bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Interval Knowledge Sharpen Forecasting Models? Evidence from China’s Typical Ports
Authors: Huang Anqiang , Lai Kin Keung , Qiao Han , Wang Shouyang , Zhang Zhenji
Published: December 2017

Substantial studies integrating experts’ point knowledge with statistical forecasting modes have been implemented to investigate a long-lasting and disputing issue which is whether or not expert knowledge could improve forecasting performance. However, a large body of current forecasting studies neglect the application of experts’ interval knowledge where experts are expected to be more competent, considering that humans do much better in fuzzy calculation like interval estimation than in accurate computation like point estimation. To fill in this gap, this paper first proposes a novel forecasting paradigm incorporating interval knowledge generated by a Delphi-based expert system into the SARIMA and SVR models. For validation purposes, the proposed paradigm is applied to several representative seaports from the top three dynamic economic regions in China. The empirical results clearly show that interval knowledge, following the proposed paradigm, significantly improves the forecasting performance. This finding implies that the proposed forecasting paradigm has the good potential to be an effective method for sharpening the statistical models for container throughput forecasting.
DFT investigation of the amino/imino proton transfer process of 2-amino-2-oxazolin-4-one in gas phase and solution
Authors: Safi Zaki S. , Al Hasanat Subhia J. , Wazzan Nuha A.
Published: December 2017

Density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP-6-311[Formula: see text]G(3df,2p)//6-311[Formula: see text]G(d,p) level of theory in the gas phase and solution was performed to investigate the relative stabilities of all possible tautomers of 2-amino-2-oxazolin-4-one. Five different paths have been proposed to investigate the amino/oxo [Formula: see text] imino/oxo proton transfer (PT) process. These paths are direct, mono-, di- and tri-water-assisted and self-assistance (dimerization) PT process. A clear catalytic effect has been observed when the introduction of water molecules and self-dimerization are taken place. Furthermore, barrier energies, equilibrium constants and reaction rate constants of the PT process between amine/oxo and imine/oxo tautomers of the self-assistance and in the presence of one, two and three water-assisted molecules were calculated. The computed activation barriers in the presence of water molecules are about 35–45 kcal/mol lower than those in the isolated case. In addition, the effective rate of the T1 [Formula: see text] T2 processes were also recorded, compared and discussed. Finally, time-dependent–DFT (TD–DFT) was performed to determine the electronic absorption spectra of all species under probe. A reasonable agreement with the available experiments was also achieved.
Characteristic initial value problem for spherically symmetric barotropic flow
Authors: Lisibach André
Published: December 2017

We study the equations of motion for a barotropic fluid in spherical symmetric flow. Making use of the Riemann invariants, we consider the characteristic form of these equations. In a first part, we show that the resulting constraint equations along characteristics can be solved globally away from the center of symmetry. In a second part, given data on two intersecting characteristics, we show existence and uniqueness of a smooth solution in a neighborhood in the future of these characteristics.
An extension of Bakhvalov’s theorem for systems of conservation laws with damping
Authors: Frid Hermano
Published: December 2017

For [Formula: see text] systems of conservation laws satisfying Bakhvalov conditions, we present a class of damping terms that still yield the existence of global solutions with periodic initial data of possibly large bounded total variation per period. We also address the question of the decay of the periodic solution. As applications, we consider the systems of isentropic gas dynamics, with pressure obeying a [Formula: see text]-law, for the physical range [Formula: see text], and also for the “non-physical” range [Formula: see text], both in the classical Lagrangian and Eulerian formulation, and in the relativistic setting. We give complete details for the case [Formula: see text], and also analyze the general case when [Formula: see text] is small. Further, our main result also establishes the decay of the periodic solution.
Oddness of residually reducible Galois representations
Authors: Berger Tobias
Published: December 2017

We show that suitable congruences between polarized automorphic forms over a CM field always produce elements in the Selmer group for exactly the ±-Asai (aka tensor induction) representation that is critical in the sense of Deligne. For this, we relate the oddness of the associated polarized Galois representations (in the sense of the Bellaïche-Chenevier sign being [Formula: see text]) to the parity condition for criticality. Under an assumption similar to Vandiver’s conjecture this also provides evidence for the Fontaine–Mazur conjecture for residually reducible polarized Galois representations.
Algebraic solutions of differential equations over ℙ1 −{0,1,∞}
Authors: Tang Yunqing
Published: December 2017

The Grothendieck–Katz [Formula: see text]-curvature conjecture predicts that an arithmetic differential equation whose reduction modulo [Formula: see text] has vanishing [Formula: see text]-curvatures for almost all [Formula: see text] has finite monodromy. It is known that it suffices to prove the conjecture for differential equations on [Formula: see text] We prove a variant of this conjecture for [Formula: see text] which asserts that if the equation satisfies a certain convergence condition for all [Formula: see text] then its monodromy is trivial. For those [Formula: see text] for which the [Formula: see text]-curvature makes sense, its vanishing implies our condition. We deduce from this a description of the differential Galois group of the equation in terms of [Formula: see text]-curvatures and certain local monodromy groups. We also prove similar variants of the [Formula: see text]-curvature conjecture for an elliptic curve with [Formula: see text]-invariant [Formula: see text] minus its identity and for [Formula: see text].
Complex powers of eta-function
Authors: Zuevsky Alexander
Published: December 2017

We derive a formula for complex powers of the [Formula: see text]-function using the identities for a vertex operator algebra correlation functions in terms of [Formula: see text]-functions obtained in the self-sewing procedure of the torus to form a genus two Riemann surface.
On Waring–Goldbach problem for unlike powers
Authors: Li Jinjiang , Zhang Min
Published: December 2017

Let [Formula: see text] denote an almost-prime with at most [Formula: see text] prime factors, counted according to multiplicity. In this paper, it is proved that, for [Formula: see text] and for every sufficiently large even integer [Formula: see text], the equation [Formula: see text] is solvable with [Formula: see text] being an almost-prime [Formula: see text] and the other variables primes, which constitutes an extension upon that of Lü.
Turing patterns in a reaction–diffusion epidemic model
Authors: Jia Yanfei , Cai Yongli , Shi Hongbo , Fu Shengmao , Wang Weiming
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of a reaction–diffusion epidemic model with zero-flux boundary conditions. The value of our study lies in two aspects: mathematically, by using maximum principle and the linearized stability theory, a priori estimates of the steady state system and the local asymptotic stability of positive constant solution are given. By using the implicit function theorem, the existence and nonexistence of nonconstant positive steady states are shown. Applying the bifurcation theory, the global bifurcation structure of nonconstant positive steady states is established. Epidemiologically, through numerical simulations, under the conditions of the existence of nonconstant positive steady states, we find that the smaller the space, the easier the pattern formation; the bigger the diffusion, the easier the pattern formation. These results are beneficial to disease control, that is, we must do our best to control the diffusion of the infectious to avoid disease outbreak.
Investigation of Sr1-xCaxTiO3 ceramics dedicated to high-frequency lead-free components
Authors: Laasri H. Ait , Fasquelle D. , Tachafine A. , Tentillier N. , Costa L. C. , Elaatmani M. , Outzourhit A. , Carru J.-C.
Published: December 2017

Lead–free Sr[Formula: see text]CaxTiO3 ([Formula: see text]) ceramics were synthesized via a solid state reaction technique at room temperature. The effects of ionic substitutions in A-sites between strontium and calcium on the structural and dielectric properties were investigated. XRD technique was used to identify the crystal structure and to demonstrate the phase purity. SEM observations have shown homogeneous morphologies for all samples. Dielectric measurements were investigated for a wide range of frequency (100[Formula: see text]Hz–1[Formula: see text]GHz) and temperature (25[Formula: see text]C–250[Formula: see text]C). Strontium substitution by calcium has not only led to a decrease in the dielectric permittivity value, but also to the loss tangent value by a considerable factor. Interesting values of the quality factor and the quite constant value [Formula: see text] in extended frequency and temperature ranges show that SCT ceramic could be a real candidate for the development of monolithic ceramic capacitors dedicated to high-frequency lead-free components and/or to extremely high-temperature environments.
Performance Comparison of a Vapor-Adsorption Cycle-Based Gas Turbine Inlet Air Cooling System for Different Refrigerants
Authors: Panyam Varuneswara Reddy , Kolla Veda Sai , Palawat Lokesh , Sahu Ayush , Banker N. D.
Published: December 2017

Presently, to enhance the thermal efficiency of a gas turbine power plant, turbine inlet air cooling (TIAC) is the widely used technique. The conventional refrigeration methods like vapor compression refrigeration and evaporative cooling need electric power, hence absorption and adsorption refrigeration systems are attractive options as they can be powered using the waste heat energy of the exhaust gases. Adsorption system has advantages over absorption system like scalability, requirement of lower heat source temperature, absence of corrosion and crystallization. This paper focuses on the thermodynamic analysis of waste heat powered adsorption chiller used for the cooling of intake air to enhance the net power output of the gas turbine power plant. This paper also presents a comparative analysis of the vapor-adsorption cycle-based TIAC system for four different refrigerants viz. HFC-134a, carbon dioxide, ethanol and ammonia with the motive of finding a substitute refrigerant for HFC-134a which has a high global warming potential (GWP). The adsorption chiller is mathematically modeled in MATLAB with activated carbon as the adsorbent and each one of carbon dioxide, ethanol and ammonia as the adsorbate. The variation of the coefficient of performance (COP) and specific cooling effect (SCE) with varying adsorption temperatures is presented for each pair. The net power output and primary energy rate (PER) improvement of the gas turbine power plant at different ambient temperatures are also discussed. It is observed that ammonia can improve the power plant performance significantly better compared to the other three refrigerants at ambient temperatures less than 40[Formula: see text]C.
Perturbations of NAD+salvage systems impact mitochondrial function and energy homeostasis in mouse myoblasts and intact skeletal muscle
Authors: Agerholm Marianne , Dall Morten , Jensen Benjamin A. H. , Prats Clara , Madsen Søren , Basse Astrid L. , Graae Anne-Sofie , Risis Steve , Goldenbaum Julie , Quistorff Bjørn , Larsen Steen , Vienberg Sara G. , Treebak Jonas T.
Published: December 2017

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) can be synthesized by nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT). We aimed to determine the role of NAMPT in maintaining NAD+levels, mitochondrial function, and metabolic homeostasis in skeletal muscle cells. We generated stable Nampt knockdown (sh Nampt KD) C2C12 cells using a shRNA lentiviral approach. Moreover, we applied gene electrotransfer to express Cre recombinase in tibialis anterior muscle of floxed Nampt mice. In sh Nampt KD C2C12 myoblasts, Nampt and NAD+levels were reduced by 70% and 50%, respectively, and maximal respiratory capacity was reduced by 25%. Moreover, anaerobic glycolytic flux increased by 55%, and 2-deoxyglucose uptake increased by 25% in sh Nampt KD cells. Treatment with the NAD+precursor nicotinamide riboside restored NAD+levels in sh Nampt cells and increased maximal respiratory capacity by 18% and 32% in control and sh Nampt KD cells, respectively. Expression of Cre recombinase in muscle of floxed Nampt mice reduced NAMPT and NAD+levels by 38% and 43%, respectively. Glucose uptake increased by 40%, and mitochondrial complex IV respiration was compromised by 20%. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α-regulated genes and histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) acetylation, a known sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) target, were increased in shNampt KD cells. Thus, we propose that the shift toward glycolytic metabolism observed, at least in part, is mediated by the SIRT6/HIF1α axis. Our findings suggest that NAMPT plays a key role for maintaining NAD+levels in skeletal muscle and that NAMPT deficiency compromises oxidative phosphorylation capacity and alters energy homeostasis in this tissue.
Increased body fat mass explains the positive association between circulating estradiol and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women
Authors: Marchand Geneviève B. , Carreau Anne-Marie , Weisnagel S. John , Bergeron Jean , Labrie Fernand , Lemieux Simone , Tchernof André
Published: December 2017

The relationship between circulating estrogen levels and cardiometabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance is unclear in postmenopausal women. High estradiol (E2) levels have been reported to predict increased risk of type 2 diabetes in this population. We aimed to examine associations among estrogen levels, adiposity measurements, and cardiometabolic risk variables including insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. One hundred-one healthy participants (mean ± SD: age 57 ± 4 yr, BMI 27.9 ± 4.8 kg/m2) were included in the analysis. Fifteen plasma steroids or metabolites were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Insulin sensitivity was assessed with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Body composition and fat distribution were determined with hydrostatic weighing and computed tomography, respectively. Blood lipids and circulating cytokines were also measured. Circulating E2was positively correlated with all adiposity indexes ( r = 0.62 to 0.42, P < 0.0001) except waist-to-hip ratio. E2was positively correlated with VLDL-cholesterol, plasma-, VLDL-, and HDL-triglyceride levels ( r = 0.31 to 0.24, P < 0.02) as well as with hs-CRP and IL-6 ( r = 0.52 and 0.29, P < 0.005) and negatively with HDL-cholesterol, adiponectin, and insulin sensitivity ( r = −0.36 to −0.20, P < 0.02). With adjustments for percent body fat, correlations between E2and metabolic risk variables were no longer significant. Similar results were observed for circulating estrone (E1) and estrone-sulfate (E1-S) levels. In conclusion, circulating estrogen concentrations are proportional to adipose mass in postmenopausal women, although they remain in the low range. Insulin resistance as well as altered blood lipids and cytokines are observed when circulating estrogen levels are high within that range, but these differences are explained by concomitant variation in total adiposity.
Knee Fat Pad Volumes in Patients with Hemophilia and Their Relationship with Osteoarthritis
Authors: von Drygalski Annette , Rappazzo Katherine C. , Barnes Richard F. W. , Chang Eric Y.
Published: December 2017

Hemophilic arthropathy is a progressive, disabling condition with poorly understood pathobiology. Since there is an emerging interest to study the role of intra-articular fat pad size and biology in arthritic conditions, we explored fat pad volume changes in hemophilic arthropathy and to what extent they differed from osteoarthritis. We matched a cohort of 13 adult patients with hemophilic arthropathy of the knee with age- and gender-matched cohorts without osteoarthritis (“control cohort”) and with the same degree of radiographic osteoarthritis (“OA cohort”) in 1 : 2 fashion. Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) and suprapatellar fat pad (SPFP) volumes were calculated based on magnetic resonance imaging and differences in fat pad volumes, demographics, height, weight, and osteoarthritis scores were evaluated. Fat pad volumes were positively associated with body size parameters in all three cohorts but were unaffected by the degree of osteoarthritis. While IPFP volumes did not differ between cohorts, SPFP volumes expanded disproportionally with weight in hemophilia patients. Our observations indicate that IPFPs and SPFPs behave biologically differently in response to different arthritic stimuli. The exaggerated expansion of the SPFP in hemophilia patients highlights the importance of further studying the implications of fat pad biology for progression of hemophilic arthropathy.
Opinion Dynamics of Social-Similarity-Based Hegselmann–Krause Model
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhang Xiao , Xie Yong , Li Wei
Published: December 2017

The existing opinion dynamics models mainly concentrate on the impact of opinions on other opinions and ignore the effect of the social similarity between individuals. Social similarity between an individual and their neighbors will also affect their opinions in real life. Therefore, an opinion evolution model considering social similarity (social-similarity-based HK model, SSHK model for short) is introduced in this paper. Social similarity is calculated using individual properties and is used to measure the social relationship between individuals. By considering the joint effect of confidence bounds and social similarity in this model, the role of neighbors’ selection is changed significantly in the process of the evolution of opinions. Numerical results demonstrate that the new model can not only obtain the salient features of the opinion result, namely, fragmentation, polarization, and consensus, but also achieve consensus more easily under the appropriate similarity threshold. In addition, the improved model with heterogeneous and homogeneous confidence bounds and similarity thresholds are also discussed. We found that the improved heterogeneous SSHK model could acquire opinion consensus results more easily than the homogeneous SSHK model and the classical models when the confidence bound was related to the similarity threshold. This finding provides a new way of thinking and a theoretical basis for the guidance of public opinion in real life.
Optimal Investment Timing and Size of a Logistics Park: A Real Options Perspective
Authors: Zhang Dezhi , Jiang Jiehui , Li Shuangyan , Li Xiamiao , Zhan Qingwen
Published: December 2017

This paper uses a real options approach to address optimal timing and size of a logistics park investment with logistics demand volatility. Two important problems are examined: when should an investment be introduced, and what size should it be? A real option model is proposed to explicitly incorporate the effect of government subsidies on logistics park investment. Logistic demand that triggers the threshold for investment in a logistics park project is explored analytically. Comparative static analyses of logistics park investment are also carried out. Our analytical results show that (1) investors will select smaller sized logistics parks and prepone the investment if government subsidies are considered; (2) the real option will postpone the optimal investment timing of logistics parks compared with net present value approach; and (3) logistic demands can significantly affect the optimal investment size and timing of logistics park investment.
The Stiffness Calculation and Optimization for the Variable Stiffness Load Torque Simulation System
Authors: Ji Zhe , Yao Xiaoxian , Liang Zuobao
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a novel design for a variable stiffness load torque simulation system. The system is applied to the load torque on a rudder in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop system (HILS). Compared with the traditional loading method, in which unavoidable additional torque exists, the variable stiffness loading system employs a “first decomposed and then coupled” approach to output the load torque and to significantly reduce the additional torque. Based on experimental data obtained from a wind tunnel test, a calculation method is proposed to determine the loading parameters of the variable stiffness loading system. Since the load stiffness is related to a variety of factors, the stiffness values obtained from wind tunnel test data, such as the fixed Mach number and the rudder deflection angle, are not definite values. By analyzing the influencing factors of the loading parameters, an optimal set of load stiffness is obtained using an optimization algorithm, and exact tracking of the load torque is achieved. Using the calculation method to obtain a loading torque for the rudder as an example, the torque tracking error is less than 0.05 Nm. The simulation results indicate that the proposed calculation method for variable stiffness loading is effective.
Control Effort Strategies for Acoustically Coupled Distributed Acoustic Nodes
Authors: Antoñanzas Christian , Ferrer Miguel , de Diego Maria , Gonzalez Alberto
Published: December 2017

This paper considers the effect of effort constraints on the behavior of an active noise control (ANC) system over a distributed network composed of acoustic nodes. A distributed implementation can be desirable in order to provide more flexible, versatile, and scalable ANC systems. In this regard, the distributed version of the multiple error filtered-x least mean square (DMEFxLMS) algorithm that allows collaboration between nodes has shown excellent properties. However, practical constraints need to be considered since, in real scenarios, the acoustic nodes are equipped with power constrained actuators. If these constraints are not considered within the adaptive algorithm, the control signals may increase and saturate the hardware devices, causing system instability. To avoid this drawback, a control effort weighting can be considered in the cost function of the distributed algorithm at each node. Therefore, a control effort strategy over the output signals at each node is used to keep them under a given threshold and ensuring the distributed ANC system stability. Experimental results show that, assuming ideal network communications, the proposed distributed algorithm achieves the same performance as the leaky centralized ANC system. A performance evaluation of several versions of the leaky DMEFxLMS algorithm in realistic scenarios is also included.
Distributed Optimization Methods for Nonconvex Problems with Inequality Constraints over Time-Varying Networks
Authors: Li Jueyou , Gu Chuanye , Wu Zhiyou , Wu Changzhi
Published: December 2017

Network-structured optimization problems are found widely in engineering applications. In this paper, we investigate a nonconvex distributed optimization problem with inequality constraints associated with a time-varying multiagent network, in which each agent is allowed to locally access its own cost function and collaboratively minimize a sum of nonconvex cost functions for all the agents in the network. Based on successive convex approximation techniques, we first approximate locally the nonconvex problem by a sequence of strongly convex constrained subproblems. In order to realize distributed computation, we then exploit the exact penalty function method to transform the sequence of convex constrained subproblems into unconstrained ones. Finally, a fully distributed method is designed to solve the unconstrained subproblems. The convergence of the proposed algorithm is rigorously established, which shows that the algorithm can converge asymptotically to a stationary solution of the problem under consideration. Several simulation results are illustrated to show the performance of the proposed method.
Dynamical Analysis of a Class of Prey-Predator Model with Beddington-DeAngelis Functional Response, Stochastic Perturbation, and Impulsive Toxicant Input
Authors: Bian Feifei , Zhao Wencai , Song Yi , Yue Rong
Published: December 2017

A stochastic prey-predator system in a polluted environment with Beddington-DeAngelis functional response is proposed and analyzed. Firstly, for the system with white noise perturbation, by analyzing the limit system, the existence of boundary periodic solutions and positive periodic solutions is proved and the sufficient conditions for the existence of boundary periodic solutions and positive periodic solutions are derived. And then for the stochastic system, by introducing Markov regime switching, the sufficient conditions for extinction or persistence of such system are obtained. Furthermore, we proved that the system is ergodic and has a stationary distribution when the concentration of toxicant is a positive constant. Finally, two examples with numerical simulations are carried out in order to illustrate the theoretical results.
The Importance of Surface-Binding Site towards Starch-Adsorptivity Level in α-Amylase: A Review on Structural Point of View
Authors: Baroroh Umi , Yusuf Muhammad , Rachman Saadah Diana , Ishmayana Safri , Syamsunarno Mas Rizky A. A. , Levita Jutti , Subroto Toto
Published: December 2017

Starch is a polymeric carbohydrate composed of glucose. As a source of energy, starch can be degraded by various amylolytic enzymes, including α-amylase. In a large-scale industry, starch processing cost is still expensive due to the requirement of high temperature during the gelatinization step. Therefore, α-amylase with raw starch digesting ability could decrease the energy cost by avoiding the high gelatinization temperature. It is known that the carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) and the surface-binding site (SBS) of α-amylase could facilitate the substrate binding to the enzyme’s active site to enhance the starch digestion. These sites are a noncatalytic module, which could interact with a lengthy substrate such as insoluble starch. The major interaction between these sites and the substrate is the CH/pi-stacking interaction with the glucose ring. Several mutation studies on the Halothermothrix orenii, SusG Bacteroides thetaiotamicron, Barley, Aspergillus niger, and Saccharomycopsis fibuligera α-amylases have revealed that the stacking interaction through the aromatic residues at the SBS is essential to the starch adsorption. In this review, the SBS in various α-amylases is also presented. Therefore, based on the structural point of view, SBS is suggested as an essential site in α-amylase to increase its catalytic activity, especially towards the insoluble starch.
A Structured Review of Quantitative Models of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Authors: Franco Carlos , Alfonso-Lizarazo Edgar
Published: December 2017

The aim of this review is to identify and provide a structured overview of quantitative models in the pharmaceutical supply chain, a subject not exhaustively studied in the previous reviews on healthcare logistics related mostly to quantitative models in healthcare or logistics studies in hospitals. The models are classified into three categories of classification: network design, inventory models, and optimization of a pharmaceutical supply chain. A taxonomy for each category is shown describing the principal features of each echelon included in the review; this taxonomy allows the readers to identify easily a paper based on the actors of the pharmaceutical supply chain. The search process included research articles published in the databases between 1984 and November 2016. In total 46 studies were included. In the review process we found that in the three fields the most common source of uncertainty used is the demand in the 56% of the cases. Within the review process we can conclude that most of the articles in the literature are focused on the optimization of the pharmaceutical supply chain and inventory models but the field on supply chain network design is not deeply studied.
Prevalence of Anemia in Pediatric IBD Patients and Impact on Disease Severity: Results of the Pediatric IBD-Registry CEDATA-GPGE®
Authors: Laffolie Jan de , Laass Martin W. , Scholz Dietmar , Zimmer Klaus-Peter , Buderus Stephan , CEDATA-GPGE Study Group
Published: December 2017

Aim. To determine the prevalence of anemia and its association with disease severity in children and adolescents with IBD. Methods. CEDATA-GPGE is a registry for pediatric patients with IBD in Germany and Austria from 90 specialized centers. As markers of disease severity, analysis included patient self-assessment on a Likert scale (1–5; 1 = very good) and physicians’ general assessment (0 = no activity to 4 = severe disease) and the disease indices. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration below the 3rd percentile. Results. Prevalence of anemia was 65.2% in CD and 60.2% in UC. Anemic CD and UC patients showed significantly worse self-assessment than patients without anemia (average ± standard deviation; CD: 3.0 ± 0.9 versus 2.5 ± 0.9, p<0.0001; UC: 2.9 ± 0.9 versus 2.3 ± 0.9, p<0.0001). Accordingly, physicians’ general assessment (PGA) was significantly worse in anemic than in nonanemic patients in CD (p<0.0001) and UC (p<0.0001). PCDAI in anemic CD, p<0.0001, and PUCAI in anemic UC patients, p<0.0001, were significantly higher than in nonanemic patients. 40.0% of anemic CD and 47.8% of anemic UC patients received iron during follow-up. Conclusion. Almost 2/3 of pediatric IBD patients are anemic. Patients’ self-assessment and disease severity as determined by PGA and activity indices are worse in anemic patients. Contrastingly, only a minority received iron therapy.
Factors Influencing Burnout Syndrome in Obstetrics and Gynecology Physicians
Authors: Iorga Magdalena , Socolov Vladimir , Muraru Diana , Dirtu Catalin , Soponaru Camelia , Ilea Ciprian , Socolov Demetra-Gabriela
Published: December 2017

Aim. To identify the influence of environmental, personality, and alexithymia factors on burnout syndrome among obstetrics and gynecology physicians. Material and Methods. A total of 116 physicians (35 men and 81 women) completed questionnaires and sociodemographic data sheets. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Big Five Inventory, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale were used to measure burnout, innate personality traits, and alexithymia, respectively. The t-test and Pearson correlations were used for other measurements. Results. Of the 116 study physicians, 12.9% have suffered or still suffer from depression and 35.3% have had or still have problems related to insomnia. Regarding emotional exhaustion and depersonalization factors, men obtained lower scores than women (18.73±13.48 versus 24.14±11.71 for emotional exhaustion; 5.97±5.45 versus 7.70±5.29 for depersonalization). Self-reported depression was related to higher scores for all 3 domains, to higher total scores for alexithymia and neuroticism, and to lower scores for extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness. Residents and consultants had markedly different scores. Conclusion. The results of this study will help obstetrics and gynecology physicians cope with professional burnout and to consider personality traits, alexithymia domains, and environmental factors when finding strategies to cope with their professional stress.
Emerging Role of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology for MicroRNAs Editing in Cancer Research
Authors: Aquino-Jarquin Guillermo
Published: December 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small, noncoding RNA molecules with a master role in the regulation of important tasks in different critical processes of cancer pathogenesis. Because there are different miRNAs implicated in all the stages of cancer, for example, functioning as oncogenes, this makes these small molecules suitable targets for cancer diagnosis and therapy. RNA-mediated interference has been one major approach for sequence-specific regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic organisms. Recently, the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 system, first identified in bacteria and archaea as an adaptive immune response to invading genetic material, has been explored as a sequence-specific molecular tool for editing genomic sequences for basic research in life sciences and for therapeutic purposes. There is growing evidence that small noncoding RNAs, including miRNAs, can be targeted by the CRISPR/Cas9 system despite their lacking an open reading frame to evaluate functional loss. Thus, CRISPR/Cas9 technology represents a novel gene-editing strategy with compelling robustness, specificity, and stability for the modification of miRNA expression. Here, I summarize key features of current knowledge of genomic editing by CRISPR/Cas9 technology as a feasible strategy for globally interrogating miRNA gene function and miRNA-based therapeutic intervention. Alternative emerging strategies for nonviral delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 core components into human cells in a clinical context are also analyzed critically. Cancer Res; 77(24); 6812–7. ©2017 AACR.
Inhibition of ID1–BMPR2 Intrinsic Signaling Sensitizes Glioma Stem Cells to Differentiation Therapy
Authors: Jin Xiong , Jin Xun , Kim Leo J.Y. , Dixit Deobrat , Jeon Hee-Young , Kim Eun-Jung , Kim Jun-Kyum , Lee Seon Yong , Yin Jinlong , Rich Jeremy N. , Kim Hyunggee
Published: December 2017

Purpose: Normal stem cells tightly control self-renewal and differentiation during development, but their neoplastic counterparts, cancer stem cells (CSCs), sustain tumorigenicity both through aberrant activation of stemness and evasion of differentiation. Although regulation of CSC stemness has been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms suppressing differentiation remain unclear.

Experimental Design: We performed in silico screening and in vitro validation studies through Western blotting, qRT-PCR for treatment of WNT and SHH signaling inhibitors, and BMP signaling inducer with control and ID1-overexpressing cells. We also performed in vivo drug treatment assays with Balb/c nude mice.

Results: Inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) abrogated differentiation signals from bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR) signaling in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) to promote self-renewal. ID1 inhibited BMPR2 expression through miRNAs, miR-17 and miR-20a, which are transcriptional targets of MYC. ID1 increases MYC expression by activating WNT and SHH signaling. Combined pharmacologic blockade of WNT and SHH signaling with BMP treatment significantly suppressed GSC self-renewal and extended survival of tumor-bearing mice.

Conclusions: Collectively, our results suggested that ID1 simultaneously regulates stemness through WNT and SHH signaling and differentiation through BMPR-mediated differentiation signaling in GSCs, informing a novel therapeutic strategy of combinatorial targeting of stemness and differentiation. Clin Cancer Res; 24(2); 383–94. ©2017 AACR.
CXCR4 Is a Potential Target for Diagnostic PET/CT Imaging in Barrett's Dysplasia and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Fang Hsin-Yu , Münch Natasha Stephens , Schottelius Margret , Ingermann Jonas , Liu Haibo , Schauer Michael , Stangl Stefan , Multhoff Gabriele , Steiger Katja , Gerngroß Carlos , Jesinghaus Moritz , Weichert Wilko , Kühl Anja A. , Sepulveda Antonia R. , Wester Hans-Jürgen , Wang Timothy C. , Quante Michael
Published: December 2017

Purpose: Barrett's esophagus represents an early stage in carcinogenesis leading to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Considerable evidence supports a major role for chronic inflammation and diverse chemokine pathways in the development of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Experimental Design: Here we utilized an IL1β transgenic mouse model of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma and human patient imaging to analyze the importance of CXCR4-expressing cells during esophageal carcinogenesis.

Results: IL1β overexpression induces chronic esophageal inflammation and recapitulates the progression to Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. CXCR4 expression is increased in both epithelial and immune cells during disease progression in pL2-IL1β mice and also elevated in esophageal adenocarcinoma patient biopsy samples. Specific recruitment of CXCR4-positive (CXCR4+) immune cells correlated with dysplasia progression, suggesting that this immune population may be a key contributor to esophageal carcinogenesis. Similarly, with progression to dysplasia, there were increased numbers of CXCR4+ columnar epithelial cells at the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ). These findings were supported by stronger CXCR4-related signal intensity in ex vivo fluorescence imaging and autoradiography with advanced dysplasia. Pilot CXCR4-directed PET/CT imaging studies in patients with esophageal cancer demonstrate the potential utility of CXCR4 imaging for the diagnosis and staging of esophageal cancer.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the recruitment of CXCR4+ immune cells and expansion of CXCR4+ epithelial cells in esophageal dysplasia and cancer highlight the potential of CXCR4 as a biomarker and molecular target for diagnostic imaging of the tumor microenvironment in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1048–61. ©2017 AACR.
Biomarkers of Primary Resistance to Trastuzumab in HER2-Positive Metastatic Gastric Cancer Patients: the AMNESIA Case-Control Study
Authors: Pietrantonio Filippo , Fucà Giovanni , Morano Federica , Gloghini Annunziata , Corso Simona , Aprile Giuseppe , Perrone Federica , De Vita Ferdinando , Tamborini Elena , Tomasello Gianluca , Gualeni Ambra Vittoria , Ongaro Elena , Busico Adele , Giommoni Elisa , Volpi Chiara Costanza , Laterza Maria Maddalena , Corallo Salvatore , Prisciandaro Michele , Antista Maria , Pellegrinelli Alessandro , Castagnoli Lorenzo , Pupa Serenella M. , Pruneri Giancarlo , de Braud Filippo , Giordano Silvia , Cremolini Chiara , Di Bartolomeo Maria
Published: December 2017

Purpose: Refining the selection of HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer patient candidates for trastuzumab is a challenge of precision oncology. Preclinical studies have suggested several genomic mechanisms of primary resistance, leading to activation of tyrosine kinase receptors other than HER2 or downstream signaling pathways.

Experimental Design: We carried out this multicenter, prospective, case-control study to demonstrate the negative predictive impact of a panel of candidate genomic alterations (AMNESIA panel), including EGFR/MET/KRAS/PI3K/PTEN mutations and EGFR/MET/KRAS amplifications. Hypothesizing a prevalence of candidate alterations of 30% and 0% in resistant and sensitive HER2-positive patients, respectively, 20 patients per group were needed.

Results: AMNESIA panel alterations were significantly more frequent in resistant (11 of 20, 55%) as compared with sensitive (0% of 17) patients (P < 0.001), and in HER2 IHC 2+ (7 of 13, 53.8%) than 3+ (4 of 24, 16.7%) tumors (P = 0.028). Patients with tumors bearing no candidate alterations had a significantly longer median progression-free [5.2 vs. 2.6 months; HR, 0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.07–0.48; P = 0.001] and overall survival (16.1 vs. 7.6 months; HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.09–0.75; P = 0.015). The predictive accuracy of the AMNESIA panel and HER2 IHC was 76% and 65%, respectively. The predictive accuracy of the combined evaluation of the AMNESIA panel and HER2 IHC was 84%.

Conclusions: Our panel of candidate genomic alterations may be clinically useful to predict primary resistance to trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer and should be further validated with the aim of molecularly stratifying HER2-addicted cancers for the development of novel treatment strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1082–9. ©2017 AACR.
CNS Endothelial Cell Activation Emerges as a Driver of CAR T Cell–Associated Neurotoxicity
Authors: Mackall Crystal L. , Miklos David B.
Published: December 2017

Summary: Central nervous system (CNS) toxicity associated with chimeric antigen receptor–based therapeutics has emerged as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and insights into the pathophysiology of this syndrome have been lacking. A new study provides evidence that cytokine-induced CNS endothelial cell activation leading to disruption of the blood–brain barrier plays an early and critical role in this phenomenon. These insights provide new opportunities for targeted therapeutic interventions to modulate endothelial cell activation. Cancer Discov; 7(12); 1371–3. ©2017 AACR.

See related article by Gust et al., p. 1404.
Predicting Relapse with Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis in Lung Cancer
Authors: Comino-Mendez Iñaki , Turner Nicholas
Published: December 2017

Summary: Advances in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis are revealing new treatment strategies for patients with cancer. Detection of residual disease with ctDNA analysis predicts relapse with high accuracy after treatment for early-stage lung cancer. Cancer Discov; 7(12); 1368–70. ©2017 AACR.

See related article by Chaudhuri et al., p. 1394.
Follow-Up of Asymptomatic High-Risk Patients with Normal Cervical Length to Predict Recurrence of Preterm Birth
Authors: Caradeux Javier , Murillo Clara , Julià Carla , Escura Silvia , Ferrero Silvia , Cobo Teresa , Gratacós Eduard , Palacio Montse
Published: December 2017

Background: A midtrimester cervical length (CL) <25 mm is associated with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). However, as CL ≥25 mm is not enough to exclude recurrence in high-risk patients, follow-up CL measurement later in pregnancy has been proposed. Objectives: To evaluate whether CL measurement at 26±1 weeks in asymptomatic high-risk patients improves the prediction of sPTB recurrence. Methods: A retrospective cohort of high-risk women because of previous sPTB was analyzed. Patients with a CL ≥25 mm at 20±1 weeks and subsequent CL measurement at 26±1 weeks were included. The exclusion criteria were incomplete follow-up, any treatment before CL assessments, and medically indicated preterm birth. The association and predictive performance of CL at 26±1 weeks for sPTB was studied. Results: Of 131 patients with a CL measurement at 26±1 weeks, 19 and 4.6% presented sPTB before 37 and 34 weeks, respectively. The rate of sPTB before 37 weeks was higher in women with a CL <25 mm (37.5 vs. 16.5%, RR 2.3 [1.07–4.8], p = 0.045), although the detection rate of CL at 26±1 weeks to predict sPTB before 37 weeks was 24% (95% CI 10–46%). The performance did not improve regardless of the selected cutoff. Conclusions: In asymptomatic high-risk patients, CL <25 mm at 26±1 weeks is associated with higher risk of sPTB. However, the prediction of recurrence by CL was low and did not improve, regardless of the selected cutoff.
Resveratrol Does Not Protect from Ischemia-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in an in Vivo Rat Model
Authors: Bienholz Anja , Mae Pang Rahel , Guberina Hana , Rauen Ursula , Witzke Oliver , Wilde Benjamin , Petrat Frank , Feldkamp Thorsten , Kribben Andreas
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: The natural polyphenol resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to ameliorate ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced damage. Therefore, a rat model of I/R-induced AKI equipped with intensive monitoring was utilized to examine direct renal protection by RSV in vivo. Methods: AKI was induced by bilateral renal clamping (45 min) followed by reperfusion (3 h). Solvent-free RSV was continuously infused intravenously (0.056 and 0.28 mg/kg) in a total volume of 7 ml/kg/h starting from 30 min before renal clamping. At a mean arterial blood pressure below 70 mmHg for more than 5 min, bolus injections of 0.5 ml 0.9% NaCl solution were administered repetitively (max. 5 ml/kg/h). Results: No differences could be found between normoxic control groups with/without RSV. Bilateral renal clamping and subsequent reperfusion caused a progressive rise in creatinine, cystatin C, and CK, a decrease in cellular ATP content and diuresis. Infusion of RSV increased sirtuin 1 expression after ischemia/reperfusion and was associated with decreased blood pressure during ischemia and early reperfusion accompanied by an increased requirement of bolus injections as well as with increased expression of TNFα. Conclusion: RSV did not exert protective effects on I/R-induced AKI in the present short-term in vivo rat model. The lack of protection is potentially connected to aggravation of blood pressure instability.
Discos em construção – Etnografia dentro de estúdios
Authors: Del Picchia Paulo Menotti
Published: December 2017

Neste artigo, apresento uma etnografia musical de processos de produçãode discos dentro de estúdios paulistanos, descrevendo e discutindo as práticascriativas observadas. Entre 2011 e 2013, pude acompanhar de perto ostrabalhos de três artistas ativos na cena musical paulistana contemporânea: TatáAeroplano, Rodrigo Campos e Kiko Dinucci. Trago aqui as experiências etnográficasdo disco Tatá Aeroplano e do disco Metal-Metal. Procurei delimitar osaspectos mais significativos que caracterizam o fazer musical desse grupo sonoro,fornecendo indícios para uma reconfiguração do disco como objeto artístico nocenário musical contemporâneo. O disco emerge como agente social que transforma a vida dos artistas.
“Desmanche”: notas sobre as disputas em torno da legitimidade das políticas LGBT no Brasil
Authors: Zanoli Vinícius Pedro Correia , Falcão Thiago Henrique de Oliveira
Published: December 2017

Este artigo baseia-se em pesquisas sobre políticas municipais LGBTem Campinas. A metodologia empregada congrega observação participante, análisedocumental e entrevistas com gestores e ativistas municipais. Aqui, apresentamosa criação da primeira política pública brasileira a oferecer assistência social,jurídica e psicológica para LGBT, o Centro de Referência LGBT de Campinas.Em um olhar sobre essa e outras políticas municipais, iluminadas pelo contextonacional mais amplo, buscamos entender de que forma um serviço com menorlegitimidade política e social atua em um contexto de disputa do lugar socialda homossexualidade entre diversos atores sociais. Argumentamos, assim, queo caso campineiro é elucidativo do que ocorre com as políticas LGBT no Brasil.Ainda que exista um processo de implementação de algumas políticas, elastrouxeram poucos resultados concretos, ao que se soma a resistência em forma deprojetos de lei que visam barrar o processo de constituição dos LGBT enquantosujeitos de direito.
Fuga como estratégia: notas sobre sexualidade, parentesco e emoções entre pessoas mbya
Authors: Pissolato Elizabeth de Paula
Published: December 2017

No presente texto, focalizo a fuga como estratégia utilizada com frequênciapor mulheres e homens mbya na atualização de vínculos sexuais-afetivos.Fugir (-java) de um relacionamento ou fugir com um parceiro ou parceira comquem se quer iniciar um relacionamento constituem, conforme sugere a análise,modos de agenciamento sexual e de exercício de autonomia pessoal articuladoscom o manejo das emoções e o aspecto multilocal do parentesco mbya. O artigoapresenta essas conexões para futuros desenvolvimentos e discute as possibilidadesde produção de parentesco considerando a prática da fuga.
Desejo e prazer: um aspecto da sexualidade entre os Karitiana
Authors: Castro Andréa Oliveira
Published: December 2017

A proposta do presente artigo é analisar um dos muitos aspectos dasexualidade Karitiana, grupo Tupi Arikém de Rondônia, através de suas conexõesa outras instâncias da vida social do grupo. A partir de sua relação com diferentescampos – a saber, a mitologia, a dinâmica dos corpos, as emoções e as sensações–, é possível perceber que desejo e prazer sexual, ao serem conectados a essas outras esferas, ganham destaque no processo de produção de pessoas, na arquitetura da sociabilidade e na própria possibilidade de existência da sociedade.
Nominata dos Pareceristas
Authors: Hupsel Rafael
Published: December 2017

Nominata dos Pareceristas