bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Doubly Blended Model for Multiscale Atmospheric Dynamics
Authors: Klein Rupert , Benacchio Tommaso
Published: January 2016

The compressible flow equations for a moist, multicomponent fluid constitute the most comprehensive description of atmospheric dynamics used in meteorological practice. Yet, compressibility effects are often considered weak and acoustic waves outright unimportant in the atmosphere, except possibly for Lamb waves on very large scales. This has led to the development of “soundproof” models, which suppress sound waves entirely and provide good approximations for small-scale to mesoscale motions. Most global flow models are based instead on the hydrostatic primitive equations that only suppress vertically propagating acoustic modes and are applicable to relatively large-scale motions. Generalized models have been proposed that combine the advantages of the hydrostatic primitive and the soundproof equation sets. In this note, the authors reveal close relationships between the compressible, pseudoincompressible (soundproof), hydrostatic primitive, and the Arakawa and Konor unified model equations by introducing a continuous two-parameter (i.e., “doubly blended”) family of models that defaults to either of these limiting cases for particular parameter constellations.
Data Assimilation for Bathymetry Estimation at a Tidal Inlet
Authors: Moghimi S. , Özkan-Haller H. T. , Wilson G. W. , Kurapov A.
Published: January 2016

This study involved developing and testing a data assimilation framework that accommodates different types of geophysical ocean data (i.e., surface velocity and wave information) and provides an estimation of the bathymetry of a mixed-energy tidal inlet. This framework was successfully applied to a highly variable tidal environment using synthetic data (twin test). The synthetic data consisted of surface velocity components associated with the tidal circulation and wavenumber–frequency pairs of incoming surface gravity waves that mimic data that could be derived from an airborne synthetic aperture radar system and a tower-mounted X-band radar system, respectively. The present ensemble-based assimilation framework has previously been applied in both wave-dominated coastal and current-dominated riverine environments. In contrast, the inlet environment is neither wave nor current dominated. The assimilation of wave and current data together was most useful to obtain a skillful estimate of the spatial map of bathymetry.
How three narratives of modernity justify economic inequality
Authors: Larsen Christian Albrekt
Published: January 2016

The acceptance of income differences varies across countries. This article suggests belief in three narratives of modernity to account for this: the “tunnel effect,” related to perceptions of generational mobility; the “procedural justice effect,” related to the perceived fairness in the process of getting ahead; and the “middle-class effect,” related to perceptions of the social structure of society. The importance of the suggested narratives is tested by means of the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) 2009 module, which includes 38 countries. The finding is that belief in the three narratives can account for a considerable part of the cross-national variation. Beliefs in procedural justice and the existence of a middle-class society clearly go together with high acceptance of current income differences, while the “tunnel effect” is more complex. In general, belief in generational mobility goes together with acceptance of current income differences. But personal experience of such upward social mobility actually lowers acceptance of current income differences, especially if overall generational mobility in society is believed to be backward. The framework explains most country-cases, which points to the existence of general patterns. But the models also indicate that the Philippines, and to a lesser extent the US and France, are special cases.
Regionalism, globalization and Seamus Heaney’s Latin lift-off
Authors: Quinn Justin
Published: January 2016

This article examines Seamus Heaney’s use of Latin in his poetry, and its connections with larger thematics of world literature. It argues that the work of his last two decades can no longer be characterized by a postcolonial framework, but rather sidesteps issues of empire to explore the ways in which the local circulates in globalized culture.
Closing up and moving on: a personal perspective of psychiatric practice closure
Authors: Neill Diane
Published: January 2016

Objectives:

This paper sets out a process for the elective closure of a clinical practice. The details are described for a particular example of a practice closure. The common elements to all practice closures are identified. A range of other factors which may be relevant to other practice closure circumstances are also listed and the literature is referenced.

Conclusions:

The closure of a clinical practice is a major stage in professional life and merits preparation, support and accessible resources.
Latinas and Intergenerational Caregiving
Authors: Maldonado Linda
Published: January 2016

Background: Identifying gaps in the literature regarding Puerto Rican childbearing women and intergenerational caregiving will facilitate future nursing practice and research regarding the amelioration of poor maternal–fetal outcomes. Method: A literature search using PubMed and CINAHL, sensitized by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological-Environmental Model on Latinas and intergenerational caregiving, generated 18 peer-reviewed research articles (2009-2014) for analysis. Results: Categories and themes included the following: Latinas are the primary caregivers within their families and communities; caregiving is described; however, none of the studies classified caregiving as intergenerational and none sought to understand the overall impact on Latinas simultaneously caring for other members of their caregiving networks. Conclusion: Gaps in the literature need to be addressed to facilitate design of health care programs to address disparities and increase supports for childbearing Latinas involved in intergenerational caregiving who are at risk for higher incidences of challenging life experiences.
The association of mobility disability, weight status and job strain: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Norrbäck Mattias , De Munter Jeroen , Tynelius Per , Ahlström Gerd , Rasmussen Finn
Published: January 2016

Aims: The study investigated whether people with mobility disability (MD) and/or obesity had higher job strain than people without it, and whether social support at work modifies this association. Methods: The study included 35,160 individuals (25–64 years of age) from the Stockholm Public Health Surveys of 2006 and 2010. Data on MD and obesity (BMI ⩾ 30 kg/m2 calculated from weight (kg) and height (m)) were self-reported. According to the Demand-Control-Support theory job strain, collective strain, and isolated strain were calculated for six groups of people based on the presence of MD and obesity, using the subtraction approach (demand minus control). Differences in job strain mean scores were estimated by multivariate linear regression. Social support at work was analyzed as a potential effect modifier (high/low). Results: Obese people with MD had the highest job strain (β = 0.92, 95% CI 0.64–1.19), compared to normal weight people without MD (reference group). We found that social support at work significantly ( p<0.001) modifies the association between job strain, MD and obesity. Obese people with MD had the highest isolated strain (β = 2.92, 95% CI 2.52–3.31), and the highest collective strain, although of smaller magnitude (β = 0.34, 95% CI 0.05–0.63), compared to the reference group. Conclusions: Obese people with MD perceive higher job strain than non-disabled people of normal weight. Strategies aiming to increase the social support at work may be important for this group of people to prevent them from experiencing unhealthy job strain.
Sickness absence and presence among employees in treatment for common mental disorders
Authors: Lau Bjørn , Victor Mattias , Ruud Torleif
Published: January 2016

Purpose: Common mental disorders are a major cause of long-term sickness absence and a reason for disability benefits, although many people with these disorders remain employed. Therefore, it is important to prevent them from taking sick leave or relying on disability benefits. Consequently, we wished to identify the factors associated with sickness presence among patients undergoing treatment. Method: Participants were recruited from patients who met for their first session at a Return to Work clinic. A total of 251 patients completed a questionnaire that included questions on background information, mental health and functioning, and psychosocial work factors. Of these, 49% were fully working, 21.9% were partially working, and 29.1% were on full sickness absence. Results: Fully working patients had fewer symptoms, functioned better, and experienced greater well-being than patients wholly on sick leave. They also experienced work as less demanding, were more appreciative, and had more employment security and autonomy. They reported symptoms, functioning, and well-being at the same level as the partially working group. However, their therapists reported that they functioned better and they themselves considered work demands somewhat less stressful. Conclusions: The results indicate that both symptoms and functional capacity, in addition to work environment, are perceived as more favorable among fully working patients, compared with those completely on sick leave. However, because of the cross-sectional design, we need more studies with prospective design to examine whether these relationships are causal, and to examine when sickness presence is beneficial for patients.
What is going on between defibrotide and endothelial cells? Snapshots reveal the hot spots of their romance
Authors: Palomo Marta , Mir Enrique , Rovira Montse , Escolar Ginés , Carreras Enric , Diaz-Ricart Maribel
Published: January 2016

Key Points

Specific interaction of DF with EC membranes is followed by its internalization mainly through macropinocytic mechanisms. DF attachment to the cell membrane is sufficient to perform its antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects on the endothelium.
Combining location-and-scale batch effect adjustment with data cleaning by latent factor adjustment
Authors: Hornung Roman , Boulesteix Anne-Laure , Causeur David
Published: January 2016

Background

In the context of high-throughput molecular data analysis it is common that the observations included in a dataset form distinct groups; for example, measured at different times, under different conditions or even in different labs. These groups are generally denoted as batches. Systematic differences between these batches not attributable to the biological signal of interest are denoted as batch effects. If ignored when conducting analyses on the combined data, batch effects can lead to distortions in the results. In this paper we present FAbatch, a general, model-based method for correcting for such batch effects in the case of an analysis involving a binary target variable. It is a combination of two commonly used approaches: location-and-scale adjustment and data cleaning by adjustment for distortions due to latent factors. We compare FAbatch extensively to the most commonly applied competitors on the basis of several performance metrics. FAbatch can also be used in the context of prediction modelling to eliminate batch effects from new test data. This important application is illustrated using real and simulated data. We implemented FAbatch and various other functionalities in the R package available online from CRAN.

Results

FAbatch is seen to be competitive in many cases and above average in others. In our analyses, the only cases where it failed to adequately preserve the biological signal were when there were extremely outlying batches and when the batch effects were very weak compared to the biological signal.

Conclusions

As seen in this paper batch effect structures found in real datasets are diverse. Current batch effect adjustment methods are often either too simplistic or make restrictive assumptions, which can be violated in real datasets. Due to the generality of its underlying model and its ability to perform well FAbatch represents a reliable tool for batch effect adjustment for most situations found in practice.
Biological impact of xeno-free chemically defined cryopreservation medium on amniotic epithelial cells
Authors: Miki Toshio , Wong Wisia , Zhou Elton , Gonzalez Anthony , Garcia Irving , Grubbs Brendan H.
Published: January 2016

Background

Amnion-derived stem cells have been proposed for cell replacement therapy and tissue regeneration. An easily accessible cell source, the placenta, allows us to potentially establish a bio-bank of cells for immunotype matched clinical applications. Several xeno-free (XF) cryopreservation media are currently available for pluripotent stem cells, however, these media have not yet been evaluated for the cryopreservation of amnion-derived stem cells.

Methods

Human amniotic epithelial cells were collected using standard protocols, and stored at −160 °C in one of five commercially available media. Cells frozen in standard media containing fetal bovine serum served as controls. Cells were then thawed, and evaluated for viability, mitochondrial membrane stability, and senescence status. Quantitative real time PCR was utilized to assess for expression of stem cell genes, and flow cytometry was used to identify the stem cell surface markers.

Results

Cell recovery and repopulation assays indicated no significant difference between XF media versus standard cryopreservation medium. In addition, no impact was observed on the senescence status, the cytostructural or mitochondrial morphology between the tested cryopreservation media. Differences were observed on the expression of stem cell marker genes (OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG) and a cell surface marker (TRA1-60) following cryopreservation in different chemically defined XF media, however, these were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Xeno-free cryopreservation of human amnion-derived stem cells is feasible and can be standardized to establish a bio-bank with human amnion-derived stem cells for future clinical application. Optimization of this media may allow for improved preservation of stem cell-like characteristics.
Atezolizumab, an Anti–Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Antibody, in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Safety, Clinical Activity, and Immune Correlates From a Phase Ia Study
Authors: McDermott David F. , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Sznol Mario , Massard Christophe , Gordon Michael S. , Hamid Omid , Powderly John D. , Infante Jeffrey R. , Fassò Marcella , Wang Yan V. , Zou Wei , Hegde Priti S. , Fine Gregg D. , Powles Thomas
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The objective was to determine the safety and clinical activity of atezolizumab (MPDL3280A), a humanized programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody, in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Exploratory biomarkers were analyzed and associated with outcomes.

Patients and Methods

Seventy patients with metastatic RCC, including clear cell (ccRCC; n = 63) and non–clear cell (ncc; n = 7) histologies, received atezolizumab intravenously every 3 weeks. PD-L1 expression was scored at four diagnostic levels (0/1/2/3) that were based on PD-L1 staining on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (IC) with the SP142 assay. Primary end points were safety and toxicity; secondary end points assessed clinical activity per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 and immune-related response criteria. Plasma and tissue were analyzed for potential biomarkers of atezolizumab response.

Results

Grade 3 treatment-related and immune-mediated adverse events occurred in 17% and 4% of patients, respectively, and there were no grade 4 or 5 events. Sixty-three patients with ccRCC were evaluable for overall survival (median, 28.9 months; 95% CI, 20.0 months to not reached) and progression-free survival (median, 5.6 months; 95% CI, 3.9 to 8.2 months), and 62 patients were evaluable for objective response rate (ORR; 15%; 95% CI, 7% to 26%). ORR was evaluated on the basis of PD-L1 IC expression (IC1/2/3: n = 33; 18%; 95% CI, 7% to 35%; and IC0: n = 22; 9%; 95% CI, 1% to 29%). The ORR for patients with Fuhrman grade 4 and/or sarcomatoid histology was 22% (n = 18; 95% CI, 6% to 48%). Decreases in circulating plasma markers and acute-phase proteins and an increased baseline effector T-cell–to–regulatory T-cell gene expression ratio correlated with response to atezolizumab.

Conclusion

Atezolizumab demonstrated a manageable safety profile and promising antitumor activity in patients with metastatic RCC. Correlative studies identified potential predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. These results have guided ongoing studies and combinations with atezolizumab in RCC.
Building a Rapid Learning Health Care System for Oncology: Why CancerLinQ Collects Identifiable Health Information to Achieve Its Vision
Authors: Shah Alaap , Stewart Andrew K. , Kolacevski Andrej , Michels Dina , Miller Robert
Published: January 2016

The ever-increasing volume of scientific discoveries, clinical knowledge, novel diagnostic tools, and treatment options juxtaposed with rising costs in health care challenge physicians to identify, prioritize, and use new information rapidly to deliver efficient and high-quality care to a growing and aging patient population. CancerLinQ, a rapid learning health care system in oncology, is an initiative of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and its Institute for Quality that addresses these challenges by collecting information from the electronic health records of large numbers of patients with cancer. CancerLinQ is first and foremost a quality measurement and reporting system through which oncologists can harness the depth and power of their patients’ clinical records and other data to assess, monitor, and improve the care they deliver. However, in light of privacy and security concerns with regard to collection, use, and disclosure of patient information, this article addresses the need to collect protected health information as defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to drive rapid learning through CancerLinQ.
Histologic and Molecular Profile of Pediatric Insulinomas: Evidence of a Paternal Parent-of-Origin Effect
Authors: Bhatti Tricia R. , Ganapathy Karthik , Huppmann Alison R. , Conlin Laura , Boodhansingh Kara E. , MacMullen Courtney , Becker Susan , Ernst Linda M. , Adzick N. Scott , Ruchelli Eduardo D. , Ganguly Arupa , Stanley Charles A.
Published: January 2016

Context:

Acquired insulinomas are rare causes of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in children and are much less common than focal lesions of congenital hyperinsulinism. The latter are known to be associated with isodisomy for paternally transmitted ATP-sensitive potassium channel mutations on 11p15; however, the molecular basis for pediatric insulinomas is not well characterized.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to characterize the histopathological and molecular defects in a large group of 12 pediatric insulinomas seen at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Results:

Twelve children with insulinomas were seen between 1971 and 2013, compared to 201 cases with focal congenital hyperinsulinism seen between 1997 and 2014. The age of insulinoma patients ranged from 4–16 years at the time of surgery. Features of MEN1 syndrome were present in five of the 12, including four cases with heterozygous mutations of MEN1 on 11q. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed nuclear loss of p57 staining consistent with loss of the maternal 11p15 allele in 11 of the 12 insulinomas, including all five MEN1-associated tumors. Imbalance of the paternal 11p allele was confirmed by single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping and methylation assays of the 11p imprinting control loci in four of five MEN1-associated tumors and six of seven sporadic insulinomas. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping revealed extensive tumor aneuploidy beyond chromosome 11.

Conclusions:

These data indicate that MEN1 mutations are more common in insulinomas in children than in adults. Aneuploidy of chromosome 11 and other chromosomes is common in both MEN1 and non-MEN1 insulinomas. The novel observation of a paternal parent-of-origin effect in all MEN1 and most non-MEN1 tumors suggests a critical role for imprinted growth-regulatory genes in the 11p region in the genesis of β-cell endocrine tumors in children.
Insulin Enhances Endothelial Function Throughout the Arterial Tree in Healthy But Not Metabolic Syndrome Subjects
Authors: Jahn Linda A. , Hartline Lee , Rao Nagashree , Logan Brent , Kim Justin J. , Aylor Kevin , Gan Li-Ming , Westergren Helena U. , Barrett Eugene J.
Published: January 2016

Context:

Insulin reportedly impairs endothelial function in conduit arteries but improves it in resistance and microvascular arterioles in healthy humans. No studies have assessed endothelial function at three arterial levels in healthy or metabolic syndrome (METSYN) subjects.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to compare endothelial responsiveness of conduit arteries, resistance, and microvascular arterioles to insulin in healthy and METSYN subjects.

Design:

We assessed conduit, resistance, and microvascular arterial function in the postabsorptive and postprandial states and during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia (insulin clamp).

Setting:

The study was conducted at a clinical research unit.

Participants:

Age-matched healthy and METSYN subjects participated in the study.

Interventions:

We used brachial flow-mediated dilation, forearm postischemic flow velocity, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound to assess the conduit artery, resistance arteriole, and microvascular arteriolar endothelial function, respectively. We also assessed the conduit artery stiffness (pulse wave velocity and augmentation index) and measured the plasma concentrations of 92 cardiovascular disease biomarkers at baseline and after the clamp.

Results:

Postabsorptive and postprandial endothelial function was similar in controls and METSYN in all tested vessels. METSYN subjects were metabolically insulin resistant (P < .005). In controls, but not METSYN subjects, during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia, endothelial function improved at each level of arterial vasculature (P < .05 or less for each). Conduit vessel stiffness (pulse wave velocity) was increased in the METSYN group. Twelve of 92 biomarkers differed at baseline (P < .001) and remained different at the end of the insulin clamp.

Conclusions:

We conclude that insulin enhances arterial endothelial function in health but not in METSYN, and this vascular insulin resistance may underlie its increased cardiovascular disease risk.
Bone Structure and Predictors of Fracture in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Starup-Linde Jakob , Lykkeboe Simon , Gregersen Søren , Hauge Ellen-Magrethe , Langdahl Bente Lomholt , Handberg Aase , Vestergaard Peter
Published: January 2016

Context:

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with an increased risk of fracture.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to compare the bone structure and density between type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients and to investigate fracture associations.

Design:

This was a cross-sectional study.

Setting and Patients:

Physician-diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients were included from the outpatient clinics at two university hospitals participated in the study.

Main Outcome Measures:

Bone density and structure were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Blood samples were collected for bone turnover markers. Prevalent vertebral fractures were assessed by vertebral fracture assessment and x-ray, and incident fractures were collected from The Danish National Hospital Discharge Register.

Results:

Bone mineral density (BMD) was higher in type 2 than type 1 diabetes patients at the hip, femur, and spine; however, only the hip differed in multivariate-adjusted models. Bone tissue stiffness at the tibia was increased in type 2 diabetes patients also in adjusted models. Sclerostin levels were inversely associated with fracture in type 1 diabetes patients. The patients with the highest tertile of sclerostin had an 81% decreased risk of a fracture compared with the lowest tertile.

Conclusions:

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients differ in BMD of the hip and tissue stiffness at the tibia. Sclerostin may be a marker independent of BMD to predict fractures in type 1 diabetes patients and thus potentially of clinical importance. Studies with longer follow-up are needed.
Measuring Medicaid Physician Participation Rates and Implications for Policy
Authors: Sommers Benjamin D. , Kronick Richard
Published: January 2016

Policy makers continue to debate Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, and concerns remain about low provider participation in the program. However, there has been little research on how various measures of physician participation may reflect different elements of capacity for care within the Medicaid program and how these distinct measures correlate with one another across states. Our objectives were to describe several alternative measures of provider participation in Medicaid using recently publicly available data, to compare state rankings across these different metrics, and to discuss potential advantages and disadvantages of each measure for research and policy purposes. Overall, we find that Medicaid participation as measured by raw percentages of physicians taking new Medicaid patients is only weakly correlated with population-based measures that account for both participation rates and the numbers of physicians per capita or physicians per Medicaid beneficiary. Participation rates for all physicians versus primary care physicians also offer different information about state-level provider capacity. Policy makers should consider multiple dimensions of provider access in assessing policy options in Medicaid, and further research is needed to evaluate the linkages between these provider-based measures and beneficiaries' perceptions of access to care in the program.
Medicaid Contradictions: Adding, Subtracting, and Redeterminations in Illinois
Authors: Koetting Michael
Published: January 2016

States are required to conduct annual Medicaid redeterminations. How these redeterminations are undertaken is crucial to determining the nature of Medicaid coverage. There can be wide variations in the proportion of clients disenrolled, with potentially large numbers of people disenrolled each year. This case study of Illinois Medicaid shows how, as the Affordable Care Act added people, redeterminations were taking people off the rolls—about 25 percent of all Medicaid clients were disenrolled in one year. Many of these people were no longer eligible, but it appears that a larger number were in fact eligible but simply failed to comply with administrative requirements in a timely way. Balancing between the two imperatives of program integrity and continuity of care is a difficult act for Medicaid programs. The Illinois experience also illustrates impacts on information technology and outsourcing of eligibility functions, not to mention budget considerations.
Business Associations, Conservative Networks, and the Ongoing Republican War Over Medicaid Expansion
Authors: Hertel-Fernandez Alexander , Skocpol Theda , Lynch Daniel
Published: January 2016

A major component of the Affordable Care Act involves the expansion of state Medicaid programs to cover the uninsured poor. In the wake of the 2012 Supreme Court decision upholding and modifying reform legislation, states can decide whether to expand Medicaid—and twenty states are still not proceeding as of August 2015. What explains state choices about participation in expansion, including governors' decisions to endorse expansion or not as well as final state decisions? We tackle this puzzle, focusing closely on outcomes and battles in predominantly Republican-led states. Like earlier scholars, we find that partisan differences between Democrats and Republicans are central, but we go beyond earlier analyses to measure added effects from two dueling factions within the Republican coalition: statewide business associations and cross-state networks of ideologically conservative organizations. Using both statistical modeling and case studies, we show that GOP-leaning or GOP-dominated states have been most likely to embrace the expansion when organized business support outweighs pressures from conservative networks. Our findings help make sense of ongoing state-level debates over a core part of health reform and shed new light on mounting policy tensions within the Republican Party.
The LGN protein promotes planar proliferative divisions in the neocortex but apicobasal asymmetric terminal divisions in the retina
Authors: Lacomme Marine , Tarchini Basile , Boudreau-Pinsonneault Camille , Monat Carine , Cayouette Michel
Published: January 2016

Cell division orientation is critical to control segregation of polarized fate determinants in the daughter cells to produce symmetric or asymmetric fate outcomes. While most studies in vertebrates have focused on the role of mitotic spindle orientation in proliferative asymmetric divisions, it remains unclear whether altering spindle orientation is required for the production of asymmetric fates in differentiative terminal divisions. Here, we show that the GoLoco motif protein LGN, which interacts with Gαi to control apicobasal division orientation in Drosophila neuroblasts, is excluded from the apical domain of retinal progenitors undergoing planar divisions, but not in those undergoing apicobasal divisions. Inactivation of LGN reduces the number of apicobasal divisions in mouse retinal progenitors, whereas it conversely increases these divisions in cortical progenitors. While LGN inactivation increases the number of progenitors outside the ventricular zone in the developing neocortex, it has no effect on the position or number of progenitors in the retina. Retinal progenitor cell lineage analysis in LGN mutant mice, however, shows an increase in symmetric terminal divisions producing two photoreceptors, at the expense of asymmetric terminal divisions producing a photoreceptor and a bipolar or amacrine cell. Similarly, inactivating Gαi decreases asymmetric terminal divisions, suggesting that LGN function with Gαi to control division orientation in retinal progenitors. Together, these results show a context-dependent function for LGN and indicate that apicobasal divisions are not involved in proliferative asymmetric divisions in the mouse retina, but are instead essential to generate binary fates at terminal divisions.
Epithelial stratification and placode invagination are separable functions in early morphogenesis of the molar tooth
Authors: Li Jingjing , Chatzeli Lemonia , Panousopoulou Eleni , Tucker Abigail S. , Green Jeremy B. A.
Published: January 2016

Ectodermal organs, which include teeth, hair follicles, mammary ducts and glands such as sweat, mucous and sebaceous glands, are initiated in development as placodes: epithelial thickenings that invaginate and bud into underlying mesenchyme. These placodes are stratified into a basal and several suprabasal layers of cells. The mechanisms driving stratification and invagination are poorly understood. Using the molar tooth as a model for ectodermal organ morphogenesis, we show here that vertical, stratifying cell divisions are enriched in the forming placode and that stratification is cell division-dependent. Using inhibitor and gain-of-function experiments, we show that FGF signalling is necessary and sufficient for stratification but not invagination as such. We show that, instead, Shh signalling is necessary for, and promotes, invagination once suprabasal tissue is generated. Shh-dependent suprabasal cell shape suggests convergent migration and intercalation, potentially accounting for post-stratification placode invagination to bud stage. We present a model in which FGF generates suprabasal tissue by asymmetric cell division while Shh triggers cell rearrangement in this tissue to drive invagination all the way to bud formation.
Antibody performance in ChIP-sequencing assays: From quality scores of public data sets to quantitative certification
Authors: Mendoza-Parra Marco-Antonio , Saravaki Vincent , Cholley Pierre-Etienne , Blum Matthias , Billoré Benjamin , Gronemeyer Hinrich
Published: January 2016

We have established a certification system for antibodies to be used in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays coupled to massive parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq). This certification comprises a standardized ChIP procedure and the attribution of a numerical quality control indicator (QCi) to biological replicate experiments. The QCi computation is based on a universally applicable quality assessment that quantitates the global deviation of randomly sampled subsets of ChIP-seq dataset with the original genome-aligned sequence reads. Comparison with a QCi database for >28,000 ChIP-seq assays were used to attribute quality grades (ranging from ‘AAA’ to ‘DDD’) to a given dataset. In the present report we used the numerical QC system to assess the factors influencing the quality of ChIP-seq assays, including the nature of the target, the sequencing depth and the commercial source of the antibody.  We have used this approach specifically to certify mono and polyclonal antibodies obtained from Active Motif directed against the histone modification marks H3K4me3, H3K27ac and H3K9ac for ChIP-seq. The antibodies received the grades AAA to BBC (www.ngs-qc.org). We propose to attribute such quantitative grading of all antibodies attributed with the label “ChIP-seq grade”.
Increasing Effectiveness and Decreasing Noise of Gas Turbine Units
Authors: Дермер  , Dermer P. , Арбеков  , Arbekov A. , Куникеев  , Kunikeev B.
Published: January 2016

The article substantiates application of exhaust and transition diffusors to increase the effectiveness and decrease the noise of gas turbine units. It presents assessment of methods of increasing the effectiveness of exhaust and transition diffusors of industrial gas turbine units, and formulates the task for mathematical modeling of flow in conic diffusor with high flare and over-critical angle of expansion with flow stabilization by tangent twisted blow.
Physical Modeling of Concentrated Fire Whirls (Review)
Authors: Вараксин  , Varaksin A.
Published: January 2016

Fire tornadoes are an example of environmental disaster, which causes an enormous damage to the environment and leads to destruction and human fatalities. Fire whirls is a rare but potentially catastrophic form of fire, which dramatically increases the danger of occurring natural and man-made fires and their consequences. They occur in large forest fires, massive fires in cities and major accidents at flammable objects of petrochemical, timber industry, etc. providing full physical modeling of fire whirls is complicated by high risks, costs and complexity of controlling boundary conditions, so the major part of information is obtained through small-scale experiments. The review describes experimental facilities for generating different types of stationary and non-stationary fire vortices and studying their characteristics. We presented and analyzed the results of experiments on the burning rate and the main parameters of fire whirls (height, velocity, temperature).We estimated critical velocity of crosswinds, which yields to generation of the most intensive fire vortices. The features and conditions for the generation of fire whirls during the fires in closed spaces were considered.
Majorization-Minimization Procedures and Convergence of SQP Methods for Semi-Algebraic and Tame Programs
Authors: Bolte Jérôme , Pauwels Edouard
Published: January 2016

In view of solving nonsmooth and nonconvex problems involving complex constraints (like standard NLP problems), we study general maximization-minimization procedures produced by families of strongly convex subproblems. Using techniques from semi-algebraic geometry and variational analysis—in particular Łojasiewicz inequality—we establish the convergence of sequences generated by these types of schemes to critical points. The broad applicability of this process is illustrated in the context of NLP. In that case, critical points coincide with KKT points. When the data are semi-algebraic or real analytic our method applies (for instance) to the study of various sequential quadratic programming (SQP) schemes: the moving balls method, the penalized SQP method and the extended SQP method. Under standard qualification conditions, this provides—to the best of our knowledge—the first general convergence results for general nonlinear programming problems. We emphasize the fact that, unlike most works on this subject, no second-order conditions and/or convexity assumptions whatsoever are made. Rate of convergence are shown to be of the same form as those commonly encountered with first-order methods.
General Optimized Lower and Upper Bounds for Discrete and Continuous Arithmetic Asian Options
Authors: Fusai Gianluca , Kyriakou Ioannis
Published: January 2016

We propose an accurate method for pricing arithmetic Asian options on the discrete or continuous average in a general model setting by means of a lower bound approximation. In particular, we derive analytical expressions for the lower bound in the Fourier domain. This is then recovered by a single univariate inversion and sharpened using an optimization technique. In addition, we derive an upper bound to the error from the lower bound price approximation. Our proposed method can be applied to computing the prices and price sensitivities of Asian options with fixed or floating strike price, discrete or continuous averaging, under a wide range of stochastic dynamic models, including exponential Lévy models, stochastic volatility models, and the constant elasticity of variance diffusion. Our extensive numerical experiments highlight the notable performance and robustness of our optimized lower bound for different test cases.
Recommended Judaica Reference Works, 1992-1995
Authors: Cutter Charles , Oppenheim Micha
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this column is to recommend current Judaica reference sources, both general and specialized. It is intended to serve as a guide to new tools for scholarly research as well as to more popular, but reliable works. The annotations describe the scope and use of each work.
This column lists selected reference materials that appeared from 1992 to 1995. Works published in 1990 and 1991 that were not reviewed in prior columns are included as well. Hebrew reference works are starred, and Hebrew bibliographic data corresponding to the Romanized entry appears at the end of the list.
Programa de intervención dietético-nutricional para la promoción de la salud en el lugar de trabajo en una empresa de la ciudad de Huesca, España
Authors: Munar-Gelabert Marta , Puzo-Foncillas José , Sanclemente Teresa
Published: January 2016

Introducción: La realización de programas de promoción de la salud en el lugar de trabajo puede mejorar el estado de salud de los trabajadores, disminuir el absentismo por enfermedad e incluso aumentar la productividad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue llevar a cabo una intervención dietético-nutricional en una empresa con 35 trabajadores de Huesca, con comedor propio, y valorar la eficacia de la misma.Material y Métodos: Tras la valoración de los hábitos alimentarios de los trabajadores mediante un cuestionario autocontestado, se llevó a cabo un asesoramiento en la planificación de los menús del comedor y un plan de formación compuesto por tres talleres. Al finalizar, se compararon los resultados pre y post intervención de las variables estudiadas.Resultados: Al inicio, la mitad de los encuestados realizaba cinco comidas diarias pero el desayuno era mayoritariamente incompleto y el grupo presentaba bajo consumo de frutas y hortalizas y alto de carne y alimentos ocasionales. A pesar de la mediana participación en los talleres y que no se cumplieron completamente los menús propuestos, tras la intervención de tres meses, se observó una aparente mejora de los hábitos de consumo (ligeros incrementos en frutas, hortalizas, pescado y lácteos y descensos en carne). Además, los trabajadores consideraron los planes de formación satisfactorios.Conclusiones: La intervención dietético-nutricional en esta empresa es compleja debido a su propia idiosincrasia y al corto periodo disponible. Aun así, los empleados han adquirido una mayor conciencia de la relación dieta y salud, además de ser una experiencia positiva para la empresa.
Obesidad y riesgo de síndrome metabólico en estudiantes de posgrado de Veracruz, México
Authors: Campos-Mondragón Martha Gabriela
Published: January 2016

Introducción: Debido a que la salud de los estudiantes influye en su rendimiento académico y eficiencia terminal, y la obesidad aumenta en los adultos, se planteó analizar las variables antropométricas y ambientales asociadas al riesgo de síndrome metabólico en estudiantes de posgrado.Material y Métodos: Estudio transversal en 52 estudiantes mediante muestreo intencional no probabilístico. Se evaluaron peso, estatura e índice de masa corporal. Según la circunferencia de cintura, relación cintura-cadera y grasa corporal, se identificó el riesgo de síndrome metabólico. Se registraron antecedentes familiares, personales, peso al nacer, ingesta semanal de alimentos, alcohol, tabaco y café, nivel de actividad física, depresión y estrés. Se analizaron diferencias entre medias, correlaciones y modelos de regresión lineal.Resultados: El peso (74,8±13,9; p=0,0024), la circunferencia de cintura (87,6±9,0; p=0,0044) y la relación cintura-cadera (0,9±0,0; p=0,0000) fueron superiores en los hombres y la grasa corporal en las mujeres (35,4±4,5; p=0,0000). Según la circunferencia de cintura y la grasa corporal, el 34% y el 87% respectivamente mostraron riesgo de síndrome metabólico, en su mayoría mujeres. El modelo de regresión lineal para grasa corporal incluyó sexo (b=9,5; p=0,0000) y estrés leve (b=4,7; p=0,0410). El modelo para índice de masa corporal incluyó circunferencia de cadera, circunferencia de cintura, depresión y estrés severo (b=1,61; p=0,0486). Más del 50% mostraron un consumo nulo de leche, nueces y leguminosas.Conclusiones: Las variables asociadas a los indicadores de mayor riesgo de síndrome metabólico fueron el sexo y el estrés. Se evidenciaron hábitos de alimentación deficientes.
Papel de la vitamina C y los β-glucanos sobre el sistema inmunitario: revisión
Authors: San Mauro-Martín Ismael , Garicano Vilar Elena
Published: January 2016

Existe un creciente interés en conocer herramientas nutricionales al alcance de profesionales para el manejo de la modulación del sistema inmunitario del humano. Esta revisión bibliográfica se centra en los potenciales efectos beneficiosos sobre el sistema inmune atribuidos a productos alimenticios compuestos por β-glucanos de Pleurotus ostreatus, y/o Vitamina C. Este trabajo muestra el resultado obtenido en diferentes estudios con la ingesta de estos componentes sobre el sistema inmunitario, así como el efecto específico sobre marcadores inmunitarios como las interleuquinas, los linfocitos, células Natural Killer y los leucocitos, no sólo atendiendo a los mecanismos, sino a las experiencias en modelos in vitro e in vivo (animal y humano). Tanto la vitamina C como los β-glucanos parecen mostrar eficacia sobre el sistema inmune en diversos estudios, especialmente de forma conjunta, pero son necesarios más estudios.
Preferencias y frecuencia de consumo de derivados cárnicos por parte de estudiantes universitarios de Medellín, Colombia
Authors: Rodríguez-Espinosa Holmes , Restrepo-Betancur Luis Fernando , Urango Luz Amparo
Published: January 2016

Introducción: El consumo de derivados cárnicos en universitarios se ha venido incrementando en los últimos años, convirtiéndose en un factor de riesgo en esquemas de alimentación saludable, por lo cual es de vital interés por parte de los investigadores en las áreas de la salud y la nutrición, identificar las preferencias y frecuencia de consumo de estos productos para establecer estrategias de intervención.Material y Métodos: El tamaño de la muestra fue de 400 estudiantes, seleccionados aleatoriamente de acuerdo con los factores de ponderación: sexo, nivel socioeconómico y tipo de universidad, teniendo en cuenta un intervalo de confianza del 95% y un error máximo permisible del 5%. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando análisis multivariado de la varianza (MANOVA), análisis de comparación método Z.Resultados: Se encontró que el consumo de derivados cárnicos tiene una alta frecuencia y mayor preferencia de consumo en hombres (p=0,0139), en estrato bajo (p=0,0457) y en universidades públicas (p=0,0311).Conclusiones: El consumo de embutidos en universitarios es alto, especialmente en el sexo masculino, por lo cual se requiere implementar programas de educación sobre hábitos de consumo saludable.
Price Reveal Auctions
Authors: Gallice Andrea
Published: January 2016

A price reveal auction (PRA) is a descending price auction in which the current price of the item on sale is hidden. Buyers can privately observe the price only by paying a fee, and every time an agent does so, the price falls by a predetermined amount. We show that if the number of participants,
Socio-ecological Vulnerability of Smallholders due to Climate Change in Mountains: Agroforestry as an Adaptation Measure
Authors: Pandey Rajiv , Meena Dhanraj , Aretano Roberta , Satpathy Sachidananda , Semeraro Teodoro , Kumar Gupta Ajay , Rawat Sushma , Zurlini Giovanni
Published: January 2016

The present study aims to assess the socioecological vulnerability of smallholders through an index of Tehri Garhwal Himalaya. The index provides a realistic approach to recognize the contributions of social and ecological factors for household welfare vulnerability to climate change. The approach puts forward various indices for each component of vulnerability to climate change - exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity including two more indices: one for overall impact under the exposure of climate change and another for overall vulnerability. The five indices were proposed to assess the vulnerability status of with and without agroforestry practicing households in Himalayan region. These indices are based on 35 indicators (8 for exposure; 12 for sensitivity, 15 for adaptive capacity), selected through inductive approaches. A questionnaire for households was designed for the above aim and was administered to 121 heads of households through face-toface interviews with 77 households practicing agroforestry and 44 without agroforestry. The questionnaire dealt the general household information, and indicators of the vulnerability including the issues related to agroforestry. The results highlight slightly higher adaptive capacity of agroforestry practicing households due to specific contribution of agroforestry. The low contribution of agroforestry among smallholders was due to small land holding. The study also results that remoteness, specific issues of smallholders’ such as poverty, education and employment are responsible for the present condition. In particular this study clearly shows that poverty is the key driver for vulnerability. All of these issues can be addressed if future programs and policies, include and implement regulations to remedy attributive factors. This paper may be applicable to other mountainous regions providing insights for effective adaptation strategies to climate change.