bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Earthquake Protection of Liquid Storage Tanks by Sliding Isolation Bearings
Authors: Uckan Eren , Akbas Bulent , Paolacci Fabrizio , Shen Jashue , Abalı Emre 
Published: December 2015

Liquid storage tanks are critical components of industrial facilities since damage to such structures may cause spreading of hazardous material and environmental pollution. Tanks exhibit mainly two different seismic behaviors one of which is the long period movements due to sloshing of the liquid and the other is the impulsive vibrations generated as a result of the fluid structure interaction phenomena at higher frequencies. The overall base shear is the combination of these two loads. The seismic base isolation aims to control the impulsive load as it has appreciable amount of contribution to the base shear values. Among various types, the curved surface sliding bearings (FPS) are commonly used in liquid tanks since provide isolation periods which is independent of the tank weight (liquid height).
In this paper a parametric analysis has been performed to investigate the efficiency of FPS bearings. The numerical model is based on the Haroun and Housner’s simplified lumped parameter model in which the sloshing and fluid-tank interactions are modeled by convective and impulsive masses, respectively. The effectiveness of the isolation system was investigated under a series of ground motions, isolation periods and tank aspect (slenderness) ratios. Results indicated that depending on the characteristics of the ground motion, the response of the isolated tank can be reduced in appreciable amounts as compared to the conventionally constructed one. On the other hand, some detrimental effects were also observed in lower isolation periods (Tb=2s) particularly in medium slender tanks under near fault ground motions. This undesirable situation was avoided by using higher isolation periods (Tb =3s) without much affecting the bearing displacements.
Excitation Tests on Elbow Pipe Specimens to Investigate Failure Behavior Under Excessive Seismic Loads
Authors: Nakamura Izumi , Kasahara Naoto 
Published: December 2015

After the accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requires to consider the design extension conditions (DEC) for the safety management of nuclear power plants (NPPs). In considering DEC, it is necessary to clarify the possible failure modes of the structures and their mechanism under the extreme loadings. Because piping systems are one of the representative components of NPP, and there is a possibility to failure at seismic events, the authors conducted an experimental investigation on failure modes and their mechanisms of piping systems under excessive seismic loads.
The experiments are categorized into the fundamental plate tests and pipe component tests. In this paper, the results of the pipe component tests would be described. In the pipe component tests, the authors used piping specimens constituted with one steel elbow and a weight. Though the input acceleration level was much over the allowable level to prevent collapse failure by the seismic design, the failure mode obtained by the excitation tests were mainly the fatigue failure. The reduction of the dominant frequency and the increase of the hysteresis damping were clearly observed in the high-level input acceleration due to the plastic deformation, and they affected the specimens’ vibration response greatly.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Chronic Hepatitis B and C and Liver Cancer Reveals MicroRNA-Mediated Control of Cholesterol Synthesis Programs
Authors: Selitsky Sara R. , Dinh Timothy A. , Toth Cynthia L. , Kurtz C. Lisa , Honda Masao , Struck Benjamin R. , Kaneko Shuichi , Vickers Kasey C. , Lemon Stanley M. , Sethupathy Praveen 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are characterized by cholesterol imbalance and dyslipidemia; however, the key regulatory drivers of these phenotypes are incompletely understood. Using gene expression microarrays and high-throughput sequencing of small RNAs, we performed integrative analysis of microRNA (miRNA) and gene expression in nonmalignant and matched cancer tissue samples from human subjects with CHB or CHC and HCC. We also carried out follow-up functional studies of specific miRNAs in a cell-based system. These studies led to four major findings. First, pathways affecting cholesterol homeostasis were among the most significantly overrepresented among genes dysregulated in chronic viral hepatitis and especially in tumor tissue. Second, for each disease state, specific miRNA signatures that included miRNAs not previously associated with chronic viral hepatitis, such as miR-1307 in CHC, were identified. Notably, a few miRNAs, including miR-27 and miR-224, were components of the miRNA signatures of all four disease states: CHB, CHC, CHB-associated HCC, and CHC-associated HCC. Third, using a statistical simulation method (miRHub) applied to the gene expression data, we identified candidate master miRNA regulators of pathways controlling cholesterol homeostasis in chronic viral hepatitis and HCC, including miR-21, miR-27, and miR-33. Last, we validated in human hepatoma cells that both miR-21 and miR-27 significantly repress cholesterol synthesis and that miR-27 does so in part through regulation of the gene that codes for the rate-limiting enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (
HMGCR
).

IMPORTANCE
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are phylogenetically unrelated hepatotropic viruses that persistently infect hundreds of millions of people world-wide, often leading to chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and associated HCC often lead to cholesterol imbalance and dyslipidemia. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of lipid pathways in these disease states are incompletely understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical modulators of lipid homeostasis. Here we use a blend of genomic, molecular, and biochemical strategies to identify key miRNAs that drive the lipid phenotypes of chronic viral hepatitis and HCC. These findings provide a panoramic view of the miRNA landscape in chronic viral hepatitis, which could contribute to the development of novel and more-effective miRNA-based therapeutic strategies.
IS
26
-Mediated Precise Excision of the IS
26
-
aphA1a
Translocatable Unit
Authors: Harmer Christopher J. , Hall Ruth M. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

We recently showed that, in the absence of RecA-dependent homologous recombination, the Tnp26 transposase catalyzes cointegrate formation via a conservative reaction between two preexisting IS
26
, and this is strongly preferred over replicative transposition to a new site. Here, the reverse reaction was investigated by assaying for precise excision of the central region together with a single IS
26
from a compound transposon bounded by IS
26
. In a
recA
mutant strain, Tn
4352
, a kanamycin resistance transposon carrying the
aphA1a
gene, was stable. However, loss of kanamycin resistance due to precise excision of the translocatable unit (TU) from the closely related Tn
4352
B, leaving behind the second IS
26
, occurred at high frequency. Excision occurred when Tn
4352
B was in either a high- or low-copy-number plasmid. The excised circular segment, known as a TU, was detected by PCR. Excision required the IS
26
transposase Tnp26. However, the Tnp26 of only one IS
26
in Tn
4352
B was required, specifically the IS
26
downstream of the
aphA1a
gene, and the excised TU included the active IS
26
. The frequency of Tn
4352
B TU loss was influenced by the context of the transposon, but the critical determinant of high-frequency excision was the presence of three G residues in Tn
4352
B replacing a single G in Tn
4352.
These G residues are located immediately adjacent to the two G residues at the left end of the IS
26
that is upstream of the
aphA1a
gene. Transcription of
tnp26
was not affected by the additional G residues, which appear to enhance Tnp26 cleavage at this end.

IMPORTANCE
Resistance to antibiotics limits treatment options. In Gram-negative bacteria, IS
26
plays a major role in the acquisition and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. IS
257
(IS
431
) and IS
1216
, which belong to the same insertion sequence (IS) family, mobilize resistance genes in staphylococci and enterococci, respectively. Many different resistance genes are found in compound transposons bounded by IS
26
, and multiply and extensively antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria often include regions containing several antibiotic resistance genes and multiple copies of IS
26
. We recently showed that in addition to replicative transposition, IS
26
can use a conservative movement mechanism in which an incoming IS
26
targets a preexisting one, and this reaction can create these regions. This mechanism differs from that of all the ISs examined in detail thus far. Here, we have continued to extend understanding of the reactions carried out by IS
26
by examining whether the reverse precise excision reaction is also catalyzed by the IS
26
transposase.
Evaluation of actigraphy-measured sleep patterns among children with disabilities and associations with caregivers’ educational attainment: results from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Xiaoli , Velez Juan Carlos , Barbosa Clarita , Pepper Micah , Gelaye Bizu , Redline Susan , Williams Michelle A 
Published: December 2015

ObjectivesTo use wrist-actrigrphy to collect objective measures of sleep and to characterise actigraphy-measured sleep patterns among children with disabilities. We also assessed the extent to which, if at all, caregivers’ education is associated with children's sleep disturbances.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA rehabilitation centre in the Patagonia region, Chile.MethodsThis study was conducted among 125 children aged 6–12 years with disabilities (boys: 55.2%) and their primary caregivers in Chile. Children wore ActiSleep monitors for 7 days. A general linear model was fitted to generate least-square means and SEs of sleep efficiency (proportion of the sleep period spent asleep) across caregivers’ education levels adjusting for children's age, sex, disability type, caregiver–child relationship and caregivers’ age. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate ORs and 95% CIs of longer sleep latency (≥30 min) and longer wake after sleep onset (WASO) (≥90 min) (a measure of sleep fragmentation) in relation to caregivers’ educational attainment.ResultsMedian sleep latency was 27.3 min, WASO 88.1 min and sleep duration 8.0 h. Mean sleep efficiency was 80.0%. Caregivers’ education was positively and significantly associated with children's sleep efficiency (p trend<0.001). Adjusted mean sleep efficiency was 75.7% (SE=1.4) among children of caregivers <high school education, and 81.9% (SE=1.0) among children of caregivers >high school education. Compared to children whose caregivers had >high school, children of caregivers with <high school had higher odds of longer sleep latency (OR=3.27; 95% CI 1.12 to 9.61) and longer WASO (OR=5.95; 95% CI 1.91 to 18.53). Associations were consistent across disability types.ConclusionsChildren with disabilities experience difficulties initiating sleep (prolonged sleep latency) and maintaining sleep (long WASO, low sleep efficiency). Among children with disabilities, lower level of caregivers’ education is associated with more sleep disturbances.
Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Parro-Moreno Ana , Serrano-Gallardo Pilar , Díaz-Holgado Antonio , Aréjula-Torres Jose L , Abraira Victor , Santiago-Pérez Isolina M , Morales-Asencio Jose M 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of Primary Health Care (PHC) nursing workforce characteristics and of the clinical practice environment (CPE) perceived by nurses on the control of high-blood pressure (HBP).DesignCross-sectional analytical study.SettingAdministrative and clinical registries of hypertensive patients from PHC information systems and questionnaire from PHC nurses.Participants76 797 hypertensive patients in two health zones within the Community of Madrid, North-West Zone (NWZ) with a higher socioeconomic situation and South-West Zone (SWZ) with a lower socioeconomic situation, and 442 reference nurses. Segmented analyses by area were made due to their different socioeconomic characteristics. Primary outcome measure: Poor HBP control (adequate figures below the value 140/90 mm Hg) associated with the characteristics of the nursing workforce and self-perceived CPE.ResultsThe prevalence of poor HBP control, estimated by an empty multilevel model, was 33.5% (95% CI 31.5% to 35.6%). In the multilevel multivariate regression models, the perception of a more favourable CPE was associated with a reduction in poor control in NWZ men and SWZ women (OR=0.99 (95% CI 0.98 to 0.99)); the economic immigration conditions increased poor control in NWZ women (OR=1.53 (95% CI 1.24 to 1.89)) and in SWZ, both men (OR=1.89 (95% CI 1.43 to 2.51)) and women (OR=1.39 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.76)). In all four models, increasing the annual number of patient consultations was associated with a reduction in poor control (NWZ women: OR=0.98 (95% CI0.98 to 0.99); NWZ men: OR=0.98 (95% CI 0.97 to 0.99); SWZ women: OR=0.98 (95% CI 0.97 to 0.99); SWZ men: OR=0.99 (95% CI 0.97 to 0.99).ConclusionsA CPE, perceived by PHC nurses as more favourable, and more patient–nurse consultations, contribute to better HBP control. Economic immigration condition is a risk factor for poor HBP control. Health policies oriented towards promoting positive environments for nursing practice are needed.
Considerations and recommendations for conducting qualitative research interviews with palliative and end-of-life care patients in the home setting: a consensus paper
Authors: Sivell Stephanie , Prout Hayley , Hopewell-Kelly Noreen , Baillie Jessica , Byrne Anthony , Edwards Michelle , Harrop Emily , Noble Simon , Sampson Catherine , Nelson Annmarie 
Published: December 2015

ObjectivesTo present and discuss the views of researchers at an academic palliative care research centre on research encounters with terminally ill patients in the home setting and to generate a list of recommendations for qualitative researchers working in palliative and end-of-life care.MethodsEight researchers took part in a consensus meeting to discuss their experiences of undertaking qualitative interviews. The researchers were of varying backgrounds and all reported having experience in interviewing terminally ill patients, and all but one had experience of interviewing patients in their home environment.ResultsThe main areas discussed by researchers included: whether participation in end-of-life research unintentionally becomes a therapeutic experience or an ethical concern; power relationships between terminally ill patients and researchers; researcher reflexivity and reciprocity; researchers’ training needs. Qualitative methods can complement the home environment; however, it can raise ethical and practical challenges, which can be more acute in the case of research undertaken with palliative and patients at the end-of-life.ConclusionsThe ethical and practical challenges researchers face in this context has the potential to place both participant and researcher at risk for their physical and psychological well-being. We present a set of recommendations for researchers to consider prior to embarking on qualitative research in this context and advocate researchers in this field carefully consider the issues presented on a study-by-study basis.
How important are determinants of obesity measured at the individual level for explaining geographic variation in body mass index distributions? Observational evidence from Canada using Quantile Regression and Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition
Authors: Dutton Daniel J , McLaren Lindsay 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundObesity prevalence varies between geographic regions in Canada. The reasons for this variation are unclear but most likely implicate both individual-level and population-level factors. The objective of this study was to examine whether equalising correlates of body mass index (BMI) across these geographic regions could be reasonably expected to reduce differences in BMI distributions between regions.MethodsUsing data from three cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2001, 2003 and 2007 for males and females, we modelled between-region BMI cross-sectionally using quantile regression and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition of the quantile regression results.ResultsWe show that while individual-level variables (ie, age, income, education, physical activity level, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking status, drinking status, family doctor status, rural status, employment in the past 12 months and marital status) may be Caucasian important correlates of BMIwithingeographic regions, those variables are not capable of explaining variation in BMIbetweenregions.DiscussionEqualisation of common correlates of BMI between regions cannot be reasonably expected to reduce differences in the BMI distributions between regions.
Who has a repeat abortion? Identifying women at risk of repeated terminations of pregnancy: analysis of routinely collected health care data
Authors: McCall Stephen J , Flett Gillian , Okpo Emmanuel , Bhattacharya Sohinee 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundRepeat termination of pregnancy highlights the issues of unplanned pregnancies and effective post-termination contraceptive practices.ObjectiveTo examine the risk factors at the time of a first termination that are associated with subsequent repeat termination.DesignRegistry-based study.SettingGrampian region of Scotland, UK.MethodsA retrospective study using data from the Termination of Pregnancy Database, NHS Grampian for the period 1997–2013. Associations between repeat termination and women's sociodemographic characteristics and contraceptive use were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsThis study showed that 23.4% of women who had an initial termination (n=13 621) underwent a repeat termination. Women who had repeat terminations were more likely to be aged under 20 years at their initial termination with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 5.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.17–7.49], to belong to the most deprived social quintile [AOR 1.23 (95% CI 1.05–1.43)], and to be more likely to have had two or more previous livebirths [AOR 1.51 (95% CI 1.12–2.02)] or miscarriages [AOR 1.40 (95% CI 1.02–1.92)]. The likelihood of having a repeat termination was increased in women who had a contraceptive implant as post-termination contraception [AOR 1.78 (95% CI 1.50–2.11)] compared to women who left with none or unknown methods following the first termination. In those who had repeat terminations, women who had an implant or Depo-Provera®were at increased odds of repeat termination in the 2–5 years interval compared to the 0–2 years after their initial termination.ConclusionsTeenage pregnancy, social deprivation, two or more previous livebirths or miscarriages at the time of the initial termination were identified as risk factors for repeat terminations. Post-termination contraception with implants and Depo-Provera® were associated with repeat termination 2–5 years after the first termination.
SIGMAR1 Regulates Membrane Electrical Activity in Response to Extracellular Matrix Stimulation to Drive Cancer Cell Invasiveness
Authors: Crottès David , Rapetti-Mauss Raphael , Alcaraz-Perez Francisca , Tichet Mélanie , Gariano Giuseppina , Martial Sonia , Guizouarn Hélène , Pellissier Bernard , Loubat Agnès , Popa Alexandra , Paquet Agnès , Presta Marco , Tartare-Deckert Sophie , Cayuela Maria Luisa , Martin Patrick , Borgese Franck , Soriani Olivier 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
The sigma 1 receptor (Sig1R) is a stress-activated chaperone that regulates ion channels and is associated with pathologic conditions, such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and addiction. Aberrant expression levels of ion channels and Sig1R have been detected in tumors and cancer cells, such as myeloid leukemia and colorectal cancer, but the link between ion channel regulation and Sig1R overexpression during malignancy has not been established. In this study, we found that Sig1R dynamically controls the membrane expression of the human voltage-dependent K+ channel human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) in myeloid leukemia and colorectal cancer cell lines. Sig1R promoted the formation of hERG/β1-integrin signaling complexes upon extracellular matrix stimulation, triggering the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Consequently, the presence of Sig1R in cancer cells increased motility and VEGF secretion. In vivo, Sig1R expression enhanced the aggressiveness of tumor cells by potentiating invasion and angiogenesis, leading to poor survival. Collectively, our findings highlight a novel function for Sig1R in mediating cross-talk between cancer cells and their microenvironment, thus driving oncogenesis by shaping cellular electrical activity in response to extracellular signals. Given the involvement of ion channels in promoting several hallmarks of cancer, our study also offers a potential strategy to therapeutically target ion channel function through Sig1R inhibition. Cancer Res; 76(3); 607–18. ©2015 AACR.
A Small-Molecule Antagonist of the β-Catenin/TCF4 Interaction Blocks the Self-Renewal of Cancer Stem Cells and Suppresses Tumorigenesis
Authors: Fang Liang , Zhu Qionghua , Neuenschwander Martin , Specker Edgar , Wulf-Goldenberg Annika , Weis William I. , von Kries Jens P. , Birchmeier Walter 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a highly conserved pathway essential for embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. However, deregulation of this pathway can initiate and promote human malignancies, especially of the colon and head and neck. Therefore, Wnt/β-catenin signaling represents an attractive target for cancer therapy. We performed high-throughput screening using AlphaScreen and ELISA techniques to identify small molecules that disrupt the critical interaction between β-catenin and the transcription factor TCF4 required for signal transduction. We found that compound LF3, a 4-thioureido-benzenesulfonamide derivative, robustly inhibited this interaction. Biochemical assays revealed clues that the core structure of LF3 was essential for inhibition. LF3 inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signals in cells with exogenous reporters and in colon cancer cells with endogenously high Wnt activity. LF3 also suppressed features of cancer cells related to Wnt signaling, including high cell motility, cell-cycle progression, and the overexpression of Wnt target genes. However, LF3 did not cause cell death or interfere with cadherin-mediated cell–cell adhesion. Remarkably, the self-renewal capacity of cancer stem cells was blocked by LF3 in concentration-dependent manners, as examined by sphere formation of colon and head and neck cancer stem cells under nonadherent conditions. Finally, LF3 reduced tumor growth and induced differentiation in a mouse xenograft model of colon cancer. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that LF3 is a specific inhibitor of canonical Wnt signaling with anticancer activity that warrants further development for preclinical and clinical studies as a novel cancer therapy. Cancer Res; 76(4); 891–901. ©2015 AACR.