bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between fecal hemoglobin concentration and oral potentially malignant disorders
Authors: Yen Amy Ming‐Fang , Wang Sen‐Te , Feng Sheng‐Wei , Lin Che‐Tong , Chen Sam Li‐Sheng
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The present study was to investigate the association between fecal hemoglobin (f‐Hb) concentration and oral cancer and its precursor, oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD).

Methods

We used a population‐based longitudinal cohort study data based on both Taiwanese nationwide oral and colorectal cancer screening programs implemented between 2004 and 2009. The total of 235,234 smokers and/or betel‐quid chewers aged 50 to 69 years free of oral cancer and OPMD at entry were followed up over time to quantify the association between baseline f‐Hb concentration on newly diagnosed oral cancer and OPMD.

Results

The risk of OPMD increased with baseline f‐Hb in a dose manner, yielding a statistically significant elevated risk of developing OPMD in parallel with the incremental concentration of f‐Hb (adjusted hazard ratios = 0.99, 1,11, 1,07, 1,57, and 1,63 for f‐Hb categories of 1–9, 10–19, 20–49, 50–89, and ≥90 µg Hb/g, respectively, as compared with the reference group (low and undetectable f‐Hb concentrations)) However, there was lacking of a statistical significance for the corresponding association regarding the risk of oral cancer, which is possibly due to sparse cases given a shorter follow‐up time.

Conclusion

We discovered that f‐Hb concentration was positively related to the risk of OPMD. f‐Hb can be used as a biomarker for early detection of OPMD.
PhytochromeBdynamics departs from photoequilibrium in the field
Authors: Sellaro Romina , Smith Robert W. , Legris Martina , Fleck Christian , Casal Jorge J.
Published: September 2018

Vegetation shade is characterized by marked decreases in the red/far‐red ratio and photosynthetic irradiance. The activity of phytochrome in the field has typically been described by its photoequilibrium, defined by the photochemical properties of the pigment in combination with the spectral distribution of the light. This approach represents an oversimplification because phytochrome B (phyB) activity depends not only on its photochemical reactions but also on its rates of synthesis, degradation, translocation to the nucleus, and thermal reversion. To account for these complex cellular reactions, we used a model to simulate phyB activity under a range of field conditions. The model provided values of phyB activity that in turn predicted hypocotyl growth in the field with reasonable accuracy. On the basis of these observations, we define two scenarios, one is under shade, in cloudy weather, at the extremes of the photoperiod or in the presence of rapid fluctuations of the light environment caused by wind‐induced movements of the foliage, where phyB activity departs from photoequilibrium and becomes affected by irradiance and temperature in addition to the spectral distribution. The other scenario is under full sunlight, where phyB activity responds mainly to the spectral distribution of the light.
The incidence of pediatric malignant soft tissue tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
Authors: Liszewski Walter , Maguiness Sheilagh , Greengard Emily , Boull Christina
Published: September 2018

Soft tissue tumors are a known, albeit uncommon, cause of cutaneous malignancy in children. Little is known about which types and how frequently these tumors initially present in the skin or subcutis of children. Using data from the 2000‐2014 SEER‐18 database, we have identified 12 malignant soft tissue tumor types, which initially presented in the skin or subcutis of children in over 50% of cases.
Monozygotic twins diagnosed simultaneously with RAM immunophenotype acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Abu‐Arja Rolla F. , Dargart Jamie L. , Bajwa Rajinder P. S. , Kahwash Samir B. , Auletta Jeffery J. , Rangarajan Hemalatha G.
Published: September 2018

AML with the RAM immunophenotype is associated with extremely poor prognosis. We report a rare case of monozygotic twins presenting simultaneously at the age of 2 years with RAM AML. Each twin underwent a myeloablative 7/10 unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant. Pretransplant Twin A's bone marrow was negative for MRD by flow cytometry (<0.01%) unlike Twin B's bone marrow (0.07%). Twin A is alive in remission 3 years from transplant. Twin B developed primary graft failure, but subsequently rescued with a haploidentical stem cell transplant. However, she relapsed and died 13 months from diagnosis. The twins’ clinical courses demonstrate that upfront intensive chemotherapy to achieve negative MRD, followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant as postremission intensification strategy, should be considered in this high‐risk AML.
The secreted salivary proteome of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri
Authors: Yu Xiudao , Killiny Nabil
Published: September 2018

The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is a sap‐sucking hemipteran that serves as a vector for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal agent of citrus huanglongbing (HLB). Salivary secretions play critical roles in insect–host plant interactions and are responsible for the establishment of insect herbivory. In the present study, we aim to identify the major proteins in D. citri saliva. Saliva proteins are collected from the artificial diet upon D. citri feeding. Collected proteins are concentrated, filtered, digested and then analyzed using liquid chromatography‐tandem spectrometry (MS/MS). The MS/MS data are then analyzed by searching the D. citri genome deposited in the NCBI. Eighty‐nine proteins are identified in D. citri saliva. Eighty‐six of these proteins are from D. citri, whereas three proteins are from Wolbachia endosymbiont. The proteins identified belong to several functional groups, including enzymes, cytoskeletal proteins, sheath proteins, receptor proteins, transporter proteins, chromatin‐, RNA‐ and DNA‐binding proteins, and other proteins. These proteins could be involved in many key functions, including detoxification of plant defencee compounds and suppression of plant defence, as well as facilitation of stylet penetration, sap sucking and digestion. The identification of these proteins is an essential step for the understanding of D. citri–plant interactions. The identification of key enzymes in the saliva of D. citri could lead to a discovery of proper inhibitors that disrupt its feeding, consequently preventing the spread of the HLB pathogen.
Dependence of phase setting on the amplitude of square‐wave and pseudo‐sinusoidal temperature cycles in the circadian eclosion rhythm of the onion fly Delia antiqua
Authors: Miyazaki Yosuke , Tanaka Kazuhiro , Watari Yasuhiko
Published: September 2018

With increasing soil depth, the diel temperature amplitude gradually decreases and the phase of the temperature cycle is delayed. The onion fly Delia antiqua (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), which pupates at a soil depth of 2–20 cm, advances the eclosion phase of its circadian rhythm as the temperature amplitude decreases. This ‘temperature amplitude response’ is considered to allow pupae located at any depth to eclose in the early morning. The present study examines the temperature amplitude response of D. antiqua under thermoperiods with amplitudes ranging between 1 and 20 °C. The thermoperiod to which pupae are exposed is either a square‐wave temperature cycle, which is generally used for laboratory experiments, or a pseudo‐sinusoidal temperature cycle, which more closely resembles natural daily temperature cycle, at an average temperature of either 25 or 20 °C. Bursts of eclosion invoked by the abrupt temperature increase in square‐wave cycles are apparently repressed in pseudo‐sinusoidal temperature cycles. Eclosion time shows a clear quantitative shift by 5.9–8.6 h in response to temperature amplitude regardless of the average temperature and the shape of the temperature cycle. The change in the eclosion time is clearly noticeable between amplitudes of 1 and 8 °C but is small between amplitudes of 8 °C or more. Delia antiqua may evolve to compensate for the depth‐dependent phase delay of temperature changes within the possible range of temperature amplitudes in actual soil environments.
Parasites and allergy: Observations from Africa
Authors: Mpairwe Harriet , Amoah Abena S.
Published: September 2018

Population studies from the African continent have observed a marked increase in the prevalence of allergy‐related diseases over the past few decades, but the cause of this rise is not fully understood. The most investigated potential risk factor has been the relationship between exposure to helminths and allergy‐related outcomes. Immunologically, parallels exist between responses to helminths and to allergens as both are associated with elevated levels of immunoglobulin E, increased numbers of T helper 2 cells and other immune cells. However, epidemiological studies from the African continent have found inconsistent results. In this review, observations from population studies carried out in Africa over the last decade that focus on the relationship between helminth infections and allergy‐related outcomes are examined. How these findings advance our understanding of the complex interactions between helminths and allergies at the population level is also explored as well as some of the underlying immune mechanisms involved. This knowledge is important for better diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergy‐related diseases and has wider global significance.
SMARCB‐1 deficient squamous cell carcinoma of a mediastinal cyst
Authors: Nishimura Yuuki , Yoshida Akihiko , Yonemori Kan , Motoi Noriko , Tamura Kenji , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi , Mori Taisuke
Published: September 2018

SMARCB1‐deficiency has been found in a variety of tumors. Here, we report a SMARCB1‐deficient squamous cell carcinoma of a mediastinal cyst. A 53‐year‐old man was diagnosed with a cyst of the pericardial region in his twenties. As a symptom at this time, he complained of severe pain and dyspnea in the right chest. Following investigation using imaging and histological examination of the biopsy specimen, he was diagnosed with a SMARCB1 deficient malignant neoplasm. As tumor cells showed positive immunostaining for p40 and CK5/6, the immunophenotype of the tumor was consistent with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The patient died six months after initial presentation. The autopsy showed the most part of the tumor with anaplastic cytomorphology, loss of SMARCB1, diffusely positive immunostaining for pancytokeratin, and negative immunostaining for p40 and CK5/6. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SMARCB1‐deficient SCC of mediastinal cyst.
First‐Price Split‐Award Auctions in Procurement Markets with Economies of Scale: An Experimental Study
Authors: Kokott Gian‐Marco , Bichler Martin , Paulsen Per
Published: September 2018

We experimentally study first‐price split‐award auction formats as they can be found in procurement markets where suppliers have economies of scale. Our analysis includes sequential and combinatorial auctions, which allow for bids on the package of two shares and single shares. We derive equilibrium predictions as hypotheses for bidder behavior in our laboratory experiments. These equilibrium predictions help explain important patterns in our experimental results. The combinatorial first‐price sealed‐bid auction yields lower prices than the other mechanisms and is highly efficient independent of the extent of scale economies. With strong economies of scale both combinatorial auction formats let the auctioneer incur significantly lower procurement costs and generate high efficiency compared to the sequential auction. We also find high efficiency of the combinatorial first‐price sealed‐bid auction in experiments with diseconomies of scale, making these auctions attractive if the buyer has uncertainty about the economies of scale in a market. Our analysis shows that combinatorial split‐award auctions can be an attractive alternative for the buyer compared to their sequential counterparts.
Joint Pricing and Inventory Control with Fixed and Convex/Concave Variable Production Costs
Authors: Hu Peng , Lu Ye , Song Miao
Published: September 2018

This study considers a periodic‐review joint pricing and inventory control problem for a single product, where production incurs a fixed cost plus a convex or concave variable cost. Our objective is to maximize the expected discounted profit over the entire planning horizon. We fully characterize the optimal policy for the single‐period problem. As the optimal policy for the multi‐period problem is too complicated to be implemented in practice, we develop well‐structured heuristic policies, and establish worst‐case performance bounds on the profit gap between the heuristic policies and the optimal policies. Numerical studies show that our heuristic policies perform extremely well. To further reveal the structural properties of the optimal policies, we also introduce two new concepts named κ‐convexity and sym‐ κ‐convexity, provide the associated preservation results, and then characterize the optimal policies.
Transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to explore the differences in monoterpene and benzenoid biosynthesis between scented and unscented genotypes of wintersweet
Authors: Tian Jing‐Pu , Ma Zhi‐Yao , Zhao Kai‐Ge , Zhang Jie , Xiang Lin , Chen Long‐Qing
Published: September 2018

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox L.) is an important ornamental plant in China with a pleasant floral scent. To explore the potential mechanisms underlying differences in the fragrances among genotypes of this plant, we analyzed floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two different genotypes: SW001, which has little to no fragrance, and the scented genotype H29. The major VOCs in H29 were linalool, trans‐β‐ocimene, benzyl acetate, methyl salicylate, benzyl alcohol (BAlc) and methyl benzoate. The most important aroma‐active compound in H29, linalool, was emitted at a low concentration in SW001, which had markedly higher levels of trans‐β‐ocimene than H29. Next, to investigate scent biosynthesis, we analyzed the transcriptome and proteome of fully open flowers of the two genotypes. A total of 14 443 differentially expressed unigenes and 196 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Further analyses indicated that 56 differentially expressed genes involved in the terpenoid and benzenoid biosynthesis pathways might play critical roles in regulating floral fragrance difference. Disequilibrium expression of four terpene synthase genes resulted in diverse emission of linalool and trans‐β‐ocimene in both genotypes. In addition, the expressions of two CpMYC2 transcription factors were both upregulated in H29, implying that they may regulate linalool production. Notably, 16 of 20 genes in the benzenoid biosynthesis pathway were downregulated, corresponding to the relatively low level of benzenoid production in SW001. The lack of benzyl acetate might indicate that SW001 may lack substrate BAlc or functional acetyl‐CoA:benzylalcohol acetyltransferase.
Optimization of parthenogenetic activation of rabbit oocytes and development of rabbit embryo by somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Zhang Shun , Xiang Shu , Yang Jinji , Shi Jinyue , Guan Xiaomei , Jiang Jianrong , Wei Yingming , Luo Chan , Shi Deshun , Lu Fenghua
Published: September 2018

The present study explored a suitable parthenogenetic activation (PA) procedure for rabbit oocytes and investigated the developmental potential of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos using rabbit foetal fibroblasts (RFFs). The electrical activation had the optimal rate of blastocyst (14.06%) when oocytes were activated by three direct current (DC) pulses (40 V/mm, 20 μs each) followed by 6‐dimethylaminopurine (6‐DMAP) and cycloheximide (CHX) treatment; the blastocyst rate of ionomycin (ION) + 6‐DMAP + CHX (12.07%) activation was higher than that of ION + 6‐DMAP (8.6%) activation or ION + CHX (1.24%) activation; there was no significant difference in blastocyst rate between ION + 6‐DMAP + CHX and DC + 6‐DMAP + CHX groups. The blastocyst rate of ION + 6‐DMAP + CHX‐activated oocytes in the basic rabbit culture medium (M‐199) + 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS; 14.28%) was higher than that in buffalo conditioned medium (5.75%) or G1/G2 medium (0), and the blastocyst rate was increased when M‐199 + 10% FBS was supplemented with amino acids. Refreshing culture medium every day or every other day significantly increased the blastocyst rate. Treatment of donor cells with 0.5% FBS for 3–5 days increased blastocyst rate of SCNT embryos (33.33%) than no serum starvation (22.47%) or 0.5% FBS treatment for 6–9 days (23.61%); the blastocyst rate of SCNT embryos derived from nontransgenic RFFs was higher than that derived from transgenic RFFs by electroporation. The blastocyst development ability of SCNT embryos derived from RFFs by electroporation (32.22%) was higher than that of liposome (19.11%) or calcium phosphate (20.00%) transfection, and only the embryos from electroporation group have the EGFP expression (24.44%). In conclusion, this study for the first time systematically optimized the conditions for yield of rabbit embryo by SCNT.
Job quality and poverty in Latin America
Authors: Brummund Peter , Mann Christopher , Rodriguez‐Castelan Carlos
Published: September 2018

Labor market dynamics have played a significant role in the remarkable social gains experienced in the recent past across Latin America. Assessing quality of employment, beyond the perspective of income, to include other fundamental aspects of jobs – such as whether jobs are secure, provide benefits, or are satisfying – can shed light on the sustainability of these achievements. This is particularly pertinent given the region's current economic slowdown. Using harmonized data for 15 countries in Latin America, this paper connects the role of job quality with the recent process of inclusive growth across the region, and particularly with how individuals worked their way out of poverty. The paper first proposes a multi‐dimensional measure for job quality, and then uses this measure to compare job quality across countries and over time. The paper also studies correlates of job quality and the relationship between job quality and poverty. One main finding is that job quality across the region began to increase in 2003. The best predictors of job quality are age, gender, firm size, formal employment, and union membership. Benefits and job satisfaction are the dimensions of job quality that are best correlated with not living in poverty.
Consumption, habit formation, and savings: Evidence from a rural household panel survey
Authors: Khanal Aditya R. , Mishra Ashok K. , Nedumaran S
Published: September 2018

Protecting consumption from the effects of uninsured risk is vital for rural farming households, who tend to be poor and live close to subsistence level. Income uncertainty and habit formation play important roles in the consumption and savings. Variability in weather conditions has a strong linkage with variability in agricultural income in developing countries. This study analyzes consumption and saving decisions of rural farm households in India. Using household panel data for 4 years, we estimated consumption equation accounting for habit formation under income uncertainty. Our findings suggest an evidence for habit formation among rural households. Additionally, we found that both annual and seasonal weather risks significantly influence savings among rural households. Findings from this study also suggest a robust and vibrant farm economy and that the nonfarm economy could contribute to the economic well‐being of rural farming households.
Can participants predict where ambulance‐requiring cases occur at a half marathon?
Authors: Nilson Finn , Lindberg Fredrik , Palm Gunnar , Lundgren Linnea , Rayner David , Börjesson Mats , Thorsson Sofia , Khorram‐Manesh Amir , Carlström Eric
Published: September 2018

Objectives

Despite endurance races leading to a substantial number of ambulance‐requiring cases (ARC), little is known regarding where they occur, meaning that knowing where to place medical teams, ambulance pick‐up points, etc, is difficult. This article investigates whether the location of ARCs can be identified by race participants.

Methods

Using the world's largest half marathon (Gothenburg half marathon) as a case, 237 runners were asked, post‐race, to mark on a map which geographical point of the race was most exhausting. Using the level of agreement tests, these geographical points were then compared with the GPS positions of ARCs.

Results

According to the level of agreement tests, the most exhausting positions (MEP), as identified by participants, seem to be highly correlated to the location of ARCs. This study can also show that ambulance‐requiring cases seem to be more prevalent towards the end of the race and in uphill sections.

Conclusions

By asking participants where they found the race most exhausting it seems possible to identify high‐risk places for an ARC. From a practical perspective, using this method could considerably increase the safety of competitors as well as improving the cost‐effectiveness of safety interventions at endurance races. Further studies are needed to understand the specific risk factors of the high‐risk areas as well as characteristics of collapsed runners.
Online Genomes: Problematizing the disruptiveness of direct‐to‐consumer genetic tests
Authors: Turrini Mauro
Published: September 2018

Direct‐to‐consumer genetic tests (DTCGT) provide individualized risk profiles for common diseases through social web techniques. Academic debates have predominantly denounced them as a potentially harmful commercialization of genetics and focused on how laypeople might (mis)understand and (mis)use this information. DTCGT has also stimulated a heterogeneous set of methods and theoretical perspectives in the social sciences, which have drawn on but also complicated a purely medical understanding.

DTCGT is unanimously deemed disruptive, albeit for a variety of reasons. The different underlying notions of disruptiveness correspond to an implicit sociology of information resonating with a main sociological framework, namely, rational actor theory, governmentality studies, and ecological approaches to digital practices and infrastructures. Accordingly, three corpora are identified. The first conceives of disruption in terms of medical impact on prospective patients. The second proposes a biopolitical interpretation by framing DTCGT as vectors of new governmentality based on making individuals responsible for disease prediction and prevention. The third scrutinizes users' engagements with data and infrastructures at the intersection of informatics and genomics and locates DTCGT within the broader process of blossoming health digitalization. Accordingly, the disruptive issues at stake mainly concern political and economic aspects related to data sharing and crowdsourcing.
A contrast of lead immobilization via bioapatite under elevated CO2 between acidic and alkaline soils
Authors: Tian D. , Lai Z. , Zou X. , Guo C. , Tang L. , Su M. , Li Z. , Hu S.
Published: September 2018

The feasibility of Pb immobilization via bioapatite (BAp) and CO2 in the acidic red soil (RS) and saline‐alkaline soil (SS) was compared in this study. The elevated CO2 (10% in air) significantly promoted the dissolution of BAp in water, that is, the concentrations of released P were enhanced from 2 to 20 ppm as pH decreased from 6.9 to 5.6. Then, it was shown that 30–40% TCLP leached Pb was removed from RS and SS, with the combination of BAp addition and CO2 elevation. In RS, the addition of BAp (even without CO2) could significantly increase water‐soluble P. Moreover, some Pb cations were adsorbed onto iron (hydr)oxides within RS. In contrast, CO2 elevation is essential for enhancing P release in SS as it dramatically increased the dissolution of phosphates. The released P then reacted with Pb cations to form insoluble pyromorphite. Therefore, this combination is effective for Pb immobilization in saline‐alkaline soil whereas adding solely BAp is feasible for acid soil.
Effects of pelletized straw on soil nutrient properties in relation to crop yield
Authors: Zhang L. , Wang J. , Pang H. C. , Zhang J. T. , Guo J. J. , Dong G. H. , Cong P.
Published: September 2018

Poor soil‐residue contact from field‐chopped straw (CS) application restricts the efficient incorporation and rapid decomposition of crop residues in intensive cropping systems. Pelletized straw (PS), which has a high bulk density and relatively small size, can improve this contact, but its effect on soil fertility after incorporation is not well known. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted over four cropping seasons in Shandong Province, China, to evaluate the effects of corn CS and PS incorporation (6 t/ha) on soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), crop yields and economic benefits. Compared with the SOC and available N, P and K concentrations from 0 to 60 cm under the no straw incorporation (CK) treatment, the concentrations under the CS and PS treatments were higher but decreased gradually after treatment application. In the topsoil (0–20 cm) under the CS and PS treatments, these concentrations increased by 1.6% and 10.0%, by 18.5% and 25.8%, by 21.7% and 29.3%, and by 9.2% and 13.0%, respectively. Compared with the soil fertility in the CS plots, soil fertility in the PS plots improved, but significant differences were recorded only in the first season. The highest crop yield each season was obtained from the PS plots: wheat yields were 8.8% and 10.3% higher in the PS plots than those in the CS and CK plots, respectively, and corn yields were 2.8% and 16.9% higher, respectively. Furthermore, the net economic return averaged across 2 yr was 7.8% and 23.9% greater with the PS treatment than that with the CS and CK treatments, respectively. Thus, PS may constitute an efficient and economical approach for improving soil fertility and increasing crop yields in intensive cropping systems.
What clinical rotation factors have an impact on trainee success?
Authors: Miller Maxx , Mullen Ashley , Gardner Aimee
Published: September 2018

Background

Educators and trainees both recognise that autonomy, the number of patient encounters and setting learning outcomes are all vital for a successful residency. This study examined whether these clinical rotation characteristics have an impact on trainee success in an orthotic and prosthetic clinical residency.

Methods

Two cohorts of resident trainees rated their rotation characteristics (autonomy, patient encounters and learning outcomes [1, significantly below expectations; 5, exceeds expectations]) and self‐competency (77 items [1, not at all able; 5, very able]) at three points during an 18‐month residency. Rotation performance (0–100, where 100 is the highest score) was ascertained with preceptor ratings and test scores. Means and correlations were derived.

Results

Data from 38 trainees were examined. The mean self‐competency and rotation performance scores improved from time 1 to time 3 (from 4.14 ± 0.43 to 4.36 ± 0.38 [p < 0.01]; from 90.74 ± 5.15 to 92.62 ± 4.55 [p < 0.05]). Autonomy correlated with performance at time 1 (p < 0.05) only, and did not relate to self‐competency at any point. Neither the number of patient encounters nor the presence of learning outcomes were associated with performance or self‐competency at any point.

Conclusions

These data show that over time our trainees become more competent, as rated by both themselves and their preceptors. These data do not suggest that the number of patient encounters and the presence of learning outcomes have an impact on trainee competence. Autonomy may play the largest role at the beginning of the residency as students make the transition to clinical practice.
A pair of phospho‐base methyltransferases important for phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Yu‐chi , Lin Ying‐Chen , Kanehara Kazue , Nakamura Yuki
Published: September 2018

Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) is a predominant membrane lipid class in eukaryotes. Phospho‐base N‐methyltransferase (PMT) catalyzes a critical step in PtdCho biosynthesis. However, in Arabidopsis thaliana, the discovery of involvement of the specific PMT isoform in PtdCho biosynthesis remains elusive. Here, we show that PMT1 and PMT3 redundantly play an essential role in phosphocholine (PCho) biosynthesis, a prerequisite for PtdCho production. A pmt1 pmt3 double mutant was devoid of PCho, which affected PtdCho biosynthesis in vivo, showing severe growth defects in post‐embryonic development. PMT1 and PMT3 were both highly expressed in the vasculature. The pmt1 pmt3 mutants had specifically affected leaf vein development and showed pale‐green seedlings that were rescued by exogenous supplementation of PCho. We suggest that PMT1 and PMT3 are the primary enzymes for PCho biosynthesis and are involved in PtdCho biosynthesis and vascular development in Arabidopsis seedlings.
Public health for paediatricians:How can behavioural economics help to make paediatric practice more effective?
Authors: Shah Rakhee , Hagell Ann
Published: September 2018

Understanding the principles of behavioural economics is important for paediatricians because behavioural economics offers ideas to help improve the quality of paediatric care. It can also be used to inform health interventions/policy at a population level. This paper summarises key behavioural economic concepts such as bounded rationality, bounded willpower and social influence, explaining how they can be used to shape healthy behaviours in children and adolescents. Case studies of interventions that have used behavioural economics principles (sometimes called ‘nudge theory’) are provided.
Unilateral cataract associated with eyelid ash-leaf macule in tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Selvaraj Rajalakshmi , Kasturi Nirupama , Kumari Pooja , Muraleedharan Sabreesh
Published: September 2018

A 9-month-old male child with tuberous sclerosis complex presented with ash-leaf macules on the left periocular region and ipsilateral dense cataract. Fundus showed retinal astrocytic hamartomas. This case is reported for unilaterality of congenital cataract on the same side of eyelid ash-leaf macule in tuberous sclerosis.
Unusual presentation of pancreatitis with extrapancreatic manifestations
Authors: Fordham Tony , Sims Helen Marie , Farrant Terence
Published: September 2018

Pancreatitis, panniculitis and polyarthritis syndrome (PPP syndrome) is a rare and complex manifestation of pancreatitis that is currently reported in few cases. We present this case regarding a 77-year-old man who presented unusually with a 6-week history of bilateral lesions on his lower limbs. During this time, he experienced increasing fatigue, joint pain, and reported fevers and significant weight loss. An incidental serum amylase was found to be significantly elevated and remained elevated throughout his 2-month hospital stay. He never complained of abdominal pain or other typical symptoms of pancreatitis. Histological examination of the leg lesions reported evidence of fat necrosis and changes consistent with pancreatic panniculitis. An abdominal CT scan revealed a well-defined lesion posterior to the neck of the pancreas. Further examination by endoscopic ultrasound revealed chronic inflammatory changes. The patient experienced a long admission and was managed supportively until he was well enough to be discharged home.
Age, player position and 2 min suspensions were associated with match injuries during the 2017 Men’s Handball World Championship (France)
Authors: Tabben Montassar , Landreau Philippe , Chamari Karim , Juin Gerard , Ahmed Hosny , Farooq Abdulaziz , Bahr Roald , Popovic Nebojsa
Published: September 2018

Aim

To study the association between player characteristics, technical components of the game and the risk of match injuries during the 2017 Men’s Handball World Championship.

Methods

Team physicians of the participating teams (n=24) were requested to provide injury report forms throughout the Men’s Handball World Championship (France, January 2017). The individual time played, age, number of international matches played and all technical and penalty variables for each player were extracted from the official International Handball Federation (IHF) online database and used as risk factors in a general logistic linear model analysis.

Results

Of 387 players, 49 sustained one or more injuries (93 injuries in total). The total incidence of match injuries was 82.1 injuries per 1000 hours (95% CI 66.2 to 100.5), non-time-loss injury incidence was 40.6 injuries per 1000 hours (95% CI 29.3 to 54.9), while time-loss injury incidence was 30.9 injuries per 1000 hours (95% CI 21.5 to 42.9). Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.18, p=0.011), player position (backs: OR 6.79, 95% CI 2.25 to 20.54, p=0.001; goalkeepers: OR 5.03, 95% CI 1.15 to 21.94, p=0.031) and 2 min suspensions (1–2 times: OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.27 to 6.04, p=0.011; 3 or more times: OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.18 to 6.38, p=0.029) were significant risk factors for getting injured during competition matches.

Conclusion

Age, player position (backs, goalkeepers) and 2 min suspensions were associated with match injury. Stricter rule enforcement should be considered to prevent match injuries in elite handball.
Uninformed refusals: objections to enrolment in clinical trials conducted under an Exception from Informed Consent for emergency research
Authors: Vorholt Victoria , Dickert Neal W
Published: September 2018

Clinical trials in emergency situations present unique challenges, because they involve enrolling individuals who lack capacity to consent in the context of acute illness or injury. The US Department of Health and Human Services and Food and Drug Administration regulations allowing an Exception from Informed Consent (EFIC) in these circumstances contain requirements for community consultation, public disclosure and restrictions on study risks and benefits. In this paper, we analyse an issue raised in the regulations that has received little attention or analysis but is ethically complex. This challenge is when to solicit and honour objections to EFIC trial enrolment, including from non-legally appointed representatives. We address novel questions involving whose objections should be honoured, what level of understanding is necessary for objections to be considered valid and how hard investigators should work to offer an opportunity to object. We present a set of criteria that provide conceptual and practical guidance. We argue that objections should be honoured if they undermine one of the key assumptions that allows for the permissibility of EFIC trials: that individuals would likely not object to enrolment based on their values or preferences. We then clarify the practical implications of this approach through examination of three cases of refusal in an EFIC study.
JUUL and other stealth vaporisers: hiding the habit from parents and teachers
Authors: Ramamurthi Divya , Chau Cindy , Jackler Robert K
Published: September 2018

Background

Some consumers wish to use vapour devices discreetly so that family members, teachers and coworkers do not recognise their use of nicotine ortetrahydrocannabinol (THC) laden vapour.

Methods

Stealthy vapour devices, as well as low-odour and low-vapour e-juices, were identified via a comprehensive online search between March and June 2018.

Results

As evidence of their popularity, a search for ‘stealth vaping’ on YouTube found 18 200 videos. A variety of cleverly designed vapour devices disguised as USB sticks, pens, remote controls, car fobs, smart phones, sweatshirt drawstrings and even asthma inhalers are on the market. JUUL, which resembles a USB stick, is the archetype of these devices and is especially popular among youth. A search of ‘JUUL’ on YouTube yielded 148 000 videos with 57 videos having >100 000 views. Searches on ‘JUUL at school’ (15 500), ‘JUUL in class’ (6840), ‘hiding JUUL in school’ (2030) and ‘JUUL in school bathroom’ (1040) illustrate the product’s popularity among students. Some e-juices promote themselves as having low visibility plumes while others profess to be of subtle odour to avoid detection. Numerous techniques have been described to hide the exhaled vapour plume such as by swallowing it or blowing it into one’s clothing or into a backpack.

Conclusions

The vaping industry has demonstrated much ingenuity in devising discreet vaporisers and de-emphasising exhaled vapour plumes and their aroma. The US market for vaping devices with stealthy characteristics is anything but inconspicuous, with JUUL alone accounting for 70.5% of sales (July 2018).
Deglacial and postglacial paleoseismological archives in mass movement deposits of lakes of south-central Québec
Authors: Trottier Annie-Pier , Lajeunesse Patrick , Normandeau Alexandre , Gagnon-Poiré Antoine
Published: September 2018

Investigation of seismic activity in eastern Canada is important for natural hazard management as two major active seismic zones with many historical records are located in the region: the Western Québec seismic zone (WQSZ) and the Charlevoix–Kamouraska seismic zone (CKSZ), with the latter being the most active in northeastern America. This paper describes and analyses a dataset of high-resolution swath bathymetric imagery, sub-bottom profiles, and sediments cores collected in three lakes (Maskinongé, Aux-Sables, and St-Joseph) located between two active seismic zones. The geomorphology observed on high-resolution swath bathymetric imagery, the acoustic sub-bottom profiles, and the sediment analysis indicate that the lakes were disturbed by three phases of seismically induced mass movements since deglaciation: (i) during the deglacial Champlain Sea transgression and the rapid initial glacio-isostatic rebound between ∼13 and 10.5 ka cal BP; (ii) around 1180 AD; and (iii) the well-documented CKSZ 1663 AD M >7 historical earthquake. The second phase of earthquake events (1180 AD) corresponds chronologically to a previously documented large landslide in western Québec, dated at ∼1020 years BP. This earthquake is responsible for remobilizing the largest volume of sediments in the entire stratigraphic sequence of Lake Maskinongé, the westernmost lake. This earthquake was not recorded in Lake Aux-Sables and St-Joseph, which are located eastward from Maskinongé, but the largest mass movement deposits are associated with the well-known 1663 AD event of eastern Québec. Therefore, both earthquake events are interpreted to have different epicenters and the lakes of southeastern Québec recorded earthquakes from both seismic zones.
A Markov Prediction-Based Privacy Protection Scheme for Continuous Query
Authors: Zhang Lei , Li Jing , Yang Songtao , Liu Yi , Zhang Xu , Sun Yue
Published: September 2018

The query probability of a location which the user utilizes to request location-based service (LBS) can be used as background knowledge to infer the real location, and then the adversary may invade the privacy of this user. In order to cope with this type of attack, several algorithms had provided query probability anonymity for location privacy protection. However, these algorithms are all efficient just for snapshot query, and simply applying them in the continuous query may bring hazards. Especially that, continuous anonymous locations which provide query probability anonymity in continuous anonymity are incapable of being linked into anonymous trajectories, and then the adversary can identify the real trajectory as well as the real location of each query. In this paper, the query probability anonymity and anonymous locations linkable are considered simultaneously, then based on the Markov prediction, we provide an anonymous location prediction scheme. This scheme can cope with the shortage of the existing algorithms of query probability anonymity in continuous anonymity locations difficult to be linked, and provide query probability anonymity service for the whole process of continuous query, so this scheme can be used to resist the attack of both of statistical attack as well as the infer attack of the linkable. At last, in order to demonstrate the capability of privacy protection in continuous query and the efficiency of algorithm execution, this paper utilizes the security analysis and experimental evaluation to further confirm the performance, and then the process of mathematical proof as well as experimental results are shown.
On the local k-elasticities of Puiseux monoids
Authors: Gotti Marly
Published: September 2018

If [Formula: see text] is an atomic monoid and [Formula: see text] is a nonzero non-unit element of [Formula: see text], then the set of lengths [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is the set of all possible lengths of factorizations of [Formula: see text], where the length of a factorization is the number of irreducible factors (counting repetitions). In a recent paper, F. Gotti and C. O’Neil studied the sets of elasticities [Formula: see text] of Puiseux monoids [Formula: see text]. Here, we take this study a step further and explore the local [Formula: see text]-elasticities of the same class of monoids. We find conditions under which Puiseux monoids have all their local elasticities finite as well as conditions under which they have infinite local [Formula: see text]-elasticities for sufficiently large [Formula: see text]. Finally, we focus our study of the [Formula: see text]-elasticities on the class of primary Puiseux monoids, proving that they have finite local [Formula: see text]-elasticities if either they are boundedly generated and do not have any stable atoms or if they do not contain [Formula: see text] as a limit point.
Correlations among symmetry energy elements in Skyrme models
Authors: Mondal C. , Agrawal B. K. , De J. N. , Samaddar S. K.
Published: September 2018

Motivated by the interrelationships found between the various symmetry energy elements of the energy density functionals (EDF) based on the Skyrme forces, possible correlations among them are explored. A total of 237 Skyrme EDFs are used for this purpose. As some of these EDFs yield values of a few nuclear observables far off from the present acceptable range, studies are done also with a subset of 162 EDFs that comply with a conservative set of constraints on the values of nuclear matter incompressibility coefficient, effective mass of the nucleon and the isovector splitting of effective nucleon masses to see the enhancement of the correlation strength, if any. The curvature parameter [Formula: see text] and the skewness parameter [Formula: see text] of the symmetry energy are found to be very well correlated with the linear combination of the symmetry energy coefficient and its density derivative [Formula: see text]. The isovector splitting of the effective nucleon mass, however, displays a somewhat meaningful correlation with a linear combination of the symmetry energy, its slope and its curvature parameter.
IMPACTS OF ZONE FRACTAL PROPERTIES ON SHALE GAS PRODUCTIVITY OF A MULTIPLE FRACTURED HORIZONTAL WELL
Authors: HU BOWEN , WANG J. G. , WU DI , WANG HUIMIN
Published: September 2018

A multiple fractured shale gas reservoir is divided into three zones, namely the single-porosity zone, the dual-porosity zone, and the hydraulic fracture zone. The distributions of pore size, fracture length, and fracture aperture vary in each zone and affect shale gas productivity. This paper developed a fractal numerical model to investigate the impacts of zone fractal properties on the shale gas productivity of a multiple fractured horizontal well. In this model, a fractal permeability model was developed, in which the diameter/aperture distribution of circular/slit pores and the length of fractures all follow fractal scaling law. This numerical model was solved by finite element method within the platform of COMSOL Multiphysics and verified through the history matching of production data from the Marcellus and Barnett shale reservoirs. Finally, the effects of the fractal dimension ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) and the maximum diameter ([Formula: see text]) of the pores on gas productivity (measured by gas production rate and cumulative gas production) were investigated. Numerical results show that increasing the maximum pore diameter [Formula: see text] can enhance gas productivity, but increasing the pore diameter fractal dimension [Formula: see text] makes the gas productivity decrease and increasing tortuous fractal dimension [Formula: see text] decreases the gas productivity, too. The length fractal dimension [Formula: see text] of fractures is sensitive to the gas flow in the dual-porosity zone.
MULTIFRACTALITY IN THE GENERALIZED AUBRY–ANDRÉ QUASIPERIODIC LOCALIZATION MODEL WITH POWER-LAW HOPPINGS OR POWER-LAW FOURIER COEFFICIENTS
Authors: MONTHUS CÉCILE
Published: September 2018

The nearest-neighbor Aubry–André quasiperiodic localization model is generalized to include power-law translation-invariant hoppings [Formula: see text] or power-law Fourier coefficients [Formula: see text] in the quasiperiodic potential. The Aubry–André duality between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] manifests when the Hamiltonian is written in the real-space basis and in the Fourier basis on a finite ring. The perturbative analysis in the amplitude [Formula: see text] of the hoppings yields that the eigenstates remain power-law localized in real space for [Formula: see text] and are critical for [Formula: see text] where they follow the strong multifractality linear spectrum, as in the equivalent model with random disorder. The perturbative analysis in the amplitude [Formula: see text] of the quasiperiodic potential yields that the eigenstates remain delocalized in real space (power-law localized in Fourier space) for [Formula: see text] and are critical for [Formula: see text] where they follow the weak multifractality Gaussian spectrum in real space (or strong multifractality linear spectrum in the Fourier basis). This critical case [Formula: see text] for the Fourier coefficients [Formula: see text] corresponds to a periodic function with discontinuities, instead of the cosinus function of the standard self-dual Aubry–André model.
THE CURRENT–VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS OVER THE MEASUREMENT TEMPERATURE OF 60–400 K IN THE Au/Ti/n-GaAs CONTACTS WITH HIGH DIELECTRIC HfO2 INTERFACIAL LAYER
Authors: KARABULUT ABDULKERIM , ORAK IKRAM , CAGLAR MUJDAT , TURUT ABDULMECIT
Published: September 2018

The Au/Ti/HfO2/[Formula: see text]-GaAs metal/insulating layer/semiconductor structures have been fabricated using standard thermal atomic layer deposition. We experimentally showed whether or not the HfO2 interfacial layer grown on the [Formula: see text]-GaAs wafer modifies the barrier height (BH) of the device at the room temperature. Besides, we investigated the measurement based on temperature dependence of the device parameters from the current–voltage ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]) characteristics of the diode in 60–400[Formula: see text]K range with steps of 10[Formula: see text]K. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been carried out to characterize the surfaces of both [Formula: see text]-GaAs wafer and HfO2 thin films. The series resistance value from the temperature-dependent [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] characteristics decreased with decreasing temperature, which is a desired positive result for the devices developed from the MOS capacitor. The BH value of 0.94[Formula: see text]eV (300[Formula: see text]K) has been obtained for the device with the HfO2 layer which is a higher value than the value of 0.77[Formula: see text]eV (300[Formula: see text]K) of the device without HfO2 layer. Therefore, we can say that the HfO2 thin layer at the metal/GaAs interface can also be used for the BH modification as a gate insulator for GaAs MOS capacitor and MOSFETs. When the temperature-dependent [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] characteristics at low temperatures have been considered, it has been observed that the current prefers to flow through the lowest BHs due to the BH inhomogeneities.