bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Providing Limited Local Electric Service During a Major Grid Outage: A First Assessment Based on Customer Willingness to Pay
Authors: Baik Sunhee , Morgan M. Granger , Davis Alexander L.
Published: June 2017

While they are rare, widespread blackouts of the bulk power system can result in large costs to individuals and society. If local distribution circuits remain intact, it is possible to use new technologies including smart meters, intelligent switches that can change the topology of distribution circuits, and distributed generation owned by customers and the power company, to provide limited local electric power service. Many utilities are already making investments that would make this possible. We use customers' measured willingness to pay to explore when the incremental investments needed to implement these capabilities would be justified. Under many circumstances, upgrades in advanced distribution systems could be justified for a customer charge of less than a dollar a month (plus the cost of electricity used during outages), and would be less expensive and safer than the proliferation of small portable backup generators. We also discuss issues of social equity, extreme events, and various sources of underlying uncertainty.
Syphilis testing practices in the Americas
Authors: Trinh Thuy T. , Kamb Mary L. , Luu Minh , Ham D. Cal , Perez Freddy
Published: June 2017

Objective

To present the findings of the Pan American Health Organization's 2014 survey on syphilis testing policies and practices in the Americas.

Methods

Representatives of national/regional reference and large, lower‐level laboratories from 35 member states were invited to participate. A semi‐structured, electronically administered questionnaire collected data on syphilis tests, algorithms, equipment/commodities, challenges faced and basic quality assurance (QA) strategies employed (i.e. daily controls, standard operating procedures, technician training, participating in external QA programmes, on‐site evaluations).

Results

The 69 participating laboratories from 30 (86%) member states included 41 (59%) national/regional reference and 28 (41%) lower‐level laboratories. Common syphilis tests conducted were the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) (62% of surveyed laboratories), venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) (54%), fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA‐ABS) (41%) and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) (32%). Only three facilities reported using direct detection methods, and 28 (41% overall, 32% of lower‐level facilities) used rapid tests. Most laboratories (62%) used only traditional testing algorithms (non‐treponemal screening and treponemal confirmatory testing); however, 12% used only a reverse sequence algorithm (treponemal test first), and 14% employed both algorithms. Another nine (12%) laboratories conducted only one type of serologic test. Although most reference (97%) and lower‐level (89%) laboratories used at least one QA strategy, only 16% reported using all five basic strategies. Commonly reported challenges were stock‐outs of essential reagents or commodities (46%), limited staff training (73%) and insufficient equipment (39%).

Conclusions

Many reference and clinical laboratories in the Americas face challenges in conducting appropriate syphilis testing and in ensuring quality of testing.
Storage time of platelet concentrates and all‐cause bacteremia in hematologic patients
Authors: Kreuger Aukje L. , Middelburg Rutger A. , Bank Cock M.C. , Beckers Erik A.M. , van Gammeren Adriaan J. , Leyte Anja , Rondeel Jan M.M. , de Vooght Karen M.K. , Weerkamp Floor , Zwaginga Jaap Jan , Kerkhoffs Jean Louis H. , van der Bom Johanna G.
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Extension of storage time of platelet (PLT) concentrates may result in an increased risk of bacteremia, directly via transfusion of contaminated products or indirectly via transfusion‐related immunomodulation. We aimed to quantify the association of storage time of PLT concentrates and all‐cause bacteremia in hematologic patients.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We established a cohort of hematologic patients who received a PLT transfusion between 2005 and 2015. Cases were defined as patients with a bacteremia the day after transfusion and matched to as many controls as possible. A conditional logistic regression was performed, stratified by storage medium.

RESULTS

Among 3514 patients receiving 36,032 PLT concentrates stored in plasma, 613 cases of bacteremia were found. The relative risk of all‐cause bacteremia the day after transfusion was 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58‐1.12) for PLT concentrates stored 3 to 4 days and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.49‐0.92) for at least 5 days, compared to no more than 2 days. Among 1527 patients receiving 11,822 PLT concentrates stored in PLT additive solution, 182 cases of bacteremia were found. The relative risk of all‐cause bacteremia was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.70‐1.84) for PLT concentrates stored for 3 to 4 days and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.70‐2.01) for at least 5 days, compared to not more than 2 days.

CONCLUSION

Storage time of PLT concentrates was not associated with increased occurrence of all‐cause bacteremia the day after transfusion. If anything, fewer cases of bacteremia occurred with increasing storage time of PLT concentrates in plasma. These bacteremias are not directly caused by transfusion of a contaminated product and the underlying mechanism warrants further research.
An exonic missense mutation c.28G>A is associated with weak B blood group by affecting RNA splicing of the ABO gene
Authors: Cai Xiaohong , Qian Chengrui , Wu Wenman , Lei Hang , Ding Qiulan , Zou Wei , Xiang Dong , Wang Xuefeng
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

The amino acid substitutions caused by ABO gene mutations are usually predicted to impact glycosyltransferase's function or its biosynthesis. Here we report an ABO exonic missense mutation that affects B‐antigen expression by decreasing the mRNA level of the ABO gene rather than the amino acid change.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Serologic studies including plasma total GTB transfer capacity were performed. The exon sequences of the ABO gene were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. B310 cDNA with c.28G>A (p.G10R) mutation was expressed in HeLa cells and total GTB transfer capacity in cell supernatant was measured. Flow cytometry was performed on these HeLa cells after transfection, and agglutination of Hela‐Bweak cells was also examined. The mRNA of the ABO gene was analyzed by direct sequencing and real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. A minigene construct was prepared to evaluate the potential of splicing.

RESULTS

While plasma total GTB transfer capacity was undetectable in this B3‐like individual, the relative percentage of antigen‐expressing cells and mean fluorescence index of the Bweak red blood cells (RBCs) were 19 and 14% of normal B RBCs, respectively. There was no significant difference of total GTB transfer capacity in cell supernatant and B‐antigen expression on cell surfaces between HeLa cells transfected with B310 cDNA and B cDNA. The mRNA expression level of B310 in peripheral whole blood was significantly reduced. The amount of splicing is significantly lower in c.28G>A construct compared to that in wild‐type construct after transfection in K562 cells.

CONCLUSION

ABO c.28G>A mutation may cause B3‐like subgroup by affecting RNA splicing of the ABO gene.
Redefining Retail Store Formats - A South African Study
Authors: Sharma Rajesh , Gautam Abhinanda
Published: June 2017

The global competitive retail space is challenging and the retailers are experimenting with different strategies to gain competitive advantage in the market. Retailers are developing and designing new and improved store formats to mirror the customers’ expectations by using distinctive benefits. Thus attracting and retaining customers by creating store brand loyalty is every retailer’s dream and they are spending a huge amount of time and money in developing these uniquely attractive retail store formats. However, limited academic research is available to help retailers understand the most profitable and popular retail store format in South Africa.This empirical research paper is an attempt to investigate the influence of the design, type and size of the retail store on the customer buying behaviour in the consumer durables market by examining a random sample of respondents from Gauteng, South Africa. The research findings, indicates that there is a varying degree of effect of retail store formats on the customer buying behaviour. Most of the variables have a positive correlation with other variables of customer behaviour. However in some cases, variables have significant inverse relationship with each other.
Independent sets, matchings, and occupancy fractions
Authors: Davies Ewan , Jenssen Matthew , Perkins Will , Roberts Barnaby
Published: June 2017

We prove tight upper bounds on the logarithmic derivative of the independence and matching polynomials of ‐regular graphs. For independent sets, this theorem is a strengthening of the results of Kahn, Galvin and Tetali, and Zhao showing that a union of copies of maximizes the number of independent sets and the independence polynomial of a ‐regular graph.

For matchings, this shows that the matching polynomial and the total number of matchings of a ‐regular graph are maximized by a union of copies of . Using this we prove the asymptotic upper matching conjecture of Friedland, Krop, Lundow, and Markström.

In probabilistic language, our main theorems state that for all ‐regular graphs and all , the occupancy fraction of the hard‐core model and the edge occupancy fraction of the monomer‐dimer model with fugacity are maximized by . Our method involves constrained optimization problems over distributions of random variables and applies to all ‐regular graphs directly, without a reduction to the bipartite case.
Electromechanical Control and Stability Analysis of a Soft Swim-Bladder Robot Driven by Dielectric Elastomer
Authors: Liu Bangyuan , Chen Feiyu , Wang Sukai , Fu Zhiqiang , Cheng Tingyu , Li Tiefeng
Published: June 2017

Compared to the conventional rigid robots, the soft robots driven by soft active materials possess unique advantages with their high adaptability in field exploration and seamless interaction with human. As one type of soft robot, soft aquatic robots play important roles in the application of ocean exploration and engineering. However, the soft robots still face grand challenges, such as high mobility, environmental tolerance, and accurate control. Here, we design a soft robot with a fully integrated onboard system including power and wireless communication. Without any motor, dielectric elastomer (DE) membrane with a balloonlike shape in the soft robot can deform with large actuation, changing the total volume and buoyant force of the robot. With the help of pressure sensor, the robot can move to and stabilize at a designated depth by a closed-loop control. The performance of the robot has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Numerical results from the analysis agree well with the results from the experiments. The mechanisms of actuation and control may guide the further design of soft robot and smart devices.
Solid state deuterium NMR study of LKα14 peptide aggregation in biosilica
Authors: Ferreira Helen E. , Drobny Gary P.
Published: June 2017

In nature, organisms including diatoms, radiolaria, and marine sponges use proteins, long chain polyamines, and other organic molecules to regulate the assembly of complex silica-based structures. Here, the authors investigate structural features of small peptides, designed to mimic the silicifying activities of larger proteins found in natural systems. LKα14 (Ac-LKKLLKLLKKLLKL-C), an amphiphilic lysine/leucine repeat peptide with an α-helical secondary structure at polar/apolar interfaces, coprecipitates with silica to form nanospheres. Previous 13C magic angle spinning studies suggest that the tetrameric peptide bundles that LKα14 is known to form in solution may persist in the silica-complexed form, and may also function as catalysts and templates for silica formation. To further investigate LKα14 aggregation in silica, deuterium solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (2H ssNMR) was used to establish how leucine side-chain dynamics differ in solid LKα14 peptides isolated from aqueous solution, from phosphate-buffered solution, and in the silica-precipitated states. Modeling the 2H ssNMR line shapes probed the mechanisms of peptide preaggregation and silica coprecipitation. The resulting NMR data indicates that the peptide bundles in silica preserve the hydrophobic interior that they display in the hydrated solid state. However, NMR data also indicate free motion of the leucine residues in silica, a condition that may result from structural deformation of the aggregates arising from interactions between the surface lysine side chains and the surrounding silica matrix.
Deep in a mine, earthquake gold awaits
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: June 2017

Shaft gives a 3-kilometer head start to drillers seeking the aftermath of a “fresh” rupture.
Romanian researchers decry sudden power grab
Authors: Nistoroiu Alexandra
Published: June 2017

Government appoints loyalists to four councils, limits foreign influence.
Nanomaterials for stimulating nerve growth
Authors: Marchesan Silvia , Ballerini Laura , Prato Maurizio
Published: June 2017

Flexible nanomaterials may recruit neurons or create artificial bridges to restore connectivity
Identification of an Atypical Enzootic Bovine Leukosis in Japan by Using a Novel Classification of Bovine Leukemia Based on Immunophenotypic Analysis
Authors: Nishimori Asami , Konnai Satoru , Okagawa Tomohiro , Maekawa Naoya , Goto Shinya , Ikebuchi Ryoyo , Nakahara Ayako , Chiba Yuzumi , Ikeda Masaho , Murata Shiro , Ohashi Kazuhiko
Published: June 2017

Bovine leukemia is classified into two types: enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) and sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL). EBL is caused by infection with bovine leukemia virus (BLV), which induces persistent lymphocytosis and B-cell lymphoma in cattle after a long latent period. Although it has been demonstrated that BLV-associated lymphoma occurs predominantly in adult cattle of >3 to 5 years, suspicious cases of EBL onset in juvenile cattle were recently reported in Japan. To investigate the current status of bovine leukemia in Japan, we performed immunophenotypic analysis of samples from 50 cattle that were clinically diagnosed as having bovine leukemia. We classified the samples into five groups on the basis of the analysis and found two different types of EBL: classic EBL (cEBL), which has the familiar phenotype commonly known as EBL, and polyclonal EBL (pEBL), which exhibited neoplastic proliferation of polyclonal B cells. Moreover, there were several atypical EBL cases even in cEBL, including an early onset of EBL in juvenile cattle. A comparison of the cell marker expressions among cEBL, pEBL, and B-cell-type SBL (B-SBL) revealed characteristic patterns in B-cell leukemia, and these patterns could be clearly differentiated from those of healthy phenotypes, whereas it was difficult to discriminate between cEBL, pEBL, and B-SBL only by the expression patterns of cell markers. This study identified novel characteristics of bovine leukemia that should contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism underlying tumor development in BLV infection.
Complete Genome Sequencing of Influenza A Viruses within Swine Farrow-to-Wean Farms Reveals the Emergence, Persistence, and Subsidence of Diverse Viral Genotypes
Authors: Diaz Andres , Marthaler Douglas , Culhane Marie , Sreevatsan Srinand , Alkhamis Moh , Torremorell Montserrat
Published: June 2017

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are endemic in swine and represent a public health risk. However, there is limited information on the genetic diversity of swine IAVs within farrow-to-wean farms, which is where most pigs are born. In this longitudinal study, we sampled 5 farrow-to-wean farms for a year and collected 4,190 individual nasal swabs from three distinct pig subpopulations. Of these, 207 (4.9%) samples tested PCR positive for IAV, and 124 IAVs were isolated. We sequenced the complete genomes of 123 IAV isolates and found 31 H1N1, 26 H1N2, 63 H3N2, and 3 mixed IAVs. Based on the IAV hemagglutinin, seven different influenza A viral groups (VGs) were identified. Most of the remaining IAV gene segments allowed us to differentiate the same VGs, although an additional viral group was identified for gene segment 3 (PA). Moreover, the codetection of more than one IAV VG was documented at different levels (farm, subpopulation, and individual pigs), highlighting the environment for potential IAV reassortment. Additionally, 3 out of 5 farms contained IAV isolates (
n
= 5) with gene segments from more than one VG, and 79% of all the IAVs sequenced contained a signature mutation (S31N) in the matrix gene that has been associated with resistance to the antiviral amantadine. Within farms, some IAVs were detected only once, while others were detected for 283 days. Our results illustrate the maintenance and subsidence of different IAVs within swine farrow-to-wean farms over time, demonstrating that pig subpopulation dynamics are important to better understand the diversity and epidemiology of swine IAVs.

IMPORTANCE
On a global scale, swine are one of the main reservoir species for influenza A viruses (IAVs) and play a key role in the transmission of IAVs between species. Additionally, the 2009 IAV pandemics highlighted the role of pigs in the emergence of IAVs with pandemic potential. However, limited information is available regarding the diversity and distribution of swine IAVs on farrow-to-wean farms, where novel IAVs can emerge. In this study, we studied 5 swine farrow-to-wean farms for a year and characterized the genetic diversity of IAVs among three different pig subpopulations commonly housed on this type of farm. Using next-generation-sequencing technologies, we demonstrated the complex distribution and diversity of IAVs among the pig subpopulations studied. Our results demonstrated the dynamic evolution of IAVs within farrow-to-wean farms, which is crucial to improve health interventions to reduce the risk of transmission between pigs and from pigs to people.
Bacterial Community Composition and Dynamics Spanning Five Years in Freshwater Bog Lakes
Authors: Linz Alexandra M. , Crary Benjamin C. , Shade Ashley , Owens Sarah , Gilbert Jack A. , Knight Rob , McMahon Katherine D.
Published: June 2017

Lakes are excellent systems for investigating bacterial community dynamics because they have clear boundaries and strong environmental gradients. The results of our research demonstrate that bacterial community composition varies by year, a finding which likely applies to other ecosystems and has implications for study design and interpretation. Understanding the drivers and controls of bacterial communities on long time scales would improve both our knowledge of fundamental properties of bacterial communities and our ability to predict community states. In this specific ecosystem, bog lakes play a disproportionately large role in global carbon cycling, and the information presented here may ultimately help refine carbon budgets for these lakes. Finally, all data and code in this study are publicly available. We hope that this will serve as a resource for anyone seeking to answer their own microbial ecology questions using a multiyear time series.
Creation of ICT-Based Social Start-Ups in Iran: A Multiple Case Study
Authors: Salamzadeh Aidin , Arasti Zahra , Elyasi Ghanbar Mohamadi
Published: June 2017

Despite the importance of social startups, their evolution is rarely investigated. Thus, in this manuscript, the emergence of ICT-based social start-ups is studied using a multiple case study research method. To do so, five social start-ups are selected using a combination of purposive and convenience sampling and studied in detail, based on Lanteri’s (2015) model regarding creation of social enterprises. Eight cofounders are interviewed and data triangulation is employed by collecting data from both primary and secondary sources. Also, replication logic is considered to be able to generalize the findings. Moreover, in order to better understand the phenomenon, the history of social entrepreneurship and its evolutionary trend in Iran is elaborated. The findings show that the evolutionary trend of social entrepreneurship in Iran could be classified into three stages, i.e. ancient Persia, entrance of Islam, and emergence of entrepreneurship as a field. Finally, the findings are categorized in four categories: (i) process, (ii) social entrepreneur/founder, (iii) activities, and (iv) organization.
Design of Fault Tolerant Shuffle Exchange Gamma Interconnection Network Layouts
Authors: KHANNA GAURAV , MISHRA RAJESH , CHATURVEDI S. K.
Published: June 2017

Advancement in technology has resulted in increased computing power with the use of multiple processors within a system. These multiple processors need to communicate with each other and with memory modules. Multistage Interconnection Networks (MINs) provide a communication medium in such multi-processor systems by interconnecting a number of processors and memory modules. Besides, MINs also provide a cost effective substitute to costly crossbars in parallel computers and switching systems in telephone industry. This paper introduces two new fault-tolerant MINs named as Shuffle Exchange Gamma Interconnection Networks (SEGIN-1 and SEGIN-2). SEGIN-1 and SEGIN-2 can be obtained by altering Shuffle Exchange Network with one extra stage (SEN+) and provide two disjoint paths similar to it. Performance of SEGIN-1 and SEGIN-2 has been evaluated in terms of alternative paths, disjoint paths, reliability and hardware cost, and is compared with some very famous MINs like Shuffle Exchange Network (SEN), Shuffle Exchange Network with one extra stage (SEN+), Shuffle Exchange Network with two extra stage (SEN+2), Extra Stage Cube (ESC) and Gamma Interconnection Network (GIN). Results suggest that SEGINs surpass all the compared networks; hence, the proposed designs seem to be suitable for implementing practical interconnection networks.
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FOOT IN HEALTHY AND DEGENERATIVE CONDITIONS
Authors: FONTANELLA CHIARA GIULIA , NATALI ARTURO NICOLA , CARNIEL EMANUELE LUIGI
Published: June 2017

The aim of this work is the development of a 3D numerical model of the foot that allows evaluating the influence of degenerative phenomena on the foot mechanical functionality. Such degenerative phenomena induce histo-morphological alterations and significant modification of the plantar soft tissue mechanical properties, as stiffening and lower damping capabilities. The finite element model of the foot is developed starting from the analysis of biomedical images. Different constitutive models define the mechanical response of the biological tissues. Because of the major role of plantar soft tissue in the here proposed analysis, a specific visco-hyperelastic constitutive formulation is provided considering the typical features of the tissue mechanics, as geometric and material non linearity, almost incompressible behavior and time-dependent phenomena. Constitutive parameters are identified by the analysis of experimental data from in vitro and in vivo mechanical tests, leading to the identification of a range of constitutive parameters for healthy and degenerative conditions. Numerical analyses are developed to investigate the influence of the progression of the degeneration on the distribution of stress and of strain within foot tissues during static standing. Numerical results show the increase of stress values with the appearance of degenerative conditions, showing the typical stiffening phenomenon. The mechanical response of the plantar soft tissue during specific loading condition and the influence of degenerative phenomena on foot mechanics can be evaluated with numerical analysis.
Smoothness of refinable function vectors on ℝn
Authors: Tinaztepe Ramazan , Jacobs Denise , Heil Christopher
Published: June 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be a dilation matrix, an [Formula: see text] expansive matrix that maps [Formula: see text] into itself. Let [Formula: see text] be a finite subset of [Formula: see text] and for [Formula: see text] let [Formula: see text] be [Formula: see text] complex matrices. The refinement equation corresponding to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text] A solution [Formula: see text] if one exists, is called a refinable vector function or a vector scaling function of multiplicity [Formula: see text] This paper characterizes the higher-order smoothness of compactly supported solutions of the refinement equation, in terms of the [Formula: see text]-norm joint spectral radius of a finite set of finite matrices determined by the coefficients [Formula: see text]
The Ubiquitin System, Autophagy, and Regulated Protein Degradation
Authors: Varshavsky Alexander
Published: June 2017

This brief disquisition about the early history of studies on regulated protein degradation introduces several detailed reviews about the ubiquitin system and autophagy.
Epidermal growth factor receptor restoration rescues the fatty liver regeneration in mice
Authors: Zimmers Teresa A. , Jin Xiaoling , Zhang Zongxiu , Jiang Yanlin , Koniaris Leonidas G.
Published: June 2017

Hepatic steatosis is a common histological finding in obese patients. Even mild steatosis is associated with delayed hepatic regeneration and poor outcomes following liver resection or transplantation. We sought to identify and target molecular pathways that mediate this dysfunction. Lean mice and mice made obese through feeding of a high-fat, hypercaloric diet underwent 70 or 80% hepatectomy. After 70% resection, obese mice demonstrated 100% survival but experienced increased liver injury, reduced energy stores, reduced mitoses, increased necroapoptosis, and delayed recovery of liver mass. Increasing liver resection to 80% was associated with mortality of 40% in lean and 80% in obese mice ( P < 0.05). Gene expression profiling showed decreased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in fatty liver. Meta-analysis of expression studies in mice, rats, and patients also demonstrated reduction of EGFR in fatty liver. In mice, both EGFR and phosphorylated EGFR decreased with increasing percent body fat. Hydrodynamic transfection of EGFR plasmids in mice corrected fatty liver regeneration, reducing liver injury, increasing proliferation, and improving survival after 80% resection. Loss of EGFR expression is rate limiting for liver regeneration in obesity. Therapies directed at increasing EGFR in steatosis might promote liver regeneration and survival following hepatic resection or transplantation.
Heat Transfer in a Porous Radial Fin: Analysis of Numerically Obtained Solutions
Authors: Jooma R. , Harley C.
Published: June 2017

A time dependent nonlinear partial differential equation modelling heat transfer in a porous radial fin is considered. The Differential Transformation Method is employed in order to account for the steady state case. These solutions are then used as a means of assessing the validity of the numerical solutions obtained via the Crank-Nicolson finite difference method. In order to engage in the stability of this scheme we conduct a stability and dynamical systems analysis. These provide us with an assessment of the impact of the nonlinear sink terms on the stability of the numerical scheme employed and on the dynamics of the solutions.
A Selective Ensemble Classification Method Combining Mammography Images with Ultrasound Images for Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Cong Jinyu , Wei Benzheng , He Yunlong , Yin Yilong , Zheng Yuanjie
Published: June 2017

Breast cancer has been one of the main diseases that threatens women’s life. Early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer play an important role in reducing mortality of breast cancer. In this paper, we propose a selective ensemble method integrated with the KNN, SVM, and Naive Bayes to diagnose the breast cancer combining ultrasound images with mammography images. Our experimental results have shown that the selective classification method with an accuracy of 88.73% and sensitivity of 97.06% is efficient for breast cancer diagnosis. And indicator R presents a new way to choose the base classifier for ensemble learning.
Memory T Cells Expressing an NKG2D-CAR Efficiently Target Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Fernández Lucía , Metais Jean-Yves , Escudero Adela , Vela María , Valentín Jaime , Vallcorba Isabel , Leivas Alejandra , Torres Juan , Valeri Antonio , Patiño-García Ana , Martínez Joaquín , Leung Wing , Pérez-Martínez Antonio
Published: June 2017

Purpose: NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) are expressed on various tumor types and immunosuppressive cells within tumor microenvironments, providing suitable targets for cancer therapy. Various immune cells express NKG2D receptors, including natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells. Interactions between NKG2DL and NKG2D receptors are essential for NK-cell elimination of osteosarcoma tumor-initiating cells. In this report, we used NKG2D–NKG2DL interactions to optimize an immunotherapeutic strategy against osteosarcoma. We evaluated in vitro and in vivo the safety and cytotoxic capacity against osteosarcoma cells of CD45RA− memory T cells expressing an NKG2D-4-1BB-CD3z chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).

Experimental Design: CD45RA− cells from healthy donors were transduced with NKG2D CARs containing 4-1BB and CD3z signaling domains. NKG2D CAR expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. In vitro cytotoxicity of NKG2D-CAR+ CD45RA− T cells against osteosarcoma was evaluated by performing conventional 4-hour europium-TDA release assays. For the in vivo orthotopic model, 531MII YFP-luc osteosarcoma cells were used as targets in NOD-scid IL2Rgnull mice.

Results: Lentiviral transduction of NKG2D-4-1BB-CD3z markedly increased NKG2D surface expression in CD45RA− cells. Genetic stability was preserved in transduced cells. In vitro, NKG2D-CAR+ memory T cells showed significantly increased cytolytic activity than untransduced cells against osteosarcoma cell lines, while preserving the integrity of healthy cells. NKG2D-CAR+ memory T cells had considerable antitumor activity in a mouse model of osteosarcoma, whereas untransduced T cells were ineffective.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate NKG2D-4-1BB-CD3z CAR–redirected memory T cells target NKG2DL-expressing osteosarcoma cells in vivo and in vitro and could be a promising immunotherapeutic approach for patients with osteosarcoma. Clin Cancer Res; 23(19); 5824–35. ©2017 AACR.
A Massively Parallel Fluorescence Assay to Characterize the Effects of Synonymous Mutations on TP53 Expression
Authors: Bhagavatula Geetha , Rich Matthew S. , Young David L. , Marin Maximillian , Fields Stanley
Published: June 2017

Although synonymous mutations can affect gene expression, they have generally not been considered in genomic studies that focus on mutations that increase the risk of cancer. However, mounting evidence implicates some synonymous mutations as driver mutations in cancer. Here, a massively parallel assay, based on cell sorting of a reporter containing a segment of p53 fused to GFP, was used to measure the effects of nearly all synonymous mutations in exon 6 of TP53. In this reporter context, several mutations within the exon caused strong expression changes including mutations that may cause potential gain or loss of function. Further analysis indicates that these effects are largely attributed to errors in splicing, including exon skipping, intron inclusion, and exon truncation, resulting from mutations both at exon–intron junctions and within the body of the exon. These mutations are found at extremely low frequencies in healthy populations and are enriched a few-fold in cancer genomes, suggesting that some of them may be driver mutations in TP53. This assay provides a general framework to identify previously unknown detrimental synonymous mutations in cancer genes.

Implications: Using a massively parallel assay, this study demonstrates that synonymous mutations in the TP53 gene affect protein expression, largely through their impact on splicing.

Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/15/10/1301/F1.large.jpg. Mol Cancer Res; 15(10); 1301–7. ©2017 AACR.
A inserção precária e a questão agrária
Authors: Comparato Bruno Konder
Published: June 2017

Um ponto de vista bastante difundido no que diz respeito ao Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST) costuma associá-los ao atraso e à exclusão. Os militantes do MST seriam, assim, os representantes do Brasil arcaico por oposição ao Brasil moderno. Uma leitura atenta da produção recente sobre o tema da exclusão, ou da inclusão precária, e da desfiliação mostra, contudo, que o MST não representa o grupo dos excluí- dos do campo, pelo contrário, ele constitui-se numa comunidade de indivíduos novamente incluídos na sociedade brasileira. Pois, se assim não fosse, eles não seriam recebidos como interlocutores pelos poderes públicos e não teriam suas idéias e propostas levadas a público por meio da imprensa. Longe de serem os “marchadores do atraso” como já foram rotulados pelos meios de comunicação, os militantes do MST provam que a ação política organizada pode reintegrar os esquecidos pelo progresso à sociedade brasileira
Descentralização tributária e poder local
Authors: Goulart Jefferson O.
Published: June 2017

No bojo do processo de democratização institucional, a Constituição Federal de 1988 ensejou um esforço de correção do caráter assimétrico do federalismo brasileiro. Além de atribuir aos municípios o pioneiro estatuto de ente federativo, dotado de autonomia e de personalidade jurídica, caracterizou-se por expressivo aumento das receitas transferidas para as esferas subnacionais de governo. Tal inflexão, porém, revelou-se demasiado precária, datada, ocorrendo um movimento de recentralização no período ulterior, sob a batuta do Executivo federal. Com base em pesquisa comparativa de dois municípios paulistas – Piracicaba e Santa Bárbara d’Oeste –, demonstra-se que este revés não foi suficiente para anular as mudanças processadas nas relações intergovernamentais, cuja característica distintiva é o progressivo aumento de prerrogativas dos municípios, não apenas em sua dimensão tributária, mas também na acepção republicana de assegurar direitos aos cidadãos
La antropología cristiana en John Locke: justicia, crimen y los límites de la humanidad
Authors: Abdo Ferez María Cecilia
Published: June 2017

El artículo rastrea, a partir de la célebre frase de Karl Marx en El XVIII. Brumario de Luis Bonaparte que reza "Locke desplazó a Habacuc", las transformaciones producidas en la noción de justicia en la temprana modernidad occidental, particularmente en la obra de John Locke. Sostendremos que Locke intentará combinar una antropología crisitiana, sumida en fuerte escepticismo, con la necesidad por parte del individuo de consentir y comprender toda obligación, incluso las derivadas de la ley divina, como forma típica de concebir la obligación política en el liberalismo moderno. Esta forma de combinación entre cristianismo, inteligibilidad y consentimiento individual a la obligación se contrasta fuertemente con las formas de justicia presentes en el Antiguo Testamento, particularmente en el Libro de Habacuc.
De “Rentier State” a “Global Emirates”: Uma Breve Análise Política e Socioeconômica dos Emirados Árabes Unidos até o Momento do Golfo (1971-2011)
Authors: Junqueira Cairo Gabriel Borges
Published: June 2017

A região do Oriente Médio é, per si, símbolo de pluralidade política, econômica e cultural. O mesmo se diz do Golfo Pérsico, território amplamente conhecido por abrigar monarquias e o Conselho de Cooperação do Golfo (CCG). Dentre os membros da organização, um vem se destacando por expressar seus anseios e vontades nas relações internacionais na última década: os Emirados Árabes Unidos (EAU). Com aproximadamente quarenta anos de autonomia, o país tornou-se marco de internacionalização econômica e símbolo de progresso, estabilidade e identidade nacional durante o período denominado “Momento do Golfo”. O presente artigo objetiva analisar os principais aspectos históricos, políticos, econômicos e sociais recentes motivadores do sucesso de inserção internacional promovido pelos emirados nos últimos anos. Na conclusão há a confirmação da hipótese inicial, a qual se sustenta na afirmação de que a configuração política (federalismo), a estabilidade doméstica, o processo de nation-building, as imensas reservas de petróleo, a inclusão social das mulheres e as estratégias diplomáticas foram variáveis cruciais, e essenciais no caso da construção nacional, para a consolidação do momentum emirati.
O voto dos legisladores latino-americanos em temas de política comercial
Authors: Feliú Pedro
Published: June 2017

A presente nota de pesquisa objetiva exibir os resultados preliminares de pesquisa em andamento sobre o comportamento legislativo e a política externa na América Latina. Mais especificamente, neste texto apresentamos os resultados dos modelos logísticos do voto dos legisladores de Argentina, Brasil, Chile, México, Paraguai e Peru em temas comerciais de legislaturas recentes. Contrastamos no modelo explicativo do voto dos legisladores variáveis sócio-econômicas dos distritos eleitorais com duas variáveis partidárias centrais presentes nos estudos dos legislativos latino-americanos: a ideologia do partido político e o pertencimento ou não à coalizão de governo. Constatamos uma elevada capacidade explicativa das mencionadas variáveis partidárias nos votos dos legisladores argentinos, chilenos e mexicanos, enquanto que nos casos brasileiro, paraguaio e peruano fatores socioeconômicos dos distritos eleitorais tenham apresentado maior relevância
Considerações Paleoambientais do Holoceno Médio por Meio de Fitólitos na Serra do Cadeado, Paraná
Authors: Parolin Mauro , Monteiro Mayara Dos Reis , Coe Heloisa Helena Gomes , Colavite Ana Paula
Published: June 2017

A pesquisa analisou um testemunho sedimentar de 130 cm de profundidade contendo cerca de 30 cm de material turfoso em seu topo, obtido em uma lagoa sem nome situada no Morro da Pedra Branca no município de Ortigueira no estado do Paraná. Foram recuperados (via queima ácida), identificados e quantificados (em três transectos/ três lâminas analisadas em microscópio óptico com aumento de 40x) os fitólitos presentes no sedimento turfoso, totalizando 13 amostras, bem como se realizou uma datação 14C a 30 cm de profundidade (5.372 anos cal. AP). Também foram calculados índices fitolíticos de Densidade de Cobertura Arbórea, Estresse Hídrico e de Umidade. Os resultados mostraram que a lagoa teve taxa de sedimentação lenta (~1 cm/179 anos). Os morfotipos mais encontrados foram os característicos da família Poaceae (Rondel, Saddle, Bilobate), inferindo uma vegetação predominantemente campestre, com ausência da família Arecaceae (palmeiras), alta produtora de fitólitos do morfotipo Globular echinate. As assembleias fitolíticas encontradas na área indicam condições mais secas no Holoceno Médio, passando para condições climáticas mais úmidas na atualidade. As interpretações corroboram outros estudos paleoambientais já realizados para o estado do Paraná e Mato Grosso do Sul, nos quais a existência de um período mais seco no Holoceno Médio é evidenciada.
The Relevance of Prior Content Knowledge Regarding Bioethical Dilemmas: Religious Education in Dialogue with Empirical Studies of Educational Psychology
Authors: Schmidt Hiemke K. , Grube Dietmar , Rothgangel Martin
Published: June 2017

In religious education classes bioethical topics are part of the curriculum. Research on religious education mostly reflects on bioethical topics theoretically. From the perspective of educational psychology, this article concentrates on one of the most important prerequisites for learning — prior knowledge. It combines prior knowledge with learning through argumentation and considers its relevance for learning bioethical topics. Finally an overview over four studies on prior knowledge in bioethical discussions is presented and the results discussed.
Una compraventa poética, Horacio, Epistola 2.2
Authors: Carrasco García Consuelo
Published: June 2017

A poetic sale. Horace, Epistula 2.2. 

Starting from the analysis of a poem by Horace, I have tried to highlight the image of the Law that was held by Roman society in the first century BC, that is, both by the poet and by the public that he wanted to entertain with his works. He chose a legal topic as the theme of his narrative – the responsibility for hidden defects in the contract of sale –; he applied the Roman legal lexicon with total precision and, more specifically, he showed that he was aware of the debate about the case-law related to the Edict by which the magistrates regulated the sale of slaves in the public markets. This is apparent from a comparison of the poem with book 21, title 1 of Justinian’s Digest concerning the Edict of the curule aediles and with documents from legal practice (testatio) that record the agreement of the will of the parties. A study of this kind, moreover, also contributes to a better understanding of poetic composition.
Gymnosporangium przewalskii sp. nov. (Pucciniales, Basidiomycota) from China and its life cycle
Authors: CAO BIN , HAN FU-ZHONG , TIAN CHENG-MING , LIANG YING-MEI
Published: June 2017

In an investigation of rust fungi in Qinghai Province, northwestern China, the novel rust species Gymnosporangium przewalskii was identified based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) rRNA partial gene revealed that G. przewalskii is monophyletic and distinct from other Gymnosporangium species. The life cycle of this new taxon was clarified based on molecular data. Its spermogonial and aecial stages occurred on Sorbus koehneana, and its telial stage was found on Juniperus przewalskii.
A taxonomic revision of Cephalaria subgen. Cephalaria sect. Atrocephalae (Caprifoliaceae) from Iran
Authors: RANJBAR MASSOUD , RANJBAR ZAHRA
Published: June 2017

The taxonomy of Cephalaria sect. Atrocephalae in Iran has some problems to resolve. In present revision, the section represents 16 species of which 4 are described here as new to science, namely C. chaldoranensis, C. golestanica, C. qeydarensis and C. torbatejamensis. Cephalaria sublanata and C. subindivisa are restored from synonyms of C. microcephala. The variety of C. microcephala is elevated to the species rank as C. integerrima. In addition, lectotypes are designated for C. juncea, C. integerrima, C. subindivisa and C. sublanata. Furthermore, C. tchihatchewii is excluded from Iran. Finally, a key, distribution maps and photographs for all Iranian species of the section are provided.
Morphology and biology of Polydora hoplura Claparède, 1868 (Annelida: Spionidae)
Authors: RADASHEVSKY VASILY I. , CHOI JIN-WOO , GAMBI MARIA CRISTINA
Published: June 2017

Polydora hoplura Claparède, 1868 is one of the largest species among congeners, attaining 6 cm in length and 2 mm in width for more than 200 chaetigers. It is a harmful shell-borer unintentionally transported with objects of aquaculture across the world. Brief original description and absence of type material resulted in confusion with the identification of this species. Herein, we review previous records, establish a neotype and redescribe P. hoplura based on newly collected material from the type locality, the Gulf of Naples. We also describe worms from other localities in Italy, illustrate adult morphology and report gradual development of taxonomic features of this species in ontogenesis based on material from South Korea.
Nineteen new species of Amphidraus Simon, 1900 (Salticidae: Euophryini) from Colombia, with comments about their conservation
Authors: GALVIS WILLIAM
Published: June 2017

The Andean region of Northern South America is widely recognized as a hotspot with extreme levels of diversity, endemism, and threat. In a taxonomic study on jumping spiders from Colombia, nineteen new species of Amphidraus Simon, 1900 were found, all of which with small-scale endemic distributional patterns. Sixteen of these new species are described from the Andean region, eight of which being restricted to the Cundiboyacense high-Andean plateau (A. bochica sp. nov., A. guatavita sp. nov., A. mae sp. nov., A. pae sp. nov., A. sie sp. nov., A. sotairensis sp. nov., A. tisquesusa sp. nov. and A. tundama sp. nov.), in the Boyacá and Cundinamarca departments. The eight remaining Andean species are distributed out of this high-Andean plateau, in the Eastern Mountain Range of Boyacá (A. chie sp. nov., A. somondoco sp. nov. and A. sua sp. nov.), Cundinamarca (A. quinini sp. nov. and A. zaque sp. nov.), Huila (A. guaitipan sp. nov.) and Santander (A. zipa sp. nov.) departments, and in the Central Mountain Range of Risaralda department (A. quimbaya sp. nov.). Additionally, A. sikuani sp. nov. is described from the Eastern department of Meta, and A. colombianus sp. nov. and A. tanimuca sp. nov. from the Amazonian department of Vaupés. Finally, a map with these new records is included, along with a short comment about conservation of biota in the Andean region.
Description of a new species of Miltochrista Hübner from Vietnam, with eight new combinations (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V.
Published: June 2017

Miltochrista Hübner, [1819] is a large genus of lichen-moths (family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini) including more than 160 valid species and widely distributed in Oriental and Palaearctic Regions. The genus for a long time was treated in a wide sense. Holloway (2001) treated as Miltochrista only a small group of species close to the type species of the genus Miltochrista miniata (Forster, 1771), resurrected genera Barsine Walker, 1854, and Lyclene Moore, [1860], and transferred the majority of former Miltochrista and Oriental Asura Walker, 1854 to these genera. Following Holloway's concept, many species were described as Lyclene during last two decades (Černý & Pinratana 2009; Kirti & Gill 2009; Bucsek 2012; 2014; Dubatolov & Bucsek 2013; 2014; Wu et al. 2013; Černý 2016). Kirti & Singh (2016) synonymized Lyclene with Miltochrista, but, nevertheless, the status of Lyclene is still debatable, and the generic/subgeneric structure of Miltochrista sensu lato needs revision (Volynkin et al., in prep.).
Replacement name for the cicada genus Torresia Sanborn and Heath, 2014 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Tibicininae: Tettigadini) and two new combinations
Authors: SANBORN ALLEN F. , HEATH MAXINE S.
Published: June 2017

Torrescada nom. nov. pro Torresia Sanborn and Heath, 2014 nec Torresia Castelnau, 1875 (Perciformes) and Torresia Brongersma, 1934 (Squamata) is proposed. The species of Torresia Sanborn and Heath are transferred to Torrescada nom. nov. to become Torrescada lariojaensis (Sanborn and Heath, 2014) n. comb., and Torrescada lariojaensis (Sanborn and Heath, 2014) n. comb.