bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter Species Identified in Captive Sooty Mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) with Metastatic Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Esmail Michael Y. , Bacon Rebecca , Swennes Alton G. , Feng Yan , Shen Zeli , Garcia AnaPatricia , Sharma Prachi , Cohen Joyce , Fox James G.
Published: October 2015

Background

Of all human cancers, gastric carcinoma is the one of the leading causes of death. Helicobacter pylori is considered a major etiologic agent of this disease. Spontaneously occurring gastric carcinoma is a rare diagnosis in nonhuman primates. A 2011 case report documented a high incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma in a closed colony of captive sooty mangabeys (Cercebus atys). However, H. pylori infection was not detected in these animals.

Materials and Methods

In this study, using archived formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded stomach sections of these animals alternative methodologies were used to identify H. pylori and other non‐H. pylori Helicobacter species. In addition, two additional cases of sooty mangabeys with metastatic gastric carcinoma are characterized.

Results

Using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we identified gastric H. suis in 75% of archived and new gastric carcinoma cases. In the two newly reported cases, H. suis and a novel Helicobacter species were detected via PCR and sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. H. pylori was not identified in any of the gastric carcinoma cases via FISH and/or PCR and sequence analysis of Helicobacter spp. in DNA from of available tissues.

Conclusions

This report is the first to characterize Helicobacter species infection in spontaneous gastric carcinoma with metastatic potential in nonhuman primates.
Expression profile of microRNA‐200 family in cholangiocarcinoma arising from choledochal cyst
Authors: Chu Chia‐Hui , Chou Wenchi , Wang Frank , Yeh Chun‐Nan , Chen Tse‐Ching , Yeh Ta‐Sen
Published: October 2015

Background and Aim

The risk of cholangiocarcinoma (cCC) arising from choledochal cyst (CC‐CC) is imminent, if the latter not treated appropriately in time. Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered a critical step for various solid cancers, which is regulated by the microRNA‐200 (miR‐200) family. The aim of this study was to assess the role of miR‐200 family in the pathogenesis of CC‐CC.

Methods

Sixteen patients with CC‐CC were enrolled and 254 patients with conventional cCC served as clinicopathologic controls. Fifty‐four cCC were selected to compare the miR‐200 family expression and immunohistochemical characteristics. Gain‐and loss‐of‐function studies of miR‐200 family were conducted using the cCC cell lines.

Results

CC‐CC were younger (P < 0.01), more female‐ predominated (P < 0.01), and rarely associated with lithiasis (P < 0.01) compared with those of cCC. miR‐200 family was down‐regulated in CC‐CC, while miR‐200 family was paradoxically up‐regulated in cCC (P < 0.01). CC‐CC exhibited overt overexpression of mesenchymal markers including ZEB1, Twist, Snail, and vimentin as well an aberrant E‐cadherin expression in comparison with cCC. In vitro migration assay showed that cCC cells bearing lower miR‐200 s levels exhibited stronger migration ability. Invasive ability of cCC cells was increased after miR‐200 s knockdown, accompanied by up‐regulation of mesenchymal markers.

Conclusions

CC‐CC was characterized by distinct demographics, precipitating factors, and down‐regulation of miR‐200 family, compared with those of cCC. The pathogenesis of CC‐CC might partly link to the silencing of miR‐200 family, acting via ZEB1‐directed EMT activation.
A novel diagnostic method to detect truncated neurofibromin in neurofibromatosis 1
Authors: Esposito Teresa , Piluso Giulio , Saracino Dario , Uccello Rossella , Schettino Carla , Dato Clemente , Capaldo Guglielmo , Giugliano Teresa , Varriale Bruno , Paolisso Giuseppe , Di Iorio Giuseppe , Melone Mariarosa A. B.
Published: October 2015

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic condition caused by dominant loss‐of‐function mutations of the tumor suppressor gene NF1 that encodes neurofibromin, a negative regulator of RAS activity. Mutation analysis of NF1 located at 17q11.2 has been hampered by the large size of the gene, the high rate of new mutations, the lack of mutational clustering, and the presence of several homologous loci. To date, about 80% of the reported NF1 mutations are predicted to result in protein truncation, but very few studies have correlated the causative NF1 mutation with its effect at the protein level. We evaluated a novel diagnostic method to detect truncated forms of neurofibromin in a large cohort of unrelated subjects suspected of having NF1, according to the NIH consensus criteria. Western blot analysis was carried out on protein extracts from patients' leukocytes to highlight the possible presence of altered neurofibromin as a result of mutations in NF1. Truncated neurofibromin was identified in 274/336 patients (81%), confirming the usefulness and reproducibility of the proposed diagnostic approach. Our methodology can be routinely applied in the diagnostic setting, thanks to its simplicity and reliability. Combined with molecular approaches, it may increase the accuracy and efficiency of NF1 genetic testing.

image

We evaluated a novel diagnostic method to detect truncated forms of neurofibromin in patients fulfilling the clinical criteria for Neurofibromatosis 1. Western blot analysis identified truncated neurofibromin in 274/336 patients (81%). Our results indicate that the proposed technique is cheap and reliable, and could ideally be performed as a preliminary biochemical screening before molecular analysis of the NF1 gene.
A Simple Technique for Accurate Transfer of Secondary Copings in a Tooth‐Supported Telescopic Prosthesis
Authors: Shankargouda Swapnil B. , Sidhu Preena , Kardalkar Swetha , Desai Pooja M.
Published: October 2015

Residual ridge resorption is a rapid, progressive, irreversible, and inevitable process of bone resorption. Long‐standing teeth and implants have been shown to have maintained the bone around them without resorption. Thus, overdenture therapy has been proven to be beneficial in situations where few remaining teeth are present. In addition to the various advantages seen with tooth‐supported telescopic overdentures, a few shortcomings can also be expected, including unseating of the overdenture, increased bulk of the prosthesis, secondary caries, etc. The precise transfer of the secondary telescopic copings to maintain the spatial relationship, without any micromovement, remains the most critical step in ensuring the success of the tooth‐supported telescopic prosthesis. Thus, a simple and innovative technique of splinting the secondary copings was devised to prevent distortion and micromovement and maintain its spatial relationship.
Are WHO priority medicines for mothers and children included in Essential Medicines Lists of Pacific Island Countries?
Authors: Nunan Michael , Duke Trevor
Published: October 2015

Objective

The objective of the study was to determine if the World Health Organization's (WHO) 31 Priority Medicines for Mothers and Children are included in the Essential Medicines Lists (EML) of Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

Methods

EMLs from all PICs were sought. These were reviewed to determine if the priority medicines were listed in clinically appropriate doses for the age and indication in the WHO priority list.

Key findings

EMLs were sourced from 11 countries, representing 89% of the total PIC population. All countries had most of the priority items listed in its EML, but no country included the whole list; the overall inclusion of items listed on national EMLs ranged from 22/31 (71%) to 30/31 (97%). The average inclusion of items was 80.4%. 16 priority medicines were included in every country's EML.

Conclusion

The results suggest that treatment guidelines for Child and Maternal Health are not up-to-date in all countries or that vertical programme supply systems may not be fully incorporated into existing country mechanisms. Further support should be given to national drugs and therapeutics committees and essential medicines processes in the PICs.
Impact of comorbid depression on medication adherence and asthma-related healthcare costs in Texas Medicaid patients with asthma
Authors: Gupte-Singh Komal , Kim Gilwan , Barner Jamie C
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To compare: (1) rates of adherence to asthma controllers (ACs) between patients with asthma alone (A) and patients with asthma and comorbid depression (A + D); (2) rates of adherence to AC between patients who adhere to antidepressants and patients who do not adhere to antidepressants; and (3) asthma-related healthcare costs between the A and A + D groups.

Methods

Texas Medicaid insurance claims from 1 January 2007 to 31 October 2011 were extracted for adults (18–63 years) diagnosed with asthma with at least two fills of the same AC (inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta agonists, fixed-dose combinations (FDC) and leukotriene modifiers) in the A group, and at least two antidepressant claims in the A + D group. Proportion of days covered (PDC) was used to assess adherence to antidepressants and AC, while controlling for demographics, chronic disease score (CDS) and AC therapy type (monotherapy, FDC, dual therapy). Asthma-related healthcare costs included asthma-related prescriptions, inpatient and outpatient costs. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon test and regression analyses were used.

Key findings

The patients (n = 3626) were 40.1 ± 14.0 years, primarily women (75.0%), Caucasians (37.3%), FDC therapy users (56.3%), with CDS = 0 (74.2%). Results showed that compared to the A group (n = 3400), patients in the A + D group (n = 226) were 1.6 times more likely to adhere (PDC ≥50%) to their AC (odds ratio (OR) = 1.596; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.198–2.128; P < 0.001). Compared to patients who do not adhere to antidepressants (PDC < 80%) (n = 140), patients who adhered to antidepressants (PDC ≥80%) (n = 86) were 2.5 times more likely to adhere (PDC ≥50%) to AC, while controlling for covariates (OR = 2.517; 95% CI = 1.304–4.855; P = 0.006). After controlling for covariates, compared to the A group, the A + D disorder group had significantly lower total asthma-related healthcare costs (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In the A + D group, the higher costs of asthma-related prescriptions was offset by the lower costs of inpatient and outpatient claims. Patients in the A + D group should be encouraged to adhere to both their ACs and antidepressants.
Comparison of full‐mouth disinfection and quadrant‐wise scaling in the treatment of adult chronic periodontitis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fang H. , Han M. , Li Q.‐L. , Cao C. Y. , Xia R. , Zhang Z.‐H.
Published: October 2015

Scaling and root planing are widely considered as effective methods for treating chronic periodontitis. A meta‐analysis published in 2008 showed no statistically significant differences between full‐mouth disinfection (FMD) or full‐mouth scaling and root planing (FMS) and quadrant scaling and root planing (Q‐SRP). The FMD approach only resulted in modest additional improvements in several indices. Whether differences exist between these two approaches requires further validation. Accordingly, a study was conducted to further validate whether FMD with antiseptics or FMS without the use of antiseptics within 24 h provides greater clinical improvement than Q‐SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis. Medline (via OVID), EMBASE (via OVID), PubMed and CENTRAL databases were searched up to 27 January 2015. Randomized controlled trials comparing FMD or FMS with Q‐SRP after at least 3 mo were included. Meta‐analysis was performed to obtain the weighted mean difference (WMD), together with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Thirteen articles were included in the meta‐analysis. The WMD of probing pocket depth reduction was 0.25 mm (p < 0.05) for FMD vs. Q‐SRP in single‐rooted teeth with moderate pockets, and clinical attachment level gain in single‐ and multirooted teeth with moderate pockets was 0.33 mm (p < 0.05) for FMD vs. Q‐SRP. Except for those, no statistically significant differences were found in the other subanalyses of FMD vs. Q‐SRP, FMS vs. Q‐SRP and FMD vs. FMS. Therefore, the meta‐analysis results showed that FMD was better than Q‐SRP for achieving probing pocket depth reduction and clinical attachment level gain in moderate pockets. Additionally, regardless of the treatment, no serious complications were observed. FMD, FMS and Q‐SRP are all effective for the treatment of adult chronic periodontitis, and they do not lead to any obvious discomfort among patients. Moreover, FMD had modest additional clinical benefits over Q‐SRP, so we prefer to recommend FMD as the first choice for the treatment of adult chronic periodontitis.
Pigmented naevi and sun protection behaviour among primary and secondary school students in an Eastern Hungarian city
Authors: Gellén Emese , Janka Eszter , Tamás Ildikó , Ádám Balázs , Horkay Irene , Emri Gabriella , Remenyik Éva
Published: October 2015

Background

The most important risk factors for malignant melanoma are skin type I or II, large number of atypical naevi and a history of sunburn in childhood and adolescence.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed to assess skin type, number of pigmented lesions and sun protection behaviour in 1157 12‐ to 19‐year‐old Hungarian students at 20 primary and secondary schools in Debrecen, Hungary. After receiving dermatological training, 18 school doctors examined the students' skin. A questionnaire was completed by the students with the assistance of their parents about sun protection, sunburns and the use of sunbed. Data from 612 questionnaires were evaluated.

Results

Based on the doctors' evaluation, most of the pupils were classified as having skin type II and majority of them had 5–20 naevi, particularly on the trunk. Based on the student's response, 5.2% purposely sunbathed daily, 10.1% did not use any form of sun protection, 32.2% wore sun‐protective clothing and 65.7% applied sunscreen generally. 6.9% used sunbed, and 74.0% previously experienced serious sunburn at least once. Indoor tanning statistically correlated with the number of melanocytic naevi.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of sunburn was reported by the students and some of them did not apply any sun protection methods but used sunbed at a critical age for developing melanoma at a later time. These data highlight the importance of educating children and parents about appropriate sun protection.
Effects of low‐dose light‐emitting‐diode therapy in combination with water bath for atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Kim Chang‐Hyun , Cheong Kyung Ah , Lim Won Suk , Park Hyung‐Moo , Lee Ai‐Young
Published: October 2015

Background

Light‐emitting diode (LED) phototherapy and water bath therapy have beneficial effect on atopic dermatitis (AD)‐like skin disease. However, not all current treatments work well and alternative therapies are need. The contribution of combination therapy with low‐dose 850 nm LED and water bath was investigated on dermatophagoides farina (Df)‐induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

Methods

Low‐dose LED (10, 15, and 20 J/cm2) irradiation, water bath (36 ± 1°C) were administered separately and together to the Df‐induced NC/Nga mice in acrylic jar once a day for 2 weeks.

Results

Combined therapy with low‐dose LED therapy and water bath therapy significantly ameliorated the development of AD‐like skin lesions. These effects were correlated with the suppression of total IgE, NO, histamine, and Th2‐mediated immune responses. Furthermore, combination therapy significantly reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the induction of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the skin lesions. The beneficial therapeutic effects of this combination therapy might regulate by the inhibition of various immunological responses including Th2‐mediated immune responses, inflammatory mediators such as IgE, histamine, and NO, as well as inflammatory cells.

Conclusions

The combination therapy of LED and water bath might be used as an efficacious, safe, and steroid‐free alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AD.
Beneficial role of spermidine in chlorophyll metabolism and D1 protein content in tomato seedlings under salinity–alkalinity stress
Authors: Hu Lipan , Xiang Lixia , Li Shuting , Zou Zhirong , Hu Xiao‐Hui
Published: October 2015

Polyamines are important in protecting plants against various environmental stresses, including protection against photodamage to the photosynthetic apparatus. The molecular mechanism of this latter effect is not completely understood. Here, we have investigated the effects of salinity–alkalinity stress and spermidine (Spd) on tomato seedlings at both physiological and transcriptional levels. Salinity–alkalinity stress decreased leaf area, net photosynthetic rate, maximum net photosynthetic rate, light saturation point, apparent quantum efficiency, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll a:chlorophyll b relative to the control. The amount of D1 protein, an important component of photosystem II, was reduced compared with the control, as was the expression of psbA, which codes for D1. Expression of the chlorophyll biosynthesis gene porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) was reduced following salinity–alkalinity stress, whereas the expression of Chlase, which codes for chlorophyllase, was increased. These negative physiological effects of salinity–alkalinity stress were alleviated by exogenous Spd. Expression of PBGD and psbA were enhanced, whereas the expression of Chlase was reduced, when exogenous Spd was included in the stress treatment compared with when it was not. The protective effect of Spd on chlorophyll and D1 protein content during stress may maintain the photosynthetic apparatus, permitting continued photosynthesis and growth of tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Jinpengchaoguan) under salinity–alkalinity stress.
Differential neutrophil activation in viral infections: Enhanced TLR‐7/8‐mediated CXCL8 release in asthma
Authors: Tang Francesca S.M. , Van Ly David , Spann Kirsten , Reading Patrick C. , Burgess Janette K. , Hartl Dominik , Baines Katherine J. , Oliver Brian G.
Published: October 2015

Background and objective

Respiratory viral infections are a major cause of asthma exacerbations. Neutrophils accumulate in the airways and the mechanisms that link neutrophilic inflammation, viral infections and exacerbations are unclear. This study aims to investigate anti‐viral responses in neutrophils from patients with and without asthma and to investigate if neutrophils can be directly activated by respiratory viruses.

Methods

Neutrophils from peripheral blood from asthmatic and non‐asthmatic individuals were isolated and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/mL), f‐met‐leu‐phe (fMLP) (100 nM), imiquimod (3 μg/mL), R848 (1.5 μg/mL), poly I:C (10 μg/mL), RV16 (multiplicity of infection (MOI)1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (MOI1) or influenza virus (MOI1). Cell‐free supernatants were collected after 1 h of neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 release, or after 24 h for CXCL8 release.

Results

LPS, fMLP, imiquimod and R848 stimulated the release of CXCL8, NE and MMP‐9 whereas poly I:C selectively induced CXCL8 release only. R848‐induced CXCL8 release was enhanced in neutrophils from asthmatics compared with non‐asthmatic cells (P < 0.01). RSV triggered the release of CXCL8 and NE from neutrophils, whereas RV16 or influenza had no effect.

Conclusion

Neutrophils release CXCL8, NE and MMP‐9 in response to viral surrogates with R848‐induced CXCL8 release being specifically enhanced in asthmatic neutrophils. Toll‐like receptor (TLR7/8) dysregulation may play a role in neutrophilic inflammation in viral‐induced exacerbations.
On Determinacy and Learnability in a New Keynesian Model with Unemployment
Authors: Tesfaselassie Mewael F. , Schaling Eric
Published: October 2015

We analyse determinacy and stability under learning (E‐stability) of rational expectations equilibria in a new Keynesian model of inflation and unemployment, where labour market frictions due to costs of hiring workers play an important role. We derive results for alternative specifications of monetary policy rules and alternative values of hiring costs as a percentage of gross domestic product. We find that in general the region of indeterminacy and E‐instability in the policy space increases with hiring costs. Thus, higher hiring costs – consistent with European and South African “sclerotic” labour market institutions – seem to play an important part in explaining inflation and unemployment instability. Moreover, under lagged data‐based rules, the area where monetary policy delivers both determinacy and E‐stability shrinks. These rules also perform worse according to these two dimensions when hiring costs go up. Finally, under expectations‐based rules an additional explosive region is introduced. For South Africa, a rule based on current data – not unlike the original Taylor rule – works better than a forward‐looking rule.
Heterozoan carbonates from the equatorial rocky reefs of the Galápagos Archipelago
Authors: Reymond Claire E. , Zihrul Konny‐Sebastian , Halfar Jochen , Riegl Bernhard , Humphreys Alexander , Westphal Hildegard
Published: October 2015

Strongly influenced by seasonal and interannual (i.e. El Niño‐Southern Oscillation) upwelling, the equatorial setting of the Galápagos Archipelago is divided into well‐defined temperature, nutrient and calcium carbonate saturation (Ωaragonite) regions. To understand the relationship between oceanographic properties and sediment grain associations, grain size, carbonate content and components from sea floor surface samples were analysed, representing the main geographical regions of the Galápagos Archipelago. The shallow‐water rocky reefs of the Galápagos Archipelago are characterized by mixed carbonate–siliciclastic slightly gravelly sands. Despite minor differences in carbonate content, major differences exist in the distribution and composition of key carbonate producing biota.Halimedais absent and benthic foraminifera occur in extremely low abundance. The western side of the Galápagos Archipelago is strongly influenced by nutrient‐rich, low‐Ωaragonite, subtropical water, which generates a heterozoan carbonate biofacies in a tropical realm resembling cold‐water counterparts (i.e. serpulid, echinoderm, gastropod, barnacle and bryozoan‐rich facies). The Central East region is composed of a transitional‐heterozoan biofacies. Biofacies observed in the northern region have an increased occurrence of tropical corals, albeit with a minor overall contribution to the carbonate components. Although the temperature gradient would allow for a broader distribution of photozoan biofacies, the increased nutrient concentration and related reduced light penetration from the upwelled waters favour heterozoan carbonate factories, mimicking cool‐water, deeper or higher latitude environments. The recent sedimentary record of the Galápagos Archipelago presents a range of tropical heterozoan carbonate communities, responding to more than simply latitude or temperature but a much more complex mixture of physical, evolutionary and geological processes.
Testing the Participation Constraint in the Executive Labour Market
Authors: Gregory‐Smith Ian , Main Brian G. M.
Published: October 2015

This paper tests the participation constraint by examining the workings of the executive labour market in a panel of UK listed companies over a period of 14 years. Directors are found to move jobs regularly – both within companies and between companies. Consistent with agency theory, directors who are underpaid relative to their comparable peers are particularly likely to leave for higher paying jobs in other companies. Those who move between companies secure more favourable terms than those who move within their firm – even when the move does not involve promotion, calling into question the managerial power perspective of this area of employment.
Competitive Consensus. What comes after Consociationalism in Switzerland?
Authors: Bochsler Daniel , S. Bousbah Karima
Published: October 2015

Large coalition governments, including all relevant parties, are at the heart of the consociational model of Swiss democracy. Until the 1990s, this model was characterised as “voluntary proportional”. It was based on a stable cooperation of two main blocs of political parties, and on elite‐driven agreements on all‐inclusive government formulas. Despite growing competition in governmental elections, all‐party coalitions have survived in most cantons. This article explains that the political minority could keep and even improve its representation, as a consequence of the divisions in the political majority. While right‐wing parties hold the majority in almost all Swiss cantons and at the federal level, they are no longer sufficiently cohesive to control the elections. As a consequence, elections have become more uncertain, and political minorities can capitalise on this in order to win seats. Empirically, this paper investigates elections for Swiss cantonal governments in the period 1971–2011. It combines data on the unity of political blocs with data on government formation. To measure the political unity of the blocs, the paper introduces a novel measure based on the voting recommendations issued by cantonal parties on the occasion of national referendums.
Gender and Racial Differences: Development of Sixth Grade Students' Geometric Spatial Visualization within an Earth/Space Unit
Authors: Jackson Christa , Wilhelm Jennifer Anne , Lamar Mary , Cole Merryn
Published: October 2015

This study investigated sixth‐grade middle‐level students' geometric spatial development by gender and race within and between control and experimental groups at two middle schools as they participated in an Earth/Space unit. The control group utilized a regular Earth/Space curriculum and the experimental group used a National Aeronautics and Space Administration‐based curriculum. The quantitative data sources included the Lunar Phases Concept Inventory, Geometric Spatial Assessment, and the Purdue Spatial Visualization–Rotation Test. The results indicated the experimental males and females, and the students of color and white students in the experimental group showed significant gains in their understanding of geometric spatial visualization from pre‐ to post‐implementation. However, for the control group, the significant gains were limited to the males and the white students. The findings reveal that support is needed for males, females, and all racial groups to have the opportunity to develop their spatial reasoning, which in turn, increases students' scientific understanding.
The Indiana Science Initiative: Lessons from a Classroom Observation Study
Authors: Cook Nicole D. , Walker William S. , Weaver Gabriela C. , Sorge Brandon H.
Published: October 2015

The Indiana Science Initiative (ISI) is a systemic effort to reform K–8 science education. The program provides teachers with professional development, reform‐oriented science modules, and materials support. To examine the impact of the initiative's professional development, a participant observation study was conducted in the program's pilot year. Five teachers in grades 3–6 were observed and interviewed as they implemented the ISI‐provided modules. Analysis of the observation data revealed that the teachers incorporated each of the features of inquiry science instruction. However, they did not consistently teach in a way that was aligned with the intent of the ISI. Examination of interview data provided insight into influences on teachers' use of inquiry with the ISI‐provided modules. These data revealed that teachers were aware of the intent of the ISI and attempted to align their instruction. However, teachers were influenced by their perceptions of students' behavior and abilities as well as timing and the appropriate level of teacher control needed to facilitate science instruction. The research suggests that professional development activities should prepare teachers to help learners evaluate explanations against alternatives, connect explanations to scientific knowledge, and provide strategies to address teachers' perceptions of students, timing, and teacher control.
Effect of crop residue returns on N2O emissions from red soil in China
Authors: Wu Y. , Lin S. , Liu T. , Wan T. , Hu R.
Published: October 2015

For a long time, farmers in the red soil region of southern China have returned crop residues to the soil, but how various crop residues influence nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions is not well understood. We compared the influence of returning different crop residues [rapeseed cake (RC), maize straw, rice straw and wheat straw (WS)] in combination with different levels of nitrogen (N) fertilizer (nil, low and high) on red soil N2O emissions. Results confirmed the inverse relationship between cumulative N2O emissions and residue C:N ratio in red soil under different levels of N fertilizer. However, N‐fertilizer application did not significantly influence N2O emissions in the WS (which had the highest C:N ratio) and corresponding control treatments, while it enhanced N2O emissions in the RC (which had the lowest C:N ratio) treatment and displayed significantly higher cumulative N2O emissions with low N fertilizer application. This phenomenon may be attributed to the poor nutrient content in red soil, which leads to ‘Liebig's Law of the Minimum’ on available C. N fertilizer application provided sufficient available N, while the readily available C, which was mainly dependent on the degradability of the residue, became the crucial factor influencing N2O emissions. Additional experiments, which showed that the addition of glucose and sucrose could increase N2O emissions when N () was sufficient, confirmed this hypothesis. Thus, to reduce N2O emissions when returning residues to red soil, we suggest that both the residue C:N ratio and the quality should be considered when deciding whether to apply N fertilizer.
On cross-language consonant identification in second language noise
Authors: Marchegiani Letizia , Fafoutis Xenofon
Published: October 2015

Speech perception in everyday conditions is highly affected by the presence of noise of a different nature. The presence of overlapping speakers is considered an especially challenging scenario, as it introduces both energetic and informational masking. The efficacy of the masking also depends on the familiarity with the language of both the target and masking stimuli. This work analyses consonant identification by non-native English speakers in N-talker natural babble noise and babble-modulated noise, by varying the number of talkers in the babble. In particular, only English consonants that are also present in all the native languages of the subjects are used. As the subjects are familiar with the consonants used, this study can be considered a step towards a deeper analysis on perception of first language speech in the presence of second language maskers.
Vitamin D-dependent rickets: a resurgence of the rachitic lung in the 21st century
Authors: Fernandes Ana S C , Lobo Sandra , Sandes Ana Rita , Simão Carla , Lobo Luisa , Bandeira Teresa
Published: October 2015

Respiratory complications of rickets may be life-threatening particularly in developing countries. A 7-month-old boy presented with recurrent infections, seizures, failure to thrive, wheezing and respiratory distress progressing to global respiratory failure. Several antimicrobial regimens, bronchodilators and corticosteroids resulted in only short-term improvement. He was transferred from Cape Verde to a third-care hospital in Portugal. He was hypotonic and undernourished, with respiratory anguish and classical skeletal signs of rickets, despite vitamin D supplementation. Hypocalcaemia, normal phosphate levels and normal vitamin D status 25(OH)D3and 1.25(OH)2D3) pointed to vitamin D-dependent rickets type II. Treatment with high doses of calcium and calcitriol allowed progressive respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological recovery. Although respiratory manifestations of rickets were described many years ago, the present case raises relevant issues about the level of diagnostic support, the risk of complications and how they should be assessed and monitored.
Non-infectious aortitis of the ascending aorta: a histological and clinical correlation of 71 cases including overlap with medial degeneration and atheroma—a challenge for the pathologist
Authors: Ryan C , Barbour A , Burke L , Sheppard M N
Published: October 2015

Aims

Aortitis is a rare but important cause of thoracic aortic disease. We describe its histopathological patterns and associations with other aortic pathologies and systemic inflammatory disease.

Methods

Database searches of thoracic specimens over 17 years from two centres yielded 71 cases of non-infectious aortitis. Histological verification of tunica media inflammation was required for inclusion. Clinical information and histopathological features were recorded.

Results

Three histological patterns emerged—necrotising aortitis with giant cells (53), diffuse band-like aortitis (16) and ‘other’ (2). 50/53 cases of necrotising aortitis with giant cells were isolated/idiopathic, while 9/16 cases of diffuse aortitis had a systemic inflammatory disease. Medial degeneration (MD) was prominent in 23/71 cases—all in the necrotising aortitis with giant cells category.

Conclusions

Non-infectious aortitis is predominantly idiopathic/isolated in nature, occurring in elderly females. Two patterns emerge—(1) necrotising aortitis with giant cells, which is more likely to be idiopathic and linked to MD, suggesting a possible aetiological relationship; and (2) diffuse aortitis, which is linked to an increased risk of systemic inflammatory disease. Knowledge, therefore, of histopathological patterns may guide patient management and follow-up.
Inspired by garlic: insights on the chemistry of sulfenic acids and the radical-trapping antioxidant activity of organosulfur compounds
Authors: Chauvin Jean-Philippe R. , Zielinski Zosia A.M. , Pratt Derek A.
Published: October 2015

Organosulfur compounds have long been recognized as important antioxidants for the preservation of petroleum-derived products. It has also been suggested that the health benefits of garlic and related plant species can be ascribed to the radical-trapping antioxidant activity of some of their unique organosulfur constituents, such as allicin. This account highlights our efforts to elucidate the radical-trapping antioxidant mechanisms of allicin and related plant-derived organosulfur compounds as well as the organosulfur compounds used to preserve commercial and industrial products.
Classification of U(1)-vortices with target ℂN
Authors: Xu Guangbo
Published: October 2015

We study the symplectic vortex equation over the complex plane, for the target space [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) with diagonal [Formula: see text]-action. Using adiabatic limit argument, we classify all solutions with finite energy and identify their moduli spaces, which generalizes Taubes’ result for [Formula: see text].
Orlicz type inequalities with powers
Authors: Kang Cholryong , Ri Songil
Published: October 2015

Basing on the Orlicz–Sobolev inequality for a given Dirichlet form, the same type inequality is established for the quadratic form associated to the generator with a power. Some examples are provided to show the optimality of the main result.
The effect of interruption probability in lattice model of two-lane traffic flow with passing
Authors: Peng Guanghan
Published: October 2015

A new lattice model is proposed by taking into account the interruption probability with passing for two-lane freeway. The effect of interruption probability with passing is investigated about the linear stability condition and the mKdV equation through linear stability analysis and nonlinear analysis, respectively. Furthermore, numerical simulation is carried out to study traffic phenomena resulted from the interruption probability with passing in two-lane system. The results show that the interruption probability with passing can improve the stability of traffic flow for low reaction coefficient while the interruption probability with passing can destroy the stability of traffic flow for high reaction coefficient on two-lane highway.
Cudraxanthone H Induces Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis in Oral Cancer Cells via NF-κB and PIN1 Pathways
Authors: Lee Hwa-Jeong , Jue Seong-Suk , Kang Soo-Kyung , Bae Won-Jung , Kim Youn-Chul , Kim Eun-Cheol
Published: October 2015

Cudraxanthone H (CH) is a natural compound isolated from a methanol extract of the root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata, a herbal plant also known as Moraceae. However, the effect of CH on human cancer cells has not been reported previously. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects and mechanism of action of CH on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. CH exerted significant antiproliferative effects on OSCC cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. CH also induced apoptosis in OSCC cells, as evidenced by an increased percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle, annexin V-positive/propidium iodide-negative cells, and nuclear morphology. This antiproliferative effect of CH was associated with a marked reduction in the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E, with a concomitant induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) expression (p21 and p27). CH inhibited the phosphorylation and degradation of I[Formula: see text]B-[Formula: see text]and the nuclear translocation of NF-[Formula: see text]B p65. Furthermore, CH treatment down-regulated PIN1 mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. PIN1 overexpression by infection with adenovirus-PIN1 (Ad-PIN1) attenuated the CH-induced growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing effects, blocked CH-enhanced CDKI expression and restored cyclin levels. In contrast, inhibiting PIN1 expression via juglone exerted the opposite effects. The present study is the first to demonstrate antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of CH, which exerts its effects by inhibiting NF-[Formula: see text]B and PIN1. These data suggest that it might be a novel alternative chemotherapeutic agent for use in the treatment of oral cancer.
Hydrodynamics of the physical vacuum: Dark matter is an illusion
Authors: Sbitnev Valeriy I.
Published: October 2015

The relativistic hydrodynamical equations are being examined with the aim of extracting the quantum-mechanical equations (the relativistic Klein–Gordon equation and the Schrödinger equation in the non-relativistic limit). In both cases we find the quantum potential, which follows from pressure gradients within a superfluid vacuum medium. This special fluid, endowed with viscosity allows to describe emergence of the flat orbital speeds of spiral galaxies. The viscosity averaged on time vanishes, but its variance is different from zero. It is a function fluctuating about zero. Therefore, the flattening is the result of the energy exchange of the torque with zero-point fluctuations of the physical vacuum on the ultra-low frequencies.
Harmony Search Algorithm and its Variants
Authors: Siddique Nazmul , Adeli Hojjat
Published: October 2015

In the past three decades nature-inspired and meta-heuristic algorithms have dominated the literature in the broad areas of search and optimization. Harmony search algorithm (HSA) is a music-inspired population-based meta-heuristic search and optimization algorithm. The concept behind the algorithm is to find a perfect state of harmony determined by aesthetic estimation. This paper starts with an overview of the harmonic phenomenon in music and music improvisation used by musicians and how it is applied to the optimization problem. The concept of harmony memory and its mathematical implementation are introduced. A review of HSA and its variants is presented. Guidelines from the literature on the choice of parameters used in HSA for effective solution of optimization problems are summarized.
Discriminant Sparsity Preserving Analysis for Face Recognition
Authors: Wen Ying , Zhang Le , Hou Lili
Published: October 2015

Sparse subspace learning has drawn more and more attentions recently, however, most of them are unsupervised and unsuitable for classification tasks. In this paper, a new discriminant sparsity preserving analysis (DSPA) method by integrating sparse reconstructive weighting into Fisher criterion is proposed for face recognition. We first get sparsity preserving space spanned by the eigenvectors of sparsity preserving projections (SPP). Then, the optimal projection can be obtained by solving an eigenvalue and eigenvector problem of the between-class scatter matrix in sparsity preserving space. The method not only preserves the sparse reconstructive relationship of the data, but also encodes the discriminant information. Extensive experiments on four face image datasets (Yale, ORL, AR and CMU PIE) demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed DSPA method.
Non-Cyclic Design Space Exploration for ASIPs — Compiler-Centered Microprocessor Design (CoMet)
Authors: Urban Roberto , Vierhaus Heinrich T. , Schölzel Mario , Altmann Enrico , Seelig Horst
Published: October 2015

The CoMet approach on designing application specific instruction set processors (ASIPs) is targeting a non-cyclic design space exploration (DSE). The design process is driven by a step by step refinement of intermediate codes, known from compiler backends. In every step, the intermediate code can be simulated and profiled. Based on that profiling information, it can be further transformed to an optimized or refined intermediate code. The whole transformation process is implemented in a GUI-based design tool, whose main component is a configurable simulator for intermediate codes. It will be shown how the configurable intermediate code simulator is used and how the intermediate code transformation and the VHDL generation of the ASIP model will work in the CoMet tool.
Analyzing Inconsistencies in UML/OCL Models
Authors: Przigoda Nils , Wille Robert , Drechsler Rolf
Published: October 2015

Modeling languages such as the unified modeling language (UML) or the systems modeling language (SysML) in combination with constraint languages such as the object constraint language (OCL) allows for an abstract description of a system prior to its implementation. But the resulting system models can be highly non-trivial and, hence, errors in the descriptions can easily arise. In particular, too strong restrictions leading to an inconsistent model are common. Motivated by this, researchers and engineers developed methods for the validation and verification of given formal models. However, while these methods are efficient to detect the existence of an inconsistency, the designer is usually left alone to identify the reasons for it. In this contribution, we propose an automatic method which efficiently determines reasons explaining the contradiction in an inconsistent UML/OCL model. For this purpose, all constraints causing the contradiction are comprehensibly analyzed. By this, the designer is aided during the debugging of his/her model.
A slope conjecture for links
Authors: van der Veen R.
Published: October 2015

The slope conjecture [S. Garoufalidis, The degree of a q-holonomic sequence is a quadratic quasi-polynomial, Electron. J. Combin. 18 (2011) 4–27] gives a precise relation between the degree of the colored Jones polynomial of a knot and the boundary slopes of essential surfaces in the knot complement. In this paper, we propose a generalization of the slope conjecture to links. We prove the conjecture for all alternating or more generally adequate links. We also verify the conjecture for torus links.
Evolving hypersurfaces by their mean curvature in the background manifold evolving by Ricci flow
Authors: Sheng Weimin , Yu Haobin
Published: October 2015

We consider the problem of deforming a one-parameter family of hypersurfaces immersed into closed Riemannian manifolds with positive curvature operator. The hypersurface in this family satisfies mean curvature flow while the ambient metric satisfying the normalized Ricci flow. We prove that if the initial background manifold is an approximation of a spherical space form and the initial hypersurface also satisfies a suitable pinching condition, then either the hypersurfaces shrink to a round point in finite time or converge to a totally geodesic sphere as the time tends to infinity.
Intrinsic equations for a relaxed elastic line of second kind on an oriented surface
Authors: Bayram Ergin , Kasap Emin
Published: October 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be an arc on a connected oriented surface [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], parameterized by arc length [Formula: see text], with torsion [Formula: see text] and length [Formula: see text]. The total square torsion [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is defined by [Formula: see text]. The arc [Formula: see text] is called a relaxed elastic line of second kind if it is an extremal for the variational problem of minimizing the value of [Formula: see text] within the family of all arcs of length [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] having the same initial point and initial direction as [Formula: see text]. In this study, we obtain differential equation and boundary conditions for a relaxed elastic line of second kind on an oriented surface.
On the number of representations of n as a linear combination of four triangular numbers
Authors: Wang Min , Sun Zhi-Hong
Published: October 2015

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be the set of integers and the set of positive integers, respectively. For [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the number of representations of [Formula: see text] by [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]). In this paper, we obtain explicit formulas for [Formula: see text] in the cases [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]
A note on the parity of broken 7-diamond partitions
Authors: Dai Haobo
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we find many new parity results for broken 7-diamond partitions by using a result of Berkovich and Patane. For example, we prove that [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Unit indices of function fields of degree four
Authors: Shiomi Daisuke
Published: October 2015

The aim of this paper is to investigate unit indices for subfields of cyclotomic function fields. In particular, we determine unit indices of certain imaginary abelian function fields of degree four.
Hierarchic nanostructuring by self–reduction of silver (I) oxide complexes
Authors: Semenova Anna A. , Ivanov Vladimir K. , Baranchikov Alexander E. , Savilov Sergey V. , Goodilin Eugene A.
Published: October 2015

Silver nanoparticles superficially decorated with hierarchically smaller nanoparticles are obtained for the first time in the course of aging of silver globules in aerated aqueous ammonia. The process is caused at the beginning by gentle etching of metallic silver across extended defects and smoothing of their edges with oxygen dissolved in aqueous ammonia due to silver (I) stabilization within a soluble ammonia complex for a 1–2 day incubation period, then the complex accumulates as an intermediate product and gradually decays into nanosilver because of the ligand loss for the remaining 4–5 days. The as-formed metallic silver deposits onto larger silver particles heterogeneously decorating their surface; this broadens the initial plasmonic peak and causes a weak red shift because of nanostructuring. The latter makes a substantial contribution to the overall optical properties of the nanoparticles of a complex morphology and has to be considered as an important factor affecting optical characteristics of nanoparticle ensembles and their possible plasmonic applications.