bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voice problems in school-aged children following very preterm birth
Authors: Reynolds Victoria , Meldrum Suzanne , Simmer Karen , Vijayasekaran Shyan , French Noel
Published: February 2016

Background and objective

Very preterm children may be at risk of voice abnormalities (dysphonia). Risk factors previously identified in extremely preterm children include female gender, multiple intubations, complicated intubation and very low birth weight. This study sought to identify the prevalence of dysphonia in very preterm children, at school age.

Methods

Children born between 23 and 32 weeks’ gestation were included in this prospective observational study. Participants were randomly selected from a sample stratified by gestational age and number of intubations, and were aged between 5 and 12 years at the time of assessment. Clinical voice assessments were conducted by a speech pathologist, and a diagnosis of dysphonia was made based on the presence and severity of disturbance to the voice. Retrospective chart review identified medical and demographic characteristics.

Results

178 participants were assessed. The prevalence of dysphonia in this cohort was 61%. 31% presenting with significant dysphonia, that is, voice disturbance of greater than mild in severity. Female gender (p=0.009), gestational age (p=0.031) and duration of intubation (p=0.021) were significantly associated with dysphonia although some preterm children with dysphonia were never intubated.

Conclusions

Significant voice abnormalities were observed in children born at up to 32 weeks’ gestation, with intubation a major contributing factor.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12613001015730.
A novel approach to the management of carotid blowout syndrome: the use of thrombin in a case of failed covered stenting
Authors: Sablani Naveen , Jain Gary , Hasan Maryam Mumtaz , Sivakumar Keithan , Feuerwerker Solomon , Arcot Karthikeyan , Farkas Jeffrey
Published: February 2016

Acute hemorrhage relating to an expanding pseudoaneurysm of the carotid artery is referred to as carotid blowout syndrome (CBS). CBS is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. We describe the case of a patient who presented with dysphagia and a pulsatile mass in the neck. Imaging revealed a pseudoaneurysm originating from the bifurcation of the distal right common carotid artery. On neuroangiography the patient lacked sufficient collaterals to allow for vessel sacrifice. A decision was made to use covered stents to prevent flow into the pseudoaneurysm while maintaining vessel patency. Despite placement of multiple covered stents there was residual slow filling of the pseudoaneurysm. We augmented this therapy with direct percutaneous thrombin injection into the pseudoaneurysm. This resulted in complete thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm. For recalcitrant lesions in which the usual methods of stopping blood flow to the pseudoaneurysmal sac fail, an adjuvant approach with thrombin should be considered.
Massive lipoma of the posterior neck
Authors: Virk Jagdeep Singh , Verkerk Misha , Patel Hasu , Ghufoor Khalid
Published: February 2016

Giant lipomas are a rare, benign cause of painless neck mass. We describe the case of a 63-year-old man with a giant lipoma of the left posterior neck, which presented with intermittent upper limb paraesthesia. Surgical excision confirmed the diagnosis of spindle-cell lipoma and resulted in complete resolution of neurological symptoms.
Any qualified provider: a qualitative case study of one community NHS Trust's response
Authors: Walumbe Jackie , Swinglehurst Deborah , Shaw Sara
Published: February 2016

Objective

To examine how those managing and providing community-based musculoskeletal (MSK) services have experienced recent policy allowing patients to choose any provider that meets certain quality standards from the National Health Service (NHS), private or voluntary sector.

Design

Intrinsic case study combining qualitative analysis of interviews and field notes.

Setting

An NHS Community Trust (the main providers of community health services in the NHS) in England, 2013–2014.

Participants

NHS Community Trust employees involved in delivering MSK services, including clinical staff and managerial staff in senior and mid-range positions.

Findings

Managers (n=4) and clinicians (n=4) working within MSK services understood and experienced the Any Qualified Provider (AQP) policy as involving: (1) a perceived trade-off between quality and cost in its implementation; (2) deskilling of MSK clinicians and erosion of professional values; and (3) a shift away from interprofessional collaboration and dialogue. These ways of making sense of AQP policy were associated with dissatisfaction with market-based health reforms.

Conclusions

AQP policy is poorly understood. Clinicians and managers perceive AQP as synonymous with competition and privatisation. From the perspective of clinicians providing MSK services, AQP, and related health policy reforms, tend, paradoxically, to drive down quality standards, supporting reconfiguration of services in which the complex, holistic nature of specialised MSK care may become marginalised by policy concerns about efficiency and cost. Our analysis indicates that the potential of AQP policy to increase quality of care is, at best, equivocal, and that any consideration of how AQP impacts on practice can only be understood by reference to a wider range of health policy reforms.
Plasma pro-atrial natriuretic peptide to indicate fluid balance during cystectomy: a prospective observational study
Authors: Rasmussen Kirsten C , Højskov Michael , Ruhnau Birgitte , Salling Lisbeth , Pedersen Tom , Goetze Jens P , Secher Niels H
Published: February 2016

Objectives

During surgery the volume of administered fluid is debated. Pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP) is released by atrial distension, and we evaluated the relationship between changes in proANP associated with perioperative fluid balance.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

One university/tertiary centre.

Participants

The study included patients who underwent radical cystectomy. Plasma for determination of proANP was obtained before surgery, after resection of the bladder, and at the end of surgery for 20 robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and 20 open radical cystectomy (ORC) procedures.

Results

The blood loss was 1871 (95% CI 1267 to 2475) vs 589 mL (378 to 801) in the ORC and RARC groups (p=0.001), respectively, and fluid balance was positive by 1518 mL (1215 to 1821) during ORC, and by 1858 mL (1461 to 2255) during RARC (p=0.163). Yet, at the end of ORC, plasma proANP was reduced by 23% (14% to 32%, p=0.001), while plasma proANP did not change significantly during RARC. Thus, plasma proANP was associated both with the perioperative blood loss (r= −0.475 (0.632 to −0.101), p=0.002), and with fluid balance (r=0.561 (0.302 to 0.740), p=0.001), indicating that a stable plasma proANP required a fluid surplus by 2.4 L (2.0 to 2.7).

Conclusions

There was a correlation between intraoperative haemorrhage and a decrease in plasma proANP and, taking plasma proANP to indicate filling of the heart, about 2.5 L surplus volume of lactated Ringer's solution appears to maintain cardiac preload during cystectomy.

Trial registration number

EudraCT (2012-005040-20), Results.
Optimal configurations of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment
Authors: Barger Vernon , Bhattacharya Atri , Chatterjee Animesh , Gandhi Raj , Marfatia Danny , Masud Mehedi
Published: February 2016

We perform a comprehensive study of the ability of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to answer outstanding questions in the neutrino sector. We consider the sensitivities to the mass hierarchy, the octant of [Formula: see text] and to CP violation using data from beam and atmospheric neutrinos. We evaluate the dependencies on the precision with which [Formula: see text] will be measured by reactor experiments, on the detector size, beam power and exposure time, on detector magnetization, and on the systematic uncertainties achievable with and without a near detector. We find that a 35 kt far detector in DUNE with a near detector will resolve the eightfold degeneracy that is intrinsic to long baseline experiments and will meet the primary goals of oscillation physics that it is designed for.
Analysis of the peak position and linewidth as a function of temperature for the phase transitions in LiKSO4
Authors: Yurtseven H. , Kurt M.
Published: February 2016

Analysis of the peak position and the linewidths of various infrared modes is performed at high (300–850 K) and low (1.5–300 K) temperatures using the experimental data from the literature for LiKSO4 which exhibits a sequence of phase transitions. The temperature dependences of the frequency and the linewidth which are derived from the anharmonic self-energy are fitted to the observed peak positions and the linewidths of the S–O stretching modes (internal [Formula: see text] modes at 1135 cm[Formula: see text] and at 1180 cm[Formula: see text]), peak position of the S–O bending [Formula: see text] (internal) modes, the peak position and the linewidth of the Li mode at 429 cm[Formula: see text] (external mode), and of the infrared band at 363 cm[Formula: see text] for LiKSO4.

Our calculated peak positions and the linewidths, which are in good agreement with the observed data show that the anharmonic self-energy model describes adequately the observed behavior of the successive phase transitions in LiKSO4.
Implementing N-quantum phase gate via circuit QED with qubit–qubit interaction
Authors: Said T. , Chouikh A. , Essammouni K. , Bennai M.
Published: February 2016

We propose a method for realizing a quantum phase gate of one qubit simultaneously controlling [Formula: see text] target qubits based on the qubit–qubit interaction. We show how to implement the proposed gate with one transmon qubit simultaneously controlling [Formula: see text] transmon qubits in a circuit QED driven by a strong microwave field. In our scheme, the operation time of this phase gate is independent of the number [Formula: see text] of qubits. On the other hand, this gate can be realized in a time of nanosecond-scale much smaller than the decoherence time and dephasing time both being the time of microsecond-scale. Numerical simulation of the occupation probabilities of the second excited lever shows that the scheme could be achieved efficiently within current technology.
Power Modeling Framework for an Asynchronous Processor
Authors: Lee Je-Hoon
Published: February 2016

This paper presents two power models for an asynchronous processor, A8051. The first one is a pipeline accurate model which models power consumption at each pipeline stage. The other one is a micro-architectural model which models power consumption at micro-operation level. Then, we demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach on an A8051 processor case study. The experimental results based on applying the proposed pipeline-accurate and micro-architectural power models on an A8051 processor demonstrate that the proposed power models have high accuracy with simulation times much faster than the conventional low-level power simulator. It also shows similar results compared to the conventional power model for a synchronous processor. Even though the simulation speeds for the proposed power models are approximately 100–900 times faster than the low-level power simulator, the differences are less than 18% and 15%, respectively. Thus, the proposed power models can give a guide for SoC designers who want to integrate the asynchronous processor for low-power SoC design.
Damping Matrix Identification by Finite Element Model Updating Using Frequency Response Data
Authors: Pradhan S. , Modak S. V.
Published: February 2016

Accurate modeling of damping is essential for prediction of vibration response of a structure. This paper presents a study of damping matrix identification method using experimental data. The identification is done by performing finite element (FE) model updating using normal frequency response functions (FRFs). The paper addresses some key issues like data incompleteness and computation of the normal FRFs for carrying out the model updating using experimental data. The effect of various levels of damping in structures on the performance of the identification techniques is also investigated. Experimental studies on three beam structures made up of mild steel, cast iron and acrylic are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the identification techniques for different levels of damping.
An interlaced secure algorithm for RGB image encryption in wavelet packet domain
Authors: Kumar Manish , Josyula Kashyap L. S. J.
Published: February 2016

We propose a secure interlaced algorithm for RGB image encryption associated with Arithmetic Random Matrix Affine Cipher (ARMAC) in wavelet packet domain. In this approach, the arrangement of ARMAC parameters along with correct de-interlacing is mandatory for correct decryption. Computer simulation with standard example and result (security analysis) is given to analyze the capability and robustness of the proposed approach and comparison with existing methods are drawn. We have designed a highly secure algorithm wherein an RGB image can be encrypted with varied computational cost depending on the user, enabling real-time image encryption. Moreover, the proposed approach can be used in transmission of images over unsecured network.
Chromosome evolution in malaria mosquitoes inferred from physically mapped genome assemblies
Authors: Sharakhov Igor V. , Artemov Gleb N. , Sharakhova Maria V.
Published: February 2016

Polymorphic inversions in mosquitoes are distributed nonrandomly among chromosomes and are associated with ecological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations related to pathogen transmission. Despite their significance, the patterns and mechanism of genome rearrangements are not well understood. Recent sequencing and physical mapping of the genomes for 16 Anopheles mosquito species provided an opportunity to study chromosome evolution at the highest resolution. New studies revealed that fixed rearrangement accumulated [Formula: see text]3 times faster on the X chromosome than on autosomes. The highest densities of transposable elements (TEs) and satellites of different sizes have also been found on the X chromosome, suggesting a mechanism for the inversion generation. The high rate of X chromosome rearrangements is in sharp contrast with the paucity of polymorphic inversions on the X in the majority of anopheline species. This paper highlights the advances in understanding chromosome evolution in malaria vectors and discusses possible future directions in studying mechanisms and biological roles of genome rearrangements.
Restriction-Modification systems interplay causes avoidance of GATC site in prokaryotic genomes
Authors: Ershova Anna , Rusinov Ivan , Vasiliev Mikhail , Spirin Sergey , Karyagina Anna
Published: February 2016

Palindromes are frequently underrepresented in prokaryotic genomes. Palindromic 5[Formula: see text]-GATC-3[Formula: see text] site is a recognition site of different Restriction-Modification (R-M) systems, as well as solitary methyltransferase Dam. Classical GATC-specific R-M systems methylate GATC and cleave unmethylated GATC. On the contrary, methyl-directed Type II restriction endonucleases cleave methylated GATC. Methylation of GATC by Dam methyltransferase is involved in the regulation of different cellular processes. The diversity of functions of GATC-recognizing proteins makes GATC sequence a good model for studying the reasons of palindrome avoidance in prokaryotic genomes.

In this work, the influence of R-M systems and solitary proteins on the GATC site avoidance is described by a mathematical model. GATC avoidance is strongly associated with the presence of alternate (methyl-directed or classical Type II R-M system) genes in different strains of the same species, as we have shown for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Eubacterium rectale, and Moraxella catarrhalis. We hypothesize that GATC avoidance can result from a DNA exchange between strains with different methylation status of GATC site within the process of natural transformation. If this hypothesis is correct, the GATC avoidance is a sign of a DNA exchange between bacteria with different methylation status in a mixed population.
Search for conserved amino acid residues of the α-crystallin proteins of vertebrates
Authors: Shiliaev Nikita G. , Selivanova Olga M. , Galzitskaya Oxana V.
Published: February 2016

[Formula: see text]-crystallin is the major eye lens protein and a member of the small heat-shock protein (sHsp) family. [Formula: see text]-crystallins have been shown to support lens clarity by preventing the aggregation of lens proteins. We performed the bioinformatics analysis of [Formula: see text]-crystallin sequences from vertebrates to find conserved amino acid residues as the three-dimensional (3D) structure of [Formula: see text]-crystallin is not identified yet. We are the first who demonstrated that the N-terminal region is conservative along with the central domain for vertebrate organisms. We have found that there is correlation between the conserved and structured regions. Moreover, amyloidogenic regions also correspond to the structured regions. We analyzed the amino acid composition of [Formula: see text]-crystallin A and B chains. Analyzing the occurrence of each individual amino acid residue, we have found that such amino acid residues as leucine, serine, lysine, proline, phenylalanine, histidine, isoleucine, glutamic acid, and valine change their content simultaneously in A and B chains in different classes of vertebrates. Aromatic amino acids occur more often in [Formula: see text]-crystallins from vertebrates than on the average in proteins among 17 animal proteomes. We obtained that the identity between A and B chains in the mammalian group is 0.35, which is lower than the published 0.60.
Estimation of initial coefficients of certain λ-bi-starlike analytic functions
Authors: Mishra A. K. , Barik S.
Published: February 2016

For the class of [Formula: see text]-bi-starlike functions defined in the unit disc, we find bounds on the modulii of the first three Taylor–Maclaurin’s coefficients. Our estimate on the second and the third coefficients improve upon previously known bounds. The result on the fourth coefficient is new. Similarly, for the [Formula: see text]-bi-starlike functions defined in the exterior of the unit disc, we find estimates on the first three coefficients. Our findings on the zeroth and the first coefficients extend results known earlier. The results are consummated by refining the first coefficient of a corresponding Carathéodory functions.
Risk-return trade-off, information diffusion, and U.S. stock market predictability
Authors: Xie Haibin , Wang Shouyang
Published: February 2016

Recent academic literature in finance documents both risk-return trade-off and gradual information diffusion (ID). Motivated by these two financial theories, this paper proposes the ARCH-M model augmented by an ID indicator to forecast the U.S. stock market returns. Empirical studies performed on the monthly S&P500 index show that our approach is useful in both statistical and economic sense. Further analysis shows that the ID provides complementary information to risk-return trade-off effect. Our findings confirm that financial theories are valuable for stock return forecasting.
miR-1273g-3p participates in acute glucose fluctuation-induced autophagy, dysfunction, and proliferation attenuation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Guo Jun , Sang Yaxiong , Yin Tao , Wang Bo , Yang Wenping , Li Xue , Li Huan , Kang Yan
Published: February 2016

Acute glucose fluctuations (AGF) often cause high mortality among critically ill patients, but the mechanisms induced by AGF are not clear. Recent studies suggest that endothelial dysfunction is a key factor that leads to high mortality among critically ill patients. Our goal is to evaluate the phenomenon and mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction induced by AGF. In this study, the functions of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were compared after treatment with sustained high glucose (SHG), AGF in two groups (AGF1 fluctuations between 5 and 16 mM and AGF2 fluctuations between 5 and 25 mM), and normal glucose levels as a control group (CTR). The medium of the groups was changed every 4 h. The influence of AGF on wound healing was also tested on C57BL/6 mice. The results show that cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration functions were injured in the SHG and both AGF groups. AGF2 group shows the worse condition in vitro. In vivo, the wound healing was delayed after the AGF treatment. Furthermore, the markers of apoptosis and autophagy were analyzed. We observed that the autophagy changed in all treatment groups, but apoptosis showed no change. To get to know the mechanism of dysfunction and autophagy, we performed the microRNA chip assay and real-time PCR and found miR-1273g-3p remarkably changed in AGF2 group. After the mimic and inhibitor of miR-1273g-3p were transfected during the AGF2 treatment, we found that the dysfunction and autophagy were partially enhanced by miR-1273g-3p mimic and reversed by miR-1273g-3p inhibitor in AGF2 group. Thus, we conclude that AGF can induce more dysfunction and autophagy, and miR-1273g-3p is also an important factor that leads to the injury.
Measurement of β-oxidation capacity of biological samples by respirometry: a review of principles and substrates
Authors: Ojuka Edward , Andrew Brittany , Bezuidenhout Nicole , George Siddiqah , Maarman Gerald , Madlala Hlengiwe P. , Mendham Amy , Osiki Prisca Ofure
Published: February 2016

Oxidation of fatty acids is a major source of energy in the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle. It can be measured accurately using respirometry in isolated mitochondria, intact cells, and permeabilized cells or tissues. This technique directly measures the rate of oxygen consumption or flux at various respiratory states when appropriate substrates, uncouplers, and inhibitors are used. Acylcarnitines such as palmitoylcarnitine or octanoylcarnitine are the commonly used substrates. The β-oxidation pathway is prone to feedforward inhibition resulting from accumulation of short-chain acyl-CoA and depletion of CoA, but inclusion of malate or carnitine prevents accumulation of these intermediaries and CoA depletion.
BK channel regulation by phosphodiesterase type 1: a novel signaling pathway controlling human detrusor smooth muscle function
Authors: Xin Wenkuan , Li Ning , Fernandes Vitor S. , Chen Biao , Rovner Eric S. , Petkov Georgi V.
Published: February 2016

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are critical regulators of detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) function. We aimed to investigate phosphodiesterase type 1 (PDE1) interactions with BK channels in human DSM to determine the mechanism by which PDE1 regulates human urinary bladder physiology. A combined electrophysiological, functional, and pharmacological approach was applied using human DSM specimens obtained from open bladder surgeries. The perforated whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to record transient BK currents (TBKCs) and the cell membrane potential in freshly isolated human DSM cells in combination with the selective PDE1 inhibitor, 8-methoxymethyl-3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (8MM-IBMX). Isometric DSM tension recordings were used to measure spontaneous phasic and electrical field stimulation-induced contractions in human DSM isolated strips. Selective pharmacological inhibition of PDE1 with 8MM-IBMX (10 μM) increased TBKC activity in human DSM cells, which was abolished by subsequent inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) with H-89 (10 μM). The stimulatory effect of 8MM-IBMX on TBKCs was reversed upon activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors with carbachol (1 μM). 8MM-IBMX (10 μM) hyperpolarized the DSM cell membrane potential, an effect blocked by PKA inhibition. 8MM-IBMX significantly decreased spontaneous phasic and nerve-evoked contractions of human DSM isolated strips. The results reveal a novel mechanism that pharmacological inhibition of PDE1 attenuates human DSM excitability and contractility by activating BK channels via a PKA-dependent mechanism. The data also suggest interactions between PDE1 and muscarinic signaling pathways in human DSM. Inhibition of PDE1 can be a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of overactive bladder associated with detrusor overactivity.
Impact of Asymmetric Carbon Information on Supply Chain Decisions under Low-Carbon Policies
Authors: Yang Lei , Ji Jingna , Zheng Chenshi
Published: February 2016

Through the establishment of the leading manufacturer Stackelberg game model under asymmetric carbon information, this paper investigates the misreporting behaviors of the supply chain members and their influences on supply chain performance. Based on “Benchmarking” allocation mechanism, three policies are considered: carbon emission trading, carbon tax, and a new policy which combined carbon quota and carbon tax mechanism. The results show that, in the three models, the leader in the supply chain, even if he has advantages of carbon information, will not lie about his information. That is because the manufacturer’s misreporting behavior has no effect on supply chain members’ performance. But the retailer will lie about the information when he has carbon information advantage. The high-carbon-emission retailers under the carbon trading policy, all the retailers under the carbon tax policy, and the high-carbon-emission retailers under combined quotas and tax policy would like to understate their carbon emissions. Coordination of revenue sharing contract is studied in supply chain to induce the retailer to declare his real carbon information. Optimal contractual parameters are deduced in the three models, under which the profit of the supply chain can be maximized.
Giant Intraperitoneal Multiloculated Pseudocyst in a Male
Authors: Oxenberg Jacqueline
Published: February 2016

Intraperitoneal pseudocysts are rare and may be difficult to differentiate from other malignant neoplasms. Reports of occurrences are mainly associated with long-term intraperitoneal catheter use, intraperitoneal catheter infections, or major pelvic surgery in females, although there are few reported incidences without prior trauma. We present a case of a male patient found to have a 19 × 15 × 9 cm intraperitoneal pseudocyst with other multiloculated areas and a history of a right inguinal hernia repair. After a thorough review of the literature, this is the first multiloculated nonpancreatic pseudocyst reported in a male patient.
The Use of Fetal Noninvasive Electrocardiography
Authors: Lakhno Igor
Published: February 2016

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the severe complications of pregnancy that leads to fetal deterioration. The aim was to survey the validity of fetal distress diagnostics in case of Doppler ultrasonic umbilical vein and arteries blood flow velocity investigation and ECG parameters analysis obtained from maternal abdominal signal before labor in preeclamptic patients. Fetal noninvasive ECG and umbilical arterial and venous Doppler investigation were performed in 120 patients at 34–40 weeks of gestation. And 30 of them had physiological gestation and were involved in Group I. In Group II 52 pregnant women with mild-moderate PE were observed. 38 patients with severe PE were monitored in Group III. The most considerable negative correlation was determined in pair Apgar score 1 versus T/QRS (R=-0.50;p<0.05). So the increased T/QRS ratio was the most evident marker of fetal distress. Fetal noninvasive ECG showed sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 98.4% and, therefore, was determined as more accurate method for fetal monitoring.
A New Scalar Quantization Method for Digital Image Watermarking
Authors: Zolotavkin Yevhen , Juhola Martti
Published: February 2016

A new technique utilizing Scalar Quantization is designed in this paper in order to be used for Digital Image Watermarking (DIW). Efficiency of the technique is measured in terms of distortions of the original image and robustness under different kinds of attacks, with particular focus on Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and Gain Attack (GA). The proposed technique performance is affirmed by comparing with state-of-the-art methods including Quantization Index Modulation (QIM), Distortion Compensated QIM (DC-QIM), and Rational Dither Modulation (RDM). Considerable improvements demonstrated by the method are due to a new form of distribution of quantized samples and a procedure that recovers a watermark after GA. In contrast to other known quantization methods, the detailed method here stipulates asymmetric distribution of quantized samples. This creates a distinctive feature and is expressed numerically by one of the proposed criteria. In addition, several realizations of quantization are considered and explained using a concept of Initial Data Loss (IDL) which helps to reduce watermarking distortions. The procedure for GA recovery exploits one of the two criteria of asymmetry. The accomplishments of the procedure are due to its simplicity, computational lightness, and sufficient precision of estimation of unknown gain factor.
Optical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of L-Serine Phosphate, a Semiorganic Enhanced NLO Single Crystal
Authors: Rajesh K. , Mani A. , Thayanithi V. , Kumar P. Praveen
Published: February 2016

Single crystals of L-serine phosphate (LSP) were grown by slow evaporation technique. The optical studies reveal the transparency of the crystal in the entire visible region. Grown crystal was subjected to single crystal XRD diffraction technique. Thermal studies of LSP confirm the thermal stability of the crystal and it is stable up to 210°C. The functional groups and optical behaviour of the crystal were identified from FT-IR and UV-Vis analysis. The crystals were also characterized by microhardness and photoconductivity to determine the mechanical strength and the optical conductivity. Laser damage threshold and nonlinear optical activity of the grown crystal were confirmed by Q-switched Nd : YAG laser beam.
The Bromodomain BET Inhibitor JQ1 Suppresses Tumor Angiogenesis in Models of Childhood Sarcoma
Authors: Bid Hemant K. , Phelps Doris A. , Xaio Linlin , Guttridge Denis C. , Lin Jiayuh , London Cheryl , Baker Laurence H. , Mo Xiaokui , Houghton Peter J.
Published: February 2016

The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain inhibitor JQ1 has marked antitumor activity against several hematologic malignancies as well as solid tumor models. Here, we investigated its activity in vitro and in vivo against models of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. In vitro, JQ1 (but not the inactive enantiomer JQ1R) inhibited cell proliferation and increased G1 fraction of cells, although there was no correlation between cell line sensitivity and suppression of c-MYC or MYCN. In vivo, xenografts showed significant inhibition of growth during the period of treatment, and rapid regrowth after treatment was stopped, activity typical of antiangiogenic agents. Furthermore, xenografts derived from cell lines intrinsically resistant or sensitive to JQ1 in vitro had similar sensitivity in vivo as xenografts. Further investigation showed that JQ1 reduced tumor vascularization. This was secondary to both drug-induced downregulation of tumor-derived growth factors and direct effects of JQ1 on vascular elements. JQ1 suppressed VEGF-stimulated vascularization of Matrigel plugs in mice, and in vitro suppressed differentiation, proliferation, and invasion of human umbilical cord vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC). In HUVECs, JQ1 partially suppressed c-MYC levels, but dramatically reduced AP-1 levels and activity through suppression of the AP-1–associated protein FOSL1. Our data suggest that the antitumor activity of JQ1 in these sarcoma models is largely a consequence of its antiangiogenic activity. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(5); 1018–28. ©2016 AACR.
The Effect of Atorvastatin on Breast Cancer Biomarkers in High-Risk Women
Authors: Ji YongLi , Rounds Tiffany , Crocker Abigail , Sussman Betsy , Hovey Russell C. , Kingsley Fonda , Muss Hyman B. , Garber Judy E. , Wood Marie E.
Published: February 2016

Statins have the potential to reduce breast cancer incidence and recurrence as shown in both epidemiologic and laboratory studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a lipophilic statin, atorvastatin, on breast cancer biomarkers of risk [mammographic density (MD) and insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1)] in high-risk premenopausal women.

Premenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer received either 40 mg of atorvastatin or placebo for 1 year. Biomarker assessment was performed prior to initiation and at completion of study medication. MD was determined using both Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System and the visual analogue scale. Serum IGF-1 was determined by ELISA assay at the end of the study.

Sixty-three women were enrolled between December 2005 and May 2010. Sixteen (25%) women withdrew. The mean age of participants was 43 (range, 35–50), 100% were white, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 26.4. The statin group demonstrated a significant decrease in cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), suggesting compliance with study medication. After accounting for BMI, there was no difference in change in MD between groups. There was a significant increase in serum IGF-1 in the statin group.

In this multi-institutional randomized prospective clinical trial of premenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer, we did not see an effect of atorvastatin on MD. Further investigation of statins may be warranted; however, design of prior trials and potential mechanism of action of the agent need to be considered in the design of future trials. Cancer Prev Res; 9(5); 379–84. ©2016 AACR.
Differences in Hypercholesterolemia and Atherogenesis Induced by Common Androgen Deprivation Therapies in Male Mice
Authors: Poulsen Christian Bo , Mortensen Martin Bødtker , Koechling Wolfgang , Sørensen Charlotte Brandt , Bentzon Jacob Fog
Published: February 2016

Background

Treatment of prostate cancer often involves androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) by gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor agonists, GnRH receptor antagonists, or orchiectomy. ADT may increase the rate of cardiovascular disease events, but recent clinical studies suggested that not all means of ADT carry the same risk, raising the possibility of non–testosterone‐mediated effects of different forms of ADT on atherosclerosis. Here we compared effects of ADT on atherosclerosis in intact and orchiectomized
Apoe
‐deficient mice.

Methods and Results

Chow‐fed
Apoe‐
deficient mice were allocated to orchiectomy and/or monthly injections with the GnRH receptor agonist leuprolide or the GnRH receptor antagonist degarelix. Atherosclerosis was quantified at 26 weeks of age in the aortic arch by en face examination and in the aortic root by histology. In intact
Apoe‐
deficient mice, all types of ADT reduced testosterone production to castration levels. Although hypercholesterolemia was accentuated in leuprolide‐treated mice, the amount and composition of atherosclerosis was not different between the different types of ADT. In orchiectomized
Apoe‐
deficient mice, leuprolide, but not degarelix, augmented hypercholesterolemia, changed body, thymus, and spleen weights, and increased atherosclerosis in the aortic root. No direct effects of the drugs were detectable on cytokine secretion from murine bone marrow–derived macrophages or on splenocyte proliferation.

Conclusions

No differences in the development of atherosclerosis were detected among groups of intact
Apoe‐
deficient mice treated with different types of ADT. A pro‐atherogenic, possibly cholesterol‐mediated, effect of leuprolide was seen in orchiectomized mice that might be relevant for understanding the potential cardiovascular risk associated with GnRH agonist‐based ADT.
Early Endovascular Treatment in Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator–Ineligible Patients
Authors: Rebello Letícia C. , Haussen Diogo C. , Grossberg Jonathan A. , Belagaje Samir , Lima Andrey , Anderson Aaron , Frankel Michael R. , Nogueira Raul G.
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

Intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment in acute stroke has many exclusion criteria. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy (ET) in intravenous (IV) tPA-ineligible patients.

Methods—

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of consecutive patients treated with ET within 6 hours of stroke onset between September 2010 and April 2015. Patients treated with IV-tPA followed by ET were compared with those treated with ET alone because of IV-tPA ineligibility. Efficacy and safety end points included the rates of good outcome (90-day modified Rankin scale score ≤2), successful reperfusion (modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia 2b-3), parenchymal hematoma (PH-1 and PH-2), and 90-day mortality. Univariate and logistic regression were performed to identify the predictors of outcomes.

Results—

A total of 422 patients were included. Two hundred and fifty-three (59%) patients received IV-tPA+ET, and 169 (41%), ET alone. Combined IV-tPA+ET patients were slightly younger (64.9±15.2 versus 67.9±14.9 years;
P
=0.05), more often males (56% versus 44%;
P
=0.01), and had less hypertension (70% versus 81%;
P
=0.02) and vertebrobasilar occlusions (3% versus 8%;
P
=0.02). The remaining baseline characteristics, including National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (20 [15–23] versus 19 [15–24];
P
=0.85), Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS; 8 [7–9] versus 8 [7–9];
P
=0.24), and stroke onset to puncture times (235±70 versus 240±81 minutes;
P
=0.27), were similar across both groups. There were no significant differences in the rates of modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia 2b-3 (83% versus 80%;
P
=0.52), 90-day modified Rankin scale score ≤2 (45% versus 38%;
P
=0.21), or any PH (3% versus 5%;
P
=0.21). Unadjusted 90-day mortality was higher with ET alone (21% versus 34%;
P
<0.01); however, IV-tPA ineligibility was not associated with modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia 2b-3, any PH, good outcome, or 90-day mortality on logistic regression.

Conclusions—

IV-tPA-eligible and -ineligible patients seem to have similar outcomes after early ET.
A Questionnaire on Materialisms
Authors: Apter Emily , Atkins Ed , Avanessian Armen , Brown Bill , Bruno Giuliana , Bryan-Wilson Julia , Burnett D. Graham , Chen Mel Y. , Cole Andrew , Cox Christoph , Malik Suhail , Demos T. J. , Dolven Jeff , Doris David T. , Draxler Helmut , Falguières Patricia , Galison Peter , Galloway Alexander R. , Haidu Rachel , Harman Graham , Henrot Camille , Holmes Brooke , Ingold Tim , Jones Caroline A. , Kitnick Alex , Lewitt Sam , Molesworth Helen , Nemerov Alexander , Newman Michael , Papapetros Spyros , Pfeffer Susanne , Quack Gregor , Ray Charles , Ritchie Matthew , Rottmann André , Siegel Amie , Stakemeier Kerstin , Vierkant Artie , Wark McKenzie , Weizman Eyal , Wood Christopher S. , Ga Zhang
Published: February 2016

Recent philosophical tendencies of “Actor-Network Theory,” “Object-Oriented Ontology,” and “Speculative Realism” have profoundly challenged the centrality of subjectivity in the humanities, and many artists and curators, particularly in the UK, Germany, and the United States, appear deeply influenced by this shift from epistemology to ontology. October editors asked artists, historians, and philosophers invested in these projects—from Graham Harman and Alexander R. Galloway to Armen Avanessian and Patricia Falguières to Ed Atkins and Amie Siegel—to explore what the rewards and risks of assigning agency to objects may be, and how, or if, such new materialisms can be productive for making and thinking about art today.
The Moment of Marcel Broodthaers? A Conversation
Authors: Borja-Villel Manuel , Buchloh Benjamin H. D. , Cherix Christophe , Haidu Rachel , Krauss Rosalind , Stark Trevor
Published: February 2016

On the occasion of Marcel Broodthaers's first retrospective in New York at the Museum of Modern Art and forty years after his death in 1976, October presents a roundtable discussion on the Belgian artist's career and legacy. Exhibition curators Christophe Cherix and Manuel Borja-Villel join Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Rachel Haidu, Rosalind Krauss, and Trevor Stark for a conversation on Broodthaers's work, his artistic development, and his reception. Topics include the indeterminacy between language and visuality; the status of film in his work; his meditations on the commodity, the art market, and the historical role of cultural institutions; his ambivalent relationship with Pop, Minimalism, and Conceptual Art; and national identity and decolonization.
Studies in Asian Nervilia (Nervilieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) VI: N. mekongensis, a new species from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam
Authors: GALE STEPHAN W. , SCHUITEMAN ANDRÉ , WATTHANA SANTI , SANDO TOMOKI , SOUVANNAKHOUMMANE KEOOUDONE , AVERYANOV LEONID , SUDDEE SOMRAN
Published: February 2016

A new species of the terrestrial orchid genus Nervilia is described and illustrated from material collected at several localities in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia. The multi-flowered inflorescence bearing relatively large flowers with a pubescent lip, and the many-veined, cordate-reniform leaf blade that is held well above ground level, place N. mekongensis in section Nervilia. Despite being superficially similar to N. aragoana, a widespread species of tropical Asia and Australasia, it is most closely affiliated to N. fordii, a species known from southern China and Thailand. It is distinguished by its stout inflorescence and lip that is broadest midway along the hypochile and which has acute, forward-projecting side-lobes and a short, ovate mid-lobe. A conservation assessment plus taxonomic notes are provided.
Changes in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Urban Heat Environment with Residential Redevelopment
Authors: Hong Je-Woo , Hong Jinkyu
Published: February 2016

Since the Industrial Revolution, the geographical extent of cities has increased around the world. In particular, following three decades of rapid regional economic growth, many Asian megacities have emerged and continue to expand, resulting in inevitable short-term urban redevelopment. In this region, the microclimatic impacts of urban redevelopment have not been extensively investigated using long-term in situ observations. In this study, changes in surface sensible heat exchange, heat storage, and anthropogenic heat emissions that are due to urban residential redevelopment were quantified and analyzed on the basis of a 3-yr micrometeorological record from the Seoul, South Korea, metropolitan area. The results show that, following urban redevelopment of compact high-rise residential buildings, 1) the daily minimum air temperature near the ground surface increased by ~0.6 K; 2) the ratio between surface sensible heat and net radiation increased by from ~9% (summer) to 31% (winter), anthropogenic heat emissions increased by from 7.6 (summer) to 23.6 (spring) W m−2, and daily maximum heat storage ranged from 35.1 (spring) to 54.5 (summer) W m−2; and 3) there was a transition of local circulation with changes in the surface properties of heat sources and roughness.
Early-Warning Signals for the Onsets of Greenland Interstadials and the Younger Dryas–Preboreal Transition
Authors: Rypdal Martin
Published: February 2016

The climate system approaches a tipping point if the prevailing climate state loses stability, making a transition to a different state possible. A result from the theory of randomly driven dynamical systems is that the reduced stability in the vicinity of a tipping point is accompanied by increasing fluctuation levels and longer correlation times (critical slowing down) and can in principle serve as early-warning signals of an upcoming tipping point. This study demonstrates that the high-frequency band of the δ18O variations in the North Greenland Ice Core Project displays fluctuation levels that increase as one approaches the onset of an interstadial (warm) period. Similar results are found for the locally estimated Hurst exponent for the high-frequency fluctuations, signaling longer correlation times. The observed slowing down is found to be even stronger in the Younger Dryas, suggesting that both the Younger Dryas–Preboreal transition and the onsets of the Greenland interstadials are preceded by decreasing stability of the climate state. It is also verified that the temperature fluctuations during the stadial periods can be approximately modeled as a scale-invariant persistent noise, which can be approximated as an aggregation of processes that respond to perturbations on certain characteristic time scales. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that both the onsets of the Greenland interstadials and the Younger Dryas–Preboreal transition are caused by tipping points in dynamical processes with characteristic time scales on the order of decades and that the variability of other processes on longer time scales masks the early-warning signatures in the δ18O signal.
Orographic Precipitation in Coastal Southern Chile: Mean Distribution, Temporal Variability, and Linear Contribution
Authors: Garreaud R. , Falvey M. , Montecinos A.
Published: February 2016

The Nahuelbuta Mountains (NM) are a semielliptical massif 1300 m high in coastal southern Chile (37°–38°S) facing frontal storms that move from the Pacific. Mean precipitation between 900 and 1200 mm yr−1 is observed in the surrounding lowland, but river flow measurements suggest values ≥3000 mm yr−1 atop the mountains. To verify and characterize such marked orographic enhancement, 15 rain gauges were deployed around and over the NM. The observations were supplemented by a high-resolution WRF simulation and linear theory (LT) modeling during the winter of 2011. The estimated mean precipitation increases gradually from offshore (~1000 mm yr−1) to the north-facing foothills (2000 mm yr−1). The precipitation rapidly increases in the upslope sector to reach ~4000 mm yr−1 over the northern half of the NM elevated plateau, and decreases farther south to reach background values 20–30 km downstream of the mountains. The upstream (downstream) orographic enhancement (suppression) was relatively uniform among storms when considering event accumulations but varied substantially within each storm, with larger modifications during pre- and postfrontal stages and minor modifications during the brief but intense frontal passage. WRF results are in good agreement with observations in terms of seasonal and daily mean rainfall distributions, as well as temporal variability. Given its linear, steady-state formulation, the LT model cannot resolve rainfall variability at short (hourly) time scales, which in WRF is at least characterized by transient, mesoscale rainbands. Nonetheless, the rainbands are mobile so the accumulation field at monthly or longer time scales produced by the linear model is remarkably similar to its WRF counterpart.