bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spreadability of Ag Layer on Oxides and High Performance of AZO/Ag/AZO Sandwiched Transparent Conductive Film
Authors: Niu Yuchao , Ma Xiaoyu , Liu Xiangju , Wang Weimin , Zhen Yongtai , Gao Ying
Published: July 2017

Single layers of indium tin oxide (ITO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), and Ag, bilayers of ITO/Ag and AZO/Ag, and sandwiched layers of ITO/Ag/ITO (IAI) and AZO/Ag/AZO (ZAZ) were fabricated on ordinary glass substrates using magnetron sputtering. The surface morphologies of single layers and bilayers were measured. The sheet resistance and transmittance of the sandwiched layers were investigated. The results showed that the spreadability of the Ag on the AZO was significantly better than that on the ITO or bare glass substrate. The spreadability of Ag on underlayers influences obviously the performance of transparent conductive oxide/Ag/transparent conductive oxides (TCO/Ag/TCO or TAT). The sheet resistance and transmittance of the ZAZ sandwiched layer with the matching of 35 nm AZO (35 nm)/Ag (9 nm)/AZO (35 nm) fabricated in this paper were low to 3.84 Ω/sq and up to 85.55% at 550 nm, respectively. Its maximum Haacke figure of merit was 0.05469 Ω−1, higher than that of IAI multilayer.
Intelligent Techniques Using Molecular Data Analysis in Leukaemia: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine Support System
Authors: Banjar Haneen , Adelson David , Brown Fred , Chaudhri Naeem
Published: July 2017

The use of intelligent techniques in medicine has brought a ray of hope in terms of treating leukaemia patients. Personalized treatment uses patient’s genetic profile to select a mode of treatment. This process makes use of molecular technology and machine learning, to determine the most suitable approach to treating a leukaemia patient. Until now, no reviews have been published from a computational perspective concerning the development of personalized medicine intelligent techniques for leukaemia patients using molecular data analysis. This review studies the published empirical research on personalized medicine in leukaemia and synthesizes findings across studies related to intelligence techniques in leukaemia, with specific attention to particular categories of these studies to help identify opportunities for further research into personalized medicine support systems in chronic myeloid leukaemia. A systematic search was carried out to identify studies using intelligence techniques in leukaemia and to categorize these studies based on leukaemia type and also the task, data source, and purpose of the studies. Most studies used molecular data analysis for personalized medicine, but future advancement for leukaemia patients requires molecular models that use advanced machine-learning methods to automate decision-making in treatment management to deliver supportive medical information to the patient in clinical practice.
Prototype Generation Using Self-Organizing Maps for Informativeness-Based Classifier
Authors: Moreira Leandro Juvêncio , Silva Leandro A.
Published: July 2017

The k nearest neighbor is one of the most important and simple procedures for data classification task. The kNN, as it is called, requires only two parameters: the number of k and a similarity measure. However, the algorithm has some weaknesses that make it impossible to be used in real problems. Since the algorithm has no model, an exhaustive comparison of the object in classification analysis and all training dataset is necessary. Another weakness is the optimal choice of k parameter when the object analyzed is in an overlap region. To mitigate theses negative aspects, in this work, a hybrid algorithm is proposed which uses the Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) artificial neural network and a classifier that uses similarity measure based on information. Since SOM has the properties of vector quantization, it is used as a Prototype Generation approach to select a reduced training dataset for the classification approach based on the nearest neighbor rule with informativeness measure, named iNN. The SOMiNN combination was exhaustively experimented and the results show that the proposed approach presents important accuracy in databases where the border region does not have the object classes well defined.
Adaptive Resource Utilization Prediction System for Infrastructure as a Service Cloud
Authors: Zia Ullah Qazi , Hassan Shahzad , Khan Gul Muhammad
Published: July 2017

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud provides resources as a service from a pool of compute, network, and storage resources. Cloud providers can manage their resource usage by knowing future usage demand from the current and past usage patterns of resources. Resource usage prediction is of great importance for dynamic scaling of cloud resources to achieve efficiency in terms of cost and energy consumption while keeping quality of service. The purpose of this paper is to present a real-time resource usage prediction system. The system takes real-time utilization of resources and feeds utilization values into several buffers based on the type of resources and time span size. Buffers are read by R language based statistical system. These buffers’ data are checked to determine whether their data follows Gaussian distribution or not. In case of following Gaussian distribution, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) is applied; otherwise Autoregressive Neural Network (AR-NN) is applied. In ARIMA process, a model is selected based on minimum Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) values. Similarly, in AR-NN process, a network with the lowest Network Information Criterion (NIC) value is selected. We have evaluated our system with real traces of CPU utilization of an IaaS cloud of one hundred and twenty servers.
NSiteMatch: Prediction of Binding Sites of Nucleotides by Identifying the Structure Similarity of Local Surface Patches
Authors: Sun Jie , Chen Ke
Published: July 2017

Nucleotides play a central role in life-form metabolism, by interacting with proteins and mediating the function of proteins. It is estimated that nucleotides constitute about 15% of the biologically relevant ligands included in PDB. Prediction of binding sites of nucleotides is useful in understanding the function of proteins and can facilitate the in silico design of drugs. In this study, we propose a nucleotide-binding site predictor, namely, NSiteMatch. The NSiteMatch algorithm integrates three different strategies: geometrical analysis, energy calculation, and template comparison. Unlike a traditional template-based predictor, which identifies global similarity between target structure and template, NSiteMatch concerns the local similarity between a surface patch of the target protein and the binding sites of template. To this end, NSiteMatch identifies more templates than traditional template-based predictors. The NSiteMatch predictor is compared with three representative methods, Findsite, Q-SiteFinder, and MetaPocket. An extensive evaluation demonstrates that NSiteMatch achieves higher success rates than Findsite, Q-SiteFinder, and MetaPocket, in prediction of binding sites of ATP, ADP, and AMP.
Neuropsychological Characteristics of Children with Mixed Autism and ADHD
Authors: Colombi Costanza , Ghaziuddin Mohammad
Published: July 2017

Clinical heterogeneity is a well-established characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While the comorbidity of ASD and ADHD is well known in clinical practice, relatively little research has examined the neuropsychological profile of children with ASD + ADHD. Our study showed significant differences in the neuropsychological characteristics of children with ASD + ADHD compared to those with ASD only. Children with ASD + ADHD showed higher symptoms of anxiety, worse working memory, and less empathy, as measured by the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes.” This suggests that having ADHD brings further challenges to individuals with ASD and may negatively impact their management and outcome. Our findings may have implications for clinical assessment as well as for intervention.
A FEM-Experimental Approach for the Development of a Conceptual Linear Actuator Based on Tendril’s Free Coiling
Authors: Cortese Luca , Milanovic Selena , Vidoni Renato
Published: July 2017

Within the vastness of the plant species, certain living systems show tendril structures whose motion is of particular interest for biomimetic engineers. Tendrils sense and coil around suitable grips, and by shortening in length, they erect the remaining plant body. To achieve contraction, tendrils rotate along their main axis and shift from a linear to a double-spring geometry. This phenomenon is denoted as the free-coiling phase. In this work, with the aim of understanding the fundamentals of the mechanics behind the free coiling, a reverse-engineering approach based on the finite element method was firstly applied. The model consisted of an elongated cylinder with suitable material properties, boundary, and loading conditions, in order to reproduce the kinematics of the tendril. The simulation succeeded in mimicking coiling faithfully and was therefore used to validate a tentative linear actuator model based on the plant’s working principle. More in detail, exploiting shape memory alloy materials to obtain large reversible deformations, the main tendril features were implemented into a nickel-titanium spring-based testing model. The results of the experimental tests confirmed the feasibility of the idea in terms of both functioning principles and actual performance. It can be concluded that the final set-up can be used as a base for a prototype design of a new kind of a linear actuator.
Signal Processing Based Remote Sensing Data Simulation in Radar System
Authors: Hao Renxuan , Guo Tan
Published: July 2017

Range cell migration has a serious impact on the precision of image formation, especially for high-resolution and large-scale imaging. To get the full resolution and high quality of the image, the range cell migration correction in the azimuth time domain must be considered. For tackling this problem, this paper presents a novel and efficient range cell migration correction method based on curve fitting and signal processing. By emulating a curve to approximate the range-compressed echo of a strong point, the range location indexes of the strong point along the azimuth direction can be obtained under the least squares criterion. The merits of the proposed method are twofold: (1) the proposed method is robust to the uncertainty of system parameters (strong tolerance) under real flights and (2) the generalization of the proposed method is better and can be easily adapted to different synthetic aperture radar (SAR) modes (e.g., monostatic and bistatic). The experimental results on real remote sensing data from both the monostatic and the bistatic SAR demonstrate the effectiveness. The regressed distance curve is completely coincident with the trajectory of strong points of the echo. Finally, the imaging focus results also validate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Role of Mitochondrial Genome Mutations in Pathogenesis of Carotid Atherosclerosis
Authors: Sazonova Margarita A. , Sinyov Vasily V. , Ryzhkova Anastasia I. , Galitsyna Elena V. , Khasanova Zukhra B. , Postnov Anton Yu , Yarygina Elena I. , Orekhov Alexander N. , Sobenin Igor A.
Published: July 2017

Mutations of mtDNA, due to their higher frequency of occurrence compared to nuclear DNA mutations, are the most promising biomarkers for assessing predisposition of the occurrence and development of atherogenesis. The aim of the present article was an analysis of correlation of several mitochondrial genome mutations with carotid atherosclerosis. Leukocytes from blood of study participants from Moscow polyclinics were used as research material. The sample size was 700 people. The sample members were diagnosed with “atherosclerosis” on the basis of ultrasonographic examination and biochemical and molecular cell tests. DNA was isolated from blood leukocyte samples of the study participants. PCR fragments of DNA, containing the region of 11 investigated mutations, were pyrosequenced. The heteroplasmy level of these mutations was detected. Statistical analysis of the obtained results was performed using the software package SPSS 22.0. According to the obtained results, an association of mutations m.652delG, m.3336C>T, m.12315G>A, m.14459G>A m.15059G>A with carotid atherosclerosis was found. These mutations can be biomarkers for assessing predisposition to this disease. Additionally, two single nucleotide substitutions (m.13513G>A and m.14846G>A), negatively correlating with atherosclerotic lesions, were detected. These mutations may be potential candidates for gene therapy of atherosclerosis and its risk factors.
Osteopontin ImpactsWest Nile virusPathogenesis and Resistance by Regulating Inflammasome Components and Cell Death in the Central Nervous System at Early Time Points
Authors: Bortell Nikki , Flynn Claudia , Conti Bruno , Fox Howard S. , Marcondes Maria Cecilia G.
Published: July 2017

Osteopontin (OPN) is a molecule that is common in central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, which participates in the activation, migration, and survival of inflammatory cells. However, the mechanisms by which OPN modulates inflammatory pathways are not clear. To understand the role of OPN in CNS viral infections, we used a lethal mouse model ofWest Nile virus(WNV), characterized by the injection of high doses of the Eg101 strain of WNV, causing the increase of OPN levels in the brain since early time points. To measure the impact of OPN in neuropathogenesis and resistance, we compared C57BI/6 WT with mice lacking the OPN gene (OPN KO). OPN KO presented a significantly higher mortality compared to WT mice, detectable since day 5 pi. Our data suggests that OPN expression at early time points may provide protection against viral spread in the CNS by negatively controlling the type I IFN-sensitive, caspase 1-dependent inflammasome, while promoting an alternative caspase 8-associated pathway, to control the apoptosis of infected cells during WNV infection in the CNS. Overall, we conclude that the expression of OPN maintains a critical threshold in the innate immune response that controls apoptosis and lethal viral spread in early CNS infection.
Use of a Polyethylene Bag to Reduce Perioperative Regional and Whole-Body Heat Losses in Low-Birth-Weight Neonates
Authors: Tourneux Pierre , Durand Estelle , Pelletier Amandine , Ghyselen Laurent , Bach Véronique , Libert Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2017

In the delivery room, wrapping a low-birth-weight neonate (defined as ≤2.499 g) in a polyethylene bag reduces the risk of hypothermia. However, extended use of the bag (e.g., during neonatal surgery) might conceivably increase the risk of thermal stress and thus body overheating. Here, we assessed the efficacy of a polyethylene bag in infants assigned to wrap (W) or nonwrap (NW, control) groups during placement of a percutaneous vena cava catheter by applying a new mathematical model that calculates heat exchanges for covered and uncovered body segments. At the end of the placement procedure, the W and NW groups did not differ significantly in terms of whole-body heat loss (15.80 versus 14.97 kJ·h−1·kg−1, resp.), whereas the abdominal skin temperature was slightly but significantly higher (by 0.32°C) in the W group. Greater evaporation in the W group (2.49 kJ·h−1·kg−1) was primarily balanced by greater whole-body radiant heat loss (3.44 kJ·h−1·kg−1). Wrapping the neonate in a polyethylene bag provides a small thermal benefit when catheter placement takes a long time. Given that polyethylene is transparent to radiant energy, it might be of value to incorporate polymers that are less transparent at infrared wavelengths.
Nuclear Waste Management Decision-Making Support with MCDA
Authors: Schwenk-Ferrero A. , Andrianov A.
Published: July 2017

The paper proposes a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework for a comparative evaluation of nuclear waste management strategies taking into account different local perspectives (expert and stakeholder opinions). Of note, a novel approach is taken using a multiple-criteria formulation that is methodologically adapted to tackle various conflicting criteria and a large number of expert/stakeholder groups involved in the decision-making process. The purpose is to develop a framework and to show its application to qualitative comparison and ranking of options in a hypothetical case of three waste management alternatives: interim storage at and/or away from the reactor site for the next 100 years, interim decay storage followed in midterm by disposal in a national repository, and disposal in a multinational repository. Additionally, major aspects of a decision-making aid are identified and discussed in separate paper sections dedicated to application context, decision supporting process, in particular problem structuring, objective hierarchy, performance evaluation modeling, sensitivity/robustness analyses, and interpretation of results (practical impact). The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the application of the MCDA framework developed to a generic hypothetical case and indicate how MCDA could support a decision on nuclear waste management policies in a “small” newcomer country embarking on nuclear technology in the future.
A Least-Square Model to Estimate Historical Percentages of Itinerant General Aviation Operations by Aircraft Types and Flight Rules at an Airport
Authors: Li Tao , Trani Antonio A.
Published: July 2017

Historical airport-level General Aviation (GA) activity plays an important role in airport managerial and operational decision-making processes. We developed a model to estimate historical percentages of itinerant GA operations by four aircraft types and two flight rules. The model is formulated as a least-square optimization model and can be applied to both towered and nontowered airports. We applied the model to airports in the Terminal Area Forecast and compared model estimates with the observed statistics. This study provides a method that could be used in the decision-making processes that require detailed historical GA operations.
Was wünschen sich Patienten von ihrem Augenarzt und ihrer Behandlung?
Authors: Feltgen Nicolas
Published: July 2017

Ziel: Vor dem Hintergrund der herrschenden Zeitknappheit sollten vielbeschäftigte Retinaspezialisten sich bewusst machen, wie ihre Patienten die gemeinsame Zeit bevorzugt nutzen möchten und ob sie sich mehr Gesprächszeit wünschen, auch auf Kosten anderer medizinischer Maßnahmen. Methoden: 810 Personen mit Diabetes mellitus wurden gebe- ten, sich einen typischen Arzttermin wegen diabetischer Retinopathie vorzustellen und einen Zeitraum von 10 min auf Untersuchung, Beratungsgespräch und Behandlung aufzuteilen (NCT02311504). Ergebnisse: Mit zunehmender Krankheitsdauer des Diabetes wünschten sich die Patienten signifikant mehr Zeit für Diagnostik (p = 0,028), wohingegen das Lebensalter mit kürzer angesetzter Behandlungszeit assoziiert war (p = 0,009). Bei weiblichen Patienten bestand die Tendenz zu geringfügig mehr Gesprächszeit (p = 0,051) im Vergleich zu Männern, die eine geringfügig höhere Präferenz für Behandlungsmaßnahmen zeigten (p = 0,025). Schlussfolgerungen: Die große Mehrheit erkannte bei ihrer Einteilung den Zeitbedarf für die Diagnostik an. Wenn den Patienten im Einzelnen die im Gesundheitssektor herrschende Zeitknappheit vergegenwärtigt wird, könnte dies das Verständ- nis für Prioritätensetzung fördern.
Postoperatives Glaukom in der pädiatrischen Kataraktchirurgie: Inzidenz, Risikofaktoren und Behandlung
Authors: Mataftsi Asimina
Published: July 2017

Das postoperative Glaukom ist die wohl meistgefürchtete Komplikation nach Kataraktoperationen bei Kindern, da es schwer zu beherrschen ist. Zudem ist das Glaukom in der Pädiatrie schwierig zu diagnostizieren, und uneinheitliche Definitionen der Krankheit haben zu einer beträchtlichen Bandbreite berichteter Inzidenzraten geführt. Es kann kurz nach der Operation auftreten - dann handelt es sich für gewöhnlich um ein Engwinkelglaukom - oder später ausbrechen, zum Teil mehr als ein Jahrzehnt nach der Operation. Seine Ätiopathogenese ist bis heute ungeklärt. Welche Risikofaktoren zu seiner Entwicklung beitragen, insbesondere im Hinblick auf die Implantation von Intraokularlinsen, ist Gegenstand erheblicher Kontroversen. Die große Mehrheit der Studien belegt, dass ein niedrigeres Operationsalter mit einem höheren Risiko verbunden ist. Die medikamentöse und chirurgische Behandlung des Glaukoms bei Aphakie/Pseudophakie kann erfolgreich sein, doch oft sind wiederholte Eingriffe erforderlich, zum Teil mit mehrfacher Medikation, und die Prognose ist verhalten. Das resultierende Sehvermögen hängt von der ausreichenden Kontrolle des Intraokulardrucks und der Beherrschung der gleichzeitigen Amblyopie ab. Übersetzung aus Dev Ophthalmol. Basel, Karger, 2016, vol 57, pp 40-48 (DOI: 10.1159/000442500)
High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level Relates to Working Memory, Immediate and Delayed Cued Recall in Brazilian Older Adults: The Role of Cognitive Reserve
Authors: Ihle Andreas , Gouveia Élvio R. , Gouveia Bruna R. , Freitas Duarte L. , Jurema Jefferson , Tinôco Maria A. , Kliegel Matthias
Published: July 2017

Aims: The present study set out to investigate the relation of the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level to cognitive performance and its interplay with key markers of cognitive reserve in a large sample of older adults. Methods: We assessed tests of working memory, immediate and delayed cued recall in 701 older adults from Amazonas, Brazil. The HDL-C level was derived from fasting blood samples. In addition, we interviewed individuals on their education, past occupation, and cognitive leisure activity. Results: A critically low HDL-C level (<40 mg/dL) was significantly related to lower performance in working memory, immediate and delayed cued recall. Moderation analyses suggested that the relations of the HDL-C level to working memory and delayed cued recall were negligible in individuals with longer education, a higher cognitive level of the job, and greater engagement in cognitive leisure activity. Conclusion: Cognitive reserve accumulated during the life course may reduce the detrimental influences of a critically low HDL-C level on cognitive functioning in old age.
Aggressive Posterior Retinopathy of Prematurity in a Premature Male Infant
Authors: Zhou Jun , Liu Zheng , Ying Hai-Yan , Liu Tao
Published: July 2017

A premature male infant was born at 30 weeks’ gestation with a birth weight of 1,700 g in a rural hospital. He was diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome and received continuous positive airway pressure treatment for 26 days. At 26 days after birth, the patient was transferred to our hospital for further evaluation and management. A comprehensive eye examination revealed a stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) involving zone 2 in both eyes. The patient was recommended to a provincial-level eye hospital for emergency laser therapy. Five months after birth, the feedback from the eye hospital showed that the patient had a high risk of blindness in both eyes. Our case report shows that delaying first screening examination increases the possibility of developing aggressive posterior ROP in infants with ROP. Doctors in rural hospitals should be aware of this possibility and trained for early screening and treatment in high-risk infants.
Pseudomonas Scleritis following Pterygium Excision
Authors: Chaidaroon Winai , Supalaset Sumet
Published: July 2017

Purpose: The aim of this case report was to describe a patient who presented with Pseudomonas scleritis after pterygium excision. The study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Methods: The record of a patient who was diagnosed as Pseudomonas scleritis after pterygium excision was retrospectively reviewed for history, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatments, and outcomes. Results: We described a 66-year-old male patient with a history of pterygium excision in his right eye 10 years ago, he presented with infectious scleritis. Scleral thinning, tissue necrosis, and overlying calcified plaque were found. The culture of scleral scraping revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Topical fortified amikacin (20 mg/mL) and intravenous ceftazidime were started. Urgent surgical debridement of scleral infiltrates and irrigation of necrotic sclera and surrounding conjunctiva with fortified amikacin (20 mg/mL) were performed. After 2 weeks of treatment, scleral thinning and inflammation decreased, and the best-corrected visual acuity improved from 6/24 to 6/9. Fortified amikacin eye drops (20 mg/mL) were continued until the fourth week, with no scleral thinning seen. Conclusions: P. aeruginosa is a virulent organism that causes infectious scleritis complicated by melting and necrotizing of the sclera. This report emphasized that early recognition, intensive antimicrobial treatment, and surgical debridement can prevent morbidity related to this Pseudomonas infection.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of 14-3-3 Gamma: What Does It Tell Us About Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?
Authors: Humpel Christian , Benke Thomas
Published: July 2017

Clinical diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) can be supported by the analysis of Tau and 14-3-3 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In this short report, we report about a retrospective analysis performed on 2,296 routinely collected CSF samples, and 44 samples with a ratio of phosphoTau181/Tau <0.075 were selected. Analysis was performed with a novel 14-3-3 gamma CircuLex Elisa. We show that control levels were around 6,000 AU/mL and samples from Alzheimer patients were not different from those collected from healthy controls. Four cases of verified CJD had 14-3-3 CSF levels of >100,000 AU/mL, while 10 out of 12 suspected CJD samples with 14-3-3 CSF levels between 50,000-100,000 AU/mL were CJD positive. All samples with 14-3-3 levels between 15,000 and 50,000 AU/mL were not CJD cases but disorders with complex neuropathology. In conclusion, our data suggests that in CSF samples with a phospho-Tau-181/Tau ratio <0.075 CSF levels of 14-3-3 should be analyzed. Our data suggests a very high risk for CJD with 14-3-3 levels above 100,000 AU/mL and a probable diagnosis of CJD based on laboratory parameters above 50,000 AU/mL.
MicroRNA-302b-3p Suppresses Cell Proliferation Through AKT Pathway by Targeting IGF-1R in Human Gastric Cancer
Authors: Guo Bo , Zhao Zhenghao , Wang Zhen , Li Qian , Wang Xiaofei , Wang Wenjing , Song Tusheng , Huang Che
Published: July 2017

Background/Aims: MiR-302b is a major microRNA found in human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. However, its function in gastric cancer progression remains unclear. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR was performed to detect the expression levels of miR-302b-3p in gastric cancer tissues. MTT, colony formation, and flow cytometer analyses were conducted to explore the function of miR-302b-3p in MKN-45/SGC-7901 cells. A dual-luciferase reporter was used to validate the bioinformatics-predicted target gene of miR-302b-3p. Western blotting and RNA interference were used to evaluate the expression of the AKT signaling pathway and determine the mechanisms underlying miR-302b-3p-induced anti-tumor effects. Results: MiR-302b-3p expression was decreased in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Enforced expression of miR-302b suppressed cell proliferation and cell cycle G1-S transition and induced apoptosis. IGF-1R was found to be a direct target of miR-302b-3p, and silencing of IGF-1R resulted in the same biological effects as those induced by miR-302b-3p overexpression in gastric cancer cells. Importantly, both overexpression of miR-302b-3p and silencing of IGF-1R decreased AKT phosphorylation, which modulated AKT related cell cycle regulators (cyclin A2, cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDk6) and apoptotic protein Bax/Bcl-2. Conclusion: These results indicate the tumor suppressor role of miR-302b-3p in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.
Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors Protect Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells Against Oxidation by Modulating Nitric Oxide Release and Autophagy
Authors: De Cillà Stefano De , Farruggio Serena , Vujosevic Stela , Raina Giulia , Filippini Davide , Gatti Valentina , Clemente Nausicaa , Mary David , Vezzola Diego , Casini Giamberto , Rossetti Luca , Grossini Elena
Published: July 2017

Background/Aims: the anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), Aflibercept and Ranibizumab, are used for the treatment of macular degeneration. Here we examined the involvement of nitric oxide (NO), mitochondria function and of apoptosis/autophagy in their antioxidant effects in human retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPE). Methods: RPE were exposed to Ranibizumab/Aflibercept in the absence or presence of NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor and of autophagy activator/blocker, rapamicyn/3-methyladenine. Specific kits were used for cell viability, NO and reactive oxygen species detection and mitochondrial membrane potential measurement, whereas Western Blot was performed for apoptosis/ autophagy markers and other kinases detection. Results: In RPE cultured in physiological conditions, Aflibercept/Ranibizumab increased NO release in a dose and time-dependent way. Opposite results were obtained in RPE pretreated with hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, both the anti-VEGF agents were able to prevent the fall of cell viability and of mitochondrial membrane potential. Those effects were reduced by the NOS inhibitor and 3-methyladenine and were potentiated by rapamycin. Finally, Aflibercept and Ranibizumab counteracted the changes of apoptosis/autophagy markers, NOS, Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B and Extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1/2 caused by peroxidation. Conclusion: Aflibercept and Ranibizumab protect RPE against peroxidation through the modulation of NO release, apoptosis and autophagy.
Complement Factor B Is a Determinant of Both Metabolic and Cardiovascular Features of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Coan Philip M. , Barrier Marjorie , Alfazema Neza , Carter Roderick N. , Marion de Procé Sophie , Dopico Xaquin C. , Garcia Diaz Ana , Thomson Adrian , Jackson-Jones Lucy H. , Moyon Ben , Webster Zoe , Ross David , Moss Julie , Arends Mark J. , Morton Nicholas M. , Aitman Timothy J.
Published: July 2017

CFB (complement factor B) is elevated in adipose tissue and serum from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, but the causal relationship to disease pathogenesis is unclear. Cfb is also elevated in adipose tissue and serum of the spontaneously hypertensive rat, a well-characterized model of metabolic syndrome. To establish the role of CFB in metabolic syndrome, we knocked out the
Cfb
gene in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
Cfb
−/−
rats showed improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, redistribution of visceral to subcutaneous fat, increased adipocyte mitochondrial respiration, and marked changes in gene expression.
Cfb
−/−
rats also had lower blood pressure, increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and reduced left ventricular mass. These changes in metabolism and gene expression, in adipose tissue and left ventricle, suggest new adipose tissue-intrinsic and blood pressure-independent mechanisms for insulin resistance and cardiac hypertrophy in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. In silico analysis of the human
CFB
locus revealed 2
cis
-regulated expression quantitative trait loci for
CFB
expression significantly associated with visceral fat, circulating triglycerides and hypertension in genome-wide association studies. Together, these data demonstrate a key role for
CFB
in the development of spontaneously hypertensive rat metabolic syndrome phenotypes and of related traits in humans and indicate the potential for CFB as a novel target for treatment of cardiometabolic disease.
Optimized connectome architecture for sensory-motor integration
Authors: Worrell Jacob C. , Rumschlag Jeffrey , Betzel Richard F. , Sporns Olaf , Mišić Bratislav
Published: July 2017

The intricate connectivity patterns of neural circuits support a wide repertoire of communication processes and functional interactions. Here we systematically investigate how neural signaling is constrained by anatomical connectivity in the mesoscale Drosophila (fruit fly) brain network. We use a spreading model that describes how local perturbations, such as external stimuli, trigger global signaling cascades that spread through the network. Through a series of simple biological scenarios we demonstrate that anatomical embedding potentiates sensory-motor integration. We find that signal spreading is faster from nodes associated with sensory transduction (sensors) to nodes associated with motor output (effectors). Signal propagation was accelerated if sensor nodes were activated simultaneously, suggesting a topologically mediated synergy among sensors. In addition, the organization of the network increases the likelihood of convergence of multiple cascades towards effector nodes, thereby facilitating integration prior to motor output. Moreover, effector nodes tend to coactivate more frequently than other pairs of nodes, suggesting an anatomically enhanced coordination of motor output. Altogether, our results show that the organization of the mesoscale Drosophila connectome imparts privileged, behaviorally relevant communication patterns among sensors and effectors, shaping their capacity to collectively integrate information.
The Absent Landscape in Xenophon’s Hiero
Authors: Fertik Harriet
Published: July 2017

The treatment of space and place, a key issue in recent classical scholarship, has been neglected in previous discussions of Xenophon’sHiero. While the setting of the dialogue between Simonides and Hiero receives little comment in the text, I argue that the absent landscape is essential to Xenophon’s conception of tyranny. Hiero’s efforts to sate his desires and to protect himself have obliterated the landscape of Sicily. As the tyrant devours and does violence to the landscape, he alienates his community and leaves himself vulnerable and exposed. When Simonides advises Hiero to preserve and beautify the city, he shows the tyrant how to gain his subjects’ devotion and thus how to securely place himself in the world he rules. By teaching the tyrant to rebuild his landscape, however, Simonides establishes an inescapable alternation between the tyrant’s violence and self-defeat and the ultimate restoration of tyrannical power.
Trait Narcissism and Contemporary Religious Trends
Authors: Hermann Anthony , Fuller Robert
Published: July 2017

In a large sample of adult Americans, we examined trait narcissism among those who identify as nonreligious, traditionally religious, or “spiritual but not religious” (SBNR). Our study reveals that: 1) those who identify as traditionally religious and those who identify as SBNR exhibit fairly similar levels of narcissism; 2) contrary to conventional wisdom, nonreligious Americans are lower in narcissism than religious/spiritual Americans (with nonreligious individuals particularly lower in the NPI subscales of self-absorption/self-admiration); and 3) higher levels of church attendance are not associated with lower NPI scores, though higher levels of church attendance are associated with higher NPI scores in SBNR individuals.
Developmental Changes in Sensitivity to Spatial and Temporal Properties of Sensory Integration Underlying Body Representation
Authors: Greenfield Katie , Ropar Danielle , Themelis Kristy , Ratcliffe Natasha , Newport Roger
Published: July 2017

The closer in time and space that two or more stimuli are presented, the more likely it is that they will be integrated together. A recent study by Hillock-Dunn and Wallace (2012) reported that the size of the visuo-auditory temporal binding window — the interval within which visual and auditory inputs are highly likely to be integrated — narrows over childhood. However, few studies have investigated how sensitivity to temporal and spatial properties of multisensory integration underlying body representation develops in children. This is not only important for sensory processes but has also been argued to underpin social processes such as empathy and imitation (Schütz-Bosbachet al., 2006). We tested 4 to 11 year-olds’ ability to detect a spatial discrepancy between visual and proprioceptive inputs (Experiment One) and a temporal discrepancy between visual and tactile inputs (Experiment Two) for hand representation. The likelihood that children integrated spatially separated visuo-proprioceptive information, and temporally asynchronous visuo-tactile information, decreased significantly with age. This suggests that spatial and temporal rules governing the occurrence of multisensory integration underlying body representation are refined with age in typical development.
The planktonic diatom genus Chaetoceros Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyta) from the Adriatic Sea
Authors: BOSAK SUNČICA , SARNO DIANA
Published: July 2017

The morphology of the genus Chaetoceros, one of the most abundant and diverse planktonic diatom groups, was investigated using material collected in the eastern Adriatic Sea from 2006 to 2012. Twenty-seven morphologically distinct species have been identified from both field samples and cultivated strains. Two species, C. bacteriastroides and C. pseudodichaeta, are reported for the first time for the area. Morphometric data, general morphology and ultrastructural characters are presented for each species, based on light and electron microscopy observations, with a special emphasis on species-specific distinctive features. Valve ultrastructure appeared to be characteristic for single species or group of closely related species, especially inside the subgenus Hyalochaete. A collection of appropriate micrographs will facilitate future identification of Chaetoceros species and morphological comparison with material from other geographic areas.
Crocus tuna-ekimii (Iridaceae), a new species from Turkey
Authors: YÜZBAŞIOĞLU SIRRI
Published: July 2017

Crocus tuna-ekimii is described as a new species from Balıkesir province in western Anatolia. The new species belongs to C. sect. Nudiscapus ser. Biflori, based on morphological features. It resembles the recently described C. sozenii, but clearly differs from it in flower color, morphology and chromosome number. A full description, detailed illustrations, photographs of metaphase, and SEM micrographs of seed-surface sculpturing pattern are presented. IUCN threat category and observations on the population are presented.
A new taxonomic treatment for the apogamous counterpart of Pteris terminalis (Pteridaceae)
Authors: EBIHARA ATSUSHI , NAKATO NARUMI , JARUWATTANAPHAN TASSANAI
Published: July 2017

An Asia-Pacific fern species Pteris terminalis, formerly known as ‘Pteris excelsa’ is variable in terms of frond morphology as well as cytological characters. In particular, the results of previous cytological studies raised question on naturalness of currently accepted infraspecific taxa—‘P. excelsa var. simplicior’ (not yet combined with P. terminalis) consists of apogamous diploid and triploid, but these cytotypes are shared by the typical form of ‘P. excelsa’ (= P. terminalis), which is most widely distributed as sexual diploid. In the present study, the two varieties are re-circumscribed chiefly based on reproductive modes. Morphological characters including the length of apical pinna segments and the dissection degree of acroscopic side of pinna often, but not always, help their identification. After examination and lectotypification of type specimens of related taxa, correct names at varietal rank, two varieties P. terminalis var. terminalis and P. terminalis var. fauriei are proposed for the sexual form and the apogamous form, respectively.
Morphological and molecular studies on Gelidiaceae and Gelidiellaceae (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) from Brazil with description of the new species Gelidium calidum
Authors: JAMAS MAYRA , IHA CINTIA , C. OLIVEIRA MARIANA , M. P. B. GUIMARÃES SILVIA , T. FUJII MUTUE
Published: July 2017

Because of phenotypic plasticity, undefined specific boundaries, and specimens that are rarely fertile, species recognition in Gelidiales has been extremely difficult and controversial. Fifteen species of Gelidiellaceae and Gelidiaceae have been reported in Brazil with the majority in regional floristic studies or species lists. Thus, Gelidiales species have not received enough attention in Brazil, and many taxonomic problems remain unresolved. In this study, an integrative systematic approach based on the morphology of the vegetative and reproductive structures and two molecular markers, cox1 and rbcL, was used for 54 samples collected along the Brazilian coast. Five Gelidiaceae, including Gelidium crinale, G. floridanum, G. lineare, G. microdonticum and a new species here proposed as G. calidum, were found. The occurrence of Gelidiella acerosa, Ge. flabella, Millerella myrioclada, and two undescribed species, Gelidiella sp. and Millerella sp. were confirmed in Gelidiellaceae. Gelidiaceae and Gelidiellaceae species could be distinguished from each other by molecular and morphological approaches, except for Gelidium crinale and the new species, G. calidum, which were distinguished only by molecular data.
Dictyosporium wuyiense sp. nov. from Wuyi Mountain China
Authors: ZHANG YING , CAI CHENG-SHAN , ZHAO GUO-ZHU
Published: July 2017

Dictyosporium wuyiense, a new anamorphic fungus collected on a dead branch of bamboo in Tongmugou, Wuyi Mountain, China, is described and illustrated. It is characterised by being cheiroid, septate, complanate, and yellow, with two types of conidia composed mostly of five parallel compact rows of cells, sometimes with variable hyaline apical vesical appendages. Type 1 conidia are longer and the three central rows are protruding with swollen apical cells; type 2 conidia are wider and fan-shaped, with rows of apical cells approximately the same length. The conidial morphology on potato dextrose agar plates was variable, most with 2–3 vesical appendages. In phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA, Dictyosporium wuyiense clustered with most Dictyosporium species in Dictyosporiaceae, but was a distinct species. Both morphological and molecular evidence support its description as a new species. A brief review of Dictyosporium and allied species is provided.
A new species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) with a key to the species from Northeastern Brazil
Authors: GROPPO MILTON , PIRANI JOSÉ RUBENS
Published: July 2017

Zanthoxylum unifoliolatum Groppo & Pirani (Rutaceae), a new species from northeastern Brazil is here described and illustrated. To date, this species is known from a small number of collections from the state of Sergipe and considered endangered, given its restricted geographical distribution and the rapid deforestation of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Z. unifoliolatum can be readily distinguished from other Brazilian Zanthoxylum by its unifoliolate leaves, rather than pinnate leaves present in other Brazilian species of the genus A detailed description and illustrations of this new species are provided, as well as comments on the geographic distribution, phenology, generic relationships and conservation status. Additionally, a key to the species of Zanthoxylum from Northeastern Region of Brazil is provided.
Host associations of Melanterius Erichson (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cleogonini), with a diagnosis and delimitation of the genus and description of five new species
Authors: PINZÓN-NAVARRO SARA V. , JENNINGS DEBBIE , OBERPRIELER ROLF G.
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the results of a three-year collecting and research project on Melanterius weevils in Australia, aimed mainly at discovering new host associations and assessing their fit to the emerging reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships in the large genus Acacia. A revised and extended diagnosis of the genus Melanterius is provided, as well as characters differentiating the genus from related and/or similar Australian genera classified in the tribe Cleogonini. Given the size (79 species) and morphological variation of Melanterius, and to facilitate the assessment of co-evolutionary patterns between the weevils and their hosts, the genus is divided into six tentative species groups characterised by particular morphological traits. New host and locality data are recorded for 23 species, including five species described as new to science, M. abbreviatus sp. n., M. curvistriatus sp. n., M. psittacoides sp. n., M. pungalinae sp. n. and M. tesseymani sp. n. For each species, salient characters and a summary of known host plant species are provided. Melanterius tasmaniensis (Lea, 1909) comb. et stat. n. is raised from a subspecies of Melanteriosoma costatum to species level. All recorded host associations of Melanterius known to us are summarised, including those published, those recorded on label data associated with specimens in the Australian National Insect Collection and those recorded during this study. These host records are differentiated into true host associations (based on specimens reared from seeds), putative associations (based on long series of specimens collected from plants) and coincidental associations (based on single specimens collected from plants). Altogether, Melanterius weevils are recorded from 71 species of Acacia, still a small number in view of the ca. 1000 described species of Acacia, but it is likely that many or most of the other species are also hosts of Melanterius species or of the closely related genus Lybaeba. The pattern of host associations in evidence indicates that most species of Melanterius are not host-specific, developing in the seeds of a number of apparently related Acacia species. Nevertheless, several Melanterius species appear to have the potential to be employed as biocontrol agents if their main hosts become invasive weeds.
Winter Wind Regimes over Israel Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Berkovic Sigalit
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study is to objectively define and automatically reconstruct surface wind regimes over Israel. Unlike other previous studies that subjectively examined case studies or applied the semiobjective synoptic classification (SOC), this study shows the ability of the method of self-organizing maps (SOM) to directly define well-known wind regimes at the synoptic hours (0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 UTC) during the winter. This ability sets the groundwork for future automatic climatological analysis and applications. The investigation is performed by analyzing surface wind measurements from 53 Israel Meteorological Service stations. The relation between the synoptic variables and the wind regimes is revealed from the averages of ECMWF interim reanalysis (ERA-Interim) variables at each SOM wind regime. The inspection of wind regimes and their average pressure anomalies has shown that wind regimes relate to the gradient of the pressure anomalies rather than to the specific isobaric pattern. Two main wind regimes—strong western and strong eastern—are well known over this region. During daytime, SOM classification identifies these two regimes while SOC reveals only strong western regimes since SOC considers depth of the pressure gradients only in the case of low pressure centers. In accordance with previous studies, two main groups—winter low and high pressure centers and/or Red Sea troughs—are related to the strong westerly or easterly wind regimes with low diurnal variability and high daily persistence. Regimes under weak pressure gradients have higher diurnal variability, relatively lower steadiness, and weaker speed. Their daily persistence is not necessarily low.