bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome sequencing reveals population differentiation in gene expression linked to functional traits and environmental gradients in the South African shrub Protea repens
Authors: Akman Melis , Carlson Jane E. , Holsinger Kent E. , Latimer Andrew M.
Published: November 2015

Understanding the environmental and genetic mechanisms underlying locally adaptive trait variation across the ranges of species is a major focus of evolutionary biology. Combining transcriptome sequencing with common garden experiments on populations spanning geographical and environmental gradients holds promise for identifying such mechanisms.

The South African shrub Protea repens displays diverse phenotypes in the wild along drought and temperature gradients. We grew plants from seeds collected at 19 populations spanning this species’ range, and sequenced the transcriptomes of these plants to reveal gene pathways associated with adaptive trait variation. We related expression in co‐expressed gene networks to trait phenotypes measured in the common garden and to source population climate.

We found that expression in gene networks correlated with source‐population environment and with plant traits. In particular, the activity of gene networks enriched for growth related pathways correlated strongly with source site minimum winter temperature and with leaf size, stem diameter and height in the garden. Other gene networks with enrichments for photosynthesis related genes showed associations with precipitation.

Our results strongly suggest that this species displays population‐level differences in gene expression that have been shaped by source population site climate, and that are reflected in trait variation along environmental gradients.
Genetic architecture of wood properties based on association analysis and co‐expression networks in white spruce
Authors: Lamara Mebarek , Raherison Elie , Lenz Patrick , Beaulieu Jean , Bousquet Jean , MacKay John
Published: November 2015

Association studies are widely utilized to analyze complex traits but their ability to disclose genetic architectures is often limited by statistical constraints, and functional insights are usually minimal in nonmodel organisms like forest trees.

We developed an approach to integrate association mapping results with co‐expression networks. We tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 2652 candidate genes for statistical associations with wood density, stiffness, microfibril angle and ring width in a population of 1694 white spruce trees (Picea glauca).

Associations mapping identified 229–292 genes per wood trait using a statistical significance level of P < 0.05 to maximize discovery. Over‐representation of genes associated for nearly all traits was found in a xylem preferential co‐expression group developed in independent experiments. A xylem co‐expression network was reconstructed with 180 wood associated genes and several known MYB and NAC regulators were identified as network hubs. The network revealed a link between the gene PgNAC8, wood stiffness and microfibril angle, as well as considerable within‐season variation for both genetic control of wood traits and gene expression. Trait associations were distributed throughout the network suggesting complex interactions and pleiotropic effects.

Our findings indicate that integration of association mapping and co‐expression networks enhances our understanding of complex wood traits.
Accounting for the nested nature of genetic variation across levels of organization improves our understanding of biodiversity and community ecology
Authors: Read Quentin D. , Hoban Sean M. , Eppinga Maarten B. , Schweitzer Jennifer A. , Bailey Joseph K.
Published: November 2015

Recent work has demonstrated that the presence or abundance of specific genotypes, populations, species and phylogenetic clades may influence community and ecosystem properties such as resilience or productivity. Many ecological studies, however, use simple linear models to test for such relationships, including species identity as the predictor variable and some measured trait or function as the response variable without accounting for the nestedness of genetic variation across levels of organization. This omission may lead to incorrect inference about which source of variation influences community and ecosystem properties. Here, we explicitly compare this common approach to alternative ways of modeling variation in trait data, using simulated trait data and empirical results of common‐garden trials using multiple levels of genetic variation within Eucalyptus, Populus and Picea. We show that: 1) when nested variation is ignored, an incorrect conclusion of species effect is drawn in up to 20% of cases; 2) overestimation of the species effect increases – up to 60% in some scenarios – as the nested term explains more of the variation; and 3) the sample sizes needed to overcome these potential problems associated with aggregating nested hierarchical variation may be impractically large. In common‐garden trials, incorporating nested models increased explanatory power twofold for mammal browsing rate in Eucalyptus, threefold for leaf area in Populus, and tenfold for branch number in Picea. Thoroughly measuring intraspecific variation and characterizing hierarchical genetic variation beyond the species level has implications for developing more robust theory in community ecology, managing invaded natural systems, and improving inference in biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research.

Synthesis

Until recently, ecologists acknowledged the ubiquity of within‐species trait variation, but paid scant attention to how much it affects communities and ecosystems. Here, the authors used simulated trait data and common‐garden studies to demonstrate that we ignore intraspecific trait variation at our peril. In both simulated and experimental systems, in many cases ignoring intraspecific variation led to incorrect statistical inferences and inflated the effect size of species identity.

This study shows that ecologists must characterize hierarchically nested genetic and phenotypic variation to fully understand the links between individual traits, community structure and ecosystem functioning.
One‐Stage Anterior Approach with Arch Plate to Treat Lumbosacral Tuberculosis
Authors: Luo Fei , Zhang Ze‐hua , Sun Dong , Xu Jian‐zhong
Published: November 2015

This article describes the arch plate technique for treating lumbosacral tuberculosis. Lumbosacral tuberculosis often leads to the destruction of anterior vertebral columns and presacral or iliopsoas abscess, which requires an anterior approach to achieve thorough debridement. Due to the complexity of the anatomical structure of lumbosacral spine and the high requirement of fixation stability, a combined posterior approach to perform internal fixation is necessary, which is rather traumatic. On the other hand, most of the current anterior lumbosacral internal fixation systems cannot be applied to spinal tuberculosis patients who have irregular bony endplate destruction. The arch plate was designed as a cephalic narrow and caudal wide trapezoid or triangle outline according to the preliminary anatomic research. In terms of the endplate bony destruction, a multidirectional technique was introduced in the arch screws, which enables surgeons to arbitrarily change the direction of the screw in the range of 5°–20°, which increases the length and the inclination angles in the sagittal plane of the implant screw and makes sure that the autologous iliac bone graft fits the irregular bone destruction for maximum stability. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of one‐stage anterior debridement, bone grafting, and arch plate fixation to treat lumbosacral tuberculosis. The risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications, such as injury to major vessels, could be minimized. This surgical procedure had many advantages, including a shorter operation time, less blood loss, and better functional recovery over the conventional combined anterior and posterior approach.
Surgical Technique of Anterolateral Approach for Tibial Plateau Fracture
Authors: Wang Peng‐cheng , Ren Dong , Zhou Bing
Published: November 2015

A 66‐year‐old woman had sustained crush injury 3 hours prior to her presentation to our hospital. The diagnosis was defined as lateral tibial plateau fracture of the right knee (Schatzker III). Supine position was set up and a pad was put under the affected hip. After sterilization of the surgical field the sterilized sheets were placed beneath the leg in order to be higher than the other side. A rolled sheet was put under the knee joint so that the knee joint was flexed around 30° to 40°. After the surgical field was draped the skin was incised. Iliotibial band was incised by blade (not by electrotomy) and sharp dissection was performed in the Gerdy's tubercle. Capsulotomy was made by cutting the tibial meniscal ligament. Then the meniscus was tagged superiorly and the articular surface was clearly visualized. A window was made in the lateral cortex beneath the plateau, so the impacted fragment was elevated through the window. The metaphyseal void was filled by bone allograft. The placement of the raft‐screw plate must be ensured that the raft screws passing the plate could purchase the subchondral bone. After perfect placement of the plate was defined, the femoral distractor was removed and the knee joint was relaxed. It was ensured that the alignment of the lower leg was normal, and then the other screws were inserted. Following placing drainage in the wound the iliotibial band was closed and the subcutaneous soft tissue and skin were closed in layer.
Orienting versus inhibition in the Concealed Information Test: Different cognitive processes drive different physiological measures
Authors: klein Selle Nathalie , Verschuere Bruno , Kindt Merel , Meijer Ewout , Ben‐Shakhar Gershon
Published: November 2015

The Concealed Information Test (CIT) provides a valid tool for psychophysiological detection of concealed knowledge. However, its precise theoretical underpinnings remain a matter of debate. The differential physiological responses elicited by concealed, relevant items, relative to control items, were traditionally explained as reflecting an orienting response (OR). According to an alternative account, these responses reflect attempts to inhibit arousal. The present study examined whether and to what extent CIT detection efficiency is affected by instructions aimed at manipulating arousal inhibition (AI). One hundred and forty‐eight undergraduate students completed a CIT, while electrodermal, cardiac, and respiratory measures were recorded. Half of the participants were requested to imagine that they are suspected of committing a crime and were motivated to avoid detection (presumably eliciting both OR and AI), while the other half were requested to imagine that they are witnesses of a crime and were motivated to be detected (presumably eliciting OR only). All participants were further requested to remain silent throughout the test. In both conditions, concealed items led to a similar increase in skin conductance as compared to the control items. However, the typically observed heart rate deceleration and respiratory suppression were found in suspects, but not in witnesses. These data imply that different mechanisms drive the responding of different psychophysiological measures used in the CIT, with skin conductance reflecting OR, and heart rate and respiration primarily reflecting AI.
Transition to Sustainable Fertilisation in Agriculture, A Practices Approach
Authors: Huttunen Suvi , Oosterveer Peter
Published: November 2015

It is argued that sustainability transition in agriculture requires a shift from a regime oriented towards increasing agricultural productivity to a regime in which the environmental and social effects of production are regarded as central. Practice theories represent an emerging perspective on analysing sustainability transitions and provide a way to focus on farming activities and their changes. Focusing on practice elements – materials, meanings and competences – we explore the prospects of applying practice theory when analysing differentiation and change in agricultural fertilisation practices. Empirically, the article is based on semi‐open qualitative interviews among Finnish farmers. We identified five different fertilisation practices. The differences and changes in practices could be explained by the diverse and hierarchically organised purposes in farming which contributed to different elements and their linkages in the performance of the practices. Consciously cultivating changes in meaning are especially important in facilitating the change in practices.
The language of morality
Authors: Keen Ian
Published: November 2015

On what linguistic resources do we draw to constitute morality? This article describes how morality is centred on evaluative discourse, and is composed of a number of analytically distinct, but interdependent discursive elements, including evaluative categories; deontic discourse; concepts of moral character, virtues and vices; the expression of emotions; the expression of norms; and patterns of moral reasoning. The ways in which such elements are expressed, brought together and embedded in institutions varies greatly both within and between cultures. The article illustrates some of this variation from a wide range of language and cultures.
English, community and opportunity in northern Malawi
Authors: McNamara Thomas
Published: November 2015

The use of English in a northern Malawian village often represents a challenge to local norms and morality. This article examines the cultural meaning of the Northern Malawian chiTumbuka language; initially examining how suppression of this language has served as an institutional technique for marginalising Northern Malawians. It then explores how Chewas (the dominant linguistic group) understand English as a language of opportunity, demanding English‐based education for their children and code‐switching into English as a sign of prestige. The article provides ethnographic evidence of the relationship between language selection and morality among the Tumbuka, the largest northern Malawian cultural group. It demonstrates that the reduced economic opportunities that English mastery provides a Tumbuka means that they cannot use speaking English to claim prestige. Instead Tumbuka associate their peers’ English use with a collection of transgressions against a morality that is linked to rigid social hierarchies and a static culture. When speaking English, a Tumbuka was often seen, at the very least, to be clumsily social climbing. They were also frequently understood to be overtly challenging their elders’ ability to guide development and to be questioning the need for the continuation of a Tumbuka language and culture. By exploring how language selection is interpreted as communicating these moral contraventions, this chapter builds upon the volume's analysis of how language constructs morality. It demonstrates that language selection interacts with factors like history and economic opportunity to communicate various moral positions.
Exploring the role of affect in Yolŋu exchange
Authors: Blakeman Dr Bree
Published: November 2015

What do emotion terms matter to the study of Aboriginal sociality and exchange? The study of affect/emotion is often considered a speciality topic or focus in anthropology. However, in this article I argue that a consideration of terms and concepts associated with affect/emotion is critical to a fully nuanced appreciation of the way Yolŋu people consider value in material exchange. I seek to move away from prevailing approaches to the study of Aboriginal exchange in Australia, to focus on exchange relations as they are cast and constituted in local Yolŋu terms. Drawing on the key body of terms and concepts associated with affect and emotion in Gumatj (a Yolŋu language), I explore a number of case studies to show how they not only inform, but motivate and shape forms of exchange in unique and specific ways. What is part of the emotion lexicon in Gumatj, I argue, can also be seen as a partial template or schema of value. This template is similar to what Munn (1986) refers to as a generative schema or value template. This article is a preliminary exploration towards a local Yolŋu theory of value and exchange.
Differential effects of sex in a West African cohort of HIV‐1, HIV‐2 and HIV‐1/2 dually infected patients: men are worse off
Authors: Jespersen Sanne , Hønge Bo Langhoff , Esbjörnsson Joakim , Medina Candida , da Silva Té David , Correira Faustino Gomes , Laursen Alex Lund , Østergaard Lars , Andersen Andreas , Aaby Peter , Erikstrup Christian , Wejse Christian ,   the Bissau HIV Cohort study group
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Several studies have reported conflicting effects of sex on HIV‐1 infection. We describe differences in baseline characteristics and assess the impact of sex on HIV progression among patients at a clinic with many HIV‐2 and HIV‐1/2 dually infected patients.

Methods

This study utilised a retrospective cohort of treatment‐naïve adults at the largest HIV clinic in Guinea‐Bissau from 6 June 2005 to 1 December 2013. Baseline characteristics were assessed and the patients followed until death, transfer, loss to follow‐up, or 1 June 2014. We estimated the time from the first clinic visit until initiation of ART, death or loss to follow‐up using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

A total of 5694 patients were included in the study, 3702 women (65%) and 1992 men (35%). Women were more likely than men to be infected with HIV‐2 (19% vs. 15%, P < 0.01) or dually infected with HIV‐1/2 (11% vs. 9%, P = 0.02). For all HIV types, women were younger (median 35 vs. 40 years), less likely to have schooling (55% vs. 77%) or to be married (46% vs. 67%), and had higher baseline CD4 cell counts (median 214 vs. 178 cells/μl). Men had a higher age‐adjusted mortality rate (hazard rate ratio (HRR) 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.52) and were more often lost to follow‐up (HRR 1.27, 95% CI 1.17–1.39).

Conclusion

Significant differences exist between HIV‐infected men and women regardless of HIV type. Men seek treatment at a later stage and, despite better socio‐economic status, have higher mortality and loss to follow‐up than women.
Trading with Conditions: The Effect of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures on the Agricultural Exports from Low‐income Countries
Authors: Murina Marina , Nicita Alessandro
Published: November 2015

Market access for agricultural products is increasingly determined by capability to comply with a wide array of regulatory measures. From a trade perspective, one of the most important aspects of such regulatory measures is their potential distortionary effect, as their cost of compliance is often asymmetrical across countries. This paper investigates the effect of the European Union's sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures on the exports from low income countries. This study finds that SPS measures result in relatively higher burden for low income countries but that membership in deep trade agreements seems to reduce the difficulties related to compliance with SPS measures. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that while many middle and high income countries have the internal capacity to comply with SPS measures, most low income countries do not.
Minería de procesos: desarrollo, aplicaciones y factores críticos
Authors: Aguirre Mayorga Hugo Santiago , Rincón García Nicolas
Published: November 2015

La minería de procesos es una disciplina que tiene como objetivo descubrir, monitorear y mejorar procesos de negocio a través del análisis del registro de los eventos del proceso que se encuentran almacenados en los sistemas de información. En este artículo se presenta el desarrollo de la minería de procesos y se analizan tres casos de estudio de aplicación de esta disciplina para determinar los factores críticos que se deben considerar para su correcto uso. A partir de lo anterior se discute sobre los desafíos futuros que puede presentar la minería de procesos en su aplicación en las organizaciones y las investigaciones que se requieren para el avance de esta disciplina, que ha sido catalogada como la más promisoria en Business Process Management.
Participación de la gran empresa en la política pública de atención a las víctimas del conflicto armado en Colombia
Authors: Mariño-Arévalo Andrés , Valencia-Toro Marcela
Published: November 2015

Este artículo busca abrir un diálogo necesario para las ciencias administrativas:
brindar herramientas a la empresa para responder a los cambios
del entorno que generará la firma de un acuerdo de paz con grupos insurgentes.
Para esta investigación se realizó trabajo de campo con el grupo
Éxito, la Organización Ardila Lülle, Pan Pa’Ya y Aviatur, y se encontró un
bajo conocimiento de la política pública de atención a víctimas y de sus
formas de articulación. Las acciones realizadas por estas empresas no
son sistemáticas con respecto a las víctimas, pero existen posibilidades
de fortalecer su accionar planteando estrategias integrales que cubran
los aspectos político, social y cultural, no sólo lo económico. Lo cual
queda como propuesta para futuras investigaciones.
Growth of single and bilayer graphene by filtered cathodic vacuum arc technique
Authors: Kesarwani A. K. , Panwar O. S. , Dhakate S. R. , Rakshit R. K. , Singh V. N. , Bisht Atul , Kumar Ashish
Published: November 2015

The authors present a viable process to grow the high quality graphene films with control over number of layers by the filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) technique. In the FCVA process, the different carbon concentrations can be controlled by precisely tuning the arc time (1–4 s). The arc generated carbon was deposited on the nickel catalyst at 800 °C, annealed for 10 min, and cooled down to room temperature in the presence of hydrogen gas, resulting in the graphene films with control over number of layers. Prior to arcing, hydrogen etching of nickel was carried out to clean the surface of the substrate. A growth model to prepare the high quality graphene has also been proposed. The as-grown graphene films were transferred to different substrates and are characterized by Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy to determine the number of layers present in these films. Raman spectra of the prepared graphene films exhibit change in the G peak position from 1582.4 to 1578.1 cm−1, two-dimensional (2D) peak shifts from 2688.5 to 2703.8 cm−1, the value of I2D/IG increased from 0.38 to 3.82, and the full width at half maxima of 2D peak changed from 41 to 70 cm−1, for different layers of graphene films. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy image revealed that the graphene films prepared for 1 and 2 s arc times have single and bi- or trilayered structures, respectively.
Crystallization and microstructure evolution of nanoscale NiTi thin films prepared by biased target ion beam deposition
Authors: Hou Huilong , Hamilton Reginald F. , Horn Mark W.
Published: November 2015

NiTi alloy thin films of nanoscale thickness were fabricated using a novel technique known as biased target ion beam deposition (BTIBD). Ni-poor/Ti-rich, near equiatomic NiTi, and Ni-rich film composition ranges were investigated in the as-deposited condition. Heat treatment was necessary to crystallize the otherwise amorphous as-deposited films. Crystallization and microstructure evolution were contrasted with those for nanoscale thickness films fabricated using the more common magnetron sputtering technique. For each composition range, the as-deposited magnetron sputtered films exhibit a columnar-void morphology. In situ transmission electron microscopy heating results show that crystallization requires the morphology to merge, which produces small grains. Larger grains are formed in crystallized BTIBD films, which are attributed to increased adatom mobility facilitated by independent control of low energy ions. This work postulates that enhanced mobility in BTIBD eliminates the columnar-void morphology and reduces crystallization energy barrier that restricts grain size during heat treatment.
Obesity, Asthma, and Exercise in Child and Adolescent Health
Authors: Lu Kim D. , Manoukian Krikor , Radom-Aizik Shlomit , Cooper Dan M. , Galant Stanley P.
Published: November 2015

Obesity increases the risk of asthma throughout life but the underlying mechanisms linking these all too common threats to child health are poorly understood. Acute bouts of exercise, aerobic fitness, and levels of physical activity clearly play a role in the pathogenesis and/or management of both childhood obesity and asthma. Moreover, both obesity and physical inactivity are associated with asthma symptoms and response to therapy (a particularly challenging feature of obesity-related asthma). In this article, we review current understandings of the link between physical activity, aerobic fitness and the asthma-obesity link in children and adolescents (e.g., the impact of chronic low-grade inflammation, lung mechanics, and direct effects of metabolic health on the lung). Gaps in our knowledge regarding the physiological mechanisms linking asthma, obesity and exercise are often compounded by imprecise estimations of adiposity and challenges of assessing aerobic fitness in children. Addressing these gaps could lead to practical interventions and clinical approaches that could mitigate the profound health care crisis of the increasing comorbidity of asthma, physical inactivity, and obesity in children.
Spontaneous sternal fracture due to multiple myeloma requiring extensive surgical repair
Authors: Reuling Ellen M BP , Jakma Tijs S C , Schnater Johannes Marco , Westerweel Peter E
Published: November 2015

Spontaneous sternal fracture is a well-known complication of multiple myeloma due to osteolytic bone lesions. The possibility of a multiple myeloma should be thoroughly investigated in patients presenting with a spontaneous sternal fracture. This work up should go beyond protein electrophoresis alone as a monoclonal paraprotein is not always present. In some cases, the myeloma plasma cell clone produces only the free light chain (κ or λ) or may even be non-secretory. The underlying plasma cell dyscrasia is treated with chemotherapy and, if needed, local radiotherapy. However, for patients with a fracture causing persistent pain and physical discomfort, internal fixation may be additionally required. We present a case of a patient who presented with a displaced pathological sternal fracture. She was treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and an open reduction and internal fixation with a Locking Compression Plate (LCP). This technique offers a feasible option for rigid fixation of pathological fractures.
A cerebral abscess at first internist glance
Authors: Ribeiro Rita , Patrício Catarina , Moura Valejo Coelho Margarida , Brotas Vítor
Published: November 2015

A 73-year-old man was transferred to the neurosurgery ward, with a presumptive diagnosis of cerebral abscess. The case was also discussed with the internists as internal medicine consultants. The neurosurgeons pointed out a right temporal lobe abscedated lesion on CT, but we noticed that the hypodense attenuation that usually surrounds the abscess wall (vasogenic oedema) extended to a broader, well-delimitated area, suggesting medium cerebral artery territory. The patient had left-sided hemiplegia with a confusional state and low-grade fever. Considering possible haematogenous dissemination, an echocardiography was performed, confirming mitral endocarditis. Blood cultures and aspirated pus isolatedEscherichia coli. Investigating the patient's medical history, we learned he had been submitted to bladder catheterisation 7 weeks before for acute urinary retention due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, and empirically medicated for urinary tract infection.E. colihad also been isolated in a urine specimen at the time. The clinical history of the patient cancelled the pathogenesis of cerebral abscess.
Systemic lupus erythaematosus presenting as spontaneous splenic rupture
Authors: Cruz António José , Castro Alexandra
Published: November 2015

Systemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE) is known to involve the reticuloendothelial system, but spontaneous splenic rupture (SSR) in the context of the disease is a very rare complication. We observed a 61-year-old woman with an unremarkable previous medical history who presented with SSR and underwent an emergency splenectomy. The histopathological analysis of the specimen revealed signs of vasculitis. On review of symptoms with the patient, a history of oligoarthralgia, photosensitivity, xerostomia and Raynaud phenomenon was elicited. Laboratory investigations revealed lymphopaenia, mild proteinuria and positive antinuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies. The patient was started on hydroxychloroquine and the disease has since remained silent. This article addresses the rare association between SLE and SSR.
Gliosarcoma with neuroaxis metastases
Authors: Ramos Rui , Morais Nuno , Silva Ana Isabel , Almeida Rui
Published: November 2015

Gliosarcomas are rare tumours of the central nervous system, with a well-known capacity for metastasis. When they metastasise, the dissemination occurs more frequently via the haematogenous route to extraneural sites. Metastasis-spread through the cerebrospinal fluid is extremely rare. We present the case of a 58-year-old man who underwent a gross total resection of a lesion in the left temporal lobe. The histological findings revealed a gliosarcoma and the patient received radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy. Seven months after surgery, while the patient remained neurologically intact, brain and spinal cord MRI revealed tumour recurrence and neuroaxis metastases through the traffic routes of the cerebrospinal fluid. The patient died 8 months after the diagnosis. A PubMed search regarding metastatic gliosarcoma up to June 2015 was also carried out. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of gliosarcoma metastases to the brain and spinal cord leptomeninges.
POEMS syndrome: complex factors contributing to a delayed diagnosis
Authors: Robey Rebecca Caroline , Campus Craig , Ringuette Beverly , Shumate Mark
Published: November 2015

POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein and skin changes) syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome due to an underlying plasma cell disorder. The chronically evolving nature of this syndrome and diverse clinical manifestations make it a challenging diagnosis, especially in the early stages of the disease. We present a case that illustrates well how these confounding factors can delay recognition of the disorder. We describe the presentation of some of the classical symptoms, and discuss how investigations can be optimised in order to fit together the clinical picture. Recent advances in the understanding of nerve conduction studies and electromyography in POEMS may help improve the early identification of this disease. This is of great importance, as early recognition and the initiation of appropriate treatment can reduce morbidity and mortality in POEMS.
Energy dependence of exotic nuclei production cross sections by photofission reaction in GDR range
Authors: Bhowmick Debasis , Khan F.A. , Atta Debasis , Basu D.N. , Chakrabarti Alok
Published: November 2015

Photofission of actinides is studied in the region of nuclear excitation energies that covers the entire giant dipole resonance (GDR) region. The mass distributions of 238U photofission fragments have been explored theoretically for eight different endpoint bremsstrahlung energies from 11.5 to 67.7 MeV, which correspond to average photon energies of 9.09 to 15.90 MeV. Among these energies, 29.1 MeV corresponds to the average photon energy of 13.7 ± 0.3 MeV, which coincides with the GDR peak for 238U photofission. The integrated yield of 238U photofission, as well as charge distribution of photofission products, is calculated and its role in producing nuclei and their neutron-richness is investigated.
Sharp Bounds on Survivor Average Causal Effects When the Outcome Is Binary and Truncated by Death
Authors: Shan Na , Dong Xiaogang , Xu Pingfeng , Guo Jianhua
Published: November 2015

In randomized trials with follow-up, outcomes may be undefined for individuals who die before the follow-up is complete. In such settings, Frangakis and Rubin [2002] proposed the “principal stratum effect” or “Survivor Average Causal Effect” (SACE), which is a fair treatment comparison in the subpopulation that would have survived under either treatment arm. Many of the existing results for estimating the SACE are difficult to carry out in practice. In this article, when the outcome is binary, we apply the symbolic Balke-Pearl linear programming method to derive simple formulas for the sharp bounds on the SACE under the monotonicity assumption commonly used by many researchers.
A Novel Continuous and Structural VAR Modeling Approach and Its Application to Reactor Noise Analysis
Authors: Demeshko Marina , Washio Takashi , Kawahara Yoshinobu , Pepyolyshev Yuriy
Published: November 2015

A vector autoregressive model in discrete time domain (DVAR) is often used to analyze continuous time, multivariate, linear Markov systems through their observed time series data sampled at discrete timesteps. Based on previous studies, the DVAR model is supposed to be a noncanonical representation of the system, that is, it does not correspond to a unique system bijectively. However, in this article, we characterize the relations of the DVAR model with its corresponding Structural Vector AR (SVAR) and Continuous Time Vector AR (CTVAR) models through a finite difference method across continuous and discrete time domain. We further clarify that the DVAR model of a continuous time, multivariate, linear Markov system is canonical under a highly generic condition. Our analysis shows that we can uniquely reproduce its SVAR and CTVAR models from the DVAR model. Based on these results, we propose a novel Continuous and Structural Vector Autoregressive (CSVAR) modeling approach to derive the SVAR and the CTVAR models from their DVAR model empirically derived from the observed time series of continuous time linear Markov systems. We demonstrate its superior performance through some numerical experiments on both artificial and real-world data.
Gaussian Processes for Independence Tests with Non-iid Data in Causal Inference
Authors: Flaxman Seth R. , Neill Daniel B. , Smola Alexander J.
Published: November 2015

In applied fields, practitioners hoping to apply causal structure learning or causal orientation algorithms face an important question: which independence test is appropriate for my data? In the case of real-valued iid data, linear dependencies, and Gaussian error terms, partial correlation is sufficient. But once any of these assumptions is modified, the situation becomes more complex. Kernel-based tests of independence have gained popularity to deal with nonlinear dependencies in recent years, but testing for conditional independence remains a challenging problem. We highlight the important issue of non-iid observations: when data are observed in space, time, or on a network, “nearby” observations are likely to be similar. This fact biases estimates of dependence between variables. Inspired by the success of Gaussian process regression for handling non-iid observations in a wide variety of areas and by the usefulness of the Hilbert-Schmidt Independence Criterion (HSIC), a kernel-based independence test, we propose a simple framework to address all of these issues: first, use Gaussian process regression to control for certain variables and to obtain residuals. Second, use HSIC to test for independence. We illustrate this on two classic datasets, one spatial, the other temporal, that are usually treated as iid. We show how properly accounting for spatial and temporal variation can lead to more reasonable causal graphs. We also show how highly structured data, like images and text, can be used in a causal inference framework using a novel structured input/output Gaussian process formulation. We demonstrate this idea on a dataset of translated sentences, trying to predict the source language.
Modelling the Role of Trust in Social Relationships
Authors: Sutcliffe Alistair G. , Wang Di , Dunbar Robin I. M.
Published: November 2015

A social trust model is presented for investigating social relationships and social networks in the real world and in social media. The results demonstrate that multilevel social structures, with a few strong relationships, more medium ties, and large numbers of weak ties, emerge in an evolutionary simulation when well-being and alliances are rewarded with high levels of social interaction. ‘Favour-the-few’ trust strategies were more competitive than others under a wide range of fitness conditions, suggesting that the development of complex, multilevel social structures depends on capacity for high investment in social time and preferential social interaction strategies.
Report on the 40th International Symposium on Symbolic and Algebraic Computation
Authors: England Matthew
Published: November 2015

The 40th International Symposium on Symbolic and Algebraic Computation (ISSAC 2015) was held at The University of Bath, Bath, UK from 6 - 9 July 2015. It featured:

• 43 Contributed Paper talks selected by the ISSAC 2015 Program Committee;

• 3 Invited Speakers;

• 3 Tutorial Sessions;

• 12 Poster Presentations;

• 6 Software Demonstrations.
Correlation Network Analysis Reveals Relationships between MicroRNAs, Transcription Factor T-bet, and Deregulated Cytokine/Chemokine‐Receptor Network in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Authors: Dyskova Tereza , Fillerova Regina , Novosad Tomas , Kudelka Milos , Zurkova Monika , Gajdos Petr , Kolek Vitezslav , Kriegova Eva
Published: November 2015

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous disease with unknown etiology driven by cytokines and chemokines. There is limited information regarding the regulation of cytokine/chemokine‐receptor network in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells in pulmonary sarcoidosis, suggesting contribution of miRNAs and transcription factors. We therefore investigated gene expression of 25 inflammation‐related miRNAs, 27 cytokines/chemokines/receptors, and a Th1‐transcription factor T-bet in unseparated BAL cells obtained from 48 sarcoidosis patients and 14 control subjects using quantitative RT‐PCR. We then examined both miRNA‐mRNA expressions to enrich relevant relationships. This first study on miRNAs in sarcoid BAL cells detected deregulation of miR-146a, miR-150, miR-202, miR-204, and miR-222 expression comparing to controls. Subanalysis revealed higher number of miR-155, let-7c transcripts in progressing (n = 20) comparing to regressing (n = 28) disease as assessed by 2‐year follow‐up. Correlation network analysis revealed relationships between microRNAs, transcription factor T-bet, and deregulated cytokine/chemokine‐receptor network in sarcoid BAL cells. Furthermore, T-bet showed more pronounced regulatory capability to sarcoidosis‐associated cytokines/chemokines/receptors than miRNAs, which may function rather as “fine‐tuners” of cytokine/chemokine expression. Our correlation network study implies contribution of both microRNAs and Th1‐transcription factor T-bet to the regulation of cytokine/chemokine‐receptor network in BAL cells in sarcoidosis. Functional studies are needed to confirm biological relevance of the obtained relationships.
Synthesis of CuO/Co3O4Coaxial Heterostructures for Efficient and Recycling Photodegradation
Authors: Chen R. X. , Zhu S. L. , Mao J. , Cui Z. D. , Yang X. J. , Liang Y. Q. , Li Z. Y.
Published: November 2015

The highly efficient CuO/Co3O4composite photocatalyst with different morphologies has been synthesized directly on Cu wire mesh by controlling the composition of cobalt-containing solid precursors via a simple hydrothermal method. The structure morphology and composition of the composite photocatalyst have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic result shows that the CuO/Co3O4coaxial heterostructure is easy to recycle and exhibit enhanced photodegradation activity for methylene blue compared to single CuO nanorod arrays under full spectrum solar light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of the composite could be ascribed to the synergistic effect of CuO and Co3O4. This study provides a general and effective method in the fabrication of 1D composition NRs with sound heterojunctions that show enhancement of photocatalytic performance and facility of recycling.
A Lethal Complication of Endoscopic Therapy: Duodenal Intramural Hematoma
Authors: Calhan Turan , Sahin Abdurrahman , Kahraman Resul , Soydaş Barış , Tosun Ali , Cebeci Egemen
Published: November 2015

Duodenal intramural hematoma (DIH) usually occurs in childhood and young adults following blunt abdominal trauma. It may also develop in the presence of coagulation disorders and may rarely be an iatrogenic outcome of endoscopic procedures. Management of DIH is usually a conservative approach. A case of intramural duodenal hematoma that developed following endoscopic epinephrine sclerotherapy and/or argon plasma coagulation and that was nonresponsive to conservative therapy in a patient with chronic renal failure who died from sepsis is being discussed in this report. Clinicians should be aware of such possible complications after endoscopic hemostasis in patients with coagulation disorders.
Burden of Self-Reported Noncommunicable Diseases in 26 Villages of Anand District of Gujarat, India
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Raithatha Shyamsundar J. , Gupta Shanti , Raj Ravi , Kharod Nikhil
Published: November 2015

Introduction. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 53% of deaths and 44% of disability adjusted life years lost in India. A survey was undertaken to measure the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use and self-reported NCDs in a rural community in western part of India.Methodology. Trained Village Health Workers did the survey in the years 2012-13 under supervision. The data was collected for five NCDs, namely, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer, heart disease, and mental illnesses.Results. 18,269 households with a population of 89755 were covered. Prevalence of any form of tobacco use in the age group of >20 years was 34.5 and 52.7% and 15.2% in males and females, respectively. Prevalence of any NCD was 5.3% with a slightly higher prevalence in females (5.4%) than males (5.2%) in the age group of 20–69 years. Prevalence of NCD multimorbidity (≥2 NCDs) was 0.7% in the age group of 20–69 years. 80.7% of hypertensives and 94.9% of diabetics were taking treatment. More females than males were taking antihypertensive treatment.Conclusion. Tobacco use was high. Prevalence of NCDs was less than that reported in other studies. Data generated from this study can be useful in planning a community based NCD programme.
Sigma‐1 Receptor Antagonist BD1047 Reduces Mechanical Allodynia in a Rat Model of Bone Cancer Pain through the Inhibition of Spinal NR1 Phosphorylation and Microglia Activation
Authors: Zhu Shanshan , Wang Chenchen , Han Yuan , Song Chao , Hu Xueming , Liu Yannan
Published: November 2015

Previous studies have demonstrated that sigma‐1 receptor plays important roles in the induction phase of rodent neuropathic pain; however, whether it is involved in bone cancer pain (BCP) and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The aim of this study was to examine the potential role of the spinal sigma‐1 receptor in the development of bone cancer pain. Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells were implanted into the intramedullary space of the right tibia of Sprague‐Dawley rats to induce ongoing bone cancer‐related pain behaviors; our findings indicated that, on days 7, 10, 14, and 21 after operation, the expression of sigma‐1 receptor in the spinal cord was higher in BCP rats compared to the sham rats. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of 120 nmol of sigma‐1 receptor antagonist BD1047 on days 5, 6, and 7 after operation attenuated mechanical allodynia as well as the associated induction of c‐Fos and activation of microglial cells, NR1, and the subsequent Ca2+‐dependent signals of BCP rats. These results suggest that sigma‐1 receptor is involved in the development of bone cancer pain and that targeting sigma‐1 receptor may be a new strategy for the treatment of bone cancer pain.
Complications of Radical Cystectomy and Orthotopic Reconstruction
Authors: Tan Wei Shen , Lamb Benjamin W. , Kelly John D.
Published: November 2015

Radical cystectomy and orthotopic reconstruction significant morbidity and mortality despite advances in minimal invasive and robotic technology. In this review, we will discuss early and late complications, as well as describe efforts to minimize morbidity and mortality, with a focus on ileal orthotopic bladder substitute (OBS). We summarise efforts to minimize morbidity and mortality including enhanced recovery as well as early and late complications seen after radical cystectomy and OBS. Centralisation of complex cancer services in the UK has led to a fall in mortality and high volume institutions have a significantly lower rate of 30-day mortality compared to low volume institutions. Enhanced recovery pathways have resulted in shorter length of hospital stay and potentially a reduction in morbidity. Early complications of radical cystectomy occur as a direct result of the surgery itself while late complications, which can occur even after 10 years after surgery, are due to urinary diversion. OBS represents the ideal urinary diversion for patients without contraindications. However, all patients with OBS should have regular long term follow-up for oncological surveillance and to identify complications should they arise.
CRISPR/CAS9-Mediated Genome Editing of miRNA-155 Inhibits Proinflammatory Cytokine Production by RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Jing Weixia , Zhang Xuewu , Sun Wenyan , Hou Xiujuan , Yao Zhongqiang , Zhu Yuelan
Published: November 2015

MicroRNA 155 (miR-155) is a key proinflammatory regulator in clinical and experimental rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we generated a miR-155 genome knockout (GKO) RAW264.7 macrophage cell line using the clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CAS9) technology. While upregulating the Src homology-2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1), the miR-155 GKO line is severely impaired in producing proinflammatory cytokines but slightly increased in osteoclastogenesis upon treatment with receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Taken together, our results suggest that genome editing of miR-155 holds the potential as a therapeutic strategy in RA.
The Hematopoietic Niche in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: Schmitt-Graeff Annette H. , Nitschke Roland , Zeiser Robert
Published: November 2015

Specialized microanatomical areas of the bone marrow provide the signals that are mandatory for the maintenance and regulation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells. A complex microenvironment adjacent to the marrow vasculature (vascular niche) and close to the endosteum (endosteal niche) harbors multiple cell types including mesenchymal stromal cells and their derivatives such as CAR cells expressing high levels of chemokines C‐X‐C motif ligand 12 and early osteoblastic lineage cells, endothelial cells, and megakaryocytes. The characterization of the cellular and molecular networks operating in the HSC niche has opened new perspectives for the understanding of the bidirectional cross‐talk between HSCs and stromal cell populations in normal and malignant conditions. A structural and functional remodeling of the niche may contribute to the development of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Malignant HSCs may alter the function and survival of MSCs that do not belong to the neoplastic clone. For example, a regression of nestin+ MSCs by apoptosis has been attributed to neuroglial damage in MPN. Nonneoplastic MSCs in turn can promote aggressiveness and drug resistance of malignant cells. In the future, strategies to counteract the pathological interaction between the niche and neoplastic HSCs may offer additional treatment strategies for MPN patients.