bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender difference in oxidative stress: a new look at the mechanisms for cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Kander Melissa Christine , Cui Yuqi , Liu Zhenguo
Published: December 2016

Gender differences are present in many diseases and are especially prevalent in cardiovascular disease. Males tend to suffer from myocardial infarctions earlier than females, and a woman's risk of cardiovascular disease increases after menopause, suggesting a cardio‐protective role of estrogen. However, hormone replacement therapy did not decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in post‐menopausal women; thus, other mechanisms may be involved besides estrogen. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease. Gender is also associated with differences in oxidative stress. Under physiological conditions, females appear to be less susceptible to oxidative stress. This may be due to the antioxidant properties of estrogen, gender differences inNADPH‐oxidase activity or other mechanism(s) yet to be defined. This review strives to discuss gender differences in general terms followed by a more detailed examination of gender differences with oxidative stress and various associated diseases and the possible mechanisms underlying these differences.
CARD9 gene silencing with siRNA protects rats against severe acute pancreatitis: CARD9‐dependent NF‐κB and P38MAPKs pathway
Authors: Yang Zhi‐wen , Meng Xiao‐xiao , Zhang Chun , Xu Ping
Published: December 2016

We previously reported the up‐regulation of caspase recruitment domain 9 (CARD9) expressions in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients, but little is known about its regulation. In this study, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to reduce the levels of CARD9 expression in sodium taurocholate‐stimulated SAP rats. CARD9 was overexpressed in SAP rats, which correlated with the severity of pancreatitis. When compared to the untreated group, the cohort that received the siRNA treatment demonstrated a significant reduction in pancreatic injury, neutrophil infiltration, myeloperoxidase activity and pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, siRNAs showed that the reduction of CARD9 in SAP rats down‐regulated the expression of NF‐κBp65 and P38MAPK which are involved in the transcription and release of a wide variety of inflammatory cytokines. These findings provide evidence that CARD9 is up‐regulated in SAP rats and acts as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment thereof. Blocking the activation of NF‐κB and P38MAPK via siRNA‐mediated gene knock‐down of CARD9 appears to reduce the inflammatory response in pancreatic tissue.
Migrant Agricultural Workers in Local and Global Contexts: Toward a Better Life?
Authors: McLaughlin Janet , Weiler Anelyse M.
Published: December 2016

Four books published between 2013 and 2014 make a vital contribution towards understanding the political and ideological tools by which states and employers construct hyper‐exploitable agricultural workers. In this review essay, we provide an assessment of how these books have advanced our understandings of migrant farm labour regimes in local and international perspectives. After presenting a synopsis of each text, we critically reflect on key lessons learned, offer questions that merit further attention, and suggest directions for future research. Our review finds that despite wide differences in geopolitical and legal contexts in which migrant agricultural workers cross borders, live and work, there are remarkable resemblances in the ways in which states use (and abuse) migrant labour. Likewise, there are glaring similarities in the consequent vulnerabilities migrants experience. While each author provides compelling and empirically rich observations based on local fields of study, generally lacking are broader global connections and policy discussions about how the problems raised can be meaningfully addressed. Given the seeming ubiquity of exploitative migrant agricultural worker regimes, the fundamental question left largely unanswered is: Must ‘local’ agricultural systems depend on vulnerable imported workers in order to provide affordable food for consumers, or are there workable alternatives to this arrangement?
Occupational Sex Composition and Gendered Housework Performance: Compensation or Conventionality?
Authors: McClintock Elizabeth Aura
Published: December 2016

This article examines the association between occupational sex composition and housework, considering total housework time, time on male‐typed and female‐typed tasks, and the percent of total time spent on male and female tasks. Previous research examining male‐ and female‐typed chores independent of total housework suggests that couples compensate for gender‐atypical employment through gender‐typical housework performance, but this analysis of the National Survey of Families and Households
(1992–1994) and the American Time Use Survey (2003–2013) demonstrates that assuming a quadratic association and failing to contextualize gendered housework performance within total housework performance obscures the true relationship between occupation and housework. In fact, women and men in gender‐atypical occupations perform a more gender‐atypical combination of chores. The influence of gender deviance neutralization in the housework literature may overshadow alternative explanations and model specifications. In particular, by assuming a quadratic association, researchers may impose, rather than test, gender deviance neutralization.
WHEN AND HOW DOES COMMUTING TO CITIES INFLUENCE RURAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH?
Authors: Lavesson Niclas
Published: December 2016

This paper estimates the influence that rural‐to‐urban commuting has on rural employment growth, and whether the strength and spatial reach of this effect depend on commuters’ levels of education. A main finding is that rural‐to‐urban commuting has a robust positive impact on rural employment growth in services and retail. There is no significant difference in how far these effects reach into rural Sweden for commuters with different levels of education. These results suggest that a viable policy for local employment growth in rural areas with reasonable commuting times to urban centers is to improve the commuting to urban centers.
Surgical management of children with intractable functional constipation; experience of a single tertiary children's hospital
Authors: Kuizenga‐Wessel S. , Koppen I. J. N. , Zwager L. W. , Di Lorenzo C. , de Jong J. R. , Benninga M. A.
Published: December 2016

Background

Children with intractable functional constipation (FC) may eventually require surgery. However, guidelines regarding the surgical management of children with intractable FC are lacking. The aim of this study was to describe the surgical management of FC in children.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of children with FC (according to the Rome III criteria) who underwent ileostomy, colostomy or (sub)total colectomy at a tertiary hospital. Treatment success was defined as no longer fulfilling the Rome III‐FC‐criteria or having a functional ostomy. In addition, a self‐developed questionnaire was administered to parents by telephone to assess postsurgical satisfaction (yes‐no question and rated on a scale of 1–10).

Key Results

Thirty‐seven patients (68% female) were included; median age at first surgery was 12 years (range 1.6–17.6). The initial surgical procedure consisted of ileostomy (n=21), colostomy (n=10), sigmoid resection (n=5) and subtotal colectomy (n=1). Success criteria were fulfilled by 85% of the patients. Postsurgical satisfaction of parents was 91% with a median postoperative satisfaction score of 8 (range 2‐10), and 97% would opt for the same procedure(s) if necessary. Thirty patients (81%) experienced stoma problems, with 12 patients (32%) requiring stoma‐revisions. Other complications occurred in 16 patients (43%).

Conclusions & Inferences

Surgery can improve symptoms in children with intractable FC. Despite morbidity and complications, parental satisfaction is high. Prospective, high‐quality research is necessary to develop guidelines for the diagnostic work‐up and surgical management in children with intractable FC.
An Overview of Equal Educational Opportunities in Turkey: A Spatial Analysis of Classrooms in Rural and Urban Primary Schools
Authors: Gökçe Nazli , Kaya Erdoğan , Aktaş Semra Günay , Kantar Yeliz Mert
Published: December 2016

The number of students in a class is a primary factor affecting the quality of education. Therefore, this study examines the distribution of the number of students per class in rural and urban primary schools in Turkey, and efforts have been made to specify classroom needs. Statistical data was obtained from the Turkish Institute of Statistics and the Ministry of National Education. In order to better interpret data, graphs and maps were prepared with the help of GIS. The MapInfo 12.0 program was used for map drawing. The data was mapped using the Inverse Distance Weighted Algorithm. Whether there was global clustering regarding the distribution of the number of students per class in both rural and urban primary schools in Turkey was investigated using Moran I. In addition, local Moran I maps were employed to identify whether or not there was local clustering or neighboring interaction. At the end of the research, a variety of findings and results were obtained regarding the condition of primary school classes in Turkey. In conclusion, it has been determined that there is a need for more classes in certain regions, while they are urgently needed in others.
Canal surfaces in 4-dimensional Euclidean space
Authors: Bulca Betül , Arslan Kadri , Bayram Bengü , Öztürk Günay
Published: December 2016

In the present study, we consider canal surfaces imbedded in an Euclidean space of four dimensions. The curvature properties of these surface are investigated with respect to the variation of the normal vectors and curvature ellipse. We also give some special examples of canal surfaces in E^4. Further, we give necessary and sufficient condition for canal surfaces in E^4 to become superconformal. Finally, the visualization of the projections of canal surfaces in E^3 are presented.
Author’s response
Authors: Georgescu Monica Elia , Arbeille Philippe , Dobre Michaela , Stefanescu Victorita
Published: December 2016

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Prolonged coldness on eggs reduces immature survival and reproductive fitness in Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Jiao Rui , Xu Changxin , Yu Lichen , He Xiong Zhao , Qiao Guangyu , He Limin , Li Litao
Published: December 2016

Tetranychus urticae Koch (Arachnida: Acari: Tetranychidae) is an economically important agricultural and horticultural pest around the world. The present study investigated the prolonged exposure of eggs (i.e., 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours) to low temperature (i.e., 5 ºC) affecting the egg hatching, and subsequent immature development and survival as well as the reproductive fitness of resultant females. Our results show that chilling had no significant effect on egg hatching rate, but significantly shortened egg development. It was found that prolonged chilling significantly decreased the survival of immature stages. Prolonged chilling also significantly delayed the development of males and thus adult emergence, but had not significantly effect on female development and survival. Results further indicate that the negative effect of lengthy chilling extended to the resultant females resulting in the significantly shorter longevity and lower fecundity. It is interesting that the resultant females might benefit from parental egg chilling, i.e., they started oviposition significantly early and produced significantly higher female-biased sex ratio. The implications from the results of this study in forecasting spring populations and outbreak of this pest in the growing season were discussed.
Temporal and spatial differences in gall induction on Haloxylon by Aceria haloxylonis (Acari: Eriophyidae) in the Gurbantünggüt Desert
Authors: Li Fen-lian , Li Ting , Su Jie , Yang Shuai , Wang Pei-ling , Zhang Jian-ping
Published: December 2016

Flower-like galls have been observed on Haloxylon ammodendron and H. persicum in the Gurbantünggüt Desert in northwest China. The galls were induced by Aceria haloxylonis, a new species of Eriophyidae. The galls began as small protuberances at the base of new stems and on small branches. As they matured, the galls changed color from green to dark brown. Some galls on H. persicum became red. At maturity, the galls and the infected branches became desiccated. Adult females of A. haloxylonis overwintered in galls or in branch crevices of H. ammodendron and H. persicum. There were more galls on H. ammodendron than on H. persicum. Several ecological factors influenced gall number, including terrain, tree size, branch direction and slope aspect. H. ammodendron trees in gravel desert had more galls than trees at sand dune edges. Trees in the interdune space had the fewest galls. Large H. ammodendron trees had significantly more galls than small trees. Branches on the south side of the tree had more galls than branches on the north, east, and west sides. Terrain * tree size had significant interaction on gall number on H. ammodendron. H. persicum trees on low sand dunes had more galls than trees on high sand dunes and trees on sunny slopes had more galls than trees on shady slopes. There were more galls on large H. persicum trees than on medium-sized trees. Few galls were observed on small H. persicum trees. The number of galls on H. persicum was significantly affected by terrain, tree size and slope aspect. The terrain * slope aspect interaction and tree size * terrain interaction were also significantly. This study is important for the conservation and recovery of the ecological environment in the Gurbantünggüt Desert.
Chemoattractant concentration–dependent tuning of ERK signaling dynamics in migrating neutrophils
Authors: Zhang Elizabeth R. , Liu Shanshan , Wu Lani F. , Altschuler Steven J. , Cobb Melanie H.
Published: December 2016

The interplay between the kinases ERK and p38 controls neutrophil migration along a chemoattractant gradient.
Essential roles of AMPA receptor GluA1 phosphorylation and presynaptic HCN channels in fast-acting antidepressant responses of ketamine
Authors: Zhang Ke , Xu Ting , Yuan Zhongmin , Wei Zhisheng , Yamaki Vitor Nagai , Huang Mingfa , Huganir Richard L. , Cai Xiang
Published: December 2016

Ketamine alters presynaptic channels in the hippocampus to mediate fast-acting antidepressant action.
Hunger signals suppress risk perception
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: December 2016

Hunger suppresses a GPCR-mediated positive feedback loop between aversive sensory and sensorimotor neurons in worms, encouraging greater risk-taking for reward.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Chirally Defined Side Chain Variants of 7-Chloro-4-Aminoquinoline To Overcome Drug Resistance in Malaria Chemotherapy
Authors: Dola Vasantha Rao , Soni Awakash , Agarwal Pooja , Ahmad Hafsa , Raju Kanumuri Siva Rama , Rashid Mamunur , Wahajuddin Muhammad , Srivastava Kumkum , Haq W. , Dwivedi A. K. , Puri S. K. , Katti S. B.
Published: December 2016

A novel 4-aminoquinoline derivative [(
S
)-7-chloro-
N
-(4-methyl-1-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pentan-2-yl)-quinolin-4-amine triphosphate] exhibiting curative activity against chloroquine-resistant malaria parasites has been identified for preclinical development as a blood schizonticidal agent. The lead molecule selected after detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies has good solid-state properties and promising activity against
in vitro
and
in vivo
experimental malaria models. The
in vitro
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) parameters indicate a favorable drug-like profile.
Impact of Vancomycin MIC on Treatment Outcomes in Invasive Staphylococcus aureus Infections
Authors: Song Kyoung-Ho , Kim Moonsuk , Kim Chung Jong , Cho Jeong Eun , Choi Yun Jung , Park Jeong Su , Ahn Soyeon , Jang Hee-Chang , Park Kyung-Hwa , Jung Sook-In , Yoon Nara , Kim Dong-Min , Hwang Jeong-Hwan , Lee Chang Seop , Lee Jae Hoon , Kwak Yee Gyung , Kim Eu Suk , Park Seong Yeon , Park Yoonseon , Lee Kkot Sil , Lee Yeong-Seon , Kim Hong Bin
Published: December 2016

There are conflicting data on the association of vancomycin MIC (VAN-MIC) with treatment outcomes in
Staphylococcus aureus
infections. We investigated the relationship between high VAN-MIC and 30-day mortality and identified the risk factors for mortality in a large cohort of patients with invasive
S. aureus
(ISA) infections, defined as the isolation of
S. aureus
from a normally sterile site. Over a 2-year period, 1,027 adult patients with ISA infections were enrolled in 10 hospitals, including 673 (66%) patients with methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) infections. There were 200 (19.5%) isolates with high VAN-MIC (≥1.5 mg/liter) by Etest and 87 (8.5%) by broth microdilution (BMD). The all-cause 30-day mortality rate was 27.4%. High VAN-MIC by either method was not associated with all-cause 30-day mortality, and this finding was consistent across MIC methodologies and methicillin susceptibilities. We conclude that high VAN-MIC is not associated with increased risk of all-cause 30-day mortality in ISA infections. Our data support the view that VAN-MIC alone is not sufficient evidence to change current clinical practice.
Protracted Regional Dissemination of GIM-1-Producing Serratia marcescens in Western Germany
Authors: Wendel Andreas F. , Kaase Martin , Autenrieth Ingo B. , Peter Silke , Oberhettinger Philipp , Rieber Heime , Pfeffer Klaus , MacKenzie Colin R. , Willmann Matthias
Published: December 2016

The metallo-beta-lactamase GIM-1 has been found in various bacterial host species nearly exclusively in western Germany. However, not much is known about the epidemiology of GIM-1-positive
Serratia marcescens
. Here we report on a surprisingly protracted regional dissemination. In-hospital transmission was investigated by using conventional epidemiological tools to identify spatiotemporal links. Strain typing was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Bayesian phylogeny was used to infer the time axis of the observed occurrence. Thirteen
S. marcescens
strains from 10 patients from 6 different German hospitals were investigated. Suspected in-hospital transmissions were confirmed by molecular typing at a higher resolution by WGS than by PFGE. A detailed sequence analysis demonstrated the spread of one predominant strain variant but also provided evidence for transfer of the
bla
GIM-1
gene cassette between different strains. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis showed that the most recent common ancestor of the identified clonal cluster could be dated back to April 1993 (95% highest posterior density interval, January 1973 to March 2003) and that this strain might have already harbored the
bla
GIM-1
at that time and, therewith, years before the first detection of this resistance gene in clinical specimens. This study shows a long-standing clonal and plasmid-mediated expansion of GIM-1-producing
S. marcescens
that might have gone unnoticed in the absence of a standardized and effective molecular screening for carbapenemases. The systematic and early detection of resistance is thus highly advisable, especially for the prevention of potentially long-term dissemination that may progress beyond control.
Genetic Characterization of the Galactitol Utilization Pathway of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Nolle Nicoletta , Felsl Angela , Heermann Ralf , Fuchs Thilo M.
Published: December 2016

Galactitol degradation by salmonellae remains underinvestigated, although this metabolic capability contributes to growth in animals (R. R. Chaudhuri et al., PLoS Genet9:e1003456, 2013,https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1003456). The genes responsible for this metabolic capability are part of a 9.6-kb gene cluster that spans fromgatYtogatR(STM3253 to STM3262) and encodes a phosphotransferase system, four enzymes, and a transporter of the major facilitator superfamily. Genome comparison revealed the presence of this genetic determinant in nearly allSalmonellastrains. The generation time ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium strain ST4/74 was higher in minimal medium with galactitol than with glucose. Knockout of STM3254 andgatCresulted in a growth-deficient phenotype ofS. Typhimurium, with galactitol as the sole carbon source. Partial deletion ofgatRstrongly reduced the lag phase of growth with galactitol, whereas strains overproducing GatR exhibited a near-zero growth phenotype. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated strong induction of thegatYandgatZpromoters, which control all genes of this cluster exceptgatR, in the presence of galactitol but not glucose. Purified GatR bound to these two maingatgene cluster promoters as well as to its own promoter, demonstrating that this autoregulated repressor controls galactitol degradation. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy revealed distinct binding properties of GatR toward the three promoters, resulting in a model of differentialgatgene expression. The cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) bound these promoters with similarly high affinities, and a mutant lackingcrpshowed severe growth attenuation, demonstrating that galactitol utilization is subject to catabolite repression. Here, we provide the first genetic characterization of galactitol degradation inSalmonella, revealing novel insights into the regulation of this dissimilatory pathway.

IMPORTANCEThe knowledge of how pathogens adapt their metabolism to the compartments encountered in hosts is pivotal to our understanding of bacterial infections. Recent research revealed that enteropathogens have adapted specific metabolic pathways that contribute to their virulence properties, for example, by helping to overcome limitations in nutrient availability in the gut due to colonization resistance. The capability ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium to degrade galactitol has already been demonstrated to play a rolein vivo, but it has not been investigated so far on the genetic level. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular description of the galactitol degradation pathway of a pathogen.
Foreland exhumation controlled by crustal thickening in the Western Alps
Authors: Schwartz Stéphane , Gautheron Cécile , Audin Laurence , Dumont Thierry , Nomade Jérôme , Barbarand Jocelyn , Pinna-Jamme Rosella , van der Beek Peter
Published: December 2016

In alpine-type collision belts, deformation of the foreland may occur as a result of forward propagation of thrusting and is generally associated with thin-skinned deformation mobilizing the sedimentary cover in fold-and-thrust belts. Locally, foreland deformation can involve crustal-scale thrusting and produce large-scale exhumation of crystalline basement resulting in significant relief generation. In this study, we investigate the burial and exhumation history of Tertiary flexural basins located in the Western Alpine foreland, at the front of the Digne thrust sheet (southeast France), using low-temperature apatite fission-track and (U-Th)/He thermochronology. Based on the occurrence of partially to totally reset ages, we document 3.3–4.0 km of burial of these basin remnants between ca. 12 Ma and 6 Ma, related to thin-skinned thrust-sheet emplacement without major relief generation. The onset of exhumation is dated at ca. 6 Ma and is linked to erosion associated with significant relief development. This evolution does not appear to have been controlled by major climate changes (Messinian crisis) or by European slab breakoff. Rather, we propose that the erosional history of the Digne thrust sheet corresponds to basement involvement in foreland deformation, leading to crustal thickening. Our study highlights the control of deep-crustal tectonic processes on foreland relief development and its erosional response at mountain fronts.
Determinants of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery in children in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors:   GlobalSurg Collaborative
Published: December 2016

Background

Child health is a key priority on the global health agenda, yet the provision of essential and emergency surgery in children is patchy in resource-poor regions. This study was aimed to determine the mortality risk for emergency abdominal paediatric surgery in low-income countries globally.

Methods

Multicentre, international, prospective, cohort study. Self-selected surgical units performing emergency abdominal surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive children aged <16 years during a 2-week period between July and December 2014. The United Nation's Human Development Index (HDI) was used to stratify countries. The main outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality, analysed by multilevel logistic regression.

Results

This study included 1409 patients from 253 centres in 43 countries; 282 children were under 2 years of age. Among them, 265 (18.8%) were from low-HDI, 450 (31.9%) from middle-HDI and 694 (49.3%) from high-HDI countries. The most common operations performed were appendectomy, small bowel resection, pyloromyotomy and correction of intussusception. After adjustment for patient and hospital risk factors, child mortality at 30 days was significantly higher in low-HDI (adjusted OR 7.14 (95% CI 2.52 to 20.23), p<0.001) and middle-HDI (4.42 (1.44 to 13.56), p=0.009) countries compared with high-HDI countries, translating to 40 excess deaths per 1000 procedures performed.

Conclusions

Adjusted mortality in children following emergency abdominal surgery may be as high as 7 times greater in low-HDI and middle-HDI countries compared with high-HDI countries. Effective provision of emergency essential surgery should be a key priority for global child health agendas.

Trial registration number

NCT02179112; Pre-results.
Dietary intake and prospective changes in cardiometabolic risk factors in children and youth
Authors: Setayeshgar Solmaz , Ekwaru John Paul , Maximova Katerina , Majumdar Sumit R. , Storey Kate E. , McGavock Jonathan , Veugelers Paul J.
Published: December 2016

Only few studies examined the effect of diet on prospective changes in cardiometabolic (CM) risk factors in children and youth despite its importance for understanding the role of diet early in life for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. To test the hypothesis that dietary intake is associated with prospective changes in CM risk factors, we analyzed longitudinal observations made over a period of 2 years among 448 students (aged 10–17 years) from 14 schools in Canada. We applied mixed effect regression to examine the associations of dietary intake at baseline with changes in body mass index, waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and insulin sensitivity score between baseline and follow-up while adjusting for age, sex, and physical activity. Dietary fat at baseline was associated with increases in SBP and DBP z scores (per 10 g increase in dietary fat per day: β = 0.03; p < 0.05) and WC (β = 0.31 cm; p < 0.05) between baseline and follow-up. Every additional gram of sodium intake at baseline was associated with an increase in DBP z score of 0.04 (p < 0.05) between baseline and follow-up. Intake of sugar, vegetables and fruit, and fibre were not associated with changes in CM risk factors in a statistically significant manner. Our findings suggest that a reduction in the consumption of total dietary fat and sodium may contribute to the prevention of excess body weight and hypertension in children and youth, and their cardiometabolic sequelae later in life.
Dynamic modulus characteristics of saturated clays under variable confining pressure
Authors: Gu Chuan , Gu Zhiqiang , Cai Yuanqiang , Wang Jun , Ling Daosheng
Published: December 2016

Dynamic loadings, induced by earthquakes and other causes, will lead to the cyclic variation of both shear stress and normal stress components on the soil elements. A series of cyclic triaxial tests with and without variable confining pressure were carried out to investigate the coupling effects of cyclic shear stress and cyclic normal stress on the normalized shear modulus, G/Gmax, characteristics of saturated clays. Results indicated that both the phase differences and ratios between the cyclic deviatoric stress and cyclic confining pressure exerted a constant and pronounced influence on the G/Gmax, indicating that the G/Gmaxproperties under combined loadings will be more representative of actual field conditions than from single-loading conditions. A modified hyperbolic model considering the effects of cyclic confining pressure was further proposed.
Reconsideration of the overlap region in smooth shallow open channel flows
Authors: Heidari Mehdi , Balachandar Ram , Roussinova Vesselina , Barron Ronald M.
Published: December 2016

In this paper, data sets for mean velocity distributions in smooth shallow open channel flow are reconsidered to evaluate the characteristics of the overlap region and estimate the friction velocity (u∗). Both new and existing velocity measurements are used in the analysis. The velocity profiles are obtained using laser Doppler velocimetry and particle image velocimetry at typical Reynolds numbers (20 000–60 000) achieved in laboratory flumes. Validation of the estimated u∗ values using different forms of power law is established by comparing these values with the ones available in literature. Also, the Reynolds shear stress distribution based on two-dimensional measurements validate the estimated u∗. The availability of new data sets allows one to verify the usefulness of the log-law and evaluate the log-law constants. Different fitting methods; least squares, derivative, and scattered methods are used to evaluate the value of von Kármán coefficient. It is found that the value of κ obtained from the least squares method varies between 0.35 and 0.51 and depends on the Reynolds number. This refutes the conventional constant value assumption for the von Kármán coefficient (κ = 0.41). By considering the Prandtl’s mixing-length theory, the present values of the von Kármán coefficient are used to evaluate the mixing length distributions. The mixing length distributions in smooth open channel flow are found to depend on Reθ.
Carbonic fluids in the Hamadi gold deposit, Sudan: origin and contribution to gold mineralization
Authors: Cheng Xi-hui , Xu Jiu-hua , Wang Jian-xiong , Xue Qing-po , Zhang Hui
Published: December 2016

The Hamadi gold deposit is located in North Sudan, and occurs in the Neoproterozoic metamorphic strata of the Arabian–Nubian Shield. Two types of gold mineralization can be discerned: gold-bearing quartz veins and altered rock ores near ductile shear zones. The gold-bearing quartz veins are composed of white to gray quartz associated with small amounts of pyrite and other polymetallic sulfide minerals. Wall-rock alterations include mainly beresitization, epidotization, chloritization, and carbonatization. CO2-rich inclusions are commonly seen in gold-bearing quartz veins and quartz veinlets from gold-bearing altered rocks; these include mainly one-phase carbonic (CO2 ± CH4 ± N2) inclusions and CO2–H2O inclusions with CO2/H2O volumetric ratios of 30% to ∼80%. Laser Raman analysis does not show the H2O peak in carbonic inclusions. In quartz veins, the melting temperature of solid CO2 (Tm,CO2) of carbonic inclusions has a narrow range of −59.6 to −56.8 °C. Carbonic inclusions also have CO2 partial homogenization temperatures (Th,CO2) of −28.3 to +23.7 °C, with most of the values clustering between +4.0 and +20 °C; all of these inclusions are homogenized into the liquid CO2 state. The densities range from 0.73 to 1.03 g/cm3. XCH4 of carbonic fluid inclusions ranges from 0.004 to 0.14, with most XCH4 around 0.05. In CO2–H2O fluid inclusions, Tm,CO2 values are recorded mostly at around −57.5 °C. The melting temperature of clathrate is 3.8–8.9 °C. It is suggested that the lowest trapping pressures of CO2 fluids would be 100 to ∼400 MPa, on the basis of the Th,CO2 of CO2-bearing one-phase (LCO2) inclusions and the total homogenization temperatures (Th,tot) of paragenetic CO2-bearing two-phase (LCO2–LH2O) inclusions. For altered rocks, the Tm,CO2 of the carbonic inclusions has a narrow range of −58.4 to ∼−57.0 °C, whereas the Th,CO2 varies widely (−19 to ∼+29 °C). Most carbonic inclusions and the carbonic phases in the CO2–H2O inclusions are homogenized to liquid CO2 phases, which correspond to densities of 0.70 to ∼1.00 g/cm3. Fluid inclusions in a single fluid inclusion assemblage (FIA) have narrow Tm,CO2 and Th,CO2 values, but they vary widely in different FIAs and non-FIAs, which indicates that there was a wide range of trapping pressure and temperature (P–T) conditions during the ore-forming process in late retrograde metamorphism after the metamorphism peak period. The carbonic inclusions in the Hamadi gold deposit are interpreted to have resulted from unmixing of an originally homogeneous aqueous–carbonic mixture during retrogress metamorphism caused by decreasing P–T conditions. CO2 contributed to gold mineralization by buffering the pH range and increasing the gold concentration in the fluids.
Solitons and rogue waves for a nonlinear system in the geophysical fluid
Authors: Xie Xi-Yang , Tian Bo , Liu Lei , Wu Xiao-Yu , Jiang Yan
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we investigate a nonlinear system, which describes the marginally unstable baroclinic wave packets in the geophysical fluid. Based on the symbolic computation and Hirota method, bright one- and two-soliton solutions for such a system are derived. Propagation and collisions of the solitons are graphically shown and discussed with [Formula: see text], which reflects the collision between the wave packet and mean flow, [Formula: see text], which measures the state of the basic flow, and group velocity [Formula: see text]. [Formula: see text] is observed to affect the amplitudes of the solitons, and [Formula: see text] can influence the solitons’ traveling directions. By virtue of the generalized Darboux transformation, the first- and second-order rogue-wave solutions are derived. Properties of the first- and second-order rogue waves are graphically presented and analyzed: The first-order rogue waves are shown in the figures. [Formula: see text] has no effects on A, which is the amplitude of the wave packet, but with the increase of [Formula: see text], amplitude of B, which is a quantity measuring the correction of the basic flow, decreases. When [Formula: see text] is chosen differently, A and B do not keep their shapes invariant. With the value of [Formula: see text] increasing, amplitudes of A and B become larger. The second-order rogue wave is presented, from which we observe that with [Formula: see text] increasing, amplitude of B decreases, but [Formula: see text] has no effects on A. Collision features of A and B alter with the value of [Formula: see text] changing. When we make the value of [Formula: see text] larger, amplitudes of A and B increase.
Effects of Ti content on dielectric and energy storage properties of (Pb0.94La0.04)[(Zr0.70Sn0.30)1−xTix]O3 ferroelectric/antiferroelectric ceramics
Authors: Xu Ran , Tian Jingjing , Feng Yujun , Wei Xiaoyong , Xu Zhuo
Published: December 2016

Ferroelectric/antiferroelectric (FE/AFE) ceramics with composition of (Pb[Formula: see text]La[Formula: see text])[(Zr[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]Tix]O3 were fabricated via solid state reaction and the effects of Ti content on dielectric and energy storage properties were studied. High releasable energy density of 1.03[Formula: see text]J/cm3 was obtained when [Formula: see text] under 65.7[Formula: see text]kV/cm. With increasing Ti content, both the forward and backward phase transition fields would decrease. When [Formula: see text], the dielectrics would be under FE state at room temperature (22[Formula: see text]C) and the phase transition from FE to AFE and then to paraelectric (PE) was observed with temperature rise. The discharge properties were also studied and the results proved that the stored charge in AFE could be released much more completely than that in FE.
Eshelbian mechanics of novel materials: Quasicrystals
Authors: Lazar Markus , Agiasofitou Eleni
Published: December 2016

In this work, the so-called Eshelbian or configurational mechanics of quasicrystals is presented. Quasicrystals are considered as a prototype of novel materials. Material balance laws for quasicrystalline materials with dislocations are derived in the framework of generalized incompatible elasticity theory of quasicrystals. Translations, scaling transformations as well as rotations are examined; the latter presents particular interest due to the quasicrystalline structure. This derivation provides important quantities of the Eshelbian mechanics, as the Eshelby stress tensor, the scaling flux vector, the angular momentum tensor, the configurational forces (Peach–Koehler force, Cherepanov force, inhomogeneity force or Eshelby force), the configurational work, and the configurational vector moments for dislocations in quasicrystals. The corresponding [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]-, and [Formula: see text]-integrals for dislocation loops and straight dislocations in quasicrystals are derived and discussed. Moreover, the explicit formulas of the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]-, and [Formula: see text]-integrals for parallel screw dislocations in one-dimensional hexagonal quasicrystals are obtained. Through this derivation, the physical interpretation of the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]-, and [Formula: see text]-integrals for dislocations in quasicrystals is revealed and their connection to the Peach–Koehler force, the interaction energy and the rotational vector moment (torque) of dislocations in quasicrystals is established.
Fast Ranking with Additive Ensembles of Oblivious and Non-Oblivious Regression Trees
Authors: Dato Domenico , Lucchese Claudio , Nardini Franco Maria , Orlando Salvatore , Perego Raffaele , Tonellotto Nicola , Venturini Rossano
Published: December 2016

Learning-to-Rank models based on additive ensembles of regression trees have been proven to be very effective for scoring query results returned by large-scale Web search engines. Unfortunately, the computational cost of scoring thousands of candidate documents by traversing large ensembles of trees is high. Thus, several works have investigated solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of document scoring by exploiting advanced features of modern CPUs and memory hierarchies. In this article, we present Q
uick
S
corer
, a new algorithm that adopts a novel cache-efficient representation of a given tree ensemble, performs an interleaved traversal by means of fast bitwise operations, and supports ensembles of oblivious trees. An extensive and detailed test assessment is conducted on two standard Learning-to-Rank datasets and on a novel very large dataset we made publicly available for conducting significant efficiency tests. The experiments show unprecedented speedups over the best state-of-the-art baselines ranging from 1.9 × to 6.6 × . The analysis of low-level profiling traces shows that Q
uick
S
corer
efficiency is due to its cache-aware approach in terms of both data layout and access patterns and to a control flow that entails very low branch mis-prediction rates.
Extending the WCET Problem to Optimize for Runtime-Reconfigurable Processors
Authors: Damschen Marvin , Bauer Lars , Henkel Jörg
Published: December 2016

The correctness of a real-time system does not depend on the correctness of its calculations alone but also on the non-functional requirement of adhering to deadlines. Guaranteeing these deadlines by static timing analysis, however, is practically infeasible for current microarchitectures with out-of-order scheduling pipelines, several hardware threads, and multiple (shared) cache layers. Novel timing-analyzable features are required to sustain the strongly increasing demand for processing power in real-time systems.

Recent advances in timing analysis have shown that runtime-reconfigurable instruction set processors are one way to escape the scarcity of analyzable processing power while preserving the flexibility of the system. When moving calculations from software to hardware by means of reconfigurable custom instructions (CIs)—additional to a considerable speedup—the overestimation of a task’s worst-case execution time (WCET) can be reduced. CIs typically implement functionality that corresponds to several hundred instructions on the central processing unit (CPU) pipeline. While analyzing instructions for worst-case latency may introduce pessimism, the latency of CIs—executed on the reconfigurable fabric—is precisely known.

In this work, we introduce the problem of selecting reconfigurable CIs to optimize the WCET of an application. We model this problem as an extension to state-of-the-art integer linear programming (ILP)-based program path analysis. This way, we enable optimization based on accurate WCET estimates with integration of information about global program flow, for example, infeasible paths. We present an optimal solution with effective techniques to prune the search space and a greedy heuristic that performs a maximum number of steps linear in the number of partitions of reconfigurable area available. Finally, we show the effectiveness of optimizing the WCET on a reconfigurable processor by evaluating a complex multimedia application with multiple reconfigurable CIs for several hardware parameters.
All hands on deck for ACM Ethics
Authors: Brinkman Bo , Gotterbarn Don , Miller Keith W. , Wolf Marty J.
Published: December 2016

The Association for Computing Machinery's Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE) has been charged to execute three major projects over the next two years: updating ACM's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, revising the enforcement procedures for the Code, and developing new media to promote integrity in the profession. We cannot do this alone, and we are asking SIGCAS members to volunteer and get involved. We will briefly describe the rationale and plan behind these projects and describe opportunities to get involved.
Signaling and Immune Regulation in Melanoma Development and Responses to Therapy
Authors: Lin William M. , Fisher David E.
Published: December 2016

Melanoma is a complex and genomically diverse malignancy, and new genes and signaling pathways involved in pathogenesis continue to be discovered. Mechanistic insights into gene and immune regulation in melanoma have led to the development of numerous successful and innovative pharmacologic agents over recent years. Multiple targeted therapies and immunotherapies have already entered the clinic, becoming new standards of care and transforming the prognosis for many patients with malignant melanoma. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of signaling and immune regulation in melanoma and implications for responses to treatment, organized in the framework of hallmark characteristics in cancer.
Will There Be a Cure for Ebola?
Authors: Cardile Anthony P. , Warren Travis K. , Martins Karen A. , Reisler Ronald B. , Bavari Sina
Published: December 2016

Despite the unprecedented Ebola virus outbreak response in West Africa, no Ebola medical countermeasures have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, multiple valuable lessons have been learned about the conduct of clinical research in a resource-poor, high risk–pathogen setting. Numerous therapeutics were explored or developed during the outbreak, including repurposed drugs, nucleoside and nucleotide analogues (BCX4430, brincidofovir, favipiravir, and GS-5734), nucleic acid–based drugs (TKM-Ebola and AVI-7537), and immunotherapeutics (convalescent plasma and ZMapp). We review Ebola therapeutics progress in the aftermath of the West Africa Ebola virus outbreak and attempt to offer a glimpse of a path forward.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Lung Pathogenesis
Authors: Piantadosi Claude A. , Suliman Hagir B.
Published: December 2016

Remarkable new roles for mitochondria in calcium handling, apoptosis, heme turnover, inflammation, and oxygen and nutrient sensing have been discovered for organelles that were once thought to be simple energy converters. Although deficits in mitochondrial function are often associated with energy failure and apoptosis, working cells maintain a mitochondrial reserve that affords the organelles distinct homeostatic sensing and regulatory abilities in lung cells. As primary intracellular sources of oxidants, mitochondria serve as critical monitors and modulators of vital oxidation-reduction processes, including mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, inflammasome activation, cell proliferation, and prevention of fibrosis. These processes participate in disease pathogenesis in all lung regions mainly when interference with mitochondrial quality control mechanisms impedes their roles in maintenance of lung health. Sharper identification of mitochondrial-driven signaling mechanisms in specific lung cell types will better refine our understanding of respiratory disease pathogenesis and lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic measures to support mitochondrial quality.
Microglia in Physiology and Disease
Authors: Wolf Susanne A. , Boddeke H.W.G.M. , Kettenmann Helmut
Published: December 2016

As the immune-competent cells of the brain, microglia play an increasingly important role in maintaining normal brain function. They invade the brain early in development, transform into a highly ramified phenotype, and constantly screen their environment. Microglia are activated by any type of pathologic event or change in brain homeostasis. This activation process is highly diverse and depends on the context and type of the stressor or pathology. Microglia can strongly influence the pathologic outcome or response to a stressor due to the release of a plethora of substances, including cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. They are the professional phagocytes of the brain and help orchestrate the immunological response by interacting with infiltrating immune cells. We describe here the diversity of microglia phenotypes and their responses in health, aging, and disease. We also review the current literature about the impact of lifestyle on microglia responses and discuss treatment options that modulate microglial phenotypes.
Minimally Invasive Laminate Veneers: Clinical Aspects in Treatment Planning and Cementation Procedures
Authors: Morita R. K. , Hayashida M. F. , Pupo Y. M. , Berger G. , Reggiani R. D. , Betiol E. A. G.
Published: December 2016

When a definitive aesthetic treatment is determined, it is crucial to grant the patient’s wish with the necessary dental treatment. Thus, conservative treatments that are the solution to aesthetic problems involving morphologic modifications and provide the result that the patient expects should always be the first therapeutic option. In this context, ceramic laminate veneers, also known as “contact lens,” are capable of providing an extremely faithful reproduction of the natural teeth with great color stability and periodontal biocompatibility. Minimal or no preparation veneers are heavily advertised as the answer to our patients’ cosmetic needs, which they can be if they are used correctly in the appropriate case. This report is about ultraconservative restorations to achieve functional and aesthetic rehabilitation through treatment planning. Thus, clinicians should be aware that the preparation for laminate veneers remains within enamel, to ensure the bond strength and avoid or minimize the occurrence of postoperative sensitivity.