bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PGC-1β prevents statin-associated myotoxicity in oxidative skeletal muscle
Authors: Singh François , Zoll Joffrey , Duthaler Urs , Charles Anne-Laure , Laverny Gilles , Metzger Daniel , Geny Bernard , Krähenbühl Stephan , Bouitbir Jamal
Published: November 2017

Statins are generally well-tolerated, but can induce myopathy. Statins are associated with impaired expression of PGC-1β in human and rat skeletal muscle. The current study was performed to investigate the relation between PGC-1β expression and function and statin-associated myopathy. In WT mice, atorvastatin impaired mitochondrial function in glycolytic, but not in oxidative muscle. In PGC-1β KO mice, atorvastatin induced a shift from oxidative type IIA to glycolytic type IIB myofibers mainly in oxidative muscle and mitochondrial dysfunction was observed in both muscle types. In glycolytic muscle of WT and KO mice and in oxidative muscle of KO mice, atorvastatin suppressed mitochondrial proliferation and oxidative defense, leading to apoptosis. In contrast, mitochondrial function was maintained or improved and apoptosis decreased by atorvastatin in oxidative muscle of WT mice. In conclusion, PGC-1β has an important role in preventing damage to oxidative muscle in the presence of a mitochondrial toxicant such as atorvastatin.
DNA Damage Induced Chromosomal Instability. Computational modeling view
Authors: Eidelman Y.A. , Slanina S.V. , Pyatenko V.S. , Andreev S.G.
Published: November 2017

The origin of dose-response curves for radiation-induced chromosomal instability (CI) is studied using the mechanistic CI model. The model takes into account DNA damage generation and repair in the progeny of irradiated cells, cell passage through mitotic cycle, and intercellular signaling. It is shown that the dose-response curves are closely related to the dynamic curves. The principles underlying this relationship are analyzed.
Bin-Free Fitting of Probability Distributions Emphasizing DNA Histograms
Authors: Rochman Nash
Published: November 2017

It is often challenging to find the right bin size when constructing a histogram to represent a noisy experimental data set. This problem is frequently faced when assessing whether a cell synchronization experiment was successful or not. In this case the goal is to determine whether the DNA content is best represented by a unimodal, indicating successful synchronization, or bimodal, indicating unsuccessful synchronization, distribution. This choice of bin size can greatly affect the interpretation of the results; however, it can be avoided by fitting the data to a cumulative distribution function (CDF). Fitting data to a CDF removes the need for bin size selection. The sorted data can also be used to reconstruct an approximate probability density function (PDF) without selecting a bin size. A simple CDF-based approach is presented and the benefits and drawbacks relative to usual methods are discussed.
Protein structures as shapes: Analysing protein structure variation using geometric morphometrics
Authors: Hleap Jose Sergio , Blouin Christian
Published: November 2017

A phenotype is defined as an organism’s physical traits. In the macroscopic world, an animal’s shape is a phenotype. Geometric morphometrics (GM) can be used to analyze its shape. Let’s pose protein structures as microscopic three dimensional shapes, and apply principles of GM to the analysis of macromolecules. In this paper we introduce a way to 1) abstract a structure as a shape; 2) align the shapes; and 3) perform statistical analysis to establish patterns of variation in the datasets. We show that general procrustes superimposition (GPS) can be replaced by multiple structure alignment without changing the outcome of the test. We also show that estimating the deformation of the shape (structure) can be informative to analyze relative residue variations. Finally, we show an application of GM for two protein structure datasets: 1) in theα-amylase dataset we demonstrate the relationship between structure, function, and how the dependency of chloride has an important effect on the structure; and 2) in the Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1) protein’s molecular dynamic simulation dataset, we introduce a simple way to analyze the trajectory of the simulation by means of protein structure variation.
Coupling shRNA screens with single-cell RNA-seq identifies a dual role for mTOR in reprogramming-induced senescence
Authors: Aarts Marieke , Georgilis Athena , Beniazza Meryam , Beolchi Patrizia , Banito Ana , Carroll Thomas , Kulisic Marizela , Kaemena Daniel F. , Dharmalingam Gopuraja , Martin Nadine , Reik Wolf , Zuber Johannes , Kaji Keisuke , Chandra Tamir , Gil Jesús
Published: November 2017

Expression of the transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC (OSKM) reprograms somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Reprogramming is a slow and inefficient process, suggesting the presence of safeguarding mechanisms that counteract cell fate conversion. One such mechanism is senescence. To identify modulators of reprogramming-induced senescence, we performed a genome-wide shRNA screen in primary human fibroblasts expressing OSKM. In the screen, we identified novel mediators of OSKM-induced senescence and validated previously implicated genes such as CDKN1A. We developed an innovative approach that integrates single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with the shRNA screen to investigate the mechanism of action of the identified candidates. Our data unveiled regulation of senescence as a novel way by which mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) influences reprogramming. On one hand, mTOR inhibition blunts the induction of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors (CDKIs), including p16INK4a, p21CIP1, and p15INK4b, preventing OSKM-induced senescence. On the other hand, inhibition of mTOR blunts the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which itself favors reprogramming. These contrasting actions contribute to explain the complex effect that mTOR has on reprogramming. Overall, our study highlights the advantage of combining functional screens with scRNA-seq to accelerate the discovery of pathways controlling complex phenotypes.
Crystal structure of an anti-idiotype variable lymphocyte receptor
Authors: Collins Bernard C. , Nakahara Hiro , Acharya Sharmistha , Cooper Max D. , Herrin Brantley R. , Wilson Ian A.
Published: November 2017

Variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs), the leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-based antigen receptors of jawless fish, have great utility in a wide variety of biochemical and biological applications, similar to classical Ig-based antibodies. VLR-based reagents may be particularly useful when traditional antibodies are not available. An anti-idiotype lamprey VLR, VLR39, has previously been identified that recognizes the heavy-chain CDR3 of the B-cell receptor (BCR) of a leukemic clone from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). VLR39 was used successfully to track the re-emergence of this clone in the patient following chemotherapy. Here, the crystal structure of VLR39 is presented at 1.5 Å resolution and compared with those of other protein-specific VLRs. VLR39 adopts a curved solenoid fold and exhibits substantial structural similarity to other protein-binding VLRs. VLR39 has a short LRRCT loop that protrudes outwards away from the concave face and is similar to those of its protein-specific VLR counterparts. Analysis of the VLR39–BCR interaction by size-exclusion chromatography and biolayer interferometry using the scFv version of the BCR confirms that VLR39 recognizes the BCR Fv region. Such VLR-based reagents may be useful for identifying and monitoring leukemia in CLL patients and in other clinical diagnostic assays.
Design technique for leakage current reduction in surge arrester using gravitational search algorithm and imperialist competitive algorithm
Authors: Abdul Latiff Nurul Ain , Illias Hazlee Azil , Abu Bakar Ab Halim , Abd Halim Syahirah , Dabbak Sameh Ziad
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Leakage current is one of the factors, which can contribute towards degradation of surge arresters. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to study on leakage current within surge arresters and improvement on their design.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, a three-dimensional model geometry of 11 kV zinc oxide surge arrester was designed in finite element analysis and was applied to calculate the leakage current under normal operating condition and being verified with measurement results. The optimisation methods were used to improve the arrester design by minimising the leakage current across the arrester using imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) and gravitational search algorithm (GSA).

Findings

The arrester design in reducing leakage current was successfully optimised by varying the glass permittivity, silicone rubber permittivity and the width of the ground terminal of the surge arrester. It was found that the surge arrester design obtained using ICA has lower leakage current than GSA and the original design of the surge arrester.

Practical implications

The comparison between measurement and simulation enables factors that affect the mechanism of leakage current in surge arresters to be identified and provides the ideal design of arrester.

Originality/value

Surge arrester design was optimised by ICA and GSA, which has never been applied in past works in designing surge arrester with minimum leakage current.
An improved quantum based particle swarm optimizer applied to electromagnetic optimization problems
Authors: Rehman Obaid Ur , Yang Shiyou , Khan Shafiullah
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the potential of standard quantum particle swarm optimization algorithms to solve single objective electromagnetic optimization problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified quantum particle swarm optimization (MQPSO) algorithm is designed.

Findings

The MQPSO algorithm is an efficient and robust global optimizer for optimizing electromagnetic design problems. The numerical results as reported have demonstrated that the proposed approach can find better final optimal solution at an initial stage of the iterating process as compared to other tested stochastic methods. It also demonstrates that the proposed method can produce better outcomes by using almost the same computation cost (number of iterations). Thus, the merits or advantages of the proposed MQPSO method in terms of both solution quality (objective function values) and convergence speed (number of iterations) are validated.

Originality/value

The improvements include the design of a new position updating formula, the introduction of a new selection method (tournament selection strategy) and the proposal of an updating parameter rule.
Parametric model of electric machines based on exponential Fourier approximations of magnetic air gap flux density and inductance
Authors: Borchardt Norman , Kasper Roland
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This study aims to present a parametric model of a novel electrical machine, based on a slotless air gap winding, allowing for fast and precise magnetic circuit calculations.

Design/methodology/approach

Approximations of Fourier coefficients through an exponential function deliver the required nonlinear air gap flux density and inductance. Accordingly, major machine characteristics, such as back-EMF and torque, can be calculated analytically with high speed and precision. A physical model of the electrical machine with air gap windings is given. It is based on a finite element analysis of the air gap magnetic flux density and inductance. The air gap height and the permanent magnetic height are considered as magnetic circuit parameters.

Findings

In total, 11 Fourier coefficient matrixes with 65 sampling points each were generated. From each, matrix a two-dimensional surface function was approximated by using exponentials. Optimal parameters were calculated by the least-squares method. Comparison with the finite element model demonstrates a very low error of the analytical approximation for all Fourier coefficients considered. Finally, the dynamics of an electrical machine, modeled using the preceding magnetic flux density approximation, are analyzed in MATLAB Simulink. Required approximations of the phase self-inductance and mutual inductance were given. Accordingly, the effects of the two magnetic circuit parameters on the dynamics of electrical machine current as well as the electrical machine torque are explained.

Originality/value

The presented model offers high accuracy comparable to FE-models, needing only very limited computational complexity.
A dynamic particle swarm optimization method applied to global optimizations of engineering inverse problem
Authors: Khan Shafiullah , Yang Shiyou , Rehman Obaid Ur
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the potential of particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to solve an electromagnetic inverse problem.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified PSO algorithm is designed.

Findings

The modified PSO algorithm is a more stable, robust and efficient global optimizer for solving the well-known benchmark optimization problems. The new mutation approach preserves the diversity of the population, whereas the proposed dynamic and adaptive parameters maintain a good balance between the exploration and exploitation searches. The numerically experimental results of two case studies demonstrate the merits of the proposed algorithm.

Originality/value

Some improvements, such as the design of a new global mutation mechanism and introducing a novel strategy for learning and control parameters, are proposed.
Design and comparison of two kinds of primary wound field flux-switching linear motors
Authors: Cao Ruiwu , Jin Yi , Zhang Yanze , Cheng Ming
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the complementary design rules, give a quantitative comparison and analyze the force production mechanism of two kinds of primary wound field flux-switching linear (PWFFSL) motors.

Design/methodology/approach

PWFFSL motors have the merits of no use of rare-earth magnet, low cost and a wide operation range in which the armature windings and the field windings are all located at the short primary mover and the secondary is very robust. Hence, the PWFFSL motor is ideal for rail transportation systems which need a long stator and a wide speed range. To overcome the disadvantages of the existing PWFFSL motors, new complementary design rules will be proposed. Also, to offer a better PWFFSL motor for the rail transportation systems, it is necessary to investigate different structures of PWFFSL motors and give a comprehensive comparison. To predict the force performance of two kinds of PWFFSL motors with different secondary types, their flux density analysis and force production mechanism will be presented and compared.

Findings

The comparison result shows that the PWFFSL motor with toothed secondary can offer larger thrust force, higher force density and higher efficiency, whereas the PWFFSL motor with segmented secondary has the merits of lower force ripple, less use of stator iron, higher power factor and less critical saturation.

Research limitations/implications

Many PWFFSL motors with different primary/secondary pole pitches based on the proposed design principle have not been considered in this paper.

Originality/value

This paper has presented the air-gap flux analysis, proposed the complementary design rules for two kinds of PWFFSL motors with different secondary types and compared the electromagnetic performance of the two motors.
Sensorless online measurements: application to variable speed drive systems
Authors: Al – Tahir Ali Abdul Razzaq
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Sensorless online measurements, application of variable speed drives has been given a great attention, especially over the past few years. In most of the previous literates dealing with permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives, the combination of inter-sampled behavior with high gain design approach has not been discussed yet. This paper aims to discuss this feature in-depth.

Design/methodology/approach

The study contains a different approach for an observer running with surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous machine drives to implement sensorless control. Design of sampled data observer methodology for one kind of AC machine having non-linear model and backed by an elegant formal stability convergence analysis using the tools of Lyapunov stability techniques was highly recommended in scientific contributions, and it is yet needed to be solved.

Findings

In this study, a solution to observation problem is covered and developed by combining ideas from the high-gain design approach and inter-sample predictor based on stator voltage measurements. The output state currents are accessible only at the sampling instant to solve the problem of states observation at continuous-time mode. This allows to reducing the usage of online appliances, improving reliability of control design and saving costs.

Practical implications

The proposed observer is capable of guaranteeing an acceptable closed loop dynamic response over a wide range of operation region and industrial process for random initial conditions.

Originality/value

The output state predictor has been interred in constructing the innovation correct term to prove the robustness of the proposed observer against attenuated sampling interval. To validate the theoretical results introduced by the main fundamental theorem and prove the observer stability convergence, the proposed observer is demonstrated through a sample study application to variable speed permanent magnet synchronous machine drive.
A novel MRTD model for signal integrity analysis of resistive driven coupled copper interconnects
Authors: Rebelli Shashank , Nistala Bheema Rao
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to model the coupled on-chip Copper (Cu) interconnects by using the multiresolution time-domain (MRTD) method.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is a wavelet-based numerical method for analyzing signal integrity and propagation delay of coupled on-chip interconnects. Moreover, the dependency of crosstalk noise and delay on coupling parasitics (L12, C12) are analyzed.

Findings

The proposed MRTD method captures the behaviour of propagation delay and peak crosstalk noise on victim line against coupling parasitics, which is in close agreement with that of H simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (HSPICE). The average error for the proposed model is less than 1 per cent with respect to HSPICE for the estimation of peak crosstalk noise voltage.

Practical implications

Simulations are performed using HSPICE and compared with those performed using the proposed MRTD method for global interconnect length with 130-nm technology, where the computations of the proposed model are carried out using Matlab.

Originality/value

The MRTD method with its unique features is tailored for modelling interconnects. To build further credence to this and its profound existence in the latest state-of-art works, simulations of crosstalk noise and propagation delay, for coupled Cu interconnect lines, using MRTD and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) are executed. The results illustrated the dominance of MRTD method over FDTD in terms of accuracy.
Nonlinear three-port magnetic-circuit elements for simulating bending magnets
Authors: De Gersem Herbert , Srinivasan Vaishnavi , Muehle Carsten
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that constructing magnetic equivalent circuits (MECs) for simulating accelerator magnets is possible by defining a three-port magnetic element for modelling the T-shape field distribution, where the flux leaves the yoke and enters the aperture.

Design/methodology/approach

A linear three-port magnetic element is extracted from an analytical field solution and can be represented by a number of two-port elements. Its nonlinear counterpart is obtained as a combination of the corresponding nonlinear two-port elements. An improved nonlinear three-port element is developed on the basis of an embedded nonlinear one-dimensional finite element model.

Findings

The T-shaped field distribution comes together with a complicated interplay between the saturation of the ferromagnetic yoke parts and flux leaking to the aperture. This is more accurately modelled by the improved nonlinear three-port magnetic element.

Research limitations/implications

MECs have a limited validity range, especially for configurations where a high saturation level and fringing flux effects coexist.

Practical implications

The results of the paper appeal to be careful with applying nonlinear MECs for simulating bending magnets.

Originality/value

A new nonlinear three-port magnetic element for ferromagnetic yoke parts with T-shaped flux distribution has been developed.
Design and simulation of electrostatic NEMS logic gates
Authors: Pandiyan P. , Uma G. , Umapathy M.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a design and simulation of electrostatic nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS)-based logic gates using laterally actuated cantilever with double-electrode structure that can implement logic functions, similar to logic devices that are made of solid-state transistors which operates at 5 V.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical modeling of NEMS switch is carried out for finding the pull-in and pull-out voltage based on Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory, and its numerical simulation is performed using finite element method computer-aided design tool COVENTORWARE.

Findings

This paper reports analytical and numerical simulation of basic NEMS switch to realize the logic gates. The proposed logic gate operates on 5 V which suits well with conventional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) logic which in turn reduces the power consumption of the device.

Originality/value

The proposed logic gates use a single bit NEMS switch per logic instead of using 6-14 individual transistors as in CMOS. One exclusive feature of this proposed logic gates is that the basic NEMS switch is structurally modified to function as specific logic gates depending upon the given inputs.
Impact of human resource interventions on work-life balance: a study on Indian IT sector
Authors: Panda Ansumalini , Kumar Sahoo Chandan
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the significant predictors of work-life balance (WLB) by highlighting the human resource interventions in IT industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis have been used to analyse the data by using the SPSS version 20. Primary data have been incorporated from 245 software professionals through a structured questionnaire from the IT industry in India.

Findings

The study examines nine independent variables that significantly envisage the dependent variables (WLB), among them only three factors are extracted such as training and development, teamwork and communication, and financial and non-financial rewards which were found to be significant predictors of WLB. The hypothesis as suggested for the study has been significant.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides a practical interpretation about an overview of human resource interventions vital for better WLB in software organisations. It also provides insights to practitioners, IT managers and administrators for instigating these interventions.

Practical implications

The achievement of WLB is a delightful indulgence for professionals as well as organisations. It becomes indispensable for top management to focus on HR interventions for stimulating the degree of WLB. The study empirically categorizes the various interventions pivotal to improve the degree of WLB in the IT sector.

Originality/value

As there has been substantial research evidence exploring the work-life imbalance, its cause, effects and overcoming it through a balanced life is studied. This study has identified innovative insight of embracing employees and thriving commitment among employees through HR interventions which acts as a strong predictor for WLB. There are limited empirical traces in the Indian IT sector investigating the above context.
Accountability of senior compliance management for compliance failures in a credit institution
Authors: Meissner Michael H.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

In most industries, legal entities of a certain size and complexity must have a compliance function. Such requirement is either set forth by regulatory law or the governance rules of the relevant organisation. In the highly regulated credit industry, the role and responsibilities of the compliance function are more precisely defined than in other industries. This paper aims to analyse the personal accountability of senior compliance officers in a bank’s compliance function when there is a failure of proper compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a keynote addressed at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, 7 September 2016. The author approaches the issue of senior compliance management by analysing development of international financial regulation with respect to legal requirements for compliance function. Subsequently, the author determines what constitutes senior compliance management and applies the various legal regimes to situations of compliance failures.

Findings

While the accountability of the chief compliance officer and deputy for compliance failures is not set forth in regulatory law, courts and scholars have acknowledged such personal responsibility exists resorting to principles of civil law (contracts or torts), criminal law or employment law. Approaches and questions for this legal analysis are similar in a civil law as well as in common law jurisdiction. The most relevant breach of contract of the chief compliance officer will be an omission to act (forbearance), i.e. the failure to properly organize the compliance function and/or to immediately report a compliance risk to the board.

Research limitations/implications

Scholarly work in the law of compliance is still somewhat limited, thus the research also includes practitioners’ observations. The accountability of senior compliance management for compliance failures represents a growing trend in corporate governance to seek individual accountability for corporate misconduct; see, for example, US Department of Justice (DOJ) in its so-called Yates memorandum on “individual accountability for corporate wrongdoing”.

Practical implications

In incidents of non-compliance, banks and their compliance officers should be able to exculpate themselves if they can demonstrate proper organization of the compliance function.

Originality/value

The originality of this general review is to focus the analysis of accountability of senior compliance management on the credit industry and to consider latest developments in international financial regulation, such as the supervisory review and evaluation process (SREP) by the European Central Bank (ECB) in the single supervisory mechanism (SSM) or the corporate governance principles for banks by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS).
Design criteria for insulation materials applied in timber frame assemblies
Authors: Tiso Mattia , Just Alar
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Insulation materials’ contribution to the fire resistance of timber frame assemblies may vary considerably. At present, Eurocode 5 provides a model for fire design of the load-bearing function of timber frame assemblies with cavities completely filled with stone wool. Very little is known about the fire protection provided by other insulation materials. An improved design model which has the potential to consider the contribution of any insulation material has been introduced by the authors. This paper aims to analyze the parameters that describe in a universal way the protection against the charring given by different insulations not included in Eurocode 5.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of model-scale furnace tests of floor specimens for three different insulation materials were carried out. An analysis on the charring depth of the residual cross-sections was conducted by means of a resistograph device.

Findings

The study explains the criteria and procedure followed to derive the coefficients for the improved design model for three insulations involved in the study.

Originality/value

This research study involves a large experimental work which forms the basis of the proposed design model. This study presents an important step for fire resistance calculations of timber frame assemblies.
Innovation and cross-functional teams
Authors: Stipp Daniel Marasquini , Pimenta Márcio Lopes , Jugend Daniel
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to characterize how innovation may happen through cross-functional teams (CFT) in an organization of the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study helped to characterize several behavior patterns, team structures and respective links with generating innovation in internal processes and public answering contexts.

Findings

The results highlight that formal-temporary teams present a higher capacity to generate incremental innovation in products, whereas permanent-informal teams have a higher capacity to generate innovation in the internal processes and public answering contexts.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this research relate to the fact that this is a single case study, and although it is an important case to examine innovation and CFTs, by its very nature, it is not possible to extend and generalize the obtained data to other organizations. The evaluation of its propositions was merely qualitative, and future research is needed to validate its characteristics.

Practical implications

Several settings of CFTs are presented, as well as their ability to generate different types of innovation, such as the computerization of documents, petitions and papers, which decreases the time to answer the taxpayer. Moreover, CFTs can help to create products, such as computer programs that can be used not only locally but also in several public organizations related to tax management.

Originality/value

The field research provides the perceptions of the respondents regarding CFT characteristics that can lead to specific types of innovation, as well as the types of products or services that can be generated by these processes.
The dynamics of Kelp Forests in the Northeast Pacific Ocean and the relationship with environmental drivers
Authors: Pfister Catherine A. , Berry Helen D. , Mumford Thomas
Published: November 2017

The dynamics of foundation species in ecosystems are key to the fate of many species. Kelp forests are foundation species in temperate ocean ecosystems and contribute to carbon storage, macronutrient dynamics, primary production and biodiversity of a myriad of associated species. Downward trends in their abundance globally have been of concern.

We analysed 26 years of aerial censuses (1989–2015) of two canopy kelp species in Washington State (USA) waters. We compared these modern censuses with censuses in 1911 and 1912 to determine the persistence of kelp cover over the past century. Using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models, we compared kelp dynamics with likely environmental drivers, including local environmental variables and ocean indices for this region.

Kelp remains at historic levels in many areas, although some eastern populations in proximity to greater human populations are the exception to this pattern. Over the last 26 years, kelp abundance showed high spatial autocorrelation in western areas of Straits of Juan de Fuca, with more variable populations in the annual species and eastward towards Puget Sound. Both species covaried positively in their abundance throughout most of the study area, suggesting that environmental factors rather than competition, drove their dynamics. The population dynamics of these kelp species showed that the abundance 1 year previously was an important predictor, and cyclic dynamics were not indicated using ARIMA models. Kelp abundance correlated inversely with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Oceanic Nino Index, and positively with the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation, indicating that large‐scale processes associated with colder seawater temperatures were associated with greater relative abundance of kelp.

Synthesis. Kelp beds in the northern California Current Large Marine Ecosystem have mostly remained persistent over the past century and over many kilometres, but some areas may have decreased in abundance. The sensitivity of these populations to indices of ocean climate, our demonstration that a historic 93‐year sea surface temperature record (Race Rocks, Canada) showed a 0.72°C increase and the classification of some areas as high variability‐low abundance, suggest that the viability of these foundational species remain a concern into the future.
Successful Community Discharge Following Postacute Rehabilitation for Medicare Beneficiaries: Analysis of a Patient‐Centered Quality Measure
Authors: Cary Michael P. , Prvu Bettger Janet , Jarvis Jessica M. , Ottenbacher Kenneth J. , Graham James E.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as health services use associated with successful community discharge.

Data Source

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility‐Patient Assessment Instrument and Medicare Provider Analysis and Review files.

Study Design

We retrospectively examined 167,664 Medicare beneficiaries discharged from inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) in 2013 to determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as health services use associated with successful community discharge.

Principal Findings

In the multivariable model, sociodemographic (younger age, no disability, social support), clinical (higher motor and cognitive functional status at admission), and health services use (fewer acute care days and longer IRF days) variables were associated with successful community discharge.

Conclusions

Remaining in the community is an important patient‐centered outcome that could complement other postacute rehabilitation quality measures.
ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS AND URBAN CRIME: THE STRUCTURE OF SHARED ROUTINE ACTIVITY LOCATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOOD‐LEVEL INFORMAL CONTROL CAPACITY
Authors: BROWNING CHRISTOPHER R. , CALDER CATHERINE A. , BOETTNER BETHANY , SMITH ANNA
Published: November 2017

By drawing on the work of Jacobs (1961), we hypothesize that public contact among neighborhood residents while engaged in day‐to‐day routines, captured by the aggregate network structure of shared local exposure, is consequential for crime. Neighborhoods in which residents come into contact more extensively in the course of conventional routines will exhibit higher levels of public familiarity, trust, and collective efficacy with implications for the informal social control of crime. We employ the concept of ecological (“eco‐”) networks—networks linking households within neighborhoods through shared activity locations—to formalize the notion of overlapping routines. By using microsimulations of household travel patterns to construct census tract‐level eco‐networks for Columbus, OH, we examine the hypothesis that eco‐network intensity (the probability that households tied through one location in a neighborhood eco‐network will also be tied through another visited location) is negatively associated with tract‐level crime rates (N = 192). Fitted spatial autoregressive models offer evidence that neighborhoods with higher intensity eco‐networks exhibit lower levels of violent and property crime. In contrast, a higher prevalence of nonresident visitors to a given tract is positively associated with property crime. The results of these analyses hold the potential to enrich insight into the ecological processes that shape variation in neighborhood crime.
The Suppressive Effects of Geniposide and Genipin on Helicobacter pylori Infections In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Chang Chiung‐Hung , Wu Jin‐Bin , Yang Jai‐Sing , Lai Yen‐Ju , Su Chiu‐Hsian , Lu Chi‐Cheng , Hsu Yuan‐Man
Published: November 2017

Geniposide and genipin have been found in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, a traditional Chinese medicine that exhibits multiple biological functions. However, no report showing the effects of geniposide and genipin on gastric protection in Helicobacter pylori infections in vitro and in vivo has been done. In this study, we clarified how geniposide and genipin suppress H. pylori‐mediated inflammation in gastric AGS cells and C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that genipin shows a strong ability to inhibit H. pylori growth and is able to reduce vacA and cagA gene expression of H. pylori in infected AGS cells. Genipin also attenuates the abilities of adhesion and invasion of H. pylori to AGS cells. An attenuation of interleukin (IL)‐8 and IFN‐γ production caused by genipin was observed to inhibit cell inflammatory responses. In the in vivo experiments, geniposide and genipin both showed suppressive effects on the vacA gene expression in mice after H. pylori infection. The serum levels of IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, immunoglobulin A, and Immunoglobulin M were decreased by geniposide and genipin in infected mice. The inflammatory maker COX2 was downregulated in H. pylori‐infected mice after exposure to geniposide and genipin. Together, geniposide and genipin effectively exert a healthy promotion to reduce H. pylori infections in vivo by interfering with the growth and virulence of H. pylori as well as attenuating the gastric inflammation caused by an H. pylori infection.

Practical Application

Geniposide and genipin have a healthy promotion to eradicate H. pylori infections by interfering with the growth and virulence of H. pylori and to attenuate the gastric inflammation caused by an H. pylori infection.
Reverse Stability Kinetics of Meat Pigment Oxidation in Aqueous Extract from Fresh Beef
Authors: Frelka John C. , Phinney David M. , Wick Macdonald P. , Heldman Dennis R.
Published: November 2017

The use of kinetic models is an evolving approach to describing quality changes in foods during processes, including storage. Previous studies indicate that the oxidation rate of myoglobin is accelerated under frozen storage conditions, a phenomenon termed reverse stability. The goal of this study was to develop a model for meat pigment oxidation to incorporate the phenomenon of reverse stability. In this investigation, the model system was an aqueous extract from beef which was stored under a range of temperatures, both unfrozen and frozen. The kinetic analysis showed that in unfrozen solutions, the temperature dependence of oxidation rate followed Arrhenius kinetics. However, under in frozen solutions the rate of oxidation increased with decreasing temperature until reaching a local maximum around −20 °C. The addition of NaCl to the model system increased oxidation rates at all temperatures, even above the initial freezing temperature. This observation suggests that this reaction is dependent on the ionic strength of the solution as well as temperature. The mechanism of this deviant kinetic behavior is not fully understood, but this study shows that the interplay of temperature and composition on the rate of oxidation of meat pigments is complicated and may involve multiple mechanisms.

Practical Application

A better understanding of the kinetics of quality loss in a meat system allows for a re‐examination of the current recommendations for frozen storage. The deviant kinetic behavior observed in this study indicates that the relationship between quality loss and temperature in a frozen food is not as simple as once thought. Product‐specific recommendations could be implemented in the future that would allow for a decrease in energy consumption without a significant loss of quality.
Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting the severity of abnormal invasive placenta: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Familiari Alessandra , Liberati Marco , Lim Philip , Pagani Giorgio , Cali Giuseppe , Buca Danilo , Manzoli Lamberto , Flacco Maria E. , Scambia Giovanni , D'antonio Francesco
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Accurate prenatal diagnosis of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) is fundamental because it significantly reduces maternal morbidities.

Material and methods

Medline, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane databases were searched. The primary aim of the present review was to elucidate the diagnostic accuracy of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in recognizing the severity of AIP, defined as the depth and topography of invasion. The secondary aim was to ascertain the strength of association between each MRI sign and the depth of placental invasion and to test their individual predictive accuracy in detecting such invasion. Inclusion criteria were studies on women who had prenatal MRI for ultrasound suspicion or the presence of clinical risk factors for AIP. Estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated using the hierarchical summary receiver characteristics curve model, and individual data random‐effect logistic regression was used to calculate OR.

Results

Twenty studies (1080 pregnancies undergoing MRI mainly for the ultrasound suspicion of AIP) were included. MRI showed a sensitivity of 94.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.8–99.9], 100% (95% CI 75.3–100) and 86.5% (95% CI 74.2–94.4) for detection of placenta accreta, increta and percreta, respectively; the corresponding values for specificity were 98.8% (95% CI 70.7–100), 97.3% (95% CI 93.3–99.3), 96.8% (95% CI 93.5–98.7). MRI identified 100% of cases with S1 and 100% of those with S2 invasion confirmed at surgery. Among the different MRI signs, intra‐placental dark bands showed the best sensitivity for the detection of placenta accreta, increta and percreta; as well as abnormal intra‐placental vascularity, uterine bulging was associated with a higher risk of increta and percreta, exophitic mass and bladder tenting with placenta percreta.

Conclusion

Prenatal MRI has an excellent diagnostic accuracy in identifying the depth and the topography of placental invasion. However, these findings come mainly from studies in which MRI was performed as a secondary imaging tool in women already screened for AIP on ultrasound and might not reflect its actual diagnostic performance in detecting the severity of these disorders.
Spermatogenesis in Sceloporus variabilis (Squamata, Phrynosomatidae): A non‐quiescent pattern
Authors: Granados‐González Gisela , Villagrán‐SantaCruz Maricela , Peña‐Herrera Eric , Rheubert Justin L. , Gribbins Kevin M. , Hernández‐Gallegos Oswaldo
Published: November 2017

Gaining a deeper understanding of spermatogenic cycles within squamates has aided in our knowledge of the controls of reproduction and has bettered our understanding of reproductive phenology. One of the most studied genera of squamates, Sceloporus, is widely distributed along a latitudinal and elevational gradient in temperate, tropical, low‐elevation and high‐elevation habitats. Due to this wide distribution and varying habitats, Sceloporus exhibit differences in their spermatogenic activity (including both cyclical and acyclical patterns) and may be one of the most useful genera for understanding the abiotic correlations with spermatogenesis. The spermatogenic activity in Sceloporus variabilis was studied histologically (in a population that inhabits a tropical region at Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico) and found to exhibit a unique cyclical pattern with an extended period of maximum activity (from November to July) and the absence of regression and quiescence. Furthermore, these data corroborate previous works on the spermatogenic cycles of S. variabilis despite different populations utilised. These data suggest that although abiotic factors may play a role in the timing of spermatogenesis, phylogenetic signal may be equally as important. More data concerning spermatogenic cycles in phylogenetically related taxa from differing habitats will elucidate the patterns of spermatogenic diversity.
[Sar1, Ile4, Ile8]‐angiotensin II Potentiates Insulin Receptor Signalling and Glycogen Synthesis in Hepatocytes
Authors: Sanni Samra Joke , Lyngsø Christina , Gammeltoft Steen , Hansen Jakob Lerche
Published: November 2017

The angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) is involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function. Excessive activation of AT1R by angiotensin II (Ang II) leads to cardiovascular disease and may be involved in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. Functionally selective Ang II analogues, such as the [Sar1, Ile4, Ile8]‐angiotensin II (SII Ang II) analogue, that only activate a subset of signalling networks have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function in certain settings, including lowering blood pressure and increasing cardiac performance. Here, we studied the effect of SII Ang II on insulin receptor (IR) signalling and glucose metabolism in primary rat hepatocytes. We show that long‐term pre‐treatment of hepatocytes with SII Ang II increased insulin‐stimulated glycogen synthesis, while Ang II and the AT1R antagonist losartan had no effect. Insulin‐stimulated suppression of hepatic glucose output was not affected by Ang II or SII Ang II. It is well known that insulin regulates glycogen synthesis and glucose output through Akt‐mediated phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase α/β (GSK3α/β) and forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1), respectively. In line with this, we show that SII Ang II potentiated insulin‐stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3α/β, but not FOXO1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the effect of SII Ang II on insulin‐stimulated signalling and glycogen synthesis was dependent on Src and Gαq, as inhibitors of these proteins abolished the potentiating effect of SII Ang II. Thus, our results demonstrate that SII Ang II may have a positive effect on IR signalling and glucose metabolism in hepatocytes.
Patient outcomes of genetic counseling: Assessing the impact of different approaches to family history collection
Authors: Slomp C. , Morris E. , Inglis A. , Lehman A. , Austin J.
Published: November 2017

No studies have yet evaluated whether different modalities for the collection of family history data influence patient outcomes of genetic counseling. We retrospectively compared outcomes of genetic counseling between patients whose family history (Fhx) was collected (1) via telephone prior to their appointment (FhxPrior) or (2) during the appointment (FhxDuring). We used a psychiatric genetic counseling clinic database, where information about demographics and Fhx timing is recorded, and patients complete the Genetic Counseling Outcomes Scale (GCOS, measuring empowerment) and Illness Management Self‐Efficacy Scale (IMSES) immediately prior to (T1) and 1 month after their appointment (T2). We used ANCOVA to evaluate the effect of the Fhx method on patient outcomes at T2. Complete data were available for 240 patients and were used for analysis (FhxPrior, n = 206; FhxDuring, n = 34). GCOS and IMSES scores increased from T1 to T2 (P < .0005 and P = .004, respectively). Although there was no difference between groups for GCOS (P = .412), T2 IMSES scores were significantly higher for FhxPrior than FhxDuring after controlling for T1 scores (P = .011). Our data suggest that obtaining Fhx via telephone prior to genetic counseling may lead to greater increases in patients’ self‐efficacy as compared to obtaining Fhx during the genetic counseling appointment.
Enigma portal case: Pleural effusion
Authors: Pastorello R. , Nascimento A. , Werneck I. , Saieg M. A.
Published: November 2017

The current case is a well‐documented rare case of a 14‐year‐old female with metastatic PTES to the pleural fluid, detailing its cytological and immunophenotypical features. Knowledge of possible morphological aspects of involvement of such singular cases are essential to include these entities as possible differentials along the patients’ diagnostic workup.
Focal cortical dysplasia in genetic epilepsy: new insights from PCDH19‐related epilepsy
Authors: Trivisano Marina , Specchio Nicola
Published: November 2017

This commentary is on the case report by Kurian et al. on pages 100–105.