bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new meshless local B-spline basis functions-FD method for two-dimensional heat conduction problems
Authors: Hidayat Mas Irfan Purbawanto , Ariwahjoedi Bambang , Parman Setyamartana
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach of meshless local B-spline based finite difference (FD) method for solving two dimensional transient heat conduction problems.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the present method, any governing equations are discretized by B-spline approximation which is implemented in the spirit of FD technique using a local B-spline collocation scheme. The key aspect of the method is that any derivative is stated as neighbouring nodal values based on B-spline interpolants. The set of neighbouring nodes are allowed to be randomly distributed thus enhanced flexibility in the numerical simulation can be obtained. The method requires no mesh connectivity at all for either field variable approximation or integration. Time integration is performed by using the Crank-Nicolson implicit time stepping technique.

Findings

– Several heat conduction problems in complex domains which represent for extended surfaces in industrial applications are examined to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present approach. Comparison of the obtained results with solutions from other numerical method available in literature is given. Excellent agreement with reference numerical method has been found.

Research limitations/implications

– The method is presented for 2D problems. Nevertheless, it would be also applicable for 3D problems.

Practical implications

– A transient two dimensional heat conduction in complex domains which represent for extended surfaces in industrial applications is presented.

Originality/value

– The presented new meshless local method is simple and accurate, while it is also suitable for analysis in domains of arbitrary geometries.
Endogenous categorization and group inequality
Authors: Alexandre Michel
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of categorization endogeneity (CE), meant as the influence of endogenous elements (e.g. behavioral traits) in group categorization, in the persistence of group inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author integrates economic and sociological elements in a dynamic model of human capital accumulation by phenotypically distinct individuals. Both kinds of elements are influenced by the degree of CE.

Findings

– Effect of CE in the incentive of members of dominated groups to accumulate human capital is twofold: it allows them to pass as belonging to the dominant group but, on the other hand, it reduces the social pay-off stemming from such behavior, as they may be “expelled” from the reference group by their peers. It is found that, under sufficiently low levels of discrimination, CE widens the range of values of the neighborhood effects parameter for which group inequality is stable.

Originality/value

– Despite the endogeneity of categorization has been explored in other studies, this is the first one which argues that this element may underpin, under certain conditions, group inequality regarding human capital accumulation. The results presented here sheds some light on real-world issues, as the nature of neighborhood effects, the role of segregation on the maintenance of racial inequality and public policies to combat group inequality.
Major construction risk factors considered by general contractors in Qatar
Authors: Jarkas Abdulaziz M. , Haupt Theodore C.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify, explore, rank the relative importance and determine the prevalent allocation response trends of the major construction risk factors considered by general contractors operating in the State of Qatar.

Design/methodology/approach

– A structured questionnaire survey comprising 37 potential risk factors was distributed to a statistically representative sample of contractors. The influence ranks of the factors explored were determined using the “Relative Importance Index (RII)” technique, whereas the prevalent trend of contractors’ attitudes toward risk allocation of each factor investigated was quantified and expressed as a percentage, based on the number of respondents who selected a specific option, in relation to the total number of respondents.

Findings

– The results obtained indicate that risks related to the “client” group are perceived as most critical, followed by the “consultant”, “contractor” and “exogenous” group-related factors, respectively. The outcomes further show that the “transfer” option is the contractors’ prevalent response to “client” and “consultant”-related risks, while the “retention” decision is the principal pattern linked to “contractor” and “exogenous” group-related risk factors.

Research limitations/implications

– The dominant respondents’ perception that the crucial construction risks are related to clients and consultants suggests that these two parties have an essential role in controlling the negative ramifications of the associated factors.

Practical implications

– The findings suggest that increasing designers’ awareness of the significant effect of applying the constructability concept can considerably help reducing the risks concomitant of the construction operation. Policy makers may contribute, moreover, in alleviating the risk of incompetent technical staff and operatives’ employment by controlling the migration of inexperienced and unskilled construction workforce into the State.

Originality/value

– Given the knowledge gap for the major construction risk factors considered by general contractors in Qatar, the results reported in this study can provide clients, industry practitioners and policy makers with guidance to effectively manage the significant risks determined, which can further assist in achieving a reasonable level of competitiveness and cost-effective operation.
Effects of the Ten Percent Cap in Medicare Home Health Care on Treatment Intensity and Patient Discharge Status
Authors: Kim Hyunjee , Norton Edward C.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To estimate the effect of the 10 percent cap introduced to Medicare home health care on treatment intensity and patient discharge status.

Data Sources

Medicare Denominator, Medicare Home Health Claims, and Medicare Provider of Services Files from 2008 through 2010.

Study Design

We used agency‐level variation in the proportion of outlier payments prior to the implementation of the 10 percent cap to identify how home health agencies adjusted the number of home health visits and patient discharge status under the new law.

Principal Findings

Under the 10 percent cap, agencies dramatically decreased the number of service visits. Agencies also dropped relatively healthy patients and sent sicker patients to nursing homes.

Conclusions

The drastic reduction in the number of service visits and discontinuation of relatively healthy patients from home health care suggest that the 10 percent cap improved the efficiency of home health services as intended. However, the 10 percent cap increased other types of health care expenditures by pushing sicker patients to use more expensive health services.
Characteristics of Metroxylon sagu Resistant Starch Type III as Prebiotic Substance
Authors: Zi‐Ni Tan , Rosma Ahmad , Napisah Hussin , Karim Alias A. , Liong Min‐Tze
Published: March 2015

Resistant starch type III (RS3) was produced from sago (Metroxylon sagu) and evaluated for its characteristics as a prebiotic. Two RS3 samples designated sago RS and HCl‐sago RS contained 35.71% and 68.30% RS, respectively, were subjected to hydrolyses by gastric juice and digestive enzymes and to absorption. Both sago RS and HCl‐sago RS were resistant to 180 min hydrolysis by gastric acidity at pH 1 to 4 with less than 0.85% hydrolyzed. Both samples were also resistant toward hydrolysis by gastrointestinal tract enzymes and intestinal absorption with 96.75% and 98.69% of RS3 were recovered respectively after 3.5 h digestion and overnight dialysis at 37 °C. Sago RS3 supported the growth of both beneficial (lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) and pathogenic microbes (Escherichia coli, Campylobacter coli, and Clostridium perfringens) in the range of 2.60 to 3.91 log10 CFU/mL. Hence, prebiotic activity score was applied to describe the extent to which sago RS3 supports selective growth of the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains over pathogenic bacteria. The highest scores were obtained from Bifidobacterium sp. FTDC8943 grown on sago RS (+0.26) and HCl‐sago RS (+0.24) followed by L. bulgaricus FTDC1511 grown on sago RS (+0.21). The findings had suggested that sago RS3 has the prebiotic partial characteristics and it is suggested to further assess the suitability of sago RS3 as a prebiotic material.
Model‐Based Identification of Mechanical Characteristics of Sinosaurus (Theropoda) Crests
Authors: Lida XING , Yikun WANG , Eric SNIVELY , Jianping ZHANG , Zhiming DONG , Michael E. BURNS , Philip J. CURRIE
Published: March 2015

The paired cranial crests of Sinosaurus (Theropoda) have been hypothesized as too weak to resist mechanical loads during combat. Finite element analysis (FEA) is used to test this hypothesis, first with geometry obtained through direct laser scanning of a well‐preserved fossil of the crest, and then with two conceptual FE models of both crests analyzing the structure‐deformation effects of fenestration. In the original fossil model, under direct loading on the dorsal faces of the crest, we found that the areas surrounding cavities on the crest experience shear stress that implies a high chance of material failure – the fracture of bone. In the conceptual model, a series of computational studies were conducted with varying loading directions. One simulation found that the shear stress and strain in the material around the cavity presented more deformation compared with the conceptual model without the cavities, and under this morphologically realistic scenario the loading conditions would result in local bone fractures. These model‐based computational results indicate that the crest could not resist high loads, because it could not effectively decentralize the loading stress. Future investigations need to focus on more comprehensive computational experiments with more conditions, e.g. dynamical loading conditions, and direct palaeontological evidence.
Strenulagus (Mammalia: Lagomorpha) from the Middle Eocene Irdin Manha Formation of the Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China
Authors: Łucja FOSTOWICZ‐FRELDC , Chuankui LI , Qian LI , Jin MENG , Yuanqing WANG
Published: March 2015

New material of Strenulagus Solaris, a stem lagomorph, from the lower part of the Middle Eocene Irdin Manha Formation at the Irdin Manha and Huheboerhe localities, Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China includes remains of isolated cheek teeth, fragmentary upper incisors (dI2) and postcranial elements, reported from the species for the first time. The tarsal bones display advanced features, such as a wide calcaneofibular articulation surface and, along with an increase in hypsodonty, the new data document the early stage of lagomorph evolution in the Middle Eocene of the Erlian Basin. This finding is stratigraphically well constrained and probably predates that of the type material of S. Solaris from the Khaychin Formation, Bugin‐Tsav Basin, Mongolia.
A New Species of Phoenicopsis Subgenus Windwardia (Florin) Samylina (Czekanowskiales) from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Chunlin SUN , Yuling NA , David L. DILCHER , Hongshan WANG , Tao LI , Yunfeng LI
Published: March 2015

A new species of Phoenicopsis subgenus Windwardia (Florin) Samylina, Phoenicopsis neimengguensis sp.nov., is recognized from the Middle Jurassic Zhaogou Formation in the Shiguai Basin, a Jurassic coal‐bearing sedimentary basin in Inner Mongolia, China. Linear leaves are in bundles of six to eight and are attached on a short shoot. The leaf is amphistomatic with one or two irregular rows of longitudinally oriented stomata in each intercostal zone on the upper epidermis and three or four (occasionally six) rows of stomata in each intercostal zone on the lower epidermis. Each stomata is surrounded by four to six subsidiary cells with unevenly developed papillae. The anticlinal walls of epidermal cells are straight. Cuticular thickenings or papillae are present on the outer surface of the periclinal walls. This is the first time that Phoenicopsis subgenus Windwardia (Florin) Samylina is recognized from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China. The occurrence of the new species is noteworthy because it extends the geological and geographic distribution of Phoenicopsis subg. Windwardia in China and Eurasia. The discovery is significant as it increases our knowledge of Phoenicopsis subg. Windwardia by providing new data on morphological and epidermal features.
Tectonic Stress State Changes Before and After the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 Earthquake in the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wen MENG , Qunce CHEN , Manlu WU , Chengjun FENG , Xianghui QIN
Published: March 2015

Crustal tectonic activities are essentially the consequences of the accumulation and release of in situ stress. Therefore, studying the stress state near active faults is important for understanding crustal dynamics and earthquake occurrences. In this paper, using in situ stress measurement results obtained by hydraulic fracturing in the vicinity of the Longmenshan fault zone before and after the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake and finite element modeling, the variation of stress state before and after the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake is investigated. The results show that the shear stress, which is proportional to the difference between principal stresses, increases with depth and distance from the active fault in the calm period or after the earthquakes, and tends to approach to the regional stress level outside the zone influenced by the fault. This distribution appears to gradually reverse with time and the change of fault properties such as frictional strength. With an increase in friction coefficient, low stress areas are reduced and areas with increased stress accumulation are more obvious near the fault. In sections of the fault with high frictional strengths, in situ stress clearly increases in the fault. Stress accumulates more rapidly in the fault zone relative to the surrounding areas, eventually leading to a stress field that peaks at the fault zone. Such a reversal in the stress field between the fault zone and surrounding areas in the magnitude of the stress field is a potential indicator for the occurrence of strong earthquakes.
Lithospheric Electrical Structure across the Eastern Segment of the Altyn Tagh Fault on the Northern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Letian ZHANG , Gaofeng YE , Sheng JIN , Wenbo WEI , Martyn UNSWORTH , Alan G JONES , Jianen JING , Hao DONG , Chengliang XIE , Florian LE PAPE , Jan VOZAR
Published: March 2015

Project INDEPTH (InterNational DEep Profiling of Tibet and the Himalaya) is an interdisciplinary program designed to develop a better understanding of deep structures and mechanics of the Tibetan Plateau. As a component of magnetotelluric (MT) work in the 4th phase of the project, MT data were collected along a profile that crosses the eastern segment of the Altyn Tagh fault on the northern margin of the plateau. Time series data processing used robust algorithms to give high quality responses. Dimensionality analysis showed that 2D approach is only valid for the northern section of the profile. Consequently, 2D inversions were only conducted for the northern section, and 3D inversions were conducted on MT data from the whole profile. From the 2D inversion model, the eastern segment of the Altyn Tagh fault only appears as a crustal structure, which suggests accommodation of strike slip motion along the Altyn Tagh fault by thrusting within the Qilian block. A large‐scale off‐profile conductor within the mid‐lower crust of the Qilian block was revealed from the 3D inversion model, which is probably correlated with the North Qaidam thrust belt. Furthermore, the unconnected conductors from the 3D inversion model indicate that deformations in the study area are generally localized.
Geochronology and Geochemistry of Mafic Rocks in the Xuhe, Shaanxi, China: Implications for Petrogenesis and Mantle Dynamics
Authors: Kunming WANG , Zongqi WANG , Yingli ZHANG , Gang WANG
Published: March 2015

The Xuhe mafic rocks, located in Ziyang county of Shaanxi Province, are dominated by diabase‐porphyrite, gabbro–diabase, diabase, and pyroxene diorite. Primitive mantle‐normalized multi‐element patterns show that, the Xuhe mafic rocks are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LITE), such as Ba and Pb, depleted in K and Sr for basic rocks, and are depleted in Sr, P and Ti for pyroxene diorite. Chondrite‐normalized REE patterns display LREE enrichment (LaN/YbN = 9.34–13.99) and have normalized patterns for trace element and REE similar to that of typical OIB. Detailed SEMS zircon U–Pb dating yields emplacement ages of 438.4 ± 3.1 Ma for Xuhe mafic rocks. The relatively low MgO (basic rock: 3.11–7.21 wt%; pyroxene diorite: 0.89–1.21 wt%) and Mg# (0.20–0.49) for Xuhe mafic rocks suggest that they were possibly originated from an extremely evolved magma. The rising parental mafic magmas underwent pyroxene and plagioclase fractionation. Crustal contamination of pyroxene diorite before emplacement occurred at a higher crustal level compared to other lithology in Xuhe mafic rocks. The degree of partial melt was low (5%‐10%) and in garnet‐spinel transition facies. Sr‐Nd isotope of pyroxene diorite and enrichment mantle characteristics for Xuhe mafic rocks suggest that mafic rocks in the North Daba Mountains were derived from a mixture of HIMU, EMU and small amount of EMI components. Furthermore, this study discusses mantle geodynamic significance of Xuhe mafic rocks in the Silurian, which indicates subduction and uplift of magma caused back‐arc extension.
Anomalous Concentrations of Rare Metal Elements, Rare‐scattered (Dispersed) Elements and Rare Earth Elements in the Coal from Iqe Coalfield, Qinghai Province, China
Authors: Yuzhuang SUN , Cunliang ZHAO , Yanheng LI , Jinxi WANG
Published: March 2015

Total of 23 bench samples were taken from the No. 7 Coal of Iqe Coalfield, Qinghai Province, China, following Chinese Standard Method GB/T 482–2008 (2008). These samples were analyzed by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). The results indicate that the No. 7 Coal belongs to a low rank (Ro,ran =0.659%) and high‐ash coal (40.54%). Compared to common Chinese and world low‐rank coals, the Iqe coal contains anomalous concentrations of rare metal elements, rare‐scattered (dispersed) elements and rare earth elements. The highest contents of Rb, Cs, Ga and REY reach to 180, 26, 37, and 397 ppm, respectively. Their average contents of these elements are 10.9, 15, 4.8 and 3.5 times higher than those of world coals, respectively. Minerals in the coal include kaolinite, quartz, muscovite, siderite, and traces of rutile, and brookite. Kaolinite could be main host minerals of Rb, Cs, Ga and REY. The anomalous rare element Rb and Cs accumulation in the Iqe coal is related to both organic and inorganic matter. The REY concentrations may be related to circulation of thermal solutions, contained or sorbed by clayey particles, and organic matter as well.
Jurassic‐Cretaceous Boundary Strata of the Somanakamura Group in NE Japan and their Correlation with Coeval Terrestrial Deposits in China
Authors: Wei LI , Xiaoqiao WAN , Atsushi MATSUOKA , Shuqin ZHANG , Haiying QU , Tsubasa TAMURA , Kohei YOSHINO
Published: March 2015

Defining the Jurassic‐Cretaceous boundary is a controversy in stratigraphic study of the world. It has been widely accepted that this boundary can be defined at the bottom of Berriasian in Tethys, with the appearance of the ammonite Berriasella jacobi dating to ca. 145 Ma. However, it is difficult for the widespread terrestrial deposits in China to correlate with the international standard of marine facies. The Somanakamura Group in Japan is represented by a succession of marine‐continental transitional strata. It provides a bridge of marine and nonmarine stratigraphic correlation. The ammonite and radiolarian fossils preserved in this group suggest an age from Bajocian to early Valanginian. The J‐K boundary was defined in or atop the Tomizawa Formation of the group according to the ammonite data. The present authors study the fossil spores and pollen newly found from the Tomizawa and Koyamada formations. Three assemblages have been recognized. They are Assemblage 1 (Cyathidites‐Classopollis) from the upper part of the Tomizawa Formation, Assemblage 2 (Cyathidites‐Jiaohepollis) from the lower part of the Koyamada Formation, and Assemblage 3 (Cyathidites‐Spheripollenites‐Ephedripites) from the middle to upper part of the Koyamada Formation. With the reference of ammonite evidence, the J‐K boundary can be defined between Assemblage 1 and Assemblage 2. This palynological J‐K boundary can be correlated with that of terrestrial sequence in China. However, local biostratigraphy imply that the continental J‐K boundary in China is of 135 or 137 Ma age. It has a considerable discrepancy from the marine standard. Biogeographically, the distribution pattern of spores and pollen in southern China is in accordance with that in the Somanakamura Group, which parallels the Tuchengzi Formation in northeastern China. By the palynological correlation between the Somanakamura Group and the strata in southern China, and then with the sequence in northeastern China, it is suggested that the continental J‐K boundary is located in the Tuchengzi Formation.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy attenuates central sensitization induced by a thermal injury in humans
Authors: RASMUSSEN V. M. , BORGEN A. E. , JANSEN E. C. , ROTBØLL NIELSEN P. H. , WERNER M. U.
Published: March 2015

Background

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment has in animal experiments demonstrated antinociceptive effects. It was hypothesized that these effects would attenuate secondary hyperalgesia areas (SHAs), an expression of central sensitization, after a first‐degree thermal injury in humans.

Methods

Seventeen healthy volunteers were examined during two sessions using a randomized crossover design. Volunteers were studied during control conditions (ambient pressure, FIO2 = 0.21) and during HBO2 (2.4 standard atmosphere, FIO2 = 1.0, 90 min) conditions in a pressure chamber. Quantitative sensory testing, including assessment of SHAs was performed.

Results

A statistically significant overall attenuation of SHAs was seen during the HBO2 sessions compared with the control‐sessions (P = 0.011). In the eight volunteers starting with the HBO2 session, no difference in SHAs compared with control was demonstrated. However, in the nine volunteers starting with the control session, a statistical significant attenuation of SHAs was demonstrated in the HBO2 session (P = 0.004).

Conclusions

The results indicate that HBO2 therapy in humans attenuates central sensitization induced by a thermal skin injury, compared with control. These new and original findings in humans corroborate animal experimental data. The thermal injury model may give impetus to future human neurophysiological studies exploring the central effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
Prognostic models in traumatic brain injury
Authors: RAJ RAHUL
Published: March 2015

Background

Prognostic models are important tools for heterogeneity adjustment in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prognoses after TBI have been particularly challenging to predict, with limited availability of robust prognostic models. TBI patients are by definition trauma patients, and often treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Several prognostic models for ICU and trauma patients have been developed, although their applicability in patients with TBI is uncertain. Recently, however, some new prognostic models specifically designed for patients with TBI were introduced. Still, the optimal type of prognostic model in TBI remains unknown.

Aim

This aims to investigate the applicability of different types of prognostic models in patients with TBI and to develop novel models with enhanced performance to previous models, focusing on long‐ term outcome prediction.

Methods

Four patient databases of patients with TBI treated in the ICU were used to validate three TBI specific models, two computerized tomography (CT) scoring systems, one trauma scoring system, and three intensive care scoring systems. Models were validated by assessing their discrimination using area under the curve (AUC), calibration, and explanatory variation. Logistic regression was used for model customization and development. Models were internally validated using a resample bootstrap technique or a split‐sample technique. Primary outcome was 6‐month mortality and unfavorable neurological outcome by the Glasgow Outcome Scale. 30‐day in‐hospital mortality was used for the trauma scoring system.

Results

Study populations ranged from 342 to 9915 patients. The TBI models showed the best performance with AUCs between 0.80 and 0.85, followed by the intensive care scoring systems and the CT scores with AUCs between 0.68 to 0.80 and 0.63 to 0.70, respectively. Most models showed poor calibration, although good calibration was achieved following customization. The trauma scoring system exhibited modest to good discrimination (AUC 0.76–0.89) for short‐term mortality prediction but poor calibration. Several new prognostic models, with statistically significant superior performance to previous models were created, among them a combined TBI‐ICU model (‘IMPACT‐APACHE’) and a novel CT scoring system (‘The Helsinki CT score’). Using a TBI‐specific model, based on admission characteristics, up to 40% of the patient's final long‐term outcome could be predicted.

Conclusion

The TBI models showed superior predictive performance to the intensive care and trauma scoring systems, showing that TBI patients are a highly specific population in the trauma and ICU setting. Thus, the use of a TBI‐specific model is advocated in the setting of TBI. The newly proposed models were found to be significant improvements over previous models, but require external validation to show generalizability.
Making Young Voters: The Impact of Preregistration on Youth Turnout
Authors: Holbein John B. , Hillygus D. Sunshine
Published: March 2015

Recent research has cast doubt on the potential for various electoral reforms to increase voter turnout. In this article, we examine the effectiveness of preregistration laws, which allow young citizens to register before being eligible to vote. We use two empirical approaches to evaluate the impact of preregistration on youth turnout. First, we implement difference‐in‐difference and lag models to bracket the causal effect of preregistration implementation using the 2000–2012 Current Population Survey. Second, focusing on the state of Florida, we leverage a discontinuity based on date of birth to estimate the effect of increased preregistration exposure on the turnout of young registrants. In both approaches, we find preregistration increases voter turnout, with equal effectiveness for various subgroups in the electorate. More broadly, observed patterns suggest that campaign context and supporting institutions may help to determine when and if electoral reforms are effective.
Use of thyroid hormones in relation to pregnancy: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Gidén Karin , Andersen Jon Trærup , Torp‐Pedersen Arendse Lærke , Enghusen Poulsen Henrik , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Jimenez‐Solem Espen
Published: March 2015

Objective

To determine the rate of exposure of pregnant women to levothyroxine and to assess changes in these rates before, during and after pregnancy.

Design

Register‐based cohort study.

Setting

Danish nationwide registers.

Population

All women having a live birth in Denmark between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2010 (n = 912 342).

Methods

All pregnant women in the study period were identified from the Danish Medical Birth Register. Exposed women were identified from the Danish National Prescription Register, based on redemption of levothyroxine prescriptions before, during or after pregnancy.

Main outcome measures

The rate of pregnant women redeeming levothyroxine prescriptions and maternal characteristics.

Results

We identified a fourfold increase in levothyroxine prescription redemption during the study period, from 0.34% in 1997 to 1.39% by 2010. A mean of 0.79% of our cohort received levothyroxine. Most of the women who were using levothyroxine before pregnancy continued the therapy during their pregnancy, but 9.4% stopped redeeming their prescriptions. Overall, 0.28% of our cohort received a levothyroxine prescription for the first time within 9 months after pregnancy.

Conclusions

Fewer women than expected received levothyroxine treatment during pregnancy even though a fourfold increase was observed during the study period. Furthermore, one of 10 discontinued treatments during pregnancy. These findings all indicate that too few women are treated for hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Further research is needed to determine whether hypothyroid pregnant women are suboptimally treated and the possible consequences for the mother and fetus.
The value of the urinary protein:creatinine ratio for the detection of significant proteinuria in women with suspected preeclampsia
Authors: Bhide Amar , Rana Ritu , Dhavilkar Mrugaya , Amodio‐Hernandez Montserrat , Deshpande Deepika , Caric Vedrana
Published: March 2015

To explore the correlation between urinary protein:creatinine ratio and 24‐h excretion of protein, we studied 149 women referred to a day assessment unit for investigations for suspected preeclampsia. Paired samples were obtained for measurement of urinary protein:creatinine ratio and 24‐h protein excretion. Collection of a 24‐h urine sample was validated by the daily creatinine excretion. The outcome measure was proteinuria of 300 mg/day or more. Inaccurate 24‐h collection was observed in 17% of women. All women (n = 56) with a protein:creatinine ratio >60 mg/mM had significant proteinuria. No woman with protein:creatinine ratio <18 mg/mM (n = 20) had significant proteinuria. We recommend that a dual cut‐off should be used for excluding and “ruling in” the diagnosis of significant proteinuria. A 24‐h urine collection should be used only for urinary protein:creatinine ratio values between 18 and 60 mg/mM in the detection of significant proteinuria.
Suppression of silent information regulator 1 activity in noncancerous tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma: Possible association with non‐B non‐C hepatitis pathogenesis
Authors: Konishi Hideyuki , Shirabe Ken , Nakagawara Hidekazu , Harimoto Norifumi , Yamashita Yo‐Ichi , Ikegami Toru , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Soejima Yuji , Oda Yoshinao , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: March 2015

Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)‐dependent protein deacetylase. In mice, mSirt1 deficiency causes the onset of fatty liver via regulation of the hepatic nutrient metabolism pathway. In this study, we demonstrate SIRT1 expression, activity and NAD+ regulation using noncancerous liver tissue specimens from hepatocellular carcinoma patients with non‐B non‐C (NBNC) hepatitis. SIRT1 expression levels were higher in NBNC patients than in healthy donors, while SIRT1 histone H3K9 deacetylation activity was suppressed in NBNC patients. In the liver of hepatitis patients, decreased NAD+ amounts and its regulatory enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase expression levels were observed, and this led to inhibition of SIRT1 activity. SIRT1 expression was associated with HIF1 protein accumulation in both the NBNC liver and liver cancer cell lines. These results may indicate that the NBNC hepatitis liver is exposed to hypoxic conditions. In HepG2 cells, hypoxia induced inflammatory chemokines, such as CXCL10 and MCP‐1. These inductions were suppressed in rich NAD+ condition, and by SIRT1 activator treatment. In conclusion, hepatic SIRT1 activity was repressed in NBNC patients, and normalization of NAD+ amounts and activation of SIRT1 could improve the inflammatory condition in the liver of NBNC hepatitis patients.
Therapeutic advances in BIG3‐PHB2 inhibition targeting the crosstalk between estrogen and growth factors in breast cancer
Authors: Yoshimaru Tetsuro , Komatsu Masato , Miyoshi Yasuo , Honda Junko , Sasa Mitsunori , Katagiri Toyomasa
Published: March 2015

Our previous studies demonstrated that specific inhibition of the BIG3‐PHB2 complex, which is a critical modulator in estrogen (E2) signaling, using ERAP, a dominant negative peptide inhibitor, leads to suppression of E2‐dependent estrogen receptor (ER) alpha activation through the reactivation of the tumor suppressive activity of PHB2. Here, we report that ERAP has significant suppressive effects against synergistic activation caused by the crosstalk between E2 and growth factors associated with intrinsic or acquired resistance to anti‐estrogen tamoxifen in breast cancer cells. Intrinsic PHB2 released from BIG3 by ERAP effectively disrupted each interaction of membrane‐associated ERα and insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor beta (IGF‐1Rβ), EGFR, PI3K or human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) in the presence of E2 and the growth factors IGF or EGF, followed by inhibited the activation of IGF‐1Rβ, EGFR or HER2, and reduced Akt, MAPK and ERα phosphorylation levels, resulting in significant suppression of proliferation of ERα‐positive breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, combined treatment with ERAP and tamoxifen led to a synergistic suppression of signaling that was activated by crosstalk between E2 and growth factors or HER2 amplification. Taken together, our findings suggest that the specific inhibition of BIG3‐PHB2 is a novel potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of tamoxifen‐resistant breast cancers activated by the crosstalk between E2 and growth factor signaling, especially in premenopausal women.
Design, Synthesis and in vivo Evaluation of Novel C‐Aryl Glucosides as Potent Sodium‐Dependent Glucose Cotransporters Inhibitors for the Treatment of Diabetes
Authors: Li Zheng , Wang Xuekun , Xu Xue , Qiu Qianqian , Jiao Lei , Huang Wenlong , Qian Hai
Published: March 2015

A series of novel C‐aryl glucosides with substituents at the 3′‐position or cyclization at 3′, 4′‐positions of the distal aryl ring were designed and synthesized, which might decrease the oxidative metabolism of dapagliflozin. Preliminary evaluation for hypoglycemic effect and the risk of hypoglycemia were carried out both in normal and in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 19a exerted potency‐similarity with dapagliflozin and triggered the hypoglycemic effect in a dose‐dependent manner. Besides, compound 19a, even at the high dose of 10 mg/kg, revealed a low risk of hypoglycemia. In further studies, 19a exhibited sustained antihyperglycemic effect without particular side‐effects in 30‐day chronic diabetic mice studies. Moreover, histological changes in the pancreas of diabetic mice indicated 19a might protect pancreatic β‐cell from apoptosis by reducing the damage of glucotoxicity. All of these results demonstrated that compound 19a, with excellent in vivo pharmacological activity and safety profile, was considered to be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Minimizing the cost of translocation failure with decision‐tree models that predict species’ behavioral response in translocation sites
Authors: Ebrahimi Mehregan , Ebrahimie Esmaeil , Bull C. Michael
Published: March 2015

The high number of failures is one reason why translocation is often not recommended. Considering how behavior changes during translocations may improve translocation success. To derive decision‐tree models for species’ translocation, we used data on the short‐term responses of an endangered Australian skink in 5 simulated translocations with different release conditions. We used 4 different decision‐tree algorithms (decision tree, decision‐tree parallel, decision stump, and random forest) with 4 different criteria (gain ratio, information gain, gini index, and accuracy) to investigate how environmental and behavioral parameters may affect the success of a translocation. We assumed behavioral changes that increased dispersal away from a release site would reduce translocation success. The trees became more complex when we included all behavioral parameters as attributes, but these trees yielded more detailed information about why and how dispersal occurred. According to these complex trees, there were positive associations between some behavioral parameters, such as fight and dispersal, that showed there was a higher chance, for example, of dispersal among lizards that fought than among those that did not fight. Decision trees based on parameters related to release conditions were easier to understand and could be used by managers to make translocation decisions under different circumstances.

Minimizar el Costo del Fracaso de la Reubicación con Modelos de Árboles de Decisión que Predigan la Respuesta Conductual de la Especie en los Sitios de Reubicación
MiRNAs in primary cutaneous lymphomas
Authors: Yu Xin , Li Zheng , Liu Jie
Published: March 2015

Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCL) compose a heterogeneous disease with still unknown aetiology and mechanisms of development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been discovered as one of the crucial players inPCLcarcinogenesis through post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRNAs have been reported to be frequently deregulated inPCLs and their biological significance has been further confirmed in multiple functional experiments. Such studies help us understand molecular pathogenesis ofPCL. In this review, we summarize expression of miRNAs and their corresponding roles in different subtypes ofPCL. With expression and functional role of miRNAs revealed, investigation of their possible clinical use as biomarkers for diagnosis, prediction of prognosis and target for therapies, will be a promising area in the future.
Annular lichenoid dermatitis of youth: a separate entity or on the spectrum of mycosis fungoides? Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kazlouskaya Viktoryia , Trager Jonathan D.K. , Junkins‐Hopkins Jacqueline M.
Published: March 2015

Annular lichenoid dermatitis (ALDY) is a rare dermatosis that is most often seen in children and young adults and is characterized by annular patches with raised borders, most frequently on the trunk and the groin. A distinct lichenoid tissue reaction involving the base of the rete, resulting in squared‐off rete ridges, helps to differentiate this from other lichenoid dermatoses and mycosis fungoides (MF). Herein, we report an additional case of this condition in a 7‐year‐boy, whose biopsy exhibited the typical quadrangular rete alteration and also contained distinct aggregates of CD8+ lymphocytes, Langerhans cells and colloid bodies within the involved rete. A literature review with emphasis on the clinical and histopathological differential diagnosis reveals additional clinical features of ALDY to potentially help differentiate this entity from annular presentations of mycosis fungoides.
Dravet syndrome in Sweden
Authors: Dravet Charlotte
Published: March 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Rosander and Hallböök on pages 628–633 of this issue.
Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis
Authors: Alaiti M. Amer , Hoit Brian D.
Published: March 2015

Mini‐Abstract

A 61‐year‐old man with no medical history presented with necrosis of the fingers and toes in the setting of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with profound eosinophilia. A crescendo–decrescendo murmur consistent with aortic stenosis was noted on exam. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed large mass on aortic valve resulting in severe stenosis. Imaging studies and extensive infectious workup were unremarkable for other underlying malignancy, evidence of embolism, infections, or connective tissue disease. Following dexamethasone treatment to achieve a normal eosinophil count, the patient underwent bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. Pathologic examination was consistent with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis.
Tests of associational defence provided by hairy plants for glabrous plants of Arabidopsis halleri subsp. gemmifera against insect herbivores
Authors: SATO YASUHIRO , KUDOH HIROSHI
Published: March 2015

1. Trichome‐producing (hairy) and trichomeless (glabrous) plants of Arabidopsis halleri subsp. gemmifera were investigated to test whether plant resistance to herbivory depends on the plants' phenotypes and/or the phenotypes of neighbouring plants (associational effects).

2. A common garden experiment was conducted in which the relative frequency of hairy and glabrous plants was manipulated. Two species of leaf‐chewing insects (larvae of a white butterfly and a cabbage sawfly) were found less often on hairy plants than on glabrous plants. By contrast, the numbers of aphids and flea beetles did not differ significantly between hairy and glabrous plants. For none of these insects did abundance depend on the frequency of the two plant morphs.

3. A field survey was conducted in two natural populations of A. halleri. In the first population, a species of white butterfly was the dominant herbivore, and hairy plants incurred less leaf damage than glabrous plants across 2 years. By contrast, in the other population, where flea beetles were dominant, there were no consistent differences in leaf damage between the two types of plants. In neither of the two populations was any evidence found of associational effects.

4. This study did not provide any conclusive evidence of associational effects of anti‐herbivore resistance, but it was discovered that trichomes can confer resistance to certain herbivores. Given the results of previous work by the authors on associational effects against a flightless leaf beetle, such associational effects of the trichome dimorphism of A. halleri were herbivore‐specific.
Prevention and Intervention Research With Latino Families: A Translational Approach
Authors: Stein Gabriela L. , Guzman Linda E.
Published: March 2015

The present paper takes a translational approach in applying the themes of the current special section to prevention and intervention science in Latino families. The paper reviews the current literature on cultural processes in prevention and intervention research with Latino families. Overall, many prevention and intervention programs have either been developed specifically for Latino families or have been modified for Latino families with great attention paid to the socio‐cultural needs of these families. Nevertheless, few studies have tested the role of cultural values or acculturation processes on outcomes. We make recommendations based on findings within basic science and in particular this special section on the incorporation of these values and processes into prevention and intervention science with Latino families.
Lysosomal proteins in cell death and autophagy
Authors: Mrschtik Michaela , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: March 2015

Nearly 60 years ago, lysosomes were first described in the laboratory of Christian de Duve, a discovery that significantly contributed to him being awarded a share of the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for elucidating ‘the structural and functional organization of the cell’. Initially thought of as a simple waste degradation facility of the cell, these organelles recently emerged as signalling centres with connections to major cellular processes. This review provides an overview of the many roles of lysosomal proteins in two of these processes: cell death and autophagy. We discuss both resident lysosomal proteins as well those that temporarily associate with lysosomes to influence autophagy and cell death pathways. Particular focus is given to studies in mammalian cells and in vivo systems.
Translocation of forkhead box O1 to the nuclear periphery induces histone modifications that regulate transcriptional repression of PCK1 in HepG2 cells
Authors: Arai Tamaki , Kano Fumi , Murata Masayuki
Published: March 2015

Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) is an important target for insulin. It is widely accepted that insulin‐induced phosphorylation of FOXO1 by Akt leads to its nuclear exclusion and results in the inhibition of FOXO1‐mediated transcription of the gluconeogenic gene phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) in hepatocytes. However, many results that contradict this model have accumulated. Here, we provide a new mechanism for insulin‐dependent repression of FOXO1‐mediated transcription. We showed insulin‐induced translocation of endogenous Ser256‐phosphorylated FOXO1, which is essential for regulation of FOXO1‐mediated transcription, from nuclear speckles to the nuclear periphery. This insulin‐dependent translocation of FOXO1 regulated transcriptional repression of PCK1 concomitant with the formation of the FOXO1‐euchromatic histone‐lysine N‐methyltransferase2 (EHMT2) complex and histone modifications of the PCK1 promoter region. Notably, our results suggest that FOXO1 uses nucleoporin 98 kDa NUP98 for this transcriptional regulation. These results provide a new insight into various FOXO1‐mediated transcriptional regulation and FOXO1‐mediated essential biological pathways.
Association between polymorphisms of the swineMHC‐DQAgene and diarrhoea in three Chinese native piglets
Authors: Liu L. X. , Zhao S. G. , Lu H. N. , Yang Q. L. , Huang X. Y. , Gun S. B.
Published: March 2015

Swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) is a highly polymorphic multigene family that plays a crucial role in swine immune response and disease resistance. Here, we identified polymorphisms and gene variations ofSLA‐DQAexon 2 using polymerase chain reaction–single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) and DNA sequencing analysis, and further investigated the correlation between the polymorphisms and piglet diarrhoea in three Chinese native pig breeds (Bamei, Juema and Gansu Black pigs). Consequently, 12 genotypes and 8 alleles including two novel alleles were detected. Nucleotide polymorphism was compared with the actual functional polymorphism in the peptide‐binding region (PBR), binding pockets P1, P6 and P9, and the antigen‐binding groove, variations in the antigen‐binding groove of alleles DQA*01xa01, DQA*01xa03, DQA*01xb01, DQA*We02, DQA*03xb03 and DQA*wy06 were higher than alleles DQA*03xa01 and DQA*03xa03, while amino acid variations in peptide‐binding pockets of allele DQA*03xa03 were most abundant among all alleles. The results of association analysis showed the diarrhoea score of Gansu Black pigs (−0.08 ± 0.78) was significantly higher than Bamei and Juema pigs (P < 0.01), and genotype DQA*03xa0103xa01 (0.39 ± 0.54) was significantly higher relative to other genotypes (P < 0.01), while that of genotype DQA*03xa0303xa03 (−1.31 ± 0.88) was markedly lower than scores obtained with genotypes DQA*03xa0103xa01 and DQA*03xa0101xa01 (P < 0.01), as well as DQA*01xa0101xa01 (P < 0.05), indicating that amino acid variations in the peptide‐binding pockets play a more important role than the antigen‐binding groove in piglet diarrhoea resistance. Further studies on other SLA molecules of native pigs are required to validate the link between this gene complex and diarrhoea.