bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of the Effectiveness of Prophylactic Drains After Hepatic Resection
Authors: Bekki Yuki , Yamashita Yo‐ichi , Itoh Shinji , Harimoto Norifumi , Shirabe Ken , Maehara Yoshihiko 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackground
Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the limited efficacy of prophylactic drains following hepatic resection. However, many surgeons still insist on using prophylactic drains. This study was designed to identify patients who require prophylactic drains to manage or monitor postoperative complications after hepatic resection.MethodsData were retrospectively collected from 316 patients who underwent hepatic resection and received a prophylactic drain. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the drain was used to manage or monitor the following postoperative complications: bile leakage (prophylactic drains were used to monitor and treat bile leakage) and postoperative hemorrhage (the drainage fluid was macroscopically bloody and required drain fluid blood counts and monitoring to assess the need for transfusion or reoperation). The results were then validated in a separate cohort of 101 patients.ResultsIn 25/316 patients (7.9 %), the prophylactic drains were clinically effective, being used to manage bile leakage in 18 patients and hemorrhage in 8. Intraoperative bile leakage (P = 0.021) and long operation time (≥360 min) (P = 0.017) were independent predictors of bile leakage. Intraoperative blood loss (≥650 ml) (P = 0.0009) was an independent predictor of hemorrhage. In the subsequent 101 patients, prophylactic drains were clinically effective in patients with one of these predictors with sensitivity, specificity, and false‐negative rates of 88.9, 62.0, and 1.7 %, respectively.ConclusionA prophylactic drain should be considered following hepatic resection for patients with intraoperative bile leakage, operation time of ≥360 min, or blood loss of ≥650 ml.
The response of three Fagus sylvatica L. provenances to water availability at different soil depths
Authors: Baudis Mathias , Premper Thomas , Welk Erik , Bruelheide Helge 
Published: June 2015

AbstractCurrent climate change scenarios predict changes in precipitation patterns resulting in a longer and more intensive droughts. These changes pose a challenge for Fagus sylvatica as the most common European deciduous tree species. We asked how different genotypes respond to drought conditions and paid particular attention to how soil moisture availability can be manipulated. We established a tube technique that allowed to add water horizontally at different rooting depths, which allowed to measure water contents and to observe root growth along the full length of 1‐m deep tubes. Three F. sylvatica provenances were compared in their response to different depth of water supply with respect to growth, leaf stomatal conductance as well as root and leaf traits. There were short‐lasting differences between the watering regimes in soil water content and depth of soil moisture maxima. Adding water to depths of 30–60 cm resulted in reduced leaf stomatal conductance and lower survival but increased root tip growth rates compared to watering the tubes at 10–20 cm. There were differences between the three provenances for specific leaf area and stem dry mass, which however, were independent of the watering regime and did not support the idea of local adaptation to drought of populations from dry or moist origins. The findings indicate that differences between provenances might have been caused by environmental factors other than drought. Technically, we demonstrated the high potential of using the tube technique for a fine‐tuned manipulation of soil moisture in the rooting space.
On fast trust region methods for quadratic models with linear constraints
Authors: Powell M. J. D. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Quadratic models

$$Q_k ( \underline{x}), \underline{x}\in \mathcal{R}^n$$

Q
k

(

x
̲

)

,

x
̲

∈

R

n

, of the objective function

$$F ( \underline{x}), \underline{x}\in \mathcal{R}^n$$

F

(

x
̲

)

,

x
̲

∈

R

n

, are used by many successful iterative algorithms for minimization, where k is the iteration number. Given the vector of variables

$$\underline{x}_k \in \mathcal{R}^n$$

x
̲

k

∈

R

n

, a new vector

$$\underline{x}_{k+1}$$

x
̲

k
+
1

may be calculated that satisfies

$$Q_k ( \underline{x}_{k+1} ) < Q_k ( \underline{x}_k )$$

Q
k

(

x
̲

k
+
1

)

<

Q
k

(

x
̲

k

)

, in the hope that it provides the reduction

$$F ( \underline{x}_{k+1} ) < F ( \underline{x}_k )$$

F

(

x
̲

k
+
1

)

<
F

(

x
̲

k

)

. Trust region methods include a bound of the form

$$\Vert \underline{x}_{k+1} - \underline{x}_k \Vert \le \Delta _k$$

‖

x
̲

k
+
1

-

x
̲

k

‖
≤

Δ
k

. Also we allow general linear constraints on the variables that have to hold at

$$\underline{x}_k$$

x
̲

k

and at

$$\underline{x}_{k+1}$$

x
̲

k
+
1

. We consider the construction of

$$\underline{x}_{k+1}$$

x
̲

k
+
1

, using only of magnitude

$$n^2$$

n
2

operations on a typical iteration when n is large. The linear constraints are treated by active sets, which may be updated during an iteration, and which decrease the number of degrees of freedom in the variables temporarily, by restricting

$$\underline{x}$$

x
̲

to an affine subset of

$$\mathcal{R}^n$$

R

n

. Conjugate gradient and Krylov subspace methods are addressed for adjusting the reduced variables, but the resultant steps are expressed in terms of the original variables. Termination conditions are given that are intended to combine suitable reductions in

$$Q_k ( \cdot )$$

Q
k

(
·
)

with a sufficiently small number of steps. The reason for our work is that

$$\underline{x}_{k+1}$$

x
̲

k
+
1

is required in the LINCOA software of the author, which is designed for linearly constrained optimization without derivatives when there are hundreds of variables. Our studies go beyond the final version of LINCOA, however, which employs conjugate gradients with termination at the trust region boundary. In particular, we find that, if an active set is updated at a point that is not the trust region centre, then the Krylov method may terminate too early due to a degeneracy. An extension to the conjugate gradient method for searching round the trust region boundary receives attention too, but it was also rejected from LINCOA, because of poor numerical results. The given techniques of LINCOA seem to be adequate in practice.
The Current State of Dance Micro and Macro Policies in Brazil
Authors: Matos Lúcia 
Published: June 2015

Cultural policies, understood as acts of intervention, not only from the State, but also from social groups and institutions, trigger devices that highlight the complexity of the cultural system and power relationships. These acts, developed in a participatory manner, can contribute to the global re-politicization of collective life.Regarding Brazil, we can assert the search for common spaces has grown in importance under president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration (2003–2010), when cultural policies suffered a significant change with the implementation of an inclusive and participatory model. This led to sectorial policies and the creation of public spaces for the representation of civil society. The field of dance took an active role in this process through its associations and regional forums, leading to the creation of a Dance Sectorial Collegiate and a Dance Federal Plan.Despite some progress that has been made, cultural policies in Brazil are still under the strong influence of a neoliberal approach, which centers its efforts in economic development with a focus on public funding to culture and the creation of funding laws. A participative construction of public policy for dance would be based on agreements between civil society and government, going beyond the financing of arts through grants. The area of dance in Brazil needs structuring programs and actions that would collaborate with the organizational and productive modes of people and groups that are working to develop the area. Thus, this paper discusses cultural policies of dance by pointing out the consequences of “fast-cult” dance production and identifies spaces of resistance and micro-politics, generated by Brazilian artists who are seeking sustainable development and collaborative modes of production in dance.
Bourdieu and the dead end of reflexivity: On the impossible task of locating the subject
Authors: KNAFO SAMUEL 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis article examines recent attempts by International Relations (IR) scholars to flesh out a reflexive approach inspired by the work of Pierre Bourdieu. The French sociologist pioneered the idea of turning the tools of sociology onto oneself in order to apply the same grid of social analysis to the object and subject of scholarship. This represents the culmination of a long tradition of seeking to understand from where one speaks and grasp our subjective biases through reflexive means. But as I argue Bourdieu – like most reflexive scholars – largely overestimated his ability to grasp his own subject position. For he assumed he could be objective about the very thing he had the least reasons to be objective about: himself. Instead of bending over backwards in this way and directly take the subject into account, I then propose to rearticulate the problematic of reflexivity by going back to a more classic concern with the question of alienation. Through a detailed critique of Bourdieu’s reflexive approach and the ways in which it was received in IR, I set out a series of principles to reconfigure the agenda of reflexivity and offer a platform for a proper methodological alternative to positivism.
On improving robot image-based visual servoing based on dual-rate reference filtering control strategy
Authors: Solanes J. Ernesto , Muñoz-Benavent Pau , Girbés Vicent , Armesto Leopoldo , Tornero Josep 
Published: June 2015

SUMMARYIt is well known that the use of multi-rate control techniques have improved the performance of many systems in general, and robotic systems, in particular. The main contribution of this paper is the generalization of the Reference Filtering control strategy from a dual-rate point of view, improving its inherent properties by overcoming the problem of sensor latency. In the paper, we discuss and analyze the improvements introduced by the novel dual-rate reference filtering control strategy in terms of convergence time, reachability and robustness. More specifically, we discuss the capability to solve positioning tasks, when hardware limitations are present with large sampling rates. In addition, a comparison is made between the single-rate and the proposed dual-rate control strategies to prove the advantages of the latter approach. A complete set-up has been prepared for validation, including a six degree of freedom (DOF) industrial manipulator, a smart camera and embedded hardware used as a high level controller.
ICAM-1 suppresses tumor metastasis by inhibiting macrophage M2 polarization through blockade of efferocytosis
Authors: Yang M , Liu J , Piao C , Shao J , Du J 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEfficient clearance of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) can profoundly influence tumor-specific immunity. Tumor-associated macrophages are M2-polarized macrophages that promote key processes in tumor progression. Efferocytosis stimulates M2 macrophage polarization and contributes to cancer metastasis, but the signaling mechanism underlying this process is unclear. Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which has been implicated in mediating cell–cell interaction and outside-in cell signaling during the immune response. We report that ICAM-1 expression is inversely associated with macrophage infiltration and the metastasis index in human colon tumors by combining Oncomine database analysis and immunohistochemistry for ICAM-1. Using a colon cancer liver metastasis model in ICAM-1-deficient (ICAM-1−/−) mice and their wild-type littermates, we found that loss of ICAM-1 accelerated liver metastasis of colon carcinoma cells. Moreover, ICAM-1 deficiency increased M2 macrophage polarization during tumor progression. We further demonstrated that ICAM-1 deficiency in macrophages led to promotion of efferocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells through activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway. More importantly, coculture of ICAM-1−/− macrophages with apoptotic cancer cells resulted in an increase of M2-like macrophages, which was blocked by an efferocytosis inhibitor. Our findings demonstrate a novel role for ICAM-1 in suppressing M2 macrophage polarization via downregulation of efferocytosis in the tumor microenvironment, thereby inhibiting metastatic tumor progression.
A novel germline mutation in a patient with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome showing cystic lesion in the lung
Authors: Miyata Ryo , Kurosawa Manabu , Sato Masaaki , Kono Tomoya , Takubo Yasutaka , Okai Shinsaku , Yamada Keisuke , Shinkura Reiko , Date Hiroshi , Matsuda Fumihiko 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) manifests multiple defects involving the skin, endocrine and nervous systems, eyes and bones. Mutations in the patched homologue 1 (PTCH1) gene are the underlying causes of NBCCS, leading to aberrant cell proliferation through constitutive activation of the hedgehog signaling pathway. We identified a novel frameshift mutation (c.1207dupT) of PTCH1 in a NBCCS patient, which might explain multiple cystic lesions and neoplastic growth in the patient.
Initial assembly steps of a translocase for folded proteins
Authors: Blümmel Anne-Sophie , Haag Laura A. , Eimer Ekaterina , Müller Matthias , Fröbel Julia 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe so-called Tat (twin-arginine translocation) system transports completely folded proteins across cellular membranes of archaea, prokaryotes and plant chloroplasts. Tat-directed proteins are distinguished by a conserved twin-arginine (RR-) motif in their signal sequences. Many Tat systems are based on the membrane proteins TatA, TatB and TatC, of which TatB and TatC are known to cooperate in binding RR-signal peptides and to form higher-order oligomeric structures. We have now elucidated the fine architecture of TatBC oligomers assembled to form closed intramembrane substrate-binding cavities. The identification of distinct homonymous and heteronymous contacts between TatB and TatC suggest that TatB monomers coalesce into dome-like TatB structures that are surrounded by outer rings of TatC monomers. We also show that these TatBC complexes are approached by TatA protomers through their N-termini, which thereby establish contacts with TatB and membrane-inserted RR-precursors.
γ-secretase directly sheds the survival receptor BCMA from plasma cells
Authors: Laurent Sarah A. , Hoffmann Franziska S. , Kuhn Peer-Hendrik , Cheng Qingyu , Chu Yuanyuan , Schmidt-Supprian Marc , Hauck Stefanie M. , Schuh Elisabeth , Krumbholz Markus , Rübsamen Heike , Wanngren Johanna , Khademi Mohsen , Olsson Tomas , Alexander Tobias , Hiepe Falk , Pfister Hans-Walter , Weber Frank , Jenne Dieter , Wekerle Hartmut , Hohlfeld Reinhard , Lichtenthaler Stefan F. , Meinl Edgar 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSurvival of plasma cells is regulated by B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a membrane-bound receptor activated by its agonist ligands BAFF and APRIL. Here we report that γ-secretase directly cleaves BCMA, without prior truncation by another protease. This direct shedding is facilitated by the short length of BCMA’s extracellular domain. In vitro, γ-secretase reduces BCMA-mediated NF-κB activation. In addition, γ-secretase releases soluble BCMA (sBCMA) that acts as a decoy neutralizing APRIL. In vivo, inhibition of γ-secretase enhances BCMA surface expression in plasma cells and increases their number in the bone marrow. Furthermore, in multiple sclerosis, sBCMA levels in spinal fluid are elevated and associated with intracerebral IgG production; in systemic lupus erythematosus, sBCMA levels in serum are elevated and correlate with disease activity. Together, shedding of BCMA by γ-secretase controls plasma cells in the bone marrow and yields a potential biomarker for B-cell involvement in human autoimmune diseases.
Photogated humidity-driven motility
Authors: Zhang Lidong , Liang Haoran , Jacob Jolly , Naumov Panče 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHygroinduced motion is a fundamental process of energy conversion that is essential for applications that require contactless actuation in response to the day–night rhythm of atmospheric humidity. Here we demonstrate that mechanical bistability caused by rapid and anisotropic adsorption and desorption of water vapour by a flexible dynamic element that harnesses the chemical potential across very small humidity gradients for perpetual motion can be effectively modulated with light. A mechanically robust material capable of rapid exchange of water with the surroundings is prepared that undergoes swift locomotion in effect to periodic shape reconfiguration with turnover frequency of <150 min−1. The element can lift objects ∼85 times heavier and can transport cargos ∼20 times heavier than itself. Having an azobenzene-containing conjugate as a photoactive dopant, this entirely humidity-driven self-actuation can be controlled remotely with ultraviolet light, thus setting a platform for next-generation smart biomimetic hybrids.
Initial step-up treatment changes in asthmatic children already prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: a historical cohort study
Authors: Turner Steve W , Richardson Kathryn , Burden Annie , Thomas Mike , Murray Clare , Price David 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackground:When standard doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) fail to control symptoms in children aged >4 years, guidelines recommend the addition of a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA), with other treatment options being available if symptoms persist.Aims:To determine the proportion of initial ‘step-up’ episodes where LABAs were prescribed and to describe characteristics of individuals not stepped up with LABA.Methods:Between 1999 and 2011, initial step-up episodes from ICS monotherapy were identified in children aged 5–12 years with asthma and in receipt of ICS. Data sources were the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Optimum Patient Care Research Database.Results:Initial step-up episodes were identified in 10,793 children. ICS dose was increased in 6,252 children (58%), LABA was introduced in 3,436 (32%; including 1,107 where fixed dose combination inhaler (FDC) replaced the ICS inhaler), and leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) was added in 1,105 (10%). Compared with children stepped up to any LABA, others were younger and prescribed lower doses of ICS and reliever medication. ICS dose increase was more likely in obese children and LTRA prescribing was more likely in children with rhinitis and in receipt of antibiotics. Compared with FDC, step-up to separate LABA inhaler was more likely in younger, obese children who were using less oral steroids.Conclusions:One-third of initial step-up episodes in children with asthma treated with ICS are to add LABA. Different characteristics of children prescribed therapies other than LABA suggest that prescribers tailor treatment in some clinical settings.
Decoherence control by quantum decoherence itself
Authors: Roszak Katarzyna , Filip Radim , Novotný Tomáš 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe propose a general approach of protecting a two-level system against decoherence via quantum engineering of non-classical multiple superpositions of coherent states in a non-Markovian reservoir. The scheme surprisingly only uses the system-environment interaction responsible for the decoherence and projective measurements of the two-level system. We demonstrate the method on the example of an excitonic qubit in self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots coupled to the super-Ohmic reservoir of acoustic phonons.
Clinical application of clustered-AChR for the detection of SNMG
Authors: Zhao Guang , Wang Xiaoqing , Yu Xiaowen , Zhang Xiutian , Guan Yangtai , Jiang Jianming 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMyasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoantibody-mediated disease of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). However, accumulating evidence has indicated that MG patients whose serum anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies are not detectable (serumnegative MG; SNMG) in routine assays share similar clinical features with anti-AChR antibody-positive MG patients. We hypothesized that SNMG patients would have low-affinity antibodies to AChRs that would not be detectable using traditional methods but that might be detected by binding to AChR on the cell membrane, particularly if they were clustered at the high density observed at the NMJ. We expressed AChR subunits with the clustering protein rapsyn (an AChR-associated protein at the synapse) in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and we tested the binding of the antibodies using immunofluorescence. With this approach, AChR antibodies to rapsyn-clustered AChR could be detected in the sera from 45.83% (11/24) of SNMG patients, as confirmed with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). This was the first application in China of cell-based AChR antibody detection. More importantly, this sensitive (and specific) approach could significantly increase the diagnosis rate of SNMG.
Total and Proteinase K-Resistant α-Synuclein Levels in Erythrocytes, Determined by their Ability to Bind Phospholipids, Associate with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Abd-Elhadi Suaad , Honig Asaf , Simhi-Haham Dganit , Schechter Meir , Linetsky Eduard , Ben-Hur Tamir , Sharon Ronit 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA marker for diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), which reflects on the occurrence of peripheral pathogenic mechanisms, would potentially improve therapy. The significance of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) expression in red blood cells (RBC) is currently unclear. Here we investigated whether RBC’s-expressed α-Syn may associate with PD. To this aim, we determined the levels of total and proteinase K-resistant α-Syn in samples of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). Twenty-one individuals with PD at various disease stages and 15 healthy controls, with similar demographic features, were recruited to this study. α-Syn levels were determined by their biochemical property to bind phospholipids, using a phospholipid-ELISA assay. A significantly lower ratio of total-to-proteinase K-resistant α-Syn levels was detected in PD patients than in the healthy control group. However, there was considerable overlap between the two groups. Suggesting a need for additional markers to be tested in combination with α-Syn levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence for an association between RBCs-expressed α-Syn and pathogenic mechanisms involved in PD.