bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
If everyone wanted girls more boys might be born
Authors: Christian Helen , Trustrum Brian 
Published: June 2016

In the July 2011 Gazette Paseau [1] considers a population in which each birth is an independent event with probability g of being a girl and b of being a boy (b + g = 1). He supposes that, due to a preference for girls, all couples stop after producing k girls, where k is an integer greater or equal to 1. Each new birth will, even after some couples have stopped producing, still have the probability g of being a girl and b of being a boy. Paseau correctly states and shows that this will mean that the ratioExpected number of girl births : Expected number of boy births is g : b.So it is the same as if all couples stopped randomly. Paseau was showing that this result was a consequence of the ratio g : b always being the same for all families.However in humans the ratio g : b is not always the same. The ratio g : b can vary significantly with many variables between couples, which influence either the ratio at conception or the subsequent implantation and survival of male or female foetuses to birth. For example, mothers whose menstrual cycles have a short follicular phase (normally days 1-14 of the 28-day cycle) tend to produce boys [2], resulting in a smaller g : b ratio. Also the timing of insemination within the menstrual cycle is associated with the gender outcome such that insemination early or late in the fertile period means that the offspring is more likely to be male; if insemination occurs in the middle it is more likely to be female [3]. It is therefore likely that changes in parental hormone concentrations during the fertile period can affect the sexes of the children [4].
Vieta’s product for pi from the Archimedean algorithm
Authors: Osler Thomas J. , Waterpeace Sky 
Published: June 2016

In this paper we show how to derive Vieta’s famous product of nested radicals for π [1] from the Archimedean iterative algorithm for π, [2, 3]. Only simple algebraic manipulations are needed.The Archimedean iterative algorithm for calculating π uses a method involving the two equations:and In using this algorithm, we start with a circle of diameter 1. Imagine two regular polygons each with the same number of sides, circumscribed and inscribed to this circle. The larger one has perimeter a0, the smaller has perimeter b0. Since the perimeter of the circle is π we have b0 < π < a0. Now consider regular polygons with twice the number of sides that circumscribe and inscribe the circle and call their perimeters a1 and b1 respectively. These can be calculated from (1) and (2). Continuing in this way we generate the perimeters of inscribed and circumscribed regular polygons, and in each case the number of sides is twice the sides of the previous polygon. Clearly the sequence {an} approaches π from above and {bn} approaches π from below.
Marathi of a Single Type: The demise of the Modi script
Authors: SOHONI PUSHKAR 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWhile the debates about the use of a single script for rendering the Marathi language became relevant only after the advent of printing, the fast-changing social and political landscapes of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries lent their own weight to the discourse. The debates about the writing system became the venue for various competing social forces and political movements. The issues of region, caste, class, and religion—the core of today's identity politics—were all embroiled in this debate, as were both the British colonial and Indian nationalist governments. In just 150 years, Balbodh (a variant of Devanagari) emerged as the sole script for the Marathi language. At least three different arguments were used to dismiss the Modi script. The first was about printing types, and the legibility and economy of Devanagari. By the end of the nineteenth century, the social empowerment of the literati and administrative convenience were the reasons given for abolishing Modi. In the twentieth century, British resistance to nationalist efforts in western India, and then a fear of regionalism under the new nationalist independent republic, ensured that a single script able to be used for both Hindi and Sanskrit would be officially sanctioned for Marathi.
The role of travel in enhancing life satisfaction among Chinese older adults in Hong Kong
Authors: BAI XUE , HUNG KAM , LAI DANIEL W. L. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTLife satisfaction is an important indicator of wellbeing and successful ageing, while boosting life satisfaction in later life has long been a policy and service challenge. Based on a questionnaire survey with 415 Chinese older adults aged 60 years and over in Hong Kong, this study examined how older adults' travel motivations influenced their travel actions and how the travel affected their life satisfaction using structural equation modelling. A proposed ‘travel motivation–action–life satisfaction’ model showed an acceptable fit with the data. It was found that travel motivations stimulated older adults' travel actions, while their travels further contributed to greater life satisfaction. The findings of this study indicated the need for improved knowledge and understanding of older adults' travel preferences and requirements, and highlight the importance of enhancing awareness among professionals and service providers about the benefit of travelling in enhancing life satisfaction of older adults.
Push recovery of a quadruped robot on challenging terrains
Authors: Khorram Mahdi , Moosavian S. Ali A. 
Published: June 2016

SUMMARYLegged robots may become unstable when subjected to unexpected disturbances such as external pushes and environmental irregularities mostly while moving on natural terrains. To enhance the mobility performance, legged robots should be able to keep or restore their balanced configuration when a sudden disturbance is exerted. The aim of this article is to design a controller for a quadruped robot to restore its balanced configuration despite exerting external pushes. This is achieved based on developing a full-dynamics model of the robot moving over even and uneven terrains. The proposed controller is based on a PD module which calculates the required accelerations for restoring the robot equilibrium. However, these accelerations may make the robot unstable and also cause the slippage of stance feet. Therefore, an optimization algorithm is used to compute the maximum admissible accelerations. The constraints of the optimization problem are the conditions which guarantee the robot stability and the stance feet slippage avoidance. The optimization algorithm is transformed into a linear constrained least-squares problem to be solved in real-time. The main contributions of this article are the development of a push recovery algorithm for quadruped robots and also the introduction of an appropriate condition which guarantees the stability of the robot even on uneven terrains. This stability condition is developed based on a full-dynamics model of the robot. The proposed algorithm is applied on an 18-DOF quadruped robot when the robot is standing over both even and uneven terrains. The obtained results show that the robot can successfully restore its balanced configuration by precise adjustment of the position and orientation of its main body while a massive external disturbance is exerted.
Multilocus sequence typing and CTX-M characterization of ESBL-producingE. coli: a prospective single-centre study in Lower Saxony, Germany
Authors: GERHOLD G. , SCHULZE M. H. , GROSS U. , BOHNE W. 
Published: June 2016

SUMMARYThe increasing prevalence of extended-spectrumβ-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Gram-negative bacteria is a serious threat for current healthcare settings. In this study we investigated the molecular epidemiology of ESBL-producingE. coliat the University Medical Center Göttingen in Lower Saxony, Germany. AllE. coliisolates with an ESBL phenotype were collected during a 6-month period in 2014. Multilocus sequence typing and CTX-M characterization were performed on 160 isolates. Of the ESBL-producing isolates 95·6% were CTX-M positive. Compared to recent Germany-wide studies, we found CTX-M-1 to occur in higher frequency than CTX-M-15 (44·4%vs.34·4%). CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-27 were detected at 9·4% and 5·0%, respectively. The globally dominant sequence type (ST) 131, which is often associated with CTX-M-15, occurred at a relatively low rate of 24%. Major non-ST131 sequence types were ST101 (5%), ST58 (5%), ST10 (4·4%), ST38 (4·4%), ST410 (3·8%) and ST453 (3·1%). Several of these major sequence types were previously shown to be associated with livestock farming. Together, our study indicates thatE. colilineage distribution in individual healthcare settings can significantly differ from average numbers obtained in nationwide studies.
Neighbourhood variation in the price of soda relative to milk and its association with neighbourhood socio-economic status and race
Authors: Kern David M , Auchincloss Amy H , Ballester Lance S , Robinson Lucy F 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveSoda consumption is high in the USA, especially among minorities and individuals of lower socio-economic status (SES); this may be due to its affordable price in relation to healthier alternatives. The objective of the present study was to examine geospatial variation in price of milk and soda, and the price of milk relative to soda, by neighbourhood SES and proportion of Hispanic and black individuals.DesignRetailer soda and milk prices (n 2987; Information Resources, Inc. Academic Data Set 2004–2011) were linked to census block group sociodemographic characteristics (American Community Survey 2005–2009). Linear hierarchical regression models were used to adjust for confounders.SettingLarge chain supermarkets and superstores (n 1743) in forty-one states and 1694 block groups (USA).ResultsFor equivalent fluid ounces, price of soda on average was 62 % lower than milk ($US 0·23 v. $US 0·63 per serving) and there was high dispersion in milk price across geographic areas. After adjustment for confounding, neighbourhoods with a higher concentration of black and Hispanic individuals tended to have lower soda prices and higher milk prices (−$US 0·001 and +$US 0·007 in price per serving, respectively, for a one quintile increase in black/Hispanic population), while soda and milk both became less expensive as SES decreased (–$US 0·002 and −$US 0·015 in serving price per one sd decrease in SES index, respectively).ConclusionsNeighbourhoods with a higher concentration of blacks and Hispanics may be at greater risk of higher soda consumption due to more affordable prices, in absolute terms and relative to the price of milk.
Major dietary patterns in relation to demographic and socio-economic status and food insecurity in two Iranian ethnic groups living in Urmia, Iran
Authors: Rezazadeh Arezoo , Omidvar Nasrin , Eini-Zinab Hassan , Ghazi-Tabatabaie Mahmoud , Majdzadeh Reza , Ghavamzadeh Saeid , Nouri-Saeidlou Sakineh 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo identify major dietary patterns and their association with socio-economic status (SES) and food insecurity in two major ethnic groups living in Urmia, north-west Iran.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingAll four geographical zones of Urmia city.SubjectsParticipants (n 723; 427 women and 296 men), aged 20–64 years, from two ethnic groups (445 Azeri Turks and 278 Kurds).ResultsThree major dietary patterns were extracted: ‘Traditional High SES’ (THS), ‘Traditional Low SES’ (TLS) and ‘Transitional’. After adjusting for confounders, the THS pattern was positively associated with education level and negatively associated with moderate or severe food insecurity in Azeri Turks; whereas, among Kurds, it was more common in women and positively associated with age. The TLS pattern was more common among men and negatively associated with educational level and all levels of food insecurity in Azeris; while, among Kurds, it was more common among men, positively associated with being married and negatively associated with household income/capita. The ‘Transitional’ pattern was positively associated with being employed and negatively associated with age and all levels of food insecurity in Azeris; while, among Kurds, it was more common among men and negatively associated with age, being married and physical activity level.ConclusionsFindings suggest that household SES and food insecurity are associated with detrimental dietary patterns and that this effect may be stronger than cultural and ethnic background. These patterns differ by age and gender. Therefore, such characteristics should be considered in planning and formulating diet-related policies and programmes.
Monetary value of self-reported diets and associations with sociodemographic characteristics and dietary intake among Japanese adults: analysis of nationally representative surveys
Authors: Okubo Hitomi , Murakami Kentaro , Sasaki Satoshi 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationships of monetary value of diets with sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics and dietary intake among Japanese adults.DesignCross-sectional study based on two nationally representative surveys: the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions and the National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2013. Dietary intake was assessed by a 1 d semi-weighed household dietary record with information on individual proportion of intakes. Diet cost was estimated by linking dietary data with retail food prices. A wide variety of sociodemographic and lifestyle variables were obtained from the two surveys.SettingA random sample of nationally representative households in Japan.SubjectsJapanese adults aged 20 years or older (n4658).ResultsLower energy-adjusted diet cost (Japanese yen/4184 kJ) was significantly associated with being younger, having a lower education, less equivalent monthly household expenditure, large household size, less physical activity and living in rented houses. Lower diet cost was associated with a lower intake of pulses, vegetables, fruits, fish, meat and dairy products, and a higher intake of grain, eggs, and fats and oils. At the nutrient level, lower diet cost was associated with a lower intake of protein, alcohol, dietary fibre, cholesterol and all vitamins and minerals examined, and a higher intake of carbohydrate. Diet cost was inversely associated with dietary energy density.ConclusionThese data suggest that certain low socio-economic subgroups in Japan consume diets of lower monetary value, resulting in a lower quality of food and nutrient intake pattern except for lower sodium, cholesterol and alcohol consumption.
FRAMED CORRESPONDENCES AND THE MILNOR–WITT -THEORY
Authors: Neshitov Alexander 
Published: June 2016

Given a field$k$of characteristic zero and$n\geqslant 0$, we prove that$H_{0}(\mathbb{Z}F(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}_{k}^{\bullet },\mathbb{G}_{m}^{\wedge n}))=K_{n}^{MW}(k)$, where$\mathbb{Z}F_{\ast }(k)$is the category of linear framed correspondences of algebraic$k$-varieties, introduced by Garkusha and Panin [The triangulated category of linear framed motives$DM_{fr}^{eff}(k)$, in preparation] (see [Garkusha and Panin, Framed motives of algebraic varieties (after V. Voevodsky), Preprint, 2014,arXiv:1409.4372], § 7 as well), and$K_{\ast }^{MW}(k)$is the Milnor–Witt$K$-theory of the base field$k$.
AKT activation controls cell survival in response to HDAC6 inhibition
Authors: Kaliszczak M , Trousil S , Ali T , Aboagye E O 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHDAC6 is emerging as an important therapeutic target for cancer. We investigated mechanisms responsible for survival of tumor cells treated with a HDAC6 inhibitor. Expression of the 20 000 genes examined did not change following HDAC6 treatmentin vivo. We found that HDAC6 inhibition led to an increase of AKT activation (P-AKT)in vitro, and genetic knockdown of HDAC6 phenocopied drug-induced AKT activation. The activation of AKT was not observed in PTEN null cells; otherwise,PTEN/PIK3CAexpressionper sedid not predict HDAC6 inhibitor sensitivity. Interestingly, HDAC6 inhibitor treatment led to inactivating phosphorylation of PTEN (P-PTEN Ser380), which likely led to the increased P-AKT in cells that express PTEN. Synergy was observed with phosphatidylinositol 3’-kinases (PI3K) inhibitor treatmentin vitro,accompanied by increased caspase 3/7 activity. Furthermore, combination of HDAC6 inhibitor with a PI3K inhibitor caused substantial tumor growth inhibitionin vivocompared with either treatment alone, also detectable by Ki-67 immunostaining and18F-FLT positron emission tomography (PET). In aggregate AKT activation appears to be a key survival mechanism for HDAC6 inhibitor treatment. Our findings indicate that dual inhibition of HDAC6 and P-AKT may be necessary to substantially inhibit growth of solid tumors.
TSC but not PTEN loss in starving cones of retinitis pigmentosa mice leads to an autophagy defect and mTORC1 dissociation from the lysosome
Authors: Venkatesh A , Ma S , Punzo C 
Published: June 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms that contribute to secondary cone photoreceptor loss in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is critical to devise strategies to prolong vision in this neurodegenerative disease. We previously showed that constitutive activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), by loss of its negative regulator the tuberous sclerosis complex protein 1 (Tsc1; also known as Hamartin), was sufficient to promote robust survival of nutrient-stressed cones in two mouse models of RP by improving glucose uptake and utilization. However, while cone protection remained initially stable for several weeks, eventually cone loss resumed. Here we show that loss of Tsc1 in the cones of RP mice causes a defect in autophagy, leading to the accumulation of ubiquitinated aggregates. We demonstrate that this defect was not due to an inhibition of autophagy initiation, but due to an accumulation of autolysosomes, suggesting a defect in the end-stage of the process causing an amino-acid shortage in cones, thereby hampering long-term cone survival. Because cells with TSC loss fail to completely inhibit mTORC1 and properly activate autophagy in the absence of amino acids, we sporadically administered the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin, which was sufficient to correct the defects seen in cones, further enhancing the efficiency of cone survival mediated by Tsc1 loss. Concordantly, activation of mTORC1 by loss of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) did not affect autophagy and amino-acid metabolism, leading to a more sustained long-term protection of cones. As loss of Pten, which in cones results in less robust mTORC1 activation when compared with loss of Tsc1, still affords long-term cone survival, therapeutic interventions with mTORC1 activators or gene therapy with selected mTORC1 targets that improve glucose metabolism are potential strategies to delay vision loss in patients with RP.
Extracellular DNA traps released by acute promyelocytic leukemia cells through autophagy
Authors: Ma R , Li T , Cao M , Si Y , Wu X , Zhao L , Yao Z , Zhang Y , Fang S , Deng R , Novakovic V A , Bi Y , Kou J , Yu B , Yang S , Wang J , Zhou J , Shi J 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAcute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells exhibit disrupted regulation of cell death and differentiation, and therefore the fate of these leukemic cells is unclear. Here, we provide the first evidence that a small percentage of APL cells undergo a novel cell death pathway by releasing extracellular DNA traps (ETs) in untreated patients. Both APL and NB4 cells stimulated with APL serum had nuclear budding of vesicles filled with chromatin that leaked to the extracellular space when nuclear and cell membranes ruptured. Using immunofluorescence, we found that NB4 cells undergoing ETosis extruded lattice-like structures with a DNA–histone backbone. During all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced cell differentiation, a subset of NB4 cells underwent ETosis at days 1 and 3 of treatment. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly elevated at 3 days, and combined treatment with TNF-α and IL-6 stimulated NB4 cells to release ETs. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy by pharmacological inhibitors or by small interfering RNA against Atg7 attenuated LC3 autophagy formation and significantly decreased ET generation. Our results identify a previously unrecognized mechanism for death in promyelocytes and suggest that ATRA may accelerate ET release through increased cytokines and autophagosome formation. Targeting this cellular death pathway in addition to conventional chemotherapy may provide new therapeutic modalities for APL.
A HIF-1α-driven feed-forward loop augments HIF signalling in Hep3B cells by upregulation of ARNT
Authors: Mandl M , Lieberum M-K , Depping R 
Published: June 2016

AbstractOxygen-deprived (hypoxic) areas are commonly found within neoplasms caused by excessive cell proliferation. The transcription factor Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is part of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway, which mediates adaptive responses to ensure cellular survival under hypoxic conditions. HIF signalling leads to metabolic alterations, invasion/metastasis and the induction of angiogenesis in addition to radio-chemoresistance of tumour cells. Activation of the HIF pathway is based on the abundance of HIF-α subunits, which are regulated in an oxygen-dependent manner and form transcriptional active complexes with ARNT or ARNT2 (also referred as HIF-1β and HIF-2β, respectively). ARNT is considered to be unaffected by hypoxia but certain cell lines, including Hep3B cells, are capable to elevate this transcription factor in response to oxygen deprivation, which implies an advantage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of hypoxia-dependent ARNT upregulation and to determine implications on HIF signalling. Gene silencing and overexpression techniques were used to alter the expression pattern of HIF transcription factors under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. qRT-PCR and western blotting were performed to measure gene and protein expression, respectively. HIF activity was determined by reporter gene assays. The results revealed a HIF-1α-dependent mechanism leading to ARNT upregulation in hypoxia. Forced expression of ARNT increased reporter activity under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In conclusion, these findings indicate a novel feed-forward loop and suggest that ARNT might be a limiting factor. Augmented HIF signalling in terms of elevated target gene expression might be advantageous for tumour cells.
MDM2 facilitates adipocyte differentiation through CRTC-mediated activation of STAT3
Authors: Hallenborg P , Siersbæk M , Barrio-Hernandez I , Nielsen R , Kristiansen K , Mandrup S , Grøntved L , Blagoev B 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe ubiquitin ligase MDM2 is best known for balancing the activity of the tumor suppressor p53. We have previously shown that MDM2 is vital for adipocyte conversion through controlling Cebpd expression in a p53-independent manner. Here, we show that the proadipogenic effect of MDM2 relies on activation of the STAT family of transcription factors. Their activation was required for the cAMP-mediated induction of target genes. Interestingly, rather than influencing all cAMP-stimulated genes, inhibition of the kinases directly responsible for STAT activation, namely JAKs, or ablation of MDM2, each resulted in abolished induction of a subset of cAMP-stimulated genes, with Cebpd being among the most affected. Moreover, STATs were able to interact with the transcriptional cofactors CRTC2 and CRTC3, hitherto only reported to associate with the cAMP-responsive transcription factor CREB. Last but not least, the binding of CRTC2 to a transcriptional enhancer that interacts with the Cebpd promoter was dramatically decreased upon JAK inhibition. Our data reveal the existence of an unusual functional interplay between STATs and CREB at the onset of adipogenesis through shared CRTC cofactors.