bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalized Maxwell equations and charge conservation censorship
Authors: Modanese G.
Published: February 2017

The Aharonov–Bohm electrodynamics is a generalization of Maxwell theory with reduced gauge invariance. It allows to couple the electromagnetic field to a charge which is not locally conserved, and has an additional degree of freedom, the scalar field [Formula: see text], usually interpreted as a longitudinal wave component. By reformulating the theory in a compact Lagrangian formalism, we are able to eliminate S explicitly from the dynamics and we obtain generalized Maxwell equation with interesting properties: they give [Formula: see text] as the (conserved) sum of the (possibly non-conserved) physical current density [Formula: see text], and a “secondary” current density [Formula: see text] which is a nonlocal function of [Formula: see text]. This implies that any non-conservation of [Formula: see text] is effectively “censored” by the observable field [Formula: see text], and yet it may have real physical consequences. We give examples of stationary solutions which display these properties. Possible applications are to systems where local charge conservation is violated due to anomalies of the Adler–Bell–Jackiw (ABJ) kind or to macroscopic quantum tunnelling with currents which do not satisfy a local continuity equation.
Collective behavior states in animal groups
Authors: Cambui Dorílson S.
Published: February 2017

In this work, we study some states of collective behavior observed in groups of animals. For this end we consider an agent-based model with biologically motivated behavioral rules where the speed is treated as an independent stochastic variable, and the motion direction is adjusted in accord with alignment and attractive interactions. Four types of collective behavior have been observed: disordered motion, collective rotation, coherent collective motion, and formation flight. We investigate the case when transitions between collective states depend on both the speed and the attraction between individuals. Our results show that, to any size of the attraction, small speeds are associated to the coherent collective motion, while collective rotation is more and more pronounced for high speed since the attraction radius is large enough.
GEL: A Platform-Independent Reasoner for Parallel Classification with OWL EL Ontologies Using Graph Representation
Authors: Zhou Zhangquan , Qi Guilin
Published: February 2017

In the community of Semantic Web, the state-of-the-art reasoners are all implemented on specific platforms. As the Web Ontology Language (OWL) has been widely used in different real-world applications, it is required that the task of reasoning can be flexibly adapted to different platforms. In this paper, we take the first effort to give a platformindependent approach for parallel classification of the description logic OWL EL, which is a tractable fragment of OWL 2. Classification, which is the task of computing a subsumption hierarchy between concepts, plays an important role in many applications of OWL EL. The current classification methods rely on the specific parallel computation platforms and can hardly achieve a tradeoff between efficiency and scalability. To develop a platform-independent approach for performing classification in OWL EL, we first give a novel and well defined graph formalism GEL for representing EL ontologies and present a group of sound and complete rules for ontology classification on a GEL graph. Based on this formalism, we design a parallel classification algorithm, which can be implemented on different parallel computation platforms, and we also show the correctness of the algorithm. We implement a system, which can easily switch between multi-core and a distributed cluster. Finally, we conduct experiments on several real-world OWL EL ontologies. The experimental results show that our system outperforms two state-of-the-art EL reasoning systems, and has a linear scalability on the extensions of GO ontologies.
Regular black holes from semi-classical down to Planckian size
Authors: Spallucci Euro , Smailagic Anais
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we review various models of curvature singularity free black holes (BHs). In the first part of the review, we describe semi-classical solutions of the Einstein equations which, however, contains a “quantum” input through the matter source. We start by reviewing the early model by Bardeen where the metric is regularized by-hand through a short-distance cutoff, which is justified in terms of nonlinear electro-dynamical effects. This toy-model is useful to point-out the common features shared by all regular semi-classical black holes. Then, we solve Einstein equations with a Gaussian source encoding the quantum spread of an elementary particle. We identify, the a priori arbitrary, Gaussian width with the Compton wavelength of the quantum particle. This Compton–Gauss model leads to the estimate of a terminal density that a gravitationally collapsed object can achieve. We identify this density to be the Planck density, and reformulate the Gaussian model assuming this as its peak density. All these models, are physically reliable as long as the BH mass is big enough with respect to the Planck mass. In the truly Planckian regime, the semi-classical approximation breaks down. In this case, a fully quantum BH description is needed. In the last part of this paper, we propose a nongeometrical quantum model of Planckian BHs implementing the Holographic Principle and realizing the “classicalization” scenario recently introduced by Dvali and collaborators. The classical relation between the mass and radius of the BH emerges only in the classical limit, far away from the Planck scale.
Examining Environmental Impact Assessments and Participation: The Case of Mining Development in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Authors: Leonard Llewellyn
Published: February 2017

South African democracy witnessed considerable effort to redefine Environmental Impact Assessment regulations to improve participation of citizens towards sustainable development activities. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of participatory processes has generally been mixed and in many cases fallen below expectations, with lack of empirical evidence especially in South Africa to understand the underlying elements that may contribute to poor public participation in Environmental Impact Assessments. This paper attempts to investigate the participatory inefficiencies of Environmental Impact Assessments for mining development specifically in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga and presents viewpoints from key stakeholders. Results indicate that Environmental Impact Assessments especially for mining development are conducted as tokenistic tools to approve developments rather than to genuinely engage with the concerns of interested and affected groups. There is a need for environmental practitioners to be impartial during assessments, including the independence of government as regulator and enforcer of environmental assessment processes rather than spearheading mining development for economic development. The paper makes recommendations to improve participation of citizens during Environmental Impact Assessment processes.
Female Functional Constipation Is Associated with Overactive Bladder Symptoms and Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Maeda Takahiro , Tomita Masuomi , Nakazawa Atsushi , Sakai Gen , Funakoshi Shinsuke , Komatsuda Akari , Ito Yujiro , Nagata Hirohiko , Tsukada Nobuhiro , Nakamura So
Published: February 2017

This noninterventional cross-sectional study aims to assess the association between functional constipation (FC) and urinary symptoms in female patients with no treatment for urination and defecation. The Rome III criteria for evaluation of defecation, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) for evaluation of urinary symptoms, and clinical features were investigated in 145 female patients. Latent FC and moderate to severe overactive bladder (OAB) were defined on the basis of positivity for two or more of the Rome III criteria and an OABSS ≥ 6 with OABSS Q3 ≥ 2, respectively. In 60 latent FC patients, the OABSS was higher (5.0 versus 3.2, p=0.001), and concurrent moderate to severe OAB symptoms and OAB with urinary incontinence were more frequent than those in 85 nonlatent FC patients (33.3 versus 10.6%, p=0.001, and 31.7 versus 7.1%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that moderate to severe OAB symptoms were a significant associated factor of latent FC (odds ratio (OR) = 4.125, p=0.005), while latent FC was the only associated factor of moderate to severe OAB and OAB with urinary incontinence (OR = 4.227, p=0.005 and OR = 4.753, p=0.004). In conclusion, moderate to severe OAB symptoms are correlated with FC. Moreover, FC is related to moderate to severe OAB symptoms and to OAB with urinary incontinence.
A Rare Case of Digital Ischemia and Gangrene in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis with Review of the Literature
Authors: Lau Richard A. , Bains Ramandeep , Suraweera Duminda , Ma Jane , Heinze Emil R. , Wong Andrew L. , Clements Philip J.
Published: February 2017

This paper describes one patient with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis who initially presented with multiple ischemic fingers and toes. On further evaluation, the patient was also found to have pulmonary-renal involvement and episcleritis. The diagnosis was supported with a positive cANCA (anti-proteinase 3) and a bronchoscopy consistent with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Although the patient refused a tissue biopsy, clinical presentation including nasal ulceration, sinus congestion, and epistaxis and anti-proteinase 3 antibody were more consistent with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) rather than Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) or Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) based on the recently presented ACR/EULAR Provisional 2017 Classification Criteria for GPA (Luqmani et al., 2016). The patient responded well to therapy including high dose steroids and cyclophosphamide, with improvement of all organs involved and had no further digital ischemia or gangrene on follow-up. We include a review of the English literature summarizing presentation, management, and outcome of 16 similar cases.
Wideband Negative Permittivity and Double Negative Fishnet-Mushroom-Like Metamaterial in X-Band Waveguide
Authors: Mahmood Ahmed , Ogucu Yetkin Golge , Sabah Cumali
Published: February 2017

A Fishnet-Mushroom-like metamaterial electromagnetic behaviour is represented in S-parameters numerically and experimentally for X-band frequencies arena. The design has introduced a dielectric substrate as a host with metallic parts. The proposed design is predicted to provide the electromagnetic band gap characterization with desired reiterative characteristic parameters, negative permittivity, and negative permeability exhibiting a double negative left-handed region, which is identified with the X-band regime with good agreement between the simulated and the measured results.
In-Flight Hypoxemia in a Tracheostomy-Dependent Infant
Authors: Quevreaux Jason , Cropsey Christopher
Published: February 2017

Millions of passengers board commercial flights every year. Healthcare providers are often called upon to treat other passengers during in-flight emergencies. The case presented involves an anesthesia resident treating a tracheostomy-dependent infant who developed hypoxemia on a domestic flight. The patient had an underlying congenital muscular disorder and was mechanically ventilated while at altitude. Although pressurized, cabin barometric pressure while at altitude is less than at sea level. Due to this environment patients with underlying pulmonary or cardiac pathology might not be able to tolerate commercial flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated a specific set of medical supplies be present on all domestic flights in addition to legislature protecting “Good Samaritan” providers.
ACE Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema following Cervical Spine Surgery
Authors: Hannoodi Faris , Sabbagh Hussam
Published: February 2017

Angioedema is a well-known side effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi). However, ACE inhibitors induced angioedema after cervical surgery is a rare condition. They result in increased levels of circulating bradykinins. Rare cases of angioedema following local trauma in patients using ACE inhibitors have been published. We present such a case. A 54-year-old Caucasian female with a history significant for hypertension, controlled with lisinopril, was admitted for routine cervical spine surgery. She has severe degenerative cervical disc disease and was admitted to the hospital for an elective cervical diskectomy. The patient failed weaning off the ventilator on multiple attempts postoperatively. There were no observed symptoms of an allergic reaction. A CT scan of the neck showed extensive soft tissue edema at the level of the arytenoids. Dexamethasone was given to reduce the edema without successful resolution. On review of her medications, it was found that the patient was resumed on lisinopril following the procedure. It was subsequently discontinued. By the following day the patient had a positive leak around the ET tube cuff and patient was successfully extubated.
Correlation of Process Parameters with Mechanical Properties of Laser Sintered PA12 Parts
Authors: Hofland Eva C. , Baran Ismet , Wismeijer Dagmar A.
Published: February 2017

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing technique that enables the production of customized, complex products. SLS has proven itself a viable prototyping tool and production method for noncritical products. The industry has picked up on the potential of SLS, which raised the question whether it is possible to produce functional products with reproducible mechanical properties for application in critical sectors. Properties of SLS parts highly depend on the applied process settings. Hence, present work examined the influence of key process parameters (preheating temperature, laser power, scan spacing, scan speed, layer thickness, and part build orientation) on the properties (tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, and part density) of SLS produced parts. A design of experiments (DoE) approach was used to plan the experiments. Test samples according to DIN EN ISO 527-2 were produced on a sintering system (EOSINT P395) using polyamide 12 powder (EOS PA2200). Regression models that describe the relation between the process settings and resulting part properties were developed. Sensitivity analysis showed that mechanical properties of sintered parts were highly affected by layer thickness and scan spacing variations.
Formation of Autapse Connected to Neuron and Its Biological Function
Authors: Wang Chunni , Guo Shengli , Xu Ying , Ma Jun , Tang Jun , Alzahrani Faris , Hobiny Aatef
Published: February 2017

Autapse is a specific synapse connected to the neuron via close loop, and its functional adjusting is described by applying time-delayed feedback on the membrane potential of the neuron. This paper discussed the possible formation mechanism and biological function of autapse connection on neurons. We believe that the formation and growth of autapse connected to neuron can be associated with injury on axon and blocking in signal transmission; thus auxiliary loop is developed to form an autapse. When autapse is set up, it can propagate the signals and change the modes of electrical activities under self-adaption. Based on the cable neuron model, the injury on axon is generated by poisoning and blocking in ion channels (of sodium); thus the conductance of ion channels are changed to form injury-associated defects. Furthermore, auxiliary loop with time delay is designed to restore and enhance signal propagation by setting different time delays and feedback gains. The numerical studies confirmed that appropriate time delay and feedback gain in electric or chemical autapse can help signal (or wave generated by external forcing) propagation across the blocked area. As a result, formation of autapse could be dependent on the injury of neuron and further enhances the self-adaption to external stimuli.
Inositol and In Vitro Fertilization with Embryo Transfer
Authors: Simi G. , Genazzani A. R. , Obino M. E. R. , Papini F. , Pinelli S. , Cela V. , Artini P. G.
Published: February 2017

Recently, studies on inositol supplementation during in vitro fertilization program (IVF) have gained particular importance due to the effect of this molecule on reducing insulin resistance improving ovarian function, oocyte quality, and embryo and pregnancy rates and reducing gonadotropin amount during stimulation. Inositol and its isoforms, especially myoinositol (MYO), are often used as prestimulation therapy in infertile patients undergoing IVF cycle. Inositol supplementation started three months before ovarian stimulation, resulting in significant improvements in hormonal responses, reducing the amount of FSH necessary for optimal follicle development and serum levels of 17beta-estradiol measured the day of hCG injection. As shown by growing number of trials, MYO supplementation improves oocyte quality by reducing the number of degenerated and immature oocytes, in this way increasing the quality of embryos produced. Inositol can also improve the quality of sperm parameters in those patients affected by oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
Non-Newtonian Comment of Lebesgue Measure in Real Numbers
Authors: Duyar Cenap , Sağır Birsen
Published: February 2017

We would like to generalize to non-Newtonian real numbers the usual Lebesgue measure in real numbers. For this purpose, we introduce the Lebesgue measure on open and closed sets in non-Newtonian sense and examine their basic properties.
Analysis of Tensile Strength’s Influence on Limit Height and Active Earth Pressure of Slope Based on Ultimate Strain Method
Authors: Xin Jianping , Zheng Yingren , Wu Yingxiang , Erdi Abi
Published: February 2017

In the geotechnical engineering, the tensile failure of soil is disregarded for a long time. Actually, the tensile strength of soil is very low and the tensile failure really occurs, especially in the slope engineering. The limit height and active earth pressure of slope will change when considering the effect of tensile failure. In this paper, we try to figure out the limit height and active earth pressure of slope by using the new numerical limit analysis method, the ultimate strain method. The results, without considering tensile failure and with considering tensile failure, are compared with the analytical solutions. It is proved that the ultimate strain method is credible and feasible in the slope engineering. The result shows that the tensile strength has a great influence on the limit height of the unsupported slope, but little influence on supported slope. It also has obvious influence on the active earth pressure of supported slope when the value of tensile strength is small, and the smaller the tensile strength the larger the influence. But the earth pressure becomes stable when the value of tensile strength is over 10 kN, and it is much close to the one calculated without considering the tensile failure.
Simulation of the Effect of Artificial Water Transfer on Carbon Stock ofPhragmites australisin the Baiyangdian Wetland, China
Authors: Chen Xinyong , Wang Fengyi , Lu Jianjian , Li Hongbo , Zhu Jing , Lv Xiaotong
Published: February 2017

How to explain the effect of seasonal water transfer on the carbon stocks of Baiyangdian wetland is studied. The ecological model of the relationship between the carbon stocks and water depth fluctuation of the reed was established by using STELLA software. For the first time the Michaelis-Menten equation (1) introduced the relation function between the water depth and reed environmental carrying capacity, (2) introduced the concept of suitable growth water depth, and (3) simulated the variation rules of water and reed carbon stocks of artificial adjustment. The model could be used to carry out the research on the optimization design of the ecological service function of the damaged wetland.
Minimizing Stress Shielding and Cement Damage in Cemented Femoral Component of a Hip Prosthesis through Computational Design Optimization
Authors: Ait Moussa Abdellah , Fischer Justin , Yadav Rohan , Khandaker Morshed
Published: February 2017

The average life expectancy of many people undergoing total hip replacement (THR) exceeds twenty-five years and the demand for implants that increase the load-bearing capability of the bone without affecting the short- or long-term stability of the prosthesis is high. Mechanical failure owing to cement damage and stress shielding of the bone are the main factors affecting the long-term survival of cemented hip prostheses and implant design must realistically adjust to balance between these two conflicting effects. In the following analysis we introduce a novel methodology to achieve this objective, the numerical technique combines automatic and realistic modeling of the implant and embedding medium, and finite element analysis to assess the levels of stress shielding and cement damage and, finally, global optimization, using orthogonal arrays and probabilistic restarts, were used. Applications to implants, fabricated using a homogeneous material and a functionally graded material, were presented.
Gut Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Immunity
Authors: Messina Valeria , Buccione Carla , Marotta Giulia , Ziccheddu Giovanna , Signore Michele , Mattia Gianfranco , Puglisi Rossella , Sacchetti Benedetto , Biancone Livia , Valtieri Mauro
Published: February 2017

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), first found in bone marrow (BM), are the structural architects of all organs, participating in most biological functions. MSCs possess tissue-specific signatures that allow their discrimination according to their origin and location. Among their multiple functions, MSCs closely interact with immune cells, orchestrating their activity to maintain overall homeostasis. The phenotype of tissue MSCs residing in the bowel overlaps with myofibroblasts, lining the bottom walls of intestinal crypts (pericryptal) or interspersed within intestinal submucosa (intercryptal). In Crohn’s disease, intestinal MSCs are tightly stacked in a chronic inflammatory milieu, which causes their enforced expression of Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The absence of Class II MHC is a hallmark for immune-modulator and tolerogenic properties of normal MSCs and, vice versa, the expression of HLA-DR is peculiar to antigen presenting cells, that is, immune-activator cells. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is responsible for induction of Class II MHC expression on intestinal MSCs. The reversal of myofibroblasts/MSCs from an immune-modulator to an activator phenotype in Crohn’s disease results in the formation of a fibrotic tube subverting the intestinal structure. Epithelial metaplastic areas in this context can progress to dysplasia and cancer.
A Conditional Fourier-Feynman Transform and Conditional Convolution Product with Change of Scales on a Function Space II
Authors: Cho Dong Hyun
Published: February 2017

Using a simple formula for conditional expectations over continuous paths, we will evaluate conditional expectations which are types of analytic conditional Fourier-Feynman transforms and conditional convolution products of generalized cylinder functions and the functions in a Banach algebra which is the space of generalized Fourier transforms of the measures on the Borel class of L2[0,T]. We will then investigate their relationships. Particularly, we prove that the conditional transform of the conditional convolution product can be expressed by the product of the conditional transforms of each function. Finally we will establish change of scale formulas for the conditional transforms and the conditional convolution products. In these evaluation formulas and change of scale formulas, we use multivariate normal distributions so that the conditioning function does not contain present positions of the paths.
Abnormal Breathing Patterns Predict Extubation Failure in Neurocritically Ill Patients
Authors: Punj Pragya , Nattanmai Premkumar , George Pravin , Newey Christopher R.
Published: February 2017

In neurologically injured patients, predictors for extubation success are not well defined. Abnormal breathing patterns may result from the underlying neurological injury. We present three patients with abnormal breathing patterns highlighting failure of successful extubation as a result of these neurologically driven breathing patterns. Recognizing abnormal breathing patterns may be predictive of extubation failure and thus need to be considered as part of extubation readiness.
Cervical Stimulation in the Treatment of Children with Lymphedema of All Four Extremities: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Pereira de Godoy Livia Maria , Pereira de Godoy Capeletto Paula , Pereira de Godoy José Maria , de Fátima Guerreiro Godoy Maria
Published: February 2017

Aim. The aim of this study is to report on the use of cervical stimulation as monotherapy to reduce swelling and normalize the size of limbs in two children with lymphedema of all four extremities. Case Presentation. One child also had hemifacial edema. In both cases, the mothers were trained to perform cervical stimulation under professional supervision. The cases of two girls, one of eight months and the other of six months, with primary congenital lymphedema are described. Outcome. After clinical diagnosis, the patients started treatment with cervical stimulation three times per week. The mothers were trained in cervical stimulation and, when the therapy team was confident about the mothers’ ability to perform the technique, the children began to be treated at home. The Godoy & Godoy cervical stimulation technique consists of around 20 to 30 light stroking movements per minute in the cervical region which stimulate the lymphatics. Perimetric measurements were made of the feet, legs, and the hands. Only two points (3 and 6 cm) along the dorsum of the feet and hands and points at 5 cm intervals up the legs starting at the ankle were considered. Today, the children are 5 and 6 years of age, without edema and with a normal life, without limitations, except with respect to precautions against injuries to the limbs and against infections particularly erysipelas. Conclusion. Cervical Lymphatic Therapy as monotherapy is an option in the treatment of primary congenital lymphedema.
Deubiquitinase USP18 Loss Mislocalizes and Destabilizes KRAS in Lung Cancer
Authors: Mustachio Lisa Maria , Lu Yun , Tafe Laura J. , Memoli Vincent , Rodriguez-Canales Jaime , Mino Barbara , Villalobos Pamela Andrea , Wistuba Ignacio , Katayama Hiroyuki , Hanash Samir M. , Roszik Jason , Kawakami Masanori , Cho Kwang-jin , Hancock John F. , Chinyengetere Fadzai , Hu Shanhu , Liu Xi , Freemantle Sarah J. , Dmitrovsky Ethan
Published: February 2017

KRAS is frequently mutated in lung cancers and is associated with aggressive biology and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to treat these lung cancers. Prior work implicated the IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) deubiquitinase (DUB) USP18 as having antineoplastic activity by regulating lung cancer growth and oncoprotein stability. This study demonstrates that USP18 affects the stability of the KRAS oncoprotein. Interestingly, loss of USP18 reduced KRAS expression, and engineered gain of USP18 expression increased KRAS protein levels in lung cancer cells. Using the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, USP18 knockdown significantly reduced the half-life of KRAS, but gain of USP18 expression significantly increased its stability. Intriguingly, loss of USP18 altered KRAS subcellular localization by mislocalizing KRAS from the plasma membrane. To explore the biologic consequences, immunohistochemical (IHC) expression profiles of USP18 were compared in lung cancers of KrasLA2/+ versus cyclin E engineered mouse models. USP18 expression was higher in Kras-driven murine lung cancers, indicating a link between KRAS and USP18 expression in vivo. To solidify this association, loss of Usp18 in KrasLA2/+/Usp18−/− mice was found to significantly reduce lung cancers as compared with parental KrasLA2/+ mice. Finally, translational relevance was confirmed in a human lung cancer panel by showing that USP18 IHC expression was significantly higher in KRAS-mutant versus wild-type lung adenocarcinomas.

Implications: Taken together, this study highlights a new way to combat the oncogenic consequences of activated KRAS in lung cancer by inhibiting the DUB USP18. Mol Cancer Res; 15(7); 905–14. ©2017 AACR.
Phase I, Dose-Escalation, Two-Part Trial of the PARP Inhibitor Talazoparib in Patients with Advanced Germline BRCA1/2 Mutations and Selected Sporadic Cancers
Authors: de Bono Johann , Ramanathan Ramesh K. , Mina Lida , Chugh Rashmi , Glaspy John , Rafii Saeed , Kaye Stan , Sachdev Jasgit , Heymach John , Smith David C. , Henshaw Joshua W. , Herriott Ashleigh , Patterson Miranda , Curtin Nicola J. , Byers Lauren Averett , Wainberg Zev A.
Published: February 2017

Talazoparib inhibits PARP catalytic activity, trapping PARP1 on damaged DNA and causing cell death in BRCA1/2-mutated cells. We evaluated talazoparib therapy in this two-part, phase I, first-in-human trial. Antitumor activity, MTD, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of once-daily talazoparib were determined in an open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation study (NCT01286987). The MTD was 1.0 mg/day, with an elimination half-life of 50 hours. Treatment-related adverse events included fatigue (26/71 patients; 37%) and anemia (25/71 patients; 35%). Grade 3 to 4 adverse events included anemia (17/71 patients; 24%) and thrombocytopenia (13/71 patients; 18%). Sustained PARP inhibition was observed at doses ≥0.60 mg/day. At 1.0 mg/day, confirmed responses were observed in 7 of 14 (50%) and 5 of 12 (42%) patients with BRCA mutation–associated breast and ovarian cancers, respectively, and in patients with pancreatic and small cell lung cancer. Talazoparib demonstrated single-agent antitumor activity and was well tolerated in patients at the recommended dose of 1.0 mg/day.

Significance: In this clinical trial, we show that talazoparib has single-agent antitumor activity and a tolerable safety profile. At its recommended phase II dose of 1.0 mg/day, confirmed responses were observed in patients with BRCA mutation–associated breast and ovarian cancers and in patients with pancreatic and small cell lung cancer. Cancer Discov; 7(6); 620–9. ©2017 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 539
Ketone Body Infusion With 3‐Hydroxybutyrate Reduces Myocardial Glucose Uptake and Increases Blood Flow in Humans: A Positron Emission Tomography Study
Authors: Gormsen Lars C. , Svart Mads , Thomsen Henrik Holm , Søndergaard Esben , Vendelbo Mikkel H. , Christensen Nana , Tolbod Lars Poulsen , Harms Hendrik Johannes , Nielsen Roni , Wiggers Henrik , Jessen Niels , Hansen Jakob , Bøtker Hans Erik , Møller Niels
Published: February 2017

Background

High levels of ketone bodies are associated with improved survival as observed with regular exercise, caloric restriction, and—most recently—treatment with sodium–glucose linked transporter 2 inhibitor antidiabetic drugs. In heart failure, indices of ketone body metabolism are upregulated, which may improve energy efficiency and increase blood flow in skeletal muscle and the kidneys. Nevertheless, it is uncertain how ketone bodies affect myocardial glucose uptake and blood flow in humans. Our study was therefore designed to test whether ketone body administration in humans reduces myocardial glucose uptake (
MGU
) and increases myocardial blood flow.

Methods and Results

Eight healthy subjects, median aged 60 were randomly studied twice: (1) During 390 minutes infusion of Na‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (
KETONE
) or (2) during 390 minutes infusion of saline (
SALINE
), together with a concomitant low‐dose hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp to inhibit endogenous ketogenesis. Myocardial blood flow was measured by
15
O‐H
2
O positron emission tomography/computed tomography, myocardial fatty acid metabolism by
11
C‐palmitate positron emission tomography/computed tomography and
MGU
by
18
F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Similar euglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and suppressed free fatty acids levels were recorded on both study days; Na‐3‐hydroxybutyrate infusion increased circulating Na‐3‐hydroxybutyrate levels from zero to 3.8±0.5 mmol/L.
MGU
was halved by hyperketonemia (
MGU
[nmol/g per minute]: 304±97 [
SALINE
] versus 156±62 [
KETONE
],
P
<0.01), whereas no effects were observed on palmitate uptake oxidation or esterification. Hyperketonemia increased heart rate by ≈25% and myocardial blood flow by 75%.

Conclusions

Ketone bodies displace
MGU
and increase myocardial blood flow in healthy humans; these novel observations suggest that ketone bodies are important cardiac fuels and vasodilators, which may have therapeutic potentials.
Association Between Absolute Eosinophil Count and Complex Aortic Arch Plaque in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kitano Takaya , Nezu Tomohisa , Shiromoto Takashi , Kubo Satoshi , Uemura Jyunichi , Wada Yuko , Yagita Yoshiki
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—

Eosinophil counts are thought to be associated with atherosclerosis and aortic arch plaques. However, whether these associations exist among patients with acute ischemic stroke remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association between absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and aortic arch plaques among these patients.

Methods—

Consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography were retrospectively analyzed. Complex aortic arch plaques (CAPs) were defined as plaques ≥4 mm in thickness, with ulcer, or with mobile component.

Results—

A total of 430 patients (289 male, mean age 69.8±11.4 years) were enrolled. Patients with CAPs (n=169) showed higher mean AEC than those without (167±174/µL versus 127±127/µL;
P
=0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that increased AEC was independently associated with the presence of CAPs (odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–3.65).

Conclusions—

Among patients with acute ischemic stroke, increased AEC was independently associated with the presence of CAPs. Our results suggest that AEC may be a useful predictor for the presence of CAPs in these patients.
Allyl isothiocyanate shows promise as a naturally produced suppressant of the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, in biofumigation systems
Authors: Wood Claire , Kenyon David M. , Cooper Julia M.
Published: February 2017

The ability of isothiocyanates to suppressGlobodera pallidawas evaluated throughin vitroassays. Several isothiocyanates increased juvenile mortality, the most effective being allyl isothiocyanate, which caused 100% mortality at both 25 and 50 ppm after 72 and 24 h exposure, respectively. In a hatching assay, allyl isothiocyanate was able to suppress hatch; in addition, replenishing allyl isothiocyanate every 3 days increased hatch suppression, and viability staining indicated that egg mortality was increased. Allyl isothiocyanate above concentrations of 50 ppm significantly affected both hatch suppression and mortality. Differing effects of isothiocyanates onG. pallidasuggest that their toxicity depends on the pest of interest and this study shows that allyl isothiocyanate is a good candidate for the control of potato cyst nematodes using biofumigation.
Contribution to the cockroach genus Ctenoneura Hanitsch, 1925 (Blattodea: Corydioidea: Corydiidae) with descriptions of seven new species from China
Authors: QIU LU , CHE YAN-LI , WANG ZONG-QING
Published: February 2017

Seven new species of Ctenoneura Hanitsch, 1925, Ctenoneura bawangensis sp. nov., Ctenoneura delicata sp. nov., Ctenoneura elongata sp. nov., Ctenoneura heixuanfeng sp. nov., Ctenoneura helicata sp. nov., Ctenoneura papillaris sp. nov. and Ctenoneura qiuae sp. nov. are described from Hainan and Yunnan, China. Ctenoneura simulans Bey-Bienko, 1969 is redescribed and illustrated. Male genitalia of this genus is described and illustrated for the first time and is found to lack any genital hook. Female Ctenoneura is reported as apterous. Species abundance is estimated. Two species groups are suggested and the taxonomic status of the genus is discussed. A map and a key to males of Chinese Ctenoneura spp. and an updated checklist of the Ctenoneura are provided. Habitat photographs of Ctenoneura are shown for the first time.
The importance of context and cognitive agency in developing police knowledge
Authors: Wood Dominic , Cockcroft Tom , Tong Stephen , Bryant Robin
Published: February 2017

This paper argues the current exposition of police knowledge through the discourses of police science and evidence-based policing (EBP) leads to exaggerated claims about what is, and can be, known in policing. This new orthodoxy underestimates the challenges of applying knowledge within culturally mediated police practice. The paper draws upon virtue epistemology, highlighting the role that cognitive agency plays in establishing knowledge claims. We challenge the assumption that it is possible to derive what works in all instances of certain aspects of policing and suggest that it would be more apt to speak about what worked within a specific police context.
More Than a ‘Little Act of Kindness’? Towards a Typology of Volunteering as Unpaid Work
Authors: Kelemen Mihaela , Mangan Anita , Moffat Susan
Published: February 2017

Definitions of volunteering are widespread and complex, yet relatively little attention is given to volunteering as unpaid work, even though it intersects with the worlds of paid employment and the domestic sphere, cutting across individual/collective and public/private spaces. This article advances a typology of volunteering work (altruistic, instrumental, militant and forced volunteering/‘voluntolding’) that illuminates the complexity and dynamism of volunteering. Using qualitative data from a study of 30 volunteers to explore practices of volunteering as they unfold in daily life, the typology provides much-needed conceptual building blocks for a theory of ‘volunteering as unpaid work’. This perspective helps transcend the binaries prevalent in the sociology of work and provides a lens to rethink what counts as work in contemporary society. It also invites further research about the effects of ‘voluntolding’ on individuals and society, and on the complex relationship between volunteering work and outcomes at a personal and collective level.
Ibn Khaldun: A sociology of history
Authors: Alagha Joseph
Published: February 2017

Alatas’s two books reviewed in this essay offer a new reading of an important sociologist by shedding an important contextual light on Ibn Khaldun’s works. They interpret and analyze Ibn Khaldun’s philosophy of history, social theory, and sociological doctrines, not only by stressing their modern relevance, but also by demonstrating how they could be employed to forge a new reading of the social sciences. Thus, Alatas’s methodology applies Ibn Khaldun’s seemingly dated theories and concepts to modern sociological and historical thought, while avoiding anachronisms in either interpretation or meaning. This essay is organized thematically, and the first section explores Ibn Khadun’s key classical concepts of ‘asabiyya, nomadic, and sedentary from a social science perspective. The second section elaborates on how Weber’s three ideal types of authority (charismatic, traditional, rational-legal) could be applied to Ibn Khaldun’s reading of Muslim society in his own time and afterwards, and Alatas includes the Weberian distinction between functional and value rationality. The third section applies the classical distinction between authority and power to caliphate authority and kingship. The fourth and fifth sections of this essay deal with soft power and culture as well as Ibn Khaldun’s social history. Thus, Alatas’s two books could be considered rich reference books rather than critical evaluations of Ibn Khaldun’s works.
Automated detection of handovers using kinematic features
Authors: Pan Matthew KXJ , Skjervøy Vidar , Chan Wesley P , Inaba Masayuki , Croft Elizabeth A
Published: February 2017

This paper investigates the use of kinematic motions recognized by a support vector machine (SVM) for the automatic detection of object handovers from the perspective of an object receiver. The classifier uses the giver’s kinematic behaviors (e.g. joint angles, distances of joints from each other and with respect to the receiver) to determine a giver’s intent to hand over an object. We used a bagged random forest to determine how informative features were in predicting the occurrence of handovers, and to assist in selecting a core set of features to be used by the classifier. Altogether, 22 kinematic features were chosen for developing handover detection models and later testing of generalization performance. Test results indicated an overall maximum accuracy of 97.5% by the SVM in its capacity to distinguish between handover and non-handover motions. The classification ability of the SVM was found to be unaffected across four kernel functions (linear, quadratic, cubic and radial basis). These results demonstrate considerable potential for detection of handovers and other gestures for human–robot interaction using kinematic features.
Sexually Transmitted Infections and Spousal Violence: The Experience of Married Women in India
Authors: Shabnam Shewli
Published: February 2017

A growing body of research has documented that spousal violence has several adverse effects on the reproductive health of women. Using the dataset of the third National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) conducted in India in 2005–2006, the present study tries to find out the relationship between spousal violence and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women. How prevailing gender norms act as underlying factors of women’s risk of STI has been discussed in this paper. Overall, 9.6 per cent women in India reported an STI/STI symptom in the year preceding the survey. After covariate adjustment it was found that, compared to the women who did not experience violence in 12 months before the survey, the chances of having an STI/STI symptom was twice higher for those who experienced only physical violence and three times higher for those who experienced both physical and sexual violence during that period. The findings of this study suggest that prevention of marital violence should be incorporated in the programmes that aim to reduce STIs among women.
Equivocations of Gender: Feminist Storytelling and Women’s Studies in the Contemporary
Authors: Sreekumar Sharmila
Published: February 2017

This article seeks to explore the stories that women’s studies in India tells about itself—its beginnings, trajectories and situations in the contemporary. Deploying the term ‘feminist storytelling’, the article focuses particularly on the origin stories that it diligently narrates. Feminist storytelling is to be understood here as a certain account-taking, a certain history-telling. It necessarily entails that we choose from a multitude of details; that we select and omit. It means that we plot different elements in terms of causality, sequence, consequence that we frame a beginning, middle and culmination. In other words, storytelling demands that we configure and construct—a temporal range, definite perspectives, priorities, order, conflicts, tempo, significations and resolutions.

This article zeroes in on two stories that are repeatedly called upon to mark the beginnings of women’s studies: (i) the long fertile 19th century with its clamour over the ‘women’s question’ and (ii) the tumultuous decade of the 1970s which witnessed twinned events—the publication of the Towards Equality report and the emergence of the autonomous women’s movement. The particular manner in which women’s studies claim these histories, the article argues, mediates present dispositions and the modes by which women’s studies orients itself in the world. It conditions the responses we formulate under the sign of gender and in the name of woman. After analysing a few key renderings of ‘feminist storytelling’, this article quickly sketches a cartography of impasses confronting contemporary women’s studies. Several of these, it proposes, can be traced back to the origin stories propounded by feminist storytelling.
Reputation and the Best Hospital Rankings: What Does It Really Mean?
Authors: Cua Santino , Moffatt-Bruce Susan , White Susan
Published: February 2017

U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Hospital Rankings are determined by an index of quality based on objective and subjective measures. This study investigates relationships between U.S. News score and its individual subjective and objective components that ultimately determine the relative ranking of the top 50 hospitals in the 2015 Best Hospital Rankings for the study’s selected specialties—cancer, cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, and orthopedics. A 2-step linear regression model was employed; first, to control for objective components’ influence on U.S. News score ( R2 = 0.365; P < .001), then, to isolate the subjective component of reputation’s effect on U.S. News score ( R2 = 0.565; P < .001). The second model confirmed that reputation has a more significant influence on total U.S. News score than its objective counterparts. This indicates that a hospital’s U.S. News score and relative ranking in the Best Hospital Rankings may be disproportionately influenced by its reputation.
The PACE trial missteps on pacing and patient selection
Authors: Jason Leonard A
Published: February 2017

As others have pointed out a variety of complicating factors with the PACE trial (e.g. changing outcome criteria), I will limit my remarks to issues that involve the composition of adaptive pacing therapy and issues involving patient selection. My key points are that the PACE trial investigators were not successful in designing and implementing a valid pacing intervention and patient selection ambiguity further compromised the study’s outcomes.
Discussion of ‘a general framework for functional regression modelling’ by Greven and Scheipl
Authors: Kokoszka Piotr , Reimherr Matthew
Published: February 2017

We discuss the challenge in properly assessing the uncertainty of the estimates produced by the R package pffr, especially as it pertains to constructing confidence bands and computing p-values in functional linear models. We also present an approach that partially addresses some of these issues. Simulations are provided to help articulate these ideas.
Improving Vignette Descriptions and Question Formats to Measure Distance Vision
Authors: Su Yanfang , Willis Gordon , Salomon Joshua A.
Published: February 2017

Vignette design has been largely neglected in anchoring vignette studies. This study aimed to contribute to the science of vignette design by developing and evaluating vignettes for measuring vision in rural China. Cognitive interviews were conducted among 36 participants in a Chinese middle school. The respondents either directly evaluated vision of the vignette character (i.e., noncomparative judgment) or compared their own vision with that of the vignette character (i.e., comparative judgment). It was found that a hypothetical person in the vignette was successfully envisioned by participants in grade 7 and beyond. However, more than half the participants were unable to accurately estimate distances expressed in meters. Some participants were critical in self-evaluation, yet tolerant of others’ performance. Participants more easily produced an answer and had greater confidence in the answer in comparative judgment than for noncomparative judgment. We conclude with recommendations for designing concise and complete vignettes and suggest the use of comparative rather than noncomparative judgment.