bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porównanie częstości występowania objawów współistniejących w grupie pacjentów z zawrotami głowy
Authors: Šichnárek Jakub , Vyskotová Jana , Macháčková Kateřina , Mrázková Eva
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is the second most frequent symptom that make patients seek specialized examination. The effective solution of dizzy conditions requires treatment in cooperation with different branches of medicine.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze data from the database of patients with vertigo examined in the Hearing and Balance Disorder Centre in Ostrava, to find out whether, and in what factors, the sets of patients with diagnosed central and peripheral vestibular syndrom differ from each other.
METHODS: Retrospective study that was carried out from October 2012 to February 2013. The data was gathered from documentation of all vertiginous patients who were examined by an otoneurologist.
RESULTS: The statistically significant difference between the two sets was found in: occurrence of hypertension and mild obesity, impaired hearing and otitis media, stabilometric testing
CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant difference between the sets with the central and peripheral vestibular syndrome in the frequency of occurrence of hypertension, impaired hearing, otitis media, in mild obesity categorization and in balance disorders. There was not any statistically significant difference found in the other observed factors. The results confirm the need of a multidisciplinary approach to patients with vertigo.
Wpływ wybranych czynników środowiskowych na maksymalny przepływ nosowy wdechowy – część projektu ECAP (Epidemiologia Chorób Alergicznych w Polsce)
Authors: Krzych-Fałta Edyta , Furmańczyk Konrad , Piekarska Barbara , Sybilski Adam , Samoliński Bolesław
Published: February 2017

Celem niniejszej pracy była próba określenia wpływu wybranych czynników/parametrów na wynik maksymalnego
przepływu nosowego wdechowego (PNIF, ang. peak nasal inspiratory flow) w badanej populacji polskiej projektu Epidemiologia
Chorób Alergicznych w Polsce (ECAP).
Materiał/metody: Badaną populację stanowiła grupa dzieci w wieku 6–7 lat (n=1123), młodzieży w wieku 13–14 lat (n=1136)
oraz dorosłych (n=1876) zamieszkałych w siedmiu dużych polskich miastach. W badaniu posłużono się pomiarem maksymalnego
przepływu nosowego wdechowego (PNIF). Do oceny wpływu wybranych czynników na wartości PNIF wykorzystano
przetłumaczone i walidowane kwestionariusze opracowane na potrzeby światowych badań ECRHS II (European Community
Respiratory Health Survey II) i ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood).
Wyniki: Określone warunki wewnątrz gospodarstwa domowego, m.in. ogrzewanie węglem, drewnem lub piecem
gazowym, istotnie zwiększają przekrwienie błony śluzowej nosa. W grupie biernych palaczy PNIF był niższy niż w grupie
czynnych palaczy. Wskaźnik PNIF malał wraz ze wzrostem liczby domowników palących papierosy.
Wnioski: Wybrane czynniki środowiska
Determining the Residual Characteristics of Alkylphenols, Arsenic, and Lead as well as Assessing the Exposures of 1,4-Dioxane from Household Food Detergents
Authors: Lin Wan-Ting , Chen Wun-Ling , Cheng Wei-Chih , Chang Hui-Chuan , Tsai Shih-Wei
Published: February 2017

Food detergents are commonly used in households. The main components of detergents include surfactants and water. It has been found that certain compounds, which may cause health concerns, appear in food detergents, such as alkylphenols, arsenic, and lead. After applying food detergents is when people may be exposed to various levels of these chemicals when there are residues. In this study, the Taguchi experimental design was performed to determine the possible factors that might affect the residual characteristics of food detergent on dishware, fruits, and vegetables. The results showed that the variety of detergent was found to be the most significant factor affecting the residue amounts of arsenic (62.9%) and lead (71.6%) on fruits and vegetables, whereas the concentration of detergent used affected the amount of lead residue only (10.5%). On the other hand, dishware material, the concentration of analytes, immersion time, and type of surfactant contributed to arsenic residues on dishware, whereas technical nonylphenol isomer residues on dishware increased as the concentration of spiked analyte increased. In addition, the occurrence of 1,4-dioxane, a possible human carcinogen, in household food detergents in Taiwan was also determined in this research by solid-phase microextraction and GC-MS. Among the 80 detergent samples, 71 contained different concentrations ranges of 1,4-dioxane, from 0.03 to ~3.73 µg/g. In the exposure assessment, it was estimated that the maximum amounts of 1,4-dioxane in contact with the skin from the use of household food detergent in Taiwan was 0.015 µg/kg/day.
Preferências e tabus alimentares no consumo de pescado em Santarém, Brasil
Authors: Braga Tony Marcos Porto , Silva Adrielly Alves da , Rebêlo George Henrique
Published: February 2017

Foi registrado o uso de recursos pesqueiros pelos moradores da cidade de Santarém-PA, no baixo rio Amazonas, e analisados os aspectos associados à evitação ou ao incremento de seu consumo. Os dados foram coletados mensalmente nos mercados e feiras, mediante a aplicação de questionários semiestruturados junto a consumidores e comerciantes de pescado, entre agosto de 2013 e julho de 2014. Os dados foram armazenados em um banco de dados relacionais e submetidos à estatística descritiva. O peixe foi o principal produto adquirido e comercializado (80% dos entrevistados). Atualmente, preferem o tambaqui e o tucunaré – e não o acari e a pescada, que eram os preferidos antigamente. O tabu tradicional contra o consumo de peixes lisos ainda existe, mas algumas espécies que antes não eram consumidas ou pouco consumidas estão sendo aceitas e encontradas nos mercados.
Potable Reuse: Where we've been and where we're Headed
Authors: Wang Sunny , Broley Wendy , Mackey Erin
Published: February 2017

As traditional water supply management strategies are challenged by the uncertainty of climate change and shifting customer demands, many regions across the United States are adopting new strategies for expanding locally controlled water supplies. In particular, severe drought conditions in the state of California have motivated water utilities to expand recycled water use beyond traditional applications, such as irrigation and industrial cooling, to potable reuse.
Parody as Translation: Ibsen’s new woman in the pages of Punch
Authors: Flynn Rebecca
Published: February 2017

“Parody as Translation: Ibsen’s new woman in the pages of Punch” examines four comic parodies of Ibsen written by Thomas Antsey Guthrie, a British journalist and humourist also known as F. Antsey. The plays examined include parodies of Rosmersholm, A Doll’s House, Hedda Gabler, and The Master Builder — comically abbreviated renditions of Ibsen originals that featured striking new women characters. Reading these parodies as responses to their originals, I examine what happens to the new woman character when she is subjected to comic parodic treatment. Although the parodies do not directly focus on the alteration of these key female characters, I argue that Antsey’s parodic critique of Ibsenian dramaturgical mechanics, conventions, and tropes indirectly impacted their representation, transforming them from tragic heroines to comic figures and raising further questions about the relationship between gender and comedy. In each parody, the psychological complexity of the new woman character is compromised through Antsey’s alteration of one or more of her key purposes within Ibsen’s text. Overall, I argue that the reassessment and reinterpretation of these key Norwegian texts can be viewed as a mode of transition between Ibsen and those impacted and influenced by him, providing a cultural medium or “buffer” that helped connect the notably “serious” Scandinavian playwright with British audiences.
Analysis, Synthesis and Experiments of Networked Platoons with Communication Constraints
Authors: Wu Ligang , Lu Zibao , Guo Ge
Published: February 2017

This paper investigates the analysis and synthesis of networked vehicle platoons with communication delays, packet dropouts and disorders. In order to deal with the effects of the communication constraints, we introduce a novel Smart Data Processor (SDP) for each vehicle, by which the latest data packets from logic Data Packet Processor and the matched data packet from its Buffer can be obtained. Based on this mechanism, a leader-predecessor-follower control strategy is proposed. In order to guarantee the asymptotic and string stability, the platoon control problem is transformed into a multi-objective H∞-type synthesis problem with the multiple time-varying delays. A sufficient condition for designing the controller gain is derived by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. Numerous simulations and experiments with laboratory scale Arduino cars show the efficiency of the proposed methods.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Pyrazole‐Directed sp3 C−H Bond Arylation for the Synthesis of β‐Phenethylamines
Authors: Gulia Nurbey , Daugulis Olafs
Published: February 2017

We have developed a method for palladium‐catalyzed, pyrazole‐directed sp3 C−H bond arylation by aryl iodides. The reaction employs a Pd(OAc)2 catalyst at 5–10 mol % loading and silver(I) oxide as a halide‐removal agent, and it proceeds in acetic acid or acetic acid/hexafluoroisopropanol solvent. Ozonolysis of the pyrazole moiety affords pharmaceutically important β‐phenethylamines.
Modulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and apoptosis by the isoflavone genistein in Mdx mice
Authors: Messina Sonia , Bitto Alessandra , Vita Gian Luca , Aguennouz M'hammed , Irrera Natasha , Licata Norma , Sframeli Maria , Bruschetta Daniele , Minutoli Letteria , Altavilla Domenica , Vita Giuseppe , Squadrito Francesco
Published: February 2017

Dystrophin lack in DMD causes neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) membrane delocalization which in turn promotes functional muscle ischemia, and exacerbates muscle injury. Apoptosis and the exhaustion of muscle regenerative capacity are implicated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) pathogenesis and therefore are relevant therapeutic targets. Genistein has been reported to have pro‐proliferative effects, promoting G1/S cell phase transition through the induction of cyclin D1, and anti‐apoptotic properties. We previously showed that genistein could reduce muscle necrosis and enhance regeneration with an augmented number of myogenin‐positive satellite cells and myonuclei, ameliorating muscle function in mdx mice. In this study we evaluated the underlying mechanisms of genistein effect on muscle specimens of mdx and wild type mice treated for five weeks with genistein (2 mg/kg/i.p. daily) or vehicle. Western blot analysis show that genistein increased cyclin D1 and nNOS expression; and showed an antiapoptotic effect, modulating the expression of BAX and Bcl‐2. Our results suggest that this isoflavone might enhance the regenerative spurt in mdx mice muscle restoring nNOS, promoting G1/S phase transition in muscle cell, and inhibiting apoptosis. Further studies with longer time treatment or using different experimental approaches are needed to better investigate the underlying mechanisms of such results. © 2015 BioFactors, 41(5):324–329, 2015
Dissipation kinetics and pre‐harvest residue limit of pyriofenone in oriental melon (Cucumis melo Var. makuwa) grown under regulated climatic conditions
Authors: Chung Hyung Suk , Kabir Md. Humayun , Abd El‐Aty A.M. , Lee Han Sol , Rahman Md. Musfiqur , Chang Byung‐Joon , Shin Ho‐Chul , Shim Jae‐Han
Published: February 2017

A high‐performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detection was used to estimate the disappearance rates as well as the pre‐harvest residue limits of pyriofenone in oriental melon (Cucumis melo var. makuwa) grown under greenhouse conditions in two different locations (A and B) in Seongju, Republic of Korea. The identity of the compound in standard solution and representative field incurred samples was confirmed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated in terms of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, accuracy (expressed as recovery) and precision (expressed as relative standard deviation) for accurate and precise quantitation. Notably, the residual levels of field incurred samples collected over days 0–10 post‐application were below the maximum residue level (0.2 mg/kg) established by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Site A showed lower residue levels and a higher decline rate than site B, which might be attributed to seasonal variation (high temperature) and increased metabolic and enzyme profiling in the mature fruits. The half‐lives were similar, 4.9 and 4.3 days, at sites A and B, respectively. Using the pre‐harvest residue limit, we predicted the residue amounts at 10 and 5 days before harvest, which resulted in concentrations lower than the provisional maximum residue level at harvest time.
Prognostic role of β‐blocker selectivity and dosage regimens in heart failure patients. Insights from the MECKI score database
Authors: Paolillo Stefania , Mapelli Massimo , Bonomi Alice , Corrà Ugo , Piepoli Massimo , Veglia Fabrizio , Salvioni Elisabetta , Gentile Piero , Lagioia Rocco , Metra Marco , Limongelli Giuseppe , Sinagra Gianfranco , Cattadori Gaia , Scardovi Angela B. , Carubelli Valentina , Scrutino Domenico , Badagliacca Roberto , Raimondo Rosa , Emdin Michele , Magrì Damiano , Correale Michele , Parati Gianfranco , Caravita Sergio , Spadafora Emanuele , Re Federica , Cicoira Mariantonietta , Frigerio Maria , Bussotti Maurizio , Minà Chiara , Oliva Fabrizio , Battaia Elisa , Belardinelli Romualdo , Mezzani Alessandro , Pastormerlo Luigi , Di Lenarda Andrea , Passino Claudio , Sciomer Susanna , Iorio Annamaria , Zambon Elena , Guazzi Marco , Pacileo Giuseppe , Ricci Roberto , Contini Mauro , Apostolo Anna , Palermo Pietro , Clemenza Francesco , Marchese Giovanni , Binno Simone , Lombardi Carlo , Passantino Andrea , Perrone Filardi Pasquale , Agostoni Piergiuseppe
Published: February 2017

Aims

The use of β‐blockers represents a milestone in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Few studies have compared β‐blockers in HFrEF, and there is little data on the effects of different doses. The present study aimed to investigate in a large database of HFrEF patients (MECKI score database) the association of β‐blocker treatment with a composite outcome of cardiovascular death, urgent heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation, addressing the role of β‐selectivity and dosage regimens.

Methods and results

In 5242 HFrEF patients, we investigated the role of: (i) β‐blocker treatment vs. non‐β‐blocker treatment, (ii) β1‐/β2‐receptor‐blockers vs. β1‐selective blockers, and (iii) daily β‐blocker dose. Patients were followed for 3.58 years, and 1101 events (18.3%) were observed; 4435 patients (86.8%) were on β‐blockers, while 807 (13.2%) were not. At 5 years, β‐blocker‐patients showed a better outcome than non‐β‐blocker‐subjects [hazard ratio (HR) 0.48, P < 0.0001], while also considering potential confounders. A comparable prognosis was observed at 5 years in the β1‐/β2‐receptor‐blocker (n = 2219) vs. β1‐selective group (n = 2216) (HR 0.95, P = ns). A better prognosis was observed in high‐dose (>2 5 mg carvedilol equivalent daily dose, n = 1005) patients than in both medium dose (12.5–25 mg, n = 1431) and low dose (<12.5 mg, n = 1960) (HR 1.97, P < 0.001; HR 1.95, P = 0.001, respectively), with no differences between the last two groups (HR 0.84, P = ns).

Conclusion

In a large population of chronic HFrEF patients, β‐blockers were associated with a more favourable prognosis without any difference between β1‐ and β2‐receptor‐blockers vs. β1‐selective blockers. A better outcome was observed in subjects receiving a high daily dose.
Synthesis and Photochromism of Chloro‐ and tert‐Butyl‐Functionalized Terarylene Derivatives for Surface Deposition
Authors: Dela Cruz Calupitan Jan Patrick , Galangau Olivier , Guillermet Olivier , Coratger Roland , Nakashima Takuya , Rapenne Gwénaël , Kawai Tsuyoshi
Published: February 2017

In the field of extreme miniaturization of electronic devices, it is necessary to study candidate molecules at the single‐molecular level by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). This necessitates molecules with specific functionalizations to control molecule–surface and molecule–molecule interactions to avoid molecular diffusion on the surface and to prevent the aggregation of molecules, respectively. In this context, we present the synthesis and photochromism of terarylene derivatives with tert‐butyl and chloride groups. We show that these groups preserve the photochemical and switching properties of the molecules. DFT calculations on the conformations of the molecules predict the presence of several conformations during vacuum‐deposition. Initial STM experiments show that tert‐butyl groups result in images with a better contrast to enable the identification of the molecules on the surface without any aggregation.
The causal effect of retirement on mortality: Evidence from targeted incentives to retire early
Authors: Bloemen Hans , Hochguertel Stefan , Zweerink Jochem
Published: February 2017

This paper estimates the impact of early retirement on mortality using Dutch administrative micro panel data. An unexpected temporary decrease in the eligibility age for retirement benefits for civil servants is used to instrument the retirement choice. We find that induced early retirement decreased the probability that a man dies within 5 years by 2.6 percentage points. The result is robust to alternative specifications and data selection criteria.
Standard grids for high‐precision integration of modern density functionals: SG‐2 and SG‐3
Authors: Dasgupta Saswata , Herbert John M.
Published: February 2017

Density‐functional approximations developed in the past decade necessitate the use of quadrature grids that are far more dense than those required to integrate older generations of functionals. This category of difficult‐to‐integrate functionals includes meta‐generalized gradient approximations, which depend on orbital gradients and/or the Laplacian of the density, as well as functionals based on B97 and the popular “Minnesota” class of functionals, each of which contain complicated and/or oscillatory expressions for the exchange inhomogeneity factor. Following a strategy introduced previously by Gill and co‐workers to develop the relatively sparse “SG‐0” and “SG‐1” standard quadrature grids, we introduce two higher‐quality grids that we designate SG‐2 and SG‐3, obtained by systematically “pruning” medium‐ and high‐quality atom‐centered grids. The pruning procedure affords computational speedups approaching a factor of two for hybrid functionals applied to systems of
atoms, without significant loss of accuracy. The grid dependence of several popular density functionals is characterized for various properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
T11TS repress gliomagenic apoptosis of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Mondal Somnath , Hazra Iman , Datta Ankur , Sk Md Omar Faruk , Moitra Saibal , Tripathi Santanu Kumar , Chaudhuri Swapna
Published: February 2017

Combating gliomagenic global immunosuppression is one of the emerging key for improving prognosis in malignant glioma. Apoptosis plays a pivotal role within the adult hematopoietic system particularly in regulating the cells of immune system. Gliomagenic regulation of apoptotic mediators within bone marrow milieu has not been elucidated. We previously demonstrated that administration of membrane glycopeptides T11 target structure (T11TS) not only rejuvenate bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (BMHSCs) from glioma mediated hibernation by inhibiting gliomagenic overexpression of Ang‐1/Tie‐2 but also stimulate glioma mediated diminution of expression CD34, c‐kit, and Sca‐1 markers. In the present study, we investigated the impact of glioma on apoptotic signaling cascades of BMHSCs and consequences following T11TS therapy. Bone marrow smear and Annexin V staining confirm gliomagenic acceleration of apoptotic fate of BMHSCs whereas T11TS treatment in glioma‐bearing rats disrupted apoptosis of BMHSCs. Flowcytometry, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence imagining results revealed multi potent T11TS not only significantly downregulates gliomagenic overexpression of Fas, Fas L, Bid, and caspase‐8, the pro‐apoptotic extrinsic mediators but also strongly inhibits cytosolic release of cytochrome‐c, Apf‐1, and Bax to deactivate gliomagenic caspase‐9, 3 the key intrinsic apoptotic mediators followed by up modulation of anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 in glioma associated HSCs. T11TS is also able to diminish the perforin‐granzyme B mediated apoptotic verdict of BMHSCs during gliomagenesis. The anti‐apoptotic action of T11TS on glioma associated BMHSCs provide a crucial insight into how T11TS exerts its immunomodulatory action against glioma mediated immune devastation.
Dimethylated sulfur compounds in symbiotic protists: A potentially significant source for marine DMS(P)
Authors: Gutierrez‐Rodriguez Andres , Pillet Loic , Biard Tristan , Said‐Ahmad Ward , Amrani Alon , Simó Rafel , Not Fabrice
Published: February 2017

Symbiosis with micro‐algae (photosymbiosis) is a common feature among marine planktonic protists, but very little is known about the physiology and ecological significance of these associations. High concentrations of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a metabolite produced by marine microalgae, are commonly observed in coral‐microalgae symbiosis, where DMS(P) is involved in multiple physiological functions. Knowledge on concentration and role of DMSP in analogous photosymbiosis in plankton is lacking. Here, we assess the total DMSP (DMSPt = DMSP + DMS) concentration and natural stable isotopes of sulfur across ecologically relevant symbiotic plankton groups, the Radiolaria and Foraminifera. We found that intracellular DMSPt concentrations in microalgal symbionts were among the highest recorded (range = 170–702 mmol L−1), while lower concentrations (range = 0.1–23 mmol L−1) were characteristic of the holobiont (i.e., host‐microalgae). The contribution of symbiotic Radiolaria to the water column particulate DMSPt concentration ranged 0.1–8%. Sulfur isotopic composition (34S) of DMSPt in the Collodaria holobionts was significantly higher than their symbiotic microalgae isolated in culture. Despite their high intracellular DMSPt content,
uptake in these holobionts throughout 3‐d incubations was not detected. We observed a systematic 34S depletion (∼ 1.5‰) of DMS relative to DMSP in experimental incubations containing filtered seawater, which we hypothesize is related to the bacterial preference for the uptake of 34S‐depleted DMS. Overall, the results indicate that plankton symbiosis can, at times, represent a potentially important source of DMS(P). Specific differences in 34S provided new insights into sulfur isotopic fractionation associated with DMS(P) biotransformation processes, with potential implications for current interpretations of isotopically tracked biogenic sources of marine aerosols.
Regulation of Scaffold Cell Adhesion Using Artificial Membrane Binding Proteins
Authors: Burke Madeline , Armstrong James P. K. , Goodwin Andrew , Deller Robert C. , Carter Benjamin M. , Harniman Robert L. , Ginwalla Aasiya , Ting Valeska P. , Davis Sean A. , Perriman Adam W.
Published: February 2017

The rapid pace of development in biotechnology has placed great importance on controlling cell–material interactions. In practice, this involves attempting to decouple the contributions from adhesion molecules, cell membrane receptors, and scaffold surface chemistry and morphology, which is extremely challenging. Accordingly, a strategy is presented in which different chemical, biochemical, and morphological properties of 3D biomaterials are systematically varied to produce novel scaffolds with tuneable cell affinities. Specifically, cationized and surfactant‐conjugated proteins, recently shown to have non‐native membrane affinity, are covalently attached to 3D scaffolds of collagen or carboxymethyl‐dextran, yielding surface‐functionalized 3D architectures with predictable cell immobilization profiles. The artificial membrane‐binding proteins enhance cellular adhesion of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) via electrostatic and hydrophobic binding mechanisms. Furthermore, functionalizing the 3D scaffolds with cationized or surfactant‐conjugated myoglobin prevents a slowdown in proliferation of seeded hMSCs cultured for seven days under hypoxic conditions.

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Restoration Versus Invasive Species: Bigheaded Carps' Use of A Rehabilitated Backwater
Authors: Coulter A. A. , Schultz D. , Tristano E. , Brey M. K. , Garvey J. E.
Published: February 2017

Knowledge of how invasive species use invaded habitats can aid in developing management practices to exclude them. Swan Lake, a 1100‐ha Illinois River (USA) backwater, was rehabilitated to restore ecosystem functions, but may provide valuable habitat for invasive bigheaded carps [bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix)]. Use (residency and passages) of Swan Lake by invasive bigheaded carps was monitored using acoustic telemetry (n = 50 individuals/species) to evaluate the use of a large, restored habitat from 2004 to 2005. Passages (entrances/exits) by bigheaded carps were highest in winter, and residency was highest in the summer. Bighead carp backwater use was associated with the differences in temperature between the main channel and backwater, and passages primarily occurred between 18:00 h and midnight. Silver carp backwater use was positively correlated with water level and main channel discharge, and fewer passages occurred between 12:00 h and 18:00 h than during any other time of day. Harvest occurring during summer or high main channel discharge could reduce backwater abundances while maintenance of low water levels could reduce overall backwater use. Conclusions from this study regarding the timing of bigheaded carps' use of backwater habitats are critical to integrated pest management plans to control invasive species. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Urban Sprawl on Riparian Vegetation: Is Compact or Dispersed Urbanization Better for Biodiversity?
Authors: Guida‐Johnson B. , Faggi A. M. , Zuleta G. A.
Published: February 2017

Compact urbanization is the main strategy for sustainable urban development. However, it is yet unclear whether compact urban forms are ecologically more favourable than dispersed ones. In this paper, we studied the effects of urban sprawl on the riparian vegetation condition in one of the most degraded watersheds in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, Argentina. We conducted random sampling of the riparian vegetation at sites along streams in the basin and assessed urban indicators at the reach and sub‐watershed scales for each of those sites in a geographic information system: urban area, impervious surface, population density and two landscape metrics of dispersion. The indicators assessed explained a high proportion of the variability of the vegetation response variables, thereby confirming the importance of urban sprawl pressure in shaping riparian communities in fluvial ecosystems. Dispersed urbanization had more positive than negative effects on the vegetation in the study area. Riverbanks associated with dispersed urbanization had more plant species, including exotics, when urban sprawl was assessed at the local scale. At the sub‐watershed scale, dispersed urbanized areas were richer in native plants and most of the functional groups, and poorer in exotic species. The model of the compact city, including bio‐corridors along watercourses, has been proposed for the Buenos Aires conurbation process for the next decades. Our results showed that the quality of existing river corridors across the compact matrix was not desirable and best practices for redesigning a more sustainable landscape structure are necessary, including the restoration of habitats for wetland species. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Component N400 Can Be Demonstrated In The Event-related Potential From a Simple Auditory Reaction Time Paradigm
Authors: Kukleta Miloslav , Lamarche Michel , Louvel Jacques
Published: February 2017

The aim of the present study was to propose and test an experimental design enabling to synchronize simultaneously both signal-and movement-related processes in a simple sensorimotor task. Seventeen healthy volunteers were asked to flex their right wrist after the presentation of an auditory signal (tone burst of 1kHz, 200 ms duration; intersignal interval between 7–9 s). In total, 2179 collected records were divided according to the same length of the signal-movement interval into 38 time groups and the average curve for each time group was calculated. The event-related potential from all these time groups exhibited two prominent negative waves over the frontocentral region. The first one, with a mean peak latency of 110 ms, exhibited characteristics of the N1 component of cortical auditory evoked potential. Analysis of data concerning the second negative wave pointed to its dependence on both sensory and motor underlying processes. The increasing slope of the wave represented its sensory part. It started in all the time groups approximately at the same time points and was not influenced by variations of S-R interval. An estimate of its peak latency was approximately 400 ms. In time groups with S-R intervals shorter than 300 ms this N400 component was located on the time axis after the movement, i.e. when the instructed task had already been accomplished. The next portion of the second negative wave, i.e. the slow increase of amplitude to its peak value and the following decrease of the wave, exhibited a clear-cut dependence on movement.
Consciousness and Adaptive Behavior
Authors: Sieb Richard
Published: February 2017

The main problem in explaining consciousness is accounting for its subjectivity from an internal perspective. In addition, subjective systems have adaptive ability to respond to change and self-organize their own behavior. In this context, the nonlinear emergence of internal explicit states might be studied in natural systems to gain insight into the physical principles involved in the production of consciousness. Since intelligence is the ability to consciously create voluntary new or novel intentional action, standardized tests might provide an index of intelligence, as well as the degree of consciousness present, i.e. IQ might also be a measure of degree of consciousness.
Moral Power: How Public Opinion on Culture War Issues Shapes Partisan Predispositions and Religious Orientations
Authors: GOREN PAUL , CHAPP CHRISTOPHER
Published: February 2017

Party-driven and religion-driven models of opinion change posit that individuals revise their positions on culture war issues to ensure consonance with political and religious predispositions. By contrast, models of issue-driven change propose that public opinion on cultural controversies lead people to revise their partisan and religious orientations. Using data from four panel studies covering the period 1992–2012, we pit the party- and religion-based theories of opinion change against the issue-based model of change. Consistent with the standard view, party and religion constrain culture war opinion. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, but consistent with our novel theory, opinions on culture war issues lead people to revise their partisan affinities and religious orientations. Our results imply that culture war attitudes function as foundational elements in the political and religious belief systems of ordinary citizens that match and sometimes exceed partisan and religious predispositions in terms of motivating power.
XLIV: An attempted escape from Dublin castle: the trial of William and Walter de Bermingham, 1332
Authors: Connolly Philomena
Published: February 2017

On 11 July 1332 William de Bermingham, brother of the earl of Louth, was hanged at Dublin by order of the justiciar, Anthony de Lucy. This event is recorded by Clyn, by the author of the Annals of Ross and by the Dublin annalist, all of whom praise Bermingham for his military excellence but do not give any explanation for the execution. All the chroniclers mention Bermingham’s arrest earlier in the year, but the connexion between the two events is never stated.

In February and March 1332 William had been indicted by juries at Clonmel and Limerick of involvement in two alleged conspiracies, one in 1326 and the other in 1331, both of which had as their supposed object the establishment of the earl of Desmond as king of Ireland. The surviving indictments do not mention William’s son Walter, but he is later described as also having been indicted of felony. Both William and Walter were arrested by the justiciar at Clonmel in February 1332, held locally until Lucy had concluded his business in Munster, and then transferred on 19 April to Dublin castle, where two of the other named conspirators, Desmond himself and Henry de Mandeville, had been imprisoned since the previous year. Yet another conspirator, Walter de Burgh, was in the custody of his cousin, the earl of Ulster, in Northburgh castle.
Focus NASA on Mars and Moon, Not Earth, Witnesses Tell Hearing
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: February 2017

One speaker, the former chief scientist of NASA, spoke up for NASA's Earth science program as broadly beneficial and affordable within the agency's existing budget.
Mutational landscape reflects the biological continuum of plasma cell dyscrasias
Authors: Rossi A , Voigtlaender M , Janjetovic S , Thiele B , Alawi M , März M , Brandt A , Hansen T , Radloff J , Schön G , Hegenbart U , Schönland S , Langer C , Bokemeyer C , Binder M
Published: February 2017

We subjected 90 patients covering a biological spectrum of plasma cell dyscrasias (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis and multiple myeloma) to next-generation sequencing (NGS) gene panel analysis on unsorted bone marrow. A total of 64 different mutations in 8 genes were identified in this cohort. NRAS (28.1%), KRAS (21.3%), TP53 (19.5%), BRAF (19.1%) and CCND1 (8.9%) were the most commonly mutated genes in all patients. Patients with non-myeloma plasma cell dyscrasias showed a significantly lower mutational load than myeloma patients (0.91±0.30 vs 2.07±0.29 mutations per case, P=0.008). KRAS and NRAS exon 3 mutations were significantly associated with the myeloma cohort compared with non-myeloma plasma cell dyscrasias (odds ratio (OR) 9.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–90.72, P=0.043 and OR 7.03, 95% CI 1.49–33.26, P=0.014). NRAS exon 3 and TP53 exon 6 mutations were significantly associated with del17p cytogenetics (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02–0.87, P=0.036 and OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01–0.54, P=0.013). Our data show that the mutational landscape reflects the biological continuum of plasma cell dyscrasias from a low-complexity mutational pattern in MGUS and AL amyloidosis to a high-complexity pattern in multiple myeloma. Our targeted NGS approach allows resource-efficient, sensitive and scalable mutation analysis for prognostic, predictive or therapeutic purposes.
Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Protein Inhibition Attenuates Neutrophil-dominant Allergic Airway Disease
Authors: Manni Michelle L. , Mandalapu Sivanarayana , Salmeron Andres , Lora Jose M. , Kolls Jay K. , Alcorn John F.
Published: February 2017

Atopic asthma is a prevalent respiratory disease that is characterized by inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and airway hyperresponsiveness. The complexity of this heterogeneous disorder has commanded the need to better define asthma phenotypes based on underlying molecular mechanisms of disease. Although classically viewed as a type 2-regulated disease, type 17 helper T (Th17) cells are known to be influential in asthma pathogenesis, predominantly in asthmatics with neutrophilia and severe refractory disease. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) chromatin adaptors serve as immunomodulators by directly regulating Th17 responses and Th17-mediated pathology in murine models of autoimmunity and infection. Based on this, we hypothesized that BET proteins may also play an essential role in neutrophil-dominant allergic airway disease. Using a murine model of neutrophil-dominant allergic airway disease, we demonstrate that BET inhibition limits pulmonary inflammation and alters the Th17-related inflammatory milieu in the lungs. In addition, inhibition of BET proteins improved lung function (specifically quasi-static lung compliance and tissue elastance) and reduced mucus production in airways. Overall, these studies show that BET proteins may have a critical role in asthma pathogenesis by altering type 17 inflammation, and thus interfering with BET-dependent chromatin signaling may provide clinical benefits to patients suffering from asthma.
Decreased Glycogen Content Might Contribute to Chronic Stress-Induced Atrophy of Hippocampal Astrocyte volume and Depression-like Behavior in Rats
Authors: Zhao Yunan , Zhang Qiang , Shao Xiao , Ouyang Liufeng , Wang Xin , Zhu Kexuan , Chen Lin
Published: February 2017

The involvement of brain glycogen in the progress of chronic stress-induced impairment of hippocampal astrocyte structural plasticity and depression-like behavior is yet to be clarified. The present study designed three experiments to determine the role of brain glycogen in the plasticity and behavioral consequences of chronic stress. Time course studies on brain glycogen, astrocytes, and behavioral responses to stress were conducted in Experiment 1. Chronic stress decreased the hippocampal glycogen levels, reduced astrocytic size and protrusion length in the hippocampus, and induced depression-like behavior. Glycogen synthase 1 mRNA in the hippocampus was silenced by lentiviral vector-based RNA interference (RNAi) in Experiment 2. This RNAi produced a lack of glycogen in the hippocampus, decreased the hippocampal astrocyte size, and induced depressive behavior in rats. The mechanisms of chronic stress-induced brain glycogen decrease were investigated in Experiment 3. Chronic stress promoted hippocampal glycogen breakdown and increased hippocampal glycogen synthesis. Results suggest that decreased glycogen content was associated with chronic stress-induced atrophy of hippocampal astrocyte size and depression-like behavior. Furthermore, the decrease of glycogen content in the hippocampus might be due to the compensation of glycogen synthesis for breakdown in an insufficient manner.
Reorganization of early visual cortex functional connectivity following selective peripheral and central visual loss
Authors: Sabbah Norman , Sanda Nicolae , Authié Colas N. , Mohand-Saïd Saddek , Sahel José-Alain , Habas Christophe , Amedi Amir , Safran Avinoam B.
Published: February 2017

Behavioral alterations emerging after central or peripheral vision loss suggest that cerebral reorganization occurs for both the afferented and deafferented early visual cortex (EVC). We explored the functional reorganization of the central and peripheral EVC following visual field defects specifically affecting central or peripheral vision. Compared to normally sighted, afferented central and peripheral EVC enhance their functional connectivity with areas involved in visual processing, whereas deafferented central and peripheral EVC increase their functional connectivity with more remote regions. The connectivity pattern of afferented EVC suggests adaptive changes that might enhance the visual processing capacity whereas the connectivity pattern of deafferented EVC may reflect the involvement of these regions in high-order mechanisms. Characterizing and understanding the plastic changes induced by these visual defects is essential for any attempt to develop efficient rehabilitation strategies.
Interface States and Interface-Bulk Correspondence of One-dimensional Hyperbolic Metamaterials
Authors: Un Ieng-Wai , Yen Ta-Jen
Published: February 2017

We investigate the interface state on one-dimensional hyperbolic metamaterial (1DHMM). Initially, we analyze the plasmonic band structure of binary 1DHMM and analytically determine its band crossing condition. Then, we scrutinize the existence of an interface state in the plasmonic band gap of 1DHMM on three types of interfaces: dielectric/1DHMM, metal/1DHMM, and 1DHMM/1DHMM. We find that the band crossing dramatically influences the existence of an interface state. We also show a rigorous relation between the existence of the interface state of 1DHMM in the plasmonic band gap and the wave admittance in the plasmonic band region. More importantly, this relation not only holds for binary 1DHMM but also can be generalized to any 1DHMM with inversion symmetry. We also characterize the interface state by the transverse spin angular momentum and reveal the transverse spin flipping of the interface state.
PAK5 mediates cell: cell adhesion integrity via interaction with E-cadherin in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Ismail Ahmad Fahim , Oskay Halacli Sevil , Babteen Nouf , De Piano Mario , Martin Tracey A. , Jiang Wen G. , Khan Muhammad Shamim , Dasgupta Prokar , Wells Claire M.
Published: February 2017

Urothelial bladder cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, causing an estimated 150 000 deaths per year. Whilst non-muscle-invasive bladder tumours can be effectively treated, with high survival rates, many tumours recur, and some will progress to muscle-invasive disease with a much poorer long-term prognosis. Thus, there is a pressing need to understand the molecular transitions occurring within the progression of bladder cancer to an invasive disease. Tumour invasion is often associated with a down-regulation of E-cadherin expression concomitant with a suppression of cell:cell junctions, and decreased levels of E-cadherin expression have been reported in higher grade urothelial bladder tumours. We find that expression of E-cadherin in a panel of bladder cancer cell lines correlated with the presence of cell:cell junctions and the level of PAK5 expression. Interestingly, exogenous PAK5 has recently been described to be associated with cell:cell junctions and we now find that endogenous PAK5 is localised to cell junctions and interacts with an E-cadherin complex. Moreover, depletion of PAK5 expression significantly reduced junctional integrity. These data suggest a role for PAK5 in maintaining junctional stability and we find that, in both our own patient samples and a commercially available dataset, PAK5mRNA levels are reduced in human bladder cancer compared with normal controls. Taken together, the present study proposes that PAK5 expression levels could be used as a novel prognostic marker for bladder cancer progression.
Optimum design of hybrid HVDC circuit breakers using a parallel genetic algorithm and a MATLAB‐EMTP environment
Authors: Corea‐Araujo Javier A. , Martinez‐Velasco Juan A. , Magnusson Jesper
Published: February 2017

The optimum design of power system components is becoming a relevant topic in power system studies. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are considered as a proper approach for optimisation problems in which non‐linear elements are involved. Several trends are presently leading GAs to a new level; for instance, its combination with parallel computing can facilitate the solution of problems where individual evaluations of the fitness function require an important computational effort. This study presents a procedure based on a MATLAB‐EMTP application and the usage of a multicore environment for the optimum selection of hybrid high‐voltage DC (HVDC) circuit breaker parameters; the goal is to obtain a transient response of the hybrid design with voltages, currents and fault clearance times within specified limits.
Multi‐sensor track‐to‐track fusion with target existence in cluttered environments
Authors: Lee Eui Hyuk , Song Taek Lyul
Published: February 2017

Multi‐sensor fusion for multiple target tracking in cluttered environments is needed for improving tracking accuracy and track maintenance over single sensor target tracking in real target tracking applications. A track quality measure, such as the probability of target existence, can be used when fusing local sensor tracks for false track discrimination at the fusion centre and to improve the performance of the track‐to‐track association. The track quality measure is a highly effective tool for track maintenance and lowers the computational load by sending tracks with a high probability of target existence to the track centre. In this study, the authors utilise the iterative joint‐integrated probabilistic data association technique for multi‐sensor distributed fusion systems. Track‐to‐track fusion performance also depends on distributed fusion architecture. The track‐to‐track fusion algorithm is evaluated in distributed fusion systems without memory, with memory, and with feedback. The track confirmation rates and position errors are simulated and compared with low‐level centralised fusion, which is theoretically optimal.
Coordination of optimal guidance law and adaptive radiated waveform for interception and rendezvous problems
Authors: Balleri Alessio , Farina Alfonso , Benavoli Alessio
Published: February 2017

The authors present an algorithm that allows an interceptor aircraft equipped with an airborne radar to meet another air target (the intercepted) by developing a guidance law and automatically adapting and optimising the transmitted waveform on a pulse‐to‐pulse basis. The algorithm uses a Kalman filter to predict the relative position and speed of the interceptor with respect to the target. The transmitted waveform is automatically selected based on its ambiguity function and accuracy properties along the approaching path. For each pulse, the interceptor predicts its position and velocity with respect to the target, takes a measurement of range and radial velocity and, with the Kalman filter, refines the relative range and range rate estimates. These are fed into a linear quadratic Gaussian controller that ensures the interceptor reaches the target automatically and successfully with minimum error and with the minimum guidance energy consumption.
Feature parameters extraction of power transformer PD signal based on texture features in TF representation
Authors: Zhou Wenjun , Liu Yushun , Li Pengfei , Wang Yong , Tian Yan
Published: February 2017

Ultra‐high‐frequency (UHF) method is an effective approach to power transformer partial discharge (PD) detection. The feature parameters extracted from UHF PD signal can be applied to insulation defect type recognition. In this study, a novel feature parameters extraction method based on texture features in time–frequency (TF) representation is proposed. PD detections of four typical insulation defects were performed on a 110kV oil‐immersed power transformer. Time‐domain waveform and corresponding TF representations or images of UHF PD signals were obtained. About 36 texture features were extracted from the grey‐level co‐occurrence matrix of TF images. The texture features were reduced into six new feature parameters by principal component analysis. These feature parameters were used as input of the support vector machine classifier for defect type recognition. The recognition accuracies of four kinds of typical defects reached 97.67, 97.00 97.67 and 98.33% proving that the proposed extracted feature parameters are suitable for insulation defect type recognition in power transformer.