bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract B090: A Toll-like receptor 5 agonist entolimod as a potential anticancer immunotherapeutic agent
Authors: Brackett Craig , Kojouharov Bojidar , Gollnick Sandra , Gudkov Andrei , Burdelya Lyudmila
Published: May 2016

Liver metastases are a major common cause of mortality of patients with different types of cancer due to lack of effective treatment options. Anticancer immunotherapy provides an attractive approach for developing a more effective systemic therapy for patients with metastatic liver cancer. We generated a Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonistic agent entolimod™ (CBLB502), a pharmacologically optimized derivative of bacterial Salmonella flagellin that is now at advanced stage of clinical development as a medical countermeasure to reduce adverse side effects of radiation therapy. We also found that entolimod, in addition to its radioprotective properties, has anticancer effects against a variety of TLR5-positive tumors and TLR5-negative tumors residing in a TLR5-expressing environment such as the liver in mice. We hypothesized that entolimod can suppress tumor growth in a TLR5-responsive microenvironment such as the liver independently of the TLR5 status of tumor cells. We tested the therapeutic potential of entolimod against TLR5 responsive and non-responsive tumors using mouse triple negative 4T1 breast and CT26 colorectal adenocarcinoma models mimicking clinically occurring development of post-surgery liver metastases in cancer patients. Our results demonstrate that entolimod treatment was efficient in suppressing metastatic growth when injected systemically in both models. Investigating the mechanism of entolimod's antitumor activity we found that several major transcriptional factors, such as NF-κB, STAT-3 and AP-1, are rapidly activated in hepatocytes leading to a short-term neutrophilic infiltration and long-term NK cell accumulation and activation that coordinate CD8+ and CD4+ T cell immunity against liver metastases. This resulted in significant improvement of long-term tumor-free survival and durable, tumor-specific T cell memory. Importantly, unlike other TLR agonists entolimod is safe and does not show signs of septic shock even with systemic administration. Moreover, the results of two phase 1 clinical trials with 150 healthy volunteers and 26 patients with advanced cancers demonstrated good tolerability and safe profile of the response, which supports entolimod's potential as an immunotherapeutic agent. This also suggests that entolimod can be potentially combined with radiation, chemotherapeutic, targeted, and other immunotherapeutic agents to improve the efficacy of anticancer therapy.

Citation Format: Craig Brackett, Bojidar Kojouharov, Sandra Gollnick, Andrei Gudkov, Lyudmila Burdelya. A Toll-like receptor 5 agonist entolimod as a potential anticancer immunotherapeutic agent. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B090.
Abstract B103: Transparent tumor tomography (T3): Spatial 3D mapping of immune responses in a whole tumor after immunotherapy
Authors: Lee Steve Seung-Young , Bindokas Vytas , Kron Stephen J.
Published: May 2016

This research seeks to develop an imaging technique for 3D mapping of immune contexts within a tumor. Capability to determine location, density, and functional orientation of the different immune cell populations within a whole tumor would be a powerful tool to examine crosstalk between a tumor microenvironment and immune system but also to advance development of effective cancer immunotherapy strategies. Although immunofluorescence staining has long been used in cancer immunology, the conventional immunofluorescence method is restricted to the localization of targeted antigens in limited two-dimensional (2D) tumor sections or small tumor volumes. Thus, 2D immunofluorescence cannot provide integrated spatial information about the immune cell distributions or other features of tumor tissue, leaving room to misinterpret the extent or significance of responses to therapy or downstream effects. To overcome these challenges, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) immunofluorescence tomography approach to map whole tumors at single cell resolution. Thus, we optimized optical clearing of tumor macroslices, increased penetration of antibodies to permit immunofluorescence staining, applied multicolor 3D microscopy imaging, enabled tomographic reconstruction of the images, and implemented automated image analysis. This approach allows us to spatially and quantitatively determine the distribution of tumor-infiltrating T cells (CD4+, CD8+, and regulatory (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) T cells) in whole mouse mammary (TUBO) tumors. To demonstrate utility in evaluating immune responses, we performed intratumoral injection of the STING agonist DMXAA and evaluated anti-tumor immune responses in the whole tumor, including detecting damage to the microvasculature using the CD31 endothelial marker and increase in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Our results establish a new method, Transparent Tumor Tomography (T3), that provides integrated spatial information regarding immune contexts in whole tumors as a new tool for cancer immunotherapy research.

Citation Format: Steve Seung-Young Lee, Vytas Bindokas, Stephen J. Kron. Transparent tumor tomography (T3): Spatial 3D mapping of immune responses in a whole tumor after immunotherapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B103.
Abstract B106: Noninvasive imaging of immune responses
Authors: Rashidian Mohammad
Published: May 2016

Tumors are often surrounded and invaded by bone marrow-derived cells. Imaging the infiltration of such immune cells into tumors may therefore be an attractive means of detecting tumors or of tracking the response to anticancer therapy. We developed alpaca-derived antibody fragments specific for mouse class II MHC and CD11b products, expressed on the surface of a variety of myeloid cells. We validated these reagents by flow cytometry and two-photon microscopy to obtain images at cellular resolution. To enable noninvasive imaging of the targeted cell populations, we developed a method to site-specifically label VHHs [the variable domain (VH) of a camelid heavy-chain only antibody] with 18F or 64Cu. Radiolabeled VHHs rapidly cleared the circulation (t1/2 ~15min) and clearly visualized lymphoid organs. We used VHHs to explore the possibility of imaging inflammation in both xenogeneic and syngeneic tumor models, which resulted in detection of tumors with remarkable specificity. We also imaged the infiltration of myeloid cells upon injection of complete Freund's adjuvant. Both anti-class II MHC and anti-CD11b VHHs detected inflammation with excellent specificity. Given the ease of manufacture and labeling of VHHs, we believe that this method could transform the manner in which antitumor responses and/or infectious events may be tracked. The ability to monitor the immune response in the course of therapy will enable early determination of the efficacy of treatment and will inform decisions as to whether treatment should be stopped or continued. Noninvasive monitoring could therefore change how therapies are applied and assessed, to the benefit of many patients.

Citation Format: Mohammad Rashidian. Noninvasive imaging of immune responses. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B106.
Abstract B113: In vivo characterization of anti-PD-1 antibody REGN2810 in human PD-1 knock-in mice
Authors: Burova Elena , Allbritton Omaira , Poueymirou William , Lai Venus , Waite Janelle , Skokos Dimitris , Papadopoulos Nicholas , Murphy Drew , Lowy Israel , Ioffe Ella , Thurston Gavin
Published: May 2016

The Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) receptor is an immunologic inhibitory checkpoint, expressed by activated T cells. PD-1 signals upon binding to its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 expressed on antigen presenting cells and some types of cancer cells, and delivers inhibitory signals to T cells, resulting in suppression of T-cell effector function. In cancer patients, PD-1 is expressed on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and inhibits antitumor immune responses through ligand binding. Clinically, it has been shown that antibodies (Abs) that block the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 can release the cytotoxic function of tumor-specific T cells, yielding durable objective responses in multiple cancer types. This study describes preclinical characterization of REGN2810, a fully human hinge-stabilized IgG4 monoclonal Ab that binds to the extracellular domain of human PD-1 with high affinity and specificity and inhibits interaction of PD-1 with its ligands. Taking advantage of the ability of human PD-1 to interact with murine PD-L1, we generated a mouse with human PD-1 gene knock-in allowing direct testing of our anti-human PD-1 Ab. Human PD-1 knock-in mice express a hybrid protein containing the extracellular portion of human PD-1, and transmembrane and intracellular domains of mouse PD-1. We demonstrated functional PD-1/PD-L1 signaling and immune responses in this model, and confirmed REGN2810 binding to hybrid PD-1 receptor on mouse T cells in vivo following REGN2810 injections. Prophylactic and therapeutic treatments of subcutaneous syngeneic tumors with REGN2810 in human PD-1 knock-in mice resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of tumor growth. Currently REGN2810 anti-PD-1 Ab is in phase 1 clinical trials for oncology indications.

Citation Format: Elena Burova, Omaira Allbritton, William Poueymirou, Venus Lai, Janelle Waite, Dimitris Skokos, Nicholas Papadopoulos, Drew Murphy, Israel Lowy, Ella Ioffe, Gavin Thurston. In vivo characterization of anti-PD-1 antibody REGN2810 in human PD-1 knock-in mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B113.
Abstract B162: Comprehensive analyses of tumor immunity with implications to cancer immunotherapies
Authors: Li Bo , Liu Jun , Liu X. Shirley
Published: May 2016

Checkpoint blockade drugs have recently achieved remarkable success in treating late stage melanoma, non-small cell lung carcinomas and renal cell carcinomas. This breakthrough stimulated more than two hundred clinical trials involving anti-CTLA4 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs over 20 human cancers worldwide in the past few years. Although many patients have shown promising results in Phase I/II trials, a substantial fraction failed to respond. Efforts have been made to elucidate the functions of selected immune cells and provide prognostic predictors. However, the clinical impact of other immune cells in many cancers remains poorly understood. We integrated high-throughput molecular profiles combined with clinical data to systematically model six immune components in the tumor microenvironment in over 10,000 samples across 23 cancer types. We showed that lymphocyte infiltration generally associates with better outcome, while tumor associated myelocytes are negative prognostic predictors. We identified diverse associations between tumor-infiltrating immune cells and patient clinical features, including patient survival, disease recurrence, clinical stage, age, gender and viral infection status. We found immune cell infiltration to be correlated with somatic mutation load and microsatellite instability (MSI) status, suggesting the mechanism of immunosurveillance. We observed correlation between cancer/testis antigen MAGEA3 expression with CD8 T-cell infiltration in melanoma but not in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC), and implicated CTAGE1 and CALR3 as alternative candidates for cancer vaccines in NSCLC. Furthermore, we found PD-1 and CTLA4 expression to be associated with CD8 T-cell level in most cancers with exceptions in glioblastoma and ovarian cancer, suggesting cancer-specific usage of checkpoint blockade drugs. Our study indicates that systematic analysis of tumor immunity has the potential to inform effective cancer vaccines and checkpoint blockade therapies.

Citation Format: Bo Li, Jun Liu, X. Shirley Liu. Comprehensive analyses of tumor immunity with implications to cancer immunotherapies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B162.
Abstract B171: A novel tumor-microenvironment-based prognostic score in patients with primary operable colorectal cancer
Authors: Park James H. , McMillan Donald C. , Edwards Joanne , Horgan Paul G. , Roxburgh Campbell S.D.
Published: May 2016

The tumor-associated inflammatory cell infiltrate and stroma hold independent prognostic value in patients with colorectal cancer. However, whether such measures hold complimentary prognostic value and how this may be applied alongside routine pathological staging remains unknown. The present study proposes a novel tumor microenvironment score, termed the Glasgow Microenvironment Score (GMS), comprising assessment of the inflammatory cell infiltrate (using Klintrup-Mäkinen grade (KM)) and tumor stroma percentage (TSP), with prognostic value independent of TNM stage. The GMS stratified patients into three prognostic groups: GMS=0 (strong KM), GMS=1 (weak KM/low TSP) and GMS=2 (weak KM/high TSP) with five-year cancer-specific survival of 89%, 75% and 51%, respectively (P<0.001). Furthermore, when combined with node status, venous invasion or mismatch repair status, GMS further stratified survival (92% to 37%, 93% to 27% and 100% to 37%, respectively). Indeed, the GMS is routinely available and may be readily validated in patients with primary operable colorectal cancer.

Citation Format: James H. Park, Donald C. McMillan, Joanne Edwards, Paul G. Horgan, Campbell S.D. Roxburgh. A novel tumor-microenvironment-based prognostic score in patients with primary operable colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B171.
Abstract IA47: Nonviral gene transfer to redirect T cell specificity
Authors: Cooper Laurence
Published: May 2016

The administration of ex vivo engineered T cells is championed by academia and industry alike and has resulted in dramatic clinical responses. I will discuss how T cells can be engineered ex vivo using a transposon/transposase system for in vivo applications. We will discuss how this non-viral approach to gene therapy can be combined immunotherapy to redirect specificity and improve the effector functions of T cells manufactured for clinical trials. For example, T cells can be genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and T-cell receptors (TCRs) to redirect specificity for protein and carbohydrates antigens. I will reveal how the non-viral Sleeping Beauty (SB) system can be adapted and used to stably express CARs and TCRs to improve the therapeutic potential of clinical grade T cells. These clinical data serve as a foundation for additional genetic engineering to co-express transgenes to improve persistence as well as provide the opportunity for genome editing to eliminate undesired endogenous genes to improve T-cell potency. As genetically modified T cells achieve FDA approval and enter into the mainstream of clinical practice a central question remains how to broaden the number of recipients that can receive such immunotherapy. This anticipated need can met by the use of non-viral gene transfer which provides an avenue for academia and industry to develop distribution systems to widen the human application of next-generation T-cell therapies.

Citation Format: Laurence Cooper. Nonviral gene transfer to redirect T cell specificity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA47.
Proteomic Analysis in Esophageal Eosinophilia Reveals Differential Galectin-3 Expression and S-Nitrosylation
Authors: Davis Carla M. , Hiremath Girish , Wiktorowicz John E. , Soman Kizhake V. , Straub Christof , Nance Christina , Quintanilla Norma , Pazdrak Konrad , Thakkar Kalpesh , Olive Anthony P. , Kurosky Alexander
Published: May 2016

Background Aims: Esophageal eosinophilia (EE) can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), proton-pump inhibitor-responsive EE (PPI-REE) or eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). This study quantified protein expression and S-nitrosylation (SNO) post-translational modifications in EE to elucidate potential disease biomarkers. Methods: Proximal and distal esophageal (DE) biopsy proteins in patients with EE and in controls were assayed for protein content and fluorescence-labeled with and without ascorbate treatment. Protein SNO was determined, and selected protein spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight/mass spectrometry. Western blot and ingenuity pathway analysis were performed. Results: Ninety-one of 648 proteins showed differential expression. There were significantly altered levels of abundance for 11 proximal and 14 DE proteins. Hierarchal clustering revealed differential SNO in inflamed tissues, indicating reactive nitrogen/oxygen species involvement. Galectin-3 was upregulated in both proximal (p < 0.04) and distal (p < 0.004) esophageal EE biopsies compared to controls. In distal EE samples, galectin-3 was significantly S-nitrosylated (p < 0.004). Principal component analysis revealed sample group discrimination distally. Conclusion: Proteomic analysis in EE esophageal mucosa revealed a distinct abundance and nitrosylation profile, most prominently in distal biopsies. Galectin-3 was upregulated in expression and SNO, which may indicate its potential role in mucosal inflammation. These results call for more studies to be performed to investigate the role of galectin-3 in GERD, PPI-REE and EoE.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Is Required for Aortic Valve Calcification
Authors: Gomez-Stallons M. Victoria , Wirrig-Schwendeman Elaine E. , Hassel Keira R. , Conway Simon J. , Yutzey Katherine E.
Published: May 2016

Objective—

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most prevalent type of heart valve disease, affecting ≈2% of the US population. CAVD is characterized by the presence of calcific nodules, resulting in aortic valve (AoV) stenosis; however, the underlying mechanisms driving disease remain unknown. Studies of human diseased AoV provide initial evidence that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, essential for normal bone formation, is activated during CAVD. Mice deficient in
Klotho
, an FGF23 transmembrane coreceptor, exhibit premature aging and develop AoV calcific nodules as occurs in human CAVD. The role of BMP signaling in the development of CAVD was examined in porcine aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs) and
Klotho
−/−
mice.

Approach and Results—

We show that activation of BMP signaling, as indicated by pSmad1/5/8 expression, precedes and later localizes with AoV calcification in
Klotho
−/−
mice. In addition, cellular and extracellular matrix changes resembling features of normal bone formation are accompanied by increased osteochondrogenic gene induction in calcified
Klotho
−/−
AoV. Likewise, osteogenic media treatment of porcine VICs results in BMP pathway activation, increased osteochondrogenic gene induction, and formation of calcific nodules in vitro. We demonstrate that genetic inactivation of the BMP type IA receptor in
Klotho
−/−
aortic VICs, as well as BMP pathway inhibition of osteogenic media–treated aortic VICs in vitro, results in the inhibition of AoV calcification.

Conclusions—

BMP signaling and osteochondrogenic gene induction are active in calcified
Klotho
−/−
AoV in vivo and calcified porcine aortic VICs in vitro. Importantly, BMP signaling is required for the development of AoV calcification in vitro and in vivo.
The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase
Authors: CHRISTENHUSZ MAARTEN J.M. , BYNG JAMES W.
Published: May 2016

We have counted the currently known, described and accepted number of plant species as ca 374,000, of which approximately 308,312 are vascular plants, with 295,383 flowering plants (angiosperms; monocots: 74,273; eudicots: 210,008). Global numbers of smaller plant groups are as follows: algae ca 44,000, liverworts ca 9,000, hornworts ca 225, mosses 12,700, lycopods 1,290, ferns 10,560 and gymnosperms 1,079. Phytotaxa is currently contributing more than a quarter of the ca 2000 species that are described every year, showing that it has become a major contributor to the dissemination of new species discovery. However, the rate of discovery is slowing down, due to reduction in financial and scientific support for fundamental natural history studies.
Sorbus calcicola (Rosaceae), a new species from Guangxi Province in China
Authors: GUO WEI , FAN QIANG , JING HUIJUAN , HU XIU , LIAO WENBO
Published: May 2016

Sorbus calcicola W. B. Liao et W. Guo, a new narrow-range species from Guangxi Province in China, is described and illustrated here. Its relationships with morphologically close species S. pallescens, S. cuspidata and S. thibetica are also discussed. Phylogenetic analyses with nrITS gene along with a number of morphological features including leaves abaxially glabrous or tomentose in vein axils, lateral veins 5–6 pairs and corymbs inflorescence with only 3–7 flowers confirmed that it is a distinct new species.
Four new Schizopera (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from marine interstitial habitats in Korea
Authors: KARANOVIC TOMISLAV , CHO JOO-LAE
Published: May 2016

With more than 100 valid species, the predominantly marine genus Schizopera Sars, 1905 has a near global distribution. The genus is also relatively successful in invading estuarine and freshwater ecosystems. In Korea only two widely distributed estuarine species have been recorded previously: S. clandestina (Klie, 1924) and S. neglecta Akatova, 1935. Four rare new species discovered in marine interstitial habitats are reported herein. Schizopera daejinensis sp. nov. and S. yeonghaensis sp. nov. are described after a single female and one specimen of each sex respectively. These two species were found living simpatrically in Daejin beach, near Yeong Hae city, on the East Coast of Korea. The minute S. gangneungensis sp. nov. is described after three females from a beach in Gangneung city, also on the East Coast of Korea. Schizopera sindoensis sp. nov. is described after one female and five males from a tiny beach on Jeju Island, on the South Coast of Korea. Our detailed survey of Korean beaches and the absence of any of these species in other localities suggest them to be either short range endemics or anthropogenic relics. We discuss the need for further study and protection of these neglected habitats, and the role they might play in harbouring disproportionate levels of diversity. A variety of phenotypic features for comparative descriptions of the four new species were used, including all cuticular organs (sensilla and pores) on the somites. These minute and underutilized structures provide as much resolution on the species level as traditionally used characters do, with an added bonus of an almost complete lack of sexual dimorphism. This might provide useful directions for future pairing of opposite sexes in these and other copepods, especially in cases of sympatric congeners or missing sexes.
Range extension for Eupiestus spinifer Fauvel in China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Piestinae)
Authors: YIN ZI-WEI , LI LI-ZHEN
Published: May 2016

Eupiestus spinifer Fauvel, 1895 is newly recorded from China (Yunnan Province). The habitus and morphological details of this species are illustrated for the first time.
Redescription of Gobio nigrescens from the Hari River drainage (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: MOUSAVI-SABET HAMED , GANJBAKHSH BABAK , GEIGER MATTHIAS F. , GEIGER MATTHIAS F. , FREYHOF JÖRG
Published: May 2016

Gobio nigrescens, from the Hari River drainage, is redescribed. It represents a valid species distinguished from congeners in the adjacent Caspian and Aral Sea basins by a combination of characters: a naked breast, 16 circumpeduncular scales and 6–7 irregularly shaped, black or brown blotches on back behind dorsal-fin base.
Dogielophis, a replacement name for Dogielina Sobolev 1950 (Nematoda) non Bogdanowicz & Woloszynova 1949 (Foraminifera)
Authors: DOWELD ALEXANDER B.
Published: May 2016

The generic name Dogielina was proposed by Sobolev (in Skrjabin & al. 1950: 68; for Physaloptera inexpectata Dogiel & Bychowsky 1939: 93, type species by original designation) for a parasitic nematode of the fishes from the western shores of the Caspian Sea (Sara Island) of the former USSR (now Azerbaijan: Sarı adası, Nərimanabad). However, this name is already preoccupied by a fossil Foraminifera Dogielina Bogdanowicz & Woloszynova (1949: 185), published earlier in the same year (see note on publication dates below), which is in active current use in palaeontology and even served as a basis for a specific geological Dogielina sarmatica biozone in the Upper Miocene stratigraphy of Eurasia (Krézsek & Filipescu 2005). Besides this earliest generic name, a later homonym is also known in Protista: Dogielina Raabe (1959: 448) [Infusoria].
Challenges and Prospects for Reducing Coupled Climate Model SST Biases in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans: The U.S. CLIVAR Eastern Tropical Oceans Synthesis Working Group
Authors: Zuidema Paquita , Chang Ping , Medeiros Brian , Kirtman Ben P. , Mechoso Roberto , Schneider Edwin K. , Toniazzo Thomas , Richter Ingo , Small R. Justin , Bellomo Katinka , Brandt Peter , de Szoeke Simon , Farrar J. Thomas , Jung Eunsil , Kato Seiji , Li Mingkui , Patricola Christina , Wang Zaiyu , Wood Robert , Xu Zhao
Published: May 2016

Well-known problems trouble coupled general circulation models of the eastern Atlantic and Pacific Ocean basins. Model climates are significantly more symmetric about the equator than is observed. Model sea surface temperatures are biased warm south and southeast of the equator, and the atmosphere is too rainy within a band south of the equator. Near-coastal eastern equatorial SSTs are too warm, producing a zonal SST gradient in the Atlantic opposite in sign to that observed. The U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability Program (CLIVAR) Eastern Tropical Ocean Synthesis Working Group (WG) has pursued an updated assessment of coupled model SST biases, focusing on the surface energy balance components, on regional error sources from clouds, deep convection, winds, and ocean eddies; on the sensitivity to model resolution; and on remote impacts. Motivated by the assessment, the WG makes the following recommendations: 1) encourage identification of the specific parameterizations contributing to the biases in individual models, as these can be model dependent; 2) restrict multimodel intercomparisons to specific processes; 3) encourage development of high-resolution coupled models with a concurrent emphasis on parameterization development of finer-scale ocean and atmosphere features, including low clouds; 4) encourage further availability of all surface flux components from buoys, for longer continuous time periods, in persistently cloudy regions; and 5) focus on the eastern basin coastal oceanic upwelling regions, where further opportunities for observational–modeling synergism exist.
Influence of the Tian Shan on Arid Extratropical Asia
Authors: Baldwin Jane , Vecchi Gabriel
Published: May 2016

Arid extratropical Asia (AEA) is bisected at the wetter Tian Shan (a northern offshoot of the Tibetan Plateau) into east and west deserts, each with unique climatological characteristics. The east deserts (~35°–55°N, ~75°–115°E) have a summer precipitation maximum, and the west deserts (~35°–55°N, ~45°–75°E) have a winter–spring precipitation maximum. A new high-resolution (50 km atmosphere–land) global coupled climate model is run with the Tian Shan removed to determine whether these mountains are responsible for the climatological east–west differentiation of AEA. Multicentennial simulations for the Control and NoTianshan runs highlight statistically significant effects of the Tian Shan. Overall, the Tian Shan are found to enhance the precipitation seasonality gradient across AEA, mostly through altering the east deserts. The Tian Shan dramatically change the precipitation seasonality of the Taklimakan Desert directly to its east (the driest part of AEA) by blocking west winter precipitation, enhancing subsidence over this region, and increasing east summer precipitation. The Tian Shan increase east summer precipitation through two mechanisms: 1) orographic precipitation, which is greatest on the eastern edge of the Tian Shan in summer, and 2) remote enhancement of the East Asian summer monsoon through alteration of the larger-scale seasonal mean atmospheric circulation. The decrease in east winter precipitation also generates remote warming of the Altai and Kunlun Shan, mountains northeast and southeast of the Tian Shan, respectively, due to reduction of snow cover and corresponding albedo decrease.
A Lightning Parameterization for the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System
Authors: Lopez Philippe
Published: May 2016

A new parameterization able to diagnose lightning flash densities is proposed for the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System, including its tangent-linear and adjoint versions. Total lightning densities are expressed as a function of hydrometeors contents, convective available potential energy, and cloud-base height output by the convective parameterization. Potential future applications range from the computation of NOx emissions by lightning in atmospheric chemistry models, severe convection forecasting, and data assimilation. In this study, a decade-long experiment is used to calibrate the simulated global annual mean flash density against the LIS/Optical Transient Detector (OTD) climatological value. On the seasonal and continental scales, the new parameterization is shown to agree well with the LIS/OTD observations. In forecast mode, output lightning densities are found to be almost independent of the horizontal resolution used in the model. Decade-long experiments also show that the new parameterization gives better results overall than the main existing lightning parameterizations designed for global models. Sensitivity experiments using its adjoint version are also performed to assess its potential for the future assimilation of lightning observations in the ECMWF 4D-Var system.
Power, Policy, and Citizen Participation in Santo André, Brazil
Authors: Albert Victor
Published: May 2016

City master plans assumed a central role in urban planning in Brazil with the promulgation of a new constitution in 1988 and the passage of enacting legislation in 2001. Citizen participation became an important part of this new urban planning framework. In contrast to some of Brazil’s other democratic experiments, participation in urban planning has been received critically or with only cautious optimism. A comparison of two participatory forums in Santo André, São Paulo, shows that established patterns of administrative power can decisively influence the participation of the public in city planning. Differences in the executive structures of the two institutions enabled one of them but not the other to foster open-ended deliberation on policies with members of disadvantaged groups. The study suggests that participation might be enhanced by reserving executive positions for civil society participants, including the public at all stages of policy development, choosing participants largely from disadvantaged groups, and keeping the forum small.

Planos diretores para cidades desempenharam papel fundamental no planejamento urbano brasileiro com a promulgação da Constituição de 1988 e o sancionamento da legislação em 2001. Demais, a participação de cidadãos tornou-se importante elemento dessa nova moldura de planejamento urbanístico. Ainda assim, em contraste com outros experimentos democráticos no Brasil, a participação no planejamento urbano tem sido recebida de maneira crítica ou no máximo com otimismo cauteloso. Contudo, uma comparação entre dois forums participativos em Santo André, São Paulo, demonstra que padrões estabelecidos de poder administrativo tiveram influência decisiva na participação pública no planejamento urbano. Diferenças na estrutura executiva das duas instituições permitiram que uma delas, mas não a outra, promovesse deliberações transparentes sobre iniciativas enquanto permitia a participação de grupos menos privilegiados. O estudo sugere que a participação pode ser ampliada com a nomeação de participantes da sociedade civil a cargos executivos, incluindo-se o público em todos os estágios da política de desenvolvimento e escolhendo-se indivíduos majoritariamente entre segmentos mais desfavorecidos da população. O forum deve, ainda, manter-se pequeno.
Latin American Response to Dana L. Robert ‘One Christ—Many Witnesses: Visions of Mission and Unity, Edinburgh and Beyond’
Authors: Alvarez Mireya
Published: May 2016

If we reflect upon Edinburgh as a movement, many voices participated, demonstrating different visions and concerns for the advancement of the gospel. From 1910 to 2010 there were subsequent conferences that took place in many corners of the world. The message of Jesus Christ was presented as relevant to all people groups.
Trilayered sulfated silk fibroin vascular grafts enhanced with braided silk tube
Authors: Ding Xili , Zou Tongqiang , Gong Xianghui , Ren Changhui , Kang Hongyan , Xu Peng , Liu Haifeng , Fan Yubo
Published: May 2016

The scaffold component is a major barrier to the development of a clinically useful small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular graft. Scaffold requirements include matching the mechanical and structural properties with those of native vessels and optimizing the microenvironment for cell integration, adhesion, and growth. Trilayered sulfated silk fibroin graft was developed to mimic native tissue structure and function. Physical properties and cell studies were assessed to evaluate the viability of their usage in small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts. Compared with previously fabricated silk fibroin vascular grafts, these trilayered grafts provided comparable water permeability, tensile strength, burst pressure, as well as suture retention strength, to saphenous veins for vascular grafts. In addition, the in vitro results showed good cytocompatibility of the trilayered grafts. These physical and cellular outcomes indicate potential utility of these trilayered sulfated silk fibroin grafts for small-diameter vascular grafts.
Lactating Adenoma of the Breast
Authors: Barco Nebreda Israel , Vidal MªCarmen , Fraile Manel , Canales Lydia , González Clarisa , Giménez Nuria , García-Fernández Antonio
Published: May 2016

Lactating adenoma is an uncommon breast palpable lesion occurring in pregnancy or lactation. Although it is a benign condition, it often requires core biopsy or even surgery to exclude malignancy. As with other solid lesions in pregnancy and lactation, lactating adenoma needs an accurate evaluation in order to ensure its benign nature. Work-up must include both imaging and histologic findings. Ultrasound evaluation remains the first step in assessing the features of the lesion. Some authors consider magnetic resonance imaging as a useful tool in cases of inconclusive evaluation after ultrasound and histologic exam in an attempt to avoid surgery. Most lactating adenomas resolve spontaneously, whereas others persist or even increase in size and must be removed. The authors present a case of a 35-year-old woman at 6 months postpartum with a lactating adenoma in her right breast. After surgical removal, breastfeeding was perfectly continued within the next 24 hours, which highlights the fact that breast surgery is most often compatible with breastfeeding.
Civil liberties and Volunteering in Six Former Soviet Union Countries
Authors: Kamerāde Daiga , Crotty Jo , Ljubownikow Sergej
Published: May 2016

To contribute to the debate as to whether volunteering is an outcome of democratization rather than a driver of it, we analyze how divergent democratization pathways in six countries of the former Soviet Union have led to varied levels of volunteering. Using data from the European Values Study, we find that Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—which followed a Europeanization path—have high and increasing levels of civil liberties and volunteering. In Russia and Belarus, following a pre-emption path, civil liberties have remained low and volunteering has declined. Surprisingly, despite the Orange Revolution and increased civil liberties, volunteering rates in Ukraine have also declined. The case of Ukraine indicates that the freedom to participate is not always taken up by citizens. Our findings suggest it is not volunteering that brings civil liberties, but rather that increased civil liberties lead to higher levels of volunteering.
Are There Other Options?
Authors: Becevic Mirna , Green Timothy , Walker Laine Young , Hicks Lanis , Mutrux Ellen R.
Published: May 2016

This study compared University of Missouri child and adolescent telepsychiatry services patients’ specific zip codes to child and adolescent psychiatrists’ practice locations to learn if telehealth was an appropriate option for this group of patients.

In demographically and geographically diverse state such as Missouri, patients in rural areas may have limited or no access to timely, affordable and quality care. Many large urban health-care institutions have turned to telehealth as a means of providing equal access to care for all population, no matter where they choose to live.

The management analyst system Cognos/Analyzer was used as a data source. Patient- and provider-specific zip codes were processed using GeoKettle software, and ArcGIS explorer was used for map visualization.

While patients utilizing child and adolescent telepsychiatry services come from various parts of the state, providers are mostly clustered in urban locations along the Interstate 70. This greatly limits access to specialty care for rural and other vulnerable populations. Telehealth provides adequate and timely access to child and adolescent psychiatry services for the youth that may otherwise not be able to get needed care.

Barriers such as mental health crisis and access to care for rural population have been more or less successfully addressed by telehealth for several decades now. However, the shortage of specialty physicians adds an additional layer of complexity to this issue. Health-care organizations with informatics tools such as telemedicine need to focus their efforts on maximizing usage to allow more access for the underserved population.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: An Assessment
Authors: Mishra Rahul
Published: May 2016

Lauded as one of the most remarkable Chinese initiatives in the international financial arena, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) sets the stage for China’s greater role in the international economic system as a prominent stakeholder. Headquartered in Beijing, the bank is expected to play a key role in plugging the infrastructure gaps in Asia, which have been estimated at US$8 trillion between the years 2010 and 2020. The setting up of the AIIB will have far-reaching economic as well as politico-strategic implications for countries across Asia and beyond. While the AIIB has been seen as a remedy to address infrastructure deficit in Asia, it is unlikely to meet the US$8 trillion goal on its own. The biggest challenge before the bank, therefore, is to prioritise in terms of selecting projects so that it optimally utilises the available financial resources and functions as a transparent and impartial organisation, in addition to making a swift and smooth transition from a ‘Chinese initiative’ to a ‘China-led initiative’ that yields equitable benefits to all its member countries.
Clinical Validation of R-T Estimation for CoaguChek XS INR Results
Authors: Richter Christopher , Taylor James , Wright Joyanna , Fletcher Bradley
Published: May 2016

Background: Despite the emergence of several new oral anticoagulants, warfarin remains a widely used form of anticoagulation that continues to have a role in the treatment of cardiac and thrombotic conditions. Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the R-T estimation, an equation developed in a previous study, was a valid clinical tool in managing patients’ warfarin therapy in an anticoagulation clinic in lieu of obtaining a venipuncture international normalized ratio (INR) secondary to a high CoaguChek XS (CXS) INR. Methods: This study used a randomized double-blind method to compare the clinical decisions made using venipuncture or CXS machine and recorded the INR, percentage dose change, time to clinical decision from check-in, and scheduled follow-up. Results: In the analysis of the difference in percentage dose change, a 1.0% (95% CI = −0.78 to 2.68; P = 0.27) difference was observed overall, and a 1.2% (95% CI = −0.59 to 2.95; P = 0.18) difference was observed in the 4 to 5.9 subgroup. Clinical decisions were reached 17 minutes faster (95% CI = 11-24; P < 0.001) overall and 17 minutes faster (95% CI = 10-24; P < 0.001) in the 4 to 5.9 subgroup. Scheduled follow-up was 0.38 weeks sooner (95% CI = 0.01-0.67; P = 0.014) overall and 0.36 weeks sooner (95% CI = 0-0.66; P = 0.041) in the 4 to 5.9 subgroup. Conclusions: The results of this study support the use of the R-T estimation for correction of INR values obtained using the CXS meter when the INR is in the range of 4 to 5.9. This correction will allow clinics using this device to more efficiently manage patients taking warfarin.
Parametric study of stochastic seismic responses of base-isolated liquid storage tanks under near-fault and far-fault ground motions
Authors: Safari Sina , Tarinejad Reza
Published: May 2016

Seismic response of base isolated steel liquid storage tanks is investigated in this study by a stochastic approach in frequency domain. For the purpose of evaluating different frequency contents of seismic events on the responses of fixed and isolated tanks, the earthquake excitation is characterized by power spectral density function. Since earthquake is a random process, stochastic seismic analysis is used and root mean square response predicts behavior of system properly. Two types of isolation system are assumed and nonlinear behavior of base isolation systems are developed by an iterative statistical linearization scheme. The study demonstrates the influence of each characteristic parameter of the storage tanks and isolation system and also excitation features. It is confirmed that near-fault earthquake excitations amplify the overall response of the system. Base isolation is known as an effective technique to reduce responses appropriately. It is demonstrated that the sloshing responses of the tanks is significantly reduced by sliding bearing. Further, excitation parameters, PGV/PGA ratio of records and pulse period in near-fault ground motions, that represent differences in two sets of earthquakes are defined to recognize variation of responses.
Incompatibility-governed singularities in linear elasticity with dislocations
Authors: Van Goethem Nicolas
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this paper is to prove the relation [Formula: see text] relating the elastic strain [Formula: see text] and the contortion tensor [Formula: see text], related to the density tensor of mesoscopic dislocations. Here, the dislocations are given by a finite family of closed Lipschitz curves in [Formula: see text]. Moreover the fields are singular at the dislocations, and, in particular, the strain is non square integrable. Moreover, the displacement fields show a constant jump around each isolated dislocation loop. This relation is called after E. Kröner who first derived the same formula for smooth fields at the macroscale.
Using Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique to Map Beneficiaries’ Experiences and Values
Authors: Kokko Suvi , Lagerkvist Carl Johan
Published: May 2016

Using a case example of an innovative sanitation solution in a slum setting, this study explores the usefulness of the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique in a program planning and evaluation context. Using a qualitative image-based method to map people’s mental models of ill-structured problems such as sanitation can aid program planners and evaluators in understanding how a program can fit the reality of beneficiaries. The technique is a tool for investigating what beneficiaries think about specific problems a program is aimed at solving and their underlying beliefs. The results offer a comprehensive hierarchical value map of different types and levels of insights into parents’ thoughts and feelings about school sanitation and their child’s well-being, often expressed as desired values, goals, or end states. Based on the results, a discussion is provided about the usefulness of the technique in the given context.
A new symbiosis? Opportunities and challenges to hyperlocal journalism in the digital age
Authors: Carson Andrea , Muller Denis , Martin Jennifer , Simons Margaret
Published: May 2016

This article draws on ‘hyperlocal’ journalism scholarship to explore the civic functions of Australian local reporting in the digital age. Through place-based case studies based on interviews with media and civic leaders from three disparate communities, we find community groups are engaging with social media, particularly Facebook, to connect locals to services and community news. Community service providers are increasingly adept at using social media and, in many cases, prefer it to legacy media to gather, disseminate and exchange news. Concurrently, legacy media have lost newsroom resources that limit their practice of ‘shoe leather’ journalism and increase their dependence on official sources without independent verification. Yet, journalists are adapting to newsroom cutbacks by forming symbiotic relationships with non-media news providers, including local police. We find there are promising alternatives for fostering civic discourse and engagement through digital technologies despite less traditional local news and a reduced capacity for verified journalism.