bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uric acid increases cellular and humoral alloimmunity in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Pissas Georgios , Sounidaki Maria , Antoniadi Georgia , Antoniadis Nikolaos , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Stefanidis Ioannis
Published: May 2017

Aim

Hyperuricaemia is common among kidney transplant recipients and has been associated with worse graft outcome. Since episodes of acute cellular rejection and chronic humoral rejection contribute to decreased graft survival, in this study the effect of uric acid on cellular and humoral alloimmunity was evaluated.

Methods

Cellular alloimmunity was assessed by cell proliferation in two‐way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). For assessing humoral alloimmunity we developed a method in which humoral alloimmunity was induced in one‐way MLR. Then the de novo production of alloantibodies was measured with an antibody‐mediated complement‐dependent cytotoxicity assay, in which supernatants from the above MRLs were used against resting PBMC similar to the stimulator cells of the above MLRs.

Results

Uric acid at a concentration above its crystallization threshold increased cellular proliferation in two‐way MLRs. Supernatants from one‐way MLRs performed in the presence of uric acid were more cytotoxic against PBMC from individuals that had conferred the stimulator cells for the above MLRs.

Conclusions

Uric acid increases both cellular and humoral alloimmunity in human PBMC. These results offer a possible pathogenetic mechanism for the observed relation between hyperuricaemia and worse kidney allograft survival.
The Botrytis cinerea elicitor protein BcIEB1 interacts with the tobacco PR5‐family protein osmotin and protects the fungus against its antifungal activity
Authors: González Mario , Brito Nélida , González Celedonio
Published: May 2017

The broad‐range phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea secretes hundreds of proteins during infection of its plant hosts. One of these proteins, BcIEB1, is abundantly secreted and is able to elicit plant defenses, probably as a pathogen‐associated molecular pattern, although its native function in B. cinerea biology remains unknown.

Pull‐down experiments designed to isolate the molecular target of BcIEB1 in tobacco resulted in the identification of osmotin, a pathogenesis‐related protein of family 5 that shows antifungal activity. The expression of osmotin in Escherichia coli allowed the verification of the BcIEB1–osmotin interaction with pure proteins by pull‐down and far Western blot experiments, as well as the confirmation of the activity of osmotin against B. cinerea.

Interestingly, B. cinerea Δbcieb1 mutants are more susceptible than the wild‐type to osmotin, and the external addition of pure BcIEB1 protects the Δbcieb1 mutants, as well as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, from the antifungal action of osmotin, thus pointing at PR5 inhibition as the primary native function of BcIEB1.

The question of whether osmotin is also involved in the activation of plant defenses by BcIEB1 is also addressed, and the data suggest that osmotin does not participate in the elicitation process.
Arabidopsis ketoacyl‐CoA synthase 16 (KCS16) forms C36/C38 acyl precursors for leaf trichome and pavement surface wax
Authors: Hegebarth Daniela , Buschhaus Christopher , Joubès Jérôme , Thoraval Didier , Bird David , Jetter Reinhard
Published: May 2017

The aliphatic waxes sealing plant surfaces against environmental stress are generated by fatty acid elongase complexes, each containing a β‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthase (KCS) enzyme that catalyses a crucial condensation forming a new C─C bond to extend the carbon backbone. The relatively high abundance of C35 and C37 alkanes derived from C36 and C38 acyl‐CoAs in Arabidopsis leaf trichomes (relative to other epidermis cells) suggests differences in the elongation machineries of different epidermis cell types, possibly involving KCS16, a condensing enzyme expressed preferentially in trichomes. Here, KCS16 was found expressed primarily in Arabidopsis rosette leaves, flowers and siliques, and the corresponding protein was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. The cuticular waxes on young leaves and isolated leaf trichomes of ksc16 loss‐of‐function mutants were depleted of C35 and C37 alkanes and alkenes, whereas expression of Arabidopsis KCS16 in yeast and ectopic overexpression in Arabidopsis resulted in accumulation of C36 and C38 fatty acid products. Taken together, our results show that KCS16 is the sole enzyme catalysing the elongation of C34 to C38 acyl‐CoAs in Arabidopsis leaf trichomes and that it contributes to the formation of extra‐long compounds in adjacent pavement cells.
Role of sex in morbidity and mortality of very premature neonates
Authors: Ito Masato , Tamura Masanori , Namba Fumihiko ,   the Neonatal Research Network of Japan
Published: May 2017

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sex on survival and short‐term outcomes of very low‐birthweight infants (VLBWI) born in Japan.

Methods

This study included VLBWI who were admitted to neonatal intensive care units participating in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan, between 2003 and 2012. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality or any major morbidity, including neurologic injury, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), or retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment.

Results

The composite primary outcome was worse in male infants. Male infants were also more likely to develop BPD. This difference reached statistical significance in neonates born at ≥26 weeks of gestation. In contrast, significant difference in the incidence of NEC was more likely to be seen at 23–25 weeks of gestation.

Conclusion

Male neonates are more likely to die and are at a higher risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal complications than female neonates.
Tolyporphin—An Unusual Green Chlorin‐like Dioxobacteriochlorin
Authors: Brückner Christian
Published: May 2017

The tolyporphins, a family of green tetrapyrrolic pigments isolated from a cyanobacterium‐microbial ecological unit, possess unique carbohydrate‐derivatized dioxobacteriochlorin frameworks. A brief overview over the history, synthesis, chemistry and biological properties of the tolyporphins forms the backdrop for highlighting the contribution by Hood et al. (Photochem. Photobiol., 2017, https://doi.org/10.1111/php.12781) who demonstrate the optical properties of tolyporphins to be more similar to those of chlorins than of bacteriochlorins. This property could be correlated with the presence of β‐oxo‐functionalities. The study continues to clarify the structure, properties and possible roles of these intriguing chromophores with a range of biomedical properties.
Volitional saccade performance in a large sample of patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder and unaffected first‐degree relatives
Authors: Bey Katharina , Kloft Lisa , Lennertz Leonhard , Grützmann Rosa , Heinzel Stephan , Kaufmann Christian , Klawohn Julia , Riesel Anja , Meyhöfer Inga , Kathmann Norbert , Wagner Michael
Published: May 2017

Recent evidence indicates that patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as their unaffected first‐degree relatives show deficits in the volitional control of saccades, suggesting that volitional saccade performance may constitute an endophenotype of OCD. Here, we aimed to replicate and extend these findings in a large, independent sample. One hundred and fifteen patients with OCD, 103 healthy comparison subjects without a family history of OCD, and 31 unaffected first‐degree relatives of OCD patients were examined using structured clinical interviews and performed a volitional saccade task as well as a prosaccade task. In contrast to previous reports, neither patients nor relatives showed impairments in the performance of volitional saccades compared to healthy controls. Notably, medicated patients did not differ from nonmedicated patients, and there was no effect of depressive comorbidity. Additional analyses investigating correlations between saccade performance and OCD symptom dimensions yielded no significant associations. In conclusion, the present results do not support the notion that volitional saccade execution constitutes an endophenotype of OCD. Possible explanations for inconsistencies with previous studies are discussed.
P4 medicine approach to obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Lim Diane C. , Sutherland Kate , Cistulli Peter A. , Pack Allan I.
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

P4 medicine is an evolving approach to personalized medicine. The four Ps offer a means to: Predict who will develop disease and co‐morbidities; Prevent rather than react to disease; Personalize diagnosis and treatment; have patients Participate in their own care. P4 medicine is very applicable to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) because each OSA patient has a different pathway to disease and its consequences. OSA has both structural and physiological mechanisms with different clinical subgroups, different molecular profiles and different consequences. This may explain why there are different responses to alternative therapies, such as intraoral devices and hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy. Currently, technology facilitates patients to participate in their own care from screening for OSA (snoring and apnoea apps) to monitoring response to therapy (sleep monitoring, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and heart rate) as well as monitoring their own continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance. We present a conceptual framework that provides the basis for a new, P4 medicine approach to OSA and should be considered more in depth: predict and prevent those at high risk for OSA and consequences, personalize the diagnosis and treatment of OSA and build in patient participation to manage OSA.
Domestic violence: a neglected epidemic in obstetrics and gynaecology training
Authors: Cox‐George Chantal , Moffatt Joanne , Jones Kevin
Published: May 2017

Key content

There needs to be improved understanding of issues around domestic violence, particularly among obstetrics and gynaecology clinicians.

Domestic violence occurring during pregnancy has negative consequences on morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the unborn child.

Up to 30% of women present as victims of domestic violence in pregnancy; therefore, it is of the utmost importance that teaching on this topic is introduced into the national obstetrics and gynaecology curriculum.

The current provision of undergraduate and post‐qualification training in domestic violence in obstetrics and gynaecology falls below the standards set by other professional groups.

Learning objectives

To understand the impact of domestic violence presenting in obstetrics and gynaecology.

To review the undergraduate obstetrics and gynaecology curriculum and CPD in domestic violence.

To consider opportunities for multidisciplinary training about domestic violence.
The brassinosteroid receptor BRI1 can generate cGMP enabling cGMP‐dependent downstream signaling
Authors: Wheeler Janet I. , Wong Aloysius , Marondedze Claudius , Groen Arnoud J. , Kwezi Lusisizwe , Freihat Lubna , Vyas Jignesh , Raji Misjudeen A. , Irving Helen R. , Gehring Chris
Published: May 2017

The brassinosteroid receptor brassinosteroid insensitive 1 (BRI1) is a member of the leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinase family. The intracellular kinase domain of BRI1 is an active kinase and also encapsulates a guanylate cyclase catalytic centre. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we confirmed that the recombinant cytoplasmic domain of BRI1 generates pmol amounts of cGMP per μg protein with a preference for magnesium over manganese as a co‐factor. Importantly, a functional BRI1 kinase is essential for optimal cGMP generation. Therefore, the guanylate cyclase activity of BRI1 is modulated by the kinase while cGMP, the product of the guanylate cyclase, in turn inhibits BRI1 kinase activity. Furthermore, we show using Arabidopsis root cell cultures that cGMP rapidly potentiates phosphorylation of the downstream substrate brassinosteroid signaling kinase 1 (BSK1). Taken together, our results suggest that cGMP acts as a modulator that enhances downstream signaling while dampening signal generation from the receptor.
Expression and targeting of transcription factor ATF5 in dog gliomas
Authors: York D. , Sproul C. D. , Chikere N. , Dickinson P. J. , Angelastro J. M.
Published: May 2017

Background

Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) is a transcription factor that is highly expressed in undifferentiated neural progenitor/stem cells as well as a variety of human cancers including gliomas.

Aims

In this study, we examined the expression and localization of ATF5 protein in canine gliomas, and targeting of ATF5 function in canine glioma cell lines.

Materials and Methods

Paraffin‐embedded canine brain glioma tissue sections and western blots of tumours and glioma cells were immunoassayed with anti‐ATF5 antibody. Viability of glioma cells was tested with a synthetic cell‐penetrating ATF5 peptide (CP‐d/n ATF5) ATF5 antagonist.

Results

ATF5 protein expression was in the nucleus and cytoplasm and was present in normal adult brain and tumour samples, with significantly higher expression in tumours as shown by western immunoblotting. CP‐d/n ATF5 was found to decrease cell viability in canine glioma cell lines in vitro in a dose‐dependent manner.

Conclusion

Similarities in expression of ATF5 in rodent, dog and human tumours, and cross species efficacy of the CP‐d/n ATF5 peptide support the development of this ATF5‐targeting approach as a novel and translational therapy in dog gliomas.
A
Flicr
of hope for autoimmunity
Authors: Davis Laurie S.
Published: May 2017

The long noncoding RNA
Flicr
modifies
Foxp3
chromatin accessibility to reduce T regulatory cell differentiation and function.
Biosynthesis of the Pharmaceutically Important Fungal Ergot Alkaloid Dihydrolysergic Acid Requires a Specialized Allele of
cloA
Authors: Arnold Stephanie L. , Panaccione Daniel G.
Published: May 2017

Ergot alkaloids are specialized fungal metabolites that are important as the bases of several pharmaceuticals. Many ergot alkaloids are derivatives of lysergic acid (LA) and have vasoconstrictive activity, whereas several dihydrolysergic acid (DHLA) derivatives are vasorelaxant. The pathway to LA is established, with the P450 monooxygenase CloA playing a key role in oxidizing its substrate agroclavine to LA. We analyzed the activities of products of
cloA
alleles from different fungi relative to DHLA biosynthesis by expressing them in a mutant of the fungus
Neosartorya fumigata
that accumulates festuclavine, the precursor to DHLA. Transformants expressing CloA from
Epichloë typhina
×
Epichloë festucae
, which oxidizes agroclavine to LA, failed to oxidize festuclavine to DHLA. In substrate feeding experiments, these same transformants oxidized exogenously supplied agroclavine to LA, indicating that a functional CloA was produced. A genomic clone of
cloA
from
Claviceps africana
, a sorghum ergot fungus that produces a DHLA derivative, was cloned and expressed in the festuclavine-accumulating mutant of
N. fumigata
, but several introns in this genomic clone were not processed properly. Expression of a synthetic intron-free version of
C. africana
cloA
resulted in the accumulation of DHLA as assessed by fluorescence high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In substrate feeding experiments, the
C. africana
CloA also accepted agroclavine as the substrate, oxidizing it to LA. The data indicate that a specialized allele of
cloA
is required for DHLA biosynthesis and that the pharmaceutically important compound DHLA can be produced in engineered
N. fumigata
.

IMPORTANCE
Ergot alkaloids are fungal metabolites that have impacted humankind historically as poisons and more recently as pharmaceuticals used to treat dementia, migraines, and other disorders. Much is known about the biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids that are derived from lysergic acid (LA), but important questions remain about a parallel pathway to ergot alkaloids derived from dihydrolysergic acid (DHLA). DHLA-derived alkaloids have minor structural differences compared to LA-derived alkaloids but can have very different activities. To understand how DHLA is made, we analyzed activities of a key enzyme in the DHLA pathway and found that it differed from its counterpart in the LA pathway. Our data indicate a critical difference between the two pathways and provide a strategy for producing DHLA by modifying a model fungus. The ability to produce DHLA in a model fungus may facilitate synthesis of DHLA-derived pharmaceuticals.
Moderate Expression of
SEC16
Increases Protein Secretion by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bao Jichen , Huang Mingtao , Petranovic Dina , Nielsen Jens
Published: May 2017

The yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
is widely used to produce biopharmaceutical proteins. However, the limited capacity of the secretory pathway may reduce its productivity. Here, we increased the secretion of a heterologous α-amylase, a model protein used for studying the protein secretory pathway in yeast, by moderately overexpressing
SEC16
, which is involved in protein translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. The moderate overexpression of
SEC16
increased α-amylase secretion by generating more endoplasmic reticulum exit sites. The production of reactive oxygen species resulting from the heterologous α-amylase production was reduced. A genome-wide expression analysis indicated decreased endoplasmic reticulum stress in the strain that moderately overexpressed
SEC16
, which was consistent with a decreased volume of the endoplasmic reticulum. Additionally, fewer mitochondria were observed. Finally, the moderate overexpression of
SEC16
was shown to improve the secretion of two other recombinant proteins,
Trichoderma reesei
endoglucanase I and
Rhizopus oryzae
glucan-1,4-α-glucosidase, indicating that this mechanism is of general relevance.

IMPORTANCE
There is an increasing demand for recombinant proteins to be used as enzymes and pharmaceuticals. The yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
is a cell factory that is widely used to produce recombinant proteins. Our study revealed that moderate overexpression of
SEC16
increased recombinant protein secretion in
S. cerevisiae
. This new strategy can be combined with other targets to engineer cell factories to efficiently produce protein in the future.
Fever without a source: evolution of a diagnosis from Kawasaki disease to acute myelogenous leukaemia
Authors: Lee Begem , Kofman Christine D , Tremoulet Adriana H , Kuo Dennis John
Published: May 2017

A previously healthy 11-month-old male patient presented with fever, abdominal pain and irritability. As part of an extensive evaluation for the cause of his fevers, an echocardiogram was performed and showed mildly dilated coronary arteries, leading to a diagnosis of incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD). He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), defervesced and was discharged home. Two weeks later, he presented with anaemia initially attributed to haemolytic anaemia secondary to IVIG and received a red blood cell transfusion. However, his anaemia recurred 2  weeks later with leucocytosis, prompting a bone marrow aspirate 4  weeks after his diagnosis of KD. This demonstrated acute myelogenous leukaemia most consistent with acute megakaryocytic leukaemia. This case highlights the potentially subtle presentation of acute leukaemia and the need to keep an open mind and reconsider the initial diagnosis as new information comes to light in the care of an ill child.
You are what you eat: ophthalmological manifestations of severe B12deficiency
Authors: Azenha Cátia , Costa José F , Fonseca Pedro
Published: May 2017

Severe B12vitamin deficiency due to diminished dietary intake is a known cause of severe pancytopenia with bleeding diathesis. The authors report a case with sudden-onset bilateral vision loss, severe pancytopenia and multiple organ failure secondary to B12vitamin deficiency in a patient with a strict vegetarian diet. On funduscopic examination the patient had multiple bilateral exuberant haemorrhages in all retinal layers. Five months after presentation, he had a complete visual recovery without ophthalmological intervention.
Management of a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma overlying an AV fistula
Authors: Nath Neel Som , Gilmore Brian F , McCann Richard K , Mosca Paul J
Published: May 2017

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) currently affects over 700 000 patients per year in the USA alone, and its incidence continues to rise in recent years. A known risk factor for cSCC is chronic inflammation; a cSCC that develops at a site of chronic inflammation is known as Marjolin’s ulcer. We present the case of a 76-year-old man with end-stage renal disease requiring chronic haemodialysis who developed an invasive cSCC at the cannulation site of an underlying arteriovenous (AV) fistula. In this instance, treatment with standard surgical excision or Mohs surgery would pose unique risks associated with injury to an otherwise functional AV fistula. Thus, the lesion was treated with electron beam radiation therapy, which offers a similar efficacy to surgery while minimising risk to the fistula. This resulted in a successful oncological outcome with no complications.
Unilateral infective sacroiliitis in a boy presenting with a limp
Authors: Patel Reeya , Monem Mohammed , Sherief Tamer
Published: May 2017

A 9-year-old boy admitted to a district general hospital with a 1-week history of fever and a 2-day history of right hip pain. Initial workup revealed raised inflammatory markers and unremarkable imaging studies. After clinical review, there was minimal improvement of the patient’s condition 5 days after presentation; therefore, an MRI of the pelvis/hips was carried out, which supported a clinical diagnosis of right-sided infective sacroiliitis. Infective sacroiliitis is rare and only represents 1%–2% of septic arthritis in children. The condition still remains a diagnostic challenge first due to poor localisation of symptoms with referred pain to the hip, thigh and lower back and second due to a lack of awareness by non-specialist clinicians. Early diagnosis is a key to avoid sequelae such as an abscess, degenerative changes of the sacroiliac joint and can be achieved by a thorough clinical examination, monitoring inflammatory markers and MRI.
Epidemiology of competition injuries in youth karate athletes: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Čierna Dušana , Lystad Reidar P
Published: May 2017

Aim

To determine the injury incidence rate and injury pattern among youth karate athletes competing in national tournaments in Slovakia, and to identify risk factors for injury.

Methods

Data were collected at nine national youth karate tournaments in Slovakia in 2015 and 2016. Injury incidence rates were calculated per 1000 athlete-exposures (IIRAE) and per 1000 min of exposure (IIRME) with 95% CIs. Subgroups were compared by calculating their rate ratios (RR) with 95% CIs.

Results

The overall IIRAEand IIRMEwere 45.3 (95% CI 38.7 to 52.6) and 35.9 (95% CI 30.7 to 41.7), respectively. The most frequently injured anatomical region was the head/neck (57%), while the most common type of injury was contusion (85%). The risk of injury for the 12–17-year-old age group was almost twice that of the 6–12-year-old age group, after accounting for exposure time (RRME1.92 (95% CI 1.39 to 2.65)), and the difference was more pronounced for girls than boys (RRME2.47 (95% CI 1.52 to 4.00) vs RRME1.62 (95% CI 1.06 to 2.49), respectively).

Conclusions

Youth karate has a relatively large proportion of head injuries. Adolescent and female youth karate athletes are at higher risk of injury compared with their child and male counterparts.
Comparing local modularity optimization for detecting communities in networks
Authors: Xiang Ju , Wang Zhi-Zhong , Li Hui-Jia , Zhang Yan , Chen Shi , Liu Cui-Cui , Li Jian-Ming , Guo Li-Juan
Published: May 2017

Community detection is one important problem in network theory, and many methods have been proposed for detecting community structures in the networks. Given quality functions for evaluating community structures, community detection can be considered as one kind of optimization problem, such as modularity optimization, therefore, optimization of quality functions has been one of the most popular strategies for community detection. In this paper, we introduced two kinds of local modularity functions for community detection, and the self-consistent method is introduced to optimize the local modularity for detecting communities in the networks. We analyze the behaviors of the modularity optimizations, and compare the performance of them in community detection. The results confirm the superiority of the local modularity in detecting community structures, especially on large-size and heterogeneous networks.
Boundary-Crisis-Induced Complex Bursting Patterns in a Forced Cubic Map
Authors: Han Xiujing , Zhang Chun , Yu Yue , Bi Qinsheng
Published: May 2017

This paper reports novel routes to complex bursting patterns based on a forced cubic map, in which boundary-crisis-induced novel bursting patterns are investigated. Typically, the cubic map exhibits stable upper and lower branches of fixed points, which may evolve into chaos in opposite parameter directions by a cascade of period-doubling bifurcations. We show that the chaotic attractors on the stable branches may suddenly disappear by boundary crisis, thus leading to fast transitions from chaos to other attractors and giving rise to switchings between the stable branches of solutions of the cubic map. In particular, the attractors that the trajectory switches to by boundary crisis can be fixed points, periodic orbits and chaos, dependent on parameter values of the cubic map, and this helps us to reveal three general types of boundary-crisis-induced bursting, i.e. bursting of chaos-point type, bursting of chaos-cycle type and bursting of chaos-chaos type. Moreover, each bursting type may contain various bursting patterns. For bursting of chaos-cycle type, we see rich bursting patterns, e.g. chaos-period-2 bursting, chaos-period-4 bursting, chaos-period-8 bursting, etc. Our results enrich the possible routes to complex bursting patterns as well as the underlying mechanisms of complex bursting patterns.
Chaos and Chaos Control of the Frenkel–Kontorova Model with Dichotomous Noise
Authors: Lei Youming , Zheng Fan , Shao Xizhen
Published: May 2017

Chaos and chaos control of the Frenkel–Kontorova (FK) model with dichotomous noise are studied theoretically and numerically. The threshold conditions for the onset of chaos in the FK model are firstly derived by applying the random Melnikov method with a mean-square criterion to the soliton equation, which is a fundamental topological mode of the FK model and accounts for its nonlinear phenomena. We found that dichotomous noise can induce stochastic chaos in the FK model, and the threshold of noise amplitude for the onset of chaos increases with the increase of its transition rate. Then the analytical criterion of chaos control is obtained by means of the time-delay feedback method. Since the time-delay feedback control raises the threshold of noise amplitude for the onset of chaos, chaos in the FK model is effectively suppressed. Through numerical simulations including the mean top Lyapunov exponent and the safe basin, we demonstrate the validity of the analytical predictions of chaos. Furthermore, time histories and phase portraits are utilized to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control.
Generating a Chaotic System with One Stable Equilibrium
Authors: Pham Viet-Thanh , Jafari Sajad , Kapitaniak Tomasz , Volos Christos , Kingni Sifeu Takougang
Published: May 2017

Although chaotic systems with hidden attractors have been discovered recently, there are few investigations about relationships among them. This brief work introduces a novel chaotic system with only one stable equilibrium that is constructed by adding a tiny perturbation into a known chaotic flow having hidden attractors with a line equilibrium.
Integrity Verification for Multiple Data Copies in Cloud Storage Based on Spatiotemporal Chaos
Authors: Long Min , Li You , Peng Fei
Published: May 2017

Aiming to strike for a balance between the security, efficiency and availability of the data verification in cloud storage, a novel integrity verification scheme based on spatiotemporal chaos is proposed for multiple data copies. Spatiotemporal chaos is implemented for node calculation of the binary tree, and the location of the data in the cloud is verified. Meanwhile, dynamic operation can be made to the data. Furthermore, blind information is used to prevent a third-party auditor (TPA) leakage of the users’ data privacy in a public auditing process. Performance analysis and discussion indicate that it is secure and efficient, and it supports dynamic operation and the integrity verification of multiple copies of data. It has a great potential to be implemented in cloud storage services.
Some Remarks on Local Activity and Local Passivity
Authors: Garay B. , Siegmund S. , Trostorff S. , Waurick M.
Published: May 2017

We study local activity and its contrary, local passivity, for linear systems and show that generically an eigenvalue of the system matrix with positive real part implies local activity. If all state variables are port variables we prove that the system is locally active if and only if the system matrix is not dissipative. Local activity was suggested by Leon Chua as an indicator for the emergence of complexity of nonlinear systems. We propose an abstract scheme which indicates how local activity could be applied to nonlinear systems and list open questions about possible consequences for complexity.
Exact Traveling Wave Solutions of the Krichever–Novikov Equation: A Dynamical System Approach
Authors: Kou KitIan , Li Jibin
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we show that to find the traveling wave solutions for the Krichever–Novikov equation, we only need to consider a spatial form F-VI of the fourth-order differential equations in the polynomial class having the Painlevé property given by [Cosgrove, 2000]. By using the method of dynamical systems to analyze the dynamical behavior of the traveling wave solutions in some two-dimensional invariant manifolds, various exact solutions such as solitary wave solution, periodic wave solutions, quasi-periodic wave solutions and uncountably infinitely many unbounded wave solutions are obtained.
Decay of solutions to a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model
Authors: Guo Boling , Huang Daiwen , Zhang Jingjun
Published: May 2017

We consider a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model in geophysical fluid dynamics. By Faedo–Galerkin method and asymptotic argument, we prove the existence of the global solution to the initial value problem of this model in [Formula: see text]. Moreover, using the Fourier splitting method, we also obtain the decay rate of the solutions.
Nanocrystalline ZnO as a Visible Active Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Benzene-1,4-diol
Authors: Ramachandran Saranya , Sivasamy A.
Published: May 2017

We have synthesized nanocrystalline ZnO by a simple precipitation method. The prepared ZnO was found to be highly phase pure and nanocrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure. UV–Visible–DRS spectroscopy showed the material to have bandgap energy of 3.22[Formula: see text]eV. HR-SEM image revealed the material to be made up of distinct hexagonal particles with a highly porous surface. AFM analysis was employed to confirm the high surface roughness and porosity of the material. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared ZnO was evaluated by the degradation of benzene-1,4-diol (hydroquinone), under visible light irradiation. Preliminary experiments showed the catalyst to be effective at neutral pH with an optimum catalyst dosage of 4[Formula: see text]g/L. Kinetic studies showed the degradation reaction to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. In the presence of commonly used industrial electrolytes, the catalyst exhibited a decrease in efficiency. Reusability studies showed the catalytic efficiency of ZnO to diminish marginally after the third cycle of reuse.
Improving the Efficiency of DASC by Adding CeO2/CuO Hybrid Nanoparticles in Water
Authors: Midhun Mohan V. , Sajeeb A. M.
Published: May 2017

Solar energy is the abundantly available source of renewable energy with least impact on environment. Direct absorption solar collector (DASC) is the commonly used device to absorb heat directly from sun and make use of it for different heating applications. In the past, many experiments have been done to increase the efficiency of DASC using nanofluids. In this paper, an examination of solar collector efficiency for hybrid CeO2/CuO–water (0.1% by volume) nanofluid under various flow rates and proportions of CeO2/CuO nanoparticles is investigated. The experiments were conducted at flow rates spanning from 20[Formula: see text]cc/min to 100[Formula: see text]cc/min and with CeO2/CuO nanoparticles proportions of 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 0.5:1 and 0:1. The efficiency increases from 16.5% to 51.6% when the flow rate is increased from 20[Formula: see text]cc/min to 100[Formula: see text]cc/min for hybrid CeO2/CuO (1:1)–water nanofluid. The results also showed an increase in efficiency of 13.8%, 18.1%, 24.3%, 24.9% and 26.1% with hybrid combination of CeO2/CuO at ratios 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 0.5:1 and 0:1, respectively, in comparison with water at a flow rate of 100[Formula: see text]cc/min.
Molecular dynamics simulation of the dissociation mechanism of P-selectin from PSGL-1
Authors: Hassani-Ardekani Hajar , Niroomand-Oscuii Hanieh , Nikbin Ehsan , Shamloo Amir
Published: May 2017

Interactions between P-selectin, expressed on activated endothelium, and its counterpart P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), expressed on leukocytes, play a pivotal role in adhesive events that recruit circulating leukocytes toward inflamed or injured tissues. Atomistic understanding of the association and dissociation of these bonds under blood flow is necessary to define the underlying mechanism. In this study, steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations were applied to investigate the conformational changes of P-LE/SGP-3 construct (an effective binding unit of the P-selectin/PSGL-1 complex) under stretching with constant velocity. In the present simulations, a self-built force field parameterization was developed for sulfated tyrosine by using force field toolkit of Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) program. A dissociation mechanism was represented by analyzing the nonbonded energies between interface residues. The results indicate that the salt bridges between P-LE and SGP-3 and the hydrogen bonds between ion Ca[Formula: see text] and residue fucose of glycan group of PSGL-1 and also between sulfated tyrosine residues are the most effective bonds in binding. Finally, potential of mean force (PMF) was calculated by averaging the outcomes of eight independent runs and the results were discussed.
Multiplicative δ-derivation in alternative algebras
Authors: Bharathi M. V. L. , Jayalakshmi K.
Published: May 2017

Every multiplicative [Formula: see text]-derivation of an alternative algebra [Formula: see text] is additive if there exists an idempotent [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] satisfying the following conditions: (i) [Formula: see text] implies [Formula: see text]; (ii) [Formula: see text] implies [Formula: see text]; (iii) [Formula: see text] implies [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]. In particular, every [Formula: see text]-derivation of a prime alternative algebra with a nontrivial idempotent is additive. This generalizes the known result obtained by Rodrigues, Guzzo and Ferreira for [Formula: see text]-derivations. As an application, we apply multiplicative [Formula: see text]-derivation to an alternative complex algebra [Formula: see text] of all [Formula: see text] complex matrices to see how it decomposes into a sum of [Formula: see text]-inner derivation and a [Formula: see text]-derivation on [Formula: see text] given by an additive derivation [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text].
Seeing Myself through Someone Else's Eyes
Authors: Margolis Jane , Ryoo Jean , Goode Joanna
Published: May 2017

This article describes the impact of in-classroom coaching for computer science (CS) educators. Coaching is a way to support teachers in their classroom while teachers master new curricula or educational approaches and is not evaluative in purpose. Using qualitative methods to analyze computer science classroom observations, teacher surveys, teacher interviews, coaching logs, and coach interviews, this research answers the following question:
How does in-classroom coaching support inquiry and equity-based teaching practices?
This study of Exploring Computer Science classrooms illustrates the importance of having in-classroom coaches who can collaborate and reflect with teachers about current practices and who can help support new inquiry and equity-based instructional skills. Teachers note that in-classroom coaching helped (1) positively impact changes in pedagogy, (2) enrich teachers’ CS content knowledge, and (3) break CS teacher isolation at schools. Three case studies from computer science classrooms served by different coaches are shared to illustrate the ways teacher instructional practice can be strengthened over time through coaching.
Statistical Learning of Domain-Specific Quality-of-Service Features from User Reviews
Authors: Liu Xumin , Shi Weishi , Kale Arpeet , Ding Chen , Yu Qi
Published: May 2017

With the fast increase of online services of all kinds, users start to care more about the Quality of Service (QoS) that a service provider can offer besides the functionalities of the services. As a result, QoS-based service selection and recommendation have received significant attention since the mid-2000s. However, existing approaches primarily consider a small number of standard QoS parameters, most of which relate to the response time, fee, availability of services, and so on. As online services start to diversify significantly over different domains, these small set of QoS parameters will not be able to capture the different quality aspects that users truly care about over different domains. Most existing approaches for QoS data collection depend on the information from service providers, which are sensitive to the trustworthiness of the providers. Some service monitoring mechanisms collect QoS data through actual service invocations but may be affected by actual hardware/software configurations. In either case, domain-specific QoS data that capture what users truly care about have not been successfully collected or analyzed by existing works in service computing. To address this demanding issue, we develop a statistical learning approach to extract domain-specific QoS features from user-provided service reviews. In particular, we aim to classify user reviews based on their sentiment orientations into either a positive or negative category. Meanwhile, statistical feature selection is performed to identify statistically nontrivial terms from review text, which can serve as candidate QoS features. We also develop a topic models-based approach that automatically groups relevant terms and returns the term groups to users, where each term group corresponds to one high-level quality aspect of services. We have conducted extensive experiments on three real-world datasets to demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach.
MIT press welcomes Emma Hart as the new EiC of evolutionary computation
Authors: Hart Emma
Published: May 2017

I think it has helped to take as many opportunities as possible to be actively involved in the EC community---this has enabled me to get to know a lot of people across the world. I've moved gradually from chairing workshops in smaller conferences to more prominent roles such as Track Chair at GECCO (Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference), Technical Chair at CEC (IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation), and General Chair of PPSN (International Conference on Parallel Problem Solving from Nature) in 2016. I also serve on the SIGEVO (ACM Special Interest Group on Genetic and Evolutionary Computation) board and edit the SIGEVO newsletter, which has helped raise my profile. Of course, acting as an Associate Editor of Evolutionary Computation for several years has been incredibly useful in getting a better understanding of how the journal works!
Reading sounds: closed-captioned media and popular culture
Authors: Deaton Phillip J.
Published: May 2017

The word "access" means to enter into, participate in, and engage with, and captions for sounds are a way to provide
access
to video content for persons with disabilities. Trying to capture an absolute way for captioning sounds in video media texts is as illusive, impossible, and unethical as trying to establish or declare a single way to write or to read a text. Sean Zdenek's book
Reading Sounds
investigates the practices that create captions and examines captions as a rhetorical artifact related to the composition of video. This review will examine
Reading Sounds
from the perspective of a practitioner in the area of web, classroom, and information communication technology accessibility and an academic focused on communication design and disability, indicating points relevant to both practitioners and academics.
Applications of an Improved Time‐Frequency Filtering Algorithm to Signal Reconstruction
Authors: Long Junbo , Wang Haibin , Zha Daifeng , Fan Hongshe , Lao Zefeng , Wu Huajie
Published: May 2017

The short time Fourier transform time‐frequency representation (STFT‐TFR) method degenerates, and the corresponding short time Fourier transform time‐frequency filtering (STFT‐TFF) method fails under α stable distribution noise environment. A fractional low order short time Fourier transform (FLOSTFT) which takes advantage of fractional p order moment is proposed for α stable distribution noise environment, and the corresponding FLOSTFT time‐frequency representation (FLOSTFT‐TFR) algorithm is presented in this paper. We study vector formulation of the FLOSTFT and inverse FLOSTFT (IFLOSTFT) methods and propose a FLOSTFT time‐frequency filtering (FLOSTFT‐TFF) method which takes advantage of time‐frequency localized spectra of the signal in time‐frequency domain. The simulation results show that, employing the FLOSTFT‐TFR method and the FLOSTFT‐TFF method with an adaptive weight function, time‐frequency distribution of the signals can be better gotten and time‐frequency localized region of the signal can be effectively extracted from α stable distribution noise, and also the original signal can be restored employing the IFLOSTFT method. Their performances are better than the STFT‐TFR and STFT‐TFF methods, and MSEs are smaller in different α and GSNR cases. Finally, we apply the FLOSTFT‐TFR and FLOSTFT‐TFF methods to extract fault features of the bearing outer race fault signal and restore the original fault signal from α stable distribution noise; the experimental results illustrate their performances.
Surface Characteristics and Biofilm Development on Selected Dental Ceramic Materials
Authors: Kim Kyoung H. , Loch Carolina , Waddell J. Neil , Tompkins Geoffrey , Schwass Donald
Published: May 2017

Background. Intraoral adjustment and polishing of dental ceramics often affect their surface characteristics, promoting increased roughness and consequent biofilm growth. This study correlated surface roughness to biofilm development with four commercially available ceramic materials.Methods. Four ceramic materials (Vita Enamic®, Lava™ Ultimate, Vitablocs Mark II, and Wieland Reflex®) were prepared as per manufacturer instructions. Seventeen specimens of each material were adjusted and polished to simulate clinical intraoral procedures and another seventeen remained unaltered. Specimens were analysed by SEM imaging, confocal microscopy, and crystal violet assay.Results. SEM images showed more irregular surface topography in adjusted specimens than their respective controls. Surface roughness(Ra)values were greater in all materials following adjustments. All adjusted materials with the exception of Vitablocs Mark II promoted significantly greater biofilm growth relative to controls.Conclusion. Simulated intraoral polishing methods resulted in greater surface roughness and increased biofilm accumulation.
Spontaneous NosocomialPseudomonas aeruginosaMeningitis Presenting as Trismus
Authors: Parr C. J. , Wheeler J. , Sharma A. , Smith C.
Published: May 2017

We describe the case of a 78-year-old female receiving adjuvant postsurgical chemotherapy for colon adenocarcinoma who spontaneously developed nosocomialPseudomonasmeningitis causing severe trismus. The patient was initially admitted for ileus, developing neck stiffness and trismus on the thirteenth day of admission. Cerebrospinal fluid grew pansensitivePseudomonas aeruginosa. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was consistent with bilateral subacute infarcts secondary to meningitis. The patient responded well to 21 days of broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy modified to ceftazidime alone following speciation and sensitivity. Outpatient follow-up at 46 days revealed normal maximal mouth opening with the ability to chew and tolerate a full diet. Trismus is a motor disturbance of the trigeminal nerve with difficulty in opening the mouth. Infectious etiologies commonly described include tetanus, odontogenic infections, or deep neck space infections. This is the first reported case of simultaneous nosocomialPseudomonasmeningitis and trismus in a patient with no history of neurosurgery or lumbar spinal manipulation.
Integrative Analysis Identifies a Novel AXL–PI3 Kinase–PD-L1 Signaling Axis Associated with Radiation Resistance in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Skinner Heath D. , Giri Uma , Yang Liang P. , Kumar Manish , Liu Ying , Story Michael D. , Pickering Curtis R. , Byers Lauren A. , Williams Michelle D. , Wang Jing , Shen Li , Yoo Suk Y. , Fan You Hong , Molkentine David P. , Beadle Beth M. , Meyn Raymond E. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Heymach John V.
Published: May 2017

Purpose: The primary cause of death due to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is local treatment failure. The goal of this study was to examine this phenomenon using an unbiased approach.

Experimental Design: We utilized human papilloma virus (HPV)-negative cell lines rendered radiation-resistant (RR) via repeated exposure to radiation, a panel of HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines and three cohorts of HPV-negative HNSCC tumors (n = 68, 97, and 114) from patients treated with radiotherapy and subjected to genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analysis.

Results: RR cell lines exhibited upregulation of several proteins compared with controls, including increased activation of Axl and PI3 kinase signaling as well as increased expression of PD-L1. Additionally, inhibition of either Axl or PI3 kinase led to decreased PD-L1 expression. When clinical samples were subjected to RPPA and mRNA expression analysis, PD-L1 was correlated with both Axl and PI3K signaling as well as dramatically associated with local failure following radiotherapy. This finding was confirmed examining a third cohort using immunohistochemistry. Indeed, tumors with high expression of PD-L1 had failure rates following radiotherapy of 60%, 70%, and 50% compared with 20%, 25%, and 20% in the PD-L1–low expression group (P = 0.01, 1.9 × 10−3, and 9 × 10−4, respectively). This finding remained significant on multivariate analysis in all groups. Additionally, patients with PD-L1 low/CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes high had no local failure or death due to disease (P = 5 × 10−4 and P = 4 × 10−4, respectively).

Conclusions: Taken together, our data point to a targetable Axl–PI3 kinase–PD-L1 axis that is highly associated with radiation resistance. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); 2713–22. ©2017 AACR.