bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fear of Infection or Justification of Social Exclusion? The Symbolic Exploitation of the Ebola Epidemic
Authors: Stürmer Stefan , Rohmann Anette , Mazziotta Agostino , Siem Birte , Barbarino Maria‐Luisa
Published: July 2016

Public discourse in Western countries on the 2014 Ebola epidemic provided a unique natural opportunity to study the relationship between a disease's sociocultural representation and health policy support. Our main prediction stated that among Western citizens, support for restrictive health policies (e.g., mandatory quarantining) would be determined more through preexisting prejudice towards African immigrants than fears of Ebola infection. A questionnaire study with time‐lagged measurement of predictor and criterion variables employing a German sample (N = 218) that was heterogeneous in terms of gender, age, profession, political orientation, and income level provided clear support for this assumption. Although variables related to fear‐of‐infection were significant predictors, prejudice‐related variables explained several times more variance in participants’ support for restrictive policies. Moreover, the degree to which participants adopted prevalent beliefs regarding the sociocultural origins of Ebola (e.g., eating bushmeat) further intensified the impact of prejudice‐related variables.
Isotopic fingerprints of Milankovitch cycles in Pennsylvanian carbonate platform‐top deposits: the Valdorria record, Northern Spain
Authors: Chesnel Valentin , Merino‐Tomé Óscar , Fernández Luis Pedro , Villa Elisa , Samankassou Elias
Published: July 2016

Sedimentary cyclic sequences deposited during the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age are widespread. Glacio‐eustatic control of the cyclic patterns is commonly accepted, and the durations of the cyclothems generally match the short‐ and long‐eccentricity Milankovitch orbital parameters. Nevertheless, geochemical fingerprints of orbital parameters are poorly documented in deep‐time sedimentary records. Here, we report on well‐exposed Bashkirian cyclothems of c. 123 ka and c. 400 ka durations from the Valdorria platform. The shorter‐term cyclothems can be grouped into longer‐term composite sequences that are consistent with generally accepted durations of c. 125 ka and c. 400 ka for Milankovitch eccentricity cycles. The stratigraphic pattern is mirrored by the isotope geochemical signals, which show distinct recurring trends. These trends are confirmed by statistical tests. Whereas intrinsic factors and/or subaerial exposure related to sea‐level lowstands might have truncated cycle patterns in tectonically stable basins, rapid subsidence of the Valdorria platform's foreland basin appears to have contributed to a faithful recording of cyclothems of different orders. The patterns and biostratigraphic constraint revealed in this study demonstrate the power of orbital forcing in imprinting sedimentary and geochemical signals in the rock record.
Stochastic Dynamics of a Nonlinear Misaligned Rotor System Subject to Random Fluid-Induced Forces
Authors: Li Zigang , Jiang Jun , Tian Zhui
Published: July 2016

In this paper, stochastic responses and behaviors of a nonlinear rotor system with the fault of uncertain parallel misalignment and under random fluid-induced forces are investigated. First, the equations of motion of the rotor system are derived by taking into account the nonlinear journal bearings, the unsymmetrical section of the shaft, and the displacement constraint between the two adjacent rotors. Then, the modeling on uncertainties of misalignment and random fluid-induced forces are developed based on the polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) technique, where the misalignment is modeled as a bounded random variable with parameter η distribution and the fluid-induced force as a random variable with standard white noise process. Finally, examples on the stochastic dynamic behaviors of the nonlinear generator-rotor system are studied, and the influences of the uncertainties on the effects of shaft misalignment, the stochastic behaviors near bifurcation point as well as the distribution of the system responses are well demonstrated.
Ontology-Based Environmental Effectiveness Knowledge Application System for Optimal Reliability Design
Authors: Li Yu , Sun Bo , Wang Zili , Ren Yi
Published: July 2016

Environmental effectiveness refers to the influence and harm on products and materials resulting from the effects of various environmental factors. In their actual usage in a complex environment, products are put forward to address a series of urgent engineering problems caused by environmental effectiveness. However, environmental effectiveness is not extensively studied, and it is not sufficiently considered in the process of product reliability design and analysis. To solve these issues, we apply an ontology and rule reasoning method to design an ontology-based environmental effectiveness knowledge application system. The system comprises four layers: ontology, reasoning, data storage, and knowledge application. With the use of this system, specific measures for possible product failures caused by the environment can be deduced on the basis of the existing environment and failure data. This system can satisfy the requirements for extracting useful environmental effectiveness knowledge from large data to assist reliability designers in realizing complete reliability designs. A semi-intelligent analysis for environmental effectiveness can be applied to reliability analysis and design works. Finally, a case study of a rubber seal for environment protection design is presented to illustrate the applications of the system.
Frequency Optimal Feed Motion Planning in Computer Numerical Controlled Machine Tools for Vibration Avoidance
Authors: Sencer Burak , Tajima Shingo
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a novel trajectory generation technique, which has the capability to avoid excitation of inertial vibrations in precision manufacturing equipment. A major source of vibrations in fast moving precision manufacturing equipment is the inertial vibrations that are excited due to frequency content of reference motion commands (trajectory). In general practice, those inertial vibrations are avoided within the controller architecture through notch filtering. Or, input-shaping methods are utilized to attenuate critical frequency components of the reference trajectory so that lightly damped vibration modes of the structure are not excited. Instead of employing those postfiltering techniques that add unwanted delay to the coordinated motion, this paper introduces a direct trajectory generation technique with a shaped frequency content to suppress inertial vibrations. The time-stamped acceleration profile of the feed profile is defined as a ninth-order polynomial. Polynomial coefficients are solved through an optimization procedure where the objective function penalizes total frequency energy in a desired frequency band. As a result, generated reference acceleration commands do not contain any excitation near the vibration modes of the system and hence excitation of inertial vibrations is avoided. The proposed frequency optimal feed profiling (FOFP) system can be utilized to generate high-speed accurate point-to-point (P2P) trajectories as well as to interpolate continuous multi-axis coordinated motion. Effectiveness of the proposed FOFP scheme is evaluated through rigorous comparison against the well-known minimum jerk feed profiles (MJFP) technique through simulations and experiments. Experimental validation is performed on an in-house controlled machine tool with flexible structure.
Thinking abstractly like a duck(ling)
Authors: Wasserman Edward A.
Published: July 2016

Ducklings, like human infants, show signs of abstract conceptual thought
Salmonella Serogroup C: Current Status of Vaccines and Why They Are Needed
Authors: Fuche Fabien J. , Sow Ousmane , Simon Raphael , Tennant Sharon M.
Published: July 2016

NontyphoidalSalmonella(NTS; i.e.,Salmonella entericaorganisms that do not cause typhoid or paratyphoid) are responsible for 94 million infections and 155,000 deaths worldwide annually, 86% of which are estimated to be foodborne. Although more than 50 serogroups and 2,600 serovars have been described, not allSalmonellaserovars cause disease in humans and animals. Efforts are being made to develop NTS vaccines, with most approaches eliciting protection against serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis (serogroups B [O:4] and D [O:9], respectively), as they are widely considered the most prevalent. Here, we show that serogroup C (O:6,7, O:6,8, or O:8 epitopes) is the most common serogroup in the United States, and the prevalence of serovars from this serogroup has been increasing in Europe and the United States over the last decade. They are also the most commonly isolated serovars from healthy cattle and poultry, indicating the underlying importance of surveillance in animals. Four out of the 10 most lethal serovars in the United States are serogroup C, and reports from African countries suggest that strains within this serogroup are highly antibiotic resistant. Serogroup C consists of highly diverse organisms among which 37 serovars account for the majority of human cases, compared to 17 and 11 serovars for serogroups B and D, respectively. Despite these concerning data, no human vaccines targeting serogroup C NTS are available, and animal vaccines are in limited use. Here, we describe the underestimated burden represented by serogroup C NTS, as well as a discussion of vaccines that target these pathogens.
Single-Site Glycoprotein Mutants Inhibit a Late Event in Sindbis Virus Assembly
Authors: Magliocca Joseph , Vancini Ricardo , Hernandez Raquel , Brown Dennis T.
Published: July 2016

A panel of Sindbis virus mutants that were suspected to have deficiencies in one or more aspects of their replication cycles was examined in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. These included an amino acid deletion (ΔH230) and substitution (H230A) in the Sindbis glycoprotein E1_H230 and similar mutants in E2_G209 (G209A, G209D, and ΔG209). Neither H230 mutation produced a measurable titer, but repeated passaging of the H230A mutant in BHK cells produced a second-site compensatory mutant (V231I) that partially rescued both H230 mutants. Electron micrograph (EM) images of these mutants showed assembled viral nucleocapsids but no completed, mature virions. EM of the compensatory mutant strains showed complete virus particles, but these now formed paracrystalline arrays. None of the E2_G209 substitution mutants had any effect on virus production; however, the deletion mutant (ΔG209) showed a very low titer when grown at 37°C and no titer when grown at 28°C. When the deletion mutant grown at 28°C was examined by EM, partially budded virions were observed at the cell surface.
35
S labeling of this mutant confirmed the presence of mutant virus protein in the transfected BHK cell lysate. We conclude that H230 is essential for the assembly of complete infectious Sindbis virus virions and that the presence of an amino acid at E2 position 209 is required for complete budding of Sindbis virus particles although several different amino acids can be at this location without affecting the titer.

IMPORTANCE
Our data show the importance of single-site mutations at E1_H230 and E2_G209 in Sindbis virus glycoproteins. These sites have been shown to affect assembly and antibody binding in previous studies. Our data indicate that mutation of one histidine residue in E1 is detrimental to the assembly of Sindbis virus particles in baby hamster kidney cells. Repeated passaging leads to a second-site substitution that partially restores the titer although EM still shows an altered phenotype. Substitutions at position G209 in E2 have no effect on titer, but deletion of this residue greatly reduces titer and again prevents assembly. When this mutant is grown at a lower temperature, virus particles bud from the host cell, but budding arrests before the progeny virus escapes. These results allow us to conclude that these sites have essential roles in assembly, and E2_G209 shows us a new viral egress phenotype.
Evolutionary Ecology of Prokaryotic Immune Mechanisms
Authors: van Houte Stineke , Buckling Angus , Westra Edze R.
Published: July 2016

Bacteria have a range of distinct immune strategies that provide protection against bacteriophage (phage) infections. While much has been learned about the mechanism of action of these defense strategies, it is less clear why such diversity in defense strategies has evolved. In this review, we discuss the short- and long-term costs and benefits of the different resistance strategies and, hence, the ecological conditions that are likely to favor the different strategies alone and in combination. Finally, we discuss some of the broader consequences, beyond resistance to phage and other genetic elements, resulting from the operation of different immune strategies.
Genome-Wide Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing Analysis of the
Penicillium chrysogenum
Velvet Protein PcVelA Identifies Methyltransferase PcLlmA as a Novel Downstream Regulator of Fungal Development
Authors: Becker Kordula , Ziemons Sandra , Lentz Katharina , Freitag Michael , Kück Ulrich
Published: July 2016

Filamentous fungi are of major interest for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. This is due mainly to their ability to produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites, many of which are relevant as antibiotics. One of the most prominent examples is penicillin, a β-lactam antibiotic that is produced on the industrial scale by fermentation of
P. chrysogenum
. In recent years, the multisubunit protein complex velvet has been identified as one of the key regulators of fungal secondary metabolism and development. However, until recently, only a little has been known about how velvet mediates regulation at the molecular level. To address this issue, we performed ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation in combination with next-generation sequencing) on and follow-up analysis of PcVelA, the core component of the velvet complex in
P. chrysogenum
. We demonstrate direct involvement of velvet in transcriptional control and present the putative methyltransferase PcLlmA as a new downstream factor and interaction partner of PcVelA.
Comments on the dilemma in the June issue: Using the evidence
Authors: Whitehead Martin L.
Published: July 2016

In the dilemma discussed in the June issue of In Practice, you were presented with a lively, 60 kg dog with an obvious anterior cruciate rupture that required surgical repair. Published evidence indicated that osteotomy procedures had a higher success rate in large dogs, but in your own, self‐audited experience, a lateral fabellar suture carried a high success rate. Your clinic did not offer osteotomy procedures but the owner could afford referral. Which should you chose? (IP, June 2016, vol 38, pp 310‐311). David Mills noted that published evidence, with its large sample size and strong conclusions, had a sense of objectivity. However, he questioned what objectivity really meant and how useful it actually was in a medical discipline, where subjective aspects were involved, such as pain, emotion and suffering. He suggested that changing the perception of evidence‐based veterinary medicine or modifying it to a repository of external evidence to be referred to if required rather than obligatorily might help to clear the ethical waters in decision making in cases such as this.
Why creating a mentally healthy workplace is so important in veterinary practice
Authors: Mamo Emma
Published: July 2016

With stress and poor mental health at work commonplace, workplace wellbeing is an issue too big for employers to ignore. In this article Emma Mamo sheds light on the issues facing staff at all levels in veterinary practice and what can be done by employers to tackle the causes of work‐related stress, promote wellbeing for all staff and support staff experiencing a mental health problem.
Surgeon's guide to anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications part two: antiplatelet agents and perioperative management of long-term anticoagulation
Authors: Yeung Louise Y Y , Sarani Babak , Weinberg Jordan A , McBeth Paul B , May Addison K
Published: July 2016

An increasing number of potent antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications are being used for the long-term management of cardiac, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular conditions. Management of these medications in the perioperative and peri-injury settings can be challenging for surgeons, mandating an understanding of these agents and the risks and benefits of various management strategies. In this two part review, agents commonly encountered by surgeons in the perioperative and peri-injury settings are discussed and management strategies for patients on long-term antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy reviewed. In part one, we review warfarin and the new direct oral anticoagulants. In part two, we review antiplatelet agents and assessment of platelet function and the perioperative management of long-term anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy.
Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria isolated from ectomycorrhizal mycelium ofPicea glaucaare highly efficient at fluorapatite weathering
Authors: Fontaine Laurent , Thiffault Nelson , Paré David , Fortin J.-André , Piché Yves
Published: July 2016

Fluorapatite-solubilizing bacteria were isolated from the hyphosphere of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus Wilcoxina sp., a dominant species in the Picea glauca (Moench) Voss rhizosphere. Hundreds of strains isolated from the ascomycete Wilcoxina sp. could dissolve tricalcium phosphate, while only 27 of them could produce clarification halos on fluorapatite-amended solid medium. Most of the fluorapatite-solubilizing strains belonged to the Burkholderia genus. Scanning electron microscopy observations have shown that these efficient phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were able to completely solubilize fluorapatite crystals within 22 h. The efficient PSB Burkholderia sp. strain 205 and Curtobacterium sp. strain 168 were tested for their ability to associate with a genetically distant fungal host while fulfilling their phosphate-solubilizing function. Burkholderia sp. strain 205 successfully associated with the basidiomycete Laccaria bicolor (Maire) P.D.Orton when hydroxyapatite was the only phosphorus source available to the fungus, while there was no bacterial development when Laccaria bicolor could access soluble phosphorus as well. Optical microscopic observation of Laccaria bicolor associated with Burkholderia sp. revealed extensive colonization of fungal hyphae by the bacterium. These results suggest an important role of bacteria – ECM fungi associations in white spruce phosphate nutrition.
The first-principle study of the electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of XTiO3 (X = Ca, Sr and Ba) compounds
Authors: Mubarak A. A.
Published: July 2016

The FP-LAPW method is utilized to investigate the elastic, optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] within the GGA. The calculated lattice constants and bulk modulus are found in agreement with previous studies. The present oxide–perovskite compounds are characterized as elastically stable and anisotropic. [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are categorized as ductile compounds, whereas the [Formula: see text] compound is in the critical region between ductile and brittle. The DOS and the band structure calculations reveal indirect [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] energy bandgap for the present compounds. The hydrostatic pressure increases the energy bandgap and the width of the valence band. The character of the band structure does not change due to this pressure. The optical parameters are calculated in different radiation regions. Beneficial optics applications are predicted as revealed from the optical spectra. The transport properties are applied as a function of the variable temperatures or carrier concentration. It is found that the compounds under study are classified as a p-type semiconductor. The majority charge carriers responsible for conduction in these calculated compounds are holes rather than electrons.
A new three-tier architecture design for multi-sphere neutron spectrometer with the FLUKA code
Authors: Huang Hong , Yang Jian-Bo , Tuo Xian-Guo , Liu Zhi , Wang Qi-Biao , Wang Xu
Published: July 2016

The current commercially, available Bonner sphere neutron spectrometer (BSS) has high sensitivity to neutrons below 20 MeV, which causes it to be poorly placed to measure neutrons ranging from a few MeV to 100 MeV. The paper added moderator layers and the auxiliary material layer upon 3He proportional counters with FLUKA code, with a view to improve. The results showed that the responsive peaks to neutrons below 20 MeV gradually shift to higher energy region and decrease slightly with the increasing moderator thickness. On the contrary, the response for neutrons above 20 MeV was always very low until we embed auxiliary materials such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), tungsten (W) into moderator layers. This paper chose the most suitable auxiliary material Pb to design a three-tier architecture multi-sphere neutron spectrometer (NBSS). Through calculating and comparing, the NBSS was advantageous in terms of response for 5–100 MeV and the highest response was 35.2 times the response of polyethylene (PE) ball with the same PE thickness.
RGB-Based Secure Share Creation in Visual Cryptography Using Optimal Elliptic Curve Cryptography Technique
Authors: Shankar K. , Eswaran P.
Published: July 2016

Many shares are generated from the secret images that are illogical containing certain message within them in visual cryptography. When all shares are piled jointly, they tend to expose the secret of the image. The multiple shares are used to transfer the secret image by using the encryption and decryption process by means of the elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) technique. In ECC method, the public key is randomly generated in the encryption process and decryption process, the private key ([Formula: see text]) is generated by utilizing the optimization technique and for evaluating the performance of the optimization by using the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR). From the test results, the PSNR has been exposed to be 65.73057, also the mean square error (MSE) value is 0.017367 and the correlation coefficient (CC) is 1 for the decrypted image without any distortion of the original image and the optimal PSNR value is attained using the cuckoo search (CS) algorithm when compared with the existing works.
Elastic Stability Behavior of Self-Anchored Suspension Bridges by the Deflection Theory
Authors: Jung Myung-Rag , Jang Min-Jung , Attard Mario M. , Kim Moon-Young
Published: July 2016

To investigate the elastic buckling behavior of self-anchored suspension bridges subjected to proportionally increasing dead loads, a new stability procedure is proposed based on the deflection theory. For this purpose, a finite element buckling analysis is performed using the initial state solution based on the unstrained length method (ULM) (Ref. 1 ). The finite element solutions are compared with those by the deflection theory. It is shown that both the main girder and tower of the self-anchored suspension bridge are under compression, but their fundamental buckling modes are tower-dominant. Importantly, it is observed that local buckling within the main girder supported by hangers occurs without any geometric change of the main cable, in the higher buckling modes of the self-anchored suspension bridge.
Multi-Valued Neutrosophic Number Bonferroni Mean Operators with their Applications in Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making
Authors: Liu Peide , Zhang Lili , Liu Xi , Wang Peng
Published: July 2016

Bonferroni mean (BM) is a very useful aggregation operator, which can consider the correlations between the aggregated arguments and the multi-valued neutrosophic set can be much more convenient to denote the incomplete, indeterminate and inconsistent information, in this paper, we applied the Bonferroni mean to the multi-valued neutrosophic set, and proposed some Bonferroni mean operators of multi-valued neutrosophic numbers (MVNNs). First, we gave some operational laws and a comparison method of MVNNs, then we presented the weighted Bonferroni mean (WBM) operator and weighted geometric Bonferroni mean (WGBM) operator. Further, we proposed the multi-valued neutrosophic weighted Bonferroni mean (MVNWBM) operator and the multi-valued neutrosophic weighted geometric Bonferroni mean (MVNWGBM) operator and some properties of them are also investigated. Finally, the decision making methods are developed based on MVNWGBM operator and MVNWBM operator, and an example about investment selection is given to illustrate the applications of the developed methods and the influence of different parameter values on the decision-making results.
Differentiation of Human Adipose Derived Stem Cells into Smooth Muscle Cells Is Modulated by CaMKIIγ
Authors: Aji Kaisaier , Maimaijiang Munila , Aimaiti Abudusaimi , Rexiati Mulati , Azhati Baihetiya , Tusong Hamulati , Cui Lei
Published: July 2016

The multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is known to participate in maintenance and switches of smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypes. However, which isoform of CaMKII is involved in differentiation of adult mesenchymal stem cells into contractile SMCs remains unclear. In the present study, we detected γ isoform of CaMKII in differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells (hASCs) into SMCs that resulted from treatment with TGF‐β1 and BMP4 in combination for 7 days. The results showed that CaMKIIγ increased gradually during differentiation of hASCs as determined by real‐time PCR and western blot analysis. The siRNA‐mediated knockdown of CaMKIIγ decreased the protein levels and transcriptional levels of smooth muscle contractile markers (a‐SMA, SM22a, calponin, and SM‐MHC), while CaMKIIγ overexpression increases the transcriptional and protein levels of smooth muscle contractile markers. These results suggested that γ isoform of CaMKII plays a significant role in smooth muscle differentiation of hASCs.
Generalized Relative Type and Generalized Weak Type of Entire Functions
Authors: Datta Sanjib Kumar , Biswas Tanmay , Dutta Debasmita
Published: July 2016

We study some relative growth properties of entire functions with respect to another entire function on the basis of generalized relative type and generalized relative weak type.
Abstract Theorems on Exchange of Limits and Preservation of (Semi)continuity of Functions and Measures in the Filter Convergence Setting
Authors: Boccuto Antonio , Dimitriou Xenofon
Published: July 2016

We give necessary and sufficient conditions for exchange of limits of double-indexed families, taking values in sets endowed with an abstract structure of convergence, and for preservation of continuity or semicontinuity of the limit family, with respect to filter convergence. As a consequence, we give some filter limit theorems and some characterization of continuity and semicontinuity of the limit of a pointwise convergent family of set functions. Furthermore, we pose some open problems.
Evaluation of Implant Collar Surfaces for Marginal Bone Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Koodaryan Roodabeh , Hafezeqoran Ali
Published: July 2016

Background. It is important to understand the influence of different collar designs on peri-implant marginal bone loss, especially in the critical area.Objectives. The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare dental implants with different collar surfaces, evaluating marginal bone loss and survival rates of implants.Methods. Eligibility criteria included clinical human studies, randomized controlled trials, and prospective and retrospective studies, which evaluated dental implants with different collar surface in the same study.Results. Twelve articles were included, with a total of 492 machined, 319 rough-surfaced, and 352 rough-surfaced microthreaded neck implants. There was less marginal bone loss at implants with rough-surfaced and rough-surfaced microthreaded neck than at machined-neck implants (difference in means: 0.321, 95% CI: 0.149 to 0.493;p<0.01).Conclusion. Rough and rough-surfaced microthreaded implants are considered a predictable treatment for preserving early marginal bone loss.
Circulating (CD3−CD19+CD20−IgD−CD27highCD38high) Plasmablasts: A Promising Cellular Biomarker for Immune Activity for Anti-PLA2R1 Related Membranous Nephropathy?
Authors: Pozdzik Agnieszka , Beukinga Ingrid , Gu-Trantien Chunyan , Willard-Gallo Karen , Nortier Joëlle , Pradier Olivier
Published: July 2016

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a kidney specific autoimmune disease mainly mediated by anti-phospholipase A2 receptor 1 autoantibody (PLA2R1 Ab). The adequate assessment of chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab (RTX), efficacy is still needed to improve clinical outcome of patient with MN. We evaluated the modification of plasmablasts (CD3−CD19+CD20−IgD−CD27highCD38high), a useful biomarker of RTX response in other autoimmune diseases, and memory (CD3−CD19+CD20+IgD−CD27+CD38−) and naive (CD3−CD19+CD20+IgD+CD27−CD38low) B cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis in PLA2R1 related MN in one patient during the 4 years of follow-up after RTX. RTX induced complete disappearance of CD19+B cells, plasmablasts, and memory B cells as soon as day 15. Despite severe CD19+lymphopenia, plasmablasts and memory B cells reemerged early before naive B cells (days 45, 90, and 120, resp.). During the follow-up, plasmablasts decreased more rapidly than memory B cells but still remained elevated as compared to day 0 of RTX. Concomitantly, anti-PLA2R1 Ab increased progressively. Our single case report suggests that, besides monitoring of serum anti-PLA2R1 Ab level, enumeration of circulating plasmablasts and memory B cells represents an attractive and complementary tool to assess immunological activity and efficacy of RTX induced B cells depletion in anti-PLA2R1 Ab related MN.
Multicriteria FMECA Based Decision-Making for Aluminium Wire Process Rolling Mill through COPRAS-G
Authors: Pancholi Nilesh , Bhatt M. G.
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a multifactor decision-making approach based on “grey-complex proportional assessment (COPRAS-G) method” in a view to overcome the limitations of Failure Mode Effect and Criticality Analysis (FMECA). In this model, the scores against each failure mode are expressed in grey number instead of crisp values to evaluate the criticalities of the failure modes without uncertainty. The suggested study is carried out to identify the weights of major failure causes for bearings, gears, and shafts of aluminium wire rolling mill plant. The primary findings of the paper are that sudden impact on the rolls seems to be most critical failure cause and loss of power seems to be least critical failure cause. It is suggested to modify the current control practices with proper maintenance strategy based on achieved maintainability criticality index (MCI) for different failure causes. The outcome of study will be helpful in deriving optimized maintenance plan to maximize the performance of process industry.
FDA Approval: Alectinib for the Treatment of Metastatic, ALK-Positive Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Crizotinib
Authors: Larkins Erin , Blumenthal Gideon M. , Chen Huanyu , He Kun , Agarwal Rajiv , Gieser Gerlie , Stephens Olen , Zahalka Eias , Ringgold Kimberly , Helms Whitney , Shord Stacy , Yu Jingyu , Zhao Hong , Davis Gina , McKee Amy E. , Keegan Patricia , Pazdur Richard
Published: July 2016

On December 11, 2015, the FDA granted accelerated approval to alectinib (Alecensa; Genentech) for the treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK)-positive, metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib. This approval was based on two single-arm trials including 225 patients treated with alectinib 600 mg orally twice daily. The objective response rates (ORR) by an independent review committee in these studies were 38% [95% confidence interval (CI), 28–49] and 44% (95% CI, 36–53); the median durations of response (DOR) were 7.5 months and 11.2 months. In a pooled analysis of 51 patients with measurable disease in the central nervous system (CNS) at baseline, the CNS ORR was 61% (95% CI, 46–74); the CNS DOR was 9.1 months. The primary safety analysis population included 253 patients. The most common adverse reactions were fatigue (41%), constipation (34%), edema (30%), and myalgia (29%). The most common laboratory abnormalities were anemia (56%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (51%), increased alkaline phosphatase (47%), increased creatine phosphokinase (43%), hyperbilirubinemia (39%), hyperglycemia (36%), increased alanine aminotransferase (34%), and hypocalcemia (32%). Dose reductions due to adverse reactions occurred in 12% of patients, whereas 27% of patients had alectinib dosing interrupted for adverse reactions. Permanent discontinuation of alectinib due to adverse reactions occurred in only 6% of patients. With the clinically meaningful ORR and DOR as well as the safety profile observed in these trials, alectinib was determined to have a favorable benefit–risk profile for the treatment of the indicated population. Clin Cancer Res; 22(21); 5171–6. ©2016 AACR.
O mortuário na ficção de Pier Paolo Pasolini
Authors: Bernardini Aurora Fornoni
Published: July 2016

O presente texto visa levantar biográfica e psicanaliticamente possíveis fontes do mortuário na ficção de Pasolini e discuti-las partindo de exemplos retirados basicamente de Ragazzi di vita e Una vita violenta.
Rare Variants in the ADAMTS13 Von Willebrand Factor–Binding Domain Contribute to Pediatric Stroke
Authors: Stoll Monika , Rühle Frank , Witten Anika , Barysenka Andrei , Arning Astrid , Strauss Christina , Nowak-Göttl Ulrike
Published: July 2016

Background—

Recently, we reported a gene network of
ADAMTS
(A Disintegrin-like and Metalloprotease with Thrombospondin motifs) genes as central component of the genetic risk contributing to pediatric stroke. ADAMTS13 is a prime example for such a key component as it cleaves von Willebrand factor multimers, reduces platelet adhesion and aggregation, and downregulates thrombus formation and inflammation.

Methods and Results—

We characterized the genetic architecture of
ADAMTS13
through targeted next-generation sequencing of 48 affected children and their unaffected siblings and identified in total 241 variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms or insertions/deletions) in the
ADAMTS13
gene. From these, based on significance in the sibship disequilibrium test (
P
<0.05) or protein-altering properties, we selected 21 common variants covering the complete
ADAMTS13
gene for genotyping in 270 trios and subsequent association analyses. Transmission disequilibrium testing was performed for affection status and ADAMTS13 activity levels using PLINK and FBAT, respectively. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly associated with pediatric stroke (
P
<0.05 to
P
<0.001), 2 of which (rs2285489 and rs28793911) were also significantly associated with ADAMTS13 levels (
P
=0.0004 and
P
=0.0092). The resulting protective haplotype H1.1. (T:U 95.5: 144.4;
P
=0.0016) is associated with increased ADAMTS13 levels (age-adjusted
P
=0.0108). Haplotype association using a sliding window approach assigns this association to the ADAMTS13 von Willebrand factor–binding domain (
P
=1.2×10
−4
).

Conclusions—

Our data provide a link between the genetic architecture of
ADAMTS13
, ADAMTS13 levels, and stroke susceptibility. Altogether, these studies render ADAMTS13 an attractive candidate for functional studies and may contribute to personalized diagnosis and treatment options in future.
Left Atrial Volumes and Function by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography
Authors: Badano Luigi P. , Miglioranza Marcelo H. , Mihăilă Sorina , Peluso Diletta , Xhaxho Jola , Marra Martina Perazzolo , Cucchini Umberto , Soriani Nicola , Iliceto Sabino , Muraru Denisa
Published: July 2016

Background—

Our study sought to (1) identify reference values for left atrial (LA) volumes and phasic function indices by 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and compare them with those measured by 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and (2) analyze their relationship with age, sex, body size, and left ventricular function. Accuracy and reproducibility of 3DE and 2DE have been also tested to evaluate the robustness of our data.

Methods and Results—

We obtained maximal, minimal, and preA LA volumes by 3DE and 2DE in 276 healthy volunteers (18–79 years; 57% women). Limits of normality for LA volumes and total LA emptying fraction were larger with 3DE than with 2DE (maximal LA volume: 43 versus 35 mL/m
2
; preA LA volume: 31 versus 25 mL/m
2
; minimal LA volume: 18 versus 14 mL/m
2
; 53 versus 48%, respectively;
P
<0.001). 3DE LA volumes indexed by body surface area were similar in men and women and increased with age. On multivariable analysis, age, weight, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function indices resulted as correlates of LA 3DE indices. LA volumes were tightly correlated with cardiac magnetic resonance measurements, yet more underestimated by 2DE versus 3DE (bias±SD: −17±16 versus −7±15 mL, respectively). Among all LA parameters, maximal LA volume and total emptying fraction were the most reproducible, including at test-retest and at expert versus trainee comparisons.

Conclusions—

This study provides reference values for LA 3DE volumes and function from a relatively large cohort of healthy subjects with a wide age range. Our data may help clinicians to identify LA remodeling and dysfunction.
Particulate Matter and Hospital Admissions for Stroke in Beijing, China: Modification Effects by Ambient Temperature
Authors: Huang Fangfang , Luo Yanxia , Guo Yuming , Tao Lixin , Xu Qin , Wang Chao , Wang Anxin , Li Xia , Guo Jin , Yan Aoshuang , Guo Xiuhua
Published: July 2016

Background

The impact of particulate matter (PM) on stroke may vary by particle size, stroke subtype, and patient characteristics and temperature. We examined the association of stroke admissions with PM in different subgroups in Beijing, China, during 2013–2014.

Methods and Results

A time‐stratified case‐crossover design was used to assess the relation between PM of different particle sizes and hospital admissions for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Stratified analyses were performed by age, sex, and temperature. In total, there were 147 624 stroke admissions during the study period. In the whole‐period analysis, both PM
2.5
and PM
10
were positively associated with ischemic stroke admissions on the day of hospital admission and negatively associated with ischemic stroke at lag2 and lag3 day. In warm days (>13.5°C), the odds ratios of ischemic stroke admissions were 2.071 (95% CI 1.959–2.190), 1.470 (95% CI 1.391–1.554), and 1.590 (95% CI 1.493–1.694) per IQR increase in the same‐day PM
2.5
(82.0 μg/m
3
), PM
2.5–10
(36.6 μg/m
3
), and PM
10
(93.5 μg/m
3
), respectively. For hemorrhagic stroke, the corresponding values were 1.941 (95% CI 1.658–2.273), 1.590 (95% CI 1.366–1.851), and 1.527 (95% CI 1.278–1.826). The positive associations were also observed in the other lag structures and were higher than in cold days (≤13.5°C).

Conclusions

This study suggests that the associations of PM
2.5
, PM
2.5–10
, and PM
10
with stroke admissions differed across levels of temperature. Short‐term exposure to PM
2.5
, PM
2.5–10
, and PM
10
was positively associated with hospital admissions for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke on warm days (>13.5°C).
Circulating N‐Linked Glycoprotein Side‐Chain Biomarker, Rosuvastatin Therapy, and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: An Analysis From the JUPITER Trial
Authors: Akinkuolie Akintunde O. , Glynn Robert J. , Padmanabhan Latha , Ridker Paul M , Mora Samia
Published: July 2016

Background

GlycA, a novel protein glycan biomarker of
N
‐acetyl side chains of acute‐phase proteins, was recently associated with incident cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) in healthy women. Whether GlycA predicts
CVD
events in the setting of statin therapy in men and women without
CVD
but with evidence of chronic inflammation is unknown.

Methods and Results

In the Justfication for the Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (
JUPITER
) trial (
NCT
00239681), participants with low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol <130 mg/dL and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs
CRP
) ≥2 mg/L were randomized to rosuvastatin 20 mg/day or placebo. GlycA was quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 12 527 before randomization and 10 039 participants at 1 year. A total of 310 first primary
CVD
events occurred during maximum follow‐up of 5.0 years (median, 1.9). GlycA changed minimally after 1 year on study treatment: 6.8% and 4.7% decrease in the rosuvastatin and placebo groups, respectively. Overall, baseline GlycA levels were associated with increased risk of
CVD
: multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratio (
HR
) per
SD
increment, 1.20 (95%
CI
, 1.08–1.34;
P
=0.0006). After additionally adjusting for hs
CRP
, this was slightly attenuated (HR, 1.18; 95%
CI
, 1.04–1.35;
P
=0.01). On‐treatment GlycA levels were also associated with
CVD
; corresponding multivariable‐adjusted
HR
s per
SD
before and after additionally adjusting for hs
CRP
: 1.27 (95%
CI
, 1.13–1.42;
P
<0.0001) and 1.24 (95%
CI
, 1.07–1.44;
P
=0.004), respectively. Tests for heterogeneity by treatment arm were not significant (
P
for interaction, >0.20).

Conclusion

In the
JUPITER
trial, increased levels of GlycA were associated with an increased risk of
CVD
events independent of traditional risk factors and hs
CRP
.

Clinical Trials Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00239681.
Legal Perspectives on Post-mortem Use of Biomaterial and Data for Research: A Focus on the German Situation
Authors: Hänold Stefanie , Forgó Nikolaus , Kobeissi Dania , Nwankwo Iheanyi
Published: July 2016

Analyses of biobank informed consent forms show that most of them do not include provisions for post-mortem use of biomaterial and data obtained from a donor who later dies. When these biobanks are confronted with issues of secondary use of these bioresources for research, especially when not completely anonymised, or when genetic research is involved which could reveal not only the identity of the donor, but also those of his biological relatives, they are often confused. Looking at the existing regulatory framework of biobanks, we conclude that no clear guidelines exist on this issue. Although the donor has died, his interests are not completely extinguished. Other interests — those of his biological relatives, researchers, and the public at large may also crop up. Legal reform and clear indications of post-mortem use in the consent document are needed to give donors the opportunity to consider all the implications.
Phylogeny and revision of a colorful Neotropical genus of rove beetles: Xenopygus Bernhauer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)
Authors: CARON EDILSON , CASTRO JESSICA C. DE , SILVA MAYCON R. DA , RIBEIRO-COSTA CIBELE S.
Published: July 2016

Xenopygus Bernhauer is one of the most colorful staphylinid beetles and widespread in the Neotropical region. The aim of this study was to test the monophyly of Xenopygus based on adult morphology and to review the current species. Cladistic analysis was performed with six ingroup species, including two new species. Xenopygus is a monophyletic group supported by: antennomere V as wide as long to slightly wider, antennomere VII two times wider than long and superior line of pronotal hypomere developed, continuous on the anterior angle of pronotum. Xenopygus is composed of six species, four previously described and two new species, with the following topology: ((X. analis+(X. bicolor+X. confusus))+(X. cordovensis+(X. sancticamillus, sp. nov.+ X. petilicolis, sp. nov.))). Xenopygus is the sister group to a clade formed by species of Dysanellus and Xanthopygus, corroborating previous phylogenetic studies. The genus, and all its species were redescribed, an identification key was produced and illustration diagnostic plates and distribution maps were also provided.
Eleven new species of Athacryvac Braet & van Achterberg from the Neotropical Region (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Rogadinae)
Authors: SHIMBORI EDUARDO MITIO , SHAW SCOTT RICHARD , ALMEIDA LUIS FELIPE VENTURA DE
Published: July 2016

The neotropical genus Athacryvac Braet & van Achterberg was recently described based on two species from French Guiana. Despite the resemblance of these species with the diverse and widespread genus Aleiodes, the authors opted to erect the new genus based on several synapomorphies. With the analysis of more comprehensive morphological and geographical variation we propose reclassifying Athacryvac as a subgenus within Aleiodes. In this paper we describe 11 new neotropical species of the subgenus Athacryvac: Aleiodes (Athacryvac) achterbergi Shimbori & Penteado-Dias sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) amazoniensis Shimbori & Almeida sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) braeti Shimbori & Shaw sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) choco Shimbori sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) donaldquickei Shimbori & Penteado-Dias sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) gonzalezi Shimbori & Shaw sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) paradoxus Shimbori & Penteado-Dias sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) soaresi Shimbori & Penteado-Dias sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) tico Shimbori & Shaw sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) torresi Shimbori & Shaw sp. nov., Aleiodes (Athacryvac) zaldivari Shimbori & Almeida sp. nov. We also provide new morphological and distributional data for the previously described A. alternatus and A. fuscatus, as well as the description of the male of the later species. The 13 known species of Aleiodes (Athacryvac) stat. nov. are restricted to the Neotropical Region, ranging from southern Mexico to southern Brazil. With our current results, there are 104 described neotropical Aleiodes species.
Larvae of Hydropsyche angustipennis (Trichoptera, Hydropsychidae) as indicators of stream contamination by heavy metals in Łódź agglomeration
Authors: TSZYDEL MARIUSZ , MARKOWSKI MARCIN , MAJECKI JANUSZ
Published: July 2016

A biomonitoring technique was employed to assess metal contamination of several degraded urban streams in the Łódź agglomeration. Presence of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, was determined in whole bodies of Hydropsyche angustipennis larvae. Larvae of H. angustipennis were the only caddisflies living in most of  investigated streams. These metals as well as other environmental variables were investigated in sediments or free waters of urban streams and in a stretch of a similar size of the Grabia River (reference site), outside the city but still in the vicinity of the Łódź agglomeration. The results of our research demonstrated different levels of contamination of urban streams as well as a correlation between environmental and larval tissue concentrations of heavy metals. Significant differences among sites were observed for metal concentrations in H. angustipennis larval bodies and larval responses to metals were time specific. The highest concentration of heavy metals was observed during the spring months. Differences were evident among various heavy metal levels in the bodies of larvae collected from different streams and at different sampling stations in the same stream.