bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EPPDC: An Efficient Privacy-Preserving Scheme for Data Collection in Smart Grid
Authors: Chen Jie , Shi Junping , Zhang Yueyu
Published: May 2015

Different from the traditional grid, smart grid builds a real-time connection network between the user and the grid company by smart terminals, which can achieve bidirectional data transmission and information control. In smart grid, the smart meters send various information to the power generators and substations. Frequent data collection meets real-time management, but it tends to raise privacy concerns from the users about privacy information leakage. Based on the blind signature and the key distribution scheme, an efficient and privacy-preserving data collection (EPPDC) scheme is proposed for smart grid to cope with the above problems. In EPPDC scheme, the users' data information is transmitted to the local aggregator by building gateway with privacy preserving. In addition, the security analysis indicates that EPPDC scheme not only can resist replay attack, but also has source authentication and data integrity, confidentiality, unforgeability, nonrepudiation, and evolution of shared keys. Furthermore, performance analysis shows that EPPDC scheme has less computation cost than existing scheme.
Macrophages and Uveitis in Experimental Animal Models
Authors: Mérida Salvador , Palacios Elena , Navea Amparo , Bosch-Morell Francisco
Published: May 2015

Resident and infiltrated macrophages play relevant roles in uveitis as effectors of innate immunity and inductors of acquired immunity. They are major effectors of tissue damage in uveitis and are also considered to be potent antigen‐presenting cells. In the last few years, experimental animal models of uveitis have enabled us to enhance our understanding of the leading role of macrophages in eye inflammation processes, including macrophage polarization in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis and the major role of Toll‐like receptor 4 in endotoxin‐induced uveitis. This improved knowledge should guide advantageous iterative research to establish mechanisms and possible therapeutic targets for human uveitis resolution.
Thermal Annealing Effect on Structural, Morphological, and Sensor Performance of PANI‐Ag‐Fe Based Electrochemical E. coli Sensor for Environmental Monitoring
Authors: Mohammad Naim Norshafadzila , Abdullah H. , Umar Akrajas Ali , Abdul Hamid Aidil , Shaari Sahbudin
Published: May 2015

PANI‐Ag‐Fe nanocomposite thin films based electrochemical E. coli sensor was developed with thermal annealing. PANI‐Ag‐Fe nanocomposite thin films were prepared by oxidative polymerization of aniline and the reduction process of Ag‐Fe bimetallic compound with the presence of nitric acid and PVA. The films were deposited on glass substrate using spin‐coating technique before they were annealed at 300°C. The films were characterized using XRD, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, and FESEM to study the structural and morphological properties. The electrochemical sensor performance was conducted using I-V measurement electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The sensitivity upon the presence of E. coli was measured in clean water and E. coli solution. From XRD analysis, the crystallite sizes were found to become larger for the samples after annealing. UV‐Vis absorption bands for samples before and after annealing show maximum absorbance peaks at around 422 nm–424 nm and 426 nm–464 nm, respectively. FESEM images show the diameter size for nanospherical Ag‐Fe alloy particles increases after annealing. The sensor performance of PANI‐Ag‐Fe nanocomposite thin films upon E. coli cells in liquid medium indicates the sensitivity increases after annealing.
Targeted In Vivo Imaging of Mouse Hindlimb Ischemia Using Fluorescent Gelatin Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Ju , Wang Gang , Mao Duo , Han Aitian , Xiao Nannan , Qi Xin , Ding Dan , Kong Deling
Published: May 2015

Critical limb ischemia is one of the most advanced forms of peripheral artery disease, which seriously threat the human health and even cause amputation. In this study, we developed a fluorescent gelatin nanoparticle (FGNP) by covalent conjugation of the nanoparticles with two fluorogens, Cy7 and rhodamine B. The FGNPs have a volume average hydrodynamic diameter of about 168 nm, which also show low cytotoxicity against NIH/3T3 normal cells. The in vivo ischemia bioimaging studies in live mice and in ischemic limb slices demonstrate that the FGNPs can be preferentially accumulated to the ischemic site, which can thus serve as a safe and effective probe for targeted visualization of ischemia in the limb.
Synthesis of Luminescent Ag Nanoclusters with Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Liu Ying-Fan , Wang Lei , Bu Chun-Po , Wang Guo-Qing , Zhang Yan-Hui , Fang Shao-Ming , Shi Wan-Zhen
Published: May 2015

This paper focuses on the synthesis of novel Ag nanoclusters (NCs) using DHLA as capping reagents in aqueous solution by a photoreduction method. Luminescence studies indicated that the DHLA‐Ag NCs exhibited strong blue emission with maximum peak at 480 nm. The maximum emission of the NCs can be greatly improved with irradiating time by around 15‐fold from 3 h to 67 h. By means of mycelium growth rate, the results showed that the Ag NCs with smaller sizes had a good antimicrobial effect.
IFN-λ: A New Class of Interferon with Distinct Functions-Implications for Hepatitis C Virus Research
Authors: Liu Bing , McGilvray Ian , Chen Limin
Published: May 2015

Pegylated interferon-αand ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) is widely used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection with notorious adverse reactions since the broad expression of IFN-αreceptors on all nucleated cells. Accordingly, a Type III IFN with restricted receptors distribution is much safer as an alternative for HCV therapy. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the humanIFN-λ3gene,IL-28B, correlate strongly with the ability to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) to therapy with pegylated IFN-αplus ribavirin in patients infected with chronic hepatitis C. Furthermore, we also discuss the most recent findings:IFN-λ4predicts treatment outcomes of HCV infection. In consideration of the apparent limitations of current HCV therapy, especially high failure rate and universal side effects, prediction of treatment outcomes prior to the initiation of treatment and developing new alternative drugs are two important goals in HCV research.
Simultaneous Disruption of the Pubic Symphysis and Sacroiliac Joint during Vaginal Birth
Authors: Çıçek Hakan , Keskın H. Levent , Tuhanıoğlu Ümit , Kiliçarslan Kasım , Oğur Hasan Ulaş
Published: May 2015

Background. Puerperal diastasis of the pubic symphysis is a rare intrapartum complication. This report presents the case of a woman who experienced synchronous pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joint separations induced by vaginal delivery.Case. A 32-year-old woman (gravida 2, parity 2) with an uncomplicated prenatal course developed acute-onset anterior pubic pain during vaginal delivery. The pain persisted postpartum and was exacerbated by leg movement. Physical and radiographic examinations showed a pubic symphyseal separation of 2.4 cm, accompanied by a 10 mm disruption of the left sacroiliac joint. The patient was treated conservatively with pain-relief medication; bed rest, mostly in the left lateral decubitus position; closed reduction and application of a pelvic binder; use of a walker; and physical therapy.Conclusion. The patient responded to conservative management. She was essentially pain-free and regained movement and ambulation by 12 weeks postpartum.
Bandwidth Enhancement Technique of the Meandered Monopole Antenna
Authors: Wang Chien-Jen , Hsieh Dai-Heng
Published: May 2015

A small dual-band monopole antenna with coplanar waveguide (CPW) feeding structure is presented in this paper. The antenna is composed of a meandered monopole, an extended conductor tail, and an asymmetrical ground plane. Tuning geometrical structure of the ground plane excites an additional resonant frequency band and thus enhances the impedance bandwidth of the meandered monopole antenna. Unlike the conventional monopole antenna, the new resonant mode is excited by a slot trace of the CPW transmission line. The radiation performance of the slot mode is as similar as that of the monopole. The parametrical effect of the size of the one-side ground plane on impedance matching condition has been derived by the simulation. The measured impedance bandwidths, which are defined by the reflection coefficient of −6 dB, are 186 MHz (863–1049 MHz, 19.4%) at the lower resonant band and 1320 MHz (1490–2810 MHz, 61.3%) at the upper band. From the results of the reflection coefficients of the proposed monopole antenna, the operated bandwidths of the commercial wireless communication systems, such as GSM 900, DCS, IMT-2000, UMTS, WLAN, LTE 2300, and LTE 2500, are covered for uses.
Statistical Angular Resolution Limit for Ultrawideband MIMO Noise Radar
Authors: Zhou Xiaoli , Wang Hongqiang , Cheng Yongqiang , Qin Yuliang , Chen Haowen
Published: May 2015

The two-dimensional angular resolution limit (ARL) of elevation and azimuth for MIMO radar with ultrawideband (UWB) noise waveforms is investigated using statistical resolution theory. First, the signal model of monostatic UWB MIMO noise radar is established in a 3D reference frame. Then, the statistical angular resolution limits (SARLs) of two closely spaced targets are derived using the detection-theoretic and estimation-theoretic approaches, respectively. The detection-theoretic approach is based on the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) with given probabilities of false alarm and detection, while the estimation-theoretic approach is based on Smith’s criterion which involves the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB). Furthermore, the relationship between the two approaches is presented, and the factors affecting the SARL, that is, detection parameters, transmit waveforms, array geometry, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and parameters of target (i.e., radar cross section (RCS) and direction), are analyzed. Compared with the conventional radar resolution theory defined by the ambiguity function, the SARL reflects the practical resolution ability of radar and can provide an optimization criterion for radar system design.
A Robust and Efficient Composite Time Integration Algorithm for Nonlinear Structural Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Zhang Lihong , Liu Tianyun , Li Qingbin
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a new robust and efficient time integration algorithm suitable for various complex nonlinear structural dynamic finite element problems. Based on the idea of composition, the three-point backward difference formula and a generalized central difference formula are combined to constitute the implicit algorithm. Theoretical analysis indicates that the composite algorithm is a single-solver algorithm with satisfactory accuracy, unconditional stability, and second-order convergence rate. Moreover, without any additional parameters, the composite algorithm maintains a symmetric effective stiffness matrix and the computational cost is the same as that of the trapezoidal rule. And more merits of the proposed algorithm are revealed through several representative finite element examples by comparing with analytical solutions or solutions provided by other numerical techniques. Results show that not only the linear stiff problem but also the nonlinear problems involving nonlinearities of geometry, contact, and material can be solved efficiently and successfully by this composite algorithm. Thus the prospect of its implementation in existing finite element codes can be foreseen.
Sensor Fault Tolerant Control of a Fast Steering Mirror System Using Adaptive PI-Based Sliding Mode Observer and Hardware Redundancy
Authors: Wang Hongju , Bao Qiliang , Yang Wenshu , Liu Zidong , Tian Jing
Published: May 2015

The aim of this paper is to present a sensor fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme for a two-axis fast steering mirror (FSM) system with minimum power consumption and without changing the controller structure. In this paper, an adaptive PI-based sliding mode observer (APISMO) is adopted firstly to estimate the fault signal, which does not require any prior knowledge of the fault. The estimation is then used by the fault isolation logic to identify the fault. The redundant sensor would be powered up to replace the faulty one when faults occur. During the backup sensor booting up, for maintaining the normal performance of the closed-loop system approximately, a fault-free estimation of the position provided by the APISMO is used as feedback signal. Experimental studies on a prototype system show that the proposed APISMO can effectively reconstruct the fault signals even when the two primary position sensors are faulty simultaneously. Meanwhile, the effectiveness and performance of the proposed scheme have been verified.
An Accurate FFPA‐PSR Estimator Algorithm and Tool for Software Effort Estimation
Authors: Murugesan Senthil Kumar , Balasubramanian Chidhambara Rajan
Published: May 2015

Software companies are now keen to provide secure software with respect to accuracy and reliability of their products especially related to the software effort estimation. Therefore, there is a need to develop a hybrid tool which provides all the necessary features. This paper attempts to propose a hybrid estimator algorithm and model which incorporates quality metrics, reliability factor, and the security factor with a fuzzy‐based function point analysis. Initially, this method utilizes a fuzzy‐based estimate to control the uncertainty in the software size with the help of a triangular fuzzy set at the early development stage. Secondly, the function point analysis is extended by the security and reliability factors in the calculation. Finally, the performance metrics are added with the effort estimation for accuracy. The experimentation is done with different project data sets on the hybrid tool, and the results are compared with the existing models. It shows that the proposed method not only improves the accuracy but also increases the reliability, as well as the security, of the product.
Nonlinear Diversified Processes Monitoring
Authors: Fan Yunpeng , Li Shipeng , Du Wenyou , Zhang Yingwei
Published: May 2015

The paper proposed a new method to classify and establish the monitoring model for diversified processes data with multiscale. The advantages of the proposed approach are listed as follows. (1) The issues of diversified processes data with multiscale are considered and the fault monitoring effect is enhanced. (2) From a new perspective, the common and specific characteristic subspaces are extracted to help simplify the structure of the monitoring model. (3) It makes the correlation between the common subspace itself and input-output dataset of each mode as close as possible. The effect of the proposed method has been shown in the Experiment Results section.
NOS Inhibition Modulates Immune Polarization and Improves Radiation-Induced Tumor Growth Delay
Authors: Ridnour Lisa A. , Cheng Robert Y.S. , Weiss Jonathan M. , Kaur Sukhbir , Soto-Pantoja David R. , Basudhar Debashree , Heinecke Julie L. , Stewart C. Andrew , DeGraff William , Sowers Anastasia L. , Thetford Angela , Kesarwala Aparna H. , Roberts David D. , Young Howard A. , Mitchell James B. , Trinchieri Giorgio , Wiltrout Robert H. , Wink David A.
Published: May 2015

Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) are important mediators of progrowth signaling in tumor cells, as they regulate angiogenesis, immune response, and immune-mediated wound healing. Ionizing radiation (IR) is also an immune modulator and inducer of wound response. We hypothesized that radiation therapeutic efficacy could be improved by targeting NOS following tumor irradiation. Herein, we show enhanced radiation-induced (10 Gy) tumor growth delay in a syngeneic model (C3H) but not immunosuppressed (Nu/Nu) squamous cell carcinoma tumor-bearing mice treated post-IR with the constitutive NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). These results suggest a requirement of T cells for improved radiation tumor response. In support of this observation, tumor irradiation induced a rapid increase in the immunosuppressive Th2 cytokine IL10, which was abated by post-IR administration of L-NAME. In vivo suppression of IL10 using an antisense IL10 morpholino also extended the tumor growth delay induced by radiation in a manner similar to L-NAME. Further examination of this mechanism in cultured Jurkat T cells revealed L-NAME suppression of IR-induced IL10 expression, which reaccumulated in the presence of exogenous NO donor. In addition to L-NAME, the guanylyl cyclase inhibitors ODQ and thrombospondin-1 also abated IR-induced IL10 expression in Jurkat T cells and ANA-1 macrophages, which further suggests that the immunosuppressive effects involve eNOS. Moreover, cytotoxic Th1 cytokines, including IL2, IL12p40, and IFNγ, as well as activated CD8+ T cells were elevated in tumors receiving post-IR L-NAME. Together, these results suggest that post-IR NOS inhibition improves radiation tumor response via Th1 immune polarization within the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Res; 75(14); 2788–99. ©2015 AACR.
The Impact of DNA Input Amount and DNA Source on the Performance of Whole-Exome Sequencing in Cancer Epidemiology
Authors: Zhu Qianqian , Hu Qiang , Shepherd Lori , Wang Jianmin , Wei Lei , Morrison Carl D. , Conroy Jeffrey M. , Glenn Sean T. , Davis Warren , Kwan Marilyn L. , Ergas Isaac J. , Roh Janise M. , Kushi Lawrence H. , Ambrosone Christine B. , Liu Song , Yao Song
Published: May 2015

Background: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) has recently emerged as an appealing approach to systematically study coding variants. However, the requirement for a large amount of high-quality DNA poses a barrier that may limit its application in large cancer epidemiologic studies. We evaluated the performance of WES with low input amount and saliva DNA as an alternative source material.

Methods: Five breast cancer patients were randomly selected from the Pathways Study. From each patient, four samples, including 3 μg, 1 μg, and 0.2 μg blood DNA and 1 μg saliva DNA, were aliquoted for library preparation using the Agilent SureSelect Kit and sequencing using Illumina HiSeq2500. Quality metrics of sequencing and variant calling, as well as concordance of variant calls from the whole exome and 21 known breast cancer genes, were assessed by input amount and DNA source.

Results: There was little difference by input amount or DNA source on the quality of sequencing and variant calling. The concordance rate was about 98% for single-nucleotide variant calls and 83% to 86% for short insertion/deletion calls. For the 21 known breast cancer genes, WES based on low input amount and saliva DNA identified the same set variants in samples from a same patient.

Conclusions: Low DNA input amount, as well as saliva DNA, can be used to generate WES data of satisfactory quality.

Impact: Our findings support the expansion of WES applications in cancer epidemiologic studies where only low DNA amount or saliva samples are available. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(8); 1207–13. ©2015 AACR.
Genome-Wide Analysis Uncovers Novel Recurrent Alterations in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas
Authors: Braggio Esteban , Van Wier Scott , Ojha Juhi , McPhail Ellen , Asmann Yan W. , Egan Jan , da Silva Jackline Ayres , Schiff David , Lopes M. Beatriz , Decker Paul A. , Valdez Riccardo , Tibes Raoul , Eckloff Bruce , Witzig Thomas E. , Stewart A. Keith , Fonseca Rafael , O'Neill Brian Patrick
Published: May 2015

Purpose: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma confined to the central nervous system. Whether there is a PCNSL-specific genomic signature and, if so, how it differs from systemic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is uncertain.

Experimental Design: We performed a comprehensive genomic study of tumor samples from 19 immunocompetent PCNSL patients. Testing comprised array-comparative genomic hybridization and whole exome sequencing.

Results: Biallelic inactivation of TOX and PRKCD was recurrently found in PCNSL but not in systemic DLBCL, suggesting a specific role in PCNSL pathogenesis. In addition, we found a high prevalence of MYD88 mutations (79%) and CDKN2A biallelic loss (60%). Several genes recurrently affected in PCNSL were common with systemic DLBCL, including loss of TNFAIP3, PRDM1, GNA13, TMEM30A, TBL1XR1, B2M, CD58, activating mutations of CD79B, CARD11, and translocations IgH-BCL6. Overall, B-cell receptor/Toll-like receptor/NF-κB pathways were altered in >90% of PNCSL, highlighting its value for targeted therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, integrated analysis showed enrichment of pathways associated with immune response, proliferation, apoptosis, and lymphocyte differentiation.

Conclusions: In summary, genome-wide analysis uncovered novel recurrent alterations, including TOX and PRKCD, helping to differentiate PCNSL from systemic DLBCL and related lymphomas. Clin Cancer Res; 21(17); 3986–94. ©2015 AACR.
Efficacy of SERD/SERM Hybrid-CDK4/6 Inhibitor Combinations in Models of Endocrine Therapy–Resistant Breast Cancer
Authors: Wardell Suzanne E. , Ellis Matthew J. , Alley Holly M. , Eisele Koleen , VanArsdale Todd , Dann Stephen G. , Arndt Kim T. , Primeau Tina , Griffin Elizabeth , Shao Jieya , Crowder Robert , Lai Jin-Ping , Norris John D. , McDonnell Donald P. , Li Shunqiang
Published: May 2015

Purpose: Endocrine therapy, using tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, remains first-line therapy for the management of estrogen receptor (ESR1)–positive breast cancer. However, ESR1 mutations or other ligand-independent ESR1 activation mechanisms limit the duration of response. The clinical efficacy of fulvestrant, a selective estrogen receptor downregulator (SERD) that competitively inhibits agonist binding to ESR1 and triggers receptor downregulation, has confirmed that ESR1 frequently remains engaged in endocrine therapy–resistant cancers. We evaluated the activity of a new class of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM)/SERD hybrids (SSH) that downregulate ESR1 in relevant models of endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Building on the observation that concurrent inhibition of ESR1 and the cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) significantly increased progression-free survival in advanced patients, we explored the activity of different SERD– or SSH–CDK4/6 inhibitor combinations in models of endocrine therapy–resistant ESR1+ breast cancer.

Experimental Design: SERDs, SSHs, and the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib were evaluated as single agents or in combination in established cellular and animal models of endocrine therapy–resistant ESR1+ breast cancer.

Results: The combination of palbociclib with a SERD or an SSH was shown to effectively inhibit the growth of MCF7 cell or ESR1-mutant patient-derived tumor xenografts. In tamoxifen-resistant MCF7 xenografts, the palbociclib/SERD or SSH combination resulted in an increased duration of response as compared with either drug alone.

Conclusions: A SERD– or SSH–palbociclib combination has therapeutic potential in breast tumors resistant to endocrine therapies or those expressing ESR1 mutations. Clin Cancer Res; 21(22); 5121–30. ©2015 AACR.

See related commentary by DeMichele and Chodosh, p. 4999
Prediagnostic Obesity and Physical Inactivity Are Associated with Shorter Telomere Length in Prostate Stromal Cells
Authors: Joshu Corinne E. , Peskoe Sarah B. , Heaphy Christopher M. , Kenfield Stacey A. , Van Blarigan Erin L. , Mucci Lorelei A. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Stampfer Meir J. , Yoon GhilSuk , Lee Thomas K. , Hicks Jessica L. , De Marzo Angelo M. , Meeker Alan K. , Platz Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2015

Obesity and inactivity have been associated with advanced-stage prostate cancer, and poor prostate cancer outcomes, though the underlying mechanism(s) is unknown. To determine whether telomere shortening, which has been associated with lethal prostate cancer, may be a potential underlying mechanism, we prospectively evaluated the association between measures of adiposity, physical activity, and telomere length in 596 participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, who were surgically treated for prostate cancer. Using tissue microarrays, we measured telomere length in cancer and benign cells using a telomere-specific FISH assay. Adiposity and activity were assessed via questionnaire within 2 years of diagnosis. Adjusting for age, pathologic stage, and grade, the median and SD of the per cell telomere signals were determined for each man for stromal cells and cancer cells by adiposity and activity categories. Overweight/obese men (54%) were similar to normal weight men on most factors, but had higher Gleason sum and lower activity levels. Overweight/obese men had 7.4% shorter telomeres in stromal cells than normal weight men (P = 0.06). The least active men had shorter telomeres in stromal cells than more active men (Ptrend = 0.002). Men who were overweight/obese and the least active had the shortest telomeres in stromal cells (20.7% shorter; P = 0.0005) compared with normal weight men who were the most active. Cancer cell telomere length and telomere length variability did not differ by measures of adiposity or activity. Telomere shortening in prostate cells may be one mechanism through which lifestyle influences prostate cancer risk and outcomes. Cancer Prev Res; 8(8); 737–42. ©2015 AACR.
Safety of Proctocolectomy for Ulcerative Colitis Under Elective and Non-Elective Circumstances: Preoperative Corticosteroid Treatment Worsens Outcome
Authors: Balachandran Rogini , Tøttrup Anders
Published: May 2015

Background/Aims: Approximately 20% of patients undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis will retain their rectum. A single-stage proctocolectomy could be an appropriate procedure in patients who are definitely not candidates for a later restorative procedure, but it is generally not advised in acutely ill patients. The aim was to investigate the safety of one-stage proctocolectomy under elective and non-elective circumstances, with specific reference to identifying possible risk factors for postoperative complications. Methods: A retrospective cohort study, including 54 consecutive patients undergoing proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. Out of these, 27 (50%) were admitted non-electively. Results: Postoperative complications were observed in 30 patients (54%). Wound dehiscence, wound infection, and impaired perineal wound healing were observed in 10 (18.5%), 8 (14.8%), and 10 (18.5%) of the patients, respectively. There was no difference between elective and non-elective cases. Complications were observed more often in patients receiving high-dose corticosteroids (18/26 vs. 12/28; p = 0.06). Impaired perineal wound healing and reoperations were observed more often in the corticosteroid-treated group (8/26 vs. 2/28; p = 0.04 and 12/26 vs. 1/28; p = 0.0003). Conclusions: Proctocolectomy is equally safe under elective and non-elective situations, but a preoperative treatment with high-dose corticosteroids is associated with an increased risk of complications and reoperations.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and the Risk of Congenital Heart Defects: A Meta‐Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Wang Shang , Yang Lijuan , Wang Lian , Gao Ling , Xu Biao , Xiong Yunyun
Published: May 2015

Background

Recent studies have reported conflicting results on the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (
SSRI
s) and the risk of heart defects. We aimed to assess the association between
SSRI
s in pregnant women during the first trimester and the risk of congenital heart defects.

Methods and Results

PubMed and
EMBASE
up to July 2014 were searched for population‐based cohort studies that reported
SSRI
s in pregnant women during the first trimester and live infants’ heart defects at follow‐up. A meta‐analysis of published data was undertaken primarily by means of fixed‐effects models. Four cohort studies including 1 996 519 participants were included with a mean follow‐up period ranging from discharge to 72 months.
SSRI
s were not associated with increased risks of heart defects 1.06 (95% confidence interval: 0.94 to 1.18).

Conclusions

SSRI
s during the first trimester in pregnant women were not associated with increased risks for newborn heart defects.
Site-Specific Relationship Between Intracranial Aneurysm and Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Shin Yong-Won , Jung Keun-Hwa , Moon Jangsup , Lee Soon-Tae , Lee Sang Kun , Chu Kon , Roh Jae-Kyu
Published: May 2015

Background and Purpose—

The high prevalence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve or coarctation of the aorta suggests a link between IA and aortic pathology. However, studies reporting this link do not sufficiently address the heterogeneity of IAs arising from different anatomic locations. This study aimed to explore whether a location-specific relationship exists between the 2 kinds of aneurysms.

Methods—

Retrospective institutional analysis of patients aged ≥18 years with both IA and an aortic aneurysm (AA) was performed from 2005 to 2014. IAs were categorized based on their locations: internal carotid artery, other anterior circulation, and posterior arteries. AAs were classified as ascending, descending, infrarenal, or multiple. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and the distribution of IA in each AA group.

Results—

Of 2375 patients, 660 with available intracranial angiography were screened for IA. We identified 71 patients with 97 IAs. The frequency of both anterior circulation-IAs and internal carotid artery-IAs differed significantly among the AA groups (
P
=0.001 and
P
=0.01, respectively). Anterior circulation-IAs were most frequently observed in ascending AA group and least frequently in infrarenal AA group. In contrast, internal carotid artery-IAs were found mostly in infrarenal AA group, least in ascending AA group. Proportions of patients having anterior circulation-IA and internal carotid artery-IA were also highest in ascending AA group and infrarenal AA group, respectively. The number of posterior arteries-IAs was too small to characterize.

Conclusions—

The differing distribution patterns of IA among AA groups suggest a site-specific sharing of pathomechanism between the 2 types of aneurysms.
Dative by Genitive Replacement in the Greek Language of the Papyri: A Diachronic Account of Case Semantics
Authors: Stolk Joanne Vera
Published: May 2015

Semantic analysis of the prenominal first person singular genitive pronoun (μου) in the Greek of the documentary papyri shows that the pronoun is typically found in the position between a verbal form and an alienable possessum which functions as the patient of the predicate. When the event expressed by the predicate is patient-affecting, the possessor is indirectly also affected. Hence the semantic role of this affected alienable possessor might be interpreted as a benefactive or malefactive in genitive possession constructions. By semantic extension the meaning of the genitive case in this position is extended into goal-oriented roles, such as addressee and recipient, which are commonly denoted by the dative case in Ancient Greek. The semantic similarity of the genitive and dative cases in these constructions might have provided the basis for the merger of the cases in the Greek language.
Verbal Semantics in Ancient Greek Possessive Constructions with eînai
Authors: Benvenuto Maria Carmela , Pompeo Flavia
Published: May 2015

The aim of this paper is to investigate ‘eînai (‘be’) plus dative’ and ‘eînai plus genitive’ possessive constructions, paying special attention to the semantic content of the verb eînai in order to identify the function and the distribution of the various combinatorial patterns of the constructions in question, and the precise role of the verbal items. In particular, the present analysis, carried out within the framework of Construction Grammar, will attempt to demonstrate that each possessive variant constitutes a semantically and pragmatically distinct pattern where the semantic content of the verb eînai is the result of form-meaning configurations over and above the morpheme and word level. From this perspective, the cluster of semantic, pragmatic and morpho-syntactic values attributed to participant slots constitutes an integral part of constructions.
Yielding to the Prejudices of His Times
Authors: Whitford David M.
Published: May 2015

In 1516, Desiderius Erasmus published the first Greek New Testament. Almost immediately, it became embroiled in controversy and Erasmus was accused of heresy because of critical decisions he made about the text. The most controversial was his decision to not include 1John 5,7, the so-called Comma Johanneum, which was used as a defense of the Trinity. This essay examines the ways in which Erasmus attempted to protect himself and his New Testament from heresy charges as he revised it for its second edition. Then, it offers a further contextualization for why those attempts failed. Erasmus reinserted 1John 5,7 in his third edition.
The New Self and Reading Practices in Late Antique Christianity
Authors: Stroumsa Guy G.
Published: May 2015

The article deals with the complex relationship between the religious revolution of late antiquity and cultural changes in the Roman world. It focuses on new attitudes to books, and analyses them in parallel with new conceptions of the self emerging in early Christianity. In particular, it seeks to understand the paradox of the early monks having been at once fierce opponents and carriers of Greco-Roman paideia.
Two new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from the Cabo Frio Center of Plant Diversity, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: DE FARIA JAIR EUSTÁQUIO QUINTINO , MAZINE FIORELLA FERNANDA , PROENÇA CAROLYN ELINORE BARNES
Published: May 2015

Two apparently narrow-endemic species of Eugenia are described from the Cabo Frio Center of Plant Diversity in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Both present a limited distribution restricted to coastal areas north of Rio de Janeiro. The new species are described and compared with closely related species.  Illustrations, distribution maps and conservation status assessments are also provided. Eugenia gastropogena and Eugenia farneyi are presumably closely related to Eugenia pyriformis and Eugenia malacantha. Eugenia gastropogena can be recognized by its leaves with arched secondary veins not forming a clear marginal vein, subcordate to obtuse leaf bases, petioles 2.1–4.8 mm long, buds 3.5–4 mm long and 2 ovules per locule. E. farneyi can be recognized by having leaves with straight secondary veins that form a single marginal vein running 0.7–1.5 mm from the margin, cuneate leaf bases, petioles 4–6.4 mm long, buds 6.2–8.4 mm long, and 10–12 ovules per locule.
A new species of Mikania (Asteraceae, Eupatorieae) from the Western Cordillera of Colombia
Authors: AGUILAR-CANO JOSÉ , DÍAZ-PIEDRAHÍTA SANTIAGO
Published: May 2015

A new species of Mikania from the northern area of the Western Cordillera of Colombia is described and illustrated. Taxonomic affinities with its closest relatives M. lloensis and M. flabellata are discussed. The diagnostic traits of the new species are: the long peduncle of the synflorescence; the size of the head; the presence of a midvein in the corolla lobes; the presence of moniliform, multicelular, uniseriate trichomes below the commissural sinuses of the corolla lobes; the insertion of the stamens at the mid-level of the hypocrateriform corolla; and the retuse apical appendages of the anthers. The latter trait is newly used here as diagnostic in the genus.
Aspidistra chongzuoensis (Asparagaceae): a new species from limestone areas in Guangxi, China
Authors: LIN CHUN-RUI , HUANG YU-SONG , ZENG WEI-BO , ZHU FANG
Published: May 2015

During our fieldwork in the southwest Guangxi, China in January 2014, we found in the White-headed Langur National Nature Reserve an unusual Aspidistra Ker-Gawler (1822: 628) specimen with fruits and dried up flowers only, so we could not identify it without fresh flowers. In November, we returned to the place for further observations of the species, and found the plants with blackish purple, bell-shaped flowers. After consulting herbarium specimens and relevant literature on Aspidistra (Liang & Tamura 2000, Li 2004, Li & Wei 2003, Tillich 2005, 2008, Lin et al. 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, Lin & Liu 2011, Liu et al. 2011, Tillich & Leong-Skornickova 2013, Hu et al. 2014, Meng et al. 2014, Vislobokov et al. 2014), it became apparent that this population is an undescribed species, and the valid name Aspidistra chongzuoensis was used, which is described below.
Observing and Forecasting Vog Dispersion from Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii
Authors: Businger Steven , Huff Roy , Pattantyus Andre , Horton Keith , Sutton A. Jeff , Elias Tamar , Cherubini Tiziana
Published: May 2015

Emissions from Kīlauea volcano, known locally as “vog” for volcanic smog, pose significant environmental and health risks to the Hawaiian community. The Vog Measurement and Prediction (VMAP) project was conceived to help mitigate the negative impacts of Kīlauea’s emissions. To date, the VMAP project has achieved the following milestones: i) created a custom application of the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model (HYSPLIT, hereafter Vog model) to produce statewide forecasts of the concentration and dispersion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfate aerosol from Kīlauea volcano; ii) developed an ultraviolet (UV) spectrometer array to provide near-real-time volcanic gas emission rate measurements for use as input into the Vog model; iii) developed and deployed a stationary array of ambient SO2 and meteorological sensors to record the spatial characteristics of Kīlauea’s gas plume in high temporal and spatial resolution for model verification; and iv) developed web-based tools to facilitate the dissemination of observations and model forecasts to provide guidance for safety officials and the public, and to raise awareness of the potential hazards of volcanic emissions to respiratory health, agriculture, and general aviation.

Wind fields and thermodynamic data from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model provide input to the Vog model, with a statewide grid spacing of 3 km and a 1-km grid covering the island of Hawaii. Validation of the Vog model forecasts is accomplished with reference to data from Hawaii State Department of Health ground-based air quality monitors. VMAP results show that this approach can provide useful guidance for the people of Hawaii.
Testing Clinical Scores to Diagnose Incident Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients Hospitalized in a Department of Medicine
Authors: Malatino Lorenzo , Cardella Antonella M. , Puccia Giuseppe , Cilia Chiara , Terranova Valentina , Cataudella Emanuela , Buonacera Agata , Tripepi Giovanni , Di Marca Salvatore , Mastrosimone Gianluca , Pisano Marcella , Giordano Mauro , Stancanelli Benedetta
Published: May 2015

Shifting the context from the emergency department to the department of medicine, we compared different scores to diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with several comorbidities, hospitalized in a department of internal medicine. We prospectively recruited 178 consecutive hospitalized patients in whom clinical suspicion of DVT was assessed by Wells modified score for DVT, Hamilton, Kahn, and St Andrè Hospital scores. Deep vein thrombosis was confirmed in 85 (48%) patients by both echocolor Doppler and angiocomputed tomography scan. The use of risk scores based on symptoms and clinical signs was weakly useful (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.69, positive predictive value: 59%, and negative predictive value: 74%). Patients with DVT had significantly ( P < .0001) lower serum albumin and protein S levels compared to those without DVT. Moreover, serum protein S (AUC: 0.82) and albumin in percentage (AUC: 0.80) showed a better accuracy than clinical scores ( P < .001) in assessing the diagnosis of DVT. Therefore, serum albumin and protein S improved the accuracy of clinical scores for the diagnosis of incident DVT in patients hospitalized in a department of medicine.
The Postmodern Self
Authors: Hertler Steven C. , Krauss Herbert H. , Ward Alfred W.
Published: May 2015

Chandler, Lalonde, Sokol, and Hallett created the Personal Persistence Interview in an effort to determine how persons defend their sense of personal persistence. In other words, these researchers wanted to determine the means by which one’s present self and past self can remain subjectively similar in spite of change. A modified version of that research tool is presently used to obtain narratives not only of personal persistence but also of its absence. As of yet, there are no open-ended descriptions of how and why one’s past and present self-experience could be wholly different. These narratives are colloquially presented as they relate to change, time, and culture. Maturation and perspectival changes putatively induced more than half the sample of 177 college-aged participants to report an absence of personal persistence. Still, others, also acknowledging substantial change, continued to feel personally persistent. Change within early and late modernity, as well as change as it is expressed in theories of self, will be compared with change as it is present in these life narratives.
Influences of the air inlet and yarn-loading slit on the performance of an air-twist nozzle
Authors: Juraeva Makhsuda , Song Dong Joo , Ryu Kyung Jin
Published: May 2015

An air-twist nozzle has an air inlet and yarn channel with a yarn-loading slit. The nozzle was investigated by changing the width and length of the air inlet and by modifying the yarn-loading slit using computational fluid dynamics. The airflow vorticity, mass flow rate, and velocities of the air-twist nozzle were evaluated to analyze the influences of the air inlet and yarn-loading slit. The velocity and vorticity were high when the width and length of the air inlet were 0.2 and 0.1 mm, while the diameter and length of the yarn channel were fixed at 1 and 3.5 mm, respectively. The air inlet was divided into two and three small rectangular air inlet holes to increase the velocity and vorticity. The velocity and vorticity were high but not uniform at the yarn channel. Dividing the air inlet increased the velocity but disturbed the air-twisting process; therefore, the air inlet without dividing was selected for further computations. The influence of the yarn-loading slit on the air-twist nozzle flowfield was observed to improve the performance of the nozzle by changing and removing the slit. The velocity, vorticity, and mass flow rate were improved significantly when the yarn-loading slit was removed. The air-twist nozzle with the removed yarn-loading slit was fabricated as a prototype for testing. The air-twist nozzle was compared with the existing air-twist nozzles under identical conditions. The test results showed that the developed air-twist nozzle with removed yarn-loading slit had better performance than the existing nozzles.
Computational simulation of air flow in the rotor spinning unit
Authors: Lin HT , Zeng YC , Wang J
Published: May 2015

A three-dimensional computational model is established to simulate the air flow patterns in the rotor spinning unit of a rotor spinning machine. The effects of rotor speed, rotor diameter and rotor slide wall angle on air flow characteristics and hence yarn properties are investigated. The airstream accelerates from the transfer channel inlet to the outlet. There are velocity differences in both the cross-section and along the transfer channel, causing hooked fibers to straighten. The airstream swirls around the rotor at a high speed. However, vortices that can cause fiber curving and buckling are formed inside the rotor. The effect of rotor speed is significant. There are more vortices near the wall at a lower rotor speed, while too large a rotor speed can lead to an excessive centrifugal force, thus increasing yarn breakages. The rotor diameter affects the flow characteristics in a way similar to that of rotor speed. As a smaller slide wall angle generates higher velocities in the transfer channel and more stable velocities in the rotor groove, a small angle is preferable. Computational modeling has provided a useful insight into the rotor spinning flow pattern, thus it can be used to optimize the rotor design to produce better rotor spun yarn.
The productivity effects of multiple pay incentives
Authors: Pendleton Andrew , Robinson Andrew
Published: May 2015

Drawing on recent incentive theory and the growing use of multiple incentives by firms, this article examines the effects of combining incentives on workplace labour productivity. Utilizing data from the British Workplace Employment Relations Survey, the article explores whether multiple incentives are more effective than single incentives. It is found that the productivity effects of individualized incentives are enhanced by profit sharing though not by collective payment by result schemes (PBR). Profit sharing also enhances the effect of collective PBR, and it is found that two group incentives are more effective than a single individual incentive. However there are limits on the number of incentive schemes that can be combined effectively. The effects of mixed incentives tend to be greater in workplaces with worker discretion and task variety, thereby providing support for a contingency perspective.
Using data-driven feature enrichment of text representation and ensemble technique for sentence-level polarity classification
Authors: Zhang Pu , He Zhongshi
Published: May 2015

As an important issue in sentiment analysis, sentence-level polarity classification plays a critical role in many opinion-mining applications such as opinion question answering, opinion retrieval and opinion summarization. Employing a supervised learning paradigm to train a classifier from sentences often faces the data sparseness problem owing to the short-length limit introduced to texts. In this article, regarding this problem, we exploit two different feature sets learned from external data sets as additional features to enrich data representation: one is a latent topic feature set obtained using a topic model, and the other is a related word feature set derived using word embeddings. Furthermore, we propose an ensemble approach by using these additional features to guide the design of different members of the ensemble. Experimental results on the public movie review dataset demonstrate that the enriched representations are effective for improving the performance of polarity classification, and the proposed ensemble approach can further improve the overall performance.
Quality prediction of multilingual news clustering: An experimental study
Authors: Montalvo Soto , Martínez Raquel , Fresno Víctor
Published: May 2015

The evaluation of clustering results is one of the most important issues in cluster analysis, a core task for effective information access. There are two types of measures for evaluating the quality of clustering results: internal and external. External validity measures evaluate how well the clustering results match prior knowledge about the data, whereas internal measures do not need external information, dealing only with information within the data. In this regard, the main drawback of external evaluation measures is that they are not applicable in real-world situations. In this paper we present an experimental study to determine whether it is possible to predict the quality of multilingual news clustering results by means of an internal evaluation measure. We study whether the internal evaluation measure Expected Density correlates with the external measure F-measure, the most common way of evaluating clustering results. In the experiments, we use different data collections, clustering algorithms and similarity measures in order to determine their influence in the correlation between those measures. Regarding similarity measures, another important issue in clustering, we propose a new similarity measure to calculate how similar two news documents are. This measure is based on the Named Entities shared by both documents. The results show that correlation depends on several different factors, such as the type of collection, the granularity of the clusters, the type of algorithm and the similarity measure.