bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A formal model for automated software modularity and evolvability analysis
Authors: Cai Yuanfang , Sullivan Kevin
Published: February 2013

Neither the nature of modularity in software design, characterized as a property of the structure of dependencies among design decisions, or its economic value are adequately well understood. One basic problem is that we do not even have a sufficiently clear definition of what it means for one design decision to depend on another. The main contribution of this work is one possible mathematically precise definition of
dependency
based on an
augmented constraint network
model. The model provides an end-to-end account of the connection between modularity and its value in terms of options to make adaptive changes in uncertain and changing design spaces. We demonstrate the validity and theoretical utility of the model, showing that it is consistent with, and provides new insights into, several previously published results in design theory.
Validation of requirements for hybrid systems
Authors: Cimatti Alessandro , Roveri Marco , Susi Angelo , Tonetta Stefano
Published: February 2013

Flaws in requirements may have unacceptable consequences in the development of safety-critical applications. Formal approaches may help with a deep analysis that takes care of the precise semantics of the requirements. However, the proposed solutions often disregard the problem of integrating the formalization with the analysis, and the underlying logical framework lacks either expressive power, or automation.

We propose a new, comprehensive approach for the validation of functional requirements of hybrid systems, where discrete components and continuous components are tightly intertwined. The proposed solution allows to tackle problems of conversion from informal to formal, traceability, automation, user acceptance, and scalability.

We build on a new language, othello which is expressive enough to represent various domains of interest, yet allowing efficient procedures for checking the satisfiability. Around this, we propose a structured methodology where: informal requirements are fragmented and categorized according to their role; each fragment is formalized based on its category; specialized formal analysis techniques, optimized for requirements analysis, are finally applied.

The approach was the basis of an industrial project aiming at the validation of the European Train Control System (ETCS) requirements specification. During the project a realistic subset of the ETCS specification was formalized and analyzed. The approach was positively assessed by domain experts.
Validating software metrics
Authors: Meneely Andrew , Smith Ben , Williams Laurie
Published: February 2013

Context
. Researchers proposing a new metric have the burden of proof to demonstrate to the research community that the metric is acceptable in its intended use. This burden of proof is provided through the multi-faceted, scientific, and objective process of software metrics validation. Over the last 40 years, however, researchers have debated what constitutes a “valid” metric.

Aim
. The debate over what constitutes a valid metric centers on software metrics validation criteria. The objective of this article is to guide researchers in making sound contributions to the field of software engineering metrics by providing a practical summary of the metrics validation criteria found in the academic literature.

Method
. We conducted a systematic literature review that began with 2,288 papers and ultimately focused on 20 papers. After extracting 47 unique validation criteria from these 20 papers, we performed a comparative analysis to explore the relationships amongst the criteria.

Results
. Our 47 validation criteria represent a diverse view of what constitutes a valid metric. We present an analysis of the criteria's categorization, conflicts, common themes, and philosophical motivations behind the validation criteria.

Conclusions
. Although the 47 validation criteria are not conflict-free, the diversity of motivations and philosophies behind the validation criteria indicates that metrics validation is complex. Researchers proposing new metrics should consider the applicability of the validation criteria in terms of our categorization and analysis. Rather than arbitrarily choosing validation criteria for each metric, researchers should choose criteria that can confirm that the metric is appropriate for its intended use. We conclude that metrics validation criteria provide answers to questions that researchers have about the merits and limitations of a metric.
Generating virtual ratings from chinese reviews to augment online recommendations
Authors: Zhang Weishi , Ding Guiguang , Chen Li , Li Chunping , Zhang Chengbo
Published: February 2013

Collaborative filtering (CF) recommenders based on User-Item rating matrix as explicitly obtained from end users have recently appeared promising in recommender systems. However, User-Item rating matrix is not always available or very sparse in some web applications, which has critical impact to the application of CF recommenders. In this article we aim to enhance the online recommender system by fusing virtual ratings as derived from user reviews. Specifically, taking into account of Chinese reviews' characteristics, we propose to fuse the self-supervised emotion-integrated sentiment classification results into CF recommenders, by which the User-Item Rating Matrix can be inferred by decomposing item reviews that users gave to the items. The main advantage of this approach is that it can extend CF recommenders to some web applications without user rating information. In the experiments, we have first identified the self-supervised sentiment classification's higher precision and recall by comparing it with traditional classification methods. Furthermore, the classification results, as behaving as virtual ratings, were incorporated into both user-based and item-based CF algorithms. We have also conducted an experiment to evaluate the proximity between the virtual and real ratings and clarified the effectiveness of the virtual ratings. The experimental results demonstrated the significant impact of virtual ratings on increasing system's recommendation accuracy in different data conditions (i.e., conditions with real ratings and without).
Improving recommendation accuracy based on item-specific tag preferences
Authors: Gedikli Fatih , Jannach Dietmar
Published: February 2013

In recent years, different proposals have been made to exploit Social Web tagging information to build more effective recommender systems. The tagging data, for example, were used to identify similar users or were viewed as additional information about the recommendable items. Recent research has indicated that “attaching feelings to tags” is experienced by users as a valuable means to express which features of an item they particularly like or dislike. When following such an approach, users would therefore not only add tags to an item as in usual Web 2.0 applications, but also attach a preference (
affect
) to the tag itself, expressing, for example, whether or not they liked a certain actor in a given movie. In this work, we show how this additional preference data can be exploited by a recommender system to make more accurate predictions.

In contrast to previous work, which also relied on so-called tag preferences to enhance the predictive accuracy of recommender systems, we argue that tag preferences should be considered in the context of an item. We therefore propose new schemes to infer and exploit context-specific tag preferences in the recommendation process. An evaluation on two different datasets reveals that our approach is capable of providing more accurate recommendations than previous tag-based recommender algorithms and recent tag-agnostic matrix factorization techniques.
Mathematical description and analysis of adaptive risk choice behavior
Authors: Okada Isamu , Yamamoto Hitoshi
Published: February 2013

Which risk should one choose when facing alternatives with different levels of risk? We discuss here adaptive processes in such risk choice behavior by generalizing the study of Roos et al. [2010]. We deal with an
n
-choice game in which every player sequentially chooses
n
times of lotteries of which there are two types: a safe lottery and a risky lottery. We analyze this model in more detail by elaborating the game. Based on the results of mathematical analysis, replicator dynamics analysis, and numerical simulations, we derived some salient features of risk choice behavior. We show that all the risk strategies can be divided into two groups: persistence and nonpersistence. We also proved that the dynamics with perturbation in which a mutation is installed is globally asymptotically stable to a unique equilibrium point for any initial population. The numerical simulations clarify that the number of persistent strategies seldom increases regardless of the increase in
n
, and suggest that a rarity of dominant choice strategies is widely observed in many social contexts. These facts not only go hand-in-hand with some well-known insights from prospect theory, but may also provide some theoretical hypotheses for various fields such as behavioral economics, ecology, sociology, and consumer behavioral theory.
A down-to-earth educational operating system for up-in-the-cloud many-core architectures
Authors: Ziwisky Michael , Persohn Kyle , Brylow Dennis
Published: February 2013

We present
Xipx
, the first port of a major educational operating system to a processor in the emerging class of many-core architectures. Through extensions to the proven Embedded Xinu operating system, Xipx gives students hands-on experience with system programming in a distributed message-passing environment. We expose the software primitives needed to maintain coherency between many cores in a system lacking specialized caching hardware. Our proposed series of laboratory assignments adds parallel thread execution and intercore message passing communication to a well-established OS curriculum.
Ubiquity symposium: Evolutionary computation and the processes of life
Authors: Fogel David B.
Published: February 2013

In this article, David Fogel discusses the relationship between evolutionary computation and evolutionary game theory. The mathematics of evolutionary game theory relies on assumptions that often fail to describe the real-world conditions that the theory is intended to model. This article highlights those assumptions and suggests evolutionary computation may ultimately serve as a more useful approach to understanding complex adaptive systems in nature.
Existence of Three Positive Solutions to Somep-Laplacian Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Sidi Ammi Moulay Rchid , Torres Delfim F. M.
Published: February 2013

We obtain, by using the Leggett-Williams fixed point theorem, sufficient conditions that ensure the existence of at least three positive solutions to somep-Laplacian boundary value problems on time scales.
Development of a Novel Rapid Immunodiagnostic Kit Based on Flagellar 40 kDa Antigen Epitope for the Detection of Typhoid Fever in Indian Patients
Authors: Mitra Rahul , Bhan Surya , Nath Gopal , Kumar Narender , Ali Ziledar
Published: February 2013

To aid the clinical diagnosis of typhoid fever in India, where most hospitals and primary health centres have no facilities for culture, we report on the development of a novel and rapid immunodiagnostic kit for the direct detection of Salmonella Typhi—specific IgG antibodies against S. Typhi flagellar H antigen. The disease often does not show a specific clinical picture, and can be confused with other febrile illness such as malaria, dengue fever and Staphylococcus aureus. To overcome the problem of cross reactivity specific epitope of the flagellar H antigen was immobilised on the testing kit strip eliminating chances of cross reactivity and false positive results thereby increasing the specificity of the test. Since the immunodiagnostic kit, uses the flagellar H antigen from bacteria present in our country, the antibodies present in the serum of patients of our country will have maximum binding affinity, enhancing the sensitivity of our test kit. The immunodiagnostic kit on analysis gave a positive result with clinically diagnosed typhoid positive patient serum and negative results were obtained with the sera of clinically diagnosed malaria, abscess of Staphylococcus aureus and Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala‐azar) patients.
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Correlates Poorly with Four-Hour Creatinine Clearance in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Kirwan Christopher J. , Philips Barbara J. , MacPhee Iain A. M.
Published: February 2013

Introduction.RIFLE and AKIN provide a standardised classification of acute kidney injury (AKI), but their categorical rather than continuous nature restricts their use to a research tool. A more accurate real-time description of renal function in AKI is needed, and some published data suggest that equations based on serum creatinine that estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can provide this. In addition, incorporating serum cystatin C concentration into estimates of GFR may improve their accuracy, but no eGFR equations are validated in critically ill patients with AKI.Aim.This study tests whether creatinine or cystatin-C-based eGFR equations, used in patients with CKD, offer an accurate representation of 4-hour creatinine clearance (4CrCl) in critically ill patients with AKI.Methods.Fifty-one critically ill patients with AKI were recruited. Thirty-seven met inclusion criteria, and the performance of eGFR equations was compared to 4CrCl.Results.eGFR equations were better than creatinine alone at predicting 4CrCl. Adding cystatin C to estimates did not improve the bias or add accuracy. The MDRD 7 eGFR had the best combination of correlation, bias, percentage error and accuracy. None were near acceptable standards quoted in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Conclusions.eGFR equations are not sufficiently accurate for use in critically ill patients with AKI. Incorporating serum cystatin C does not improve estimates. eGFR should not be used to describe renal function in patients with AKI. Standards of accuracy for validating eGFR need to be set.
Small Intestinal Ischemia with Pneumatosis in a Young Adult: What Could Be the Cause?
Authors: Nidimusili Amara Jyothi , Mennella Jenna , Shaheen Khaldoon
Published: February 2013

This case highlights one of the infrequent complications of a commonly abused substance. A particular high index of suspicion of ischemic bowel is associated with cocaine abuse and should be included in the differential diagnosis of any young adult or middle-aged patient with abdominal pain and/or bloody diarrhea, particularly in the absence of other predisposing factors. To our knowledge, we report a rare case of ischemic small bowel associated with gangrene and pneumatosis intestinalis due to cocaine abuse.
Chemical and Biological Assessment ofAngelicaRoots from Different Cultivated Regions in a Chinese Herbal Decoction Danggui Buxue Tang
Authors: Zhang Wendy L. , Zheng Ken Y. Z. , Zhu Kevin Y. , Zhan Janis Y. X. , Bi Cathy W. C. , Chen J. P. , Dong Tina T. X. , Choi Roy C. Y. , Lau David T. W. , Tsim Karl W. K.
Published: February 2013

Roots ofAngelica sinensis(Danggui) have been used in promoting blood circulation as herbal medicine for over 2000 years in China. Another species ofAngelicaroots calledA. gigasis being used in Korea. To reveal the efficiency of differentAngelicaroots, the chemical and biological properties ofAngelicaroots from different cultivated regions were compared. Roots ofA. sinensiscontained higher levels of ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and senkyunolide A, while high amounts of butylphthalide and Z-butylenephthalide were found inA. gigasroots. The extracts deriving fromA. gigasroots showed better effects in osteogenic and estrogenic properties than that ofA. sinensisfrom China. However, this difference was markedly reduced when theAngelicaroots were being prepared in a Chinese herbal decoction together with Astragali Radix as Danggui Buxue Tang. In contrast, the herbal decoction prepared fromA. sinensisroots showed better responses in cell cultures. In addition, the extracts ofA. gigasroots showed strong cell toxicity both as single herb and as Danggui Buxue Tang. This result revealed the distinct properties ofAngelicaroots from China and Korea suggesting the specific usage of herb in preparing a unique herbal decoction.
An Asynchronous FPGA Block with Its Tech-Mapping Algorithm Dedicated to Security Applications
Authors: Beyrouthy Taha , Fesquet Laurent
Published: February 2013

This paper presents an FPGA tech-mapping algorithm dedicated to security applications. The objective is to implement—on a full-custom asynchronous FPGA—secured functions that need to be robust against side-channel attacks (SCAs). The paper briefly describes the architecture of this FPGA that has been designed and prototyped in CMOS 65 nm to target various styles of asynchronous logic including 2-phase and 4-phase communication protocols and 1-of-ndata encoding. This programmable architecture is designed to be electrically balanced in order to fit the security requirements. It allows fair comparisons between different styles of asynchronous implementations. In order to illustrate the FPGA flexibility and security, a case study has been implemented in 2-phase and 4-phase Quasi-Delay-Insensitive (QDI) logic.
Antimicrobial Bioplastics: Synthesis and Characterization of Thermally Stable Starch and Lysine-Based Polymeric Ligand and Its Transition Metals Incorporated Coordination Polymer
Authors: Nishat Nahid , Malik Ashraf
Published: February 2013

Potato-based starch was dissolved in distilled water until paste form of starch was found. Paste form of starch polymer by the process of polycondensation reacted with an essential amino acid lysine in a basic medium. The viscous product obtained was then filtered and after a short period of drying was then coordinated with a series of transition metals as Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II). The synthesized polymeric ligand and its polymer metal complexes were spectroscopically characterized, thermally analyzed, and biologically evaluated. In this work, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, CHN, TGA, SEM, antimicrobial screening, and ASTM- D5338-93, a CO2 evolution method of biodegradable, studies were carried out. The confirmation of the synthesis was done with these instrumental and spectroscopic techniques. Metals-coordinated polymer complexes were found to be more thermally stable and less biodegradable than the virgin parent ligand. Metal-coordinated polymers of all metals were found to be antibacterial and antifungal, with a range of weak to mild zone of inhibition values in agar well diffusion method for antimicrobial studies. Cu(II) polymer metal complex showed the highest value of antimicrobial activity because of the highest stability constant.
Tissue Modeling and Analyzing with Finite Element Method: A Review for Cranium Brain Imaging
Authors: Yue Xianfang , Wang Li , Wang Ruonan
Published: February 2013

For the structure mechanics of human body, it is almost impossible to conduct mechanical experiments. Then the finite element model to simulate mechanical experiments has become an effective tool. By introducing several common methods for constructing a 3D model of cranial cavity, this paper carries out systematically the research on the influence law of cranial cavity deformation. By introducing the new concepts and theory to develop the 3D cranial cavity model with the finite-element method, the cranial cavity deformation process with the changing ICP can be made the proper description and reasonable explanation. It can provide reference for getting cranium biomechanical model quickly and efficiently and lay the foundation for further biomechanical experiments and clinical applications.
Improving the Performance Metric of Wireless Sensor Networks with Clustering Markov Chain Model and Multilevel Fusion
Authors: Havedanloo Saeed , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: February 2013

The paper proposes a performance metric evaluation for a distributed detection wireless sensor network with respect to IEEE 802.15.4 standard. A distributed detection scheme is considered with presence of the fusion node and organized sensors into the clustering and non-clustering networks. Sensors are distributed in clusters uniformly and nonuniformly and network has multilevel fusion centers. Fusion centers act as heads of clusters for decision making based on majority-like received signal strength (RSS) with comparison the optimized value of the common threshold. IEEE 802.15.4 Markov chain model derived the performance metric of proposed network architecture with MAC, PHY cross-layer parameters, and Channel State Information (CSI) specifications while it is including Path-loss, Modulation, Channel coding and Rayleigh fading. Simulation results represent significant enhancement on performance of network in terms of reliability, packet failure, average delay, power consumption, and throughput.
Nonlinear Response of Strong Nonlinear System Arisen in Polymer Cushion
Authors: Wang Jun , Lu Li-xin , Jiang Huan-xin , Zhu Yong
Published: February 2013

A dynamic model is proposed for a polymer foam-based nonlinear cushioning system. An accurate analytical solution for the nonlinear free vibration of the system is derived by applying He's variational iteration method, and conditions for resonance are obtained, which should be avoided in the cushioning design.
A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Inflammatory Gene RNASEL Predicts Outcome after Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Schoenfeld Jonathan D. , Margalit Danielle N. , Kasperzyk Julie L. , Shui Irene M. , Rider Jennifer R. , Epstein Mara M. , Meisner Allison , Kenfield Stacey A. , Martin Neil E. , Nguyen Paul L. , Kantoff Philip W. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Stampfer Meir J. , Mucci Lorelei A.
Published: February 2013

Purpose: To study associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in Ribonuclease L (RNASEL), a gene implicated in inflammation and prostate cancer risk, and outcomes after radiation therapy.

Experimental Design: We followed participants in the prospective US Health Professionals Follow-Up Study treated with radiation therapy for early-stage prostate cancer. Three SNPs were genotyped based on previously determined functional and biological significance. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to assess per-allele associations with the primary outcome defined as time to a composite endpoint including development of lethal prostate cancer or biochemical recurrence.

Results: We followed 434 patients treated with radiation therapy for a median of 9 years. On multivariate analysis, the rs12757998 variant allele was associated with significantly decreased risk of the composite endpoint [HR: 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45–0.94%; P = 0.02] driven by decreased biochemical recurrence (HR: 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40–0.89%; P = 0.01) and men treated with external beam (HR: 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36–0.93%; P = 0.02). In contrast, in 516 men from the same cohort treated with radical prostatectomy, we found no significant impact of this variant on outcome. Furthermore, the rs12757998 variant allele significantly modified the association between androgen deprivation therapy and outcomes after radiation therapy (p-interaction = 0.02).

Conclusion: We show an association between RNASEL SNP rs12757998 and outcome after radiation therapy for prostate cancer. This SNP is associated with increased circulating C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, suggesting a potential role for inflammation in the response to radiation. If validated, genetic predictors of outcome may help inform prostate cancer management. Clin Cancer Res; 19(6); 1612–9. ©2013 AACR.
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in the Management of Patients with Thymic Epithelial Tumors
Authors: Thomas Anish , Mena Esther , Kurdziel Karen , Venzon David , Khozin Sean , Berman Arlene W. , Choyke Peter , Szabo Eva , Rajan Arun , Giaccone Giuseppe
Published: February 2013

Purpose: There are limited data regarding the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]-FDG PET) imaging in management of patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TET). The primary objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of early [18F]-FDG PET to monitor treatment efficacy and its correlation with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) in patients with TETs.

Experimental Design: [18F]-FDG PET/computed tomographic (CT) scans were conducted at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment in patients enrolled in two phase II and one phase I/II clinical trials. On the basis of data from other solid tumors, metabolic response was defined as a reduction of [18F]-FDG uptake by more than 30% as assessed by average standardized uptake values (SUV) of up to five most metabolically active lesions.

Results: Fifty-six patients with unresectable Masaoka stage III or IV TETs were included. There was a close correlation between early metabolic response and subsequent best response using RECIST (P < 0.0001–0.0003): sensitivity and specificity for prediction of best response were 95% and 100%, respectively. Metabolic responders had significantly longer progression-free survival (median, 11.5 vs. 4.6 months; P = 0.044) and a trend toward longer overall survival (median, 31.8 vs. 18.4 months; P = 0.14) than nonresponders. [18F]-FDG uptake was significantly higher in thymic carcinoma than in thymoma (P = 0.0004–0.0010).

Conclusion: In patients with advanced TETs, early metabolic response closely correlates with outcome of therapy. [18F]-FDG PET may be used to monitor treatment efficacy and assess histologic differences in patients with advanced TETs. Clin Cancer Res; 19(6); 1487–93. ©2013 AACR.
Next-Generation Medicine: Combining BCR-ABL and Hedgehog-Targeted Therapies
Authors: Dao Kim-Hien T. , Tyner Jeffrey W.
Published: February 2013

Disease relapse remains a major cause of death in patients with BCR-ABL–positive leukemia despite advances in treatment with kinase inhibitors. Significant efforts are underway to target pathways that maintain leukemia stem cells. Targeting these pathways holds promise for definitive leukemia eradication or improvement of the effectiveness of currently available therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 19(6); 1309–11. ©2013 AACR.
Stem Cell Treatment for Chronic Lung Diseases
Authors: Tzouvelekis Argyris , Ntolios Paschalis , Bouros Demosthenes
Published: February 2013

Chronic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide with a considerable human, societal and financial burden. In view of the current disappointing status of available pharmaceutical agents, there is an urgent need for alternative more effective therapeutic approaches that will not only help to relieve patient symptoms but will also affect the natural course of the respective disease. Regenerative medicine represents a promising option with several fruitful therapeutic applications in patients suffering from chronic lung diseases. Nevertheless, despite relative enthusiasm arising from experimental data, application of stem cell therapy in the clinical setting has been severely hampered by several safety concerns arising from the major lack of knowledge on the fate of exogenously administered stem cells within chronically injured lung as well as the mechanisms regulating the activation of resident progenitor cells. On the other hand, salient data arising from few ‘brave' pilot investigations of the safety of stem cell treatment in chronic lung diseases seem promising. The main scope of this review article is to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the application status of stem cell treatment in chronic lung diseases, address important safety and efficacy issues and present future challenges and perspectives. In this review, we argue in favor of large multicenter clinical trials setting realistic goals to assess treatment efficacy. We propose the use of biomarkers that reflect clinically inconspicuous alterations of the disease molecular phenotype before rigid conclusions can be safely drawn.
Sleep Status and Low-Density Lipoprotein Particle Size in a General Japanese Female Population: The Mima Study
Authors: Kotani Kazuhiko , Tsuzaki Kokoro , Fujiwara Shinji , Sakane Naoki ,   the Mima Study Group
Published: February 2013

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between sleep adequacy and small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) in a Japanese population. Subjects and Methods: Clinical data, including atherosclerotic risk factors, in addition to the mean LDL particle size (LDL-PS) measured by gel electrophoresis, were evaluated in 136 community-dwelling female subjects (40-80 years old). The sleep status was self-reported and the subjects were divided into those who had inadequate sleep (≤6 or ≥9 h of sleep) and had adequate sleep (7-8 h). Results: The mean LDL-PS was significantly smaller in subjects with inadequate sleep [n = 68, 26.4 ± 0.4 (SD) nm] than in those with adequate sleep (n = 68, 26.6 ± 0.4 nm, p < 0.05). This difference remained significant and independent after adjusting for confounders (β = 0.15-0.19, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Sleep adequacy was associated with the presence of sdLDL, while the influence of the sleep status on LDL-PS was minor in this population. Further research on the associations among sleep, sdLDL and cardiovascular disease prevention is warranted.
Neprilysin Regulates Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Through a Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor–Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Karoor Vijaya , Oka Masahiko , Walchak Sandra J. , Hersh Louis B. , Miller York E , Dempsey Edward C.
Published: February 2013

Reduced neprilysin (NEP), a cell surface metallopeptidase, which cleaves and inactivates proinflammatory and vasoactive peptides, predisposes the lung vasculature to exaggerated remodeling in response to hypoxia. We hypothesize that loss of NEP in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells results in increased migration and proliferation. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells isolated from NEP
−/−
mice exhibited enhanced migration and proliferation in response to serum and platelet-derived growth factor, which was attenuated by NEP replacement. Inhibition of NEP by overexpression of a peptidase dead mutant or knockdown by small interfering RNA in NEP
+/+
cells increased migration and proliferation. Loss of NEP led to an increase in Src kinase activity and phosphorylation of PTEN, resulting in activation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). Knockdown of Src kinase with small interfering RNA or inhibition with PP2, a src kinase inhibitor, decreased PDGFR
Y751
phosphorylation and attenuated migration and proliferation in NEP
−/−
smooth muscle cells. NEP substrates, endothelin 1 or fibroblast growth factor 2, increased activation of Src and PDGFR in NEP
+/+
cells, which was decreased by an endothelin A receptor antagonist, neutralizing antibody to fibroblast growth factor 2 and Src inhibitor. Similar to the observations in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, levels of phosphorylated PDGFR, Src, and PTEN were elevated in NEP
−/−
lungs. Endothelin A receptor antagonist also attenuated the enhanced responses in NEP
−/−
pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and lungs. Taken together our results suggest a novel mechanism for the regulation of PDGFR signaling by NEP substrates involving Src and PTEN. Strategies that increase lung NEP activity/expression or target key downstream effectors, like Src, PTEN, or PDGFR, may be of therapeutic benefit in pulmonary vascular disease.
The Encoding/Retrieval Flip: Interactions between Memory Performance and Memory Stage and Relationship to Intrinsic Cortical Networks
Authors: Huijbers Willem , Schultz Aaron P. , Vannini Patrizia , McLaren Donald G. , Wigman Sarah E. , Ward Andrew M. , Hedden Trey , Sperling Reisa A.
Published: February 2013

fMRI studies have linked the posteromedial cortex to episodic learning (encoding) and remembering (retrieval) processes. The posteromedial cortex is considered part of the default network and tends to deactivate during encoding but activate during retrieval, a pattern known as the encoding/retrieval flip. Yet, the exact relationship between the neural correlates of memory performance (hit/miss) and memory stage (encoding/retrieval) and the extent of overlap with intrinsic cortical networks remains to be elucidated. Using task-based fMRI, we isolated the pattern of activity associated with memory performance, memory stage, and the interaction between both. Using resting-state fMRI, we identified which intrinsic large-scale functional networks overlapped with regions showing task-induced effects. Our results demonstrated an effect of successful memory performance in regions associated with the control network and an effect of unsuccessful memory performance in the ventral attention network. We found an effect of memory retrieval in brain regions that span the default and control networks. Finally, we found an interaction between memory performance and memory stage in brain regions associated with the default network, including the posteromedial cortex, posterior parietal cortex, and parahippocampal cortex. We discuss these findings in relation to the encoding/retrieval flip. In general, the findings demonstrate that task-induced effects cut across intrinsic cortical networks. Furthermore, regions within the default network display functional dissociations, and this may have implications for the neural underpinnings of age-related memory disorders.
The Contributions of Sensory Dominance and Attentional Bias to Cross-modal Enhancement of Visual Cortex Excitability
Authors: Romei Vincenzo , Murray Micah M. , Cappe Céline , Thut Gregor
Published: February 2013

Approaching or looming sounds (L-sounds) have been shown to selectively increase visual cortex excitability [Romei, V., Murray, M. M., Cappe, C., & Thut, G. Preperceptual and stimulus-selective enhancement of low-level human visual cortex excitability by sounds. Current Biology, 19, 1799–1805, 2009]. These cross-modal effects start at an early, preperceptual stage of sound processing and persist with increasing sound duration. Here, we identified individual factors contributing to cross-modal effects on visual cortex excitability and studied the persistence of effects after sound offset. To this end, we probed the impact of different L-sound velocities on phosphene perception postsound as a function of individual auditory versus visual preference/dominance using single-pulse TMS over the occipital pole. We found that the boosting of phosphene perception by L-sounds continued for several tens of milliseconds after the end of the L-sound and was temporally sensitive to different L-sound profiles (velocities). In addition, we found that this depended on an individual's preferred sensory modality (auditory vs. visual) as determined through a divided attention task (attentional preference), but not on their simple threshold detection level per sensory modality. Whereas individuals with “visual preference” showed enhanced phosphene perception irrespective of L-sound velocity, those with “auditory preference” showed differential peaks in phosphene perception whose delays after sound-offset followed the different L-sound velocity profiles. These novel findings suggest that looming signals modulate visual cortex excitability beyond sound duration possibly to support prompt identification and reaction to potentially dangerous approaching objects. The observed interindividual differences favor the idea that unlike early effects this late L-sound impact on visual cortex excitability is influenced by cross-modal attentional mechanisms rather than low-level sensory processes.
A Study on the Effect of Nudging on Long-Term Boundary Layer Profiles of Wind and Weibull Distribution Parameters in a Rural Coastal Area
Authors: Gryning S.-E. , Batchvarova E. , Floors R.
Published: February 2013

By use of 1 yr of measurements performed with a wind lidar up to 600-m height, in combination with a tall meteorological tower, the impact of nudging on the simulated wind profile at a flat coastal site (Høvsøre) in western Denmark using the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) is studied. It was found that the mean wind speed, the wind direction change with height, and the wind power density profiles are underestimated with the configuration of WRF used and that the impact of nudging on the simulated mean values was minor. Nudging was found to reduce the scatter between the simulated and measured wind speeds, expressed by the root-mean-square error, by about 20% between altitudes of 100 and 500 m. The root-mean-square error was nearly constant with height for the nudged case (~2.2 m s−1) and slightly increased with height for the nonnudged one, reaching 2.8 m s−1 at 300 and 500 m. In studying the long-term wind speed variability with the Weibull distribution, it was found that nudging had a minor effect on the scale parameter profile, which is closely connected to the mean wind speed. Improvement by nudging was seen on the profile of the shape parameter. Without nudging, the shape parameter was underestimated at all heights; with nudging, the agreement was good up to about 100 m and above that height the shape parameter was underestimated.
The Gendered Analysis of Self-Control on Theft and Violent Delinquency
Authors: Chui Wing Hong , Chan Heng Choon (Oliver)
Published: February 2013

Despite previous gender-based studies of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control theory, limited empirical attempts have been made outside of the Western hemisphere. This study is set to examine the cross-cultural and/or national boundaries generalizability of the self-control concepts in predicting gender differences on theft and violent delinquency in a rarely examined Hong Kong adolescent population. In addition, this study is among the first to investigate the age-effect gender differences on delinquency in the East. Using a cross-sectional design, 1,377 randomly selected native-Chinese secondary school–aged male and female adolescents of nine stratified randomly selected schools were surveyed. Multivariate analyses were used to examine gender differences, with and without controlling for the adolescent age, aside from the general offending propensity among Hong Kong adolescents with respect to their self-control level. Overall findings suggest that the relationship between low self-control indicators and types of delinquency differs across gender. Hence, findings of previous gender-based self-control studies conducted in the West are generally supported in this study. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are outlined.
Educational Leadership on the Social Frontier
Authors: Miller Peter , Wills Nathan , Scanlan Martin
Published: February 2013

We examined how the federal Promise Neighborhoods program shapes leadership networks and objectives in diverse tribal and urban settings. The program calls for diverse stakeholders to provide families with resources such as parenting workshops, childcare, preschool, health clinics, and other social services that affect learning and development. We focused particularly upon how Promise Neighborhoods planning and development creates new “frontiers of educational leadership.” We analyzed Promise Neighborhoods planning grant applications—21 that were funded and 21 from tribal settings—as well as interview data and program and community-specific archival data to learn about applicants’ purposes and compositions of partners. These data were analyzed with insights from Burt’s notion of structural holes, which suggests that leadership in “social frontier” spaces is often dependent upon negotiation, entrepreneurship, and relationship brokering. While both urban and tribal applicants were found to have highly diverse compositions of partners, tribal partners were more heterogeneous and separated by greater geographic distances. Additionally, tribal applicants’ stated purposes and goals were tied more closely to local cultures and customs. We note that the sprawling spaces and significant inter- and intracommunity differences of the tribal Promise Neighborhoods ensure that leadership practice in these settings is especially dependent upon negotiation and relationship brokering. As Promise Neighborhoods and other place-based initiatives are developed, diverse networks of leaders will be called to bridge organizational boundaries, cultural differences, socioeconomic differences, and physical distances to develop coherent plans of action for collective “Neighborhoods.”
Investigating Halo and Ceiling Effects in Student Evaluations of Instruction
Authors: Keeley Jared W. , English Taylor , Irons Jessica , Henslee Amber M.
Published: February 2013

Many measurement biases affect student evaluations of instruction (SEIs). However, two have been relatively understudied: halo effects and ceiling/floor effects. This study examined these effects in two ways. To examine the halo effect, using a videotaped lecture, we manipulated specific teacher behaviors to be “good” or “bad” based on specific items on the evaluation form (the Teacher Behavior Checklist). To examine ceiling/floor effects, we expanded the standard 5-point rating to either 7 or 9 points. Across three universities, 537 students watched and rated the videotaped lecture. Both biases were robust and remained despite characteristics of the measure designed to combat them. Instead, direct instruction regarding how to use the evaluation forms seems to be necessary to limit these biases on ratings.
Prospects for the UK Economy
Authors: Kirby Simon
Published: February 2013

The production of this forecast is supported by the Institute's Corporate Members: Bank of England, HM Treasury, Mizuho Research Institute Ltd, the Office for National Statistics, Santander (UK) plc and by the members of the NiGEM users group.
Testing the Stability of Self-Control
Authors: Ray James V. , Jones Shayne , Loughran Thomas A. , Jennings Wesley G.
Published: February 2013

Gottfredson and Hirschi suggest that individuals’ levels of self-control remain stable over the life course; however, the empirical status of this proposition remains equivocal. Most tests of the stability hypothesis have employed aggregate assessment methods (e.g., mean-level and correlational analyses) that overlook unique developmental patterns, although some have identified unique developmental patterns in self-control. The current study assesses the stability of self-control across 4 years using both traditional analytic methods and methods that account for the existence of unique developmental patterns (i.e., semiparametric group-based trajectory modeling) and exploring risk factors that differentiate these patterns. The results suggest six unique developmental patterns of self-control: two with high stable trajectories and four that evinced lower, less stable trajectories of self-control. The findings indicate that lower, less stable patterns of development are associated with more delinquent peer association, higher rates of parental criminality, fewer school bonds, and weaker maternal attachment.
What Motivates the Sexual Double Standard? More Support for Male Versus Female Control Theory
Authors: Rudman Laurie A. , Fetterolf Janell C. , Sanchez Diana T.
Published: February 2013

The present research uniquely compared male control theory (MCT) versus female control theory (FCT) to illuminate motives for the sexual double standard (SDS), whereby men gain status from engaging in casual sex or having many sexual partners, but women are stigmatized for it. Consistent with MCT, men were more likely than women to endorse the SDS and to give sexual advice in ways that reinforce it—gender differences that were mediated by hostile sexism (HS) and endorsing the SDS, respectively. The data did not support FCT’s argument that women are motivated by sexual economics to restrict female sexuality (Baumeister & Twenge, 2002). Both genders discouraged women from having casual sex to protect women from social stigma and rape myths that justify violence against sexual women. In concert, the findings support MCT more than FCT and suggest that sexism, stigma, and rape myths are primary obstacles to sexual equality.
Don’t Get Your Hopes Up
Authors: Spielmann Stephanie S. , Maxwell Jessica A. , MacDonald Geoff , Baratta Patricia L.
Published: February 2013

We examine whether lower expectations for social reward selectively applied to high intimacy contexts may help avoidantly attached individuals minimize distress from reward loss. Studies 1, 2, and 4 demonstrated that avoidant attachment was negatively associated with perceived intimacy potential in relationships involving approach of closeness (current/future partners), but not for relationships less associated with approach of closeness (ex-partners). Studies 3 and 5 manipulated the potential for intimacy among dating prospects. Avoidant attachment was negatively associated with romantic interest in high intimacy targets but not low intimacy targets. This effect was mediated by perceived responsiveness. Studies 4 and 5 rule out perceived dissimilarity to responsive targets as a mechanism. Study 6 demonstrated that avoidants’ lower expectations for connection are associated with less anticipated distress from reward loss. These results suggest that avoidant individuals may circumvent attachment system activation by perceiving lower opportunity for connection when there is potential for intimacy.
In Sickness and in Wealth
Authors: Pierce Lamar , Dahl Michael S. , Nielsen Jimmi
Published: February 2013

As the percentage of wives outearning their husbands grows, the traditional social norm of the male breadwinner is challenged. The upward income comparison of the husband may cause psychological distress that affects partners’ mental and physical health in ways that affect decisions on marriage, divorce, and careers. This article studies this impact through sexual and mental health problems. Using wage and prescription medication data from Denmark, we implement a regression discontinuity design to show that men outearned by their wives are more likely to use erectile dysfunction medication than their male breadwinner counterparts, even when this inequality is small. Breadwinner wives suffer increased insomnia/anxiety medication usage, with similar effects for men. We find no effects for unmarried couples or for men who earned less than their fiancée prior to marriage. Our results suggest that social norms play important roles in dictating how individuals respond to upward social comparisons.