bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic Product Relations for Generalized Regular Black Hole
Authors: Pradhan Parthapratim
Published: July 2016

We derive thermodynamic product relations for four-parametric regular black hole (BH) solutions of the Einstein equations coupled with a nonlinear electrodynamics source. The four parameters can be described by the mass (m), charge (q), dipole moment (α), and quadrupole moment (β), respectively. We study its complete thermodynamics. We compute different thermodynamic products, that is, area product, BH temperature product, specific heat product, and Komar energy product, respectively. Furthermore, we show some complicated function of horizon areas that is indeedmass-independentand could turn out to beuniversal.
Novel Intelligent and Sensorless Proportional Valve Control with Self-Learning Ability
Authors: Akdemir Bayram
Published: July 2016

Linear control is widely used for any fluid or air flows in many automobile, robotics, and hydraulics applications. According to signal level, valve can be controlled linearly. But, for many valves, hydraulics or air is not easy to control proportionally because of flows dynamics. As a conventional solution, electronic driver has up and down limits. After manually settling up and down limits, control unit has proportional blind behavior between two points. This study offers a novel valve control method merging pulse width and amplitude modulation in the same structure. Proposed method uses low voltage AC signal to understand the valve position and uses pulse width modulation for power transfer to coil. DC level leads to controlling the valve and AC signal gives feedback related to core moving. Any amplitude demodulator gives core position as voltage. Control unit makes reconstruction using start and end points to obtain linearization at zero control signal and maximum control signal matched to minimum demodulated amplitude level. Proposed method includes self-learning abilities to keep controlling in hard environmental conditions such as dust, temperature, and corrosion. Thus, self-learning helps to provide precision control for hard conditions.
Endobronchial Cartilage Rupture: A Rare Cause of Lobar Collapse
Authors: Dasa Osama , Siddiqui Nauman , Ruzieh Mohammed , Javaid Toseef
Published: July 2016

Endobronchial cartilage rupture is a rare clinical condition, which can present in patients with severe emphysema with sudden onset shortness of breath. We present a case of a 62-year-old male who presented to our emergency department with sudden onset shortness of breath. Chest X-ray showed lung hyperinflation and a right lung field vague small density. Chest Computed Tomography confirmed the presence of right middle lobe collapse. Bronchoscopy revealed partial right middle lobe atelectasis and an endobronchial cartilage rupture. Endobronchial cartilage rupture is a rare condition that can present as sudden onset shortness of breath due to lobar collapse in patients with emphysema and can be triggered by cough. Bronchoscopic findings include finding a collapsed lung lobe and a visible ruptured endobronchial cartilage. A high index of suspicion, chest imaging, and early bronchoscopy can aid in the diagnosis and help prevent complications.
The Effect of Traditional Chinese Formula Danchaiheji on the Differentiation of Regulatory Dendritic Cells
Authors: Li Yingxi , Chen Dan , Wang Xiaodong , Tong Jingzhi , Li Keqiu , Jing Yaqing , Li Guang
Published: July 2016

Recently, regulatory dendritic cells (DCregs), a newly described dendritic cell subset with potent immunomodulatory function, have attracted increased attention for their utility in treating immune response‐related diseases, such as graft‐versus‐host disease, hypersensitivity, and autoimmune diseases. Danchaiheji (DCHJ) is a traditional Chinese formula that has been used for many years in the clinic. However, whether DCHJ can program dendritic cells towards a regulatory phenotype and the underlying mechanism behind this process remain unknown. Herein, we investigate the effects of traditional Chinese DCHJ on DCregs differentiation and a mouse model of skin transplantation. The current study demonstrates that DCHJ can induce dendritic cells to differentiate into DCregs, which are represented by high CD11b and low CD86 and HLA‐DR expression as well as the secretion of IL‐10 and TGF‐β. In addition, DCHJ inhibited DC migration and T cell proliferation, which correlated with increased IDO expression. Furthermore, DCHJ significantly prolonged skin graft survival time in a mouse model of skin transplantation without any liver or kidney toxicity. The traditional Chinese formula DCHJ has the potential to be a potent immunosuppressive agent with high efficiency and nontoxicity.
FP-ABC: Fast and Parallel ABC Based Energy-Efficiency Live VM Allocation Policy in Data Centers
Authors: Jiang Jianhua , Feng Yunzhao , Parmar Milan , Li Keqin
Published: July 2016

Virtual machine (VM) technology is one of the energy-efficiency approaches to save energy with acceptable quality of service (QoS). In our previous studies, Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) based VM allocation policy can make a good tradeoff between performance and energy consumption. However, there are two problems in state-of-the-art ABC based approaches: (1) how to find global optimized solutions efficiently; (2) how to minimize the decision time of VM allocation. To solve these two problems, the idea of simulated annealing is adopted to get a better global optimum, and the idea of gradient descent is applied to accelerate the speed of finding solution space inΔt. Compared with state-of-the-art ABC based policies, the experimental results show that the proposed algorithm efficiently reduces energy consumption and SLA violation.
Disagreement between Skin Prick Tests and Specific IgE in Early Childhood
Authors: Chauveau Amandine , Dalphin Marie-Laure , Kaulek Vincent , Roduit Caroline , Pugin Aurore , von Mutius Erika , Vuitton Dominique Angèle , Dalphin Jean-Charles
Published: July 2016

Background: Accurate diagnosis of allergic sensitization is essential in clinical practice and allergy research, and the choice of assessment method may have an important impact. The PASTURE study (Protection against Allergy: Study of Rural Environment) examines the influence of exposure to a dairy farm environment on the occurrence of allergy in a cohort of rural European children from birth to 10 years. The aim of our study was to analyze agreement between skin prick tests (SPTs), to aeroallergens and food allergens, and specific IgE and to evaluate the association of SPT with atopic dermatitis in the 204 French children of the PASTURE study. Methods: SPT, atopic dermatitis assessment, and specific IgE measurements were performed at 1, 4.5, and 6 years. Results: A total of 137 children attended all three visits. The agreement between SPTs and specific IgE was poor except for perennial aeroallergens at 6 years and for an IgE cutoff greater than 0.7 IU/ml (κ = 0.69, 0.5202 - 0.8621). The prevalence of positive SPTs increased with age. Positive SPTs were transient at 1 year, whereas they were persistent between 4.5 and 6 years. Positive SPTs at 1 year were predictive of the occurrence of atopic dermatitis during follow-up. Conclusion: SPTs did not have good agreement with serum-specific IgE in early childhood. Both tests (SPT and specific IgE) should be used. Skin allergenic reactivity increased with age and was transient at 1 year but associated with the occurrence of atopic dermatitis.
Quantitative Classification of Cerebellar Foliation in Cartilaginous Fishes (Class: Chondrichthyes) Using Three-Dimensional Shape Analysis and Its Implications for Evolutionary Biology
Authors: Yopak Kara E. , Galinsky Vitaly L. , Berquist Rachel M. , Frank Lawrence R.
Published: July 2016

A true cerebellum appeared at the onset of the chondrichthyan (sharks, batoids, and chimaerids) radiation and is known to be essential for executing fast, accurate, and efficient movement. In addition to a high degree of variation in size, the corpus cerebellum in this group has a high degree of variation in convolution (or foliation) and symmetry, which ranges from a smooth cerebellar surface to deep, branched convexities and folds, although the functional significance of this trait is unclear. As variation in the degree of foliation similarly exists throughout vertebrate evolution, it becomes critical to understand this evolutionary process in a wide variety of species. However, current methods are either qualitative and lack numerical rigor or they are restricted to two dimensions. In this paper, a recently developed method for the characterization of shapes embedded within noisy, three-dimensional data called spherical wave decomposition (SWD) is applied to the problem of characterizing cerebellar foliation in cartilaginous fishes. The SWD method provides a quantitative characterization of shapes in terms of well-defined mathematical functions. An additional feature of the SWD method is the construction of a statistical criterion for the optimal fit, which represents the most parsimonious choice of parameters that fits to the data without overfitting to background noise. We propose that this optimal fit can replace a previously described qualitative visual foliation index (VFI) in cartilaginous fishes with a quantitative analog, i.e. the cerebellar foliation index (CFI). The capability of the SWD method is demonstrated in a series of volumetric images of brains from different chondrichthyan species that span the range of foliation gradings currently described for this group. The CFI is consistent with the qualitative grading provided by the VFI, delivers a robust measure of cerebellar foliation, and can provide a quantitative basis for brain shape characterization across taxa.
Victims Seeking Help from Speech-Language Pathologists: Bullying, Preparedness, and Perceptions
Authors: Blood Gordon W. , Blood Ingrid M.
Published: July 2016

Objective: Antibullying initiatives indicate that all school-based personnel should accept responsibility for changing the school climate and eliminating bullying. This study examined if victims seeking assistance for bullying contacted speech-language pathologists (SLPs), SLPs' preparation to address bullying and their current perceptions of responsibilities and interventions. Methods: A mailed survey consisting of a questionnaire and scale on bullying intervention strategies was completed by 418 school-based SLPs. Results: Sixty-one (14.6%) SLPs reported that victims on their caseloads told them directly about being bullied during the last month. The majority of SLPs (84.9%) reported that bullying was a problem in schools, and 65.1% reported that they had observed students being bullied in the past month. Less than half of the SLPs (46.7%) reported feeling prepared to deal with bullying episodes. Thirty-six SLPs (7.9%) reported that they did not address bullying issues because it was outside the scope of practice or job responsibilities. Conclusions: This is the first large study to report that victims seek help from SLPs directly for assistance with bullying incidents. SLPs stated that they received some training in addressing bullying issues but did not feel prepared. SLPs thought bullying was a problem but were undecided about the best strategies for assisting the students.
Transport and Catabolism of Carbohydrates by Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Derkaoui Meriem , Antunes Ana , Nait Abdallah Jamila , Poncet Sandrine , Mazé Alain , Ma Pham Que Mai , Mokhtari Abdelhamid , Deghmane Ala-Eddine , Joyet Philippe , Taha Muhamed-Kheir , Deutscher Josef
Published: July 2016

We identified the genes encoding the proteins for the transport of glucose and maltose in Neisseria meningitidis strain 2C4-3. A mutant deleted for NMV_1892(glcP) no longer grew on glucose and deletion of NMV_0424(malY) prevented the utilization of maltose. We also purified and characterized glucokinase and α-phosphoglucomutase, which catalyze early catabolic steps of the two carbohydrates. N. meningitidis catabolizes the two carbohydrates either via the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway or the pentose phosphate pathway, thereby forming glyceraldehyde-3-P and either pyruvate or fructose-6-P, respectively. We purified and characterized several key enzymes of the two pathways. The genes required for the transformation of glucose into gluconate-6-P and its further catabolism via the ED pathway are organized in two adjacent operons. N. meningitidis also contains genes encoding proteins which exhibit similarity to the gluconate transporter (NMV_2230) and gluconate kinase (NMV_2231) of Enterobacteriaceae and Firmicutes. However, gluconate might not be the real substrate of NMV_2230 because N. meningitidis was not able to grow on gluconate as the sole carbon source. Surprisingly, deletion of NMV_2230 stimulated growth in minimal medium in the presence and absence of glucose and drastically slowed the clearance of N. meningitidis cells from transgenic mice after intraperitoneal challenge.
Genetic Features of Chinese Patients with Gitelman Syndrome: Sixteen Novel SLC12A3 Mutations Identified in a New Cohort
Authors: Ma Jun , Ren Hong , Lin Li , Zhang Chunli , Wang Zhaohui , Xie Jingyuan , Shen Ping-yan , Zhang Wen , Wang Weiming , Chen Xiao-nong , Chen Nan
Published: July 2016

Background: Gitelman syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive renal tubulopathy caused by inactivating mutations in the SLC12A3 gene. Although hundreds of different mutations across the SLC12A3 gene have been reported worldwide, data from mainland China are limited. We investigated the clinical manifestations and genetic features of Chinese patients with GS. Methods: Fifty-four unrelated Chinese patients with clinically diagnosed GS were included. Clinical manifestations and biochemical parameters were collected and analyzed. All exons and flanking regions of the SLC12A3 and CLCNKB genes were screened by direct sequencing. Results: Weakness was the most commonly reported symptom in this cohort of patients with GS. In gender-based analyses, higher systolic blood pressure and urine protein excretion were observed in male patients. For genetic screening, 2 pathogenic SLC12A3 mutations were identified in 38 patients (70.4%), 1 mutation in 11 patients (20.4%) and no mutation in 5 patients (9.3%). In total, 42 distinct pathogenic mutations throughout SLC12A3 were identified; 16 were novel, including 9 missense, 1 deletion, 1 insertion, 3 splice site and 2 nonsense mutations. Eleven mutations were recurrently found in different patients. Among them, T60M and D486N were identified in 11 individuals. No CLCNKB mutations were found. Conclusion: Sixteen novel SLC12A3 pathogenic mutations were identified in a cohort of Chinese patients with GS. T60M and D486N were most frequent and appear to be important candidate alleles in Chinese patients with GS.
Baseline Characteristics of the Fellow Eye in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Post Hoc Analysis of the VIEW Studies
Authors: Wolf Sebastian , Bandello Francesco , Loewenstein Anat , Slakter Jason , Katz Todd , Sowade Olaf , Korobelnik Jean-Francois
Published: July 2016

Purpose: The aim was to describe baseline characteristics of the fellow eye of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods: A pooled, post hoc analysis of patients with nAMD enrolled in the VIEW studies was carried out. The VIEW studies compared intravitreal aflibercept (monthly or every 2 months after 3 monthly injections) with monthly ranibizumab. Baseline choroidal neovascularization (CNV) status of fellow eyes and baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and lens status of all eyes were evaluated. Additional analyses evaluated the presence of drusen and pigment in fellow eyes. Results: When comparing both eyes, baseline BCVA was worse in 23.8% of fellow eyes and in 75.2% of study eyes. Lens status of fellow eyes and study eyes was similar. Baseline visual acuity of the study eye and that of the fellow eye were not correlated. Most fellow eyes had signs of early AMD, with 34.6% (n = 843) of fellow eyes having evidence of scarring. Conclusions: In patients in the VIEW studies, most fellow eyes had evidence of AMD, highlighting the importance of examining both eyes, with close follow-up thereafter, in order to detect and treat CNV earlier as needed.
Serum Creatinine Trajectories for Community- versus Hospital-Acquired Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Warnock David G. , Powell T. Clark , Siew Edward D. , Donnelly John P. , Wang Henry E. , Mehta Ravindra L.
Published: July 2016

Background: Patterns of acute kidney injury (AKI) can be distinguished by the rate of changes in the serum creation concentrations during hospitalizations. We hypothesized that the timing and values of minimum and maximum serum creatinine (sCr) could be used to distinguish between transient hospital-associated AKI (THA-AKI) and hospital-acquired AKI (HA-AKI). Materials and Methods: We evaluated adults admitted to 2 regionally distinct academic medical centers. Peak sCr during the hospitalization was used to define AKI, using absolute changes and timing from the minimum sCr. sCr trajectories were derived based on the rate of change between the minimum and peak creatinine concentrations. Results: Peak creatinine followed the minimum creatinine for HA-AKI, while the peak creatinine preceded the minimum creatinine for THA-AKI. There were 82,403 patients included in the analyses, and 53,882 (65%) did not have AKI during the index hospitalization. There were 2,611 inpatient deaths; HA-AKI had a 4.8-fold increased risk relative to those without AKI (p < 0.01), and transient AKI had a 1.6-fold increased risk for inpatient mortality relative to inpatients without AKI (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Patients with hospital-associated AKI are at an increased risk for inpatient mortality. Creatinine trajectories can be used to describe the rate of development as well as recovery from inpatient AKI. The 24- and 48-hour interval slopes may be early indicators of developing AKI.
Somatostatin Receptor Expression in GH-Secreting Pituitary Adenomas Treated with Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogues in Combination with Pegvisomant
Authors: Franck Sanne E. , Gatto Federico , van der Lely Aart Jan , Janssen Joseph A.M.J.L. , Dallenga Alof H.G. , Nagtegaal A. Paul , Hofland Leo J. , Neggers Sebastian J.C.M.M.
Published: July 2016

Background: Growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas (somatotroph adenoma) predominantly express somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) subtypes 2 and 5. Higher SSTR2 expression on somatotroph adenomas results in a better response to somatostatin analogues (SSAs), which preferentially bind, but also downregulate, SSTR2. The effect of the combined treatment with SSAs and the GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant (PEGV) on SSTR expression in somatotroph adenomas is currently unknown. Aim of the Study: To assess SSTR2 and SSTR5 expression in three groups of somatotroph adenomas: drug-naive, treated with long-acting (LA) SSA monotherapy, or LA-SSA/PEGV combination therapy before surgery. Additionally, we evaluated the required PEGV dose to achieve insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) normalization in relation to the SSTR expression. Materials and Methods: At our Pituitary Center Rotterdam, we selected acromegalic patients who underwent transsphenoidal neurosurgery. All patients were eventually treated with LA-SSA/PEGV combination therapy during their medical history. SSTR2 and SSTR5 expression in somatotroph adenoma tissues was determined using immunohistochemistry. Results: Out of 39 somatotroph adenoma tissue samples, 23 were drug-naive, 9 received pretreatment with LA-SSA and 7 LA-SSA/PEGV combined treatment. SSTR2 expression was significantly higher in treatment-naive compared to combined treatment somatotroph adenomas (p = 0.048), while SSTR5 expression did not differ. Noteworthy, SSTR2 expression in naive somatotroph adenoma tissues was inversely correlated with the required PEGV dose to achieve IGF-I normalization during postsurgical medical treatment (ρ = -0.538, p = 0.024). Conclusion: In our specific cohort, the SSTR2 expression was lower in patients pretreated with LA-SSA/PEGV compared to the drug-naive acromegalic patients. Additionally, the SSTR2 expression in treatment-naive somatotroph adenoma tissues was inversely correlated with the required PEGV dose to achieve IGF-I normalization.
Culturas e identidades brasileiras
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros, Simioni Ana Paula Cavalcanti , Sato Eduardo ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros, Marchezin Lucas ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros, Brasil Henrique Gerken ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros, Cerchiaro Marina Mazze ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros, Matos Regiane ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros
Published: July 2016

Os textos aqui reunidos são o resultado das comunicações apresentadas, bem como dos debates ocorridos no fórum, revelando as possibilidades fecundas dos diálogos interdisciplinares travados no interior do programa de Pós-Graduação do Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros, que toma o Brasil, em toda em toda a sua complexidade, como tema de reflexão sobre a cultura e a identidade brasileira.
ADAR1-Mediated RNA Editing, A Novel Mechanism Controlling Phenotypic Modulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Fei Jia , Cui Xiao-Bing , Wang Jia-Ning , Dong Kun , Chen Shi-You
Published: July 2016

Rationale
:

Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic modulation is characterized by the downregulation of SMC contractile genes. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB, a well-known stimulator of SMC phenotypic modulation, downregulates SMC genes via posttranscriptional regulation. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain largely unknown.

Objective
:

To establish RNA editing as a novel mechanism controlling SMC phenotypic modulation.

Methods and Results
:

Precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNA) of SMC myosin heavy chain and smooth muscle α-actin were accumulated while their mature mRNAs were downregulated during SMC phenotypic modulation, suggesting an abnormal splicing of the pre-mRNAs. The abnormal splicing resulted from SMC marker pre-mRNA editing that was facilitated by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1), an enzyme converting adenosines to inosines (A→I editing) in RNA sequences. ADAR1 expression inversely correlated with SMC myosin heavy chain and smooth muscle α-actin levels; knockdown of ADAR1 restored SMC myosin heavy chain and smooth muscle α-actin expression in phenotypically modulated SMC, and editase domain mutation diminished the ADAR1-mediated abnormal splicing of SMC marker pre-mRNAs. Moreover, the abnormal splicing/editing of SMC myosin heavy chain and smooth muscle α-actin pre-mRNAs occurred during injury-induced vascular remodeling. Importantly, heterozygous knockout of ADAR1 dramatically inhibited injury-induced neointima formation and restored SMC marker expression, demonstrating a critical role of ADAR1 in SMC phenotypic modulation and vascular remodeling in vivo.

Conclusions
:

Our results unraveled a novel molecular mechanism, that is, pre-mRNA editing, governing SMC phenotypic modulation.
Pulse Shape 22: Audiovisual Performance and Data Transmutation
Authors: Cetilia Mark
Published: July 2016

Pulse Shape 22 is an improvisational audiovisual performance featuring shortwave radio transmissions as the sole source material for real-time audio processing alongside video of the sun projected through cast-glass lenses designed specifically for this piece. The structure of the piece is derived from metrics on energy accumulation over a period of 2.2 nanoseconds resulting from the targeting of 60 laser beams on a single tetrahedral hohlraum in weapons testing experiments as carried out by the Los Alamos Inertial Confinement Fusion unit, at the Omega Laser Facility at the University of Rochester. Pulse Shape 22 is an exploration of architectural space through the use of site- and time-specific information found in regions of the electromagnetic spectrum outside the reaches of the human sensory apparatus. It is an attempt to alter the audience’s perceptions of their surroundings and create a moment of rupture from hidden worlds found in our local environment.
Visual History with Choson Dynasty Annals
Authors: Park Seong Kuk , Lee Eun Ju , Park Jin Wan
Published: July 2016

For this paper, the authors selected three historical events taken from the Annals of the Choson Dynasty that represent dramatic and tragic stories about parents and their sons for data visualization. By connecting names with entities indicating conductions from history books, they found interesting patterns that tell stories with embedded relations. The visualized images in this paper were mainly code-generated, based on the data of the Annals, with some graphic embellishment added.
The Continually Expanding Limits of Hermeneutics: Heidegger on Poetic Expression, Nature, and the Holy
Authors: Keane Niall
Published: July 2016

This article sets itself the task of explicating and assessing Heidegger’s hermeneutically expansive analyses of the ‘holy,’ ‘poetic expression,’ and ‘nature’ in his 1934/35 and 1944 Hölderlin lectures. The piece looks specifically at how Heidegger rearticulates poetic expression and nature through the fundamental attunement of ‘holy mourning’, which he finds in Hölderlin’s Germanien. I demonstrate how these two lecture courses, published as ga 4 and ga 39, offer us important insights into the development of Heidegger’s reflections on the holy and poetic expression and in fact function as instructive bookends when it comes to understanding the role of the “last god” in Heidegger’s Contributions to Philosophy and the talk of ‘the first’ and ‘the other beginning’ found therein. The article examines such issues as the poet as mediator, Heidegger’s non-dialectical employment of mediation and the limits of mediation, nature and the holy, the fundamental attunement of ‘holy mourning,’ the dangerousness of language, and the relation between humans and gods.
A Sage Story as Dramatized Biblical Exegesis
Authors: Kadari Adiel
Published: July 2016

In the study of rabbinic legend there is a widely accepted generic distinction between those legends that expand on biblical stories (exegetical narratives) and those that feature the sages of the Mishnah and the Talmud (sage stories). This article questions the absolute nature of this generic distinction by examining the circumstances that shaped the development of a sage story that appears in the midrashic collection Leviticus Rabbah and its parallels. I seek to demonstrate that occasionally stories about the sages emerge from the exegesis of biblical verses. My article demonstrates how a verse from Psalms takes on the shape of a story, which serves to solve a linguistic problem in the verse. This example sheds new light on the relationship between exegetical narratives and sage stories, and suggests that we view them as part of the same broader creative intellectual context.
Evidence for SST-Forced Anomalous Winds Revealed from Simultaneous Radiosonde Launches from Three Ships across the Kuroshio Extension Front
Authors: Nishikawa Hatsumi , Tachibana Yoshihiro , Kawai Yoshimi , Yoshioka Mayumi K. , Nakamura Hisashi
Published: July 2016

Simultaneous launches of radiosondes were conducted from three research vessels aligned meridionally across a sea surface temperature (SST) front on the flank of the Kuroshio Extension. The soundings carried out every 2 h over 5 days in early July 2012 provided a unique opportunity in capturing unambiguous data on anomalous easterly winds derived from a pronounced meridional SST gradient. The data indicate that a meridional contrast in surface heat fluxes from the underlying ocean enhanced the air temperature anomaly across the SST front, which was observed from the surface up to 300-m altitude. Correspondingly, high and low pressure anomalies that reached 800-m altitude formed on the north and south sides of the SST front, respectively. These temperature and pressure anomalies were maintained even during the passage of synoptic-scale disturbances. Although the free-tropospheric winds are overall westerly, winds below the 1000-m level were easterly due to geostrophic anomalies driven by the northward pressure gradient near the surface. During periods of the northerlies at the surface, especially over the warmer side of the SST front, the wind direction changed in a clockwise direction from 1500 m to the surface, in the opposite sense to the Ekman spiral. The vertical wind shear is apparently in the thermal wind balance ascribed to the meridional contrast in air temperature derived from the SST anomaly.
The Use of the Deviation Angle Variance Technique on Geostationary Satellite Imagery to Estimate Tropical Cyclone Size Parameters
Authors: Dolling Klaus , Ritchie Elizabeth A. , Tyo J. Scott
Published: July 2016

This study extends past research based on the deviation angle variance (DAV) technique that utilizes digital brightness temperatures from longwave infrared satellite images to objectively measure the symmetry of a tropical cyclone (TC). In previous work, the single-pixel DAV values were used as an objective estimator of storm intensity while maps of the DAV values indicated areas where tropical cyclogenesis was occurring. In this study the spatial information in the DAV maps is utilized along with information from the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere’s extended best-track archive and the Statistical Hurricane Intensity Prediction Scheme model to create multiple linear regression models of wind radii parameters for TCs in the North Atlantic basin. These models are used to estimate both symmetric, and by quadrant, 34-, 50-, and 64-kt wind radii (where 1 kt = 0.51 m s−1 1) on a half-hourly time scale. The symmetric model assumes azimuthal symmetry and has mean absolute errors of 38.5, 23.2, and 13.5 km (20.8, 12.5, and 7.3 n mi) for the 34-, 50-, and 64-kt wind radii, respectively, which are lower than results for most other techniques except for those based on AMSU. The asymmetric model independently estimates radii in each quadrant and produces mean absolute errors for the wind radii that are generally highest in the northwest quadrant and lowest in the southwest quadrant similar to other techniques. However, as a percentage of the average wind radii from aircraft reconnaissance, all quadrants have similar errors.
The Soteriological Use of “Call” in the New Testament: An Undervalued Category?
Authors: Hussey Ian
Published: July 2016

In a recent (2005) edited volume not one chapter or section was dedicated to the call of God as a soteriological category. Indeed there appeared to be only three sentences dedicated to the topic in the whole volume. The scant reference to the call of God in this volume and in others reflects its humble position in the strata of concepts related to salvation. By examining the soteriological use of kaleō by various NT writers this article draws the following conclusions: (1) kaleō language is an important concept in the soteriologies of Paul, Luke, 1&2 Peter, James, Jude and the writer to the Hebrews; (2) although there are contrasts, there are a number of points of comparison in the soteriological use of kaleō by the NT writers. Crucial to this common understanding is the association of kaleō language with the OT covenants, election, motivation for transformation, and community; (3) as a result of this prominent and consistent usage by Paul and Luke, the language of kaleō deserves a higher place in the Christian understanding of salvation. This has implications for Christian life and practice.
Mitochondria, cholesterol and cancer cell metabolism
Authors: Ribas Vicent , García‐Ruiz Carmen , Fernández‐Checa José C.
Published: July 2016

Given the role of mitochondria in oxygen consumption, metabolism and cell death regulation, alterations in mitochondrial function or dysregulation of cell death pathways contribute to the genesis and progression of cancer. Cancer cells exhibit an array of metabolic transformations induced by mutations leading to gain‐of‐function of oncogenes and loss‐of‐function of tumor suppressor genes that include increased glucose consumption, reduced mitochondrial respiration, increased reactive oxygen species generation and cell death resistance, all of which ensure cancer progression. Cholesterol metabolism is disturbed in cancer cells and supports uncontrolled cell growth. In particular, the accumulation of cholesterol in mitochondria emerges as a molecular component that orchestrates some of these metabolic alterations in cancer cells by impairing mitochondrial function. As a consequence, mitochondrial cholesterol loading in cancer cells may contribute, in part, to the Warburg effect stimulating aerobic glycolysis to meet the energetic demand of proliferating cells, while protecting cancer cells against mitochondrial apoptosis due to changes in mitochondrial membrane dynamics. Further understanding the complexity in the metabolic alterations of cancer cells, mediated largely through alterations in mitochondrial function, may pave the way to identify more efficient strategies for cancer treatment involving the use of small molecules targeting mitochondria, cholesterol homeostasis/trafficking and specific metabolic pathways.
An example of extreme near-surface variability in shallow seismic reflection data
Authors: Sloan Steven D. , Tyler Schwenk J. , Stevens Robert H.
Published: July 2016

Variability of material properties in the shallow subsurface presents challenges for near-surface geophysical methods and exploration-scale applications. As the depth of investigation decreases, denser sampling is required, especially of the near offsets, to accurately characterize the shallow subsurface. We have developed a field data example using high-resolution shallow seismic reflection data to demonstrate how quickly near-surface properties can change over short distances and the effects on field data and processed sections. The addition of a relatively thin, 20 cm thick, low-velocity layer can lead to masked reflections and an inability to map shallow reflectors. Short receiver intervals, on the order of 10 cm, were necessary to identify the cause of the diminished data quality and would have gone unknown using larger, more conventional station spacing. Combined analysis of first arrivals, surface waves, and reflections aided in determining the effects and extent of a low-velocity layer that inhibited the identification and constructive stacking of the reflection from a shallow water table using normal-moveout-based processing methods. Our results also highlight the benefits of using unprocessed gathers to pragmatically guide processing and interpretation of seismic data.
Bright spots, dim spots: Geologic controls of direct hydrocarbon indicator type, magnitude, and detectability, Niger Delta Basin
Authors: Wojcik Krzysztof M. , Espejo Irene S. , Kalejaiye Adebukonla M. , Umahi Otuka K.
Published: July 2016

Bright-spot amplitude anomalies have been an attractive exploration target in the Niger Delta since the early 1970s, and the bright-spot play can now be considered mature. There is a need to extend the bright-spot exploration success to include other types of direct hydrocarbon indicators such as dim spots or polarity reversals. Several true dim spots have been identified in the basin, calibrated with well data and characterized in detail to enable a systematic analysis of the geologic factors that produce the dim-spot response. Dim spots in deeper stratigraphic intervals reflect a high degree of compaction and quartz cementation and are characterized by minimal fluid signal and commonly very low detectability. Robust and detectable dim spots have been identified in shallow marine/deltaic systems in the Niger Delta in shallower stratigraphic intervals with a relatively strong fluid signal. The key factor promoting a robust dim-spot response is the presence of acoustically soft, clay-rich shales as the bounding lithology. The variability of the bounding shales in the Niger Delta is stratigraphically constrained and, to some degree, predictable. The change from hard mudstones to soft claystones, which can be recognized in seismic data, may result in a transition from bright to dim spots, possibly taking place within the same stratigraphic interval and over short distances. Many clastic basins globally follow a similar stratigraphic and diagenetic evolution; thus, the Niger Delta example may be a good analog for dim-spot plays elsewhere.
Phase IB Study of Selinexor, a First-in-Class Inhibitor of Nuclear Export, in Patients With Advanced Refractory Bone or Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Gounder Mrinal M. , Zer Alona , Tap William D. , Salah Samer , Dickson Mark A. , Gupta Abha A. , Keohan Mary Louise , Loong Herbert H. , D’Angelo Sandra P. , Baker Stephanie , Condy Mercedes , Nyquist-Schultz Kjirsten , Tanner Lanier , Erinjeri Joseph P. , Jasmine Francis H. , Friedlander Sharon , Carlson Robert , Unger Thaddeus J. , Saint-Martin Jean-Richard , Rashal Tami , Ellis Joel , Kauffman Michael , Shacham Sharon , Schwartz Gary K. , Abdul Razak Albiruni Ryan
Published: July 2016

Purpose

We evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PKs), pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy of selinexor, an oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export compound, in patients with advanced soft tissue or bone sarcoma with progressive disease.

Patients and Methods

Fifty-four patients were treated with oral selinexor twice per week (on days 1 and 3) at one of three doses (30 mg/m2, 50 mg/m2, or flat dose of 60 mg) either continuously or on a schedule of 3 weeks on, 1 week off. PK analysis was performed under fasting and fed states (low v high fat content) and using various formulations of selinexor (tablet, capsule, or suspension). Tumor biopsies before and during treatment were evaluated for pharmacodynamic changes.

Results

The most commonly reported drug-related adverse events (grade 1 or 2) were nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and fatigue, which were well managed with supportive care. Commonly reported grade 3 or 4 toxicities were fatigue, thrombocytopenia, anemia, lymphopenia, and leukopenia. Selinexor was significantly better tolerated when administered as a flat dose on an intermittent schedule. PK analysis of selinexor revealed a clinically insignificant increase (approximately 15% to 20%) in drug exposure when taken with food. Immunohistochemical analysis of paired tumor biopsies revealed increased nuclear accumulation of tumor suppressor proteins, decreased cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and stromal deposition. Of the 52 patients evaluable for response, none experienced an objective response by RECIST (version 1.1); however, 17 (33%) showed durable (≥ 4 months) stable disease, including seven (47%) of 15 evaluable patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

Conclusion

Selinexor was well tolerated at a 60-mg flat dose on a 3-weeks-on, 1-week-off schedule. There was no clinically meaningful impact of food on PKs. Preliminary evidence of anticancer activity in sarcoma was demonstrated.
Occult Hydrocephalus in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Albright A Leland , Ferson Susan , Carlos Signe
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE:

Many children with cerebral palsy have chronic ventriculomegaly as a consequence of perinatal intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, without symptoms of hydrocephalus. Children with cerebral palsy who are treated with intrathecal baclofen have a higher rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks along the baclofen catheter than do adults treated with intrathecal baclofen. We postulated that the cause of the increased frequency of CSF leaks was increased CSF pressure, that is, occult hydrocephalus.

METHODS:

Lumbar punctures were performed in 24 children with cerebral palsy and asymptomatic ventriculomegaly. Their median age was 4.7 years. Mild or moderate ventriculomegaly was present in 23 children and severe ventriculomegaly was present in 1 child.

RESULTS:

Opening pressures were abnormally high in 23 (96%) of 24 children and ranged from 22 to 41 cm H2O (mean, 27.3 cm H2O). Opening pressures did not correlate with the extent of ventriculomegaly.

CONCLUSION:

Children with cerebral palsy and ventriculomegaly seem to have a high incidence of increased CSF pressure, and thus, of occult hydrocephalus. The increased pressure is probably a significant cause of the increased frequency of CSF leaks for these children during intrathecal baclofen therapy. The long-term risks of untreated increased CSF pressures in this patient population are not known but are cause for concern. Treatment with CSF shunts offers the potential of improved development, which was reported anecdotally in some children who were treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunts after their pressure was found to be increased. Prospective multicenter studies of this problem are needed.
Preoperative and Intraoperative Diffusion Tensor Imaging-based Fiber Tracking in Glioma Surgery
Authors: Nimsky Christopher , Ganslandt Oliver , Hastreiter Peter , Wang Ruopeng , Benner Thomas , Sorensen A Gregory , Fahlbusch Rudolf
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the intraoperative displacement of major white matter tracts during glioma resection by comparing preoperative and intraoperative diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tracking.

METHODS:

In 37 patients undergoing glioma surgery, preoperative and intraoperative diffusion tensor imaging was performed with a 1.5-T magnetic resonance scanner applying an echo-planar imaging sequence with six diffusion directions. For three-dimensional tractography, we implemented a knowledge-based multiple-region-of-interest approach applying user-defined seed regions in the color-coded maps of fractional anisotropy. Tracking was initiated in both the retrograde and orthograde directions according to the direction of the principal eigenvector in each voxel of the region of interest. The tractography results were also assigned color, applying the convention used in color-coded fractional anisotropy maps.

RESULTS:

Preoperative and intraoperative fiber tracking was technically feasible in all patients. Fiber tract visualization gave a quick and intuitive overview of the displaced course of white matter tracts in three-dimensional space. Comparison of preoperative and intraoperative tractography depicted a marked shifting of major white matter tracts during glioma removal. Maximum white matter tract shifting ranged from −8 to +15 mm (+2.7 ± 6.0 mm; mean ± standard deviation); in 29.7%, an inward and in 62.2%, an outward shifting was detected.

CONCLUSION:

Comparing preoperative and intraoperative fiber tracking visualizes a marked shifting and deformation of major white matter tracts because of tumor removal. This shifting emphasizes the need for an intraoperative update of navigation systems during resection of deep-seated tumor portions near eloquent brain areas. Fiber tracking is a method not only for preoperative neurosurgical visualization but also for further intraoperative planning.
Vertebral Artery-Posteroinferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysms: Clinical and Lower Cranial Nerve Outcomes in 52 Patients
Authors: Al-khayat Hisham , Al-Khayat Haitham , Beshay Joseph , Manner David , White Jonathan , Samson Duke S.
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To identify factors predictive of postoperative lower cranial nerve palsy (LCNP) among patients undergoing surgery for vertebral artery (VA)- posteroinferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms. The natural history of this LCNP is defined, and its effect on postoperative patient course is analyzed. No similar study has been described in the literature.

METHODS:

Fifty-two patients with VA-PICA aneurysms, who were treated surgically between 1996 and 2002, were retrospectively studied to identify factors contributing to postoperative LCNP. The effect of LCNP on intensive care unit stay and development of nosocomial pneumonia also was analyzed. All analyses were performed with Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS:

Postoperative LCNP occurred in 25 patients (48.1%) with VA-PICA aneurysms. Of the factors investigated, the use of temporary or total occlusion was associated with increased incidence of postoperative LCNP (P < 0.001). The average length of stay in the intensive care unit was 13.8 days for patients with LCNP defined as moderate to severe, compared with 7.92 days for patients with LCNP defined as none or mild (P = 0.0014). Nosocomial pneumonia occurred only in patients with moderate to severe LCNP (P = 0.022). Postoperative LCNP resolved completely within 3 months in 12 patients (48%) and within 6 months in 19 patients (76%).

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study can help to identify the effect and natural history of LCNP after surgical clipping of VA-PICA aneurysms. This information may assist neurosurgeons in expediting treatment, decrease the cost and length of hospital stays, and result in improved outcomes.
Intra-arterial Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Preliminary Experience with Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors as Adjunctive Therapy
Authors: Deshmukh Vivek R. , Fiorella David J. , Albuquerque Felipe C. , Frey James , Flaster Murray , Wallace Robert C. , Spetzler Robert F. , McDougall Cameron G.
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the safety profile of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors administered as adjunctive therapy to patients with large-vessel occlusion and acute ischemic stroke refractory to pharmacological thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and mechanical disruption, balloon angioplasty, or both.

METHODS:

Twenty-one patients (mean age, 62 yr; range, 29–88 yr) met the following criteria: 1) large-vessel occlusion and acute ischemic stroke syndrome at presentation, 2) failure to recanalize after administration of rtPA (intra-arterial and/or intravenous) with or without mechanical thrombolysis, and 3) subsequent treatment with IIb/IIIa inhibitors (intra-arterial or intravenous).

RESULTS:

Eleven patients had ischemia in the dominant hemisphere, 8 in the vertebrobasilar system, and 2 in the nondominant hemisphere. Twelve patients received intravenous rtPA without significant improvement; 9 patients were not candidates for intravenous rtPA. All patients received intra-arterial rtPA. The IIb/IIIa inhibitors were administered intravenously in 3 patients, intra-arterially in 16, and both intravenously and intra-arterially in 2. Balloon angioplasty was performed in 18 patients. Complete or partial recanalization was achieved in 17 of the 21 patients. After thrombolysis, 15 improved clinically. Three patients (14%) sustained an asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy. No patient was clinically worse after intervention. At last follow-up (mean, 8.5 mo), 13 patients were functionally independent (modified Rankin score, 0–3) and 8 were disabled or dead.

CONCLUSION:

IIb/IIIa inhibitors are an alternative for achieving recanalization. The risk of hemorrhage may be low. As part of an escalating protocol that includes pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis, IIb/IIIa inhibitors may improve clinical outcomes.