bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rectal Optical Markers for In Vivo Risk Stratification of Premalignant Colorectal Lesions
Authors: Radosevich Andrew J. , Mutyal Nikhil N. , Eshein Adam , Nguyen The-Quyen , Gould Bradley , Rogers Jeremy D. , Goldberg Michael J. , Bianchi Laura K. , Yen Eugene F. , Konda Vani , Rex Douglas K. , Van Dam Jacques , Backman Vadim , Roy Hemant K.
Published: May 2015

Purpose: Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States despite being eminently preventable by colonoscopy via removal of premalignant adenomas. In order to more effectively reduce colorectal cancer mortality, improved screening paradigms are needed. Our group pioneered the use of low-coherence enhanced backscattering (LEBS) spectroscopy to detect the presence of adenomas throughout the colon via optical interrogation of the rectal mucosa. In a previous ex vivo biopsy study of 219 patients, LEBS demonstrated excellent diagnostic potential with 89.5% accuracy for advanced adenomas. The objective of the current cross-sectional study is to assess the viability of rectal LEBS in vivo.

Experimental Design: Measurements from 619 patients were taken using a minimally invasive 3.4-mm diameter LEBS probe introduced into the rectum via anoscope or direct insertion, requiring approximately 1 minute from probe insertion to withdrawal. The diagnostic LEBS marker was formed as a logistic regression of the optical reduced scattering coefficient \mu_s^* and mass density distribution factor D.

Results: The rectal LEBS marker was significantly altered in patients harboring advanced adenomas and multiple non-advanced adenomas throughout the colon. Blinded and cross-validated test performance characteristics showed 88% sensitivity to advanced adenomas, 71% sensitivity to multiple non-advanced adenomas, and 72% specificity in the validation set.

Conclusions: We demonstrate the viability of in vivo LEBS measurement of histologically normal rectal mucosa to predict the presence of clinically relevant adenomas throughout the colon. The current work represents the next step in the development of rectal LEBS as a tool for colorectal cancer risk stratification. Clin Cancer Res; 21(19); 4347–55. ©2015 AACR.
Obesity, Intrapancreatic Fatty Infiltration, and Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Wang Hua , Maitra Anirban , Wang Huamin
Published: May 2015

Obesity and intrapancreatic fatty infiltration are associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer and its precursor lesions. The interplay among obesity, inflammation, and oncogenic Kras signaling promotes pancreatic tumorigenesis. Targeting the interaction between obesity-associated inflammation and Kras signaling may provide new strategies for prevention and therapy of pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 21(15); 3369–71. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Rebours et al., p. 3522
Regenerative Skin Wound Healing in Mammals: State-of-the-Art on Growth Factor and Stem Cell Based Treatments
Authors: Borena Bizunesh M. , Martens Ann , Broeckx Sarah Y. , Meyer Evelyne , Chiers Koen , Duchateau Luc , Spaas Jan H.
Published: May 2015

Mammal skin has a crucial function in several life-preserving processes such as hydration, protection against chemicals and pathogens, initialization of vitamin D synthesis, excretion and heat regulation. Severe damage of the skin may therefore be life-threatening. Skin wound repair is a multiphased, yet well-orchestrated process including the interaction of various cell types, growth factors and cytokines aiming at closure of the skin and preferably resulting in tissue repair. Regardless various therapeutic modalities targeting at enhancing wound healing, the development of novel approaches for this pathology remains a clinical challenge. The time-consuming conservative wound management is mainly restricted to wound repair rather than restitution of the tissue integrity (the so-called “restitutio ad integrum”). Therefore, there is a continued search towards more efficacious wound therapies to reduce health care burden, provide patients with long-term relief and ultimately scarless wound healing. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies on the use of skin wound regenerative therapies provide encouraging results, but more protracted studies will have to determine whether the effect of observed effects are clinically significant and whether regeneration rather than repair can be achieved. For all the aforementioned reasons, this article reviews the emerging field of regenerative skin wound healing in mammals with particular emphasis on growth factor- and stem cell-based therapies.
Down-Regulation of MiR-1294 is Related to Dismal Prognosis of Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma through Elevating C-MYC Expression
Authors: Liu Kai , Li Liyi , Rusidanmu Aizemaiti , Wang Yongqing , Lv Xiayi
Published: May 2015

Aims: Changes in the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found in many cancers. This study aimed to investigate the expression of miR-1294 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its effect on prognosis. The underlying mechanism was explored as well. Methods: We examined the expression of miRNA in human ESCC cancer tissues and adjacent non-tumor controls using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). And the relationship between expressions of miR-1294 and ESCC prognosis was analyzed in this study. Over-expression and knock-down methods were used to investigate the biological functions of miRNA-1294. The effect of miRNA-1294 on cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT. Besides, the function of miR-1294 on cell migration and invasion were evaluated by transwell assays. Results: MiR-1294 was significantly down-regulated in human ESCC tissues compared with the non-tumor controls tissues (P=0.014). And patients with low miR-1294 expression had a significantly poorer prognosis than those with a high miR-1294 expression (P=0.040). Negative association was defined between the expression of miR-1294 and the c-MYC expression in ESCC patients (Pearson correlation, r=-0.299, P=0.0079). Additionally, it was found that miR-1294 suppress esophageal cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion capacity through targeting c-MYC in vitro. Conclusions: Down-regulation of miR-1294 correlates with poor prognosis of ESCC. It's partially due to the reduced function of c-MYC. This study may give insight into the understanding of pathogenesis of esophageal cancer and provide evidence for diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer.
Seasonal Variation in Forebrain Region Sizes in Male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)
Authors: Krilow Justin M. , Iwaniuk Andrew N.
Published: May 2015

The song system of songbirds has provided significant insight into the underlying mechanisms and behavioural consequences of seasonal neuroplasticity. The extent to which seasonal changes in brain region volumes occur in non-songbird species has, however, remained largely untested. Here, we tested whether brain region volumes varied with season in the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), a gallinaceous bird that produces a unique wing-beating display known as ‘drumming' as its primary form of courtship behaviour. Using unbiased stereology, we measured the sizes of the cerebellum, nucleus rotundus, telencephalon, mesopallium, hippocampal formation, striatopallidal complex and arcopallium across spring males, fall males and fall females. The majority of these brain regions did not vary significantly across these three groups. The two exceptions were the striatopallidal complex and arcopallium, both of which were significantly larger in spring males that are actively drumming. These seasonal changes in volume strongly implicate the striatopallidal complex and arcopallium as key structures in the production and/or modulation of the ruffed grouse drumming display and represent the first evidence of seasonal plasticity in the telencephalon underlying a non-vocal courtship behaviour. Our findings also suggest that seasonal plasticity in the striatopallidal complex and arcopallium might be a trait that is shared across many bird species and that both structures are related to the production of multiple forms of courtship and not just learned song.
Effectiveness of 308-nm Excimer Laser Therapy in Treating Alopecia Areata, Determined by Examining the Treated Sides of Selected Alopecic Patches
Authors: Byun Ji Won , Moon Jong Hyuk , Bang Chan Yl , Shin Jeonghyun , Choi Gwang Seong
Published: May 2015

Background: Some studies have reported the use of 308-nm excimer laser therapy for treating alopecia areata (AA); however, the effectiveness of this therapy on a theoretical basis has not yet been comparatively analyzed. Objectives: To determine the therapeutic effect of excimer laser therapy on AA. Methods: One alopecic patch was divided into control and treated sides in 10 patients with AA. Then, 308-nm excimer laser therapy was administered twice a week for 12 weeks. Photograph and phototrichogram analyses were performed. Results: Photographic assessments by both dermatologists and individuals of the general population showed objective improvements after excimer laser therapy. On the treated side, the hair count and hair diameter had statistically increased after treatment. However, only the hair diameter was found to be significantly high in the treated half when it was compared with the control side. Conclusion: The 308-nm excimer laser has a therapeutic effect on AA, which is proven by photograph and phototrichogram analysis by a side-by-side comparison.
High-Resolution Physical Chromosome Mapping of Multigene Families in Lagria villosa (Tenebrionidae): Occurrence of Interspersed Ribosomal Genes in Coleoptera
Authors: Gusso Goll Leonardo , Matiello Rodrigo R. , Artoni Roberto F. , Vicari Marcelo R. , Nogaroto Viviane , de Barros Alain V. , Almeida Mara C.
Published: May 2015

The organization and mapping of multigene families can produce useful genetic markers, and its use may elucidate the mechanisms of karyotype variation and genomic organization in different groups of eukaryotes. To date, few species of Coleoptera have been analyzed using FISH for the location of multigene families. The purpose of this study was to use high-resolution chromosome mapping to establish the genomic organization of the 18S rDNA, 5S rDNA and histone H3 gene families in Lagria villosa. FISH was performed using 18S rDNA, 5S rDNA and histone H3 probes prepared via PCR labeling. Fiber-FISH for 18S and 5S rDNA indicated that both ribosomal elements are colocalized in the short arm of chromosome 4. Additionally, FISH, using the histone H3 probe, revealed that this sequence is found in only one autosomal pair and did not colocalize with rDNA. Fiber-FISH with 5S and 18S probes, used to improve the mapping resolution of these regions, showed that both genes are closely interspersed with varying amounts of both DNA classes.
Enhanced M1 and Impaired M2 Macrophage Polarization and Reduced Mitochondrial Biogenesis via Inhibition of AMP Kinase in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Li Cong , Ding Xiao Yan , Xiang Dong Mei , Xu Jie , Huang Xiang Lan , Hou Fan Fan , Zhou Qiu Gen
Published: May 2015

Background: Macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in the process of inflammation which is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Macrophages polarization under the condition of CKD remains poorly understood. Here we tested the hypothesis that CKD promotes macrophage M1 polarization. Methods: A rat model of CKD was established by reduced renal mass (RRM). Polarization of macrophages was induced in ex vivo macrophages from RRM rats and cultured ones under the condition of uremic serum. The markers were evaluated by RT-PCR, western blot, and flow cytometer. Results: Our data showed that macrophages from RRM rats displayed enhanced M1 and impaired M2 polarization as revealed by increased M1 markers (tumor necrosis factor α, IL-6, IL-12p40, nitric oxide) and decreased M2 markers (IL-10, CD206, arginase activity) in response to LPS and IL-4 induction, respectively. Treatment with uremic sera in peritoneal and bone marrow derived macrophages from normal rats led to similar results. Moreover, macrophages from RRM rats and cultured under the condition of uremic sera had reduced mitochondrial biogenesis. The disturbed macrophage polarization and mitochondrial biogenesis were accompanied by reduced activity of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein (AMP)-activated kinase (AMPK). Enhancing activation of AMPK restored mitochondrial biogenesis and M2 macrophage polarization. Conclusion: These observations suggest that CKD disturbs macrophage polarization and mitochondrial biogenesis through inhibition of AMPK. This might provide a novel therapeutic strategy for intervention of chronic inflammation in CKD.
Circulating MicroRNA-30d Is Associated With Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure and Regulates Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Authors: Melman Yonathan F. , Shah Ravi , Danielson Kirsty , Xiao Junjie , Simonson Bridget , Barth Andreas , Chakir Khalid , Lewis Gregory D. , Lavender Zachary , Truong Quynh A. , Kleber Andre , Das Ranendra , Rosenzweig Anthony , Wang Yaoyu , Kass David A. , Singh Jagmeet P. , Das Saumya
Published: May 2015

Background—

Biomarkers that predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in heart failure patients with dyssynchrony (HF
DYS
) would be clinically important. Circulating extracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as novel biomarkers that may also play important functional roles, but their relevance as markers for CRT response has not been examined.

Methods and Results—

Comprehensive miRNA polymerase chain reaction arrays were used to assess baseline levels of 766 plasma miRNAs in patients undergoing clinically indicated CRT in an initial discovery set (n=12) with and without subsequent echocardiographic improvement at 6 months after CRT. Validation of candidate miRNAs in 61 additional patients confirmed that baseline plasma miR-30d was associated with CRT response (defined as an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction ≥10%). MiR-30d was enriched in coronary sinus blood and increased in late-contracting myocardium in a canine model of HF
DYS
, indicating cardiac origin with maximal expression in areas of high mechanical stress. We examined the functional effects of miR-30d in cultured cardiomyocytes and determined that miR-30d is expressed in cardiomyocytes and released in vesicles in response to mechanical stress. Overexpression of miR-30d in cultured cardiomyocytes led to cardiomyocyte growth and protected against apoptosis by targeting the mitogen-associated kinase 4, a downstream effector of tumor necrosis factor. In HF
DYS
patients, miR-30d plasma levels inversely correlated with high-sensitivity troponin T, a marker of myocardial necrosis.

Conclusions—

Baseline plasma miR-30d level is associated with response to CRT in HF
DYS
in this translational pilot study. MiR-30d increase in cardiomyocytes correlates with areas of increased wall stress in HF
DYS
and is protective against deleterious tumor necrosis factor signaling.
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Incidence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in the Omega‐3 Fatty Acids for Prevention of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (OPERA) Trial
Authors: Wu Jason H. Y. , Marchioli Roberto , Silletta Maria G. , Masson Serge , Sellke Frank W. , Libby Peter , Milne Ginger L. , Brown Nancy J. , Lombardi Federico , Damiano Ralph J. , Marsala Joann , Rinaldi Mauro , Domenech Alberto , Simon Caterina , Tavazzi Luigi , Mozaffarian Dariush
Published: May 2015

Background

Animal study results point to oxidative stress as a key mechanism triggering postoperative atrial fibrillation (Po
AF
), yet the extent to which specific biomarkers of oxidative stress might relate to Po
AF
risk in humans remains speculative.

Methods and Results

We assessed the association of validated, fatty acid–derived oxidative stress biomarkers (F
2
‐isoprostanes, isofurans, and F
3
‐isoprostanes) in plasma and urine, with incident Po
AF
among 551 cardiac surgery patients. Biomarkers were measured at enrollment, the end of surgery, and postoperative day 2. Po
AF
lasting ≥30 seconds was confirmed with rhythm strip or electrocardiography and centrally adjudicated. Outcomes were assessed until hospital discharge or postoperative day 10, whichever occurred first. Urine level of each oxidative stress biomarker rose at the end of surgery (2‐ to 3‐fold over baseline,
P
<0.001) and subsequently declined to concentrations comparable to baseline by postoperative day 2. In contrast, plasma concentrations remained relatively stable throughout the perioperative course. Urine F
2
‐isoprostanes and isofurans at the end of surgery were 20% and 50% higher in subjects who developed Po
AF
(
P
≤0.009). While baseline biomarker levels did not associate significantly with Po
AF
, end of surgery and postoperative day 2 isoprostanes and isofurans demonstrated relatively linear associations with Po
AF
. For example, the end of surgery extreme quartile multivariate adjusted
OR
(95%
CI
) for urine isofurans and F
3
‐isoprostanes were 1.95 (1.05 to 3.62;
P
for trend=0.01) and 2.10 (1.04 to 2.25,
P
for trend=0.04), respectively. The associations of biomarkers with Po
AF
varied little by demographics, surgery type, and medication use (
P
≥0.29 for each).

Conclusions

These novel results add to accumulating evidence supporting the likely key pathogenic role of elevated oxidative stress in Po
AF
.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
Clinicaltrials.gov
Unique identifier: NCT00970489.
Coronary Wall Structural Changes in Patients With Kawasaki Disease: New Insights From Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
Authors: Dionne Audrey , Ibrahim Ragui , Gebhard Catherine , Bakloul Mohamed , Selly Jean‐Bernard , Leye Mohamed , Déry Julie , Lapierre Chantale , Girard Patrice , Fournier Anne , Dahdah Nagib
Published: May 2015

Background

Coronary artery aneurysms (
CAA
) are serious complications of Kawasaki disease (
KD
). Optical coherence tomography (
OCT
) is a high‐resolution intracoronary imaging modality that characterizes coronary artery wall structure. The purpose of this work was to describe
CAA
wall sequelae after
KD
.

Methods and Results

KD
patients scheduled for routine coronary angiography underwent
OCT
imaging between March 2013 and August 2014. Subjects’ clinical courses, echocardiography, and coronary angiography examinations were reviewed retrospectively.
OCT
was performed in 18 patients aged 12.4±5.5 years, 9.0±5.1 years following onset of
KD
. Of those, 14 patients (77.7%) had a history of
CAA
(7 with giant
CAA
and 7 with regressed
CAA
at time of
OCT
). Intracoronary nitroglycerin was given to all patients (88.4±45.5 μg/m
2
). Mean radiation dose was 10.9±5.2 
mG
y/kg. One patient suffered from a transitory uneventful vasospasm at the site of a regressed
CAA
; otherwise no major procedural complications occurred. The most frequent abnormality observed on
OCT
was intimal hyperplasia (15 patients, 83.3%) seen at both aneurysmal sites and angiographically normal segments amounting to 390.8±166.0 μm for affected segments compared to 61.7±17 μm for unaffected segments (
P
<0.001). Disappearance of the media, and presence of fibrosis, calcifications, macrophage accumulation, neovascularization, and white thrombi were seen in 72.2%, 77.8%, 27.8%, 44.4%, and 33.3% of patients.

Conclusions

In this study,
OCT
proved safe and insightful in the setting of
KD
, with the potential to add diagnostic value in the assessment of coronary abnormalities in
KD
. The depicted coronary structural changes correspond to histological findings previously described in
KD
.
Requests, Their Meanings and Aspectual Forms in Early Greek and Russian Child Language
Authors: Stephany Ursula , Voeikova Maria D.
Published: May 2015

Requests are among the three basic human communicative motives which emerge earliest in ontogeny. The imperative constitutes the prototypical linguistic verb form category for expressing direct requests. In both Modern Greek and Russian, this category is differentiated from other verb forms and most verbs distinguish between perfective and imperfective imperative forms. In the present paper, the perfective and imperfective imperative verb forms occurring in the early speech of a Greek and a Russian child and their mothers’ child-directed speech are studied with regard to their frequencies and functions. It will be shown that the perfective/imperfective contrast of imperative forms does not function alike in the two languages. The differences of imperative usage between the two mother-child dyads and the similarities within each of them may be taken as evidence that the children construct the grammatical distinctions of their language on the basis of usage.
A Cypriot Greek Adaptation of the CDI: Early Production of Translation Equivalents in a Bi-(dia)lectal Context
Authors: Taxitari Loukia , Kambanaros Maria , Grohmann Kleanthes K.
Published: May 2015

The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) has been widely used to study children’s word production in both monolingual and bilingual contexts, in typical and atypical populations, and for the study of different aspects of language development, such as the use of mutual exclusivity. In this study, an adaptation of the CDI in Cypriot Greek is used to collect production data for post-vocabulary spurt children growing up in a bilectal community, where two different varieties of a language are used. Parents report that their children use translation equivalents for a single concept, and these increase as their total word production increases. Also girls seem to produce more translation equivalents than boys overall. This suggests that lexical development in bilectal communities might be more similar to bilingual rather than monolingual development, and that mutual exclusivity does not constrain word usage in such populations even during early word production.
The Loss of the Genitive in Greek: A Diachronic and Dialectological Analysis (La Trobe University, 2014)
Authors: Mertyris Dionysios
Published: May 2015

This summary presents the main findings of my 2014 Ph.D. dissertation (La Trobe University) on the diachrony of the genitive case and its dialectal evolution in Greek.
The Phonetics of r-Deletion in Samothraki Greek
Authors: Katsika Argyro , Kavitskaya Darya
Published: May 2015

Several accounts of the typologically unusual compensatory lengthening through the loss of the onset r in Samothraki Greek exist in the literature. However, none of these accounts take into consideration the precise phonetic detail of r-deletion and vowel lengthening in the language. This paper addresses this shortcoming by providing a phonetic analysis of Samothraki Greek compensatory lengthening through r-deletion. Our data show that vowels resulting from r-deletion are categorically longer than vowels not involving r-deletion. Moreover, there is no trace of r in the formant structure of vowels from compensatory lengthening. Finally, in contexts that do not allow for r-deletion, the majority of r productions are taps, most of which are accompanied by a vocoid. A new account of r-deletion in Samothraki Greek is proposed that takes into consideration the articulatory makeup of the r. The implications of this proposal for existing phonological accounts are discussed.
The genus Lithophyllum in the north-western Indian Ocean, with description of L. yemenense sp. nov., L. socotraense sp. nov., L. subplicatum comb. et stat. nov., and the resumed L. affine, L. kaiseri, and L. subreduncum (Rhodophyta, Corallinales)
Authors: BASSO DANIELA , CARAGNANO ANNALISA , Le Gal Line , RODONDI GRAZIELLA
Published: May 2015

Based on literature, the genus Lithophyllum was represented in the whole Indian Ocean by 14 taxa, mostly in need of revision in a modern context. Molecular analyses integrated with morpho-anatomical comparisons between the recently revised type material of Lithophyllum kotschyanum Unger, and the related infraspecific taxa, lead to a resumption of L. affine, L. kaiseri, and L. subreduncum, and the description of L. socotraense sp. nov., L. yemenense sp. nov., and L. subplicatum comb. et stat. nov. Detailed accounts are provided for each species, including keys, along with information on synonymy, examined collections, distribution, habitat as well as sequence data of the 5’ end of the LSU from the type specimens. The anatomical features of the tetrasporangial conceptacle that were considered collectively diagnostic for species identification are: the mean diameter of the tetrasporangial conceptacles, the length of the pore-canal in the tetrasporangial conceptacles (with the number of cells in roof filaments), the occurrence of a depression at the top of the conceptacle roof in relation to the pore opening, and the number of cells from the floor of the tetrasporangial conceptacle chamber to the thallus surface. This study provides evidence of a previously unsuspected diversity within the Red Sea and NW Indian Ocean species of Lithophyllum.
The Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN): Community-Driven Mentoring for Women in the Atmospheric Sciences
Authors: Adams Amanda S. , Steiner Allison L. , Wiedinmyer Christine
Published: May 2015

Women are a growing percentage of undergraduate and graduate students in the atmospheric sciences, yet they remain a minority in senior positions. One approach for the retention of women is increased mentoring, which is linked to successful promotions, higher incomes, and greater career satisfaction. Informal peer networking is a form of mentoring that may be effective for underrepresented groups. The Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN) was established in 2002 with the mission to promote career development, build community, provide informal mentoring and support, and facilitate professional collaborations for early career women in the Earth sciences. Over time, ESWN has developed a mentoring philosophy that has reduced some barriers and challenges that women face in traditional mentoring relationships. The five main principles of the ESWN’s mentoring philosophy have evolved to include community-driven mentoring, diverse mentoring approaches for diverse individuals, mentoring across career phases, combined personal and professional mentoring, and effective mentoring in a safe space. Surveys of ESWN members report gains in areas that are often considered barriers to career advancement, including recognition that they are not alone, new understanding of obstacles faced by women in science, and access to professional resources. These gains have been accomplished through online and in-person ESWN activities guided by the ESWN’s mentoring philosophy. Understanding the success of the ESWN, as well as its limitations, has the potential to inform the larger atmospheric science community of additional strategies to improve mentoring and retention of women in the atmospheric sciences.
Impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation on Southern Europe Water Distribution: Insights from Geodetic Data
Authors: Valty Pierre , de Viron Olivier , Panet Isabelle , Collilieux Xavier
Published: May 2015

From space gravity and station position data over southern Europe from 2002 to 2010, this study investigates the interannual mass redistributions using principal component analysis. The dominant mode, which appears both in gravity and positioning, results from the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). This analysis allows us to isolate and characterize the NAO impact on the mass distribution, which appears centered over the Black Sea and its two main catchment basins, the Danube and Dnieper.
Connectivity between Historical Great Basin Precipitation and Pacific Ocean Variability: A CMIP5 Model Evaluation
Authors: Smith Kimberly , Strong Courtenay , Wang Shih-Yu
Published: May 2015

The eastern Great Basin (GB) in the western United States is strongly affected by droughts that influence water management decisions. Precipitation that falls in the GB, particularly in the Great Salt Lake (GSL) basin encompassed by the GB, provides water for millions of people living along the Wasatch Front Range. Western U.S. precipitation is known to be influenced by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) as well as the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) in the North Pacific. Historical connectivity between GB precipitation and Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) on interannual to multidecadal time scales is evaluated for 20 models that participated in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). While the majority of the models had realistic ENSO and PDO spatial patterns in the SSTs, the simulated influence of these two modes on GB precipitation tended to be too strong for ENSO and too weak for PDO. Few models captured the connectivity at a quasi-decadal period influenced by the transition phase of the Pacific quasi-decadal oscillation (QDO; a recently identified climate mode that influences GB precipitation). Some of the discrepancies appear to stem from models not capturing the observed tendency for the PDO to modulate the sign of the ENSO–GB precipitation teleconnection. Of all of the models, CCSM4 most consistently captured observed connections between Pacific SST variability and GB precipitation on the examined time scales.
Quantifying the Role of Internal Climate Variability in Future Climate Trends
Authors: Thompson David W. J. , Barnes Elizabeth A. , Deser Clara , Foust William E. , Phillips Adam S.
Published: May 2015

Internal variability in the climate system gives rise to large uncertainty in projections of future climate. The uncertainty in future climate due to internal climate variability can be estimated from large ensembles of climate change simulations in which the experiment setup is the same from one ensemble member to the next but for small perturbations in the initial atmospheric state. However, large ensembles are invariably computationally expensive and susceptible to model bias.

Here the authors outline an alternative approach for assessing the role of internal variability in future climate based on a simple analytic model and the statistics of the unforced climate variability. The analytic model is derived from the standard error of the regression and assumes that the statistics of the internal variability are roughly Gaussian and stationary in time. When applied to the statistics of an unforced control simulation, the analytic model provides a remarkably robust estimate of the uncertainty in future climate indicated by a large ensemble of climate change simulations. To the extent that observations can be used to estimate the amplitude of internal climate variability, it is argued that the uncertainty in future climate trends due to internal variability can be robustly estimated from the statistics of the observed climate.
Polyurethane foams obtained from new polyols modified by oxamide and borate groups
Authors: Zarzyka Iwona
Published: May 2015

New polyols have been obtained in reactions of N, N, N’, N’-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)-derivatives of oxamide, esterified with boric acid (BA), with the excess of ethylene carbonate (EC). The preparation conditions of polyols and next the production of polyurethane foams with the use of these new polyols have been presented. The foaming process parameters as well as the testing of the foam properties have been given. The structure modification of the polyurethane foams by means of oxamide and borate groups resulted in high thermal stability and thermal resistance, dimensional stability, compressive strength as well as the reduced flammability.
B1 homogeneity of breast MRI using RF shimming with individual specific values in volunteers simulating patients after mastectomy
Authors: Abe Takayuki
Published: May 2015

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a 3-T MRI scanner is now widely used for clinical examinations. However, B1 inhomogeneity becomes larger with MRI scanners using 3-T and higher. It especially becomes a problem in the breast. To improve B1 homogeneity, a RF shimming technique has been developed.

Purpose

To evaluate the B1 homogeneity of breast MRI using RF shimming with individual specific values for subjects after mastectomy.

Material and Methods

The subjects are healthy female volunteers who underwent normal breast imaging, followed by imaging of one breast while the other breast was bound tightly to the chest by bleached cotton cloths (simulating volunteers after mastectomy). B1 mappings were performed with RF shimming using two techniques: (i) optimized fixed value; and (ii) individual specific values using a 3-T MRI scanner. The means and standard deviations of the B1 maps for all slices in the breast were measured and compared between the fixed value and the individual specific value cases.

Results

For normal volunteers, the breast B1 variation was not statistically significantly different between the RF shimming techniques. For volunteers after simulated surgery, the breast B1 variation was (1.02 ± 0.29) with the fixed value and (0.98 ± 0.22) with the individual specific value ( P < 0.01). With the individual specific optimization, B1 variation for all slices in the breast was improved for volunteers after simulated surgery.

Conclusion

RF shimming with individual specific values has the potential to improve the B1 homogeneity of breast MRI in patients after mastectomy.
Accountability in Juvenile Justice
Authors: Casey Sharon , Day Andrew
Published: May 2015

This article describes the development of an assessment protocol for use with juvenile justice clients that can be used to assess needs in a manner that not only informs the development of case plans but also allows for the assessment of change over the course of a service contact. The youth justice assessment tool supports case needs identification and analysis as well as screening for mental health concerns, risk of harm to self or others, and risk of reoffending. Initial validation of the case needs component has been undertaken and although further validation is required, preliminary data reported in this article suggest that this type of approach to client assessment does hold some promise.
What Is War? Female Veterans’ Experiences of Combat in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Strong Jessica D. , Findley Patricia , McMahon Sarah , Angell Beth
Published: May 2015

Many female service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan report experiencing some level of combat. However, female veterans may perceive combat and threat differently than their male counterparts. A feminist analysis of semistructured interviews was used to examine female veterans’ ( N = 12) definitions of and experiences with combat. Participants described combat in three themes—experiencing combat-related events, witnessing combat-related events, and feeling threatened. Veterans also described a flexible definition of “combat veteran,” comparing their experiences to others’ to determine their status. This study has implications for practice, research, and policy on veterans, including broadening the assessment of combat.
Is Big Data challenging criminology?
Authors: Chan Janet , Bennett Moses Lyria
Published: May 2015

The advent of ‘Big Data’ and machine learning algorithms is predicted to transform how we work and think. Specifically, it is said that the capacity of Big Data analytics to move from sampling to census, its ability to deal with messy data and the demonstrated utility of moving from causality to correlation have fundamentally changed the practice of social sciences. Some have even predicted the end of theory—where the question why is replaced by what—and an enduring challenge to disciplinary expertise. This article critically reviews the available literature against such claims and draws on the example of predictive policing to discuss the likely impact of Big Data analytics on criminological research and policy.
Barriers to Work–Life Balance for Hospital Nurses
Authors: Mullen Kathleen
Published: May 2015

Nurses are loyal to their patients and coworkers. They often put the needs of others before their own and sometimes even before the needs of their families. This concern for others can cause conflicts that manifest as stress. Of the more than 2 million nurses in the United States, more than 62% work in hospitals. Hospitals are known to be both rewarding and stressful places to work. Like most workers, nurses face the challenge of balancing demands and achievements of work with those in their private lives. Hospital leaders can facilitate improved work–life balance (WLB) for hospital nurses by using tools already in place. Equally important, nurses can use their knowledge and resources to nurse the nurse within, which can greatly improve their experience of WLB, independent of the demands of their work environment.
DNA methylation and epigenomics: new technologies and emerging concepts
Authors: Chatterjee Aniruddha , Eccles Michael R
Published: May 2015

A report of the Keystone Symposia joint meetings on DNA Methylation and Epigenomics held in Keystone, Colorado, USA, 29 March to 3 April, 2015.
WikiHyperGlossary (WHG): an information literacy technology for chemistry documents
Authors: Bauer Michael A , Berleant Daniel , Cornell Andrew P , Belford Robert E
Published: May 2015

Background

The WikiHyperGlossary is an information literacy technology that was created to enhance reading comprehension of documents by connecting them to socially generated multimedia definitions as well as semantically relevant data. The WikiHyperGlossary enhances reading comprehension by using the lexicon of a discipline to generate dynamic links in a document to external resources that can provide implicit information the document did not explicitly provide. Currently, the most common method to acquire additional information when reading a document is to access a search engine and browse the web. This may lead to skimming of multiple documents with the novice actually never returning to the original document of interest. The WikiHyperGlossary automatically brings information to the user within the current document they are reading, enhancing the potential for deeper document understanding.

Results

The WikiHyperGlossary allows users to submit a web URL or text to be processed against a chosen lexicon, returning the document with tagged terms. The selection of a tagged term results in the appearance of the WikiHyperGlossary Portlet containing a definition, and depending on the type of word, tabs to additional information and resources. Current types of content include multimedia enhanced definitions, ChemSpider query results, 3D molecular structures, and 2D editable structures connected to ChemSpider queries. Existing glossaries can be bulk uploaded, locked for editing and associated with multiple social generated definitions.

Conclusion

The WikiHyperGlossary leverages both social and semantic web technologies to bring relevant information to a document. This can not only aid reading comprehension, but increases the users’ ability to obtain additional information within the document. We have demonstrated a molecular editor enabled knowledge framework that can result in a semantic web inductive reasoning process, and integration of the WikiHyperGlossary into other software technologies, like the Jikitou Biomedical Question and Answer system. Although this work was developed in the chemical sciences and took advantage of open science resources and initiatives, the technology is extensible to other knowledge domains. Through the DeepLit (Deeper Literacy: Connecting Documents to Data and Discourse) startup, we seek to extend WikiHyperGlossary technologies to other knowledge domains, and integrate them into other knowledge acquisition workflows.
“I'm Very Rich, Bitch!”: The Melodramatic Money Shot and the Excess of Racialized Gendered Affect in the Real Housewives Docusoaps
Authors: Dominguez Alessa
Published: May 2015

This article examines Bravo's Real Housewives franchise (2006–) to theorize the aesthetic, affective, and performance qualities of docusoap televisuality. It argues that the franchise functions through a financial and affective economy of “money shots,” or moments of predictably unpredictable antisocial affective engagement among cast members. These scenes generate a thrilling anxiety that encourages serialized watching and potentially endless interpretation by viewers, creating a ratings economy out of an affective one. Through a reading of The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2008–), this article demonstrates how the program's interest in staging the excess of racialized gender is structured through a white racial imaginary, which is contested by cast members in each season's reunion episode. The article ends with a consideration of the way in which queer of color camp affectively reimagines the thrilling anxiety of these money shots through humor.
Rethinking the Carmina Burana (I): The Medieval Context and Modern Reception of the Codex Buranus
Authors: Godman Peter
Published: May 2015

This article combines medieval and modern studies, reconstructing the context in which one of the most celebrated manuscripts transmitting Latin and vernacular poetry of the Middle Ages, the Codex Buranus (Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, clm. 4660), was produced and examining both its scholarly and “popular” reception, with attention to the musical settings by Carl Orff. Preliminary to a three-volume edition of the Carmina Burana being prepared for Oxford University Press, the study seeks to distinguish the main issues for future research and to stimulate interdisciplinary discussion. The article is based on research into primary sources, some of them unknown.
The “Holy Dictate of Spare Temperance”: Virtue and Politics in Milton’s A Masque Presented at Ludlow Castle
Authors: Giugni Astrid
Published: May 2015

This essay analyzes the treatment of temperance in Milton’s early entertainment, A Masque Presented at Ludlow Castle, within the context of the history of virtue ethics. It argues that Milton combines Aristotle’s version of temperance with Plato’s epistemology. In the masque, the Lady’s Platonic vision of the virtues is central to the formation of her temperate judgment. However, by foregrounding Plato’s account of motivation, Milton bypasses the central role that habituation plays in Aristotle’s understanding of education in the virtues. Milton’s suppression of the importance of habit allows him to depict the Lady’s development in the virtues as being independent of concrete social and political communities. The account of the virtues presented in A Masque anticipates some of the central aspects of Milton’s later attacks on the political reasoning of the English people.
Determination of Chloride Content in Planar CH3NH3PbI3−xClx Solar Cells by Chemical Analysis
Authors: Cojocaru Ludmila , Uchida Satoshi , Jena Ajay Kumar , Miyasaka Tsutomu , Nakazaki Jotaro , Kubo Takaya , Segawa Hiroshi
Published: May 2015

Methylammonium lead mixed-halide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3−xClx) has been widely used for photovoltaic conversion. Supposedly, the presence of chloride ions in perovskite precursors enhances the coverage, morphology, and stability of the final perovskite film. It also improves carrier diffusion length in the perovskite film. Due to these advantages, the mixed-halide compound has been adopted for use in planar structure perovskite solar cells and it has led to significant enhancement in power conversion efficiency. However, until now, the exact content of chloride in the final product (CH3NH3PbI3−xClx) is under debate and has not been reported yet. In this article, we show the exact amount of chloride ions in the final perovskite film, determined by chemical analysis with ion chromatography.
Enhancement of COPD biological networks using a web-based collaboration interface
Authors:   The sbv IMPROVER project team (in alphabetical order), Boué Stéphanie , Fields Brett , Hoeng Julia , Park Jennifer , Peitsch Manuel C. , Schlage Walter K. , Talikka Marja ,   The Challenge Best Performers (in alphabetical order), Binenbaum Ilona , Bondarenko Vladimir , Bulgakov Oleg V. , Cherkasova Vera , Diaz-Diaz Norberto , Fedorova Larisa , Guryanova Svetlana , Guzova Julia , Igorevna Koroleva Galina , Kozhemyakina Elena , Kumar Rahul , Lavid Noa , Lu Qingxian , Menon Swapna , Ouliel Yael , Peterson Samantha C. , Prokhorov Alexander , Sanders Edward , Schrier Sarah , Schwaitzer Neta Golan , Shvydchenko Irina , Tallam Aravind , Villa-Fombuena Gema , Wu John , Yudkevich Ilya , Zelikman Mariya
Published: May 2015

The construction and application of biological network models is an approach that offers a holistic way to understand biological processes involved in disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory disease of the airways for which therapeutic options currently are limited after diagnosis, even in its earliest stage. COPD network models are important tools to better understand the biological components and processes underlying initial disease development. With the increasing amounts of literature that are now available, crowdsourcing approaches offer new forms of collaboration for researchers to review biological findings, which can be applied to the construction and verification of complex biological networks. We report the construction of 50 biological network models relevant to lung biology and early COPD using an integrative systems biology and collaborative crowd-verification approach. By combining traditional literature curation with a data-driven approach that predicts molecular activities from transcriptomics data, we constructed an initial COPD network model set based on a previously published non-diseased lung-relevant model set. The crowd was given the opportunity to enhance and refine the networks on a website (https://bionet.sbvimprover.com/) and to add mechanistic detail, as well as critically review existing evidence and evidence added by other users, so as to enhance the accuracy of the biological representation of the processes captured in the networks. Finally, scientists and experts in the field discussed and refined the networks during an in-person jamboree meeting. Here, we describe examples of the changes made to three of these networks: Neutrophil Signaling, Macrophage Signaling, and Th1-Th2 Signaling. We describe an innovative approach to biological network construction that combines literature and data mining and a crowdsourcing approach to generate a comprehensive set of COPD-relevant models that can be used to help understand the mechanisms related to lung pathobiology. Registered users of the website can freely browse and download the networks.
Long read nanopore sequencing for detection of HLA and CYP2D6 variants and haplotypes
Authors: Ammar Ron , Paton Tara A. , Torti Dax , Shlien Adam , Bader Gary D.
Published: May 2015

Haplotypes are often critical for the interpretation of genetic laboratory observations into medically actionable findings. Current massively parallel DNA sequencing technologies produce short sequence reads that are often unable to resolve haplotype information. Phasing short read data typically requires supplemental statistical phasing based on known haplotype structure in the population or parental genotypic data. Here we demonstrate that the MinION nanopore sequencer is capable of producing very long reads to resolve both variants and haplotypes of HLA-A, HLA-B and CYP2D6 genes important in determining patient drug response in sample NA12878 of CEPH/UTAH pedigree 1463, without the need for statistical phasing. Long read data from a single 24-hour nanopore sequencing run was used to reconstruct haplotypes, which were confirmed by HapMap data and statistically phased Complete Genomics and Sequenom genotypes. Our results demonstrate that nanopore sequencing is an emerging standalone technology with potential utility in a clinical environment to aid in medical decision-making.