bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditions, preventable deaths, procedures and validation of a countrywide survey of surgical care in Nepal
Authors: Gupta S , Shrestha S , Ranjit A , Nagarajan N , Groen R S , Kushner A L , Nwomeh B C
Published: March 2015

Background

To determine a true denominator of worldwide surgical need, it is imperative to include estimations at a population-based level, to capture those individuals unable to access surgical care. This study was designed to validate the Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical need (SOSAS) tool with the addition of a visual physical examination, and describe the prevalence of surgical conditions, deaths possibly averted with access to surgical care, and the number of surgical procedures performed annually, in Nepal.

Methods

The SOSAS tool, developed to measure the prevalence of surgical conditions at a population level and used in two African countries, was employed. Fifteen of the 75 districts of Nepal were chosen proportional to population. Responses were recorded for the head of the household for demographic information and recalled deaths, and two randomly selected household members underwent a verbal head-to-toe interview for surgical conditions and a visual physical examination by a trained physician.

Results

A total of 1350 households were surveyed (2695 respondents). Observed agreement between the verbal response and physical examination findings was 94·6 per cent. Some 10·0 (95 per cent c.i. 8·9 to 11·2) per cent of respondents had a current condition requiring surgical care and 23 per cent of deaths may have been averted with proper access to surgical care. An estimated 291·8 major operations per 100 000 population are performed annually in Nepal.

Conclusion

The visual physical examination component validated the SOSAS tool, and justified the estimates of previous studies in Sierra Leone and Rwanda. These data provide insights into the health needs of Nepal and provide evidence to develop surgical programmes, assist with monitoring and evaluation, and help with advocacy for increased resources in Nepal.
An estrogen‐induced endometrial hyperplasia mouse model recapitulating human disease progression and genetic aberrations
Authors: Yang Chieh‐Hsiang , Almomen Aliyah , Wee Yin Shen , Jarboe Elke A. , Peterson C. Matthew , Janát‐Amsbury Margit M.
Published: March 2015

Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a condition originating from uterine endometrial glands undergoing disordered proliferation including the risk to progress to endometrial adenocarcinoma. In recent years, a steady increase in EH cases among younger women of reproductive age accentuates the demand of therapeutic alternatives, which emphasizes that an improved disease model for therapeutic agents evaluation is concurrently desired. Here, a new hormone‐induced EH mouse model was developed using a subcutaneous estradiol (E2)‐sustained releasing pellet, which elevates the serum E2 level in mice, closely mimicking the effect known as estrogen dominance with underlying, pathological E2 levels in patients. The onset and progression of EH generated within this model recapitulate a clinically relevant, pathological transformation, beginning with disordered proliferation developing to simple EH, advancing to atypical EH, and then progressing to precancerous stages, all following a chronologic manner. Although a general increase in nuclear progesterone receptor (PR) expression occurred after E2 expression, a total loss in PR was noted in some endometrial glands as disease advanced to simple EH. Furthermore, estrogen receptor (ER) expression in the nucleus of endometrial cells was reduced in disordered proliferation and increased when EH progressed to atypical EH and precancerous stages. This EH model also resembles other pathological patterns found in human disease such as leukocytic infiltration, genetic aberrations in β‐catenin, and joint phosphatase and tensin homolog/paired box gene 2 (PTEN/PAX2) silencing. In summary, this new and comprehensively characterized EH model is cost‐effective, easily reproducible, and may serve as a tool for preclinical testing of therapeutic agents and facilitate further investigation of EH.
Signaling pathways and mechanisms of hypoxia‐induced autophagy in the animal cells
Authors: Fang Yungyun , Tan Jin , Zhang Qiang
Published: March 2015

Hypoxia occurs in a series of supraphysiological circumstances, for instance, sleep disorders, myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke, that can induce a systematic inflammatory response. Such a response may then lead to a widespread dysfunction and cell injury. Autophagy, a cellular homeostatic process that governs the turnover of damaged organelles and proteins, can be triggered by multiple forms of extra‐ and intracellular stress, for example, hypoxia, nutrient deprivation and reactive oxygen specie. Central to this process is the formation of double‐membrane vesicles, thereby autophagosomes sequester portions of cytosol and deliver them to the lysosomes for a breakdown. In recent years, several distinct oxygen‐sensing pathways that regulate the cellular response to autophagy have been defined. For instance, hypoxia influences autophagy in part through the activation of the hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐dependent pathways. In chronic and moderate hypoxia, autophagy plays a protective role by mediating the removal of the damaged organelles and protein. Moreover, three additional oxygen‐sensitive signaling pathways are also associated with the activation of autophagy. These include mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase, unfolded protein response (UPR)‐ and PKCδ‐JNK1‐dependent pathways. Contrary to the protective effects of autophagy, during rapid and severe oxygen fluctuations, autophagy may be detrimental and induce cell death. In this review, we highlight a serious of recent advances on how autophagy is regulated at the molecular level and on final consequences of cell under different hypoxic environment.
Primary nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma of uterine cervix mimicking leiomyoma
Authors: Li Wan‐Shan , Wang Ren‐Ching , Wang John , Chang Kung‐Chao
Published: March 2015

Key Clinical Message

Nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) accounts for about 5% of all Hodgkin lymphomas and predominantly involves peripheral lymph nodes. Primary NLPHL of uterine cervix is very rare. Here, we report cervical NLPHL with CD21 expression in a 43‐year‐old woman, who presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding for 1 year.
Standard signal extraction for analyzing target analytes in real samples with complex matrices
Authors: Li Pao , Cai Wensheng , Shao Xueguang
Published: March 2015

A second‐order method, standard signal extraction was proposed for quantitative analysis of target analytes in the samples with complex matrices by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. In the method, standard addition was adopted. The data of the pure standard, sample, and spiked sample were used in the calculation. By performing principal component analysis on the data aligned with the measured signals of the sample and standard, the standardized signal that is orthogonal to the signals of interferences in the sample can be extracted. Then, the signal of spiked sample was projected to the standardized signal. The concentration ratio of the target analyte in the sample and spiked sample can be obtained. Finally, the concentration of the target analyte in the sample can be calculated with the added concentration in the spiked sample. Both simulated and experimental data were investigated with the proposed approach, compared with rank annihilation factor analysis. The recoveries of standard addition were found in a range of 99–105%, and the relative standard deviations obtained in three repeated measurements were less than 3%. Results show that the method can accurately estimate the quantitative information of analytes of interest in the presence of interferents and can be applied more widely compared with rank annihilation factor analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved ensemble learning machine for biological activity prediction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Tavakoli Hossein , Ghasemi Jahan B.
Published: March 2015

Boosting is one of the most important strategies in ensemble learning because of its ability to improve the stability and performance of weak learners. It is nonparametric, multivariate, fast and interpretable but is not robust against outliers. To enhance its prediction accuracy as well as immunize it against outliers, a modified version of a boosting algorithm (AdaBoost R2) was developed and called AdaBoost R3. In the sampling step, extremum samples were added to the boosting set. In the robustness step, a modified Huber loss function was applied to overcome the outlier problem. In the output step, a deterministic threshold was used to guarantee that bad predictions do not participate in the final output. The performance of the modified algorithm was investigated with two anticancer data sets of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and the mechanism of inhibition was studied using the relative weighted variable importance procedure. Investigating the effect of base learner's strength reveals that boosting is only successful using the classification and regression tree method (a weak to moderate learner) and does not have a significant effect using the radial basis functions partial least square method (a strong base learners). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PI controller design using artificial bee colony algorithm for MPPT of photovoltaic system supplied DC motor‐pump load
Authors: Oshaba A. S. , Ali E. S. , Abd Elazim S. M.
Published: March 2015

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is used in Photovoltaic (PV) systems to maximize its output power. A new MPPT system has been suggested for PV‐DC motor pump system by designing two PI controllers. The first one is used to reach MPPT by monitoring the voltage and current of the PV array and adjusting the duty cycle of the DC/DC converter. The second PI controller is designed for speed control of DC series motor by setting the voltage fed to the DC series motor through another DC/DC converter. The suggested design problem of MPPT and speed controller is formulated as an optimization task which is solved by Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) to search for optimal parameters of PI controllers. Simulation results have shown the validity of the developed technique in delivering MPPT to DC series motor pump system under atmospheric conditions and tracking the reference speed of motor. Moreover, the performance of the ABC algorithm is compared with Genetic Algorithm for various disturbances to prove its robustness. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 99–111, 2016
A novel neural network based on NCP function for solving constrained nonconvex optimization problems
Authors: Effati Sohrab , Moghaddas Mohammad
Published: March 2015

This article presents a novel neural network (NN) based on NCP function for solving nonconvex nonlinear optimization (NCNO) problem subject to nonlinear inequality constraints. We first apply the p‐power convexification of the Lagrangian function in the NCNO problem. The proposed NN is a gradient model which is constructed by an NCP function and an unconstrained minimization problem. The main feature of this NN is that its equilibrium point coincides with the optimal solution of the original problem. Under a proper assumption and utilizing a suitable Lyapunov function, it is shown that the proposed NN is Lyapunov stable and convergent to an exact optimal solution of the original problem. Finally, simulation results on two numerical examples and two practical examples are given to show the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed NN. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 130–141, 2016
Super‐resolved calibration‐free flow cytometric characterization of platelets and cell‐derived microparticles in platelet‐rich plasma
Authors: Konokhova Anastasiya I. , Chernova Darya N. , Moskalensky Alexander E. , Strokotov Dmitry I. , Yurkin Maxim A. , Chernyshev Andrei V. , Maltsev Valeri P.
Published: March 2015

Importance of microparticles (MPs), also regarded as extracellular vesicles, in many physiological processes and clinical conditions motivates one to use the most informative and precise methods for their characterization. Methods based on individual particle analysis provide statistically reliable distributions of MP population over characteristics. Although flow cytometry is one of the most powerful technologies of this type, the standard forward‐versus‐side‐scattering plots of MPs and platelets (PLTs) overlap considerably because of similarity of their morphological characteristics. Moreover, ordinary flow cytometry is not capable of measurement of size and refractive index (RI) of MPs. In this study, we 1) employed the potential of the scanning flow cytometer (SFC) for identification and characterization of MPs from light scattering; 2) suggested the reference method to characterize MP morphology (size and RI) with high precision; and 3) determined the lowest size of a MP that can be characterized from light scattering with the SFC. We equipped the SFC with 405 and 488 nm lasers to measure the light‐scattering profiles and side scattering from MPs, respectively. The developed two‐stage method allowed accurate separation of PLTs and MPs in platelet‐rich plasma. We used two optical models for MPs, a sphere and a bisphere, in the solution of the inverse light‐scattering problem. This solution provides unprecedented precision in determination of size and RI of individual spherical MPs—median uncertainties (standard deviations) were 6 nm and 0.003, respectively. The developed method provides instrument‐independent quantitative information on MPs, which can be used in studies of various factors affecting MP population. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Visualization of pulmonary clearance mechanisms via noninvasive optical imaging validated by near‐infrared flow cytometry
Authors: Zhou Haiying , Gunsten Sean P. , Zhegalova Natalia G. , Bloch Sharon , Achilefu Samuel , Christopher Holley J. , Schweppe Daniel , Akers Walter , Brody Steven L. , Eades William C. , Berezin Mikhail Y.
Published: March 2015

In vivo optical imaging with near‐infrared (NIR) probes is an established method of diagnostics in preclinical and clinical studies. However, the specificities of these probes are difficult to validate ex vivo due to the lack of NIR flow cytometry. To address this limitation, we modified a flow cytometer to include an additional NIR channel using a 752 nm laser line. The flow cytometry system was tested using NIR microspheres and cell lines labeled with a combination of visible range and NIR fluorescent dyes. The approach was verified in vivo in mice evaluated for immune response in lungs after intratracheal delivery of the NIR contrast agent. Flow cytometry of cells obtained from the lung bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated that the NIR dye was taken up by pulmonary macrophages as early as 4‐h post‐injection. This combination of optical imaging with NIR flow cytometry extends the capability of imaging and enables complementation of in vivo imaging with cell‐specific studies. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Light depolarization measurements in malaria: A new job for an old friend
Authors: Rebelo Maria , Tempera Carolina , Bispo Claudia , Andrade Claudia , Gardner Rui , Shapiro Howard M. , Hänscheid Thomas
Published: March 2015

The use of flow cytometry in malaria research has increased over the last decade. Most approaches use nucleic acid stains to detect parasite DNA and RNA and require complex multi‐color, multi‐parameter analysis to reliably detect infected red blood cells (iRBCs). We recently described a novel and simpler approach to parasite detection based on flow cytometric measurement of scattered light depolarization caused by hemozoin (Hz), a pigment formed by parasite digestion of hemoglobin in iRBCs. Depolarization measurement by flow cytometry was described in 1987; however, patent issues restricted its use to a single manufacturer's hematology analyzers until 2009. Although we recently demonstrated that depolarization measurement of Hz, easily implemented on a bench top flow cytometer (Cyflow), provided useful information for malaria work, doubts regarding its application and utility remain in both the flow cytometry and malaria communities, at least in part because instrument manufacturers do not offer the option of measuring depolarized scatter. Under such circumstances, providing other researchers with guidance as to how to do this seemed to offer the most expeditious way to resolve the issue. We accordingly examined how several commercially available flow cytometers (CyFlow SL, MoFLo, Attune and Accuri C6) could be modified to detect depolarization due to the presence of free Hz on solution, or of Hz in leukocytes or erythrocytes from rodent or human blood. All were readily adapted, with substantially equivalent results obtained with lasers emitting over a wide wavelength range. Other instruments now available may also be modifiable for Hz measurement. Cytometric detection of Hz using depolarization is useful to study different aspects of malaria. Adding additional parameters, such as DNA content and base composition and RNA content, can demonstrably provide improved accuracy and sensitivity of parasite detection and characterization, allowing malaria researchers and eventually clinicians to benefit from cytometric technology. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Collaborate, communicate for an effective budgeting process
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2015

Excellent faculty members. Attractive, functional facilities. Technology that supports learning. Those are just a few of the factors that support your institution's academic mission. They all cost money, and there's never enough to do everything you'd like to do.
A Cre‐inducible fluorescent reporter for observing apical membrane dynamics
Authors: Pan Xinchao , Schnell Ulrike , Karner Courtney M. , Small Erin V. , Carroll Thomas J.
Published: March 2015

The ability to image living tissues with fluorescent proteins has revolutionized the fields of cell and developmental biology. Fusions between fluorescent proteins and various polypeptides are allowing scientists to image tissues with sub‐cellular resolution. Here, we describe the generation and activity of a genetically engineered mouse line expressing a fusion between the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the apically localized protein Crumbs3 (Crb3). This reporter drives Cre‐inducible expression of Crb3–GFP under control of the EF1a regulatory domains. The fusion protein is broadly expressed in embryonic and adult tissues and shows apical restriction in the majority of epithelial cell types. It displays a variably penetrant gain of function activity in the neural tube. However, in several cell types, over‐expression of Crb3 does not appear to have any effect on normal development or maintenance. Detailed analysis of kidneys expressing this reporter indicates normal morphology and function highlighting the utility for live imaging. Thus, the EF1aCrb3–GFP mouse line will be of broad use for studying membrane and/or tissue dynamics in living tissues. genesis 53:285–293, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic structure in insular and mainland populations of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and their hemosporidian parasites
Authors: Bichet Coraline , Moodley Yoshan , Penn Dustin J. , Sorci Gabriele , Garnier Stéphane
Published: March 2015

Small and isolated populations usually exhibit low levels of genetic variability, and thus, they are expected to have a lower capacity to adapt to changes in environmental conditions, such as exposure to pathogens and parasites. Comparing the genetic variability of selectively neutral versus functional loci allows one to assess the evolutionary history of populations and their future evolutionary potential. The genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) control immune recognition of parasites, and their unusually high diversity is genes which is likely driven by parasite‐mediated balancing selection. Here, we examined diversity and differentiation of neutral microsatellite loci and functionalMHCclass I genes in house sparrows (Passer domesticus), living in six insular and six mainland populations, and we aimed to determine whether their diversity or differentiation correlates with the diversity and the prevalence of infection of hemosporidian parasites. We found that island bird populations tended to have lower neutral genetic variability, whereasMHCvariability gene was similar between island and mainland populations. Similarly, island populations tended to show greater genetic differentiation than mainland populations, especially at microsatellite markers. The maintenance ofMHCgenetic diversity and its less marked structure in the island populations could be attributed to balancing‐selection. The greaterMHCdifferentiation among populations was negatively correlated with similarity in blood parasites (prevalence and diversity of parasite strains) between populations. Even at low prevalence and small geographical scale, haemosporidian parasites might contribute to structure the variability of immune genes among populations of hosts.
Relationships between climate and growth of Gymnocypris selincuoensis in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Tao Juan , Chen Yifeng , He Dekui , Ding Chengzhi
Published: March 2015

The consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in the Tibetan Plateau, represented by glaciers retreating and lakes expanding, but the biological response to climate change by plateau–lake ecosystems is poorly known. In this study, we applied dendrochronology methods to develop a growth index chronology with otolith increment widths of Selincuo naked carp (Gymnocypris selincuoensis), which is an endemic species in Lake Selincuo (4530 m), and investigated the relationships between fish growth and climate variables (regional and global) in the last three decades. A correlation analysis and principle component regression analysis between regional climate factors and the growth index chronology indicated that the growth of G. selincuoensis was significantly and positively correlated with length of the growing season and temperature‐related variables, particularly during the growing season. Most of global climate variables, which are relevant to the Asian monsoon and the midlatitude westerlies, such as El Nino Southern Oscillation Index, the Arctic Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and North America Pattern, showed negative but not significant correlations with the annual growth of Selincuo naked carp. This may have resulted from the high elevation of the Tibetan Plateau and the high mountains surrounding this area. In comparison, the Pacific Decade Oscillation (PDO) negatively affected the growth of G. selincuoensis. The reason maybe that enhancement of the PDO can lead to cold conditions in this area. Taken together, the results indicate that the Tibetan Plateau fish has been affected by global climate change, particularly during the growing season, and global climate change likely has important effects on productivity of aquatic ecosystems in this area.
The relationship between back pain and mortality in older adults varies with disability and gender: Results from the Cambridge City over‐75s Cohort (CC75C) study
Authors: Docking R.E. , Fleming J. , Brayne C. , Zhao J. , Macfarlane G.J. , Jones G.T. ,   Cambridge City over‐75s Cohort (CC75C) study collaboration
Published: March 2015

Background

This study aims to determine whether older adults reporting back pain (BP) are at increased risk of premature mortality, specifically, to examine the association with disabling/non‐disabling pain separately.

Methods

Participants aged ≥75 years were recruited to the Cambridge City over‐75s Cohort (CC75C) study. Participants answered interviewer‐administered questions on BP and were followed up until death. The relationship between BP and mortality was examined using Cox regression, adjusted for potential confounding factors. Separate models were computed for men and women.

Results

From 1174 individuals with BP data, the date of death was known for 1158 (99%). A significant association was found between disabling BP and mortality (hazard ratio: 1.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.1–1.8) and this remained, albeit of borderline significance, following adjustment for socio‐demographic variables and potential disease markers (1.3; 0.99–1.7). Further, this association was found to vary with sex: women experienced a 40% increase in the risk of mortality associated with disabling BP (1.4; 1.1–1.9), whereas no such increase was observed for men (1.0; 0.5–1.9). Participants with non‐disabling BP were not at increased risk of mortality.

Conclusions

This study confirmed previous findings regarding the relationship between pain and excess mortality. Further, we have shown that, among older adults, this association is specific to disabling pain and to women. Clinicians should be aware not only of the short‐term implications of disabling BP but also the longer‐term effects. Future research should attempt to understand the mechanisms underpinning this relationship to avoid excess mortality and should aim to determine why the relationship differs in men and women.
Ensure your institution's survival in challenging times
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2015

You've heard the predictions. Colleges and universities will close or consolidate in significant numbers in coming years. For example, author and Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen has speculated that up to half of all institutions could close their doors.
Implement best practices for helping students understand, manage debt
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2015

According to a December 2014 study by the Brookings Institution, 62 percent of student borrowers could not accurately estimate how much they owe. Since students will have to pay the money back — or hurt your institution's default rate if they don't — that's a problem for the individual students and for their colleges and universities.
Create a student‐centered plan for enrollment growth
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2015

Daniel Villanueva has always been a student. Juggling school and a full‐time job helps him understand the challenges students face. He's dean of enrollment management at Lone Star College‐CyFair and is about to complete a doctorate in higher education administration. In his work, Villanueva considers how he would improve on his own experiences as a student.
Modeling and optimization of advanced oxidation treatment of beer industry wastewater using Electro‐Fenton process
Authors: Thirugnanasambandham K. , Sivakumar V.
Published: March 2015

The main objective of this study was to investigate and optimize the operating parameters in Electro‐Fenton (E‐Fenton) process such as current density, H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio, treatment time, and temperature for the removal of turbidity and chemical oxygen demand from Beer wastewater. Response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with four factors three levels Box‐Behnken response surface design (BBD) was used for the optimization. Significant quadratic polynomial models were obtained with high coefficient determination (R2 = 0.9796 and 0.9804 for turbidity and COD removals) and numerical optimization was employed to determine the optimal conditions. Current density of 9 mA cm−2, H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio of 1.1, treatment time of 10 min, and temperature of 30°C. Under these conditions, 98% of turbidity and 94% of COD were reduced. Results indicates that E‐Fenton process was an effective pretreatment technology for the treatment of Beer wastewater. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1072–1079, 2015
Exergetic analysis of a new design photovoltaic and thermal (PV/T) System
Authors: Ceylan İlhan , Gürel Ali Etem
Published: March 2015

Photovoltaic (PV) module converts the incoming solar radiation into heat and electric energy. Due to this heating feature of photovoltaic modules, it is likely to produce heat energy from PV modules as well. Such systems are known as photovoltaic and thermal systems in the literature. In this study, a new design PV/T system was experimentally analyzed for cooling photovoltaic modules while heating water at the same time. PV/Tis a forced circulation system without pump. Therefore, these systems are different from those described in the literature. For all PV/T system, step‐by‐step exergy analysis has been performed according to obtained experimental results. PV module thermal exergy, solar collector thermal exergy, and PV module electrical exergy variations have been calculated for this exergy analysis. Overall, exergy efficiency was obtained as about 17% for 45°C set temperature and 21% for 55°C set temperature. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1249–1253, 2015
Aluminium, gallium, and molybdenum toxicity to the tropical marine microalga Isochrysis galbana
Authors: Trenfield Melanie A. , van Dam Joost W. , Harford Andrew J. , Parry David , Streten Claire , Gibb Karen , van Dam Rick A.
Published: March 2015

There is a shortage of established chronic toxicity test methods for assessing the toxicity of contaminants to tropical marine organisms. The authors tested the suitability of the tropical microalga Isochrysis galbana for use in routine ecotoxicology and assessed the effects of 72-h exposures to copper (Cu, a reference toxicant), aluminium (Al), gallium (Ga), and molybdenum (Mo), key metals of alumina refinery discharge, on the growth of I. galbana at 3 temperatures: 24 °C, 28 °C, and 31 °C. The sensitivity of both I. galbana and the test method was validated by the response to Cu exposure, with 10% and 50% effect concentrations (EC10 and EC50) of 2.5 μg/L and 18 μg/L, respectively. The EC10 and EC50 values for total Al at 28 °C were 640 μg/L and 3045 μg/L, respectively. The toxicity of both Cu and Al at 24 °C and 31 °C was similar to that at 28 °C. There was no measurable toxicity from dissolved Ga exposures of up to 6000 μg/L or exposures to dissolved Mo of up to 9500 μg/L. Solubility limits at 28 °C for the dissolved fractions (<10 kDa) of Al, Ga, and Mo were approximately 650 μg/L Al, >7000 μg/L Ga, and >6000 μg/L Mo. In test solutions containing >650 μg/L total Al, dissolved and precipitated forms of Al were present, with precipitated Al becoming more dominant as total Al increased. The test method proved suitable for routine ecotoxicology, with I. galbana showing sensitivity to Cu but Al, Ga, and Mo exhibiting little to no toxicity to this species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1833–1840. © 2015 SETAC
A hybrid implicit scheme for solving Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Wang Gang , Mian Haris Hameed , Liu Yi , Ye Zhengyin
Published: March 2015

A hybrid implicit scheme is developed in this study to solve 3D compressible Navier–Stokes equations on a hybrid unstructured mesh. An approximate evaluation technique for the residual term at a new time level is presented according to the analysis of the main physical mechanism introduced by the lower–upper symmetric Gauss–Seidel (LU‐SGS) relaxation‐based backward Euler implicit method. The residual evaluation method is computationally inexpensive because it does not require flux calculations for every cell surface. The approximated new time residual can be obtained without considerable computational effort; thus, a point‐implicit scheme with a multigrid property is designed to march a further time step after the previous LU‐SGS‐based backward Euler stage. This step leads to the principal ingredient of the presented two‐stage hybrid implicit scheme.

To investigate the convergence behavior and performance of the two‐stage hybrid implicit scheme, 2D and 3D viscous flows around the NACA0012 airfoil, NHLP 2D multi‐airfoil, and DLR‐F6 wing–body–pylon–nacelle configuration are simulated by using different grid types. The convergence histories of the single LU‐SGS‐based backward Euler scheme and the presented two‐stage hybrid implicit scheme are analyzed and compared for each test case. The test results show that the hybrid implicit scheme is more efficient and robust than the single‐stage LU‐SGS scheme. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive Evolutionary Neural Networks for Forecasting and Trading without a Data‐Snooping Bias
Authors: Sermpinis Georgios , Verousis Thanos , Theofilatos Konstantinos
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we present two neural‐network‐based techniques: an adaptive evolutionary multilayer perceptron (aDEMLP) and an adaptive evolutionary wavelet neural network (aDEWNN). The two models are applied to the task of forecasting and trading the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA), the iShares NYSE Composite Index Fund (NYC) and the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) exchange‐traded funds (ETFs). We benchmark their performance against two traditional MLP and WNN architectures, a smooth transition autoregressive model (STAR), a moving average convergence/divergence model (MACD) and a random walk model. We show that the proposed architectures present superior forecasting and trading performance compared to the benchmarks and are free from the limitations of the traditional neural networks such as the data‐snooping bias and the time‐consuming and biased processes involved in optimizing their parameters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sticks and carrots: encouraging open science at its source
Authors: Leonelli Sabina , Spichtinger Daniel , Prainsack Barbara
Published: March 2015

The open science (OS) movement has been seen as an important facilitator for public participation in science. This has been underpinned by the assumption that widespread and free access to research outputs leads to (1) better and more efficient science, (2) economic growth, in particular for small and medium‐sized enterprises wishing to capitalise on research findings, and (3) increased transparency of knowledge production and its outcomes. The latter in particular could function as a catalyst for public participation and engagement. Whether OS is likely to help realise these benefits, however, will depend on the emergence of systemic incentives for scientists to utilise OS in a meaningful manner. While in some areas, the environmental sciences have a long tradition of open ethos, citizen inclusion and global collaborations, such activities need to be more systematically supported and promoted by funders and learned societies in order to improve scientific research and public participation.
Robust Inference of Population Structure for Ancestry Prediction and Correction of Stratification in the Presence of Relatedness
Authors: Conomos Matthew P. , Miller Michael B. , Thornton Timothy A.
Published: March 2015

Population structure inference with genetic data has been motivated by a variety of applications in population genetics and genetic association studies. Several approaches have been proposed for the identification of genetic ancestry differences in samples where study participants are assumed to be unrelated, including principal components analysis (PCA), multidimensional scaling (MDS), and model‐based methods for proportional ancestry estimation. Many genetic studies, however, include individuals with some degree of relatedness, and existing methods for inferring genetic ancestry fail in related samples. We present a method, PC‐AiR, for robust population structure inference in the presence of known or cryptic relatedness. PC‐AiR utilizes genome‐screen data and an efficient algorithm to identify a diverse subset of unrelated individuals that is representative of all ancestries in the sample. The PC‐AiR method directly performs PCA on the identified ancestry representative subset and then predicts components of variation for all remaining individuals based on genetic similarities. In simulation studies and in applications to real data from Phase III of the HapMap Project, we demonstrate that PC‐AiR provides a substantial improvement over existing approaches for population structure inference in related samples. We also demonstrate significant efficiency gains, where a single axis of variation from PC‐AiR provides better prediction of ancestry in a variety of structure settings than using 10 (or more) components of variation from widely used PCA and MDS approaches. Finally, we illustrate that PC‐AiR can provide improved population stratification correction over existing methods in genetic association studies with population structure and relatedness.
An energy theory of glaucoma
Authors: Li Ying , Li Daqing , Ying Xi , Khaw Peng T. , Raisman Geoffrey
Published: March 2015

A radial array of fortified astrocytes (FASTs) is the load bearing structure of the rat optic nerve head (ONH). At the retinal end the ONH is suspended on a fluid filled extracellular space occupied by modified pigment cells which generate a glomerular‐like formation of villi. We propose that regulation of fluid in and out of this space may contribute to buffering the normal fluctuations of intraocular pressure. The energy requirement for the fluid transfer process is provided by the dense vascularity of the ONH and is reflected in the giant mitochondria of the FASTs. We propose that glaucoma occurs when a maintained rise in pressure overwhelms the capacity of this regulatory system. Under these circumstances the FAST array becomes detached from its anchorage in the surrounding ONH sheath. Progressively driven backwards by the pressure, the FASTs degenerate. We propose that the degeneration of the FASTs is associated with ischemic damage caused by the backward stretching of their blood supply. Retraction of the FAST processes deprives the retinal ganglion cell axons of their energy support, resulting in axotomy. We consider that our previously observed rescue of axons and FASTs by transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells is due to replacement of this lost energy source. GLIA 2015;63:1537–1552
Matrix metalloproteinase 10 contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis in a novel crosstalk with the stromal derived factor 1/C‐X‐C chemokine receptor 4 axis
Authors: García‐Irigoyen Oihane , Latasa Maria U. , Carotti Simone , Uriarte Iker , Elizalde Maria , Urtasun Raquel , Vespasiani‐Gentilucci Umberto , Morini Sergio , Benito Patricia , Ladero Jose M. , Rodriguez Jose A. , Prieto Jesus , Orbe Josune , Páramo Jose A. , Fernández‐Barrena Maite G. , Berasain Carmen , Avila Matias A.
Published: March 2015

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in tissue repair after acute injury, but also participate in cancer by promoting a protumorigenic microenvironment. Previously, we reported on a key role for MMP10 in mouse liver regeneration. Herein, we investigated MMP10 expression and function in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‐induced mouse hepatocarcinogenesis. MMP10 was induced in human and murine HCC tissues and cells. MMP10‐deficient mice showed less HCC incidence, smaller histological lesions, reduced tumor vascularization, and less lung metastases. Importantly, expression of the protumorigenic, C‐X‐C chemokine receptor‐4 (CXCR4), was reduced in DEN‐induced MMP10‐deficient mice livers. Human HCC cells stably expressing MMP10 had increased CXCR4 expression and migratory capacity. Pharmacological inhibition of CXCR4 significantly reduced MMP10‐stimulated HCC cell migration. Furthermore, MMP10 expression in HCC cells was induced by hypoxia and the CXCR4 ligand, stromal‐derived factor‐1 (SDF1), through the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 pathway, involving an activator protein 1 site in MMP10 gene promoter. Conclusion: MMP10 contributes to HCC development, participating in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and dissemination. We identified a new reciprocal crosstalk between MMP10 and the CXCR4/SDF1 axis contributing to HCC progression and metastasis. To our knowledge, this is the first report addressing the role of a MMP in hepatocarcinogenesis in the corresponding genetic mouse model. (Hepatology 2015;62:166‐178)
Nosocomial hepatitis C virus transmission from tampering with injectable anesthetic opioids
Authors: Hatia Rikita I. , Dimitrova Zoya , Skums Pavel , Teo Elrond Yi‐Lang , Teo Chong‐Gee
Published: March 2015

The extent of provider‐to‐patient hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission from diversion, self‐injection, and substitution (“tampering”) of anesthetic opioids is unknown. To quantify the contribution of opioid tampering to nosocomial HCV outbreaks, data from health care–related HCV outbreaks occurring in developed countries from 1990 to 2012 were collated, grouped, and compared. Tampering was associated with 17% (8 of 46) of outbreaks, but 53% (438 of 833) of cases. Of the tampering outbreaks, six (75%) involved fentanyl, five (63%) occurred in the United States, and one each in Australia, Israel, and Spain. Case counts ranged from 5 to 275 in the tampering outbreaks (mean, 54.8; median, 25), and 1‐99 in the nontampering outbreaks (mean, 10.4; median, 5); between them, the difference in mean ranks of counts was significant (P < 0.01). To estimate HCV transmission risks from tampering, risk‐assessment models were constructed, and these risks compared with those from surgery. HCV transmission risk from exposure to an opioid preparation tampered by a provider of unknown HCV infection status who is a person who injects drugs (PWID; 0.62%; standard error [SE] = 0.38%) exceeds 16,757 times the risk from surgery by a surgeon of unknown HCV infection status (0.000037%; SE = 0.000029%) and 135 times by an HCV‐infected surgeon (0.0046%; SE = 0.0033%). To pose a 50% patient transmission risk, an infected surgeon may take 30 years, compared to <1 year for a PWID tamperer, and weeks or days for a PWID tamperer who intensifies access to opioids. Conclusion: Disproportionately, many cases of HCV infection from nosocomial outbreaks were attributable to provider tampering of anesthetic opioids. Transmission risk from tampering is substantially higher than from surgery. (Hepatology 2015;62:101‐110)
Activation of sphingosine kinase 2 by endoplasmic reticulum stress ameliorates hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in mice
Authors: Lee Su‐Yeon , Hong In‐Kyung , Kim Bo‐Rahm , Shim Soon‐Mi , Sung Lee Jae , Lee Hui‐Young , Soo Choi Cheol , Kim Bo‐Kyung , Park Tae‐Sik
Published: March 2015

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the principal organelle in the cell for protein folding and trafficking, lipid synthesis, and cellular calcium homeostasis. Perturbation of ER function results in activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and is implicated in abnormal lipid biosynthesis and development of insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated whether transcription of sphingosine kinase (Sphk)2 is regulated by ER stress‐mediated UPR pathways. Sphk2, a major isotype of sphingosine kinase in the liver, was transcriptionally up‐regulated by tunicamycin and lipopolysaccharides. Transcriptional regulation of Sphk2 was mediated by activation of activating transcription factor (ATF)4 as demonstrated by promoter assays, immunoblotting, and small interfering RNA analyses. In primary hepatocytes, adenoviral Sphk2 expression elevated cellular sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) and activated protein kinase B phosphorylation, with no alteration of insulin receptor substrate phosphorylation. Hepatic overexpression of Sphk2 in mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) led to elevated S1P and reduced ceramide, sphingomyelin, and glucosylceramide in plasma and liver. Hepatic accumulation of lipid droplets by HFD feeding was reduced by Sphk2‐mediated up‐regulation of fatty acid (FA) oxidizing genes and increased FA oxidation in liver. In addition, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance were ameliorated by improved hepatic insulin signaling through Sphk2 up‐regulation. Conclusion: Sphk2 is transcriptionally up‐regulated by acute ER stress through activation of ATF4 and improves perturbed hepatic glucose and FA metabolism. (Hepatology 2015;62:135‐146)
Temporal persistence of throughfall heterogeneity below and between the canopies of juvenile lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
Authors: Carlyle‐Moses D. E. , Lishman C. E.
Published: March 2015

From May to October 2010, throughfall associated with 38 rainfall events in three below‐canopy zones (inner canopy, mid‐canopy and canopy periphery) of nine juvenile lodgepole pine trees and in open areas between canopies was measured along north, south, east and west transects radiating from each tree bole. Median cumulative throughfall (%) significantly differed among the canopy zones under differing rain depth classes and was negatively correlated with tree size metrics, but only for certain combinations of canopy zones and rain depth classes. Although median cumulative throughfall (%) was negatively correlated with canopy cover fraction when all below‐canopy gauges were considered, this relationship only held true for the inner‐canopy and mid‐canopy zones under relatively small rain depth classes. Additionally, cumulative throughfall (%) was often dependent on transect direction, with event throughfall showing a dependence on the direction of storm origin. Throughfall coefficient of variation (%) also varied by zone and was a function of not only rainfall depth but also other storm variables such as the maximum 30‐min rainfall intensity and the number and duration of intra‐storm breaks. Temporal persistence of throughfall was assessed using time stability plots and Spearman rank coefficients of rain event and depth class pairings for all gauges and by canopy zone, and the influence of temporal lag and meteorological variables on persistence was assessed. The implications of our findings on throughfall sampling and for future ecohydrological studies in juvenile lodgepole pine and similar stands are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subsurface Drainage—What's Next?
Authors: Ayars James E. , Evans Robert G.
Published: March 2015

Field drainage is a critical component of agricultural production in both arid and humid regions, but field drainage is often neglected and mismanaged as an important water resource. Innovative approaches for the integrated design and management of irrigation and subsurface drainage systems have tremendous potential to improve yields to help meet the rapidly emerging food demands and decrease total freshwater diversions to agriculture. Although irrigation system design and management have evolved tremendously in the past few decades, the design methodology and management criteria for subsurface drainage have not changed in the last 50 years. Thus, all aspects of agricultural drainage require serious reconsideration and reevaluation to be able to meet emerging needs. This manuscript evaluates the current design criteria and practices and suggests viable alternatives for the improvement of subsurface agricultural drainage systems to meet the demands of modern agriculture. Drainage water treatment, reuse, and disposal are significant problems for agricultural drainage and various alternatives are presented. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
POSTEROLATERAL NECK DISSECTION
Authors: de Langen Zacharias J. , Vermey Albert
Published: March 2015

The posterolateral neck dissection is a regional lymphadenectomy of the retroauricular and suboccipital lymph nodes in continuity with the contents of the upper part of the posterior triangle and jugular chain. The procedure serves for the removal of occult or clinically manifest lymph node metastases of malignant epithelial tumors of the skin of the head and neck posterior to a coronal plane through the ear canals. The operation can be carried out unilaterally and bilaterally, while the spinal accessory nerve, the splenius capitis, and sternomastoid muscles are being preserved. Twelve patients, the majority with invasive melanoma, were treated with this procedure. A regional recurrence occurred in only one patient with extensive extranodal disease in the neck. The described procedure is adequate in gaining locoregional tumor control. Three patients died of generalized metastatic disease. The functional and cosmetic results are good.