bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Audio classification with low-rank matrix representation features
Authors: Shi Ziqiang , Han Jiqing , Zheng Tieran
Published: January 2014

In this article, a novel framework based on trace norm minimization for audio classification is proposed. In this framework, both the feature extraction and classification are obtained by solving corresponding convex optimization problem with trace norm regularization. For feature extraction, robust principle component analysis (robust PCA) via minimization a combination of the nuclear norm and the ℓ
1
-norm is used to extract low-rank matrix features which are robust to white noise and gross corruption for audio signal. These low-rank matrix features are fed to a linear classifier where the weight and bias are learned by solving similar trace norm constrained problems. For this linear classifier, most methods find the parameters, that is the weight matrix and bias in batch-mode, which makes it inefficient for large scale problems. In this article, we propose a parallel online framework using accelerated proximal gradient method. This framework has advantages in processing speed and memory cost. In addition, as a result of the regularization formulation of matrix classification, the Lipschitz constant was given explicitly, and hence the step size estimation of the general proximal gradient method was omitted, and this part of computing burden is saved in our approach. Extensive experiments on real data sets for laugh/non-laugh and applause/non-applause classification indicate that this novel framework is effective and noise robust.
A Graph Analytical Approach for Topic Detection
Authors: Sayyadi Hassan , Raschid Louiqa
Published: January 2014

Topic detection with large and noisy data collections such as social media must address both scalability and accuracy challenges. KeyGraph is an efficient method that improves on current solutions by considering keyword cooccurrence. We show that KeyGraph has similar accuracy when compared to state-of-the-art approaches on small, well-annotated collections, and it can successfully filter irrelevant documents and identify events in large and noisy social media collections. An extensive evaluation using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk demonstrated the increased accuracy and high precision of KeyGraph, as well as superior runtime performance compared to other solutions.
The legacy of Steve Ballmer
Authors: Cusumano Michael A.
Published: January 2014

Assessing the positive and negative components of the second Microsoft CEO's tenure.
Publish now, judge later
Authors: Terry Doug
Published: January 2014

A proposal to address the problem of too many conference submissions and not enough time for reviewers to carefully evaluate each one.
Scalable conferences
Authors: Vardi Moshe Y.
Published: January 2014

Adapting computing-research conferences to the growth of the field.
French team invents faster code-breaking algorithm
Authors: Anthes Gary
Published: January 2014

New method can crack certain cryptosystems far faster than earlier alternatives.
Future Tense: The second signal
Authors: Shostak Seth
Published: January 2014

From the intersection of computational science and technological speculation, with boundaries limited only by our ability to imagine what could be.

Even cosmic enlightenment can involve unwelcome contact.
Center Wheel for Success
Authors: Kamp Poul-Henning
Published: January 2014

When I first read the claim that HealthCare.gov, the Web site initiated by the Affordable Care Act, had cost $500 million to create, I didn’t believe the number. There is no way to make a Web site cost that much. But the actual number seems not to be an order-of-magnitude lower, and as I understand the reports, the Web site doesn’t have much to show for the high cost in term of performance, features, or quality in general.
Gastrointestinal Bacterial and Methanogenic Archaea Diversity Dynamics Associated with Condensed Tannin-Containing Pine Bark Diet in Goats Using 16S rDNA Amplicon Pyrosequencing
Authors: Min Byeng R. , Solaiman Sandra , Shange Raymon , Eun Jong-Su
Published: January 2014

Eighteen Kiko-cross meat goats (n=6) were used to collect gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria and methanogenic archaea for diversity measures when fed condensed tannin-containing pine bark (PB). Three dietary treatments were tested: control diet (0% PB and 30% wheat straw (WS); 0.17% condensed tannins (CT) dry matter (DM)); 15% PB and 15% WS (1.6% CT DM), and 30% PB and 0% WS (3.2% CT DM). A 16S rDNA bacterial tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing technique was used to characterize and elucidate changes in GI bacteria and methanogenic archaea diversity among the diets.Proteobacteriawas the most dominant phylum in goats with mean relative abundance values ranging from 39.7 (30% PB) to 46.5% (control) and 47.1% (15% PB). Other phyla individually accounted for fewer than 25% of the relative abundance observed. Predominant methanogens wereMethanobrevibacter(75, 72, and 49%),Methanosphaera(3.3, 2.3, and 3.4%), andMethanobacteriaceae(1.2, 0.6, and 0.7%) population in control, 15, and 30% PB, respectively. Among methanogens,Methanobrevibacterwas linearly decreased (P=0.05) with increasing PB supplementation. These results indicate that feeding PB selectively altered bacteria and methanogenic archaeal populations in the GI tract of goats.
Local Fractional Function Decomposition Method for Solving Inhomogeneous Wave Equations with Local Fractional Derivative
Authors: Wang Shun-Qin , Yang Yong-Ju , Jassim Hassan Kamil
Published: January 2014

We propose the local fractional function decomposition method, which is derived from the coupling method of local fractional Fourier series and Yang-Laplace transform. The forms of solutions for local fractional differential equations are established. Some examples for inhomogeneous wave equations are given to show the accuracy and efficiency of the presented technique.
Comparison of Riboflavin/Ultraviolet-A Cross-Linking in Porcine, Rabbit, and Human Sclera
Authors: Zhang Yali , Li Zhiwei , Liu Lei , Han Xuguang , Zhao Xiaomin , Mu Guoying
Published: January 2014

Purpose. To compare the biomechanical properties of porcine, rabbit, and human sclera before and after riboflavin/ultraviolet-A (UVA) collagen cross-linking (CXL).Methods. Eight rabbits, 8 porcine eyeballs, and 8 human eyeballs were included. One rabbit eye and half of each bisected human and porcine eyeball were treated with riboflavin/UVA CXL. Untreated fellow rabbit eyes and eyeball halves served as controls. A 10 mm × 20 mm scleral band was harvested from each specimen. From this band, two 3.5 mm × 15.0 mm strips were prepared for biomechanical testing. The biomechanical parameters were ultimate stress, stress and Young’s modulus.Results. Values of stress, and Young’s modulus showed that human sclera was 4 times stiffer than porcine sclera and 3 times stiffer than rabbit sclera. In rabbit sclera, both the stress and Young’s modulus were significantly increased by CXL (P<0.05). In porcine sclera, only the ultimate stress was significantly increased by CXL (P<0.05). The biomechanical properties of human sclera were not statistically affected by CXL (P>0.05).Conclusions. Human sclera has higher biomechanical stiffness than porcine and rabbit sclera. With the same irradiation dose, riboflavin/UVA CXL increases the biomechanical stiffness of rabbit sclera but not porcine or human sclera.
Meta-Analysis of Oral Implant Fracture Incidence and Related Determinants
Authors: Pommer Bernhard , Bucur Lavinia , Zauza Konstantin , Tepper Gabor , Hof Markus , Watzek Georg
Published: January 2014

Dental implant fracture is a rare biomechanical complication, however, one of the most serious and frustating ones as it is generally associated with implant and prosthesis failure as well as the surgical hazards of explantation and reimplantation. To gain insights into implant fracture rates and the impact of patient-, surgery-, and prosthetic-related factors, systematic review and meta-analysis of the English literature were performed. Electronic and hand searches yielded 69 relevant publications reporting on 827 fractures out of 44521 implants investigated. The overall incidence of implant fractures was 1.6%. Mean patient age at the time of implant fracture was 54 ± 11 years, and 70% occurred in males. The vast majority (85%) occurred in posterior regions of the mouth (premolar or molar positions). No tendency of increased fracture rates could be noted for short implant lengths or narrow implant diameters. Implant fractures occurred after 4.1 ± 3.5 years of loading, on average, in most cases (88%) supporting fixed restorations; however, only 56% were preceded by screw loosening. Although further investigations are needed to fully explore the characteristics and causes of this rare complication, it can be concluded that no more than 2.8% of implants fracture is within a mean loading period of 8.3 years.
Facile Route to Generate Fuel Oil via Catalytic Pyrolysis of Waste Polypropylene Bags: Towards Waste Management of >20 μm Plastic Bags
Authors: Mishra Neeraj , Pandey Sunil , Patil Bhushan , Thukur Mukeshchand , Mewada Ashmi , Sharon Madhuri , Sharon Maheshwar
Published: January 2014

A novel strategy of waste recycling of polypropylene plastics (PP) bags for generation of commercially viable byproducts using nanoforms of nickel as catalyst is presented in this work. After pyrolysis of waste PP bags (>20 μm) under continuous argon flow, 90% conversion efficiency to high petroleum oil was observed at 550°C. To assess the physicochemical attributes of formed oil, flash point, pour point, viscosity, specific gravity, heating value, and density were also measured and found to be very close to ideal values of commercial fuel oil. Moreover, GC-MS was used to resolve the range of trace mass hydrocarbon present in the liquefied hydrocarbon. Our robust recycling system can be exploited as economical technique to solve the nuisance of waste plastic hazardous to ecosystem.
Pulse-Wave Analysis of Optic Nerve Head Circulation Is Significantly Correlated with Kidney Function in Patients with and without Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Shiba Tomoaki , Takahashi Mao , Maeno Takatoshi
Published: January 2014

Aim.To determine whether there is a significant correlation between the optic nerve head (ONH) circulation determined by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and kidney function.Materials. Seventy-one subjects were investigated. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum creatinine, cystatin C, and urinary albumin excretion were measured. The ONH circulation was determined by an analysis of the pulse wave of LSFG, and this parameter was named blowout time (BOT). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined to be present when the estimated GFR was <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to determine the relationship between the BOT and the kidney function. We also examined whether there were significant differences in all parameters in patients with and without CKD.Results. BOT was significantly correlated with the level of creatinine (r=-0.24,P=0.04), the estimated GFR (r=0.42,P=0.0003), cystatin C (r=-0.29,P=0.01), and urinary albumin excretion (r=-0.29,P=0.01). The BOT level in subjects with CKD was significantly lower than that in subjects without CKD (P=0.002).Conclusion. BOT in ONH by LSFG can detect the organ damage such as kidney dysfunction, CKD.
The Inflammatory Chemokine CCL5 and Cancer Progression
Authors: Aldinucci Donatella , Colombatti Alfonso
Published: January 2014

Until recently, inflammatory chemokines were viewed mainly as indispensable “gate keepers” of immunity and inflammation. However, updated research indicates that cancer cells subvert the normal chemokine system and these molecules and their receptors become important constituents of the tumor microenvironment with very different ways to exert tumor-promoting roles. The CCR5 and the CCL5 ligand have been detected in some hematological malignancies, lymphomas, and a great number of solid tumors, but extensive studies on the role of the CCL5/CCR axis were performed only in a limited number of cancers. This review summarizes updated information on the role of CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 in cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment and highlights the development of newer therapeutic strategies aimed to inhibit the binding of CCL5 to CCR5, to inhibit CCL5 secretion, or to inhibit the interactions among tumor cells and the microenvironment leading to CCL5 secretion.
Output Feedback Adaptive Dynamic Surface Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with Uncertain Time Delays via RBFNN
Authors: Luo Shaohua , Wang Jiaxu , Shi Zhen , Qiu Qian
Published: January 2014

This paper focuses on an adaptive dynamic surface control based on the Radial Basis Function Neural Network for a fourth-order permanent magnet synchronous motor system wherein the unknown parameters, disturbances, chaos, and uncertain time delays are presented. Neural Network systems are used to approximate the nonlinearities and an adaptive law is employed to estimate accurate parameters. Then, a simple and effective controller has been obtained by introducing dynamic surface control technique on the basis of first-order filters. Asymptotically tracking stability in the sense of uniformly ultimate boundedness is achieved in a short time. Finally, the performance of the proposed control has been illustrated through simulation results.
Laminar Motion of the Incompressible Fluids in Self-Acting Thrust Bearings with Spiral Grooves
Authors: Velescu Cornel , Popa Nicolae Calin
Published: January 2014

We analyze the laminar motion of incompressible fluids in self-acting thrust bearings with spiral grooves with inner or external pumping. The purpose of the study is to find some mathematical relations useful to approach the theoretical functionality of these bearings having magnetic controllable fluids as incompressible fluids, in the presence of a controllable magnetic field. This theoretical study approaches the permanent motion regime. To validate the theoretical results, we compare them to some experimental results presented in previous papers. The laminar motion of incompressible fluids in bearings is described by the fundamental equations of fluid dynamics. We developed and particularized these equations by taking into consideration the geometrical and functional characteristics of these hydrodynamic bearings. Through the integration of the differential equation, we determined the pressure and speed distributions in bearings with length in the “pumping” direction. These pressure and speed distributions offer important information, both quantitative (concerning the bearing performances) and qualitative (evidence of the viscous-inertial effects, the fluid compressibility, etc.), for the laminar and permanent motion regime.
Resident Plug‐In Electric Vehicle Charging Modeling and Scheduling Mechanism in the Smart Grid
Authors: Han Peng , Wang Jinkuan , Han Yinghua , Li Yan
Published: January 2014

With the development of smart grid and the increase of global resident Plug‐In Electric Vehicle (PEV) market in the near future, the interaction between limited distribution grid capacity and uncontrollable PEV charging loads can lead to violations of local grid restrictions. And the proper model charging scheduling mechanism is the key to assess and satisfy various resident charging requirements and help in optimizing utility utilization. In this paper, the distribution grid profile model with PEV charging power is firstly constructed for the purpose of studying resident PEV charging impact on the distribution grid. To better reflect the actual impact of PEVs, we use real data on driving behaviors, vehicle characteristics, and electricity loads to generate our model. Furthermore, an improved queuing‐theory‐based scheduling mechanism is proposed, the distribution grid communication structure and the algorithm are illustrated, and computer simulations are demonstrated to verify their performance. The results show that the proposed scheduling mechanism will enhance the distribution grid flexibility to meet various charging requirements while maximizing the grid capacity.
Effects of Commercially Available Dietary Supplements on Resting Energy Expenditure: A Brief Report
Authors: Vaughan Roger A. , Conn Carole A. , Mermier Christine M.
Published: January 2014

Commercially available dietary products advertised to promote weight loss are an underresearched but heavily purchased commodity in the United States. Despite only limited evidence, interest in dietary supplements continues to increase. This work uniquely summarizes the current evidence evaluating the efficacy of several over-the-counter thermogenic products for their effects on resting energy expenditure. Currently, there is some evidence suggesting dietary products containing select ingredients can increase energy expenditure in healthy young people immediately following consumption (within 6 hours). It is unclear if supplement-induced increases in metabolic rate provide additional benefit beyond that provided by dietary constituents that contain similar ingredients. It is also unclear if dietary supplements are effective for weight loss in humans.
AR-A 014418 Used against GSK3beta Downregulates Expression of hnRNPA1 and SF2/ASF Splicing Factors
Authors: Yadav Ajay K. , Vashishta Vidhi , Joshi Nidhi , Taneja Pankaj
Published: January 2014

Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive forms of primary brain tumors of glial cells, including aberrant regulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β) and splicing factors deregulation. Here, we investigate the role of small molecule AR-A014418 and Manzamine A against GSK3 kinase with factual control on splicing regulators. AR-A 014418, 48 hrs posttreatment, caused dose (25–100 μM) dependent inhibition in U373 and U87 cell viability with also inhibition in activating tyrosine phosphorylation of GSK3alpha (Tyr 279) and beta (Tyr 216). Furthermore, inhibition of GSK3 kinase resulted in significant downregulation of splicing factors (SRSF1, SRSF5, PTPB1, and hnRNP) in U87 cells with downregulation of antiapoptotic genes such as BCL2, BCL-xL, Survivin, MCL1, and BMI1. Similarly, downregulation of splicing factors was also observed in U373 glioma cell after using SiRNA against AKT and GSK3beta kinase. In addition, potential roles of AR-A014418 in downregulation of splicing factors were reflected with decrease in Anxa7 (VA) variant and increase in Anxa7 WT tumor suppressor transcript and protein. The above results suggest that inhibition of GSK3beta kinase activation could be the beneficial strategy to inhibit the occurrence of alternative cancer escape pathway via downregulating the expression of splicing regulators as well as apoptosis.
A Survey on Distributed Filtering and Fault Detection for Sensor Networks
Authors: Dong Hongli , Wang Zidong , Ding Steven X. , Gao Huijun
Published: January 2014

In recent years, theoretical and practical research on large‐scale networked systems has gained an increasing attention from multiple disciplines including engineering, computer science, and mathematics. Lying in the core part of the area are the distributed estimation and fault detection problems that have recently been attracting growing research interests. In particular, an urgent need has arisen to understand the effects of distributed information structures on filtering and fault detection in sensor networks. In this paper, a bibliographical review is provided on distributed filtering and fault detection problems over sensor networks. The algorithms employed to study the distributed filtering and detection problems are categorised and then discussed. In addition, some recent advances on distributed detection problems for faulty sensors and fault events are also summarized in great detail. Finally, we conclude the paper by outlining future research challenges for distributed filtering and fault detection for sensor networks.
Moser Vector Fields and Geometry of the Mabuchi Moduli Space of Kähler Metrics
Authors: Guan Daniel
Published: January 2014

There is a natural Moser type transformation along any curve in the moduli spaces of Kähler metrics. In this paper we apply this transformation to give an explicit construction of the parallel transformation along a curve in the Mabuchi moduli space of Kähler metrics. This is crucial in the proof of the equivalence between the existence of the Kähler metrics with constant scalar curvature and the geodesic stability for the type II compact almost homogeneous manifolds of cohomogeneity one mentioned in (Guan 2013). We also explain a new description of the geodesics and prove a curvature property of the moduli space, called curvature symmetric, which makes it similar to some special symmetric spaces with nonpositive curvatures, although the spaces are usually not complete. Finally, we generalize our geodesic stability conjectures in (Guan 2003) and give several results on the Lie algebra structures related to the parallel transformations. In the last section, we generalize the Futaki obstruction of the Kähler-Einstein metrics to the parallel vector fields of the invariant Mabuchi moduli space. We call the related stability the parallel stability. This includes the toric and cohomogeneity one cases as well as the spherical manifolds.
Quantitative Assessment of the Effects of Therapeutic Hypothermia on Early Repolarization in Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation Survivors
Authors: Williams Steven E. , Sabir Ian , Nimmo Camus , Linton Nick , Sebag Frederic A. , Harrison James L. , Wright Matthew , Barrett Nicholas A. , Shankar-Hari Manu , O’Neill Mark D.
Published: January 2014

Background—

The early repolarization (ER) pattern on ECG is associated with an increased risk of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (ID-VF). Hypothermia is known to result in similar electrocardiographic changes. In this retrospective cohort study, we examine the impact of therapeutic hypothermia on ER in survivors of cardiac arrest attributed to ID-VF and draw comparisons with a control group who experienced coronary artery disease–related VF (CAD-VF).

Methods and Results—

All patients who had cardiac arrest and were treated with therapeutic hypothermia over a 7-year period were considered for inclusion in the study. Forty-three patients were identified with ID-VF or CAD-VF arrest. ECGs were obtained during cooling and again after rewarming. ECGs were digitized and assessed for the presence of ER by 2 independent observers. Cooling significantly increased the prevalence (74% during cooling versus 51% at baseline temperature;
P
=0.044) and mean amplitude (0.78±0.10 mV during cooling versus 0.56±0.09 mV at baseline temperature;
P
=0.038) of ER in the overall cohort. During cooling, ER was more common among survivors of ID-VF than of CAD-VF (100% versus 67%;
P
=0.043). ER magnitude was significantly greater among ID-VF survivors than CAD-VF survivors both during cooling (1.16±0.18 versus 0.70±0.11 mV;
P
=0.044) and at baseline temperature (1.02±0.21 versus 0.42±0.09 mV;
P
=0.005).

Conclusions—

Hypothermia increases both the prevalence and magnitude of ER in cardiac arrest survivors. Despite the association of ER with ID-VF, therapeutic hypothermia only increases ER amplitude in CAD-VF survivors.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Catheter Ablation Versus Medical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure (The CAMTAF Trial)
Authors: Hunter Ross J. , Berriman Thomas J. , Diab Ihab , Kamdar Ravindu , Richmond Laura , Baker Victoria , Goromonzi Farai , Sawhney Vinit , Duncan Edward , Page Stephen P. , Ullah Waqas , Unsworth Beth , Mayet Jamil , Dhinoja Mehul , Earley Mark J. , Sporton Simon , Schilling Richard J.
Published: January 2014

Background—

Restoring sinus rhythm in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) may improve left ventricular (LV) function and HF symptoms. We sought to compare the effect of a catheter ablation strategy with that of a medical rate control strategy in patients with persistent AF and HF.

Methods and Results—

Patients with persistent AF, symptomatic HF, and LV ejection fraction <50% were randomized to catheter ablation or medical rate control. The primary end-point was the difference between groups in LV ejection fraction at 6 months. Baseline LV ejection fraction was 32±8% in the ablation group and 34±12% in the medical group. Twenty-six patients underwent catheter ablation, and 24 patients were rate controlled. Freedom from AF was achieved in 21/26 (81%) at 6 months off antiarrhythmic drugs. LV ejection fraction at 6 months in the ablation group was 40±12% compared with 31±13% in the rate control group (
P
=0.015). Ablation was associated with better peak oxygen consumption (22±6 versus 18±6 mL/kg per minute;
P
=0.014) and Minnesota living with HF questionnaire score (24±22 versus 47±22;
P
=0.001) compared with rate control.

Conclusions—

Catheter ablation is effective in restoring sinus rhythm in selected patients with persistent AF and HF, and can improve LV function, functional capacity, and HF symptoms compared with rate control.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01411371
High-Density Lipoprotein and Atherosclerosis Regression
Authors: Feig Jonathan E. , Hewing Bernd , Smith Jonathan D. , Hazen Stanley L. , Fisher Edward A.
Published: January 2014

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles transport (among other molecules) cholesterol (HDL-C). In epidemiological studies, plasma HDL-C levels have an inverse relationship to the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It has been assumed that this reflects the protective functions of HDL, which include their ability to promote cholesterol efflux. Yet, several recent pharmacological and genetic studies have failed to demonstrate that increased plasma levels of HDL-C resulted in decreased cardiovascular disease risk, giving rise to a controversy regarding whether plasma levels of HDL-C reflect HDL function, or that HDL is even as protective as assumed. The evidence from preclinical and (limited) clinical studies shows that HDL can promote the regression of atherosclerosis when the levels of functional particles are increased from endogenous or exogenous sources. The data show that regression results from a combination of reduced plaque lipid and macrophage contents, as well as from a reduction in its inflammatory state. Although more research will be needed regarding basic mechanisms and to establish that these changes translate clinically to reduced cardiovascular disease events, that HDL can regress plaques suggests that the recent trial failures do not eliminate HDL from consideration as an atheroprotective agent but rather emphasizes the important distinction between HDL function and plasma levels of HDL-C.
Novel Therapies Focused on the High-Density Lipoprotein Particle
Authors: van Capelleveen Julian C. , Brewer H. Bryan , Kastelein John J.P. , Hovingh G. Kees
Published: January 2014

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major burden for morbidity and mortality in the general population, despite current efficacious low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol–lowering therapies. Consequently, novel therapies are required to reduce this residual risk. Prospective epidemiological studies have shown that high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are inversely correlated with cardiovascular disease risk, and this initiated the quest for HDL-C–increasing therapies. Consequently, several different targets in HDL metabolism have been identified.

Initial studies addressing the effect of cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibition on cardiovascular disease outcome have been discontinued for reasons of futility or increased mortality. As of yet, 2 cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors are still in phase III studies. Other HDL-based interventions, such as apolipoprotein A1–based compounds, ABC-transporter upregulators, selective peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor modulators and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase–based therapy, hold great promise for the future. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of HDL-targeted pharmaceutical strategies in humans, both in early development as well as in late stage clinical trials.
MPING: Crowd-Sourcing Weather Reports for Research
Authors: Elmore Kimberly L. , Flamig Z. L. , Lakshmanan V. , Kaney B. T. , Farmer V. , Reeves Heather D. , Rothfusz Lans P.
Published: January 2014

The Weather Service Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) network within the United States has recently been upgraded to include dual-polarization capability. Among the expectations that have resulted from the upgrade is the ability to discriminate between different precipitation types in winter precipitation events. To know how well any such algorithm performs and whether new algorithms are an improvement, observations of winter precipitation type are needed. Unfortunately, the automated observing systems cannot discriminate between some of the more important types. Thus, human observers are needed. Yet, to deploy dedicated human observers is impractical because the knowledge needed to identify the various precipitation types is common among the public. To most efficiently gather such observations would require the public to be engaged as citizen scientists using a very simple, convenient, nonintrusive method. To achieve this, a simple “app” called mobile Precipitation Identification Near the Ground (mPING) was developed to run on “smart” phones or, more generically, web-enabled devices with GPS location capabilities. Using mPING, anyone with a smartphone can pass observations to researchers at no additional cost to their phone service or to the research project. Deployed in mid-December 2012, mPING has proven to be not only very popular, but also capable of providing consistent, accurate observational data.
How Representative Is the ACTIVE Sample? A Statistical Comparison of the ACTIVE Sample and the HRS Sample
Authors: Prindle John J. , McArdle John J.
Published: January 2014

Objective: This research is designed to examine demographic differences between the ACTIVE sample and the larger, nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS) sample. Method: After describing some relevant demographics (age, education, sex, and race/ethnicity), we use three statistical methods to determine sample differences— logistic regression modeling (LRM), decision tree analysis (DTA), and post-stratification and raking methods. When some differences are found, we create sample weights that other researchers can use to adjust these differences. Results: The ACTIVE sample is younger, more likely to be female, Black, and more highly educated than the HRS sample. Sample weights were created. Discussion: By using the resulting sample weights, all results of ACTIVE analyses can be said to be nationally representative based on HRS demographics.
A 1-year randomized controlled trial of deferasirox vs deferoxamine for myocardial iron removal in β-thalassemia major (CORDELIA)
Authors: Pennell Dudley J. , Porter John B. , Piga Antonio , Lai Yongrong , El-Beshlawy Amal , Belhoul Khawla M. , Elalfy Mohsen , Yesilipek Akif , Kilinç Yurdanur , Lawniczek Tomasz , Habr Dany , Weisskopf Marianne , Zhang Yiyun , Aydinok Yesim
Published: January 2014

Key Points

In β-thalassemia major patients with severe iron burden, deferasirox was noninferior to deferoxamine for myocardial iron removal. The ejection fraction was stable during treatment for both deferasirox and deferoxamine.
Some new sharp limit Hardy-type inequalities via convexity
Authors: Barza Sorina , Persson Lars-Erik , Samko Natasha
Published: January 2014

Some new limit cases of Hardy-type inequalities are proved, discussed and compared. In particular, some new refinements of Bennett’s inequalities are proved. Each of these refined inequalities contain two constants, and both constants are in fact sharp. The technique in the proofs is new and based on some convexity arguments of independent interest.

MSC:26D15.
Laboratory divergence of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 through unintended domestication and past selection for antibiotic resistance
Authors: Carroll Sean Michael , Xue Katherine S , Marx Christopher J
Published: January 2014

Background

A common assumption of microorganisms is that laboratory stocks will remain genetically and phenotypically constant over time, and across laboratories. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that mutations can ruin strain integrity and drive the divergence or “domestication” of stocks. Since its discovery in 1960, a stock of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 (“AM1”) has remained in the lab, propagated across numerous growth and storage conditions, researchers, and facilities. To explore the extent to which this lineage has diverged, we compared our own “Modern” stock of AM1 to a sample archived at a culture stock center shortly after the strain’s discovery. Stored as a lyophilized sample, we hypothesized that this Archival strain would better reflect the first-ever isolate of AM1 and reveal ways in which our Modern stock has changed through laboratory domestication or other means.

Results

Using whole-genome re-sequencing, we identified some 29 mutations – including single nucleotide polymorphisms, small indels, the insertion of mobile elements, and the loss of roughly 36 kb of DNA - that arose in the laboratory-maintained Modern lineage. Contrary to our expectations, Modern was both slower and less fit than Archival across a variety of growth substrates, and showed no improvement during long-term growth and storage. Modern did, however, outperform Archival during growth on nutrient broth, and in resistance to rifamycin, which was selected for by researchers in the 1980s. Recapitulating selection for rifamycin resistance in replicate Archival populations showed that mutations to RNA polymerase B (rpoB) substantially decrease growth in the absence of antibiotic, offering an explanation for slower growth in Modern stocks. Given the large number of genomic changes arising from domestication (28), it is somewhat surprising that the single other mutation attributed to purposeful laboratory selection accounts for much of the phenotypic divergence between strains.

Conclusions

These results highlight the surprising degree to which AM1 has diverged through a combination of unintended laboratory domestication and purposeful selection for rifamycin resistance. Instances of strain divergence are important, not only to ensure consistency of experimental results, but also to explore how microbes in the lab diverge from one another and from their wild counterparts.
Improvement of marker-based predictability of Apparent Amylose Content in japonica rice through GBSSI allele mining
Authors: Biselli Chiara , Cavalluzzo Daniela , Perrini Rosaria , Gianinetti Alberto , Bagnaresi Paolo , Urso Simona , Orasen Gabriele , Desiderio Francesca , Lupotto Elisabetta , Cattivelli Luigi , Valè Giampiero
Published: January 2014

Background

Apparent Amylose Content (AAC), regulated by the Waxy gene, represents the key determinant of rice cooking properties. In occidental countries high AAC rice represents the most requested market class but the availability of molecular markers allowing specific selection of high AAC varieties is limited.

Results

In this study, the effectiveness of available molecular markers in predicting AAC was evaluated in a collection of 127 rice accessions (125 japonica ssp. and 2 indica ssp.) characterized by AAC values from glutinous to 26%. The analyses highlighted the presence of several different allelic patterns identifiable by a few molecular markers, and two of them, i.e., the SNPs at intron1 and exon 6, were able to explain a maximum of 79.5% of AAC variation. However, the available molecular markers haplotypes did not provide tools for predicting accessions with AAC higher than 24.5%. To identify additional polymorphisms, the re-sequencing of the Waxy gene and 1kbp of the putative upstream regulatory region was performed in 21 genotypes representing all the AAC classes identified. Several previously un-characterized SNPs were identified and four of them were used to develop dCAPS markers.

Conclusions

The addition of the SNPs newly identified slightly increased the AAC explained variation and allowed the identification of a haplotype almost unequivocally associated to AAC higher than 24.5%. Haplotypes at the waxy locus were also associated to grain length and length/width (L/W) ratio. In particular, the SNP at the first intron, which identifies the Wx

a
and Wx

b
alleles, was associated with differences in the width of the grain, the L/W ratio and the length of the kernel, most likely as a result of human selection.
The effect of vaginal closure technique on early post-operative pain following vaginal prolapse surgery: a feasibility pilot study and qualitative assessment
Authors: Maguire Turlough , Mayne Christopher , Willars Janet , Tincello Douglas
Published: January 2014

Background

Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse is a common surgical procedure. There is little research studying post-operative pain, contrasting with extensive literature on pain after childbirth trauma which shows that suture method has a significant effect on pain. We designed a protocol for a trial comparing suture techniques and post-operative pain, and conducted a pre-protocol pilot to inform our trial design.

Methods

Routine surgical data, post-operative pain scores (from 10 cm Visual Analogue Scales, VAS) and analgesic requirements were obtained from the notes of a cohort of women undergoing vaginal prolapse surgery. Median VAS scores at 4, 12 and 24 hours were compared by suture material used and method of closure (single continuous suture or interrupted sutures). The women whose data were obtained were invited to attend focus groups of up to six people in the twelve weeks following surgery. A semi structured question guide was used, and interviews were recorded, transcribed anonymously and analysed using the constant comparative method of grounded theory. Ethical approval was not sought because formal pre-protocol work is exempt for UK ethical requirements, but formal written consent on standard forms was obtained for publishing outcomes and anonymised comments from participants.

Results

Complete VAS data and operative details were available from 41 women. Surgery was completed using absorbable polyglactin sutures with continuous suturing (17 women) or interrupted sutures (24 women). Pain scores at 4 and 12 hours were similar; pain at 24 hours was greater in the women with interrupted sutures (median VAS 3 (range 0–8) versus 1.5 (0–8) (p = 0.0513). Analgesic needs were similar.

Two focus groups (nine participants) revealed that women regarded post-operative pain as insignificant and not a topic worthy of formal research. It was apparent that the use, and especially removal of, vaginal packs was a practice associated with pain which women remembered as a significant part of their post-operative experience.

Conclusions

Formal pre-protocol work is informative; we found a moderate difference in our proposed outcomes, suggesting a trial was feasible but women themselves were unconvinced of the need for formal research into pain following vaginal surgery.
Complete resolution of steroid-resistant organizing pneumonia associated with myelodysplastic syndrome following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Asano Takeru , Fujii Nobuharu , Niiya Daigo , Nishimori Hisakazu , Fujii Keiko , Matsuoka Ken-ichi , Ichimura Koichi , Hamada Toshihisa , Kondo Eisei , Maeda Yoshinobu , Tanimoto Yasushi , Shinagawa Katsuji , Tanimoto Mitsune
Published: January 2014

Pulmonary complications in patients with hematological malignancies are often caused by infection but are sometimes associated with an underlying disease such as organizing pneumonia (OP). Here, we report a case of life-threatening steroid-resistant OP associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and successfully performed allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HSCT). A 33-year-old female with refractory anemia with excess blasts-1 that had progressed from refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts and concomitant Sweet’s syndrome was admitted. Multiple pulmonary infiltrates were revealed on a chest computed tomography scan, which progressively worsened even after chemotherapy and corticosteroid therapy. No evidence of infection was observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A histological examination of a transbronchial lung biopsy specimen showed lymphocyte invasion with fibrosis, indicating that the pulmonary infiltrates were OP associated with MDS. Before transplantation, she suffered from respiratory failure and required oxygen supplementation. She developed idiopathic pneumonitis syndrome on day 61 that responded well to corticosteroid therapy, and the OP pulmonary infiltrates improved gradually after HSCT, She was discharged on day 104 and is well without recurrence of OP or MDS 2 years after HSCT.
Accuracy analysis of software for the estimation and planning of photovoltaic installations
Authors: Axaopoulos Petros J , Fylladitakis Emmanouil D , Gkarakis Konstantinos
Published: January 2014

As the use of photovoltaics expands, with more and more commercial and residential users investing on solar energy systems around the globe, there is substantial demand for relatively simple, easy-to-use software packages for the planning and performance estimation of photovoltaic installations by installers and architects. In this paper, the calculative accuracy of TRNSYS, Archelios, Polysun, PVSyst, PV*SOL and PVGIS is being examined in comparison to the real electrical energy generated by a grid-connected 19.8kWp photovoltaic installation. The assessment has been performed by using the climatic data which have been recorded at the site of the real photovoltaics (PV) park over the same calendar year. Our results displayed that the software packages tend to overestimate the global irradiation received by the PV modules but still significantly underestimate the electrical energy generated by the installation.
Editorial: MMP28 and macrophage polarization: orchestrating the attack of the mac
Authors: Gan Ye , Herzog Erica L
Published: January 2014

Discussion on MMP28's unrecognized role in the regulation of macrophage polarization and tissue fibrotic responses.
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: aetiology, diagnosis and management
Authors: Oto Maria , Reuber Markus
Published: January 2014

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) have a significant impact on most patients in terms of distress, disability, loss of income and iatrogenic harm. Three-quarters of patients with PNES are initially misdiagnosed and treated for epilepsy. Misdiagnosis exposes patients to multiple iatrogenic harms and prevents them from accessing psychological treatment. In most cases, the patient's history (and witness accounts) should alert clinicians to the likely diagnosis of PNES. Since this diagnosis may be resisted by patients and may involve ‘un-diagnosing’ epilepsy, video-electroencephalogram recording of typical seizures is often helpful. The underlying causes of PNES are diverse: a model combining predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors is a useful way of conceptualising their aetiology. The initial step of treatment should be to limit iatrogenic harm. There is some evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
Genetics and psychosis
Authors: Cardno Alastair G.
Published: January 2014

Genetic research into psychotic disorders is advancing rapidly. On the basis of general evidence for genetic influences from family, twin and adoption studies, molecular genetic studies, particularly genome-wide association studies (GWAS), are identifying a range of common genetic risk factors that each have a small effect on risk, while certain chromosomal copy number variants (CNVs) are rarer, but have a larger effect on risk. There is also evidence for partial overlap of genetic influences among psychotic disorders and with non-psychotic disorders. This brief article summarises the main themes, current findings and potential future directions.
How psychiatrists can win friends and influence people
Authors: Leicester Liz , Lawrie Stephen M.
Published: January 2014

We highlight and briefly expand on what we consider some particularly important messages from Claire Bithell's article, including the importance and influence of public engagement, the rewards of talking to the media and the availability of some helpful resources.
Film Reviews
Authors: Parati Graziella , Cristiano Anthony
Published: January 2014

Solo andata/One Way: A Tuareg Journey, directed by Fabio Caramaschi (2010) Edited by Silvia Caracciolo, Produced by Facion Film with contributions from the Fondo Regionale per l’audiovisivo, Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Il limite/Sea Boundary (2012) by Rossella Schillaci, Italy, HDCAM, Duration: 55’
Professionals’ Corner
Authors: Cusack Sydney , Al-Ferzly Michelle
Published: January 2014

Giovanni Princigalli

GiuseppPPe Ferlito
Strangers in town: On discourses of Asianness in the Italian Western
Authors: Ritzer Ivo
Published: January 2014

This article characterizes the Italian Western as an innate hybrid genre that has to be seen as constituted by decentralized modes of production, mobility of film-makers and fluid exhibition networks. Italian Westerns travel across national boundaries, working as a junction in a global network of cultural exchange. Against this theoretical backdrop of transnationalism, several key films are discussed, each starring an Asian protagonist or antagonist. As only two of the films in question figure as Italian Asian co-productions, the representation of ‘eastern’ identity through ‘western’ images is of particular interest. The article poses the question if there is a merging of the national and the generic or simply an incorporation of the Other’s discourse at work: How are ‘eastern’ genres like the Japanese sword film and the Hong Kong martial arts movie fused with the Italian Western? To answer this question, the article draws on textual analysis that never loses sight of overdetermining contextual factors. Thus, the films are seen to reflect their transnational modes of production, being just as hybrid as the global imaginary giving rise to them. Competing subject positions come into view, showing that the texts and their discourses of ‘Asianness’ are deeply open to ambivalence.
An Italian bicycle in the people’s republic: Minor transnationalism and the Chinese translation of Ladri di biciclette/Bicycle Thieves
Authors: Chen Thomas
Published: January 2014

This article seeks to stimulate critical attention to dubbed films as translations, which have been traditionally neglected in Chinese cinema studies and in cinema studies generally. It takes as a case study the dubbing into Mandarin Chinese of Ladri di biciclette/Bicycle Thieves (De Sica, 1948), the first film from Western Europe to be imported into the People’s Republic of China (PRC). After detailing the early history of translated films in the PRC, especially the process and technique of dubbing, the article examines the work of censorship in selecting foreign films for import and translation and analyses contemporary audience reception of dubbed films as well as efforts by official propaganda to shape that reception. Finally, in an extension of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari’s concept of minor literature into the field of film, I consider dubbed cinema as a minor cinema that, in the movement from one language to another, creates a space for alternative enunciations that fosters the formation of a transnational sensibility
Feminist mediations: The sacred and the secular in the work of three Pakistani female singers
Authors: Afzal-Khan Fawzia
Published: January 2014

This article is situated within cultural, performance, political and feminist theory. It looks at the place of women singers in Pakistan and assesses their mediation of secular and sacred spaces, providing some understanding of the impact of women in Pakistani culture. A secondary aim of this article is to help dislodge some pervasive stereotypes in the West about the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, its culture and its women, while encouraging a self-critical move on the part of the Pakistani state and its citizenry to help halt the dangerous turn towards a regressive Islamist national politics.