bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Classification of the Yánzhōu Dialects
Authors: Coblin W. South
Published: February 2015

The Language Atlas of China classifies the Yanzhou dialects as belonging to the Huizhou family. Cao (1996) has studied four Yanzhou dialects (i.e. Chun’an, Suian, Jiande, and Shouchang) and has expressed doubts about the Atlas classification. In the present paper we have found that Chun’an, Suian, and Jiande share common innovations and consequently should be assigned to a common family. Shouchang, on the contrary, lacks these innovations and should therefore be excluded from the grouping. In conclusion we also subscribe to Cao’s doubts regarding the common origin of the Yanzhou and Huizhou dialects.
On the Relationship of Heng 恆 and Ji 極: Evidence from Lao-Zi Texts
Authors: Yang Hsiu-fang
Published: February 2015

There are quite a number of differences between the unearthed Bamboo-Silk texts of Lao-Zi and the transmitted or received ones. in Bamboo texts, for example, is written as HENG 恆and JI 極 in Silk texts, and as 常 and 極 respectively in received versions. The fact that in the Silk texts 恆 is used as a modifier while 極 is not suggests a functional complementarity between the two. Furthermore, in reconstructed Archaic Chinese, 極 and 恆 share the same initial *g-, and their finals are in rhyme categories which are phonologically parallel and relatable to each other. 恆, which means long duration through time, and 極, which means overall spatial duration, are characterized exclusively by the core meaning of going through from a starting point to the end. Based on the evidence cited above, we propose that HENG 恆and JI 極 are derived from one and the same word family. While the Silk texts represent the period when HENG 恆and JI 極 were separately derived, the Bamboo texts represent a stage earlier than that derivation.
Study of Grammar in Temporal and Spatial Perspectives: You3 有 in the OBI, Ancient Documents and the Dialects
Authors: Yue Anne O.
Published: February 2015

A survey of the functions of the existential verb in Chinese in temporal and spatial perspectives reveals a closer typological similarity between the oracle-bone inscription language and the Southern Sinitic languages, and a grammaticalization process observable from archaic time shows the formation of a marker for ‘affirming existence’ which provides residual evidence in the Book of Odes and the Eastern Min dialects for possible language contact between a ‘to-have’ language and a ‘to-be’ language.
Words ‘exist’, ‘go’ and the continuous aspects in Lianjiang Yue dialect
Authors: Lin Huayong
Published: February 2015

Some continuous aspects are usually grammaticalized from “Prep. + Loc.” in
Chinese, so are in Lianjiang Yue dialect, west Guangdong Province. Different to
Cantonese in Guangzhou, in Lianjiang Yue dialect, there are three kinds of
continuous aspects which show action in progress, state continuance and situation
continuance, while appropriately their positions in the sentences should be at the
position of adverb, after verb phrase, and at the end of sentence. When the phrases
composed by words ‘exist (在)’ and ‘go (走)’ show the meanings of action in
progress and state continuance, they are different subtly, and only the word
‘exist’is used as a sentence particle.
of Zhi Rhyme Group Kaikou Historical Strata and Reflexes Syllables in the Wu Dialects
Authors: Pan Wuyun
Published: February 2015

Thi article uses geographical “apparen time” to study historical sound change in “real ime”. The natural process of sound change is used to determine the sequential order of the changes. Based on analysis of kaikou syllables of the zhi rhyme group from 116 Wu dialects, it is clear that the main stratum of these finals is /i/, and later developments of /i/ all take the form of lowering the F2 value of the vowel. It is shown that the process of apicalization is found in syllables with MC jing, zhuang, zhi, zhang, and jian initial groups. According to the pronunciation of these syllables, the Wu dialects can be divided into seven sub-types. This article also discusses other related phonological phenomena, such as the pronunciation of the zhi 支 rhyme, the merger with division II syllables, and the changes caused by euphemism.
A Preliminary Study of the Development of Cong Initial and Xie Initial in Northern Wu
Authors: Wang Yizhi
Published: February 2015

This paper discusses the sound change of Cong initial and Xie initial in Northern Wu dialects. It explains the irregular developments of these two initials in Northern Wu as the result of coexistent sound change. The paper is divided into the following three parts: 1. introduction; 2. the sound change of Cong initial and Xie initial in Northern Wu; 3. the results of coexistent sound change.
Phonetic and Phonological Features of Hangzhou Dialect
Authors: You Rujie
Published: February 2015

In this paper we summarize and analyze the phonetic and phonological features of the Hangzhou dialect, and identify 11 features that derive from ancient Mandarin. The author argues that both ancient Wu dialects and Mandarin Chinese strata can be found in the Hangzhou Dialect, which is a creole created in the Southern Song Dynasty. The Hangzhou Dialect is therefore of great significance in the study of the history of Mandarin Chinese and its creoles.
The Phonological Characteristics of Northern Chinese of the Jin Dynasty
Authors: Shen Zhongwei
Published: February 2015

This article analyzes the phonological characteristics of modern northern Mandarin that can be retrieved from Chinese loanwords written in the Jurchen script. The Jurchen materials used are basically the steles of the Jin dynasty. In the analyses an internal contrastive method is used to determine phonological categories to avoid circular arguments in dealing with the transcriptions between two unknown languages. The results of our analyses demonstrate that the limited Chinese loanwords in the Jurchen language actually contain critical information about the Chinese phonology of the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). The analyses of ten phonological characteristics show that Jin Chinese is clearly related to modern northern Mandarin as represented by the Beijing dialect. The phonological characteristics of Jin Chinese provide an important piece of information about the history of Mandarin before the Zhongyuan Yinyun 中原音韻 of 1324, which is commonly perceived as the earliest evidence of Mandarin phonology.
Phonological Features of Yuan Colloquial Chinese as Seen in Rashid al-Din's History of China
Authors: Shen Zhongwei
Published: February 2015

Rashid al-Din (1247-1318)'s History of China, written in Persian, contains the names of the dynasties, and of kings and emperors, from prehistoric legends up to the Yuan dynasty. The phonetic transcription of these proper names is an important piece of information for us to understand the Chinese phonology of the Yuan dynasty. in order to correctly understand the phonological features of old Mandarin the possible phonological contrasts that can be represented in the Persian script are examined. it is shown that the Persian transcriptions did not create new letters for Chinese sounds. Thus all the phonological categories of Chinese are only represented by the available Persian letters. After analyzing these transcriptions, this article shows that although many phonological distinctions of old Mandarin are not very well represented in this material, there are enough phonological features to identify the underlying phonological system, which is unambiguously Mandarin.
The Rime System of Proto-Tai
Authors: Ostapirat Weera
Published: February 2015

In this paper, I propose a new system of Proto-Tai (PT) rimes. The system features six simple vowels and three diphthongs, with length contrast. Li’s PT has nine simple vowels, forty-three dipthongs, and seven triphthongs. A velarized feature is reconstructed for several correspondences that show diphthongs in the Northern Tai (NT) branch but simple vowels in the Southern Tai (ST) branch, as well as for the difference between the NT higher vowel reflexes and ST lower vowel reflexes. A labialized feature occurs in some rimes and causes certain unrounded vowels to become rounded. Eleven endings are reconstructed, including PT *-l and *-c, which are not recognized in Li’s system.
Incorrect Arrangement of the Bamboo Tablets in the Shangshu: A Falsifiable Hypothesis?
Authors: Takashima Ken-ichi
Published: February 2015

The problem of cuojian 錯簡 “incorrect ordering of bamboo tablets” is not a new scholarly issue in the field of studies involving jiandu 簡牘 (writings on bamboo tablets). As early as Song times (960-1279), scholars began to notice that the received version of the Shangshu 尚書 was suspected to have had the problem of omitting or missing some characters in the bamboo tablets, referred to as tuojian 脫簡 in the Kanggao 康誥 chapter of the Shangshu. In Qing times (1644-1911) a counter-view was presented; namely, the song tuojian hypothesis in the Kanggao chapter was not really correct, but it was how the text was arranged that led to some discontinuity in the beginning portion of the said chapter.

This paper provides two specific examples of what may have been the result of a cuojian in the Yaodian 堯典 chapter. It investigates such a possibility in terms of (A) context, (B) lexical features, (C) syntax and semantics, and (D) colometry or isocolometry.
Verb-Object Relationships and Transitivity in Pre-Qin Chinese
Authors: Jiang Shaoyu
Published: February 2015

This paper examines the behavior of 16 transitive verbs, belonging to four different categories, in ten pre-Qin texts. The study reveals that in cases where no object is present, this is not arbitrary. Rather, there are clear restrictions on the non-occurrence of objects, which can be correlated with eight distinct situations. These can be accounted for in terms of the ten parameters proposed by Paul J. Hopper and Sandra A. Thompson in "Transitivity in grammar and discourse" (1980). In addition, the paper discusses the behavior of transitive verbs in the Dunhuang bianwen and concludes that the situation we observe in these later writings is rather different from what we find in the pre-Qin language.
The Historical Development of "V-guo-lai/qu"
Authors: Wei Pei-Chuan
Published: February 2015

This paper investigates the following issues related to the verb-directional structure "V-guo-lai/qu": 1. The origin and development of the "V-guo-lai/qu" structure; 2. The semantic development of guo from "going through" to the horizontal displacement between two points, and the role of this development in the semantic evolution of "guo-lai/qu" and "V-guo-lai/qu"; 3. The differences and similarities between "V-guo-lai/qu" and "V-jiang-lai/qu", and the relative growth and decline of these two forms.
Verb Agreement in Gexi Horpa
Authors: Sun Jackson T.-S. , Tian Qianzi
Published: February 2015

The Rgyalrongic languages (Qiangic branch, Sino-Tibetan family) are prime examples of a split verb agreement system grounded in the pragmatic salience of speech act participants. However, the Horpa language in this group presents a hybrid system involving a more intricate interplay of functional and syntactic factors, despite having less elaborate morphological material than some related languages. Many fundamental issues of Horpa verb agreement remain to be adequately explored, despite preliminary descriptions in the literature. This paper provides a new study of verb agreement in the Gexi variety of Horpa based on first-hand fieldwork data. Compared with Shangzhai Horpa of Rangtang County, Gexi displays many points of difference in its agreement system, including reduplication as a number-marking device, and functionally differentiated special and general sets of person-marking suffixes, the former restricted to transitive singular actants. Gexi verb agreement is undergoing typological transition from pragmatics-driven split agreement to syntax-driven subject agreement, as part of a global morpho-syntactic shift from a head-marking to a dependent-marking grammatical type. The conversion, possibly catalyzed by contact influences from Tibetan, is still ongoing with traces of the original system preserved in the form of alternating patterns. The phenomena under analysis constitute an intermediate stage in the evolution of Qiangic verbal agreement typology between the conservative Rgyalrong, Lavrung, and Shangzhai Horpa split-agreement type and the innovative subject-agreement type observed in Qiang and Prinmi.
Typification of the name Salicornia deserticola (Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae)
Authors: Piirainen Mikko
Published: February 2015

In connection with my account of Salicornioideae Ulbrich (1934: 449, 543) for the Euro+Med Plantbase (Piirainen 2009), I had to make a decision on the identity of Salicornia deserticola Chevalier (1934: 804), a species described from inland north Algeria near Touggourt. According to Chevalier (1934), it differs from the woody perennial “S. arabica L.” [a misapplied name for S. fruticosa (Linnaeus 1753: 3) Linnaeus (1762: 5)] mainly by its biennial life form and more slender stems, while it comes closer to the annual species of Salicornia Linnaeus (1753: 3).
A new species of the genus Pygophora Schiner from Laos (Diptera: Muscidae)
Authors: YOSHIZAWA SATOSHI , TACHI TAKUJI , PRAXAYSONBATH BOUNTHOB , SUZUKI DAI
Published: February 2015

Two species of the genus Pygophora Schiner are recognized from Laos. This is the first time the genus is recorded to the country. A new species, Pygophora laoensis sp. nov., is described and P. immaculipennis Frey is newly recorded. Male and female terminalia of both species are illustrated.
Description of the egg and immature stages of Martarega lofoides Padilla-Gil, 2010 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Notonectidae)
Authors: PADILLA-GIL DORA N.
Published: February 2015

The egg and five nymphal stages, of the Neotropical species Martarega lofoides are described and illustrated for the first time. The immature stages are very similar, differing mainly in the body length, width of the body, head and pronotum, degree of wing pads development, synthlipsis width, and pattern of setae on the ventral abdomen. Adults and nymphs used in this study were collected from the Caunapi River in the Pacific region of southwestern Colombia.
Trajectory Analysis of the Mechanism for Westward Propagation of Rossby Waves
Authors: Schneider Edwin K.
Published: February 2015

An analysis of Rossby wave dynamics in two and three dimensions is carried from the point of view of a reference frame propagating with the zonal phase speed of the wave. Since trajectories and streamlines coincide in this reference frame, the mechanism for (westward) propagation of free waves has a different interpretation than in a reference frame fixed to the ground. In the wave reference frame, propagating free-wave solutions are possible only when parcels approach from the west. When parcels approach from the east, potential vorticity cannot be conserved along trajectories.
Resistance is Futile: Cognitive dissonance, temporal refusal, and the e-learning environment as cyborg
Authors: Rose Lydia
Published: February 2015

This study uses interpretive sociological methods to explore parallels between fictional accounts of cyborgs and educational technology-based practices currently present in some e-learning environments. Specifically, the cyborg in fictional accounts ( Star Trek and Doctor Who) and the cyborg in academic accounts (Donna Haraway’s A Cyborg Manifesto) are used to frame an analysis of the potential of regarding e-learners as cyborgs. Two social scientific concepts are revisited in this analysis: cognitive dissonance (social psychology) and temporal refusal (critical sociology). These conceptual lenses reveal that the various modes of operating in the online classroom have assimilating tendencies threatening to draw us into a mass social delusion. Considering the science fiction trope, “Resistance is Futile”, the author proposes that the promotion of “best practices” sublimates us into the domination of a particular educational philosophy. Recognizing this type of oppression provides space for temporal refusal – withdrawing from the potentially assimilating “Borg” when it threatens to be disadvantageous to education. Her conclusions lead the author to suggest the need for a critical reflexivity in teachers to identify and take advantage of opportunities to resist the absorption of distinctiveness in the online educational environment.
A procedure for eliminating sulfide interference on silica colorimetric analysis
Authors: Berro Fernando , Lelli Matteo , Minardi Ilaria , Virgili Giorgio
Published: February 2015

Two different approaches were tested in this study to suppress sulfide interference in the silicomolybdate method of silica determination, namely: oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur; and conversion of the sulfide species to H2S and stripping by air bubbling. Based on the results obtained the latter approach is deemed to represent the better and quicker option to eliminate sulfide interference in silica colorimetric analysis.
Cost‐effectiveness of steroid (methylprednisolone) injections versus anaesthetic alone for the treatment of Morton's neuroma: economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial (MortISE trial)
Authors: Edwards Rhiannon Tudor , Yeo Seow Tien , Russell Daphne , Thomson Colin E , Beggs Ian , Gibson J N Alastair , McMillan Diane , Martin Denis J , Russell Ian T
Published: February 2015

Background

Morton's neuroma is a common foot condition affecting health‐related quality of life. Though its management frequently includes steroid injections, evidence of cost‐effectiveness is sparse. So, we aimed to evaluate whether steroid injection is cost‐effective in treating Morton's neuroma compared with anaesthetic injection alone.

Methods

We undertook incremental cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility analyses from the perspective of the National Health Service, alongside a patient‐blinded pragmatic randomised trial in hospital‐based orthopaedic outpatient clinics in Edinburgh, UK. Of the original randomised sample of 131 participants with Morton's neuroma (including 67 controls), economic analysis focused on 109 (including 55 controls). Both groups received injections guided by ultrasound. We estimated the incremental cost per point improvement in the area under the curve of the Foot Health Thermometer (FHT‐AUC) until three months after injection. We also conducted cost‐utility analyses using European Quality of life‐5 Dimensions–3 Levels (EQ‐5D‐3L), enhanced by the Foot Health Thermometer (FHT), to estimate utility and thus quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs).

Results

The unit cost of an ultrasound‐guided steroid injection was £149. Over the three months of follow‐up, the mean cost of National Health Service resources was £280 for intervention participants and £202 for control participants – a difference of £79 [bootstrapped 95% confidence interval (CI): £18 to £152]. The corresponding estimated incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was £32 per point improvement in the FHT‐AUC (bootstrapped 95% CI: £7 to £100). If decision makers value improvement of one point at £100 (the upper limit of this CI), there is 97.5% probability that steroid injection is cost‐effective. As EQ‐5D‐3L seems unresponsive to changes in foot health, we based secondary cost‐utility analysis on the FHT‐enhanced EQ‐5D. This estimated the corresponding incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio as £6,400 per QALY. Over the recommended UK threshold, ranging from £20,000 to £30,000 per QALY, there is 80%‐85% probability that steroid injection is cost‐effective.

Conclusions

Steroid injections are effective and cost‐effective in relieving foot pain measured by the FHT for three months. However, cost‐utility analysis was initially inconclusive because the EQ‐5D‐3L is less responsive than the FHT to changes in foot health. By using the FHT to enhance the EQ‐5D, we inferred that injections yield good value in cost per QALY.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN13668166
In silico discovery and validation of potent small-molecule inhibitors targeting the activation function 2 site of human oestrogen receptor α
Authors: Singh Kriti , Munuganti Ravi Shashi Nayana , Leblanc Eric , Lin Yu Lun , Leung Euphemia , Lallous Nada , Butler Miriam , Cherkasov Artem , Rennie Paul S
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Current approaches to inhibit oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) are focused on targeting its hormone-binding pocket and have limitations. Thus, we propose that inhibitors that bind to a coactivator-binding pocket on ERα, called activation function 2 (AF2), might overcome some of these limitations.

Methods

In silico virtual screening was used to identify small-molecule ERα AF2 inhibitors. These compounds were screened for inhibition of ERα transcriptional activity using stably transfected T47D-KBluc cell line. A direct physical interaction between the AF2 binders and the ERα protein was measured using biolayer interferometry (BLI) and an ERα coactivator displacement assay. Cell viability was assessed by MTS assay in ERα-positive MCF7 cells, tamoxifen-resistant (TamR) cell lines TamR3 and TamR6, and ERα-negative MDA-MB-453 and HeLa cell lines. In addition, ERα inhibition in TamR cells and the effect of compounds on mRNA and protein expression of oestrogen-dependent genes, pS2, cathepsin D and cell division cycle 2 (CDC2) were determined.

Results

Fifteen inhibitors from two chemical classes, derivatives of pyrazolidine-3,5-dione and carbohydrazide, were identified. In a series of in vitro assays, VPC-16230 of the carbohydrazide chemical class emerged as a lead ERα AF2 inhibitor that significantly downregulated ERα transcriptional activity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration = 5.81 μM). By directly binding to the ERα protein, as confirmed by BLI, VPC-16230 effectively displaced coactivator peptides from the AF2 pocket, confirming its site-specific action. VPC-16230 selectively suppressed the growth of ERα-positive breast cancer cells. Furthermore, it significantly inhibited ERα mediated transcription in TamR cells. More importantly, it reduced mRNA and protein levels of pS2, cathepsin D and CDC2, validating its ER-directed activity.

Conclusion

We identified VPC-16230 as an ERα AF2-specific inhibitor that demonstrated promising antiproliferative effects in breast cancer cell lines, including TamR cells. VPC-16230 reduced the expression of ERα-inducible genes, including CDC2, which is involved in cell division. We anticipate that the application of ERα AF2 inhibitors will provide a novel approach that can act as a complementary therapeutic to treat ERα-positive, tamoxifen-resistant and metastatic breast cancers.
Combined histone deacetylase inhibition and tamoxifen induces apoptosis in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer models, by reversing Bcl-2 overexpression
Authors: Raha Paromita , Thomas Scott , Thurn K Ted , Park Jeenah , Munster Pamela N
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The emergence of hormone therapy resistance, despite continued expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), is a major challenge to curing breast cancer. Recent clinical studies suggest that epigenetic modulation by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors reverses hormone therapy resistance. However, little is known about epigenetic modulation of the ER during acquired hormone resistance. Our recent phase II study demonstrated that HDAC inhibitors re-sensitize hormone therapy-resistant tumors to the anti-estrogen tamoxifen. In this study, we sought to understand the mechanism behind the efficacy of this combination.

Methods

We generated cell lines resistant to tamoxifen, named TAMRM and TAMRT, by continuous exposure of ER-positive MCF7 and T47D cells, respectively to 4-hydroxy tamoxifen for over 12 months. HDAC inhibition, along with pharmacological and genetic manipulation of key survival pathways, including ER and Bcl-2, were used to characterize these resistant models.

Results

The TAMRM cells displayed decreased sensitivity to tamoxifen, fulvestrant and estrogen deprivation. Consistent with previous models, ER expression was retained and the gene harbored no mutations. Compared to parental MCF7 cells, ER expression in TAMRM was elevated, while progesterone receptor (PGR) was lost. Sensitivity of ER to ligands was greatly reduced and classic ER response genes were suppressed. This model conveyed tamoxifen resistance through transcriptional upregulation of Bcl-2 and c-Myc, and downregulation of the cell cycle checkpoint protein p21, manifesting in accelerated growth and reduced cell death. Similar to TAMRM cells, the TAMRT cell line exhibited substantially decreased tamoxifen sensitivity, increased ER and Bcl-2 expression and significantly reduced PGR expression. Treatment with HDAC inhibitors reversed the altered transcriptional events and reestablished the sensitivity of the ER to tamoxifen resulting in substantial Bcl-2 downregulation, growth arrest and apoptosis. Selective inhibition of Bcl-2 mirrored these effects in presence of an HDAC inhibitor.

Conclusions

Our model implicates elevated ER and Bcl-2 as key drivers of anti-estrogen resistance, which can be reversed by epigenetic modulation through HDAC inhibition.
Genetic depletion and pharmacological targeting of αv integrin in breast cancer cells impairs metastasis in zebrafish and mouse xenograft models
Authors: Li Yihao , Drabsch Yvette , Pujuguet Philippe , Ren Jiang , van Laar Theo , Zhang Long , van Dam Hans , Clément-Lacroix Philippe , ten Dijke Peter
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Increased expression of αv integrins is frequently associated with tumor cell adhesion, migration, invasion and metastasis, and correlates with poor prognosis in breast cancer. However, the mechanism by which αv integrins can enhance breast cancer progression is still largely unclear. The effects of therapeutic targeting of αv integrins in breast cancer also have yet to be investigated.

Methods

We knocked down αv integrin in MDA-MB-231 and MCF10A-M4 breast cancer cells, or treated these cells with the αv antagonist GLPG0187. The effects of αv integrin depletion on mesenchymal markers, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling and TGF-β-induced target gene expression were analyzed in MDA-MB-231 cells by RNA analysis or Western blotting. The function of αv integrin on breast cancer cell migration was investigated by transwell assay in vitro, and its effect on breast cancer progression was assessed by both zebrafish and mouse xenografts in vivo. In the mouse model, GLPG0187 was administered separately, or in combination with the standard-of-care anti-resorptive agent zoledronate and the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel, to study the effects of combinational treatments on breast cancer metastasis.

Results

Genetic interference and pharmacological targeting of αv integrin with GLPG0187 in different breast cancer cell lines inhibited invasion and metastasis in the zebrafish or mouse xenograft model. Depletion of αv integrin in MDA-MB-231 cells inhibited the expression of mesenchymal markers and the TGF-β/Smad response. TGF-β induced αv integrin mRNA expression and αv integrin was required for TGF-β-induced breast cancer cell migration. Moreover, treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with non-peptide RGD antagonist GLPG0187 decreased TGF-β signaling. In the mouse xenografts GLPG0187 inhibited the progression of bone metastasis. Maximum efficacy of inhibition of bone metastasis was achieved when GLPG0187 was combined with the standard-of-care metastatic breast cancer treatments.

Conclusion

These findings show that αv integrin is required for efficient TGF-β/Smad signaling and TGF-β-induced breast cancer cell migration, and for maintaining a mesenchymal phenotype of the breast cancer cells. Our results also provide evidence that targeting αv integrin could be an effective therapeutic approach for treatment of breast cancer tumors and/or metastases that overexpress αv integrin.
Increased 30-day and 1-year mortality rates and lower coronary revascularisation rates following acute myocardial infarction in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease
Authors: Van Doornum Sharon , Bohensky Megan , Tacey Mark A , Brand Caroline A , Sundararajan Vijaya , Wicks Ian P
Published: February 2015

Introduction

It is now well-recognised that patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) have a predisposition to cardiovascular disease that results in increased morbidity and mortality. Following myocardial infarction (MI), patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been shown to have an increased case fatality rate; however, this has not been demonstrated in other forms of AIRD. The aim of this study was to compare case fatality rates following a first MI in patients with AIRD versus the general population. The secondary aim was to compare revascularisation treatment following MI in patients with AIRD versus the general population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study using two population-based linked databases was undertaken. Cases of first MI from July 2001 to June 2007 were identified based on International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification, codes. Thirty-day and one-year mortality rates were calculated (all-cause and cardiovascular causes of death). Logistic regression models were fitted to calculate the odds of mortality by AIRD status with adjustment for relevant characteristics.

Results

There were 79,390 individuals with a first MI, of whom 1,409 (1.8%) had AIRD. After adjusting for relevant covariates, the odds ratio (OR) for 30-day cardiovascular mortality in patients with AIRD was 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25 to 1.66), and the OR for 12-month cardiovascular mortality was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.51 to 1.94). The 90-day adjusted odds of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft were significantly lower in the AIRD group compared with controls (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70 to 0.94, and OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.69, respectively).

Conclusions

We identified a higher risk-adjusted mortality rate for the majority of patients with AIRD at 30 days and 12 months after first MI. We also identified lower post-MI revascularisation rates in the AIRD group, suggesting there may be current gaps in cardiovascular treatment for patients with AIRD.
Kisspeptin Is a Component of the Pulse Generator for GnRH Secretion in Female Sheep But Not THE Pulse Generator
Authors: Ezzat Ahmed , Pereira Alda , Clarke Iain J.
Published: February 2015

We tested the hypothesis that kisspeptin cells constitute the “pulse generator” for GnRH secretion. In ewes, we determined whether iv administered kisspeptin elicits a secretory pulse of LH in anaesthetized, sex-steroid suppressed ovariectomized ewes. A response was seen in both anaesthetized and conscious animals, which was not associated with induction of c-Fos labeling in GnRH cells, supporting the notion that kisspeptin acts on the neurosecretory GnRH terminals. Response was lower in the anaesthetized animals, suggesting that some nonkisspeptin elements may be involved in GnRH responses. Microinjection of kisspeptin (100 nmol) into the median eminence of conscious ewes elicited a pulse of LH, indicating that kisspeptin acts at this level to cause GnRH secretion. To determine which cells are activated at the time of GnRH secretion, we blood sampled 18 ewes during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle and harvested brains after 3 hours. Three of these ewes displayed a pulse of LH within 30 minutes of euthanasia. An increase in c-Fos labeling was seen in kisspeptin and glutamate cells of the arcuate nucleus but not in GnRH neurons, preoptic kisspeptin neurons, or preoptic glutamate neurons. Immunohistochemistry in 4 hypothalami showed that 72% of arcuate kisspeptin cells receive glutamatergic input. These data support the concept that the kisspeptin cells of the arcuate nucleus drive pulsatile secretion of GnRH at the level of the median eminence, but this may involve “upstream” input from glutamate cells. We conclude that the pulse generator for GnRH secretion involves more than 1 element.
Geoprocessing via Google Maps for Assessing Obesogenic Built Environments Related to Physical Activity and Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases: Validity and Reliability
Authors: Silva Valter , Grande Antonio , Rech Cassiano , Peccin Maria
Published: February 2015

This study analyzes the reliability and validity of obesogenic built environments related to physical activity and chronic noncommunicable diseases through Google Maps in a heterogeneous urban area (i.e., residential and commercial, very poor and very rich) in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. There are no important differences when comparing virtual measures with street audit. Based on Kappa statistic, respectively for validity and reliability, 78% and 80% of outcomes were classified as nearly perfect agreement or substantial agreement. Virtual measures of geoprocessing via Google Maps provided high validity and reliability for assessing built environments.
Theoretical modelling of epigenetically modified DNA sequences
Authors: Carvalho Alexandra Teresa Pires , Gouveia Maria Leonor , Raju Kanna Charan , Wärmländer Sebastian K. T. S. , Platts Jamie , Kamerlin Shina Caroline Lynn
Published: February 2015

We report herein a set of calculations designed to examine the effects of epigenetic modifications on the structure of DNA. The incorporation of methyl, hydroxymethyl, formyl and carboxy substituents at the 5-position of cytosine is shown to hardly affect the geometry of CG base pairs, but to result in rather larger changes to hydrogen-bond and stacking binding energies, as predicted by dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT) methods. The same modifications within double-stranded GCG and ACA trimers exhibit rather larger structural effects, when including the sugar-phosphate backbone as well as sodium counterions and implicit aqueous solvation. In particular, changes are observed in the buckle and propeller angles within base pairs and the slide and roll values of base pair steps, but these leave the overall helical shape of DNA essentially intact. The structures so obtained are useful as a benchmark of faster methods, including molecular mechanics (MM) and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods. We show that previously developed MM parameters satisfactorily reproduce the trimer structures, as do QM/MM calculations which treat bases with dispersion-corrected DFT and the sugar-phosphate backbone with AMBER. The latter are improved by inclusion of all six bases in the QM region, since a truncated model including only the central CG base pair in the QM region is considerably further from the DFT structure. This QM/MM method is then applied to a set of double-stranded DNA heptamers derived from a recent X-ray crystallographic study, whose size puts a DFT study beyond our current computational resources. These data show that still larger structural changes are observed than in base pairs or trimers, leading us to conclude that it is important to model epigenetic modifications within realistic molecular contexts.
SELECTION OF OPTIMAL RUN ON SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING PROCESS STEPS
Authors: Лемешкин  , Lemeshkin A. , Акамсина  , Akamsina N. , Сербулов  , Serbulov Yuriy
Published: February 2015

The problem of choosing the optimal product launches semiconductor manufacturing based on dynamic programming method
OPTIMIZATION OF FUNCTIONS OF SEVERAL VARIABLES IN THE COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
Authors: Пиляев  , Pilyaev S. , Афоничев  , Afonichev Dmitriy , Аксенов  , Aksenov I.
Published: February 2015

The solution of the problem of optimizing the functions of several re-variables in the form of a second-order polynomial in CAD in the absence of reference points. The analytical dependence and algorithm which allows to find the optimal parameters of the systems and processes in CAD, and can be used in the practice of design work.
SOLIDS FOUNDATIONS OF PROBLEM OF GENERAL ASTRONOMY
Authors: Котов  , Kotov P.
Published: February 2015

A variant is considered of mathematical model of problem of two bodies – objects meeting in homogenous astronomical space of measurable dimension and constructive dynamic models are offered with fixed elements of coefficient system as well as a result positions of research of dynamic state stability.
DEVELOPMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC ALGORITHM LEAKS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM STOCHASTIC CONSUMPTION IN THE GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM
Authors: Сазонова  , Sazonova Svetlana , Акамсина  , Akamsina N. , Курипта  , Kuripta Oksana
Published: February 2015

The article considers the problem of detecting a single formalization of natural gas leaks in the system. The paper is devoted to the statistical synthesis with a priori uncertainty and adaptation of information systems technical diagnostics of gas supply systems.
TESTING OF TWO ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESES FOR THE INFORMATION SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS LEAKAGE OF GAS SUPPLY SYSTEMS
Authors: Сазонова  , Sazonova Svetlana , Сербулов  , Serbulov Yuriy , Курипта  , Kuripta Oksana
Published: February 2015

The article deals with the application of mathematical statistics at check two alternative hypotheses for solving the problem of leakage diagnostics for gas supply systems. The hypothesis is used to confirm the existence of a single leakage
TECHNIQUE OF APPLICATION FOR PROCESSING OF LOW PASS FILTER LF SIGNALS
Authors: Табаков  , Tabakov Yu. , Лавлинский  , Lavlinskiy V.
Published: February 2015

The article includes a block diagram and the mathematical model for low pass filter designed for processing low frequency signal with a frequency of 10-40 Hz in order of eliminate various noises and interference.
ANALYSIS OF THE LF SIGNALS FROM SENSORS ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM IN ORDER TO FORM CONTROL SIGNALS FOR INTELLECTUAL SIMULATOR RECOVERY MUSCULOSKELETAL OF SKILLS
Authors: Буров  , Burov R. , Табаков  , Tabakov Yu. , Лавлинский  , Lavlinskiy V. , Бибиков  , Bibikov D.
Published: February 2015

The article presents the results of the analysis of low-frequency signals and generating control signals processed by the wavelet transform algorithms and software filters.
Turnover or Turnaway? Competing Risks Analysis of Male and Female IT Professionals’ Job Mobility and Relative Pay Gap
Authors: Joseph Damien , Ang Soon , Slaughter Sandra A.
Published: February 2015

This study draws on distributive justice, human capital, and stigmatization theories to hypothesize relationships between relative pay gap and patterns of job mobility. Our study also expands the criterion space of job mobility by contrasting different job destinations when information technology (IT) professionals make job moves. We examine three job moves: (a) turnover to another IT job in a different firm, (b) turnaway-within to a non-IT job, and (c) turnaway-between to a different firm and a non-IT job. We analyze work histories spanning 28 years for 359 IT professionals drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. We report three major findings. First, as hypothesized, larger relative pay gaps significantly increase the likelihood of job mobility. Second, IT males and IT females have different job mobility patterns. IT males are more likely to turn over than turn away-between when faced with a relative pay gap. Further, and contrary to predictions from human capital theory, IT males are more likely to turn away-within than turn over. This surprising finding suggests that the ubiquitous use of IT in other business functions may have increased the value of IT skills for non-IT jobs and reduced the friction of moving from IT to other non-IT positions. Third, and consistent with stigmatization arguments, IT females are more likely to turn away from IT than to turn over when faced with a relative pay gap. In fact, to reduce relative pay gaps, IT females tend to take on lower-status jobs that pay less than their IT jobs. We conclude this study with important theoretical, practical, and policy implications.
Retreat/no retreat
Authors: Dockx Nico
Published: February 2015

Postcard project reflecting on the possibility of retreating and communicating to the outside world from Banff, Canada.
In praise of discrepancy? Art and ideology revisited
Authors: Bosteels Bruno
Published: February 2015

This article traces a brief genealogy of the move from totality to discrepancy as a major shift in the understanding of ideology and its critique as it supposedly takes place in art. Drawing on the work of Jorge Luis Borges, a model is developed for the study of 'theoretical ideology', as distinct both from the 'political ideology' of the author and from the 'aesthetic ideology' of his work. Borges's texts on the paradox of Achilles and the tortoise, in particular, are read as signposts on the path that leads from Lukács to Adorno and from Sartre to Lacan or Miller.
Fuzzy-EKF Controller for Intelligent Wheelchair Navigation
Authors: Njah Malek , Jallouli Mohamed
Published: February 2015

The electric wheelchair gives more autonomy and facilitates movement for handicapped persons in the home or in a hospital. Among the problems faced by these persons are collision with obstacles, the doorway, the navigation in a hallway, and reaching the desired place. These problems are due to the difficult manipulation of an electric wheelchair, especially for persons with severe disabilities. Hence, we tried to add more functionality to the standard wheelchair in order to increase movement range, security, environment access, and comfort. In this context, we have developed an automatic control method for indoor navigation. The proposed control system is mounted on the electric wheelchair for the handicapped, developed in the research laboratory CEMLab (Control and Energy Management Laboratory-Tunisia). The proposed method is based on two fuzzy controllers that ensure target achievement and obstacle avoidance. Furthermore, an extended Kalman filter was used to provide precise measurements and more effective data fusion localization. In this paper, we present the simulation and experimental results of the wheelchair navigation system.
Excitation of Plasmons with X-rays
Authors: Alexopoulos Kessar D.
Published: February 2015

A short review is given of plasma phenomena produced in solids by impinging X-rays. The first category refers to bulk plamons due to X-ray photons scattered on solids. They are observed through the appearance of a new component in the spectrum of the scattered radiation. The energy shift increases slightly with scattering angle but eventually the dispersion stops. A second category of phenomena consists in the light emitted by decaying surface plasmons. They are excited by photoelectrons produced in colloidal materials by X-rays. The spectrum shifts with the dielectric constant of the stabilizing medium.
An Absolute Atomic Scattering Factor for Germanium Obtained by Anomalous Transmission in a Bicrystal
Authors: Baker J. F. C. , Hart M. , Helliar J.
Published: February 2015

Using the newly developed method of dynamical interference between anomalously transmitted waves in a crystal containing a non-diffracting zone1 , we have measured the real part of the atomic scattering factor for germanium at the value of sin θ/λ corresponding to the 220 Bragg reflection. The result, f0 = 23.79 ± 0.08 electron units is in excellent agreement with values obtained in perfect crystal intensity measurements 2,3 and from triple crystal rocking curve studies 4,5 but significantly differs from the value obtained using Pendellösung fringes 3. Finally, we seek to assess the reliability of each method by comparison with the corresponding results for silicon, concluding that the error probably lies in the Pendellösung result.
The Borrmann Effect in Few-beam Electron Diffraction Patterns:
Authors: Goodman P.
Published: February 2015

A description is given of the Borrmann effect associated with a 3- and 4-beam interaction, as observed in the zero beam distribution of a Kossel-Möllenstedt electron diffraction pattern. In the 3-beam interaction which is studied in detail, the contribution to the intensity asymmetry is characterised by the order of the Born process. Considering the inversion symmetry about the central intersection, even order terms contribute an absorption effect, independent of the phase of the structure amplitude, while odd order terms contribute a structure dependen term which to the first order is independent of absorption. Considering the asymmetry across the weak line and parallel to the strong line, the absorption contributes an asymmetry which inverts with the sign of the structure amplitude. This latter property of the Borrmann effect has possible applications in structure analysis.
6-Beam Borrmann Diffraction
Authors: Huang T. C. , Tillinger M. H. , Post Ben
Published: February 2015

Linear absorption coefficients and transmitted intensities have been calculated for all twelve modes of propagation in one case of 6-beam diffraction of x-rays through germanium. At the 6-beam point the absorption coefficients of four of the modes are less than 1 cm-1, using CuKα1 radiation, compared with the “normal” value of 352 cm-1; one third of the energy incident on the crystal at the exact 6-beam angle is allocated to these low absorption modes.
Dislocation-free Silver Single Crystals Grown by the Czochralski Method
Authors: Tanner B. K.
Published: February 2015

Single crystals of pure silver have been grown by the Czochralski technique and Borrmann X-ray topography has been used to study the perfection of the as-grown crystals. Conditions have been found under which dislocation-free growth takes place and crystals of about 1 cm length and 1 mm diameter have been grown free from dislocations.
Notizen: Triplet Quenching by Oxygen in a Rhodamine 6G Laser
Authors: Schäfer F. P. , Ringwelski L.
Published: February 2015

Measurements of dye laser output power vs. oxygen content of the dye solution are reported and compared with a simple theoretical model. The triplet lifetime of rhodamine 6G in oxygen-free methanol at room temperature is seen to lie between 1 and 100 μsec, with 2 μsec giving the best fit of the experimental data.
Notizen: Dissociative Excitation and Ionization Excitation in N2O with Synchrotron Radiation
Authors: Sroka W. , Zietz R.
Published: February 2015

The formation of N2O+ (Ã 2 Σ+) from N2O by photons is strongly influenced by the Rydberg states 3pπ and 4pπ converging to Ĉ 2 Σ+.N (3s 4P) can be formed by partial photo dissociation of N2O only together with metastable NO.
Notizen: The Role of Starting Voltage in the Kinetics of Decomposition of Ammonia under Electric Discharge
Authors: Rao T. S. , Gadre S. R. , Patil H. A.
Published: February 2015

The decomposition of ammonia by second order kinetics in a wire to cylinder type electric discharge has been studied at different initial pressures in the range of 50 - 200 mm Hg at various applied voltages and various discharge currents. Even though the initial pressures are different, yet, in every case the application of the same multiple of the respective starting voltage ensures that the decomposition occurs with the same specific rate.
Formal and Approximate Evaluations of a Number of Collision Integrals for Diatomic Molecules
Authors: Moraal H.
Published: February 2015

Expressions which are exact in the distorted wave Born approximation are derived for a number of kinetic theory collision cross sections, viz.

This is done for a number of nonspherical potentials, namely for single-P1 , single-P2, dipole-dipole, dipolequadrupole and quadrupole-quadrupole interactions. A number of additional approximations is used to obtain approximate relations between some of these cross sections and to derive a approximate law of corresponding states. A simple model is described which makes the approximate evaluation of collision cross sections for multipole-multipole interactions very straightforward.
The Viscomagnetic Effect in Mixtures
Authors: Burgmans A. L. J. , Ditzhuyzen P. G. van , Knaap H. F. P.
Published: February 2015

A study is presented of the viscomagnetic effect in binar mixtures consisting of diatomics and noble gas atoms. The following systems have been investigated: HD -He, HD -Ne, HD-Ar and N2 -He, N2-Ne, N2-Ar. The purpose of this research is to obtain effective cross sections for the relatively simple interaction between monatomic and diatomic molecules. Various effective cross sections are presented.