bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigations Into Fatigue Performance of Offshore Mooring Chains
Authors: Farrow Gary H. , Potts Andrew E. , Washington Daniel G.
Published: October 2017

The Chain Finite Element Analysis of Residual Strength Joint Industry Project (Chain FEARS JIP) aimed to develop guidance for the determination of a rational discard criteria for mooring chains subject to severe pitting corrosion which would otherwise require immediate removal and replacement.

Critical to the ability to evaluate the residual fatigue life of a degraded chain, is to have an accurate estimate of the chain in its as-new condition, thereby providing a benchmark for any loss in fatigue life associated with severe corrosion or wear. A non-linear multi-axial Finite Element Analysis (FEA) fatigue assessment method was developed and correlated against available fatigue test data as part of the JIP achieving this critical requirement.

The development of this correlated methodology necessitated a review of:

• The available mooring chain fatigue test data, to identify the factors influencing chain fatigue life and failure location.

• FEA fatigue methodologies currently employed in the industry.

• Current Class Rules relating to fatigue estimation.

• The influence of material, manufacturing and operational factors on chain fatigue life.

It was established that while the linear FEA fatigue method currently employed in the industry does not correlate with the fatigue test data, the non-linear multi-axial FEA fatigue method developed in the JIP afforded good correlation with test data.

It was also demonstrated that the magnitude of mean chain tension and inconsistency in proof loading, as a consequence of the inconsistency in Class Minimum Break Load (MBL) specification, and with respect to chain size and the varying material ductility of steel grades, effects fatigue life.

The identified inconsistency in the proofing indicates a likely inconsistency in conservatism embodied in the Class Rules fatigue formulation. Consequently it is possible that chains of certain size and grade may have significantly less fatigue life than anticipated by Class.

Further work is recommended to establish a more rational proof load specification and to develop an alternative Class Rules fatigue formulation accounting for the identified factors influencing fatigue.
Numerical Analysis of Wave Impact Loads on Semi-Submersible Platform
Authors: Liao Kangping , Duan Wenyang , Ma QingWei , Ma Shan , Zhao Binbin , Hu Changhong
Published: October 2017

In rough sea conditions, semi-submersible platform often suffers from extreme wave impact loads, which can result in structural damage. It is important to predict the wave impact loads on semi-submersible platform. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the wave impact loads on semi-submersible platform with numerical methods. A numerical method, based on a fixed regular Cartesian grid system, has been developed by the authors. In the method, the FDM (Finite Difference Method) is applied for solving flow field, and the THINC/SW (Tangent of Hyperbola for INterface Capturing with Slope Weighting) model, which is kind of VOF (Volume-of-Fluid) model, is adopted to capture the free surface. Some selected model test cases, form Exwave JIP project, will be used to validate the present numerical method and to analyze the wave impact loads on semi-submersible platform.
Static Stability of Floating Units in Operational Conditions: A Physics-Driven Approach
Authors: Luxcey Neil , Johannessen Øystein , Fouques Sébastien
Published: October 2017

When designing a new floating unit concept, static stability computations are performed in order to check stability criteria defined in regulations. Calculations for design conditions generally include the estimation of buoyancy force, gravity force and wind force acting on the floater for a given condition and a desired axis of rotation. However, when studying the stability of a floating platform in operational conditions, all external forces acting on the unit should be comprised in the assessment in order to get a more realistic — and even physically admissible — picture of the platform stability. Those forces include among others wind, current and anchor line system forces. In addition, limiting the study to one axis of rotation may not provide a complete picture of the floater stability, especially when the hull is of a semi-submersible type.

Following this physical approach, a numerical tool has been developed based on the SINTEF Ocean’s SIMA software package. The latter package initially includes a time domain simulator of complex multibody systems for marine operations. The developed tool provides accurate physical models for each force component that may have effects on the stability. It opens the possibility to study the operational stability of a floater without restraining the study to one axis of rotation. It also allows the analysis of damaged conditions with large inclination angles.

This paper describes the model implemented in this numerical tool. Validation work is presented for simple geometries. Results from an operational stability study of a semi-submersible are discussed. Finally, possible further work is discussed.
Simulation of Low Frequency Motions in Severe Seastates Accounting for Wave-Current Interaction Effects
Authors: Ommani Babak , Fonseca Nuno , Stansberg Carl Trygve
Published: October 2017

Today’s industry practice assumes wave drift forces on floating structures can be computed from zero current wave drift force coefficients for the stationary floater, while simplified correction models introduce current effects and slow drift velocity effects. The paper presents an alternative approach which overcomes some of the limitations of today’s procedures. The method, to be applied together with a time domain solution of the low frequency motions, is based on pre-calculation of mean wave drift force coefficients for a range of current velocities. During the low frequency motions simulation, the wave drift forces induced by the irregular waves are computed from the mean drift coefficients corresponding to instantaneous relative velocity resulting from the current and the low frequency velocities. A simple interpolation model, based on a quasi-steady assumption, is applied to obtain the drift forces in time-domain.

Since calculation of the wave drift forces on Semi-submersibles in severe sea states with fully consistent methods is out of reach, a semi-empirical model is applied to correct the potential flow wave drift force coefficients. This model takes into account viscous effects, that are important in high seastates, and wave-current interaction effects. The paper compares the wave drift forces and the related low frequency motions computed by the proposed method, with results applying “standard” methods and with model test data. The test data was obtained in the scope of the EXWAVE JIP, with model tests designed to investigate wave drift forces in severe seastates and assess the wave-current interaction effects.
VIV Suppression Device Development and the Perils of Reynolds Number
Authors: Allen Don W. , Liu Nicole
Published: October 2017

Most deepwater tubulars experiencing high currents frequently require vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression to maintain an acceptable fatigue life. While helical strakes and fairings are by far the most popular VIV suppression devices used in the offshore industry today, a myriad of small alternations to these basic devices can significantly impact the observed levels of suppression effectiveness. Additionally, numerous novel VIV reduction devices are continually being developed and some new devices are progressing towards the product readiness phase.

It is quite common to first test suppression devices at low Reynolds numbers due to the availability of smaller scale facilities that are typically more budget-friendly than larger scale facilities. For larger scale testing, it is usually simpler and less expensive to evaluate prototype suppression devices on shorter pipe sections that are spring mounted rather than test on longer flexible pipes.

This paper utilizes results from historical VIV experiments to evaluate the merits of various test setups and scales and to underscore the importance of Reynolds number. An assortment of testing scales are presented including: a) small diameter tests at low Reynolds numbers; b) moderate diameter tests that incorporate at least part of the critical Reynolds number range; c) short pipe tests conducted at prototype Reynolds numbers; and d) long pipe tests conducted at high Reynolds numbers but at less than full scale suppression geometry. The use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is also briefly discussed.
The expression of emotion in the singing voice: Acoustic patterns in vocal performance
Authors: Scherer Klaus R. , Sundberg Johan , Fantini Bernardino , Trznadel Stéphanie , Eyben Florian
Published: October 2017

There has been little research on the acoustic correlates of emotional expression in the singing voice. In this study, two pertinent questions are addressed: How does a singer's emotional interpretation of a musical piece affect acoustic parameters in the sung vocalizations? Are these patterns specific enough to allow statistical discrimination of the intended expressive targets? Eight professional opera singers were asked to sing the musical scale upwards and downwards (using meaningless content) to express different emotions, as if on stage. The studio recordings were acoustically analyzed with a standard set of parameters. The results show robust vocal signatures for the emotions studied. Overall, there is a major contrast between sadness and tenderness on the one hand, and anger, joy, and pride on the other. This is based on low vs high levels on the components of loudness, vocal dynamics, high perturbation variation, and a tendency for high low-frequency energy. This pattern can be explained by the high power and arousal characteristics of the emotions with high levels on these components. A multiple discriminant analysis yields classification accuracy greatly exceeding chance level, confirming the reliability of the acoustic patterns.
Delaying methylation drift with diet
Authors: Hine Christopher
Published: October 2017

Aging related DNA methylation drift is delayed by a calorically restricted diet.
Entamoeba histolytica
-Induced Mucin Exocytosis Is Mediated by VAMP8 and Is Critical in Mucosal Innate Host Defense
Authors: Cornick Steve , Moreau France , Gaisano Herbert Y. , Chadee Kris
Published: October 2017

Intestinal mucus secretion is critical in maintaining mucosal host defense against a myriad of pathogens by preventing direct association with the epithelium.
Entamoeba histolytica
specifically binds colonic MUC2 mucin and also induces potent hypersecretion from goblet cells; however, characterization of the nature of the mechanisms controlling mucus release remains elusive. In this report, we identify vesicle SNARE vesicle-associated membrane protein 8 (VAMP8) present on mucin granules as orchestrating regulated exocytosis in human goblet cells in response to the presence of
E. histolytica
. VAMP8 was specifically activated during
E. histolytica
infection, and ablation of VAMP8 led to impaired mucin secretion. As a consequence, loss of VAMP8 increased
E. histolytica
adherence to epithelial cells associated with enhanced cell death through apoptosis characterized by caspase 3 and 9 cleavages and DNA fragmentation. With the mucosal barrier compromised in
Vamp8
−/−
animals,
E. histolytica
induced an aggressive proinflammatory response with elevated levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion. This report is the first to characterize regulated mucin exocytosis in intestinal goblet cells in response to a pathogen and the downstream consequences of improper mucin secretion in mucosal barrier defense.

IMPORTANCE
The intestinal tract is exposed to countless substances and pathogens, and yet homeostasis is maintained, in part by the mucus layer that houses the microbiota and spatially separates potential threats from the underlying single layer of epithelium. Despite the critical role of mucus in innate host defense, characterization of the mechanisms by which mucus is secreted from specialized goblet cells in the gut remains elusive. Here, we describe the machinery that regulates mucus secretion as well as the consequence during infection with the colonic pathogen
Entamoeba histolytica
. Abolishment of the key machinery protein VAMP8 abrogated mucus release in cultured human colonic goblet cells and during
E. histolytica
infection in
Vamp8
−/−
mice, which showed enhanced amoeba contact and killing of epithelial cells, triggering a potent proinflammatory response. This report highlights the importance of the VAMP8 secretory machinery in facilitating mucus release from intestinal goblet cells and the dire consequences that occur during disease pathogenesis if these pathways are not functional.
Disarming Fungal Pathogens:
Bacillus safensis
Inhibits Virulence Factor Production and Biofilm Formation by
Cryptococcus neoformans
and
Candida albicans
Authors: Mayer François L. , Kronstad James W.
Published: October 2017

Bacteria interact with each other in nature and often compete for limited nutrient and space resources. However, it is largely unknown whether and how bacteria also interact with human fungal pathogens naturally found in the environment. Here, we identified a soil bacterium,
Bacillus safensis
, which potently blocked several key
Cryptococcus neoformans
virulence factors, including formation of the antioxidant pigment melanin and production of the antiphagocytic polysaccharide capsule. The bacterium also inhibited
de novo
cryptococcal biofilm formation but had only modest inhibitory effects on already formed biofilms or planktonic cell growth. The inhibition of fungal melanization was dependent on direct cell contact and live bacteria.
B. safensis
also had anti-virulence factor activity against another major human-associated fungal pathogen,
Candida albicans
. Specifically, dual-species interaction studies revealed that the bacterium strongly inhibited
C. albicans
filamentation and biofilm formation. In particular,
B. safensis
physically attached to and degraded candidal filaments. Through genetic and phenotypic analyses, we demonstrated that bacterial chitinase activity against fungal cell wall chitin is a factor contributing to the antipathogen effect of
B. safensis
.

IMPORTANCE
Pathogenic fungi are estimated to contribute to as many human deaths as tuberculosis or malaria. Two of the most common fungal pathogens,
Cryptococcus neoformans
and
Candida albicans
, account for up to 1.4 million infections per year with very high mortality rates. Few antifungal drugs are available for treatment, and development of novel therapies is complicated by the need for pathogen-specific targets. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel drug targets and new drugs. Pathogens use virulence factors during infection, and it has recently been proposed that targeting these factors instead of the pathogen itself may represent a new approach to develop antimicrobials. Here, we identified a soil bacterium that specifically blocked virulence factor production and biofilm formation by
C. neoformans
and
C. albicans
. We demonstrate that the bacterial antipathogen mechanism is based in part on targeting the fungal cell wall, a structure not found in human cells.
Topoisomerase 1 Inhibition Promotes Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase-Dependent Antiviral Responses
Authors: Pépin Geneviève , Nejad Charlotte , Ferrand Jonathan , Thomas Belinda J. , Stunden H. James , Sanij Elaine , Foo Chwan-Hong , Stewart Cameron R. , Cain Jason E. , Bardin Philip G. , Williams Bryan R. G. , Gantier Michael P.
Published: October 2017

Inflammatory responses, while essential for pathogen clearance, can also be deleterious to the host. Chemical inhibition of topoisomerase 1 (Top1) by low-dose camptothecin (CPT) can suppress transcriptional induction of antiviral and inflammatory genes and protect animals from excessive and damaging inflammatory responses. We describe the unexpected finding that minor DNA damage from topoisomerase 1 inhibition with low-dose CPT can trigger a strong antiviral immune response through cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) detection of cytoplasmic DNA. This argues against CPT having only anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, expression of the simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen was paramount to the proinflammatory antiviral activity of CPT, as it potentiated cytoplasmic DNA leakage and subsequent cGAS recruitment in human and mouse cell lines. This work suggests that the capacity of Top1 inhibitors to blunt inflammatory responses can be counteracted by viral oncogenes and that this should be taken into account for their therapeutic development.

IMPORTANCE
Recent studies suggest that low-dose DNA-damaging compounds traditionally used in cancer therapy can have opposite effects on antiviral responses, either suppressing (with the example of CPT) or potentiating (with the example of doxorubicin) them. Our work demonstrates that the minor DNA damage promoted by low-dose CPT can also trigger strong antiviral responses, dependent on the presence of viral oncogenes. Taken together, these results call for caution in the therapeutic use of low-dose chemotherapy agents to modulate antiviral responses in humans.
A rare case of localised pigmented villonodular synovitis in the knee of a 24-year-old female soccer player: diagnosis, management and summary of tenosynovial giant cell tumours
Authors: Falster Casper , Stockmann Poulsen Simon , Joergensen Uffe
Published: October 2017

Localised pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the knee is a rare diagnosis, with clinical signs and symptoms mimicking meniscal damage or other common knee injuries.

We report the case of a 24-year-old female soccer player, seeking treatment after 7 months of persisting knee pain. Additionally, we present an overview of tenosynovial giant cell tumours.

On examination, the patient was found to have tenderness in the medial joint space of the knee. MRI revealed a heterogeneous formation in the central part of the knee. The formation was completely enucleated arthroscopically, histological analyses confirmed the diagnosis of localised PVNS. The patient was subsequently free of symptoms with no signs of recurrence on MRI and had resumed soccer practice at the 1-year follow-up appointment.
Use of optokinetics based OKCSIB protocol in restoring mobility in primary progressive MS
Authors: Chitambira Benjamin , McConaghy Ciara
Published: October 2017

The case is of a mid-40s patient who developed progressive muscle weakness and loss of mobility over 6 weeks due to primary progressive multiple sclerosis. 2.5 days before admission, she became bed bound with weakness of 1/5 on the Oxford scale. She normally rested for a couple of days after similar periods of worsening symptoms and then got back on her feet although with worse balance. She was treated with optokinetic chart stimulation and sensory interaction for balance (OKCSIB) protocol. Within 2 days of intervention, she was mobile with a delta frame and supervision of one. By the end of a week, she was independently mobile with her delta frame. It is recommended that instead of just practising function, the OKCSIB protocol be used to regain antigravity extensor control loss of which leads to deteriorating function in neurological conditions.
Antenatal nutritional supplementation and autism spectrum disorders in the Stockholm youth cohort: population based cohort study
Authors: DeVilbiss Elizabeth A , Magnusson Cecilia , Gardner Renee M , Rai Dheeraj , Newschaffer Craig J , Lyall Kristen , Dalman Christina , Lee Brian K
Published: October 2017

Objective

To determine whether nutritional supplementation during pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with and without intellectual disability in offspring.

Design

Observational prospective cohort study using multivariable logistic regression, sibling controls, and propensity score matching.

Setting

Stockholm County, Sweden.

Participants

273 107 mother-child pairs identified through population registers. The study sample was restricted to children who were aged 4 to 15 years by the end of follow-up on 31 December 2011 and were born between 1996 and 2007.

Exposures

Multivitamin, iron, and folic acid supplement use was reported at the first antenatal visit.

Main outcome measure

Diagnosis of ASD with and without intellectual disability in children determined from register data up to 31 December 2011.

Results

Prevalence of ASD with intellectual disability was 0.26% (158 cases in 61 934) in the maternal multivitamin use group and 0.48% (430 cases in 90 480) in the no nutritional supplementation use group. Maternal multivitamin use with or without additional iron or folic acid, or both was associated with lower odds of ASD with intellectual disability in the child compared with mothers who did not use multivitamins, iron, and folic acid (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.57 to 0.84). Similar estimates were found in propensity score matched (0.68, 0.54 to 0.86) and sibling control (0.77, 0.52 to 1.15) matched analyses, though the confidence interval for the latter association included 1.0 and was therefore not statistically significant. There was no consistent evidence that either iron or folic acid use were inversely associated with ASD prevalence.

Conclusions

Maternal multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy may be inversely associated with ASD with intellectual disability in offspring. Further scrutiny of maternal nutrition and its role in the cause of autism is recommended.
Implementation of a ‘lean’ cytopathology service: towards routine same-day reporting
Authors: Hewer Ekkehard , Hammer Caroline , Fricke-Vetsch Daniela , Baumann Cinzia , Perren Aurel , Schmitt Anja M
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To systematically assess the effects of a Lean management intervention in an academic cytopathology service.

Methods

We monitored outcomes including specimen turnaround times during stepwise implementation of a lean cytopathology workflow for gynaecological and non-gynaecological cytology.

Results

The intervention resulted in a major reduction of turnaround times for both gynaecological (3rd quartile 4.1 vs 2.3 working days) and non-gynaecological cytology (3rd quartile 1.9 vs. 1.2 working days). Introduction of fully electronic reporting had additional effect over continuous staining of slides alone. The rate of non-gynaecological specimens reported the same day increased from 4.5% to 56.5% of specimens received before noon.

Conclusions

Lean management principles provide a useful framework for organization of a cytopathology workflow. Stepwise implementation beginning with a simplified gynaecological cytology workflow allowed involved staff to monitor the effects of individual changes and allowed for a smooth transition.
Prevalence of asthma-like symptoms with ageing
Authors: Jarvis Debbie , Newson Roger , Janson Christer , Corsico Angelo , Heinrich Joachim , Anto Josep M , Abramson Michael J , Kirsten Anne-Marie , Zock Jan Paul , Bono Roberto , Demoly Pascal , Leynaert Bénédicte , Raherison Chantal , Pin Isabelle , Gislason Thorarinn , Jogi Rain , Schlunssen Vivi , Svanes Cecilie , Watkins John , Weyler Joost , Pereira-Vega Antonio , Urrutia Isabel , Gullón Jose A , Forsberg Bertil , Probst-Hensch Nicole , Boezen H Marike , Martinez-Moratalla Rovira Jesús , Accordini Simone , de Marco Roberto , Burney Peter
Published: October 2017

Background

Change in the prevalence of asthma-like symptoms in populations of ageing adults is likely to be influenced by smoking, asthma treatment and atopy.

Methods

The European Community Respiratory Health Survey collected information on prevalent asthma-like symptoms from representative samples of adults aged 20–44 years (29 centres in 13 European countries and Australia) at baseline and 10 and 20 years later (n=7844). Net changes in symptom prevalence were determined using generalised estimating equations (accounting for non-response through inverse probability weighting), followed by meta-analysis of centre level estimates.

Findings

Over 20 years the prevalence of ‘wheeze’ and ‘wheeze in the absence of a cold’ decreased (−2.4%, 95% CI −3.5 to −1.3%; −1.5%, 95% CI −2.4 to −0.6%, respectively) but the prevalence of asthma attacks, use of asthma medication and hay fever/nasal allergies increased (0.6%, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.11; 3.6%, 95% CI 3.0 to 4.2; 2.7%, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.7). Changes were similar in the first 10 years compared with the second 10 years, except for hay fever/nasal allergies (increase seen in the first 10 years only). Decreases in these wheeze-related symptoms were largely seen in the group who gave up smoking, and were seen in those who reported hay fever/nasal allergies at baseline.

Interpretation

European adults born between 1946 and 1970 have, over the last 20 years, experienced less wheeze, although they were more likely to report asthma attacks, use of asthma medication and hay fever. Decrease in wheeze is largely attributable to smoking cessation, rather than improved treatment of asthma. It may also be influenced by reductions in atopy with ageing.
Caffeine alters emotion and emotional responses in low habitual caffeine consumers
Authors: Giles Grace E. , Spring Alexander M. , Urry Heather L. , Moran Joseph M. , Mahoney Caroline R. , Kanarek Robin B.
Published: October 2017

Caffeine reliably increases emotional arousal, but it is unclear whether and how it influences other dimensions of emotion such as emotional valence. These experiments documented whether caffeine influences emotion and emotion regulation choice and success. Low to abstinent caffeine consumers (maximum 100 mg/day) completed measures of state anxiety, positive and negative emotion, and salivary cortisol before, 45 min after, and 75 min after consuming 400 mg caffeine or placebo. Participants also completed an emotion regulation choice task, in which they chose to employ cognitive reappraisal or distraction in response to high and low intensity negative pictures (Experiment 1), or a cognitive reappraisal task, in which they employed cognitive reappraisal or no emotion regulation strategy in response to negative and neutral pictures (Experiment 2). State anxiety, negative emotion, and salivary cortisol were heightened both 45 and 75 min after caffeine intake relative to placebo. In Experiment 1, caffeine did not influence the frequency with which participants chose reappraisal or distraction, but reduced negativity of the picture ratings. In Experiment 2, caffeine did not influence cognitive reappraisal success. Thus, caffeine mitigated emotional responses to negative situations, but not how participants chose to regulate such responses or the success with which they did so.
Wintertime surface energy balance of a high-altitude seasonal snow surface in Chhota Shigri glacier basin, Western Himalaya
Authors: Soheb Mohd , Ramanathan Alagappan , Mandal Arindan , Angchuk Thupstan , Pandey Naveen , Mishra Som Dutta
Published: October 2017

We describe a time series of meteorological parameters and surface energy balance components of a seasonal snow cover from an automatic weather station (4863 m a.s.l., 32.28° N, 77.58° E), for a winter season from 1 December 2012 to 30 March 2013, located on a moraine close to the equilibrium line altitude of Chhota Shigri glacier, Himachal Pradesh, India. The analysis shows that for over 80% of the time in winter, the snow surface was at a cooling phase. During late winter however, the surface had some positive residual energy which induced some melt during peak hours of the day. The net all-wave radiation was mostly negative during winter because of the high reflective property of snow and reduced incoming longwave radiation due to low cloud. The sensible heat flux heats the surface at night and enhances the cooling during day. The latent heat flux is always negative, showing that the surface is losing mass through sublimation processes (−0.83 mm w.e./day). A correlation between the energy fluxes and temperature shows a distinct relationship between fluxes. A comparison between the two studies performed on- and off-glacier reveals a significant difference in some parameters. A higher value (−1.08 mm/day) of sublimation rate at 4863 m a.s.l. shows that a large amount of energy available at the surface was used in sublimation processes. A comparatively lower albedo, relative humidity and net longwave radiation and higher latent heat flux, wind speed and net shortwave radiation yield a distinctive surface energy balance, highlighting the need for a large number of stations at different zones to achieve a coherent picture of energy balance in the region.
Active Learning and Visual Analytics for Stance Classification with ALVA
Authors: Kucher Kostiantyn , Paradis Carita , Sahlgren Magnus , Kerren Andreas
Published: October 2017

The automatic detection and classification of stance (e.g., certainty or agreement) in text data using natural language processing and machine-learning methods creates an opportunity to gain insight into the speakers’ attitudes toward their own and other people’s utterances. However, identifying stance in text presents many challenges related to training data collection and classifier training. To facilitate the entire process of training a stance classifier, we propose a visual analytics approach, called ALVA, for text data annotation and visualization. ALVA’s interplay with the stance classifier follows an active learning strategy to select suitable candidate utterances for manual annotaion. Our approach supports annotation process management and provides the annotators with a clean user interface for labeling utterances with multiple stance categories. ALVA also contains a visualization method to help analysts of the annotation and training process gain a better understanding of the categories used by the annotators. The visualization uses a novel visual representation, called CatCombos, which groups individual annotation items by the combination of stance categories. Additionally, our system makes a visualization of a vector space model available that is itself based on utterances. ALVA is already being used by our domain experts in linguistics and computational linguistics to improve the understanding of stance phenomena and to build a stance classifier for applications such as social media monitoring.
Sediment Trapping in Estuaries
Authors: Burchard Hans , Schuttelaars Henk M. , Ralston David K.
Published: October 2017

Estuarine turbidity maxima (ETMs) are generated by a large suite of hydrodynamic and sediment dynamic processes, leading to longitudinal convergence of cross-sectionally integrated and tidally averaged transport of cohesive and noncohesive suspended particulate matter (SPM). The relative importance of these processes for SPM trapping varies substantially among estuaries depending on topography, fluvial and tidal forcing, and SPM composition. The high-frequency dynamics of ETMs are constrained by interactions with the low-frequency dynamics of the bottom pool of easily erodible sediments. Here, we use a transport decomposition to present processes that lead to convergent SPM transport, and review trapping mechanisms that lead to ETMs at the landward limit of the salt intrusion, in the freshwater zone, at topographic transitions, and by lateral processes within the cross section. We use model simulations of example estuaries to demonstrate the complex concurrence of ETM formation mechanisms. We also discuss how changes in SPM trapping mechanisms, often caused by direct human interference, can lead to the generation of hyperturbid estuaries.
Convergent Neuronal Plasticity and Metaplasticity Mechanisms of Stress, Nicotine, and Alcohol
Authors: Ostroumov Alexey , Dani John A.
Published: October 2017

Stress and tobacco smoking are risk factors for alcoholism, but the underlying neural mechanisms are not well understood. Although stress, nicotine, and alcohol have broad, individual effects in the brain, some of their actions converge onto the same mechanisms and circuits. Stress and nicotine augment alcohol-related behaviors, in part via modulation of alcohol-evoked neuronal plasticity and metaplasticity mechanisms. Stress modulates alcohol-evoked plasticity via the release of signaling molecules that influence synaptic transmission. Nicotine also activates some of the same signaling molecules, cells, and circuits, producing a convergence of both stress and nicotine onto common plasticity mechanisms that influence alcohol self-administration. We describe several forms of alcohol-induced plasticity, including classic Hebbian plasticity at glutamatergic synapses, and we highlight less appreciated forms, such as non-Hebbian and GABAergic synaptic plasticity. Risk factors such as stress and nicotine initiate lasting neural changes that modify subsequent alcohol-induced synaptic plasticity and increase the vulnerability to alcohol addiction.
Evaluation of chest ultrasound integrated teaching of respiratory system physiology to medical students
Authors: Paganini Matteo , Bondì Michela , Rubini Alessandro
Published: October 2017

Ultrasound imaging is a widely used diagnostic technique, whose integration in medical education is constantly growing. The aim of this study was to evaluate chest ultrasound usefulness in teaching respiratory system physiology, students’ perception of chest ultrasound integration into a traditional lecture in human physiology, and short–term concept retention. A lecture about respiratory physiology was integrated with ultrasound and delivered to third-year medical students. It included basic concepts of ultrasound imaging and the physiology of four anatomic sectors of the body of a male volunteer, shown with a portable ultrasound device (pleural sliding, diaphragmatic movement, inferior vena cava diameter variations, cardiac movements). Students’ perceptions of the integrated lecture were assessed, and attendance recorded. After 4 mo, four multiple-choice questions about respiratory physiology were administered during the normal human physiology examinations, and the results of students who attended the lesson and those of who did not were compared. One hundred thirty-four students attended the lecture. Most of them showed encouragement for the study of the subject and considered the ultrasound integrated lecture more interesting than a traditional one and pertinent to the syllabus. Exposed students achieved a better score at the examination and committed less errors than did nonexposed students. The chest ultrasound integrated lecture was appreciated by students. A possible association between the exposure to the lecture and short-term concept retention is shown by better performances of the exposed cohort at the examination. A systematic introduction of ultrasound into physiology traditional teaching will be promoted by the Ultrasound-Based Medical Education movement.
Chronic stress inhibits growth and induces proteolytic mechanisms through two different nonoverlapping pathways in the skeletal muscle of a teleost fish
Authors: Valenzuela Cristián A. , Zuloaga Rodrigo , Mercado Luis , Einarsdottir Ingibjörg Eir , Björnsson Björn Thrandur , Valdés Juan Antonio , Molina Alfredo
Published: October 2017

Chronic stress detrimentally affects animal health and homeostasis, with somatic growth, and thus skeletal muscle, being particularly affected. A detailed understanding of the underlying endocrine and molecular mechanisms of how chronic stress affects skeletal muscle growth remains lacking. To address this issue, the present study assessed primary (plasma cortisol), secondary (key components of the GH/IGF system, muscular proteolytic pathways, and apoptosis), and tertiary (growth performance) stress responses in fine flounder ( Paralichthys adspersus) exposed to crowding chronic stress. Levels of plasma cortisol, glucocorticoid receptor 2 ( gr2), and its target genes ( klf15 and redd1) mRNA increased significantly only at 4 wk of crowding ( P < 0.05). The components of the GH/IGF system, including ligands, receptors, and their signaling pathways, were significantly downregulated at 7 wk of crowding ( P < 0.05). Interestingly, chronic stress upregulated the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and the intrinsic apoptosis pathways at 4wk ( P < 0.01), whereas autophagy was only significantly activated at 7 wk ( P < 0.05), and meanwhile the ubiquitin-proteasome and the apoptosis pathways returned to control levels. Overall growth was inhibited in fish in the 7-wk chronic stress trial ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, chronic stress directly affects muscle growth and downregulates the GH/IGF system, an action through which muscular catabolic mechanisms are promoted by two different and nonoverlapping proteolytic pathways. These findings provide new information on molecular mechanisms involved in the negative effects that chronic stress has on muscle anabolic/catabolic signaling balance.
Case Studies in Neuroscience: A dissociation of balance and posture demonstrated by camptocormia
Authors: St George R. J. , Gurfinkel V. S. , Kraakevik J. , Nutt J. G. , Horak F. B.
Published: October 2017

Upright stance in humans requires an intricate exchange between the neural mechanisms that control balance and those that control posture; however, the distinction between these control systems is hard to discern in healthy subjects. By studying balance and postural control of a participant with camptocormia — an involuntary flexion of the trunk during standing that resolves when supine — a divergence between balance and postural control was revealed. A kinematic and kinetic investigation of standing and walking showed a stereotyped flexion of the upper body by almost 80° over a few minutes, and yet the participant’s ability to control center of mass within the base of support and to compensate for external perturbations remained intact. This unique case also revealed the involvement of automatic, tonic control of the paraspinal muscles during standing and the effects of attention. Although strength was reduced and MRI showed a reduction in muscle mass, there was sufficient strength to maintain an upright posture under voluntary control and when using geste antagoniste maneuvers or “sensory tricks” from visual, auditory, and haptic biofeedback. Dual tasks that either increased or decreased the attention given to postural alignment would decrease or increase the postural flexion, respectively. The custom-made “twister” device that measured axial resistance to slow passive rotation revealed abnormalities in axial muscle tone distribution during standing. The results suggest that the disorder in this case was due to a disruption in the automatic, tonic drive to the postural muscles and that myogenic changes were secondary.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY By studying an idiopathic camptocormia case with a detailed biomechanical and sensorimotor approach, we have demonstrated unique insights into the neural control of human bipedalism 1) balance and postural control cannot be considered the same neural process, as there is a stereotyped abnormal flexed posture, without balance deficits, associated with camptocormia, and 2) posture during standing is controlled by automatic axial tone but “sensory tricks” involving sensory biofeedback to direct voluntary attention to postural alignment can override, when required.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Promotes C2C12 Cells Myogenic Differentiation by Enhancing Cell Cycle Exit
Authors: Liu Xinyi , Wang Yongliang , Zhao Shuhong , Li Xinyun
Published: October 2017

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a secretion protein, functions as a pivotal regulator of energy metabolism and is being considered as a therapeutic candidate in metabolic syndromes. However, the roles of FGF21 in myogenic differentiation and cell cycle remain obscure. In this study, we investigated the function of FGF21 in myogenesis and cell cycle exit using C2C12 cell line. Our data showed that the expression of myogenic genes as well as cell cycle exit genes was increased after FGF21 overexpression, and FGF21 overexpression induces cell cycle arrest. Moreover, cell cycle genes were decreased in FGF21 overexpression cells while they were increased in FGF21 knockdown cells. Further, FGF21/P53/p21/Cyclin-CDK has been suggested as the key pathway for cell cycle exit mediated by FGF21 in C2C12 cells. Also, we deduce that FGF21 promotes the initiation of myogenic differentiation mainly through enhancing cell cycle exit of C2C12 cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that FGF21 promotes cell cycle exit and enhances myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. This study provided new evidence that FGF21 promotes myogenic differentiation, which could be useful for better understanding the roles of FGF21 in myogenesis.
Positive Solutions of Three-Order Delayed Periodic Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Wang Na
Published: October 2017

Our main purpose is to consider the existence of positive solutions for three-order two-point boundary value problem in the following form: u′′′(t)+ρ3u(t)=f(t,u(t-τ)),  0≤t≤2π,  u(i)(0)=u(i)(2π),  i=1,2,  u(t)=σ,  -τ≤t≤0, where σ,ρ, and τ are given constants satisfying τ∈(0,π/2). Some inequality conditions on ρ3u-f(t,u) guaranteeing the existence and nonexistence of positive solutions are presented. Our discussion is based on the fixed point theorem in cones.
Review on Research about Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Stem Cell
Authors: Wang Yaohan , Feng Li , Piao Bingkui , Zhang Peitong
Published: October 2017

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are small subpopulations of neoplastic cells within a tumor, which have self‐renewal and differentiation abilities and could generate new tumors with few cells. Researches have showed that CSCs are considered the most likely reason for cancer recurrence and metastasis. Accumulating evidences have showed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has significant effect on CSCs. It could inhibit the proliferation, self‐renew, and multidifferentiation of CSCs. We aimed to summarize the theories of CSCs in TCM, the inhibitory effect, and the pathway on CSCs of TCM. This review will provide potential new strategies and alternative perspectives for CSCs treatments and basic research into complementary and alternative medicine.
Response Surface Optimisation for the Production of Antioxidant Hydrolysates from Stone Fish Protein Using Bromelain
Authors: Auwal Shehu Muhammad , Zarei Mohammad , Abdul-Hamid Azizah , Saari Nazamid
Published: October 2017

Protein hydrolysates produced from different food sources exhibit therapeutic potential and can be used in the management of chronic diseases. This study was targeted to optimise the conditions for the hydrolysis of stone fish protein to produce antioxidant hydrolysates using central composite design (CCD) by response surface methodology (RSM). The stone fish protein was hydrolysed under the optimum predicted conditions defined by pH (6.5), temperature (54°C), E/S ratio (1.5%), and hydrolysis time (360 min). The hydrolysates were then evaluated for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging activity and ferrous ion‐ (Fe2+‐) chelating activity. Results validation showed no significant difference between the experimental values of DPPH• scavenging activity (48.94%) and Fe2+‐chelating activity (25.12%) obtained at 54.62% degree of hydrolysis (DH) compared to their corresponding predicted values of 49.79% and 24.08% at 53.08% DH, respectively. The hydrolysates demonstrated non‐Newtonian behavior (n < 1) with stronger shear‐thinning effect and higher viscosities at increasing concentration. Thus, RSM can be considered as a promising strategy to optimise the production of stone fish protein hydrolysates containing antioxidant peptides. It is hoped that this finding will enhance the potential of stone fish protein hydrolysates (SHs) as therapeutic bioactive ingredient in functional foods development.
Esophageal Lichen Planus: Understanding a Potentially Severe Stricturing Disease
Authors: Rao Bharat , Gulati Abhishek , Jobe Blair , Thakkar Shyam
Published: October 2017

A 67-year-old woman with a long-standing history of recurrent dysphagia and esophageal strictures failed to respond to aggressive antireflux management. She required multiple dilations for symptomatic strictures that were discovered throughout the esophagus. Intralesional, topical, and systemic glucocorticoid therapies were utilized without resolution in symptoms. Several years after initial presentation, histopathology ultimately demonstrated lichenoid features and a diagnosis of esophageal lichen planus (ELP) was confirmed. However, as her symptoms had already become significantly disabling with severe strictures that carried an increased risk of endoscopic complications with dilation, she ultimately decided to undergo an esophagectomy for definitive treatment. Moreover, ELP may often go unrecognized for several years. Clinicians should consider ELP in the differential for dysphagia in middle- to elderly-aged women with or without a known history of lichen planus (LP) especially for those with findings of multiple or proximal strictures.
Expression Pattern of G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor in Myometrium of Uteri with and without Adenomyosis
Authors: Li Jin-Jiao , Duan Hua , Wang Sha , Sun Fu-Qing , Gan Lu , Tang Yi-Qun , Xu Qian , Li Tin-Chiu
Published: October 2017

Objective. To compare the expression of G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the junctional zone and outer myometrium of the proliferative and secretory phases of women with and without adenomyosis. Methods. A total of 76 women were included in this study, 42 with adenomyosis (proliferative phase, n=23; secretory phases, n=19) and 34 controls (proliferative phase, n=16; secretory phases, n=18). Protein and total RNA were extracted from the junctional zone (JZ) and outer myometrium (OM). GPER protein and mRNA expression levels were evaluated by the use of western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results. The expression of GPER protein and mRNA in women with adenomyosis was significantly higher than that of control subjects, both in the junctional zone and in the outer myometrium and both in the proliferative and in the secretory phases. Conclusion. The significant and consistent increase in GPER expression in adenomyosis compared with control subjects, regardless of whether it was in the proliferative or secretory phases and regardless of whether it was in the JZ or OM, suggests that GPER plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the adenomyosis.
Postintervention Dyspnea after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: Think of a Phrenic Nerve Injury
Authors: Ramos-Villalobos Liliana E. , Colin Lizalde Luis , Márquez Manlio F. , Iturralde Pedro , Castillo Francisco
Published: October 2017

Phrenic nerve injury (PNI) is a rare complication of catheter ablation therapy, most commonly observed in cryoablation of the right side pulmonary veins. We present a case of PNI after radiofrequency catheter ablation that developed acute dyspnea 24 hours after the intervention. Dyspnea is the main symptom of PNI, so the diagnosis should always be suspected if it appears after any type of catheter ablation involving the trajectory of the phrenic nerve. There is no specific treatment for PNI. The only maneuver that has been reported to accelerate the recovery of PNI is early stopping of the ablation therapy.