bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial DNA in Tumor Initiation, Progression, and Metastasis: Role of Horizontal mtDNA Transfer
Authors: Berridge Michael V. , Dong Lanfeng , Neuzil Jiri
Published: July 2015

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), encoding 13 out of more than 1,000 proteins of the mitochondrial proteome, is of paramount importance for the bioenergetic machinery of oxidative phosphorylation that is required for tumor initiation, propagation, and metastasis. In stark contrast to the widely held view that mitochondria and mtDNA are retained and propagated within somatic cells of higher organisms, recent in vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrates that mitochondria move between mammalian cells. This is particularly evident in cancer where defective mitochondrial respiration can be restored and tumor-forming ability regained by mitochondrial acquisition. This paradigm shift in cancer cell biology and mitochondrial genetics, concerning mitochondrial movement between cells to meet bioenergetic needs, not only adds another layer of plasticity to the armory of cancer cells to correct damaged mitochondria, but also points to potentially new therapeutic approaches. Cancer Res; 75(16); 3203–8. ©2015 AACR.
Anal Cancer Incidence in the United States, 1977–2011: Distinct Patterns by Histology and Behavior
Authors: Shiels Meredith S. , Kreimer Aimée R. , Coghill Anna E. , Darragh Teresa M. , Devesa Susan S.
Published: July 2015

Background: Although anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) are generally combined in cancer surveillance, their etiologies likely differ. Here, we describe demographic characteristics and trends in incidence rates (IR) of anal cancer by histology (SCC, ADC) and behavior (invasive, in situ) in the United States.

Methods: With data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, we estimated age-adjusted anal cancer IRs across behavior/histology by demographic and tumor characteristics for 2000–2011. Trends in IRs and annual percent changes during 1977–2011 were also estimated and compared with rectal cancer.

Results: Women had higher rates of SCC [rate ratio (RR), 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.40–1.50] and lower rates of ADC (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62–0.74) and squamous carcinoma in situ (CIS; RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.34–0.38) than men. Blacks had lower rates of SCC (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.77–0.87) and CIS (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83–0.98) than non-Hispanic whites, but higher rates of ADC (RR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.29–1.70). Anal cancer IRs were higher in men and blacks aged <40 years. During 1992–2011, SCC IRs increased 2.9%/year, ADC IRs declined nonsignificantly, and CIS IRs increased 14.2%/year. SCC and ADC IR patterns and trends were similar across anal and rectal cancers.

Conclusions: Rates of anal SCC and CIS have increased strongly over time, in contrast to rates of anal ADC, similar to trends observed for rectal SCC and ADC.

Impact: Anal SCC and ADC likely have different etiologies, but may have similar etiologies to rectal SCC and ADC, respectively. Strong increases in CIS IRs over time may reflect anal cancer screening patterns. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(10); 1548–56. ©2015 AACR.
Intake of Meat Mutagens and Risk of Prostate Cancer in a Cohort of U.S. Health Professionals
Authors: Rohrmann Sabine , Nimptsch Katharina , Sinha Rashmi , Willett Walter C. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Wu Kana
Published: July 2015

Background: Evidence relating heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCA), associated with high-temperature cooking methods, to prostate cancer risk is inconsistent.

Methods: In a large U.S. cohort study, intakes of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), and 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (DiMeIQx) and a meat-derived mutagenicity (MDM) index were assessed using a cooking method questionnaire administered in 1996. Until 2010, 2,770 prostate cancer cases were observed among 26,030 participants.

Results: Intake of PhIP from red meat was statistically significantly associated with total prostate cancer risk (top vs. bottom quintile HR, 1.18; 95% confidence intervals; CI, 1.03–1.35), but not other HCAs (MeIQx, 1.12; 0.98–1.27, PhIP from white meat, 1.08; 0.95–1.22, DiMeIQx, 1.09; 0.97–1.21) or MDM (1.13; 1.00–1.28). For high-grade (Gleason sum 7 with pattern 4+3 and Gleason sum 8–10, n = 483 cases) and advanced cancers (n = 281), we only observed positive associations for PhIP from red meat (top vs. bottom quintile: high grade: HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.04–1.98, Ptrend = 0.03; advanced: HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.99–2.26; Ptrend = 0.12), but associations for advanced cancers did not reach statistical significance. Observed associations remained similar after adjustment for total, unprocessed, or processed red meat intake.

Conclusion: Observed positive associations between PhIP intake from red meat and prostate cancer, particularly high-grade and possibly also advanced prostate cancer, need to be confirmed in other studies.

Impact: Results do not provide strong evidence that HCAs increase risk of prostate cancers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(10); 1557–63. ©2015 AACR.
Tankyrase Inhibition Blocks Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Reverts Resistance to PI3K and AKT Inhibitors in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Arqués Oriol , Chicote Irene , Puig Isabel , Tenbaum Stephan P. , Argilés Guillem , Dienstmann Rodrigo , Fernández Natalia , Caratù Ginevra , Matito Judit , Silberschmidt Daniel , Rodon Jordi , Landolfi Stefania , Prat Aleix , Espín Eloy , Charco Ramón , Nuciforo Paolo , Vivancos Ana , Shao Wenlin , Tabernero Josep , Palmer Héctor G.
Published: July 2015

Purpose: Oncogenic mutations in the KRAS/PI3K/AKT pathway are one of the most frequent alterations in cancer. Although PI3K or AKT inhibitors show promising results in clinical trials, drug resistance frequently emerges. We previously revealed Wnt/β-catenin signaling hyperactivation as responsible for such resistance in colorectal cancer. Here we investigate Wnt-mediated resistance in patients treated with PI3K or AKT inhibitors in clinical trials and evaluate the efficacy of a new Wnt/tankyrase inhibitor, NVP-TNKS656, to overcome such resistance.

Experimental Design: Colorectal cancer patient-derived sphere cultures and mouse tumor xenografts were treated with NVP-TNKS656, in combination with PI3K or AKT inhibitors.We analyzed progression-free survival of patients treated with different PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in correlation with Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, oncogenic mutations, clinicopathological traits, and gene expression patterns in 40 colorectal cancer baseline tumors.

Results: Combination with NVP-TNKS656 promoted apoptosis in PI3K or AKT inhibitor-resistant cells with high nuclear β-catenin content. High FOXO3A activity conferred sensitivity to NVP-TNKS656 treatment. Thirteen of 40 patients presented high nuclear β-catenin content and progressed earlier upon PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibition. Nuclear β-catenin levels predicted drug response, whereas clinicopathologic traits, gene expression profiles, or frequent mutations (KRAS, TP53, or PIK3CA) did not.

Conclusions: High nuclear β-catenin content independently predicts resistance to PI3K and AKT inhibitors. Combined treatment with a Wnt/tankyrase inhibitor reduces nuclear β-catenin, reverts such resistance, and represses tumor growth. FOXO3A content and activity predicts response to Wnt/β-catenin inhibition and together with β-catenin may be predictive biomarkers of drug response providing a rationale to stratify colorectal cancer patients to be treated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res; 22(3); 644–56. ©2015 AACR.
A 11.7-Mb Paracentric Inversion in Chromosome 1q Detected in Prenatal Diagnosis Associated with Familial Intellectual Disability
Authors: Rigola Maria A. , Baena Neus , Català Vicenç , Lozano Iris , Gabau Elisabet , Guitart Miriam , Fuster Carmen
Published: July 2015

Most apparent balanced chromosomal inversions are usually clinically asymptomatic; however, infertility, miscarriages, and mental retardation have been reported in inversion carriers. We present a small family with a paracentric inversion 1q42.13q43 detected in routine prenatal diagnosis. Molecular cytogenetic methods defined the size of the inversion as 11.7 Mb and excluded other unbalanced chromosomal alterations in the patients. Our findings suggest that intellectual disability is caused by dysfunction, disruption, or position effects of genes located at or near the breakpoints involved in this inversion.
Acute Silent Brain Infarction in Monocular Visual Loss of Ischemic Origin
Authors: Lauda Florian , Neugebauer Hermann , Reiber Lars , Jüttler Eric
Published: July 2015

Background and Purpose: Non-arteritic branch/central retinal artery occlusions (BRAO/CRAO) and amaurosis fugax (AF) are predominantly caused by embolism. Additionally, transported embolic material could cause ischemic stroke. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence, pattern and underlying cause of concurrent acute brain infarctions in unselected patients with RAO and AF. Methods: A total of 213 consecutive patients with BRAO (20.7%), CRAO (47.4%), or AF (31.9%) were retrospectively studied from 2008 to 2013. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to detect acute brain infarctions and a cardiovascular workup was performed to detect underlying etiologies according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Management (TOAST). Results: MRI was obtained after 23.78 (±32.26) hours from the time of symptom onset. Acute brain infarctions were detected in 49 patients (23%); 44 of them (89.8%) did not experience any additional neurological symptoms. Older age (p < 0.001/p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.01/p = 0.03), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.006/p = 0.03) and type of RAO (p = 0.02/p = 0.016) were associated with total/silent stroke, respectively. In multivariate analysis, only age and type of occlusion remained positive predictors for silent stroke. Etiology of BRAO/CRAO and AF remained undetermined in 124 patients (58.2%). This rate was lower in patients with acute stroke (40.8 vs. 63.4%). Conclusions: Silent brain infarction is a frequent finding in unselected patients with BRAO/CRAO and AF. Etiology remains undetermined in approximately every second case. Because silent brain infarctions bear a high risk of future stroke, patients with BRAO/CRAO and AF should undergo prompt neuroimaging and cardiovascular checkup, preferably on a stroke unit.
Chromium Supplementation and the Effects on Metabolic Status in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Jamilian Mehri , Asemi Zatollah
Published: July 2015

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of chromium intake on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 64 women with PCOS were randomized to receive 200 µg chromium picolinate supplements (n = 32) or placebo (n = 32) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention to quantify markers of insulin metabolism and lipid concentrations. Results: Chromium supplementation in women with PCOS resulted in significant decreases in serum insulin levels (-3.6 ± 7.4 vs. +3.6 ± 6.2 µIU/ml, p < 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; -0.8 ± 1.6 vs. +0.9 ± 1.5, p < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (HOMA-B; -15.5 ± 32.3 vs. +13.6 ± 23.1, p < 0.001), and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) score (+0.02 ± 0.03 vs. -0.008 ± 0.02, p = 0.001) compared with the placebo. In addition, a trend toward a significant effect of chromium supplementation on decreasing serum triglycerides (-12.4 ± 74.4 vs. +15.2 ± 32.4 mg/dl, p = 0.05), very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-2.5 ± 14.9 vs. +3.0 ± 6.5 mg/dl, p = 0.05), and cholesterol concentrations (-8.6 ± 21.9 vs. +0.7 ± 22.4 mg/dl, p = 0.09) was seen. Conclusions: Eight weeks of chromium supplementation among PCOS women had favorable effects on markers of insulin metabolism.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio: an inflammation marker related to cardiovascular risk in children
Authors: Gispert-Saüch Montserrat , Díaz-Roldán Ferran , Carreras-Badosa Gemma , Osiniri Inés , Planella-Colomer Montserrat , Mayol Lluís , de Zegher Francis , Ibánez Lourdes , Bassols Judit , López-Bermejo Abel , Prats-Puig Anna
Published: July 2015

Low-grade chronic inflammation plays a pathogenic role in cardiovascular disease. An increase in the ratio of circulating neutrophils to lymphocytes (N/L ratio) may serve as a marker of cardiovascular risk in adults. It was the study objective to study whether N/L ratio associates with vascular parameters in children. Subjects were 501 prepubertal and early pubertal Caucasian children (mean age 8.0 years; mean body mass index (BMI) Z-score 0.2 ± 0.9; 266 boys and 235 girls) recruited within an ongoing population-based study. The subjects were stratified into three groups according to age. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), assessed in all children. The N/L ratio, derived from the absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts. In children aged < 7 years (n=190, all prepubertal), no associations were observed between N/L ratio and either anthropometric or cardiovascular parameters. In children aged 7–9 years (n=171, 1.7 % early pubertal), higher N/L ratio associated with higher BMI Z-score and waist circumference (p=0.008 to p< 0.0001). In children aged > 9 years (n=140, 29.2 % early pubertal), N/L ratio associated again with BMI Z-score and waist circumference and also positively with SBP and cIMT (all p=0.008 to p< 0.0001). These associations remained significant in linear regression models following adjustment for possible confounding variables such as age, gender, fasting triglycerides, C-reactive protein and puberty (and for SBP and cIMT, adjustment also for BMI). In conclusion, our results provide the first evidence that a higher N/L ratio is associated with a less favourable cardiovascular profile in children and delineate the development of these associations from late childhood onwards.
Novel Abetalipoproteinemia Missense Mutation Highlights the Importance of the N-Terminal β-Barrel in Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Function
Authors: Walsh Meghan T. , Iqbal Jahangir , Josekutty Joby , Soh James , Di Leo Enza , Özaydin Eda , Gündüz Mehmet , Tarugi Patrizia , Hussain M. Mahmood
Published: July 2015

Background—

The use of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors is limited to severe hyperlipidemias because of associated hepatosteatosis and gastrointestinal adverse effects. Comprehensive knowledge about the structure–function of MTP might help design new molecules that avoid steatosis. Characterization of mutations in MTP causing abetalipoproteinemia has revealed that the central α-helical and C-terminal β-sheet domains are important for protein disulfide isomerase binding and lipid transfer activity. Our aim was to identify and characterize mutations in the N-terminal domain to understand its function.

Methods and Results—

We identified a novel missense mutation (D169V) in a 4-month-old Turkish male child with severe signs of abetalipoproteinemia. To study the effect of this mutation on MTP function, we created mutants via site-directed mutagenesis. Although D169V was expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum and interacted with apolipoprotein B (apoB) 17, it was unable to bind protein disulfide isomerase, transfer lipids, and support apoB secretion. Computational modeling suggested that D169 could form an internal salt bridge with K187 and K189. Mutagenesis of these lysines to leucines abolished protein disulfide isomerase heterodimerization, lipid transfer, and apoB secretion, without affecting apoB17 binding. Furthermore, mutants with preserved charges (D169E, K187R, and K189R) rescued these activities.

Conclusions—

D169V is detrimental because it disrupts an internal salt bridge leading to loss of protein disulfide isomerase binding and lipid transfer activities; however, it does not affect apoB binding. Thus, the N-terminal domain of MTP is also important for its lipid transfer activity.
Bromodomain-Containing Protein 4
Authors: Meloche Jolyane , Potus François , Vaillancourt Mylène , Bourgeois Alice , Johnson Ian , Deschamps Laure , Chabot Sophie , Ruffenach Grégoire , Henry Sarah , Breuils-Bonnet Sandra , Tremblay Ève , Nadeau Valérie , Lambert Caroline , Paradis Renée , Provencher Steeve , Bonnet Sébastien
Published: July 2015

Rationale:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a vasculopathy characterized by enhanced pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation and suppressed apoptosis. Decreased expression of microRNA-204 has been associated to this phenotype. By a still elusive mechanism, microRNA-204 downregulation promotes the expression of oncogenes, including nuclear factor of activated T cells, B-cell lymphoma 2, and Survivin. In cancer, increased expression of the epigenetic reader bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) sustains cell survival and proliferation. Interestingly, BRD4 is a predicted target of microRNA-204 and has binding sites on the nuclear factor of activated T cells promoter region.

Objective:

To investigate the role of BRD4 in PAH pathogenesis.

Methods and Results:

BRD4 is upregulated in lungs, distal PAs, and PASMCs of patients with PAH compared with controls. With mechanistic in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that BRD4 expression in PAH is microRNA-204 dependent. We further studied the molecular downstream targets of BRD4 by inhibiting its activity in PAH–PASMCs using a clinically available inhibitor JQ1. JQ1 treatment in PAH–PASMCs increased p21 expression, thus triggering cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, BRD4 inhibition, by JQ1 or siBRD4, decreased the expression of 3 major oncogenes, which are overexpressed in PAH: nuclear factor of activated T cells, B-cell lymphoma 2, and Survivin. Blocking this oncogenic signature led to decreased PAH-PASMC proliferation and increased apoptosis in a BRD4-dependent manner. Indeed, pharmacological JQ1 or molecular (siRNA) inhibition of BRD4 reversed this pathological phenotype in addition to restoring mitochondrial membrane potential and to increasing cells spare respiratory capacity. Moreover, BRD4 inhibition in vivo reversed established PAH in the Sugen/hypoxia rat model.

Conclusions:

BRD4 plays a key role in the pathological phenotype in PAH, which could offer new therapeutic perspectives for patients with PAH.
Attentional Capacity Limits Gap Detection during Concurrent Sound Segregation
Authors: Leung Ada W. S. , Jolicoeur Pierre , Alain Claude
Published: July 2015

Detecting a brief silent interval (i.e., a gap) is more difficult when listeners perceive two concurrent sounds rather than one in a sound containing a mistuned harmonic in otherwise in-tune harmonics. This impairment in gap detection may reflect the interaction of low-level encoding or the division of attention between two sound objects, both of which could interfere with signal detection. To distinguish between these two alternatives, we compared ERPs during active and passive listening with complex harmonic tones that could include a gap, a mistuned harmonic, both features, or neither. During active listening, participants indicated whether they heard a gap irrespective of mistuning. During passive listening, participants watched a subtitled muted movie of their choice while the same sounds were presented. Gap detection was impaired when the complex sounds included a mistuned harmonic that popped out as a separate object. The ERP analysis revealed an early gap-related activity that was little affected by mistuning during the active or passive listening condition. However, during active listening, there was a marked decrease in the late positive wave that was thought to index attention and response-related processes. These results suggest that the limitation in detecting the gap is related to attentional processing, possibly divided attention induced by the concurrent sound objects, rather than deficits in preattentional sensory encoding.
Activation Patterns throughout the Word Processing Network of L1-dominant Bilinguals Reflect Language Similarity and Language Decisions
Authors: Oganian Yulia , Conrad Markus , Aryani Arash , Spalek Katharina , Heekeren Hauke R.
Published: July 2015

A crucial aspect of bilingual communication is the ability to identify the language of an input. Yet, the neural and cognitive basis of this ability is largely unknown. Moreover, it cannot be easily incorporated into neuronal models of bilingualism, which posit that bilinguals rely on the same neural substrates for both languages and concurrently activate them even in monolingual settings. Here we hypothesized that bilinguals can employ language-specific sublexical (bigram frequency) and lexical (orthographic neighborhood size) statistics for language recognition. Moreover, we investigated the neural networks representing language-specific statistics and hypothesized that language identity is encoded in distributed activation patterns within these networks. To this end, German–English bilinguals made speeded language decisions on visually presented pseudowords during fMRI. Language attribution followed lexical neighborhood sizes both in first (L1) and second (L2) language. RTs revealed an overall tuning to L1 bigram statistics. Neuroimaging results demonstrated tuning to L1 statistics at sublexical (occipital lobe) and phonological (temporoparietal lobe) levels, whereas neural activation in the angular gyri reflected sensitivity to lexical similarity to both languages. Analysis of distributed activation patterns reflected language attribution as early as in the ventral stream of visual processing. We conclude that in language-ambiguous contexts visual word processing is dominated by L1 statistical structure at sublexical orthographic and phonological levels, whereas lexical search is determined by the structure of both languages. Moreover, our results demonstrate that language identity modulates distributed activation patterns throughout the reading network, providing a key to language identity representations within this shared network.
Designing New Musical Interfaces as Research: What’s the Problem?
Authors: Dahl Luke
Published: July 2015

Practice-based research in NIME is rooted in the practices of design and musical performance. Perspectives from HCI on the relationship between design and research, examining the role of questions or design problems in research, and considering the wickedness of the task help us frame and understand our work.
Opportunities for Practice-Based Research in Musical Instrument Design
Authors: Johnston Andrew
Published: July 2015

This paper considers the relationship between design, practice and research in the area of New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME). The author argues that NIME practitioner-researchers should embrace the instability and dynamism inherent in digital musical interactions in order to explore and document the evolving processes of musical expression.
Review of Amaeana Hartman, 1959 (Annelida, Terebelliformia, Polycirridae), with descriptions of seven new species
Authors: NOGUEIRA JOÃO MIGUEL DE MATOS , CARRERETTE ORLEMIR , HUTCHINGS PAT
Published: July 2015

Prior to the present study, seven species of Amaeana were known, A. accraensis (Augener, 1918), A. antipoda (Augener, 1926), A. apheles (Hutchings, 1974), A. colei (McIntosh, 1926), A. occidentalis (Hartman, 1944), A. trilobata (Sars, 1863), which is the type-species, and A. yirrarn Hutchings, 1997. Except for A. colei and A. antipoda, for which types could not be located, type material or material from the type localities of all these species was examined and re-descriptions are provided; also, a lectotype is designated for A. trilobata, while A. colei and A. antipoda are considered as nomen nuda. In addition, seven new species are described, one from Brazil, A. brasiliensis sp. nov., another from Taiwan, A. hsiehae sp. nov., and five from Australia, A. angulus sp. nov., A. breviachaeta sp. nov., A. crassispinulata sp. nov., A. dampierensis sp. nov., and A. ellobophora sp. nov. A discussion on the most important characters to distinguish between the species of Amaeana is provided, together with a comparative table and a key to all currently known species.
Diagnoses for Nubensia, n. gen. (Diptera, Chironomidae, Chironomini), with the first full descriptions of the adult female and larva of N. nubens (Edwards, 1929)
Authors: SPIES MARTIN , DETTINGER-KLEMM ANDREAS
Published: July 2015

A new genus, Nubensia Spies, is proposed for N. nubens (Edwards, 1929), n. comb., based on morphological evaluation of both adult sexes, the pupa and larva. The material studied includes name-bearing syntype specimens and the first reared associations linking three life stages for individual members of this species. The larva represents a unique morphotype previously described incompletely only from studies of subfossil chironomid remains. The problems with placement of the species in any previously established genus are discussed in detail, and various related issues in taxonomy and nomenclature are commented on. The verified distribution of N. nubens ranges from the British Isles and central Europe to the western Mediterranean, including northern Africa, with possible extensions to Turkey and central Asia. Larvae have been found on mostly coarse, variously covered substrates near the shores of lakes and banks of slowly flowing running waters, under both oligotrophic and eutrophic conditions.
The genus Conocephalus Thunberg (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae) in Hainan, China with description of one new species
Authors: SHI FU-MING , WANG PING
Published: July 2015

This paper reports four species of the genus Conocephalus from Hainan, China, including Conocephalus (Xiphidion) hainanensis sp. nov. and two new records: C. (Anisoptera) maculatus (Le Guillou, 1841) and C. (Conocephalus) bambusanus Ingrisch, 1990.
Discovery of a new species of Formosatettix Tinkham, 1937 (Orthoptera, Tetrigoidea, Tetrigidae) from China
Authors: ZHENG FANG-QIANG , SHI JIANPING , YIN ZHAN
Published: July 2015

A new species of the genus Formosatettix Tinkham, 1937, namely Formosatettix xiai sp. n. is described and illustrated. The new species is allied to Formosatettix wulaoshanensis Zheng & Xu, 2010, but differs from the latter by the apex of pronotum reaching distal 2/3 of hind femur, width of frontal ridge equal to that of basal segment of antennae, length of a segment of antennae in the middle 3 times its width, lower margin of fore and mid femora straight, pronotum dorsally with one black spot on each side. The new species is also allied to Formosatettix tianmushanensis Zheng & Li, 2001, but the apex of pronotum reaching distal 2/3 of hind femur, the width of frontal ridge equal to that of basal antennal segment, length of upper ovipositor valve 3 times its width, length of a segment in the middle of antennae 5.0 times its width and pronotum dorsally with one black spot on each side. The type specimens are deposited in the College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China.
Wintertime Atmospheric Response to North Atlantic Ocean Circulation Variability in a Climate Model
Authors: Frankignoul Claude , Gastineau Guillaume , Kwon Young-Oh
Published: July 2015

Maximum covariance analysis of a preindustrial control simulation of the NCAR Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4), shows that a barotropic signal in winter broadly resembling a negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) follows an intensification of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) by about 7 yr. The delay is due to the cyclonic propagation along the North Atlantic Current (NAC) and the subpolar gyre of a SST warming linked to a northward shift and intensification of the NAC, together with an increasing SST cooling linked to increasing southward advection of subpolar water along the western boundary and a southward shift of the Gulf Stream (GS). These changes result in a meridional SST dipole, which follows the AMOC intensification after 6 or 7 yr. The SST changes were initiated by the strengthening of the western subpolar gyre and by bottom torque at the crossover of the deep branches of the AMOC with the NAC on the western flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the GS near the Tail of the Grand Banks, respectively. The heat flux damping of the SST dipole shifts the region of maximum atmospheric transient eddy growth southward, leading to a negative NAO-like response. No significant atmospheric response is found to the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO), which is broadly realistic but shifted south and associated with a much weaker meridional SST gradient than the AMOC fingerprint. Nonetheless, the wintertime atmospheric response to the AMOC shows some similarity with the observed response to the AMO, suggesting that the ocean–atmosphere interactions are broadly realistic in CCSM4.
Eduardo e la politica. Napoli milionaria! da Pirandello a Brecht andata e ritorno
Authors: Iermano Toni
Published: July 2015

A Napoli milionaria!, una delle opere più famose di Eduardo De Filippo, è stato spesso attribuito il carattere di svolta verso canoni neorealistici. Nel saggio si mette a confronto l’opera con la produzione precedente, dove emergono tre fili conduttori: la tradizione della farsa napoletana, l’impatto con il teatro di Pirandello negli anni Trenta e, più in sordina, la lezione cechoviana. La indubbia novità di Napoli milionaria!, rappresentata per la prima volta il 25 marzo 1945 davanti allo stato maggiore del PCI napoletano, è dovuta a nostro avviso a una chiara operazione di politica culturale. I numerosi e significativi elementi in comune con Madre Coraggio e i suoi figli di Brecht, di cui si offre qui riscontro, insieme agli altri elementi politico-didascalici del testo, suffragano la tesi di un contatto e un accordo fra Eduardo e il PCI dell’epoca, da cui è scaturita la prima messa in scena della commedia.
Conceptualizing Concurrent Enrollment
Authors: Dare Lynn , Nowicki Elizabeth
Published: July 2015

Research shows that carefully planned acceleration offers academic benefits with little social or emotional risk to high-ability learners. However, acceleration is underutilized and little is known about students’ motivations to accelerate. In this study, 21 high-ability high school students in Grades 11 and 12 took part in a structured conceptualization exercise that revealed why they chose to concurrently enroll in university courses. Participants brainstormed responses to a focus prompt, then structured the data by sorting and rating their responses. The structured data were analyzed using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis to produce a cluster map of participants’ motivations. In order of importance, key concepts included (a) university preparation, (b) demonstrating initiative, (c) getting ahead, (d) love of learning, (e) self-fulfillment, (f) seeking challenge, and (g) socializing. The key concepts were examined within a self-determination theory framework. Study findings provide a deeper understanding of high-achieving students’ views on concurrent enrollment. Educational and research implications are discussed.
Retrospective Perceptions of Graduates of a Self-Contained Program in Taiwan for High School Students Talented in STEM
Authors: Jen Enyi , Moon Sidney M.
Published: July 2015

This retrospective qualitative study was designed to investigate perceptions of the learning experiences of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)-talented male students who were in a self-contained, single-gender, gifted program in a selective high school in Taiwan. Twenty-four graduates of the high school’s gifted program completed a confidential survey and participated in one-on-one interviews. The participants identified the most valuable learning experience as the independent study course; they reported that the independent study course influenced their choice of college major and positively affected their studies in their senior year of college. Most participants valued their overall academic experience in the self-contained program, although a few reported that they were unable to learn so many science-related subjects simultaneously at such a fast pace, suggesting that this type of program needs to be differentiated. The social impacts of the program varied. Implications of the findings for educators as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.
Inequality of women as a factor influencing migration from countries of origin to the United States and its implications for understanding human trafficking
Authors: Noyori-Corbett Chie , Moxley David P
Published: July 2015

The authors analyze forces influencing female migration from three countries to the United States. A principal factor for women from two southern countries involves the necessity of working in the United States so that women can remit money to their families, while migration for women in the northern case involves the search for a more liberal culture in which they can fulfill aspirations, achieve social mobility, and enjoy a better status than what they experienced in their home countries. The authors posit a theoretical framework of how migration of vulnerable women can result in their entrapment within networks of human trafficking.
In-plane and through-thickness permeability models for three-dimensional Interlock fabrics
Authors: Vernet N , Trochu F
Published: July 2015

An analytical model has been created to estimate the in-plane and through-thickness permeability of three-dimensional Interlock fabrics. The model is based on the calculation of the pressure drop in the mesoscopic pores, i.e. in the inter-tow spaces of the fabric. Firstly, the dimensions and distribution of the mesopores are determined from the weaving parameters. A mesoscopic permeability model can then be inferred from the fabric structural data. The contribution of the microscopic flow inside the tows is also taken into account by introducing the concept of dual scale porosity. This additional feature is shown to improve the permeability model, which is validated by comparison with the experimental values of principal permeability measured for five different three-dimensional Interlock fabrics.
Curbing sex trafficking in Turkey: The policy–practice divide
Authors: Coşkun Emel
Published: July 2015

Based on field research, this study examines to what extent Turkey's current policy on sex trafficking adheres to the UN Protocol in practice and discusses how prostitution and migration regimes inform and affect the policies and practices against sex trafficking in Turkey. For this study, data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 23 key informants, each representing different perspectives on sex trafficking in Turkey. The study found that the prostitution and migration regimes of Turkey render migrant women susceptible to gender violence, and weaken the identification and protection systems that may result in the ‘re-victimization’ of ‘victims’ of sex trafficking.
Reading Esther as Heroine: Persian Banquets, Ethnic Cleansing, and Identity Crisis
Authors: Miles Johnny
Published: July 2015

Various historical witnesses attest to the lavishness of Persian banquets. An overwhelmingly disproportionate number of these banquet scenes glut the Esther narrative to obviate against this motif's presence as simply literary garnishment or mere critique of Persian decadence. Rather, these banquet scenes coincide with typical motifs of hero myths to serve a literary function that advances the narrative's plot. The banquet motif underscores the typical hero motifs present to inform a reading of the Esther narrative as hero myth and its portrayal of Esther as heroine though not ostensibly so. Narrative analysis will also detail how this unlikely heroine saves the Jews from a villainous plot of ethnic genocide and subsequently redeems the tarnished reputation of the House of Saul. Final thoughts address the potential cultural function of Esther as heroine who models for diasporic Jews a guide to success with identity crisis.
ω‐3 Fatty Acids Reduce Chemotherapy‐Induced Hematological Toxicity by Bone Marrow Stimulation in Mice
Authors: Murakami Kohei , Miyata Hiroshi , Miyazaki Yasuhiro , Makino Tomoki , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Kurokawa Yukinori , Yamasaki Makoto , Nakajima Kiyokazu , Takiguchi Shuji , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: July 2015

Background: ω‐3 Fatty acids exert several benefits during chemotherapy, such as preventing intestinal mucosal damage and improving response to chemotherapy. However, little is known about the effect of ω‐3 fatty acids on chemotherapy‐induced hematological toxicities. Methods: Mice that had consumed either an ω‐3–rich or an ω–3‐poor diet for 2 weeks were intraperitoneally administered cisplatin. The resultant changes in blood cell count, bone marrow cell count, and cytokine levels in bone marrow supernatant were analyzed. The effect of ω‐3 fatty acids on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) exposed to cisplatin was also examined. Results: Although peripheral blood cell counts decreased after cisplatin treatment in both groups of mice, the decrease in white blood cell count was significantly lower in mice that consumed the ω‐3–rich diet. The decrease in bone marrow cells after cisplatin treatment was also reduced in mice that consumed the ω‐3–rich diet. Levels of stem cell factor (SCF) and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF‐1) were significantly higher in bone marrow supernatants from mice that consumed the ω‐3–rich diet. The rate of apoptosis in PBMCs (after exposure to cisplatin) cultured in medium containing ω‐3 fatty acids was significantly lower than in PBMCs cultured in control medium. Conclusion: ω‐3–Rich diets reduced chemotherapy‐induced leukopenia in mice. This may be the result of increased numbers of bone marrow cells due to higher levels of SCF and FGF‐1 in the bone marrow.
Bearing Account-able Witness to the Ethical Algorithmic System
Authors: Neyland Daniel
Published: July 2015

This paper explores how accountability might make otherwise obscure and inaccessible algorithms available for governance. The potential import and difficulty of accountability is made clear in the compelling narrative reproduced across recent popular and academic reports. Through this narrative we are told that algorithms trap us and control our lives, undermine our privacy, have power and an independent agential impact, at the same time as being inaccessible, reducing our opportunities for critical engagement. The paper suggests that STS sensibilities can provide a basis for scrutinizing the terms of the compelling narrative, disturbing the notion that algorithms have a single, essential characteristic and a predictable power or agency. In place of taking for granted the terms of the compelling narrative, ethnomethodological work on sense-making accounts is drawn together with more conventional approaches to accountability focused on openness and transparency. The paper uses empirical material from a study of the development of an “ethical,” “smart” algorithmic videosurveillance system. The paper introduces the “ethical” algorithmic surveillance system, the approach to accountability developed, and some of the challenges of attempting algorithmic accountability in action. The paper concludes with reflections on future questions of algorithms and accountability.
Problematizing Disciplinarity, Transdisciplinary Problematics
Authors: Osborne Peter
Published: July 2015

This article situates current debates about transdisciplinarity within the deeper history of academic disciplinarity, in its difference from the notions of inter- and multi-disciplinarity. It offers a brief typology and history of established conceptions of transdisciplinarity within science and technology studies. It then goes on to raise the question of the conceptual structure of transdisciplinary generality in the humanities, with respect to the incorporation of the 19th- and 20th-century German and French philosophical traditions into the anglophone humanities, under the name of ‘theory’. It identifies two distinct – dialectical and anti-dialectical, or dialectical and transversal – transdisciplinary trajectories. It locates the various contributions to the special issue of which it is the introduction within this conceptual field, drawing attention to the distinct contribution of the French debates about structuralism and its aftermath – those by Serres, Foucault, Derrida, Guattari and Latour, in particular. It concludes with an appendix on Foucault’s place within current debates about disciplinarity and academic disciplines.
Recanalisation and ulcer recurrence rates following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy
Authors: Howard Julia K , Slim Fiona JA , Wakely Margaret C , Emerson Lorraine G , Davies Colin E , Kulkarni Sachin R , Bulbulia Richard A , Whyman Mark R , Poskitt Keith R
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The aim was to assess vein recanalisation and ulcer recurrence in patients with chronic venous ulceration following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.

Method

Open (CEAP 6) or recently healed (CEAP 5) chronic venous leg ulcers were treated with foam sclerotherapy between July 2010 and August 2012. Venous duplex scans were performed two weeks and one and two years post treatment, recording recanalisation and reflux. One- and two-year ulcer recurrence rates were calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Results

A total of 100 legs were treated in 92 patients; 86 were CEAP 5 and 14 were CEAP 6. At two weeks complete or short segment occlusion was demonstrated in 99/100 legs. Complete follow-up was 93% at one year and 88% at two years. Complete and segmental recanalisation with new reflux was recorded in 11/93 (12%) legs and 25/93 (27%) legs, respectively (overall 36/93; 39%) at one year; and 6/88 (7%) legs and 15/88 (17%) legs, respectively (overall 21/88; 24%) at two years. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis shows 64% ulcers healed at 24 weeks and 86% at one year. Ulcer recurrence rate at one and two years was 2.3% and 5.1%.

Conclusions

Over one-third of superficial veins treated with foam sclerotherapy recanalised at one year and just under a quarter of superficial veins recanalised at two years. Despite this, ulcer recurrence rates were low, and recanalisation failed to predict recurrence.
Liquid transmission characteristics of padding bandages under pressure
Authors: Kumar Bipin , Das Apurba , Pan Ning , Alagirusamy R , Gupta Rupali , Singh Jitender
Published: July 2015

Padding is an essential component in a multilayer compression bandaging system, used inside the compression bandage through which substantial amount of pressure is exerted on the limb of patient for treatment of venous leg ulcers. As a result, the liquid transmission behavior of padding is also critical in managing body fluids or sweat exuded from the affected limb, reducing the excessive moisture build-up around the wound and thereby ensuring comfort to and hence a better compliance from the patients. This study investigates the in-plane fluid transport characteristics of needle-punched nonwoven padding bandages. It first reviewed the existing studies related to the problems, and discussed their limits and possible improvements in dealing with complex fluid transport issues in textile porous media. The measurement of fluid transport under different pressure levels was then done using a newly designed apparatus capable of simultaneously tracing the liquid in-plane spreading along different directions, and obtaining several transport characteristics of a testing sample, e.g. the liquid flow anisotropy, the rate of movement, the area of wet surface with time, etc. Also the effects of several important factors, such as the levels of pressure applied, the specimen bulk density, and needling density of the padding products, have been experimentally investigated. In addition, based on an extended Lucas–Washburn theory, we calculated the liquid flow distance, both instantaneous speed and a more useful time-averaged speed v av at any given direction, and also defined a flow anisotropy index I A as a convenient parameter to represent the material flow anisotropy. The applications of v av and I A to actual samples have demonstrated the usefulness of these parameters in characterizing the flow nature and behavior of the materials.
Dynamic behaviors of the cutterhead driving system in tunneling boring machine with impact
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wang Meiling , Han Qingkai , Sun Wei
Published: July 2015

The dynamic responses of the cutterhead driving system (CDS) of the tunneling boring machine with impact loads are investigated according to its typical structure in this paper. First, finite element model of CDS is proposed based on linear mesh stiffness hypothesis, in which the rotating components are introduced as beam elements with the same mass and stiffness characteristics, and the effects of cutterhead-rock stiffness and carrier stiffness of CDS are also taken into account. Then, the natural characteristics of the CDS and the corresponding energy distribution for the components are investigated using this model. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to determine the dynamic responses under two different typical impacts, by means of transient trajectories in time-domain and amplitude-frequency spectra in frequency domain, respectively. With the dynamic behaviors analysis, the response frequency of the CDS and the corresponding components with the maximum load is shown at the end. This modeling approach should provide a new idea for the CDS dynamic designing.
PUZZLED? A Hierarchical-Group, Problem-Solving Simulation
Authors: Wall Kathleen H. , Morgan Sandra
Published: July 2015

This puzzle-building activity, originally created by one of the authors, was designed for supervisory training in amusement park settings. Both authors have used it in management classes, as participants experience the difficulties in giving clear task instructions and feedback in a structured, hierarchical setting. The exercise is based on role-play triads composed of an employee, a supervisor, and a manager, i.e., three levels of hierarchy. The blindfolded employee attempts to complete a simple jigsaw puzzle with limited communication from the supervisor and manager. In the debriefing, the facilitator may raise any number of theories to help participants understand the experience itself, and, through structured debriefing, carry lessons learned into their work life. Theories include leadership style, verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, feedback, motivation, problem-solving, collaboration and power dynamics. This activity temporarily places participants in different social roles. Thus it is ideally suited for multi-cultural groups or different departments or groups within the same organization.