bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usual breakfast eating habits affect response to breakfast skipping in overweight women
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth A. , Higgins Janine , Bessesen Daniel H. , McNair Bryan , Cornier Marc‐Andre
Published: March 2015

Objective

This randomized, cross‐over trial was designed to investigate the metabolic and appetitive responses to skipping breakfast in overweight women who were habitual breakfast Eaters or Skippers.

Methods

Nine Eaters and nine Skippers were studied on two separate days during which subjects ate breakfast (B) or had no breakfast (NB), followed by a standard lunch meal 4 h later. Blood sampling for hormones and metabolites was performed after lunch, and appetite was rated throughout the day.

Results

Interactions between day and habitual breakfast pattern were seen for area under the curve (AUC) for insulin and free fatty acids (FFA). Both insulin (P = 0.020) and FFA (P = 0.023) AUC were higher on the NB day for Eaters but similar on both days for Skippers. Eaters had higher pre lunch hunger AUC on the NB day (P = 0.015) as well as lower pre lunch satiety AUC under both conditions (P = 0.019).

Conclusions

Overall, this study showed that the adverse effects of skipping breakfast (higher insulin and FFA responses to lunch, increased hunger, and decreased satiety) were found primarily in habitual breakfast eaters. This suggests that meal skipping may have enhanced effects in habitual Eaters due to entrainment of metabolic and appetitive regulatory systems.
Translating outdoor CPV I–V measurements to a CSTC power rating and the associated uncertainty
Authors: Muller Matthew , Kurtz Sarah , Steiner Marc , Siefer Gerald
Published: March 2015

A complete procedure is presented for translating outdoor concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) I–V measurements to the Concentrator Standard Test Conditions (CTSC) (1000 W/m2 and 25 °C cell temperature). Methods are demonstrated for measuring all the necessary input parameters for the translation, including outdoor thermal transient measurements and indoor dark I–V curves. Four modules are subjected to the translation method based on multiple months of outdoor data, one module measured at National Renewable Energy Laboratory and three at Fraunhofer ISE. The modules are also characterized under a sun simulator to provide a comparison to the translation approach. The results show that translated CSTC efficiencies are in good agreement with the efficiencies from the solar simulator. Two of the modules agreed within 1%, whereas the other two modules agree within approximately 4%. An uncertainty analysis of the input parameters is discussed in the context of the total uncertainty associated with the translation to CSTC. The reference voltage and efficiency temperature coefficient are the key parameters impacting the translation uncertainty, whereas uncertainty in the outdoor data is driven by spectral and meteorological parameters. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liposomal doxorubicin doubly functionalized with CCK8 and R8 peptide sequences for selective intracellular drug delivery
Authors: Ringhieri Paola , Diaferia Carlo , Galdiero Stefania , Palumbo Rosanna , Morelli Giancarlo , Accardo Antonella
Published: March 2015

A new dual‐ligand liposomal doxorubicin delivery system, which couples targeting to enhanced cellular uptake and may lead to a more efficient drug delivery system, is here designed and synthetized. Liposomes based on the composition 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine/1,2‐distearoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine‐Peg2000‐R8/(C18)2‐L5‐SS‐CCK8 (87/8/5 mol/mol/mol) were prepared and loaded with doxorubicin. Presence of the two peptides on the external surface is demonstrated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay. The combination of the R8 cell‐penetrating peptide and of the CCK8 targeting peptide (homing peptide) on the liposome surface is obtained by combining pre‐modification and post‐modification methods. In the dual‐ligand system, the CCK8 peptide is anchored to the liposome surface by using a disulfide bond. This chemical function is inserted in order to promote the selective cleavage of the homing peptide under the reductive conditions expected in proximity of the tumor site, thus allowing targeting and internalization of the liposomal drug. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electron attachment to DNA and RNA nucleobases: An EOMCC investigation
Authors: Dutta Achintya Kumar , Sengupta Turbasu , Vaval Nayana , Pal Sourav
Published: March 2015

We report a benchmark theoretical investigation of both vertical and adiabatic electron affinities of DNA and RNA nucleobases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil using equation of motion coupled cluster method. The vertical electron affinity (VEA) values of the first five states of the DNA and RNA nucleobases are computed. It is observed that the first electron attached state is energetically accessible in gas phase. Furthermore, an analysis of the natural orbitals exhibits that the first electron attached states of uracil and thymine are valence‐bound in nature and undergo significant structural changes on attachment of an extra electron, which reflects in the deviation of the adiabatic electron affinity (AEA) than that of the vertical ones. Conversely, the first electron attached states of cytosine, adenine, and guanine are in the category of dipole‐bound anions. Their structure, by and large, remain unaffected on attachment of an extra electron, which is evident from the observed small difference between the AEA and VEA values. VEA and AEA values of all the DNA and RNA nucleobases are found to be negative, which implies that the first electron attached states are not stable rather quasi bound. The results of all previous theoretical calculations are out of track and shows large deviation with respect to the experimentally measured values, whereas, our results are found to be in good agreement. Therefore, our computed values can be used as a reliable standard to calibrate new theoretical methods. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of the potential energy surface and current stage of the quantum dynamics studies of the F + H2/HD reaction
Authors: Sun Zhigang , Zhang Dong H.
Published: March 2015

The title reaction has a great deal of intriguing characters and provides energy for a chemical laser, and of much theoretical and experimental interest. Accurate description of the F + H2 → HF + H and F + HD → HF/DF + D/H reaction within the Born–Oppenheimer approximation presents a great challenge to the capabilities of modern quantum chemistry methods. The FHH system, which has strongly coupled eleven electrons, requires elaborate quantum chemistry calculations in the determination of potential energies with high accuracy. Moreover, a quantum reaction dynamics calculation for the F + H2/HD reaction requires much computational effort due to its large exothermicity. After more than half a century's endeavor, now we are capable of describing the F + H2/HD reaction close to spectroscopic accuracy. In this article, a brief review of the development of the potential energy surfaces and quantum reaction dynamics of the title reaction and its isotope substitutes is presented. Some of the results by quantum reactive scattering theory using the latest several typical potential energy surfaces are given, along with the corresponding experimental measurements, to illustrate the current stage of our capability on describing the F + H2/HD reaction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Signaling pathways in HPV‐associated cancers and therapeutic implications
Authors: Chen Jiezhong
Published: March 2015

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small double‐stranded circular DNA viruses with 8 kb genomes. So far, more than 150 HPVs have been identified, and 12 types of HPVs have been conclusively linked to cancer by the International Agency for Research on Cancer/World Health Organization. Expression of HPV E5, E6 and E7 oncoproteins can alter multiple signaling pathways to cause cancer. In this review, the signaling pathways activated by these oncoproteins are summarized, and targeted therapy against key signaling molecules is described. E6 can inactivate tumor protein 53 and PDZ (post synaptic density protein–drosophila disk large tumor suppressor–zonula occludens‐1 proteins) while stimulating phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), Wnt and Notch pathways. E7 can inhibit retinoblastoma protein and stimulate the PI3K/Akt pathway. Both E6 and E7 can deregulate cellular microRNA expression, which can alter cellular signaling pathways. E5 can sensitize epidermal growth factor receptor to epidermal growth factor to increase activation of PI3K/Akt and mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways. E5 can also inhibit the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. These altered signaling pathways could be critical for the initiation and maintenance of HPV‐associated cancers. Therefore, targeted therapy against the key signaling molecules has therapeutic implications. Among these, the possibilities of targeting PI3K/Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin, epidermal growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor have been extensively studied in many cancers. Some inhibitors have been studied in cervical cancer in both animal models and clinical trials. Although the results are promising, further investigation is warranted. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent progress in vaccination against human papillomavirus‐mediated cervical cancer
Authors: McKee Sara J. , Bergot Anne‐Sophie , Leggatt Graham R.
Published: March 2015

It has been more than 7 years since the commercial introduction of highly successful vaccines protecting against high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes and the development of cervical cancer. From an immune standpoint, the dependence of cervical cancer on viral infection has meant that HPV proteins can be targeted as strong tumour antigens leading to clearance of the infection and the subsequent protection from cancer. Commercially available vaccines consisting of the L1 capsid protein assembled as virus‐like particles (VLPs) induce neutralising antibodies that deny access of the virus to cervical epithelial cells. While greater than 90% efficacy has been demonstrated at the completion of large phase III trials in young women, vaccine developers are now addressing broader issues such as efficacy in boys, longevity of the protection and inducing cross‐reactive antibody for oncogenic, non‐vaccine HPV strains. For women with existing HPV infection, the prophylactic vaccines provide little protection, and consequently, the need for therapeutic vaccines will continue into the future. Therapeutic vaccines targeting HPVE6 and E7 proteins are actively being pursued with new adjuvants and delivery vectors, combined with an improved knowledge of the tumour microenvironment, showing great promise. This review will focus on recent progress in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine development and implementation since the publication of end of study data from phase III clinical trials between 2010 and 2012. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retrospective 2D frontomaxillary facial angle measurements in trisomy 21 fetuses during routine first‐trimester screening
Authors: Alphonse Jennifer , Cox Jenny , Clarke Jillian L. , Schluter Philip J. , McLennan Andrew
Published: March 2015

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and utility of retrospective frontomaxillary facial angle measurement on two‐dimensional (2D) images from confirmed trisomy 21 fetuses.

Materials and methods

Over a 27‐month period, stored 2D fetal profile images taken during routine first‐trimester screening were assessed. A single experienced operator utilising an offline digital measurement tool measured the frontomaxillary facial angle of 55 karyotypically proven trisomy 21 fetuses. The resultant measurements were compared with 2D prospectively collected frontomaxillary facial angle measurements in both trisomy 21 and euploid fetuses, which were also performed by the same operator.

Results

The mean maternal age of both trisomy 21 cohorts [37 years old (prospective) and 37.7 years old (retrospective)] was similar (p = 0.72), and both were greater than those of the euploid group (32.2 years old) (p < 0.001). The median frontomaxillary facial angle measurement of the retrospective trisomy 21 cohort (90.5°) was greater than that of the euploid fetus group (87.1°) (p < 0.001) but has no difference to the median of the measurements collected prospectively from trisomy 21 fetuses (91.1°) (p = 0.86).

Conclusion

Overall, trisomy 21 fetuses have a larger frontomaxillary facial angle than euploid fetuses. Frontomaxillary facial angle measurements performed retrospectively in 2D were not different to prospective 2D frontomaxillary facial angle measurements.
On sparse representation for optimal individualized treatment selection with penalized outcome weighted learning
Authors: Song Rui , Kosorok Michael , Zeng Donglin , Zhao Yingqi , Laber Eric , Yuan Ming
Published: March 2015

As a new strategy for treatment, which takes individual heterogeneity into consideration, personalized medicine is of growing interest. Discovering individualized treatment rules for patients who have heterogeneous responses to treatment is one of the important areas in developing personalized medicine. As more and more information per individual is being collected in clinical studies and not all of the information is relevant for treatment discovery, variable selection becomes increasingly important in discovering individualized treatment rules. In this article, we develop a variable selection method based on penalized outcome weighted learning through which an optimal treatment rule is considered as a classification problem where each subject is weighted proportional to his or her clinical outcome. We show that the resulting estimator of the treatment rule is consistent and establish variable selection consistency and the asymptotic distribution of the estimators. The performance of the proposed approach is demonstrated via simulation studies and an analysis of chronic depression data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Miscible crystalline/crystalline polymer blends of polyoxymethylene copolymer/poly(ethylene oxide) with interpenetrated spherulites and enhanced properties
Authors: Bai Shibing , Wang Qi
Published: March 2015

Miscibility and crystallization behavior of a polymer blend consisting of two crystalline components, polyoxymethylene copolymer (Co‐POM) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), have been investigated. Experimental results indicate that Co‐POM is thermodynamically miscible with PEO, as shown by the existence of single‐composition dependent glass transition temperature over the entire composition range. The crystal structures and spherulitic morphologies of (Co‐POM)/PEO blends were studied by X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and polarizing light microscopy. It was found that the PEO spherulites crystallized within the matrix of the crystals of the pre‐existing Co‐POM phase and resulted in a high extent of interfibrillar segregation. The unique interpenetrated crystalline structure was beneficial for the sufficient contact between the two components and significantly improved both the toughing and the lubricating effect of PEO on the POM matrix. On incorporation of 30 wt% PEO, the notched impact strength of POM was enhanced from 6.7 to 10.3 MPa, by about 53.7%, while the elongation at break increased from 28.5% to 121.0%, by about 3.2 times. Furthermore, the friction coefficient drastically decreased from 0.35 to 0.17, demonstrating the enhanced tribological performance of the miscible blends. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:479–486, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Syntheses and Characterization of Three New Compounds Based on Terephthalate and 2‐(2‐Pyridin‐4‐yl‐vinyl)benzimidazole Ligands
Authors: Xia Chang‐Kun , Wei Chao , Wu Yun‐Long , Wu Fan , Yang Shen , Ma Jia‐Li
Published: March 2015

Three new compounds based on H2BDC and PyBImE [H2BDC = 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylatic acid, PyBImE = 2‐(2‐pyridin‐4‐yl‐vinyl)benzimidazole], namely, [Co(PyBImE)(BDC)(H2O)2] (1), [Co(PyBImE)2(HBDC)(BDC)0.5] (2), and [(HPyBImE)+·(BDC)2–0.5·(H2BDC)0.5] (3), were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a one‐dimensional chain bridged by terephthalate in a bis(monodentate) fashion. In the complex the nitrogen atom from NBIm and the coordination water molecule complete the coordination sphere. In complex 2, the dinuclear cobalt units are bridged by terephthalate in a bis(bidentate) fashion into a one‐dimensional chain, but different from complex 1, the nitrogen atom from NPy and the oxygen atom from hydrogenterephthalate complete the coordination sphere. Complex 3 is a co‐crystal with PyBImE and H2BDC in a 1:1 ratio and the transfer of hydrogen atoms leads the complex into a salt. Interesting supramolecular structures are shown due to the hydrogen bonding as well as π···π interactions in the three complexes. Thermal and magnetic properties of 1 and 2 were also studied.
Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among Portuguese and Spanish adolescents: The role of individual characteristics and internalisation of sociocultural ideals
Authors: Francisco Rita , Espinoza Paola , González Marcela L. , Penelo Eva , Mora Marisol , Rosés Rocío , Raich Rosa M.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to explore the differences in patterns of risk factors for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes in both female and male adolescents from Portugal and Spain. The sample included 455 adolescents aged 12–16 years (M = 13.28, SD = 0.65) from two urban areas of each country. Body mass index, self‐reported self‐esteem, perfectionism, internalisation of sociocultural ideals, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes were assessed. Path analyses provided partial support for a cross‐cultural model of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in Western countries due to the presence of certain differences in the patterns of relationships across sex and country. The findings suggest the importance not only of identifying cultural specificities, even in “neighbouring” countries, but also of developing a global and comprehensive preventive approach that focuses on the influence of the ideal of beauty transmitted by Western societies.
Serum hepatitis B surface antigen level might predict cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in older patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Lee Pei‐Lun , Chen Jyh‐Jou , Tung Hung‐Da , Cheng Chun‐Ta , Chuang Tang‐Wei , Wang Szu‐Jen , Wu Hsien‐Cheng
Published: March 2015

Background and aim

Distinguishing inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers from hepatitis B e antigen‐negative hepatitis remains difficult but is important because patients with active hepatitis may develop severe complications. Long‐term follow‐up data with stringent criteria are required for the identification of inactive HBsAg carriers. A single serum HBsAg level may be used to solve this difficult diagnostic issue; however, very few studies on its application in older patients have been published. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical significance of a single serum HBsAg level in older patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Materials and methods

From January 2012 to December 2012, the clinical manifestations of 1749 HBsAg‐positive patients were analyzed including 412 patients aged ≥ 60 years (mean age at enrollment, 68.6 ± 6.9 years; range, 60–90 years; 262 males and 150 females). We investigated the possibility of using a single serum HBsAg level to predict cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in older patients with CHB.

Results

Of the 1749 HBsAg‐positive patients, those aged ≥ 60 years tended to have lower serum HBsAg levels than the younger patients. In fact, all patients aged ≥ 60 years had a serum HBsAg level ≤ 10,000 IU/mL. Of the 412 patients aged ≥ 60 years, 122 (29.6%) had cirrhosis and 59 (14.3%) developed HCC. When an HBsAg‐titer < 100 IU/mL was used to examine severe clinical outcomes (cirrhosis or HCC), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for being free of liver cirrhosis and HCC were 49.3% and 95.2%, 19.7% and 28.8%, 85.6% and 95.2%, and 40.0% and 71.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

A single serum HBsAg level < 100 IU/mL might predict favorable clinical results in older patients with late‐stage CHB virus infection.
Schizophrenia patients with high intelligence: A clinically distinct sub-type of schizophrenia?
Authors: Černis E. , Vassos E. , Brébion G. , McKenna P.J. , Murray R.M. , David A.S. , MacCabe J.H.
Published: March 2015

Background

Schizophrenia patients are typically found to have low IQ both pre- and post-onset, in comparison to the general population. However, a subgroup of patients displays above average IQ pre-onset. The nature of these patients’ illness and its relationship to typical schizophrenia is not well understood. The current study sought to investigate the symptom profile of high-IQ schizophrenia patients.

Methods

We identified 29 schizophrenia patients of exceptionally high pre-morbid intelligence (mean estimated pre-morbid intelligence quotient (IQ) of 120), of whom around half also showed minimal decline (less than 10 IQ points) from their estimated pre-morbid IQ. We compared their symptom scores (SAPS, SANS, OPCRIT, MADRS, GAF, SAI-E) with a comparison group of schizophrenia patients of typical IQ using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

The patients with very high pre-morbid IQ had significantly lower scores on negative and disorganised symptoms than typical patients (RRR = 0.019; 95% CI = 0.001, 0.675, P = 0.030), and showed better global functioning and insight (RRR = 1.082; 95% CI = 1.020, 1.148; P = 0.009). Those with a minimal post-onset IQ decline also showed higher levels of manic symptoms (RRR = 8.213; 95% CI = 1.042, 64.750, P = 0.046).

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence for the existence of a high-IQ variant of schizophrenia that is associated with markedly fewer negative symptoms than typical schizophrenia, and lends support to the idea of a psychosis spectrum or continuum over boundaried diagnostic categories.
Vitamin D decreases the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in fibroblasts derived from Taiwanese patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis
Authors: Wang Ling‐Feng , Tai Chih‐Feng , Chien Chen‐Yu , Chiang Feng‐Yu , Chen Jeff Yi‐Fu
Published: March 2015

Vitamin D and its derivatives have modulatory effects in immunological and inflammatory responses. Such properties suggest that they might have an impact on chronic inflammatory airway diseases, including nasal polyposis. The aim of this study was to understand the role of vitamin D in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) by investigating its effect on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9 in nasal polyp‐derived fibroblasts. Two primary fibroblast cultures were established from nasal polyp tissues obtained during surgery. The nasal polyp‐derived fibroblasts were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α; 10 ng/mL) for 24 hours, followed by replacement with media alone or with vitamin D derivatives (calcitriol or tacalcitol; 10μM) and incubated for another 24 hours. After the treatments, the levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 secreted were evaluated by both enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. ELISA results revealed that TNF‐α could substantially stimulate the secretion of MMP‐2 (p < 0.01) and MMP‐9 (p < 0.001) in nasal polyp‐derived fibroblasts. More importantly, such stimulatory effect was significantly suppressed by adding calcitriol (p ≤ 0.01 for MMP‐2 and p < 0.001 for MMP‐9) or tacalcitol (p < 0.005 for both MMP‐2 and MMP‐9). The ELISA results were also confirmed by Western blot analysis. The inhibitory effect of vitamin D derivatives on MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 secretion could potentiate their application in pharmacotherapy of Taiwanese CRSwNP patients.
Effect of bovine colostrum feeding in comparison with milk replacer and natural feeding on the immune responses and colonisation of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the intestinal tissue of piglets
Authors: Sugiharto Sugiharto , Poulsen Ann-Sofie Riis , Canibe Nuria , Lauridsen Charlotte
Published: March 2015

The present study investigated the effect of feeding bovine colostrum (BC) to piglets in comparison with feeding a milk replacer (MR) and conventional rearing by the sow on the intestinal immune system and number of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) colonising the intestinal tissue. Piglets (23-d-old) were allocated to one of the following four groups: (1) killed at the beginning of the experiment (Base); (2) separated from the sow and fed BC (BC-fed); (3) separated from the sow and fed a MR (MR-fed); (4) kept with the sow (Sow-Milk). Blood was sampled on days 1 and 8, and faecal samples were collected on days 1, 3, 5 and 8. On day 8, piglets were killed and gastrointestinal digesta and intestinal segments were collected. The frequency of diarrhoea was found to be higher (P≤ 0·019) in MR-fed piglets than in BC-fed and Sow-Milk piglets. Piglets from the MR-fed group had the lowest lactic acid bacteria:haemolytic E. coli ratio (Ptreat= 0·064) in the faeces. The number of E. coli colonising the intestinal tissue was higher (P< 0·001) in piglets from the MR-fed group than in those from the BC-fed and Sow-Milk groups. Piglets from the Sow-Milk group had a higher (P= 0·020) mucosal IgG concentration than those from the MR-fed group, but did not exhibit any difference when compared with piglets from the Base and BC-fed groups. Piglets from the BC-fed group exhibited a reduced (P≤ 0·037) expression level of Toll-like receptor-4 in the intestinal mucosa when compared with those from the MR-fed and Sow-Milk groups. The expression level of IL-2 was higher (P≤ 0·051) in piglets from the MR-fed group than in those from the other treatment groups. In conclusion, feeding BC rather than MR to the piglets reduced the colonisation of intestine by ETEC and modulated the intestinal immune system, whereas no differences were observed in piglets fed BC and conventionally reared by the sows.
The Qing Empire's Last Flowering: The expansion of China's Post Office at the turn of the twentieth century
Authors: TSAI WEIPIN
Published: March 2015

The Great Qing Imperial Post Office was set up in 1896, soon after the First Sino-Japanese War. It provided the first national postal service for the general public in the whole of Chinese history, and was a symbol of China's increasing engagement with the rest of the globe. Much of the preparation for the launch was carried out by the high-ranking foreign staff of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, an influential institution established after the first Opium War.

With a mission to promote modernization and project Qing power, the Imperial Post Office was established with a centrally controlled set of unified methods and procedures, and its success was rooted in integration with the new railway network, a strategy at the heart of its ambitious plans for expansion. This article explores the history of this postal expansion through railways, the use of which allowed its creators to plan networks in an integrated way—from urban centres on the coasts and great rivers through to China's interior.
XXXII. A Dissertation on the Religion of the Druids. Addressed to Governor Pownall. By Edward Ledwich, LL. B. Vicar of Aghaboe, Queen's County, Ireland; and Member of the Antiquary Societies of London, Dublin, and Edinburgh
Authors: Ledwich Edward
Published: March 2015

To form complete systems of early colonizations, of antient history, learning, and manners, from the few remaining vestigia of former times, to decorate them with the ornaments of language and erudition, to strain every nerve to give them consistence and credibility, hath engaged the attention and labour of the most eminent writers of this and the last century. Witness the works of Rudbeck, Bochart, Pezron, Bryant, Gebelin, and many more. To the sober eye of reason the talk must appear discouraging, and its accomplishment extremely difficult: no man, how learned or ingenious soever, can be depended on for supplying the great deficiency of matter which is necessary to fill up the chasms of antiquity. The attempt seems as arduous, and almost as absurd, as to endeavour to erect another Herculaneum with its prefect ruins and the lava that destroyed it.
Real-time obstacle detection using range images: processing dynamically-sized sliding windows on a GPU
Authors: Mendes Caio César Teodoro , Osório Fernando Santos , Wolf Denis Fernando
Published: March 2015

An efficient obstacle detection technique is required so that navigating robots can avoid obstacles and potential hazards. This task is usually simplified by relying on structural patterns. However, obstacle detection constitutes a challenging problem in unstructured unknown environments, where such patterns may not exist. Talukder et al. (2002, IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium, pp. 610–618.) successfully derived a method to deal with such environments. Nevertheless, the method has a high computational cost and researchers that employ it usually rely on approximations to achieve real-time. We hypothesize that by using a graphics processing unit (GPU), the computing time of the method can be significantly reduced. Throughout the implementation process, we developed a general framework for processing dynamically-sized sliding windows on a GPU. The framework can be applied to other problems that require similar computation. Experiments were performed with a stereo camera and an RGB-D sensor, where the GPU implementations were compared to multi-core and single-core CPU implementations. The results show a significant gain in the computational performance, i.e. in a particular instance, a GPU implementation is almost 90 times faster than a single-core one.
COMPARING THE HTA CORE MODEL WITH A NATIONAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT REPORT
Authors: Pasternack Iris , de Groot Ingrid , Kleijnen Sarah , Polman Paula
Published: March 2015

Objectives: The HTA Core Model is a framework for producing health technology assessments (HTAs) in a structured format. The Model splits the content of a HTA into assessment elements. The objective is to explore the adaptability of these assessment elements in national report production in a pilot case study comparing a national HTA report and the HTA Core Model.

Methods: An on-going Dutch HTA report on endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) was chosen as a typical representative of a national report on medical interventions. The author of the EVAR report assessed the relevance and comprehensiveness of the assessment elements of the HTA Core Model for her work. Another researcher annotated the Core Model specific content in the EVAR report. Matching and missing content, as well as the distribution of information in the EVAR report were tabulated and analysed in joint deliberations.

Results: Forty percent of the assessment elements of the Core Model were considered relevant for the EVAR report. Some issues relevant for EVAR but missing from the Core Model were identified: they were about re-interventions, secondary prevention, subpopulations that benefit most, and the length of the hospital stay. The distribution of information differed substantially between the Code Model and the national report.

Conclusions: The assessment elements of the HTA Core Model covered most relevant questions of the national report. In order to facilitate easy adaptation of information, the distribution of information should be more consistent in the national report and the Core model.
PILOTING INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION OF RAPID RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS ASSESSMENTS OF PHARMACEUTICALS
Authors: Kleijnen Sarah , Pasternack Iris , Rannanheimo Piia , Vuola Jenni M , Van de Casteele Marc , Bucsics Anna , Pulis Isabelle Zahra , Di Bidino Rossella , Sacchini Dario , Montilla Simona , Abrishami Payam , Sammut Sylvana Magrin , Muscolo Luisa Anna Adele , Happonen Pertti , Goettsch Wim G.
Published: March 2015

Background: This article describes the lessons learned from an international pilot assessment using the first version of the HTA Core Model® and Guidelines for rapid Relative Effectiveness Assessment (REA) of pharmaceuticals based on input from three different perspectives: the assessors, the users (health technology assessment organisations) and the marketing authorisation holder.

Methods: A pilot assessment was performed of pazopanib for the treatment of advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma for which 54 individuals from 22 EUnetHTA member organisations from 16 European countries gave their contribution. The work was divided in eight domain teams. Subsequently, results of these domain teams were synthesised in one pilot report. Feedback on the outcomes of the pilot was gathered throughout the project and through structured surveys.

Results: The first version of the assessment was produced in six months and consisted of 55 question and answer pairs, 8 domain reports and a synthesis section that combined the results from the different domains. The organisation of the pilot required intense coordination. Main points of criticism on the assessment were the lengthiness of the document and overlap of information throughout the assessment.

Conclusions: A reduction in the number of authoring organisations and individuals participating is necessary to avoid information overlap and increase efficiency in undertaking the assessment. Involving several organisations (e.g. five) in an in-depth review could still ensure the benefit of broad participation from various countries. The focus of a rapid REA should be on the first four domains of the Model.
DEVELOPING THE HTA CORE MODEL FOR THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Lampe Kristian , Pasternack Iris , Saarekas Oskari , Raustia Leena , Cleemput Irina , Corio Mirella , Endel Gottfried , Frønsdal Katrine , Imaz Iñaki , Kleijnen Sarah , Kristensen Finn , Rüther Alric , Werkö Sophie , Cerbo Marina
Published: March 2015

Background: A framework for collaborative production and sharing of
HTA information, the HTA Core Model, was originally developed within EUnetHTA in
2006–08. In this paper, we describe the further development of the
Model to allow implementation and utilization of the Model online. The aim was
to capture a generic HTA process that would allow effective use of the HTA Core
Model and resulting HTA information while at the same time not interfering with
HTA agencies' internal processes.

Methods: The work was coordinated by a development team in Finland,
supported by an international expert group. Two pilot testing rounds were
organized among EUnetHTA agencies and two extensive core HTA projects tested the
tool in a real setting. The final work was also formally validated by a group of
HTA agencies.

Results: The HTA Core Model Online—available at http://www.corehta.info—is a web site hosting a) a tool to
allow electronic utilization of the HTA Core Model and b) a database of produced
HTA information. While access to the HTA information is free to all, the
production features are currently available to EUnetHTA member agencies only. A
policy was crafted to steer the use of the Model and produced information.

Conclusions: We have successfully enabled electronic use of the HTA
Core Model and agreed on a policy for its utilization. The system is already
being used in subsequent HTA projects within EUnetHTA Joint Action 2. Identified
shortcomings and further needs will be addressed in subsequent development.
The forest vegetation of Turkey
Authors: Quézel P.
Published: March 2015

Synopsis

The Turkish forests are a complex of Mediterranean, European, Euxine and Irano-Turanian influences. The boundaries between these 4 bioclimatic-biogeographical zones have, especially in the E of the country, been little studied and their limits are difficult to establish. Phytosociological and biogeographical aspects of these forest zones are discussed. In the bioclimatic-Mediterranean region, the forest and pre-forest structures are related to QUERCETALIA ILICIS in the thermo- and meso-Mediterranean stages, and to QUERCETALIA PUBESCENTIS in the supra-Mediterranean stage, except in southern Anatolia where they belong to QUERCO-CEDRETALIA LIBANI. In the prepontic bioclimatic region where the Mediterranean influence is still perceptible, they belong to QUERCO-CARPINETALIA ORIENTALIS and in the Euxine bioclimatic region to RHODODENDRO-FAGETALIA ORIENTALI and to PINOPICEETALIA ORIENTALIS. Some forest formations in NW Anatolia, with a European mountain influence, are related to FAGETALIA SYLVATICAE and to VACCINIO PICEETALIA.
Southern Delegates and Republican National Convention Politics, 1880–1928
Authors: Heersink Boris , Jenkins Jeffery A.
Published: March 2015

Throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Republican Party dominated American elections in all geographical areas except the former Confederacy, which remained solidly Democratic. Despite this, Southern states were consistently provided with a sizable delegation to the Republican National Convention (as much as 26 percent of the total). This raises the question: Why would a region that delivered no votes on Election Day be given a substantial say in the selection of the party's presidential candidate? Previous research on the role Southern delegates played in Republican conventions has been limited to individual cases or to studies only tangentially related to this question. We explore the continuous and sizable presence of Southern delegates at Republican conventions by conducting a historical overview of the 1880–1928 period. We find that Republican Party leaders—and particularly presidents—adopted a “Southern strategy” by investing heavily in maintaining a minor party organization in the South, as a way to create a reliable voting base at conventions. We also show that as the Republican Party's strength across the country grew under the “System of 1896,” challenges to the delegate apportionment method—and thereby efforts to minimize Southern influence at Republican conventions—increased substantially.
The effects of different maturation conditions on seed dormancy and germination ofCenchrus ciliaris
Authors: Sharif-Zadeh Farzad , Murdoch Alistair J.
Published: March 2015

Seeds ofCenchrus ciliarisL. were produced under different hydro–photo–thermal environments with and without fertilizer. Dormancy loss of spikelets and extracted caryopses was tested during dry after-ripening at 40°C and 43% equilibrium relative humidity. Caryopses had higher initial germination and lost their dormancy faster than spikelets. Dormancy of both caryopses and spikelets generally decreased with an increase of maturation temperature and fertility, whereas dormancy increased if water stress was imposed during maturation. The latter effect was smaller when the mother plants were exposed to water stress after caryopses were fully formed than when water stress cycles were applied throughout maturation. Daylength extension (to 14 or 18 h d-1) by artificial light increased dormancy of both caryopses and spikelets. The effect of long days declined when plants were exposed to natural daylight for more than 10 h d-1. The after-ripening curves were consistent with the hypothesis that dormancy periods of individual seeds are normally distributed within each seed lot. Rates of loss of dormancy were quantified by the slopes of these curves. In a given experiment, these rates were identical for caryopses but not always for spikelets that matured in diverse environments. Even for caryopses, however, the slopes varied between experiments. Therefore, the results do not support the hypothesis that a dormancy model can be applied universally to all seed lots ofCenchrus ciliaris. Methods of predicting the period of after-ripening required to achieve desired levels of dormancy for reseeding degraded rangelands are discussed.
On the Chromatic Thresholds of Hypergraphs
Authors: BALOGH JÓZSEF , BUTTERFIELD JANE , HU PING , LENZ JOHN , MUBAYI DHRUV
Published: March 2015

Let $\mathcal{F}$ be a family of r-uniform hypergraphs. The chromatic threshold of $\mathcal{F}$ is the infimum of all non-negative reals c such that the subfamily of $\mathcal{F}$ comprising hypergraphs H with minimum degree at least $c \binom{| V(H) |}{r-1}$ has bounded chromatic number. This parameter has a long history for graphs (r = 2), and in this paper we begin its systematic study for hypergraphs.

Łuczak and Thomassé recently proved that the chromatic threshold of the so-called near bipartite graphs is zero, and our main contribution is to generalize this result to r-uniform hypergraphs. For this class of hypergraphs, we also show that the exact Turán number is achieved uniquely by the complete (r + 1)-partite hypergraph with nearly equal part sizes. This is one of very few infinite families of non-degenerate hypergraphs whose Turán number is determined exactly. In an attempt to generalize Thomassen's result that the chromatic threshold of triangle-free graphs is 1/3, we prove bounds for the chromatic threshold of the family of 3-uniform hypergraphs not containing {abc, abd, cde}, the so-called generalized triangle.

In order to prove upper bounds we introduce the concept of fibre bundles, which can be thought of as a hypergraph analogue of directed graphs. This leads to the notion of fibre bundle dimension, a structural property of fibre bundles that is based on the idea of Vapnik–Chervonenkis dimension in hypergraphs. Our lower bounds follow from explicit constructions, many of which use a hypergraph analogue of the Kneser graph. Using methods from extremal set theory, we prove that these Kneser hypergraphs have unbounded chromatic number. This generalizes a result of Szemerédi for graphs and might be of independent interest. Many open problems remain.
Mild Cognitive Impairment:A Neuropsychological Perspective
Authors: Nelson Aaron P. , O'Connor Margaret G.
Published: March 2015

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical diagnosis in which deficits in cognitive function are evident but not of sufficient severity to warrant a diagnosis of dementia. For the majority of patients, MCI represents a transitional state between normal aging and mild dementia, usually Alzheimer's disease. Multiple subtypes of MCI are now recognized. In addition to presentations featuring memory impairment, symptoms in other cognitive domains (eg, executive function, language, visuospatial) have been identified. Neuropsychological testing can be extremely useful in making the MCI diagnosis and tracking the evolution of cognitive symptoms over time. A comprehensive test battery includes measures of baseline intellectual ability, attention, executive function, memory, language, visuospatial skills, and mood. Informant-bassed measures of neuropsychiatric symptoms, behaviors, and competency in instrumental activity are also included. Careful assessment can identify subtle deficits that may otherwise elude detection, particularly in individuals of superior baseline intellectual ability. As we move closer to disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease, early identification becomes critical for identifying patients who have an opportunity to benefit from treatment.
Assessing the cross-sectional and inter-temporal validity of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) in Burundi
Authors: Desiere Sam , D’Haese Marijke , Niragira Sanctus
Published: March 2015

Objective

To examine the cross-sectional and inter-temporal validity of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) for rural households in Burundi.

Design

Longitudinal survey about food security and agricultural production, individually administered by trained interviewers in June 2007 and 2012.

Setting

Ngozi, north of Burundi.

Subjects

Three hundred and fourteen household heads were interviewed.

Results

Tobit models showed that the HFIAS was significantly correlated with objective measures of food security, in this case total annual food production (P<0·01), livestock keeping (P<0·01) and coffee production (P<0·01) in both 2007 and 2012. This confirms that the HFIAS is cross-sectionally valid and corroborates the findings of previous studies. However, while total food production decreased by more than 25 % in terms of energy between 2007 and 2012, households reported an improvement in their perceived food security over the same period, with the HFIAS decreasing from 13·9 to 10·8 (P<0·001). This finding questions the inter-temporal validity of the HFIAS. It may be partly explained through response shifts, in which households assess their own food security status in comparison to that of their peers.

Conclusions

The evidence from our study suggests that the HFIAS is cross-sectionally valid, but may not be inter-temporally valid, and should not be used as a single indicator to study temporal trends in food security.
Inter- and independent effects of region and race/ethnicity on variety of fruit and vegetable consumption in the USA: 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Authors: Tichenor Nicole , Conrad Zach
Published: March 2015

Objective

(i) To estimate the independent and combined effects of race/ethnicity and region on the variety of fruits and vegetables consumed in the USA in 2011; and (ii) to assess whether and to what extent race/ethnicity and region may synergistically influence variety of fruit and vegetable consumption.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis. Multivariate logistic regression predicted the likelihood of meeting fruit and vegetable variety indicators independently and in combination for each race/ethnicity and region. Interaction effects models were used to test for interaction effects between race/ethnicity and region on fruit and vegetable variety.

Setting

The 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Subjects

The sample consisted of 275 864 adult respondents.

Results

Fewer than half of respondents consumed fruit and all vegetable subcategories at least once weekly. The adjusted likelihood of meeting fruit and vegetable variety indicators varied significantly by race/ethnicity and region (P<0·05). Significant interactions between race/ethnicity and region were found for at least once weekly consumption of beans, orange vegetables, all vegetables, and fruit and all vegetables (P<0·05).

Conclusions

Our results reinforce previous findings that the variety of vegetable consumption is lacking and is particularly evident among some population subgroups, such as non-Hispanic blacks in the Midwest USA, who may benefit from targeted dietary interventions.
THERMIC MINORANTS AND REDUCTIONS OF SUPERTEMPERATURES
Authors: WATSON NEIL A.
Published: March 2015

Let $u$ be a supertemperature on an open set $E$, and let $v$ be a related temperature on an open subset $D$ of $E$. For example, $v$ could be the greatest thermic minorant of $u$ on $D$, if it exists. Putting $w=u$ on $E\setminus D$ and $w=v$ on $D$, we investigate whether $w$, or its lower semicontinuous smoothing, is a supertemperature on $E$. We also give a representation of the greatest thermic minorant on $E$, if it exists, in terms of PWB solutions on an expanding sequence of open subsets of $E$ with union $E$.  In addition, in the case of a nonnegative supertemperature, we prove inequalities that relate reductions to Dirichlet solutions. We also prove that the value of any reduction at a given time depends only on earlier times.