bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fiber intake modulates the association of alcohol intake with breast cancer
Authors: Romieu Isabelle , Ferrari Pietro , Chajès Veronique , de Batlle Jordi , Biessy Carine , Scoccianti Chiara , Dossus Laure , Christine Boutron Marie , Bastide Nadia , Overvad Kim , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Kaaks Rudolf , Boeing Heiner , Trichopoulou Antonia , Lagiou Pagona , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Palli Domenico , Sieri Sabina , Tumino Rosario , Vineis Paolo , Panico Salvatore , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. B(as) , Gils Carla H. , Peeters Petra H. , Lund Eiliv , Skeie Guri , Weiderpass Elisabete , Ramón Quirós J. , Chirlaque María‐Dolores , Ardanaz Eva , Sánchez María‐José , Duell Eric J. , Amiano Etxezarreta Pilar , Borgquist Signe , Hallmans Göran , Johansson Ingegerd , Maria Nilsson Lena , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Wareham Nick , Key Timothy J. , Travis Ruth C. , Murphy Neil , Wark Petra A. , Riboli Elio
Published: September 2016

Alcohol intake has been related to an increased risk of breast cancer (BC) while dietary fiber intake has been inversely associated to BC risk. A beneficial effect of fibers on ethanol carcinogenesis through their impact on estrogen levels is still controversial. We investigated the role of dietary fiber as a modifying factor of the association of alcohol and BC using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). This study included 334,850 women aged 35–70 years at baseline enrolled in the ten countries of the EPIC study and followed up for 11.0 years on average. Information on fiber and alcohol intake at baseline and average lifetime alcohol intake were calculated from country‐specific dietary and lifestyle questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HR) of developing invasive BC according to different levels of alcohol and fiber intake were computed. During 3,670,439 person‐years, 11,576 incident BC cases were diagnosed. For subjects with low intake of fiber (<18.5 g/day), the risk of BC per 10 g/day of alcohol intake was 1.06 (1.03–1.08) while among subjects with high intake of fiber (>24.2 g/day) the risk of BC was 1.02 (0.99–1.05) (test for interaction p = 0.011). This modulating effect was stronger for fiber from vegetables. Our results suggest that fiber intake may modulate the positive association of alcohol intake and BC. Alcohol is well known to increase the risk for BC, while a fiber‐rich diet has the opposite effect. Here the authors find a significant interaction between both lifestyle factors indicating that high fiber intake can ease the adverse effects associated with alcohol consumption. Consequently, women with high alcohol intake and low fiber intake (<18.5 g/day) had the highest risk for BC. Specific benefits were associated with fibers from vegetable, warranting further investigations into specific fiber sources and their mechanistic interactions with alcohol‐induced BC risk.
Regulatory properties of statins and rho gtpases prenylation inhibitiors to stimulate melanoma immunogenicity and promote anti‐melanoma immune response
Authors: Sarrabayrouse Guillaume , Pich Christine , Teiti Iotefa , Tilkin‐Mariame Anne Françoise
Published: September 2016

Melanoma is a highly lethal cutaneous tumor, killing affected patients through development of multiple poorly immunogenic metastases. Suboptimal activation of immune system by melanoma cells is often due to molecular modifications occurring during tumor progression that prevent efficient recognition of melanoma cells by immune effectors. Statins are HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors, which block the mevalonate synthesis pathway, used by millions of people as hypocholesterolemic agents in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. They are also known to inhibit Rho GTPase activation and Rho dependent signaling pathways. Rho GTPases are regarded as molecular switches that regulate a wide spectrum of cellular functions and their dysfunction has been characterized in various oncogenic process notably in melanoma progression. Moreover, these molecules can modulate the immune response. Since 10 years we have demonstrated that Statins and other Rho GTPases inhibitors are critical regulators of molecules involved in adaptive and innate anti‐melanoma immune response. In this review we summarize our major observations demonstrating that these pharmacological agents stimulate melanoma immunogenicity and suggest a potential use of these molecules to promote anti‐melanoma immune response.
Design and demonstration of an intracortical probe technology with tunable modulus
Authors: Simon Dustin M. , Charkhkar Hamid , St. John Conan , Rajendran Sakthi , Kang Tong , Reit Radu , Arreaga‐Salas David , McHail Daniel G. , Knaack Gretchen L. , Sloan Andrew , Grasse Dane , Dumas Theodore C. , Rennaker Robert L. , Pancrazio Joseph J. , Voit Walter E.
Published: September 2016

Intracortical probe technology, consisting of arrays of microelectrodes, offers a means of recording the bioelectrical activity from neural tissue. A major limitation of existing intracortical probe technology pertains to limited lifetime of 6 months to a year of recording after implantation. A major contributor to device failure is widely believed to be the interfacial mechanical mismatch of conventional stiff intracortical devices and the surrounding brain tissue. We describe the design, development, and demonstration of a novel functional intracortical probe technology that has a tunable Young's modulus from ∼2 GPa to ∼50 MPa. This technology leverages advances in dynamically softening materials, specifically thiol‐ene/acrylate thermoset polymers, which exhibit minimal swelling of < 3% weight upon softening in vitro. We demonstrate that a shape memory polymer‐based multichannel intracortical probe can be fabricated, that the mechanical properties are stable for at least 2 months and that the device is capable of single unit recordings for durations up to 77 days in vivo. This novel technology, which is amenable to processes suitable for manufacturing via standard semiconductor fabrication techniques, offers the capability of softening in vivo to reduce the tissue‐device modulus mismatch to ultimately improve long term viability of neural recordings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 159–168, 2017.
A Novel Peptide Derived From Tissue‐Type Plasminogen Activator Potently Inhibits Angiogenesis and Corneal Neovascularization
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Kyung , Choi Jun‐Sub , Lee Seung Woo , Joo Choun‐Ki , Joe Young Ae
Published: September 2016

The recombinant protein TK1‐2, which consists of two kringle domains of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA), inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth. ɪn this study, we examined the anti‐angiogenic activities of peptides derived from kringle 2 domain of t‐PA to identify the functional core sequence. Seven peptides were constructed from the kringle 2 sequence, based on the structure and characteristics of amino acid residues, and were analyzed for their inhibitory effects on endothelial cells (ECs). Among them, TP‐7 (derived from a β‐sheet motif) potently inhibited proliferation, tube formation, and migration of ECs in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas truncation of 3–9 amino acid residues from either N or C terminus of TP‐7 abrogated its inhibitory effects on ECs. TP‐7 also potently inhibited angiogenesis in a Matrigel plug assay in vivo. Moreover, TP‐7 dose‐dependently suppressed corneal neovascularization induced by an acute chemical burn in a rat model. At the molecular level, TP‐7 inhibited VEGF‐ or bFGF‐induced phosphorylation of FAK and ERK1/2 and drastically disrupted VEGF‐ or bFGF‐induced formation of stress fibers and focal adhesion complexes. In addition, TP‐7 markedly suppressed attachment and spreading of ECs on a collagen type I or fibronectin matrix. Adhesion of ECs to immobilized TP‐7 increased dose‐dependently, which was disrupted strongly by pretreatment with soluble TP‐7 and slightly by an integrin α2β1‐blocking antibody. These results suggest that TP‐7 is a potent anti‐angiogenic peptide in part affecting the integrin α2β1‐dependent pathway and that it can be used for treatment of corneal neovascularization by targeting VEGF and non‐VEGF pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1132–1143, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Whole‐body MRI, FDG‐PET/CT, and bone marrow biopsy, for the assessment of bone marrow involvement in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma
Authors: Albano Domenico , Patti Caterina , Lagalla Roberto , Midiri Massimo , Galia Massimo
Published: September 2016

Purpose

To compare whole‐body MRI (WB‐MRI) with diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), FDG‐PET/CT, and bone marrow biopsy (BMB), for the evaluation of bone marrow involvement (BMI) in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Two independent radiologists and one nuclear medicine specialist reviewed all WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT scans prospectively performed on 104 patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma (53 males; 47 Hodgkin; mean age: 44 years; range, 15–86 years) between 2013 and 2015. The delay between imaging scans and BMBs was up to 10 days. The diagnostic accuracy of WB‐MRI (1.5 Tesla MR scanner, with T1w, T2w‐STIR, and DWI sequences) was evaluated using BMB and FDG‐PET/CT as the reference standard. We applied Cohen's kappa coefficient to assess the inter‐observer agreement in WB‐MRI interpretation and to compare WB‐MRI, FDG‐PET/CT and BMB. The Student's t test was done to compare pelvic marrow ADC values of patients with positive and negative BMB. A P‐value of < 0.01 was considered significant.

Results

Inter‐observer agreement was excellent (k = 0.937). Agreement between WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT was excellent, with a k = 0.935. Agreement between WB‐MRI and BMB was moderate (k = 0.489), and fair between FDG‐PET/CT and BMB (k = 0.370). WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT were falsely negative in four indolent non‐Hodgkin lymphomas with BMI < 30% of marrow cellularity. Conversely, WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT detected all cases with a BMI>30% of marrow cellularity. Mean ADC values in patients with positive and negative BMB were not significantly different (P = 0.049).

Conclusion

WB‐MRI and FDG‐PET/CT are valuable tools for the assessment of BMI.

Level of Evidence: 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:1082–1089
Zika viral polymerase inhibition using anti‐HCV drugs both in market and under clinical trials
Authors: Elfiky Abdo A.
Published: September 2016

In the last few months, a new Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak evolved in America. In accordance, World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2016 declared it as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). ZIKV infection was reported in more than 60 countries and the disease was spreading since 2007 but with little momentum. Many antiviral drugs are available in market or in laboratories under clinical trials, could affect ZIKV infection. In silico docking study were performed on the ZIKV polymerase to test some of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) drugs (approved and in clinical trials). The results show potency of almost all of the studied compounds on ZIKV polymerase and hence inhibiting the propagation of the disease. In addition, the study suggested two nucleotide inhibitors (IDX‐184 and MK0608) that may be tested as drugs against ZIKV infection. J. Med. Virol. 88:2044–2051, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence and genotypes of GBV‐C and its associations with HIV infection among persons who inject drugs in Eastern Europe
Authors: Jõgeda Ene‐Ly , Huik Kristi , Pauskar Merit , Kallas Eveli , Karki Tõnis , Des Jarlais Don , Uusküla Anneli , Lutsar Irja , Avi Radko
Published: September 2016

We aimed to determine the rate of GBV‐C viremia, seropositivity, and genotypes among people who inject drugs (PWID) and healthy volunteers in Estonia and to evaluate associations between GBV‐C and sociodemographic factors, intravenous drug use, co‐infections. The study included 345 Caucasian PWID and 118 healthy volunteers. The presence of GBV‐C RNA (viremia) was determined by reverse transcriptase‐nested PCR in 5′ long terminal repeat. PCR products were sequenced and genotyped by phylogenetic analysis. GBV‐C seropositivity was determined by ELISA. One third of PWID (114/345) and 6% (7/118) of healthy volunteers (OR = 7.8, 95% CI = 3.5–20.5, P < 0.001) were GBV‐C viremic. In PWID group, 79% of sequences belonged to subtype 2a, 19% to subtype 2b, and two remained unclassified. In healthy volunteers, six out of seven sequences belonged to subtype 2a and one to subtype 2b. We found HIV+ PWID to have two times increased odds of being GBV‐C viremic compared to HIV− PWID (62% vs. 38%; OR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.34–3.36, P = 0.001). In addition, odds of being GBV‐C viremic decreased with increasing age (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.90–0.98, P = 0.001). HIV positivity remained associated with GBV‐C viremia in multivariate analysis after adjustment for age (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.39–3.58, P = 0.001). GBV‐C seropositivity was similar among PWID and healthy volunteers (2.3% vs. 1.7%, respectively; OR = 1.4, 95% CI =0.3–13.5, P = 1). In an Eastern European country we demonstrated that GBV‐C viremia is common among PWID, but uncommon among healthy volunteers, and GBV‐C seropositivity is infrequent among both groups. Similarly to other European countries and USA, GBV‐C 2a is the most common genotype in Estonia. J. Med. Virol. 89:632–638, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Altered membrane properties and firing patterns of external globus pallidus neurons in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease
Authors: Akopian Garnik , Barry Joshua , Cepeda Carlos , Levine Michael S.
Published: September 2016

In mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD), striatal neuron properties are significantly altered. These alterations predict changes in striatal output regions. However, little is known about alterations in those regions. The present study examines changes in passive and active membrane properties of neurons in the external globus pallidus (GPe), the first relay station of the indirect pathway, in the R6/2 mouse model of juvenile HD at presymptomatic (1 month) and symptomatic (2 month) stages. In GPe, two principal types of neurons can be distinguished based on firing properties and the presence (type A) or absence (type B) of Ih currents. In symptomatic animals (2 month), cell membrane capacitance and input resistance of type A neurons were increased compared with controls. In addition, action potential afterhyperpolarization amplitude was reduced. Although the spontaneous firing rate of GPe neurons was not different between control and R6/2 mice, the number of spikes evoked by depolarizing current pulses was significantly reduced in symptomatic R6/2 animals. In addition, these changes were accompanied by altered firing patterns evidenced by increased interspike interval variation and increased number of bursts. Blockade of GABAA receptors facilitated bursting activity in R6/2 mice but not in control littermates. Thus, alterations in firing patterns could be caused by changes in intrinsic membrane conductances and modulated by synaptic inputs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reducing Sediment Connectivity Through man‐Made and Natural Sediment Sinks in the Minizr Catchment, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Mulatie , Keesstra Saskia D. , Baartman Jantiene E. M. , Stroosnijder Leo , Maroulis Jerry
Published: September 2016

Man‐made and natural sediment sinks provide a practical means for reducing downstream reservoir sedimentation by decreasing soil erosion and enhancing the rate of sedimentation within a catchment. The Minizr catchment (20 km2) in the northwest Ethiopian highlands contains numerous man‐made soil and water conservation (SWC) structures such as soil bunds (Erken), fanya juu ridge (Cab) and micro‐trenches and natural sediment sinks such as wetlands, floodplains and grassed waterways. These sediment sinks reduce downstream sedimentation into the Koga reservoir, located at the catchment outlet, however, a large quantity of sediment is still reaching the reservoir. This study evaluates the function and effectiveness of both man‐made SWC structures and natural sediment sinks in reducing sediment export from the Minizr catchment. SWC structures and natural sediment sinks were digitized using Google Earth Imagery. Sediment pins and vertical sampling through the deposit were used to quantify the amount of deposited sediment. In addition, inflow and outflow of suspended sediment data were used to calculate the sediment‐trapping efficacies (STE) of man‐made SWC structures (soil bunds and fanya juu ridges) and natural sediment sinks. Results reveal that 144 km soil bunds and fanya juu ridges trapped 7,920 Mg y−1 (55 kg m−1 y−1) and micro‐trenches trapped 13·26 Mg y−1, each micro‐trench on average trapped 23 kg y−1. The 17 ha floodplain located in the centre of the catchment trapped 9,970 Mg y−1 (59 kg m−2 y−1), while a wetland with a surface area of 24 ha, located near the outlet of the catchment, trapped 8,715 Mg y−1 (36 kg m−2 y−1). The STEs of soil bunds and fanya juu ridges, wetlands and floodplains were 54%, 85% and 77%, respectively. Substantial differences were observed between the STE of grassed and un‐grassed waterways at 75% and 21%, respectively. Existing man‐made and natural sediment sinks played an important role in trapping sediment, with 38% (26,600 Mg y−1) of transported sediment being trapped, while 62% (43,000 Mg y−1) is exported from the catchment and thus enters the Koga reservoir. Therefore, additional catchment treatment measures are required as an integrated catchment scale sediment trapping approach to help reduce sediment loads entering Koga reservoir. Moreover, to maximize the effectiveness of sediment trapping measures, avoid structural failure and ensure their sustainability, regular maintenance is needed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computable randomness and betting for computable probability spaces
Authors: Rute Jason
Published: September 2016

Unlike Martin‐Löf randomness and Schnorr randomness, computable randomness has not been defined, except for a few ad hoc cases, outside of Cantor space. This paper offers such a definition (actually, several equivalent definitions), and further, provides a general method for abstracting “bit‐wise” definitions of randomness from Cantor space to arbitrary computable probability spaces. This same method is also applied to give machine characterizations of computable and Schnorr randomness for computable probability spaces, extending the previously known results. The paper contains a new type of randomness—endomorphism randomness—which the author hopes will shed light on the open question of whether Kolmogorov‐Loveland randomness is equivalent to Martin‐Löf randomness. The last section contains ideas for future research.
The Robinson property and amalgamations of higher arities
Authors: Nyiri David
Published: September 2016

In this article we discuss a version of the Robinson property studied recently by Gyenis in , and we present a solution to one of his open problems. We say that a first‐order structure satisfies the Robinson property whenever the union of two non‐trivial partial n‐types over different finite sets is realizable if and only if they are not explicitly contradictory. In his article, Gyenis showed that a universal, homogeneous structure over a language that consists of at most binary relation symbols satisfies the Robinson property if and only if its age has a generalized amalgamation property (the so called prescribed amalgamation property, PAP). We go further and define a series of new kinds of amalgamation properties, APn for any natural number n. Using these properties we can characterize all universal and homogeneous structures that satisfy the Robinson property independently from the arities of relation symbols of the language.
Uniqueness of limit models in classes with amalgamation
Authors: Grossberg Rami , VanDieren Monica , Villaveces Andrés
Published: September 2016

We prove the following main theorem: Let be an abstract elementary class satisfying the joint embedding and the amalgamation properties with no maximal models of cardinality μ. Let μ be a cardinal above the the Löwenheim‐Skolem number of the class. If is μ‐Galois‐stable, has no μ‐Vaughtian Pairs, does not have long splitting chains, and satisfies locality of splitting, then any two ‐limits over M, for , are isomorphic over M.
Solvent‐Free Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Norbornene over Silica‐Supported Tungsten–Oxo Perhydrocarbyl Catalysts
Authors: Larabi Cherif , Szeto Kai C. , Bouhoute Yassine , Charlin Marc O. , Merle Nicolas , Mallmann Aimery De , Gauvin Regis M. , Delevoye Laurent , Taoufik Mostafa
Published: September 2016

Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐2‐ene (norbornene) is carried out over silica‐supported catalysts based on tungsten complexes bearing an oxo ligand (1: [(SiO)W(O)(CH2SiMe3)3, 2: [(SiO)W(O)(CHCMe2Ph)(dAdPO)], dAdPO  2,6 diadamantyl‐4‐methylphenoxide, 3: [(SiO)2W(O)(CH2SiMe3)2]). The evaluation of the catalytic activities of the aforementioned materials in ROMP indicates that at low reaction time (0.5 min), the highest polymer yield is obtained with catalyst 2. However, for longer reaction time (>2 min), complex 3, a model of the industrial catalyst, exhibits a better monomer conversion. The polymers obtained are characterized. Moreover, these catalysts are shown to be rather preferentially selective to give the cis polynorbornene (>65%), characterized by high melting points (≈300 °C). The experimental values of the average molecular weight (Mn) of polynorbornenes are found to be close to the theoretical ones for the polymers prepared using catalyst 2 and higher for those originated from catalyst 3.

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A mix of apple pomace polysaccharide improves mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress in the liver of high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Chen Lei , Liu Lei , Li Caixia , Hu ChengLi , Su Fan , Liu Run , Zeng Mengqi , Zhao Daina , Liu Jiankang , Guo Yurong , Long Jiangang
Published: September 2016

Scope

Apple pomace polysaccharides (APP), a free radical scavenger, is one of the major compounds derived from apple pomace. However, whether APP has beneficial effects on metabolic disorders is still unknown.

Methods and results

In the present study, water‐soluble APP was isolated from the pomace of the locally abundant “Qinguan” apple and chemically characterized. Then, APP was orally administrated to high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. We found that APP significantly reduced HFD‐induced body weight gain and ameliorated HFD‐induced hepatic metabolic disorders and oxidative stress. In a palmitate‐loaded HepG2 cell model, APP protected the cells from palmitate‐induced insulin resistance and loss of viability by suppressing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and rescuing mitochondrial respiratory function.

Conclusion

Our work suggests that APP, a promising bioactive food component, successfully improved obesity‐associated hepatic metabolic disorder, most likely though the activation of hepatic mitochondrial function and the suppression of mitochondria oxidative stress.
Do individual, online motivational interviewing chat sessions enhance weight loss in a group‐based, online weight control program?
Authors: West Delia Smith , Harvey Jean R. , Krukowski Rebecca A. , Prewitt T. Elaine , Priest Jeffrey , Ashikaga Takamaru
Published: September 2016

Objective

To examine whether the addition of online motivational interviewing (MI) chats to a Web‐based, group behavioral obesity treatment program augments weight loss outcomes relative to the Web‐based weight control program alone.

Methods

Healthy individuals (N = 398, 24% minority) with overweight/obesity were randomized to a 36‐session group Internet behavioral weight control treatment (BT) or the same group Internet treatment plus six individual MI chat sessions (BT + MI). Both conditions received weekly synchronous online chat group sessions for 6 months followed by 12 monthly group chats. Participants in both groups received identical behavioral lessons and individualized therapist feedback on progress toward meeting exercise and calorie goals. BT + MI also received six individual MI sessions delivered by a separate MI counselor via Web chat. Weight loss was measured at 6 and 18 months.

Results

There were no significant differences in weight loss between BT (−5.5 ± 6.0 kg) and BT + MI (−5.1 ± 6.3 kg) at 6 months or at 18 months (−3.3 ± 7.1 kg vs. −3.5 ± 7.7 kg for BT and BT + MI, respectively). Attendance at group chats did not differ between groups, nor did self‐monitoring patterns, suggesting comparable engagement in the weight control program in both conditions.

Conclusions

Online MI chat sessions were not a viable strategy to enhance Web‐based weight control treatment outcomes.
Electronically captured, patient‐reported physical function: an important vital sign in obesity medicine
Authors: Fleming J. , Wood G. C. , Seiler C. , Cook A. , Lent M. R. , Still C. D. , Benotti P. N. , Irving B. A.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Impaired physical function (i.e., inability to walk 200 feet, climb a flight of stairs or perform activities of daily living) predicts poor clinical outcomes and adversely impacts medical and surgical weight management. However, routine assessment physical function is seldom performed clinically. The PROMIS Physical Function Short Form 20a (SF‐20a) is a validated questionnaire for assessing patient reported physical function, which includes published T‐score percentiles adjusted for gender, age and education. However, the effect that increasing levels of obesity has on these percentiles is unclear. We hypothesized that physical function would decline with increasing level of obesity independent of gender, age, education and comorbidity.

Materials and Methods

This study included 1,627 consecutive weight management patients [(mean ± SEM), 44.7 ± 0.3 years and 45.1 ± 0.2 kg/m2] that completed the PROMIS SF‐20a during their initial consultation. We evaluated the association between obesity level and PROMIS T‐score percentiles using multiple linear regression adjusting for gender, age, education and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

Results

Multiple linear regression T‐score percentiles were lower in obesity class 2 (−12.4%tile, p < 0.0001), class 3 (−17.0%tile, p < 0.0001) and super obesity (−25.1%tile, p < 0.0001) compared to class 1 obesity.

Conclusion

In patients referred for weight management, patient reported physical function was progressively lower in a dose‐dependent fashion with increasing levels of obesity, independent of gender, age, education and CCI.
Early career mentoring through the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology: Lessons learned from a pilot program
Authors: Badawy Sherif M. , Black Vandy , Meier Emily R. , Myers Kasiani C. , Pinkney Kerice , Hastings Caroline , Hilden Joanne M. , Zweidler‐McKay Patrick , Stork Linda C. , Johnson Theodore S. , Vaiselbuh Sarah R.
Published: September 2016

Background

Effective networking and mentorship are critical determinants of career satisfaction and success in academic medicine. The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) mentoring program was developed to support Early Career (EC) members. Herein, the authors report on the initial 2‐year outcomes of this novel program.

Procedure

Mentees selected mentors with expertise in different subspecialties within the field from mentor profiles at the ASPHO Web site. Of 23 enrolled pairs, 19 mentors and 16 mentees completed electronic program feedback evaluations. The authors analyzed data collected between February 2013 and December 2014. The authors used descriptive statistics for categorical data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.

Results

The overall response rate was 76% (35/46). At the initiation of the relationship, career development and research planning were the most commonly identified goals for both mentors and mentees. Participants communicated by phone, e‐mail, or met in‐person at ASPHO annual meetings. Most mentor–mentee pairs were satisfied with the mentoring relationship, considered it a rewarding experience that justified their time and effort, achieved their goals in a timely manner with objective work products, and planned to continue the relationship. However, time constraints and infrequent communications remained a challenge.

Conclusions

Participation in the ASPHO mentoring program suggests a clear benefit to a broad spectrum of ASPHO EC members with diverse personal and professional development needs. Efforts to expand the mentoring program are ongoing and focused on increasing enrollment of mentors to cover a wider diversity of career tracks/subspecialties and evaluating career and academic outcomes more objectively.
Videoconferencing, New Public Management, and Organizational Reform in the Judiciary
Authors: Dumoulin Laurence , Licoppe Christian
Published: September 2016

Videoconference technology allows interactions between citizens and their governments to be managed without systematic co‐presence. It is a relatively discrete innovation, which has been introduced into bureaucracies all over the world, but still remains underanalyzed and as a consequence, underestimated in terms of its impact. This article analyzes the introduction and institutionalization of remote hearings in French courtrooms to shed light on the emergence of videoconferencing technology as a new way of organizing trials, changing the format by which justice is carried out. The article reviews the existing literature, outlines the theoretical framework and methodology, and then presents the results, primarily concerning the history of the introduction of videoconferencing in French jurisdictions. Four main points of discussion emerge: the way in which videoconferencing is designed and the reasons put forward to justify its suitability in the judicial sector; its relationship with the efficiency programs underway in the justice system as part of wider New Public Management reform; the tensions and friction points between a pragmatic approach to innovation and the traditional judicial approach; and finally the case of personal appearance as an example of adjustments operated on judiciary standards by the introduction of videoconferencing. We close by considering videoconferencing as an instrument of public action, that is, a technological tool that has progressively realized a public policy objective, in this case reducing the need to escort detained personnel.
Big Data and Public Policy: Can It Succeed Where E‐Participation Has Failed?
Authors: Bright Jonathan , Margetts Helen
Published: September 2016

This editorial introduces a special issue resulting from a panel on Internet and policy organized by the Oxford Internet Institute (University of Oxford) at the 2015 International Conference on Public Policy (ICPP) held in Milan. Two main themes emerged from the panel: the challenges of high cost and low participation which many e‐participation initiatives have faced; and the potential Big Data seems to hold for remedying these problems. This introduction briefly presents these themes and links them to the papers in the issue. It argues that Big Data can fix some of the problems typically encountered by e‐participation initiatives: it can offer a solution to the problem of low turnout which is furthermore accessible to government bodies even if they have low levels of financial resources. However, the use of Big Data in this way is also a radically different approach to the problem of involving citizens in policymaking; and the editorial concludes by reflecting on the significance of this for the policymaking process.
After Bell
Authors: Khrennikov Andrei
Published: September 2016

We analyze foundational consequences of recently reported loophole free tests of violation of Bell's inequality. We consider two interpretations of these remarkable experiments. The conventional one is “Einstein was wrong and Bohr was right, there is spooky action at a distance, quantum realism is incompatible with locality.” However, in line with discussions in literature during last decade, we show that it is still possible to treat quantum mechanics without appealing to nonlocality or denying realism. We hope that this note will call the attention of experts in quantum foundations and convince them that the case is not closed, so that they should come with their own comments on the status of the final Bell test.
Interaction of gravitational waves with superconductors
Authors: Inan N. A. , Thompson J. J. , Chiao R. Y.
Published: September 2016

Applying the Helmholtz Decomposition theorem to linearized General Relativity leads to a gauge‐invariant formulation where the transverse‐traceless part of the metric perturbation describes gravitational waves in matter. Gravitational waves incident on a superconductor can be described by a linear London‐like constituent equation characterized by a “gravitational shear modulus” and a corresponding plasma frequency and penetration depth. Electric‐like and magnetic‐like gravitational tensor fields are defined in terms of the strain field of a gravitational wave. It is shown that in the DC limit, the magnetic‐like tensor field is expelled from the superconductor in a gravitational Meissner‐like effect. The Cooper pair density is described by the Ginzburg‐Landau theory embedded in curved space‐time. The ionic lattice is modeled by quantum harmonic oscillators coupled to gravitational waves and characterized by quasi‐energy eigenvalues for the phonon modes. The formulation predicts the possibility of a dynamical Casimir effect since the zero‐point energy of the ionic lattice phonons is found to be modulated by the gravitational wave, in a quantum analog of a “Weber‐bar effect.” Applying periodic thermodynamics and the Debye model in the low‐temperature limit leads to a free energy density for the ionic lattice. Lastly, we relate the gravitational strain of space to the strain of matter to show that the response to a gravitational wave is far less for the Cooper pair density than for the ionic lattice. This predicts a charge separation effect in the superconductor as a result of the gravitational wave.
Management of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Ratnakumar Prashanthi , Manuel Ari
Published: September 2016

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) describes the pathological narrowing and collapse of the upper airway in recurrent episodes during sleep. This can result in a variety of symptoms that markedly affect quality of life. In addition, other chronic complications, most significantly the development of long‐term cardiovascular disease, are increasingly becoming recognised.
Assessment and management of viral croup in children
Authors: Wright Marie , Bush Andrew
Published: September 2016

Croup is an acute respiratory illness that commonly affects preschool children. Although severe episodes requiring hospital admission occur in around 5 per cent of cases, the majority of children have a mild, self‐limiting illness, which can be safely managed at home. This article discusses the approach to clinical assessment and evidence‐based management of childhood croup in both hospital and primary care settings.
GPs' perceptions of AMR and antimicrobial stewardship
Authors: Wilcock Michael , Wisner Kathryn , Powell Neil
Published: September 2016

The authors present the results of a small survey conducted within NHS Kernow CCG to determine GPs' awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial stewardship and how this influences their prescribing decisions, as well as their suggestions on how antibiotic prescribing practices could be improved.
Iron arsenide superconductors (CaFeAs)10MnAs8 with metallic interlayers (M = Pt, Pd; n = 3, 4)
Authors: Stürzer Tobias , Stürzer Christine , Johrendt Dirk
Published: September 2016

The compounds referred to as 1038 and 1048 phases (CaFeAs)10PtnAs8 (n = 3,4) are the structurally most complex iron arsenide superconductors and the first examples with metallic interlayers. The electronic subsystems of FeAs and PtnAs8 layers hardly interact and the contribution of the metallic PtnAs8 interlayers to the Fermi surface is so small that the typical nesting is not degraded. (CaFeAs)10Pt3As8 is the parent compound of the 1038/1048 materials which undergoes the typical magneto‐structural phase transition in spite of the already triclinic lattice. Superconductivity is controlled by the same doping mechanisms as known from simpler FeAs systems. High critical temperatures up to 38 K occur in both 1038 and 1048 phases if the FeAs layers are clean (free from Pt) and electron doped by charge transfer either from Pt4As8 in 1048 or by rare‐earth doping of the calcium layer in 1038 compounds. The presence of two negatively charged layers (FeAs)δ− and (PtnAs8)δ− which compete for the electrons transferred from the Ca2+ ions is unique in the family of iron arsenide superconductors. Geometric incompatibilities of the FeAs and PtnAs8 slabs cause severe stacking disorder. The robustness of superconductivity against low lattice symmetry and significant structural imperfection of the interlayer is quite remarkable and underlines that the FeAs slabs are the key in controlling and understanding high‐temperature superconductivity in iron arsenides.

Crystal structure of (CaFeAs)10Pt3As8 and the Pt3As8 layer.
Optical and photoacoustic investigation of AZO/Ag/AZO transparent conductive coating for solar cells
Authors: Cesarini Gianmario , Leahu Grigore , Grilli M. L. , Sytchkova A. , Sibilia Concita , Li Voti Roberto
Published: September 2016

Great attention has been recently paid to transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) due to their application in optoelectronic devices, flat panel displays, solar cells, and anti‐static coatings. Concerning photovoltaic applications, the reduction of the material and processing costs are the key factors in the production process. Due to In scarcity and cost, alternative solutions to indium tin oxide (ITO) are needed. Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) meets the requirements for application in thin film solar cells, thanks to its good optoelectrical properties, low cost and higher resistance to Hydrogen‐reach plasmas. Recently many papers analyze innovative AZO based TCO structures where a thin layer of Silver is introduced in the TCO so to increase the electrical conductivity without loosing transparency. In this work we study the transparency and the electrical sheet resistance of a multilayer AZO/Ag/AZO as a function of the silver thin layer, and discuss the problem of optimizing the thicknesses of the multilayers to get the best performances. We have realized an AZO/Ag/AZO multilayer coating by radio frequency (RF) sputtering with an optimal thickness of the silver layer. Optical and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) have been applied to perform the characterization of the sample. In particular PAS seems the most efficient technique to test directly the absorbance of the structure which should be reduced to avoid overheating and loss of the solar cell efficiency. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Low‐temperature Cu‐induced polycrystallization of electrodeposited germanium thin film on flexible substrate
Authors: Uchida Yasutaka , Funayama Tomoko , Kogure Yoshiaki , Yeh Wenchang
Published: September 2016

We investigated the low‐temperature Cu‐induced poly‐crystallization (150 °C) of electrodeposited Ge film on a flexible substrate. For a 50 nm‐electrodeposited Ge film on a flexible substrate and annealed for 1 h, a Raman shift peak due to Ge‐Ge bonding at 299 cm‐1 was not observed, but a broad amorphous Ge around 270 cm‐1. However, the Ge‐Ge bond peak was observed after 5 h of annealing. The crystallization speed of Ge on the flexible substrate was slower than on a quartz substrate. The FWHM value of the Raman shift with respect to electrodeposition current had a minimum value of 9.2.cm‐1 at a electrodeposited current of 80 mA. The main XRD observed peaks were Ge(111) at 27° and Ge(102) at 30°. The stress evaluated by Stoney’s equation was about 0.5 GPa. However, the stress increased with the electrodeposition current. The stress before and after annealing of 60 mA was weaker than those in the films at a higher electrodeposition current. We propose that the electrodeposition current dependence is related to the deposition rate. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Multi‐objective Joint Burn‐in and Imperfect Condition‐based Maintenance Model for Degradation‐based Heterogeneous Populations
Authors: Xiang Yisha , Coit David W. , Zhu Zhicheng
Published: September 2016

For some engineering design and manufacturing applications, particularly for evolving and new technologies, there can exist substantial heterogeneity in populations of manufactured components. The co‐existence of n subpopulations and unit‐to‐unit heterogeneity can be common in devices when the manufacturing process is still maturing or highly variable. In this research, we not only model the heterogeneity at the subpopulation‐level but also at the unit‐level. A mixture degradation framework is developed to model this multi‐level heterogeneity. Based on the proposed mixture degradation model, we develop a multi‐objective optimization model to jointly determine burn‐in and condition‐based maintenance policies for populations composed of distinct subpopulations with random effects. We allow the condition‐based maintenance to be imperfect, which is more realistic. Our joint models are entirely appropriate for companies that are the providers of both products and services, and can also produce optimal collective results and decisions that can quantify potential savings or benefits through cooperative efforts between producer and user. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the proposed procedure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
National Media Coverage of Hydraulic Fracturing in the United States: Evaluation Using Human and Automated Coding Techniques
Authors: Blair Benjamin , Heikkila Tanya , Weible Christopher M.
Published: September 2016

This article offers an analysis of the national level news media coverage of the risks and benefits surrounding hydraulic fracturing, using two different content analysis methods. First, we complete a manual content analysis on 150 articles by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. We examine differences across these newspapers in reporting on environmental, public health, and economic risks and benefits, including the actors who the newspapers cite and whether these actors convey risks and benefits with certainty or uncertainty. Second, we use a semi‐automated coding technique to examine coverage of environmental, environmental damage, public health, and economic topics in 15 nationally distributed newspapers. Overall, we conclude that the two approaches to studying national media content offer some similar insights into how the political leaning of newspapers may result in different coverage of hydraulic fracturing, but manual and automated codings each present distinct strengths and weaknesses in understanding media coverage of this contentious issue.
Advance hybrid key management architecture for SCADA network security
Authors: Rezai Abdalhossein , Keshavarzi Parviz , Moravej Zahra
Published: September 2016

This paper presents and evaluates an advance hybrid key management architecture for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) networks (HSKMA), which supports all three types of communications: unicast, multicast, and broadcast. The HSKMA is based on the elliptic curve cryptography and symmetric cryptography. While the elliptic curve cryptography is used for communication between master station unit (MSU) and sub‐MSUs, the symmetric cryptographic algorithm is used for communication between sub‐MSUs and slave stations that have limited computational resources. Our analysis shows that the HSKMA has the following distinctive advantages: 1) it supports the security requirement such as availability, forward security, and backward security, 2) it supports the required speed in the MODBUS implementation, and 3) it is suitable for the environments that have limited computational resources. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of a Fetal Liver Cell Population Endowed with Long-Term Multiorgan Endothelial Reconstitution Potential
Authors: Cañete Ana , Comaills Valentine , Prados Isabel , Castro Ana María , Hammad Seddik , Ybot-Gonzalez Patricia , Bockamp Ernesto , Hengstler Jan G. , Gottgens Bertie , Sánchez María José
Published: September 2016

Stable reconstitution of vascular endothelial beds upon transplantation of progenitor cells represents an important challenge due to the paucity and generally limited integration/expansion potential of most identified vascular related cell subsets. We previously showed that mouse fetal liver (FL) hemato/vascular cells from day 12 of gestation (E12), expressing the Stem Cell Leukaemia (SCL) gene enhancer transgene (SCL-PLAP+ cells), had robust endothelial engraftment potential when transferred to the blood stream of newborns or adult conditioned recipients, compared to the scarce vascular contribution of adult bone marrow cells. However, the specific SCL-PLAP+ hematopoietic or endothelial cell subset responsible for the long-term reconstituting endothelial cell (LTR-EC) activity and its confinement to FL developmental stages remained unknown. Using a busulfan-treated newborn transplantation model, we show that LTR-EC activity is restricted to the SCL-PLAP+VE-cadherin+CD45− cell population, devoid of hematopoietic reconstitution activity and largely composed by Lyve1+ endothelial-committed cells. SCL-PLAP+ Ve-cadherin+CD45− cells contributed to the liver sinusoidal endothelium and also to the heart, kidney and lung microvasculature. LTR-EC activity was detected at different stages of FL development, yet marginal activity was identified in the adult liver, revealing unknown functional differences between fetal and adult liver endothelial/endothelial progenitors. Importantly, the observations that expanding donor-derived vascular grafts colocalize with proliferating hepatocyte-like cells and participate in the systemic circulation, support their functional integration into young livers. These findings offer new insights into the engraftment, phonotypical, and developmental characterization of a novel endothelial/endothelial progenitor cell subtype with multiorgan LTR-EC activity, potentially instrumental for the treatment/genetic correction of vascular diseases.
The Paris Agreement and the inherent inconsistency of climate policymaking
Authors: Geden Oliver
Published: September 2016

Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the actual meaning of many crucial aspects of that agreement still remains fairly unclear. This has lead to extensive framing efforts, for example on the 5‐year review mechanism. What has been largely overlooked, however, are the decisions on quantified climate stabilization targets. Until now, there has been no serious questioning of the intention to limit the temperature increase to 2 or even 1.5 °C. Not that many in the climate research community seem to grasp the political rationalities behind the setting of long‐term policy targets. Even the mainstream policy discourse assumes consistency between talk, decisions, and actions. Accordingly, a decision on a certain climate target is presented and perceived as an act of deliberate choice, that will be followed up with the deployment of appropriate measures. In real‐world policymaking, however, many decisions are viewed as independent organizational products, not necessarily requiring appropriate action. Despite the cultural norm of consistency, inconsistency is an inherent and inevitable feature of policymaking. This is particularly problematic in public domains with a deliberately transformative agenda like climate policy, which is characterized by long‐term planning and a high demand for scientific advice. But if consistency of talk, decisions, and actions cannot be assumed, then concepts like evidence‐based policymaking become essentially devoid of meaning. Simply delivering the best available knowledge to policymakers might even have counterintuitive effects. In the future, policy‐driven climate researchers and advisors must critically assess how their work is actually being interpreted and used in policymaking processes. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:790–797. doi: 10.1002/wcc.427

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Policy and Governance > International Policy Framework