bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome Evolution and Innovation across the Four Major Lineages of Cryptococcus gattii
Authors: Farrer Rhys A. , Desjardins Christopher A. , Sakthikumar Sharadha , Gujja Sharvari , Saif Sakina , Zeng Qiandong , Chen Yuan , Voelz Kerstin , Heitman Joseph , May Robin C. , Fisher Matthew C. , Cuomo Christina A.
Published: September 2015

Cryptococcus gattiiis a fungal pathogen of humans, causing pulmonary infections in otherwise healthy hosts. To characterize genomic variation among the four major lineages ofC. gattii(VGI, -II, -III, and -IV), we generated, annotated, and compared 16de novogenome assemblies, including the first for the rarely isolated lineages VGIII and VGIV. By identifying syntenic regions across assemblies, we found 15 structural rearrangements, which were almost exclusive to the VGI-III-IV lineages. Using synteny to inform orthology prediction, we identified a core set of 87% ofC. gattiigenes present as single copies in all four lineages. Remarkably, 737 genes are variably inherited across lineages and are overrepresented for response to oxidative stress, mitochondrial import, and metal binding and transport. Specifically, VGI has an expanded set of iron-binding genes thought to be important to the virulence ofCryptococcus, while VGII has expansions in the stress-related heat shock proteins relative to the other lineages. We also characterized genes uniquely absent in each lineage, including a copper transporter absent from VGIV, which influencesCryptococcussurvival during pulmonary infection and the onset of meningoencephalitis. Through inclusion of population-level data for an additional 37 isolates, we identified a new transcontinental clonal group that we name VGIIx, mitochondrial recombination between VGII and VGIII, and positive selection of multidrug transporters and the iron-sulfur protein aconitase along multiple branches of the phylogenetic tree. Our results suggest that gene expansion or contraction and positive selection have introduced substantial variation with links to mechanisms of pathogenicity across this species complex.

IMPORTANCEThe genetic differences between phenotypically different pathogens provide clues to the underlying mechanisms of those traits and can lead to new drug targets and improved treatments for those diseases. In this paper, we compare 16 genomes belonging to four highly differentiated lineages ofCryptococcus gattii, which cause pulmonary infections in otherwise healthy humans and other animals. Half of these lineages have not had their genomes previously assembled and annotated. We identified 15 ancestral rearrangements in the genome and over 700 genes that are unique to one or more lineages, many of which are associated with virulence. In addition, we found evidence for recent transcontinental spread, mitochondrial genetic exchange, and positive selection in multidrug transporters. Our results suggest that gene expansion/contraction and positive selection are diversifying the mechanisms of pathogenicity across this species complex.
Oesophageal lymphangioma: an exceedingly rare tumour
Authors: Barbosa Mara , Ribeiro Pedro Moutinho , Cotter José
Published: September 2015

An asymptomatic 57-year-old man was referred for evaluation of a 10 mm pale pink subepithelial polypoid lesion of the distal oesophagus; the lesion was found incidentally during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) revealed a heterogeneous, although primarily hypoechogenic, well-circumscribed lesion, located in the submucosa. Owing to the absence of endosonographic features, which would have allowed for a precise diagnosis, EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed; however, the cytology was inconclusive because of the lack of cellular representation. We chose to remove it by cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection. However, due to its shape and deep location, complete removal was not achieved. A macrobiopsy was taken, and histological examination, of all oesophageal layers except the adventitia, revealed many irregularly dilated lymphatic vessels, beneath normal squamous epithelium. These findings are consistent with the diagnosis of lymphangioma. A follow-up EUS did not reveal any changes. The patient is currently asymptomatic and is under surveillance.
Uncovering what lies beneath aSalmonella entericaempyema
Authors: Woo Jia Wei , Tam John Kit Chung , Chan Douglas Su Gin , Wang Shi , Ying Lee Shir
Published: September 2015

A 67-year-old woman with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and transfusional haemosiderosis developedSalmonellaempyema caused by direct extension from splenic abscesses. She was successfully treated with antibiotics, pleural decortication and splenectomy. She had presented with fever after being treated for presumed pneumonia and parapneumonic effusion 2 months prior. CT scan showed splenic abscesses eroding through the diaphragm causing a left pleural empyema. Pleural fluid and spleen bacterial cultures grewSalmonella enterica. She was treated with 4 weeks of antibiotics and underwent surgical pleural decortication and splenectomy in the same sitting. She made a good postoperative recovery. Patients with severe iron overload are susceptible to various types of bacterial sepsis, including salmonellosis. It is unusual for enteric bacterial such asSalmonellato present with empyema, and should prompt a search for intra-abdominal infection. Pleural decortication and splenectomy can be performed during the same surgical sitting and can lead to good surgical outcomes.
An exploration of ringbarking to reduce the severity of Armillaria root disease in logged areas in British Columbia
Authors: Chapman Bill , Schellenberg Bruce
Published: September 2015

Ringbarking is a girdling technique that is used prior to timber harvesting to reduce losses to Armillaria root disease in some parts of the world. The technique had not previously been evaluated in British Columbia, Canada. Small plots of primarily Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees that were ringbarked prior to timber harvesting had approximately 50% lower levels of Armillaria root disease caused tree mortality in young trees after 15 years than plots of trees that were not ringbarked. Ringbarking did not reduce Armillaria root disease in this trial as much as has been reported in other research. This could be attributable to the centre of the small plots being within 5–10 m of live and dead Armillaria-infected trees in the surrounding forest. The treatment did reduce the severity of the disease by both statistically and biologically significant amounts and, therefore, warrants further investigation as a possible treatment where timber harvesting is conducted in Armillaria root disease affected stands.
Vicenin-2 and scolymoside inhibit high-glucose-induced vascular inflammation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Ku Sae-Kwang , Bae Jong-Sup
Published: September 2015

The vascular inflammatory process has been suggested to play a key role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Thus, in this study, we attempted to determine whether 2 structurally related flavonoids found in Cyclopia subternata, vicenin-2 and scolymoside, can suppress high-glucose (HG)-induced vascular inflammatory processes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mice. The effects of vicenin-2 and scolymoside on HG-induced vascular inflammation were determined by measuring vascular permeability, leukocyte adhesion and migration, cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression levels, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. In addition, the anti-inflammation mechanism was investigated using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. The data showed that HG markedly increased vascular permeability, monocyte adhesion, expression of CAMs, formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Remarkably, pretreatment with vicenin-2 and scolymoside attenuated all of the above-mentioned vascular inflammatory effects of HG. HG-induced vascular inflammatory responses are critical events underlying the development of various diabetic complications; therefore, our results suggest that vicenin-2 and scolymoside have significant therapeutic benefits against diabetic complications and atherosclerosis.
DETERMINANTS OF INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION FRAGMENTATION: MALAYSIA’S EXPERIENCE IN THE INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS (ICT) INDUSTRY
Authors: KAM ANDREW JIA-YI
Published: September 2015

Although Malaysia has been an integral part of the international production fragmentation network since 1970, empirical investigations on the factors that determine the expansion of these networks are sparse. The paper examines the aforementioned empirical gap in the case of the Malaysian information, communications and telecommunications (ICT) sector using trade patterns in parts and components (PNC). Panel-data estimation from 1990 to 2008 suggests that mobile factors such as relative labor costs and productivity, foreign capital, agglomeration effect, infrastructure development and industrial policies are important in facilitating the international production fragmentation development. Income and domestic prices effect however, are conditional to trade flows.
IS CHINA’S URBANIZATION CONVERGENT?
Authors: LIU TIE-YING , SU CHI-WEI , JIANG XU-ZHAO
Published: September 2015

In this study, we apply a stationarity test with a flexible Fourier function proposed by Enders and Lee [Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, 74 (2012) 574–599] to test the convergence of China’s urbanization. We find that our approximation has greater power to detect U-shaped and smooth breaks than the linear method if the urbanization is, in fact, a stationary non-linear process. It shows that the stationarity of the urbanization level varies across different regions where urbanization levels are convergent mainly in the middle- and low-income regions in China, while the high-income regions’ urbanization is divergent. This, in turn, shows that most of the regions, especially high-income regions, have their own economic evolution rules due to the degree of openness in the economy and urbanization process.
ENVIRONMENTAL TAX AND RETURN URBAN–RURAL MIGRATION
Authors: KO SHENG-HUEI , KUO KUO-HSING , LEE CHENG-TE , FANG CHEN
Published: September 2015

This paper will set up a dynamic adjustment system of a specific-factor model of a closed Harris and Todaros’ (1970) economy to explore the effects of environmental tax on return migration meaning that labor moves back from the manufacturing sector to the agricultural sector. We find that when the government raises environmental tax, return migration would happen and the urban unemployment would decrease.
Redshift parametrizations of dark energy and observational constraint on their parameters: Galileon gravity as background
Authors: Rudra Prabir , Ranjit Chayan , Kundu Sujata
Published: September 2015

In this work, Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe filled with dark matter (DM) (perfect fluid with negligible pressure) along with dark energy (DE) in the background of Galileon gravity is considered. Four DE models with different equation of state (EoS) parametrizations have been employed namely, linear, Chevallier–Polarski–Lindler (CPL), Jassal–Bagla–Padmanabhan (JBP) and logarithmic parametrizations. From Stern, Stern+Baryonic Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) and Stern+BAO+Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) joint data analysis, we have obtained the bounds of the arbitrary parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] by minimizing the [Formula: see text] test. The best fit values and bounds of the parameters are obtained at 66%, 90% and 99% confidence levels which are shown by closed confidence contours in the figures. For the logarithmic model unbounded confidence contours are obtained and hence the model parameters could not be finitely constrained. The distance modulus [Formula: see text](z) against redshift [Formula: see text] has also been plotted for our predicted theoretical models for the best fit values of the parameters and compared with the observed Union2 data sample and SNe Type Ia 292 data and we have shown that our predicted theoretical models permits the observational datasets. From the data fitting it is seen that at lower redshifts [Formula: see text] the SNe Type Ia 292 data gives a better fit with our theoretical models compared to the Union2 data sample. So, from the data analysis, SNe Type Ia 292 data is the more favored data sample over its counterpart given the present choice of free parameters. From the study, it is also seen that the logarithmic parametrization model is less supported by the observational data. Finally, we have generated the plot for the deceleration parameter against the redshift parameter for all the theoretical models and compared the results with the work of Farooq et al., (2013).
Spontaneous breaking of nilpotent symmetry in boundary BLG theory
Authors: Upadhyay Sudhaker
Published: September 2015

We exploit boundary term to preserve the supersymmetric gauge invariance of Bagger–Lambert–Gustavsson (BLG) theory. The fermionic rigid BRST and anti-BRST symmetries are studied in linear and nonlinear gauges. Remarkably, for Delbourgo–Jarvis–Baulieu–Thierry–Mieg (DJBTM) type gauge the spontaneous breaking of BRST symmetry occurs in the BLG theory. The responsible guy for such spontaneous breaking is ghost–antighost condensation. Further, we discuss the ghost–antighost condensates in the modified maximally Abelian (MMA) gauge in the BLG theory.
Turbulence simulations of flow past a circular cylinder based on a nonlinear partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) method
Authors: Bie Haiyan , Liu Jintao , Hao Zongrui , Wu Yulin
Published: September 2015

A nonlinear partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) method based on RNG [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] turbulence model is evaluated by a moderately high Reynolds number turbulence flow past a circular cylinder. The ratios of unresolved-to-total kinetic energy [Formula: see text] and unresolved-to-total dissipation [Formula: see text] for PANS method are sensitive to the simulation result. Simulation results based on different [Formula: see text] are compared with the experimental data. The quantities including mean streamline velocity, mean normal velocity, streamlines, etc. are analyzed. The computational result is reasonable when [Formula: see text] is less than 0.6. The PANS method can be used in the simulation of high Reynolds number turbulence flow.
Coupling entropy of co-processing model on social networks
Authors: Zhang Zhanli
Published: September 2015

Coupling entropy of co-processing model on social networks is investigated in this paper. As one crucial factor to determine the processing ability of nodes, the information flow with potential time lag is modeled by co-processing diffusion which couples the continuous time processing and the discrete diffusing dynamics. Exact results on master equation and stationary state are achieved to disclose the formation. In order to understand the evolution of the co-processing and design the optimal routing strategy according to the maximal entropic diffusion on networks, we propose the coupling entropy comprehending the structural characteristics and information propagation on social network. Based on the analysis of the co-processing model, we analyze the coupling impact of the structural factor and information propagating factor on the coupling entropy, where the analytical results fit well with the numerical ones on scale-free social networks.
Dependence of acoustic surface gravity on geometric configuration of matter for axially symmetric background flows in the Schwarzschild metric
Authors: Tarafdar Pratik , Das Tapas K.
Published: September 2015

In black hole evaporation process, the mass of the hole anti-correlates with the Hawking temperature. This indicates that the smaller holes have higher surface gravity. For analogue Hawking effects, however, the acoustic surface gravity is determined by the local values of the dynamical velocity of the stationary background fluid flow and the speed of propagation of the characteristic perturbation embedded in the background fluid, as well as by their space derivatives evaluated along the direction normal to the acoustic horizon, respectively. The mass of the analogue system — whether classical or quantum — does not directly contribute to extremize the value of the associated acoustic surface gravity. For general relativistic axially symmetric background fluid flow in the Schwarzschild metric, we show that the initial boundary conditions describing such accretion influence the maximization scheme of the acoustic surface gravity and associated analogue temperature. Aforementioned background flow onto black holes can assume three distinct geometric configurations. Identical set of initial boundary conditions can lead to entirely different phase-space behavior of the stationary flow solutions, as well as the salient features of the associated relativistic acoustic geometry. This implies that it is imperative to investigate how the measure of the acoustic surface gravity corresponding to the accreting black holes gets influenced by the geometric configuration of the inflow described by various thermodynamic equations of state. Such investigation is useful to study the effect of Einstenian gravity on the nonconventional classical features as observed in Hawking like effect in a dispersive medium in the limit of a strong dispersion relation.
P1: Competing in the Broadband Service Industry
Authors: Said Mohd Fuaad , Adham Khairul Akmaliah
Published: September 2015

In 2008, Packet One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., or P1, launched its Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) service, P1W1MAX, in Kuala Lumpur. This event kicked off the company's pioneering effort to provide Malaysians with WiMAX wireless broadband access, which it promised to be a better alternative to the current wired and 3G broadband offerings. Within a year, it had built a customer base of about 80,000 subscribers, and achieved an average revenue per user of about RM89 (approximately US$30). One year later, the company rolled out its Sudah Potong (Cut Already) marketing campaign and by the end of 2010, it had gathered about 280,000 customers and its ARPU of RM72 was among the highest in the industry.

P1's five-year, three-phase plan (2007–2012) involving an investment of RM1 billion (about US$330 million) for the development of its WiMAX services, aimed to reach 65% area coverage throughout Malaysia by 2012. In December 2010, it announced its goal to increase its customer base to 450,000 by the end of 2011 to achieve its planned break-even. These efforts, however, attracted increased attention from the public, and even more so from its industry rivals, which reacted aggressively to P1's expansion. P1's top management knew that the company needed to act quickly, especially since the company's breakeven target date had reportedly been deferred several times. This case provides a scenario that can stimulate discussion on business strategies to be pursued by the top management of a growing firm operating in a very competitive industry.
Caffé Bene Disrupts the Stagnating Korean Coffee Shop Market
Authors: Park Kiwan , Jun Sunghee , Han Jerry Jisang , Lee Jiyoung , Kim Hwain , Kim Joonkyung
Published: September 2015

Caffé Bene was founded in 2007, during which the coffee shop market in Korea had been experiencing rapid growth. Caffé Bene had to compete with existing brands, including Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and other coffee shop chains native to Korea. Sun-Kwon Kim, the founder and current CEO of Caffé Bene, tried to differentiate his brand on the basis of a new concept of European ambience mixed with Korean culture, new and localized menus, and celebrity endorsements; all of which were unheard of in the retail coffee industry at that time.

This novel approach allowed Caffé Bene to gain great popularity in a short period of time. Despite its extraordinary success, however, Caffé Bene faced numerous challenges, including managerial issues caused by excessive expansion and rapid growth, dilution of differentiation as a result of new entrants that mimicked Caffé Bene's unique strategies, and an overall sluggish growth rate in the coffee shop market. In this case, the challenges that Caffé Bene faced and the strategies it employed to successfully deal with them are discussed.
Pullback attractors for multi-valued non-compact random dynamical systems generated by semi-linear degenerate parabolic equations with unbounded delays
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Wang Yejuan , Zhao Dun
Published: September 2015

The theory of pullback attractors for multi-valued non-compact random dynamical systems and a method of asymptotic compactness based on the concepts of the Kuratowski measure of the non-compactness of a bounded set are used to prove the existence of pullback attractors for the multi-valued non-compact random dynamical systems associated with the semi-linear degenerate parabolic unbounded delay equations with both deterministic and random external terms.
Explore the hidden treasure in protein–protein interaction networks — An iterative model for predicting protein functions
Authors: Wang Derui , Hou Jingyu
Published: September 2015

Protein–protein interaction networks constructed by high throughput technologies provide opportunities for predicting protein functions. A lot of approaches and algorithms have been applied on PPI networks to predict functions of unannotated proteins over recent decades. However, most of existing algorithms and approaches do not consider unannotated proteins and their corresponding interactions in the prediction process. On the other hand, algorithms which make use of unannotated proteins have limited prediction performance. Moreover, current algorithms are usually one-off predictions. In this paper, we propose an iterative approach that utilizes unannotated proteins and their interactions in prediction. We conducted experiments to evaluate the performance and robustness of the proposed iterative approach. The iterative approach maximally improved the prediction performance by 50%–80% when there was a high proportion of unannotated neighborhood protein in the network. The iterative approach also showed robustness in various types of protein interaction network. Importantly, our iterative approach initially proposes an idea that iteratively incorporates the interaction information of unannotated proteins into the protein function prediction and can be applied on existing prediction algorithms to improve prediction performance.
Environmental Movements in Advanced Industrial Democracies: Heterogeneity, Transformation, and Institutionalization
Authors: Giugni Marco , Grasso Maria T.
Published: September 2015

Environmental movements are networks of informal interactions that may include individuals, groups, and organizations engaged in collective action motivated by shared identity or concern about environmental issues. This article reviews literature on environmental movements (including antinuclear energy movements) according to four main aspects: the social bases and values underlying the movements' mobilization, the resources supporting their mobilization, the political opportunities channeling their mobilization, and the cultural framing processes through which environmental issues are defined as social and political problems to be addressed through mobilization. In addition, we consider the historical antecedents and roots of environmental movements. Finally, we discuss the interplay between the local and the global levels and the movements' impacts, a long neglected issue in the social movement literature. Our review highlights three main features of environmental movements: they are heterogeneous; they have profoundly transformed themselves; and they have generally become more institutionalized.
The Past, Present, and Future of Nicotine Addiction Therapy
Authors: Prochaska Judith J. , Benowitz Neal L.
Published: September 2015

The tobacco addiction treatment field is progressing through innovations in medication development, a focus on precision medicine, and application of new technologies for delivering support in real time and over time. This article reviews the evidence for combined and extended cessation pharmacotherapy and behavioral strategies including provider advice, individual counseling, group programs, the national quitline, websites and social media, and incentives. Healthcare policies are changing to offer cessation treatment to the broad population of smokers. With knowledge of the past and present, this review anticipates what is likely on the horizon in the clinical and public health effort to address tobacco addiction.
Novel Functions of the Human Papillomavirus E6 Oncoproteins
Authors: Wallace Nicholas A. , Galloway Denise A.
Published: September 2015

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) infect the epidermis as well as mucous membranes of humans. They are the causative agents of anogenital tract and some oropharyngeal cancers. Infections begin in the basal epithelia, where the viral genome replicates slowly along with its host cell. As infected cells begin to differentiate and progress toward the periphery, the virus drives proliferation in cells that would otherwise be quiescent. To uncouple differentiation from continued cellular propagation, HPVs express two oncoproteins, HPV E6 and E7. This review focuses on high-risk α-HPV E6, which in addition to supporting viral replication has transforming properties. HPV E6 promotes p53 degradation and activates telomerase, but the multifaceted oncoprotein has numerous other functions that are highlighted here.
Expression analysis of sex-determining pathway genes during development in male and female Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Lubieniecki Krzysztof P. , Botwright Natasha A. , Taylor Richard S. , Evans Brad S. , Cook Mathew T. , Davidson William S.
Published: September 2015

We studied the expression of 28 genes that are involved in vertebrate sex-determination or sex-differentiation pathways, in male and female Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) in 11 stages of development from fertilization to after first feeding. Gene expression was measured in half-sibs that shared the same dam. The sire of family 1 was a sex-reversed female (i.e., genetically female but phenotypically male), and so the progeny of this family are all female. The sire of family 2 was a true male, and so the offspring were 50% male and 50% female. Gene expression levels were compared among three groups: 20 female offspring of the cross between a regular female and the sex-reversed female ( family 1, first group), ∼10 females from the cross between a regular female and a regular male ( family 2, second group) and ∼10 males from this same family ( family 2, third group). Statistically significant differences in expression levels between males and the two groups of females were observed for two genes, gsdf and amh/mis, in the last four developmental stages examined. SdY, the sex-determining gene in rainbow trout, appeared to be expressed in males from 58 days postfertilization (dpf). Starting at 83 dpf, ovarian aromatase, cyp19a, expression appeared to be greater in both groups of females compared with males, but this difference was not statistically significant. The time course of expression suggests that sdY may be involved in the upregulation of gsdf and amh/mis and the subsequent repression of cyp19a in males via the effect of amh/mis.
Some Rare Earth Elements Analysis by Microwave Plasma Torch Coupled with the Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Xiong Xiaohong , Jiang Tao , Qi Wenhao , Zuo Jun , Yang Meiling , Fei Qiang , Xiao Saijin , Yu Aimin , Zhu Zhiqiang , Chen Huanwen
Published: September 2015

A sensitive mass spectrometric analysis method based on the microwave plasma technique is developed for the fast detection of trace rare earth elements (REEs) in aqueous solution. The plasma was produced from a microwave plasma torch (MPT) under atmospheric pressure and was used as ambient ion source of a linear ion trap mass spectrometer (LTQ). Water samples were directly pneumatically nebulized to flow into the plasma through the central tube of MPT. For some REEs, the generated composite ions were detected in both positive and negative ion modes and further characterized in tandem mass spectrometry. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was at the level 0.1 ng/mL using MS2procedure in negative mode. A single REE analysis can be completed within 2~3 minutes with the relative standard deviation ranging between 2.4% and 21.2% (six repeated measurements) for the 5 experimental runs. Moreover, the recovery rates of these REEs are between the range of 97.6%–122.1%. Two real samples have also been analyzed, including well and orange juice. These experimental data demonstrated that this method is a useful tool for the field analysis of REEs in water and can be used as an alternative supplement of ICP-MS.
Normal Pregnancy Is Associated with Changes in Central Hemodynamics and Enhanced Recruitable, but Not Resting, Endothelial Function
Authors: Torrado Juan , Zócalo Yanina , Farro Ignacio , Farro Federico , Sosa Claudio , Scasso Santiago , Alonso Justo , Bia Daniel
Published: September 2015

Introduction.Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), low flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC), and reactive hyperemia-related changes in carotid-to-radial pulse wave velocity (ΔPWVcr%) could offer complementary information about both “recruitability” and “resting” endothelial function (EF). Carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and pulse wave analysis-derived parameters (i.e., AIx@75) are the gold standard methods for noninvasive evaluation of aortic stiffness and central hemodynamics. If healthy pregnancy is associated with both changes in resting and recruitable EF, as well as in several arterial parameters, it remains unknown and/or controversial.Objectives.To simultaneously and noninvasively assess in healthy pregnant (HP) and nonpregnant (NP) women central parameters in conjunction with “basal and recruitable” EF, employing new complementary approaches.Methods.HP (n=11, 34.2 ± 3.3 weeks of gestation) and age- and cardiovascular risk factors-matched NP (n=22) were included. Aortic blood pressure (BP), AIx@75, PWVcf, common carotid stiffness, and intima-media thickness, as well as FMD, L-FMC, and ΔPWVcr %, were measured.Results.Aortic BP, stiffness, and AIx@75 were reduced in HP. ΔPWVcr% and FMD were enhanced in HP in comparison to NP. No differences were found in L-FMC between groups.Conclusion.HP is associated with reduced aortic stiffness, central BP, wave reflections, and enhanced recruitable, but not resting, EF.
Self-Care Practices for Common Colds by Primary Care Patients: Study Protocol of a European Multicenter Survey—The COCO Study
Authors: Weltermann Birgitta M. , Gerasimovska-Kitanovska Biljana , Thielmann Anika , Chambe Juliette , Lingner Heidrun , Pirrotta Enzo , Buczkowski Krzysztof , Tekiner Selda , Czachowski Slawomir , Edirne Tamer , Zielinski Andrzej , Yikilkan Hülya , Koskela Tuomas , Petrazzuoli Ferdinando , Hoffman Robert D. , Petek Šter Marija , Guede Fernández Clara , Uludağ Ayşegül , Hoffmann Kathryn , Mevsim Vildan , Kreitmayer Pestic Sanda
Published: September 2015

Background.Self-care for common colds is frequent, yet little is known about the spectrum, regional differences, and potential risks of self-care practices in patients from various European regions.Methods/Design.We describe the study protocol for a cross-sectional survey in 27 primary care centers from 14 European countries. At all sites, 120 consecutive adult patients, who visit their general practitioner for any reason, filled in a self-administered 27-item questionnaire. This addresses patients’ self-care practices for common colds. Separately, the subjective level of discomfort when having a common cold, knowing about the diseases’ self-limited nature, and medical and sociodemographic data are requested. Additionally, physicians are surveyed on their use of and recommendations for self-care practices. We are interested in investigating which self-care practices for common colds are used, whether the number of self-care practices used is influenced by knowledge about the self-limited nature of the disease, and the subjective level of discomfort when having a cold and to identify potential adverse interactions with chronic physician-prescribed medications. Further factors that will be considered are, for example, demographic characteristics, chronic conditions, and sources of information for self-care practices. All descriptive and analytical statistics will be performed on the pooled dataset and stratified by country and site.Discussion.To our knowledge, COCO is the first European survey on the use of self-care practices for common colds. The study will provide new insight into patients’ and general practitioners’ self-care measures for common colds across Europe.
Nonlinear Inertia Weighted Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization for Solving Global Optimization Problem
Authors: Wu Zong-Sheng , Fu Wei-Ping , Xue Ru
Published: September 2015

Teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm is proposed in recent years that simulates the teaching-learning phenomenon of a classroom to effectively solve global optimization of multidimensional, linear, and nonlinear problems over continuous spaces. In this paper, an improved teaching-learning-based optimization algorithm is presented, which is called nonlinear inertia weighted teaching-learning-based optimization (NIWTLBO) algorithm. This algorithm introduces a nonlinear inertia weighted factor into the basic TLBO to control the memory rate of learners and uses a dynamic inertia weighted factor to replace the original random number in teacher phase and learner phase. The proposed algorithm is tested on a number of benchmark functions, and its performance comparisons are provided against the basic TLBO and some other well-known optimization algorithms. The experiment results show that the proposed algorithm has a faster convergence rate and better performance than the basic TLBO and some other algorithms as well.
Structures and Low Dimensional Classifications of Hom-Poisson Superalgebras
Authors: Zhang Qingcheng , Wang Chunyue , Wei Zhu
Published: September 2015

Hom-Poisson superalgebras can be considered as a deformation of Poisson superalgebras. We prove that Hom-Poisson superalgebras are closed under tensor products. Moreover, we show that Hom-Poisson superalgebras can be described using only the twisting map and one binary operation. Finally, all algebra endomorphisms on 2-dimensional complex Poisson superalgebras are computed, and their associated Hom-Poisson superalgebras are described explicitly.
Strong Summability of Fourier Transforms at Lebesgue Points and Wiener Amalgam Spaces
Authors: Weisz Ferenc
Published: September 2015

We characterize the set of functions for which strong summability holds at each Lebesgue point. More exactly, iffis in the Wiener amalgam spaceW(L1,lq)(R)andfis almost everywhere locally bounded, orf∈W(Lp,lq)(R)  (1<p<∞,1≤q<∞), then strongθ-summability holds at each Lebesgue point off. The analogous results are given for Fourier series, too.
Modulation Effects of Curcumin on Erythrocyte Ion-Transporter Activity
Authors: Singh Prabhakar , Rizvi Syed Ibrahim
Published: September 2015

Curcumin ((1E,6E)-1,7-Bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione), the yellow biphenolic pigment isolated from turmeric (Curcuma longa), has various medicinal benefits through antioxidation, anti-inflammation, cardiovascular protection, immunomodulation, enhancing of the apoptotic process, and antiangiogenic property. We explored the effects of curcuminin vitro(10−5 M to 10−8 M) andin vivo(340 and 170 mg/kg b.w., oral) on Na+/K+ATPase (NKA), Na+/H+exchanger (NHE) activity, and membrane lipid hydroperoxides (ROOH) in control and experimental oxidative stress erythrocytes of Wistar rats. As a result, we found that curcumin potently modulated the membrane transporters activity with protecting membrane lipids against hydro-peroxidation in control as well as oxidatively challenged erythrocytes evidenced by stimulation of NKA, downregulation of NHE, and reduction of ROOH in the membrane. The observed results corroborate membrane transporters activity with susceptibility of erythrocyte membrane towards oxidative damage. Results explain the protective mechanism of curcumin against oxidative stress mediated impairment in ions-transporters activity and health beneficial effects.
New-Onset Myocarditis in an Immunocompetent Adult with Acute Metapneumovirus Infection
Authors: Weinreich Mark A. , Jabbar Ahmad Y. , Malguria Nagina , Haley Robert W.
Published: September 2015

Introduction. A number of viruses have been implicated in viral myocarditis; however, there has been no previous report of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) causing this condition. Discovered in 2001, hMPV is typically associated with upper respiratory illness, mainly affecting children.Case Presentation. We report the case of a 25-year-old man with acute systolic heart failure from viral myocarditis secondary to the hMPV. The patient was initially admitted to the general medical ward but developed increasing oxygen requirements resulting in transfer to the cardiac intensive care unit. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was used to help confirm the diagnosis. He was treated with intravenous diuretics, and afterload and preload agents, and he was subsequently discharged home after seven days of hospitalization.Discussion. hMPV is typically a respiratory pathogen; however, it was associated with in myocarditis in our patient. Due to the recent ability to detect this virus, we may see more cases of this, particularly during peak months of infection.Conclusion. This is the first case description of myocarditis associated with hMPV infection.
Effect ofGBAMutations on Phenotype of Parkinson’s Disease: A Study on Chinese Population and aMeta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Sun Qi-ying , Zhao Yu-wen , Shu Li , Guo Ji-feng , Xu Qian , Yan Xin-xiang , Tang Bei-sha
Published: September 2015

GBA has been identified as a genetic risk factor for PD. Whether the clinical manifestations of PD patients with or without GBA mutations are different has still not reached a consensus. We firstly detected the GBA mutation L444P in 1147 Chinese PD patients and simultaneously evaluated their corresponding clinical data. Then we compared the phenotypes between 646 PD patients with GBA mutations and 10344 PD patients without GBA mutations worldwide throughmeta-analysis. Through the method ofmeta-analysis, there was significant difference in age at onset (MD = −3.10 [95% CI: −4.88, −1.32]), bradykinesia as an initial symptom (OR = 1.49 [95% CI: 1.15, 1.94]), having family history (OR = 1.50 [95% CI: 1.18, 1.91]), and dementia (OR = 3.21 [95% CI: 1.97, 5.24]) during the comparison between PD patients with and without GBA mutations. While, in the aspect of tremor as an initial symptom (OR = 0.81 [95% CI: 0.64, 1.03]), the severity of motor symptoms such as H-Y (MD = 0.06 [95% CI: −0.06, 0.17]) and UPDRS-III (MD = 1.61 [95% CI: −0.65, 3.87]) and having dyskinesia (OR = 1.60 [95% CI: 0.90, 2.84]) during the comparison between the two groups revealed no statistical differences. Our results suggested that the phenotypes of PD patients with GBA mutations are different from GBA noncarriers.
ΔNp63α Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Motility through the Selective Activation of Components of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Program
Authors: Dang Tuyen T. , Esparza Matthew A. , Maine Erin A. , Westcott Jill M. , Pearson Gray W.
Published: September 2015

Cell identity signals influence the invasive capability of tumor cells, as demonstrated by the selection for programs of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during malignant progression. Breast cancer cells retain canonical epithelial traits and invade collectively as cohesive groups of cells, but the signaling pathways critical to their invasive capabilities are still incompletely understood. Here we report that the transcription factor ΔNp63α drives the migration of basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) cells by inducing a hybrid mesenchymal/epithelial state. Through a combination of expression analysis and functional testing across multiple BLBC cell populations, we determined that ΔNp63α induces migration by elevating the expression of the EMT program components Slug and Axl. Interestingly, ΔNp63α also increased the expression of miR-205, which can silence ZEB1/2 to prevent the loss of epithelial character caused by EMT induction. In clinical specimens, co-expression of various elements of the ΔNp63α pathway confirmed its implication in motility signaling in BLBC. We observed that activation of the ΔNp63α pathway occurred during the transition from noninvasive ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive breast cancer. Notably, in an orthotopic tumor model, Slug expression was sufficient to induce collective invasion of E-cadherin–expressing BLBC cells. Together, our results illustrate how ΔNp63α can drive breast cancer cell invasion by selectively engaging promigratory components of the EMT program while, in parallel, still promoting the retention of epithelial character. Cancer Res; 75(18); 3925–35. ©2015 AACR.
Ocular Tuberculosis with Progressive Unilateral Corneal Melting
Authors: Bayraktutar Betül N. , Uçakhan-Gündüz Ömür
Published: September 2015

Objectives: In this case report, we present a patient with ocular tuberculosis presenting with progressive unilateral corneal melting. Patient: A 47-year-old female was admitted with melting at the inferior half of the peripheral cornea and inferior subconjunctival nodules. Biopsy material of the nodules was negative for tuberculosis bacillus. However, polymerase chain reaction of the biopsy sample revealed the DNA of the bacillus, and the diagnosis was confirmed. Conclusion: In endemic areas, ocular tuberculosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic and atypical corneal involvement.
Recursos psicológicos y percepción de la migración en menores con familiares migrantes
Authors: Guzmán-Carrillo Karla Yunuén , GonzáLez-Verduzco Blanca Sharim , Rivera-Heredia María Elena
Published: September 2015

(analítico): La migración impacta la vida familiar en la mayoría de los países del mundo. Esta investigación describe y compara los recursos psicológicos de los niños y niñas que tienen experiencia de migración dentro de su familia con los de quienes no la tienen. Participaron 177 estudiantes de primaria de la comunidad de Jesús del Monte, Michoacán (México). Aplicamos una metodología mixta. En la fase cuantitativa empleamos las Escalas de Recursos Psicológicos y de Evaluación de las Relaciones Intrafamiliares. En la fase cualitativa realizamos grupos focales y un juego con marionetas. Encontramos que la experiencia de migración impactó de manera semejante a los niños y niñas, quienes mostraron un mayor desarrollo de sus recursos familiares (unión y apoyo) que quienes no tenían experiencia de migración familiar.
Jóvenes y política: de la participación formal a la movilización informal
Authors: Arias-Cardona Ana María , Alvarado Sara Victoria
Published: September 2015

(descriptivo): Este artículo de revisión de tema está estructurado en dos secciones: en la primera exponemos diversas perspectivas desde las que realizamos el acercamiento teórico al concepto “juventud”, agrupándolas en tres: bio-psicoevolutiva, sociohistórica y cultural- política. En la segunda sintetizamos el estado del arte consolidado a partir de las categorías “jóvenes” y “política”; para ello retomamos investigaciones relacionadas con jóvenes y política formal a través de sus expresiones convencionales (participación, afliación a partidos, conducta de voto, etc.), y estudios sobre jóvenes y política informal en los que se analizan acciones alternativas (movimientos sociales, acción colectiva, etc.) Finalmente proponemos comprender a los sujetos jóvenes desde la transdisciplinariedad, la diversidad y el contexto, trascendiendo miradas adultocéntricas que los señalan de “apáticos y desinteresados”.
Prácticas profesionales educativas (PPE): refexión desde la formación en educación física
Authors: AyaLa-Zuluaga Carlos Federico , Franco-jiménez Alejandra María , Ayala-ZuLuaga José Enver
Published: September 2015

(descriptive): This paper collects different reflections that are products of experiential processes in professional practice for physical education teaching students. This experience is based on the realities experienced by subjects that are in the process of studying to be physical education teachers and not focused on the ideal outcomes as defined by the curricula. The study focuses on the conditions required so that the objectives of these internships can be based on the realities faced by the student teachers.
Key words: professional education internships, teacher training, teaching models and strategies, physical education (Unesco Social Sciences Thesaurus).
Presencia e in-diferencia. Por un estatuto visual de la niñez
Authors: Gascón Felipe , Godoy Lorena
Published: September 2015

(analítico): El presente artículo tiene como propósito deconstruir el sentido que la visualidad dominante otorga a las infancias. Partimos desde una lectura crítica y articulada entre educación y comunicación, para des-cubrir las prácticas sobre minoridad que la mirada adulta despliega sobre niñas y niños. Existen evidencias para sostener que la imagen-archivo construida sobre la niñez puede leerse como metáfora de in-diferencia y como dispositivo de sumisión a un régimen visual que, en última instancia, dramatiza la hetero-normalidad. Por ello planteamos la necesidad de diseñar un estatuto verbovisual y expresivo de la niñez que, desde la política pública, re-conozca la necesidad de ampliar los espacios de autonomía en la producción de la subjetividad, de la presencia y de la historicidad de la niñez, como afrmación de la triple realidad humana: individual, societaria y genérica.
Comparison of the Abilities of Summary Measures of International Normalized Ratio Control to Predict Clinically Relevant Bleeding
Authors: Rose Adam J. , Delate Thomas , Ozonoff Al , Witt Daniel M.
Published: September 2015

Background—

Limited research has compared the measures of summarizing international normalized ratio (INR) control over time. Measures that are more predictive of patient outcomes would be preferred as would those that are easier to calculate and understand.

Methods and Results—

We examined 676 patients who received long-term warfarin therapy to treat atrial fibrillation: 125 patients who experienced major hemorrhage and 551 matched controls who did not. Patient INR control was characterized using various measures, from simple (proportion of INR values in range) to complex (eg, area under the curve above target range, squared) measures. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the ability of each measure to predict the outcome of clinically relevant bleeding across quintiles of control. All measures were associated with clinically relevant bleeding to some extent: patients with the poorest control had significantly more bleeding events compared with patients with the best control. The measure most strongly associated with bleeding was a combination of percent time in therapeutic range and INR variability (odds ratio of 4.34, comparing the lowest to the highest quintiles of control). The strongest single predictor was INR variability, followed closely by time in therapeutic range. More computationally complex measures, which had been expected to perform better, were not so strongly associated with bleeding.

Conclusions—

INR variability was the most strongly associated predictor of clinically relevant bleeding followed closely by time in therapeutic range. Using both measures together had an even stronger association. These findings support continued use of INR variability, time in therapeutic range, or both for research and quality assurance efforts.