bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commercial signage and the linguistic landscape of Oman
Authors: BUCKINGHAM LOUISA
Published: July 2015

This study examines how the promotion of goods and services is lexicalized in commercial signs on shops in contemporary Omani society. The analysis of lexical features is based on data drawn from a corpus of over 1,600 signs photographed nation‐wide. Processes identified include the lexicalization of cultural concepts, lexical innovation and borrowing, foreign cultural referents, and the use of repetition, attributes, and generalization and specification strategies to enhance salience and explicitness. This study contributes to our understanding of the use of English in lingua franca contexts in a region of pronounced ethnolinguistic diversity. English is used to reflect localized cultural values and practices and may display the influence of Arabic and South Asian English dialects. Evidence for the stabilization of particular innovative lexemes is found in their extensive use country‐wide, which suggests their widespread acceptance and emergent nativization within this genre.
Granular Flow and Heat-Transfer Study in a Near-Blackbody Enclosed Particle Receiver
Authors: Martinek Janna , Ma Zhiwen
Published: July 2015

Concentrating solar power (CSP) is an effective means of converting solar energy into electricity with an energy storage capability for continuous, dispatchable, renewable power generation. However, challenges with current CSP systems include high initial capital cost and electricity price, and advances are needed to increase outlet temperature to drive high-efficiency power cycles while simultaneously maintaining stability of the heat-transfer medium and thermal performance of the receiver. Solid-particle-based CSP systems are one alternative projected to have significant cost and performance advantages over current nitrate-based molten salt systems. NREL is developing a design that uses gas/solid, two-phase flow as the heat-transfer fluid (HTF) and separated solid particles as the storage medium. A critical component in the system is a novel near-blackbody (NBB) enclosed particle receiver that uses an array of absorber tubes with a granular medium flowing downward through channels between tubes. Development of the NBB enclosed particle receiver necessitates detailed investigation of the dimensions of the receiver, particle-flow conditions, and heat-transfer coefficients. This study focuses on simulation and analysis of granular flow patterns and the resulting convective and conductive heat transfer to the particulate phase using Eulerian–Eulerian two-fluid modeling techniques. Heat-transfer coefficients in regions with good particle/wall contact are predicted to exceed 1000 W/m2 K. However, simulations predict particle/wall separation in vertical flow channels and a resultant reduction in heat transfer. Particle-flow visualization experiments confirm particle/wall separation, but also exhibit complex periodic behavior and flow instability that create intermittent side-wall contact and enhance heat transfer above that predicted by the theoretical simulations.
Solar Absorber Cu2ZnSnS4 and its Parent Multilayers ZnS/SnS2/Cu2S Synthesized by Atomic Layer Deposition and Analyzed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Baryshev Sergey V. , Riha Shannon C. , Zinovev Alexander V.
Published: July 2015

Presented here are results of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) on multilayers of metal-sulfide binaries ZnS,SnS2, and Cu2S grown by atomic layer deposition(ALD) on Si substrates, and of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) formed upon 450 °C annealing of the parent multilayer ZnS/SnS2/Cu2S. Survey and detailed spectral analysis of the multilayer ZnS/SnS2/Cu2S are presented step-wise, as each layer was sequentially added by ALD. The set of data is finalized with spectra of the resulting alloy CZTS. XPSanalyses indicate significant mixing between SnS2 and Cu2S, which favors CZTS formation within the ALD approach.
Proton dose calculation on scatter‐corrected CBCT image: Feasibility study for adaptive proton therapy
Authors: Park Yang‐Kyun , Sharp Gregory C. , Phillips Justin , Winey Brian A.
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

To demonstrate the feasibility of proton dose calculation on scatter‐corrected cone‐beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images for the purpose of adaptive proton therapy.

Methods:

CBCT projection images were acquired from anthropomorphic phantoms and a prostate patient using an on‐board imaging system of an Elekta infinity linear accelerator. Two previously introduced techniques were used to correct the scattered x‐rays in the raw projection images: uniform scatter correction (CBCTus) and a priori CT‐based scatter correction (CBCTap). CBCT images were reconstructed using a standard FDK algorithm and GPU‐based reconstruction toolkit. Soft tissue ROI‐based HU shifting was used to improve HU accuracy of the uncorrected CBCT images and CBCTus, while no HU change was applied to the CBCTap. The degree of equivalence of the corrected CBCT images with respect to the reference CT image (CTref) was evaluated by using angular profiles of water equivalent path length (WEPL) and passively scattered proton treatment plans. The CBCTap was further evaluated in more realistic scenarios such as rectal filling and weight loss to assess the effect of mismatched prior information on the corrected images.

Results:

The uncorrected CBCT and CBCTus images demonstrated substantial WEPL discrepancies (7.3 ± 5.3 mm and 11.1 ± 6.6 mm, respectively) with respect to the CTref, while the CBCTap images showed substantially reduced WEPL errors (2.4 ± 2.0 mm). Similarly, the CBCTap‐based treatment plans demonstrated a high pass rate (96.0% ± 2.5% in 2 mm/2% criteria) in a 3D gamma analysis.

Conclusions:

A priori CT‐based scatter correction technique was shown to be promising for adaptive proton therapy, as it achieved equivalent proton dose distributions and water equivalent path lengths compared to those of a reference CT in a selection of anthropomorphic phantoms.
Segregating two simultaneous sounds in elevation using temporal envelope: Human psychophysics and a physiological model
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey S. , O'Connor Kevin N. , Sutter Mitchell L.
Published: July 2015

The ability to segregate simultaneous sound sources based on their spatial locations is an important aspect of auditory scene analysis. While the role of sound azimuth in segregation is well studied, the contribution of sound elevation remains unknown. Although previous studies in humans suggest that elevation cues alone are not sufficient to segregate simultaneous broadband sources, the current study demonstrates they can suffice. Listeners segregating a temporally modulated noise target from a simultaneous unmodulated noise distracter differing in elevation fall into two statistically distinct groups: one that identifies target direction accurately across a wide range of modulation frequencies (MF) and one that cannot identify target direction accurately and, on average, reports the opposite direction of the target for low MF. A non-spiking model of inferior colliculus neurons that process single-source elevation cues suggests that the performance of both listener groups at the population level can be accounted for by the balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs in the model. These results establish the potential for broadband elevation cues to contribute to the computations underlying sound source segregation and suggest a potential mechanism underlying this contribution.
Moving to Action: The Effects of a Self-Regulation Intervention on the Stress, Burnout, Well-Being, and Self-Regulation Capacity Levels of University Student-Athletes
Authors: Dubuc-Charbonneau Nicole , Durand-Bush Natalie
Published: July 2015

Background:

The purpose of this study was to implement and assess the impact of a person-centered, feel-based self-regulation intervention on the stress, burnout, well-being, and self-regulation capacity of eight university student-athletes experiencing burnout. This was warranted given the negative outcomes associated with athlete burnout, the scarcity of burnout research focusing on student-athletes, and the lack of intervention research addressing burnout in sport.

Method:

A mixed methods design including questionnaires administered at four time points during the athletic season, pre- and postintervention interviews, and multiple intervention sessions was used.

Results:

Repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed that stress and burnout levels significantly decreased, and well-being and self-regulation capacity levels significantly increased as the intervention progressed. The qualitative data supported these findings.

Conclusion:

It appears that university student-athletes participating in this type of intervention can learn to effectively manage themselves and their environment to reduce adverse symptoms and improve optimal functioning.
Unconventional Fermi surface in an insulating state
Authors: Tan B. S. , Hsu Y.-T. , Zeng B. , Hatnean M. Ciomaga , Harrison N. , Zhu Z. , Hartstein M. , Kiourlappou M. , Srivastava A. , Johannes M. D. , Murphy T. P. , Park J.-H. , Balicas L. , Lonzarich G. G. , Balakrishnan G. , Sebastian Suchitra E.
Published: July 2015

Probing the insulating state of SmB
6

When a metal is subjected to a strong magnetic field, its electrons start rearranging into new energy levels, causing its electronic properties to oscillate as a function of the field. Unexpectedly, Tan
et al.
observed this phenomenon, called quantum oscillations, in the Kondo insulator samarium hexaboride (SmB
6
), which does not conduct electricity. They measured the magnetic torque and detected quantum oscillations originating from the bulk of this heavy fermion compound. These oscillations had an unusual temperature dependence, which presents another puzzle to theorists seeking to understand the nature of the insulating state of SmB
6
.

Science
, this issue p.
287
Transient laser heating induced hierarchical porous structures from block copolymer–directed self-assembly
Authors: Tan Kwan Wee , Jung Byungki , Werner Jörg G. , Rhoades Elizabeth R. , Thompson Michael O. , Wiesner Ulrich
Published: July 2015

Laser patterning polymer membranes

Porous materials are useful for membranes, filters, energy conversion, and catalysis. Their utility often depends on the ability to finely control both the pore sizes and their connectivity. Tan
et al.
prepared porous thin films of block copolymers mixed with phenol-formaldehyde resins (resols) on silicon substrates using a simple laser process. On exposure to ultraviolet light, rapid heating of the substrate causes polymerization of the resols and decomposition of the block copolymer. This method allows direct patterning of the films on a local scale, with tunable pore sizes and size distributions.

Science
, this issue p.
54
CRL2 aids elimination of truncated selenoproteins produced by failed UGA/Sec decoding
Authors: Lin Hsiu-Chuan , Ho Szu-Chi , Chen Yi-Yun , Khoo Kay-Hooi , Hsu Pang-Hung , Yen Hsueh-Chi S.
Published: July 2015

Clearing out selenoprotein garbage

Our DNA consists of codons that code for 20 different amino acids. Another amino acid, selenocysteine, is also found in several human selenoproteins. Selenocysteine is incorporated through the recoding of a stop codon, but failures in this process result in premature termination of protein synthesis. Lin
et al.
showed that the potentially dangerous truncated proteins formed in such cases are specifically degraded by a protein quality surveillance system. The surveillance system can specifically recognize the truncated ends of the various prematurely terminated selenoproteins and target their destruction.

Science
, this issue p.
91
Biosynthesis of monoterpene scent compounds in roses
Authors: Magnard Jean-Louis , Roccia Aymeric , Caissard Jean-Claude , Vergne Philippe , Sun Pulu , Hecquet Romain , Dubois Annick , Hibrand-Saint Oyant Laurence , Jullien Frédéric , Nicolè Florence , Raymond Olivier , Huguet Stéphanie , Baltenweck Raymonde , Meyer Sophie , Claudel Patricia , Jeauffre Julien , Rohmer Michel , Foucher Fabrice , Hugueney Philippe , Bendahmane Mohammed , Baudino Sylvie
Published: July 2015

Stop to smell the roses

Some roses smell beautiful, yet others only look beautiful. Magnard
et al.
leveraged this distinction to study the biosynthesis of geraniol, a monoterpene alcohol in rose scent (see the Perspective by Tholl and Gershenzon). Enzymes known for geraniol synthesis in other plants, such as basil, did not seem to provide that function for roses. Instead, a diphosphohydrolase, which functions in the cytoplasm of cells in rose petals, generates the geraniol emitted by fragrant roses. Identification of the enzyme and its gene enables marker-assisted breeding to put the perfume back into beauty.

Science
, this issue p.
81
; see also p.
28
Facing our fears
Anxious
Using the Brain to Understand and Treat Fear and Anxiety
Joseph LeDoux
Viking, 2015. 480 pp.
Authors: Maren Stephen
Published: July 2015

New insights into the brain's fear circuitry could yield more effective treatments for anxiety disorders
Catalytic asymmetric hydroamination of unactivated internal olefins to aliphatic amines
Authors: Yang Yang , Shi Shi-Liang , Niu Dawen , Liu Peng , Buchwald Stephen L.
Published: July 2015

Elaborate amines from commodity olefins

Fine spatial control over the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds is essential to the synthesis of many pharmaceutical and agrochemical compounds. Yang
et al.
synthesized a copper catalyst that shows exceptional discrimination between similar substituents in the addition of N-H bonds across the C-C double bonds of simple olefins. In particular, the catalyst favors one of two mirror-image products that differ in the relative orientations of methyl and ethyl groups. This selectivity fosters the use of readily available commodity olefins in the preparation of complex chiral amines.

Science
, this issue p.
62
The flowering of a new scent pathway in rose
Authors: Tholl Dorothea , Gershenzon Jonathan
Published: July 2015

The monoterpene-based scent of roses is generated by an unusual biosynthetic route

[Also see Report by

Magnard
et al.

]
Draft Genome Sequence of Laverivirus UC1, a Dicistrovirus-Like RNA Virus Featuring an Unusual Genome Organization
Authors: Greninger Alexander L. , DeRisi Joseph L.
Published: July 2015

We report the draft genome sequence of Laverivirus UC1, assembled from San Francisco wastewater. This dicistronic RNA virus bears some similarity to dicistroviruses; however, it appears to have a unique genome organization relative to all other known RNA viruses.
Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica
Serovar Agona 460004 2-1, Associated with a Multistate Outbreak in the United States
Authors: Hoffmann Maria , Payne Justin , Roberts Richard J. , Allard Marc W. , Brown Eric W. , Pettengill James B.
Published: July 2015

Within the last several years,
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Agona has been among the 20 most frequently isolated serovars in clinical cases of salmonellosis. In this report, the complete genome sequence of
S
. Agona strain 460004 2-1 isolated from unsweetened puffed-rice cereal during a multistate outbreak in 2008 was sequenced using single-molecule real-time DNA sequencing.
Draft Genome Sequences of Bifidobacterium angulatum GT102 and Bifidobacterium adolescentis 150: Focusing on the Genes Potentially Involved in the Gut-Brain Axis
Authors: Dyachkova Marina S. , Klimina Ksenia M. , Kovtun Alexey S. , Zakharevich Natalia V. , Nezametdinova Venera Z. , Averina Olga V. , Danilenko Valery N.
Published: July 2015

The draft genome sequences of
Bifidobacterium angulatum
GT102 and
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
150 strains isolated from the human intestinal microbiota are reported. Both strains are able to produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Detailed genomes analysis will help to understand the role of GABA in the functioning of gut-brain axis.
Complete Genome Sequences ofemm6 Streptococcus pyogenes JRS4 and Parental Strain D471
Authors: Port Gary C. , Paluscio Elyse , Caparon Michael G.
Published: July 2015

We report the complete genome assemblies of the group AStreptococcus pyogenesserotypeemm6 strain D471 and its streptomycin-resistant derivative JRS4. Both of these well-studied laboratory strains have been extensively characterized over the past three decades and have been instrumental in the discovery of multiple aspects of streptococcal pathogenesis.
Draft Genome Sequence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus VH3, Isolated from an Aquaculture Environment in Greece
Authors: Castillo Daniel , Jun Jin Woo , D’Alvise Paul , Middelboe Mathias , Gram Lone , Liu Siyang , Katharios Pantelis
Published: July 2015

Vibrio parahaemolyticus
is an important foodborne pathogen responsible for gastroenteritis outbreaks globally. It has also been identified as an important pathogen in aquatic organisms. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of
V. parahaemolyticus
, strain VH3, isolated from farmed juvenile greater amberjack,
Seriola dumerili
, in Greece.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Pyrazinamide-Resistant Clinical Isolates, Mycobacterium tuberculosis 13-4152 and 13-2459
Authors: Maslov D. A. , Shur K. V. , Bekker O. B. , Zakharevich N. V. , Zaichikova M. V. , Klimina K. M. , Smirnova T. G. , Zhang Y. , Chernousova L. N. , Danilenko V. N.
Published: July 2015

We report draft genome sequences of two pyrazinamide (PZA)-resistant isolates,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
13-4152 and 13-2459. Isolate 13-4152 is PZA resistant, though it lacks mutations in known genes of PZA resistance. The comparative analysis of these genomes with those stored in GenBank revealed unique mutations, which may elucidate new mechanisms of PZA resistance.
Complete and Assembled Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus RKI4, a Food-Poisoning Strain Exhibiting a Novel S. aureus Pathogenicity Island Carrying
seb
Authors: Stevens Marc J. A. , Stephan Roger , Johler Sophia
Published: July 2015

The genome of
Staphylococcus aureus
RKI4, a strain isolated from feces of a patient in a case of staphylococcal food poisoning, was sequenced using combined Illumina and single-molecule real-time sequencing. Hierarchical assembly of the genome resulted in a 2,725,654-bp chromosome and a 17,905-bp mobile genetic element.
Co-occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis
Authors: Kobak Şenol , Karaarslan Ahmet Adnan , Yilmaz Hatice , Sever Fidan
Published: July 2015

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by erosive arthritis. Sarcoidosis is a chronic disease characterised by formation of non-calcified granulomas. Our case, a 35-year-old woman, presented with metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal (PİP) joints and arthritis of both ankles, of 6-month duration. She had morning stiffness lasting 1 h, restriction of range of motion and erythaema nodosum. Laboratory tests showed elevated acute phase responses and serum ACE levels, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody positivity. There was periarticular osteoporosis on her hand and wrist on direct X-rays and hilar lymphadenopathy on her thorax CT. The pathological result of endobronchial ultrasound biopsy showed non-calcified granuloma congruent with sarcoidosis. According to clinical, laboratory and histopathological evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with RA and sarcoidosis. Corticosteroids and methotrexate were started, and on her sixth month of follow-up, her clinical and laboratory findings and lymphadenopathies on CT had regressed. The clinical follow-up continues; the patient appears to be in clinical remission.
Acute ischemic stroke in a child due to basilar artery occlusion treated successfully with a stent retriever
Authors: Savastano Luis , Gemmete Joseph J , Pandey Aditya S , Roark Christopher , Chaudhary Neeraj
Published: July 2015

Ischemic strokes in childhood are rare. Thrombolytic therapy with intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been the main intervention for the management of pediatric stroke patients, but safety data are lacking and efficacy has been questioned. Recently, successful endovascular treatments for acute ischemic stroke in children have been reported with increasing frequency, suggesting that mechanical thrombectomy can be a safe and effective treatment. We present the case of a 22-month-old child with acute ischemic stroke due to basilar artery occlusion that was successfully treated with a stent retriever.
Dramatic change in a young woman's perception of her diabetes and remarkable reduction in HbA1c after an individual course of Guided Self-Determination
Authors: Zoffmann Vibeke , Prip Anne , Christiansen Anette Wendelboe
Published: July 2015

A 24-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes participated in a randomised controlled trial proving effectiveness of a flexible Guided Self-Determination (GSD) intervention. She had for 10 years been living with a complex situation of eating disorder, poor glycaemic control, non-attendance and psychosocial distress. She managed to change her perception of diabetes dramatically and improved her glycaemic control. Considering the complexity of her case, we explored how she achieved these changes. A GSD-trained nurse delivered the intervention, which involves reflection sheets and advanced professional communication. Glycated hemoglobin was reported in the patient's record and an interview conducted by external interviewers was analysed thematically, indicating that a four-stage process of empowerment had taken place: ‘focusing on life prior to numbers’, ‘unpacking a heavy burden’, ‘breaking out of isolation through communication’ and ‘finding strength within oneself’. The article emphasises that GSD works by breaking isolation through communication as an appropriate way to achieve good diabetes control.
Old complication, new presentation: a case of the spleen taking the bullet
Authors: Isted Alexander , Fiorini Francesco , Mota Paula
Published: July 2015

We report a case of a 43-year-old man who presented to the accident and emergency department with acute abdominal pain. Ultrasound investigation showed non-specific splenic pathology and treatment for a splenic abscess was started. The patient later described a history of episodic, cardiac-sounding chest pain occurring at rest, the most recent case of which (6 days prior to admission) had been unusually severe. ECG showed anterior Q waves and aneurysm-type ST-T segment changes. Echocardiography, coupled with a CT scan of the abdomen, revealed the aetiology. The patient had sustained an anterolateral myocardial infarction, which had led to mural thrombus formation and secondary embolisation to the spleen, with no other end organ damage detected. The patient responded well to conservative management of the splenic infarct and initiation on the acute coronary syndrome pathway. Coronary angiography showed mild disease of the proximal left anterior descending artery. Cardiac MRI at 1 month confirmed an ischaemic aetiology.
Adult-onset Still's disease in a Nigerian woman
Authors: Akintayo Richard Oluyinka , Adelowo Olufemi
Published: July 2015

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is an uncommon systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology. Although there have been reports and series elsewhere, there have been very few such reports on black Africans. The rarity of the reporting of this disease has been associated with a low index of suspicion and hence delayed diagnosis in patients suffering from it. We report a case of a 28-year-old woman, a teacher, who had been repeatedly treated for malarial fever over a 2-month period. She was also briefly managed elsewhere for systemic lupus erythematosus due to a persistent fever with associated polyarthralgia, sore throat, rash and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. On presentation to our facility, she fulfilled the Yamaguchi criteria for AOSD and had a markedly elevated serum ferritin level. She was successfully managed with etanercept and methotrexate. This is the first report of AOSD from Nigeria.
STAAR: improving the reliability of care coordination and reducing hospital readmissions in an academic medical centre
Authors: Carter Jocelyn Alexandria , Carr Laura S , Collins Jacqueline , Doyle Petrongolo Joanne , Hall Kathryn , Murray Jane , Smith Jessica , Tata Lee Ann
Published: July 2015

Setting

Massachusetts General Hospital embarked on a 4-year project to reduce readmissions in a high volume general medicine unit (November 2009 to September 2013).

Objective

To reduce 30-day readmissions to 10% through improved care coordination.

Design

As a before–after study, a total of 7586 patients admitted to the medicine unit during the intervention period included 2620 inpatients meeting high risk for readmission criteria. Of those, 2620 patients received nursing interventions and 539 patients received pharmacy interventions.

Intervention

The introduction of a Discharge Nurse (D/C RN) for patient/family coaching and a Transitional Care Pharmacist (TC PharmD) for predischarge medication reconciliation and postdischarge patient phone calls. Other interventions included modifications to multidisciplinary care rounds and electronic medication reconciliation.

Main outcome measure

All-cause 30-day readmission rates.

Results

Readmission rates decreased by 30% (21% preintervention to 14.5% postintervention) (p<0.05). From July 2010 to December 2011, rates of readmission among high-risk patients who received the D/C RN intervention with or without the TC PharmD medication reconciliation/education intervention decreased to 15.9% (p=0.59). From January to June 2010, rates of readmission among high-risk patients who received the TC PharmD postdischarge calls decreased to 12.9% (p=0.55). From June 2010 to December 2011, readmission rates for patients on the medical unit that did not receive the designated D/C RN or TC PharmD interventions decreased to 15.8% (p=0.61) and 16.2% (0.31), respectively.

Conclusions

A multidisciplinary approach to improving care coordination reduced avoidable readmissions both among those who received interventions and those who did not. This further demonstrated the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration.
Liver enzymes and incident diabetes in China: a prospective analysis of 10 764 participants in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study
Authors: Xu L , Jiang C Q , Schooling C M , Zhang W S , Cheng K K , Lam T H
Published: July 2015

Background

Impaired liver function has been shown to be associated with incident diabetes. The independent role of the different liver enzymes, including γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), has not been addressed properly, taking into account their high collinearity. We used partial least squares (PLS) regression to identify the contribution of ALT, AST and GGT, which appears causally associated with diabetes as a validation factor, to incident diabetes in a South China population where liver impairment and diabetes are common.

Methods

Participants were from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study recruited in 2003–2008, with follow-up re-examination up to the end of 2012. Multivariable generalised linear models and PLS were used to examine the adjusted associations of ALT, AST and GGT with diabetes. Incident diabetes was defined as self-reported diabetes, and/or initiation of hypoglycaemia medication or insulin during follow-up, or fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L, or 2 h oral glucose tolerance test, glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L at follow-up examination.

Results

In 10 764 Chinese participants aged ≥50 years with no diabetes at baseline, 1228 (11.4%) developed diabetes during the median 4 years of follow-up. Using PLS, the risk for incident diabetes was higher by 18% (95% CI 8% to 27%) per 1 SD increment in log-ALT, and expectedly higher by 36% (95% CI 26% to 52%) for log-GGT, adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, waist circumference and body mass index. Similarly adjusted, no association for log-AST (relative risk 0.92, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.01) was found.

Conclusions

ALT but not AST was associated with incident diabetes. Further experimental studies are needed to confirm the causal association and clarify the underlying mechanisms.
Following dreams, having adventures
Authors: Grant Paula
Published: July 2015

Paula Grant works with beef and sheep in New Zealand, using the experience she gained as a vet on the Isle of Islay, and as a farmer in France
Modelling effects of pile diameter
Authors: Finn W.D. Liam , Dowling J.
Published: July 2015

The most commonly used program for the analysis of piles under static lateral loading is LPILE. The program uses the nonlinear Winkler springs recommended by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to model soil–pile interaction. The p–y (load–displacement) curves were developed from field tests, with pile diameters in the range 0.324–0.67 m. When these p–y curves are used to analyze load tests on piles with larger diameters, the computed load–deflection curves underestimate the stiffnesses of the test piles. This effect is referred to as the pile diameter effect. In this technical note, a very different approach is presented to evaluate the pile diameter effect. Both LPILE and a continuum-based finite element program VERSAT-P3D were calibrated to closely simulate the results of two lateral load tests on small-diameter piles at two different sites. VERSAT-P3D modelled the volume of the pile and LPILE did not. Each program was used to develop p–y curves for increasingly larger pile diameters up to 2.0 m. An important finding for practice is that there was no pile diameter effect for displacements up to 60 mm. LPILE can be used with confidence in practice in this displacement range. Thereafter, the load–deflection curves from LPILE became softer and the pile diameter effect became evident.
Gamma-polynomial and its generalization to a 2-string tangle polynomial
Authors: Yanagimoto Tomoko
Published: July 2015

The zeroth coefficient polynomial of the skein (HOMFLYPT) knot polynomial called the Γ-polynomial is studied from a viewpoint of regular homotopy of knot diagrams. In particular, an elementary existence proof of the knot invariance of the Γ-polynomial is given. After observing that there are three types for 2-string tangle diagrams, the Γ-polynomial is generalized to a polynomial invariant of a 2-string tangle. As an application, we have a new proof of the assertion that Kinoshita's θ-curve is not equivalent to the trivial θ-curve.
Multi-Criteria Project Selection Using an Extended VIKOR Method with Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Ghorabaee Mehdi Keshavarz , Amiri Maghsoud , Sadaghiani Jamshid Salehi , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras
Published: July 2015

Project selection can be a real problem of the multi-criteria group decision making if a group of decision makers express their preferences depending on the nature of the alternatives and different criteria with respect to their knowledge about them. The purpose of the project selection process is to analyze project viability and to approve or reject project proposals based on established criteria. Such decisions are often complex, because they require the identification, consideration and analysis of many tangible and intangible factors. This paper presents a multi-criteria group decision-making approach for project selection problem in the type-2 fuzzy environment. The proposed method is an extended version of Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method with interval type-2 fuzzy numbers; it is called type-2 fuzzy VIKOR (T2F-VIKOR). A stepwise procedure is used for ranking and evaluating the alternatives in the developed method, and the best solution is selected considering both the beneficial and nonbeneficial criteria. An illustrative example is presented to show the applicability of the proposed approach in the project selection problems, and the results are analyzed. The results are compared with some existing methods to show the validity of the extended method. We also utilize six sets of criteria weights for analyzing the stability of the proposed method. These analyses show that the obtained results of the proposed method are relatively consistent with other methods and have good stability in different criteria weights.
EXPLORING INNOVATIVE NEW VENTURES IN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES
Authors: COWDEN BIRTON J. , TANG JINTONG , YANG JUN , ZHANG YULI
Published: July 2015

Data and general observations would indicate that Chinese new ventures are not as innovative as U.S. new ventures. This paper utilizes the Institution-Based View of Entrepreneurship to argue that the varying institutions within the subnational regions influence the innovativeness of new ventures. More specifically, this variation in innovativeness of new ventures is more salient in the Chinese setting than the United States setting because of the unevenness of institutional transitions within Chinese subnational regions. Using a sample of 488 Chinese new ventures and 317 U.S. new ventures, this paper not only shows that region matters beyond individual and industry characteristics, but also shows that China suffers from a weighted averages issue, with Central and West subnational regions of China bringing down its overall innovativeness of new ventures. This provides implications on the appropriateness of making comparisons at a country level.
MODELLING DIFFUSION OF WIND POWER ACROSS COUNTRIES
Authors: PANSE RIDDHI , KATHURIA VINISH
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we analyse the diffusion mechanism of wind power over the last two decades in the leading countries, namely China, the United States, Germany, India and Spain. For each country, three prominent models of technology diffusion (Logistic, Bass and Gompertz) were fitted and the best model is identified based on AIC, BIC and adjusted R2criteria. The selected diffusion model in each case is then characterised with respect to the policy mechanisms. Often, research follows the "one size fits all" approach and tends to propose one model to define diffusion for all. Here we find that it is not necessarily true. The study then proposes the causal relationship between parameters of the selected model and corresponding policies along with the socioeconomic structure for a country to corroborate our findings. Further, forecasts were generated to predict the saturation point of the diffusion path and solutions are proposed to expand the diffusion curve.
A formal power series of a Hecke ring associated with the Heisenberg lie algebra over ℤp
Authors: Hyodo Fumitake
Published: July 2015

This paper studies a formal power series with coefficients in a Hecke ring associated with the Heisenberg Lie algebra. We relate the series to the classical Hecke series defined by Hecke, and prove that the series has a property similar to the rationality theorem of the classical Hecke series. And then, our results recover the rationality theorem of the classical Hecke series.
Fourier coefficients of a class of eta quotients of weight 2
Authors: Alaca Ayşe , Alaca Şaban , Aygin Zafer Selçuk
Published: July 2015

We determine the coefficients of the Fourier series of a class of eta quotients of weight 2. For example, we show that [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are Jacobi–Kronecker symbols. We prove our results using the theory of modular forms.
Dielectric properties of human diabetic blood: Thermodynamic characterization and new prospective for alternative diagnostic techniques
Authors: Farsaci F. , Ficarra S. , Russo A. , Galtieri A. , Tellone E.
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we will show the possibility of studying physical properties and irreversible phenomena that occur in blood by applying the dielectric Kluitenberg's nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory. Namely, we shall use some recent extensions of this theory that allow to infer its main characteristic parameters from experimental measures. Applying these results to the study of normal and diabetic blood we show, by comparing them, that it is possible to determine the difference, in some details, of the amount of particular phenomena occurring inside them and give a biological meaning to these phenomena. Moreover, observing a correspondence between a particular value of the frequency for which state coefficients are equal and glucose levels we introduce an alternative diagnostic method to measure the values of the glucose in the blood by determining only this frequency value. The thermodynamic description will be completed by determining the trend of the entropy production.
Estimating a Ranked List of Human Genetic Diseases by Associating Phenotype-Gene with Gene-Disease Bipartite Graphs
Authors: Ullah Md Zia , Aono Masaki , Seddiqui Md Hanif
Published: July 2015

With vast amounts of medical knowledge available on the Internet, it is becoming increasingly practical to help doctors in clinical diagnostics by suggesting plausible diseases predicted by applying data and text mining technologies. Recently, Genome-Wide Association Studies (
GWAS
) have proved useful as a method for exploring phenotypic associations with diseases. However, since genetic diseases are difficult to diagnose because of their low prevalence, large number, and broad diversity of symptoms, genetic disease patients are often misdiagnosed or experience long diagnostic delays. In this article, we propose a method for ranking genetic diseases for a set of clinical phenotypes. In this regard, we associate a phenotype-gene bipartite graph (
PGBG
) with a gene-disease bipartite graph (
GDBG
) by producing a phenotype-disease bipartite graph (
PDBG
), and we estimate the candidate weights of diseases. In our approach, all paths from a phenotype to a disease are explored by considering causative genes to assign a weight based on path frequency, and the phenotype is linked to the disease in a new PDBG. We introduce the Bidirectionally induced Importance Weight (
BIW
) prediction method to
PDBG
for approximating the weights of the edges of diseases with phenotypes by considering link information from both sides of the bipartite graph. The performance of our system is compared to that of other known related systems by estimating Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain (
NDCG
), Mean Average Precision (
MAP
), and Kendall’s tau metrics. Further experiments are conducted with well-known
TF · IDF
,
BM25
, and
Jenson-Shannon divergence
as baselines. The result shows that our proposed method outperforms the known related tool
Phenomizer
in terms of NDCG@10, NDCG@20, MAP@10, and MAP@20; however, it performs worse than
Phenomizer
in terms of Kendall’s tau-b metric at the top-10 ranks. It also turns out that our proposed method has overall better performance than the baseline methods.
Metformin reduces hepatic resistance and portal pressure in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Tripathi Dinesh M. , Erice Eva , Lafoz Erica , García-Calderó Héctor , Sarin Shiv K. , Bosch Jaime , Gracia-Sancho Jordi , García-Pagán Juan Carlos
Published: July 2015

Increased hepatic vascular resistance is the primary factor in the development of portal hypertension. Metformin ameliorates vascular cells function in several vascular beds. Our study was aimed at evaluating the effects, and the underlying mechanisms, of metformin on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics in cirrhotic rats and its possible interaction with the effects of propranolol (Prop), the current standard treatment for portal hypertension. CCl4-cirrhotic rats received by gavage metformin 300 mg/kg or its vehicle once a day for 1 wk, before mean arterial pressure (MAP), portal pressure (PP), portal blood flow (PBF), hepatic vascular resistance, and putative molecular/cellular mechanisms were measured. In a subgroup of cirrhotic rats, the hemodynamic response to acute Prop (5 mg/kg iv) was assessed. Effects of metformin ± Prop on PP and MAP were validated in common bile duct ligated-cirrhotic rats. Metformin-treated CCl4-cirrhotic rats had lower PP and hepatic vascular resistance than vehicle-treated rats, without significant changes in MAP or PBF. Metformin caused a significant reduction in liver fibrosis (Sirius red), hepatic stellate cell activation (α-smooth muscle actin, platelet-derived growth factor receptor β polypeptide, transforming growth factor-βR1, and Rho kinase), hepatic inflammation (CD68 and CD163), superoxide (dihydroethidium staining), and nitric oxide scavenging (protein nitrotyrosination). Prop, by decreasing PBF, further reduced PP. Similar findings were observed in common bile duct ligated-cirrhotic rats. Metformin administration reduces PP by decreasing the structural and functional components of the elevated hepatic resistance of cirrhosis. This effect is additive to that of Prop. The potential impact of this pharmacological combination, otherwise commonly used in patients with cirrhosis and diabetes, needs clinical evaluation.
Therapeutic targeting of bile acids
Authors: Camilleri Michael , Gores Gregory J.
Published: July 2015

The first objectives of this article are to review the structure, chemistry, and physiology of bile acids and the types of bile acid malabsorption observed in clinical practice. The second major theme addresses the classical or known properties of bile acids, such as the role of bile acid sequestration in the treatment of hyperlipidemia; the use of ursodeoxycholic acid in therapeutics, from traditional oriental medicine to being, until recently, the drug of choice in cholestatic liver diseases; and the potential for normalizing diverse bowel dysfunctions in irritable bowel syndrome, either by sequestering intraluminal bile acids for diarrhea or by delivering more bile acids to the colon to relieve constipation. The final objective addresses novel concepts and therapeutic opportunities such as the interaction of bile acids and the microbiome to control colonic infections, as in Clostridium difficile-associated colitis, and bile acid targeting of the farnesoid X receptor and G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 with consequent effects on energy expenditure, fat metabolism, and glycemic control.
Early gradual feeding with bovine colostrum improves gut function and NEC resistance relative to infant formula in preterm pigs
Authors: Shen René L. , Thymann Thomas , Østergaard Mette V. , Støy Ann Cathrine F. , Krych Łukasz , Nielsen Dennis S. , Lauridsen Charlotte , Hartmann Bolette , Holst Jens J. , Burrin Douglas G. , Sangild Per T.
Published: July 2015

It is unclear when and how to start enteral feeding for preterm infants when mother's milk is not available. We hypothesized that early and slow advancement with either formula or bovine colostrum stimulates gut maturation and prevents necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm pigs, used as models for preterm infants. Pigs were given either total parenteral nutrition (TPN, n = 14) or slowly advancing volumes (16–64 ml·kg−1·day−1) of preterm infant formula (IF, n = 15) or bovine colostrum (BC, n = 13), both given as adjunct to parenteral nutrition. On day 5, both enteral diets increased intestinal mass (27 ± 1 vs. 22 ± 1 g/kg) and glucagon-like peptide 2 release, relative to TPN ( P < 0.05). The incidence of mild NEC lesions was higher in IF than BC and TPN pigs (60 vs. 0 and 15%, respectively, P < 0.05). Only the IF pigs showed reduced gastric emptying and gastric inhibitory polypeptide release, and increased tissue proinflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β and IL-8, P < 0.05) and expression of immune-related genes (AOAH, LBP, CXCL10, TLR2), relative to TPN. The IF pigs also showed reduced intestinal villus-to-crypt ratio, lactose digestion, and some plasma amino acids (Arg, Cit, Gln, Tyr, Val), and higher intestinal permeability, compared with BC pigs (all P < 0.05). Colonic microbiota analyses showed limited differences among groups. Early feeding with formula induces intestinal dysfunction whereas bovine colostrum supports gut maturation when mother's milk is absent during the first week after preterm birth. A diet-dependent feeding guideline may be required for newborn preterm infants.
Neonatal exposure to mild hyperoxia causes persistent increases in oxidative stress and immune cells in the lungs of mice without altering lung structure
Authors: Bouch Sheena , O'Reilly Megan , Harding Richard , Sozo Foula
Published: July 2015

Preterm infants often require supplemental oxygen due to lung immaturity, but hyperoxia can contribute to an increased risk of respiratory illness later in life. Our aim was to compare the effects of mild and moderate levels of neonatal hyperoxia on markers of pulmonary oxidative stress and inflammation and on lung architecture; both immediate and persistent effects were assessed. Neonatal mice (C57BL6/J) were raised in either room air (21% O2), mild (40% O2), or moderate (65% O2) hyperoxia from birth until postnatal day 7 (P7d). The mice were killed at either P7d (immediate effects) or lived in air until adulthood (P56d, persistent effects). We enumerated macrophages in lung tissue at P7d and immune cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at P56d. At P7d and P56d, we assessed pulmonary oxidative stress [ heme oxygenase-1 ( HO-1) and nitrotyrosine staining] and lung architecture. The data were interrogated for sex differences. At P7d, HO-1 gene expression was greater in the 65% O2group than in the 21% O2group. At P56d, the area of nitrotyrosine staining and number of immune cells were greater in the 40% O2and 65% O2groups relative to the 21% O2group. Exposure to 65% O2, but not 40% O2, led to larger alveoli and lower tissue fraction in the short term and to persistently fewer bronchiolar-alveolar attachments. Exposure to 40% O2or 65% O2causes persistent increases in pulmonary oxidative stress and immune cells, suggesting chronic inflammation within the adult lung. Unlike 65% O2, 40% O2does not affect lung architecture.
Sympathetic baroreflex gain in normotensive pregnant women
Authors: Usselman Charlotte W. , Skow Rachel J. , Matenchuk Brittany A. , Chari Radha S. , Julian Colleen G. , Stickland Michael K. , Davenport Margie H. , Steinback Craig D.
Published: July 2015

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity is increased during normotensive pregnancy while mean arterial pressure is maintained or reduced, suggesting baroreflex resetting. We hypothesized spontaneous sympathetic baroreflex gain would be reduced in normotensive pregnant women relative to nonpregnant matched controls. Integrated muscle sympathetic burst incidence and total sympathetic activity (microneurography), blood pressure (Finometer), and R-R interval (ECG) were assessed at rest in 11 pregnant women (33 ± 1 wk gestation, 31 ± 1 yr, prepregnancy BMI: 23.5 ± 0.9 kg/m2) and 11 nonpregnant controls (29 ± 1 yr; BMI: 25.2 ± 1.7 kg/m2). Pregnant women had elevated baseline sympathetic burst incidence (43 ± 2 vs. 33 ± 2 bursts/100 heart beats, P = 0.01) and total sympathetic activity (1,811 ± 148 vs. 1,140 ± 55 au, P < 0.01) relative to controls. Both mean (88 ± 3 vs. 91 ± 2 mmHg, P = 0.4) and diastolic (DBP) (72 ± 3 vs. 73 ± 2 mmHg, P = 0.7) pressures were similar between pregnant and nonpregnant women, respectively, indicating an upward resetting of the baroreflex set point with pregnancy. Baroreflex gain, calculated as the linear relationship between sympathetic burst incidence and DBP, was reduced in pregnant women relative to controls (−3.7 ± 0.5 vs. −5.4 ± 0.5 bursts·100 heart beats−1·mmHg−1, P = 0.03), as was baroreflex gain calculated with total sympathetic activity (−294 ± 24 vs. −210 ± 24 au·100 heart beats−1·mmHg−1; P = 0.03). Cardiovagal baroreflex gain (sequence method) was not different between nonpregnant controls and pregnant women (49 ± 8 vs. 36 ± 8 ms/mmHg; P = 0.2). However, sympathetic (burst incidence) and cardiovagal gains were negatively correlated in pregnant women ( R = −0.7; P = 0.02). Together, these data indicate that the influence of the sympathetic nervous system over arterial blood pressure is reduced in normotensive pregnancy, in terms of both long-term and beat-to-beat regulation of arterial pressure, likely through a baroreceptor-dependent mechanism.