bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An appropriate risk addendum for risky projects
Authors: Bhaumik Pradip K.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Despite many troublesome aspects in its use, the risk-adjusted discount rate has survived and continues to be extensively used by practitioners. While the appropriate discount rate for projects as risky as the current business operations of the firm can be estimated relatively easily as the firm’s cost of capital, no clear guideline is available for projects with a higher risk profile. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate an appropriate risk addendum for such risky projects.

Design/methodology/approach

– Extending the framework developed by Davies et al. (2012), the perceived risk in a project is captured by focussing on a downside case scenario and estimating its probability and severity. An expression is then developed for the risk addendum (as an addendum to the firm’s cost of capital) that can be used to find the value of a risky project.

Findings

– The risk addendum is found to depend only on the product of the probability (p) and the severity (d) of the downside case scenario and not on either of them individually It was also found that the risk addendum rises fast for projects with shorter lives and so is the highest for risky projects with short lives.

Practical implications

– Managers can use the expression derived to evaluate an appropriate risk addendum for risky projects.

Originality/value

– The paper suggests a simple framework to quantify the risk involved in a project and to evaluate an appropriate risk addendum.
Motion Grammars for Character Animation
Authors: Hyun Kyunglyul , Lee Kyungho , Lee Jehee
Published: May 2016

The behavioral structure of human movements is imposed by multiple sources, such as rules, regulations, choreography, habits, and emotion. Our goal is to identify the behavioral structure in a specific application domain and create a novel sequence of movements that abide by structure‐building rules. To do so, we exploit the ideas from formal language, such as rewriting rules and grammar parsing, and adapted those ideas to synthesize the three‐dimensional animation of multiple characters. The structured motion synthesis using motion grammars is formulated in two layers. The upper layer is a symbolic description that relates the semantics of each individual's movements and the interaction among them. The lower layer provides spatial and temporal contexts to the animation. Our multi‐level MCMC (Markov Chain Monte Carlo) algorithm deals with the syntax, semantics, and spatiotemporal context of human motion to produce highly‐structured, animated scenes. The power and effectiveness of motion grammars are demonstrated in animating basketball games from drawings on a tactic board. Our system allows the user to position players and draw out tactical plans, which are animated automatically in virtual environments with three‐dimensional, full‐body characters.
Geometry and Attribute Compression for Voxel Scenes
Authors: Dado Bas , Kol Timothy R. , Bauszat Pablo , Thiery Jean‐Marc , Eisemann Elmar
Published: May 2016

Voxel‐based approaches are today's standard to encode volume data. Recently, directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) were successfully used for compressing sparse voxel scenes as well, but they are restricted to a single bit of (geometry) information per voxel. We present a method to compress arbitrary data, such as colors, normals, or reflectance information. By decoupling geometry and voxel data via a novel mapping scheme, we are able to apply the DAG principle to encode the topology, while using a palette‐based compression for the voxel attributes, leading to a drastic memory reduction. Our method outperforms existing state‐of‐the‐art techniques and is well‐suited for GPU architectures. We achieve real‐time performance on commodity hardware for colored scenes with up to 17 hierarchical levels (a 128K3voxel resolution), which are stored fully in core.
Systems genetic and pharmacological analysis identifies candidate genes underlying mechanosensation in the von Frey test
Authors: Young E. E. , Bryant C. D. , Lee S. E. , Peng X. , Cook B. , Nair H. K. , Dreher K. J. , Zhang X. , Palmer A. A. , Chung J. M. , Mogil J. S. , Chesler E. J. , Lariviere W. R.
Published: May 2016

Mechanical sensitivity is commonly affected in chronic pain and other neurological disorders. To discover mechanisms of individual differences in punctate mechanosensation, we performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of the response to von Frey monofilament stimulation in BXD recombinant inbred (BXD) mice. Significant loci were detected on mouse chromosome (Chr) 5 and 15, indicating the location of underlying polymorphisms that cause heritable variation in von Frey response. Convergent evidence from public gene expression data implicates candidate genes within the loci: von Frey thresholds were strongly correlated with baseline expression of Cacna2d1, Ift27 and Csnk1e in multiple brain regions of BXD strains. Systemic gabapentin and PF‐670462, which target the protein products of Cacna2d1 and Csnk1e, respectively, significantly increased von Frey thresholds in a genotype‐dependent manner in progenitors and BXD strains. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction confirmed differential expression of Cacna2d1 and Csnk1e in multiple brain regions in progenitors and showed differential expression of Cacna2d1 and Csnk1e in the dorsal root ganglia of the progenitors and BXD strains grouped by QTL genotype. Thus, linkage mapping, transcript covariance and pharmacological testing suggest that genetic variation affecting Cacna2d1 and Csnk1e may contribute to individual differences in von Frey filament response. This study implicates Cacna2d1 and Ift27 in basal mechanosensation in line with their previously suspected role in mechanical hypersensitivity. Csnk1e is implicated for von Frey response for the first time. Further investigation is warranted to identify the specific polymorphisms involved and assess the relevance of these findings to clinical conditions of disturbed mechanosensation.
Clinical effectiveness of transdiagnostic health management interventions for older people with multimorbidity: a quantitative systematic review
Authors: Crowe Marie , Jordan Jennifer , Burrell Beverley , Jones Virginia , Gillon Deborah , Harris Shirley , Wilkinson Amanda
Published: May 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness (improvement in health status and/or functioning and use of health services) of transdiagnostic health management interventions for people aged 65 years and older.

Background

The care of older people with multimorbidity is of increasing concern for nurses. A transdiagnostic approach to health management interventions (promote self‐management or lifestyle) may be apposite for providing older people with the skills to manage symptoms that may or may not be disease‐specific.

Design

Quantitative systematic review.

Review methods

Cochrane methods using Cochrane's Effective Practice and Organization of Care Methods (EPOC) for assessing risk of bias and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) for assessing the weight of evidence.

Data sources

Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and PsycINFO 1999–2014.

Results

Twelve studies were included in the review (n = 10,393). All 12 studies provided results for health outcomes (health status and functioning) and six provided results for health outcomes and health service utilization. Ten studies reported statistically significant improvements in health outcomes but of these studies only two were of low risk of bias. Three studies identified some statistically significant reductions in health service utilization. The weight of evidence for the health management interventions included in the review, were low/moderate for improvements in health status and low for improvements in health service utilization.

Conclusion

While there is some very preliminary evidence suggesting that structured transdiagnostic health management interventions may be clinically effective for older people with multimorbidity the effect sizes are small and the quality of this evidence is generally low.
Occupational commitment and job satisfaction mediate effort–reward imbalance and the intention to continue nursing
Authors: Satoh Miho , Watanabe Ikue , Asakura Kyoko
Published: May 2016

Aim

Occupational commitment and job satisfaction are major predictors of the intention to continue nursing. This study's purpose was to verify the mediating effects of job satisfaction and three components of occupational commitment on the relationship between effort–reward imbalance and the intention to continue nursing.

Methods

A self‐report questionnaire was distributed to 3977 nurses by the nursing department of 12 hospitals in the Tohoku and Kanto districts of Japan in 2013. Of these, 1531 (response rate: 38.5%) nurses returned the questionnaire by mail and the complete data that were provided by 1241 nurses (valid response rate: 31.2%) were analyzed.

Results

Structural equation modeling showed that the effort–reward ratio had negative effects on job satisfaction and affective and normative occupational commitment. Job satisfaction and affective and normative occupational commitment had positive effects on the intention to continue nursing, whereas the effort–reward ratio had no direct effect on the intention to continue nursing. Continuance occupational commitment was not a mediator, but it positively influenced the intention to continue nursing.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that it is important to increase job satisfaction and affective and normative occupational commitment in order to enhance their buffering effects on the relationship between job stress and the intention to continue nursing. Measures to increase continuance occupational commitment also would be an effective method of strengthening the intention to continue nursing. Improvements in these areas should contribute to an increase in nurses’ intention to continue nursing and prevent the loss of this precious human resource from the health sector.
Rapid acquisition of high‐volume microscopic images using predicted focal plane
Authors: YU LINGJIE , WANG RONGWU , ZHOU JINFENG , XU BUGAO
Published: May 2016

For an automated microscopic imaging system, the image acquisition speed is one of the most critical performance features because many applications require to analyse high‐volume images. This paper illustrates a novel approach for rapid acquisition of high‐volume microscopic images used to count blood cells automatically. This approach firstly forms a panoramic image of the sample slide by stitching sequential images captured at a low magnification, selects a few basic points (x, y) indicating the target areas from the panoramic image, and then refocuses the slide at each of the basic points at the regular magnification to record the depth position (z). The focusing coordinates (x, y, z) at these basic points are used to calculate a predicted focal plane that defines the relationship between the focus position (z) and the stage position (x, y). Via the predicted focal plane, the system can directly focus the objective lens at any local view, and can tremendously save image‐acquisition time by avoiding the autofocusing function. The experiments showed how to determine the optimal number of the basic points at a given imaging condition, and proved that there is no significant difference between the images captured using the autofocusing function or the predicted focal plane.
Physiological and microbiological verification of the benefit of hair washing in patients with skin conditions of the scalp
Authors: Kobayashi Miwa , Ito Kei , Sugita Takashi , Murakami Yumi , Yamashita Ryoko , Matsunaka Hiroshi , Nakamura Motonobu
Published: May 2016

Background

It is unclear whether hair washing is effective against scalp eruption and pruritus caused by seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis vulgaris.

Aims

To assess whether a proper hair‐washing regimen, including the use of antibacterial shampoo, can ameliorate scalp eruption symptoms and alter the composition of the scalp microflora.

Methods

Eighteen patients with seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis vulgaris scalp eruptions were instructed in proper techniques of daily hair washing, rinsing, and shampooing, which they underwent for 12 weeks. They used control shampoo in weeks 1–4 and 9–12, and an antibacterial shampoo during weeks 5–8. At the start of the test period and at weeks 4, 8, and 12, we assessed scalp symptoms (erythema, scaling/desquamation, dryness, itchiness, and scratching scars); microbial DNA levels from lesion and nonlesion areas; and levels of interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1ra, and total protein in the scalp's horny layer.

Results

Compared to baseline values, scaling/desquamation and itchiness improved significantly at weeks 8 and 12. Other observed skin symptoms also improved over time. Malassezia colonization levels in lesion and nonlesion areas decreased gradually; the decrease was significant at week 8 in lesion areas and at weeks 4 and 8 in nonlesion areas. Bacterial colonization levels also decreased gradually, achieving significance in lesion areas at week 4. Gradual decreases in IL‐1ra/IL‐1α level showed statistical significance at weeks 4 and 12, while the protein quantity significantly decreased at week 12.

Conclusion

Proper hair washing improved scalp condition symptoms, and possibly the underlying etiology.
Lesbian and bisexual women's sexual healthcare experiences
Authors: Munson Siân , Cook Catherine
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

To develop insight into the experiences of lesbian and bisexual women accessing sexual health services and an understanding of their needs within the New Zealand context.

Background

Lesbian and bisexual women are typically invisible in healthcare settings due to heteronormative assumptions. As lesbian and bisexual women are reluctant to come out to clinicians, opportunities for targeted opportunistic health education are often missed. Lesbian and bisexual women have different needs from both heterosexual women and gay men when seeking healthcare. There has been little exploration of the experiences of lesbian and bisexual women accessing healthcare in the New Zealand context.

Design

Qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

Participants (n = 6) were recruited via advertisements and snowball sampling. Those recruited lived in a provincial city in New Zealand; self‐identified as lesbian or bisexual; and met the inclusion criteria. Semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews were used to obtain narrative data about participants being recipients of healthcare.

Results

Five themes were identified within the data set: Heteronormativity; The conundrum of safer sex; Implied and overt homophobia; Engagement with health promotion; and Resilience.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the difficulties that lesbian and bisexual women face when seeking sexual healthcare, primarily due to clinicians' heteronormative assumptions. Lesbian and bisexual women have found ways of navigating the health system that make them feel safe(r) despite experiencing many adversities such as homophobia.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study's findings can be used to guide further research to identify ways to optimise clinicians' engagement with lesbian and bisexual women. Recognition of diversity and skilful communication are essential to rectify inequities and effectively target health information.
Significance of oral cancer‐associated fibroblasts in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and tumor invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lin Nan‐Nan , Wang Ping , Zhao Dan , Zhang Fu‐Jun , Yang Kai , Chen Rui
Published: May 2016

Background

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are recognized as a pivotal promoter in cancer initiation and development. However, the role of CAFs in the progression and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been fully elucidated.

Materials and Methods

Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and microvessel density (MVD) and the expression of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 86 cases of OSCC. The correlations between α‐SMA expression and MMP‐9 expression, LVD, MVD, and other clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. In vitro invasion assay was performed to assess the effect of CAFs on the invasion of OSCC cells. We also investigated the effect of CAFs on the angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis by inoculating CAFs with OSCC cells into nude mice subcutaneously.

Results

Positive expression of α‐SMA protein was detected in 69.8% of the tumors. Increased α‐SMA expression was correlated strongly with enhanced tumor invasion, higher tumor grade, increased risk of recurrence, lymph node involvement, and higher peritumoral lymphatic vessel density and microvessel density (P < 0.05). CAFs induced more cancer cells to invade relative to normal fibroblasts (NFs) (P < 0.05). Compared with co‐injection of OSCC cells and NFs or injection of tumor cells alone, co‐injection of OSCC cells and CAFs resulted in earlier tumor formation and bigger tumor volume accompanied with increased angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

CAFs may play critical roles in OSCC progression as an inducer of tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis. Therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs against OSCC is promising and need further exploration.
New hypothesis on pontine–frontal eye field connectivity in Kleine–Levin syndrome
Authors: Engström Maria , Landtblom Anne‐Marie , Karlsson Thomas
Published: May 2016

Previous studies have indicated involvement of the thalamus and the pons in Kleine–Levin syndrome. In the present study, functional connectivity of the thalamus and the pons was investigated in asymptomatic patients with Kleine–Levin syndrome and healthy controls. Twelve patients and 14 healthy controls were investigated by functional magnetic resonance imaging during rest. Resting state images were analysed using seed regions of interest in the thalamus and the pons. The results showed significantly lower functional connectivity between the pons and the frontal eye field in persons with Kleine–Levin syndrome compared with healthy controls. There were no connectivity differences involving the thalamus. Based on these findings, a relation is proposed between the sleep disorder Kleine–Levin syndrome and cerebral control of eye movements, which in turn is related to visual attention and working memory. This hypothesis has to be tested in future studies of oculomotor control in Kleine–Levin syndrome.
Molecular mechanisms of adaptation and speciation: why do we need an integrative approach?
Authors: Byers Kelsey J. R. P. , Xu Shuqing , Schlüter Philipp M.
Published: May 2016

Understanding divergent adaptation and ecological speciation requires the synthesis of multiple approaches, including phenotypic characterization, genetics and genomics, realistic assessment of fitness and population genetic modelling. Current research in this field often approaches this problem from one of two directions: either a mechanistic approach—seeking to link phenotype, genotype and fitness, or a genomic approach—searching for signatures of divergence or selection across the genome. In most cases, these two approaches are not synthesized, and as a result, our understanding is incomplete. We argue that research in adaptation and evolutionary genetics needs to integrate these approaches for multiple reasons, including progress towards understanding the architecture and evolutionary history of adaptation and speciation loci, the ability to untangle linkage and pleiotropy, increased knowledge of mechanisms of genomic evolution and insights into parallel evolutionary events. Identifying the genetic underpinnings of adaptation and ecological speciation is not necessarily the end goal of research, but it is an integral part of understanding the evolutionary process. As a result, it is critical to utilize both genetic and genomic approaches. Challenges remain, particularly in nonmodel organisms and in our ability to synthesize results from multiple experimental systems. Nonetheless, advances in genetic and genomic techniques are increasingly available in a diverse array of systems, and the time is ripe to exploit the synthesis of these two approaches to increase our understanding of evolution.
Interplay of regulatory RNAs and mobile genetic elements in enteric pathogens
Authors: Fröhlich Kathrin S. , Papenfort Kai
Published: May 2016

Horizontal transfer of genetic information is a major driving force of evolution. In bacteria, genome plasticity is intimately linked to the ability of the bacterium to integrate novel material into existing gene expression circuits. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are a versatile class of regulatory molecules, and have recently been discovered to perform important tasks in the interplay between core genomic elements and horizontally‐acquired DNA. Together with auxiliary proteins such as the RNA‐chaperone Hfq and cellular ribonucleases, sRNAs typically act post‐transcriptionally to either promote or restrict the expression of multiple target genes. Bacterial sRNAs have been identified in core and peripheral (acquired) genome sequences, and their target suites may likewise include genes from both locations. In this review, we discuss how sRNAs influence the expression of foreign genetic material in enterobacterial pathogens, and outline the processes that foster the integration of horizontally‐acquired RNAs into existing regulatory networks. We also consider potential benefits and risks of horizontal gene transfer for RNA‐based gene regulation.
A systematic review of commercial weight loss programmes’ effect on glycemic outcomes among overweight and obese adults with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chaudhry Z. W. , Doshi R. S. , Mehta A. K. , Jacobs D. K. , Vakil R. M. , Lee C. J. , Bleich S. N. , Kalyani R. R. , Clark J. M. , Gudzune K. A.
Published: May 2016

Objective

We examined the glycemic benefits of commercial weight loss programmes as compared with control/education or counselling among overweight and obese adults with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and references cited by individual programmes. We included randomized controlled trials of ≥12 weeks duration. Two reviewers extracted information on study design, population characteristics, interventions, and mean changes in haemoglobin A1c and glucose.

Results

We included 18 randomized controlled trials. Few trials occurred among individuals with T2DM. In this population, Jenny Craig reduced A1c at least 0.4% more than counselling at 12 months, Nutrisystem significantly reduced A1c 0.3% more than counselling at 6 months, and OPTIFAST reduced A1c 0.3% more than counselling at 6 months. Among individuals without T2DM, few studies evaluated glycemic outcomes, and when reported, most did not show substantial reductions.

Discussion

Few trials have examined whether commercial weight loss programmes result in glycemic benefits for their participants, particularly among overweight and obese individuals without T2DM. Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and OPTIFAST show promising glycemic lowering benefits for patients with T2DM, although additional studies are needed to confirm these conclusions. © 2016 World Obesity
Children's Physiological Regulation and Sibling Conflict as Correlates of Children's Conscience Development
Authors: Scrimgeour Meghan B. , Mariotti Emily C. , Blandon Alysia Y.
Published: May 2016

Children's conscience, including the ability to experience guilt and engage in rule‐compatible behavior, develops across early childhood. The current study investigated whether within‐family variation in children's baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and sibling conflict behavior were associated with individual differences in children's guilt and internalized conduct. Between‐family differences across sibling dyad gender compositions were also examined. A within‐family design that included 70 families with two siblings between the ages of 2 and 5 was utilized. Children's baseline RSA was measured while sitting quietly with their family. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires that assessed siblings’ conflict behavior, guilt, and internalized conduct. Older siblings had higher levels of guilt and internalized conduct than younger siblings. Results from actor‐partner interdependence models indicated that there were no direct effects of children's baseline RSA. The interaction effects approached significance (p's ≤ .08) suggesting that older siblings’ conflict moderated the association between older siblings’ baseline RSA and both older and younger siblings’ guilt. In contrast, older siblings’ conflict was positively associated with older and younger siblings’ internalized conduct. Guilt and internalized conduct also differed for older and younger siblings in different dyad gender compositions. The results underscore the need for greater clarity regarding the function that siblings serve in promoting children's moral development during early childhood.
A short motif in Arabidopsis CDK inhibitor ICK1 decreases the protein level, probably through a ubiquitin‐independent mechanism
Authors: Li Qin , Shi Xianzong , Ye Shengjian , Wang Sheng , Chan Ron , Harkness Troy , Wang Hong
Published: May 2016

The ICK/KRP family of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors modulates the activity of plant CDKs through protein binding. Previous work has shown that changing the levels of ICK/KRP proteins by overexpression or downregulation affects cell proliferation and plant growth, and also that the ubiquitin proteasome system is involved in degradation of ICK/KRPs. We show in this study that the region encompassing amino acids 21 to 40 is critical for ICK1 levels in both Arabidopsis and yeast. To determine how degradation of ICK1 is controlled, we analyzed the accumulation of hemagglutinin (HA) epitope‐tagged ICK1 proteins in yeast mutants defective for two ubiquitin E3 ligases. The highest level of HA‐ICK1 protein was observed when both the N‐terminal 1–40 sequence was removed and the SCF (SKP1–Cullin1–F‐box complex) function disrupted, suggesting the involvement of both SCF‐dependent and SCF‐independent mechanisms in the degradation of ICK1 in yeast. A short motif consisting of residues 21–30 is sufficient to render green fluorescent protein (GFP) unstable in plants and had a similar effect in plants regardless of whether it was fused to the N‐terminus or C‐terminus of GFP. Furthermore, results from a yeast ubiquitin receptor mutant rpn10Δ indicate that protein ubiquitination is not critical in the degradation of GFP‐ICK11–40 in yeast. These results thus identify a protein‐destabilizing sequence motif that does not contain a typical ubiquitination residue, suggesting that it probably functions through an SCF‐independent mechanism.
Effect of iron supplementation on iron stores and total body iron after whole blood donation
Authors: Cable Ritchard G. , Brambilla Donald , Glynn Simone A. , Kleinman Steven , Mast Alan E. , Spencer Bryan R. , Stone Mars , Kiss Joseph E. ,   for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Understanding the effect of blood donation and iron supplementation on iron balance will inform strategies to manage donor iron status.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 215 donors were randomized to receive ferrous gluconate daily (37.5 mg iron) or no iron for 24 weeks after blood donation. Iron stores were assessed using ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor. Hemoglobin (Hb) iron was calculated from total body Hb. Total body iron (TBI) was estimated by summing iron stores and Hb iron.

RESULTS

At 24 weeks, TBI in donors taking iron increased by 281.0 mg (95% confidence interval [CI], 223.4‐338.6 mg) compared to before donation, while TBI in donors not on iron decreased by 74.1 mg (95% CI, −112.3 to −35.9; p < 0.0001, iron vs. no iron). TBI increased rapidly after blood donation with iron supplementation, especially in iron‐depleted donors. Supplementation increased TBI compared to controls during the first 8 weeks after donation: 367.8 mg (95% CI, 293.5‐442.1) versus −24.1 mg (95% CI, −82.5 to 34.3) for donors with a baseline ferritin level of not more than 26 ng/mL and 167.8 mg (95% CI, 116.5‐219.2) versus −68.1 mg (95% CI, −136.7 to 0.5) for donors with a baseline ferritin level of more than 26 ng/mL. A total of 88% of the benefit of iron supplementation occurred during the first 8 weeks after blood donation.

CONCLUSION

Donors on iron supplementation replaced donated iron while donors not on iron did not. Eight weeks of iron supplementation provided nearly all of the measured improvement in TBI. Daily iron supplementation after blood donation allows blood donors to recover the iron loss from blood donation and prevents sustained iron deficiency.
Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 L‐type calcium channels independently control short‐ and long‐term sensitization to pain
Authors: Radwani Houda , Lopez‐Gonzalez Maria José , Cattaert Daniel , Roca‐Lapirot Olivier , Dobremez Eric , Bouali‐Benazzouz Rabia , Eiríksdóttir Emelía , Langel Ülo , Favereaux Alexandre , Errami Mohammed , Landry Marc , Fossat Pascal
Published: May 2016

Key points

L‐type calcium channels in the CNS exist as two subunit forming channels, Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, which are involved in short‐ and long‐term plasticity.

We demonstrate that Cav1.3 but not Cav1.2 is essential for wind‐up.

These results identify Cav1.3 as a key conductance responsible for short‐term sensitization in physiological pain transmission.

We confirm the role of Cav1.2 in a model of long‐term plasticity associated with neuropathic pain.

Up‐regulation of Cav1.2 and down‐regultation of Cav1.3 in neuropathic pain underlies the switch from physiology to pathology.

Finally, the results of the present study reveal that therapeutic targeting molecular pathways involved in wind‐up may be not relevant in the treatment of neuropathy.

Short‐term central sensitization to pain temporarily increases the responsiveness of nociceptive pathways after peripheral injury. In dorsal horn neurons (DHNs), short‐term sensitization can be monitored through the study of wind‐up. Wind‐up, a progressive increase in DHNs response following repetitive peripheral stimulations, depends on the post‐synaptic L‐type calcium channels. In the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, two L‐type calcium channels are present, Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, each displaying specific kinetics and spatial distribution. In the present study, we used a mathematical model of DHNs in which we integrated the specific patterns of expression of each Cav subunits. This mathematical approach reveals that Cav1.3 is necessary for the onset of wind‐up, whereas Cav1.2 is not and that synaptically triggered wind‐up requires NMDA receptor activation. We then switched to a biological preparation in which we knocked down Cav subunits and confirmed the prominent role of Cav1.3 in both naive and spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathy (SNL). Interestingly, although a clear mechanical allodynia dependent on Cav1.2 expression was observed after SNL, the amplitude of wind‐up was decreased. These results were confirmed with our model when adapting Cav1.3 conductance to the changes observed after SNL. Finally, our mathematical approach predicts that, although wind‐up amplitude is decreased in SNL, plateau potentials are not altered, suggesting that plateau and wind‐up are not fully equivalent. Wind‐up and long‐term hyperexcitability of DHNs are differentially controlled by Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, therefore confirming that short‐ and long‐term sensitization are two different phenomena triggered by distinct mechanisms.
Top-down cortical input during NREM sleep consolidates perceptual memory
Authors: Miyamoto D. , Hirai D. , Fung C. C. A. , Inutsuka A. , Odagawa M. , Suzuki T. , Boehringer R. , Adaikkan C. , Matsubara C. , Matsuki N. , Fukai T. , McHugh T. J. , Yamanaka A. , Murayama M.
Published: May 2016

Perceptual memory needs slow-wave sleep

We know little about the mechanisms by which the brain consolidates nondeclarative (perceptual) memories. In a series of behavioral, optogenetic, and electrophysiological experiments, Miyamoto
et al.
show that coordinated neuronal information flow during sleep is required for perceptual memory formation. Activity spreading from the secondary motor area (brain area M2) to the primary sensory region S1 is necessary for this particular kind of memory consolidation. Disturbing this coordinated input during slow-wave sleep immediately after memory acquisition prevented mice from learning a simple texture discrimination task.

Science
, this issue p.
1315
Genome Sequence of Psychrobacter cibarius Strain W1
Authors: Raghupathi Prem K. , Herschend Jakob , Røder Henriette L. , Sørensen Søren J. , Burmølle Mette
Published: May 2016

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Psychrobacter cibarius
strain W1, which was isolated at a slaughterhouse in Denmark. The 3.63-Mb genome sequence was assembled into 241 contigs.
Draft Genome Sequences of Five Rapidly Growing
Mycobacterium
Species,
M. thermoresistibile
, M. fortuitum subsp.
acetamidolyticum
,
M. canariasense
,
M. brisbanense
, and
M. novocastrense
Authors: Katahira Katsuyuki , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Gotoh Yasuhiro , Hayashi Tetsuya
Published: May 2016

We report here the draft genome sequences of five rapidly growing
Mycobacterium
(RGM) species potentially pathogenic to humans,
M. thermoresistibile
,
M. fortuitum
subsp.
acetamidolyticum
,
M. canariasense
,
M. brisbanense
, and
M. novocastrense
. As the clinical importance of RGMs is increasingly being recognized worldwide, these sequences would contribute to further advances in RGM research.
Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced leucopoenia: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Nian Jiayun , Sun Xu , Guo Jiao , Yan Chen , Wang Xiaomin , Yang Guowang , Yang Lin , Yu Mingwei , Zhang Ganlin
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Many cancer patients experience leucopoenia during chemotherapy. Granulocyte- colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to treat chemotherapy-induced leucopoenia (CIL) but has various limitations. Clinical trials have indicated that acupuncture may prevent bone marrow suppression and increase leucocyte counts after chemotherapy. The objective of this review is to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for treating CIL.

Methods and analysis

This systematic review will electronically search the following databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Library, Medline, EMBASE, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP Database) and the Wanfang database from their inception to 1 January 2016. Other sources will also be searched including potential grey literature, conference proceedings and the reference lists of identified publications and existing systematic reviews. Two reviewers will independently search the databases, perform data extraction and assess the quality of studies. Data will be synthesised by either the fixed-effects or the random-effects model according to a heterogeneity test. White blood cell counts will be assessed as the primary outcome. Adverse effects, incidence of leucopoenia, quality of life and physical condition will be evaluated as secondary outcomes. RevMan V.5.3 will be employed for data analysis. The results will be expressed as risk ratios for dichotomous data and mean differences for continuous data.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol does not need ethics approval because individuals cannot be identified. The review will be reported in a peer-reviewed publication or at a relevant conference.

Trial registration number

CRD42015027594.
A family of inequivalent Weyl representations of canonical commutation relations with applications to quantum field theory
Authors: Arai Asao
Published: May 2016

We consider a family of irreducible Weyl representations of canonical commutation relations with infinite degrees of freedom on the abstract boson Fock space over a complex Hilbert space. Theorems on equivalence or inequivalence of the representations are established. As a simple application of one of these theorems, the well-known inequivalence of the time-zero field and conjugate momentum for different masses in a quantum scalar field theory is rederived with space dimension [Formula: see text] arbitrary. Also a generalization of representations of the time-zero field and conjugate momentum is presented. Comparison is made with a quantum scalar field in a bounded region in [Formula: see text]. It is shown that, in the case of a bounded space region with [Formula: see text], the representations for different masses turn out to be mutually equivalent.
A direct blowing-up and rescaling argument on nonlocal elliptic equations
Authors: Chen Wenxiong , Li Congming , Li Yan
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we develop a direct blowing-up and rescaling argument for nonlinear equations involving nonlocal elliptic operators including the fractional Laplacian. Instead of using the conventional extension method introduced by Caffarelli and Silvestre to localize the problem, we work directly on the nonlocal operator. Using the defining integral, by an elementary approach, we carry on a blowing-up and rescaling argument directly on the nonlocal equations and thus obtain a priori estimates on the positive solutions. Based on this estimate and the Leray–Schauder degree theory, we establish the existence of positive solutions. We believe that the ideas introduced here can be applied to problems involving more general nonlocal operators.
750 GeV diphoton signal from one-family walking technipion
Authors: Matsuzaki Shinya , Yamawaki Koichi
Published: May 2016

The ATLAS and CMS groups have recently reported an excess at around 750 GeV with the local significance by about 3[Formula: see text] in the diphoton channel at the 13 TeV LHC. We give a possible explanation for the excess by a composite pseudo scalar [Formula: see text] predicted in the one-family model of walking technicolor.
750 GeV diphoton excess confronted with a top-pion in the TTM model
Authors: Guo Yu-Chen , Yue Chong-Xing , Zhao Zhen-Hua
Published: May 2016

The latest LHC data suggest an intriguing excess at [Formula: see text] which apparently requires an explanation from the beyond standard model physics. In this paper, we explore the possibility for this signal to arise from a top-pion in the Top Triangle Moose model which can be viewed as a dimensional-deconstruction version of the top-color assisted technicolor model. We demonstrate that the observed excess can be accommodated by and has important implications for this interesting model.
On d-invariants and generalized Kanenobu knots
Authors: Marengon Marco
Published: May 2016

We prove that for particular infinite families of [Formula: see text]-spaces, arising as branched double covers, the [Formula: see text]-invariants defined by Ozsváth and Szabó assume arbitrarily large positive and negative values. As a consequence, we generalize a result by Greene and Watson by proving, for every odd number [Formula: see text], the existence of infinitely many non-quasi-alternating homologically thin knots with determinant [Formula: see text], and a result by Hoffman and Walsh concerning the existence of hyperbolic weight [Formula: see text] manifolds, that are not surgery on a knot in [Formula: see text].
OPTIMIZATION AND SURFACE MODIFICATION OF Al-6351 ALLOY USING SiC–Cu GREEN COMPACT ELECTRODE BY ELECTRO DISCHARGE COATING PROCESS
Authors: CHAKRABORTY SUJOY , KAR SIDDHARTHA , DEY VIDYUT , GHOSH SUBRATA KUMAR
Published: May 2016

This paper introduces the surface modification of Al-6351 alloy by green compact SiC–Cu electrode using electro-discharge coating (EDC) process. A Taguchi L-16 orthogonal array is employed to investigate the process by varying tool parameters like composition and compaction load and electro-discharge machining (EDM) parameters like pulse-on time and peak current. Material deposition rate (MDR), tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness (SR) are measured on the coated specimens. An optimum condition is achieved by formulating overall evaluation criteria (OEC), which combines multi-objective task into a single index. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) is employed to investigate the effect of relevant process parameters. A confirmation test is conducted based on optimal process parameters and experimental results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of this approach. The modified surface is characterized by optical microscope and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. XRD analysis of the deposited layer confirmed the transfer of tool materials to the work surface and formation of inter-metallic phases. The micro-hardness of the resulting composite layer is also measured which is 1.5–3 times more than work material’s one and highest layer thickness (LT) of 83.644[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m has been successfully achieved.
On notions of computability-theoretic reduction between Π21 principles
Authors: Hirschfeldt Denis R. , Jockusch Carl G.
Published: May 2016

Several notions of computability-theoretic reducibility between [Formula: see text] principles have been studied. This paper contributes to the program of analyzing the behavior of versions of Ramsey’s Theorem and related principles under these notions. Among other results, we show that for each [Formula: see text], there is an instance of RT[Formula: see text] all of whose solutions have PA degree over [Formula: see text] and use this to show that König’s Lemma lies strictly between RT[Formula: see text] and RT[Formula: see text] under one of these notions. We also answer two questions raised by Dorais, Dzhafarov, Hirst, Mileti, and Shafer (2016) on comparing versions of Ramsey’s Theorem and of the Thin Set Theorem with the same exponent but different numbers of colors. Still on the topic of the effect of the number of colors on the computable aspects of Ramsey-theoretic properties, we show that for each [Formula: see text], there is an [Formula: see text]-coloring [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] such that every [Formula: see text]-coloring of [Formula: see text] has an infinite homogeneous set that does not compute any infinite homogeneous set for [Formula: see text], and connect this result with the notion of infinite information reducibility introduced by Dzhafarov and Igusa (to appear). Next, we introduce and study a new notion that provides a uniform version of the idea of implication with respect to [Formula: see text]-models of RCA0, and related notions that allow us to count how many applications of a principle [Formula: see text] are needed to reduce another principle to [Formula: see text]. Finally, we fill in a gap in the proof of Theorem 12.2 in Cholak, Jockusch, and Slaman (2001).
Elimination of the Effects of Low Density Elements in Topology Optimization of Buckling Structures
Authors: Luo Quantian , Tong Liyong
Published: May 2016

This paper presents an algorithm for structural topology optimization involving linear buckling. In this algorithm, finite element analysis (FEA) is conducted only in a domain with solid and gray elements, eliminating the contribution of low density elements; and the response function is constructed in the full design domain accounting the contribution of removed low density elements. The errors induced by removing void elements in FEA on eigenvalue and eigenvectors are analyzed. By introducing a dynamic low bound of the first eigenvalue and a load-path coefficient, the algorithm allows converged, nondisjointed and accurate solutions for topology optimization of structures involving buckling. Numerical results are presented for plate and column-beam structures against linear buckling to illustrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the present algorithm. Buckling experiments of the plates manufactured from the obtained topologies further verify the present algorithm.
The Size Dependence of Dissolution Thermodynamics of Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Zhi-Qiang , Xue Yong-Qiang , Cui Zi-Xiang , Duan Hui-Juan , Xia Xiao-Yan
Published: May 2016

Dissolution of nanoparticles is involved in the preparation, research and application of nanomaterials, but there is a surprising difference in dissolution thermodynamics between nanoparticles and the corresponding bulk materials. In the paper, the relations of dissolution thermodynamic properties, equilibrium constant of nanoparticles, respectively, and particle size were derived by introducing interface variables and the surface chemical potential. Experimentally, the solubility of nano-barium sulfate with different average particle sizes at different temperatures were determined by the method of electrical conductivity, obtaining the influencing regularities of particle size on the dissolution thermodynamic properties and the equilibrium constant. The regularities are in accordance with the theory. The results show that there are remarkable effects of particle size of nanoparticles on the dissolution thermodynamic properties and the equilibrium constant; with the decreasing of the size of nanoparticles, the dissolution equilibrium constant increases, while the standard dissolution Gibbs free energy, the standard dissolution enthalpy and the standard dissolution entropy decrease; and the logarithm of the dissolution equilibrium constant, the standard dissolution Gibbs free energy, the standard dissolution enthalpy and the standard dissolution entropy are linearly associated with the reciprocal of particle size, respectively. This new theory provides a quantitative description of nanoparticles dissolution behavior, and has important scientific significance for understanding and predicting of thermodynamic regularity of dissolution concerned in the preparation, researches and applications of nanomaterials.
Influence of Channel Length and High-K Oxide Thickness on Subthreshold DC Performance of Graded Channel and Gate Stack DG-MOSFETs
Authors: Adak Sarosij , Swain Sanjit Kumar , Dutta Arka , Rahaman Hafizur , Sarkar Chandan Kumar
Published: May 2016

Comparative assessment of graded channel gate stack (GCGS) DG MOSFET structure is done by using two-dimensional (2D) Sentrausu TCAD simulator for different high K oxide thickness. This novel device includes gate stack (GS) engineering (high K) and nonuniformly channel engineering (GC) to suppress the short channel effects and improve the device performance. This novel device can be a better alternative for the future high speed switching and low power circuit applications. It has the advantage of improved breakdown voltage, reduced leakage current, low output conductance and reduced bipolar parasitic effects. The given device must be properly investigated with respect to the variation of different high K oxide thickness on different parameters such as drain induced barrier lowering (DIBL), subthreshold slope (SS), [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] roll off before fabrication to have better reliability. The 2D Sentrausu TCAD simulator using drift-diffusion model was used to simulate the developed structure and good agreement is obtained with respect to already published result in the sub-threshold regime. The result indicates that there is a need to be optimize the DC parameters for specific circuit applications.
Facile Synthesis of Cu/Cu2O Nanoparticles–Graphene Composites for Efficient Detection of NO2 at Room Temperature
Authors: Liu Xin , Sun Jianbo
Published: May 2016

Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles-reduced graphene oxide composites (CuGCs) have been successfully prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The combined characterizations indicate the successful formation of CuGCs. The [Formula: see text] 3 nm Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles homogeneously in situ grow on reduced graphene oxide sheets. CuGCs-based gas sensors were investigated for detection of NO2 at room temperature. The CuGCs exhibited fast response behavior, relatively high response and could achieve a detection limit as low as 5[Formula: see text]ppm. Furthermore, sensing mechanism and the reason for enhancing sensing performance have also been discussed.