bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gust Wind Effects on Stability and Ride Quality of Actively Controlled Maglev Guideway Systems
Authors: Min Dong-Ju , Kwon Soon-Duck , Kwark Jong-Won , Kim Moon-Young
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework to analyze the interaction between an actively controlled magnetic levitation vehicle and a guideway structure under gusty wind. The equation of motion is presented for a 30-dof maglev vehicle model consisting of one cabin and four bogies. In addition, a lateral electromagnetic suspension (EMS) system is introduced to improve the running safety and ride quality of the maglev vehicle subjected to turbulent crosswind. By using the developed simulation tools, the effects of various parameters on the dynamic response of the vehicle and guideway are investigated in the case of the UTM maglev vehicle running on a simply supported guideway and cable-stayed guideway. The simulation results show that the independent lateral EMS and associated control scheme are definitely helpful in improving the running safety and ride quality of the vehicle under gusty wind. In the case of the cable-stayed guideway, at low wind speed, vehicle speed is the dominant factor influencing the dynamic responses of the maglev vehicle and the guideway, but at wind speed over 10 m/s, wind becomes the dominant factor. For the ride quality of the maglev vehicle, wind is also the most influential factor.
Modeling Punching Shear Capacity of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Concrete Slabs: A Comparative Study of Instance-Based and Neural Network Learning
Authors: Hoang Nhat-Duc , Vu Duy-Thang , Tran Xuan-Linh , Tran Van-Duc
Published: April 2017

This study investigates an adaptive-weighted instanced-based learning, for the prediction of the ultimate punching shear capacity (UPSC) of fiber-reinforced polymer- (FRP-) reinforced slabs. The concept of the new method is to employ the Differential Evolution to construct an adaptive instance-based regression model. The performance of the proposed model is compared to those of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and traditional formula-based methods. A dataset which contains the testing results of FRP-reinforced concrete slabs has been collected to establish and verify new approach. This study shows that the investigated instance-based regression model is capable of delivering the prediction result which is far more accurate than traditional formulas and very competitive with the black-box approach of ANN. Furthermore, the proposed adaptive-weighted instanced-based learning provides a means for quantifying the relevancy of each factor used for the prediction of UPSC of FRP-reinforced slabs.
miR-202 Diminishes TGFβ Receptors and Attenuates TGFβ1-Induced EMT in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Mody Hardik R. , Hung Sau Wai , Pathak Rakesh K. , Griffin Jazmine , Cruz-Monserrate Zobeida , Govindarajan Rajgopal
Published: April 2017

Previous studies in our laboratory identified that 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), a carbocyclic adenosine analog and histone methyl transferase inhibitor, suppresses TGFβ-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) characteristics. In addition, DZNep epigenetically reprograms miRNAs to regulate endogenous TGFβ1 levels via miR-663/4787-mediated RNA interference (Mol Cancer Res. 2016 Sep 13. pii: molcanres.0083.2016) (1). Although DZNep also attenuates exogenous TGFβ-induced EMT response, the mechanism of this inhibition was unclear. Here, DZNep induced miR-202-5p to target both TGFβ receptors, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2, for RNA interference and thereby contributes to the suppression of exogenous TGFβ-induced EMT in pancreatic cancer cells. Lentiviral overexpression of miR-202 significantly reduced the protein levels of both TGFβ receptors and suppressed TGFβ signaling and EMT phenotypic characteristics of cultured parenchymal pancreatic cancer cells. Consistently, transfection of anti-miRNAs against miR-202-5p resulted in increased TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 protein expressions and induced EMT characteristics in these cells. In stellate pancreatic cells, miR-202 overexpression slowed growth as well as reduced stromal extracellular membrane matrix protein expression. In orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse models, both immunodeficient and immunocompetent, miR-202 reduced tumor burden and metastasis. Together, these findings demonstrate an alternative mechanism of DZNep in suppressing TGFβ signaling at the receptor level and uncover the EMT-suppressing role of miR-202 in pancreatic cancer.

Implications: These findings support the possibility of combining small molecule–based (e.g., DZNep analogs) or large molecule–based (e.g., miRNAs) epigenetic modifiers with conventional nucleoside analogs (e.g., gemcitabine, capecitabine) to improve the antimetastatic potential of current pancreatic cancer therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 15(8); 1029–39. ©2017 AACR.
Long-Term Weight-Loss Maintenance by a Meal Replacement Based Weight Management Program in Primary Care
Authors: Kruschitz Renate , Wallner-Liebmann Sandra , Lothaller Harald , Luger Maria , Ludvik Bernhard
Published: April 2017

Objective: Structured obesity treatment programs at primary care level are becoming increasingly important. However, evidence from current treatment approaches in the long term is lacking. In view of this fact we evaluated a standardized, meal replacement-based weight loss program (myLINE®; AENGUS, Graz, Austria) according to the currently applicable guidelines. Methods: Data of overweight and obese individuals (n = 70) who participated at least 36 months in the program were analyzed. Data were collected at baseline (T0) as well as after 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 (T1-T36) months. Body composition was measured by conventional anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: Compared to T0, a maximum weight, BMI, fat mass, absolute body cell mass (BCM) reduction and an increase of relative BCM could be seen at T6. Subsequently, the findings reveal a significant reduction of body weight and body fat and a satisfying development of body cell mass during the observation period of 36 months. Conclusion: The evaluated program complies with national and international guidelines for the therapy of obesity in adults and is efficient and meaningful for a long-term therapeutic use in primary care..
Laparoscopic versus Hybrid Approach for Treatment of Incisional Ventral Hernia
Authors: Ahonen-Siirtola Mirella , Rautio Tero , Biancari Fausto , Ohtonen Pasi , Mäkelä Jyrki
Published: April 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a hybrid approach (HA) versus laparoscopy in reducing the risk of complications related to complex adhesiolysis in incisional ventral hernia repair (IVHR). Methods: This study included 269 adult patients who underwent laparoscopic IVHR at the Oulu University Hospital, Finland during 2006-2012. Baseline, operative and postoperative data was collected and compared between the treatment groups; that is, a comparison was made between the laparoscopic approach (LA, 38 patients) and the hybrid approach (HA, 24 patients). Results: In the LA group, 11 (28.9%) patients experienced postoperative complications. There were 4 undetected enterotomies that led to major complications, reoperations and one death. In the HA group, 6 (25%) patients experienced mild and moderate complications. During adhesiolysis, 4 enterotomies occurred but were immediately sutured without any complication. Conclusion: Adhesiolysis through a minimally invasive open technique may be associated with a lower risk of undetected enterotomy in patients with complex adhesions. In IVHR, the hybrid should be considered the operative method of choice when adhesions are foreseeable.
Sudden Onset of Brain Metastasis despite the Use of Vemurafenib for Another Metastatic Lesion in Malignant Melanoma Patients
Authors: Imafuku Keisuke , Yoshino Koji , Yamaguchi Kei , Tsuboi Satoshi , Ohara Kuniaki , Hata Hiroo
Published: April 2017

Vemurafenib is an inhibitor of the BRAF mutation and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment option for patients with unresectable melanoma without brain metastasis. In the literature, vemurafenib has been reported to be also effective against brain metastasis. We encountered 3 cases with brain metastasis on vemurafenib therapy. In these cases, vemurafenib was clinically effective against metastatic lesions other than those in the brain. The brain lesions developed after the metastatic lesion had occurred. Therefore, we assume that the melanomas of the patients acquired resistance against vemurafenib. The brain metastases were treated with the cyberknife. Patients 1 and 2 without LDH elevation are still alive, but patient 3 with abnormal LDH elevation died despite the treatment. We need to carefully follow patients on vemurafenib therapy because brain metastasis can suddenly occur even if the metastatic lesion has decreased clinically. The therapeutic effect of vemurafenib against brain metastasis is poor in cases with LDH elevation.
Suppression of Retinal Neovascularization by Anti-CCR3 Treatment in an Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Model in Mice
Authors: Hirahara Shuichiro , Nozaki Miho , Ohbayashi Masaharu , Hasegawa Norio , Ozone Daisuke , Ogura Yuichiro
Published: April 2017

Purpose: To investigate the association between retinal neovascularization and the CC chemokine receptor-3 (CCR3) in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Methods: An OIR model in C57BL/6J mice was used as a retinal neovascularization model. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to evaluate the chronological change in vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and eotaxin expressions. CCR3 and VEGF subtype expression in the retina was examined using real-time RT-PCR, and CCR3, eotaxin, VEGF-A, and CD31 expression was examined immunohistochemically. A CCR3 neutralizing antibody (Ab) was injected into the vitreous humor on both postnatal days 12 (P12) and 14 (P14). Retinal neovascularizations were quantified by measurement of the percentages of neovascular area. Results: The mean eotaxin and VEGF-A protein level was significantly downregulated at P10 and P12 and was significantly upregulated at P14 and P17 (p < 0.05). CCR3 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated at P12 (p < 0.05). VEGF164 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated at P14 (p < 0.05). The areas of vaso-obliteration and neovascularization were significantly suppressed in anti-CCR3 Ab-treated eyes (p < 0.05). Anti-CCR3 Ab treatment suppressed VEGF and eotaxin but not monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. And VEGF 164 mRNA but not VEGF120 mRNA was suppressed by anti-CCR3 Ab treatment. Conclusions: The present data suggest that anti-CCR3 treatment can suppress retinal neovascularization. Anti-CCR3 treatment may have potential as a new therapy for retinopathies with retinal neovascularization such as diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy in the Treatment of Resected Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Case Series
Authors: Hadzitheodorou Christina , Moss Rebecca A. , Kennedy Timothy J. , Jabbour Salma K.
Published: April 2017

The treatment of gastric cancer requires a multimodal approach to decrease the risk of locoregional and distant recurrence. The optimal timing of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy continues to be explored in ongoing trials. In the United States, surgical resection is often followed by adjuvant chemoradiation therapy or by a combination of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Here we report on 4 patients with resected gastric adenocarcinoma who were treated with a combination of these 2 approaches, receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant chemoradiation therapy.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Predicts Early Conversion to Multiple Sclerosis after Clinically Isolated Syndrome
Authors: Habek Mario , Krbot Skorić Magdalena , Crnošija Luka , Gabelić Tereza , Barun Barbara , Adamec Ivan
Published: April 2017

Background/Aims: There have been suggestions that interactions exist between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the immune system functions in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to evaluate the ANS dysfunction, more specifically postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), as a possible predictor of conversion to MS in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Methods: In this observational, prospective, longitudinal study, 84 patients were enrolled (56 females, mean age 32.9 ± 8.9 years). Disease activity during a 6-month period was monitored (relapses and/or MRI disease activity indicated by new T2 or T1 enhancing lesions), and the following predictors analyzed: age, Expanded Disability Status Scale, MRI midbrain, pontine or medulla oblongata lesions, and POTS on the head up tilt test. Results: POTS was identified in 8 (9.5%) patients. Of 84 patients, 62 (73.8%) completed the 6-month follow-up, and 28 (45.2%) patients converted to MS. Results of the multivariate regression analysis revealed age (10-year increase) and POTS as significant predictors of early conversion to MS (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.15-4.78, p = 0.019 and OR 12.40, 95% CI 1.13-136.62, p = 0.040). The logistic model was statistically significant, χ2 (6) = 13.885, p = 0.031. Conclusion: POTS may be an indicator of a more active disease course in CIS patients and possibly be used as a prognostic factor.
Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Ameliorates Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Decline by Regulating the Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptotic Pathway and IL-23/IL-17 Expression in db/db Mice
Authors: Ma Shuainan , Zhong Di , Ma Pingwei , Li Guozhong , Hua Wei , Sun Yu , Liu Ning , Zhang Linxue , Zhang Weihua
Published: April 2017

Background: Diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) is one of the complications of diabetes and leads to cognitive impairment and an increased risk of dementia. However, the exact mechanism of DACD has not been fully characterized, and a successful therapy for this issue has not been established. This study aimed to detect the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on DACD. Methods: We used a behavioural scoring method, Western blot, TUNEL staining and immunofluorescence staining to investigate the expression of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the IL-23/IL-17 axis in db/db mice with or without sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) administration. Results: NaHS administration mice exhibited reduced time to find the platform and a shorter swimming distance (P<0.05), while the time spent in the target quadrant was increased compared to that of the db/db group (P<0.05). Pro-apoptotic proteins, including cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9, Bax and cytochrome C, were elevated in the db/db group (P<0.01) but were downregulated in the db/db+NaHS group (P<0.05). Exogenous H2S decreased the numbers of TUNEL-positive cells in the db/db mice (P<0.05). The Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of IL-23/IL-17 were lower in the NaHS administration group than in the db/db group (P<0.05). Conclusion: We demonstrated that H2S improved the spatial learning and memory abilities of the db/db mice by modulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the IL-23/IL-17 axis, which were found to be associated with DACD. H2S treatment may help prevent the progression of apoptotic hippocampal neurons in db/db mice and inform the development of a new therapeutic target.
First record of the Neolicaphrium recens Frenguelli, 1921 (Mammalia, Litopterna) in the Pleistocene of Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina
Authors: Gaudioso Pablo Javier , Gasparini Germán M. , Herbst Rafael , Barquez Rubén Mario
Published: April 2017

The first record of the Neolicaphrium recens Frenguelli, 1921 (Mammalia, Litopterna) from Pleistocene deposits of the Río Dulce, Rio Hondo Department, Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina, is reported. The morphology and morphometry observed in the specimen MPAT073 is coincident with the diagnostic characteristics of that species. This finding represents the northernmost and westernmost record of the species, and thus extends its geographical distribution. Geological data suggest that the material comes from a still unnamed Pleistocene stratigraphic unit.
Genera of Belytinae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) recorded in the Atlantic Dense Ombrophilous Forest from Paraíba to Santa Catarina, Brazil
Authors: Quadros Alex Leite , Brandão Carlos Roberto F.
Published: April 2017

The parasitoid wasps Belytinae (Hymenoptera: Diaprioidea: Diapriidae) recorded thus far in the Atlantic Dense Ombrophilous Forest are reviewed at the supra specific level. The knowledge about the diversity of Belytinae in the Atlantic Forest is relatively poor, although these parasitoids may play a key role in the natural regulation of populations of the Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae (Diptera). The material used in this study comes mostly from standardized collections in 18 regularly spaced sites, from Paraíba to Santa Catarina Brazilian states, between 2000 and 2002, by the project “Richness and diversity of Hymenoptera and Isoptera along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Forest – the eastern Brazilian rain forest” (Biota/SP – FAPESP). At each location ten Malaise traps and a hundred Moericke traps were installed, both along two parallel transects spaced 100 m from each other. Further, a similar effort for the sweeping of vegetation was applied at each locality, being each sweeping sample the result of 5 minutes of sweeping. Traps, and sweeping of vegetation in the summed localities yielded a total of 1,241 Belytinae specimens, of which we recognize 115 morphospecies in eight genera (Aclista, Belyta, Cinetus, Odontopsilus, Scorpioteleia, Lyteba, Tropidopsilus and Camptopsilus). A further belytine genus (Miota), recorded in similar environment, was found at the collection of the Federal University of Espírito Santo and added to the list, totalling nine here keyed genera; for each genus we include a diagnosis, comments and a discussion on its records, distribution and biology; we also provide twenty-two plates with 102 figures (93 photographs and 9 maps).
Ectoparasitic flies (Diptera, Streblidae) on bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in a dry tropical forest in the northern Colombia
Authors: Durán de la Ossa Adrián Alonso , Álvarez García Deivys Moises , Graciolli Gustavo
Published: April 2017

This work represents the first report of host-parasite associations between flies of the family Streblidae and their host bats in the Colombian Caribbean region. Specimens were collected in a dry tropical forest in the Sucre department. A total of 17 species (eight genera) of Streblidae, as well as 19 species from five bat families were recorded. Strebla mirabilis, Trichobius costalimai, Trichobius parasiticus and Paradyschiria parvuloides were the most abundant ectoparasites. Prevalence of ectoparasites on bat assemblage was 48.57%. In nine bat species, more than one Streblidae species were recorded. Trichobius costalimai had the greatest number of host species. We have found remarkable new associations between Artibeus planirostris and Trichobius costalimai, Lophostoma silvicolum and Strebla mirabilis, as well as Lophostoma silvicolum and Trichobius parasiticus.
First record of a breeding colony of Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra Lesson, 1831; Sulidae) in the main island of the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco, Brazil)
Authors: Gouvêa Ariane Campos , Mello Thayná Jeremias
Published: April 2017

Fernando de Noronha Archipelago is one of the places with the highest richness of seabirds in Brazil; however, little information about the breeding biology of many species is available. Here we report a breeding colony of the Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) in the main island of Fernando de Noronha, and present new data about the natural history and breeding biology of this species.
Molecular identification of six species of Calliphoridae (Diptera) with forensic interest in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Marquez-Acero Angela Sabrina , Vidal-Garcia Juan Manuel , Galindo Luis Francisco Becerra , García Alexander García
Published: April 2017

Taxonomic identification of the species involved in the processes of cadaveric decomposition is a fundamental procedure in forensic entomological analysis. Among the species involved in the processes of decay, those of the Calliphoridae family are particularly important because they come to the body in the early stages of decomposition. The aim of this research is to identify six species of Calliphoridae (Calliphora nigribasis, Calliphora vicina, Compsomyopsis verena, Sarconesiopsis magellanica, Chrysomia albiceps and Roraimomusca roraima) with forensic interest found in Bogotá. For that, sequences of 599 bp from mitochondrial gene COII wereas obtained. The identification was made by analysis of genetic distances under Jukes-Cantor model. The results showed levels of interspecific distances greater than 3.7%, while intraspecifics levels does not exceed 2.3%. The genetic distances obtained were used to construct a phenogram under the Maximum Likelihood model and the topology of that tree agrees with the current taxonomic organization for the family Calliphoridae family.
Patient–Provider Communication and Health Outcomes Among Individuals With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the United States
Authors: Okunrintemi Victor , Spatz Erica S. , Di Capua Paul , Salami Joseph A. , Valero-Elizondo Javier , Warraich Haider , Virani Salim S. , Blaha Michael J. , Blankstein Ron , Butt Adeel A. , Borden William B. , Dharmarajan Kumar , Ting Henry , Krumholz Harlan M. , Nasir Khurram
Published: April 2017

Background—

Consumer-reported patient–provider communication (PPC) assessed by Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey in ambulatory settings is incorporated as a complementary value metric for patient-centered care of chronic conditions in pay-for-performance programs. In this study, we examine the relationship of PPC with select indicators of patient-centered care in a nationally representative US adult population with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Methods and Results—

The study population consisted of a nationally representative sample of 6810 individuals (aged ≥18 years), representing 18.3 million adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (self-reported or International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition diagnosis) reporting a usual source of care in the 2010 to 2013 pooled Medical Expenditure Panel Survey cohort. Participants responded to questions from Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey that assessed PPC, and we developed a weighted PPC composite score using their responses, categorized as 1 (poor), 2 (average), and 3 (optimal). Outcomes of interest were (1) patient-reported outcomes: 12-item Short Form physical/mental health status, (2) quality of care measures: statin and ASA use, (3) healthcare resource utilization: emergency room visits and hospital stays, and (4) total annual and out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients reporting poor versus optimal were over 2-fold more likely to report poor outcomes; 52% and 26% more likely to report that they are not on statin and aspirin, respectively, had a significantly greater utilization of health resources (odds ratio≥2 emergency room visit, 1.41 [95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.81]; odds ratio≥2 hospitalization, 1.36 [95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.79]), as well as an estimated $1243 ($127–$2359) higher annual healthcare expenditure.

Conclusions—

This study reveals a strong relationship between PPC and patient-reported outcomes, utilization of evidence-based therapies, healthcare resource utilization, and expenditures among those with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Critical Role of ADAMTS2 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 2) in Cardiac Hypertrophy Induced by Pressure Overload
Authors: Wang Xiaodi , Chen Wen , Zhang Jie , Khan Aiman , Li Liangpeng , Huang Fuhua , Qiu Zhibing , Wang Liming , Chen Xin
Published: April 2017

ADAMTS2 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 2) is recognized as a metalloproteinase that promotes the cleavage of amino propeptides of types I, II, III, and V procollagens. However, the role of ADAMTS2 in the heart has not yet been defined. Herein, we observed the upregulated expression of ADAMTS2 in failing human hearts and hypertrophic murine hearts. Mice lacking ADAMTS2 display exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy on pressure overload–induced hypertrophic response, whereas mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of ADAMTS2 display alleviation of this detrimental phenotype. Consistent with these results, in vitro loss or gain of function experiments in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes confirmed that ADAMTS2 negatively regulates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in response to Ang II. Mechanistically, blockage of the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/AKT (protein kinase B)–dependent signaling pathway with specific inhibitors both in vivo and in vitro could rescue the aggravated hypertrophic response to the loss of ADAMTS2. Collectively, we propose that ADAMTS2 regulates the hypertrophic response through inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT-dependent signaling pathway. Because ADAMTS2 is an extracellular protein, it could be effectively manipulated using pharmacological means to modulate cardiac hypertrophy.
Safety of Temporary Discontinuation of Antihypertensive Medication in Patients With Difficult-to-Control Hypertension
Authors: Beeftink Martine M.A. , van der Sande Nicolette G.C. , Bots Michiel L. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Blankestijn Peter J. , Visseren Frank L.J. , Voskuil Michiel , Spiering Wilko
Published: April 2017

Successful control of blood pressure relies on identification of secondary causes and contributing factors of hypertension. As antihypertensive medication can interfere with diagnostic investigations, temporary discontinuation of medication is advised. However, there are concerns about the safety of temporary discontinuation of antihypertensive medication in patients with difficult-to-control hypertension. We assessed the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events potentially attributable to temporary discontinuation of antihypertensive medication between February 2010 and March 2016 (n=604) in our Analysis of Complicated Hypertension screening program. A reference group (n=604) was extracted from the SMART study (Second Manifestations of Arterial Disease) cohort (comprising a similar cohort at our hospital in whom medication was not stopped) and individually matched for blood pressure, age, sex, and history of cardiovascular disease. Discontinuation of medication was well tolerated; 62% reported no complaints, 24% had mild discomfort that could be left untreated, and 14% experienced complaints that required prescription of antihypertensive escape medication. Three major adverse events were observed in the Analysis of Complicated Hypertension group between discontinuation of medication and 30 days after restart of medication (event rate=31.2 events per 1000 patient-year). In the reference cohort, 5 cardiovascular events were observed during a similar follow-up period (event rate=51.2 events per 1000 patient-year). In conclusion, discontinuation of antihypertensive medication for the diagnostic evaluation of hypertension does not increase the acute risk of cardiovascular events when performed in a well-controlled setting in specialized hospitals with appropriate protocols for monitoring safety.
Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Promotes Myocardial Fibrosis by Mediating CD63–Integrin β1 Interaction
Authors: Takawale Abhijit , Zhang Pu , Patel Vaibhav B. , Wang Xiuhua , Oudit Gavin , Kassiri Zamaneh
Published: April 2017

Myocardial fibrosis is excess accumulation of the extracellular matrix fibrillar collagens. Fibrosis is a key feature of various cardiomyopathies and compromises cardiac systolic and diastolic performance. TIMP1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1) is consistently upregulated in myocardial fibrosis and is used as a marker of fibrosis. However, it remains to be determined whether TIMP1 promotes tissue fibrosis by inhibiting extracellular matrix degradation by matrix metalloproteinases or via an matrix metalloproteinase–independent pathway. We examined the function of TIMP1 in myocardial fibrosis using
Timp1
-deficient mice and 2 in vivo models of myocardial fibrosis (angiotensin II infusion and cardiac pressure overload), in vitro analysis of adult cardiac fibroblasts, and fibrotic myocardium from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Timp1
deficiency significantly reduced myocardial fibrosis in both in vivo models of cardiomyopathy. We identified a novel mechanism for TIMP1 action whereby, independent from its matrix metalloproteinase–inhibitory function, it mediates an association between CD63 (cell surface receptor for TIMP1) and integrin β1 on cardiac fibroblasts, initiates activation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 and β-catenin, leading to de novo collagen synthesis. This mechanism was consistently observed in vivo, in cultured cardiac fibroblasts, and in human fibrotic myocardium. In addition, after long-term pressure overload,
Timp1
deficiency persistently reduced myocardial fibrosis and ameliorated diastolic dysfunction. This study defines a novel matrix metalloproteinase–independent function of TIMP1 in promoting myocardial fibrosis. As such targeting TIMP1 could prove to be a valuable approach in developing antifibrosis therapies.
An East Asian Common Variant Vinculin P.Asp841His Was Associated With Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome in the Chinese Han Population
Authors: Cheng Jianding , Kyle John W. , Lang Di , Wiedmeyer Brandi , Guo Jian , Yin Kun , Huang Lei , Vaidyanathan Ravi , Su Terry , Makielski Jonathan C.
Published: April 2017

Background

We have identified the cardiomyopathy‐susceptibility gene vinculin (

VCL

) mutation M94I may account for a sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (
SUNDS
) case. We addressed whether

VCL

common variant D841H is associated with
SUNDS
.

Methods and Results

In 8 of 120
SUNDS
cases, we detected an East Asian common
VCL
variant p.Asp841His (D841H). Comparing the H841 allele frequency of the general population in the local database (15 of 1818) with
SUNDS
victims (10 of 240) gives an odds ratio for
SUNDS
of 5.226 (95%
CI
, 2.321, 11.769). The
VCL
‐D841H variant was engineered and either coexpressed with cardiac sodium channel (
SCN
5A) in
HEK
293 cells or overexpressed in human induced pluripotent stem‐cell–derived cardiomyocytes to examine its effects on sodium channel function using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp method. In
HEK
293 cells, under physiological
pH
conditions (
pH
7.4), D841H caused a 29% decrease in peak

I
N

a
amplitude compared to wild type (
WT
), whereas under acidotic conditions (
pH
7.0), D841H decreased further to 43% along with significant negative shift in inactivation compared to
WT
at
pH
7.4. In induced pluripotent stem‐cell‐derived cardiomyocytes, similar effects of D841H on

I
N

a
were observed.
VCL
colocalized with
SCN
5A at the intercalated disk in human cardiomyocytes.
VCL
was also confirmed to directly interact with
SCN
5A, and
VCL
‐D841H did not disrupt the association of
VCL
and SCN5A.

Conclusions

A
VCL
common variant was genetically and biophysically associated with Chinese
SUNDS
. The aggravation of loss of function of SCN5A caused by
VCL
‐D841H under acidosis supports that nocturnal sleep respiratory disorders with acidosis may play a key role in the pathogenesis of
SUNDS
.
Sensing Reality? New Monitoring Technologies for Global Sustainability Standards
Authors: Gale Fred , Ascui Francisco , Lovell Heather
Published: April 2017

In the 1990s, civil society organizations partnered with business to “green” global supply chains by setting up formal sustainability standard-setting organizations (SSOs) in sectors including organic food, fair trade, forestry, and fisheries. Although SSOs have withstood the long-standing allegations that they are unnecessary, costly, nondemocratic, and trade-distorting, they must now respond to a new challenge, arising from recent developments in technology. Conceived in the pre-Internet era, SSOs are discovering that verification systems that utilize annual, expert-led, low-tech field audits are under pressure from new information and communication technologies that collect, aggregate, interpret, and display open-source “Big Data” in almost real time. Drawing on the concept of governmentality and on interviews with experts in sustainability certification and natural capital accounting, we argue that while these technological developments offer many positive opportunities, they also enable competing alternatives to the prevailing “truth” or governing rationality about what is happening “on the ground,” which is of critical existential importance to SSOs as guarantors of trust in claims about sustainable production. While SSOs are not helpless in the face of this challenge, we conclude that they will need to do more than take incremental action: rather, they should respond actively to the disintermediation challenge from new virtual monitoring technologies if they are to remain relevant in the coming decade.
Consensus, Certainty, and Catastrophe: Discourse, Governance, and Ocean Iron Fertilization
Authors: Fuentes-George Kemi
Published: April 2017

States, transnational networks of scientists, corporate actors, and institutions in the climate change regime have known for decades that iron ore, when dumped in the ocean, can stimulate the growth of plankton. Over the past twenty years, normative disagreements about appropriate behavior have shaped international governance of the phenomenon. Prior to 2007, firms lobbied governments to treat the oceans as a carbon sink and to allow corporations that dumped iron to sell carbon credits on the international market. However, after 2007 a transnational coalition of oceanographers and advocates opposed this agenda by linking it to an emergent antigeoengineering discourse. Crucial to their efforts was their interpretation of uncertainty: for opponents, scientific uncertainty implied possibly devastating consequences of iron dumping, which was thus best addressed with extreme caution. This normative approach ultimately shaped governance, since advocates successfully used it to lobby institutions in ocean governance to prevent carbon credits from being issued for ocean fertilization. Since these subjective understandings of certainty influenced global ocean governance, this article explains international behavior as a consequence of changing norms.
From static to temporal network theory: Applications to functional brain connectivity
Authors: Thompson William Hedley , Brantefors Per , Fransson Peter
Published: April 2017

Network neuroscience has become an established paradigm to tackle questions related to the functional and structural connectome of the brain. Recently, interest has been growing in examining the temporal dynamics of the brain’s network activity. Although different approaches to capturing fluctuations in brain connectivity have been proposed, there have been few attempts to quantify these fluctuations using temporal network theory. This theory is an extension of network theory that has been successfully applied to the modeling of dynamic processes in economics, social sciences, and engineering article but it has not been adopted to a great extent within network neuroscience. The objective of this article is twofold: (i) to present a detailed description of the central tenets of temporal network theory and describe its measures, and; (ii) to apply these measures to a resting-state fMRI dataset to illustrate their utility. Furthermore, we discuss the interpretation of temporal network theory in the context of the dynamic functional brain connectome. All the temporal network measures and plotting functions described in this article are freely available as the Python package Teneto.
Un-Making Sense of Alleged Abkhaz-Adyghean Inscriptions on Ancient Greek Pottery
Authors: Kassian Alexei
Published: April 2017

A large number of Ancient Greek vases dated to the 1st millenniumbccontain short inscriptions. Normally, these represent names of craftsmen or names and descriptions of the depicted characters and objects. The majority of inscriptions are understandable in Ancient Greek, but there is a substantial number of abracadabra words whose meaning and morphological structure remain vague. Recently an interdisciplinary team (Mayoret alii2014) came up with the idea that some of the nonsense inscriptions associated with Amazons and Scythians are actually written in ancient Abkhaz-Adyghe languages. The idea is promising since in the first half of the 1st millenniumbcthe Greeks initiated the process of active expansion in the Black Sea region, so it is natural to suppose that contacts with autochthonous peoples might be reflected in Greek art. Unfortunately, detailed examination suggests that the proposed Abkhaz-Adyghe decipherment is semantically and morphologicallyad hoc, containing a number of inaccuracies and errors of various kinds. The methodological and factual flaws are so substantial that it makes Mayoret alii’s results improbable.
On Post-Hellenistic Influence in South-East Asia
Authors: Lapteff Sergey
Published: April 2017

For a long time South-East Asia was thought to be out of the reaches of the influence of Hellenistic and Post-Hellenistic cultures. However these notions need to be changed now, especially due to new findings in Thailand and Cambodia. Analyzing different types of archaeological objects (some types of beads, Greco-Roman cameos, Roman coins etc.) we come to the conclusion that continental South-East Asia experienced various kinds of influence from Post-Hellenistic cultures, which can be traced not only on the sea shores, but also in the inner regions of the Indochina Peninsula. The relationship of some objects to Central Asia, gives us grounds to suppose that, together with India, this region could be one of the inter-links between both cultures, though we suppose the sea route as the main way of the spread of Post-Hellenistic cultural influence to South-East Asia.
Synesthetic Photisms and Hypnagogic Visions: a Comparison
Authors: Steen Carol
Published: April 2017

I have been a synesthete all my life and thought I understood my synesthetic perceptions rather well when, suddenly, in 2013, I began to see a new kind of internal image: hypnagogic visions. These visions, a normal state of consciousness, are known to occur somewhere between wakefulness and sleep. They appeared to me as another source of photisms, in addition to my usual synesthetic experiences. But when I described these new visions to some researchers there was a wide range of reactions, from concern, to acknowledgement of similar experiences. While hypnagogic visions are different in some ways from my synesthesia, which I previously described in my paper, Visions Shared: A Firsthand Look into Synesthesia and Art (Steen, 2001, Leonardo 34, pp. 203–208), I find they share some commonalities. In this paper I will explore both the visual similarities and differences in my synesthetic photisms and hypnagogic visions, discuss when my hypnagogic images first appeared, and where I see them. I will compare the triggers or lack of them, range of colors, lines, shapes, geometric ornamentations, and movements I see, and mention seeing usually separate synesthetic photisms and hypnagogic visions occur in the same experience.
Two new species in the genus Kolla Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae:
Cicadellinae) from China, with DNA barcoding data
Authors: FENG LING , ZHANG YALIN
Published: April 2017

Two new species of the genus Kolla from China, K. medsimilis and K. brevis spp. nov., are described and illustrated. Sequence data for the barcoding region of mitochondrial gene COI for these two new species were obtained and deposited in GenBank.
A new species of the genus Mongolotettix Rehn, 1928 from Hubei, China (Acrididae, Acridoidea, Orthoptera)
Authors: ZHENG FANG-QIANG , SHI JIAN-PING , DANG YAN
Published: April 2017

The genus Mongolotettix Rehn, 1928 is a small genus of family Adrididae. It has nine species discovered from the Far Eastern Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Russia [Bolívar, 1898; Uvarov, 1914; Caudell, 1921; Chogsomzhav, 1974; Li et Lian, 1994; Wan, Ren et Zhang, 1998; Xie et Li, 2000, Kim et Kim 2005; Dong, et al, 2015; Shi et al, 2016; Storozhenko, 2016; Eades et al, 2017; Zhang et al, 2017]. In the present paper, we describe a new species of the genus from Hubei, China. Type specimens are deposited in the College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China.
Tornado Vortex Structure, Intensity, and Surface Wind Gusts in Large-Eddy Simulations with Fully Developed Turbulence
Authors: Nolan David S. , Dahl Nathan A. , Bryan George H. , Rotunno Richard
Published: April 2017

A large-eddy simulation (LES) framework with an “eddy injection” technique has been developed that ensures a majority of turbulent kinetic energy in numerically simulated tornado-like vortices is represented by resolved eddies. This framework is used to explore the relationships between environmental forcing mechanisms, surface boundary conditions, and tornado vortex structure, intensity, and wind gusts. Similar to previous LES studies, results show that the maximum time- and azimuthal-mean tangential winds {V}max can be well in excess of the “thermodynamic speed limit,” which is 66 m s−1 for most of the simulations. Specifically, {V}max exceeds this speed by values ranging from 21% for a large, high-swirl vortex to 59% for a small, low-swirl vortex. Budgets of mean and eddy angular and radial momentum are used to show that resolved eddies in the tornado core act to reduce the wind speed at the location of {V}max, although they do transport angular momentum downward into the lowest levels of the boundary layer, increasing low-level swirl.

Three measures of tornado intensity are introduced: maximum time–azimuthal-mean surface (10 m) horizontal wind speed ({S10}max), maximum 3-s gusts of S10 (S10-3s), and maximum vertical 3-s gusts at 10 m (W10-3s). While {S10}max is considerably less than {V}max, transient features in the boundary layer can generate S10-3s in excess of 150 m s−1, and W10-3s in excess of 100 m s−1. For high-swirl vortices, the extreme gusts are confined closer to the center, well inside the radius of maximum azimuthal-mean surface winds. For the low-swirl vortex, both the strongest mean winds and the extreme gusts are restricted to a very narrow core.
Bayesian Wind Speed Estimation Conditioned on Significant Wave Height for GNSS-R Ocean Observations
Authors: Clarizia Maria Paola , Ruf Christopher S.
Published: April 2017

Spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry observations of the ocean surface are found to respond to components of roughness forced by local winds and to a longer wave swell that is only partially correlated with the local wind. This dual sensitivity is largest at low wind speeds. If left uncorrected, the error in wind speeds retrieved from the observations is strongly correlated with the significant wave height (SWH) of the ocean. A Bayesian wind speed estimator is developed to correct for the long-wave sensitivity at low wind speeds. The approach requires a characterization of the joint probability of occurrence of wind speed and SWH, which is derived from archival reanalysis sea-state records. The Bayesian estimator is applied to spaceborne data collected by the Technology Demonstration Satellite-1 (TechDemoSat-1) and is found to provide significant improvement in wind speed retrieval at low winds, relative to a conventional retrieval that does not account for SWH. At higher wind speeds, the wind speed and SWH are more highly correlated and there is much less need for the correction.
The Contribution of Lake Enhancement to Extreme Snowfall within the Chicago–Milwaukee Urban Corridor during the 2011 Groundhog Day Blizzard
Authors: Owens Nathan D. , Rauber Robert M. , Jewett Brian F. , McFarquhar Greg M.
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the impact of the Laurentian Great Lakes (GL) on atmospheric structure, stability, and precipitation within the Chicago–Milwaukee urban corridor during the passage of the 1–2 February 2011 extratropical cyclone. This storm produced the third largest snowfall [53.8 cm (21.2 in.)] recorded in a 130-yr period in the city of Chicago. Two simulations of the storm using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model are described: the first with the GL present, and the second with the lakes replaced with land having characteristics of adjacent shores.

The GL were found to alter the surface temperature and moisture fields in their lee during cyclone passage. The changes were limited to the layer below the frontal inversion, but were significant enough to reduce the mean sea level pressure in some locations by 2.0–2.5 hPa, and raise the surface temperature and dewpoint temperature by 2°–4°C across several states downwind. In the Chicago–Milwaukee metropolitan corridor where the heavy snow occurred, the surface temperature and dewpoint temperature increased from +3° to +6°C as a result of heating and moistening of the lower atmosphere by the GL. Enhanced convergence also occurred along the downwind shoreline. Despite these changes, the areal impact on precipitation was surprisingly small, with liquid equivalent precipitation increases exceeding 5 mm limited to a small area over metropolitan Chicago late in the storm. The reason for the limited impact appeared to be the shallow nature of the cold air mass below the frontal inversion. Nevertheless, over metropolitan Chicago, as much as 20% of the snowfall could be attributed to the presence of the GL.
The Ambulance: Toward a Labor Theory of Poverty Governance
Authors: Seim Josh
Published: April 2017

This article reimagines poverty governance as a labor process. Extending theories of bureaucratic fields and street-level bureaucracies, the proposed model suggests that the state manages the poor through fragmented activities embedded in horizontal and vertical relations of production. I use an ethnography of 911 ambulance operations in a single California county to advance this perspective. From plugging gunshot wounds to moving sidewalk slumberers, ambulance crews interact with a mostly impoverished clientele base by transforming spaces in bodies and bodies in spaces. This two-sided governance puts the ambulance in recurrent contact with the hospital emergency department and the police squad car. Across these institutions, ambulance crews struggle with their nurse and police counterparts over the horizontal shuffling of burdensome work, shaping the life chances of their subjects in the process. At the same time, bureaucratic and capitalistic forces from above activate a lean ambulance fleet that is minimally wasteful and highly flexible. This verticality structures clientele processing through the ambulance and fuels tensions across the frontlines of governance. In an effort to advance theory and fill an empirical gap, this article proposes a new model for understanding the management of marginality and highlights an overlooked case of poverty regulation.