bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of a preferred versus non-preferred waterpipe tobacco flavour: subjective experience, smoking behaviour and toxicant exposure
Authors: Leavens Eleanor L , Driskill Leslie M , Molina Neil , Eissenberg Thomas , Shihadeh Alan , Brett Emma I , Floyd Evan , Wagener Theodore L
Published: April 2017

Introduction

One possible reason for the rapid proliferation of waterpipe (WP) smoking is the pervasive use of flavoured WP tobacco. To begin to understand the impact of WP tobacco flavours, the current study examined the impact of a preferred WP tobacco flavour compared with a non-preferred tobacco flavoured control on user’s smoking behaviour, toxicant exposure and subjective smoking experience.

Method

Thirty-six current WP smokers completed two, 45-minute ad libitum smoking sessions (preferred flavour vs non-preferred tobacco flavour control) in a randomised cross-over design. Participants completed survey questionnaires assessing subjective smoking experience, exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) testing, and provided blood samples for monitoring plasma nicotine. WP smoking topography was measured continuously throughout the smoking session.

Results

While participants reported an enhanced subjective smoking experience including greater interest in continued use, greater pleasure derived from smoking, increased liking and enjoyment, and willingness to continue use after smoking their preferred WP tobacco flavour (p values <0.05), no significant differences were observed in nicotine and carbon monoxide boost between flavour preparations. Greater average puff volume (p=0.018) was observed during the non-preferred flavour session. While not significant, measures of flow rate, interpuff interval (IPI), and total number of puffs were trending towards significance (p values <0.10), with decreased IPI and greater total number of puffs during the preferred flavour session.

Discussion

The current study is the first to examine flavours in WP smoking by measuring preferred versus control preparations to understand the impact on subjective experience, smoking behaviour and toxicant exposure. The pattern of results suggests that even this relatively minor manipulation resulted in significant changes in subjective experience. These results indicate a possible need for regulations restricting flavours in WP tobacco as with combustible cigarettes.
The sensing characteristics based on electromagnetically-induced transparency-like response in double-sided stub and a nanodisk waveguide system
Authors: Pang Shaofang , Huo Yiping , Hao Limei , Sun Kaigang , Wang Yang-Junjie , Xie You
Published: April 2017

We propose a novel metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguide structure consisting of a stub and a double side-coupled nanodisk. Its electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT)-like response and transmission properties are numerically investigated by the finite element method (FEM). Numerical simulation results show that the EIT-like phenomenon appears in the transmission spectra. The transparency window can not only be manipulated by changing the radius of the nanodisk and the height of the stub, but also appear redshifted with the increasing of the refractive index n. Furthermore, the MIM waveguide structure is easy to yield a high sensitivity of 1200 nm/RIU with a figure of merit about [Formula: see text], which may be applied to nanosensors. These results would help us design the high-performance plasmonic devices based on the EIT-like response.
The process and mechanism of the GaN nanoparticles formed by nitridation of β-Ga2O3 crystal
Authors: Cui Xiao-Jun , Wang Liang-Ling
Published: April 2017

The process of conversion from [Formula: see text]-Ga2O3 single crystal to gallium nitride (GaN) in an atmosphere of NH3 by chemical vapor deposition is investigated. The surface morphology and microstructure of the GaN nanoparticles are observed by scanning electron microscope, which indicates that the growth of GaN is via the Volmer–Weber mechanism. The [Formula: see text]-Ga2O3 is firstly evaporated at high temperature to form the porous layer, followed by the surface-defect induced GaN nucleation formation. The crystalline structure and epitaxial relationship of the GaN nanoparticles are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) via [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text], showing GaN (0002) and (0004) diffraction peaks in the XRD spectra. It is concluded that the polycrystalline GaN film with hexagonal structure has a strong c-axis preferential orientation.
Cybersecurity Leadership: Competencies, Governance, and Technologies for Industrial Control Systems
Authors: AUFFRET JEAN-PIERRE , SNOWDON JANE L. , STAVROU ANGELOS , KATZ JEFFREY S. , KELLEY DIANA , RAHMAN RASHEQ S. , STEIN FRANK , SOKOL LISA , ALLOR PETER , WARWEG PENG
Published: April 2017

The extensive integration of interconnected devices and the inadvertent information obtained from untrusted sources has exposed the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) ecosystem to remote attacks by the exploitation of new and old vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, although recognized as an emerging risk based on the recent rise of cyber attacks, cybersecurity for ICS has not been addressed adequately both in terms of technology but, most importantly, in terms of organizational leadership and policy. In this paper, we will present our findings regarding the cybersecurity challenges for Smart Grid and ICS and the need for changes in the way that organizations perceive cybersecurity risk and leverage resources to balance the needs for information security and operational security. Moreover, we present empirical data that point to cybersecurity governance and technology principles that can help public and private organizations to navigate successfully the technical cybersecurity challenges for ICS and Smart Grid systems. We believe that by identifying and mitigating the inherent risks in their systems, operations, and processes, enterprises will be in a better position to shield themselves and protect against current and future cyber threats.
Semiconductive properties of zinc(II)-porphyrinic coordination arrays
Authors: Soman Rahul , Sujatha Subramaniam , Arunkumar Chellaiah
Published: April 2017

Two coordination polymers, 1 and 2 were developed utilizing the favorable hexacoordinated zinc(II) center in porphyrins. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis revealed that 1 forms one dimensional array whereas 2 display three dimensional network structures. Scanning tunnelling microscopic studies have shown that compounds 1 and 2 can tunnel the electric current through the crystal lattice indicating the conducting behavior of these solid crystals. The self-assembled solid crystal 2 has shown uniform conductance whereas 1 does not. The thermal stability of these crystals were determined by TGA analysis and found to be stable up to a higher temperature of 400°C. A temperature dependent current–voltage analysis were also performed and the results indicate that the conductivity of crystals 1 and 2increases with increase in temperature. It is found that the temperature coefficient of resistance ([Formula: see text] at 100°C for 1 and 2 as -0.009 and 0.017 K[Formula: see text].
Deep Learning Advances in Computer Vision with 3D Data
Authors: Ioannidou Anastasia , Chatzilari Elisavet , Nikolopoulos Spiros , Kompatsiaris Ioannis
Published: April 2017

Deep learning has recently gained popularity achieving state-of-the-art performance in tasks involving text, sound, or image processing. Due to its outstanding performance, there have been efforts to apply it in more challenging scenarios, for example, 3D data processing. This article surveys methods applying deep learning on 3D data and provides a classification based on how they exploit them. From the results of the examined works, we conclude that systems employing 2D views of 3D data typically surpass voxel-based (3D) deep models, which however, can perform better with more layers and severe data augmentation. Therefore, larger-scale datasets and increased resolutions are required.
Personalized Assistive Web for Improving Mobile Web Browsing and Accessibility for Visually Impaired Users
Authors: Zhang Dongsong , Zhou Lina , Uchidiuno Judith O. , Kilic Isil Y.
Published: April 2017

Mobile web browsing has become a daily routine for many people, including those with visual impairments. However, usability and accessibility challenges of mobile handheld devices may compromise the benefits of mobile web access, particularly for users with visual impairments. To improve mobile web accessibility, we propose a Personalized Assistive Web (PAW) that aims to improve skimming in mobile web browsing for users with visual impairments through hierarchical outline view and personalization adaptations in this research. We empirically evaluated PAW via a controlled lab experiment with 21 blind participants and 34 sighted participants. The empirical results provide strong evidence for the positive impacts of the hierarchical outline view adaptation on user performance of information search (i.e., search time) and perceptions (i.e., perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) across the two groups of participants and demonstrate that the positive effects of adaptation personalization vary with participants. The findings not only demonstrate the effectiveness of the hierarchical outline view adaptation for blind and sighted participants but also reveal some important similarities and interesting differences in the effect of personalized adaptation between the two groups of participants. This research provides design and technical insights that are instrumental for improving mobile web accessibility.
Imitation Learning
Authors: Hussein Ahmed , Gaber Mohamed Medhat , Elyan Eyad , Jayne Chrisina
Published: April 2017

Imitation learning techniques aim to mimic human behavior in a given task. An agent (a learning machine) is trained to perform a task from demonstrations by learning a mapping between observations and actions. The idea of teaching by imitation has been around for many years; however, the field is gaining attention recently due to advances in computing and sensing as well as rising demand for intelligent applications. The paradigm of learning by imitation is gaining popularity because it facilitates teaching complex tasks with minimal expert knowledge of the tasks. Generic imitation learning methods could potentially reduce the problem of teaching a task to that of providing demonstrations, without the need for explicit programming or designing reward functions specific to the task. Modern sensors are able to collect and transmit high volumes of data rapidly, and processors with high computational power allow fast processing that maps the sensory data to actions in a timely manner. This opens the door for many potential AI applications that require real-time perception and reaction such as humanoid robots, self-driving vehicles, human computer interaction, and computer games, to name a few. However, specialized algorithms are needed to effectively and robustly learn models as learning by imitation poses its own set of challenges. In this article, we survey imitation learning methods and present design options in different steps of the learning process. We introduce a background and motivation for the field as well as highlight challenges specific to the imitation problem. Methods for designing and evaluating imitation learning tasks are categorized and reviewed. Special attention is given to learning methods in robotics and games as these domains are the most popular in the literature and provide a wide array of problems and methodologies. We extensively discuss combining imitation learning approaches using different sources and methods, as well as incorporating other motion learning methods to enhance imitation. We also discuss the potential impact on industry, present major applications, and highlight current and future research directions.
Evaluating the Health Impact of Large-Scale Public Policy Changes: Classical and Novel Approaches
Authors: Basu Sanjay , Meghani Ankita , Siddiqi Arjumand
Published: April 2017

Large-scale public policy changes are often recommended to improve public health. Despite varying widely—from tobacco taxes to poverty-relief programs—such policies present a common dilemma to public health researchers: how to evaluate their health effects when randomized controlled trials are not possible. Here, we review the state of knowledge and experience of public health researchers who rigorously evaluate the health consequences of large-scale public policy changes. We organize our discussion by detailing approaches to address three common challenges of conducting policy evaluations: distinguishing a policy effect from time trends in health outcomes or preexisting differences between policy-affected and -unaffected communities (using difference-in-differences approaches); constructing a comparison population when a policy affects a population for whom a well-matched comparator is not immediately available (using propensity score or synthetic control approaches); and addressing unobserved confounders by utilizing quasi-random variations in policy exposure (using regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, or near-far matching approaches).
Melamine induces Ca2+-sensing receptor activation and elicits apoptosis in proximal tubular cells
Authors: Yiu Allen J. , Ibeh Cliff-Lawrence , Roy Sanjit K. , Bandyopadhyay Bidhan C.
Published: April 2017

Melamine causes renal tubular cell injury through inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis. Although melamine affects the rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and proapoptotic pathway activation, the mechanism of upstream Ca2+ signaling is unknown. Because melamine has some structural similarities with l-amino acids, which endogenously activate Ca2+-sensing receptors (CSR), we examined the effect of melamine on CSR-induced Ca2+ signaling and apoptotic cell death. We show here that melamine activates CSR, causing a sustained Ca2+ entry in the renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1. Moreover, such CSR stimulation resulted in a rise in [Ca2+]i, leading to enhanced ROS production. Furthermore, melamine-induced elevated [Ca2+]i and ROS production caused a dose-dependent increase in apoptotic (by DAPI staining, DNA laddering, and annexin V assay) and necrotic (propidium iodide staining) cell death. Upon examining the downstream mechanism, we found that transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), which increases extracellular matrix genes and proapoptotic signaling, was also upregulated at lower doses of melamine, which could be due to an early event inducing apoptosis. Additionally, cells exposed to melamine displayed a rise in pERK activation and lactate dehydrogenase release resulting in cytotoxicity. These results offer a novel insight into the molecular mechanisms by which melamine exerts its effect on CSR, causing a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i, leading to ROS generation, fibronectin production, proapoptotic pathway activation, and renal cell damage. Together, these results thus suggest that melamine-induced apoptosis and/or necrosis may subsequently result in acute kidney injury and promote kidney stone formation.
Expression and localization of VPAC1, the major receptor of vasoactive intestinal peptide along the length of the intestine
Authors: Jayawardena Dulari , Guzman Grace , Gill Ravinder K. , Alrefai Waddah A. , Onyuksel Hayat , Dudeja Pradeep K.
Published: April 2017

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an endogenous neuropeptide with a broad array of physiological functions in many organs including the intestine. Its actions are mediated via G protein-coupled receptors, and vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VPAC1) is the key receptor responsible for majority of VIP’s biological activity. The distribution of VPAC1 along the length of the gastrointestinal tract and its subcellular localization in intestinal epithelial cells have not been fully characterized. The current studies were undertaken to determine VPAC1 distribution and localization so that VIP-based therapies can be targeted to specific regions of the intestine. The results indicated that the mRNA levels of VPAC1 showed an abundance pattern of colon > ileum > jejunum in the mouse intestine. In parallel, the VPAC1 protein levels were higher in the mouse colon, followed by the ileum and jejunum. Immunofluorescence studies in mouse colon demonstrated that the receptor was specifically localized to the luminal surface, as was evident by colocalization with the apical marker villin but not with the basolateral marker Na+/K+-ATPase. In the human intestine, VPAC1 mRNA expression exhibited a distribution similar to that in mouse intestine and was highest in the sigmoid colon. Furthermore, in the human colon, VPAC1 also showed predominantly apical localization. The physiological relevance of the expression and apical localization of VPAC1 remains elusive. We speculate that apical VPAC1 in intestinal epithelial cells may have relevance in recognizing secreted peptides in the intestinal lumen and therefore supports the feasibility of potential therapeutic and targeting use of VIP formulations via oral route to treat gastrointestinal diseases.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY These studies for the first time present comprehensive data on the relative characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in the intestinal mucosa. Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VPAC1) was identified as the predominant receptor with higher levels in the colon compared with the small intestine and was mainly localized to the apical membrane. In addition, the findings in the human tissues were consistent with VPAC1 expression in the mouse intestine and open possibilities to target colonic tissues with VIP for treating diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Regulation of p53-mediated changes in the uPA-fibrinolytic system and in lung injury by loss of surfactant protein C expression in alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Puthusseri Bijesh , Marudamuthu Amarnath , Tiwari Nivedita , Fu Jian , Idell Steven , Shetty Sreerama
Published: April 2017

Pulmonary surfactant protein C (SP-C) expression by type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) is markedly reduced in diverse types of lung injuries and is often associated with AEC apoptosis. It is unclear whether loss of SP-C contributes to the increased p53 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system cross-talk and apoptosis of AECs. Therefore, we inhibited SP-C expression in human and murine AECs using lentivirus vector expressing shRNA and tested p53 and downstream changes in the uPA-fibrinolytic system. Inhibition of SP-C expression in AECs induced p53 and activated caspase-3, indicating AEC apoptosis. We also found that bleomycin or cigarette smoke exposure failed to inhibit SP-C expression or apoptosis in AECs in p53- and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)-deficient mice. Depletion of SP-C expression by lentiviral SP-C shRNA in PAI-1-deficient mice failed to induce p53 or apoptosis in AECs, whereas it increased both AEC p53 and apoptosis in wild-type and uPA-deficient mice. SP-C inhibition in AECs also increased in CXCL1 and CXCL2 and their receptor CXCR2 as well as ICAM-1 expression, which is indicative of a proinflammatory response. Overexpression of p53-binding 3′-UTR sequences in AECs inhibited PAI-1 induction while maintaining uPA and uPAR protein and mRNA expression. Furthermore, caveolin-1 expression and phosphorylation were increased in AECs, indicating an intricate link between caveolin-1 and Src kinase-mediated cell signaling and AEC apoptosis due to loss of SP-C expression through p53 and uPA system-mediated cross-talk. The role of uPA, PAI-1, and p53 in the regulation of AEC apoptosis after injury was also determined in knockout mice.
Mild aerobic exercise blocks elastin fiber fragmentation and aortic dilatation in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome associated aortic aneurysm
Authors: Gibson Christine , Nielsen Cory , Alex Ramona , Cooper Kimbal , Farney Michael , Gaufin Douglas , Cui Jason Z. , van Breemen Cornelis , Broderick Tom L. , Vallejo-Elias Johana , Esfandiarei Mitra
Published: April 2017

Regular low-impact physical activity is generally allowed in patients with Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene. However, being above average in height encourages young adults with this syndrome to engage in high-intensity contact sports, which unfortunately increases the risk for aortic aneurysm and rupture, the leading cause of death in Marfan syndrome. In this study, we investigated the effects of voluntary (cage-wheel) or forced (treadmill) aerobic exercise at different intensities on aortic function and structure in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome. Four-week-old Marfan and wild-type mice were subjected to voluntary and forced exercise regimens or sedentary lifestyle for 5 mo. Thoracic aortic tissue was isolated and subjected to structural and functional studies. Our data showed that exercise improved aortic wall structure and function in Marfan mice and that the beneficial effect was biphasic, with an optimum at low intensity exercise (55–65% V̇o2max) and tapering off at a higher intensity of exercise (85% V̇o2max). The mechanism underlying the reduced elastin fragmentation in Marfan mice involved reduction of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 within the aortic wall. These findings present the first evidence of potential beneficial effects of mild exercise on the structural integrity of the aortic wall in Marfan syndrome associated aneurysm. Our finding that moderate, but not strenuous, exercise protects aortic structure and function in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome could have important implications for the medical care of young Marfan patients.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study provides conclusive scientific evidence that daily exercise can improve aortic health in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome associated aortic aneurysm, and it establishes the threshold for the exercise intensity beyond which exercise may not be as protective. These findings establish a platform for a new focus on promoting regular exercise in Marfan patients at an optimum intensity and create a paradigm shift in clinical care of Marfan patients suffering from aortic aneurysm complications.
PEDOT:PSS Overcoating Layer for Mechanically and Chemically Stable Ag Nanowire Flexible Transparent Electrode
Authors: Hwang Byungil , Lim Sooman
Published: April 2017

We investigated the effect of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) deposition on the chemical and mechanical stability of Ag nanowire flexible electrodes. A large number of bending cycles, up to 500,000 cycles, were imposed on the Ag nanowire electrodes with and without PEDOT:PSS overcoating layer. In situ resistance measurement during bending tests revealed that the Ag nanowire electrode with PEDOT:PSS overcoating layer was mechanically reliable, showing a 21.9% increase in resistance after 500,000 cycles of bending. Scanning electron microscope images revealed that the failure of the Ag nanowire network occurred along with cracks initiated in the PEDOT:PSS layer, which resulted in the increase in resistance under bending. Furthermore, the PEDOT:PSS deposition enhanced the chemical stability of Ag nanowire electrode, which showed no significant increase in resistance after exposure in air for 50 days. Our study underscored that PEDOT:PSS is effective in protecting the Ag nanowires, while maintaining the high mechanical stability.
Relationships between Global DNA Methylation in Circulating White Blood Cells and Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Authors: Chopra-Tandon Nayha , Wu Haotian , Arcaro Kathleen F. , Sturgeon Susan R.
Published: April 2017

It is not yet clear whether white blood cell DNA global methylation is associated with breast cancer risk. In this review we examine the relationships between multiple breast cancer risk factors and three markers of global DNA methylation:LINE-1, 5-mdC, andAlu. A literature search was conducted using Pubmed up to April 1, 2016, using combinations of relevant outcomes such as “WBC methylation,” “blood methylation,” “bloodLINE-1methylation,” and a comprehensive list of known and suspected breast cancer risk factors. Overall, the vast majority of reports in the literature have focused onLINE-1. There was reasonably consistent evidence across the studies examined that males have higher levels ofLINE-1methylation in WBC DNA than females. None of the other demographic, lifestyle, dietary, or health condition risk factors were consistently associated withLINE-1DNA methylation across studies. With the possible exception of sex, there was also little evidence that the wide range of breast cancer risk factors we examined were associated with either of the other two global DNA methylation markers: 5-mdC andAlu. One possible implication of the observed lack of association between global WBC DNA methylation and known breast cancer risk factors is that the association between global WBC DNA methylation and breast cancer, if it exists, is due to a disease effect.
Generation Expansion Models including Technical Constraints and Demand Uncertainty
Authors: Deossa P. , De Vos K. , Deconinck G. , Espinosa J.
Published: April 2017

This article presents a Generation Expansion Model of the power system taking into account the operational constraints and the uncertainty of long-term electricity demand projections. The model is based on a discretization of the load duration curve and explicitly considers that power plant ramping capabilities must meet demand variations. A model predictive control method is used to improve the long-term planning decisions while considering the uncertainty of demand projections. The model presented in this paper allows integrating technical constraints and uncertainty in the simulations, improving the accuracy of the results, while maintaining feasible computational time. Results are tested over three scenarios based on load data of an energy retailer in Colombia.
Personalized Management of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients through Computational Modeling
Authors: Yamamoto Kimiyo N. , Yachida Shinichi , Nakamura Akira , Niida Atsushi , Oshima Minoru , De Subhajyoti , Rosati Lauren M. , Herman Joseph M. , Iacobuzio-Donahue Christine A. , Haeno Hiroshi
Published: April 2017

Phenotypic diversity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) results in a variety of treatment responses. Rapid autopsy studies have revealed a subgroup of PDAC patients with a lower propensity to develop metastatic disease, challenging the common perception that all patients die of widely metastatic disease, but questions remain about root causes of this difference and the potential impact on treatment strategies. In this study, we addressed these questions through the development of a mathematical model of PDAC progression that incorporates the major alteration status of specific genes with predictive utility. The model successfully reproduced clinical outcomes regarding metastatic patterns and the genetic alteration status of patients from two independent cohorts from the United States and Japan. Using this model, we defined a candidate predictive signature in patients with low metastatic propensity. If a primary tumor contained a small fraction of cells with KRAS and additional alterations to CDKN2A, TP53, or SMAD4 genes, the patient was likely to exhibit low metastatic propensity. By using this predictive signature, we computationally simulated a set of clinical trials to model whether this subgroup would benefit from locally intensive therapies such as surgery or radiation therapy. The largest overall survival benefit resulted from complete resection, followed by adjuvant chemoradiation therapy and salvage therapies for isolated recurrence. While requiring prospective validation in a clinical trial, our results suggest a new tool to help personalize care in PDAC patients in seeking the most effective therapeutic modality for each individual. Cancer Res; 77(12); 3325–35. ©2017 AACR.
Androgens Are Differentially Associated with Ovarian Cancer Subtypes in the Ovarian Cancer Cohort Consortium
Authors: Ose Jennifer , Poole Elizabeth M. , Schock Helena , Lehtinen Matti , Arslan Alan A. , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte Anne , Visvanathan Kala , Helzlsouer Kathy , Buring Julie E. , Lee I-Min , Tjønneland Anne , Dossus Laure , Trichopoulou Antonia , Masala Giovanna , Onland-Moret N. Charlotte , Weiderpass Elisabete , Duell Eric J. , Idahl Annika , Travis Ruth C. , Rinaldi Sabina , Merritt Melissa A. , Trabert Britton , Wentzensen Nicolas , Tworoger Shelley S. , Kaaks Rudolf , Fortner Renée T.
Published: April 2017

Invasive epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. The etiology of EOC remains elusive; however, experimental and epidemiologic data suggest a role for hormone-related exposures in ovarian carcinogenesis and risk factor differences by histologic phenotypes and developmental pathways. Research on prediagnosis androgen concentrations and EOC risk has yielded inconclusive results, and analyses incorporating EOC subtypes are sparse. We conducted a pooled analysis of 7 nested case–control studies in the Ovarian Cancer Cohort Consortium to investigate the association between pre-diagnosis circulating androgens [testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)], sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and EOC risk by tumor characteristics (i.e., histology, grade, and stage). The final study population included 1,331 EOC cases and 3,017 matched controls. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to assess risk associations in pooled individual data. Testosterone was positively associated with EOC risk (all subtypes combined, ORlog2 = 1.12; 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.24); other endogenous androgens and SHBG were not associated with overall risk. Higher concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione associated with an increased risk in endometrioid and mucinous tumors [e.g., testosterone, endometrioid tumors, ORlog2 = 1.40 (1.03–1.91)], but not serous or clear cell. An inverse association was observed between androstenedione and high grade serous tumors [ORlog2 = 0.76 (0.60–0.96)]. Our analyses provide further evidence for a role of hormone-related pathways in EOC risk, with differences in associations between androgens and histologic subtypes of EOC. Cancer Res; 77(14); 3951–60. ©2017 AACR.
von Willebrand factor deficiency leads to impaired blood flow recovery after ischaemia in mice
Authors: de Vries Margreet R. , Peters Erna A. B. , Quax Paul H. A. , Nossent A. Yaël
Published: April 2017

Neovascularisation, i. e. arteriogenesis and angiogenesis, is an inflammatory process. Therefore attraction and extravasation of leukocytes is essential for effective blood flow recovery after ischaemia. Previous studies have shown that von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a negative regulator of angiogenesis. However, it has also been shown that VWF facilitates leukocyte attraction and extravasation. We aimed to investigate the role of VWF in arteriogenesis and angiogenesis during post-ischaemic neovascularisation. Wild-type (WT) and VWF deficient (VWF-/-) C57BL/6 mice were subjected to hindlimb ischaemia via double ligation of the left femoral artery, and blood flow recovery was followed over time, using Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging. Blood flow recovery was impaired in VWF-/- mice. After 10 days, VWF-/- mice showed a 43 ± 5% recovery versus 68 ± 5% in WT. Immunohistochemistry revealed that both arteriogenesis in the adductor muscles and angiogenesis in the gastrocnemius muscles were reduced in VWF-/- mice. Furthermore, leukocyte infiltration in the affected adductor muscles was reduced in VWF-/- mice. Residual paw perfusion directly after artery ligation was also reduced in VWF-/- mice, indicating a decrease in pre-existing collateral arteriole density. When we quantified collateral arterioles, we observed a 31% decrease in the average number of collateral arterioles in the pia mater compared to WT mice (57 ± 3 in WT vs 40 ± 4 pial collaterals in VWF-/-). We conclude that VWF facilitates blood flow recovery in mice. VWF deficiency hampers both arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in a hindlimb ischaemia model. This is associated with impaired leukocytes recruitment and decreased pre-existing collateral density in the absence of VWF.
Characteristics of dyspnoea and associated clinical outcomes in the CHAMPION PHOENIX study
Authors: Parker William A. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Prats Jayne , Day Jonathan R. S. , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Stone Gregg W. , Hamm Christian W. , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Price Matthew J. , Michael Gibson C. , White Harvey D. , Storey Robert F. ,   the CHAMPION PHOENIX Investigators
Published: April 2017

Dyspnoea may be induced by some reversibly-binding P2Y12 inhibitors, including cangrelor and ticagrelor. Dyspnoea was not associated with any compromise to the efficacy of ticagrelor in the PLATO study. The CHAMPION PHOENIX study (NCT01156571) compared initial treatment with cangrelor versus initial treatment with clopidogrel in patients undergoing PCI. We investigated the incidence, characteristics, and associated clinical outcomes in patients with dyspnoea in CHAMPION PHOENIX. Adverse events (AEs) of dyspnoea to 48 hours were recorded in patients randomised to cangrelor or clopidogrel in CHAMPION PHOENIX. The composite primary endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, ischaemia-driven revascularisation, or stent thrombosis as well its individual components were assessed in patients who did or did not report dyspnoea. A total of 68 (1.2 %) cangrelor-treated patients and 18 (0.3 %) clopidogrel-treated patients reported dyspnoea (p<0.001). Most dyspnoea events in cangrelor-treated patients were considered mild (71 %) or moderate (28 %) and only one event was considered severe and led to discontinuation of cangrelor. The dyspnoea events in the clopidogrel-treated patients were mild (78 %) or moderate (22 %). Characteristics of dyspnoea were consistent with those seen in the CHAMPION programme as a whole. In the modified intention-to-treat population, rates of the composite primary outcome and its individual components were not affected by the presence of dyspnoea in cangrelor-treated patients. Cangrelor-related dyspnoea is transient, usually mild or moderate, and unlikely to lead to discontinuation of therapy. The occurrence of dyspnoea does not seem to be associated with any reduction in the efficacy of cangrelor compared with clopidogrel as initial therapy in PCI patients.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Association of Plasma 7-Ketocholesterol With Cardiovascular Outcomes and Total Mortality in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Song Jiayi , Wang Duan , Chen Hongen , Huang Xiuwei , Zhong Yuan , Jiang Nan , Chen Chaogang , Xia Min
Published: April 2017

Rationale:

7-Ketocholesterol (7-KC), a form of cholesterol oxidation product, plays an essential role in the atherogenesis in animal models.

Objective:

We sought to determine the association of circulating 7-KC with clinical cardiovascular outcomes and total mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results:

We measured the plasma 7-KC levels by high-performance liquid chromatography in a prospective cohort study of 1016 patients (mean age, 63.2 years; male 61.1%) with stable coronary artery disease who were recruited from December 2008 to December 2011 and followed up for a median of 4.6 years. We adjudicated myocardial infarction, hospitalization of heart failure, cardiovascular death, all-cause death, and composite end points of myocardial infarction/heart failure/death by review of medical records and death certificates. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis to compare the incidence rate of cardiovascular events and all-cause death according to the quartile of the plasma 7-KC. During the median 4.6 years follow-up, totally 221 participants (21.8%) experienced a cardiovascular event or death. The adjusted risk of the composite end points was higher in the highest 7-KC quartile than in the lowest quartile (hazard ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–2.21;
P
<0.001). After adjustment for demographic and clinical variables and other biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), 1 SD increase in the 7-KC level remained associated with a 36% higher rate of composite outcomes (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–1.48;
P
=0.007). Plasma 7-KC clearly improved various model performance measures, including C statistics, integrated discrimination, and category-free net reclassification.

Conclusions:

High 7-KC levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, total death, and composite outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
A Perceptual Investigation into Spatialization Techniques Used in Multichannel Electroacoustic Music for Envelopment and Engulfment
Authors: Lynch Hugh , Sazdov Robert
Published: April 2017

Composers of electroacoustic music have developed and creatively implemented various spatialization techniques for multichannel loudspeaker setups. What is not known is which of these spatialization techniques is most effective for exploiting the extended creative possibilities available in multidimensional sound. This article discusses an experiment investigating the perception of the spatial attributes of “envelopment” and “engulfment” within a high-density loudspeaker array. The spatialization techniques used in the experiment were timbre spatialization, spectral splitting, amplitude point-source panning, and dynamic spectral subband decorrelation. Three loudspeaker setups, or spatial dimensions, were investigated: horizontal-only; elevated-only; and three-dimensional, which consisted of both horizontal and elevated loudspeaker setups. Results suggest that dynamic spectral subband decorrelation was perceived as both the most enveloping and the most engulfing technique when compared to other techniques in these experimental loudspeaker configurations. We propose that the experimental results can be successfully implemented when composing electroacoustic music to exploit the creative possibilities in a high-density loudspeaker array or in other multichannel loudspeaker configurations.
The Centurion, Son of God, and Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles
Authors: Yencich Danny
Published: April 2017

Against a longstanding tradition of ascribing religious conversion to the centurion who witnesses Jesus’s death in Mark 15:39, I argue that his acclamation of Jesus as υἱὸς θεοῦ is better understood within the narrative as the words of a conquered enemy. The centurion’s confession parallels the responses of unclean spirits and Legion, two other vanquished enemies who, in the moment of defeat, see and name Jesus υἱὸς θεοῦ. By framing the centurion as a defeated enemy, Mark contests the meaning of Jesus’s crucifixion: rather than remembering it as a performance of Roman rule, Mark commemorates it as the summary victory of the rule of God. Turning from an ancient capital offender to a contemporary one, I recast the memory of Kelly Gissendaner, who was executed in Georgia in 2015, and attempt to narrate and commemorate her state-sanctioned death in light of the Markan Jesus’s.
The Epicureans on Human Nature and its Social and Political Consequences
Authors: Robitzsch Jan Maximilian
Published: April 2017

Based on certain passages in Colotes, Hermarchus, and Horace, the Epicureans may be thought to defend a social contract theory that is roughly Hobbesian. According to such a view, human life without the social contract is solitary and brutish. This paper argues that such a reading is mistaken. It offers a systematic analysis of Lucretius’s culture story in On the Nature of Things
v as well as the Epicurean passages that at first sight seem to contradict the Lucretian account. The conclusion of such an analysis is not only that all extant evidence is internally consistent, but also that Epicurean social contract theory relies on a ‘dynamic’ conception of human nature: On the Epicurean view, agents have very different psychological motivations when coming together to form societies and when coming together to form political and legal states.
A new species of leucosiid crab (Decapoda: Brachyura: Leucosiidae) from the Arabian Gulf
Authors: GIRALDES BRUNO WELTER , AL-MASLAMANI IBRAHIM , SMYTH DAVID
Published: April 2017

The Indo-West Pacific genus Coleusia Galil 2006, was recently described and now comprises seven species. We describe a new species from the western Arabian Gulf, Coleusia janani n. sp. The new species is closely related to the congener C. biannulata (Tyndale-Biscoe & George, 1962), and can be distinguished from other species at these genus congeners mainly by the straight upward apical shape of the male first pleopod (G1). An updated identification key to the species of Coleusia, as well as an overview of the geographical distribution of the species included in the genus are also presented.
Toward an Integrated Set of Surface Meteorological Observations for Climate Science and Applications
Authors: Thorne P. W. , Allan R. J. , Ashcroft L. , Brohan P. , Dunn R. J. H , Menne M. J. , Pearce P. R. , Picas J. , Willett K. M. , Benoy M. , Bronnimann S. , Canziani P. O. , Coll J. , Crouthamel R. , Compo G. P. , Cuppett D. , Curley M. , Duffy C. , Gillespie I. , Guijarro J. , Jourdain S. , Kent E. C. , Kubota H. , Legg T. P. , Li Q. , Matsumoto J. , Murphy C. , Rayner N. A. , Rennie J. J. , Rustemeier E. , Slivinski L. C. , Slonosky V. , Squintu A. , Tinz B. , Valente M. A. , Walsh S. , Wang X. L. , Westcott N. , Wood K. , Woodruff S. D. , Worley S. J.
Published: April 2017

Observations are the foundation for understanding the climate system. Yet, currently available land meteorological data are highly fractured into various global, regional, and national holdings for different variables and time scales, from a variety of sources, and in a mixture of formats. Added to this, many data are still inaccessible for analysis and usage. To meet modern scientific and societal demands as well as emerging needs such as the provision of climate services, it is essential that we improve the management and curation of available land-based meteorological holdings. We need a comprehensive global set of data holdings, of known provenance, that is truly integrated both across essential climate variables (ECVs) and across time scales to meet the broad range of stakeholder needs. These holdings must be easily discoverable, made available in accessible formats, and backed up by multitiered user support. The present paper provides a high-level overview, based upon broad community input, of the steps that are required to bring about this integration. The significant challenge is to find a sustained means to realize this vision. This requires a long-term international program. The database that results will transform our collective ability to provide societally relevant research, analysis, and predictions in many weather- and climate-related application areas across much of the globe.
Twentieth-Century Trends in the Annual Cycle of Temperature across the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Cornes Richard C. , Jones Philip D. , Qian Cheng
Published: April 2017

The annual cycle of surface air temperature is examined across Northern Hemisphere land areas (north of 25°N) by comparing the results from the Climatic Research Unit Time Series (CRU TS) dataset against four reanalysis datasets: two versions of the NOAA Twentieth Century Reanalysis (20CR and 20CRC) and two versions of the ECMWF Twentieth Century Reanalysis, version 2 (ERA-20C) and version 2c (ERA-20CM). The modulated annual cycle is adaptively derived from an ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) filter, and is used to define the phase and amplitude of the annual cycle. The EEMD method does not impose a simple sinusoidal shape of the annual cycle. None of the reanalysis simulations assimilates surface temperature or land-use data. However, they differ in the parameters that are included: both ERA-20C and 20CR assimilate surface pressure data; ERA-20C also includes surface wind data over the oceans; and ERA-20CM does not assimilate any of these synoptic data. It is demonstrated that synoptic variability is critical for explaining the trends and variability of the annual cycle of surface temperature across the Northern Hemisphere. The CMIP5 forcings alone are insufficient to explain the observed trends and decadal-scale variability, particularly with respect to the decline in the amplitude of the annual cycle throughout the twentieth century. The variability in the annual cycle during the latter half of the twentieth century was unusual in the context of the twentieth century, and was most likely related to large-scale atmospheric variability, although uncertainty in the results is greatest before about 1930.
Estimation of Kinetic Energy Dissipation from Breaking Waves in the Wave Crest Region
Authors: Lee J. H. , Monty J. P. , Elsnab J. , Toffoli A. , Babanin A. V. , Alberello A.
Published: April 2017

Wave-induced turbulence due to breaking in the absence of surface shear stresses is investigated experimentally. A high-fidelity particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique is used to measure the turbulence near the water surface, inside the wave crests. The spatial velocity vector fields of the breaking waves acquired from PIV provide accurate vertical velocity profiles near the air–water interface, as well as wavenumber velocity spectra beneath the breaking waves at different depths. These velocity spectra exhibit a Kolmogorov interval at high wavenumbers, indicating the presence of isotropic turbulence and permitting an estimation of energy dissipation rates. The depth dependence of dissipation rates of the breaking waves generated in the laboratory shows a scaling similar to that found in wind-forced breaking waves in the field. A phase dependence in the dissipation rates of turbulence kinetic energy is also observed, which should be considered to improve the accuracy of the estimated and modeled wave energy dissipation.
Russians Inhibit the Expression of Happiness to Strangers: Testing a Display Rule Model
Authors: Sheldon Kennon M. , Titova Liudmilla , Gordeeva Tamara O. , Osin Evgeny N. , Lyubomirsky Sonja , Bogomaz Sergei
Published: April 2017

Cultural stereotypes and considerable psychological research suggest that Russians are less happy and more stoic than Americans and Westerners. However, a second possibility is simply that cultural norms deter Russians from displaying happiness that they actually feel. To test this second possibility, three studies compared the emotional inhibition tendencies in U.S. and Russian student samples. Although Russians and Americans were no different on subjective well-being (SWB), a consistent three-way interaction was found such that Russians (compared with Americans) reported greater inhibition of the expression of happiness (vs. unhappiness), but mainly to strangers (vs. friends/family). Russians also viewed their peers and countrymen as behaving similarly. Furthermore, a consistent interaction was found such that the degree of happiness inhibition with strangers was negatively correlated with SWB in the U.S. samples but was unrelated to SWB in the Russian samples. Given the equivalent levels of SWB observed in these data, we suggest that Russians may not be less happy than Americans, as this would illogically entail that they exaggerate their SWB reports while also claiming to inhibit their expression of happiness. Implications for emotion researchers and international relations are considered.