bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The oncogenic JUNB/CD30 axis contributes to cell cycle deregulation in ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma
Authors: Atsaves Vassilis , Lekakis Lazaros , Drakos Elias , Leventaki Vasiliki , Ghaderi Mehran , Baltatzis George E. , Chioureas Dimitris , Jones Dan , Feretzaki Marianna , Liakou Chryssoula , Panayiotidis Panayiotis , Gorgoulis Vassilis , Patsouris Efstratios , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Claret Francois X. , Rassidakis George Z.
Published: August 2014

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) frequently carries the t(2;5)(p23;q35) resulting in expression of NPM1(NPM)‐ALK oncogenic kinase. The latter is capable of activating ERK kinase, which upregulates JUNB expression through ETS1. JUNB, in turn, interacts with the TNFRSF8 (CD30) gene promoter and induces CD30 (TNFRSF8) overexpression. However, the role of CD30 overexpression in ALK+ ALCL oncogenesis remains unknown. Here we show that the JUNB gene is frequently amplified in ALK+ ALCL, suggesting gene amplification as an additional underlying mechanism for JUNB overexpression. Silencing of JUNB resulted in reduced cell growth and colony formation associated with decreased activator protein‐1 activity and G1/S and G2/M cell cycle arrest. These effects were linked to decreased CD30 levels, downregulation of CCNA2 (Cyclin A), CCND2 (Cyclin D2) and CCND3 (Cyclin D3) and upregulation of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors CDKN2A (p14) and CDKN1A (p21), but not CDKN1B (p27). Similar cell cycle changes were observed following the knock‐down of TNFRSF8 gene or blockade of its function using anti‐CD30 antibodies, which were associated with upregulation of CDKN2A and CDKN1A, but not CDKN1B. These findings indicate that JUNB may partly operate through CD30 signalling. Silencing of JUNB also sensitized NPM1‐ALCL+ cells to standard chemotherapeutic agents. Our findings uncover the oncogenic role of the JUNB/CD30 axis and its potential as therapeutic target in ALK+ ALCL.
Hydroxycarbamide treatment in sickle cell disease: estimates of possible leukaemia risk and of hospitalization survival benefit
Authors: Castro Oswaldo , Nouraie Mehdi , Oneal Patricia
Published: August 2014

Using health insurance claims databases we compared the frequency/incidence of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and inpatient mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD) subjects taking (n = 1051), or not taking (n = 9203) hydroxycarbamide (HC). Patients taking HC were older (median 19 vs. 17 years of age), had a higher proportion of males (53% vs. 38%), and their median hospitalizations per year was five times greater than in SCD patients not on HC (all P < 0·001). No new AML cases occurred in HC‐treated paediatric SCD patients. For adults, the new AML incidence with HC exposure was 10·7/10 000 patient years, vs. 4·0/10 000 patient years in subjects not on HC (P = 0·2), a possible AML risk ratio of 3·18. Adjustment for a probable database bias for AML diagnosis/ascertainment lowered the risk ratio to 0·94 (95% confidence interval = 0·16–5·47). Despite their greater disease severity, the inpatient mortality in SCD adults prescribed HC (0·29%) was lower than that of patients not taking the drug (0·42%, P = 0·032). In this SCD population we find no increased risk for AML with HC treatment. If such a risk is eventually proven, it will probably be lower than that for drugs with known AML association. By contrast, HC treatment appears to confer a survival benefit.
Haematopoietic development and leukaemia in Down syndrome
Authors: Roberts Irene , Izraeli Shai
Published: August 2014

Children with constitutional trisomy 21 (cT21, Down Syndrome, DS) are at a higher risk for both myeloid and B‐lymphoid leukaemias. The myeloid leukaemias are often preceded by a transient neonatal pre‐leukaemic syndrome, Transient Abnormal Myelopoiesis (TAM). TAM is caused by cooperation between cT21 and acquired somatic N‐terminal truncating mutations in the key haematopoietic transcription factor GATA1. These mutations, which are not leukaemogenic in the absence of cT21, are found in almost one‐third of neonates with DS. Analysis of primary human fetal liver haematopoietic cells and of human embryonic stem cells demonstrates that cT21 itself substantially alters human fetal haematopoietic development. Consequently, many haematopoietic developmental defects are observed in neonates with DS even in the absence of TAM. Although studies in mouse models have suggested a pathogenic role of deregulated expression of several chromosome 21‐encoded genes, their role in human leukaemogenesis remains unclear. As cT21 exists in all embryonic cells, the molecular basis of cT21‐associated leukaemias probably reflects a complex interaction between deregulated gene expression in haematopoietic cells and the fetal haematopoietic microenvironment in DS.
Prediction of land‐use conversions for use in watershed‐scale hydrological modeling: a Canadian case study
Authors: El‐Khoury Antoun , Seidou Ousmane , Lapen David R. , Sunohara Mark , Zhenyang Que , Mohammadian Majid , Daneshfar Bahram
Published: August 2014

Land‐use conversion models elucidate the complexities and spatial interdependencies of components of land use systems and provide insights into future land‐use configurations. In this paper, the 2012–2050 future land‐use patterns in the South Nation (SN) River basin, located in eastern Ontario, Canada, were generated with a modified version of the CLUE model and a 2011 reference map. The SN is an example of a basin where some water quality endpoints have dropped below acceptable limits because of a combination of intensive agriculture, urbanization, and climate change. Five historical land‐use maps were used to identify the historical trends in generalized land‐use classes. Seven demographic and geographic factors were used to derive the spatial distribution of land suitability to each land‐use class. The methodology was first validated by simulating land‐use changes from 1991 to 2011 starting from the 1991 reference map, and comparing the simulated 2011 map to the 2011 reference map. Then, the 2012–2050 land‐uses were generated, assuming historical trends derived from historical reference maps will continue in the future. Environmental impacts of the projected land‐use changes were discussed.
Parental Involvement and African American and European American Adolescents' Academic, Behavioral, and Emotional Development in Secondary School
Authors: Wang Ming‐Te , Hill Nancy E. , Hofkens Tara
Published: August 2014

This study examined longitudinal trajectories of parental involvement across middle and high school, and how these trajectories related to adolescents' academic, behavioral, and emotional adjustment. In addition, ethnic and socioeconomic status differences in longitudinal associations and the potential moderating role of parental warmth were assessed. Longitudinal growth modeling technique was used to describe trajectories of different types of parental involvement and adolescent outcomes over 7th, 9th, and 11th grades (mean ages = 12.9, 14.3, and 17.2 years, respectively) on an ethnically and economically diverse sample of 1,400 adolescents (51% female, 56% African American, 39% European American, 5% others). Each aspect of parental involvement contributed differentially but significantly to adolescent outcomes. Finally, parental warmth moderated the associations between providing structure at home and adolescent grade point average and problem behavior.
Learning to Learn From Stories: Children's Developing Sensitivity to the Causal Structure of Fictional Worlds
Authors: Walker Caren M. , Gopnik Alison , Ganea Patricia A.
Published: August 2014

Fiction presents a unique challenge to the developing child, in that children must learn when to generalize information from stories to the real world. This study examines how children acquire causal knowledge from storybooks, and whether children are sensitive to how closely the fictional world resembles reality. Preschoolers (N = 108) listened to stories in which a novel causal relation was embedded within realistic or fantastical contexts. Results indicate that by at least 3 years of age, children are sensitive to the underlying causal structure of the story: Children are more likely to generalize content if the fictional world is similar to reality. Additionally, children become better able at discriminating between realistic and fantastical story contexts between 3 and 5 years of age.
Distinguishing primary from secondary Δ4‐3‐oxosteroid 5β‐reductase (SRD5B1, AKR1D1) deficiency by urinary steroid analysis
Authors: Yanagi Tadahiro , Mizuochi Tatsuki , Homma Keiko , Ueki Isao , Seki Yoshitaka , Hasegawa Tomonobu , Takei Hajime , Nittono Hiroshi , Kurosawa Takao , Matsuishi Toyojiro , Kimura Akihiko
Published: August 2014

Objective

Deficiency of Δ4‐3‐oxosteroid 5β‐reductase (5β‐reductase), a bile acid synthesis disorder, presents findings of neonatal cholestasis and hyper‐3‐oxo‐Δ4 bile aciduria. The 5β‐reductase enzyme participates in not only bile acid synthesis but also hepatic steroid metabolism. Deficiency of 5β‐reductase includes 2 types: primary deficiency, with an SRD5B1 gene mutation; and secondary deficiency, lacking a mutation. Secondary deficiency is caused by fulminant liver failure from various aetiologies including neonatal hemochromatosis (NH). Distinguishing primary from secondary deficiency based on γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), serum total bile acids (TBA), and urinary bile acid analysis using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS) is very difficult. SRD5B1 gene analysis is the only reliable method. We examined urinary steroid analysis as a way to distinguish primary from secondary 5β‐reductase deficiency.

Design, patients and measurements

We examined 12 patients with cholestatic jaundice, normal or slightly elevated GGT, and hyper‐3‐oxo‐Δ4 bile aciduria using urinary steroid analysis by GC‐MS of both cortisol and cortisone compounds, such as 5β‐tetrahydrocortisol (5β‐THF) and 5β‐tetrahydrocortisone (5β‐THE). Patients previously were diagnosed with primary 5β‐reductase deficiency (n = 3), deficiency secondary to NH (n = 3) and deficiency secondary to other liver disorders (n = 6).

Results

Urinary steroid analysis in 3 primary deficiency and 3 NH patients showed low 5β‐THE and elevated 5α/5β‐THE ratios, making distinction difficult without also considering the clinical course and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, such as a very low signal intensity in liver and/or pancreas, especially in T2‐weighted images. In the six patients with other secondary deficiencies, urinary 5β‐THF and 5α/5β‐THF differed from those in primary deficiency (P < 0·05).

Conclusions

Urinary steroid analysis can distinguish primary and NH‐related deficiencies from other secondary deficiencies.
Congenital midline cervical cleft: Clinical approach to a congenital anterior neck defect
Authors: Crippa Beatrice Letizia , Bedeschi Maria Francesca , Cantarella Giovanna , Colombo Lorenzo , Agosti Viola , Amodeo Ilaria , Fumagalli Monica , Mazzola Isabella , Mosca Fabio
Published: August 2014

Numerous malformations can affect the anterior part of the neck presenting at birth as a real diagnostic challenge for the pediatrician or the primary care physician who initially evaluate the baby. Congenital midline cervical cleft represents a rare defect of the midline neck, which is sometimes wrongly diagnosed as a thyroglossal duct anomaly, dermoid cyst, branchial cleft anomaly or “birthmark”. A prompt clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment during early infancy are essential to ensure both functional and aesthetic outcome. We report a case of a female neonate with a midline cervical cleft diagnosed immediately after birth. The main features of other congenital anomalies of the anterior neck are also discussed referring to their embryologic origin.
Impacts of phylogenetic nomenclature on the efficacy of the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Authors: Leslie Matthew S.
Published: August 2014

Cataloging biodiversity is critical to conservation efforts because accurate taxonomy is often a precondition for protection under laws designed for species conservation, such as the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Traditional nomenclatural codes governing the taxonomic process have recently come under scrutiny because taxon names are more closely linked to hierarchical ranks than to the taxa themselves. A new approach to naming biological groups, called phylogenetic nomenclature (PN), explicitly names taxa by defining their names in terms of ancestry and descent. PN has the potential to increase nomenclatural stability and decrease confusion induced by the rank‐based codes. But proponents of PN have struggled with whether species and infraspecific taxa should be governed by the same rules as other taxa or should have special rules. Some proponents advocate the wholesale abandonment of rank labels (including species); this could have consequences for the implementation of taxon‐based conservation legislation. I examined the principles of PN as embodied in the PhyloCode (an alternative to traditional rank‐based nomenclature that names biological groups based on the results of phylogenetic analyses and does not associate taxa with ranks) and assessed how this novel approach to naming taxa might affect the implementation of species‐based legislation by providing a case study of the ESA. The latest version of the PhyloCode relies on the traditional rank‐based codes to name species and infraspecific taxa; thus, little will change regarding the main targets of the ESA because they will retain rank labels. For this reason, and because knowledge of evolutionary relationships is of greater importance than nomenclatural procedures for initial protection of endangered taxa under the ESA, I conclude that PN under the PhyloCode will have little impact on implementation of the ESA.

Impactos de la Nomenclatura Filogenética sobre la Eficiencia del Acta Estadunidense para las Especies en Peligro
Determining When to Change Course in Management Actions
Authors: NG CHOOI FEI , MCCARTHY MICHAEL A. , MARTIN TARA G. , POSSINGHAM HUGH P.
Published: August 2014

Time is of the essence in conservation biology. To secure the persistence of a species, we need to understand how to balance time spent among different management actions. A new and simple method to test the efficacy of a range of conservation actions is required. Thus, we devised a general theoretical framework to help determine whether to test a new action and when to cease a trial and revert to an existing action if the new action did not perform well. The framework involves constructing a general population model under the different management actions and specifying a management objective. By maximizing the management objective, we could generate an analytical solution that identifies the optimal timing of when to change management action. We applied the analytical solution to the case of the Christmas Island pipistrelle bat (Pipistrelle murrayi), a species for which captive breeding might have prevented its extinction. For this case, we used our model to determine whether to start a captive breeding program and when to stop a captive breeding program and revert to managing the species in the wild, given that the management goal is to maximize the chance of reaching a target wild population size. For the pipistrelle bat, captive breeding was to start immediately and it was desirable to place the species in captivity for the entire management period. The optimal time to revert to managing the species in the wild was driven by several key parameters, including the management goal, management time frame, and the growth rates of the population under different management actions. Knowing when to change management actions can help conservation managers’ act in a timely fashion to avoid species extinction.

Determinar Cuándo Cambiar el Rumbo en las Acciones de Manejo
Impact of habitat alteration on endemic Afromontane chameleons: evidence for historical population declines using hierarchical spatial modelling
Authors: Shirk Philip L. , Linden Daniel W. , Patrick David A. , Howell Kim M. , Harper Elizabeth B. , Vonesh James R.
Published: August 2014

Aim

We map estimated historical population declines resulting from species‐specific models of sensitivity to habitat fragmentation for three forest‐dependent chameleons.

Location

East Usambara Mountains, Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania.

Methods

We surveyed three chameleon species (Rhampholeon spinosus,Rhampholeon temporalisandTrioceros deremensis) along 32.2 km of transects and used a hierarchical, distance‐sampling model to estimate densities. The model included habitat characteristics at the landscape (patch) and local (transect) scales while accounting for detectability. By analysing the model in a Bayesian framework, we were able to propagate error through the entire analysis and obtain exact solutions despite small sample sizes. We then used our estimated relationships between habitat and density to project chameleon population sizes across current and historical land cover maps of the study area (230 km2), giving an estimate of the impact of anthropogenic habitat alteration on these species.

Results

Species’ densities increased in larger patches and further from patch edges and varied seasonally. Local vegetation characteristics had significant relationships with expected chameleon densities, though effect sizes were small. Estimates of total current population sizes varied by two orders of magnitude among species, but each was 49–79% higher than detection‐naïve estimates. All three declined from estimated historical levels by approximately 60% in the study area, approximately one‐third more than would be expected from forest loss alone. Remaining populations of the study species are predominantly located in protected nature reserves, so the future of these species will likely be determined by the degree of protection offered by the nature reserves.

Main conclusions

Habitat loss and fragmentation have greatly reduced forest‐dependent chameleon population sizes in the East Usambara Mountains. Populations of these species in other areas are experiencing higher rates of habitat loss. Efforts aimed at ensuring the efficacy of protected forests may be a key to conserving remaining populations.
Longitudinal study of perception of structured optic flow and random visual motion in infants using high‐density EEG
Authors: Agyei Seth B. , Holth Magnus , van der Weel F.R. (Ruud) , van der Meer Audrey L.H.
Published: August 2014

Electroencephalogram (EEG) was used in infants at 3–4 months and 11–12 months to longitudinally study brain electrical activity as the infants were exposed to structured forwards and reversed optic flow, and non‐structured random visual motion. Analyses of visual evoked potential (VEP) and temporal spectral evolution (TSE, time‐dependent amplitude changes) were performed on EEG data recorded with a 128‐channel sensor array. VEP results showed infants to significantly differentiate between the radial motion conditions, but only at 11–12 months where they showed shortest latency for forwards optic flow and longest latency for random visual motion. When the TSE results of the motion conditions were compared with those of a static non‐flow dot pattern, infants at 3–4 and 11–12 months both showed significant differences in induced activity. A decrease in amplitudes at 5–7 Hz was observed as desynchronized theta‐band activity at both 3–4 and 11–12 months, while an increase in amplitudes at 9–13 Hz was observed as synchronized alpha‐band activity only at 11–12 months. It was concluded that brain electrical activities related to visual motion perception change during the first year of life, and these changes can be observed both in the VEP and induced activities of EEG. With adequate neurobiological development and locomotor experience infants around 1 year of age rely, more so than when they were younger, on structured optic flow and show a more adult‐like specialization for motion where faster oscillating cell assemblies have fewer but more specialized neurons, resulting in improved visual motion perception.
Characteristics associated with physical activity among independently ambulant children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
Authors: Mitchell Louise E , Ziviani Jenny , Boyd Roslyn N
Published: August 2014

Aim

This study aimed to quantify the contribution of physical, personal and environmental characteristics to physical activity among independently ambulant children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

One‐hundred and two children with unilateral CP (52 males, 50 females; 52 right hemiplegia; mean age 11y 3mo, range 8–17y [SD 2y 4mo]) classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I = 44 and II = 58 participated. Physical activity was measured over 4 days using ActiGraph accelerometers recording as activity counts. GMFCS, functional strength, 6‐minute walk test (6MWT), mobility limitations (MobQues28), age, sex, Assessment of Life‐Habits recreation domain, Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM‐CY) and environmental characteristics were considered for selection in a linear regression model. These served as independent variables which were determined using a backwards selection procedure.

Results

Younger age, male sex, increased performance on the 6MWT, and increased participation in the home and community measured using the PEM‐CY were significantly associated with activity counts (p<0.001). However, the model fit was somewhat weak (R2=0.32), indicating that much of the variation was unexplained. Older age and reduced community participation were associated with high inactivity (p<0.001).

Interpretation

Physical activity interventions should primarily target adolescents and females. Walking endurance and participation in the home and community may represent modifiable characteristics to increase physical activity.
Does vigabatrin treatment for infantile spasms cause visual field defects? An international multicentre study
Authors: Riikonen Raili , Rener‐Primec Zvonka , Carmant Lionel , Dorofeeva Maria , Hollody Katalin , Szabo Ilona , Krajnc Branka S , Wohlrab Gabriele , Sorri Iiris
Published: August 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine whether vigabatrin treatment had caused visual field defects (VFDs) in children of school age who had received the drug in infancy.

Method

In total, 35 children (14 males, 21 females; median age 11y, SD 3.4y, range 8–23y) were examined by static Humphrey perimetry, Goldmann kinetic perimetry, or Octopus perimetry. The aetiologies of infantile spasms identified were tuberous sclerosis (n=10), other symptomatic causes (n=3), or cryptogenic (n=22).

Results

Typical vigabatrin‐attributed VFDs were found in 11 out of 32 (34%) children: in one out of 11 children (9%) who received vigabatrin for <1 year (group 1), in three out of 10 children (30%) who received vigabatrin for 12 to 24 months (group 2), and in seven out of 11 children (63%) who received vigabatrin treatment for longer than 2 years (group 3). VFDs were mild in five and severe in six children. Patients with tuberous sclerosis were at higher risk of VFDs (six out of 10 children). The mean cumulative doses of vigabatrin were 140.5, 758.8, and 2712g in group 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Interpretation

VFDs were found in 34% of the cohort of children in this study. The rate of VFD increased from 9% to 63% as duration of treatment increased. The results of this study showed that the risk–benefit ratio should always be considered when using vigabatrin.
Seizures and epilepsy in hypoglycaemia caused by inborn errors of metabolism
Authors: Gataullina Svetlana , Delonlay Pascale , Lemaire Eric , Boddaert Nathalie , Bulteau Christine , Soufflet Christine , Laín Gemma Aznar , Nabbout Rima , Chiron Catherine , Dulac Olivier
Published: August 2014

Aim

The aim of the study was to characterize seizures and epilepsy related to hypoglycaemia.

Method

We analyzed the files of 170 consecutive patients referred for hypoglycaemia (onset 1h to 4y) caused by inborn errors of metabolism (glycogen storage disease type I, fatty acid β‐oxidation disorders, and hyperinsulinism).

Results

Ninety patients (42 males and 48 females; 38 neonates and 52 infants/children) had brief hypoglycaemic seizures (68%) or status epilepticus (32%). Status epilepticus occurred earlier (mean 1.4d) than brief neonatal seizures (4.3d, p=0.02). Recurrent status epilepticus followed initial status epilepticus and was often triggered by fever. Epilepsy developed in 21 patients. In 18 patients, epilepsy followed hypoglycaemic status epilepticus and began with shorter delay when associated with grey matter lesions (1.9mo, standard error of the mean [SEM] 1mo) than with white matter damage (3.3y [SEM 1y], p=0.003). Three patients with hyperinsulinism developed idiopathic epilepsy following brief neonatal seizures.

Interpretation

Brief neonatal hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemic seizures have characteristics of idiopathic neonatal seizures. Neonatal status epilepticus should be prevented by the systematic measurement of glucose blood level. Recurrent seizures never consist of status epilepticus when following brief initial seizures. Epilepsy is symptomatic of brain damage with shorter delay in the case of grey rather than white matter lesions, except in a few idiopathic cases in which epilepsy and hyperinsulinism may share a common genetic background.
Emotions and motivated behavior converge on an amygdala‐like structure in the zebrafish
Authors: von Trotha Jakob William , Vernier Philippe , Bally‐Cuif Laure
Published: August 2014

The brain reward circuitry plays a key role in emotional and motivational behaviors, and its dysfunction underlies neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and drug addiction. Here, we characterized the neuronal activity pattern induced by acute amphetamine administration and during drug‐seeking behavior in the zebrafish, and demonstrate the existence of conserved underlying brain circuitry. Combining quantitative analyses of cfos expression with neuronal subtype‐specific markers at single‐cell resolution, we show that acute d‐amphetamine administration leads to both increased neuronal activation and the recruitment of neurons in the medial (Dm) and the lateral (Dl) domains of the adult zebrafish pallium, which contain homologous structures to the mammalian amygdala and hippocampus, respectively. Calbindin‐positive and glutamatergic neurons are recruited in Dm, and glutamatergic and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurons in Dl. The drug‐activated neurons in Dm and Dl are born at juvenile stage rather than in the embryo or during adulthood. Furthermore, the same territory in Dm is activated during both drug‐seeking approach and light avoidance behavior, while these behaviors do not elicit activation in Dl. These data identify the pallial territories involved in acute psychostimulant response and reward formation in the adult zebrafish. They further suggest an evolutionarily conserved function of amygdala‐like structures in positive emotions and motivated behavior in zebrafish and mammals.
Resampling strategies for regression
Authors: Torgo Luís , Branco Paula , Ribeiro Rita P. , Pfahringer Bernhard
Published: August 2014

Several real world prediction problems involve forecasting rare values of a target variable. When this variable is nominal, we have a problem of class imbalance that was thoroughly studied within machine learning. For regression tasks, where the target variable is continuous, few works exist addressing this type of problem. Still, important applications involve forecasting rare extreme values of a continuous target variable. This paper describes a contribution to this type of tasks. Namely, we propose to address such tasks by resampling approaches that change the distribution of the given data set to decrease the problem of imbalance between the rare target cases and the most frequent ones. We present two modifications of well‐known resampling strategies for classification tasks: the under‐sampling and the synthetic minority over‐sampling technique (SMOTE) methods. These modifications allow the use of these strategies on regression tasks where the goal is to forecast rare extreme values of the target variable. In an extensive set of experiments, we provide empirical evidence for the superiority of our proposals for these particular regression tasks. The proposed resampling methods can be used with any existing regression algorithm, which means that they are general tools for addressing problems of forecasting rare extreme values of a continuous target variable.
A belief‐desire‐intention agent architecture for partner selection in peer‐to‐peer live video streaming applications
Authors: Yildirim Suleyman , Sayit Muge , Kardas Geylani
Published: August 2014

In peer‐to‐peer (P2P) video streaming systems, one of the most challenging parts is to schedule video data dissemination, that is, each peer should carefully select the partner(s) it receives video from and the partner(s) it sends data to. We believe that an agent‐based partner selection approach may improve the quality of streaming by taking both autonomy and dynamic plan selection into account in a goal‐oriented manner. In this study, a Belief‐Desire‐Intention agent architecture for partner selection in P2P video streaming systems is introduced. The major concern of our study is to exhibit how to select the best partner during video streaming session whilst maximizing the quality of video and minimizing delay and hop count. The effects and comparative results of executing proposed agent behaviours are evaluated in the study. The proposed autonomous agent‐based approach also provides an infrastructure in which the best plan for the achievement of optimum streaming goal can be dynamically determined and executed at runtime. Experimental results of the implementation have revealed to us that both of the partner selection methods (with or without agents) manage to increase the video quality. However, the agent‐based approach performs better in terms of received bitrate, delay and hop count during streaming.
Location, Location, Location: Applying Spatial Statistics to the Relationship Landscape
Authors: Wood Nathan D.
Published: August 2014

The desire to understand relationships is a passion shared by professionals in research, clinical, and educational settings. Questionnaires are frequently used in each of these settings for a multitude of purposes—such as screening, assessment, program evaluation, or establishing therapeutic effectiveness. However, clinical issues arise when a couple's answers on questionnaires do not match clinical judgment or lack clinical utility, while statistical problems arise when data from both partners are put into analyses. This article introduces the use of geospatial statistics to analyze couple data plotted on a two‐dimensional “relational map.” Relationship maps can increase assessment sensitivity, track treatment progress, and remove statistical issues typically associated with couple data. This article briefly introduces core assumptions of spatial models, illustrates the use of spatial models in creating a relational landscape of divorce, offers suggestions for the use of relational maps in a clinical setting, and explores future research ideas.
Gross changes in reconstructions of historic land cover/use for Europe between 1900 and 2010
Authors: Fuchs Richard , Herold Martin , Verburg Peter H. , Clevers Jan G.P.W. , Eberle Jonas
Published: August 2014

Historic land‐cover/use change is important for studies on climate change, soil carbon, and biodiversity assessments. Available reconstructions focus on the net area difference between two time steps (net changes) instead of accounting for all area gains and losses (gross changes). This leads to a serious underestimation of land‐cover/use dynamics with impacts on the biogeochemical and environmental assessments based on these reconstructions. In this study, we quantified to what extent land‐cover/use reconstructions underestimate land‐cover/use changes in Europe for the 1900–2010 period by accounting for net changes only. We empirically analyzed available historic land‐change data, quantified their uncertainty, corrected for spatial‐temporal effects and identified underlying processes causing differences between gross and net changes. Gross changes varied for different land classes (largest for forest and grassland) and led to two to four times the amount of net changes. We applied the empirical results of gross change quantities in a spatially explicit reconstruction of historic land change to reconstruct gross changes for the EU27 plus Switzerland at 1 km spatial resolution between 1950 and 2010. In addition, the reconstruction was extended back to 1900 to explore the effects of accounting for gross changes on longer time scales. We created a land‐change reconstruction that only accounted for net changes for comparison. Our two model outputs were compared with five commonly used global reconstructions for the same period and area. In our reconstruction, gross changes led in total to a 56% area change (ca. 0.5% yr−1) between 1900 and 2010 and cover twice the area of net changes. All global reconstructions used for comparison estimated fewer changes than our gross change reconstruction. Main land‐change processes were cropland/grassland dynamics and afforestation, and also deforestation and urbanization.
Surficial gains and subsoil losses of soil carbon and nitrogen during secondary forest development
Authors: Mobley Megan L. , Lajtha Kate , Kramer Marc G. , Bacon Allan R. , Heine Paul R. , Richter Daniel Deb
Published: August 2014

Reforestation of formerly cultivated land is widely understood to accumulate above‐ and belowground detrital organic matter pools, including soil organic matter. However, during 40 years of study of reforestation in the subtropical southeastern USA, repeated observations of above‐ and belowground carbon documented that significant gains in soil organic matter (SOM) in surface soils (0–7.5 cm) were offset by significant SOM losses in subsoils (35–60 cm). Here, we extended the observation period in this long‐term experiment by an additional decade, and used soil fractionation and stable isotopes and radioisotopes to explore changes in soil organic carbon and soil nitrogen that accompanied nearly 50 years of loblolly pine secondary forest development. We observed that accumulations of mineral soil C and N from 0 to 7.5 cm were almost entirely due to accumulations of light‐fraction SOM. Meanwhile, losses of soil C and N from mineral soils at 35 to 60 cm were from SOM associated with silt and clay‐sized particles. Isotopic signatures showed relatively large accumulations of forest‐derived carbon in surface soils, and little to no accumulation of forest‐derived carbon in subsoils. We argue that the land use change from old field to secondary forest drove biogeochemical and hydrological changes throughout the soil profile that enhanced microbial activity and SOM decomposition in subsoils. However, when the pine stands aged and began to transition to mixed pines and hardwoods, demands on soil organic matter for nutrients to support aboveground growth eased due to pine mortality, and subsoil organic matter levels stabilized. This study emphasizes the importance of long‐term experiments and deep measurements when characterizing soil C and N responses to land use change and the remarkable paucity of such long‐term soil data deeper than 30 cm.
Spatial variability and temporal trends in water‐use efficiency of European forests
Authors: Saurer Matthias , Spahni Renato , Frank David C. , Joos Fortunat , Leuenberger Markus , Loader Neil J. , McCarroll Danny , Gagen Mary , Poulter Ben , Siegwolf Rolf T.W. , Andreu‐Hayles Laia , Boettger Tatjana , Dorado Liñán Isabel , Fairchild Ian J. , Friedrich Michael , Gutierrez Emilia , Haupt Marika , Hilasvuori Emmi , Heinrich Ingo , Helle Gerd , Grudd Håkan , Jalkanen Risto , Levanič Tom , Linderholm Hans W. , Robertson Iain , Sonninen Eloni , Treydte Kerstin , Waterhouse John S. , Woodley Ewan J. , Wynn Peter M. , Young Giles H.F.
Published: August 2014

The increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere in combination with climatic changes throughout the last century are likely to have had a profound effect on the physiology of trees: altering the carbon and water fluxes passing through the stomatal pores. However, the magnitude and spatial patterns of such changes in natural forests remain highly uncertain. Here, stable carbon isotope ratios from a network of 35 tree‐ring sites located across Europe are investigated to determine the intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE), the ratio of photosynthesis to stomatal conductance from 1901 to 2000. The results were compared with simulations of a dynamic vegetation model (LPX‐Bern 1.0) that integrates numerous ecosystem and land–atmosphere exchange processes in a theoretical framework. The spatial pattern of tree‐ring derived iWUE of the investigated coniferous and deciduous species and the model results agreed significantly with a clear south‐to‐north gradient, as well as a general increase in iWUE over the 20th century. The magnitude of the iWUE increase was not spatially uniform, with the strongest increase observed and modelled for temperate forests in Central Europe, a region where summer soil‐water availability decreased over the last century. We were able to demonstrate that the combined effects of increasing CO2 and climate change leading to soil drying have resulted in an accelerated increase in iWUE. These findings will help to reduce uncertainties in the land surface schemes of global climate models, where vegetation–climate feedbacks are currently still poorly constrained by observational data.
Fukuyama Is Right about Measuring State Quality: Now What?
Authors: Holt Jordan , Manning Nick
Published: August 2014

Much has recently been written about how to best measure governance or “state quality.” Should we evaluate government performance by looking at what government achieves (outputs) as Robert Rotberg and Craig Boardman recently suggested? Or should we focus on measuring state capacity and bureaucratic autonomy, as Francis Fukuyama concludes? This commentary argues in support of Fukuyama's approach by using a public administration lens to disaggregate the public sector into two domains: upstream bodies at the center of government and downstream delivery bodies that deliver, commission, or fund services under the policy direction of government. It goes further by recommending a measurement framework that focuses on identifying indicators that are behavioral and action worthy in relation to five public management systems ultimately owned and operated by the central, upstream agencies.
Case of primary hepatic gastrinoma: Diagnostic usefulness of the selective arterial calcium injection test
Authors: Ogawa Satoshi , Wada Masaya , Fukushima Masashi , Shimeno Naoto , Inoue Satoko , Chung Hobyung , Fujita Mikio , Suginoshita Yoshiki , Okada Akihiko , Inokuma Tetsuro , Yagi Shintaro , Ito Kyo , Imai Yukihiro
Published: August 2014

Gastrinomas mainly occur in the duodenum and pancreas. Primary hepatic gastrinoma is rare and difficult to diagnose because the liver is a frequent site of metastatic gastrinomas. Clinical factors were assessed in a 28‐year‐old man with diarrhea and heartburn who was hospitalized for recurrent duodenal ulcers. Abdominal ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) could not detect a tumor in the duodenum or pancreas. His gastrin level was 846 pg/mL and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass 12 mm in diameter in the right robe of the liver. A selective intra‐arterial calcium injection (SACI) test and 68‐gallium edotreotide positron emission tomography CT (Ga‐DOTATOC PET‐CT) were therefore performed. Calcium gluconate injection into the proper hepatic artery resulted in a marked increase in serum gastrin concentration in the right hepatic vein, with Ga‐DOTATOC PET‐CT showing uptake only by the liver mass. Following a diagnosis of primary hepatic gastrinoma, the tumor was resected. A histopathological examination indicated gastrinoma. Six months postoperatively, he has no symptoms, is not taking proton‐pump inhibitors and his gastrin level remains within the normal range. The SACI test and the clinical course of this patient strongly suggest that the tumor was a primary hepatic gastrinoma. The SACI test is helpful in the diagnosis of primary hepatic gastrinoma.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score and FIB‐4 scoring system could identify patients at risk of systemic complications
Authors: Takahashi Yuka , Kurosaki Masayuki , Tamaki Nobuharu , Yasui Yutaka , Hosokawa Takanori , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Itakura Jun , Izumi Namiki
Published: August 2014

Aim

To investigate the relation between systemic complications of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non‐invasive fibrosis scores.

Methods

The NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and FIB‐4 were measured in 1559 people who underwent a complete medical checkup at our hospital and were followed for more than 3 years. Correlation between these scores and prevalence and new incidence rates of diabetes or cerebral–cardiovascular diseases were analyzed.

Results

The 1559 cases were classified into two groups using the low cut‐off values of NFS and FIB‐4: group 1 (≥low cut‐off score with fatty liver) and group 2 (the others). In group 1, the prevalence of diabetes and cerebral–cardiovascular diseases at baseline and additional incidences during the observation period was higher compared with group 2. Diabetes at baseline in group 1 versus group 2 were 31.5% versus 3.1% (NFS, P < 0.0001), 17.0% versus 4.7% (FIB‐4, P < 0.0001), and cerebral–cardiovascular diseases at baseline were 7.7% versus 2.3% (NFS, P = 0.002) and 9.0% versus 2.3% (FIB‐4, P = 0.0012). New incidences of diabetes were 4.5% versus 1.2% (NFS, P = 0.034) and 3.6% versus 1.2% (FIB‐4, P = 0.11), and of cerebral–cardiovascular diseases were 5.0% versus 0.9% (NFS, P = 0.0019) and 5.4% versus 0.9% (FIB‐4, P = 0.0034).

Conclusion

NFS and FIB‐4 are useful to extract cases with high risk of systemic complications of NAFLD in the public.
Age‐specific survival and movement among major African Penguin Spheniscus demersus colonies
Authors: Sherley Richard B. , Abadi Fitsum , Ludynia Katrin , Barham Barbara J. , Clark Allan E. , Altwegg Res
Published: August 2014

Reliable estimates of survival and dispersal are crucial to understanding population dynamics, but for seabirds, in which some individuals spend years away from land, mortality and emigration are often confounded. Multistate mark–recapture methods reduce bias by incorporating movement into the process of estimating survival. We used a multistate model to provide unbiased age‐specific survival and movement probabilities for the Endangered African Penguin Spheniscus demersus based on 5281 nestlings and 31 049 adults flipper‐banded and resighted in the Western Cape, South Africa, between 1994 and 2012. Adult survival was initially high (≥ 0.74) but declined after 2003–2004 coincident with a reduction in the availability of Sardine Sardinops sagax and Anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus on the west coast of South Africa. Juvenile survival was poorly estimated, but was lower and more variable than adult survival. Fidelity to the locality of origin varied over time, but was high in adults at Robben and Dassen islands (≥ 0.88) and above 0.55 for juvenile and immature Penguins at all localities. Movement occurred predominantly during 1994–2003 and was indicative of immigration to Robben and Dassen islands. Our results confirm that a prolonged period of adult mortality contributed to the observed decline in the African Penguin population and suggest a need for approaches operating over large spatial scales to ensure food security for marine top predators.
CD38 expression in early B‐cell precursors contributes to extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐mediated apoptosis
Authors: Romero‐Ramírez Héctor , Morales‐Guadarrama Monserrat Teresa , Pelayo Rosana , López‐Santiago Rubén , Santos‐Argumedo Leopoldo
Published: August 2014

CD38 is a 45 000 molecular weight transmembrane protein that is expressed in immature and mature lymphocytes. However, the expression and function of CD38 during B‐cell differentiation in mice is poorly understood. Here, we report that CD38 is expressed from the earliest stages of B‐cell development. Pre‐pro‐B, pro‐B, pre‐B and immature B cells from murine bone marrow all stained positive for CD38. Interestingly, CD38 expression increases with B‐cell maturation. To assess the role of CD38 during B‐cell maturation, CD38‐deficient mice were analysed. CD38−/− mice showed a significant increase in both the frequency of B‐lineage cells and the absolute numbers of pre‐pro‐B cells in bone marrow; however, no other differences were observed at later stages. CD38 cross‐linking in Ba/F3 cells promoted apoptosis and marked extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, and these effects were reduced by treatment with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase/ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059, and similar effects were observed in B‐cell precursors from bone marrow. These data demonstrate that B‐cell precursors in mouse bone marrow express functional CD38 and implicate the early ligation of CD38 in the ERK‐associated regulation of the B‐lineage differentiation pathway.
Fournier's gangrene current approaches
Authors: Ozkan Omer F , Koksal Neset , Altinli Ediz , Celik Atilla , Uzun Mehmet A , Cıkman Oztekin , Akbas Alpaslan , Ergun Ersin , Kiraz Hasan A , Karaayvaz Muammer
Published: August 2014

Fournier's gangrene is a rare but highly mortal infectious disease characterised by fulminant necrotising fasciitis involving the genital and perineal regions. The objective of this study is to analyse the demographics, clinical feature and treatment approaches as well as outcomes of Fournier's gangrene. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records and operative notes. Patient data were analysed by demographics, aetiological factors, clinical features, treatment approaches and outcomes. Twelve patients (five female and seven male) were enrolled in this study. The most common aetiology was perianal abscess (41·6%). Wound cultures showed a mixture of microorganisms in six (50%) patients. For faecal diversion, while colostomy was performed in six cases (50%), Flexi‐Seal was used in two cases (16·6%). In four patients (33·4%), no faecal diversion was performed. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system was effective in the last four patients (33·4%). The mean hospitalisation period in patients who used NPWT was 18 days, while it was 20 days in the others. NPWT in Fournier's gangrene is a safe dressing method. It promotes granulation formation. Flexi‐Seal faecal management is an alternative method to colostomy and provides protection from its associated complications. The combination of two devices (Flexi‐Seal and NPWT) is an effective and comfortable method in the management of Fournier's gangrene in appropriate patients.