bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Necessary Condition and a Sufficient Condition for Pairwise Compatibility Graphs
Authors: Hossain Md. Iqbal , Salma Sammi Abida , Rahman Md. Saidur , Mondal Debajyoti
Published: January 2017

In this paper we give a necessary condition and a sufficient condition for a graph to be a pairwise compatibility graph (PCG). Let $G$ be a graph and let $G^c$ be the complement of $G$. We show that if $G^c$ has two disjoint chordless cycles then $G$ is not a PCG. On the other hand, if $G^c$ has no cycle then $G$ is a PCG. Our conditions are the first necessary condition and the first sufficient condition for pairwise compatibility graphs in general. We also show that there exist some graphs in the gap of the two conditions which are not PCGs.
Hamiltonian chromatic number of block graphs
Authors: Bantva Devsi
Published: January 2017

Let $G$ be a simple connected graph of order $n$. A hamiltonian coloring $c$ of a graph $G$ is an assignment of colors (non-negative integers) to the vertices of $G$ such that $D(u, v)$ + $|c(u) - c(v)|$ $\geq$ $n - 1$ for every two distinct vertices $u$ and $v$ of $G$, where $D(u, v)$ denotes the detour distance between $u$ and $v$ in $G$ which is the length of the longest path between $u$ and $v$. The value $hc(c)$ of a hamiltonian coloring $c$ is the maximum color assigned to a vertex of $G$. The hamiltonian chromatic number, denoted by $hc(G)$, is $\min\{hc(c)\}$ taken over all hamiltonian coloring $c$ of $G$. In this paper, we give a necessary and sufficient condition to achieve a lower bound for the hamiltonian chromatic number of block graphs given in [Bantva, WALCOM 2016. Theorem 1]. We present an algorithm for optimal hamiltonian coloring of a special class of block graphs, namely $SDB(p/2)$ block graphs. We characterize level-wise regular block graphs and extended star of blocks achieving this lower bound.
Lower Bounds for Graph Exploration Using Local Policies
Authors: Akash Aditya Kumar , Fekete Sándor , Lee Seoung Kyou , López-Ortiz Alejandro , Maftuleac Daniela , McLurkin James
Published: January 2017

We give lower bounds for various natural node- and edge-based local strategies for exploring a graph.
We consider this problem both in the setting of an arbitrary graph
as well as the abstraction of a geometric exploration of a space
by a robot, both of which have been extensively studied. We consider
local exploration policies that use time-of-last-visit or alternatively
least-frequently-visited local greedy strategies to select the next step
in the exploration path. Both of these strategies were previously considered by Cooper et al. (2011)
for a scenario in which counters for the last visit or visit frequency are attached to
the edges.
In this work we consider
the case in which the counters are associated with the nodes, which for the case
of dual graphs of geometric spaces could be argued to be intuitively more natural and likely more efficient.
Surprisingly, these alternate strategies
give worst-case superpolynomial/exponential time for exploration, whereas the least-frequently-visited
strategy for edges has a polynomially bounded
exploration time, as shown by Cooper et al. (2011).
Essential Constraints of Edge-Constrained Proximity Graphs
Authors: Bose Prosenjit , De Carufel Jean-Lou , Shaikhet Alina , Smid Michiel
Published: January 2017

Given a plane forest $F = (V, E)$ of $|V| = n$ points, we find the minimum set $S \subseteq E$ of edges such that the edge-constrained minimum spanning tree over the set $V$ of vertices and the set $S$ of constraints contains $F$. We present an $O(n \log n )$-time algorithm that solves this problem.
We generalize this to other proximity graphs in the constraint setting, such as the relative neighbourhood graph, Gabriel graph, $\beta$-skeleton and Delaunay triangulation.

We present an algorithm that identifies the minimum set $S\subseteq E$ of edges of a given plane graph $I=(V,E)$ such that $I \subseteq CG_\beta(V, S)$ for $1 \leq \beta \leq 2$, where $CG_\beta(V, S)$ is the constraint $\beta$-skeleton over the set $V$ of vertices and the set $S$ of constraints. The running time of our algorithm is $O(n)$, provided that the constrained Delaunay triangulation of $I$ is given.
Incremental Network Design with Minimum Spanning Trees
Authors: Engel Konrad , Kalinowski Thomas , Savelsbergh Martin
Published: January 2017

Given an edge-weighted graph $G=(V,E)$ and a set $E_0\subset E$, the incremental network design
problem with minimum spanning trees asks for a sequence of edges $e'_1,\ldots,e'_T\in E\setminus
E_0$ minimizing $\sum_{t=1}^Tw(X_t)$ where $w(X_t)$ is the weight of a minimum spanning tree $X_t$
for the subgraph $(V,E_0\cup\{e'_1,\ldots,e'_t\})$ and $T=\lvert E\setminus E_0\rvert$. We prove
that this problem can be solved by a greedy algorithm.
Drawing Planar Graphs with Reduced Height
Authors: Durocher Stephane , Mondal Debajyoti
Published: January 2017

A polyline (resp., straight-line) drawing $\Gamma$ of a planar graph $G$
on a set $L_k$ of $k$ parallel lines
is a planar drawing that
maps each vertex of $G$ to a distinct point on $L_k$ and each edge of $G$ to a polygonal chain (resp., straight line segment) between its corresponding endpoints, where the bends lie on $L_k$.
The height of $\Gamma$ is $k$, i.e., the number of lines used in the drawing.
In this paper we establish new upper bounds on the height of polyline drawings
of planar graphs using
planar separators.
Specifically, we show that every $n$-vertex planar graph with maximum degree $\Delta$, having an edge separator of size $\lambda$, admits a polyline
drawing with height $4n/9+O(\lambda)$, where the previously best known bound was $2n/3$.
Since $\lambda\in O(\sqrt{n\Delta})$, this implies the existence of a drawing of height at
most $4n/9+o(n)$ for any planar triangulation with $\Delta \in o(n)$.
For $n$-vertex planar $3$-trees, we compute straight-line drawings, with height $4n/9+O(1)$, which improves
the previously best known upper bound of $n/2$. All these results can be viewed as an initial step towards compact drawings of planar triangulations via choosing a suitable embedding of the graph.
Meatscapes: Spaces and processes associated to subsistence livestock
Authors: Farah Leila Marie
Published: February 2017

How was subsistence livestock linked to architecture and the urban development in the settlement of 17th and 18th century Montreal?

This article argues that landscapes and buildings interact with and accommodate the transformation of livestock products and by-products along various stages; and, that these animal parts contribute to defining urban landscapes. The paper presents a novel analytical framework to study foodscapes, and more particularly meatscapes by way of identifying spaces through which animal parts transited, and by spatially mapping them. It does so via a mixed methodological approach, including researching legal documents, travelers’ notes, databases, historical maps and plans dating back to the French period. Examining processes and spaces involving subsistence livestock, their products and by-products as well as individuals related to their transformation provides a new perspective on how ordinary activities shaped the lives and the spaces in a settlement.
Counter Culture: The Making of Feminist Food in Feminist Restaurants, Cafes, and
Coffeehouses
Authors: Ketchum Alexandra
Published: February 2017

Self-identified feminist restaurants and cafes of the 1970s and 1980s in the United
States and Canada acted as spaces that challenged the status quo around cooking and
consumption through their creation of feminist food. Each restaurant and cafe defined
“feminist food” differently depending on the particular feminist ethics of the restaurant
owners. Depending on the restaurant, making their food feminist revolved around vegetarian
ethics, labour issues, cost, and sourcing of products. By looking at what was included and
banned on these restaurant menus, this article shows the ways that food could be labelled as
feminist. Furthermore, this piece demonstrates how one could assert feminism within a
business dedicated to food—one in which complex relationships with the kitchen can also be
analyzed (the kitchen being often labelled a "traditional" place for women).
Kinesiology Tape does not Affect Serum Creatine Kinase Level and Quadriceps Activity during Recovery from Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness
Authors: Aminaka Naoko , Fohey Tiffany , Kovacs Attila , Zak Roksana
Published: February 2017

Background: Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) causes muscle damage and edema that can hinder performance and increase risks for secondary injuries. Kinesiology Tape (KT) may be an effective modality for aiding in recovery, however, no study has investigated the effects of KT on the physiological biomarkers such as serum creatine kinase (CK) level, concurrently with measures of performance and function, during recovery from DOMS. Objective: Investigate the effects of KT on serum CK level, electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps muscles, and performances of countermovement jump (CMJ) and triple single-leg hop for distance (HopD) during recovery from DOMS. Method: Fifty-eight healthy college-age participants were randomly assigned to KT (n=15), placebo (n=19), and control (n=24) groups. Serum CK level and quadriceps EMG activity and performance during CMJ and HopD were collected at baseline, immediately after repetitive eccentric quadriceps exercise, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise. The EMG recording of rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis during the CMJ and HopD were normalized to the baseline maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Results: A significant main effect of time on the serum CK level, EMG activity, and performance (p<0.05) was observed. However, there were no group differences on the serum CK level, EMG activity, or performance (p>0.05). Conclusion: Taping interventions did not improve the serum CK level or muscle activity and performance during recovery from DOMS. Kinesiology tape may not be the first choice of method for enhancing recovery from DOMS in otherwise healthy individuals.
Effects of rhodomyrtone on Gram-positive bacterial tubulin homologue FtsZ
Authors: Saeloh Dennapa , Wenzel Michaela , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada , Hamoen Leendert Willem , Tipmanee Varomyalin , Voravuthikunchai Supayang Piyawan
Published: February 2017

Rhodomyrtone, a natural antimicrobial compound, displays potent activity against many Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, comparable to last-defence antibiotics including vancomycin and daptomycin. Our previous studies pointed towards effects of rhodomyrtone on the bacterial membrane and cell wall. In addition, a recent molecular docking study suggested that the compound could competitively bind to the main bacterial cell division protein FtsZ. In this study, we applied a computational approach (in silico),in vitro, andin vivoexperiments to investigate molecular interactions of rhodomyrtone with FtsZ. Using molecular simulation, FtsZ conformational changes were observed in both (S)- and (R)-rhodomyrtone binding states, compared with the three natural states of FtsZ (ligand-free, GDP-, and GTP-binding states). Calculations of free binding energy showed a higher affinity of FtsZ to (S)-rhodomyrtone (−35.92 ± 0.36 kcal mol−1) than the GDP substrate (−23.47 ± 0.25 kcal mol−1) while less affinity was observed in the case of (R)-rhodomyrtone (−18.11 ± 0.11 kcal mol−1).In vitroexperiments further revealed that rhodomyrtone reduced FtsZ polymerization by 36% and inhibited GTPase activity by up to 45%. However, the compound had no effect on FtsZ localization inBacillus subtilisat inhibitory concentrations and cells also did not elongate after treatment. Higher concentrations of rhodomyrtone did affect localization of FtsZ and also affected localization of its membrane anchor proteins FtsA and SepF, showing that the compound did not specifically inhibit FtsZ but rather impaired multiple divisome proteins. Furthermore, a number of cells adopted a bean-like shape suggesting that rhodomyrtone possibly possesses further targets involved in cell envelope synthesis and/or maintenance.
Geography shapes the phylogeny of frailejones (Espeletiinae Cuatrec., Asteraceae): a remarkable example of recent rapid radiation in sky islands
Authors: Diazgranados Mauricio , Barber Janet C.
Published: February 2017

Background

The páramo ecosystem, located above the timberline in the tropical Andes, has been the setting for some of the most dramatic plant radiations, and it is one of the world’s fastest evolving and most diverse high-altitude ecosystems. Today 144+ species of frailejones (subtribe Espeletiinae Cuatrec., Asteraceae) dominate the páramo. Frailejones have intrigued naturalists and botanists, not just for their appealing beauty and impressive morphological diversity, but also for their remarkable adaptations to the extremely harsh environmental conditions of the páramo. Previous attempts to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this group failed to resolve relationships among genera and species, and there is no agreement regarding the classification of the group. Thus, our goal was to reconstruct the phylogeny of the frailejones and to test the influence of the geography on it as a first step to understanding the patterns of radiation of these plants.

Methods

Field expeditions in 70 páramos of Colombia and Venezuela resulted in 555 collected samples from 110 species. Additional material was obtained from herbarium specimens. Sequence data included nrDNA (ITS and ETS) and cpDNA (rpl16), for an aligned total of 2,954 bp. Fragment analysis was performed with AFLP data using 28 primer combinations and yielding 1,665 fragments. Phylogenies based on sequence data were reconstructed under maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The AFLP dataset employed minimum evolution analyses. A Monte Carlo permutation test was used to infer the influence of the geography on the phylogeny.

Results

Phylogenies reconstructed suggest that most genera are paraphyletic, but the phylogenetic signal may be misled by hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting. A tree with all the available molecular data shows two large clades: one of primarily Venezuelan species that includes a few neighboring Colombian species; and a second clade of only Colombian species. Results from the Monte Carlo permutation test suggests a very strong influence of the geography on the phylogenetic relationships. Venezuelan páramos tend to hold taxa that are more distantly-related to each other than Colombian páramos, where taxa are more closely-related to each other.

Conclusions

Our data suggest the presence of two independent radiations: one in Venezuela and the other in Colombia. In addition, the current generic classification will need to be deeply revised. Analyses show a strong geographic structure in the phylogeny, with large clades grouped in hotspots of diversity at a regional scale, and in páramo localities at a local scale. Differences in the degrees of relatedness between sympatric species of Venezuelan and Colombian páramos may be explained because of the younger age of the latter páramos, and the lesser time for speciation of Espeletiinae in them.
Spatial and temporal variabilities of spring Asian dust events and their impacts on chlorophyll‐a concentrations in the western North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Yoon Joo‐Eun , Kim Kitae , Macdonald Alison M. , Park Ki‐Tae , Kim Hyun‐Cheol , Yoo Kyu‐Cheul , Yoon Ho‐Il , Yang Eun Jin , Jung Jinyoung , Lim Jae‐Hyun , Kim Ju‐Hyoung , Lee Jiyoung , Choi Tae‐Jun , Song Jae‐Min , Kim Il‐Nam
Published: February 2017

As the western North Pacific Ocean is located downwind of the source regions for spring Asian dust, it is an ideal location for determining the response of open waters to these events. Spatial analysis of spring Asian dust events from source regions to the western North Pacific, using long‐term daily aerosol index data, revealed three different transport pathways supported by the westerly wind system: one passing across the northern East/Japan Sea (40°N–50°N), a second moving over the entire East/Japan Sea (35°N–55°N), and a third flowing predominantly over the Siberian continent (>50°N). Our results indicate that strong spring Asian dust events can increase ocean primary productivity by more than 70% (>2‐fold increase in chlorophyll‐a concentrations) compared to weak/nondust conditions. Therefore, attention should be paid to the recent downturn in the number of spring Asian dust events and to the response of primary production in the western North Pacific to this change.
Nanocellulose Aerogels for Supporting Iron Catalysts and In Situ Formation of Polyethylene Nanocomposites
Authors: Hees Timo , Zhong Fan , Rudolph Tobias , Walther Andreas , Mülhaupt Rolf
Published: February 2017

Aerogels of nanocellulose (NC) prepared by freeze‐drying of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) hydrogels and followed by impregnation with methylaluminoxane serve as nanoporous organic supports for immobilizing single site iron catalysts such as bisiminopyridine iron(II) complexes. The resulting catalyst systems, exploiting renewable biomaterials as organic supports, are highly active in low pressure ethylene polymerization. They afford simultaneous control of high density polyethylene (HDPE) particle morphology and facile NC dispersion within the HDPE matrix. In the early stage of ethylene polymerization, mesoscopic shape replication and NC‐mediated templating yield platelets containing an NC core and a HDPE shell, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of virgin polyethylene powders. Opposite to conventionally dried CNF hydrogels, forming large agglomerates, this facile NC aerogel‐mediated in situ NC/HDPE nanocomposite formation is vastly superior to melt compounding of HDPE with NC, failing to produce such fine NC dispersions. On increasing NC content to 3.0 wt%, both Young's modulus (+50%) and tensile strength (+40%) increase at the expense of elongation at break (−80%). According to the SEM analysis of NC/HDPE morphology, the dispersion of NC nanosheets together with the in situ formation of “shish‐kebab” polyethylene fiber‐like structures accounted for HDPE matrix reinforcement.
Few‐Layer Graphene Kills Selectively Tumor Cells from Myelomonocytic Leukemia Patients
Authors: Russier Julie , León Verónica , Orecchioni Marco , Hirata Eri , Virdis Patrizia , Fozza Claudio , Sgarrella Francesco , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Prato Maurizio , Vázquez Ester , Bianco Alberto , Delogu Lucia G.
Published: February 2017

In the cure of cancer, a major cause of today's mortality, chemotherapy is the most common treatment, though serious frequent challenges are encountered by current anticancer drugs. We discovered that few‐layer graphene (FLG) dispersions have a specific killer action on monocytes, showing neither toxic nor activation effects on other immune cells. We confirmed the therapeutic application of graphene on an aggressive type of cancer that is myelomonocytic leukemia, where the monocytes are in their malignant form. We demonstrated that graphene has the unique ability to target and boost specifically the necrosis of monocytic cancer cells. Moreover, the comparison between FLG and a common chemotherapeutic drug, etoposide, confirmed the higher specificity and toxicity of FLG. Since current chemotherapy treatments of leukemia still cause serious problems, these findings open the way to new and safer therapeutic approaches.
High‐Performance Chemically Regenerative Redox Fuel Cells Using a NO3−/NO Regeneration Reaction
Authors: Han Sang‐Beom , Kwak Da‐Hee , Park Hyun Suk , Choi In‐Ae , Park Jin‐Young , Kim Si‐Jin , Kim Min‐Cheol , Hong Seongho , Park Kyung‐Won
Published: February 2017

In this study, we proposed high‐performance chemically regenerative redox fuel cells (CRRFCs) using NO3−/NO with a nitrogen‐doped carbon‐felt electrode and a chemical regeneration reaction of NO to NO3− via O2. The electrochemical cell using the nitrate reduction to NO at the cathode on the carbon felt and oxidation of H2 as a fuel at the anode showed a maximal power density of 730 mW cm−2 at 80 °C and twofold higher power density of 512 mW cm−2 at 0.8 V, than the target power density of 250 mW cm−2 at 0.8 V in the H2/O2 proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). During the operation of the CRRFCs with the chemical regeneration reactor for 30 days, the CRRFCs maintained 60 % of the initial performance with a regeneration efficiency of about 92.9 % and immediately returned to the initial value when supplied with fresh HNO3.
A Trinuclear Radical‐Bridged Lanthanide Single‐Molecule Magnet
Authors: Gould Colin A. , Darago Lucy E. , Gonzalez Miguel I. , Demir Selvan , Long Jeffrey R.
Published: February 2017

Assembly of the triangular, organic radical‐bridged complexes Cp*6Ln3(μ3‐HAN) (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy; HAN=hexaazatrinaphthylene) proceeds through the reaction of Cp*2Ln(BPh4) with HAN under strongly reducing conditions. Significantly, magnetic susceptibility measurements of these complexes support effective magnetic coupling of all three LnIII centers through the HAN3−. radical ligand. Thorough investigation of the DyIII congener through both ac susceptibility and dc magnetic relaxation measurements reveals slow relaxation of the magnetization, with an effective thermal relaxation barrier of Ueff=51 cm−1. Magnetic coupling in the DyIII complex enables a large remnant magnetization at temperatures up to 3.0 K in the magnetic hysteresis measurements and hysteresis loops that are open at zero‐field up to 3.5 K.
A review of the biology and status of Cape Fold Ecoregion freshwater fishes
Authors: Ellender Bruce R. , Wasserman Ryan J. , Chakona Albert , Skelton Paul H. , Weyl Olaf L.F.
Published: February 2017

Mediterranean climate regions are globally recognized as hotspots of endemism in fishes; however, these unique assemblages are increasingly threatened by human mediated impacts including water abstraction, damming and non‐native species introductions.

The Cape Fold aquatic ecoregion (CFR) of South Africa supports an assemblage of range‐restricted endemic freshwater fishes, the majority of which are conservation priorities because they are under severe threat of extinction. Effective conservation and management are constrained by the lack of readily available information on this imperilled group of fishes because research efforts over the last century have been temporally disjointed and relatively uncoordinated.

This review provides an exhaustive appraisal of published literature on the taxonomy, biogeography, life history, ecology and physiology of freshwater fishes in the CFR, and the human impacts that affect them. Its aim is to direct future research needs for effective management and conservation of this imperilled group.

Only 103 peer‐reviewed articles on CFR fishes were recorded and the majority of available research is on taxonomy and biogeography (40.8%), followed by ecological investigations (22.3%), conservation (19.4%) and human impacts (17.5%).

Despite a plethora of studies on taxonomy and biogeography, recent genetic evidence suggests that fish diversity in the CFR has been severely underestimated and requires urgent attention. Human impacts severely threaten the existence of many native CFR fishes and require further study. Information on the biology and ecology of CFR fishes is limited to studies on selected species; of particular note is the lack of physiological information which is particularly pertinent given projected climate change scenarios.
Variation in Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Wild Populations of Phlomis olivieri
Authors: Bajalan Iman , Rouzbahani Razieh , Pirbalouti Abdollah Ghasemi , Maggi Filippo
Published: February 2017

Various species of the genus Phlomis have been reported to produce metabolites demonstrating significant pharmacological efficiency. In this study, the essential oils from twelve populations of Phlomis olivieri collected from natural habitats were investigated for their chemical components. The hydrodistillated essential oil analyzed by GC‐FID and GC/MS. Analyses revealed 27 compounds, constituting 90.52 – 98.51% of the essential oils. Results indicated that the major components of the essential oils from various populations of P. olivieri were germacrene D (26.54 – 56.41%), bicyclogermacrene (6.38 – 30.55%), β‐caryophyllene (5.32 – 24.52%) and α‐pinene (1.29 – 15.53%). Principal component analyses (PCA) was used to identify any geographical variations in essential oil composition. Notably, three groups of Iranian P. olivieri populations were determined according to the major compounds. Results of the in vitro antibacterial activity indicated that P. olivieri essential oils showed good inhibitory activities against bacteria, especially Bacillus subtilis. The results of this study gave new insights for cultivation and industrial uses of P. olivieri in Iran.
Convex and Concave Square Arrays of Vertical SnO2 Nanowire Bundles toward Lithium‐Ion Storage Electrodes
Authors: Lee Sang Ho , Noh Yuseong , Kim Won Bae
Published: February 2017

We report on the convex and concave square arrays of tin dioxide nanowire bundles for use in rechargeable lithium‐ion storage electrodes. The well‐aligned and periodic patterns of the nanowire bundles were fabricated over current collectors by means of a photolithography process. The electrochemical properties, which were investigated by varying the pattern geometries of the nanowire electrodes, show that the convex and concave arrays lead to more improved charge/discharge dynamics in lithium‐ion storage than the nonpatterned one. The empty spaces formed between the array patterns can facilitate the access of the liquid electrolyte to the electrode structures as well as the strain relaxation of electrode materials during repeated lithiation/delithiation processes. Interestingly, the convex square patterns promote more efficient ion transfer than the concave ones. To this end, the full‐cell battery is successfully and explicitly demonstrated, which suggests that these tailored electrode platforms could stimulate scientific interest in the design and development of nanowire‐based electrode architectures.
Refractoriness to immunochemotherapy in follicular lymphoma: Predictive factors and outcome
Authors: Sorigue Marc , Mercadal Santiago , Alonso Sara , Fernández‐Álvarez Ruben , García Olga , Moreno Miriam , Pomares Helena , Alcoceba Miguel , González‐García Esther , Motlló Cristina , González‐Barca Eva , Martin Alejandro , Sureda Anna , Caballero Dolores , Ribera Josep‐María , Sancho Juan‐Manuel
Published: February 2017

Follicular lymphoma is characterized by a good response to immunochemotherapy (ICT). However, a small percentage of patients responds poorly to treatment and seems to have a worse outcome. This study attempted to identify the predictive factors and outcome of refractoriness to first‐line ICT. All patients diagnosed with stage II to IV follicular lymphoma between 2002 and 2014 and treated with first‐line ICT in 4 Spanish institutions were analyzed. Those with no response or progression or relapse within 6 months of first‐line response assessment were considered ICT refractory. Three hundred forty‐three patients were included (median age 58 years, 48% male), of whom 53 (15%) were ICT refractory. On multivariate analysis, high‐risk follicular lymphoma international prognostic index (FLIPI) score, B symptoms, and elevated β2‐microglobulin were correlated with refractoriness, and refractoriness, high‐risk FLIPI score, and β2‐microglobulin were correlated with overall survival (OS). Compared with ICT‐sensitive, ICT‐refractory patients had a higher incidence of histological transformation (5‐year cumulative incidence 25% [14%‐39%] vs. 6% [3%‐10%], P < .001), a higher rate of refractoriness to second‐line therapy (16/33 [48%] vs. 13/57 [23%], P = .01), and a lower OS (5‐year OS probability 38% [95% CI 23%‐53%] vs. 87% [82%‐92%%], P < .001). In conclusion, refractoriness to ICT was seen in 15% of patients and was predicted by high‐FLIPI scores, B symptoms, and elevated serum β2‐micrglobulin. Immunochemotherapy‐refractory patients had a worse prognosis than ICT‐sensitive patients, and current treatment options for this subgroup are not satisfactory.
Effect of stress on human biology: Epigenetics, adaptation, inheritance, and social significance
Authors: Denhardt David T.
Published: February 2017

I present a brief introduction to epigenetics, focused primarily on methylation of the genome and various regulatory RNAs, modifications of associated histones, and their importance in enabling us to adapt to real and changing environmental, developmental, and social circumstances. Following this is a more extensive overview of how it impacts our inheritance, our entire life (which changes as we age), and how we interact with others. Throughout, I emphasize the critical influence that stress, of many varieties exerts, via epigenetic means, on much of how we live and survive, mostly in the brain. I end with a short section on multigenerational transmission, drugs, and the importance of both social life and early life experiences in the development of adult diseases. There will be nothing about cancer. Although epigenetics is critical in that field, it is a whole different cobweb of complications (some involving stress).
Sleep Dysfunction and its Association to Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Updated Review
Authors: Orb Quinn , Orlandi Richard R. , Alt Jeremiah A.
Published: February 2017

Background

Poor sleep has significant effects on health contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. The direct and indirect costs of sleep dysfunction total well in to the billions of dollars annually in the United States. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects up to 16% of the US population and has been linked to poor sleep quality with up to three quarters of patients with CRS reporting poor sleep quality. There is a growing body of literature evaluating the relationship between sleep and CRS. In this review, we organize and present the current knowledge on the associations between sleep and CRS as well as identify areas for further investigation.

Data sources

A structured literature search from 1946 to 2016 was conducted in the English language using OVID MEDLINE database, PubMed, and EMBASE.

Review methods

Abstracts were reviewed for relevance and appropriate studies were included in the narrative review.

Results

Studies were analyzed and discussed as they pertained to the following categories of CRS and sleep: (1) subjective measures of sleep dysfunction, (2) objective measures of sleep dysfunction, and (3) outcomes on sleep quality following treatment of CRS. Articles on the pathophysiology of sleep dysfunction in CRS were separately reviewed.

Conclusions

An evolving body of research demonstrates that quality of sleep is compromised in the majority of patients with CRS. Following treatment of CRS, there is significant improvement in subjective sleep quality, but additional research investigating objective measures following treatment is still needed. Additionally, further investigation is required to better elucidate the underlying pathophysiology of the relationship between sleep dysfunction and CRS.

Level of Evidence

N/A.
Ultrafiltration Membranes Functionalized with Polydopamine with Enhanced Contaminant Removal by Adsorption
Authors: Capozzi Luigi C. , Mehmood Farrukh M. , Giagnorio Mattia , Tiraferri Alberto , Cerruti Marta , Sangermano Marco
Published: February 2017

The performance of polymeric ultrafiltration membranes functionalized with polydopamine to couple depth adsorption of contaminants with the typical surface rejection characteristics of the membrane is investigated. Two approaches are deployed to achieve this functionalization: in a two‐step method, the ultrafiltration membranes are initially fabricated by phase inversion, then followed by coating with polydopamine; in a more facile and advantageous one‐step method, the membranes are subjected to phase inversion in a water solution containing dopamine, so that polymer precipitation and polydopamine functionalization occur at the same time. Methylene blue is used as the representative target contaminant to study the enhancement of membrane adsorption behavior, and its removal is investigated both in batch and under filtration conditions. The sorption capacity increases with increasing polydopamine coating time and is higher for the membranes fabricated via the one‐step protocol. The amount of methylene blue adsorbed per unit of membrane mass is large (roughly 5–10 mg g−1) and the kinetics of adsorption is fast. These characteristics allow these materials to get operated effectively and for long times in membrane filtration processes before stopping the system for regeneration. The saturated membranes are completely regenerated and reused without loss of performance by cycling in acidic and alkaline solutions.

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Nonmigrating Equivalent Substitutes for PVC/DOP Formulations as Shown by a TG Study of PVC with Covalently Bound PEO–PPO Oligomers
Authors: Navarro Rodrigo , Gacal Tülin , Ocakoglu Melike , García Carolina , Elvira Carlos , Gallardo Alberto , Reinecke Helmut
Published: February 2017

Monoamino functionalized ethylenoxide (EO)/propylenoxide oligomers (Jeffamine) are linked chemically to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) using trichlorotriazine chemistry in order to prepare nonmigrating internally plasticized materials. The dependence of the plasticizer efficiency on both the number of anchoring points to the chains and the PVC/plasticizer compatibility is investigated using oligomers of different molecular weight and hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance. Hydrophilic oligomers (containing predominantly EO) of molecular weights between 2000 and 5000 g mol−1 exhibit excellent plasticizer efficiency, nearly identical to di‐2‐ethylhexylphthalate (DOP) in conventional PVC/DOP mixtures and may therefore be used as nonmigrating equivalents for DOP.

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A penalty‐FEM for navier‐stokes type variational inequality with nonlinear damping term
Authors: Qiu Hailong , Zhang Yongchao , Mei Liquan , Xue Changfeng
Published: February 2017

In this article, we consider a penalty finite element (FE) method for incompressible Navier‐Stokes type variational inequality with nonlinear damping term. First, we establish penalty variational formulation and prove the well‐posedness and convergence of this problem. Then we show the penalty FE scheme and derive some error estimates. Finally, we give some numerical results to verify the theoretical rate of convergence. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 918–940, 2017
Interface characterization of atomic layer deposited Al2O3 on m‐plane GaN
Authors: Jia Ye , Wallace Joshua S. , Echeverria Elena , Gardella Joseph A. , Singisetti Uttam
Published: February 2017

The interfaces between dielectrics and semiconductors play a dominant role in the performance of both electronic and optoelectronic devices. In this article, we report the band offset characterization of atomic layer deposited Al2O3 on non‐polar m‐plane GaN grown by hybrid vapor phase epitaxy using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface band bending of GaN was investigated by employing the angle resolved XPS (ARXPS). The Fermi level pinning is found to be at ∼2.4 eV above valence band maximum near the surface. The valence band offset and conduction band offset at the Al2O3 and m‐plane GaN interface were determined to be 1.0 and 2.2 eV respectively. Electrical measurement was done by using metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitor. Capacitance–voltage hysteresis loop indicated low density of oxide traps. The frequency dependent C–V curves also showed a small dispersion.
Graph‐based optimization of epitope coverage for vaccine antigen design
Authors: Theiler James , Korber Bette
Published: January 2017

Epigraph is a recently developed algorithm that enables the computationally efficient design of single or multi‐antigen vaccines to maximize the potential epitope coverage for a diverse pathogen population. Potential epitopes are defined as short contiguous stretches of proteins, comparable in length to T‐cell epitopes. This optimal coverage problem can be formulated in terms of a directed graph, with candidate antigens represented as paths that traverse this graph. Epigraph protein sequences can also be used as the basis for designing peptides for experimental evaluation of immune responses in natural infections to highly variable proteins. The epigraph tool suite also enables rapid characterization of populations of diverse sequences from an immunological perspective. Fundamental distance measures are based on immunologically relevant shared potential epitope frequencies, rather than simple Hamming or phylogenetic distances. Here, we provide a mathematical description of the epigraph algorithm, include a comparison of different heuristics that can be used when graphs are not acyclic, and we describe an additional tool we have added to the web‐based epigraph tool suite that provides frequency summaries of all distinct potential epitopes in a population. We also show examples of the graphical output and summary tables that can be generated using the epigraph tool suite and explain their content and applications. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Estimation of parametric failure time distributions based on interval‐censored data with irregular dependent follow‐up
Authors: Zhu Yayuan , Lawless Jerald F. , Cotton Cecilia A.
Published: January 2017

Event history studies based on disease clinic data often face several complications. Specifically, patients may visit the clinic irregularly, and the intermittent observation times could depend on disease‐related variables; this can cause a failure time outcome to be dependently interval‐censored. We propose a weighted estimating function approach so that dependently interval‐censored failure times can be analysed consistently. A so‐called inverse‐intensity‐of‐visit weight is employed to adjust for the informative inspection times. Left truncation of failure times can also be easily handled. Additionally, in observational studies, treatment assignments are typically non‐randomized and may depend on disease‐related variables. An inverse‐probability‐of‐treatment weight is applied to estimating functions to further adjust for measured confounders. Simulation studies are conducted to examine the finite sample performances of the proposed estimators. Finally, the Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Cohort Study is used for illustration. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the roles of dietary protein and calcium in fluoride‐induced changes in T‐lymphocyte subsets in rat
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Zhou Bianhua , Niu Ruiyan , Wang Jinming , Zhang Jianhai , Wang Jundong
Published: February 2017

The roles of dietary protein (Pr) and calcium (Ca) levels on the changes in T‐lymphocyte subsets induced by excessive fluoride (F) intake were assessed using rats that were malnourished for 120 days as a model. The CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes in the spleen tissue were determined by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assay. The percentages of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes were reduced in the spleen of rats exposed to excessive F, and malnutrition aggravated these changes in the T‐lymphocytes. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ in the spleen were downregulated significantly. We also reported herein the increased apoptosis ratio following caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 upregulation in the spleen of rats exposed to excessive amount of F. Light and transmisison electron microscopy revealed the irregularly arranged lymphocytes, few lymph nodules and the apoptotic characteristic of lymphocytes, which are caused by the increased expression of caspase. In addition, Pr and Ca supplementation reversed the morphologic and T‐lymphocytic changes in spleen under malnutrition. Taken together, our results revealed an endogenous caspase‐mediated mechanism of regulating the apoptosis of the T‐lymphocyte subsets, as well as the immune‐related cytokine secretion, which reduces the immune function in F‐induced rats. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1587–1595, 2017.
Representation of speech variability
Authors: Bent Tessa , Holt Rachael F.
Published: February 2017

Speech signals provide both linguistic information (e.g., words and sentences) as well as information about the speaker who produced the message (i.e., social‐indexical information). Listeners store highly detailed representations of these speech signals, which are simultaneously indexed with linguistic and social category membership. A variety of methodologies—forced‐choice categorization, rating, and free classification—have shed light on listeners’ cognitive‐perceptual representations of the social‐indexical information present in the speech signal. Specifically, listeners can accurately identify some talker characteristics, including native language status, approximate age, sex, and gender. Additionally, listeners have sensitivity to other speaker characteristics—such as sexual orientation, regional dialect, native language for non‐native speakers, race, and ethnicity—but listeners tend to be less accurate or more variable at categorizing or rating speakers based on these constructs. However, studies have not necessarily incorporated more recent conceptions of these constructs (e.g., separating listeners’ perceptions of race vs ethnicity) or speakers who do not fit squarely into specific categories (e.g., for sex perception, intersex individuals; for gender perception, genderqueer speakers; for race perception, multiracial speakers). Additional research on how the intersections of social‐indexical categories influence speech perception is also needed. As the field moves forward, scholars from a variety of disciplines should be incorporated into investigations of how listeners’ extract and represent facets of personal identity from speech. Further, the impact of these representations on our interactions with one another in contexts outside of the laboratory should continue to be explored. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1434. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1434

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Language Acquisition

Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain

Psychology > Language
Some Comments on Fulminic Acid (Knallsäure) and a Praise to Heinrich Wieland and his Work on Organic Derivatives of Nitrogen
Authors: Beck Wolfgang , Fischer Gerd , Swoboda Peter
Published: February 2017

The structure, vibrational spectrum, the polymerization and [3+2] cycoaddition reactions of fulminic acid are discussed. In the mass spectra of the solid deposit from gaseous fulminic acid (prepared from sodium fulminate and sulfuric acid) the mass of the adduct of HCNO with hydrogen cyanide was detected, which may be formed by Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition. As examples for Heinrich Wieland's experimental mastership the polymerization and his syntheses of fulminic acid and of explosive dinitrosomethanide [HC(NO)2]– are emphasized; the structure of the latter has recently been disclosed by X‐ray structure determination.
Fine‐Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in Breast Cancer: A Reappraisal Based on Retrospective Review of 698 Cases
Authors: Kazi Mufaddal , Suhani  , Parshad Rajinder , Seenu V. , Mathur Sandeep , Haresh K. P.
Published: February 2017

Background

Core needle biopsy is replacing fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as the modality of choice for breast cancer diagnosis. This study was carried out to determine the usefulness of FNAC in breast cancer patients in a tertiary care center in North India.

Methods

Case files of patients managed in the breast cancer clinic of a single surgical unit between 1993 and 2014 were reviewed. All patients who underwent FNAC at our institute or had their slides reviewed at our institute were included in the study. Patients operated on outside our center and those with FNAC reports which were not available for review were excluded. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed with SPSS version 21. True positives and false negatives for FNAC were noted from which sensitivities and positive predictive values (PPVs) were calculated.

Results

FNAC was performed in 698 of 1310 patients. Mean age was 48.3 years. There were 9 (1.3%) male breast cancer patients. 696 (99.7%) patients had a palpable lump with a mean tumor size of 5.3 cm. 54.2% of the patients were clinically node positive. While over 80% of patients were diagnosed on the basis of FNAC before 2000, less than 50% of the patients had an FNAC after 2010. FNAC diagnosed malignancy in 627 patients, while it was inconclusive in 69 and false negative in two patients. No false‐positive results were seen. These figures yield an absolute sensitivity of 89.8% and a complete sensitivity of 99.7% for FNAC with a 100% PPV.

Conclusions

FNAC is a reliable tool for diagnosing cancer in suspicious breast lesions with a good sensitivity and PPV in hands of an experienced cytopathologist. Surgical treatment may be safely undertaken based on FNAC particularly in early operable breast cancers suitable for breast conservation.
Metaanálisis de la relación entre la orientación al mercado y los resultados de la empresa
Authors: Castellanos Ordonez Germán , Solano Arboleda Daniel
Published: February 2017

El objetivo de este artículo es evaluar cuantitativamente con un metaanálisis el impacto de la crisis económica mundial del 2008 en la relación entre la orientación al mercado y los resultados de la empresa. Asimismo, se revisa el impacto de moderadores de medición y contexto dadas las nuevas condiciones económicas en la relación. El resultado del metaanálisis muestra una relación positiva entre la orientación al mercado y los resultados de la empresa en todos los estudios. Los estudios efectuados luego del 2008 muestran una mayor relación positiva, aunque no hay una diferencia significativa entre los estudios anteriores y posteriores al 2008. El grado de desarrollo del país es el único moderador que muestra resultados diferentes a metaanálisis anteriores. En los países menos desarrollados la relación entre la orientación al mercado y los resultados de la empresa es mayor.
A single session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex reduces cue-induced craving in patients with gambling disorder
Authors: Gay A. , Boutet C. , Sigaud T. , Kamgoue A. , Sevos J. , Brunelin J. , Massoubre C.
Published: February 2017

Background

Gambling disorder (GD) is common and disabling addictive disorder. In patients with substance use disorders, the application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers promise to alleviate craving. We hypothesized that applying real compared to sham rTMS over the left DLPFC would reduce gambling craving in patients with GD.

Methods

In a randomized sham-controlled crossover design, 22 treatment-seeking patients with GD received real or sham treatment with high frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC followed a week later by the other type of treatment. Before and after each rTMS session, participants rated their gambling craving (from 0 to 100) before and after viewing a gambling video used as a cue. We used the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale adapted for Pathological Gambling to assess gambling behavior before and 7 days after each rTMS session.

Results

As compared to sham (mean +0.74; standard deviation ± 3.03), real rTMS significantly decreased cue-induced craving (−2.12 ± 3.39;F(1,19)= 4.87;P= 0.04; partialη2= 0.05; 95% CI: 0.00–0.21). No significant effect of rTMS was observed on gambling behavior.

Conclusions

Patients with GD reported decreased cue-induced craving following a single session of high frequency rTMS applied over the left DLPFC. Further large randomized controlled studies are needed to determine the usefulness of rTMS in GD.