bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Focal adhesion kinase: predictor of tumour response and risk factor for recurrence after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancer
Authors: Gómez del Pulgar Teresa , Cebrián Arancha , Fernández‐Aceñero Maria Jesús , Borrero‐Palacios Aurea , del Puerto‐Nevado Laura , Martínez‐Useros Javier , Marín‐Arango Juan Pablo , Caramés Cristina , Vega‐Bravo Ricardo , Rodríguez‐Remírez María , Cruz‐Ramos Marlid , Manzarbeitia Félix , García‐Foncillas Jesús
Published: May 2016

Rectal cancer represents about 30% of colorectal cancers, being around 50% locally advanced at presentation. Chemoradiation (CRT) followed by total mesorectal excision is the standard of care for these locally advanced stages. However, it is not free of adverse effects and toxicity and the complete pathologic response rate is between 10% and 30%. This makes it extremely important to define factors that can predict response to this therapy. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression has been correlated with worse prognosis in several tumours and its possible involvement in cancer radio‐ and chemosensitivity has been suggested; however, its role in rectal cancer has not been analysed yet. To analyse the association of FAK expression with tumour response to CRT in locally advanced rectal cancer. This study includes 73 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer receiving standard neoadjuvant CRT followed by total mesorectal excision. Focal adhesion kinase protein levels were immunohistochemically analysed in the pre‐treatment biopsies of these patients and correlated with tumour response to CRT and patients survival. Low FAK expression was significantly correlated with local and distant recurrence (P = 0.013). Low FAK expression was found to be a predictive marker of tumour response to neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.007) and patients whose tumours did not express FAK showed a strong association with lower disease‐free survival (P = 0.01). Focal adhesion kinase expression predicts neoadjuvant CRT response in rectal cancer patients and it is a clinically relevant risk factor for local and distant recurrence.
Legal Consciousness in Marginalized Groups: The Case of LGBT People
Authors: Hull Kathleen E.
Published: May 2016

Studies of legal consciousness have flourished over the last few decades, but these studies and the very concept of legal consciousness have recently come under critique. This article uses the case of studies of the legal consciousness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to demonstrate that legal consciousness has been a valuable conceptual tool for exploring experiences of sociolegal marginalization. Research on LGBT people advances the study of legal consciousness without sacrificing a critical stance or reading lack of overt resistance as evidence of law's hegemonic power. Consideration of this research highlights that focusing on marginalized populations is a way to retain a critical edge in legal consciousness research. Future research should include more exploration of the relationship between marginalization and legal consciousness, further theoretical elaboration of the forms and conditions of resistance to law, and greater attention to how social interactions and institutions produce legal consciousness.
Racially Restrictive Covenants—Were They Dignity Takings?
Authors: Rose Carol M.
Published: May 2016

Racially restrictive covenants—subdivision rules or neighborhood agreements that “run with the land” to bar sales of rentals by minority members—were common and legally enforceable in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century. In spite of their demeaning character, these racial covenants took away opportunities from excluded minorities, rather than things, and thus they amounted to something less than the dramatic “dignity takings” that Bernadette Atuahene (2014) describes in her new book on dignity takings in South Africa. In this article, I explore some significant ways in which racially restrictive covenants differed from dignity takings as Atuahene defines them, as well as the shadowy similarities between racial covenants and Atuahene's dignity takings; I focus here on the dimensions of dehumanization, state involvement, and property takings. I conclude with a discussion of remedies, particularly considering measures that restore dignity through both public policies and private actions.
Bypassing Congressional Committees: Parties, Panel Rosters, and Deliberative Processes
Authors: Bendix William
Published: May 2016

Although scholars have examined committee rosters extensively, no study has considered the relationship between the ideological composition of panels and their participation in bill drafting. I thus ask: Which committees are frequently excluded from legislative deliberations? Does the composition of committees affect the degree to which they contribute to bill development? Using DW‐NOMINATE data, I calculate ideological scores for congressional panels between 1989 and 2010 to see whether certain committees are routinely bypassed. I find that moderate panels, polarized panels, and panels with moderate chairs are often excluded, while extreme committees in the majority direction tend to retain bill‐writing duties.
Coalescing molecular evolution andDNAbarcoding
Authors: Zinger Lucie , Philippe Hervé
Published: May 2016

TheDNAbarcoding concept (Woeseet al.; Hebertet al.) has considerably boosted taxonomy research by facilitating the identification of specimens and discovery of new species. Used alone or in combination withDNAmetabarcoding on environmental samples (Taberletet al.), the approach is becoming a standard for basic and applied research in ecology, evolution and conservation across taxa, communities and ecosystems (Schefferset al.; Kresset al.). However,DNAbarcoding suffers from several shortcomings that still remain overlooked, especially when it comes to species delineation (Collins & Cruickshank). In this issue ofMolecular Ecology, Barley & Thomson () demonstrate that the choice of models of sequence evolution has substantial impacts on inferred genetic distances, with a propensity of the widely used Kimura 2‐parameter model to lead to underestimated species richness. WhileDNAbarcoding has been and will continue to be a powerful tool for specimen identification and preliminary taxonomic sorting, this work calls for a systematic assessment of substitution models fit on barcoding data used for species delineation and reopens the debate on the limitation of this approach.
Structural insights into the inhibition mechanism of bacterial toxin LsoA by bacteriophage antitoxin Dmd
Authors: Wan Hua , Otsuka Yuichi , Gao Zeng‐Qiang , Wei Yong , Chen Zhen , Masuda Michiaki , Yonesaki Tetsuro , Zhang Heng , Dong Yu‐Hui
Published: May 2016

Bacteria have obtained a variety of resistance mechanisms including toxin‐antitoxin (TA) systems against bacteriophages (phages), whereas phages have also evolved to overcome bacterial anti‐phage mechanisms. Dmd from T4 phage can suppress the toxicities of homologous toxins LsoA and RnlA from Escherichia coli, representing the first example of a phage antitoxin against multiple bacterial toxins in known TA systems. Here, the crystal structure of LsoA‐Dmd complex showed Dmd is inserted into the deep groove between the N‐terminal repeated domain (NRD) and the Dmd‐binding domain (DBD) of LsoA. The NRD shifts significantly from a ‘closed’ to an ‘open’ conformation upon Dmd binding. Site‐directed mutagenesis of Dmd revealed the conserved residues (W31 and N40) are necessary for LsoA binding and the toxicity suppression as determined by pull‐down and cell toxicity assays. Further mutagenesis identified the conserved Dmd‐binding residues (R243, E246 and R305) of LsoA are vital for its toxicity, and suggested Dmd and LsoB may possess different inhibitory mechanisms against LsoA toxicity. Our structure‐function studies demonstrate Dmd can recognize LsoA and inhibit its toxicity by occupying the active site possibly via substrate mimicry. These findings have provided unique insights into the defense and counter‐defense mechanisms between bacteria and phages in their co‐evolution.
Molecular phylogeny of the mainly Mediterranean genera Chaenorhinum, Kickxia and Nanorrhinum (Plantaginaceae, tribe Antirrhineae), with focus on taxa in the Flora Iranica region
Authors: Yousefi Nafiseh , Zarre Shahin , Heubl Günther
Published: May 2016

Plantaginaceae tribe Antirrhineae as revised by Sutton (1988) comprises about 30 genera that have undergone significant taxonomic changes in recent years, many of which have yet to be assessed by detailed phylogenetic analyses, including Kickxia, Nanorrhinum and Chaenorhinum. To examine the monophyly, relationships and rank of Kickxia, Nanorrhinum and Chaenorhinum, we conducted a phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and chloroplast DNA (rpl32‐trnL) sequence data, with special focus on the Flora Iranica region. We sampled 22 species of Kickxia s.l. (16 of Kickxia s.s. and 6 of Nanorrhinum), 2 species of Anarrhinum, 12 species of Chaenorhinum, 19 representatives of nine additional genera of Antirrhineae, and several outgroup taxa representing other genera of Plantaginaceae. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of the two datasets produced almost congruent trees, although taxon sampling differed. Our results indicate that Chaenorhinum can be subdivided into two highly supported groups of species, partially matching two of the currently recognized sections of the genus. Albraunia and Holzneria are nested within the Chaenorhinum clade and should not be recognized as distinct genera. Two clades corresponding to Kickxia sect. Kickxia and Kickxia sect. Valvatae were also highly supported. Our data, whn combined with all other available evidence, support recognition of the clade comprising Kickxia sect. Valvatae at the genus level, as Nanorrhinum. Based on this result, six names are here transferred to Nanorrhinum. A diagnostic key to the seven genera of tribe Antirrhineae known from the Flora Iranica region is also provided.
A survey of ontogeny pericarp features as contribution to the infratribal characterization of Myrteae (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Galan Adrielle Tayrine Oliveira Froemming , Martos Luana , Machado Nayara Carreira , Mourão Káthia Socorro Mathias
Published: May 2016

With the aim of correlating the pericarp structure with current phylogenies of Myrteae, this study describes the ontogeny in five species included in five out of the six South American clades of the tribe. In these taxa, the outer and inner ovarian epidermis gives rise to the exocarp and the endocarp, respectively, both with 1 layer. In the mesocarp, derived from the ovarian mesophyll, secretory cavities are arranged into a circle just below the exocarp and near the endocarp in Campomanesia adamantium; only below the exocarp in Eugenia pitanga and Myrcia multiflora; more internally in Myrciaria cuspidata, and below the exocarp and throughout the mesophyll in Myrceugenia alpigena. The promising traits for phylogenetic studies in the group include: direction of elongation of pericarp layers, regions that develop most in relation to the circle of larger vascular bundles, differentiation of spongy and sclerenchymatous tissues and position of secretory cavities.
Aristolochia bidoupensis sp. nov. from southern Vietnam
Authors: Van Do Truong , Wanke Stefan , Neinhuis Christoph
Published: May 2016

Aristolochia bidoupensis Do sp. nov. is newly described. This new species, currently only known from southern Vietnam, is most similar to Aristolochia faviogonzalezii (northern Vietnam) and A. moupinensis (China), but can be distinguished from the latter two by the following characters: flowers terminal, axillary, solitary, peduncle 1.3–1.5 cm long, bracteole ovate, 3–4 × 2–3 mm, limb discoid‐shaped with three expanded lobes, not revolute, internal surface uniformly dark purple, smooth, throat uniformly golden without dots. Morphological characters such as a 3‐lobed gynostemium and a 3‐lobed limb place the new species in A. subgen. Siphisia.
Sida pradeepiana sp. nov. (Malvaceae) from India
Authors: Tambde G. M. , Nimbalkar V. V. , Lekhak M. M. , Sardesai M. M.
Published: May 2016

The new species Sida pradeepiana is described from the Idukki district of Kerala state, India. It resembles S. alnifolia and S. rhomboidea, but differs by its concolorous‐rhomboid leaves, unarticulated pedicels, mericarp apex beaked with a single muticous process and stellate pubescent mericarps and hilum of the seeds.
The ‘Greek Crisis’ through the Cinematic and Photographic Lens: From ‘Weirdness’ and Decay to Social Protest and Civic Responsibility
Authors: Basea Erato
Published: May 2016

The article explores cinematic and photographic images of the ‘Greek crisis’ in order to show how the visual can render the crisis both visible and invisible, clear and opaque, normalized and contested. Greek new wave cinema, iconic repetitive images of suffering in the center of Athens, and the group of visual artists Depression Era are discussed in this context. I argue that the images in focus articulate the crisis and render it visible. At the same time, however, they challenge one's expectations of what the crisis is and how normalized it has become. I argue that these images can encourage civic responsibility and a dialogue about freedom and democracy in the current predicament.
Biophysico‐functional compatibility of Seoul National University (SNU) miniature pig cornea as xenocorneal graft for the use of human clinical trial
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Kim Jaeyoung , Jeong Hyun Jeong , Lee Hyun Ju , Kim Mee Kum , Wee Won Ryang
Published: May 2016

Background

Xenocorneal transplantation is one of the solutions for shortage of donor cornea, and remarkable advances have been made in pig‐to‐rhesus studies from the immunological perspective. Most successful preclinical trials have been carried out with corneas of the Seoul National University (SNU) miniature pig (SNU pig, genetically unmodified) as donor tissues; however, there has been no biophysico‐functional evaluation of the SNU pig cornea as a substitute for human cornea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biophysical and functional compatibility of SNU pig cornea for use in human clinical trials.

Methods

Ninety‐three eyeballs obtained from 51 SNU pigs were used to evaluate the physical properties and changes in porcine corneal endothelial cells (PCECs) depending on preservation time and storage condition before surgery, proliferative and functional characteristics of PCECs, and the microbiologic safety of porcine cornea. Corneal diameters and curvatures, axial length, anterior chamber depth, and central corneal thickness were measured and compared with previously reported human data. Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) was serially measured with a confocal microscope during 7 days of preservation in the same storage solution used for human corneas. Corneal endothelial cell proliferation and immunofluorescence staining of Na‐ and K‐dependent ATPase in PCECs were evaluated after 7 days of preservation. The corneoscleral rims of SNU pigs were cultured for gram‐positive bacteria, gram‐negative bacteria, and fungi to evaluate their microbiological safety.

Results

Corneal diameter and thickness in SNU pigs was larger than human and corneal curvature was flatter; however, they were within surgically operable ranges. Mean ECD (day 0) and ECD loss after 7 days of preservation were 2625 ± 81 cells/mm2 and 7.60 ± 1.53%, respectively, which is comparable to human ECD and ECD loss in the same conditions. The ECD of SNU pigs was inversely decreased with aging (R2 = 0.4034, P = 0.001), and the estimated ages of pigs whose mean ECD would be more than 2500 and 2200 cells/mm2 or more were 48 and 72 months or less, respectively. Mean doubling time of the endothelial cells was 52 to 96 h depending on the method used. The Na‐ and K‐dependent ATPase pump in SNU pig cornea was well maintained for 7 days. No cultured microorganisms were found upon using the modified European Eye Bank Association protocol, which included additional antiseptic management during the enucleation procedure.

Conclusions

In conclusion, SNU pig cornea is feasible for xenocorneal transplantation using the same preservation protocol as human with respect to biophysical and functional properties and can be stored for up to 7 days for transplantation in human clinical trials. An age limitation of donor pigs may be required for qualified corneal products to be used in human trials.
Brittle Fracture Prevention Model for Pressure Based on Master Curve Approach
Authors: Cui QingFeng , Hui Hu , Li PeiNing , Wang Feng
Published: May 2016

The brittle fracture prevention model is of great importance to the safety of pressure vessels. Compared to the semi-empirical approach adopted in various pressure vessel standards, a model based on Master Curve technique is developed in this paper. Referring to ASME nuclear code, the safety features including the lower bound fracture toughness and a margin factor equal to 2 for the stress intensity factor produced by primary stress are adopted in the new model. The technical background of the brittle fracture model in ASME VIII-2 has been analyzed and discussed, and then its inappropriate items have been modified in the new model. Minimum design temperature curves, impact toughness requirements, and temperature adjustment for low stress condition are established on the basis of new model. The comparison with the relevant curves in ASME VIII-2 is also made. The applicability of the new model is verified by the measured fracture toughness and impact toughness data of several kinds of pressure vessel steels. The results suggest that the minimum design temperature and the impact test requirements derived by the new model are compatible with each other. More testing data of different steels to check this model is necessary for further engineering application.
Tracking Accuracy Analysis of a Planar Flexible Manipulator With Lubricated Joint and Interval Uncertainty
Authors: Sun Dongyang
Published: May 2016

A method for trajectory tracking accuracy analysis of a two-link flexible manipulator with lubricated revolute joint involving interval uncertainty is presented. In this method, first, fuzzy self-tuning proportion integration differentiation (PID) control is applied to track the desired tip trajectory of the manipulator. The absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is employed for the finite element discretization of the flexible manipulator. And lubricated revolute joint is modeled based on the infinitely short journal bearing with Gümbel conditions. Second, uncertainty of clearance size is considered, and interval analysis method is applied. Numerical simulation is posted to investigate the cushioning effect of lubricants on the clearance and influence of uncertainty on control accuracy of the manipulator. The results show that the lubricants can improve the stability of motion and operation precision of the manipulator; however, uncertainty of the manipulator may reduce the control accuracy of the manipulator.
Mad-hatting in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot
Authors: Smith Keren M.
Published: May 2016

Mad-hatting in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot
Body shrinkage due to Arctic warming reduces red knot fitness in tropical wintering range
Authors: van Gils Jan A. , Lisovski Simeon , Lok Tamar , Meissner Włodzimierz , Ożarowska Agnieszka , de Fouw Jimmy , Rakhimberdiev Eldar , Soloviev Mikhail Y. , Piersma Theunis , Klaassen Marcel
Published: May 2016

Consequences conferred at a distance

Migratory animals have adapted to life in multiple, sometimes very different environments. Thus, they may show particularly complex responses as climates rapidly change. Van Gils
et al.
show that body size in red knot birds has been decreasing as their Arctic breeding ground warms (see the Perspective by Wikelski and Tertitski). However, the real toll of this change appears not in the rapidly changing northern part of their range but in the apparently more stable tropical wintering range. The resulting smaller, short-billed birds have difficulty reaching their major food source, deeply buried mollusks, which decreases the survival of birds born during particularly warm years.

Science
, this issue p.
819
; see also p.
775
Nanophotonics gets twisted
Authors: Molina-Terriza Gabriel
Published: May 2016

Simple structures process complex light beams that carry angular momentum
Toward a prospective molecular evolution
Authors: He Xionglei , Liu Li
Published: May 2016

Fitness landscapes provide a prospective understanding of chance and necessity in evolution
HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants Show Robust Memory B-Cell Responses in Spite of a Delayed Accumulation of Memory B Cells: an Observational Study in the First 2 Years of Life
Authors: Nduati Eunice W. , Nkumama Irene N. , Gambo Faith K. , Muema Daniel M. , Knight Miguel G. , Hassan Amin S. , Jahangir Margaret N. , Etyang Timothy J. , Berkley James A. , Urban Britta C.
Published: May 2016

Improved HIV care has led to an increase in the number of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants born to HIV-infected women. Although they are uninfected, these infants experience increased morbidity and mortality. One explanation may be that their developing immune system is altered by HIV exposure, predisposing them to increased postnatal infections. We explored the impact of HIV exposure on the B-cell compartment by determining the B-cell subset distribution, the frequency of common vaccine antigen-specific memory B cells (MBCs), and the levels of antibodies to the respective antigens in HEU and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) infants born to uninfected mothers, using flow cytometry, a B-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, during the first 2 years of life. For the majority of the B-cell subsets, there were no differences between HEU and HUU infants. However, HIV exposure was associated with a lower proportion of B cells in general and MBCs in particular, largely due to a lower proportion of unswitched memory B cells. This reduction was maintained even after correcting for age. These phenotypic differences in the MBC compartment did not affect the ability of HEU infants to generate recall responses to previously encountered antigens or reduce the antigen-specific antibody levels at 18 months of life. Although HIV exposure was associated with a transient reduction in the proportion of MBCs, we found that the ability of HEU infants to mount robust MBC and serological responses was unaffected.
Arteriviruses, Pegiviruses, and Lentiviruses Are Common among Wild African Monkeys
Authors: Bailey Adam L. , Lauck Michael , Ghai Ria R. , Nelson Chase W. , Heimbruch Katelyn , Hughes Austin L. , Goldberg Tony L. , Kuhn Jens H. , Jasinska Anna J. , Freimer Nelson B. , Apetrei Cristian , O'Connor David H.
Published: May 2016

Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are a historically important source of zoonotic viruses and are a gold-standard model for research on many human pathogens. However, with the exception of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) (family
Retroviridae
), the blood-borne viruses harbored by these animals in the wild remain incompletely characterized. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of two novel simian pegiviruses (family
Flaviviridae
) and two novel simian arteriviruses (family
Arteriviridae
) in wild African green monkeys from Zambia (malbroucks [
Chlorocebus cynosuros
]) and South Africa (vervet monkeys [
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
]). We examine several aspects of infection, including viral load, genetic diversity, evolution, and geographic distribution, as well as host factors such as age, sex, and plasma cytokines. In combination with previous efforts to characterize blood-borne RNA viruses in wild primates across sub-Saharan Africa, these discoveries demonstrate that in addition to SIV, simian pegiviruses and simian arteriviruses are widespread and prevalent among many African cercopithecoid (i.e., Old World) monkeys.

IMPORTANCE
Primates are an important source of viruses that infect humans and serve as an important laboratory model of human virus infection. Here, we discover two new viruses in African green monkeys from Zambia and South Africa. In combination with previous virus discovery efforts, this finding suggests that these virus types are widespread among African monkeys. Our analysis suggests that one of these virus types, the simian arteriviruses, may have the potential to jump between different primate species and cause disease. In contrast, the other virus type, the pegiviruses, are thought to reduce the disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in humans. However, we did not observe a similar protective effect in SIV-infected African monkeys coinfected with pegiviruses, possibly because SIV causes little to no disease in these hosts.
Pending appendicectomy: a personal experience and review of a doctor’s own illness
Authors: Hariri Ahmad , Hay Alexandra Naomi
Published: May 2016

Doctors will inevitably 1 day become patients. Whether as an acute emergency or as part of routine screening, doctors often find it difficult to recognise and act on their own healthcare needs. This article aims to provide a personal account and reflections from the point of view of a doctor in denial about his acute appendicitis, and a friend and fellow colleague's attempts to convince him to seek help. We review the challenges, learning points and literature about why doctors ignore their health needs, both physical and psychological, and suggest potential changes to tackle this issue based on the current literature, support networks and personal experiences.
The effect of the Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments health target on the quality of ED discharge summaries
Authors: Harper Alana , Jones Peter , Wimsett Jordon , Stewart Joanna , Le Fevre James , Wells Susan , Curtis Elana , Reid Papaarangi , Ameratunga Shanthi
Published: May 2016

Objective

Time targets for ED stays are used as a policy instrument to reduce ED crowding. There is debate whether such policies are helpful or harmful, as focus on a process target may divert attention from clinical care. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments target in New Zealand was associated with a change in the quality of ED discharge information provided to primary care providers.

Methods

The quality of discharge summaries was assessed retrospectively over time using chart review. Logistic regression was used to account for secular trends with adequate or not as the dependent variable. Explanatory variables were: age, ethnicity, deprivation, triage category, year, the step at target introduction (2009) and the change in slope before and after the target.

Results

Of 500 randomly selected discharge summaries, 491 (98.2%) were included in the analysis. There was evidence of a decrease over time in the proportion of adequate discharge summaries before the introduction of the target (slope estimate (SE) −0.43 (0.20), p=0.02). A step at the target introduction could not be shown (p=0.47). There was evidence of an improvement over time from pre-target to post-target: slope afterwards 0.33, estimate of change in slope (SE) 0.76 (0.27), p=0.006.

Conclusions

There was no reduction in the quality of discharge summaries following the introduction of the shorter stays in ED target and trends in quality improved. These findings deserve replication in other hospitals which may experience different challenges.
Modelling the variability of density and bending properties of Norway spruce structural timber
Authors: Fischer Carolin , Vestøl Geir I. , Høibø Olav
Published: May 2016

Density, modulus of elasticity (MOE), and bending strength (MOR) are important properties of structural timber, and knowledge about the variability of these properties is important to make efficient use of the timber. To utilize such information in the production of structural timber, the information must be available before sawing. This study presents models describing the variability of density and bending properties of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) boards within individual trees, as well as among trees and stands, based on geographical data and forest inventory data including external tree measurements. The models were based on 1551 boards from 17 sites in Southern Norway, Eastern Norway, and Trøndelag. Important variables describing variation in density, MOE, and MOR between sites were site index and elevation. For density, latitude gave additional information. Age, diameter at breast height, and longitudinal position within the tree were the most important variables at the tree level. The models explained major parts of the site variance of all properties, and for MOR, they explained a substantial part of the variance due to trees. In addition to being used for predicting the properties of structural timber from current forest resources, the models also provide information that can be used to predict the effects of silviculture on timber properties in future forest stands.
Effect of reinforcement type and porosity on strength of metal matrix composite
Authors: Kulkarni S. G. , Lal Achchhe , Menghani J. V.
Published: May 2016

In the present work, experimental investigation and the numerical analysis are carried out for strength analysis of A356 alloy matrix composites reinforced with alumina, fly ash and hybrid particle composites. The combined strengthening effect of load bearing, Hall–Petch, Orowan, coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch and elastic modulus mismatch is studied for predicting accurate uniaxial stress–strain behavior of A356 based alloy matrix composite. The unit cell micromechanical approach and nine noded isoparametric finite element analysis (FEA) is used to investigate the yield failure load by considering material defect of porosity as fabrication errors in particulate composite. The Ramberg–Osgood approach is considered for the linear and nonlinear relationship between stress and strain of A356 based metal matrix composites containing different amounts of fly ash and alumina reinforcing particles. A numerical analysis of material porosity on the stress strain behavior of the composite is performed. The literature and experimental results exhibit the validity of this model and confirm the importance of the fly ash as the cheapest and low density reinforcement obtained as a waste by product in thermal power plants.
Improving Allocative Efficiency of Scarce Water in Southern Alberta
Authors: Ali Md Kamar
Published: May 2016

Using a positive mathematical programming (PMP) model with improved ‘wide-scope’ calibration, this study demonstrates how allocative efficiency of scarce water could be improved in the Bow- and Oldman River Sub Basins (BRSB and ORSB) of Southern Alberta, where 12 irrigation districts, two cities and three major industrial/commercial users withdraw bulk of the surface water for irrigation, municipal, industrial and commercial needs. Earlier studies ironically neglected the larger ORSB even though it is subject to the same water licensing and regulation policies as the BRSB. The inclusion of nine irrigation districts and non-irrigation users of ORSB enables this model to estimate allocative efficiency gains in a more comprehensive manner than before. Results indicate that ORSB has a relatively less elastic water demand curve primarily due to its more reliance on irrigation and less water saving/supply options. It is also less responsive to allocations with alternative policies as reflected in net returns, land use and cropping pattern changes due to its less elastic water demand.
With no lysine L-WNK1 isoforms are negative regulators of the K+-Cl− cotransporters
Authors: Mercado Adriana , de los Heros Paola , Melo Zesergio , Chávez-Canales María , Murillo-de-Ozores Adrián R. , Moreno Erika , Bazúa-Valenti Silvana , Vázquez Norma , Hadchouel Juliette , Gamba Gerardo
Published: May 2016

The K+-Cl− cotransporters (KCC1-KCC4) encompass a branch of the SLC12 family of electroneutral cation-coupled chloride cotransporters that translocate ions out of the cell to regulate various factors, including cell volume and intracellular chloride concentration, among others. L-WNK1 is an ubiquitously expressed kinase that is activated in response to osmotic stress and intracellular chloride depletion, and it is implicated in two distinct hereditary syndromes: the renal disease pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII) and the neurological disease hereditary sensory neuropathy 2 (HSN2). The effect of L-WNK1 on KCC activity is unknown. Using Xenopus laevis oocytes and HEK-293 cells, we show that the activation of KCCs by cell swelling was prevented by L-WNK1 coexpression. In contrast, the activity of the Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter NKCC1 was remarkably increased with L-WNK1 coexpression. The negative effect of L-WNK1 on the KCCs is kinase dependent. Elimination of the STE20 proline-alanine rich kinase (SPAK)/oxidative stress-responsive kinase (OSR1) binding site or the HQ motif required for the WNK-WNK interaction prevented the effect of L-WNK1 on KCCs, suggesting a required interaction between L-WNK1 molecules and SPAK. Together, our data support that NKCC1 and KCCs are coordinately regulated by L-WNK1 isoforms.
Dependence of auditory spatial updating on vestibular, proprioceptive, and efference copy signals
Authors: Genzel Daria , Firzlaff Uwe , Wiegrebe Lutz , MacNeilage Paul R.
Published: May 2016

Humans localize sounds by comparing inputs across the two ears, resulting in a head-centered representation of sound-source position. When the head moves, information about head movement must be combined with the head-centered estimate to correctly update the world-centered sound-source position. Spatial updating has been extensively studied in the visual system, but less is known about how head movement signals interact with binaural information during auditory spatial updating. In the current experiments, listeners compared the world-centered azimuthal position of two sound sources presented before and after a head rotation that depended on condition. In the active condition, subjects rotated their head by ∼35° to the left or right, following a pretrained trajectory. In the passive condition, subjects were rotated along the same trajectory in a rotating chair. In the cancellation condition, subjects rotated their head as in the active condition, but the chair was counter-rotated on the basis of head-tracking data such that the head effectively remained fixed in space while the body rotated beneath it. Subjects updated most accurately in the passive condition but erred in the active and cancellation conditions. Performance is interpreted as reflecting the accuracy of perceived head rotation across conditions, which is modeled as a linear combination of proprioceptive/efference copy signals and vestibular signals. Resulting weights suggest that auditory updating is dominated by vestibular signals but with significant contributions from proprioception/efference copy. Overall, results shed light on the interplay of sensory and motor signals that determine the accuracy of auditory spatial updating.
Investment Decision-Making and Coordination of Supply Chain: A New Research in the Big Data Era
Authors: Liu Pan , Yi Shu-ping
Published: May 2016

In a Big Data environment, in order to study the decision-making problem of Big Data information investment and the effects of using Big Data information to improve industry cost on supply chain coordination, firstly the importance of Data Company in supply chain was analyzed, and the original supply chain model was built. Meanwhile, some changes of consumer behavior were analyzed in a Big Data environment. Based on these, the market demand function and the benefit model of stakeholder were built and analyzed. Findings:(1)The first finding is whether an enterprise was suitable for gaining Big Data to improve its costs, which was determined by the cost improvement coefficient; namely, it was related to the ability of excavating and using the value of Big Data.(2)Whether the supply chain was the decentralized decision-making and the centralized decision-making, the thresholds of acquisition costs on Big Data information were equal. Moreover, the maximum value that they could undertake was same.(3)Meanwhile the fact that the quantity discount contract could achieve a win-win outcome for supply chain members was proved. The discount coefficient was related to consumers’ behavior preference in a Big Data environment.
Plasma MicroRNA-21 Predicts Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Pneumoresection
Authors: Liu Yaling , Li Peiying , Cheng Xinyu , Yu Weifeng , Yang Liqun , Zhu Hui
Published: May 2016

Postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC) remains the most common postoperative complication in patients undergoing noncardiac thoracic surgery. We conducted the clinical study to determine the diagnostic role of miRNA-21 in noncardiac thoracic surgery. 368 patients undergoing noncardiac thoracic surgery were recruited. Blood samples were collected before anesthesia and 2 hours after incision during surgery for RT-PCR measurement of miRNA-21. PPC occurrence, extrapulmonary complications, duration of ICU stay, and death within 1 year were evaluated. The overall rate of PPCs following surgery was 10.32%. A high relative miRNA-21 level was an independent risk factor for PPCs within 7 days (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.25–5.66; andP<0.001). High miRNA-21 was also associated with an increased risk of extrapulmonary complications (OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 2.26–5.81; andP<0.001), prolonged ICU stay (OR, 6.54; 95% CI, 2.26–18.19; andP<0.001), increased death within 30 days (OR, 6.17; 95% CI, 2.11–18.08; andP<0.001), and death within 1 year (OR, 7.30; 95% CI, 2.76–19.28; andP<0.001). In summary, plasma miRNA-21 may serve as a novel biomarker of PPCs for patients undergoing noncardiac thoracic surgery.
Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase: Growth Promoter or Tumor Suppressor?
Authors: Laukkanen Mikko O.
Published: May 2016

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) gene transfer to tissue damage results in increased healing, increased cell proliferation, decreased apoptosis, and decreased inflammatory cell infiltration. At molecular level, in vivo SOD3 overexpression reduces superoxide anion () concentration and increases mitogen kinase activation suggesting that SOD3 could have life‐supporting characteristics. The hypothesis is further strengthened by the observations showing significantly increased mortality in conditional knockout mice. However, in cancer SOD3 has been shown to either increase or decrease cell proliferation and survival depending on the model system used, indicating that SOD3‐derived growth mechanisms are not completely understood. In this paper, the author reviews the main discoveries in SOD3‐dependent growth regulation and signal transduction.
Brush-Painting and Photonic Sintering of Copper Oxide and Silver Inks on Wood and Cardboard Substrates to Form Antennas for UHF RFID Tags
Authors: Sipilä Erja , Virkki Johanna , Wang Jianhua , Sydänheimo Lauri , Ukkonen Leena
Published: May 2016

Additive deposition of inks with metallic inclusions provides compelling means to embed electronics into versatile structures. The need to integrate electronics into environmentally friendly components and structures increases dramatically together with the increasing popularity of the Internet of Things. We demonstrate a novel brush-painting method for depositing copper oxide and silver inks directly on wood and cardboard substrates and discuss the optimization of the photonic sintering process parameters for both materials. The optimized parameters were utilized to manufacture passive ultra high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag antennas. The results from wireless testing show that the RFID tags based on the copper oxide and silver ink antennas on wood substrate are readable from ranges of 8.5 and 11 meters, respectively, and on cardboard substrate from read ranges of 8.5 and 12 meters, respectively. These results are well sufficient for many future wireless applications requiring remote identification with RFID.
A Case of Apparent Life-Threatening Event: Comorbid Gastric Volvulus Associated Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Epilepsy in a 4-Month-Old Boy
Authors: Takano Yoshihiko , Horiike Masaki , Tatsumi Ako , Sakamoto Haruko , Fujino Hisanori , Sumimoto Shin-ichi
Published: May 2016

Most isolated episodes of apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) do not lead to the diagnosis of serious conditions, and their prognoses are generally benign. However, recurrent ALTEs are often associated with a risk of future serious adverse events and should be evaluated for appropriate management. Here we present ALTE case in which gastric volvulus associated gastroesophageal reflux disease was detected as an etiology initially, followed by the detection of epilepsy as another etiology. Clinicians should consider possibility of two or more etiologies in a single recurrent ALTE case.
Pilot Design for Sparse Channel Estimation in Large-Scale MIMO-OFDM System
Authors: Xu Chao , Zhang Jianhua , Liu Mengmeng , Yin Changchuan
Published: May 2016

The pilot design problem in large-scale multi-input-multioutput orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system is investigated from the perspective of compressed sensing (CS). According to the CS theory, the success probability of estimation is dependent on the mutual coherence of the reconstruction matrix. Specifically, the smaller the mutual coherence is, the higher the success probability is. Based on this conclusion, this paper proposes a pilot design algorithm based on alternating projection and obtains a nonorthogonal pilot pattern. Simulation results show that applying the proposed pattern gives the better performance compared to applying conventional orthogonal one in terms of normalized mean square error (NMSE) of the channel estimate. Moreover, the bit error rate (BER) performance of the large-scale MIMO-OFDM system is improved.
Serum Biochemistry of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus-Infected Cattle
Authors: Şevik Murat , Avci Oğuzhan , Doğan Müge , İnce Ömer Barış
Published: May 2016

Lumpy skin disease is an economically important poxvirus disease of cattle. Vaccination is the main method of control but sporadic outbreaks have been reported in Turkey. This study was carried out to determine the changes in serum biochemical values of cattle naturally infected with lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). For this study, blood samples in EDTA, serum samples, and nodular skin lesions were obtained from clinically infected animals (n=15) whereas blood samples in EDTA and serum samples were collected from healthy animals (n=15). A quantitative real-time PCR method was used to detectCapripoxvirus(CaPV) DNA in clinical samples. A real-time PCR high-resolution melt assay was performed to genotype CaPVs. Serum cardiac, hepatic, and renal damage markers and lipid metabolism products were measured by autoanalyzer. LSDV nucleic acid was detected in all samples which were obtained from clinically infected cattle. The results of serum biochemical analysis showed that aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and creatinine concentrations were markedly increased in serum from infected animals. However, there were no significant differences in the other biochemical parameters evaluated. The results of the current study suggest that liver and kidney failures occur during LSDV infection. These findings may help in developing effective treatment strategies in LSDV infection.
Multiplicity of Positive Solutions for Fractional Differential Equation withp-Laplacian Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Rao Sabbavarapu Nageswara
Published: May 2016

We investigate the existence of multiple positive solutions of fractional differential equations withp-Laplacian operatorDa+β(ϕp(Da+αu(t)))=f(t,u(t)),  a<t1,  ϕp-1=ϕq,  (1/p)+(1/q)=1, by applying Leggett–Williams fixed point theorems and fixed point index theory.
A Modified Carbon Monoxide Breath Test for Measuring Erythrocyte Lifespan in Small Animals
Authors: Ma Yong-Jian , Zhang Hou-De , Ji Yong-Qiang , Zhu Guo-Liang , Huang Jia-Liang , Du Li-Tao , Cao Ping , Zang De-Yue , Du Ji-Hui , Li Rong , Wang Lei
Published: May 2016

This study was to develop a CO breath test for RBC lifespan estimation of small animals. The ribavirin induced hemolysis rabbit models were placed individually in a closed rebreath cage and air samples were collected for measurement of CO concentration. RBC lifespan was calculated from accumulated CO, blood volume, and hemoglobin concentration data. RBC lifespan was determined in the same animals with the standard biotin-labeling method. RBC lifespan data obtained by the CO breath test method for control (CON,49.0±5.9 d) rabbits, rabbits given 10 mg/kg·d−1of ribavirin (RIB10,31.0±4.0 d), and rabbits given 20 mg/kg·d−1of ribavirin (RIB20,25.0±2.9 d) were statistically similar (allp>0.05) to and linearly correlated (r=0.96,p<0.01) with the RBC lifespan data obtained for the same rabbits by the standard biotin-labeling method (CON,51.0±2.7 d; RIB10,33.0±1.3 d; and RIB20,27.0±0.8 d). The CO breath test method takes less than 3 h to complete, whereas the standard method requires at least several weeks. In conclusion, the CO breath test method provides a simple and rapid means of estimating RBC lifespan and is feasible for use with small animal models.
Seasonal Fluctuation of the Population and Characterization ofBacillusspp. Isolated from the Coastal Soils of Digha, West Bengal, India
Authors: Azmi Syed Afrin , Chatterjee Soumendranath
Published: May 2016

Seasonal fluctuation of the population ofBacillusspp. in the coastal soils of Digha, West Bengal, India, was determined and it has been found that, during summer, monsoon, and winter season, theBacilluspopulation density varied in the range of 0.01–0.236 × 106, 0.11–0.202 × 106, and 0.098–0.155 × 106, respectively. Two-way ANOVA, agglomerative hierarchial cluster (AHC) analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to determine the diversity ofBacillusspp. in both spatial and temporal aspects. During summer season, the population ofBacillusspp. reached a comparatively higher density than monsoon or winter. Spatial variation was also exhibited among theBacillusspp. in different coastal villages. A total of 25 strains ofBacillusspp. (DSB1–DSB25) were isolated from the coastal soils of different village areas of Digha, during the study period. The isolates were characterized morphologically, physiologically, and biochemically. Colony morphology of each of the isolates was thoroughly studied. Biochemical tests along with fermentation tests, NaCl, pH, and temperature tolerance tests were done. The antibiotic sensitivity of the isolatedBacillusspp. against different standard antibiotics was also assessed. The study revealed that the coastal soils of Digha area were rich in different strains ofBacillusspp. showing significant differences in the morphophysiological and biochemical properties.
Cell Curvature and Far-Field Superconvergence in Numerical Solutions of Electromagnetic Integral Equations
Authors: Peterson Andrew F.
Published: May 2016

Two curved targets are used to explore far-field superconvergence effects arising in numerical solutions of the electric-field and magnetic-field integral equations. Three different orders of basis and testing functions are used to discretize these equations, and three different types of target models (flat facets, quadratic-curved facets, and cubic-curved facets) are employed. Ideal far-field convergence rates are only observed when the model curvature is one degree higher than the basis order.