bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-Ir interface alloying induced by thermal annealing
Authors: Carlomagno I. , Drnec J. , Scaparro A. M. , Cicia S. , Vlaic S. , Felici R. , Meneghini C.
Published: November 2016

Using angular resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Magneto Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), we characterize the structural and magnetic evolution upon annealing of two thin Co films (8 and 9 Monolayers) deposited on Ir(111). The XAS data collected in the near Co K edge region (XANES), interpreted with ab-initio simulations, show that intermixing takes place at the Co-Ir interface. Using a linear combination analysis, we follow the intermixing during the thermally driven diffusion process. At 500 °C, the interface between Co and Ir(111) roughens slightly, but no alloy formation is detected. At 600 °C, the Co film loses integrity and MOKE data show a rearrangement of the magnetic domains. Annealing to higher temperatures results in CoxIr1 − x alloy formation and Ir segregation on the surface.
Aerodynamic optimal blade design and performance analysis of 3 MW wind turbine blade with AEP enhancement for low-wind-speed-sites
Authors: Lee Jinsuk , Lee Kangsu , Kim Bumsuk
Published: November 2016

The annual average wind speed in more than 80% of the global area that can potentially be employed for onshore wind farm development is lower than 7 m/s. Onshore wind farm development has been accomplished in most regions with excellent wind resource. Based on the increasing need for onshore wind farm development in low-wind-speed sites owing to the effect of environmental factors, commercial demand of IEC-Class III wind turbine has significantly increased among the world's leading developers and wind turbine manufacturers of the wind power industry. Thus, aerodynamic design of a 3 MW wind turbine blade for low-wind-speed sites was performed in this study. The geometry was optimized to improve AEP (Annual Energy Production) and minimize the increasing rate of thrust. The performance analysis result by Blade Element Momentum method showed that the increase in thrust was limited to less than 5% and AEP was enhanced by 20% at annual average wind speed of 7 m/s compared to the reference blade. To verify the final aerodynamic design result, CFD simulation was performed. It was confirmed that AEP was increased by 15%, and the increasing rate of thrust was found to be 5.1% at the same annual average wind speed.
Structure of high-reflectance La/B-based multilayer mirrors with partial La nitridation
Authors: Kuznetsov D. S. , Yakshin A. E. , Sturm J. M. , van de Kruijs R. W. E. , Bijkerk F.
Published: November 2016

We investigate a hybrid thin film deposition procedure that significantly enhances reflectivity of La/B based nanoscale multilayer structures to be used as Extreme UV mirrors at 6.7 nm wavelength and beyond. We have analyzed the La-nitridation process in detail, and proposed a growth mechanism and deposition procedure for full, stoichiometric passivation of La, avoiding the formation of optically unfavorable BN formation at the LaN-on-B interface. A partial nitridation was applied and studied as a function of the nitridation delay.
Regulation of heat-inducible HSPA1A gene expression during maternal-to-embryo transition and in response to heat in in vitro-produced bovine embryos
Authors: Lelièvre Jean-Marc , Peynot Nathalie , Ruffini Sylvie , Laffont Ludivine , Le Bourhis Daniel , Girard Pierre-Marie , Duranthon Véronique
Published: November 2016

In in vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos, a burst in transcriptional activation of the embryonic genome (EGA) occurs at the 8–16-cell stage. To examine transcriptional regulation prior to EGA, notably in response to heat stress, we asked (1) whether the spontaneous expression of a luciferase transgene that is driven by the minimal mouse heat-shock protein 1b (hspa1b) gene promoter paralleled that of HSPA1A during EGA in IVP bovine embryo and (2) whether expression of the endogenous heat-inducible iHSPA group member HSPA1A gene and the hspa1b/luciferase transgene were induced by heat stress (HS) prior to EGA. Using two culture systems, we showed that luciferase activity levels rose during the 40-h long EGA-associated cell cycle. In contrast, iHSPA proteins were abundant in matured oocytes and in blastomeres from the two-cell to the 16-cell stages. However, normalised results detected a rise in the level of HSPA1A and luciferase mRNA during EGA, when transcription was required for their protein expression. Prior to EGA, HS-induced premature luciferase activity and transgene expression were clearly inhibited. We could not, however, establish whether this was also true for HSPA1A expression because of the decay of the abundant maternal transcripts prior to EGA. In bovine embryos, heat-induced expression of hspa1b/luciferase, and most likely of HSPA1A, was therefore strictly dependent on EGA. The level of the heat-shock transcription factor 1 molecules that were found in cell nuclei during embryonic development correlated better with the embryo’s capacity for heat-shock response than with EGA-associated gene expression.
Arabidopsis dehydroascorbate reductase 1 and 2 modulate redox states of ascorbate-glutathione cycle in the cytosol in response to photooxidative stress
Authors: Noshi Masahiro , Yamada Hiroki , Hatanaka Risa , Tanabe Noriaki , Tamoi Masahiro , Shigeoka Shigeru
Published: November 2016

Ascorbate and glutathione are indispensable cellular redox buffers and allow plants to acclimate stressful conditions. Arabidopsis contains three functional dehydroascorbate reductases (DHAR1-3), which catalyzes the conversion of dehydroascorbate into its reduced form using glutathione as a reductant. We herein attempted to elucidate the physiological role in DHAR1 and DHAR2 in stress responses. The total DHAR activities in DHAR knockout Arabidopsis plants, dhar1 and dhar2, were 22 and 92%, respectively, that in wild-type leaves. Under high light (HL), the levels of total ascorbate and dehydroascorbate were only reduced and increased, respectively, in dhar1. The oxidation of glutathione under HL was significantly inhibited in both dhar1 and dhar2, while glutathione contents were only enhanced in dhar1. The dhar1 showed stronger visible symptoms than the dhar2 under photooxidative stress conditions. Our results demonstrated a pivotal role of DHAR1 in the modulation of cellular redox states under photooxidative stress.
E×B

staircases and barrier permeability in magnetised plasmas
Authors: Hornung G. , Dif-Pradalier G. , Clairet F. , Sarazin Y. , Sabot R. , Hennequin P. , Verdoolaege G.
Published: November 2016

In-depth experimental characterisation of spontaneous shear flow patterning into a so-called

E

×

B

staircase—named after its planetary analogue—is shown in magnetised plasma turbulence, using ultrafast-sweeping reflectometry in the Tore Supra tokamak. Staircase signatures are found in a large variety of L-mode plasma conditions. Sensitivity to the dominant source of free energy is highlighted for the first time. A connection between staircase shear layer permeability and deviation from gyro-Bohm confinement scaling is strongly suggested, opening new routes to understanding confinement in drift-wave turbulence.
Determination of divertor stray light in high-resolution main chamber Hα spectroscopy in JET-ILW
Authors: Neverov V.S. , Kukushkin A.B. , Stamp M.F. , Alekseev A.G. , Brezinsek S. , von Hellermann M.
Published: November 2016

The theoretical model suggested for ITER main chamber H
α
spectroscopy is applied to the high-resolution spectroscopy (HRS) data of recent JET ITER-like wall (ILW) experiments. The model is aimed at reconstructing the neutral hydrogen isotope density in the SOL, as well as the isotope ratio, by solving a multi-parametric inverse problem with allowance for (i) the strong divertor stray light (DSL) on the main-chamber lines of sight (LoS), (ii) substantial deviation of the neutral atom velocity distribution function (VDF) from a Maxwellian in the SOL, and (iii) data for the direct observation of the divertor. The JET-ILW HRS data on resolving the power at the deuterium and hydrogen spectral lines of the Balmer-alpha series is analysed, with direct observation of the divertor from the top and with observation of the inner wall along the tangential and radial LoS from the equatorial ports. This data allows the spectrum of the DSL and the signal-to-background ratio for the Balmer-alpha light emitted from the far SOL and divertor in the JET-ILW to be evaluated. The results support the expectation of the strong impact of the DSL upon the ITER main chamber H
α
(and visible light) spectroscopy diagnostics.
Local Arp2/3-dependent actin assembly modulates applied traction force during apCAM adhesion site maturation
Authors: Buck Kenneth B. , Schaefer Andrew W. , Schoonderwoert Vincent T. , Creamer Matthew S. , Dufresne Eric R. , Forscher Paul
Published: November 2016

Homophilic binding of immunoglobulin superfamily molecules such as the Aplysia cell adhesion molecule (apCAM) leads to actin filament assembly near nascent adhesion sites. Such actin assembly can generate significant localized forces that have not been characterized in the larger context of axon growth and guidance. We used apCAM-coated bead substrates applied to the surface of neuronal growth cones to characterize the development of forces evoked by varying stiffness of mechanical restraint. Unrestrained bead propulsion matched or exceeded rates of retrograde network flow and was dependent on Arp2/3 complex activity. Analysis of growth cone forces applied to beads at low stiffness of restraint revealed switching between two states: frictional coupling to retrograde flow and Arp2/3-dependent propulsion. Stiff mechanical restraint led to formation of an extensive actin cup matching the geometric profile of the bead target and forward growth cone translocation; pharmacological inhibition of the Arp2/3 complex or Rac attenuated F-actin assembly near bead binding sites, decreased the efficacy of growth responses, and blocked accumulation of signaling molecules associated with nascent adhesions. These studies introduce a new model for regulation of traction force in which local actin assembly forces buffer nascent adhesion sites from the mechanical effects of retrograde flow.
Regulation of endothelial barrier function by p120-catenin∙VE-cadherin interaction
Authors: Garrett Joshua P. , Lowery Anthony M. , Adam Alejandro P. , Kowalczyk Andrew P. , Vincent Peter A.
Published: November 2016

Endothelial p120-catenin (p120) maintains the level of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cad) by inhibiting VE-Cad endocytosis. Loss of p120 results in a decrease in VE-Cad levels, leading to the formation of monolayers with decreased barrier function (as assessed by transendothelial electrical resistance [TEER]), whereas overexpression of p120 increases VE-Cad levels and promotes a more restrictive monolayer. To test whether reduced endocytosis mediated by p120 is required for VE-Cad formation of a restrictive barrier, we restored VE-Cad levels using an endocytic-defective VE-Cad mutant. This endocytic-defective mutant was unable to rescue the loss of TEER associated with p120 or VE-Cad depletion. In contrast, the endocytic-defective mutant was able to prevent sprout formation in a fibrin bead assay, suggesting that p120•VE-Cad interaction regulates barrier function and angiogenic sprouting through different mechanisms. Further investigation found that depletion of p120 increases Src activity and that loss of p120 binding results in increased VE-Cad phosphorylation. In addition, expression of a Y658F–VE-Cad mutant or an endocytic-defective Y658F–VE-Cad double mutant were both able to rescue TEER independently of p120 binding. Our results show that in addition to regulating endocytosis, p120 also allows the phosphorylated form of VE-Cad to participate in the formation of a restrictive monolayer.
Police Officers, Regular Soldiers, and Normative Institutional Analysis
Authors: Miller Seumas
Published: November 2016

In this chapter a normative, comparative institutional analysis of police officers and regular soldiers is provided. The roles of police officer and regular soldier are defined by recourse to normatively specified, empirically anchored, organizational roles. Two key theoretical notions employed are those of multilayered structures of joint action and collective goods. The moral rights and duties constitutive of institutional roles are derived in part from the collective goods that are the raison d’être of police and military organizations. These institutional moral rights and duties are special rights and duties.The institutional roles of police officers and regular soldiers are importantly different from one another.. For example, military forces, unlike police forces, do not have as a primary and overriding role to enforce the law, and soldiers use lethal force with less legal and moral constraints than police officers.
Military Use of Lethal Force
Authors: Miller Seumas
Published: November 2016

In this chapter, just war theory is outlined, including jus ad bellum and jus in bello, and a version provided that accommodates wars fought by and against nonstate actors (e.g., terrorist groups). The concept of war is framed in terms of such theoretical notions as joint actions, multilayered structures of joint action, and institutional roles. It is argued that (1) despite the moral difference between combatants fighting a just war and those fighting an unjust war, compliance with the doctrine of the moral equality of combatants is morally justified, but the institutional rights and duties constitutive of that doctrine are merely prima facie moral rights and duties; (2) the principle of military necessity is to be understood in terms of nested collective ends (e.g., the collective end of winning the war depends on winning various battles); and (3) the application of the principle of military necessity involvesthe rules of engagement.
Magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Bers Abraham
Published: November 2016

This chapter discusses some basic aspects of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) through two alternate presentations. The first describes a fluid physical of MHD based upon guiding-center particle motion, while the second is based on MHD from Braginskii's equation. In addition to MHD conservation equations and basic properties, a complete treatment is given of MHD wave dynamics in a uniform plasma. The chapter establishes an MHD model based on known dynamics of charged particles in equilibrium and slowly-varying dynamic fields, and obtains their fluid dynamic description from appropriate velocity space averages of the particles' distribution functions. The guiding center theory of charged-particle motions in slowly-varying EM fields, described in the previous chapter, provides a basis for this approach. It is an approach that allows the study of many interesting and relevant, stable and unstable, dynamics which are useful in understanding observed plasma dynamics phenomena.
Drift-free cold plasma, magnetized —III. Waves in arbitrary directions; nonlinear coupling
Authors: Bers Abraham
Published: November 2016

This chapter completes the task of describing linear natural modes in a homogeneous, drift-free cold-plasma and concludes with a brief look at the nonlinear coupling of linear modes. The linear wave analysis here follows the formulation and developments of the previous two chapters, and highlights the analysis of linear waves at any angle. Waves that propagate at an arbitrary angle are of a very large variety and their detailed description requires approximate analytical approaches for various applications. For propagation in infinitely-extended plasmas, it has been found useful to classify their description in a space of normalized magnetic field and density variables where the cutoff and resonance of the principal waves—this is referred to here as the Clemmow, Mullaly, Allis (CMA) diagram. The chapter also analyses approximate wave propagation treatments that have been found useful in various, more specific, wave applications in magnetized plasmas.
Linear coupling of modes—Amplifying and oscillating instabilities and devices—Appendix: Green’s functions in unstable LCOM interactions
Authors: Bers Abraham
Published: November 2016

This chapter presents the important application of the dynamic mode-perturbation theory developed in the previous chapter, namely, the linear coupling of modes (LCOM) in homogeneous, loss-free, and nearly-loss free systems. It traces the historical development of the theory of LCOM as it arose for the understanding of interactions between waves and e-beams in microwave amplifiers and oscillators. This was typically formulated as a phaseresonant LCOM in space at a given frequency of the waves. In particular, the distinction of LCOM that entails the coupling of stable and unstable waves in a loss-free system is analyzed. The chapter then illustrates the use of LCOM in space-time, in more general systems of plasmas and waves, and in particular to nonresonant and phase-resonant interactions. It concludes with the application of LCOM analysis to the cross-field magnetron amplifier which entails the coupling of an unstable e-beam mode—the diocotron instability—to a passive wave on an adjacent slow-wave structures (SWS).
Kinetic descriptions in inhomogeneous plasmas—Drift waves and instabilities
Authors: Bers Abraham
Published: November 2016

This chapter discusses the kinetic theory analysis of waves and instabilities in plasmas with nonuniform equilibria and, in particular, driftwave instabilities. In a stable inhomogeneous plasma, linear wave propagation in the vicinity of local propagation resonances and nearby cutoffs brings about a complex coupling of the natural wave modes of the homogeneous plasma. This coupling, generally called modeconversion (MC), is particularly important for analyzing the excitation of, or emission from, kinetic waves that exist only inside a hot plasma. In high-temperature plasmas, analysis of MC requires the solution of the full-wave kinetic Vlasov–Maxwell integro-partial differential equations. For a (DF) dissipation-free (MCR) modeconversion region in a plasma, the chapter derives the coupling symmetries that must be satisfied among the various wave energy flows into and out of such regions, without having to solve the full-wave kinetic equations. The general results are illustrated for cases of interest to heating and current drive in toroidally-confined high-temperature plasma.
Broadband Internet and New Firm Location Decisions in Rural Areas
Authors: Kim Younjun , Orazem Peter F.
Published: November 2016

Improving rural broadband access has been touted as a rural development strategy, but there is limited evidence that broadband service affects rural economic growth. We measure the effect of broadband deployment on location decisions of new rural firms. Location‐specific fixed effects are controlled by a counterfactual baseline that measures how local broadband service in the early 2000s affected local new firm entry in the early 1990s before broadband was available anywhere. The change in location choice probability of new firms from the counterfactual baseline to the actual response ten years later is the difference‐in‐differences estimate of the effect of broadband deployment on locations of new firms. We find that broadband availability has a positive and significant effect on location decisions of new firms in rural areas, which is confirmed by a robustness test using ZIP Code dummy variables. The broadband effect is largest in more populated rural areas and those adjacent to a metropolitan area, suggesting that this effect increases with agglomeration economies.
Transient Hearing Loss in Adults Associated With Zika Virus Infection
Authors: Vinhaes Eriko S. , Santos Luciane A. , Dias Lislane , Andrade Nilvano A. , Bezerra Victor H. , de Carvalho Anderson T. , de Moraes Laise , Henriques Daniele F. , Azar Sasha R. , Vasilakis Nikos , Ko Albert I. , Andrade Bruno B. , Siqueira Isadora C. , Khouri Ricardo , Boaventura Viviane S.
Published: November 2016

In 2015, during the outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil, we identified 3 cases of acute hearing loss after exanthematous illness. Serology yielded finding compatible with ZIKV as the cause of a confirmed (n = 1) and a probable (n = 2) flavivirus infection, indicating an association between ZIKV infection and transient hearing loss.
EXPLOITING NEXT GENERATION SEQUENCING TO SOLVE THE HAPLOTYPING PUZZLE IN POLYPLOIDS: A SIMULATION STUDY
Authors: Motazedi Ehsan , Finkers Richard , Maliepaard Chris , de Ridder Dick
Published: November 2016

Haplotypes are the units of inheritance in an organism, and many genetic analyses depend on their precise determination. Methods for haplotyping single individuals use the phasing information available in Next Generation sequencing reads, by matching overlapping sNPs while penalizing post hoc nucleotide corrections made. Haplotyping diploids is relatively easy, but the complexity of the problem increases drastically for polyploid genomes, which are found in both model organisms and in economically relevant plant and animal species. While a number of tools are available for haplotyping polyploids, the effects of the genomic makeup and the sequencing strategy followed on the accuracy of these methods have hitherto not been thoroughly evaluated.

We developed the simulation pipelinehaplosimto evaluate the performance of haplotype estimation algorithms for polyploids: HapCompass, HapTree and SDhaP, in settings varying in sequencing approach, ploidy levels and genomic diversity, using tetraploid potato as the model. Our results show that sequencing depth is the major determinant of haplotype estimation quality, that 1kbPacBio CCS reads and Illumina reads with large insert-sizes are competitive, and that all methods fail to produce good haplotypes when ploidy levels increase. Comparing the three methods, HapTree produces the most accurate estimates, but also consumes the most resources. There is clearly room for improvement in polyploid haplotyping algorithms.
Computational evidence of a compound with nicotinic α4β2-Ach receptor partial agonist properties as possible coadjuvant for the treatment of obesity
Authors: den-Haan Helena , José Hernández Morante Juan , Pérez-Sánchez Horacio
Published: November 2016

Background

Nowadays, the search for new anti-obesity drugs is oriented to the use of anti-addiction medications like bupropion and naltrexone. Other compounds like varenicline may be also useful to treat obesity. However, the low effectiveness of the former or the high number of adverse effects of the latter makes it necessary to search for new therapeutic agents.

Methods

Screening database selected for the computational experiments was DrugBank. 3D global shape comparison with varenicline was performed by means of the Ligand Based Virtual Screening tool WEGA v2015. A pharmacophore model based in the structure of varenicline was created by means of LigandScout v4.08. The in-silico screening was performed using Relative Pharmacophore Fit (RPF) scoring function implemented in LigandScout. Up to 3 mismatches with varenicline pharmacophore model were allowed for hits retrieving.

Results

Drugbank database was screened in silico to find alternative molecules to varenicline, and the compound cevimeline was found to have strong similarity to varenicline in terms of 3D shape and pharmacophoric features. Thus, we propose this hit may interact with nicotinic α4β2-Ach receptor in the same mode as varenicline does.

Discussion

The functional activities of this compound and its validity as a drug therapy for obesity treatment must be confirmed in further in vitro, in vivo and preclinical studies; however, attending to our screening procedure, this compound should be a promising therapy for such a complex disorder such as obesity.
Phylogenomics-guided discovery of a novel conserved cassette of short linear motifs in BubR1 essential for the spindle checkpoint
Authors: Tromer Eelco , Bade Debora , Snel Berend , Kops Geert J.P.L.
Published: November 2016

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) maintains genomic integrity by preventing progression of mitotic cell division until all chromosomes are stably attached to spindle microtubules. The SAC critically relies on the paralogs Bub1 and BubR1/Mad3, which integrate kinetochore-spindle attachment status with generation of the anaphase inhibitory complex MCC. We previously reported on the widespread occurrences of independent gene duplications of an ancestral ‘MadBub’ gene in eukaryotic evolution and the striking parallel subfunctionalization that lead to loss of kinase function in BubR1/Mad3-like paralogs. We now present an elaborate subfunctionalization analysis that includes all known motifs in Bub1 and BubR1, and show that ancestral features are consistently retained in the same functional paralog: GLEBS/CDI/CDII/kinase in the Bub1-like and KEN1/KEN2/D-Box in the BubR1/Mad3-like. The recently described ABBA motif can be found in either or both paralogs. We however discovered two additional ABBA motifs that flank KEN2. This cassette of ABBA1-KEN2-ABBA2 forms a strictly conserved module in all ancestral and BubR1/Mad3-like proteins, suggestive of a specific and crucial SAC function. Indeed, deletion of the ABBA motifs in human BUBR1 abrogates the SAC and affects APC/C-Cdc20 interactions. Our detailed comparative genomics analyses thus enabled discovery of a conserved cassette of motifs essential for the SAC and shows how this approach can be used to uncover hitherto unrecognized functional protein features.
Increase in heterotrophic soil respiration by temperature drives decline in soil organic carbon stocks after forest windthrow in a mountainous ecosystem
Authors: Mayer Mathias , Sandén Hans , Rewald Boris , Godbold Douglas L. , Katzensteiner Klaus
Published: November 2016

Intensifying forest disturbance regimes are likely to impact heavily on future carbon (C) budgets of forest ecosystems. Our understanding of how forest disturbance affects the sources of soil CO2 efflux (Fs) is, however, poor. This may lead to uncertainties over future C sink estimates of forest ecosystems and associated feedbacks to the atmosphere.

We investigated the impact of forest windthrow on the heterotrophic and autotrophic sources of Fs, underlying biotic and abiotic drivers (i.e. plant community composition, soil organic matter (SOM) properties and soil microclimate), and consequences for soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in situ along a disturbance chronosequence in the European Alps. This chronosequence facilitated the study of temporal changes in the above parameters between the third and sixth years after windthrow.

Along the chronosequence, structural equation modelling revealed that soil temperature, soil moisture, SOM properties and plant community composition explained 90% of the variation in Fs. While no direct interactions among plants and SOM properties could be determined, plants significantly affected soil microclimate. Windthrow had no obvious effect on Fs because reduced autotrophic soil respiration (Ra) was offset by a ∼60% increase in heterotrophic soil respiration (Rh), principally due to increased soil temperatures. Ra after wind‐throw was dominated by grasses and herbs rather than trees; however, a high abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi suggests an important indirect tree contribution to post‐windthrow Ra. SOC stocks significantly declined over the post‐windthrow period.

Our results show that Rh was by far the dominant source of Fs after forest windthrow. As C losses from Rh and SOC stocks were in the same order of magnitude, this study demonstrates that post‐windthrow declines in SOC stocks were mainly driven by a temperature‐related increase in Rh.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Incidence of lymph node metastases in clinical early‐stage mucinous and seromucinous ovarian carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: van Baal JOAM , Van de Vijver KK , Coffelt SB , van der Noort V , van Driel WJ , Kenter GG , Buist MR , Lok CAR
Published: November 2016

Objective

The use of lymph node sampling during staging procedures in clinical early‐stage mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is an ongoing matter of debate. Furthermore, the incidence of lymph node metastases (LNM) in MOC in relation to tumour grade (G) is unknown. We aimed to determine the incidence of LNM in clinical early‐stage MOC per tumour grade.

Design

Retrospective study with data from the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA).

Setting

The Netherlands, 2002–2012.

Population or sample

Patients with MOC.

Methods

Histology reports on patients with MOC diagnosed in the Netherlands between 2002 and 2012 were obtained from PALGA. Reports were reviewed for diagnosis, tumour grade and presence of LNM. Clinical data, surgery reports and radiology reports of patients with LNM were retrieved from hospital files.

Main outcome measures

Incidence of LNM, disease‐free survival (DFS).

Results

Of 915 patients with MOC, 426 underwent lymph node sampling. Cytoreductive surgery was performed in 267 patients. The other 222 patients received staging without lymph node sampling. In eight of 426 patients, LNM were discovered by sampling. In four of 190 (2.1%) patients with G1 MOC, LNM were present, compared with one of 115 (0.9%) patients with G2 MOC and three of 22 (13.6%) patients with G3 MOC. Tumour grade was not specified in 99 patients. Patients with clinical early‐stage MOC had no DFS benefit from lymph node sampling.

Conclusions

LNM are rare in early‐stage G1 and G2 MOC without clinical suspicion of LNM. Therefore, lymph node sampling can be omitted in these patients.

Tweetable abstract

Lymph node sampling can be omitted in clinical early‐stage G1 and G2 mucinous ovarian cancer.
An Examination of the Sequence of Intersecting Seal and Laser Printing Toner Line
Authors: Li Biao , Ouyang Guoliang
Published: November 2016

Examining the sequence of intersecting seal and laser printing line is a significant method of determining the authenticity and validity of documents. In this study, five brands of stamp pad inks, three types of inkpads and seven kinds of laser printers were used to make heterogeneous line intersections. Observation method of physical characteristics, scraping technique and fluorescence method was used to determine the sequence of intersecting lines. Distinguishing features were noted between the materials produced in both sequences. As the results obtained from the study were positive, these features might provide a scientific basis for accurately determining the sequence between laser printing line and inkpad (stamp pad ink) seal.
Leaf Cuticle Microstructure of Machilus maomingensis sp. nov. (Lauraceae) from the Eocene of the Maoming Basin, South China
Authors: TANG Biao , HAN Meng , XU Qingqing , JIN Jianhua
Published: November 2016

Machilus maomingensis Jin et Tang, sp. nov. from the Eocene Youganwo Formation of the Maoming Basin, South China, is studied in detail from the perspective of the leaf architecture and the excellently preserved cuticle. The leaf margin is entire, the primary venation is pinnate; 6 to 8 secondary veins are present and the major secondary venation is eucamptodromous. Stomata are paracytic and occur on the lower epidermis. Trichome bases are unicellular. Oil cells are present in the upper epidermis. The new fossil species described has features of the Lauraceae, particularly of the extant genus Machilus Rumphius ex Nees, and it is most similar to Machilus chinensis (Bentham) Hemsley, an extant species distributed in southern China and Vietnam. Hence, Machilus maomingensis sp. nov. is inferred to live in a warm and humid climate. The discovery of the present fossil indicates that Machilus has existed in South China from at least the Eocene.
Cenozoic Magmatism and Tectonic Framework of Western Yunnan, China: Constrained from Geochemistry, Sr–Nd–Pb Isotopes and Fission Track Dating
Authors: YANG Xin , XU Xuhui , ZHANG Zhongpei , LIU Yifeng , ZHANG Jibiao , LIU Xingwang , XIONG Ping , ZHENG Jianjing
Published: November 2016

Western Yunnan is composed of several extruded continental microblocks that were generated by the oblique collision between the Indian and Asian continents during the Cenozoic. In this study, the magmatic and tectonic frameworks of western Yunnan in the Cenozoic were analyzed based on geochemistry, Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes, and apatite/zircon fission track dating. Magmatism during the Cenozoic in western Yunnan was then divided into three distinctive episodes: alkali granite rocks produced from 55 to 46 Ma were derived from the anatexis of crustal materials; bimodal igneous rocks formed between 37 and 24 Ma were possibly derived from an EMII mantle with a contribution from continental materials; and intermediate‐basic volcanic rocks produced in the Tengchong microblocks since ∼16 Ma are considered to be generated by the partial melting of the upper mantle that was induced by the pulling apart of the dextral Gaoligong strike‐slip fault system. Moreover, fission track analysis of apatite and zircon indicates that the regional crustal uplift in western Yunnan possibly began at ∼34 Ma, with accelerated annealing occurring at ∼24 Ma, ∼13 Ma, and ∼4 Ma. During the past 24 Ma, the average denudation rate was ∼0.32 mm/yr for the faulted block controlled by the Chongshan–Lancang River fault However, crustal uplift has been relatively gentle in places lacking influence from strike‐slip shear zones, with an average denudation rate of ∼0.2 mm/yr. Combined with strike‐slip shear and block rotation in the Cenozoic, the tectonic evolution of western Yunnan since ∼45 Ma can thus be divided into four stages occurring at 45–37 Ma, 37–24 Ma, 24–13 Ma, and 13–0 Ma.
Early Cretaceous Magma Mingling in Xiaocuo, Southeastern China Continental Margin: Implications for Subduction of Paleo‐Pacific Plate
Authors: ZHOU Liyun , WANG Yu , HEI Huixin , ZHOU Xiaohui
Published: November 2016

Magma mingling has been identified within the continental margin of southeastern China. This study focuses on the relationship between mafic and felsic igneous rocks in composite dikes and plutons in this area, and uses this relationship to examine the tectonic and geodynamic implications of the mingling of mafic and felsic magmas. Mafic magmatic enclaves (MMEs) show complex relationships with the hosting Xiaocuo granite in Fujian area, including lenticular to rounded porphyritic microgranular enclaves containing abundant felsic/mafic phenocrysts, elongate mafic enclaves, and back‐veining of the felsic host granite into mafic enclaves.

LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb analyses show crystallization of the granite and dioritic mafic magmatic enclave during ca. 132 and 116 Ma. The host granite and MMFs both show zircon growth during repeated thermal events at ∼210 Ma and 160–180 Ma. Samples from the magma mingling zone generally contain felsic‐derived zircons with well‐developed growth zoning and aspect ratios of 2–3, and mafic‐derived zircons with no obvious oscillatory zoning and with higher aspect ratios of 5–10. However, these two groups of zircons show no obvious trace element or age differences. The Hf‐isotope compositions show that the host granite and MMEs have similar εHf(t) values from negative to positive which suggest a mixed source from partial melting of the Meso‐Neoproterozoic with involvement of enriched mantle‐derived magmas or juvenile components. The lithologies, mineral associations, and geochemical characteristics of the mafic and felsic rocks in this study area indicate that both were intruded together, suggesting Early Cretaceous mantle‐crustal interactions along the southeastern China continental margin. The Early Cretaceous magma mingling is correlated to subduction of Paleo‐Pacific plate.
Characteristics and Origin of Tight Oil Accumulations in the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation of the Ordos Basin, North‐Central China
Authors: WU Songtao , ZOU Caineng , ZHU Rukai , YAO Jingli , TAO Shizhen , YANG Zhi , ZHAI Xiufen , CUI Jingwei , LIN Senhu
Published: November 2016

The Upper Triassic oil accumulations in the Ordos Basin is the most successful tight oil play in China, with average porosity values of less than 10% and permeability values below 1.0 mD. This study investigated the geological characteristics and origin of the tight oil accumulations in the Chang 6 member of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Shanbei area based on over 50, 000 petrological, source‐rock analysis, well logging and production data. The tight oil accumulation of the Chang 6 member is distributed continuously in the basin slope and the centre of the basin. The oil‐water relationships are complex. Laumontite dissolution pores are the most important storage spaces, constituting 30%‐60% of total porosity and showing a strong positive relationship with oil production. The pore‐throat diameter is less than 1 µm, and the calculated critical height of the oil column is much larger than the tight sand thickness, suggesting that the buoyancy was probably of limited importance for oil migration. The pressure difference between the source rocks and sandstone reservoirs is inferred to have provided driving force for hydrocarbon migration. Two factors of source‐reservoir configuration and laumontite dissolution contributed to the formation of the Chang 6 tight oil accumulations. Intense hydrocarbon generation and continuous sand bodies close to the hydrocarbon kitchen are the foundation for the large‐scale oil distribution. Dissolution of feldspar‐laumontite during the process of organic matter evolution generated abundant secondary pores and improved the reservoir quality.
A Method for Evaluating the Suitability of CO2 Geological Storage in Deep Saline Aquifers
Authors: LI Fucheng , ZHANG Yang , JIA Xiaofeng , LI Xufeng , JIA Xiaoleng , GUO Shengxiu
Published: November 2016

This work established an evaluation index system based on a comprehensive analysis of those factors affecting the suitability of CO2 geological storage. This evaluation index system includes three evaluation index layers of geological safety, storage scale and social economy, nine evaluation index sub‐layers, and 28 evaluation index factors, and adopts the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and index overlay methods. Taking the Xining Basin in northwest China as an example, we conducted comprehensive analysis of geological conditions and performed quantitative evaluation based on this evaluation index system, which indicates that the Shuangshu depression of the Xining Basin is comparatively suitable for CO2 geological storage. It is suggested that this evaluation index system and the evaluation method proposed in this study are suitable for most continental sedimentary basins in China and should be widely applied.
OPA1 analysis in an international series of probands with bilateral optic atrophy
Authors: Liskova Petra , Tesarova Marketa , Dudakova Lubica , Svecova Stepanka , Kolarova Hana , Honzik Tomas , Seto Sharon , Votruba Marcela
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To determine the molecular genetic cause in previously unreported probands with optic atrophy from the United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Canada.

Methods

OPA1 coding regions and flanking intronic sequences were screened by direct sequencing in 82 probands referred with a diagnosis of bilateral optic atrophy. Detected rare variants were assessed for pathogenicity by in silico analysis. Segregation of the identified variants was performed in available first degree relatives.

Results

A total of 29 heterozygous mutations evaluated as pathogenic were identified in 42 probands, of these seven were novel. In two probands, only variants of unknown significance were found. 76% of pathogenic mutations observed in 30 (71%) of 42 probands were evaluated to lead to unstable transcripts resulting in haploinsufficiency. Three probands with the following disease‐causing mutations c.1230+1G>A, c.1367G>A and c.2965dup were documented to suffer from hearing loss and/or neurological impairment.

Conclusions

OPA1 gene screening in patients with bilateral optic atrophy is an important part of clinical evaluation as it may establish correct clinical diagnosis. Our study expands the spectrum of OPA1 mutations causing dominant optic atrophy and supports the fact that haploinsufficiency is the most common disease mechanism.
Effects of vedolizumab on health‐related quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis: results from the randomised GEMINI 1 trial
Authors: Feagan B. G. , Patel H. , Colombel J.‐F. , Rubin D. T. , James A. , Mody R. , Lasch K.
Published: November 2016

Background

Health‐related quality of life (HRQL) is often diminished in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Aim

To evaluate the effects of vedolizumab on HRQL in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Methods

Using maintenance phase data from the GEMINI 1 study, an analysis of covariance model was used to calculate mean differences between the vedolizumab and placebo groups in changes from baseline to week 52 for 3 HRQL instruments: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36), and EQ‐5D. Proportions of patients meeting minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds for changes on these instruments were compared between treatment groups for the overall population and for clinically important subgroups. Concordance between clinical remission and remission defined using IBDQ scores was examined.

Results

Compared with placebo‐treated patients, vedolizumab‐treated patients had greater improvements (152–201%) in IBDQ, EQ‐5D visual analogue scale (VAS), and EQ‐5D utility scores. Greater proportions (6.9–19.9%) of vedolizumab‐treated patients than placebo‐treated patients met MCID thresholds for all the instruments. Vedolizumab‐treated patients with lower baseline disease activity and those without prior tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist failure had greater HRQL improvements. Among 127 patients with clinical remission based on complete Mayo Clinic scores, >80% also had IBDQ remission; >70% of the 150 patients with IBDQ remission demonstrated clinical remission.

Conclusions

Vedolizumab therapy was associated with significant improvements in HRQL measures compared with placebo. Benefits were greater in patients with lower disease activity and no prior TNF antagonist failure.
Oesophageal lichen planus: the efficacy of topical steroid‐based therapies
Authors: Podboy A. , Sunjaya D. , Smyrk T. C. , Murray J. A. , Binder M. , Katzka D. A. , Alexander J. A. , Halland M.
Published: November 2016

Background

Oesophageal lichen planus is an idiopathic inflammatory disorder characterized by significant oesophageal stricturing. Oesophageal lichen planus is a rare, difficult to diagnose, and likely an under recognized disease. As a result, there is no standardized approach to therapy and treatment strategies vary.

Aim

To examine the utility of topical steroid therapy (fluticasone or budesonide) in the management of oesophageal lichen planus.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients diagnosed with oesophageal lichen planus who underwent baseline and follow up endoscopy pre and post topical steroid therapy between 1995 and 2016 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN. Average time between upper GI endoscopy was 3.2 months (0.7–11.7). Swallowed steroid preparations included fluticasone 880 μg twice daily or budesonide 3 mg twice daily. Patients were reviewed for symptomatic response to therapy using the Dakkak‐Bennett dysphagia score (0–4, no dysphagia to total aphagia). Pre‐ and post‐endoscopic findings were assessed. Additional baseline demographic, endoscopic, and histologic data were also obtained.

Results

We identified 40 patients who met the inclusion criteria. A significant reduction in median dysphagia score from 1 (0–4) to 0 (0–3) after steroid therapy (P < 0.001) was noted. 62% of patients reported resolution of their dysphagia after receiving topical corticosteroids. 72.5% had an endoscopic response to steroid therapy.

Conclusion

Topical swallowed budesonide or fluticasone appear to effective treatment for oesophageal lichen planus.
Laparoscopic mesh repair of adult diaphragmatic hernia: A report of two cases
Authors: Oguma Junya , Ozawa Soji , Kazuno Akihito , Nitta Miho , Ninomiya Yamato
Published: November 2016

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is very rare in adults. The first choice of treatment is surgery, but the optimal surgical method remains unclear. We performed laparoscopic surgeries for two types of congenital diaphragmatic hernias using a novel mesh coated with a chemically modified substance. The first patient was a 65‐year‐old man with a Bochdalek hernia without a hernial sac, and the other patient was an 80‐year‐old woman with a Morgagni hernia with a hernial sac. The short‐term outcomes of both cases were good, and laparoscopic repair seems to be a useful strategy regardless of the presence or absence of a hernial sac.
Chronic LiCl pretreatment suppresses thrombin‐stimulated intracellular calcium mobilization through TRPC3 in astroglioma cells
Authors: Uemura Takuji , Green Marty , Warsh Jerry J
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Transient receptor potential canonical type 3 (TRPC3) channels are activated in B lymphoblast cell lines from patients with bipolar disorder (BD), and its expression is reduced by chronic lithium treatment, implicating TRPC3 in the intracellular calcium (Ca2+) dyshomeostasis of BD. Thrombin, via a protease‐activated receptor, moderates Ca2+ signaling and TRPC3 in astrocytes, and also cell proliferation. We examined whether lithium pretreatment attenuates thrombin‐stimulated TRPC3 expression and function in astrocytes, and levels of the calcium‐binding peptide, S100B, which is expressed mainly in these cells.

Methods

Human astroglioma, U‐87MG, cells were pretreated with 1 mmol L−1 LiCl for 1 day (acute), 3 days (subacute), and 7 days (chronic). To examine the role of TRPC3, genetically stable knockdown TRPC3 cells (TRPC3Low cells) were constructed using U‐87MG cells. Thrombin (2.0 U/mL)‐stimulated Ca2+ mobilization was measured by ratiometric fluorimetry. Changes in TRPC3 and S100B expression levels were determined by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Cell proliferation was also measured using the WST‐8 assay.

Results

In this cell model, thrombin‐stimulated Ca2+ mobilization, and both TRPC3 and S100B expression were suppressed by chronic LiCl pretreatment and the knockdown of TRPC3. Additionally, cell proliferation was attenuated in TRPC3Low cells, compared with the negative control vector‐transfected cell.

Conclusions

The reduced Ca2+ mobilization and S100B expression levels following chronic LiCl pretreatment and in TRPC3Low cells support the notion that TRPC3 modulates S100B expression and is the target of the LiCl effect. Downregulation of TRPC3 may be an important mechanism by which lithium ameliorates pathophysiological intracellular Ca2+ disturbances as observed in BD, accounting, in part, for its mood‐stabilizing effects.