bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunophenotypic and prognostic analysis of PAX8 and TTF‐1 expressions in neuroendocrine carcinomas of thymic origin: A comparative study with their pulmonary counterparts
Authors: Bi Yalan , Deng Yinghui , Li Shanqing , Zhou Xiaoyun , Chen Yeye , Ma Dongjie , Mao Xinxin , Guan Yuzhou , Chen Jie , Meng Yunxiao
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To investigate the immunoreactivity of TTF‐1 and PAX8 in neuroendocrine carcinoma of thymic (TNEC) and pulmonary origins (PNEC), and whether their immunophenotyping could be used to distinguish between NEC of the two sites, as well as prognosis of patients with TNEC.

Methods

Twenty‐two cases of TNEC and 20 cases of PNEC were selected for immunohistochemical analysis using PAX8 and TTF‐1. Clinical data and follow‐up information were obtained for survival analyses.

Results

TTF‐1 immunoreactivity was seen in 19 PNEC cases (95%) and 13 TNEC cases (59.1%). PAX8 was negative in all pulmonary tumors while positive in 19 thymic cases (86.4%). TTF‐1 positivity was associated with high sensitivity but low specificity for PNEC, and adding PAX8 negativity significantly increased the specificity. PAX8 positivity alone showed essentially 100% specificity and 86.4% sensitivity for TNEC. Survival analysis showed lung metastasis as a significant prognostic factor in TNEC.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that TTF‐1/PAX8 immunophenotyping may be helpful for differential diagnosis of NECs of pulmonary and thymic origins. TTF‐1+/PAX8− immunophenotyping showed high specificity for PNECs, while PAX8+ alone showed a good diagnostic accuracy for TNEC. Lung metastasis was a predictive factor that associated with survival of TNEC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:697–702. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thin Poly(Di(Ethylene Glycol)Methyl Ether Methacrylate) Homopolymer Brushes Allow Controlled Adsorption and Desorption of PaTu 8988t Cells
Authors: Voß Yvonne , Wassel Ekram , Jiang Siyu , Song Qimeng , Druzhinin Sergey I. , Schönherr Holger
Published: October 2016

Poly(di(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate) (PDEGMA) brushes, which are known to suppress protein adsorption and prevent cell attachment, are reported here to possess interesting and tunable thermoresponsive behavior, if the brush thickness is reduced or the grafting density is altered. PDEGMA brushes with a dry ellipsometric thickness of 5 ± 1 nm can be switched from cell adherent behavior at 37 °C to cell nonadherent at 25 °C. This behavior coincides with the temperature‐dependent irreversible adsorption of fibronectin from phosphate saline buffer and proteins present in the cell culture medium, as unveiled by surface plasmon resonance measurements. Unlike for tissue culture polystyrene reference surfaces, swelling of the PDEGMA chains below the lower critical solution temperature results in the absence of paxillin and actin containing cellular filaments responsible for cell attachment. These tunable properties of very thin homopolymer PDEGMA brushes render this system interesting as an alternative thermoresponsive layer for continuous cell culture or enzyme‐free cell culture systems.

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Enzymatic Degradation of Oligo(ε‐caprolactone)s End‐Capped with Phenylboronic Acid Derivatives at the Air–Water Interface
Authors: Roßberg Joana , Rottke Falko O. , Schulz Burkhard , Lendlein Andreas
Published: October 2016

The influence of terminal functionalization of oligo(ε‐caprolactone)s (OCL) with phenylboronic acid pinacol ester or phenylboronic acid on the enzymatic degradation behavior at the air–water interface is investigated by the Langmuir monolayer degradation technique. While the unsubstituted OCL immediately degrades after injection of the enzyme lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia, enzyme molecules are incorporated into the films based on end‐capped OCL before degradation. This incorporation of enzymes does not inhibit or suppress the film degradation, but retards it significantly. A specific binding of lipase to the polymer monolayer allows studying the enzymatic activity of bound proteins and the influence on the degradation process. The functionalization of a macromolecule with phenyl boronic acid groups is an approach to investigate their interactions with diol‐containing biomolecules like sugars and to monitor their specified impact on the enzymatic degradation behavior at the air–water interface.

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Procalcitonin and cytokine profiles in engraftment syndrome in pediatric stem cell transplantation
Authors: Shah Nirali N. , Watson Theresa M. , Yates Bonnie , Liewehr David J. , Steinberg Seth M. , Jacobsohn David , Fry Terry J.
Published: October 2016

Background

Diagnosis of engraftment syndrome (ES) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can be a challenge due to the systemic presentation and alternative etiologies. With a goal of establishing biomarkers to more accurately distinguish ES, we prospectively analyzed levels of cytokines during HSCT.

Procedures

We performed a prospective study of children ≤21 years who underwent allogeneic HSCT. Blood samples for interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐1b, IL‐12p70, interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and procalcitonin were obtained from each subject prior to conditioning, at day 0, and then biweekly through engraftment and at days 30, 60 and 100. Patients were evaluated for ES, infection and acute graft‐versus‐host disease. Cytokines were analyzed by values at engraftment, and also compared to pre‐conditioning and day 0 values to evaluate for change from baseline.

Results

A total of 30 subjects (median age: 7 years, min.–max.: 1–21 years) were enrolled of whom 5 had ES. Characterization of the cytokine profile revealed differences between day 0 from pre‐HSCT, with a trend towards differences in IL‐10, IL‐12p70, interferon‐γ and TNF‐α at the time of ES. For IL8 and procalcitonin, there was evidence that the absolute difference (or fold change) between engraftment and pre‐conditioning or day 0 differed according to ES. In particular, procalcitonin increased from baseline (15.1 median fold increase in ES+ versus 2.31 median fold increase in ES−, P = 0.0006, median difference: 13.8, 95% confidence interval: 6.33, 65.6).

Conclusions

Our data provide one of the first prospective studies evaluating cytokines in pediatric allogeneic HSCT and suggest that elevated procalcitonin may serve as a biomarker for ES. Further studies to evaluate this finding are warranted.
Comparative retrospective study on the modalities of biopsying peripheral neuroblastic tumors: a report from the Italian Pediatric Surgical Oncology Group (GICOP)
Authors: Avanzini Stefano , Faticato Maria Grazia , Crocoli Alessandro , Virgone Calogero , Viglio Camilla , Severi Elisa , Fagnani Anna Maria , Cecchetto Giovanni , Riccipetitoni Giovanna , Noccioli Bruno , Leva Ernesto , Sementa Angela Rita , Mattioli Girolamo , Inserra Alessandro
Published: October 2016

Background

Peripheral neuroblastic tumors are the most common extracranial solid neoplasms in children. Early and adequate tissue sampling may speed up the diagnostic process and ensure a prompt start of optimal treatment whenever needed. Different biopsy techniques have been described. The purpose of this multi‐center study is to evaluate the accuracy and safety of the various examined techniques and to determine whether a preferential procedure exists.

Methods

All children who underwent a biopsy, from January 2010 to December 2014, as a result of being diagnosed with a peripheral neuroblastic tumor, were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included patients’ demographics, clinical presentation, intraoperative technical details, postoperative parameters, complications, and histology reports. The Mann–Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The cohort included 100 patients, 32 of whom underwent an incisional biopsy (performed through open or minimally invasive access) (Group A), and the remaining 68 underwent multiple needle‐core biopsies (either imaging‐guided or laparoscopy/thoracoscopy‐assisted) (Group B). Comparing the two groups revealed that Group A patients had a higher rate of complications, a greater need for postoperative analgesia, and required red blood cell transfusion more often. Overall adequacy rate was 94%, without significant differences between the two groups (100% vs. 91.2% for Group A and Group B, respectively, P = 0.0933).

Conclusions

Both incision and needle‐core biopsying methods provided sub‐optimal to optimal sampling adequacy rates in children affected by peripheral neuroblastic tumors. However, the former method was associated with a higher risk of both intraoperative and postoperative complications compared with the latter.
Amine containing cationic methacrylate copolymers as efficient gene delivery vehicles to retinal epithelial cells
Authors: Isik Mehmet , Agirre Mireia , Zarate Jon , Puras Gustavo , Mecerreyes David , Sardon Haritz , Pedraz J. L.
Published: October 2016

Non‐viral gene delivery vectors have emerged as potential alternatives in the field of gene therapy by replacing the biological viral vectors. DNA–cationic polymer complexes are one of the most promising systems to target many inborn or acquired diseases without the utilization of conventional drugs. Despite the excellent binding efficiency of cationic polymers, the gene transfection seems limited to date. In this work, a series of ammonium‐based block‐copolymers with different alkyl side chains (ethyl, butyl, and hexyl) and functionality (alcohol, amine, and alkyl) have been prepared to evaluate their capacity to deliver genetic material. First, different ionic liquid monomers with different pendent functional groups were prepared and characterized. Then, polyplexes elaborated with different polymers at several polymer DNA ratios (w/w) were characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, and DNA binding, release, and protection capacity. Finally, the transfection efficiency and cell viability was evaluated in ARPE19 cells. We found that only the systems containing the amine pendent group were able to transfect ARPE19 cell and, that this amine containing polymer was less cytotoxic even at high polymer/DNA ratios (30:1). In conclusion, our studies suggested that the proper selection of the pendent group substantially impacts overall transfection efficiency of cationic polymers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 280–287
A Multifunctional Nanocrystalline CaF2:Tm,Yb@mSiO2 System for Dual‐Triggered and Optically Monitored Doxorubicin Delivery
Authors: Li Yangyang , Zhou Yurong , Gu Tongxu , Wang Gang , Ren Zhaohui , Weng Wenjian , Li Xiang , Han Gaorong , Mao Chuanbin
Published: October 2016

Daunting challenges in investigating the controlled release of drugs in complicated intracellular microenvironments demand the development of stimuli‐responsive drug delivery systems. Here, a nanoparticle system, CaF2:Tm,Yb@mSiO2, made of a mesoporous silica (mSiO2) nanosphere with CaF2:Tm,Yb upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) is developed, filling its mesopores and with its surface‐modified with polyacrylic acid for binding the anticancer drug molecules (doxorubicin, DOX). The unique design of CaF2:Tm,Yb@mSiO2 enables us to trigger the drug release by two mechanisms. One is the pH‐triggered mechanism, where drug molecules are preferentially released from the nanoparticles at acidic conditions unique for the intracellular environment of cancer cells compared to normal cells. Another is the 808 nm near infrared (NIR)‐triggered mechanism, where 808 nm NIR induces the heating of the nanoparticles to weaken the electrostatic interaction between drug molecules and nanoparticles. In addition, luminescence resonance energy transfer occurs from the UCNPs (the energy donor) to the DOX drug (the energy acceptor) in the presence of 980 nm NIR irradiation, allowing us to monitor the drug release by detecting the vanishing blue emission from the UCNPs. This study demonstrates a new multifunctional nanosystem for dual‐triggered and optically monitored drug delivery, which will facilitate the rational design of personalized cancer therapy.
Stable isotope metabolic labeling suggests differential turnover of the DPYSL protein family
Authors: Turck Christoph W. , Webhofer Christian , Nussbaumer Markus , Teplytska Larysa , Chen Alon , Maccarrone Giuseppina , Filiou Michaela D.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

In this work, we discuss how in vivo 15N metabolic labeling in combination with MS simultaneously provides information on protein expression and protein turnover.

Experimental design

We metabolically labeled mice with the stable nitrogen isotope 15N using a 15N‐enriched diet and analyzed unlabeled (14N) versus 15N‐labeled brain tissue with LC‐MS/MS. We then compared the 14N versus 15N peptide isotopologue clusters of 14N and 15N‐labeled dihydropyrimidinase‐related (DPYSL) proteins.

Results

We present a workflow assessing protein expression and turnover at different time points of mouse brain development. Our data demonstrate distinct protein turnover patterns of DPYSL3 and DPYSL5 compared to other quantified proteins. We report the presence of two DPYSL3 and DPYSL5 populations with different 15N incorporation rates, indicating altered protein turnover during development.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

In vivo 15N metabolic labeling allows the simultaneous investigation of protein expression and turnover, enabling detailed protein dynamics studies. We report for the first time protein turnover data for the DPYSL2, DPYSL3, and DPYSL5 protein family members. As DPYSL proteins have important functions for nervous system maturation, our data provide useful information on their molecular fate during brain development.
Hovenia Dulcis Extract Reduces Lipid Accumulation in Oleic Acid‐Induced Steatosis of Hep G2 Cells via Activation of AMPK and PPARα/CPT‐1 Pathway and in Acute Hyperlipidemia Mouse Model
Authors: Kim Bonglee , Woo Moon‐Jea , Park Chul‐Soo , Lee Sang‐Hun , Kim Jin‐Soo , Kim Boim , An Seho , Kim Sung‐Hoon
Published: October 2016

Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (HDT) was known to have anti‐fatigue, anti‐diabetes, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, the anti‐fatty liver mechanism of HDT was elucidated in oleic acid (OA)‐treated Hep G2 cells and acute hyperlipidemia mouse model using Triton WR‐1339. Here, HDT activated p‐AMP‐activated protein kinase (p‐AMPK), proliferator activated receptor‐α, carnitine palmitoyltransferase and also inhibited the expression of lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis proteins, such as 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase, sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c, SREBP‐2, and fatty acid synthase in OA‐treated Hep G2 cells. Conversely, AMPK inhibitor compound C blocked the anti‐fatty liver effect of HDT to induce AMPK phosphorylation and decrease 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase and lipid accumulation by oil red O staining in OA‐treated Hep G2 cells. Additionally, HDT pretreatment protected against the increase of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and phospholipid in an acute hyperlipidemia mouse model with enhancement of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. Taken together, HDT inhibits OA‐induced hepatic lipid accumulation via activation of AMPK and proliferator activated receptor‐α/carnitine palmitoyltransferase signaling and enhancement of antioxidant activity as a potent candidate for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hyperlipidemia. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to organise the big data function
Authors: Macer Tim
Published: October 2016

We talk to Rob Turtle, key leader on advanced analytics and big data at MuKinsey
For our eyes only
Authors: Liebermann Michael
Published: October 2016

A statistician‘s view of roulette
Will it make the boat go faster?
Authors: Kearon John
Published: October 2016

The contribution of insights and how it can increase profitable brand growth

This article summarises the key findings of the Future‐of‐Insights study by the World Federation of Advertisers [WFA] and their insights partner BrainJuicer, who assess the current contribution of insights and identify what new roles, methodologies and thinking could improve that contribution.
Following the Science
Authors: Heeg Robert
Published: October 2016

We talk to Bryan Vaughn about applying insights and analytics at AstraZeneca.
Unlocking insight through user generated visual content
Authors: Owen Richard
Published: October 2016

Can their photos get us closer to the truth?

The use of digital photography has the potential to transform traditional market research. Photography connects more deeply with people and helps us understand their lives and emotional and unconscious truths about their behaviours, decisions and motivations.
Video inter‐frame forgery identification based on the consistency of quotient of MSSIM
Authors: Li Zhaohong , Zhang Zhenzhen , Guo Sheng , Wang Jinwei
Published: October 2016

Inter‐frame forgery is a common type of video forgery in digital videos. In this paper, a method based on the consistency of quotient of mean structural similarity (QoMSSIM) is proposed. For original videos, the QoMSSIM are consistent, but in forgeries the consistency will be destroyed. First, the mean structural similarity (MSSIM) between every two adjacent frames is extracted, and then the quotients between every two sequential MSSIM are calculated. Finally, the quotient of mean SSIM after post‐processing, normalization and quantization is used as distinguishing feature to identify inter‐frame forgeries. Experiments are conducted on a large database and support vector machine (SVM) is used to distinguish original videos and inter‐frame forgeries. Experimental results show that the proposed method is efficient in differentiating original videos and forgeries. For differentiating frame deletion and insertion forgeries, the proposed method performs also pretty well. Compared with the other method, the proposed method has higher classification accuracy, lower computational complexity and robustness against recompression and white Gaussian noise. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution of Calcium and Aluminum Between Molten Silicon and Silica-Rich CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 Slags at 1823 K (1550 °C)
Authors: Ahn Seung Hwan , Jakobsson Lars Klemet , Tranell Gabriella
Published: October 2016

Oxidative refining of silicon after tapping from the furnace is performed to remove calcium and aluminum impurities. Depending on the slag composition, the refining limit is determined by the thermodynamic equilibrium between silicon and slag. Silica-rich CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 slags were equilibrated with silicon at 1823 K (1550 °C) in the present study. The results were compared with previous experimental measurements, experimentally measured activities in the slag and thermodynamically modeled data. The present study was found to agree relatively well with most of these works. The concentrations of calcium and aluminum in silicon along the liquidus line for SiO2 saturation were also investigated, and this area was found to have less agreement between different works.
Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of tauopathies: Hopes and challenges
Authors: Khanna Mansi R. , Kovalevich Jane , Lee Virginia M.‐Y. , Trojanowski John Q. , Brunden Kurt R.
Published: October 2016

A group of neurodegenerative diseases referred to as tauopathies are characterized by the presence of brain cells harboring inclusions of pathological species of the tau protein. These disorders include Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration due to tau pathology, including progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and Pick's disease. Tau is normally a microtubule (MT)‐associated protein that appears to play an important role in ensuring proper axonal transport, but in tauopathies tau becomes hyperphosphorylated and disengages from MTs, with consequent misfolding and deposition into inclusions that mainly affect neurons but also glia. A body of experimental evidence suggests that the development of tau inclusions leads to the neurodegeneration observed in tauopathies, and there is a growing interest in developing tau‐directed therapeutic agents. The following review provides a summary of strategies under investigation for the potential treatment of tauopathies, highlighting both the promises and challenges associated with these various therapeutic approaches.
Characterizing familial corticobasal syndrome due to Alzheimer's disease pathology and PSEN1 mutations
Authors: Lam Benjamin , Khan Aun , Keith Julia , Rogaeva Ekaterina , Bilbao Juan , St. George‐Hyslop Peter , Ghani Mahdi , Freedman Morris , Stuss Donald T. , Chow Tiffany , Black Sandra E. , Masellis Mario
Published: October 2016

Introduction

Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) resulting from genetic Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been described only once. Whether familial CBS‐AD is a distinct clinical entity with its own imaging signature remains unknown.

Methods

Four individuals with CBS from two families underwent detailed assessment. For two individuals, regional atrophy and hypoperfusion were compared to autopsy‐confirmed typical late‐onset AD and corticobasal degeneration, as well as genetically proven PSEN1 cases with an amnestic presentation.

Results

One family harbored a novel mutation in PSEN1:p.Phe283Leu. MRI demonstrated severe parietal, perirolandic, and temporal atrophy, with relative sparing of frontal and ipsilateral hippocampal regions. Autopsy confirmed pure AD pathology. The other family harbored a known PSEN1 mutation:p.Gly378Val.

Discussion

This report confirms familial CBS‐AD as a distinct clinical entity, with a parietal‐perirolandic‐temporal atrophy signature. It illustrates the clinical heterogeneity that can occur despite a shared genetic cause and underscores the need for biomarkers such as amyloid imaging during life.
Banking Union and banking nationalism — Explaining opt-out choices of Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic
Authors: Méró Katalin , Piroska Dora
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this study is to understand Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland's opt out position from the Banking Union (BU). The Banking Union is compulsory for Eurozone member states and optional for non-Eurozone member states. From the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region only Romania and Bulgaria decided to join. First, we attempt to explain this fact based on structural characteristics of the CEE banking sectors, but we find no substantial difference between the opt-in and opt-out countries’ banking sectors. Second, we look at the role of state capacity in maintaining a stable banking sector, and find that state capacity is a necessary condition for opting out. Finally, using Hungary as a case study, and the Czech Republic and Poland as further examples, we argue that these countries opted out because their governments’ policy preference of banking nationalism conflicts with the BU's ideals.
Chronology of newly-discovered Paleolithic artifact assemblages in Lantian (Shaanxi province), central China
Authors: Zhuo Haixin , Lu Huayu , Wang Shejiang , Ahmad Khobaib , Sun Wenfeng , Zhang Hongyan , Yi Shuangwen , Li Yongxiang , Wang Xianyan
Published: October 2016

TheHomo erectuscranium, mandible and hundreds of associated lithic artifacts found in Lantian (central China) in the 1960s demonstrate that the area was important for hominin habitation during the early to middle Pleistocene. However, the region, which was not adequately researched until the early 2000s, still poses several questions regarding hominin behavior and lithic technology development. In this study, three loess-paleosol sequences (the Jijiawan, Ganyu and Diaozhai sites), from which in situ stone artifacts were recovered, are investigated and dated by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), magnetostratigraphy and stratigraphic correlation. The results demonstrate that the artifacts are located within paleosol layers S4 (correlative with marine oxygen isotope stage (MIS) 11), S3 (MIS 9), S2 (MIS 7), and S1 (MIS 5); and within loess layer L1 (MIS 2-4). The main stone-knapping technique used was direct hard hammer percussion. In addition, the technological features of the stone tools found at these sites exhibit little variation, indicating the presence of a long-established, stable technology in the Lantian area. Our observations show that the ancient humans lived episodically on the terraces of the Bahe River from the early Pleistocene, indicating a long history of hominin occupation of the region.
Inspiration choices that matter: the selection of external stimuli during ideation
Authors: Gonçalves Milene , Cardoso Carlos , Badke-Schaub Petra
Published: October 2016

Inspiration is a widely recognized phenomenon in everyday life. However, researchers still know very little about what the process of inspiration entails. This paper investigates designers’ approaches when selecting inspirational stimuli during the initial phases of a design process. We conducted a think-aloud protocol study and interviews with 31 design Masters students while generating ideas for a design problem. The results indicate that searching for and selecting stimuli require different levels of cognitive effort, depending on whether there is unlimited or limited access to stimuli. Furthermore, three important stages of the inspiration process were identified: keyword definition, stimuli search and stimuli selection. For each of these stages, we elaborate on how designers define keywords, which search approaches they use and what drives their selection of stimuli. This paper contributes to an understanding of how designers can be supported in their inspiration process in a more detailed manner.
ACCOUNTING FOR LIVESTOCK: PRINCIPLES OF PALATIAL ADMINISTRATION IN SEALAND I BABYLONIA
Authors: Boivin Odette
Published: October 2016

The Sealand I dynasty ruled in southern Mesopotamia in the latter part of the Old Babylonian and at the beginning of the Middle Babylonian period. Unprovenanced archival documents dating to the middle years of this dynasty were published by Dalley in 2009. Most of these documents pertain to the palatial administration of resources. The present article aims at establishing a number of accounting principles and practices that were in place at a Sealand I palace. The administration of animal husbandry is examined in depth and its underlying principles of resource management are presented; these suggest that this palace functioned as an extended household providing resources for its own needs and for a number of temples.
Experimental and theoretical study of wind turbine wakes in yawed conditions
Authors: Bastankhah Majid , Porté-Agel Fernando
Published: October 2016

This work is dedicated to systematically studying and predicting the wake characteristics of a yawed wind turbine immersed in a turbulent boundary layer. To achieve this goal, wind tunnel experiments were performed to characterize the wake of a horizontal-axis wind turbine model. A high-resolution stereoscopic particle image velocimetry system was used to measure the three velocity components in the turbine wake under different yaw angles and tip-speed ratios. Moreover, power and thrust measurements were carried out to analyse the performance of the wind turbine. These detailed wind tunnel measurements were then used to perform a budget study of the continuity and Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations for the wake of a yawed turbine. This theoretical analysis revealed some notable features of the wakes of yawed turbines, such as the asymmetric distribution of the wake skew angle with respect to the wake centre. Under highly yawed conditions, the formation of a counter-rotating vortex pair in the wake cross-section as well as the vertical displacement of the wake centre were shown and analysed. Finally, this study enabled us to develop general governing equations upon which a simple and computationally inexpensive analytical model was built. The proposed model aims at predicting the wake deflection and the far-wake velocity distribution for yawed turbines. Comparisons of model predictions with the wind tunnel measurements show that this simple model can acceptably predict the velocity distribution in the far wake of a yawed turbine. Apart from the ability of the model to predict wake flows in yawed conditions, it can provide valuable physical insight on the behaviour of turbine wakes in this complex situation.
Global, regional and local controls on the development of a Triassic carbonate ramp system, Western Balkanides, Bulgaria
Authors: CHATALOV ATHANAS
Published: October 2016

The Early to Late Triassic development of a carbonate ramp system in the subtropical belt of the NW Tethys was controlled by the interplay of several global and regional factors: geotectonic setting (slow continuous subsidence on a passive continental margin), antecedent topography (low-gradient relief inherited from preceding depositional regime), climate and oceanography (warm and dry climatic conditions, storm influence), relative sea-level changes (Olenekian to Anisian eustatic rise, middle Anisian to early Carnian sea-level fall), lack of frame-builders (favouring the maintenance of ramp morphology), and carbonate production (abundant formation of lime mud, non-skeletal grains and marine cements, development of diverse biota controlled by biological evolution and environmental conditions). Elevated palaeorelief affected the ramp initialization on a local scale, while autogenic processes largely controlled the formation of peritidal cyclicity during the early stage of ramp retrogradation. Probably fault-driven differential subsidence caused a local distal steepening of the ramp profile in middle–late Anisian time. The generally favourable conditions promoted long-term maintenance of homoclinal ramp morphology and accumulation of carbonate sediments having great maximum thickness (~500 m). Shutdown of the carbonate factory and demise of the ramp system in the early Carnian resulted from relative sea-level fall and subsequent emergence. After a period of subaerial exposure with minor karstification, the deposition of continental quartz arenites suggests the possible effect of the Carnian Pluvial Episode.
Phylogenetic patterns ofHaemonchus contortusand related trichostrongylid nematodes isolated from Egyptian sheep
Authors: Kandil O.M. , Abdelrahman K.A. , Fahmy H.A. , Mahmoud M.S. , El Namaky A.H. , Miller J.E.
Published: October 2016

Haemonchus contortusis a major parasite of small ruminants and its blood-feeding behaviour causes effects ranging from mild anaemia to death. Knowledge of the genetic variation within and amongH. contortuspopulations can provide the foundation for understanding transmission patterns and aid in the control of haemonchosis. Adult maleH. contortuswere collected from three geographical regions in Egypt. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced directly. The population genetic diversity and sequence variations were determined. Nucleotide sequence analyses revealed one genotype (ITS2) in all worms, without genetic differentiation. The similarity in population genetic diversity and genetic patterns observed among the three geographical regions could be attributed to possible movement between the sites. This is the first study of genetic variation inH. contortusin Egypt. The present results could have implications for the rapid characterization ofH. contortusand other trichostrongyloid nematodes, and evaluation of the epidemiology ofH. contortusin Egypt.
Ultrastructural changes to the tegumental system and gastrodermal cells of adult Fasciola hepatica following treatment in vivo with a commercial preparation of myrrh (Mirazid)
Authors: Abdelaal M.M.O. , Brennan G.P. , Abdel-Aziz A. , Fairweather I.
Published: October 2016

An in vivo study in the laboratory rat model has been carried out to monitor changes to the tegument and gut of adult Fasciola hepatica following treatment with myrrh (‘Mirazid’). Rats infected with the triclabendazole-resistant Dutch isolate were dosed orally with Mirazid at a concentration of 250 mg/kg and flukes recovered 2, 3 and 7 days post-treatment (pt). The flukes were processed for examination by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A variety of changes to the external surface were observed, culminating in the sloughing of the tegumental syncytium. Internal changes to the syncytium and tegumental cell bodies were more severe and were evident from 2 days pt onwards. Swelling of the basal infolds (leading to flooding of the surface layer) and a decline in secretory body production were the major changes seen. The gastrodermal cells were less severely affected than the tegument, pointing to a trans-tegumental route of uptake for Mirazid by the fluke. Some loss of muscle fibres in the main somatic muscle layers was observed, which may be correlated with the decline in movement of flukes seen at recovery.
Laryngeal manifestations of pachyonychia congenita: a clinical case and discussion on management for the otolaryngologist
Authors: O'Kane A M , Jackson C P , Mahadevan M , Barber C
Published: October 2016

Background:

Pachyonychia congenita is a rare keratinising disorder, which typically presents during the first three years of life and usually affects the nails and palmoplantar surfaces. It can involve the larynx and potentially result in life-threatening airway obstruction.

Methods:

A case report is presented and the findings of a literature review are reported. The review involved a PubMed search using the keywords ‘pachyonychia congenita’ together with ‘larynx’, ‘laryngeal involvement’, ‘laryngeal obstruction’, ‘airway obstruction’, ‘hoarseness’ and/or ‘stridor’.

Results:

A five-year-old boy, with confirmed pachyonychia congenita, presented with complications of laryngeal involvement over a four-year period. He required three intubations and a tracheostomy for acute airway obstruction. Treatment with potassium titanyl phosphate laser laryngoscopy stabilised the progression of laryngeal disease.

Conclusion:

Patients with pachyonychia congenita and laryngeal involvement can have a varied presentation, ranging from hoarseness to acute airway obstruction. Management can be a challenge, requiring early evaluation, regular surveillance and aggressive treatment. This paper reports our experience in managing and treating the laryngeal complications of a child with pachyonychia congenita.
Spatial and temporal variation in macroparasite communities of three-spined stickleback
Authors: YOUNG REBECCA E. , MACCOLL ANDREW D. C.
Published: October 2016

Patterns in parasite community structure are often observed in natural systems and an important question in parasite ecology is whether such patterns are repeatable across time and space. Field studies commonly look at spatial or temporal repeatability of patterns, but they are rarely investigated in conjunction. We use a large dataset on the macroparasites of the three-spined stickleback,Gasterosteus aculeatusL., collected from 14 locations on North Uist, Scotland over an 8-year period to investigate: (1) repeatability of patterns in parasite communities among populations and whether variation is consistent across years, (2) whether variation between years can be explained by climatic variation and progression of the season and (3) whether variation in habitat characteristics explain population differences. Differences in relative abundance and prevalence across populations were observed in a number of parasites investigated indicating a lack of consistency across years in numerous parasite community measures; however, differences between populations in the prevalence and abundance of some parasites were consistent throughout the study. Average temperature did not affect parasite community, and progression of the season was only significant for two of 13 community measures. Two of the six habitat characteristics investigated (pH and calcium concentration) significantly affected parasite presence.
Childhood atopy and mental health: a prospective, longitudinal investigation
Authors: Goodwin R. D. , Robinson M. , Sly P. D. , Holt P. G.
Published: October 2016

Background

Prior studies have suggested a relationship between atopy and mental health, although methodological barriers have limited the generalizability of these findings. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between early-life atopy and vulnerability to mental health problems among youth in the community.

Method

Data were drawn from the Raine Study (N= 2868), a population-based birth cohort study in Western Australia. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between atopy at ages 1–5 years [using parent report and objective biological confirmation (sera IgE)], and the range of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at ages 5–17 years.

Results

Atopy appears to be associated with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems, compared to youth without atopy. These associations remained significant after adjusting for a range of potential confounders. No relationship was evident between atopy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or externalizing problems.

Conclusions

Findings are the first linking atopy (measured by both parent report and objective verification) with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems. Therefore, replication is required. If replicated, future research aimed at understanding the possible biological and/or social and environmental pathways underlying these links is needed. Such information could shed light on shared pathways that could lead to more effective treatments for both atopy and internalizing mental health problems.
Childhood adversity and midlife suicidal ideation
Authors: Stansfeld S. A. , Clark C. , Smuk M. , Power C. , Davidson T. , Rodgers B.
Published: October 2016

Background

Childhood adversity predicts adolescent suicidal ideation but there are few studies examining whether the risk of childhood adversity extends to suicidal ideation in midlife. We hypothesized that childhood adversity predicts midlife suicidal ideation and this is partially mediated by adolescent internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders and adult exposure to life events and interpersonal difficulties.

Method

At 45 years, 9377 women and men from the UK 1958 British Birth Cohort Study participated in a clinical survey. Childhood adversity was prospectively assessed at the ages of 7, 11 and 16 years. Suicidal ideation at midlife was assessed by the depressive ideas subscale of the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule. Internalizing and externalizing disorders were measured by the Rutter scales at 16 years. Life events, periods of unemployment, partnership separations and alcohol dependence were measured through adulthood.

Results

Illness in the household, paternal absence, institutional care, parental divorce and retrospective reports of parental physical and sexual abuse predicted suicidal ideation at 45 years. Three or more childhood adversities were associated with suicidal ideation at 45 years [odds ratio (OR) 4.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.67–6.94]. Psychological distress at 16 years partially mediated the associations of physical abuse (OR 3.41, 95% CI 2.29–5.75), sexual abuse (OR 4.99, 95% CI 2.90–11.16) with suicidal ideation. Adult life events partially mediated the association of parental divorce (OR 6.34, 95% CI −7.16 to 36.75) and physical (OR 9.59, 95% CI 4.97–27.88) and sexual abuse (OR 6.59, 95% CI 2.40–38.36) with suicidal ideation at 45 years.

Conclusions

Adversity in childhood predicts suicidal ideation in midlife, partially mediated by adolescent internalizing and externalizing disorders, adult life events and interpersonal difficulties. Understanding the pathways from adversity to suicidal ideation can inform suicide prevention and the targeting of preventive interventions.
Prenatal maternal bereavement and mortality in the first decades of life: a nationwide cohort study from Denmark and Sweden
Authors: Yu Y. , Cnattingius S. , Olsen J. , Parner E. T. , Vestergaard M. , Liew Z. , Zhao N. , Li J.
Published: October 2016

Background

The loss of a close relative is one of the most stressful life events. In pregnancy, this experience has been associated with a higher risk of fetal death and under-five mortality, but little is known about potential effects on long-term mortality in offspring. We examined the association between prenatal maternal bereavement and mortality in a cohort of 5.3 million children followed until up to 37 years of age.

Method

The population-based cohort study included 5 253 508 live singleton births in Denmark (1973–2004) and Sweden (1973–2006). Children born to mothers who lost a child, spouse, sibling, or parent during or 1 year before pregnancy were categorized as exposed.

Results

Prenatal maternal bereavement was associated with a 10% increased all-cause mortality risk in offspring [mortality rate ratio (MRR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.18]. The association was the most pronounced for children of mothers who lost a child/spouse (MRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.14–1.44) and was stronger during the first 10 years of life. Prenatal maternal bereavement may have stronger effects on natural causes of death in offspring, including infectious/parasitic disease (MRR 1.86, 95% CI 1.07–3.23), endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases (MRR 3.23, 95% CI 2.02–5.17), diseases of nervous system (MRR 3.36, 95% CI 2.47–4.58), and congenital malformations (MRR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08–1.80). No excess mortality risk in offspring was observed for unnatural causes of death.

Conclusion

Prenatal maternal bereavement was associated with an increased long-term mortality risk in offspring, particularly for selected natural causes of diseases and medical conditions. Our results support the fetal programming hypothesis that prenatal stress may contribute to ill health from physical diseases later in life.
Young, Gifted, and Brown: the Liberation of Oceanic Youth in The Beautiful Ones
Authors: Hyland Nicola
Published: October 2016

Recently a number of young, ultra-talented, Māori and Pacific Island performers have emerged on local stages in Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand) and beyond. Exemplifying this bright, youthful energy is Hone Kouka's multi-media production The Beautiful Ones, a joyful exploration of luminous rangatahi (youth) unleashed in a liminal realm. Adopting the Māori cosmological concept of Te Kore, in this article Nicola Hyland explores the depiction of rangatahi in this performance as transformational: liberated – culturally, sexually, and performatively – from historical tropes of youth and indigeneity. Nicola Hyland is a lecturer in Theatre at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and has ancestral ties to the Te Ati-Haunui-a-Paparangi and Ngati Hauiti iwi tribes of Aotearoa.
Remembering Arnold Wesker: Loose Connections from Left Field
Authors: Trussler Simon
Published: October 2016

Arnold Wesker, who died in April 2016, denied having been an ‘angry young man’ and, though the cliché clung, he declared, ‘But I am an angry old man.’ In this memoir, Simon Trussler, while reflecting on causes for the anger, does not attempt an analysis of the life and works, but recollects the times when their shared interests and intentions brought them into contact, and explores some of the reasons why the youthful climb to a peak of success was followed by a slow decline not in output or activity but in the critical response to a writer perceived as having gone out of fashion. NTQ's former co-editor, the late Clive Barker, was closely involved with Wesker in the early Centre Forty-Two project and its aim to open wider access to the arts, while Trussler helped to initiate Wesker's later involvement in the International Theatre Institute. Other ‘loose connections’ with Wesker's life and career here flesh out the facts and received opinions of the formal obituaries. Simon Trussler was one of the founding editors of the old Theatre Quarterly , as later of New Theatre Quarterly. He conducted two major interviews with Wesker in the original TQ, both later reprinted in book form, and with Glenda Leeming co-authored the first full-length study of Wesker's plays (Gollancz, 1981). Among many other publications, he is author of the award-winning Cambridge Illustrated History of British Theatre (1994).
Optimal vaccine schedules to maintain measles elimination with a two-dose routine policy
Authors: McKEE A. , SHEA K. , FERRARI M. J.
Published: October 2016

Measles was eliminated in the Americas in 2002 by a combination of routine immunizations and supplementary immunization activities. Recent outbreaks underscore the importance of reconsidering vaccine policy in order to maintain elimination. We constructed an age-structured dynamical model for the distribution of immunity in a population with routine immunization and without disease, and analysed the steady state for an idealized age structure and for real age structures of countries in the Americas. We compared the level of immunity maintained by current policy in these countries to the level maintainable by an optimal policy. The optimal age target for the first routine dose of measles vaccine depends on the timing and coverage of both doses. Similarly, the optimal age target for the second dose of measles vaccine depends on the timing and coverage of the first dose. The age targets for the first and second doses of measles vaccine should be adjusted for the post-elimination era, by specifically accounting for current context, including realized coverage of both doses, and altered maternal immunity. Doing so can greatly improve the proportion immune within a population, and therefore the chances of maintaining measles elimination, without changing coverage.
Biogeophysical properties of an expansive Antarctic supraglacial stream
Authors: SanClements Michael D. , Smith Heidi J. , Foreman Christine M. , Tedesco Marco , Chin Yu-Ping , Jaros Christopher , McKnight Diane M.
Published: October 2016

Supraglacial streams are important hydrologic features in glaciated environments as they are conduits for the transport of aeolian debris, meltwater, solutes and microbial communities. We characterized the basic geomorphology, hydrology and biogeochemistry of the Cotton Glacier supraglacial stream located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The distinctive geomorphology of the stream is driven by accumulated aeolian sediment from the Transantarctic Mountains, while solar radiation and summer temperatures govern melt in the system. The hydrologic functioning of the Cotton Glacier stream is largely controlled by the formation of ice dams that lead to vastly different annual flow regimes and extreme flushing events. Stream water is chemically dilute and lacks a detectable humic signature. However, the fluorescent signature of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the stream does demonstrate an extremely transitory red-shifted signal found only in near-stream sediment leachates and during the initial flushing of the system at the onset of flow. This suggests that episodic physical flushing drives pulses of DOM with variable quality in this stream. This is the first description of a large Antarctic supraglacial stream and our results provide evidence that the hydrology and geomorphology of supraglacial streams drive resident microbial community composition and biogeochemical cycling.