undermines a Christian reading of the Psalter, with the Book of Psalms read as pointing forward to the God-man, Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate model of human devotion to God, the apocalyptic Son of Man, and the Divine King come to save his people.
Understanding Genesis 34:2: ‘Innâ
Authors: Joseph Alison L.
Published: October 2016

Feminist scholars have debated what happens to Dinah in Genesis 34:2. Was she raped? These short notes explore a contextual understanding of the meaning of ‘innâ, in this verse and other occurrences.
Hygrocybe umbilicata sp. nov., with first generic report for Bangladesh and its phylogenetic placement
Authors: HOSEN MD. IQBAL , LI TAI-HUI , AMINUZZAMAN F. M. , ISLAM MD. RAFIQUL
Published: October 2016

Hygrocybe umbilicata, a new waxcap of Hygrophoraceae, is formally described from Bangladesh based on morphological data and molecular evidence of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. This species represents the first record of the genus Hygrocybe for this country. It can be easily recognized by its brilliantly scarlet red with umbilicate pileus, lemon yellow stipe, white short decurrent and distant lamellae, subglobose basidiospores, and abundant clamp connections in tissues. This species belongs to genus Hygrocybe subg. Pseudohygrocybe sect. Coccineae subsect. Squamulosae. Detailed description, color photographs and illustrations of the new species are presented.
Modeling Solar Irradiance and Solar PV Power Output to Create a Resource Assessment Using Linear Multiple Multivariate Regression
Authors: Clack Christopher T. M.
Published: October 2016

The increased use of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells as energy sources on electric grids has created the need for more accessible solar irradiance and power production estimates for use in power modeling software. In the present paper, a novel technique for creating solar irradiance estimates is introduced. A solar PV resource dataset created by combining numerical weather prediction assimilation model variables, satellite data, and high-resolution ground-based measurements is also presented. The dataset contains ≈152 000 geographic locations each with ≈26 000 hourly time steps. The solar irradiance outputs are global horizontal irradiance (GHI), direct normal irradiance (DNI), and diffuse horizontal irradiance (DIF). The technique is developed over the United States by training a linear multiple multivariate regression scheme at 10 locations. The technique is then applied to independent locations over the whole geographic domain. The irradiance estimates are input into a solar PV power modeling algorithm to compute solar PV power estimates for every 13-km grid cell. The dataset is analyzed to predict the capacity factors for solar resource sites around the United States for 2006–08. Statistics are shown to validate the skill of the scheme at geographic sites independent of the training set. In addition, it is shown that more high-quality, geographically dispersed, observation sites increase the skill of the scheme.
The visibility of scientific misconduct: A review of the literature on retracted journal articles
Authors: Hesselmann Felicitas , Graf Verena , Schmidt Marion , Reinhart Martin
Published: October 2016

Retractions of scientific articles are becoming the most relevant institution for making sense of scientific misconduct. An increasing number of retracted articles, mainly attributed to misconduct, is currently providing a new empirical basis for research about scientific misconduct. This article reviews the relevant research literature from an interdisciplinary context. Furthermore, the results from these studies are contextualized sociologically by asking how scientific misconduct is made visible through retractions. This study treats retractions as an emerging institution that renders scientific misconduct visible, thus, following up on the sociology of deviance and its focus on visibility. The article shows that retractions, by highlighting individual cases of misconduct and general policies for preventing misconduct while obscuring the actors and processes through which retractions are effected, produce highly fragmented patterns of visibility. These patterns resemble the bifurcation in current justice systems.
Crime and plural orders in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Arias Enrique Desmond , Barnes Nicholas
Published: October 2016

For the past generation scholars have written about violence, crime, and conflict in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. While this scholarship has developed an extensive understanding of the problem of violence and criminal control of the city’s favelas it has not yet effectively engaged in a discussion of the implications of differential types of crime creating local security orders. Building on research in two different city regions in Rio de Janeiro, this article examines how different types of crime groups emerge from varied forms of social disorganization and contribute to particular models of social control and order. The article examines the varying relationships and exchanges built by drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro’s Zona Norte (Northern Zone) and milícias in the city’s Zona Oeste (Western Zone). The actions of these criminal organizations emerge from and promote orders that affect the lived political, social, and economic experiences of residents of favelas.
Remapping and rescaling the religious world from below: The Case of Santo Toribio and Santa Ana de Guadalupe in Mexico
Authors: Levitt Peggy , de la Torre Renée
Published: October 2016

Most discussions about scale are largely silent on religion. They sidestep the issue of a subjective understanding of geography. But places are scaled and rescaled on the basis of their changing importance within imagined and remembered religious landscapes. This article shows how Santa Ana de Guadalupe in Jalisco, Mexico, and the devotions to Santo Toribio that are based there, became a religious hotspot within a transnational religious landscape connecting specific parts of Mexico and the USA. The authors argue that its heightened religious significance rescaled Santa Ana but that religion did not act alone. Santa Ana also lies at the intersection between multiple economic, religious, and political projects that, taken together, greatly enhanced its position within the transnational religious map it helped create.
Minimum Required Attention: A Human-Centered Approach to Driver Inattention
Authors: Kircher Katja , Ahlstrom Christer
Published: October 2016

Objective:

To propose a driver attention theory based on the notion of driving as a satisficing and partially self-paced task and, within this framework, present a definition for driver inattention.

Background:

Many definitions of driver inattention and distraction have been proposed, but they are difficult to operationalize, and they are either unreasonably strict and inflexible or suffer from hindsight bias.

Method:

Existing definitions of driver distraction are reviewed and their shortcomings identified. We then present the minimum required attention (MiRA) theory to overcome these shortcomings. Suggestions on how to operationalize MiRA are also presented.

Results:

MiRA describes which role the attention of the driver plays in the shared “situation awareness of the traffic system.” A driver is considered attentive when sampling sufficient information to meet the demands of the system, namely, that he or she fulfills the preconditions to be able to form and maintain a good enough mental representation of the situation. A driver should only be considered inattentive when information sampling is not sufficient, regardless of whether the driver is concurrently executing an additional task or not.

Conclusions:

The MiRA theory builds on well-established driver attention theories. It goes beyond available driver distraction definitions by first defining what a driver needs to be attentive to, being free from hindsight bias, and allowing the driver to adapt to the current demands of the traffic situation through satisficing and self-pacing. MiRA has the potential to provide the stepping stone for unbiased and operationalizable inattention detection and classification.