bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of urban‐based agriculture on food security: Kenyan case studies
Authors: Omondi Samuel Onyango , Oluoch‐Kosura Willis , Jirström Magnus
Published: May 2017

Kenya is rapidly urbanising. In the growing cities and towns, there is an increasing need for food supplies, creating demand for agricultural products. High unemployment rates, urban poverty, and food and nutrition insecurity force some urban dwellers to partly adopt livelihood strategies based on urban agriculture. Presently in Kenya, urban and peri‐urban agriculture plays an important role in urban food system, because it enhances livelihood strategies for urban households, not least the poor. Using a sample of 2,009 households, this study characterised urban farming and urban‐based rural farming in medium‐sized towns of Thika and Kisumu, Kenya. It further assessed food security levels of urban households engaged in farming and households that do not farm. Results demonstrate that more than half of the households produced part of their food, either in urban or rural areas. About 37 per cent and 25 per cent of the respondents produced food in rural and urban areas, respectively. Generally, more of the households engaged in both urban farming and urban‐based rural agriculture are more food secure compared with the non‐farming households. Urban farming has a potential of improving household food security and provision of fungible income; hence, the practice should be included in the urban food policies.
Thyroid transcription factor‐1‐regulated microRNA‐532‐5p targets KRAS and MKL2 oncogenes and induces apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Griesing Sebastian , Kajino Taisuke , Tai Mei Chee , Liu Zhuoran , Nakatochi Masahiro , Shimada Yukako , Suzuki Motoshi , Takahashi Takashi
Published: May 2017

Thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1), also known as NKX2‐1, plays a role as a lineage‐survival oncogene in lung adenocarcinoma that possesses double‐edged sword characteristics. Although evidence from previous studies has steadily accumulated regarding the roles of TTF‐1 in transcriptional regulation of protein‐coding genes, little is known about its regulatory relationship with microRNAs. Here, we utilized an integrative approach designed to extract maximal information from expression profiles of both patient tumors in vivo and TTF‐1‐inducible cell lines in vitro, which identified microRNA (miR)‐532‐5p as a novel transcriptional target of TTF‐1. We found that miR‐532‐5p is directly regulated by TTF‐1 through its binding to a genomic region located 8 kb upstream of miR‐532‐5p, which appears to impose transcriptional regulation independent of that of CLCN5, a protein‐coding gene harboring miR‐532‐5p in its intron 3. Furthermore, our results identified KRAS and MKL2 as novel direct targets of miR‐532‐5p. Introduction of miR‐532‐5p mimics markedly induced apoptosis in KRAS‐mutant as well as KRAS wild‐type lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Interestingly, miR‐532‐5p showed effects on MEK‐ERK pathway signaling, specifically in cell lines sensitive to siKRAS treatment, whereas those miR‐532‐5p‐mediated effects were clearly rendered as phenocopies by repressing expression or inhibiting the function of MKL2 regardless of KRAS mutation status. In summary, our findings show that miR‐532‐5p is a novel transcriptional target of TTF‐1 that plays a tumor suppressive role by targeting KRAS and MKL2 in lung adenocarcinoma.
Pathological features of triple‐negative breast cancers that showed progressive disease during neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Tanabe Yuko , Tsuda Hitoshi , Yoshida Masayuki , Yunokawa Mayu , Yonemori Kan , Shimizu Chikako , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Kinoshita Takayuki , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Tamura Kenji
Published: May 2017

Clinical progressive disease (cPD) occurs during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in 3%–5% of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. We aimed to identify the histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters that are correlated with the TNBC that showed cPD. We identified 22 TNBCs that showed cPD during NAC (cPD group) and 80 TNBCs that did not receive NAC (control group). Using surgically resected tumor specimens, we performed histopathologic examinations and immunohistochemical analysis of 11 molecules that appeared relevant to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), and basal‐like, molecular apocrine and other features. Metaplastic carcinomas (MPCs) and high proliferation (≥50 mitoses per 10 high‐power fields or ≥50% Ki‐67 score) were more frequent in the cPD than in the control (41% vs 3%, P < 0.001, and 86% vs 50%, P = 0.0049, respectively). Positive cytokeratin 5/6, ZEB1, TWISTNB, vimentin, and HMGB1 expressions and negative androgen receptor were more frequent in the cPD than in the control. By an unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis incorporating these 11 molecules, the 102 TNBCs were divided into two major clusters and seven subclusters that appeared to correspond to intrinsic subtype, cPD status, histological type, and clinical outcome. In 27% of cPD cases, the MPC component appeared only in the post‐NAC specimens. The combinations of high proliferation, metaplastic features, and immunohistochemical statuses of some EMT and basal‐like markers and androgen receptor appeared to be able to characterize the TNBCs that showed cPD after NAC.
Clarifying the Interplay between Social Innovation and Sustainable Development: A Conceptual Framework Rooted in Paradox Management
Authors: Periac Fabrice , David Albert , Roberson Quinetta
Published: May 2017

Social innovation and sustainable development have become key concepts in addressing the multiple interrelated crises that our societies face. However, both suffer from a lack of theoretical foundations and their interplay remains unclear. Drawing on a transdisciplinary literature review, we propose a conceptual framework to fill this gap. We propose that sustainable development corresponds to a combination of micro‐quality of life improvement and macro‐quality of life sustainment, the latter requiring continuous identification and positive addressing of institutional paradoxical tensions of inclusion. We explain that such tensions can give rise to various types of responses, which contribute together to institutional change. We argue that social innovations correspond to one specific type of such responses, that is, agent‐driven positive responses. We suggest that societies in which culture naturally leans towards awareness and acceptance of paradox tend to be more socially innovative. Finally, three theoretical contributions and one methodological one are highlighted and discussed.
Parasite escape through trophic specialization in a species flock
Authors: Hablützel P. I. , Vanhove M. P. M. , Deschepper P. , Grégoir A. F. , Roose A. K. , Volckaert F. A. M. , Raeymaekers J. A. M.
Published: May 2017

Adaptive radiation occurs when species diversify rapidly to occupy an array of ecological niches. As opportunities for parasite infection and transmission may greatly vary among these niches, adaptive radiation is expected to be associated with a turnover of the parasite community. As major agents of natural and sexual selection, parasites may play a central role in host diversification. The study of parasite turnover may thus be of general relevance and could significantly improve our understanding of adaptive radiation. In this study, we examined the parasite faunas of eleven species belonging to the tribe Tropheini, one of several adaptive radiations of cichlid fishes in Lake Tanganyika. The most parsimonious ancestral foraging strategy among the Tropheini is relatively unselective substrate browsing of aufwuchs. Several lineages evolved more specialized foraging strategies, such as selective combing of microscopic diatoms or picking of macro‐invertebrates. We found that representatives of these specialized lineages bear reduced infection with food‐web‐transmitted acanthocephalan helminths, but not with parasites with a direct life cycle. Possibly, the evolution of selective foraging strategies entailed reduced ingestion of intermediate invertebrate hosts of acanthocephalans. We conclude that some species belonging to the Tropheini virtually escape acanthocephalan infection as a by‐product of trophic specialization.
Digestive activity and stomach temperature in farmed bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus measured by acoustic tag
Authors: Díez G. , Moreno G. , Galaz T. , Dagorn L. , Murua J.
Published: May 2017

Eight farmed Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus were tagged with temperature and depth transmitters inserted in chub mackerels Scomber colias to characterize their digestive activity, feeding physiology and behaviour in captivity. Results obtained in the experiment can be used to optimize daily T. thynnus feeding strategy in farms, reducing the early regurgitation of food and thus the environmental effects of inappropriate feeding practices.
Phenolic metabolism and molecular mass distribution of polysaccharides in cellulose‐deficient maize cells
Authors: de Castro María , Martínez‐Rubio Romina , Acebes José L. , Encina Antonio , Fry Stephen C. , García‐Angulo Penélope
Published: May 2017

As a consequence of the habituation to low levels of dichlobenil (DCB), cultured maize cells presented an altered hemicellulose cell fate with a lower proportion of strongly wall‐bound hemicelluloses and an increase in soluble extracellular polymers released into the culture medium. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative molecular mass distributions of polysaccharides as well as phenolic metabolism in cells habituated to low levels of DCB (1.5 μM). Generally, cell wall bound hemicelluloses and sloughed polymers from habituated cells were more homogeneously sized and had a lower weight‐average relative molecular mass. In addition, polysaccharides underwent massive cross‐linking after being secreted into the cell wall, but this cross‐linking was less pronounced in habituated cells than in non‐habituated ones. However, when relativized, ferulic acid and p‐coumaric acid contents were higher in this habituated cell line. Feasibly, cells habituated to low levels of DCB synthesized molecules with a lower weight‐average relative molecular mass, although cross‐linked, as a part of their strategy to compensate for the lack of cellulose.
An Eocene/Oligocene blueschist‐/greenschist facies P–T loop from the Cycladic Blueschist Unit on Naxos Island, Greece: Deformation‐related re‐equilibration vs. thermal relaxation
Authors: Peillod Alexandre , Ring Uwe , Glodny Johannes , Skelton Alasdair
Published: May 2017

Geothermobarometric and geochronological work indicates a complete Eocene/early Oligocene blueschist/greenschist facies metamorphic cycle of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit on Naxos Island in the Aegean Sea region. Using the average pressure–temperature (P–T) method of thermocalc coupled with detailed textural work, we separate an early blueschist facies event at 576 ± 16 to 619 ± 32°C and 15.5 ± 0.5 to 16.3 ± 0.9 kbar from a subsequent greenschist facies overprint at 384 ± 30°C and 3.8 ± 1.1 kbar. Multi‐mineral Rb–Sr isochron dating yields crystallization ages for near peak‐pressure blueschist facies assemblages between 40.5 ± 1.0 and 38.3 ± 0.5 Ma. The greenschist facies overprint commonly did not result in complete resetting of age signatures. Maximum ages for the end of greenschist facies reworking, obtained from disequilibrium patterns, cluster near c. 32 Ma, with one sample showing rejuvenation at c. 27 Ma. We conclude that the high‐P rocks from south Naxos were exhumed to upper mid‐crustal levels in the late Eocene and early Oligocene at rates of 7.4 ± 4.6 km/Ma, completing a full blueschist‐/greenschist facies metamorphic cycle soon after subduction within c. 8 Ma. The greenschist facies overprint of the blueschist facies rocks from south Naxos resulted from rapid exhumation and associated deformation/fluid‐controlled metamorphic re‐equilibration, and is unrelated to the strong high‐T metamorphism associated with the Miocene formation of the Naxos migmatite dome. It follows that the Miocene thermal overprint had no impact on rock textures or Sr isotopic signatures, and that the rocks of south Naxos underwent three metamorphic events, one more than hitherto envisaged.
Foreign Languages and their Impact on Unemployment
Authors: Donado Alejandro
Published: May 2017

Using a large European data set, I investigate the impact of knowing foreign languages on unemployment for the first time. The focus is on natives (not on immigrants). I find that (1) knowing a foreign language reduces the probability of being unemployed by at least 3.4 percentage points; (2) females benefit more than males from learning foreign languages; (3) English and German tend to have a larger and more robust impact on unemployment than French, Spanish, and Italian; (4) but the impact of all these five languages varies considerably across countries.
On American VIX options under the generalized 3/2 and 1/2 models
Authors: Detemple Jérôme , Kitapbayev Yerkin
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we extend the 3/2 model for VIX studied by Goard and Mazur and introduce the generalized 3/2 and 1/2 classes of volatility processes. Under these models, we study the pricing of European and American VIX options, and for the latter, we obtain an early exercise premium representation using a free‐boundary approach and local time‐space calculus. The optimal exercise boundary for the volatility is obtained as the unique solution to an integral equation of Volterra type. We also consider a model mixing these two classes and formulate the corresponding optimal stopping problem in terms of the observed factor process. The price of an American VIX call is then represented by an early exercise premium formula. We show the existence of a pair of optimal exercise boundaries for the factor process and characterize them as the unique solution to a system of integral equations.
V. DESIGN‐BASED APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING MEASUREMENT IN DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE
Authors: Rush Jonathan , Hofer Scott M.
Published: May 2017

The study of change and variation within individuals, and the relative comparison of changes across individuals, relies on the assumption that observed measurements reflect true change in the construct being measured. Measurement properties that change over time, contexts, or people pose a fundamental threat to validity and lead to ambiguous conclusions about change and variation. We highlight such measurement issues from a within‐person perspective and discuss the merits of measurement‐intensive research designs for improving precision of both within‐person and between‐person analysis. In general, intensive measurement designs, potentially embedded within long‐term longitudinal studies, provide developmental researchers an opportunity to more optimally capture within‐person change and variation as well as provide a basis to understand changes in dynamic processes and determinants of these changes over time.
VI. PERSON‐SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCE APPROACHES IN DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH
Authors: Rovine Michael J. , Lo Lawrence L.
Published: May 2017

In this chapter, we demonstrate the way certain common analytic approaches (e.g., polynomial curve modeling, repeated measures ANOVA, latent curve, and other factor models) create individual difference measures based on a common underlying model. After showing that these approaches require only means and covariance (or correlation) matrices to estimate regression coefficients based on a hypothesized model, we describe how to recast these models based on time‐series related approaches focusing on single subject time series approaches (e.g., vector autoregressive approaches andP‐techniquefactor models). We show how these latter methods create parameters based on models that can vary from individual‐to‐individual. We demonstrate differences for the factor model using real data examples.
Caring for a centenarian parent: an exploratory study on role strains and psychological distress
Authors: Brandão Daniela , Ribeiro Oscar , Oliveira Mónica , Paúl Constança
Published: May 2017

Objectives

This study examined the main sources of strain and the presence of psychological distress in a sample of centenarians’ children who assumed the role of primary caregivers.

Method

A sample of 43 children (M age = 67.10 ± 6.67 years; 90.7% female) caring for a centenarian parent was interviewed and asked about their overall caregiving experience. Information on caregiving burden (Zarit Burden Interview) and psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) was also obtained. Several characteristics of the caregiving dyads (e.g. age, co‐residence) were tested to compare caregivers with and without anxiety and depressive symptoms. Qualitative data from the interviews were analysed for recurrent themes using thematic analysis.

Results

Main caregiving impacts concern social and leisure dimensions (role captivity), with important personal mid‐life and late‐life plans needing to be changed or postponed. Centenarians’ children present higher levels of anxiety (M = 6.95 ± 4.7) than depression (M = 6.0 ± 4.1), and psychological distress was found to be significantly associated with high subjective burden, low life satisfaction, poorer perceived health, and perceived income inadequacy.

Conclusion

The significant levels of psychological distress, along with the loss of autonomy and incapacity to prosecute plans for retirement, reinforce the psychological demands of late‐life caregiving. Paying attention to these relationships is imperative to promote adequate responses for these caregivers.
Simulation and Experiment of Mass Evacuation to a Tsunami Evacuation Tower
Authors: Kakizaki Takao , Urii Jiro , Endo Mitsuru
Published: May 2017

A three-dimensional (3D) mass evacuation simulation using precise kinematic digital human (KDH) models and an experimental study are discussed. The flooding associated with the large tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake on Mar. 11, 2011, was responsible for more than 90% of the disaster casualties. Unfortunately, it is expected that other huge tsunamis could occur in Japan coastal areas if an earthquake with magnitude greater than eight occurs along the Nankai Trough. Therefore, recent disaster prevention plans should include evacuation to higher buildings, elevated ground, and constructed tsunami evacuation towers. In this study, evacuation simulations with 500 KDHs were conducted. The simulations consisted of several subgroups of KDHs. It is shown that the possible evacuation path of each group should be carefully determined to minimize the evacuation time. Several properties such as evacuee motion characteristics of KDHs, number of evacuees, exit gates, and number of injured persons were carefully considered in the simulations. Evacuee motion was also experimentally investigated by using a multistoried building to replicate the structure of an actual tsunami evacuation tower that could accommodate approximately 120 evacuees. The experimental results suggest that an appropriately divided group population could effectively reduce the overall group evacuation time. The results also suggest that fatigue due to walking during evacuation adversely affects the total evacuation time, especially in the ascent of stairways. The experimental data can be used to obtain more accurate simulations of mass evacuation.
Observer-Based Guidance Law With Impact Angle Constraint
Authors: Qu Pingping , Zhou Di , Sun Sheng
Published: May 2017

Accounting for the autopilot as second-order dynamics, an observer-based guidance law with terminal impact angle constraint is designed using the dynamic surface control method. Some first-order low-pass filters are introduced into the designing process to avoid the occurrence of high-order derivatives of the line of sight (LOS) angle in the expression of the guidance law such that the guidance law can be implemented in practical applications. The proposed guidance law is effective in compensating for the second-order autopilot lag. In simulation of intercepting targets with sinusoidal acceleration, the guidance law is compared with the biased proportional navigation guidance (BPNG) law in the presence of missile autopilot lag. Simulation results show that the proposed observer-based guidance law with terminal impact angle constraint is able to guide a missile with large autopilot lag to impact a target with a desired angle and achieve a small miss distance, even if the target escapes in a great and fast maneuver.
Sliding Mode Control of Vibration in Single-Degree-of-Freedom Fractional Oscillators
Authors: Yuan Jian , Zhang Youan , Liu Jingmao , Shi Bao
Published: May 2017

This paper proposes sliding mode control of vibration in three types of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) fractional oscillators: the Kelvin–Voigt type, the modified Kelvin–Voigt type, and the Duffing type. The dynamical behaviors are all described by second-order differential equations involving fractional derivatives. By introducing state variables of physical significance, the differential equations of motion are transformed into noncommensurate fractional-order state equations. Fractional sliding mode surfaces are constructed and the stability of the sliding mode dynamics is proved by means of the diffusive representation and Lyapunov stability theory. Then, sliding mode control laws are designed for fractional oscillators, respectively, in cases where the bound of the external exciting force is known or unknown. Furthermore, sliding mode control laws for nonzero initialization case are designed. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to validate the above control designs.
On the Calibration of Irwin Probes for Flow in Rectangular Ducts With Different Aspect Ratios
Authors: Faria Raquel , Ferreira Almerindo D. , Lopes A. M. G. , Sousa Antonio C. M.
Published: May 2017

In this work, the suitability of pressure probes, commonly known as Irwin probes, to determine the local wall shear stress was evaluated for steady turbulent flow in rectangular ducts. Pressure measurements were conducted in the fully developed flow region of the duct and both the influence of duct aspect ratio (AR) (from 1:1.03 to 1:4.00) and Reynolds number (from 104 to 9 × 104) on the mean characteristics of the flow were analyzed. In addition, the sensitivity of the longitudinal and transversal placement of the Irwin probes was verified. To determine the most appropriate representation of the experimental data, three different characteristic lengths (l*) to describe Darcy's friction coefficient were investigated, namely: hydraulic diameter (Dh), square root of the cross section area (√A), and laminar equivalent diameter (DL). The comparison of the present experimental data for the range of tested Re numbers against the results for turbulent flow in smooth circular tubes indicates similar trends independently of the AR. The selection of the appropriate l* to represent the friction coefficient was found to be dependent on the AR of the duct, and the three tested scales present similar performance. However, the hydraulic diameter, being the commonly employed to compute turbulent flow in rectangular ducts, is the selected characteristic length scale to be used in the present study. A power function-based calibration equation is proposed for the Irwin probes, which is valid for the range of ARs and Reynolds numbers tested.
Reverse Flow in Magnetoconvection of Two Immiscible Fluids in a Vertical Channel
Authors: Borrelli Alessandra , Giantesio Giulia , Patria Maria Cristina
Published: May 2017

This paper concerns the study of the influence of an external magnetic field on the reverse flow occurring in the steady mixed convection of two Newtonian immiscible fluids filling a vertical channel under the Oberbeck–Boussinesq approximation. The two isothermal boundaries are kept either at different or at equal temperatures. The velocity, the temperature, and the induced magnetic field are obtained analytically. The results are presented graphically and discussed for various values of the parameters involved in the problem (in particular, the Hartmann number and the buoyancy coefficient) and are compared with those for a single Newtonian fluid. The occurrence of the reverse flow is explained and carefully studied.
Electrical cross-talk subtraction for free-field reciprocity calibration of half-inch laboratory standard microphones
Authors: B. Milhomem Thiago Antônio , Defilippo Soares Zemar M. , Musafir Ricardo E. , Müller Swen
Published: May 2017

This paper presents a procedure for free-field calibration of half-inch laboratory standard microphones by reciprocity that allows the identification and removal of the electrical cross-talk, multiple backscattering, reflections, noise, and all harmonic distortion components when measuring the electrical transfer impedance between the microphones. Initially, the difficulties of free-field calibration of condenser microphones by the reciprocity method are pointed out and the state of art is summarized. Following, the proposed procedure, which allows determining microphone sensitivities in the frequency range from 1 kHz to 40 kHz, is described: The cross-talk is removed by subtraction while multiple backscattering, reflections, noise and all harmonic distortion components are removed by a time-selective technique. Measurements and results are presented and discussed. A comparison between the results obtained by the proposed procedure and the pressure field calibration results corrected to free-field shows the efficiency and accuracy of the technique.
Genome Sequence of a Novel Kunsagivirus (
Picornaviridae
:
Kunsagivirus
) from a Wild Baboon (
Papio cynocephalus
)
Authors: Buechler Connor R. , Bailey Adam L. , Lauck Michael , Heffron Anna , Johnson Joshua C. , Campos Lawson Cristine , Rogers Jeffrey , Kuhn Jens H. , O’Connor David H.
Published: May 2017

The picornaviral genus
Kunsagivirus
has a single member, kunsagivirus A, which was discovered in migratory bird feces. We report here the discovery of a novel kunsagivirus in wild yellow baboon (
Papio cynocephalus
) blood. The genomic sequence of this virus indicates the probable need for the establishment of a second kunsagivirus species.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Brevundimonas
sp. Strain SH203, Producing Cellouronate (β-1,4-Linked Polyglucuronate) Lyase
Authors: Suzuki Tomohiro , Kikuchi Masako , Konno Naotake , Habu Naoto
Published: May 2017

In this study, we report the draft genome sequence of
Brevundimonas
sp. strain SH203, which was previously isolated from natural soil and has the ability to degrade β-1,4-polygluculonate (cellouronate). This genomic information may provide new insight into the mechanisms by which cellouronate is degraded.
Draft Genome Sequences of Seven 4-Formylaminooxyvinylglycine Producers Belonging to the Pseudomonas fluorescens Species Complex
Authors: Okrent Rachel A. , Manning Viola A. , Trippe Kristin M.
Published: May 2017

Vinylglycines are nonproteinogenic amino acids that inhibit amino acid metabolism and ethylene production. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of seven isolates of
Pseudomonas
that produce 4-formylaminooxyvinylglycine, a compound known to inhibit the germination of grasses and the growth of specific plant-pathogenic bacteria.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pannonibacter indicus Strain HT23
T
(DSM 23407
T
), a Highly Arsenate-Tolerant Bacterium Isolated from a Hot Spring in India
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Saumya , Whitman William B. , Das Subrata K.
Published: May 2017

Pannonibacter indicus
strain HT23
T
, a highly arsenate-tolerant bacterium, was isolated from a tropical hot spring. The estimated genome is 4.2 Mb with 3,818 protein-coding sequences containing putative genes, some of which are involved in arsenate resistance.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains Isolated from Feedlot Cattle Treated with Growth-Promoting Agents
Authors: Rehman Muhammad A. , Carrillo Catherine , Malouin François , Diarra Moussa S.
Published: May 2017

Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
serotype O157:H7 is a major cause of foodborne outbreaks and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of three antibiotic-resistant
E. coli
O157:H7 strains isolated from feedlot cattle. These draft genome sequences will aid in the development of sequence-based tools for the detection of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genotypes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Gardnerella vaginalis Strain ATCC 49145 Associated with Bacterial Vaginosis
Authors: Kidane Destaalem T. , Arivett Brock A. , Crigler Jacob , Vick Eric J. , Farone Anthony L. , Farone Mary B.
Published: May 2017

Gardnerella vaginalis
is a Gram-variable bacterium associated with bacterial vaginosis, a common vaginal inflammation in women of reproductive age. This study reports the whole-genome sequencing for the clinical isolate strain ATCC 49145. The draft genome is composed of 21 contigs containing 1,325 protein-coding sequences, 45 tRNAs and a single tmRNA (SsrA).
Randomised controlled trial evaluating the short-term analgesic effect of topical diclofenac on chronic Achilles tendon pain: a pilot study
Authors: Bussin Erin Rebecca , Cairns Brian , Bovard Jim , Scott Alexander
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To determine if a topically applied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac) can provide short-term pain relief for chronic Achilles tendinopathy (CAT), in order to inform the development of a new rehabilitation protocol.

Design and setting

Pilot double-blind, cross-over randomised controlled trial providing participants with tertiary care. The study was conducted at a single research centre in Vancouver, BC.

Participants

Sixteen adults with unilateral CAT and three adults with bilateral CAT participated.

Interventions

Participants received two successive treatments (10% diclofenac gel or placebo gel) in random order over a 3-day period. There was a 1-week washout period between the treatments. Allocation was by simple randomisation, and the participants as well as the assessing/treating researcher were blinded to treatment allocation.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was pain level (0–10) during tendon loading (hopping). Secondary outcome measures included pain at rest, pressure pain threshold of the Achilles tendon and symptom improvement.

Results

Nineteen adults participated in the study, and all were included in the analysis. Diclofenac gel significantly reduced the average pain during tendon loading (p<0.001) and at rest (p=0.031). The average baseline hopping pain was 4.8/10 (95% CI 3.92 to 5.68) and was reduced to 3.1/10 (2.35–3.85) by diclofenac. Pain at rest was decreased and pressure pain threshold increased with diclofenac treatment, but not with placebo gel. There were no observed or reported side effects of either treatment.

Conclusions

In this small, short-term study, diclofenac was able to improve symptoms and reduce pain during tendon loading in participants with CAT, whereas placebo gel was not. A future study of diclofenac as a supplement to rehabilitation, with longer follow-up and powered to detect a difference between diclofenac and placebo, is indicated.

Trial registration

ISRCTN60151284,http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN60151284

Ethics

UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board approval was obtained for this research. The certificate number of the ethics certificate of approval to conduct research is H15-00999.
Museum cultural collections: pathways to the preservation of traditional and scientific knowledge
Authors: Linn Angela J. , Reuther Joshua D. , Wooley Chris B. , Shirar Scott J. , Rogers Jason S.
Published: May 2017

Museums of natural and cultural history in the 21st century hold responsibilities that are vastly different from those of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the time of many of their inceptions. No longer conceived of as cabinets of curiosities, institutional priorities are in the process of undergoing dramatic changes. This article reviews the history of the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska, from its development in the early 1920s, describing the changing ways staff have worked with Indigenous individuals and communities. Projects like the Modern Alaska Native Material Culture and the Barter Island Project are highlighted as examples of how artifacts and the people who constructed them are no longer viewed as simply examples of material culture and Native informants but are considered partners in the acquisition, preservation, and perpetuation of traditional and scientific knowledge in Alaska.
Gravitational waves from the phase transition of a nonlinearly realized electroweak gauge symmetry
Authors: Kobakhidze Archil , Manning Adrian , Yue Jason
Published: May 2017

Within the Standard Model with nonlinearly realized electroweak symmetry, the LHC Higgs boson may reside in a singlet representation of the gauge group. Several new interactions are then allowed, including anomalous Higgs self-couplings, which may drive the electroweak phase transition to be strongly first-order. In this paper, we investigate the cosmological electroweak phase transition in a simplified model with an anomalous Higgs cubic self-coupling. We look at the feasibility of detecting gravitational waves produced during such a transition in the early universe by future space-based experiments. We demonstrate an intriguing interplay between collider measurements of the Higgs self-coupling and these potential gravitational wave measurements. We find that for the range of relatively large cubic couplings, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]mHz frequency gravitational waves can be observed by eLISA, while BBO will potentially be able to detect waves in a wider frequency range, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mHz.
A first look at a landslide triggered by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake near the Aso Volcanological Laboratory
Authors: Dai Zili , Wang Fawu , Song Kun , Iio Akinori
Published: May 2017

On 16 April 2016, a strong earthquake occurred in Kumamoto, Japan, resulting in 97 landslides in the vicinity of the Aso Volcanological Laboratory. This paper reports the initial photographs and preliminary field investigation of a typical earthquake-triggered landslide near the Aso Volcanological Laboratory. An unmanned aerial vehicle was used to obtain an aerial view of the landslide. On the basis of these photographs, the basic features of the landslide were characterized and the damage caused by the landslide was described. The first-hand information about the earthquake and the landslide presented here should provide the basis for further work.
V̇o2 kinetics associated with moderate-intensity exercise in heart failure: impact of intrathecal fentanyl inhibition of group III/IV locomotor muscle afferents
Authors: Van Iterson Erik H. , Johnson Bruce D. , Joyner Michael J. , Curry Timothy B. , Olson Thomas P.
Published: May 2017

Heart failure (HF) patients demonstrate impaired pulmonary, circulatory, and nervous system responses to exercise. While HF demonstrates prolonged [time constant (τ)] pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇o2) on-kinetics, contributing to exercise intolerance, it is unknown whether abnormal V̇o2 kinetics couple with ventilatory and circulatory dysfunction secondary to impaired group III/IV afferents in HF. Because lower lumbar intrathecal fentanyl inhibits locomotor muscle afferents, resulting in improved exercise ventilation and hemodynamics, we tested these hypotheses: HF will demonstrate 1) rapid V̇o2 on-kinetics and 2) attenuated steady-state V̇o2 amplitude and O2 deficit (O2def) during exercise with fentanyl versus placebo. On separate visits (randomized), breath-by-breath V̇o2 was measured in HF (ejection fraction: 27 ± 6%, New York Heart Association class I–III) and age- and sex-matched controls (both n = 9, ages: 60 ± 6 vs. 63 ± 8 yr, P = 0.37) during cycling transitions at 65% peak workload (78 ± 24 vs. 115 ± 39 W, P < 0.01) with intrathecal fentanyl or placebo. Regardless of group or condition, optimal phase II (primary component) curve fits reflected a phase I period equal to 35 s (limb-to-lung timing) via single-exponential functions. Condition did not affect steady-state V̇o2, the phase II τ of V̇o2, or O2def within controls ( P > 0.05). Without differences in steady-state V̇o2, reduced O2def in fentanyl versus placebo within HF (13 ± 4 vs. 22 ± 15 ml/W, P = 0.04) was accounted for by a rapid phase II τ of V̇o2 in fentanyl versus placebo within HF (45 ± 11 vs. 57 ± 14 s, P = 0.04), respectively. In an integrative manner, these data demonstrate important effects of abnormal locomotor muscle afferents coupled to pulmonary and circulatory dysfunction in determining impaired exercise V̇o2 in HF. Effects of abnormal muscle afferents on impaired exercise V̇o2 and hence exercise intolerance may not be discernable by independently assessing steady-state V̇o2 in HF.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Inhibition of locomotor muscle afferents results in rapid primary-component O2 uptake (V̇o2) on-kinetics accounting for the decreased O2 deficit in heart failure (HF). This study revealed that abnormal musculoskeletal–neural afferents couple with pulmonary and circulatory dysfunction to provoke impaired exercise V̇o2 in HF. Steady-state V̇o2 cannot properly phenotype abnormal muscle afferent contributions to impaired exercise V̇o2 in HF.
miR-29b supplementation decreases expression of matrix proteins and improves alveolarization in mice exposed to maternal inflammation and neonatal hyperoxia
Authors: Durrani-Kolarik Shaheen , Pool Caylie A. , Gray Ashley , Heyob Kathryn M. , Cismowski Mary J. , Pryhuber Gloria , Lee L. James , Yang Zhaogang , Tipple Trent E. , Rogers Lynette K.
Published: May 2017

Even with advances in the care of preterm infants, chronic lung disease or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) continues to be a significant pulmonary complication. Among those diagnosed with BPD, a subset of infants develop severe BPD with disproportionate pulmonary morbidities. In addition to decreased alveolarization, these infants develop obstructive and/or restrictive lung function due to increases in or dysregulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Analyses of plasma obtained from preterm infants during the first week of life indicate that circulating miR-29b is suppressed in infants that subsequently develop BPD and that decreased circulating miR-29b is inversely correlated with BPD severity. Our mouse model mimics the pathophysiology observed in infants with severe BPD, and we have previously reported decreased pulmonary miR-29b expression in this model. The current studies tested the hypothesis that adeno-associated 9 (AAV9)-mediated restoration of miR-29b in the developing lung will improve lung alveolarization and minimize the deleterious changes in matrix deposition. Pregnant C3H/HeN mice received an intraperitoneal LPS injection on embryonic day 16 and newborn pups were exposed to 85% oxygen from birth to 14 days of life. On postnatal day 3, AAV9-miR-29b or AAV9-control was administered intranasally. Mouse lung tissues were then analyzed for changes in miR-29 expression, alveolarization, and matrix protein levels and localization. Although only modest improvements in alveolarization were detected in the AAV9-miR29b-treated mice at postnatal day 28, treatment completely attenuated defects in matrix protein expression and localization. Our data suggest that miR-29b restoration may be one component of a novel therapeutic strategy to treat or prevent severe BPD in prematurely born infants.
TNFα decreases mitochondrial movement in human airway smooth muscle
Authors: Delmotte Philippe , Zavaletta Vanessa A. , Thompson Michael A. , Prakash Y. S. , Sieck Gary C.
Published: May 2017

In airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells, excitation-contraction coupling is accomplished via a cascade of events that connect an elevation of cytosolic Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) with cross-bridge attachment and ATP-consuming mechanical work. Excitation-energy coupling is mediated by linkage of the elevation of [Ca2+]cytto an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+concentration, which in turn stimulates ATP production. Proximity of mitochondria to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and plasma membrane is thought to be an important mechanism to facilitate mitochondrial Ca2+uptake. In this regard, mitochondrial movement in ASM cells may be key in establishing proximity. Mitochondria also move where ATP or Ca2+buffering is needed. Mitochondrial movement is mediated through interactions with the Miro-Milton molecular complex, which couples mitochondria to kinesin motors at microtubules. We examined mitochondrial movement in human ASM cells and hypothesized that, at basal [Ca2+]cytlevels, mitochondrial movement is necessary to establish proximity of mitochondria to the SR and that, during the transient increase in [Ca2+]cytinduced by agonist stimulation, mitochondrial movement is reduced, thereby promoting transient mitochondrial Ca2+uptake. We further hypothesized that airway inflammation disrupts basal mitochondrial movement via a reduction in Miro and Milton expression, thereby disrupting the ability of mitochondria to establish proximity to the SR and, thus, reducing transient mitochondrial Ca2+uptake during agonist activation. The reduced proximity of mitochondria to the SR may affect establishment of transient “hot spots” of higher [Ca2+]cytat the sites of SR Ca2+release that are necessary for mitochondrial Ca2+uptake via the mitochondrial Ca2+uniporter.
Ten days of repeated local forearm heating does not affect cutaneous vascular function
Authors: Francisco Michael A. , Brunt Vienna E. , Jensen Krista Nicole , Lorenzo Santiago , Minson Christopher T.
Published: May 2017

The aim of the present study was to determine whether 10 days of repeated local heating could induce peripheral adaptations in the cutaneous vasculature and to investigate potential mechanisms of adaptation. We also assessed maximal forearm blood flow to determine whether repeated local heating affects maximal dilator capacity. Before and after 10 days of heat training consisting of 1-h exposures of the forearm to 42°C water or 32°C water (control) in the contralateral arm (randomized and counterbalanced), we assessed hyperemia to rapid local heating of the skin ( n = 14 recreationally active young subjects). In addition, sequential doses of acetylcholine (ACh, 1 and 10 mM) were infused in a subset of subjects ( n = 7) via microdialysis to study potential nonthermal microvascular adaptations following 10 days of repeated forearm heat training. Skin blood flow was assessed using laser-Doppler flowmetry, and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as laser-Doppler red blood cell flux divided by mean arterial pressure. Maximal cutaneous vasodilation was achieved by heating the arm in a water-spray device for 45 min and assessed using venous occlusion plethysmography. Forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated as forearm blood flow divided by mean arterial pressure. Repeated forearm heating did not increase plateau percent maximal CVC (CVCmax) responses to local heating (89 ± 3 vs. 89 ± 2% CVCmax, P = 0.19), 1 mM ACh (43 ± 9 vs. 53 ± 7% CVCmax, P = 0.76), or 10 mM ACh (61 ± 9 vs. 85 ± 7% CVCmax, P = 0.37, by 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA). There was a main effect of time at 10 mM ACh ( P = 0.03). Maximal FVC remained unchanged (0.12 ± 0.02 vs. 0.14 ± 0.02 FVC, P = 0.30). No differences were observed in the control arm. Ten days of repeated forearm heating in recreationally active young adults did not improve the microvascular responsiveness to ACh or local heating.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show for the first time that 10 days of repeated forearm heating is not sufficient to improve cutaneous vascular responsiveness in recreationally active young adults. In addition, this is the first study to investigate cutaneous cholinergic sensitivity and forearm blood flow following repeated local heat exposure. Our data add to the limited studies regarding repeated local heating of the cutaneous vasculature.
4-1BB–Enhanced Expansion of CD8+ TIL from Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Unveils Mutation-Specific CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Harao Michiko , Forget Marie-Andrée , Roszik Jason , Gao Hui , Babiera Gildy V. , Krishnamurthy Savitri , Chacon Jessica A. , Li Shumin , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , DeSnyder Sarah M. , Rockwood Korrene F. , Bernatchez Chantale , Ueno Naoto T. , Radvanyi Laszlo G. , Vence Luis , Haymaker Cara , Reuben James M.
Published: May 2017

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) highly infiltrated with CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has been associated with improved prognosis. This observation led us to hypothesize that CD8+ TIL could be utilized in autologous adoptive cell therapy for TNBC, although this concept has proven to be challenging, given the difficulty in expanding CD8+ TILs in solid cancers other than in melanoma. To overcome this obstacle, we used an agonistic antibody (urelumab) to a TNFR family member, 4-1BB/CD137, which is expressed by recently activated CD8+ T cells. This approach was first utilized in melanoma and, in this study, led to advantageous growth of TILs for the majority of TNBC tumors tested. The agonistic antibody was only added in the initial setting of the culture and yet favored the propagation of CD8+ TILs from TNBC tumors. These expanded CD8+ TILs were capable of cytotoxic functions and were successfully utilized to demonstrate the presence of immunogenic mutations in autologous TNBC tumor tissue without recognition of the wild-type counterpart. Our findings open the way for a successful adoptive immunotherapy for TNBC. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(6); 439–45. ©2017 AACR.
Angiotensin II/Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade Affects Osteoporosis via the AT1/AT2-Mediated cAMP-Dependent PKA Pathway
Authors: Zhou Yi , Guan Xiaoxu , Chen Xiaoyi , Yu Mengfei , Wang Chaowei , Chen Xuepeng , Shi Jiejun , Liu Tie , Wang Huiming
Published: May 2017

Animal studies have reported on the benefits of ARB on bone mass. However, the underlying mechanism for angiotensin II (AngII)/AngII receptor blockade (ARB) in regulating bone mass remains elusive. Since high levels of plasma and urine cAMP are observed in osteoporotic and hypertensive patients, we hypothesized that cAMP may be an important molecule for the downstream events of the activation of AT receptors, members of the G-protein-coupled receptor family, in regulating bone turnover. In this study, micro-CT and X-ray analyses indicated that AngII decreased bone mass via biasing bone resorption over bone formation in osteoporotic mice. However, these adverse effects were blocked by olmesartan and PD123319. In vitro, AngII was shown to downregulate osteogenic differentiation and matrix mineralization, but to upregulate osteoclastic activity by mainly affecting osteoblasts producing osteoclastogenesis-associated key soluble factors, including M-CSF and RANKL. Similarly, ARB treatment exhibited antagonistic effects on AngII. In conclusion, osteoblasts are the directly targeted cells. ARB1 exhibits a greater capacity to increase bone mass than ARB2. The cAMP-dependent PKA pathway plays an important role in AngII/ARB on changing bone mass.
Sigmoid Adenocarcinoma with Regional Scrotal Metastasis
Authors: Swofford Brenen P. , Dragovich Tomislav
Published: May 2017

Colorectal cancer is a common disease, representing the third and second most common cause of cancer death in the United States in women and men, respectively. [Ahnen et al.: Mayo Clin Proc 2014;89: 216–224; Siegel et al.: CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66: 7]. It is estimated that 20% of patients have distant metastatic disease at time of diagnosis [Ahnen et al.: Mayo Clin Proc 2014;89: 216–224; Siegel et al.: CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66: 7]. The most common metastatic sites include regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and peritoneum via lymphatic/hematogenous dissemination as well as contiguous and transperitoneal routes [Ahnen et al.: Mayo Clin Proc 2014;89: 216–224; Siegel et al.: CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66: 7]. Upon review of the literature, we found that metastatic colon cancer to the scrotum is rare. The following case report proved to be a unique example of this type of metastasis. This rare regional metastasis is theorized to have resulted from a colo-urethro-scrotal fistula that precipitated from the patient’s prior traumatic event.