bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial resistance, inflammatory responses: a comparative analysis of pathogenicities, knowledge hybrids and the semantics of antibiotic use
Authors: Lambert Helen , Chen Meixuan , Cabral Christie
Published: July 2019

Antimicrobial resistance is widely recognised as a global threat to human health. This paper explores the mobilisation of biomedical concepts and technologies within local semantic registers and addresses the implications of translation and knowledge complexity for attempts to mitigate the problem of antibiotic resistance. In China, antibiotics are frequently prescribed for common complaints and are widely available without prescription. Drawing on field research in three rural counties of one province, we show that current patterns of antibiotic use are the result of sociocultural, economic and systems drivers within a medical context that draws on precepts from both biomedicine and Chinese medical knowledge. Comparative analysis with European settings suggests that pathogenicity, the set of explanatory frameworks regarding the production of disease, varies socio-temporally in the causal mechanisms that are prioritised. Incorporated within diagnostic strategies that direct treatment towards the bodily response to infection rather than to the infecting pathogen, ‘anti-inflammatory medicine’ as the popular term for antibiotics in parts of Asia foregrounds physiological process over microbial invasion. We examine the articulation of biomedical knowledge paradigms within a non-Pasteurian milieu in relation to socio-historical process, including hybridisation between ontologically distinct medical traditions and the heterogeneity of scientific knowledge claims that underpin contemporary practices of antibiotic prescribing. We conclude that the concept of inflammation functions as a boundary object which effectively mediates the interfaces between popular knowledges, biomedical sciences and local medical practices. Our analysis may have wide relevance because popular and scientific understandings of inflammation alike draw on metaphors grounded in universal sensory experience that provides a common basis for culturally diverse conceptual elaboration. Situated understandings of inflammation and associated treatment preferences constitute a contextually coherent response to available medical technologies in community health care. Our analysis also calls into question simplistic interpretations of antibiotic use for non-bacterial conditions as deriving from lack of education or public awareness and suggests a need to reconsider current public health knowledge translation strategies.
On-chip immunofluorescence analysis of single cervical cells using an electroactive microwell array with barrier for cervical screening
Authors: Takeuchi Makoto , Nagasaka Kazunori , Yoshida Mina , Kawata Yoshiko , Miyagawa Yuko , Tago Saori , Hiraike Haruko , Wada-Hiraike Osamu , Oda Katsutoshi , Osuga Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki , Ayabe Takuya , Kim Soo Hyeon , Fujii Teruo
Published: July 2019

Several specific tests for cervical screening have been developed recently, including p16/Ki67 dual immunostaining for diagnosing high-risk human papillomavirus positive squamous intraepithelial lesion in the cervix. However, manual screening of cells in an entire glass slide is currently a standard clinical procedure for quantification and interpretation of immunocytochemical features of the cells. Here, we developed a microfluidic device containing an electroactive microwell array with barriers (EMAB) for highly efficient single-cell trapping followed by on-chip immunofluorescence analysis with minimum loss of the sample. EMAB utilizes patterned electrodes at the bottom of cell-sized microwells to trap single cells using dielectrophoresis (DEP) and cell-holding structures behind the microwells to stabilize the position of trapped cells even without DEP. Using the device, we evaluated the performance of p16/Ki67 dual immunostaining of HeLa cells on the chip. The device shows 98% cell-trapping efficiency as well as 92% cell-holding efficiency against the fixed HeLa cells, and we successfully demonstrated high-efficiency on-chip immunofluorescence analysis with minimal loss of sample. p16/Ki67 dual immunostaining using EMAB may be useful for complementary tests for cervical screening in confirming the histopathological diagnosis.
Characterization of noise sources in a microfabricated single-beam zero-field optically-pumped magnetometer
Authors: Krzyzewski S. P. , Perry A. R. , Gerginov V. , Knappe S.
Published: July 2019

We present an experimental noise characterization of a miniature single-beam absorption-based optically-pumped magnetometer with a noise floor of 7 fT/Hz1/2 operating in the spin-exchange relaxation-free regime. We experimentally evaluate noise arising from the laser intensity, laser frequency, laser polarization, cell temperature, and magnetic field coils used for the phase-sensitive detection of the magnetometer signal. We find that noise in the range between DC and 30 Hz is a result of noise sources coupling to the atoms in a manner similar to a magnetic field, while the noise at frequencies above 30 Hz is mainly due to laser intensity noise. Our results place an upper limit on the noise sources for our system that matches well with the noise spectrum of the magnetometer at frequencies above 5 Hz.
Direct molecular simulation of internal energy relaxation and dissociation in oxygen
Authors: Grover Maninder S. , Torres Erik , Schwartzentruber Thomas E.
Published: July 2019

A variant of the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, referred to as direct molecular simulation (DMS), is used to study oxygen dissociation from first principles. The sole model input to the DMS calculations consists of 12 potential energy surfaces that govern O2 + O2 and O + O2 collisions, including all spin-spatial degenerate configurations, in the ground electronic state. DMS calculations are representative of the gas evolution behind a strong shock wave, where molecular oxygen excites rotationally and vibrationally before ultimately dissociating and reaching a quasi-steady-state (QSS). Vibrational relaxation time constants are presented for both O2 + O2 and O + O2 collisions and are found to agree closely with experimental data. Compared to O2 + O2 collisions, vibrational relaxation due to O + O2 collisions is found to be ten times faster and to have a weak dependence on temperature. Dissociation rate constants in the QSS dissociation phase are presented for both O2 + O2 and O + O2 collisions and agree (within experimental uncertainty) with rates inferred from shock-tube experiments. Both experiments and simulations indicate that the QSS dissociation rate coefficients for O + O2 interactions are about two times greater than the ones for O2 + O2. DMS calculations predict this to be a result of nonequilibrium (non-Boltzmann) internal energy distributions. Specifically, the increased dissociation rate is caused by faster vibrational relaxation, due to O + O2 collisions, which alters the vibrational energy distribution function in the QSS by populating higher energy states that readily dissociate. Although existing experimental data appear to support this prediction, experiments with lower uncertainty are needed for quantitative validation. The DMS data presented for rovibrational relaxation and dissociation in oxygen could be used to formulate models for DSMC and computational fluid dynamics methods.
Morphofunctional changes to the phytoplankton community in tropical ecosystems during the El Niño event of 2015–16
Authors: de Oliveira F. H. P. C. , Moura A. N. , Dantas Ê. W.
Published: July 2019

This study reports the effects of the El Niño event of 2015–16 on abiotic and biotic variables in tropical reservoirs in semi-arid and wet regions. Samples were collected in control years (2014) and during the El Niño event (2015–16). Phytoplankton was identified and its biomass quantified. Physicochemical and climatic variables were evaluated. Canonical analyses were performed to determine the effects of abiotic variables on phytoplankton. In semi-arid ecosystems, there was a decrease in diversity during the El Niño event, as well as an increase in the relative biomass of centric diatoms and a decrease in filamentous cyanobacteria. In wet ecosystems, changes in the community were not observed during the El Niño event. The synergistic contribution between physiochemical and climatic variables was most pronounced during the El Niño event in all ecosystems. Filamentous cyanobacteria were associated with the control year and favoured by higher pH values and sulfate concentrations. Centric diatoms were related to higher air temperatures and lower sulfate concentrations during the El Niño event. El Niño caused morphofunctional modifications to the phytoplankton in a distinct way in semi-arid and wet ecosystems. We show that in semi-arid reservoirs the El Niño event decreased the relative biomass of filamentous cyanobacteria and favoured central diatoms because of changes to sulfate concentrations.
Examining barriers, motivators and injury related to physical training in wildland firefighters
Authors: Sondag Annie , Moody Valerie , Mangan Aria
Published: July 2019

Fitness is critical in keeping wildland firefighters (WLFFs) healthy and safe from injury. Unfortunately, little is known about the physical training (PT) programs of WLFFs. The purpose of this study was to understand motivators, barriers and injuries related to PT. We used a descriptive research design. Information about PT practices was collected through interviews with key informants and was analysed qualitatively. Additionally, a questionnaire was developed, reviewed by experts, pilot tested and distributed electronically to WLFFs. A total of 16 interviews were conducted with key informants from multiple state, federal and volunteer agencies. Two overarching concepts, firefighter culture and environment, emerged from interviews as major influences on PT. The most frequently identified barrier to PT was work-related projects taking precedence over PT. Multiple motivating factors were identified, including having supervisors that participate in PT and wanting to be seen as a strong crewmember. Nearly half the injuries reported by WLFF resulted from PT and ~40% were viewed as preventable injuries. This project provides an understanding of the current PT practices of WLFFs. More importantly, results from this study identify, from the perspective of the firefighters themselves, the major motivators and barriers to engaging in PT.
Selective incorporation of proteinaceous over nonproteinaceous cationic amino acids in model prebiotic oligomerization reactions
Authors: Frenkel-Pinter Moran , Haynes Jay W. , C Martin , Petrov Anton S. , Burcar Bradley T. , Krishnamurthy Ramanarayanan , Hud Nicholas V. , Leman Luke J. , Williams Loren Dean
Published: July 2019

Significance

One of the long-standing questions in origins-of-life research centers on how the proteinaceous side chains and the protein backbone were selected during the earliest phases of evolution. Here we have studied oligomerization reactions of a group of positively charged amino acids, both proteinaceous and nonproteinaceous. Amino acids spontaneously oligomerized without the use of enzymes or activating agents, under mild, hydroxy acid-catalyzed, dry-down conditions. We observed that the proteinaceous amino acids oligomerized more extensively and with greater preference for reactivity through their α-amine compared with nonproteinaceous amino acids, forming predominantly linear, protein-like backbone topologies. These findings provide a purely chemical basis for selection of the positively charged amino acids found in today’s proteins.
Alternative truths and delegitimization pragmatic strategies around the 2018 Italian elections
Authors: Baldi Benedetta , Franco Ludovico , Savoia Leonardo M.
Published: July 2019

In this paper we aim at analysing, from a pragmatic viewpoint, the rhetoric of delegitimization of the opponent in new media insofar as it triggers individual, uncontrolled and deep-rooted forms of communications. The communicative context is that of the political controversies and the propaganda around the Italian elections of March 2018. Accusations of fake news, hate speech and other delegitimizing rhetorical tools occur within the messages distributed on social media by politicians. We are specifically interested in illustrating and examining the disposition/standpoint of public social actors, of politicians in particular, toward the (delegitimizing) effects of the spreading of foul language, hate speech and fake news as instruments for re-shaping reality and introducing an alternative reading of facts.
Consideration of Opioid Agonist Treatment in A Pregnant Adolescent: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Spada Meredith , Kmiec Julie , Glance Jody B. , Gopalan Priya
Published: July 2019

Background: Opioid use greatly increases the risk of overdose death, as well as contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis. Opioid agonist treatment is recommended for pregnant women who are dependent on opioids. However, there is a dearth of studies on the use of opioid agonist treatment in pregnant teenagers.

Case: Ms. A, a 15 year-old G1PO in foster care, presented to our tertiary women's hospital requesting opioid agonist treatment for use of pill opioids. She reported nasal inhalation of 5–6 opioid tablets daily, with recent attempts to self-taper using nonprescribed buprenorphine since learning of her pregnancy. Last reported opioid use was >24 hours prior to admission. Urine drug testing was positive only for opioids (negative for buprenorphine and methadone). She did not exhibit significant withdrawal symptoms while hospitalized. The psychiatric treatment team recommended deferring opioid agonist treatment and pursuing outpatient substance use treatment. Unfortunately, Ms. A did not attend outpatient treatment and was lost to follow up.

Discussion: Based upon our experience and review of the studies regarding opioid use disorder (OUD) and perinatal and adolescent opioid use, we recommend that pregnant adolescents with OUD be referred to opioid agonist treatment with buprenorphine or methadone. Studies specifically addressing opioid agonist treatment in pregnant teenagers are needed.
Who Receives Naloxone from Emergency Medical Services? Characteristics of Calls and Recent Trends
Authors: Geiger Caroline , Smart Rosanna , Stein Bradley D.
Published: July 2019

Background: With the rapid rise in opioid overdose-related deaths, state policy makers have expanded policies to increase the use of naloxone by emergency medical services (EMS). However, little is known about changes in EMS naloxone administration in the context of continued worsening of the opioid crisis and efforts to increase use of naloxone. This study examines trends in patient demographics and EMS response characteristics over time and by county urbanicity.

Methods: We used data from the 2013–2016 National EMS Information System to examine trends in patient demographics and EMS response characteristics for 911-initiated incidents that resulted in EMS naloxone administration. We also assessed temporal, regional, and urban–rural variation in per capita rates of EMS naloxone administrations compared with per capita rates of opioid-related overdose deaths.

Results: From 2013 to 2016, naloxone administrations increasingly involved young adults and occurred in public settings. Particularly in urban counties, there were modest but significant increases in the percentage of individuals who refused subsequent treatment, were treated and released, and received multiple administrations of naloxone before and after arrival of EMS personnel. Over the 4-year period, EMS naloxone administrations per capita increased at a faster rate than opioid-related overdose deaths across urban, suburban, and rural counties. Although national rates of naloxone administration were consistently higher in suburban counties, these trends varied across U.S. Census Regions, with the highest rates of suburban administration occurring in the South.

Conclusions: Naloxone administration rates increased more quickly than opioid deaths across all levels of county urbanicity, but increases in the percentage of individuals requiring multiple doses and refusing subsequent care require further attention.
MAICA: an ICA-based method for source separation in a low-channel EEG recording
Authors: Rejer Izabela , Górski Paweł
Published: July 2019

Objective. The paper aims to present a method that enables the application of independent component analysis (ICA) to a low-channel EEG recording. The idea behind the method (called moving average ICA or MAICA) is to extend the original low-sensor matrix of signals by applying a set of zero-phase moving average filters to each of the recorded signals.Approach. The paper discusses the theoretical background of the MAICA algorithm and verifies its usefulness under three exemplary settings: (i) a pure mathematic system composed of ten source sinusoids; (ii) real EEG data recorded from 64 channels; (iii) real EEG data recorded from five subjects during 200 trials with motor imagery brain–computer interface.Main results. The first system shows that MAICA is able to decompose two mixed signals (composed of ten source sinusoids) into ten components with an extremely high correlation between the source patterns and identified components (99%–100%). The second system shows that when used over five channels, MAICA is able to recognize more artefact components than those recognized by classic ICA used over 64 channels. Finally, the third system demonstrates that MAICA is capable of working in an online mode without significant delays; the additional time needed to run MAICA for one trial was less than 6ms in the survey reported in the paper.Significance. The method presented in the paper should have a significant impact on all areas of medical signal processing where a large number of known and/or unknown patterns have to be retrieved in real time from complex signals recorded from a small number of external/internal body sensors.
New insights on human essential genes based on integrated analysis and the construction of the HEGIAP web-based platform
Authors: Chen Hebing , Zhang Zhuo , Jiang Shuai , Li Ruijiang , Li Wanying , Zhao Chenghui , Hong Hao , Huang Xin , Li Hao , Bo Xiaochen
Published: July 2019

Essential genes are those whose loss of function compromises organism viability or results in profound loss of fitness. Recent gene-editing technologies have provided new opportunities to characterize essential genes. Here, we present an integrated analysis that comprehensively and systematically elucidates the genetic and regulatory characteristics of human essential genes. First, we found that essential genes act as ‘hubs’ in protein–protein interaction networks, chromatin structure and epigenetic modification. Second, essential genes represent conserved biological processes across species, although gene essentiality changes differently among species. Third, essential genes are important for cell development due to their discriminate transcription activity in embryo development and oncogenesis. In addition, we developed an interactive web server, the Human Essential Genes Interactive Analysis Platform (http://sysomics.com/HEGIAP/), which integrates abundant analytical tools to enable global, multidimensional interpretation of gene essentiality. Our study provides new insights that improve the understanding of human essential genes.
scRNABatchQC: multi-samples quality control for single cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Liu Qi , Sheng Quanhu , Ping Jie , Ramirez Marisol Adelina , Lau Ken S , Coffey Robert J , Shyr Yu
Published: July 2019

Single cell RNA sequencing is a revolutionary technique to characterize inter-cellular transcriptomics heterogeneity. However, the data are noise-prone because gene expression is often driven by both technical artifacts and genuine biological variations. Proper disentanglement of these two effects is critical to prevent spurious results. While several tools exist to detect and remove low-quality cells in one single cell RNA-seq dataset, there is lack of approach to examining consistency between sample sets and detecting systematic biases, batch effects and outliers. We present scRNABatchQC, an R package to compare multiple sample sets simultaneously over numerous technical and biological features, which gives valuable hints to distinguish technical artifact from biological variations. scRNABatchQC helps identify and systematically characterize sources of variability in single cell transcriptome data. The examination of consistency across datasets allows visual detection of biases and outliers.

Availability and implementation

scRNABatchQC is freely available at https://github.com/liuqivandy/scRNABatchQC as an R package.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Heterogeneous clinical and functional features of GRIN2D-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: XiangWei Wenshu , Kannan Varun , Xu Yuchen , Kosobucki Gabrielle J , Schulien Anthony J , Kusumoto Hirofumi , Moufawad El Achkar Christelle , Bhattacharya Subhrajit , Lesca Gaetan , Nguyen Sylvie , Helbig Katherine L , Cuisset Jean-Marie , Fenger Christina Dühring , Marjanovic Dragan , Schuler Elisabeth , Wu Ye , Bao Xinhua , Zhang Yuehua , Dirkx Nina , Schoonjans An-Sofie , Syrbe Steffen , Myers Scott J , Poduri Annapurna , Aizenman Elias , Traynelis Stephen F , Lemke Johannes R , Yuan Hongjie , Jiang Yuwu
Published: July 2019

NMDA receptors are implicated in various neurological diseases. XiangWei et al. identify seven GRIN2D variants associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. They describe the clinical phenotypes and evaluate functional changes, including pharmacological properties, surface trafficking, and neurotoxicity, as well as the responses to FDA-approved NMDAR drugs for potential rescue pharmacology.
Trans-acting non-synonymous variant of FOXA1 predisposes to hepatocellular carcinoma through modulating FOXA1-ERα transcriptional program and may have undergone natural selection
Authors: Wang Sheng , Xiang Chan , Mou Lin , Yang Yuan , Zhong Rong , Wang Liyan , Sun Chang , Qin Zhaoyu , Yang Jingmin , Qian Ji , Zhao Yuanyuan , Wang Yi , Pan Xuedong , Qie Jingbo , Jiang Yan , Wang Xiaofeng , Yang Yajun , Zhou Wei-Ping , Miao Xiaoping , He Fuchu , Jin Li , Wang Haijian
Published: July 2019

Interplay of pioneer transcription factor forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) and estrogen receptor has been implicated in sexual dimorphism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but etiological relevance of its polymorphism was unknown. In the case control study (1152 patients versus1242 controls), we observed significant increase in HCC susceptibility in hepatitis B virus carriers associated with a non-synonymous Thr83Ala variant of FOXA1 (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11−1.48, for Ala83-containing genotype, after validation in an independent population with 933 patients versus 1030 controls), a tightly linked (CGC)5/6or7 repeat polymorphism at its promoter (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.10–1.60, for (CGC)6or7-repeat-containing genotype), and their combined haplotype (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.24–1.81, for (CGC)6or7−Ala83 haplotype). The susceptible FOXA1-Ala83 impairs its interaction with ERα, attenuates transactivation toward some of their dual target genes, such as type 1 iodothyronine deiodinase, UDP glucuronosyltransferase 2 family, polypeptide B17 and sodium/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide, but correlates with strengthened cellular expression of α-fetoprotein (AFP) and elevated AFP serum concentration in HCC patients (n = 1096). The susceptible FOXA1 cis-variant with (CGC)6or7 repeat strengthens the binding to transcription factor early growth response 1 and enhances promoter activity and gene expression. Evolutionary population genetics analyses with public datasets reveal significant population differentiation and unique haplotype structure of the derived protective FOXA1-Thr83 and suggest that it may have undergone positive natural selection in Chinese population. These findings epidemiologically highlight the functional significance of FOXA1-ERα transcriptional program and regulatory network in liver cancer development.
Development of Hippocampal–Prefrontal Cortex Interactions through Adolescence
Authors: Calabro Finnegan J , Murty Vishnu P , Jalbrzikowski Maria , Tervo-Clemmens Brenden , Luna Beatriz
Published: July 2019

Significant improvements in cognitive control occur from childhood through adolescence, supported by the maturation of prefrontal systems. However, less is known about the neural basis of refinements in cognitive control proceeding from adolescence to adulthood. Accumulating evidence indicates that integration between hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) supports flexible cognition and has a protracted neural maturation. Using a longitudinal design (487 scans), we characterized developmental changes from 8 to 32 years of age in HPC-PFC functional connectivity at rest and its associations with cognitive development. Results indicated significant increases in functional connectivity between HPC and ventromedial PFC (vmPFC), but not dorsolateral PFC. Importantly, HPC-vmPFC connectivity exclusively predicted performance on the Stockings of Cambridge task, which probes problem solving and future planning. These data provide evidence that maturation of high-level cognition into adulthood is supported by increased functional integration across the HPC and vmPFC through adolescence.
Epidural analgesia after minimally invasive esophagectomy: efficacy and complication profile
Authors: Kingma B F , Visser E , Marsman M , Ruurda J P , van Hillegersberg R
Published: July 2019

Adequate postoperative pain management is essential to facilitate uneventful recovery after esophagectomy. Although epidural analgesia is the gold standard, it is not satisfactory in all patients. The aim of this study is to describe the efficacy and complication profile of epidural analgesia after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). A total of 108 patients who underwent a robot-assisted (McKeown) MIE for esophageal cancer were included from a single center prospective database (2012–2015). The number of patients that could receive epidural analgesia, the sensory block range per day, the number of epidural top-ups, the need for escape pain mediation (i.e. intravenous opioids), the highest pain score per day (numeric rating scale: 0–10), and epidural-related complications were assessed until postoperative day (POD) 4. Epidural catheter placement was achieved in 101 patients (94%). A complete sensory block was found in 49% (POD1), 42% (POD 2), 20% (POD3), and 30% (POD4) of patients. An epidural top-up was performed in 26 patients (24%), which was successful in 22 patients. Escape pain medication in the form of intravenous opioids was given at least once in 49 out of 108 patients (45%) on POD 1, 2, 3, or 4. Overall median highest pain scores on the corresponding days were 2.0 (range: 0–10), 3.5 (range: 0–9), 3.0 (range: 0–8), and 4.0 (range: 0–9). Epidural related complications occurred in 20 patients (19%) and included catheter problems (n = 11), hypotension (n = 6), bradypnea (n = 2), and reversible tingling in the legs (n = 1). In conclusion, in this study epidural analgesia was insufficient and escape pain medication was necessary in nearly half of patients undergoing MIE.
WNT2b Activates Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition Through FZD4: Relevance in Penetrating Crohn´s Disease
Authors: Ortiz-Masià Dolores , Salvador Pedro , Macias-Ceja Dulce C , Gisbert-Ferrándiz Laura , Esplugues Juan V , Manyé Josep , Alós Rafael , Navarro-Vicente Francisco , Mamie Céline , Scharl Michael , Cosin-Roger Jesus , Calatayud Sara , Barrachina María D
Published: July 2019

Background and Aims

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition [EMT] has been related to fibrosis and fistula formation, common complications associated with Crohn´s disease [CD]. The WNT signalling pathway mediates EMT, and specific WNT/FZD interactions have been related to the activation of this process in several diseases. We aim to analyse the relevance of EMT and WNT ligands and receptors in the penetrating behaviour of CD.

Methods

Intestinal surgical resections were obtained from control and CD patients with a stenotic or penetrating behaviour. Fibrosis was determined by the histological analysis of collagen deposition and EMT by confocal microscopy. The expression of WNT ligands, inhibitors, and FZD receptors was analysed by RT-PCR, WB, IH, and IF studies. The effects of WNT2b and the role of FZD4 in EMT were analysed in HT29 epithelial cells.

Results

Fibrosis and expression of EMT markers were detected in samples from CD patients irrespective of the clinical behaviour. However, an increased colocalisation of E-CADHERIN and VIMENTIN, an increased number of cells expressing WNT2b, and a higher expression of FZD4 and WNT2b/FZD4 interaction, were detected in intestinal tissue from the penetrating compared with the stenotic CD behaviour. WNT2b induced EMT in HT29 cells through FZD4 activation.

Conclusions

An increased EMT, associated with increased WNT2b/FZD4 interaction, was detected in intestinal tissue from CD patients with a penetrating behaviour. WNT2b, through FZD4 activation, induces EMT in vitro which points to a novel pharmacological target to prevent intestinal penetrating complications of CD.
Left ventricular assist device implant and subsequent orthotopic heart transplant after chronic type B aortic dissection
Authors: Kagawa Hiroshi , Ramani Ravi , Keebler Mary , Sciortino Christopher
Published: July 2019

The criteria for being placed on the list of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation for an orthotopic heart transplant mention nothing about patients with aortic dissection. Nor are there any guidelines pertaining to the patient with type B aortic dissection. Herein, we report the case of a patient with chronic type B aortic dissection for whom we successfully performed a left ventricular assist device implant followed by an orthotopic heart transplant.
Corneille’s Character Failure: The Problematic Portayal of Sévère in Polyeucte
Authors: Scott Paul
Published: July 2019

In Pierre Corneille’s religious tragedy, Polyeucte (1643), the secondary character of Sévère, invented by the dramatist as a former love interest of the protagonist’s wife, has long been held (by contemporary critics and to the present day) to be a positive, noble and virtuous pagan who steals the limelight from the martyr hero. This article offers a radical re-reading of the play, arguing that the depiction of Sévère is more complex and that his probity is questionable throughout the play. At the same time, his mysterious non-conversion at the end of the drama affords him the chance to evolve into a pro-active and unselfish advocate in a way that would have been impossible had he become a Christian. Corneille therefore experiments with characterization in the play, presenting both a perfect central hero and a competing, flawed character as an imperfect hermeneutic counterpoint in what could be termed Cornelian fausse-pistisme.
Study on the layout of GNSS sites for strike-slip faults
Authors: Zou Zhenyu , Jiang Zaisen , Cui Yueju , Zhang Long , Wang Peng , Liu Tai
Published: July 2019

In the profile analysis of faults, the distribution of GNSS sites directly affects the accuracy of the results of slip rate and locking depth. This paper discusses strategies for designing the layout of GNSS stations perpendicular to strike-slip faults in terms of site spacing and the Minimum Effective Distance, which is 20 times the locking depth of the fault. Three layout models are proposed considering the complexity of strike-slip faults: (1) Equal spacing layout, in which many stations are deployed in the far field, only a few are deployed in the near field. (2) Equal deformation layout, in which stations are densely arranged in the near field and sparsely arranged in the far field according to the frequency of deformation curve. (3) Equal slope spacing layout, in which stations are arranged according to the nonlinear degree of the deformation curve, with dense distribution in regions with high nonlinearity and sparse distribution in approximately linear regions. The three models were used to redistribute the sites in the Qiaojia to Dongchuan segment of the Xiaojiang fault profile, and their performances were compared with that of the current sites distribution of the segment. The results showed that model 1 is optimal for fitting the accuracy of slip rate and model 3 is optimal for the accuracy of locking depth. Overall, model 3 appears to be the best choice, considering that the accuracy of the locking depth is more difficult to control. One of the main purposes of deployment is to identify the seismogenic depth of the fault. With the locking depth of the fault gradually approaching the depth of the seismogenic layer during an interseismic period, the accuracy of observations of sites deployed at a preset value of historical seismogenic depth of the fault would improve.
Bottom-up analysis using liquid chromatography–Fourier transform mass spectrometry to characterize fucosylated chondroitin sulfates from sea cucumbers
Authors: Yan Lufeng , Li Lingyun , Li Junhui , Yu Yanlei , Liu Xinyue , Ye Xingqian , Linhardt Robert J , Chen Shiguo
Published: July 2019

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfates (FCSs) from sea cucumbers have repetitive structures that exhibit minor structural differences based on the organism from which they are recovered. A detailed characterization of FCSs and their derivatives is important to establish their structure–activity relationship in the development of new anticoagulant drugs. In the current study, online hydrophilic interaction chromatography–Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) was applied to analyze the FCS oligosaccharides generated by selective degradation from four species of sea cucumbers, Isostichopus badionotus, Pearsonothuria graeffei, Holothuria mexicana and Acaudina molpadioides. These depolymerized FCS fragments were quantified and compared using the glycomics software package, GlycReSoft. The quantified fragments mainly had trisaccharide-repeating compositions and showed significant differences in fucosylation (including its sulfation) among different species of sea cucumbers. Detailed analysis of FTMS ion peaks and top-down nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of native FCS polysaccharides verified the accuracy of this method. Thus, a new structural model for FCS chains from these different sea cucumbers was defined. This bottom-up approach provides rich detailed structural analysis and provides quantitative information with high accuracy and reproducibility and should be suitable for the quality control in FCSs as well as their oligosaccharides.
Avoiding the Hypothetical: Why “Mirror Experiments” are an Essential Part of Survey Research
Authors: McDonald Jared
Published: July 2019

Although vignettes featuring hypothetical politicians are popular in survey experiments, political scientists rarely explore the tradeoffs between realism and experimental control. In this manuscript, I argue for greater use of “mirror experiments” in political science, or controlled survey experiments that use real politicians and mimic real world situations. This article demonstrates that cognitive burden, brought on by the lack of familiarity with a hypothetical politician, can bias experimental results. Without prior knowledge of a politician, attitudes toward political actors are artificially malleable in laboratory settings, exaggerating treatment effects on traditional approval questions. This article concludes with two empirical demonstrations of these issues, and provides a set of criteria for judging when realistic or hypothetical survey vignettes should be used.
69 Arkansas beef producers’ age impacts educational method preference
Authors: Robinson Julie C , Gadberry Shane , Looper Michael , Kimbrough Chelsey A , Jennings John , Beck Paul A , Russell Mark R , Ward Heidi M
Published: July 2019

In November 2017, leaders from each segment of the Arkansas beef industry were invited to participate in a nominal group technique to identify current strengths, weaknesses, and future opportunities of the industry. Results from the nominal group technique were used to develop surveys specifically for beef cattle segments. A total of 325 responses were received. One objective of the study was to evaluate educational preferences including methods for receiving information and group meeting participation. Participants identified with one of 5 age categories including < 31 yrs, 31 to 40 yrs, 41 to 50 yrs, 51 to 60 yrs, and > 60 yrs of age. Participants were also asked to rate methods for receiving information, based on preference where 1 = not preferred and 5 = highly preferred. A correlation between age and preferred method of receiving information could guide future efforts in educational information development. There was a negative correlation between age and social media as the preferred method for receiving information (r = -0.32, P = < .001). No other significant differences were detected between preferred method of receiving information and age. In an effort to be efficient with the educational materials that are produced, and reach as many clientele as possible using the preferred methods of receiving information, Extension specialists can focus on correlations between preferred methods of receiving information. Producers who prefer printed publications as a method of receiving information, also highly prefer display/poster, group meeting/workshop, experiment station field days, and on-farm field demonstrations. Participants whose preferred method of receiving information was a mobile device, also highly preferred social media, online web-based information, distance education, and trade magazines. Extension personnel could concentrate efforts in developing information using the methods listed above to reach larger groups of target clientele, by using highly preferred methods of receiving information.
67 2018 Alfalfa in the South Workshop Series: A review of regional Extension efforts
Authors: Hendricks Taylor J , Tucker Jennifer J , Mullenix Mary K , Mason Katie , Hancock Dennis W , Missaoui Ali , Bouton Joe
Published: July 2019

Alfalfa research in the Southeast has steadily increased over the past ten years. Researchers have a renewed interest in this perennial legume as new varieties have been released that are better suited to the challenging climate and use in the Southeast. Extensive effort has been put forth in establishing programs promoting the use of alfalfa as a viable high-quality forage option in the south. In 2018, the “Alfalfa in the South” workshop series was designed to provide in-depth extension education, circulate new research findings, and engage in discussions with producers as related to the use of alfalfa in the southeast. The series consisted of 4 one-day workshops, organized by University of Georgia Extension in conjunction with America’s Alfalfa, and included Extension specialists, faculty, and graduate students from both the University of Georgia and Auburn University. Topics were broken into five classroom learning modules: 1) site selection and establishment, 2) improving animal performance with alfalfa, 3) managing alfalfa for persistence, 4) alfalfa breeding programs, and 5) graduate student research updates. Each workshop concluded with an on-farm demonstration where attendees engaged in discussion with producers utilizing alfalfa in their operation. Postworkshop evaluation results determined that, on a scale of 1 to 5, where “1” was “no change” and “5” indicated “greatly improved,” producers rated their change in interest using alfalfa as a 4.73 and their confidence in using alfalfa management skills as 4.36. Additionally, the producer discussion and field tour section rated the highest, 4.67 (1 being “poor” and 5 being “excellent”); however, all topics rated 4.12 or higher, indicating that attendees found this workshop to be very good to excellent. Of the 60 participants, 68% indicated that they would make some major changes and 32% plan to try to make minor management changes following the workshops.
70 Integrity Beef Alliance I. Program Overview
Authors: Wells Robert S
Published: July 2019

Noble Research Institute initiated a cow/calf best management practices (BMP) and marketing program in 2000. Over time, the Integrity Beef Alliance program has matured into a producer-run stand-alone Alliance that has received much favorable attention in the industry. The objectives of the program are: 1.) implement BMP’s, 2.) increase selling weights of calves, 3.) increase calf quality and uniformity, 4.) improve marketing efficiencies, 5.) utilize producer records for improvement, and 6.) educate producers to use of BMP’s. This program has developed stringent protocols that must be adhered to throughout the calf production phase. Protocols and requirements center on cow and bull genetics, herd health, preconditioning criteria, and record keeping. Producers who complete all required documentation and pay an annual membership fee are allowed to sell their calves through a value added calf sale, receive a letter of certification to provide to potential direct market buyers, or market through Superior Livestock Video utilizing the Integrity Beef Alliance logo. Through the utilization of financial and production records, members are able to benchmark themselves against other similar operations in the program and against their own performance over time to determine areas of needed improvement and areas of efficiency. Compared with the 2008 NAHMS data, producers have averaged a 28.6 kg increased weaning weight. Many producers have indicated a higher increase in weaning weight compared to their previous protocols. The program has grown from 11 producers in 2005 to 51 members in 2018.
63 Development and application of a veterinary survey to assess food animal veterinarian shortages: A collaboration between the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas Veterinary Board
Authors: Ward Heidi M
Published: July 2019

Veterinarians are in demand due to regulatory changes that require more veterinary oversight in food animal production. The USDA identifies thirteen counties in Arkansas as having food animal veterinarian deficiencies. In response to the report, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Arkansas Veterinary Board to devise a strategy for alleviating the shortages. Upon permission by the veterinary board, Arkansas Extension developed a survey to assess the status and needs of Arkansas veterinarians. The questionnaire was included in the veterinarian license renewal packet, asking - How many doctors are in your practice? What species are you willing to treat? Do any of your doctors do farm calls? For which counties do you provide farm calls? Are you aware of changes to the FDA Veterinary Feed Directive? Would you be interested in learning honey bee medicine? Would you be interested in joining the Arkansas Animal Emergency Response Team? Would you be willing to be a mentor for the 4-H Vet Science Program? Would you like your email included on notifications from the Arkansas VMA? Are there any continuing education (CE) topics that you feel need attention? Of the 965 actively licensed Arkansas veterinarians, 537 returned their responses to the survey. Data was entered into an Excel spreadsheet and shared with the Arkansas Veterinary Board, the Arkansas VMA, and the Arkansas State Veterinarian Office. Using the data, Extension created a comprehensive food animal veterinarian directory that was distributed at various producer meetings and made available electronically on the Extension website. CE suggestions were used to develop the Food Animal Medicine Workshop Series, which was awarded funding by the USDA NIFA Veterinary Services Grant Program. The goal of the CE series is to re-train existing mixed animal veterinarians to improve food animal veterinary coverage for Arkansas producers
60 Arkansas Beef Industry Assessment: Producer Results
Authors: Gadberry Shane , Robinson Julie C , Looper Michael , Kimbrough Chelsey A , Jennings John , Beck Paul A , Russell Mark R , Ward Heidi M
Published: July 2019

This study sought producer insight into strengths, limitations, opportunities, and threats to Arkansas’ beef cattle industry. The study included small commercial cow-calf (SC, <50 cows), large commercial cow-calf (LC), purebred (PB), and stocker (ST) operators. The study was completed in 2 phases. Phase 1 involved a listening session. Phase 2 involved a statewide survey based on comments from the listening session. A sample of 100 individuals from each industry group was selected randomly from a larger list of contacts. Participants only completed surveys that aligned with their production system. Participants ranked each comment on a 5-point Likert scale. Response rate was 47%. Response mean and standard deviation was calculated for each comment. The mean and median comment rank were 3.99 and 4, respectively. There was strong negative correlation (-0.72, P < 0.001) among comments mean rank and deviation. The overall 75th percentile (4.26) was used to identify greatest items of importance. Greatest current strengths included benefiting from off-farm income, benefits, and insurance (SC); being able to invest in quality bulls (LC); investing in genetic improvement (PB); and adding value to Arkansas’ cattle industry (ST). Greatest limitations included equipment (SC) and land costs (SC and PB), buyer education (PB), cattle health (ST), and state reputation (ST). Highly important future opportunities include economical feed (SC), beef demand (LC, ST), stewardship (LC), genetic improvement (LC, PB), consumer education (PB), disease management (ST), better marketing systems (ST), and value added programs (ST). Greatest foreseen threats included beef demand (SC), government regulations (SC, LC, PB), market volatility (PB), youth interest and aging farmer (PB), loss of antibiotics (ST), disease resistance (ST), escalating costs (ST), and feed shortage (ST). Listening sessions and surveys provide insight into producer thoughts and concerns and provide a foundation for Extension programming.
61 2018 Southern Section Extension Forum: Collaborating to meet the needs of clientele
Authors: Stewart Lawton , Mullenix Mary K , Hersom Matt , Smith Jason , Moriel Philipe , Rhinehart Justin D
Published: July 2019

A two-day forum was held at the University of Tennessee (UT) Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center to foster collaborative efforts between Extension specialists and county or area agents across the southern United States. The forum was attended by 28 specialists and 18 county or regional agents from across the Southern Section of ASAS. The forum began with a tour of the UT Heifer Development Center. The forum was split into three sessions and included: 1. Transfer of knowledge (Demonstration research), 2. Developing formal education for Extension agents, and 3. Collaborating across state lines to develop Extension Programs. Within each section, a brief presentation was given, followed by break-out sessions to discuss success stories from each state and potential programs to implement. From the break-out session, areas of need identified primarily focused on the development of support resources for Extension agents. Needed outputs identified included a resource guide for conducting on-farm research and demonstration projects with county and regional Extension agents, defining a regional process to provide formal distance education for agents, and development of online coursework and training tools for agents for continuing education. Assessment data indicate that participants had completed an average of 8.4 (± 6.65, range 0.5 to 24) years of service. Agents were asked to rank their level of confidence, using a 5-point Likert scale, with three tasks. Averages (SEM) of that self-assessment are indicated in Table 1. The 2018 Southern Section Extension Forum was a successful effort to bring together collaborators to identify needs and propose programs to improve the impact of Extension.