bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapport salarial, politiques ciblées de lutte contre la pauvreté et construction d’une protection sociale à visée universelle : le cas brésilien
Authors: Pires de Sousa Fernando José
Published: November 2014

Au Brésil, les dix dernières années ont été marquées par l’administration du Parti des travailleurs (PT), le gouvernement de Dilma Roussef ayant succédé en 2011 au gouvernement du président Lula da Silva (2003-2006 et 2007-2010). Ces gouvernements ont fait de la réduction de la pauvreté et des inégalités sociales leur priorité, un objectif qu’ils ont cherché à poursuivre en tentant de générer de la croissance économique tout en créant des emplois dans le secteur formel, ainsi qu’en impulsant des augmentations réelles du salaire minimum et en mettant en place des politiques de transfert de revenus. La pierre d’assise des gouvernements Lula aura été le programme Bolsa Família (Bourse famille), alors que le programme Brasil sem Miséria (Brésil sans misère) sera le programme phare de sa successeure. Cet article cherche à analyser les enjeux autour de la mise en place de ces programmes et de la construction de la protection sociale, dans le cadre de l’aménagement d’une stratégie de lutte contre la pauvreté au Brésil. L’auteur propose des éléments pour une discussion portant sur la question du rapport salarial (et de son évolution) dans le contexte de la dynamique récente de transformation économique. Il réfléchit également à la capacité du gouvernement brésilien de mettre en place ses politiques économiques et sociales dites prioritaires visant l’amélioration des conditions des travailleurs pauvres.
Les flux du travail migrant temporaire et la précarisation de l’emploi : une nouvelle figure de la division internationale du travail ?
Authors: Soussi Sid Ahmed
Published: November 2014

Cet article expose les résultats d’une étude consacrée aux impacts socioéconomiques locaux des flux du travail migrant temporaire au Canada sur la structure de l’emploi, le rapport salarial et la précarisation du travail. À l’échelle internationale, le phénomène migratoire a laissé progressivement place à celui de la mobilité temporaire, notamment à la faveur de la financiarisation de l’économie et de l’externalisation croissante des activités industrielles et de service des entreprises. S’agit-il d’un infléchissement ou d’un véritable « changement de paradigme dans la gestion des flux migratoires » ? Au Canada, cette transition, accentuée par la mise en place et l’expansion de programmes de travailleurs étrangers temporaires, soulève plusieurs interrogations. Quels liens établir entre cette expansion et la précarisation progressive de l’emploi dans les secteurs d’activité affectés par ces flux ? Dans quelle mesure ces programmes, conçus pour gérer localement les flux du travail migrant temporaire, mais qui s’inscrivent dans une dynamique transnationale, redéfinissent-ils certaines figures de la division internationale du travail ? Les réponses proposées ici sont exposées en quatre parties. La première dresse un portrait de ces programmes et de leur fonction. La deuxième livre une synthèse critique des problématiques du travail migrant temporaire dans l’analyse sociologique en se focalisant sur l’articulation dialectique entre les flux migratoires liés à l’immigration et ceux induits par la mobilité. La troisième partie examine les retombées de ce phénomène en matière de structure de l’emploi, de rapport salarial et de droits sociaux du travail. La dernière partie se focalise sur la dialectique locale/globale induite par ces flux et sur leurs impacts dans la division internationale du travail dont ils tendent à constituer une nouvelle figure. La conclusion revient sur les implications de ce phénomène sur les rapports sociaux du travail en matière d’inégalités sociales (rapports de classe, de genre et rapports ethnoculturels) ainsi que sur les interrogations politiques qu’il soulève concernant l’ambivalence du rôle de l’État dans l’encadrement institutionnel des flux du travail migrant temporaire.
Evaluation of cloud‐resolving and limited area model intercomparison simulations using TWP‐ICE observations: 2. Precipitation microphysics
Authors: Varble Adam , Zipser Edward J. , Fridlind Ann M. , Zhu Ping , Ackerman Andrew S. , Chaboureau Jean‐Pierre , Fan Jiwen , Hill Adrian , Shipway Ben , Williams Christopher
Published: November 2014

Ten 3‐D cloud‐resolving model (CRM) simulations and four 3‐D limited area model (LAM) simulations of an intense mesoscale convective system observed on 23–24 January 2006 during the Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment (TWP‐ICE) are compared with each other and with observations and retrievals from a scanning polarimetric radar, colocated UHF and VHF vertical profilers, and a Joss‐Waldvogel disdrometer in an attempt to explain a low bias in simulated stratiform rainfall. Despite different forcing methodologies, similar precipitation microphysics errors appear in CRMs and LAMs with differences that depend on the details of the bulk microphysics scheme used. One‐moment schemes produce too many small raindrops, which biases Doppler velocities low, but produces rainwater contents (RWCs) that are similar to observed. Two‐moment rain schemes with a gamma shape parameter (μ) of 0 produce excessive size sorting, which leads to larger Doppler velocities than those produced in one‐moment schemes but lower RWCs. Two‐moment schemes also produce a convective median volume diameter distribution that is too broad relative to observations and, thus, may have issues balancing raindrop formation, collision‐coalescence, and raindrop breakup. Assuming a μ of 2.5 rather than 0 for the raindrop size distribution improves one‐moment scheme biases, and allowing μ to have values greater than 0 may improve excessive size sorting in two‐moment schemes. Underpredicted stratiform rain rates are associated with underpredicted ice water contents at the melting level rather than excessive rain evaporation, in turn likely associated with convective detrainment that is too high in the troposphere and mesoscale circulations that are too weak. A limited domain size also prevents a large, well‐developed stratiform region like the one observed from developing in CRMs, although LAMs also fail to produce such a region.
Electron and ion heating by whistler turbulence: Three‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations
Authors: Hughes R. Scott , Gary S. Peter , Wang Joseph
Published: November 2014

Three‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations of decaying whistler turbulence are carried out on a collisionless, homogeneous, magnetized, electron‐ion plasma model. The simulations use an initial ensemble of relatively long wavelength whistler modes with a broad range of initial propagation directions with an initial electron beta βe = 0.05. The computations follow the temporal evolution of the fluctuations as they cascade into broadband turbulent spectra at shorter wavelengths. Three simulations correspond to successively larger simulation boxes and successively longer wavelengths of the initial fluctuations. The computations confirm previous results showing electron heating is preferentially parallel to the background magnetic field Bo, and ion heating is preferentially perpendicular to Bo. The new results here are that larger simulation boxes and longer initial whistler wavelengths yield weaker overall dissipation, consistent with linear dispersion theory predictions of decreased damping, stronger ion heating, consistent with a stronger ion Landau resonance, and weaker electron heating.
Satellite evidence for significant biophysical consequences of the “Grain for Green” Program on the Loess Plateau in China
Authors: Xiao Jingfeng
Published: November 2014

Afforestation has been implemented worldwide as regional and national policies to address environmental problems and to improve ecosystem services. China's central government launched the “Grain for Green” Program (GGP) in 1999 to increase forest cover and to control soil erosion by converting agricultural lands on steep slopes to forests and grasslands. Here a variety of satellite data products from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer were used to assess the biophysical consequences of the GGP for the Loess Plateau, the pilot region of the program. The average tree cover of the plateau substantially increased because of the GGP, with a relative increase of 41.0%. The GGP led to significant increases in enhanced vegetation index (EVI), leaf area index, and the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by canopies. The increase in forest productivity as approximated by EVI was not driven by elevated air temperature, changing precipitation, or rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Moreover, the afforestation significantly reduced surface albedo, leading to a positive radiative forcing and a warming effect on the climate. The GGP also led to a significant decline in daytime land surface temperature and exerted a cooling effect on the climate. The GGP therefore has significant biophysical consequences by altering carbon cycling, hydrologic processes, and surface energy exchange and has significant feedbacks to the regional climate. The net radiative forcing on the climate depends on the offsetting of the negative forcing from carbon sequestration and higher evapotranspiration and the positive forcing from lower albedo.
Analysis and performance of CMA blind deconvolution for image restoration
Authors: Samarasinghe Pradeepa D. , Kennedy Rodney A.
Published: November 2014

In this paper we study the applicability of classical blind deconvolution methods such as constant modulus algorithm (CMA) for blind adaptive image restoration. The requirements such as the source to be white, uniformly distributed and zero mean, which yield satisfactory convergence in the data communication application context, are revisited in the image restoration context, where a linear deblur kernel needs to be blindly adapted to compensate for an unknown image blur kernel with the objective to recover a source ground truth image. Through analysis and performance studies, we show that the performance of CMA is adversely affected by the intrinsic spatial correlation of natural images and by any deviation of their distribution from being platykurtic. We also show that decorrelation techniques designed to overcome spatial correlation cannot be effectively applied to rectify CMA performance for blind adaptive image restoration. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecularly Engineered Self‐Assembling Membranes for Cell‐Mediated Degradation
Authors: Ferreira Daniela S. , Lin Yi‐An , Cui Honggang , Hubbell Jeffrey A. , Reis Rui L. , Azevedo Helena S.
Published: November 2014

The use of peptide engineering to develop self‐assembling membranes that are responsive to cellular enzyme activities is reported. The membranes are obtained by combining hyaluronan (HA) and a rationally designed peptide amphiphile (PA) containing a proteolytic domain (GPQGIWGQ octapeptide) sensitive to matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1). Insertion of an octapeptide in a typical PA structure does not disturb its self‐assembly into fibrillar nanostructures neither the ability to form membranes with HA. In vitro enzymatic degradation with hyaluronidase and MMP‐1 shows that membranes containing the MMP‐1 substrate exhibit enhanced enzymatic degradation, compared with control membranes (absence of MMP‐1 cleavable peptide or containing a MMP‐1 insensitive sequence), being completely degraded after 7 days. Cell viability and proliferation is minimally affected by the enzymatically cleavable functionality of the membrane, but the presence of MMP‐1 cleavable sequence does stimulate the secretion of MMP‐1 by fibroblasts and interfere with matrix deposition, particularly the deposition of collagen. By showing cell‐responsiveness to biochemical signals presented on self‐assembling membranes, this study highlights the ability of modulating certain cellular activities through matrix engineering. This concept can be further explored to understand the cellular remodeling process and as a strategy to develop artificial matrices with more biomimetic degradation for tissue engineering applications.
Antiviral therapy is associated with a better survival in patients with hepatitis C virus and B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphomas, ANRS HC‐13 lympho‐C study
Authors: Michot Jean‐Marie , Canioni Danielle , Driss Henda , Alric Laurent , Cacoub Patrice , Suarez Felipe , Sibon David , Thieblemont Catherine , Dupuis Jehan , Terrier Benjamin , Feray Cyrille , Tilly Hervé , Pol Stanislas , Leblond Véronique , Settegrana Catherine , Rabiega Pascaline , Barthe Yoann , Hendel‐Chavez Houria , Nguyen‐Khac Florence , Merle‐Béral Hélène , Berger Françoise , Molina Thierry , Charlotte Frédéric , Carrat Fabrice , Davi Frédéric , Hermine Olivier , Besson Caroline ,   on behalf of the ANRS HC‐13 Lympho‐C Study Group
Published: November 2014

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk of B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (B‐NHL). Antiviral treatment (AT) can induce hematological responses in patients with marginal zone lymphomas (MZL). The ANRS HC‐13 Lympho‐C study aimed at a better understanding of the impact of AT on HCV associated B‐NHL. This multicentric study enrolled 116 HCV‐positive patients with B‐NHL between 2006 and 2012. Cytological and histological samples were collected for centralized review. At lymphoma diagnosis, median age was 61 years and gender ratio M/F was 1. Cytohistological distribution was marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) n = 45 (39%), diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) n = 45 (39%), and other types n = 26 (22%). MZL patients had more frequent detection of rheumatoid factor (68% vs. 35%; P = 0.001) and more frequently mixed cryoglobulinemia (74% vs. 44%; P = 0.021) than patients with DLBCL. Among patients receiving AT, a sustained virologic response was achieved in 23 of 38 (61%) patients with MZL and in 9 of 17 (53%) with DLBCL (P = 0.42). Three‐year overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival were 78% 95%CI [63–88] and 64% [48–76], respectively, without difference between cytohistological groups. Outcome analysis showed a favorable association between OS and AT in all patients (P = 0.05) and in the subgroup of MZL patients only (P = 0.04). Our data support that AT improves the outcomes of HCV‐associated NHLs. The impact of new AT regimen with protease inhibitor needs to be investigated in this setting. [clinicalTrials.gov Identification number NCT01545544] Am. J. Hematol. 90:197–203, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phosphideinbau in ein Cyclotrisilen
Authors: Robinson Thomas P. , Cowley Michael J. , Scheschkewitz David , Goicoechea Jose M.
Published: November 2014

Wir berichten über die Reaktivität des 2‐Phosphaethinolat‐Anions (PCO−) gegenüber einem cyclischen Trisilen (cSi3(Tip)4), die in einer Nettoaktivierung der P‐C‐ und Si‐Si‐Mehrfachbindungen der Vorstufen resultiert und so das heteroatomare Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentan‐2‐on‐Analogon [P(CO)Si3(Tip)4]− (1) erzeugt. Diese Reaktion kann als formale Addition eines Phosphids und eines Carbonyls über die Si‐Si‐Doppelbindung interpretiert werden. Photolytische Decarbonylierung von 1 resultiert im Einbau der Phosphideinheit in das Cyclotrisilengerüst und liefert so einen Artverwandten des Cyclobutenanions mit nennenswert allylischem Charakter.
Brief Report: Connecting Two Pathways Through Ca2+ Signaling: NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Induced by a Hypermorphic PLCG2 Mutation
Authors: Chae Jae Jin , Park Yong Hwan , Park Chung , Hwang Il‐Young , Hoffmann Patrycja , Kehrl John H. , Aksentijevich Ivona , Kastner Daniel L.
Published: November 2014

Objective

We previously reported that p.Ser707Tyr, a novel variant in phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2), is the cause of a dominantly inherited autoinflammatory disease, autoinflammation and PLCγ2‐associated antibody deficiency and immune dysregulation (APLAID). The hypermorphic mutation enhances PLCγ2 activity and causes an increase in intracellular Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum stores. Because increased intracellular Ca2+ signaling has been associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation, we studied the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of APLAID.

Methods

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy control subjects and 2 patients with APLAID. Inflammasome activation was analyzed by Western blotting. Intracellular Ca2+ levels were measured with a FLIPR Calcium 4 assay kit.

Results

Cells from the patients had elevated basal levels of intracellular Ca2+, and the intracellular Ca2+ flux triggered by extracellular CaCl2 was substantially enhanced. Patient PBMCs secreted interleukin‐1β in response to lipopolysaccharide priming alone, and this effect was attenuated by treatment with a PLC inhibitor, intracellular Ca2+ blockers, or an adenylate cyclase activator.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the inflammation in patients with APLAID is partially driven by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. These data link 2 seemingly distinct molecular pathways and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of APLAID and autoinflammation.
Association of Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis With Distinct Patterns of Synovitis
Authors: de Lange‐Brokaar B. J. E. , Ioan‐Facsinay A. , Yusuf E. , Visser A. W. , Kroon H. M. , van Osch G. J. V. M. , Zuurmond A.‐M. , Stojanovic‐Susulic V. , Bloem J. L. , Nelissen R. G. H. H. , Huizinga T. W. , Kloppenburg M.
Published: November 2014

Objective

To determine possible patterns of synovitis on contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE‐MRI) and its relation to pain and severity in patients with radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

In total, 86 patients (mean age 62 years, 66% women, median body mass index 29 kg/m2) with symptomatic knee OA (Kellgren/Lawrence radiographic score 3) were included. T1‐weighted, gadolinium‐chelate–enhanced MRI with fat suppression was used to semiquantitatively score the extent of synovitis at 11 knee sites (total score range 0–22). Self‐reported pain was assessed with 3 standardized questionnaires. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to investigate patterns (the location and severity) of synovitis. Subsequently, these patterns were assessed for associations with pain measures and radiographic severity in adjusted logistic regression models.

Results

Synovitis was observed in 86 patients and was found to be generally mild on CE‐MRI (median total synovitis score 7, range 0–16). The median pain scores were 53 (range 0–96) on the visual analog scale for pain, 51.4 (range 2.8–97.2) on the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for pain, 35 (range 0–75) on the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) score for constant pain, and 40.6 (range 0–87.5) on the ICOAP score for intermittent pain. PCA resulted in extraction of 3 components, explaining 53.4% of the variance. Component 1 was characterized by synovitis at 7 sites (mainly medial parapatellar involvement) and was associated with scores on the KOOS pain subscale and the ICOAP constant pain subscale. Component 2 was characterized by synovitis at 4 sites (mainly the site adjacent to the anterior cruciate ligament), but was not associated with pain measures or with radiographic severity. Component 3, characterized by synovitis at 3 sites (mainly at the loose body site), was associated with radiographic severity.

Conclusion

Different patterns of synovitis in knee OA were observed. The pattern that included several patellar sites was associated with pain, whereas other patterns showed no association, suggesting that pain perception in patients with knee OA is a localized response.
Serum Adipokine Levels in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis and Their Relationship to Clinical Parameters and Radiographic Spinal Progression
Authors: Syrbe Uta , Callhoff Johanna , Conrad Kristina , Poddubnyy Denis , Haibel Hildrun , Junker Susann , Frommer Klaus W. , Müller‐Ladner Ulf , Neumann Elena , Sieper Joachim
Published: November 2014

Objective

Adipokines have metabolic and inflammatory functions but can also affect bone metabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between serum levels of adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin and markers of inflammation, disease activity, and radiographic spinal progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

Levels of adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin in the serum of 86 AS patients and 25 healthy controls were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay at baseline. Radiographic spinal progression was determined by the scoring of radiographs of the spine obtained at baseline and after 2 years.

Results

Mean (±SD) baseline levels of resistin and visfatin were significantly higher in AS patients than in healthy controls (11.6 ± 10.6 ng/ml versus 6.6 ± 3.2 ng/ml [P = 0.01] for resistin, and 20.9 ± 48.3 ng/ml versus 3.4 ± 2.6 ng/ml [P = 0.001] for visfatin). Adipokine serum levels did not correlate with disease activity or functional indices. Only resistin serum levels correlated with markers of inflammation. Baseline levels of visfatin, but not resistin or adiponectin, were significantly higher in patients with worsening of the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) by ≥2 units after 2 years (n = 19) as compared to patients without mSASSS worsening (37.7 ± 57.8 ng/ml versus 16.1 ± 44.6 ng/ml; P = 0.029) and in patients with syndesmophyte formation/progression (n = 22) as compared to patients without such progression (37.1 ± 55.3 ng/ml versus 15.3 ± 44.8 ng/ml; P = 0.023). Visfatin levels of >8 ng/ml at baseline were predictive of subsequent radiographic spinal progression (adjusted odds ratio 3.6 for mSASSS progression and 5.4 for syndesmophyte formation/progression).

Conclusion

Serum levels of resistin and visfatin are elevated in AS patients. Elevated visfatin levels at baseline are predictive of subsequent progression of radiographic damage in AS patients.
The future of ancient DNA: Technical advances and conceptual shifts
Authors: Hofreiter Michael , Paijmans Johanna L. A. , Goodchild Helen , Speller Camilla F. , Barlow Axel , Fortes Gloria G. , Thomas Jessica A. , Ludwig Arne , Collins Matthew J.
Published: November 2014

Technological innovations such as next generation sequencing and DNA hybridisation enrichment have resulted in multi‐fold increases in both the quantity of ancient DNA sequence data and the time depth for DNA retrieval. To date, over 30 ancient genomes have been sequenced, moving from 0.7× coverage (mammoth) in 2008 to more than 50× coverage (Neanderthal) in 2014. Studies of rapid evolutionary changes, such as the evolution and spread of pathogens and the genetic responses of hosts, or the genetics of domestication and climatic adaptation, are developing swiftly and the importance of palaeogenomics for investigating evolutionary processes during the last million years is likely to increase considerably. However, these new datasets require new methods of data processing and analysis, as well as conceptual changes in interpreting the results. In this review we highlight important areas of future technical and conceptual progress and discuss research topics in the rapidly growing field of palaeogenomics.
Antiproliferative and metabolic effects of metformin in a preoperative window clinical trial for endometrial cancer
Authors: Schuler Kevin M. , Rambally Brooke S. , DiFurio Megan J. , Sampey Brante P. , Gehrig Paola A. , Makowski Liza , Bae‐Jump Victoria L.
Published: November 2014

We conducted a preoperative window study of metformin in endometrial cancer (EC) patients and evaluated its antiproliferative, molecular and metabolic effects. Twenty obese women with endometrioid EC were treated with metformin (850 mg) daily for up to 4 weeks prior to surgical staging. Expression of the proliferation marker Ki‐67, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), and downstream targets of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway were measured by immunohistochemistry. Global, untargeted metabolomics analysis of serum pre‐ and postmetformin treatment, and matched tumor, was performed. Metformin reduced proliferation by 11.75% (P = 0.008) based on the comparison of pre‐ and posttreatment endometrial tumors. A total of 65% of patients responded to metformin as defined by a decrease in Ki‐67 staining in their endometrial tumors post‐treatment. Metformin decreased expression of phosphorylated (p)‐AMPK (P = 0.00001), p‐Akt (P = 0.0002), p‐S6 (51.2%, P = 0.0002), p‐4E‐BP‐1 (P = 0.001), and ER (P = 0.0002) but not PR expression. Metabolomic profiling of serum indicated that responders versus nonresponders to treatment were more sensitive to metformin's effects on induction of lipolysis, which correlated with increased fatty acid oxidation and glycogen metabolism in matched tumors. In conclusion, metformin reduced tumor proliferation in a pre‐operative window study in obese EC patients, with dramatic effects on inhibition of the mTOR pathway. Metformin induced a shift in lipid and glycogen metabolism that was more pronounced in the serum and tumors of responders versus nonresponders to treatment.This study provides support for therapeutic clinical trials of metformin in obese patients with EC.
Divergent Reactivity of Homologue ortho‐Allenylbenzaldehydes Controlled by the Tether Length: Chromone versus Chromene Formation
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro , Fernández Israel , Martínez del Campo Teresa , Naranjo Teresa
Published: November 2014

The divergent behavior of two homologue allenals, namely, 2‐(buta‐2,3‐dienyloxy)‐ and 2‐(propa‐1,2‐dienyloxy)benzaldehydes, as cyclization substrates is described. 2‐(Buta‐2,3‐dienyloxy)benzaldehydes suffers a formal allenic carbocyclization reaction to afford chromenes, whereas 2‐(propa‐1,2‐dienyloxy)benzaldehydes react to yield chromones. The formation of chromenes is strictly a formal hydroarylation process divided into two parts, namely, allenic Claisen‐type rearrangement and oxycyclization. An unknown N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed allenic hydroacylation reaction must be invoked to account for the preparation of chromones. ortho‐Allenylbenzaldehydes bearing either electron‐donating substituents or electron‐withdrawing substituents worked well to afford both the hydroarylation and hydroacylation products. This unexpected difference in reactivity can be rationalized by means of density functional theory calculations.
Bevacizumab and the risk of arterial and venous thromboembolism in patients with metastatic, castration‐resistant prostate cancer treated on Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 90401 (Alliance)
Authors: Patel Jai N. , Jiang Chen , Hertz Daniel L. , Mulkey Flora A. , Owzar Kouros , Halabi Susan , Ratain Mark J. , Friedman Paula N. , Small Eric J. , Carducci Michael A. , Mahoney John F. , Kelley Michael J. , Morris Michael J. , Kelly William K. , McLeod Howard L.
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Bevacizumab is associated with an increased risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE); however, its effect on venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial. Scant data exist on the factors that increase the risk of ATE/VTE in patients with prostate cancer. The authors investigated the association of bevacizumab treatment and clinical factors with ATE/VTE risk in patients who were treated on Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) trial 90401.

METHODS

Patients with metastatic, castration‐resistant prostate cancer were randomized to receive docetaxel and prednisone with or without bevacizumab once every 21 days. Cycle‐to‐event Cox regression models were used to investigate the association of bevacizumab with the incidence of grade 3 or greater (≥3) ATE and VTE. Age, prior ATE/VTE, baseline antiplatelet/anticoagulant use, and VTE risk score (based on leukocyte count, hemoglobin, platelet count, body mass index, and tumor location) were evaluated in univariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Of 1008 randomized patients, the odds of experiencing grade ≥3 ATE were significantly greater in those who received bevacizumab compared with those who received placebo (odds ratio, 2.79;P= .02), whereas an opposite trend was noted for grade ≥3 VTE (odds ratio, 0.60;P= .08). In the multivariable analysis, bevacizumab treatment (hazard ratio [HR], 3.00;P= .01) and age (HR, 1.06;P= .02) were significantly associated with the risk of ATE; whereas age (HR, 1.05;P= .01) and VTE risk score (HR, 1.83;P= .03) were significantly associated with the risk of VTE.

CONCLUSIONS

Bevacizumab was significantly associated with a greater risk of ATE in patients with metastatic, castration‐resistant prostate cancer, but it was not significantly associated with the risk of VTE. Understanding clinical factors that increase the risk for experiencing ATE/VTE is essential to mitigate the risks and reduce the burden of these prevalent complications in cancer care.Cancer 2015;121:1025–1031.©2014 American Cancer Society.
Perinatal and familial risk factors for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a Swedish national cohort
Authors: Crump Casey , Sundquist Jan , Sieh Weiva , Winkleby Marilyn A. , Sundquist Kristina
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Perinatal factors including high birth weight have been found to be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in case‐control studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, these findings have seldom been examined in large population‐based cohort studies, and the specific contributions of gestational age and fetal growth remain unknown.

METHODS

The authors conducted a national cohort study of 3,569,333 individuals without Down syndrome who were born in Sweden between 1973 and 2008 and followed for the incidence of ALL through 2010 (maximum age, 38 years) to examine perinatal and familial risk factors.

RESULTS

There were 1960 ALL cases with 69.7 million person‐years of follow‐up. After adjusting for potential confounders, risk factors for ALL included high fetal growth (incidence rate ratio [IRR] per additional 1 standard deviation, 1.07; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02‐1.11 [P =.002]; and IRR for large vs appropriate for gestational age, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06‐1.40 [P =.005]), first‐degree family history of ALL (IRR, 7.41; 95% CI, 4.60‐11.95 [P<.001]), male sex (IRR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.10‐1.31 [P<.001]), and parental country of birth (IRR for both parents born in Sweden vs other countries, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.27 [P =.045]). These risk factors did not appear to vary by patient age at the time of diagnosis of ALL. Gestational age at birth, season of birth, birth order, multiple birth, parental age, and parental education level were not found to be associated with ALL.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort study, high fetal growth was found to be associated with an increased risk of ALL in childhood through young adulthood, independent of gestational age at birth, suggesting that growth factor pathways may play an important long‐term role in the etiology of ALL. Cancer 2015;121:1040–1047. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
An Electron‐Deficient Small Molecule Accessible from Sustainable Synthesis and Building Blocks for Use as a Fullerene Alternative in Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: McAfee Seth M. , Topple Jessica M. , Payne Abby‐Jo , Sun Jon‐Paul , Hill Ian G. , Welch Gregory C.
Published: November 2014

An electron‐deficient small molecule accessible from sustainable isoindigo and phthalimide building blocks was synthesized via optimized synthetic procedures that incorporate microwave‐assisted synthesis and a heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki coupling, and direct heteroarylation carbon–carbon bond forming reactions. The material was designed as a non‐fullerene acceptor with the help of DFT calculations and characterized by optical, electronic, and thermal analysis. Further investigation of the material revealed a differing solid‐state morphology with the use of three well‐known processing conditions: thermal annealing, solvent vapor annealing and small volume fractions of 1,8‐diiodooctane (DIO) additive. These unique morphologies persist in the active layer blends and have demonstrated a distinct influence on device performance. Organic photovoltaic–bulk heterojunction (OPV‐BHJ) devices show an inherently high open circuit voltage (Voc) with the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) cells reaching 1.0 V with 0.4 v/v % DIO as a processing additive.
Biology and flow cytometry of proangiogenic hematopoietic progenitors cells
Authors: Rose Jonathan A. , Erzurum Serpil , Asosingh Kewal
Published: November 2014

During development, hematopoiesis and neovascularization are closely linked to each other via a common bipotent stem cell called the hemangioblast that gives rise to both hematopoietic cells and endothelial cells. In postnatal life, this functional connection between the vasculature and hematopoiesis is maintained by a subset of hematopoietic progenitor cells endowed with the capacity to differentiate into potent proangiogenic cells. These proangiogenic hematopoietic progenitors comprise a specific subset of bone marrow (BM)‐derived cells that homes to sites of neovascularization and possess potent paracrine angiogenic activity. There is emerging evidence that this subpopulation of hematopoietic progenitors plays a critical role in vascular health and disease. Their angiogenic activity is distinct from putative “endothelial progenitor cells” that become structural cells of the endothelium by differentiation into endothelial cells. Proangiogenic hematopoietic progenitor cell research requires multidisciplinary expertise in flow cytometry, hematology, and vascular biology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of proangiogenic hematopoietic progenitor cell biology and flow cytometric methods to detect these cells in the peripheral blood circulation and BM. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Electrochemical Communication Between Electrodes and Rhodobacter capsulatus Grown in Different Metabolic Modes
Authors: Hasan Kamrul , Reddy Kesava Vijalapuram Raghava , Eßmann Vera , Górecki Kamil , Conghaile Peter Ó , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Leech Dónal , Hägerhäll Cecilia , Gorton Lo
Published: November 2014

The majority of efforts on microbial and photosynthetic microbial fuel cells are both curiosity driven and made to possibly meet the future growing demand for sustainable energy. The most metabolically versatile purple bacteria Rhodobacter capsulatus is a potential candidate for this purpose. However, utilizing bacteria in such systems requires efficient electronic transfer communication between the microbial cells and the electrodes, which is one of the greatest challenges. Previous studies demonstrated that osmium redox polymers (ORPs) could be used for extracellular electron transfer between the cells and electrodes. Recently, heterotrophically grown R. capsulatus has been wired with ORP modified electrodes. Here in this communication, we report electron transfer from R. capsulatus grown under heterotrophic as well as under photoheterotrophic conditions to electrodes. The cells, immobilized on bare graphite and ORP modified graphite electrodes, were excited with visible light and subsequent photosynthetic electron transfer was recorded using cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric measurements. Photoheterotrophically grown R. capsulatus cells on bare graphite generate a significant photocurrent density of 3.46 µA cm−2, whereas on an ORP modified electrode the current density increases to 8.46 µA cm−2. Furthermore, when 1 mM p‐benzoquinone is added to the electrolyte the photocurrent density reaches 12.25 µA cm−2. Our results could have significant implications in photosynthetic energy conversion and in development of photobioelectrochemical devices.
Economics: United States Must Produce Top Talent to Fuel Growth
Authors: Ogden Edward
Published: November 2014

The global energy market faces a challenging period of transition as companies look to bolster the supply of talent in the industry, in keeping with the projected growth of the market. This supply of talent is needed not only to support expanding capabilities made possible by new technology, but also to fill the gap that is being created by the aging workforce in the sector.
Public Engagement and the Importance of Content, Purpose, and Timing
Authors: Grogan Colleen M.
Published: November 2014

It is easy to call for public engagement (or dialogue) around difficult, morally fraught policy topics such as synthetic biology, but it is quite another thing to make sure that the deliberation is meaningful, as Kaebnick, Gusmano, and Murray aptly insist it should be. The surveys, focus groups, and public dialogues that have been held about synthetic biology to date show a very low level of public knowledge about it. Focus group findings also suggest that the in­herent uncertainty and complexity surrounding synthetic biology give rise to greater ambivalence moving forward. The Science and Technology Innovation Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and Hart Research Associates presented respondents with a “balanced description” of synthetic biology in nation­wide phone surveys and eight sessions of focus groups and found that, after respondents received information, the percentage saying that the risks outweighed the ben­efits consistently increased.

In my view, the Hart research suggests three very im­portant conclusions about how best to structure public deliberation. First, information about uncertainty may not inform the public in any meaningful way. Second, the purpose of assessing public opinion and conduct­ing public deliberation is crucially important. Third, as Kaebnick, Gusmano, and Murray point out, the type and framing of the information given and the timing of the discussion matters a great deal for shaping the content.
Beware Bubbles and Echo Chambers
Authors: Thomas Jim
Published: November 2014

It's a bold but frankly risky opening shot for Kaebnick, Gusmano, and Murray to commence their report by claiming that a “majority opinion” or a “near‐con­sensus” has now been reached on the matter of synthetic biology. Risky because “majority opinions,” even in well‐established controversies, are highly unstable (events will have many surprises in store) but also risky because . . . well . . . the majority of whom, exactly? North American bioethicists? Invitees to Washington roundtable discus­sions? Or some sort of broader meaningful public major­ity? According to the authors, the particular unspecified majority they have in mind agrees that a social contract of sorts has already been hammered out in which “society should allow the technology to proceed and even provide it some financial support.”

Has the burgeoning debate over synthetic biology re­ally already come to a gentleman's agreement brokered roughly along terms described by the U.S. President's Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues in its re­port of 2011? I don't think so.
Dynamic reconfiguration of the language network preceding onset of speech in picture naming
Authors: Liljeström Mia , Kujala Jan , Stevenson Claire , Salmelin Riitta
Published: November 2014

Language production is a complex neural process that requires the interplay between multiple specialized cortical regions. We investigated modulations in large‐scale cortical networks underlying preparation for speech production by contrasting cortico‐cortical coherence for overt and silent picture naming in an all‐to‐all connectivity analysis. To capture transient, frequency‐specific changes in functional connectivity we analyzed the magnetoencephalography data in two consecutive 300‐ms time windows. Within the first 300 ms following picture onset beta frequency coherence was increased for overt naming in a network of regions comprising the bilateral parieto‐temporal junction and medial cortices, suggesting that overt articulation modifies selection processes involved in speech planning. In the late time window (300–600 ms after picture onset) beta‐range coherence was enhanced in a network that included the ventral sensorimotor and temporal cortices. Coherence in the gamma band was simultaneously reduced between the ventral motor cortex and supplementary motor area, bilaterally. The results suggest functionally distinct roles for beta (facilitatory) and gamma (suppressive) band interactions in speech production, with strong involvement of the motor cortex in both frequency bands. Overall, a striking difference in functional connectivity between the early and late time windows was observed, revealing the dynamic nature of large‐scale cortical networks that support language and speech. Our results demonstrate that as the naming task evolves in time, the global connectivity patterns change, and that these changes occur (at least) on the time‐scale of a few hundred milliseconds. More generally, these results bear implications for how we view large‐scale neural networks underlying task performance. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1202–1216, 2015. © 2014 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Virtual water maze learning in human increases functional connectivity between posterior hippocampus and dorsal caudate
Authors: Woolley Daniel G. , Mantini Dante , Coxon James P. , D'Hooge Rudi , Swinnen Stephan P. , Wenderoth Nicole
Published: November 2014

Recent work has demonstrated that functional connectivity between remote brain regions can be modulated by task learning or the performance of an already well‐learned task. Here, we investigated the extent to which initial learning and stable performance of a spatial navigation task modulates functional connectivity between subregions of hippocampus and striatum. Subjects actively navigated through a virtual water maze environment and used visual cues to learn the position of a fixed spatial location. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were collected before and after virtual water maze navigation in two scan sessions conducted 1 week apart, with a behavior‐only training session in between. There was a large significant reduction in the time taken to intercept the target location during scan session 1 and a small significant reduction during the behavior‐only training session. No further reduction was observed during scan session 2. This indicates that scan session 1 represented initial learning and scan session 2 represented stable performance. We observed an increase in functional connectivity between left posterior hippocampus and left dorsal caudate that was specific to scan session 1. Importantly, the magnitude of the increase in functional connectivity was correlated with offline gains in task performance. Our findings suggest cooperative interaction occurs between posterior hippocampus and dorsal caudate during awake rest following the initial phase of spatial navigation learning. Furthermore, we speculate that the increase in functional connectivity observed during awake rest after initial learning might reflect consolidation‐related processing. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1265–1277, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CIDEC/FSP27 is regulated by peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha and plays a critical role in fasting‐ and diet‐induced hepatosteatosis
Authors: Langhi Cédric , Baldán Ángel
Published: November 2014

The cell death‐inducing DNA fragmentation factor alpha‐like effector c (CIDEC; also known in rodents as FSP27 or fat‐specific protein 27) is a lipid droplet‐associated protein that promotes intracellular triglyceride (TAG) storage. CIDEC/Fsp27 is highly expressed in adipose tissue, but undetectable in normal liver. However, its hepatic expression rises during fasting or under genetic or diet‐induced hepatosteatosis in both mice and patients. Herein, we demonstrate that CIDEC/Fsp27 is a direct transcriptional target of the nuclear receptor PPARα (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha) in both mouse and human hepatocytes, and that preventing Fsp27 induction accelerates PPARα‐stimulated fatty acid oxidation. We show that adenoviral‐mediated silencing of hepatic Fsp27 abolishes fasting‐induced liver steatosis in the absence of changes in plasma lipids. Finally, we report that anti‐Fsp27 short hairpin RNA and PPARα agonists synergize to ameliorate hepatosteatosis in mice fed a high fat diet. Conclusions: Together, our data highlight the physiological importance of CIDEC/Fsp27 in TAG homeostasis under both physiological and pathological liver steatosis. Our results also suggest that patients taking fibrates likely have elevated levels of hepatic CIDEC, which may limit the efficient mobilization and catabolism of hepatic TAGs. (Hepatology 2015;61:1227–1238)
The p.Ser267Phe variant in SLC10A1 is associated with resistance to chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Peng Liang , Zhao Qiang , Li Qibin , Li Miaoxin , Li Caixia , Xu Tingting , Jing Xiangyi , Zhu Xiang , Wang Ye , Li Fucheng , Liu Ruihong , Zhong Cheng , Pan Qihao , Zeng Binghui , Liao Qijun , Hu Bin , Hu Zhao‐xia , Huang Yang‐su , Sham Pak , Liu Jinsong , Xu Shuhua , Wang Jun , Gao Zhi‐liang , Wang Yiming
Published: November 2014

In the past 50 years there have been considerable efforts to identify the cellular receptor of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Recently, in vitro evidence from several groups has shown that the sodium–taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP, which is encoded by SLC10A1 and transports bile acids into hepatic cells in enterohepatic recirculation) is a strong candidate. In particular, in vitro the p.Ser267Phe variation of SLC10A1 results in loss of HBV receptor function. We tested the role of NTCP as a receptor for HBV in chronic hepatitis B patients using a genetic association study. We selected SLC10A1 variants from 189 exomes. We used Sanger sequencing to follow up the association of the various SLC10A1 variants in a Han Chinese cohort of 1899 chronic hepatitis B patients and 1828 healthy controls. We further investigated the potential impact of the p.Ser267Phe variant on NTCP function using structural analysis. The p.Ser267Phe variant was associated with healthy status (P = 5.7 × 10−23
, odds ratio = 0.36) irrespective of hepatitis B virus surface antibody status (P = 6.2 × 10−21 and 1.5 × 10−10, respectively, when the cases were compared with hepatitis B virus surface antibody–positive and –negative controls). The variation was also associated with a lower incidence of acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (P = 0.007). The estimated heritability explained by this single variation was ∼3.2%. The population prevented fraction was around 13.0% among the southern Chinese. Our structural modeling showed that the p.Ser267Phe variant might interfere with ligand binding, thereby preventing HBV from cellular entry. Conclusion: The p.Ser267Phe NTCP variant is significantly associated with resistance to chronic hepatitis B and a lower incidence of acute‐on‐chronic liver failure. Our results support that NTCP is a cellular receptor for HBV in human infection. (Hepatology 2015;61:1251–1260)
What Do HRD Scholars and Practitioners Need to Know About Power, Emotion, and HRD?
Authors: Vince Russ
Published: November 2014

In this article, written for the 25th anniversary volume of HRDQ, I have been invited to focus on emotion and power in the context of HRD. It is hoped that my article will help to inform and to stimulate the future flow of manuscripts in this area. My starting point is to suggest a simple rule, which is that development is beset with contradictions. I argue that a better understanding of the contradictions that are integral to HRD will lead to improvements in the design and implementation of learning and development practices within the messy, complicated, and power‐filled world of organizations.