bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of serum response factor expression in prostate cancer biochemical recurrence
Authors: Prencipe Maria , Fabre Aurelie , Murphy Thomas Brendan , Vargyas Eszter , O'Neill Amanda , Bjartell Anders , Tasken Kristin Austlid , Grytli Helene H. , Svindland Aud , Berge Viktor , Eri Lars M. , Gallagher William , Watson R. William
Published: April 2018

Background

Up to a third of prostate cancer patients fail curative treatment strategies such as surgery and radiation therapy in the form of biochemical recurrence (BCR) which can be predictive of poor outcome. Recent clinical trials have shown that men experiencing BCR might benefit from earlier intervention post‐radical prostatectomy (RP). Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify earlier prognostic biomarkers which will guide clinicians in making accurate diagnosis and timely decisions on the next appropriate treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate Serum Response Factor (SRF) protein expression following RP and to investigate its association with BCR.

Materials and Methods

SRF nuclear expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in TMAs across three international radical prostatectomy cohorts for a total of 615 patients. Log‐rank test and Kaplan‐Meier analyses were used for BCR comparisons. Stepwise backwards elimination proportional hazard regression analysis was used to explore the significance of SRF in predicting BCR in the context of other clinical pathological variables. Area under the curve (AUC) values were generated by simulating repeated random sub‐samples.

Results

Analysis of the immunohistochemical staining of benign versus cancer cores showed higher expression of nuclear SRF protein expression in cancer cores compared with benign for all the three TMAs analysed (P < 0.001,n = 615). Kaplan‐Meier curves of the three TMAs combined showed that patients with higher SRF nuclear expression had a shorter time to BCR compared with patients with lower SRF expression (P < 0.001,n = 215). Together with pathological T stage T3, SRF was identified as a predictor of BCR using stepwise backwards elimination proportional hazard regression analysis (P = 0.0521). Moreover ROC curves and AUC values showed that SRF was better than T stage in predicting BCR at year 3 and 5 following radical prostatectomy, the combination of SRF and T stage had a higher AUC value than the two taken separately.

Conclusions

SRF assessment by IHC following RP could be useful in guiding clinicians to better identify patients for appropriate follow‐up and timely treatment.
A new combinatorial representation of the additive coalescent
Authors: Marckert Jean‐François , Wang Minmin
Published: April 2018

The standard additive coalescent starting with n particles is a Markov process which owns several combinatorial representations, one by Pitman as a process of coalescent forests, and one by Chassaing and Louchard as the block sizes in a parking scheme. In the coalescent forest representation, edges are added successively between a random node and a random root. In this paper, we investigate an alternative construction by, instead, adding edges between roots. This construction induces exactly the same process in terms of cluster sizes, meanwhile, it allows us to make numerous new connections with other combinatorial and probabilistic models: size biased percolation, parking scheme in a tree, increasing trees, random cuts of trees. The variety of the combinatorial objects involved justifies our interest in this construction.
Microstructure and property evolution of interfacial microregion of magnesium phosphate cement on mortar under various environments
Authors: Jun Li , Yongsheng Ji , Linglei Zhang , Benlin Liu , Qing Wu , Zuochao Dong
Published: April 2018

Portland cement specimens repaired with magnesium phosphate cement were soaked in Ca(OH)2 and Na2SO4 solutions for an extended period to test the bonding strength of the specimens. After the immersion, the fracture positions and surfaces of the specimens were observed and analyzed. Subsequently, the interfacial microregion of the specimens in different immersion periods was analyzed using an optical microscope and SEM. Besides, the microstructure and property evolution of the interfacial microregion of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) on mortar under various environments were studied in erosion environment, which was compared with the interfacial microregion in natural environment. Results indicate that the bonding strength of the specimens is weaker in Ca(OH)2 solution than in the natural environment. At first, the bonding strength initially increases and then stabilizes with time. Moreover, the bonding strength of the specimens is weaker in Na2SO4 solution than that in the natural environment. The bonding strength initially increases and then decreases with time. In the natural environment, the crystal morphology in the interfacial microregion changes slightly, and the crystal structure becomes compact. In Ca(OH)2 solution, the crystal morphology in the interfacial microregion changes significantly, and the crystal structure becomes compact. In Na2SO4 solution, the crystal morphology in the interfacial microregion makes significant changes, and the crystal structure loosens.
Nonlinear distortion of AC dissipation current waveform and space charge in EVA film
Authors: Kawashima Tomohiro , Ra Nhet , Yamashita Yuki , Murakami Yoshinobu , Hozumi Naohiro , Tohyama Kazuyuki , Nagao Masayuki
Published: April 2018

AC dissipation current waveform shows nonlinear distortion at AC high field, and this nonlinear distortion is supposed to be related to the behavior of space charge under AC field (AC space charge). We investigated the relationship between the nonlinear distortion of AC dissipation current waveform and AC space charge formation in ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer film (EVA film). At low field, the capacitive current component was subtracted from the output signal of AC current, and then, the AC dissipation current waveform was obtained with the increase of applied AC field. As the result, the AC dissipation current waveform of EVA film showed nonlinear distortion at high field. In addition, the AC dissipation current waveform has a phase advanced from the phase of the applied AC field. The phase advance is considered to be caused by the increase of the capacitive current component due to space charge injection. We suggested that the nonlinear distortion and the phase advance of AC dissipation current waveform of EVA film were affected by the space charge injection. In addition, we developed a new evaluation method of the AC space charge injection layer based on the phase advance and the nonlinear deformation of the AC dissipation current waveform. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A quad‐band bandpass filter using stepped impedance resonators with interdigital capacitors
Authors: Chomtong Pongsathorn , Akkaraekthalin Prayoot
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we propose a quad‐band bandpass filter (BPF) based on the characteristics of stepped impedance resonators with interdigital capacitor to control the harmonic frequencies. The design includes two pairs of resonators that have resonant frequencies of 1.8 and 3.7 GHz applied for 4G LTE and Wi‐MAX and 2.45 and 5.5 GHz applied for WLAN systems, respectively. These resonators are connected together using the cross‐coupling technique. Also, multisection ports and stubs are employed for matching at all frequency bands, resulting in an insertion loss of <3 dB and a return loss better than 15 dB. Experimental results of the fabricated filter agree very well with those expected from the simulation. The proposed filter has good performance, while the size of resonator is reduced from λ/2 to λ/8. The proposed filter is very compact and useful for four wireless application bands. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Electricity purchasing strategy for the regional power grid considering wind power accommodation
Authors: Yu Simin , Wen Buying , Wang Liangyuan , Chen Jing
Published: April 2018

In this paper, a monthly power purchase optimization problem for regional power grid is studied. Considering the uncertainties of wind power and the effect of day‐ahead market, an optimal model of power purchase for regional power grid is built. The proposed model considers wind power in the monthly electricity balance, and it also realizes double‐risk management of over peak regulation and power purchase loss. ‘SHARP ratio’ in economics is introduced as an index of purchasing benefit–risk coordination. It can reflect the comprehensive benefits of electricity purchase visually. The monthly purchase scheme is refined to peak, flat and valley periods of every day, and the optimal purchasing quantity of thermal power, wind power and interregion power are obtained. The simulation results show that the risk preference has a significant impact on the purchase decision‐making. Reducing wind power forecasting error and the difference between load peak and valley is conducive to achieving a better comprehensive benefit of power purchase. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Are We Preparing Teachers for Literacy Leadership?
Authors: Sharp Laurie A. , Piper Rebekah , Raymond Roberta D.
Published: April 2018

All teachers must be literacy leaders in their classrooms and schools. Recent concerns surrounding teacher quality and literacy teacher preparation prompted the current inquiry, which examined the diverse ways in which literacy teacher educators cultivate literacy leadership among preservice teachers. The authors used a one‐shot qualitative research design and applied understandings related to distributed leadership and teacher leadership as theoretical lenses. Sixty‐five respondents participated in the current inquiry, and data were analyzed using a three‐level classification diversity analysis. Three themes emerged during data analysis: Two addressed specific preparation techniques for literacy leadership that occurred in university contexts and community and professional contexts, and the third drew attention to the inadequacy of preparation efforts with literacy leadership. A discussion of findings for each theme is provided, as well as implications and recommendations for literacy teacher educators and teacher preparation program administrators.
Morphological Analysis Instruction in the Elementary Grades: Which Morphemes to Teach and How to Teach Them
Authors: Manyak Patrick C. , Baumann James F. , Manyak Ann‐Margaret
Published: April 2018

The authors address instruction in morphological analysis, a vocabulary‐learning approach that involves teaching students the meanings of affixes (prefixes and suffixes) and word roots and a strategy for using knowledge of these morphemic elements to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words. The authors discuss their development of a list of affixes and word roots for instruction in grades 3–5, share this list, and provide guidelines for using it in elementary classrooms. The authors then describe four instructional activities that constitute the multidimensional approach to affix instruction that they designed through researcher–teacher collaboration and that produced robust student learning.
Homoleptic Trichloroacetonitrile Complexes
Authors: Engesser Tobias A. , Kratzert Daniel , Krossing Ingo
Published: April 2018

Two homoleptic cationic trichloroacetonitrile complexes [M(NCCCl3)4]+ [M+ = Li+ (1), Ag+ (2)] were synthesized through stabilization with the salts of the weakly coordinating anion [Al(ORF)4]–(RF = –C(CF3)3). The successful determination of the structures of these two complexes by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SC‐XRD) showed a weak interaction between the weakly coordinating anion (WCA) and the singly charged cation. In case of the more stable lithium compounds, a characterization with vibrational spectroscopy was also possible. The SC‐XRD and Raman data proved a lower coordination power of Cl3CCN compared to MeCN. Calculations at PBE0/def2‐TZVPP level indicate that it should lie between MeCN and CH2Cl2 for the coordination in a model silver(I) complex [Ag(L)2]+ (L = MeCN, Cl3CCN, CH2Cl2). Calculation of the free Gibbs reaction energies of the formation of the bis‐acetonitrile, bis‐trichloroacetonitrile and the tetrakis‐trichloroacetonitrile complexes, that were found in the solid state with and without dispersion correction (D3) showed a large effect of dispersion effects on the stability of the trichloroacetonitrile complexes. These results indicate that Cl3CCN can be used as weak ligand for metal cations and can be a potentially useful weakly coordinating solvent, if the relatively strong coordination power of MeCN is unwanted. An attempt to synthesize a [Au(NCCCl3)n]+ complex through the reaction of [NO]+[Al(ORF)4]– with elemental gold led to decomposition of the [Al(ORF)4]– anion and formation of Cl3CCN→Al(ORF)3 (3).
Fully-differential top-pair production at a lepton collider: from threshold to continuum
Authors: Bach Fabian , Nejad Bijan Chokoufé , Hoang André H. , Kilian Wolfgang , Reuter Jürgen , Stahlhofen Maximilian , Teubner Thomas , Weiss Christian
Published: April 2018

Abstract

We present an approach to predict exclusive

$$ {W}^{+}b{W}^{-}\overline{b} $$

W
+

b

W
−

b
¯

production at lepton colliders that correctly describes the top-anti-top threshold as well as the continuum region. We incorporate

$$ t\overline{t} $$

t

t
¯

form factors for the NLL threshold resummation derived in NRQCD into a factorized relativistic cross section using an extended double-pole approximation, which accounts for fixed-order QCD corrections to the top decays at NLO. This is combined with the full fixed-order QCD result at NLO for

$$ {W}^{+}b{W}^{-}\overline{b} $$

W
+

b

W
−

b
¯

production to obtain predictions that are not only valid at threshold but smoothly transition to the continuum region. Our implementation is based on the Monte Carlo event generator Whizard and the code Toppik and allows to compute fully-differential threshold-resummed cross sections including the interference with non-resonant background processes. For the first time it is now possible to systematically study general differential observables at future lepton colliders involving the decay products of the top quarks at energies close to the pair production threshold and beyond.
Optimal Surgery for Mid‐Transverse Colon Cancer: Laparoscopic Extended Right Hemicolectomy Versus Laparoscopic Transverse Colectomy
Authors: Matsuda Takeru , Sumi Yasuo , Yamashita Kimihiro , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Yamamoto Masashi , Matsuda Yoshiko , Kanaji Shingo , Oshikiri Taro , Nakamura Tetsu , Suzuki Satoshi , Kakeji Yoshihiro
Published: April 2018

Background

Although the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer have been shown by the recent studies, the optimal laparoscopic approach for mid‐transverse colon cancer is controversial.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with the mid‐transverse colon cancer at our institutions between January 2007 and April 2017. Thirty‐eight and 34 patients who received extended right hemicolectomy and transverse colectomy, respectively, were enrolled.

Results

There were no significant differences in operating time, blood loss, and hospital stay between the two groups. Postoperative complications developed in 10 of 34 patients (29.4%; wound infection: 2 cases, anastomotic leakage: 2 cases, bowel obstruction: 1 case, incisional hernia: 2 cases, others: 3 cases) for the transverse colectomy group and in 4 of 38 patients (10.5%; wound infection: 1 case, anastomotic leakage: 0 case, bowel obstruction: 2 cases, incisional hernia: 0 case, others: 1 case) for the extended right hemicolectomy group (P = 0.014). Although the median number of harvested #221 and #222 LNs was similar between the two groups (6 vs. 8, P = 0.710, and 3 vs. 2, P = 0.256, respectively), that of #223 was significantly larger in extended right hemicolectomy than in transverse colectomy (3 vs. 1, P = 0.038). The 5‐year disease‐free and overall survival rates were 92.4 and 90.3% for the extended right hemicolectomy group, and 95.7 and 79.6% for the transverse colectomy group (P = 0.593 and P = 0.638, respectively).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy and laparoscopic transverse colectomy offer similar oncological outcomes for mid‐transverse colon cancer. Laparoscopic extended right hemicolectomy might be associated with fewer postoperative complications.
Analysis of Early and Long‐Term Oncologic Outcomes After Converted Laparoscopic Resection Compared to Primary Open Surgery for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Allaix Marco Ettore , Furnée Edgar , Esposito Laura , Mistrangelo Massimiliano , Rebecchi Fabrizio , Arezzo Alberto , Morino Mario
Published: April 2018

Background

Laparoscopic rectal resection (LRR) for cancer is a challenging procedure, with conversion to open surgery being reported in up to 30% of cases. Since only a few studies with short follow‐up have compared converted LRR and open RR (ORR), it is unclear if conversion to open surgery should be prevented by preferring an open approach in those patients with preoperatively known risk factors for conversion. The aim of this study was to compare early postoperative outcomes and long‐term survival after completed LRR, converted LRR or ORR for non‐metastatic rectal cancer.

Methods

A prospective database of consecutive curative LRRs and ORRs for rectal cancer was reviewed. Patients undergoing LRR who required conversion (CONV group) were compared with those who had primary open rectal surgery (OPEN group) and completed LRR (LAP group). A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of poor survival.

Results

A total of 537 patients were included in the study: 272 in the LAP group, 49 in the CONV group and 216 in the OPEN group. There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay between the three groups. Five‐year overall survival and disease‐free survival rates did not significantly differ between LAP, CONV and OPEN patients: 83.9 versus 77.8 versus 81% (P = 0.398) and 74.5 versus 62.9 versus 72.7% (P = 0.145), respectively. Similar 5‐year OS and DFS rates were observed between patients who had converted LRR for locally advanced tumor or for non‐tumor‐related reasons: 81.2 versus 80.8% (P = 0.839) and 62.5 versus 63.7% (P = 0.970), respectively. Poor grade of tumor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion and a lymph node ratio of 0.25 or greater, but not conversion, were independently associated with poorer survival.

Conclusion

Conversion to open surgery does not impair short‐term outcomes and does not jeopardize 5‐year survival in patients with rectal cancer when compared to primary open surgery.
Spherical tantalum feed powder for metal additive manufacturing
Authors: Sungail Craig , Abid Aamir
Published: April 2018

Tantalum is the new “T” metal for additive manufacturing (AM) applications. Metal AM has seen significant growth over the last few years with key drivers coming from the aerospace, medical and dental industries. The metal landscape for AM in these industries has been largely dominated by titanium, nickel alloys and steel alloys. Development of new metals for AM processes in these and other industries is vital for full realization of the capability of this technology. Tantalum, for example, has high ductility, superb corrosion resistance and superior biocompatibility. Global Advanced Metals, a leader for almost 70 years in the production of tantalum and niobium products, has developed tantalum feeds for a range of AM processes. GAM’s spheroidization of raw powders using a plasma technology results in excellent flow properties and high packing density. Test parts and coupons have also been successfully printed via Laser-Powder Bed Fusion process. The physical properties of the printed tantalum confirm suitability for a wide variety of applications including aerospace, medical and dental industries.
Bilateral ureterolithiasis: A true positive and false negative PoCUS exam in a patient with renal colic
Authors: Lowe Matthew P. , Cox Christopher
Published: April 2018

Acute flank pain from suspected urolithiasis is a common presenting complaint in the Emergency Department. Multiple computed tomography (CT) has traditionally been the standard imaging modality used to diagnose obstructive kidney stones, however point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) can play an important role in the diagnostic algorithm and risk stratification of acute flank pain. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female with suspected urolithiasis, who underwent PoCUS that revealed right-sided hydronephrosis and normal left kidney, bladder, and aorta. A subsequent KUB was negative. As the clinical course failed to improve with therapy, an abdominal and pelvic CT was ordered revealing a 5 mm distal obstructing ureteric calculus at the right vesico-ureteric junction and another 5 mm left mid ureteric calculus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in which a patient presenting with acute right-sided flank pain demonstrated unilateral hydronephrosis on PoCUS, but had clinically significant bilateral ureteric stones on CT. Emergency physicians who employ PoCUS for evaluation of flank pain must be aware of its benefits and drawbacks and how they apply to each patient. As such, we have developed a script emergency physicians can use for shared decision-making with renal colic patients when deciding on the appropriate imaging modality.
JUDGING RELIGION AND JUDGES' RELIGIONS
Authors: Kislowicz Howard
Published: April 2018

In liberal democracies with religiously diverse populations, it would be surprising and troubling if a judge relied on a religious text or precept to resolve a legal dispute. It would deeply offend principles of religious freedom if individuals were bound by judicial pronouncement to obey the dictates of a faith they do not share. However, some commentators have long claimed that a person's cultural worldview has an impact on the way they interpret laws and facts, and there is some empirical support for this claim. There is thus reason to expect that judges’ worldviews have some effect on their decision-making. I argue that when judges deliberately avoid engaging with their own moral perspectives, they may mask to themselves the impact that such perspectives have on their decisions. The alternative of explicit reference to religious sources in judicial decisions, however, is too problematic for the religious freedom of legal subjects. I argue that judges should instead endeavor to be conscious of the influence their backgrounds have on their decision-making, but suggest that judicial institutions may be resistant to adopting practices that would support such an approach. The article draws on Canadian and American case law to demonstrate its argument but has wider applicability to liberal states.
Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and body image are associated with dietary under-reporting in pregnant Japanese women
Authors: Shiraishi Mie , Haruna Megumi , Matsuzaki Masayo , Murayama Ryoko , Sasaki Satoshi
Published: April 2018

Dietary under-reporting is a common problem when using self-reported dietary assessment tools. However, there are few studies regarding under-reporting during pregnancy. This study aimed to explore the demographic and psychosocial characteristics related to dietary under-reporting in pregnant Japanese women. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2010 and 2011 at a university hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Nutrient intake was assessed using a self-administered Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ), which had questions about the consumption frequency and portion size of selected food items. The 24-h urinary excretion levels of urea N and K were used as the dietary protein and K intake reference values, respectively. Under-reporting of protein and K was defined as the bottom 25 % of the reporting accuracy (the ratio of reported intake on the DHQ to the estimated intake based on urinary excretion). Under-reporters were defined as participants who under-reported both protein and K intake. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors associated with under-reporters. Of 271 healthy women at 19–23 weeks of gestation, thirty-five participants (12·9 %) were identified as under-reporters. Under-reporters had a lower pre-pregnancy BMI (adjusted OR (AOR) = 0·81) and lower gestational weight gain (AOR = 0·82); they also reported managing their gestational weight gain with the aim to return to their pre-pregnancy weight soon after childbirth (AOR = 2·99). Healthcare professionals should consider the potential for dietary under-reporting and the possible related factors when assessing the dietary intakes of pregnant Japanese women using self-administered questionnaires.
How Sudden Censorship Can Increase Access to Information
Authors: HOBBS WILLIAM R. , ROBERTS MARGARET E.
Published: April 2018

Conventional wisdom assumes that increased censorship will strictly decrease access to information. We delineate circumstances when increases in censorship expand access to information for a substantial subset of the population. When governments suddenly impose censorship on previously uncensored information, citizens accustomed to acquiring this information will be incentivized to learn methods of censorship evasion. These evasion tools provide continued access to the newly blocked information—and also extend users’ ability to access information that has long been censored. We illustrate this phenomenon using millions of individual-level actions of social media users in China before and after the block of Instagram. We show that the block inspired millions of Chinese users to acquire virtual private networks, and that these users subsequently joined censored websites like Twitter and Facebook. Despite initially being apolitical, these new users began browsing blocked political pages on Wikipedia, following Chinese political activists on Twitter, and discussing highly politicized topics such as opposition protests in Hong Kong.
Petrogenesis of plagiogranites in the Muslim Bagh Ophiolite, Pakistan: implications for the generation of Archaean continental crust
Authors: COX DANIEL , KERR ANDREW C. , HASTIE ALAN R. , KAKAR M. ISHAQ
Published: April 2018

High-SiO2 rocks referred to as oceanic plagiogranites are common within the crustal sequences of ophiolites; however, their mode of petrogenesis is controversial with both late-stage fractional crystallization and partial melting models being proposed. Here, we present new whole-rock data from plagiogranitic dyke-like bodies and lenses from the lower and middle sections of the sheeted dyke complex of the Cretaceous Muslim Bagh Ophiolite, northwestern Pakistan. The plagiogranites have similar geochemical signatures that are inconsistent with them being the fractionation products of the mafic units of the Muslim Bagh Ophiolite. However, the plagiogranites all display very low TiO2 contents (<0.4 wt%), implying that they formed by partial melting of mafic rocks. Melt modelling of a crustal gabbro from the Muslim Bagh Ophiolite shows that the trace-element signature of the plagiogranites can be replicated by 5–10% melting of a crustal hornblende gabbro with amphibole as a residual phase, resulting in a concave-up middle rare Earth element pattern. Compositional similarities between the Muslim Bagh Ophiolite plagiogranites and Archaean TTG (trondhjemite–tonalite–granodiorite) has implications for the generation of juvenile Archaean continental crust. As the Muslim Bagh Ophiolite was derived in a supra-subduction zone, it is suggested that some Archaean TTG may have been derived from melting of mafic upper crust in early subduction-like settings. However, due to the small volume of Muslim Bagh Ophiolite plagiogranites, it is inferred that they can be instructive on the petrogenesis of some, but not all, Archaean TTG.
The Global Diffusion of Law: Transnational Crime and the Case of Human Trafficking
Authors: Simmons Beth A. , Lloyd Paulette , Stewart Brandon M.
Published: April 2018

In the past few decades new laws criminalizing certain transnational activities have proliferated: from money laundering, corruption, and insider trading to trafficking in weapons and drugs. Human trafficking is one example. We argue that criminalization of trafficking in persons has diffused in large part because of the way the issue has been framed: primarily as a problem of organized crime rather than predominantly an egregious human rights abuse. Framing human trafficking as an organized crime practice empowers states to confront cross-border human movements viewed as potentially threatening. We show that the diffusion of criminalization is explained by road networks that reflect potential vulnerabilities to the diversion of transnational crime. We interpret our results as evidence of the importance of context and issue framing, which in turn affects perceptions of vulnerability to neighbors' policy choices. In doing so, we unify diffusion studies of liberalization with the spread of prohibition regimes to explain the globalization of aspects of criminal law.
Effectiveness of antiviral treatment in preventing death in severe hospitalised influenza cases over six seasons
Authors: Domínguez A. , Romero-Tamarit A. , Soldevila N. , Godoy P. , Jané M. , Martínez A. , Torner N. , Caylà J.A. , Rius C. ,   the Surveillance of Hospitalized Cases of Severe Influenza in Catalonia Working Group
Published: April 2018

We investigated the predictors of neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) treatment in severe hospitalised influenza cases and the association between antiviral treatment and mortality. An observational epidemiological study was carried out in Catalonia (Spain) during 2010–2016 in patients aged ⩾18 years. Severe hospitalised cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza requiring hospitalisation were included. We collected demographic, virological and clinical characteristics. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratio (aOR). We included 1727 hospitalised patients, of whom 1577 (91.3%) received NAI. Receiving NAI ⩽48 h after onset of clinical symptoms (aOR 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.63), ⩽3 days (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.30–0.79) and ⩽5 days (aOR 0.50, 95% CI 0.32–0.79) was associated with a reduction in deaths. In patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (595; 34.5%), treatment ⩽48 h (aOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.14–0.74), ⩽3 days (aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.20–0.97) and ⩽5 days (aOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22–0.96) was associated with a reduction in deaths. Receiving treatment >5 days after onset of clinical symptoms was not associated with the reduction in deaths in hospitalised patients or those admitted to the ICU. NAI treatment of hospitalised patients with severe confirmed influenza was effective in avoiding death, mainly when administered ⩽48 h after symptom onset, but also when no more than 5 days had elapsed.
Associations of prenatal depressive symptoms with DNA methylation of HPA axis-related genes and diurnal cortisol profiles in primary school-aged children
Authors: Stonawski Valeska , Frey Stefan , Golub Yulia , Rohleder Nicolas , Kriebel Jennifer , Goecke Tamme W. , Fasching Peter A. , Beckmann Matthias W. , Kornhuber Johannes , Kratz Oliver , Moll Gunther H. , Heinrich Hartmut , Eichler Anna
Published: April 2018

Epigenetic DNA modifications in genes related to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis are discussed as a mechanism underlying the association between prenatal depression and altered child HPA activity. In a longitudinal study, DNA methylation changes related to prenatal depressive symptoms were investigated in 167 children aged 6 to 9 years. At six candidate genes, 126 cytosine–guanine dinucleotides were considered without correcting for multiple testing due to the exploratory nature of the study. Further associations with the basal child HPA activity were examined. Children exposed to prenatal depressive symptoms exhibited lower bedtime cortisol (p = .003, ηp2 = 0.07) and a steeper diurnal slope (p = .023, ηp2 = 0.06). For total cortisol release, prenatal exposure was related to lower cortisol release in boys, and higher release in girls. Furthermore, prenatal depressive symptoms were associated with altered methylation in the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1), the mineralocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C2), and the serotonin receptor gene (SLC6A4), with some sex-specific effects (p = .012–.040, ηp2 = 0.03–0.04). In boys, prenatal depressive symptoms predicted bedtime cortisol mediated by NR3C2 methylation, indirect effect = –0.07, 95% confidence interval [–0.16, –0.02]. Results indicate relations of prenatal depressive symptoms to both child basal HPA activity and DNA methylation, partially fitting a mediation model, with exposed boys and girls being affected differently.
Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus: Endangered or just overlooked?
Authors: LEE ALAN T. K. , REEVES BRIAN , WRIGHT DALE R.
Published: April 2018

There is remarkably little documented information in the scientific literature on any of the 18 species of buttonquail as they are very difficult to observe in the wild. This lack of information has hampered informed conservation decision making. We undertook the first biome-wide survey for the fynbos endemic Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus, using flush transect surveys covering 275 km. We used location data for sightings as well as from records reported by the bird-watching community and modelled distribution using MaxEnt. Encounters were restricted to the fynbos biome, and the top contributors to our prediction of suitable habitat were habitat transformation, slope and time since fire. We obtained a density estimate of 0.032 individuals per hectare which, across an estimated median range of 27,855 km2, provides a population estimate of 89,136 individuals. Given the extent of the range and the population estimate we suggest the IUCN Red List status could be ‘Vulnerable’, rather than ‘Endangered’. Agricultural and alien-vegetation encroachment means that the future of the species is certainly under threat and further studies are needed to inform conservation management.
Pitch series in chant composition: a demonstration
Authors: BAILEY TERENCE
Published: April 2018

The exposition of an analytical method that reveals the simple basis of the melodic structure of Western liturgical chants belonging to the two general categories of responsory and antiphon. Included are historical observations meant to explain the origin and evolution of chant-melody in the period from the seventh to the thirteenth century.
Stability and variation in office chants of the Sarum Sanctorale
Authors: SALISBURY MATTHEW CHEUNG
Published: April 2018

This article uses multiple witnesses of the chants from four offices of the Sanctorale, transcribed from twelve manuscripts and an early printed antiphonal, in order to assess the stability of chants in late medieval sources associated with the liturgical ‘Use of Sarum’. Whilst there is usually a ‘main’ melodic reading or version for each chant, a considerable degree of variation exists among the readings from various witnesses. The data which support this argument allow manuscripts to be linked by networks of shared melodic material, both through melodic readings identical and present in multiple sources, and through divergences from such main versions. These observations help to illuminate something of the diversity of the written melodic tradition, raising wider questions about the relationship between written witness and performed reality, and about the fixity of ‘Sarum Use’, at least as far as it was transmitted in written form.
l-Ergothioneine improves the developmental potential of in vitro sheep embryos without influencing OCTN1-mediated cross-membrane transcript expression
Authors: Mishra A. , Reddy I.J. , Dhali A. , Javvaji P.K.
Published: April 2018

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of l-ergothioneine (l-erg) (5 mM or 10 mM) supplementation in maturation medium on the developmental potential and OCTN1-dependant l-erg-mediated (10 mM) change in mRNA abundance of apoptotic (Bcl2, Bax, Casp3 and PCNA) and antioxidant (GPx, SOD1, SOD2 and CAT) genes in sheep oocytes and developmental stages of embryos produced in vitro. Oocytes matured with l-erg (10 mM) reduced their embryo toxicity by decreasing intracellular ROS and increasing intracellular GSH in matured oocytes that in turn improved developmental potential, resulting in significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentages of cleavage (53.72% vs 38.86, 46.56%), morulae (34.36% vs 20.62, 25.84%) and blastocysts (14.83% vs 6.98, 9.26%) compared with other lower concentrations (0 mM and 5 mM) of l-erg without change in maturation rate. l-Erg (10 mM) treatment did not influence the mRNA abundance of the majority of apoptotic and antioxidant genes studied in the matured oocytes and developmental stages of embryo. A gene expression study found that the SLC22A4 gene that encodes OCTN1, an integral membrane protein and specific transporter of l-erg was not expressed in oocytes and developmental stages of embryos. Therefore it was concluded from the study that although there was improvement in the developmental potential of sheep embryos by l-erg supplementation in maturation medium, there was no change in the expression of the majority of the genes studied due to the absence of the SLC22A4 gene in oocytes and embryos that encode OCTN1, which is responsible for transportation of l-erg across the membrane to alter gene expression.
Prospective Memory Is a Key Predictor of Functional Independence in Older Adults
Authors: Hering Alexandra , Kliegel Matthias , Rendell Peter G. , Craik Fergus I.M. , Rose Nathan S.
Published: April 2018

Objectives: Prospective memory (PM), the ability to execute delayed intentions, has received increasing attention in neuropsychology and gerontology. Most of this research is motivated by the claim that PM is critical for maintaining functional independence; yet, there is a dearth of empirical evidence to back up the claims. Thus, the present study tested whether PM predicts functional independence in older adults using validated behavioral performance measures for both PM and functional independence. Methods: Fifty-eight healthy older adults performed a computerized PM paradigm, the Virtual Week task, as well as a timed version of an instrumental activities of daily living (TIADL) task. Furthermore, we assessed vocabulary, processing speed, and self-reported prospective remembering. Results: TIADL scores correlated significantly with performance in the Virtual Week task, vocabulary, and processing speed. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that vocabulary and Virtual Week performance were significant predictors for TIADL. However, self-reported PM scores did not predict everyday functioning. Conclusions: The findings indicate that PM is an important cognitive ability for successful and independent everyday life beyond vocabulary. Moreover, the results show a substantial incremental contribution of intact PM performance for the prediction of everyday functioning by using objective PM measures. (JINS, 2018, 24, 640–645)
The effects of crop-to-beef relative prices on deforestation: evidence from the Tapajós Basin
Authors: Bragança Arthur
Published: April 2018

This paper examines the impact of changes in agricultural land use on deforestation at the local level in the Tapajós Basin in the Brazilian Amazon. It uses exogenous variation in crop-to-beef relative prices to investigate the effects of pasture-to-cropland conversion on deforestation. The findings indicate that increases in crop-to-beef relative prices increase the rate of pasture-to-cropland conversion and reduce the rate of deforestation. The magnitude of the effects implies that land conversion reduced deforestation at the local level by 5,300 square kilometers from 2002 to 2012. This reduction is the equivalent of almost 15 per cent of the total deforestation observed in the region during this period. These results are consistent with a land use model in which cattle ranching and crop cultivation have different input-intensities and there is imperfect mobility of productive factors between municipalities. This model highlights the fact that changes in relative prices affect deforestation through its effect on input prices.
Impact of dose calculation algorithms on the dosimetric and radiobiological indices for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plans calculated using LQ–L model
Authors: Chopra Kashmiri L. , Rai D. V. , Sethi Anil , Avadhani Jaiteerth S. , Kehwar T. S.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

To investigate discrepancies in dose calculation algorithms used for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plans.

Methods and materials

In total, 30 patients lung SBRT treatment plans, initially generated using BrainLab Pencil Beam (BL_PB) algorithm for 10 Gy×5 Fractions to the planning target volume (PTV) were included in the study. These plans were recalculated using BrainLab Monte Carlo (BL_MC), Eclipse AAA (EC_AAA), Eclipse Acuros XB (EC_AXB) and ADAC Pinnacle CCC (AP_CCC) algorithms. Dose volume histograms of PTV were used to calculate dosimetric and radiobiological quality indices, and equivalent dose to 2 Gy per fraction using linear-quadratic-linear model. The BL_MC algorithm is considered gold standard tool to compare PTV parameters and quality indices to investigate dose calculation discrepancies of abovementioned plans.

Results

BL_PB overestimates doses that may be due to inability of the algorithm to properly account for electron scattering and transport in inhomogeneous medium. Compared with BL_MCNO plans, the EC_AAA and EC_AXB yield lower homogeneity indices and overestimate the dose in the penumbra region, whereas AP_CCC plans were comparable for small PTV (≈8 cc) and had significant difference for large PTV.

Conclusion

BL_PB algorithm overestimates PTV doses than BL_MC calculated doses. The EC_AAA, EC_AXB and AP_CCC algorithms calculate doses within acceptable limits of radiotherapy dose delivery recommendations.
Extraction of amino acids using supercritical carbon dioxide forin situastrobiological applications
Authors: Menlyadiev Marlen , Henderson Bryana L. , Zhong Fang , Lin Ying , Kanik Isik
Published: April 2018

The detection of organic molecules that are indicative of past or present biological activity within the Solar System bodies and beyond is a key research area in astrobiology. Mars is of particular interest in this regard because of evidence of a (perhaps transient) warm and wet climate in its past. To date, space missions to Mars have primarily used pyrolysis technique to extract organic compounds from the Martian regolith, but it has not enabled a clear detection of unaltered native Martian organics. The elevated temperatures required for pyrolysis extraction can cause native Martian organics to react with perchlorate salts in the regolith, possibly resulting in the chlorohydrocarbons that have been detected by mass spectrometry, a commonly usedin situtechnique for space applications. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction technique is a powerful alternative to pyrolysis that may be capable of extracting and delivering unaltered native organic species to an analyser. In this study, we report the SCCO2extraction of unaltered amino acids (AAs) with simple laboratory analyses of extracts by capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence (CE/LIF) and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) techniques. The extraction efficiencies of several representative AAs using SCCO2with small amounts of pure water (~1–5%) as a co-solvent were determined. Glass beads were used as a model substrate to examine the effects of several experimental parameters and Johnson Space Center (JSC) Mars-1A Martian regolith simulant was used to study the effect of complex matrix on extraction efficiencies. With optimized experimental conditions (75C and 5% of water), extraction efficiencies from doped JSC Mars-1A were found to be ~40% for glycine, alanine and serine and ~10% for lysine. Extraction of native organics from undoped JSC Mars-1A suggests that SCCO2/water solvent system can extract both organics extractable with pure SCCO2and those extractable with pure water. Additionally, species not extracted by either pure SCCO2or pure water were extracted with SCCO2/water solvent. Despite the preliminary nature of this work, it paves the path for more comprehensive extraction studies of astrobiologically relevant samples with thorough analyses of resulting extracts.
EPSTEIN ZETA-FUNCTIONS, SUBCONVEXITY, AND THE PURITY CONJECTURE
Authors: Blomer Valentin
Published: April 2018

Subconvexity bounds on the critical line are proved for general Epstein zeta-functions of $k$-ary quadratic forms. This is related to sup-norm bounds for unitary Eisenstein series on $\text{GL}(k)$ associated with the maximal parabolic of type $(k-1,1)$, and the exact sup-norm exponent is determined to be $(k-2)/8$ for $k\geqslant 4$. In particular, if $k$ is odd, this exponent is not in $\frac{1}{4}\mathbb{Z}$, which is relevant in the context of Sarnak’s purity conjecture and shows that it can in general not directly be generalized to Eisenstein series.
Zinc-finger protein 471 suppresses gastric cancer through transcriptionally repressing downstream oncogenic PLS3 and TFAP2A
Authors: Cao Lei , Wang Shiyan , Zhang Yanquan , Wong Ka-Chun , Nakatsu Geicho , Wang Xiaohong , Wong Sunny , Ji Jiafu , Yu Jun
Published: April 2018

Zinc-finger protein 471 (ZNF471) was preferentially methylated in gastric cancer using promoter methylation array. The role of ZNF471 in human cancer is unclear. Here we elucidated the functional significance, molecular mechanisms and clinical impact of ZNF471 in gastric cancer. ZNF471 mRNA was silenced in 15 out of 16 gastric cancer cell lines due to promoter hypermethylation. Significantly higher ZNF471 promoter methylation was also observed in primary gastric cancers compared to their adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.001). ZNF471 promoter CpG-site hypermethylation correlated with poor survival of gastric cancer patients (n = 120, P = 0.001). Ectopic expression of ZNF471 in gastric cancer cell lines (AGS, BGC823, and MKN74) significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while it induced apoptosis in vitro and inhibited xenograft tumorigenesis in nude mice. Transcription factor AP-2 Alpha (TFAP2A) and plastin3 (PLS3) were two crucial downstream targets of ZNF471 demonstrated by bioinformatics modeling and ChIP-PCR assays. ZNF471 directly bound to the promoter of TFAP2A and PLS3 and transcriptionally inhibited their expression. TFAP2A and PLS3 showed oncogenic functions in gastric cancer cell lines. Moreover, ZNF471 recruited KAP1 to the promoter of the target genes, thereby inducing H3K9me3 enrichment for transcriptional repression and inhibition of oncogenic TFAP2A and PLS3. In conclusion, ZNF471 acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer by transcriptionally inhibiting downstream targets TFAP2A and PLS3. KAP1 is a co-repressor of ZNF471 at the promoter of the target genes. The promoter CpG-site methylation is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of gastric cancer patients.
Highly efficient organocatalysts for the asymmetric aldol reaction
Authors: Jacoby C. G. , Vontobel P. H. V. , Bach M. F. , Schneider P. H.
Published: April 2018

A new class of bifunctional organocatalysts containing both thiazolidine/pyrrolidine and imidazole cycles was prepared via a readily available synthetic route.
Facile fabrication of poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-b-polystyrene functional fibers under a shear field and immobilization of hemoglobin
Authors: Zhang Zhifeng , Wang Wenwen , Lu Zhentan , Liu Ke , Liu Qiongzhen , Wang Dong
Published: April 2018

PGMA-b-PS fibers were fabricated under a shear field for immobilization of bovine hemoglobin which has potential applications in blood substitutes.
Development of a new diffusive gradient in the thin film (DGT) method for the simultaneous measurement of CH3Hg+ and Hg2+
Authors: Ren Mingyi , Wang Yan , Ding Shiming , Yang Liyuan , Sun Qin , Zhang Liping
Published: April 2018

This technique has a high DGT capacity, wide tolerance of pH and ionic strength and good performance as an in situ monitoring tool.