bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Stochastic Approximation Monte Carlo
Authors: Liang Faming 
Published: June 2014

During the past few decades, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) has been widely used in Bayesian statistical inference and scientific computing. Its successes have proven it to be a very powerful and typically unique computational tool for analyzing data of complex structures. However, conventional MCMC algorithms often suffer from the local trap problem which renders the simulation ineffective. This paper provides an overview of the theory, variants, and applications for stochastic approximation Monte Carlo (SAMC), an advanced MCMC algorithm that is essentially immune to the local trap problem. WIREs Comput Stat 2014, 6:240–254. doi: 10.1002/wics.1305This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
Epilepsy in inborn errors of metabolism: two cases with unusual presentation
Authors: Sharma Suvasini , Jain Puneet , Prabaharan Chellamuthu , Hemrom Jeedan , Kapoor Seema , Kumari Chandrawati , Kumar Atin , Pemde Harish , Aneja Satinder 
Published: June 2014

AbstractInherited metabolic disorders are a rare cause of epilepsy in children. We describe a case of Glutaric aciduria type 1 presenting with West syndrome and a case of intermittent Maple syrup urine disease presenting with epileptic encephalopathy. Early diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy may be life saving and may improve the long term neurodevelopmental outcome in children with inherited metabolic disorders.
Effects of traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder on Alzheimer's disease in veterans, using the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Authors: Weiner Michael W. , Veitch Dallas P. , Hayes Jacqueline , Neylan Thomas , Grafman Jordan , Aisen Paul S. , Petersen Ronald C. , Jack Clifford , Jagust William , Trojanowski John Q. , Shaw Leslie M. , Saykin Andrew J. , Green Robert C. , Harvey Danielle , Toga Arthur W. , Friedl Karl E. , Pacifico Anthony , Sheline Yvette , Yaffe Kristine , Mohlenoff Brian ,   Department of Defense Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: June 2014

AbstractBoth traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common problems resulting from military service, and both have been associated with increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia resulting from Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other causes. This study aims to use imaging techniques and biomarker analysis to determine whether traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or PTSD resulting from combat or other traumas increase the risk for AD and decrease cognitive reserve in Veteran subjects, after accounting for age. Using military and Department of Veterans Affairs records, 65 Vietnam War veterans with a history of moderate or severe TBI with or without PTSD, 65 with ongoing PTSD without TBI, and 65 control subjects are being enrolled in this study at 19 sites. The study aims to select subject groups that are comparable in age, gender, ethnicity, and education. Subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia are being excluded. However, a new study just beginning, and similar in size, will study subjects with TBI, subjects with PTSD, and control subjects with MCI. Baseline measurements of cognition, function, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers; magnetic resonance images (structural, diffusion tensor, and resting state blood‐level oxygen dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging); and amyloid positron emission tomographic (PET) images with florbetapir are being obtained. One‐year follow‐up measurements will be collected for most of the baseline procedures, with the exception of the lumbar puncture, the PET imaging, and apolipoprotein E genotyping. To date, 19 subjects with TBI only, 46 with PTSD only, and 15 with TBI and PTSD have been recruited and referred to 13 clinics to undergo the study protocol. It is expected that cohorts will be fully recruited by October 2014. This study is a first step toward the design and statistical powering of an AD prevention trial using at‐risk veterans as subjects, and provides the basis for a larger, more comprehensive study of dementia risk factors in veterans.
Nonlinear resonance in Anaconda
Authors: Mei Chiang C. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA nonlinear theory is developed for a recent wave energy converter design inspired by the mechanics of animal arteries. The device is a long and hollow rubber tube immersed beneath the sea surface. Excited by passing water waves outside, pressure waves are resonated inside the tube and advance toward the stern to spin a turbine for power production. To account for significant magnification, the classical linear theory of blood vessels is modified. Diffraction is neglected but nonlinearity and wall friction are included. The spatial evolution of harmonic amplitudes is shown to be governed by a dynamical system similar to that in nonlinear optics. The maximum available power flux is predicted as a function of the tube length and other structural parameters. It is hoped that the theory may assist further development of the novel device.
ON-FARM EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF THE PRINCIPLES AND COMPONENTS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE ON MAIZE YIELD AND WEED BIOMASS IN MALAWI
Authors: NGWIRA A. R. , AUNE JENS B. , THIERFELDER C. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYAn on-farm study was conducted from 2009 to 2012 with communities in the Manjawira, Mpingu and Zidyana Extension Planning Areas in the Ntcheu, Lilongwe and Nkhotakota districts of central Malawi. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the principles (no-tillage and mulching) and components (fertilization and weeding) of conservation agriculture (CA) on crop productivity and weeds, and the interactions between principles and components, and to suggest strategies for introducing CA to smallholder farmers. The treatments consisted of tillage, fertilizer application, residues management and weed control strategies. While combined analysis showed that mulching is as effective as tillage in controlling weeds, the interaction between site and treatment revealed that in the more humid environment of Zidyana, weed dry matter obtained under no-tillage and residues plus fertilizer (NT+F+R) was 0.6 mg ha−1lower than under CP+F. Results suggest that about 6.0 mg ha−1of mulch is required to have a similar effect as tillage in controlling weeds. Fertilizer had an overriding effect on maize yield, regardless of tillage and crop residue management. Mulching was beneficial over tillage in the drier environment of Manjawira, where maize yield obtained under NT+F+R was 1.2 mg ha−1greater than under CP+F. Our results show that the introduction of no tillage has benefits only if it is accompanied by fertilizer application, retention of crop residues as surface mulch, and improved weed control. Increasing availability and accessibility of inputs (fertilizers and herbicides) to farmers is critical for adoption of CA at scale in Malawi.
Iceland on the Rocks: The Mass Political Economy of Sovereign Debt Resettlement
Authors: Curtis K. Amber , Jupille Joseph , Leblang David 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe undertake an individual-level analysis of mass political behavior toward sovereign debt resettlement by leveraging the unique circumstances of a 2011 referendum on debt repayment in Iceland. This allows us to engage broader questions about mass international political economy. Against the recent thrust of a growing literature, we find evidence of material economic “pocketbook” effects—self-interest—on voting behavior, operating alongside symbolic/sociotropic and partisan/political logics. Contrary to expectations, these self-interest effects are not conditional on voter sophistication. We conclude that conventional sampling frames may be inappropriate for understanding contemporary democratic contestation over international economic policy.
Individual Investors and Broker Types
Authors: Fong Kingsley Y. L. , Gallagher David R. , Lee Adrian D. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe study the informativeness of trades via discount and full-service retail brokers. We find that trades via full-service retail brokers are statistically and economically more informative than are trades via discount retail brokers. This finding holds in every year over the 12-year sample period and in various subsamples. We also find that past returns, volatility, and news announcements positively relate to the net volume of discount retail brokers, but these variables are unrelated to the net volume of full-service retail brokers. Our results suggest that broker type selection bias is an important consideration in studying individual investors’ trades.
Multi-symplectic magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Webb G. M. , McKenzie J. F. , Zank G. P. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA multi-symplectic formulation of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is developed based on the Clebsch variable variational principle in which the Lagrangian consists of the kinetic minus the potential energy of the MHD fluid modified by constraints using Lagrange multipliers that ensure mass conservation, entropy advection with the flow, the Lin constraint, and Faraday's equation (i.e. the magnetic flux is Lie dragged with the flow). The analysis is also carried out using the magnetic vector potentialÃwhere α=Ã⋅dxis Lie dragged with the flow, andB=∇×Ã. The multi-symplectic conservation laws give rise to the Eulerian momentum and energy conservation laws. The symplecticity or structural conservation laws for the multi-symplectic system corresponds to the conservation of phase space. It corresponds to taking derivatives of the momentum and energy conservation laws and combining them to producen(n−1)/2 extra conservation laws, wherenis the number of independent variables. Noether's theorem for the multi-symplectic MHD system is derived, including the case of non-Cartesian space coordinates, where the metric plays a role in the equations.
Counterpossibles and the ‘terrible’ divine command deity
Authors: DAVIS RICHARD BRIAN , FRANKS W. PAUL 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn a series of articles in this journal, Wes Morriston has launched what can only be considered a full-scale assault on the divine command theory (DCT) of morality. According to Morriston, proponents of this theory are committed to an alarming counterpossible: that if God did command an annual human sacrifice, it would be morally obligatory. Since only a ‘terrible’ deity would do such a ‘terrible’ thing, we should reject DCT. Indeed, if there were such a deity, the world would be a terrible place – certainly far worse than it is. We argue that Morriston's non-standard method for assessing counterpossibles of this sort is flawed. Not only is the savvy DCT-ist at liberty to reject it, but Morriston's method badly misfires in the face of theistic activism – a metaphysical platform available to DCT-ists, according to which if God didn't exist, neither would anything else.
Designing arm length of a screw drive in-pipe robot for climbing vertically positioned bent pipes
Authors: Kakogawa Atsushi , Nishimura Taiki , Ma Shugen 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYThis paper presents a method for designing the arm lengths of a screw drive in-pipe robot with a pathway selection mechanism to pass through bent pipes. The robot comprises a front-rotating unit (rotator), middle-steering unit, and rear-supporting unit (stator). Each unit has elastic arms, which can be elongated by springs and can be pushed against the inner wall of the pipe. The robot can travel and steer not only in straight pipes but also in bent pipes and T-branches. When the robot passes through such pipes, its mobility depends on whether the arms can touch the inner wall because the robot will lose the driving force if one of the arms cannot reach the inner wall. This is especially important in vertically positioned pipes, where the robot will fall down if it is unable to reach. In this paper, we focus on the cross-section of the bent pipes, arm length, spring stiffness, and mass of the robot to clarify the mobility of the robot in these types of pipes. A method for determining the initial arm length on the basis of simple quasi-statics is proposed and experimental verification is conducted.
Cerebral ischaemia after repair of coarctation of the aorta
Authors: Gogou Maria , Keivanidou Anastasia , Giannopoulos Andreas 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA 9-year-old boy, with a history of repair of severe coarctation of the aorta through balloon angioplasty 2 weeks ago, presented in the emergency paediatric department with symptoms consistent with transient cerebral ischaemia. MRI revealed an area of cerebral infarction in the right frontal lobe. Causes of cerebral ischaemia after aortic coarctation repair are briefly discussed.
Away-from-home eating: nutritional status and dietary intake among Brazilian adults
Authors: Bezerra Ilana Nogueira , Junior Eliseu Verly , Pereira Rosangela Alves , Sichieri Rosely 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the association between eating away from home and BMI and to examine whether dietary intake differs based on the consumption of away-from-home food (AFHF).DesignData were obtained from the first Brazilian National Dietary Survey, using food records. The association between the percentage of energy provided by foods consumed away from home and BMI status was tested using logistic regression models. The mean percentages of energy provided by protein, fat, saturated fat and free sugars were calculated based on the consumption of foods away from home among AFHF consumers.SettingUrban areas of Brazil.SubjectsAdults (n13 736) between 25 and 65 years old.ResultsAFHF was not associated with BMI status. Individuals who consumed AFHF had higher intakes of free sugars away from home than at home and had higher intakes of energy-dense foods than AFHF non-consumers.ConclusionAlthough AFHF consumption was not related to overweight or obesity status, individuals who consumed foods away from home had higher intakes of energy-dense foods. Public health policies should be implemented to help people make healthier food choices away from home.
Restricted VH/VL usage and limited mutations in gluten-specific IgA of coeliac disease lesion plasma cells
Authors: Steinsbø Øyvind , Dunand Carole J. Henry , Huang Min , Mesin Luka , Salgado-Ferrer Marlene , Lundin Knut E. A. , Jahnsen Jørgen , Wilson Patrick C. , Sollid Ludvig M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractCoeliac disease (CD), an enteropathy caused by cereal gluten ingestion, is characterized by CD4+ T cells recognizing deamidated gluten and by antibodies reactive to gluten or the self-antigen transglutaminase 2 (TG2). TG2-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) of plasma cells (PCs) from CD lesions have limited somatic hypermutation (SHM). Here we report that gluten-specific IgA of lesion-resident PCs share this feature. Monoclonal antibodies were expression cloned from single PCs of patients either isolated from cultures with reactivity to complex deamidated gluten antigen or by sorting with gluten peptide tetramers. Typically, the antibodies bind gluten peptides related to T-cell epitopes and many have higher reactivity to deamidated peptides. There is restricted VH and VL combination and usage among the antibodies. Limited SHM suggests that a common factor governs the mutation level in PCs producing TG2- and gluten-specific IgA. The antibodies have potential use for diagnosis of CD and for detection of gluten.
Quasi-specific access of the potassium channel inactivation gate
Authors: Venkataraman Gaurav , Srikumar Deepa , Holmgren Miguel 
Published: June 2014

AbstractMany voltage-gated potassium channels open in response to membrane depolarization and then inactivate within milliseconds. Neurons use these channels to tune their excitability. In Shaker K+ channels, inactivation is caused by the cytoplasmic amino terminus, termed the inactivation gate. Despite having four such gates, inactivation is caused by the movement of a single gate into a position that occludes ion permeation. The pathway that this single inactivation gate takes into its inactivating position remains unknown. Here we show that a single gate threads through the intracellular entryway of its own subunit, but the tip of the gate has sufficient freedom to interact with all four subunits deep in the pore, and does so with equal probability. This pathway demonstrates that flexibility afforded by the inactivation peptide segment at the tip of the N-terminus is used to mediate function.
Guanine- 5-carboxylcytosine base pairs mimic mismatches during DNA replication
Authors: Shibutani Toshihiro , Ito Shinsuke , Toda Mariko , Kanao Rie , Collins Leonard B. , Shibata Marika , Urabe Miho , Koseki Haruhiko , Masuda Yuji , Swenberg James A. , Masutani Chikahide , Hanaoka Fumio , Iwai Shigenori , Kuraoka Isao 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe genetic information encoded in genomes must be faithfully replicated and transmitted to daughter cells. The recent discovery of consecutive DNA conversions by TET family proteins of 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) suggests these modified cytosines act as DNA lesions, which could threaten genome integrity. Here, we have shown that although 5caC pairs with guanine during DNA replication in vitro, G·5caC pairs stimulated DNA polymerase exonuclease activity and were recognized by the mismatch repair (MMR) proteins. Knockdown of thymine DNA glycosylase increased 5caC in genome, affected cell proliferation via MMR, indicating MMR is a novel reader for 5caC. These results suggest the epigenetic modification products of 5caC behave as DNA lesions.
Key elements of the RNAi pathway are regulated by hepatitis B virus replication and HBx acts as a viral suppressor of RNA silencing
Authors: Chinnappan Mahendran , Singh Avishek Kumar , Kakumani Pavan Kumar , Kumar Gautam , Rooge Sheetalnath Babasaheb , Kumari Anupama , Varshney Aditi , Rastogi Archana , Singh Ashok Kumar , Sarin Shiv Kumar , Malhotra Pawan , Mukherjee Sunil Kumar , Bhatnagar Raj Kamal 
Published: June 2014

The host-mediated RNAi pathways restrict replication of viruses in plant, invertebrate and vertebrate systems. However, comparatively little is known about the interplay between RNAi and various viral infections in mammalian hosts. We show in the present study that the siRNA-mediated silencing of Drosha, Dicer and Ago2 [argonaute RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) catalytic component 2] transcripts in Huh7 cells resulted in elevated levels of HBV (hepatitis B virus)-specific RNAs and, conversely, we observed a decrease in mRNA and protein levels of same RNAi components in HepG2 cells infected with HBV. Similar reductions were also detectable in CHB (chronic hepatitis B) patients. Analysis of CHB liver biopsy samples, with high serum HBV DNA load (&gt;log108 IU/ml), revealed a reduced mRNA and protein levels of Drosha, Dicer and Ago2. The low expression levels of key RNAi pathway components in CHB patient samples as well as hepatic cells established a link between HBV replication and RNAi components. The HBV proteins were also examined for RSS (RNA-silencing suppressor) properties. Using GFP-based reversion of silencing assays, in the present study we found that HBx is an RSS protein. Through a series of deletions and substitution mutants, we found that the full-length HBx protein is required for optimum RSS activity. The in vitro dicing assays revealed that the HBx protein inhibited the human Dicer-mediated processing of dsRNAs into siRNAs. Together, our results suggest that the HBx protein might function as RSS to manipulate host RNAi defence, in particular by abrogating the function of Dicer. The present study may have implications in the development of newer strategies to combat HBV infection.
Age-Related Changes in Cervical Sagittal Range of Motion and Alignment
Authors: Park Moon Soo , Moon Seong-Hwan , Lee Hwan-Mo , Kim Tae-Hwan , Oh Jae Keun , Nam Ji Hoon , Riew K. Daniel 
Published: June 2014

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Objective To compare sagittal cervical range of motion (ROM) and alignment in young versus middle-aged adults. Methods One hundred four asymptomatic adults were selected randomly out of 791 subjects who underwent lateral cervical radiographs in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. They were divided into two groups: young (age 20 to 29, 52 people) and middle-aged adults (age 50 to 59, 52 people). We determined the ROMs of upper cervical (occipital–C2 angle), midcervical (C2–C7 angle), and cervicothoracic spine (cervicosternal angle). We compared the alignment differences of the two groups by calculating the distances between C2 and C7 plumb lines, and C2 central-offset distance. Results In neutral position, there was no significant difference between young and middle-aged adults. However, in flexion, C2–C7 angle, distance between C2–C7 plumb lines, and C2 central-offset distance decreased with age. In extension, C2–C7 angle and C2 central-offset distance decreased with age. During flexion and extension, midcervical ROM and the range of C2 central-offset distance decreased in the middle-aged group. However, there was no difference between the two age groups in the ROM of the upper cervical and the cervicothoracic regions during flexion and extension. Conclusion We found that, despite of the presence of age-related cervical alignment changes, the only difference between the two groups was in the sagittal ROM of the midcervical spine during flexion and extension. Only the ROM of the midcervical spine appears to change significantly, consistent with findings that these levels are most likely to develop both symptomatic and asymptomatic degenerative changes.
Ceramic-Based Bone Grafts as a Bone Grafts Extender for Lumbar Spine Arthrodesis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nickoli Michael S. , Hsu Wellington K. 
Published: June 2014

Study Design Systematic review. Objective Ceramic-based bone grafts have been widely utilized to reduce the need for iliac crest bone grafting given the complications associated with the harvest of iliac crest autograft. As a family, ceramics vary widely based on differences in composition, manufacturing, porosity, and structure, which may ultimately affect their efficacy. This article reviews the current data of ceramics used in different environments in the lumbar spine to achieve arthrodesis. Methods Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for publications from 1980 to 2013 involving ceramic-based bone grafts in the lumbar spine. Variables such as age of patients, volume of ceramic, procedure, time to evaluation, method of evaluation, specific composition of ceramic, adjuncts used with ceramic products, type of fusion, and fusion rate were compared using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results Thirty studies with 1,332 patients met the final inclusion criteria. The overall fusion rate for all ceramic products as a bone graft extender in the lumbar spine was 86.4%. Age, gender, method of evaluation (plain radiographs, computed tomography, or combination), or specific ceramic product did not significantly affect fusion rate. Ceramics used in combination with local autograft resulted in significantly higher fusion rates compared with all other adjuncts, and bone marrow aspirate and platelet concentrates resulted in significantly lower fusion rates. Conclusions Ceramic-based bone grafts represent a promising bone graft extender in lumbar spine fusion when an osteoinductive stimulus, such as local bone graft is available.