bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Network Analysis of the Volatility of High Dimensional Financial Series
Authors: Barigozzi Matteo , Hallin Marc 
Published: September 2016

SummaryInterconnectedness between stocks and firms plays a crucial role in the volatility contagion phenomena that characterize financial crises, and graphs are a natural tool in their analysis. We propose graphical methods for an analysis of volatility interconnections in the Standard & Poor's 100 data set during the period 2000–2013, which contains the 2007–2008 Great Financial Crisis. The challenges are twofold: first, volatilities are not directly observed and must be extracted from time series of stock returns; second, the observed series, with about 100 stocks, is high dimensional, and curse-of-dimensionality problems are to be faced. To overcome this double challenge, we propose a dynamic factor model methodology, decomposing the panel into a factor-driven and an idiosyncratic component modelled as a sparse vector auto-regressive model. The inversion of this auto-regression, along with suitable identification constraints, produces networks in which, for a given horizon h, the weight associated with edge (i, j) represents the h-step-ahead forecast error variance of variable i accounted for by variable j's innovations. Then, we show how those graphs yield an assessment of how systemic each firm is. They also demonstrate the prominent role of financial firms as sources of contagion during the 2007–2008 crisis.
A Bayesian Hidden Markov Mixture Model to Detect Overexpressed Chromosome Regions
Authors: Mayrink Vinícius Diniz , Gonçalves Flávio Bambirra 
Published: September 2016

SummaryWe propose a hidden Markov mixture model for the analysis of gene expression measurements mapped to chromosome locations. These expression values represent preprocessed light intensities observed in each probe of Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays. Here, the algorithm BLAT is used to align thousands of probe sequences to each chromosome. The main goal is to identify genome regions associated with high expression values which define clusters composed of consecutive observations. The model proposed assumes a mixture distribution in which one of the components (the one with the highest expected value) is supposed to accommodate the overexpressed clusters. The model takes advantage of the serial structure of the data and uses the distance information between neighbours to infer about the existence of a Markov dependence. This dependence is crucially important in the detection of overexpressed regions. We propose and discuss a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to fit the model. Finally, the methodology proposed is used to analyse five data sets representing three types of cancer (breast, ovarian and brain).
Comparison of two series of non‐invasive instruments used for the skin physiological properties measurements: the DermaLab® from Cortex Technology vs. the series of detectors from Courage & Khazaka
Authors: Hua W. , Fan L.‐M. , Dai R. , Luan M. , Xie H. , Li A.‐Q. , Li L. 
Published: September 2016

Background/purposeThe detectors from Courage & Khazaka and DermaLab® from Cortex Technology were two series of the most commonly used non‐invasive instruments for the skin physiological properties measurements. The aim of this study is to reveal the differences and correlations in measuring skin color, hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum and elasticity on the forearm or faces between two commercially available series of instruments.Methods30 subjects were enrolled to be measured by the two series of instruments. The measurements by each series were performed on the left/right side of the body randomly. The hydration, sebum, elasticity and TEWL measurements were performed on different sites.ResultsPositive correlations were found in the values of skin color, hydration, TEWL, sebum and visco‐elasticity detected by the two series. The values related to skin firmness measured by the two instruments were statistically negative correlated. Contrary to the results in measuring the skin color, the detectors from Courage & Khazaka presented lower values of variation in measuring skin hydration and TEWL than those from DermaLab®.ConclusionThe two series have significant correlations.The differences of the two series can be due either to differences in the design of the probe or left/right part of the body.
Megafan formation driven by explosive volcanism and active tectonic processes in a humid tropical environment
Authors: Galve Jorge P. , Alvarado Guillermo E. , Pérez‐Peña José Vicente , Mora Mauricio M. , Booth‐Rea Guillermo , Azañón José Miguel 
Published: September 2016

AbstractQuaternary volcanism in the Central Cordillera of Costa Rica has created an orographic barrier that concentrates rainfall on its northern side. This humid climate produces weathered bedrock prone to landsliding. Ash fall from explosive eruptions kills the vegetation cover and intensifies erosion processes. These eruptions, hydrothermal activity and associated earthquakes destabilize the slopes of river valleys, and even the volcanic edifices, producing landslides and large debris avalanches. All these processes mobilize an extra sediment input that is deposited in the piedmont lowlands forming the Santa Clara megafan. The megafans described in the literature mainly grow according to climatic fluctuations; however, sedimentation in the Santa Clara megafan is also controlled by endogenic processes with longer recurrence periods. Analysis of this megafan provides new insight into the origin and evolution of these landforms. In volcanic regions, active volcanism should be considered when investigating the formation of some megafans.
Multicenter evaluation of efficacy and safety of low‐dose versus high‐dose valganciclovir for prevention of cytomegalovirus disease in donor and recipient positive (D+/R+) renal transplant recipients
Authors: Heldenbrand Seth , Li Chenghui , Cross Rosemary P. , DePiero Kelly A. , Dick Travis B. , Ferguson Kara , Kim Miae , Newkirk Erin , Park Jeong M. , Sudaria‐Kerr Janice , Tichy Eric M. , Ueda Kimi R. , Weng Renee , Wisniewski Jesse , Gabardi Steven 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe cytomegalovirus (CMV) donor‐positive/recipient‐positive (D+/R+) population is the largest proportion of renal transplant recipients (RTR). Guidelines for prevention of CMV in the intermediate‐risk D+/R+ population include prophylaxis with valganciclovir (VGCV) 900 mg/day for 3 months. This study is the first head‐to‐head analysis, to our knowledge, comparing the efficacy and safety CMV prophylaxis of VGCV 450 vs 900 mg/day for 3 months in D+/R+ RTR.MethodsA multicenter, retrospective analysis evaluated 478 adult RTR between January 2008 and October 2011. Study participants received VGCV 450 mg/day (Group 1; n=398) or 900 mg/day (Group 2; n=89)×3 months for CMV prophylaxis. All VGCV was adjusted for renal function. All groups included in this study received study‐approved induction and maintenance immunosuppression regimens. The primary endpoint was incidence of CMV disease at 12 months.ResultsThe rates of graft loss, patient survival, T‐cell and/or antibody‐mediated rejection, hematological adverse events, opportunistic infections, and early VGCV discontinuation were evaluated. Patient demographics were comparable, but had significant differences in ethnicity and donor type between the groups.ConclusionThe occurrence of CMV disease at 12 months was similar between the groups (3.5% vs 3.4%; P=1.000). Log‐rank test found no statistically significant difference in the time to development of CMV between the 2 groups (P=.939).
Early intravenous immunoglobulin replacement in hypogammaglobulinemic heart transplant recipients: results of a clinical trial
Authors: Sarmiento Elizabeth , Diez Pablo , Arraya Mauricio , Jaramillo Maria , Calahorra Leticia , Fernandez‐Yañez Juan , Palomo Jesus , Sousa Iago , Hortal Javier , Barrio Jose , Alonso Roberto , Muñoz Patricia , Navarro Joaquin , Vicario Jose , Fernandez‐Cruz Eduardo , Carbone Javier 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundImmunoglobulin G (IgG) hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) is a risk factor for development of severe infections after heart transplantation. We performed a clinical trial to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy and safety of early administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for prevention of severe infection in heart recipients with post‐transplant IgG HGG.MethodsTwelve heart recipients with IgG HGG detected in a screening phase of the clinical trial (IgG <500 mg/dL) were recruited. Patients received IVIG (Flebogamma 5%), as follows: 2 doses of 200 mg/kg followed by up to 5 additional doses of 300 mg/kg to maintain IgG >750 mg/dL. IgG and specific antibody titers to distinct microorganisms were tested during follow‐up. The primary outcome measure was development of severe infection during the study period. Data on the primary outcome were matched with those of 13 recipients with post‐transplant HGG who were not included in the clinical trial and with those of 11 recipients who did not develop HGG during the same study period.ResultsMean time to detection of HGG was 15 days. IgG and specific antibody reconstitution (anti‐cytomegalovirus, anti‐Haemophilus influenza, and anti‐hepatitis B surface antigen antibodies) was observed in IVIG‐treated patients. Severe infection was detected in 3 of 12 (25%) IVIG‐treated recipients, in 10 of 13 (77%) HGG non‐IVIG patients, and in 2 of 11 (18%) non‐HGG patients (log‐rank, 15.31; P=.0005). No severe IVIG‐related side effects were recorded.ConclusionData from this study demonstrate that prophylactic IVIG replacement therapy safely modulates HGG and specific antimicrobial antibodies. Our data also preliminarily suggest that IVIG replacement therapy might decrease the incidence of severe infection in heart recipients with HGG.
Is pregnancy a teachable moment to promote handwashing with soap among primiparous women in rural Bangladesh? Follow‐up of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kamm Kelly B. , Vujcic Jelena , Nasreen Sharifa , Luby Stephen P. , Zaman K. , El Arifeen Shams , Ram Pavani K. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractObjectivePromoting handwashing with soap to mothers of young children can significantly reduce diarrhoea and pneumonia morbidity among children, but studies that measured long‐term behaviour after interventions rarely found improvements in handwashing habits. Expecting mothers may experience emotional and social changes that create a unique environment that may encourage adoption of improved handwashing habits. The objective of this study was to determine whether exposure to an intensive handwashing intervention in the perinatal period (perinatal arm) was associated with improved maternal handwashing behaviour vs. exposure to the same intervention after the end of the perinatal period (post‐neonatal arm).MethodsWe identified primiparous women previously enrolled a randomised controlled handwashing intervention trial (November 2010–December 2011) and observed handwashing behaviours at the home 1–14 months after completion of the RCT (January–May 2012). We observed maternal handwashing and estimated the prevalence ratio (PR) of maternal handwashing using log‐binomial regression.ResultsWe enrolled 107 mothers in the perinatal arm and 105 mothers in the post‐neonatal arm. Handwashing with soap at recommended times was low overall (4.6%) and comparable between arms (PR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.5, 1.5).ConclusionsThis handwashing intervention was unable to develop and establish improved handwashing practices in primiparous women in rural Bangladesh. While pregnancy may present an opportunity and motivation to do so, further studies should assess whether social, individual and environmental influences overcome this motivation and prevent handwashing with soap among new mothers.
Comparative proteomics of cucurbit phloem indicates both unique and shared sets of proteins
Authors: Lopez‐Cobollo Rosa M. , Filippis Ioannis , Bennett Mark H. , Turnbull Colin G.N. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryCucurbits are well‐studied models for phloem biology but unusually possess both fascicular phloem (FP) within vascular bundles and additional extrafascicular phloem (EFP). Although the functional differences between the two systems are not yet clear, sugar analysis and limited protein profiling have established that FP and EFP have divergent compositions. Here we report a detailed comparative proteomics study of FP and EFP in two cucurbits, pumpkin and cucumber. We re‐examined the sites of exudation by video microscopy, and confirmed that in both species, the spontaneous exudate following tissue cutting derives almost exclusively from EFP. Comparative gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry‐based proteomics of exudates, sieve element contents and microdissected stem tissues established that EFP and FP profiles are highly dissimilar, and that there are also species differences. Searches against cucurbit databases enabled identification of more than 300 FP proteins from each species. Few of the detected proteins (about 10%) were shared between the sieve element contents of FP and EFP, and enriched Gene Ontology categories also differed. To explore quantitative differences in the proteomes, we developed multiple reaction monitoring methods for cucumber proteins that are representative markers for FP or EFP and assessed exudate composition at different times after tissue cutting. Based on failure to detect FP markers in exudate samples, we conclude that FP is blocked very rapidly and therefore makes a minimal contribution to the exudates. Overall, the highly divergent contents of FP and EFP indicate that they are substantially independent vascular compartments.
Glycosylation of inositol phosphorylceramide sphingolipids is required for normal growth and reproduction in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tartaglio Virginia , Rennie Emilie A. , Cahoon Rebecca , Wang George , Baidoo Edward , Mortimer Jennifer C. , Cahoon Edgar B. , Scheller Henrik V. 
Published: September 2016

SummarySphingolipids are a major component of plant plasma membranes and endomembranes, and mediate a diverse range of biological processes. Study of the highly glycosylated glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramide (GIPC) sphingolipids has been slow as a result of challenges associated with the extractability of GIPCs, and their functions in the plant remain poorly characterized. We recently discovered an Arabidopsis GIPC glucuronosyltransferase, INOSITOL PHOSPHORYLCERAMIDE GLUCURONOSYLTRANSFERASE 1 (IPUT1), which is the first enzyme in the GIPC glycosylation pathway. Plants homozygous for the iput1 loss‐of‐function mutation were unobtainable, and so the developmental effects of reduced GIPC glucuronosylation could not be analyzed in planta. Using a pollen‐specific rescue construct, we have here isolated homozygous iput1 mutants. The iput1 mutants show severe dwarfism, compromised pollen tube guidance, and constitutive activation of salicyclic acid‐mediated defense pathways. The mutants also possess reduced GIPCs, increased ceramides, and an increased incorporation of short‐chain fatty acids and dihydroxylated bases into inositol phosphorylceramides and GIPCs. The assignment of a direct role for GIPC glycan head groups in the impaired processes in iput1 mutants is complicated by the vast compensatory changes in the sphingolipidome; however, our results reveal that the glycosylation steps of GIPC biosynthesis are important regulated components of sphingolipid metabolism. This study corroborates previously suggested roles for GIPC glycans in plant growth and defense, suggests important roles for them in reproduction and demonstrates that the entire sphingolipidome is sensitive to their status.
Magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers of exercise‐induced improvement of oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain of old high‐fat‐fed ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Chirico Erica N. , Di Cataldo Vanessa , Chauveau Fabien , Geloën Alain , Patsouris David , Thézé Benoît , Martin Cyril , Vidal Hubert , Rieusset Jennifer , Pialoux Vincent , Canet‐Soulas Emmanuelle 
Published: September 2016

Key points
Vascular brain lesions and atherosclerosis are two similar conditions that are characterized by increased inflammation and oxidative stress.
Non‐invasive imaging in a murine model of atherosclerosis showed vascular brain damage and peripheral inflammation.
In this study, exercise training reduced magnetic resonance imaging‐detected abnormalities, insulin resistance and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in old ApoE−/− mice.
Our results demonstrate the protective effect of exercise on neurovascular damage in the ageing brain of ApoE−/− mice.
AbstractVascular brain lesions, present in advanced atherosclerosis, share pathological hallmarks with peripheral vascular lesions, such as increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Physical activity reduces these peripheral risk factors, but its cerebrovascular effect is less documented, especially by non‐invasive imaging. Through a combination of in vivo and post‐mortem techniques, we aimed to characterize vascular brain damage in old ApoE−/− mice fed a high‐cholesterol (HC) diet with dietary controlled intake. We then sought to determine the beneficial effects of exercise training on oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain as a treatment option in an ageing atherosclerosis mouse model. Using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biological markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, we evaluated the occurrence of vascular abnormalities in the brain of HC‐diet fed ApoE−/− mice >70 weeks old, its association with local and systemic oxidative stress and inflammation, and whether both can be modulated by exercise. Exercise training significantly reduced both MRI‐detected abnormalities (present in 71% of untrained vs. 14% of trained mice) and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, 9.1 ± 1.4 vs. 5.2 ± 0.9 μmol mg−1; P < 0.01) and inflammation (interleukin‐1β, 226.8 ± 27.1 vs. 182.5 ± 21.5 pg mg−1; P < 0.05) in the brain, and the mortality rate. Exercise also decreased peripheral insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation, but significant associations were seen only within brain markers. Highly localized vascular brain damage is a frequent finding in this ageing atherosclerosis model, and exercise is able to reduce this outcome and improve lifespan. In vivo MRI evaluated both the neurovascular damage and the protective effect of exercise.
On the Hausdorff distance between the shifted Heaviside step function and the transmuted Stannard growth function
Authors: Iliev Anton Iliev , Kyurkchiev Nikolay , Markov Svetoslav 
Published: September 2016

In this paper we study the one-sided Hausdorff distance betweenВ the shifted Heaviside step--function and the transmuted Stannard growth function. Precise upper and lower bounds for the Hausdorff distance have been obtained. We present a software module (intellectual property) within the programming environment CAS MathematicaВ for the analysis of the growth curves. Numerical examples, illustrating our results are given, too.
Selection of Amine-Oxidizing Dairy Lactic Acid Bacteria and Identification of the Enzyme and Gene Involved in the Decrease of Biogenic Amines
Authors: Guarcello Rosa , De Angelis Maria , Settanni Luca , Formiglio Sabino , Gaglio Raimondo , Minervini Fabio , Moschetti Giancarlo , Gobbetti Marco 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

Accumulation of biogenic amines (BAs) in cheese and other foods is a matter of public health concern. The aim of this study was to identify the enzyme activities responsible for BA degradation in lactic acid bacteria which were previously isolated from traditional Sicilian and Apulian cheeses. The selected strains would control the concentration of BAs during cheese manufacture. First, 431 isolates not showing genes encoding the decarboxylases responsible for BA formation were selected using PCR-based methods. Ninety-four out of the 431 isolates degraded BAs (2-phenylethylamine, cadaverine, histamine, putrescine, spermine, spermidine, tyramine, or tryptamine) during cultivation on chemically defined medium. As shown by random amplification of polymorphic DNA-PCR and partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, 78 of the 94 strains were
Lactobacillus
species (
Lactobacillus casei
,
Lb. fermentum
,
Lb. parabuchneri
,
Lb. paracasei
,
Lb. paraplantarum
, and
Lb. rhamnosus
),
Leuconostoc
species (
Leuconostoc lactis
and
Ln. mesenteroides
),
Pediococcus pentosaceus
,
Lactococcus lactis
,
Streptococcus
species (
Streptococcus
gallolyticus
and
S. thermophilus
),
Enterococcus lactis
, and
Weissella paramesenteroides
. A multicopper oxidase-hydrolyzing BA was purified from the most active strain,
Lb. paracasei
subsp.
paracasei
CB9CT. The gene encoding the multicopper oxidase was sequenced and was also detected in other amine-degrading strains of
Lb. fermentum
,
Lb. paraplantarum
, and
P. pentosaceus
.
Lb. paracasei
subsp.
paracasei
CB9CT and another strain (CACIO6CT) of the same species that was able to degrade all the BAs were singly used as adjunct starters for decreasing the concentration of histamine and tyramine in industrial Caciocavallo cheese. The results of this study disclose a feasible strategy for increasing the safety of traditional cheeses while maintaining their typical sensorial traits.

IMPORTANCE
Because high concentrations of the potentially toxic biogenic amines may be found in traditional/typical cheeses, the safety of these food items should be improved. Lactic acid bacteria selected for the ability to degrade biogenic amines may be used during cheese making to control the concentrations of biogenic amines.