bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A necessary and sufficient condition for the subexponentiality of the product convolution
Authors: Xu Hui , Cheng Fengyang , Wang Yuebao , Cheng Dongya 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Let X and Y be two independent and nonnegative random variables with corresponding distributions F and G. Denote by H the distribution of the product XY, called the product convolution of F and G. Cline and Samorodnitsky (1994) proposed sufficient conditions for H to be subexponential, given the subexponentiality of F. Relying on a related result of Tang (2008) on the long-tail of the product convolution, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the subexponentiality of H, given that of F. We also study the reverse problem and obtain sufficient conditions for the subexponentiality of F, given that of H. Finally, we apply the obtained results to the asymptotic study of the ruin probability in a discrete-time insurance risk model with stochastic returns.
Forward sensitivity analysis for contracting stochastic systems
Authors: Flynn Thomas 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

In this paper we investigate gradient estimation for a class of contracting stochastic systems on a continuous state space. We find conditions on the one-step transitions, namely differentiability and contraction in a Wasserstein distance, that guarantee differentiability of stationary costs. Then we show how to estimate the derivatives, deriving an estimator that can be seen as a generalization of the forward sensitivity analysis method used in deterministic systems. We apply the results to examples, including a neural network model.
HISTORY ON TRIAL: HISTORICAL NARRATIVE PLURALISM WITHIN AND BEYOND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURTS
Authors: Sander Barrie 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWith the resurgence of the field of international criminal justice in recent decades, expectations have increasingly been placed on international criminal courts to construct consistent and authoritative historical narratives about the mass atrocity situations that fall within their purview. Taking this expectation as its focus, this article seeks to illuminate the historical narrative pluralism that can arise both within and beyond the international criminal courtroom.Withinthe courtroom, two types of narrative pluralism are identified: first,inter-courtnarrative pluralism, which arises when different courts examine the same mass atrocity situation from different perspectives; and second,intra-courtnarrative pluralism, which emerges when narratives constructed within an international criminal judgment are revisited in later cases adjudicated by the same court.Beyondthe courtroom, it is contended that even when international criminal courts manage to achieve inter-court and intra-court narrative consistency, in practice a range of social psychological and practical factors tend to generate a gap between the intended meaning of such narratives and their public or social meaning amongst different audiences. By illuminating the historical narrative pluralism that can arise both within and beyond the international criminal courtroom, this article calls for greater critical awareness of the constructed nature of the historical narratives rendered within international criminal judgments, as well as a sobering of the expectations that are typically placed on international criminal courts both with respect to the construction of narratives within the courtroom and their reception beyond it.
Mirrors for Bureaucrats: Expectations of Christian Officials in the Theodosian Empire
Authors: Whelan Robin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis article tackles a relatively under-studied aspect of the Christianisation of the Roman aristocracy. It considers the influence of Christian norms on a key stage in the elite male life course: service to the state. Drawing on the letters of Isidore of Pelusium, Augustine of Hippo and Theodoret of Cyrrhus to imperial officials, this article argues that a Christian rhetoric of office-holding had developed across the Mediterranean by the first half of the fifth century. It traces these authors’ varying expectations of how the religious identities of elite Christian men would shape their political agency. Their letters demonstrate the diffusion of Christian political ideas within the imperial state — and the terms on which Christian affiliations and traditional public careers were understood to be compatible — under the Theodosian dynasty.
Cognitive Reserve Profiles in Chronic Schizophrenia: Effects on Theory of Mind Performance and Improvement after Training
Authors: Buonocore Mariachiara , Bechi Margherita , Uberti Paola , Spangaro Marco , Cocchi Federica , Guglielmino Carmelo , Bianchi Laura , Mastromatteo Antonella Rita , Bosia Marta , Cavallaro Roberto 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectives:Cognitive reserve (CR), defined as individual differences in the ability to cope with brain damage, seem to be associated to the several psychopathological features in psychiatric patients, such as the functional outcome. This study aims to identify different profiles of CR by combining intelligence quotient (IQ) and premorbid functioning, two measures independently associated to CR in previous works, as well as to explore CR effect on both Theory of Mind (ToM) baseline performance and improvement after socio-cognitive trainings.Methods:Sixty patients with chronic schizophrenia underwent a socio-cognitive rehabilitation. All patients were assessed for psychopathology, neurocognition, and ToM at baseline and post-treatment. CR profiles were explored with K-means cluster analysis, while differences between clusters in both baseline assessments and post-treatment ToM improvement, were analyzed by means of analysis of variance and repeated measures analysis of covariance.Results:The analysis revealed three CR profiles, respectively, characterized by low early premorbid functioning and mild intellectual impairment, average/high early premorbid functioning trend with moderate intellectual impairment and good early premorbid functioning associated to IQ within normal limits. Analyses showed a significant effect of CR on both baseline ToM performance and treatment outcome: patients with higher CR reached significantly better ToM scores.Conclusions:These results underline the clinical relevance of defining CR profiles of patients to customize trainings: subjects with a lower CR may benefit from more intensive programs. A deeper knowledge about CR may considerably increase our understanding of individual differences and thus potentiate treatment outcome. (JINS, 2018,24, 563–571)
Performance indexes’ evaluation of a NSynRM with sinusoidal rotor shape
Authors: Muteba Mbika , Twala Bhekisipho , Nicolae Dan Valentin 
Published: March 2018

This study presents the evaluation of performance indexes of a novel synchronous reluctance motor (NSynRM) that has an axially sinusoidal rotor lamination shape. The stator of a 5.5 kW, 4‐pole, 50 Hz conventional three‐phase squirrel cage induction motor, with distributed and chorded by one slot, double‐layer winding, is used for both standard and NSynRMs. Owing to the nature of the sinusoidal rotor structure, the three‐dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) is utilised to study the electromagnetic parameters of interests. The NSynRM with sinusoidal rotor shape results is compared with the standard SynRM without cut‐off on the q‐axis. The FEA results are validated by means of practical measurements.
Li4Ti5O12/Ti4O7/carbon nanotubes composite anode material for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Xu Wen , Li Xing , Zhong Xiaoxi , Liu Wanying , Lin Yuanhua , Xia Ruochen 
Published: March 2018

The work describes a method for preparing Li4Ti5O12 (LTO)/Ti4O7/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite as anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The electrochemical tests make sure that LTO/Ti4O7/CNTs composite provides excellent electrochemical performance compared with spinel LTO. Notably, the LTO/Ti4O7/CNTs composite exhibits good cycle stability, retaining over 78.5% of its initial capacity after 100 cycles at 20°C, whereas that of spinel LTO is 32.6 mAh g−1 (35.4% retention). The significantly improved electrochemical performance of the LTO/Ti4O7/CNTs electrodes can be mainly ascribed to the improvement of electronic conductivity and faster electron transfer from the CNTs and Ti4O7. The outstanding electrochemical performance makes it a promising anode material for high‐rate and long life LIBs.
Anti-αvβ3 Antibodies in Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Kosugi Satoru , Honda Shigenori , Kashiwagi Hirokazu , Shiraga Masamichi , Tadokoro Seiji , Kiyoi Teruo , Kurata Yoshiyuki , Matsuzawa Yuji , Tomiyama Yoshiaki 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), anti-GPIIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3) autoantibodies have been detected in serum and/or platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) and considered as one of the major causes. We examined whether anti-αvβ3 antibodies might be present in ITP cases because of the similarity between αvβ3 and GPIIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3). Modified antigen capture ELISA (MACE) using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) showed the presence of serum anti-αvβ3 antibodies in 23 of 80 ITP patients (29%). Cross-adsorption studies between platelets and HUVEC demonstrated that most of anti-αvβ3 and anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies exclusively reacted with αvβ3 and GPIIb-IIIa, respectively. Platelet-associated anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies did not react with αvβ3, either. Interestingly, patients having anti-αvβ3 antibodies showed significantly lower platelet counts than negative patients. These results indicate the serum anti-αvβ3 antibodies are different ones from the classical anti-GPIIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3) antibodies and would provide a new insight into the pathophysiology of ITP as well as the autoantigenic epitopes on β3 integrins.
Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis: Early Mobilization Does not Increase the Frequency of Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Aschwanden Markus , Labs Karl-Heinz , Engel Hermann , Schwob Andreas , Jeanneret Christina , Mueller-Brand Jan , Jaeger Kurt 
Published: March 2018

SummaryOutpatient treatment for acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was shown to be safe for most patients. However, little is known whether patients treated on an outpatient basis were ambulating or predominantly resting, a factor which may be decisive for the outcome. In the present study 129 DVT patients were randomized to either strict immobilization for 4 days or to ambulate for ≥4 hours per day under supervision in order to show, whether the old concept of temporary immobilization is superior to early mobilization or not. The DVT diagnosis was based on duplex sonography; all patients were screened for PE at baseline and at day 4 by pulmonary ventilation-perfusion scanning, and were followed up for a total of 3 months. Clinically, changes in leg circumferences and leg pain were evaluated. The frequency of PE at baseline was 53.0% and 44.9% in the immobile and the mobile groups, respectively. During the 4 days observation period new PEs were found in 10.0% and in 14.4% of the immobilized and the ambulating patients (Δ 4.4%; 95% CI −0.5 to 13.8; χ2 = 0.596, p = 0.44). The occurrence of new PE was related to the presence of PE at baseline but not to other potential predictors. The magnitude of a decrease in leg circumferences and leg pain was comparable in both groups. No patient died during the 4 day observation period. The total 3 month mortality rate was 3.9% (5 patients; 2 from the immobile, 3 from the ambulating group). All 5 patient suffered from malignancies. The results of this study show in accordance with the trial hypothesis that, regarding the frequency of PE, immobilization is not superior to early mobilization, suggesting that early mobilization is safe.
Costs of Outpatient Anticoagulant Treatment in Patients with Cerebral and Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease
Authors: Oostenbrink J. B. , Tangelder M. J. D. ,   for the Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischemia Trial (SPIRIT) Study Group, Gorter J. W. ,   the Dutch BOA Study Group
Published: March 2018

Summary
Background and objective: Knowledge of the costs of oral anticoagulant (AC) treatment may be relevant for resource allocation. Also, the incremental costs may be compared with other treatments for health care policy decisions. In this report, we have assessed actual costs of anticoagulant therapy in anticoagulation clinics (AC-clinic) in three different settings in the Netherlands. Methods: Costs of anticoagulant drug supply and costs as a result of INR-adjustment procedures were estimated. We compared the total costs of treatment in patients treated after minor cerebral ischaemia in the Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischemia Trial (SPIRIT) and in patients treated because of peripheral arterial occlusive disease in the Dutch Bypass Oral anticoagulants or Aspirin Trial (BOA). Results: Costs of monitoring ranged between Euro 6.44 and Euro 9.87 per visit for monitoring at the AC-clinic and at home, respectively. The annual costs of administering anticoagulant drugs ranged between Euro 83 (phenprocoumon) and 107 (acenocoumarol). Variation in the overall actual annual costs of AC treatment was caused by the number of monitoring visits, the distribution of home and clinic visits and, to a lesser extent, the medication used. Annual costs of AC therapy for patients in SPIRIT was Euro 239 and for patients in BOA Euro 312. Overall costs of anticoagulant therapy were about 3 to 4-fold higher than standard treatment with aspirin. Conclusions: Although the actual costs of anticoagulant therapy may be substantially higher than that of other antithrombotic therapies, its cost-effectiveness depends highly on efficacy.Writing Committee: A. Algra MD, E. Buskens MD, J. W. Gorter MD, J. B. Oostenbrink MSc, M. J. D. Tangelder MD.Extended writing committee: All above authors plus: B. C. Eikelboom MD, B. A. van Hout PhD, J. van Gijn MD, L. J. Kappelle MD, P. J. Koudstaal MD, J. A. Lawson MD, J. de Vries-Goldschmeding, MD (on behalf of the Federatie van Nederlandse Trombosediensten), and the SPIRIT and Dutch BOA Study Groups.
Gene-environment and Gene-gene Interaction in the Determination of Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Healthy Middle-aged Men
Authors: Dekou Vanessa , Gudnason Vilmundur , Hawe Emma , Miller George , Stansbie David , Humphries Steve 
Published: March 2018

SummaryHealthy middle-aged men (n = 1470) from eight general practices across Britain were examined for plasma total homocysteine levels and genotyped for the A222V polymorphism in the methylene-tetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) gene, the 68 bp insertion polymorphism in exon 8 of the cystathionine b synthase (CBS) gene and the D919G polymorphism in the methionine synthase (MS) gene. The median value for plasma homocysteine was 11.90 μmol/l (25–75% Interquartile range 10.10-14.20) for the whole sample. Smokers had significantly higher homocysteine levels than non-smokers (12.90 vs 11.70 μmol/l and p <0.00005) and levels significantly differed according to folate (p-value <0.00005), with men in the lowest quartile of folate having the highest median homocysteine levels. Genotype at all three loci was associated with differences in plasma homocysteine level. Individuals homozygous for the MTHFR V222 allele had 1.6 μmol/l higher median homocysteine levels when compared to the other two genotypes (p <0.00005), while for the CBS and MS genes, individuals carrying one or more of the rare alleles had lower median homocysteine than individuals homozygous for the common allele (0.80 μmol/l, p <0.03, and 0.70 μmol/l, p <0.04 respectively). The raising effect associated with homozygosity for the V222 allele was greater in men in the lowest quartile of folate (interaction between folate and genotype p = 0.02), but none of the genotype effects was significantly modulated by B12 levels. While the raising effects of V222 and MS D919 homozygosity on homocysteine level were essentially additive, the homocysteine lowering effect associated with the CBS 68bp allele was seen most strongly in men homozygous for the V222 allele (MTHFR-CBS genotype interaction p = 0.03) and the D919 allele (MS-CBS interaction p = 0.09). Age, folate, B12 and smoking explained 13.48% of the variance while the three genotypes combined and with interaction terms explained only an additional 2.63%. This interaction between CBS genotype and MTHFR and MS genotype points to a key role of the CBS transulphuration pathway in the metabolism of homocysteine that may be particularly important as a compensatory mechanism in subjects with low dietary folate.
Genetic Screening of Candidate Genes for a Prothrombotic Interaction with Type I Protein C Deficiency in a Large Kindred
Authors: Scott Bruce , Callas Peter , Hasstedt Sandra , Leppert Mark , Valliere Julia , Varvil Tena , Long G. L. , Bovill Edwin 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe incomplete penetrance of thrombosis in familial protein C deficiency suggests disease occurs when this deficit is combined with additional abnormalities in the hemostatic system. The pattern of inherited thrombophilia in the Vermont II kindred, which is affected by a clinically dominant type I protein C deficiency, provides strong evidence for a second unidentified gene that segregates independently of protein C deficiency and increases susceptibility to thrombosis. To test the second gene hypothesis, thirty-four candidate genes for proteins involved in hemostasis or inflammation were tested as the unknown defect, using highly polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers in an informative subset (n = 31) of the kindred. The genes considered are; α-fibrinogen, β-fibrinogen, γ-fibrinogen, prothrombin, tissue factor, factor V, protein S, complement component 4 binding protein, factor XI, factor XII, factor XIIIa, factor Xlllb, histidine rich glycoprotein, high molecular weight kininogen, kallikrein, von Willebrands factor, platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, antithrombin III, α-1-antitrypsin, thrombomodulin, plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator, urokinase plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-2, protein C inhibitor, α-2-plasmin inhibitor, kallistatin, lipoprotein a, interleukin 6, interleukin 1, cystathionine-β-synthase, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Mutations in many of these genes have been previously established as independent risk factors for thrombosis. However, linkage analysis provided no evidence to implicate any of the candidate genes as the second inherited factor that promotes thrombophilia in this kindred.
Expression of Coagulation Factor IX in a Haematopoietic Cell Line
Authors: Rodriguez M. H. , Enjolras N. , Plantier J. L. , Réa M. , Leboeuf M. , Uzan G. , Bordet J. C. , Négrier C. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryWe have developed a gene therapy project for haemophilia B which aims to express factor IX (FIX) in haematopoietic lineage. Haematopoietic stem cells and subsequent megakaryocyte-derived cells represent the target cells of this approach. Our speculation is that platelets can deliver the coagulation factor at the site of injury, and subsequently correct the haemostasis defect. In order to direct FIX expression in cells from the megakaryocytic lineage, we designed a FIX cassette where the FIX cDNA was placed under the control of the tissue-specific glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb) promoter. In stably transfected HEL cells, FIX production was higher when driven by the GPIIb promoter compared to the CMV promoter. Using a cassette containing both the GPIIb promoter and a truncated FIX intron 1, FIX synthesis was dramatically increased in HEL cells. Northern blot analysis demonstrated an increase in FIX mRNA amounts, which paralleled with an increase of FIX antigen in the culture supernatants. Using a one-stage clotting assay and an activation by FXIa and FVIIa/TF, the HEL-derived recombinant FIX was shown to be a biologically active protein. This recombinant protein exhibited a 60-kDa molecular mass and was more heterogeneous than plasma immunopurified FIX (Mononine®). The molecular mass difference could be partly explained by a different glycosylation pattern. The GPIIb promoter appears therefore to be a very attractive sequence to specifically direct FIX production in the megakaryocytic compartment of hematopoietic cells. These data also demonstrate that hematopoietic cells may represent potential target cells in an approach to gene therapy of haemophilia B.
Does Inflammatory Proteolytic Activity Contribute to the Increased Factor IX Activation Peptide in Men at High Risk of Coronary Heart Disease? A Preliminary Study
Authors: Bauer K. A. , Howarth D. J. , Mitchell J. P. , Cooper J. A. , Miller G. J. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn the Second Northwick Park Heart Study, the activation peptides of factor IX (FIXpep) and factor X (FXpep) were measured in 1261 middle-aged men by double-antibody radioimmunoassay. During follow-up 147 men who had a first coronary heart disease (CHD) event were found to have had an increased FIXpep (p = 0.003) and a reduced FXpep (p = 0.05) at baseline compared with those remaining CHD-free (controls). Plasma FIXpep and FXpep were positively associated, but the rate of rise in FIXpep with increasing FXpep was higher in cases than controls (p for interaction = 0.01). In a sample of 87 controls, FIXpep was positively and independently related to the concentrations of a polymorphonuclear-specific fibrinogen degradation product (p = 0.036) and FXpep (p = 0.004), but in larger samples no statistically significant associations were found either with C-reactive protein or with fibrinogen concentration. The findings suggested that the increased FIXpep in men at high CHD-risk may have been partly due to the generation of factor IX inactivation peptides by inflammatory proteolysis and their recognition together with true FIXpep in the radioimmunoassay. Direct evidence for this hypothesis requires development of assays for human elastase-specific factor IX inactivation peptides.
Enhancing the Anticoagulant Potency of Soluble Tissue Factor Mutants by Increasing their Affinity to Factor VIIa
Authors: Yang Jihong , Lee Geoffrey , Riederer Markus , Kelley Robert 
Published: March 2018

SummaryComplexation of factor VIIa (FVIIa) and tissue factor (TF) initiates the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Inappropriate triggering of this pathway has been linked to thrombotic disorders. We have previously shown that a mutant form of soluble tissue factor (sTF, residues 1-219) having Lys165 and Lys166 replaced with alanine residues (hTFAA) gave an antithrombotic effect in a rabbit model of arterial thrombosis. Here we have improved the potency of hTFAA by incorporating amino acid substitutions that increase the affinity of sTF for FVIIa. Phage display has been used to select consensus sequences at two FVIIa-contact regions on sTF, segments 44–50 and 130–140, that individually showed modestly increased (∼2-fold) FVIIa-affinity. These consensus sequences have been combined with other previously selected mutations to generate a series of variants (hTFAA-2, hTFAA-3, and hTFAA-4) having 4 to 10-fold increased FVIIa-binding affinity. Surface plasmon resonance measurements indicate that the increased affinity results mostly from an increase in the association rate constant. All of these variants displayed increased inhibitor potency relative to hTFAA in an assay of Factor X activation catalyzed by the complex of FVIIa with membrane TF. In addition, these affinity improved hTFAA variants are more potent anticoagulants and have increased antithrombotic activity relative to hTFAA in an ex vivo flow chamber model of thrombosis. The potency trend parallels increases in FVIIa-binding affinity; however, the absolute fold increases in potencies are greater than increases in binding affinity, consistent with kinetic studies of the FVIIa-binding event. Through incorporation of 10 amino acid substitutions (hTFAA-3) we have increased the antithrombotic activity of hTFAA by 20-fold.