bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complement Profile in Neonates of Different Gestational Ages
Authors: Grumach A. S. , Ceccon M. E. , Rutz R. , Fertig A. , Kirschfink M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBlood levels of regulators of the complement system in preterm babies were reported in few studies only. The aim of this study was to set up a complement profile in premature and term babies focusing on the development of blood levels of MBL, key regulatory proteins and on classical pathway activity, which may allow an estimation of potential susceptibility to infection. Complement activity (CH50), levels of mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), complement regulators (factors H and I, C1 inhibitor, properdin) and C3a as marker of complement activation were assessed in three groups of healthy newborns: (1) prematures (≤34 weeks); (2) late prematures (>34–<37 weeks) and (3) term neonates (≥37 weeks). CH50 increased with gestational age with lower titres in cord blood than in day 5 post‐delivery venous blood. MBL concentrations were not significantly different among groups. Quantitative and functional C1 inhibitor were below adult normal range in prematures <34 weeks and lower in cord blood as compared to day 5. Factor I, factor H and properdin remained below adult values in all groups. Low C3a levels excluded that low complement titres were due to activation‐induced consumption. These results demonstrate the relative immaturity of the complement system and its regulation, especially in premature infants.
Asymptotic Behavior of Conditional Least Squares Estimators for Unstable Integer‐valued Autoregressive Models of Order 2
Authors: Barczy Mátyás , Ispány Márton , Pap Gyula 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the asymptotic behavior of the conditional least squares estimators of the autoregressive parameters, of the mean of the innovations, and of the stability parameter for unstable integer‐valued autoregressive processes of order 2 is described. The limit distributions and the scaling factors are different according to the following three cases: (i) decomposable, (ii) indecomposable but not positively regular, and (iii) positively regular models.
From Affirmative Action to Diversity: Critical Reflections on Graduate Education in Sociology
Authors: Schneider Beth E. , Segura Denise A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis article explores the contradictory results of the shift from a race‐conscious affirmative action discourse to a broader “diversity embrace” that advocates tolerance, equality, and respect for cultural differences on university campuses. Drawing on critical race theory and research on the practice of affirmative action in organizations, we argue that the diversity embrace subsumes recognition of racialized histories, social relations, and practices in favor of a “color‐blind” rhetoric that reinforces negative assumptions about the academic merit and worthiness of underrepresented minority students (URM). Our review of the status and condition of URM graduate students in sociology departments reveals that minority inclusion is part of a larger strategy that emphasizes individual and group differences rather than corrective action for past discrimination. We find that access and inclusion in graduate programs in sociology have been uneven with relatively few departments producing a majority of URM sociology doctorates. The diversity embrace obscures their continual low representation in graduate programs, fosters professionalization practices detrimental to these students, and undermines efforts to create a “critical mass” of faculty of color. Such practices constitute a racial project that preserves White privilege at the individual and institutional levels.
Urbanization and Carbon Emissions: A Nationwide Study of Local Countervailing Effects in the United States
Authors: Elliott James R. , Clement Matthew Thomas 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveThis study advances a theoretical framework for examining the impact of urbanization on local carbon emissions over space and time. It conceptualizes urbanization at the local level as a set of three distinct but related subprocesses of population concentration, land‐use intensification, and systemic interaction, which join together to exert countervailing effects on local carbon emissions.MethodsTo test this framework we conduct cross‐sectional and panel regression analyses of carbon emissions at the county level across the continental United States, controlling for spatial autocorrelation.ResultsFindings strongly support our framework and show how different dimensions of urbanization push against one another at the local level to influence carbon emissions in ways that exert far more consistent effects than household density and alternative transit use.ConclusionThese findings illuminate the complexities of urbanization as a local force of environmental transformation with increasingly global consequences.
Crystal structures of the phosphorylated BRI1 kinase domain and implications for brassinosteroid signal initiation
Authors: Bojar Daniel , Martinez Jacobo , Santiago Julia , Rybin Vladimir , Bayliss Richard , Hothorn Michael 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBrassinosteroids, which control plant growth and development, are sensed by the membrane receptor kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1). Brassinosteroid binding to the BRI1 leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) domain induces heteromerisation with a SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE (SERK)‐family co‐receptor. This process allows the cytoplasmic kinase domains of BRI1 and SERK to interact, trans‐phosphorylate and activate each other. Here we report crystal structures of the BRI1 kinase domain in its activated form and in complex with nucleotides. BRI1 has structural features reminiscent of both serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases, providing insight into the evolution of dual‐specificity kinases in plants. Phosphorylation of Thr1039, Ser1042 and Ser1044 causes formation of a catalytically competent activation loop. Mapping previously identified serine/threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation sites onto the structure, we analyse their contribution to brassinosteroid signaling. The location of known genetic missense alleles provide detailed insight into the BRI1 kinase mechanism, while our analyses are inconsistent with a previously reported guanylate cyclase activity. We identify a protein interaction surface on the C‐terminal lobe of the kinase and demonstrate that the isolated BRI1, SERK2 and SERK3 cytoplasmic segments form homodimers in solution and have a weak tendency to heteromerise. We propose a model in which heterodimerisation of the BRI1 and SERK ectodomains brings their cytoplasmic kinase domains in a catalytically competent arrangement, an interaction that can be modulated by the BRI1 inhibitor protein BKI1.
Small field in‐air output factors: The role of miniphantom design and dosimeter type
Authors: Warrener Kirbie , Hug Benjamin , Liu Paul , Ralston Anna , Ebert Martin A. , McKenzie David R. , Suchowerska Natalka 
Published: January 2014

Purpose:The commissioning of treatment planning systems and beam modeling requires measured input parameters. The measurement of relative output in‐air, Sc is particularly difficult for small fields. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of miniphantom design and detector selection on measured Sc values for small fields and to validate the measurements against Monte Carlo simulations.Methods:Measurements were performed using brass caps (with sidewalls) or tops (no sidewalls) of varying heights and widths. The performance of two unshielded diodes (60012 and SFD), EBT2 radiochromic film, and a fiber optic dosimeter (FOD) were compared for fields defined by MLCs (5–100 mm) and SRS cones (4–30 mm) on a Varian Novalis linear accelerator. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to theoretically predict Sc as measured by the FOD.Results:For all detectors, Sc agreed to within 1% for fields larger than 10 mm and to within 2.3% for smaller fields. Monte Carlo simulation matched the FOD measurements for all size of cone defined fields to within 0.5%.Conclusions:Miniphantom design is the most important variable for reproducible and accurate measurements of the in‐air output ratio, Sc, in small photon fields (less than 30 mm). Sidewalls are not required for fields ≤ 30 mm and tops are therefore preferred over the larger caps. Unlike output measurements in water, Scp, the selection of detector type for Sc is not critical, provided the active dosimeter volume is small relative to the field size.
Dependency of EBT2 film calibration curve on postirradiation time
Authors: Chang Liyun , Ho Sheng‐Yow , Ding Hueisch‐Jy , Lee Tsair‐Fwu , Chen Pang‐Yu 
Published: January 2014

Purpose:The Ashland Inc. product EBT2 film model is a widely used quality assurance tool, especially for verification of 2‐dimensional dose distributions. In general, the calibration film and the dose measurement film are irradiated, scanned, and calibrated at the same postirradiation time (PIT), 1‐2 days after the films are irradiated. However, for a busy clinic or in some special situations, the PIT for the dose measurement film may be different from that of the calibration film. In this case, the measured dose will be incorrect. This paper proposed a film calibration method that includes the effect of PIT.Methods:The dose versus film optical density was fitted to a power function with three parameters. One of these parameters was PIT dependent, while the other two were found to be almost constant with a standard deviation of the mean less than 4%. The PIT‐dependent parameter was fitted to another power function of PIT. The EBT2 film model was calibrated using the PDD method with 14 different PITs ranging from 1 h to 2 months. Ten of the fourteen PITs were used for finding the fitting parameters, and the other four were used for testing the model.Results:The verification test shows that the differences between the delivered doses and the film doses calculated with this modeling were mainly within 2% for delivered doses above 60 cGy, and the total uncertainties were generally under 5%. The errors and total uncertainties of film dose calculation were independent of the PIT using the proposed calibration procedure. However, the fitting uncertainty increased with decreasing dose or PIT, but stayed below 1.3% for this study.Conclusions:The EBT2 film dose can be modeled as a function of PIT. For the ease of routine calibration, five PITs were suggested to be used. It is recommended that two PITs be located in the fast developing period (1∼6 h), one in 1 ∼ 2 days, one around a week, and one around a month.
Portal dosimetry for VMAT using integrated images obtained during treatment
Authors: Bedford James L. , Hanson Ian M. , Hansen Vibeke Nordmark 
Published: January 2014

Purpose:Portal dosimetry provides an accurate and convenient means of verifying dose delivered to the patient. A simple method for carrying out portal dosimetry for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is described, together with phantom measurements demonstrating the validity of the approach.Methods:Portal images were predicted by projecting dose in the isocentric plane through to the portal image plane, with exponential attenuation and convolution with a double‐Gaussian scatter function. Appropriate parameters for the projection were selected by fitting the calculation model to portal images measured on an iViewGT portal imager (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) for a variety of phantom thicknesses and field sizes. This model was then used to predict the portal image resulting from each control point of a VMAT arc. Finally, all these control point images were summed to predict the overall integrated portal image for the whole arc. The calculated and measured integrated portal images were compared for three lung and three esophagus plans delivered to a thorax phantom, and three prostate plans delivered to a homogeneous phantom, using a gamma index for 3% and 3 mm. A 0.6 cm3 ionization chamber was used to verify the planned isocentric dose. The sensitivity of this method to errors in monitor units, field shaping, gantry angle, and phantom position was also evaluated by means of computer simulations.Results:The calculation model for portal dose prediction was able to accurately compute the portal images due to simple square fields delivered to solid water phantoms. The integrated images of VMAT treatments delivered to phantoms were also correctly predicted by the method. The proportion of the images with a gamma index of less than unity was 93.7% ± 3.0% (1SD) and the difference between isocenter dose calculated by the planning system and measured by the ionization chamber was 0.8% ± 1.0%. The method was highly sensitive to errors in monitor units and field shape, but less sensitive to errors in gantry angle or phantom position.Conclusions:This method of predicting integrated portal images provides a convenient means of verifying dose delivered using VMAT, with minimal image acquisition and data processing requirements.
Gender differences in health-related quality of life associated with abdominal obesity in a Korean population
Authors: Choo Jina , Jeon Seonhui , Lee Juneyoung 
Published: January 2014

ObjectivesOverall obesity, as measured by body mass index (BMI), has been associated with a low level of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), but little is known about abdominal obesity. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether abdominal obesity, as measured by waist circumference (WC), would be significantly associated with HRQOL independent of overall obesity, and if so, whether the association would differ by gender among the Korean population.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSouth Korea.ParticipantsUsing data from the 2007–2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 13 754 men and women aged 19–65 years were selected, and information about height (cm), weight (kg), WC (cm) and the EuroQOL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scores for HRQOL were taken.ResultsNot only an overall obesity (as categorised into obese, overweight or non-overweight groups based on BMI) but also an abdominal obesity (defined by WC ≥90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women) was significantly associated with lower EQ-5D scores, after adjusting for age, gender, socioeconomic variables and a number of comorbidities. Even after adjusting BMI effect, the association between abdominal obesity and lower EQ-5D scores remained significant for women, but not for men.ConclusionsAmong the Korean population aged 19–65 years, abdominal obesity was associated with impaired HRQOL, independently of overall obesity. Furthermore, this association differed by gender, being significant only for women. Therefore, primary healthcare professionals should pay attention to gender differences in the impact of obesity on HRQOL when evaluating population-based health programmes.
Antiretroviral therapy is not associated with reduced herpes simplex virus shedding in HIV coinfected adults: an observational cohort study
Authors: Tan Darrell H S , Raboud Janet M , Kaul Rupert , Walmsley Sharon L 
Published: January 2014

ObjectivesHerpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1/2) may have adverse consequences on HIV type 1 infection. We quantified the frequency of HSV reactivations in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-treated adults with HIV, and compared it with that in HAART-naïve patients.Setting2 academic hospital sites in Toronto, Canada.ParticipantsAsymptomatic HAART-naive (n=44) or treated (with HIV RNA <50 copies/mL, n=41) adults with HSV-1 and/or 2, HIV coinfection.Outcome measuresHSV-1 and HSV-2 shedding as measured by PCR on oral, genital and anal swabs self-collected daily for 28 days.ResultsOf the 85 participants, 88%, 67% and 53% were coinfected with HSV-1, HSV-2 and both HSV types, respectively. Median (IQR) CD4 count was 516 (382, 655) cells/mm3. HSV (type 1 and/or 2) shedding occurred on a median (IQR) of 7.1% (0, 17.9%) of days in HAART users and 3.6% (0, 10.7%) of days in non-HAART users. No significant relationship was observed between HAART and HSV-1/2 shedding in univariable (OR=1.55, 95% CI 0.83 to 2.87) or multivariable negative binomial models adjusted for sex, baseline CD4 count, recent immigrant status and time since HIV diagnosis (adjusted OR, aOR=1.05, 95% CI 0.43 to 2.58). Similar null results were observed for HSV-2 shedding in HSV-2 seropositive participants (aOR=1.16, 95% CI 0.40 to 3.36) and HSV-1 shedding in HSV-1 seropositive participants (aOR=0.70, 95% CI 0.14 to 3.47).ConclusionsHSV reactivations persist despite suppressive HAART among adults coinfected with HSV and HIV. Clinical trials of suppressive anti-HSV therapy are warranted in this population.
Fracture-network analysis of the Latemar Platform (northern Italy): integrating outcrop studies to constrain the hydraulic properties of fractures in reservoir models
Authors: Boro Herman , Rosero Enrique , Bertotti Giovanni 
Published: January 2014

Fractures in subsurface reservoirs are known to have significant impacts on reservoir productivity. Quantifying their importance, however, is challenged by limited subsurface observations, and intense computations for modelling and upscaling. In this paper, we present a workflow to construct and upscale fracture models based on outcrop studies in the Latemar carbonate platform (northern Italy). Fractures were first analysed to investigate their distinct characteristics throughout different sedimentological domains; that is, slope, margin and platform interior. Several fracture models were then built to represent different domains and were used to upscale fracture-network properties. Small-scale models were preferred to the reservoir-scale ones to enable multiple realizations and various sensitivity analyses in a time-efficient manner.
The fracture characteristics of the Latemar Platform vary across different sedimentological domains. This variation results in a non-homogeneous permeability field that will influence flow behaviours. Fractures in the slope domain are typically tall but low in intensity, resulting in relatively low effective permeabilities. In the platform interior, smaller sizes of fractures combined with higher intensities give rise to higher effective permeabilities. In general, fracture intensities, aperture and their intrinsic permeability would have a significant impact on the permeability field. Fracture shape and orientations are more important in affecting the connectivity.
Effect of Turbulence Intensity on Cross-Injection Film Cooling at a Stepped or Smooth Endwall of a Gas Turbine Vane Passage
Authors: Wu Pey-Shey , Tsai Shen-Ta , Jhuo Yue-Hua 
Published: January 2014

This study is concerned with a film cooling technique applicable to the protection of the endwalls of a gas turbine vane. In the experiments, cross-injection coolant flow from two-row, paired, inclined holes with nonintersecting centerlines was utilized. The test model is a scaled two-half vane. The levels of turbulence intensity used in the experiments areT.I.=1.8%, 7%, and 12%. Other parameters considered in the film cooling experiments include three inlet Reynolds numbers(9.20×104 , 1.24×105, and 1.50×105), three blowing ratios (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0), and three endwall conditions (smooth endwall and stepped endwall with forward-facing or backward-facing step). Thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) technique with steady-state heat transfer experiments was used to obtain the whole-field film cooling effectiveness. Results show that, at low turbulence intensity, increasing Reynolds number decreases the effectiveness in most of the vane passage. There is no monotonic trend of influence by Reynolds number at high turbulence intensity. The effect of blowing ratio on the effectiveness has opposite trends at low and high turbulence levels. Increasing turbulent intensity decreases the effectiveness, especially near the inlet of the vane passage. With a stepped endwall, turbulence intensity has only mild effect on the film cooling effectiveness.
PGE2-Driven Expression of c-Myc and OncomiR-17-92 Contributes to Apoptosis Resistance in NSCLC
Authors: Krysan Kostyantyn , Kusko Rebecca , Grogan Tristan , O'Hearn James , Reckamp Karen L. , Walser Tonya C. , Garon Edward B. , Lenburg Marc E. , Sharma Sherven , Spira Avrum E. , Elashoff David , Dubinett Steven M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNA) with oncogenic capacities (oncomiRs) has been described for several different malignancies. The first identified oncomiR, miR-17-92, is frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancers and its targets include the tumor suppressor PTEN. The transcription factor c-Myc (MYC) plays a central role in proliferative control and is rapidly upregulated upon mitogenic stimulation. Expression of c-Myc is frequently deregulated in tumors, facilitating proliferation and inhibiting terminal differentiation. The c-Myc–regulated network comprises a large number of transcripts, including those encoding miRNAs. Here, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exposure rapidly upregulates the expression of the MYC gene followed by the elevation of miR-17-92 levels, which in turn suppresses PTEN expression, thus enhancing apoptosis resistance in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Knockdown of MYC expression or the miR-17-92 cluster effectively reverses this outcome. Similarly, miR-17-92 levels are significantly elevated in NSCLC cells ectopically expressing COX-2. Importantly, circulating miR-17-92 was elevated in the blood of patients with lung cancer as compared with subjects at risk for developing lung cancer. Furthermore, in patients treated with celecoxib, miR-17-92 levels were significantly reduced. These data demonstrate that PGE2, abundantly produced by NSCLC and inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment, is able to stimulate cell proliferation and promote resistance to pharmacologically induced apoptosis in a c-Myc and miR-17-92–dependent manner.Implications: This study describes a novel mechanism, involving c-Myc and miR-17-92, which integrates cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance. Mol Cancer Res; 12(5); 765–74. ©2014 AACR.
Response of BRAF-Mutant Melanoma to BRAF Inhibition Is Mediated by a Network of Transcriptional Regulators of Glycolysis
Authors: Parmenter Tiffany J. , Kleinschmidt Margarete , Kinross Kathryn M. , Bond Simon T. , Li Jason , Kaadige Mohan R. , Rao Aparna , Sheppard Karen E. , Hugo Willy , Pupo Gulietta M. , Pearson Richard B. , McGee Sean L. , Long Georgina V. , Scolyer Richard A. , Rizos Helen , Lo Roger S. , Cullinane Carleen , Ayer Donald E. , Ribas Antoni , Johnstone Ricky W. , Hicks Rodney J. , McArthur Grant A. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Deregulated glucose metabolism fulfills the energetic and biosynthetic requirements for tumor growth driven by oncogenes. Because inhibition of oncogenic BRAF causes profound reductions in glucose uptake and a strong clinical benefit in BRAF-mutant melanoma, we examined the role of energy metabolism in responses to BRAF inhibition. We observed pronounced and consistent decreases in glycolytic activity in BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. Moreover, we identified a network of BRAF-regulated transcription factors that control glycolysis in melanoma cells. Remarkably, this network of transcription factors, including hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, MYC, and MONDOA (MLXIP), drives glycolysis downstream of BRAFV600, is critical for responses to BRAF inhibition, and is modulated by BRAF inhibition in clinical melanoma specimens. Furthermore, we show that concurrent inhibition of BRAF and glycolysis induces cell death in BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi)–resistant melanoma cells. Thus, we provide a proof-of-principle for treatment of melanoma with combinations of BRAFis and glycolysis inhibitors.
Significance: BRAFis suppress glycolysis and provide strong clinical benefit in BRAFV600 melanoma. We show that BRAF inhibition suppresses glycolysis via a network of transcription factors that are critical for complete BRAFi responses. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the clinical potential of therapies that combine BRAFis with glycolysis inhibitors. Cancer Discov; 4(4); 423–33. ©2014 AACR.
See related commentary by Haq, p. 390
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