bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by Ceritinib-Treatment of Human Erythrocytes
Authors: Al Mamun Bhuyan Abdulla , Signoretto Elena , Bissinger Rosi , Lang Florian
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor ceritinib is utilized for the treatment of ALK positive non-small cell lung carcinoma. Side effects of the drug include decrease of blood hemoglobin concentration. Possible causes of anemia include stimulation of suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling of eryptosis includes increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress, ceramide, staurosporine sensitive protein kinase C, SB203580 sensitive p38 kinase, D4476 sensitive casein kinase 1, and zVAD sensitive caspases. The present study explored, whether ceritinib induces eryptosis and, if so, to shed light on the cellular mechanisms involved. Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, ROS formation from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to ceritinib (1 µg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter, significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, but did not significantly modify DCFDA fluorescence or ceramide abundance. The effect of ceritinib on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+, by the kinase inhibitors staurosporine (1 µM), SB203580 (2 µM) and D4476 (10 µM), as well as by caspase inhibitor zVAD (10 µM). Conclusions: Ceritinib triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry, as well as activation of kinases and Caspases.
Chorein Sensitive Orai1 Expression and Store Operated Ca2+ Entry in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells
Authors: Yu Willi , Honisch Sabina , Schmidt Sebastian , Yan Jing , Schmid Evi , Alkahtani Saad , AlKahtane Abdullah A. , Alarifi Saud , Stournaras Christos , Lang Florian
Published: December 2016

Background: Chorein, a protein encoded by VPS13A (vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 13A), is defective in chorea acanthocytosis, a rare disease characterized by acanthocytosis of red blood cells and neuronal cell death with progressive hyperkinetic movement disorder, cognitive dysfunction, behavioral abnormalities and chronic hyperkalemia. Chorein is highly expressed in ZF rhabdomyosarcoma cells and counteracts apoptosis of those cells. Chorein is effective in part by interacting with and fostering stimulation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-p85-subunit. PI3K dependent signaling includes the serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase SGK1. The kinase activates NFκB with subsequent up-regulation of the Ca2+ channel subunit Orai1, which accomplishes store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Orai1 and SOCE have been shown to confer survival of tumor cells. The present study thus explored whether chorein impacts on Orai1 expression and SOCE. Methods: In rhabdomyosarcoma cells chorein, Orai1, NFκB and SGK1 transcript levels were quantified by RT-PCR, Orai1 protein abundance by Western blotting, FACS analysis and confocal laser microscopy, [Ca2+]i utilizing Fura-2 fluorescence, and SOCE from the increase of [Ca2+]i following store depletion with extracellular Ca2+ removal and inhibition of the sarcoendoplasmatic reticular Ca2+ ATPase with thapsigargin. Results: The mRNA coding for chorein was most abundant in drug resistant, poorly differentiated human ZF rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Chorein silencing significantly decreased Orai1 transcript levels and Orai1 protein expression, as well as SGK1 and NFκB transcript levels. SOCE in ZF rhabdomyosarcoma cells was significantly blunted by chorein silencing, Orai1 inhibitor 2-APB (50 µM), SGK1 inhibitor EMD638683 (50 µM, 10 h) and NFκB inhibitor wogonin (50 µM, 24 h). Conclusion: Chorein is a stimulator of Orai1 expression and thus of store operated Ca2+ entry. The effect may involve SGK1 and NFκB.
Cannabinoid 2 Receptor Agonist Improves Systemic Sensitivity to Insulin in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Zhang Xiuyuan , Gao Shan , Niu Jinfeng , Li Pan , Deng Juan , Xu Shixin , Wang Zhihong , Wang Weiwei , Kong Deling , Li Chen
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: The endocannabinoid signalling (ECS) system has been known to regulate glucose homeostasis. Previous studies have suggested that the cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor may play a regulatory role on insulin secretion, immune modulation and insulin resistance. Given that diabetes and insulin resistance are attributable to elevated inflammatory tone, we investigated the role of CB2 receptor on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mice. Methods: Diabetes was induced in male ICR mice by HFD/STZ and exposed to a CB2 receptor agonist, SER601, for 2- or 4-weeks via subcutaneous implantation of osmotic minipumps. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed at the end of treatment. Islets were isolated for assessment of β-cell function. Pancreases and skeletal muscles were also obtained for histological analyses. Results: Despite a lack of impact on glucose tolerance, substantial improvement on insulin sensitivity was observed in SER601-treated mice, which could partly be attributed to improved islet β-cell function, shown as increased glucose-induced insulin secretion and insulin content. No changes on islet macrophage infiltration or skeletal muscle fat deposition were detectable from SER601-treated mice. However, a major decrease in body weight was recorded at the end of 4-week SER601 exposure, accompanied by a lack of epididymal adipose mass in SER601-treated mice. Conclusion: Our data suggest a lipolytic role of SER601 in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice, which results in significant improvement of systemic insulin sensitivity. Thus, the CB2 receptor may be considered a promising target for therapeutic development against insulin resistance and obesity-related diabetes.
The Crucial Role of C18-Cer in Fat-Induced Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance
Authors: Blachnio-Zabielska Agnieszka U. , Chacinska Marta , Vendelbo Mikkel H. , Zabielski Piotr
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: Muscle bioactive lipids accumulation leads to several disorder states. The most common are insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes. There is an ongoing debate which of the lipid species plays the major role in induction of muscle IR. Our aim was to elucidate the role of particular lipid group in induction of muscle IR. Methods: The analyses were performed on muscle from the following groups of rats: 1. Control, fed standard diet, 2 HFD, fed high fat diet, 3. HFD/Myr, fed HFD and treated with myriocin (Myr), an inhibitor of ceramide de novo synthesis. We utilized [U13C] palmitate isotope tracer infusion and mass spectrometry to measure content and synthesis rate of muscle long-chain acyl-CoA (LCACoA), diacylglycerols (DAG) and ceramide (Cer). Results: HFD led to intramuscular accumulation of LCACoA, DAG and Cer and skeletal muscle IR. Myr-treatment caused decrease in Cer (most noticeable for stearoyl-Cer and oleoyl-Cer) and accumulation of DAG, possibly due to re-channeling of excess of intramuscular LCACoA towards DAG synthesis. An improvement in insulin sensitivity at both systemic and muscular level coincided with decrease in ceramide, despite elevated intramuscular DAG. Conclusion: The improved insulin sensitivity was associated with decreased muscle stearoyl- and oleoyl-ceramide content. The results indicate that accumulation of those ceramide species has the greatest impact on skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in rats.
Five-Port Combined Limbal and Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Infectious Endophthalmitis
Authors: Xu Kunyong  , Chin Eric K. , Almeida David R.P.
Published: December 2016

Pars plana vitrectomy for acute infectious endophthalmitis can be challenging due to severe inflammation in the anterior chamber creating significant media opacity. We describe a surgical technique combining limbal based vitrectomy and pars plana vitrectomy to manage acute infectious endophthalmitis. Limbal based vitrectomy facilitates removal of anterior chamber fibrin and inflammatory membranes for safe and optimal posterior pars plana vitrectomy.
Functional Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease Using Whole-Heart Dynamic Computed Tomographic Perfusion
Authors: Hubbard Logan , Ziemer Benjamin , Lipinski Jerry , Sadeghi Bahman , Javan Hanna , Groves Elliott M. , Malkasian Shant , Molloi Sabee
Published: December 2016

Background—

Computed tomographic (CT) angiography is an important tool for the evaluation of coronary artery disease but often correlates poorly with myocardial ischemia. Current dynamic CT perfusion techniques can assess ischemia but have limited accuracy and deliver high radiation dose. Therefore, an accurate, low-dose, dynamic CT perfusion technique is needed.

Methods and Results—

A total of 20 contrast-enhanced CT volume scans were acquired in 5 swine (40±10 kg) to generate CT angiography and perfusion images. Varying degrees of stenosis were induced using a balloon catheter in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery, and a pressure wire was used for reference fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement. Perfusion measurements were made with only 2 volume scans using a new first-pass analysis (FPA) technique and with 20 volume scans using an existing maximum slope model (MSM) technique. Perfusion (P) and FFR measurements were related by P
FPA
=1.01 FFR−0.03 (
R
2
=0.85) and P
MSM
=1.03 FFR−0.03 (
R
2
=0.80) for FPA and MSM techniques, respectively. Additionally, the effective radiation doses were calculated to be 2.64 and 26.4 mSv for FPA and MSM techniques, respectively.

Conclusions—

A new FPA-based dynamic CT perfusion technique was validated in a swine animal model. The results indicate that the FPA technique can potentially be used for improved anatomical and functional assessment of coronary artery disease at a relatively low radiation dose.
Longitudinal Association Between Serum Uric Acid and Arterial Stiffness
Authors: Canepa Marco , Viazzi Francesca , Strait James B. , Ameri Pietro , Pontremoli Roberto , Brunelli Claudio , Studenski Stephanie , Ferrucci Luigi , Lakatta Edward G. , AlGhatrif Majd
Published: December 2016

Serum uric acid (SUA) has long been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, with arterial stiffness proposed as a mediator. However, evidence on the association between SUA and arterial stiffness is limited to contradicting cross-sectional studies. In this analysis, we examined the longitudinal relationship between SUA and pulse wave velocity, a measure of arterial stiffness, in a community-dwelling population. We studied 446 women and 427 men participating in the BLSA (Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging), with 1409 and 1434 observations, respectively, over an average period of 6 years. At baseline, mean ages of women and men were 65±13 and 68±13 years; mean SUA, 4.6±1.1 and 5.7±1.3 mg/dL; mean pulse wave velocity, 8.1±1.7 and 8.6±1.9 m/s, respectively (
P
<0.0001). In gender-stratified models accounting for age, blood pressure, renal function, metabolic measures, and medications, there was a significant interaction between SUA and follow-up time in men (β=0.69;
P
=0.0002) but not in women. Men, but not women, in the highest gender-specific SUA tertile at baseline (SUA≥6.2 mg/dL in men and SUA≥4.9 mg/dL in women) had a greater rate of pulse wave velocity increase over time than those in the lowest tertiles (β=0.997;
P
=0.012). This gender difference was lost when the distribution of SUA in men and women was made comparable by excluding hyperuricemic men (SUA≥6.2 mg/dL). In conclusion, higher SUA was associated with greater increase in pulse wave velocity in men but not women; this association was lost when men with SUA≥6.2 mg/dL were not included, suggesting a threshold for SUA association with arterial stiffness, which is more frequently reached in men.
Performance Analysis of Evolutionary Algorithms for Steiner Tree Problems
Authors: Lai Xinsheng , Zhou Yuren , Xia Xiaoyun , Zhang Qingfu
Published: December 2016

The Steiner tree problem (STP) aims to determine some Steiner nodes such that the minimum spanning tree over these Steiner nodes and a given set of special nodes has the minimum weight, which is NP-hard. STP includes several important cases. The Steiner tree problem in graphs (GSTP) is one of them. Many heuristics have been proposed for STP, and some of them have proved to be performance guarantee approximation algorithms for this problem. Since evolutionary algorithms (EAs) are general and popular randomized heuristics, it is significant to investigate the performance of EAs for STP. Several empirical investigations have shown that EAs are efficient for STP. However, up to now, there is no theoretical work on the performance of EAs for STP. In this article, we reveal that the (1+1) EA achieves 3/2-approximation ratio for STP in a special class of quasi-bipartite graphs in expected runtime [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] are, respectively, the number of Steiner nodes, the number of special nodes, and the largest weight among all edges in the input graph. We also show that the (1+1) EA is better than two other heuristics on two GSTP instances, and the (1+1) EA may be inefficient on a constructed GSTP instance.
“The Final Priests of Jerusalem” and “The Mouth of the Priest”: Eschatology and Literary History in Pesher Habakkuk
Authors: Hartog Pieter B.
Published: December 2016

This article argues that 1QpHab 2:5–10 and 1QpHab 9:3–7 are later additions to Pesher Habakkuk. As these are the only passages in Pesher Habakkuk which explicitly refer to “the latter days,” I propose that these additions constitute an explicitly eschatological literary layer, which was presumably added to Pesher Habakkuk in the Herodian era. This literary development of Pesher Habakkuk demonstrates that the Pesharim are no static entities, but partake in a living and fluid interpretative tradition.
On the longevity, growth and reproductive characteristics of Lichtenstein’s Toadhead Agama, Phrynocephalus interscapularis Lichtenstein, 1856 (Agamidae, Sauria)
Authors: Smirina Ella , Ananjeva Natalia
Published: December 2016

We aimed to analyze growth and longevity in relation to reproductive characteristics in a population of smallest species of agamid lizard, Phrynocephalus interscapularis using skeletochronology. Growth layers in the humerus were examined to estimate lizard age and growth, and to check the hypothesis of an annual turnover of short-term life of arid small lizards. Individual age of lizards in a sample of 50 individuals was determined. Ageing by skeletochronology showed the maximum age of lizards in the population as about three years and determined the following age structure of the sample: 18 one-year-old individuals (after the first hibernation), 19 two-year old individuals and 11 three-year old ones. It was shown that in studied population the largest specimen (a male of 37 mm) is not the oldest. The problem of ephemeral annual lizards is discussed.
Whether the Criteria Contained in the 1989 International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries Notably Motivation Apply to Today’s Foreign Fighters?
Authors: Gómez del Prado José L.
Published: December 2016

To protect the right of peoples to self-determination enshrined in its Charter, the United Nations adopted instruments to fight against mercenary activities and the crime of mercenarism. These actions were developed within the context of Jus ad bellum or the prerequisites, established in the un Charter, under which States may resort to the use of armed force. In 1991, un abandoned the recommendation made by the International Law Commission to maintain the crime of mercenarism in the code of crimes against the peace and the security of mankind. Instead, un adopted the 1989 Convention which definition of mercenary based on Article 47 of Additional Protocol i under jus in bello, sets out a number of prerequisites revolving around the foreign character of the mercenary and his motivation. Such conditions are at the origin of the difficulties to apply the 1989 Convention that has proved unworkable to deal with the phenomenon of mercenarism.
Innocent Passage of Warships
Authors: Ton Anh Duc
Published: December 2016

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (losc) is well known as the “Constitution for the Oceans”; however, the passage of foreign warships through the territorial sea of a coastal State is not clearly addressed. All East Asian littoral States (except North Korea and Cambodia) are parties to the losc but their practices regarding the innocent passage of warships are different. This article provides an analysis of the innocent passage regime of the losc, the practice of East Asian littoral States regarding the innocent passage of warships as well as factors that have influenced the trends in their practices.
Three new species of Ligularia (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) from southwestern China
Authors: CHEN YOU-SHENG
Published: December 2016

Three new species of Ligularia (Asteraceae, Senecioneae) from Sichuan Province and Xizang Autonomous Region, China, namely L. jiajinshanensis, L. lhunzensis and L. secunda, are described and illustrated.
Towards a monophyletic Omphalodes—or an expansion of North American Mimophytum
Authors: HOLSTEIN NORBERT , CHACÓN JULIANA , OTERO ANA , JIMÉNEZ-MEJÍAS PEDRO , WEIGEND MAXIMILIAN
Published: December 2016

Molecular studies have recently led to major changes to the systematics of Boraginaceae and changed our perception of fruit morphology, previously used as the most important character in Boraginaceae classification. Navel-shaped nutlets as the key character for Omphalodes turned out to be highly homoplasious, thus the genus was revealed to be polyphyletic. After the recent reclassifications, the genus Omphalodes is still left paraphyletic, since the remaining taxa correspond to two different lineages: a clade of essentially Mediterranean perennials including the type species (O. verna) and a clade with the annual to subperennial North American taxa including the genus Mimophytum. We here advocate transferring all taxa of the North American clade into the genus Mimophytum, subdividing the genus Omphalodes into morphologically coherent and monophyletic entities. Mimophytum was initially removed from Omphalodes based on its glochidiate nutlets, but this character state does not define a monophyletic entity. In overall morphology, the redefined genus Mimophytum is highly homogeneous and easily differentiated from the other clades: it has a lax growth habit, and leaves are long-petiolate, abruptly contracted at the base into a more or less cordate base, and with a fine pubescence of erect trichomes. After the proposed rearrangements, only O. erecta remains as a problematic species whose systematic placement is still to be found out.
Areca jokowi: A New Species of Betel Nut Palm (Arecaceae) from Western New Guinea
Authors: HEATUBUN CHARLIE D.
Published: December 2016

A new species of betel nut palm, Areca jokowi, is described and illustrated here. This is the third species of Areca to have been described recently from New Guinea that is closely related to the widespread, economically important species A. catechu, the cultivated betel nut palm. A discussion of its morphological characters, distribution, ecology, habitat, uses and conservation status is provided, as well as a new identification key for western New Guinean Areca.
Descriptions of the tadpoles of two species of Gephyromantis, with a discussion of the phylogenetic origin of direct development in mantellid frogs
Authors: RANDRIANIAINA ROGER-DANIEL , GLAW FRANK , THOMAS MEIKE , GLOS JULIAN , RAMINOSOA NOROMALALA , VENCES MIGUEL
Published: December 2016

We describe the larval stages of two Malagasy frog species of the genus Gephyromantis, based on specimens identified by DNA barcoding. The tadpoles of Gephyromantis ambohitra are generalized stream-living Orton type IV type larvae with two lateral small constrictions of the body wall at the plane of spiracle. Gephyromantis pseudoasper tadpoles are characterized by totally keratinised jaw sheaths with hypertrophied indentation, a reduced number of labial tooth rows, enlarged papillae on the oral disc, and a yellowish coloration of the tip of the tail in life. The morphology of the tadpole of G. pseudoasper agrees with that of G. corvus, supporting the current placement of these two species in a subgenus Phylacomantis, and suggesting that the larvae of G. pseudoasper may also have carnivorous habits as known in G. corvus. Identifying the tadpole of Gephyromantis ambohitra challenges current assumptions of the evolution of different developmental modes in Gephyromantis, since this species is thought to be related to G. asper, a species of supposedly endotrophic direct development.
Larvae of the sand stargazer Sindoscopus australis and notes on the development of Dactyloscopidae (Perciformes: Blennioidei)
Authors: HERRERA GUILLERMO A. , LLANOS-RIVERA ALEJANDRA , LANDAETA MAURICIO F.
Published: December 2016

Pre- and post-flexion larvae of the temperate sand stargazer Sindoscopus australis (Dactyloscopidae, Blennioidei) in the size range of 4.4 to 16.0 mm are described using specimens collected in nearshore plankton samples inside bays of Central Chile. The larvae are elongate with a pointed snout, a large head and a short and compact gut with short preanal distance. They show pigmentation at the cleithral symphysis, above the gut, ventrally at the otic capsules, and on the ventrum. They lack pigment dorsally on the head. Although the larvae of three dactyloscopid genera remain undocumented, the available evidence suggests that some larval characters are indicative of phylogenetic affinities. The phylogenetically primitive genus Platygillellus has paired melanophores on the head, a generalized feature common to basal blennioids (e.g. Blenniidae and Tripterygiidae). The derived genera show two conditions: the larvae of the related genera Gillellus and Sindoscopus lack dorsal cephalic pigmentation; the larvae of the species of the clade Myxodagnus - Dactylagnus plus Dactyloscopus have a single large melanophore dorsally on the head and ventrally on the gut.
Hydrological Modeling and Capacity Building in the Republic of Namibia
Authors: Clark Robert A. , Flamig Zachary L. , Vergara Humberto , Hong Yang , Gourley Jonathan J. , Mandl Daniel J. , Frye Stuart , Handy Matthew , Patterson Maria
Published: December 2016

The Republic of Namibia, located along the arid and semiarid coast of southwest Africa, is highly dependent on reliable forecasts of surface and groundwater storage and fluxes. Since 2009, the University of Oklahoma (OU) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have engaged in a series of exercises with the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry to build the capacity to improve the water information available to local decision-makers. These activities have included the calibration and implementation of NASA and OU’s jointly developed Coupled Routing and Excess Storage (CREST) hydrological model as well as the Ensemble Framework for Flash Flood Forecasting (EF5). Hydrological model output is used to produce forecasts of river stage height, discharge, and soil moisture.

To enable broad access to this suite of environmental decision support information, a website, the Namibia Flood Dashboard, hosted on the infrastructure of the Open Science Data Cloud, has been developed. This system enables scientists, ministry officials, nongovernmental organizations, and other interested parties to freely access all available water information produced by the project, including comparisons of NASA satellite imagery to model forecasts of flooding or drought. The local expertise needed to generate and enhance these water information products has been grown through a series of training meetings bringing together national government officials, regional stakeholders, and local university students and faculty. Aided by online training materials, these exercises have resulted in additional capacity-building activities with CREST and EF5 beyond Namibia as well as the initial implementation of a global flood monitoring and forecasting system.
Understanding the Sources of Satellite Passive Microwave Rainfall Retrieval Systematic Errors Over Land
Authors: Petković Veljko , Kummerow Christian D.
Published: December 2016

Analyses of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite rainfall estimates reveal a substantial disagreement between its active [Precipitation Radar (PR)] and passive [TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI)] sensors over certain regions. This study focuses on understanding the role of the synoptic state of atmosphere in these discrepancies over land regions where passive microwave (PMW) retrievals are limited to scattering signals. As such the variability in the relationship between the ice-induced scattering signal and the surface rainfall is examined. Using the Amazon River and central Africa regions as a test bed, it is found that the systematic difference seen between PR and TMI rainfall estimates is well correlated with both the precipitating system structure and the level of its organization. Relying on a clustering technique to group raining scenes into three broad but distinct organizational categories, it is found that, relative to the PR, deep-organized systems are typically overestimated by TMI while the shallower ones are underestimated. Results suggest that the storm organization level can explain up to 50% of the regional systematic difference between the two sensors. Because of its potential for retrieval improvement, the ability to forecast the level of systems organization is tested. The state of the atmosphere is found to favor certain storm types when constrained by CAPE, wind shear, dewpoint depression, and vertical humidity distribution. Among other findings, the observations reveal that the ratio between boundary layer and midtropospheric moisture correlates well with the organization level of convection. If adjusted by the observed PR-to-TMI ratio under a given environment, the differences between PMW and PR rainfall estimates are diminished, at maximum, by 30% in RMSE and by 40% in the mean.
Different Climatological Characteristics, Inner-Core Structures, and Intensification Processes of Simulated Intense Tropical Cyclones between 20-km Global and 5-km Regional Models
Authors: Kanada Sachie , Wada Akiyoshi
Published: December 2016

Climatological characteristics of simulated intense tropical cyclones (TCs) in the western North Pacific were explored with a 20-km-mesh atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM20) and a 5-km-mesh regional atmospheric nonhydrostatic model (ANHM5). From the AGCM20 climate runs, 34 intense TCs with a minimum central pressure (MCP) less than or equal to 900 hPa were sampled. Downscaling experiments were conducted with the ANHM5 for each intense TC simulated by the AGCM20. Only 23 developed into TCs with MCP ≤ 900 hPa. Most of the best-track TCs with an MCP ≤ 900 hPa underwent rapid intensification (RI) and attained maximum intensities south of 25°N. The AGCM20 simulated a similar number of intense TCs as the best-track datasets. However, the intense AGCM20 TCs tended to intensify longer and more gradually; only half of them underwent RI. The prolonged gradual intensification resulted in significant northward shifts of the location of maximum intensity compared with the location derived from two best-track datasets. The inner-core structure of AGCM20 TCs exhibited weak and shallow eyewall updrafts with maxima below an altitude of 6 km, while downscaling experiments revealed that most of the intense ANHM5 TCs underwent RI with deep and intense eyewall updrafts and attained their maximum intensity at lower latitudes. The altitudes of updraft maxima simulated by the AGCM20 descended rapidly during the phase of greatest intensification as midlevel warming markedly developed. The change in major processes responsible for precipitation in AGCM20 TCs before and after maximum intensification suggests close relationships between the large-scale cloud scheme and midlevel warming and prolonged gradual intensification.
Narrowing the Range of Future Climate Projections Using Historical Observations of Atmospheric CO2
Authors: Booth Ben B. B. , Harris Glen R. , Murphy James M. , House Jo I. , Jones Chris D. , Sexton David , Sitch Stephen
Published: December 2016

Uncertainty in the behavior of the carbon cycle is important in driving the range in future projected climate change. Previous comparisons of model responses with historical CO2 observations have suggested a strong constraint on simulated projections that could narrow the range considered plausible. This study uses a new 57-member perturbed parameter ensemble of variants of an Earth system model for three future scenarios, which 1) explores a wider range of potential climate responses than before and 2) includes the impact of past uncertainty in carbon emissions on simulated trends. These two factors represent a more complete exploration of uncertainty, although they lead to a weaker constraint on the range of future CO2 concentrations as compared to earlier studies. Nevertheless, CO2 observations are shown to be effective at narrowing the distribution, excluding 30 of 57 simulations as inconsistent with historical CO2 changes. The perturbed model variants excluded are mainly at the high end of the future projected CO2 changes, with only 8 of the 26 variants projecting RCP8.5 2100 concentrations in excess of 1100 ppm retained. Interestingly, a minority of the high-end variants were able to capture historical CO2 trends, with the large-magnitude response emerging later in the century (owing to high climate sensitivities, strong carbon feedbacks, or both). Comparison with observed CO2 is effective at narrowing both the range and distribution of projections out to the mid-twenty-first century for all scenarios and to 2100 for a scenario with low emissions.
Observed Basin-Scale Response of the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation to Wind Stress Forcing
Authors: Elipot Shane , Frajka-Williams Eleanor , Hughes Chris W. , Olhede Sofia , Lankhorst Matthias
Published: December 2016

The response of the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) to wind stress forcing is investigated from an observational standpoint, using four time series of overturning transports below and relative to 1000 m, overlapping by 3.6 yr. These time series are derived from four mooring arrays located on the western boundary of the North Atlantic: the RAPID Western Atlantic Variability Experiment (WAVE) array (42.5°N), the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Line W array (39°N), RAPID–MOC/MOCHA (26.5°N), and the Meridional Overturning Variability Experiment (MOVE) array (16°N). Using modal decompositions of the analytic cross-correlation between transports and wind stress, the basin-scale wind stress is shown to significantly drive the MOC coherently at four latitudes, on the time scales available for this study. The dominant mode of covariance is interpreted as rapid barotropic oceanic adjustments to wind stress forcing, eventually forming two counterrotating Ekman overturning cells centered on the tropics and subtropical gyre. A second mode of covariance appears related to patterns of wind stress and wind stress curl associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation, spinning anomalous horizontal circulations that likely interact with topography to form overturning cells.
Spectral and Color Changes of Ag/TiO2 Photochromic Films Deposited on Diffusing Paper and Transparent Flexible Plastic Substrates
Authors: Diop Daouda K. , Simonot Lionel , Martínez-García Juan , Hébert Mathieu , Lefkir Yaya , Abadias Grégory , Guérin Philippe , Babonneau David , Destouches Nathalie
Published: December 2016

Giving paper and polymer photochromic properties under laser irradiation is challenging due to the low resistance of these materials to heat, their flexibility, and their possibly irregular structure. However, we could successfully deposit TiO2/Ag/TiO2 layers stacking on flexible white glossy paper and transparent polyethylene terephalate (PET) substrates using a reactive magnetron sputtering technique, and tailor coloration changes after laser irradiation, alternating visible and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. The sample colors are characterized by a panel of chromas depending on the irradiation conditions. We demonstrate that these chroma changes are due to morphological changes of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) after visible laser irradiation of the colored as-deposited sample. The process exhibits a good reversibility after subsequent UV irradiation due to the growth of new metallic Ag NPs. The colors displayed in diffuse reflection by the paper samples are more saturated than the ones displayed in regular transmission by PET samples. We demonstrate the efficiency of the photochromic process on such support by printing high resolution patterns exhibiting different colors depending on the observation conditions.
Improving Spectral Results Using Row-by-Row Fourier Transform of Spatial Heterodyne Raman Spectrometer Interferogram
Authors: Barnett Patrick D. , Strange K. Alicia , Angel S. Michael
Published: December 2016

This work describes a method of applying the Fourier transform to the two-dimensional Fizeau fringe patterns generated by the spatial heterodyne Raman spectrometer (SHRS), a dispersive interferometer, to correct the effects of certain types of optical alignment errors. In the SHRS, certain types of optical misalignments result in wavelength-dependent and wavelength-independent rotations of the fringe pattern on the detector. We describe here a simple correction technique that can be used in post-processing, by applying the Fourier transform in a row-by-row manner. This allows the user to be more forgiving of fringe alignment and allows for a reduction in the mechanical complexity of the SHRS.
Situational Domestication and the Origin of the Cafe Worker Species
Authors: Henriksen Ida Marie , Tjora Aksel
Published: December 2016

Given the pervasiveness of free Wi-Fi zones in cafes, use of laptops, tablets and smart phones supports the transformation of cafes from social spaces to work spaces for many customers. In this article we analyse, on the basis of an ethnographic study of individuals’ laptop work in urban cafes in Norway and the UK, (1) what it is about cafes that makes people visit them for working purposes, and (2) how individual laptop work changes the social life of such venues. By linking our analysis to theories of communal processes and the domestication of technologies, we put forward the concept of ‘situational domestication’, encompassing the aspects of socially embedded individual working. Consequently, the close study of how cafe spaces are being used for work offers insights into how progressively technologised work and work habits influence not only work itself, but also public space at a broader level.
Who Is Doing the Housework in Multicultural Britain?
Authors: Kan Man-Yee , Laurie Heather
Published: December 2016

There is an extensive literature on the domestic division of labour within married and cohabiting couples and its relationship to gender equality within the household and the labour market. Most UK research focuses on the white majority population or is ethnicity ‘blind’, effectively ignoring potentially significant intersections between gender, ethnicity, socio-economic position and domestic labour. Quantitative empirical research on the domestic division of labour across ethnic groups has not been possible due to a lack of data that enables disaggregation by ethnic group. We address this gap using data from a nationally representative panel survey, Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study containing sufficient sample sizes of ethnic minority groups for meaningful comparisons. We find significant variations in patterns of domestic labour by ethnic group, gender, education and employment status after controlling for individual and household characteristics.
Exploring the Performance, Semantic, and Cognitive Dimensions of Orality
Authors: Hadisi Mwana
Published: December 2016

In this article I contend that particular characteristics of communication found in oral contexts are sufficiently different from those in literate ones to merit special consideration when ministering to oral audiences. My conclusions are based on my description, presented here, of the key features of narrative performance among the Digo people of Kenya's south coast. This description is derived from the application of two theoretical perspectives to a body of traditional Digo stories: Performance Theory and Semantic Structural Analysis. From my research I demonstrate how these features express aspects of orality and enhance the communicational impact of the narrative material.
School corporal punishment, family tension, and students’ internalizing problems: Evidence from India
Authors: Deb Sibnath , Kumar Aneesh , Holden George W. , Simpson Rowe Lorelei
Published: December 2016

There is considerable evidence that parental corporal punishment (CP) is positively associated with children’s behavioral and mental health problems. However, there is very little evidence addressing whether CP perpetrated by teachers or school staff is similarly associated with problematic student functioning. To address this gap in the research literature, data were collected from students in a locale where school CP continues to be widely practiced. Participants were 519 adolescents attending public or private schools in Puducherry, a city in eastern India. Students completed surveys assessing school CP, internalizing problems, social support, and resilience. The results indicated that 62% of the students reported experiencing school CP in the past 12 months, with males and those attending public schools being significantly more likely to report school CP than females and those in private schools. Youth who reported school CP reported more anxiety and depression. That relation was more pronounced in youth who reported family tension. Social support and resilience did not moderate the relations. The findings add to the substantial evidence about negative associations regarding the use of CP but in a new venue—the school, and provide some evidence for the need to change how students are disciplined in schools in India and elsewhere.
Can Magic Deception Be Detected at an Unconscious Level?
Authors: Kawakami Naoaki , Miura Emi
Published: December 2016

Magicians present magic tricks that seem to defy the laws of nature, entertaining us by manipulating our attention, perception, and awareness. However, although we are unaware of these manipulations at the level of conscious experience, we may still be aware of them at an unconscious level. We examined whether people can detect a magic deception outside of conscious awareness using an indirect measure. In the present study, we used the Cups and Balls magic trick, which is the transposition of balls between two cups. Participants viewed a video of the magic performance and were required to indicate the position of the ball in a direct self-report measure and completed the Single Category Implicit Association Test as an indirect measure. The results showed that the indirect measure of trick detection had higher accuracy than the direct measure. Our results suggest that while humans cannot consciously detect the magic deception, they do have a sense of what occurred on an unconscious level.
Antiepileptic drugs in migraine and epilepsy: Who is at increased risk of adverse events?
Authors: Romoli Michele , Costa Cinzia , Siliquini Sabrina , Corbelli Ilenia , Eusebi Paolo , Bedetti Chiara , Caproni Stefano , Cupini Letizia Maria , Calabresi Paolo , Sarchielli Paola
Published: December 2016

Background

The impact of adverse events (AEs) of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have an impact on compliance and dropouts. We compared tolerability of AEs of AEDs among patients with migraine, epilepsy, or both.

Methods

Overall, 335 patients (epilepsy (n = 142), migraine (n = 131), and both (n = 62)), were evaluated with the Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (LAEP) to assess the magnitude, profile and occurrence rate of the AEs of valproate, topiramate, and lamotrigine.

Results

AEs were significantly more common with topiramate treatment (71.0%) and among migraineurs (69.5%), the latter being more prone to discontinue AEDs (46.6%). The profile of AEs with topiramate and valproate differed among groups. Moreover, treatment with both topiramate and valproate was associated, for all groups, with a worse tolerability profile compared to lamotrigine.

Conclusion

Our data suggest a specific drug and disease AE profile of AEDs. Specifically, migraineurs are the most affected by AEs, even though they receive very low dosages of AEDs. This finding might be considered a clinical implication of central sensitization mechanisms. Both the profile and tolerability of AEs, highly influencing quality of life, depended on the underlying conditions, and deeply impacted on treatment dropout. Therefore, before starting, switching or stopping AED treatment, all options need to be considered.
Referenced but Not Linear?
Authors: Rekawek Kacper
Published: December 2016

This article contextualizes the seemingly robust Central-Eastern European reactions to terrorist events in Western Europe, whilst examining the difference between how counterterrorism (CT) in Central-Eastern Europe looks in theory and how it works in practice. It constitutes the first comparative study, across eight case studies, focusing solely on CT-related issues of the post-2004 EU entrants, and one of the very first assessing CT developments in post-communist Europe available in English. The article addresses a serious gap in terrorism studies that are oriented towards works on terrorism or CT in Western Europe. It sets out five distinguishing features of CT routines in Central-Eastern Europe and consequently argues that Central-Eastern Europeans “reference” their CT arrangements from Western Europe in a copy and paste manner. Moreover, the Central-Eastern European CT, unlike that of their CT “referees” from Western Europe, is not linear in nature and does not stem from the local threat perception being filtered through CT legacies (developed norms, practices, and routines). By thematically analysing the haphazard manner in which the Central-Eastern Europeans develop their CT legacies, and depicting how eager they are in adopting the Western European rationale for countering a threat that is hardly present in their region, the article provides new empirical basis (derived from qualitative data, including sixty interviews with Central-Eastern European CT experts and officials) for a far-reaching argument about a West-East (old EU–new EU) divide on CT in Europe.
Engagement in and continuity of HIV care among African and Caribbean Black women living with HIV in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Logie Carmen H , Kennedy Victoria L , Tharao Wangari , Ahmed Uzma , Loutfy Mona R
Published: December 2016

Engagement in care is a key component of the HIV care cascade, yet there are knowledge gaps regarding how to assess HIV care engagement. This study aimed to develop a tool to assess HIV care engagement and to assess associations between HIV care engagement and quality of life (QOL) among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) women living with HIV (WLWH). We conducted a cross-sectional survey with ACB WLWH across Ontario, Canada. We developed the ‘HIV Engagement in and Continuity of Care Scale’ (HECCS). We conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the scale’s factor structure. We conducted structural equation modeling (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation to examine the associations between the HECCS and QOL. EFA yielded four factors: access to care, care by doctor/health professionals, control of HIV care, and appointment timekeeping. The CFA of the HECCS demonstrated good model fit: χ2 (DF: 1; n = 173) = 1.175, p = 0.278; CFI: 0.998; Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI): 0.990; RMSEA: 0.032. The HECCS was associated with increased QOL. The model fit the data well: χ2 (DF: 31, n = 173) = 51.19, p = 0.013; CFI = 0.955; TLI = 0.934; RMSEA = 0.062. Engagement in and continuity of care is multifaceted. We recommend interventions to promote the institutional capacity to better engage ACB WLWH in HIV care.
False-negative syphilis treponemal enzyme immunoassay results in an HIV-infected case-patient
Authors: Katz Alan R , Komeya Alan Y , Tomas Juval E
Published: December 2016

We present a case report of a false-negative syphilis treponemal enzyme immunoassay test result in an HIV-infected male. While treponemal tests are widely considered to be more sensitive and specific than non-treponemal tests, our findings point to potential challenges using the reverse sequence syphilis screening algorithm.
Exit from war: The transformation of rebels into post-war power elites
Authors: Hensell Stephan , Gerdes Felix
Published: December 2016

The reintegration of rebels after war is a key security challenge. This article analyses the post-war transformation of rebels as a process of joining the established political elite. The political careers of former rebels vary. While some rise to senior political positions, others fail to consolidate their power. Taking theoretical notions of Pierre Bourdieu as its point of departure, this article outlines the central role of social capital in the post-war political field, which allows for an analysis and explanation of differences in rebel inclusion and exclusion. The article argues that the political careers of rebels are dependent on the accumulation of vertical and horizontal social capital in elite–mass and intra-elite networks. Case studies of Liberia and Kosovo demonstrate the plausibility of our thesis and the fruitfulness of a Bourdieusian approach in studying the political transformation of armed groups. This article contributes to the debate on the post-war reintegration of rebels as well as to the debate on practice approaches in international relations and security studies.
Exploring the Experience of African Immigrant Mothers Providing Reproductive Health Education to Their Daughters Aged 10 to 14 Years
Authors: Agbemenu Kafuli , Devido Jessica , Terry Martha Ann , Hannan Margaret , Kitutu Julius , Doswell Willa
Published: December 2016

Introduction: Adolescents have disproportionate rates of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections when compared with all other age groups. Mothers are gatekeepers and providers of reproductive health education, which can prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Reproductive health education provided by African immigrant mothers is influenced by cultural experiences and cultural contexts that are not well understood and have not been studied. This study sought to describe the experience of African mothers living in the United States providing reproductive health education to their daughters aged 10 to 14 years. Method: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Twenty African immigrant mothers were interviewed in a community setting. Qualitative content analysis approach was used for analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged: (1) mothers’ reproductive health education in their country of origin, (2) mothers’ reproductive health communication with their daughters, and (3) changes due to the move to the United States. Discussion: Mothers believed daughters were too young for reproductive health education, leading to conversations with limited content that were frequently triggered by daughters’ exposure to reproductive health education outside the home. Implications: African immigrant mothers may benefit from culturally congruent discussions with health care providers about the reproductive health information they give their daughters.