bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cluster Randomized Trial of Tai Chi vs Health Education in Subsidized Housing: The MI‐WiSH Study
Authors: Lipsitz Lewis A. , Macklin Eric A. , Travison Thomas G. , Manor Brad , Gagnon Peggy , Tsai Timothy , Aizpurúa Ilean Isaza , Lo On‐Yee , Wayne Peter M.
Published: May 2019

OBJECTIVES

Tai Chi (TC) may benefit older adults with a variety of diseases and disabilities. We tested the hypothesis that TC improves physical function in older adults living in low‐income housing facilities.

DESIGN

Cluster randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Subsidized housing facilities in Boston, Massachusetts, and neighboring communities.

PARTICIPANTS

Volunteers were recruited from 15 facilities. The 180 randomized participants were 60 years of age or older, able to understand English and participate in TC, expected to remain in the facility for 1 year, and able to walk independently.

INTERVENTION

TC classes were conducted in the housing facilities twice/week for 1 year and compared with monthly health promotion educational classes and social calls.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was physical function measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Secondary outcomes included other aspects of physical and cognitive function, and falls.

RESULTS

An interim analysis revealed less improvement over 12 months in SPPB scores among TC participants (+.20 units; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −.20 to +.60; P = .69) vs control participants (+.51 units; 95% CI = +.15 to +.87; P = .007), a difference of −.31 units (95% CI = −.66 to .04; P = .082). This met the criterion for futility, and the Data Safety Monitoring Board recommended trial termination. No differences were found in 6‐ or 12‐month changes favoring TC in any secondary outcomes or adverse events.

CONCLUSION

In older adults with multiple chronic conditions living in subsidized housing facilities, 6 and 12 months of twice/week TC classes were not associated with improvements in functional health. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1812–1819, 2019
Evaluation of the expression of the stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 alpha (CXCL 12) in psoriatic patients after treatment with Methotrexate
Authors: Abdelaal Nagwa H. , Elhefnawy Nadia G. , Abdulmonem Shymaa R. , Sayed Safenaz , Saleh Noha A. , Saleh Marwah A.
Published: May 2019

Background

CXCL12 has an important role in skin homeostasis and inflammation.

Objective

In this work, the expression of CXCL12 was evaluated in psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients in relation to disease activity and methotrexate (MTX) therapy.

Methods

Skin biopsies were obtained from 10 psoriasis vulgaris patients, 10 PsA patients, and 20 controls. The biopsies were repeated 6 weeks after MTX therapy. The biopsies were stained immunohistochemically by stromal dermal factor 1 alpha (CXCL 12) antibody.

Results

Psoriatic arthritis showed significantly more expression of CXCL 12 than psoriasis vulgaris patients before treatment but not after treatment. There was significant decrease in CXCL 12 expression in the keratinocytes of psoriasis vulgaris patients after MTX therapy than before treatment, P‐value was 0.009. There was no significant difference between pre‐ and post‐treatment in the CXCL 12 expression of keratinocytes of PsA patients, P‐value was 0.093. The percentage decrease of PASI score after treatment showed a moderate correlation with the percentage decrease of CXCL12 expression of the keratinocytes of the total psoriasis patients, r = 0.484, P‐value was 0.015.

Conclusion

CXCL12 might be involved in the progression of psoriasis vulgaris to PsA. MTX therapy downregulated the expression of CXCL12 of the keratinocytes of psoriasis patients. This downregulation was paralleled by decrease in the PASI score. CXCL12 can be used as a biological marker of disease severity of psoriasis patients.
Academic Burnout Profiles and Motivation Styles Among Korean High School Students
Authors: Lee Min Young , Lee Mi Kyoung , Lee Min Joo , Lee Sang Min
Published: May 2019

This study aimed to identify academic burnout profiles and to examine how motivational styles distinguish burnout patterns using descriptive discriminant analysis. The data were collected from a total of 1,015 (95.8% response rate, 57.3% female) Korean high school students. The Distressed (entirely burned out) and Well‐Functioning (not burned out) groups were distinguished by amotivation, internal motivation, and identified regulation. The Struggling (burned out but do one's best to achieve) and Laissez‐Faire (not actively participating in their study and could not achieve) groups were classified according to introjected and external regulation. Practical implications are discussed in regards to the alleviation of academic burnout and the improvement of students’ self‐determination.
Two transcription factors cooperatively regulate DHN melanin biosynthesis and development in Pestalotiopsis fici
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zhou Shuang , Wang Gang , An Zhiqiang , Liu Xingzhong , Li Kuan , Yin Wen‐Bing
Published: May 2019

Fungal 1,8‐dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin plays important roles in UV protection, oxidative stress and pathogenesis. However, knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of its biosynthesis is limited. Previous studies showed two transcription factors, PfmaF and PfmaH, located in the DHN melanin biosynthetic gene cluster (Pfma) in Pestalotiopsis fici. In this study, deletion of PfmaH resulted in loss of melanin and affected conidia cell wall integrity. Specifically, PfmaH directly regulates the expression of scytalone dehydratase, which catalyzes the transition of scytalone to T3HN. However, PfmaF disruption using CRISPR/Cas9 system affected neither DHN melanin distribution nor conidia cell wall integrity in P. fici. Unexpectedly, overexpression of PfmaF leads to heavy pigment accumulation in P. fici hyphae. Transcriptome and qRT‐PCR analyses provide insight into the roles of PfmaF and PfmaH in DHN melanin regulation. PfmaH, as a pathway specific regulator, mainly regulates melanin biosynthesis that contributes to cell wall development. Furthermore, PfmaF functions as a broad regulator to stimulate PfmaH expression in melanin production, secondary metabolism as well as fungal development.
Radiographic dose‐dependency study of loperamide effects on gastrointestinal motor function in the rat. Temporal relationship with nausea‐like behavior
Authors: Vera Gema , Girón Rocío , Martín‐Fontelles María Isabel , Abalo Raquel
Published: May 2019

Background

Loperamide is a potent mu opioid receptor agonist available over the counter to treat diarrhea. Although at therapeutic doses loperamide is devoid of central effects, it may exert them if used at high doses or combined with drugs that increase its systemic and/or central bioavailability. Recently, public health and scientific interest on loperamide has increased due to a growing trend of misuse and abuse, and consequent reports on its toxicity. Our aim was to evaluate in the rat the effects of increasing loperamide doses, with increasing likelihood to induce central effects, on gastrointestinal motor function (including gastric dysmotility and nausea‐like behavior).

Methods

Male Wistar rats received an intraperitoneal injection of vehicle or loperamide (0.1, 1, or 10 mg kg−1). Three sets of experiments were performed to evaluate: (a) central effects (somatic nociceptive thresholds, immobility time, core temperature, spontaneous locomotor activity); (b) general gastrointestinal motility (serial X‐rays were taken 0‐8 hours after intragastric barium administration and analyzed semiquantitatively, morphometrically, and densitometrically); and (c) bedding intake (a rodent indirect marker of nausea). Animals from sets 1 and 3 were used to evaluate gastric dysmotility ex vivo at 2 and 4 hours after administration, respectively.

Key Results

Loperamide significantly induced antinociception, hypothermia, and hypolocomotion (but not catalepsy) at high doses and dose‐dependently reduced gastrointestinal motor function, with the intestine exhibiting higher sensitivity than the stomach. Whereas bedding intake occurred early and transiently, gastric dysmotility was much more persistent.

Conclusions and inferences

Our results suggest that loperamide‐induced nausea and gastric dysmotility might be temporally dissociated.
Assessing the impact of diet, exercise and the combination of the two as a treatment for OSA: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Edwards Bradley A. , Bristow Claire , O'Driscoll Denise M. , Wong Ai‐Ming , Ghazi Ladan , Davidson Zoe E. , Young Alan , Truby Helen , Haines Terry P , Hamilton Garun S.
Published: May 2019

This study aimed to provide an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) investigating the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions on weight loss and the impact on the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). A systematic search of five databases between 1980 and May 2018 was used to identify all RCT which employed a lifestyle intervention (i.e. diet‐only, exercise‐only or combination of the two) aiming to reduce the severity of OSA (assessed using the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI)). Random‐effects meta‐analyses followed by meta‐regression were conducted. Ten RCT involving 702 participants (Intervention group: n = 354; Control group: n = 348) were assessed in two meta‐analyses. The weighted mean difference in AHI (−8.09 events/h, 95% CI: −11.94 to −4.25) and body mass index (BMI, −2.41 kg/m2, 95% CI: −4.09 to −0.73) both significantly favoured lifestyle interventions over control arms. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that all interventions were associated with reductions in the AHI, but only the diet‐only interventions were associated with a significant reduction in BMI. No association was found between the reduction in AHI or BMI and the length of the intervention, or with baseline AHI and BMI levels. All lifestyle interventions investigated appear effective for improving OSA severity and should be an essential component of treatment for OSA. Future research should be directed towards identifying subgroups likely to reap greater treatment benefits as well as other therapeutic benefits provided by these interventions.
Add‐on interventions during pulmonary rehabilitation
Authors: Vanfleteren Lowie E.G.W. , Gloeckl Rainer
Published: May 2019

Both pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are generic terms and it increasingly becomes clear that rehabilitation programmes need to be tailored to the complexity and circumstances of the individual patient. Indeed, PR is described as a comprehensive, individualized intervention based on thorough assessment of identifiable treatable traits. The current review summarizes ongoing developments regarding additional interventions and tools to facilitate PR and improve outcomes in patients with a chronic respiratory disease.
Urban structures and daily mobility patterns in a city of long distances—the case of Muscat/Oman
Authors: Didero Maike , Nebel Sonja , Pfaffenbach Carmella
Published: May 2019

Population growth, urban sprawl and a high degree of car dependency as well as slowly rising petrol prices contribute towards increasing challenges for everyday urban mobility in Muscat, Oman. Until now, only a few empirical studies have dealt with urban mobility in Oman. Therefore, this article draws mainly on our own empirical findings to answer the following questions: What do daily and weekly mobility patterns look like in Muscat? How do these practices differ depending on the social position of the household, i.e. their nationality, income and education? Which interdependent effects can be discerned between everyday mobility practices and the fragmented and segregated urban structures? Since our research questions focus on the interrelations between urban structures and individual mobility, we chose a mixed‐methods approach including methods derived both from social and spatial research. This article in particular draws on our quantitative survey covering 850 households and extensive mappings of three selected case study areas and secondary data analysis.
Beyond the Disposition and Deliberation Dichotomy: The Interrelation of Teacher Habit and Intention in the Adoption of Student Advisories*
Authors: Diehl David K.
Published: May 2019

Using the example of teachers implementing student advisories as part of a larger school reform effort, this article proposes a rethinking of the dichotomous relationship between disposition and deliberation posited by much of the sociological literature. Running student advisories may be a challenge for teachers if they lack the dispositions necessary for providing students with social–emotional support and guidance. Current sociological theory, however, is at odds with our cognitive understandings of how dispositions and deliberation interrelate in situations like the one described in this article where actors are tasked with changing their habits. To address this shortcoming, I draw on a qualitative analysis of observations, interviews, and focus groups of 21 teachers and administrators to develop a typology of the ways teachers use deliberative action to deal with such situations: traditionalists, who engage in deliberative action to maintain existing dispositions; transposers, who deliberatively apply existing alternative dispositions to the situation; and cultivators, who do not possess the dispositions needed to succeed but engage in a deliberative process to develop them.
A novel Bruton tyrosine kinase gene variation was found in an adult with X‐linked agammaglobulinemia during blood cross‐matching prior to surgical operation
Authors: Wang N. , Tian Y. , Jia S. , Shao L. , Yu W. , Fang M.
Published: May 2019

Aims/Objectives

To investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of the patient's ABO typing discrepancy.

Background

ABO typing discrepancy was frequently seen in patients due to different causes. In this study, ABO typing discrepancy was found in a 24‐year‐old man with arthralgia, whose forward ABO grouping was O and reverse ABO grouping was AB. Primary immunodeficiency disease was speculated in this patient, especially X‐linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA).

Methods

Immunoglobulins of all isotypes were detected using a specific protein analyser. Lymphocyte subgroups were analysed by flow cytometry. All 19 exons and boundaries of BTK gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and all PCR products were sequenced by a DNA analyser. BTK protein in the leukocytes and platelets was detected by Western blot.

Results

No B lymphocytes could be detected in the peripheral blood of the patient. A novel BTK gene variation, c.817G>T, in the exon 9 of BTK gene was discovered. No BTK protein expression could be detected in the leukocytes and platelets of the patient.

Conclusions

XLA could be occasionally discovered by ABO typing discrepancy in some cases because of the deficiency of reciprocal IgM anti‐A and/or anti‐B antibodies in the serum of the patient. Humoral immunodeficiency is one of the causes of ABO typing discrepancy.
Opinions of Pre-Service Teachers about Evolution
Authors: Karataş Ayla
Published: May 2019

Evolution is a cornerstone that combines all sub-branches of biology in a meaningful way. Developing a true understanding of evolution, however, can only be achieved through comprehensive education. In the community, teachers have an important role in removing erroneous attitudes toward evolution, in which science and biology teachers have a key role. This study aimed to reveal pre-service teachers’ perspective on evolution by eliciting the opinions of science pre-service teachers who had attended a 14-week evolution course and those who had not yet taken this course using a delimited draft sentence. According to the data, students who had limited knowledge about evolution, either dogmatically rejected evolution or defined evolution in a simple way, as a change. The rate of rejecting the concept of evolution was decreased among the students who had taken the course about evolution. In addition, there was an increased ratio of those who described evolution using high-level knowledge and a non-rejecting style. Another interesting outcome mentioned in the statements of the students was that keeping the content of the course as wide as possible reduced prejudice against the concept of evolution, decreased rejection rate, and also allowed students to change the erroneous/incorrect ideas that they previously held about evolution.
Cardiac sympathetic innervation network shapes the myocardium by locally controlling cardiomyocyte size through the cellular proteolytic machinery
Authors: Pianca Nicola , Di Bona Anna , Lazzeri Erica , Costantini Irene , Franzoso Mauro , Prando Valentina , Armani Andrea , Rizzo Stefania , Fedrigo Marny , Angelini Annalisa , Basso Cristina , Pavone Francesco S. , Rubart Michael , Sacconi Leonardo , Zaglia Tania , Mongillo Marco
Published: May 2019

Key points

The heart is innervated by a dense sympathetic neuron network which, in the short term, controls chronotropy and inotropy and, in the long term, regulates cardiomyocyte size. Acute neurogenic control of heart rate is achieved locally through direct neuro‐cardiac coupling at specific junctional sites (neuro‐cardiac junctions).

The ventricular sympathetic network topology is well‐defined and characteristic for each mammalian species.

In the present study, we used cell size regulation to determine whether long‐term modulation of cardiac structure is achieved via direct sympatho‐cardiac coupling.

Local density of cardiac innervation correlated with cell size throughout the myocardial walls in all mammalian species analysed, including humans.

The data obtained suggest that constitutive neurogenic control of cardiomyocyte trophism occurs through direct intercellular signalling at neuro‐cardiac junctions.

It is widely appreciated that sympathetic stimulation of the heart involves a sharp increase in beating rate and significant enhancement of contractility. We have previously shown that, in addition to these evident functions, sympathetic neurons (SNs) also provide trophic input to cardiomyocytes (CMs), regulating cell and organ size. More recently, we have demonstrated that cardiac neurons establish direct interactions with CMs, allowing neuro‐cardiac communication to occur locally, with a ‘quasi‐synaptic’ mechanism. Based on the evidence that cardiac SNs are unevenly distributed throughout the myocardial walls, we investigated the hypothesis that CM size distribution reflects the topology of neuronal density. In vitro analyses of SN/CM co‐cultures, ex vivo confocal and multiphoton imaging in clarified hearts, and biochemical and molecular approaches were employed, in both rodent and human heart biopsies. In line with the trophic effect of SNs, and with local neuro‐cardiac communication, CMs, directly contacted by SNs in co‐cultures, were larger than the non‐targeted ones. This property reflects the distribution of CM size throughout the ventricles of intact mouse heart, in which cells in the outer myocardial layers, which were contacted by more neuronal processes, were larger than those in the less innervated subendocardial region. Such differences disappeared upon genetic or pharmacological interference with the trophic SN/CM signalling axis. Remarkably, CM size followed the SN distribution pattern in other mammals, including humans. Our data suggest that both the acute and chronic influence of SNs on cardiac function and structure is enacted as a result of the establishment of specific intercellular neuro‐cardiac junctions.
Respiratory muscle training in athletes with cervical spinal cord injury: effects on cardiopulmonary function and exercise capacity
Authors: Gee Cameron M. , Williams Alexandra M. , Sheel A. William , Eves Neil D. , West Christopher R.
Published: May 2019

Key points

The effect of combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training on resting and reflexive cardiac function, as well as exercise capacity, in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) is presently unknown.

Six weeks of combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training enhances both inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in highly‐trained athletes with cervical SCI with no significant effect on lung function.

There was a significant decrease in left‐ventricular filling and stroke volume at rest in response to 45° head‐up tilt, which is irreversible by respiratory muscle training.

Combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training increased peak aerobic work rate and reduced end‐expiratory lung volumes during exercise, which may have implications for left‐ventricular filling during exercise.

To investigate the pulmonary, cardiovascular and exercise responses to combined inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle training (RMT) in athletes with tetraplegia, six wheelchair rugby athletes (five males and one female, aged 33 ± 5 years) completed 6 weeks of pressure threshold RMT, 2 sessions day–1 on 5 days week–1. Resting pulmonary and cardiac function, exercise capacity, exercising lung volumes and field‐based exercise performance were assessed at pre‐RMT, post‐RMT and after a 6‐week no RMT period. RMT enhanced maximal inspiratory (pre‐ vs. post‐RMT: −76 ± 15 to −106 ± 23 cmH2O, P = 0.002) and expiratory (59 ± 26 to 73 ± 32 cmH2O, P = 0.007) mouth pressures, as well as peak expiratory flow (6.74 ± 1.51 vs. 7.32 ± 1.60 L/s, P < 0.04). Compared to pre‐RMT, peak work rate was higher at post‐RMT (60 ± 23 to 68 ± 22 W, P = 0.003), whereas exercising end‐expiratory lung volumes were reduced (P < 0.017). Peak oxygen uptake increased in all athletes at post‐RMT (1.24 ± 0.40 vs. 1.40 ± 0.50 l min−1, P = 0.12). After 6 weeks of no RMT all indices returned towards baseline, with peak work rate (P = 0.037), peak oxygen uptake (P = 0.041) and end‐expiratory lung volume (P < 0.034) being significantly lower at follow‐up than at post‐RMT. There was a significant decrease in left‐ventricular end‐diastolic volume and stroke volume in response to 45° head‐up tilt (P = 0.030 and 0.021, respectively); however, all cardiac indices in both supine and tilted positions were unchanged by RMT. Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of RMT with respect to enhancing respiratory muscle strength, lowering exercising lung volumes and increasing exercise capacity. Although the precise mechanisms by which RMT may enhance exercise capacity remain unclear, our data suggest that it is probably not the result of a direct cardiac adaptation associated with RMT.
Health outcomes of a high fructose intake: the importance of physical activity
Authors: Tappy Luc , Rosset Robin
Published: May 2019

Fructose metabolism is generally held to occur essentially in cells of the small bowel, the liver, and the kidneys expressing fructolytic enzymes (fructokinase, aldolase B and a triokinase). In these cells, fructose uptake and fructolysis are unregulated processes, resulting in the generation of intracellular triose phosphates proportionate to fructose intake. Triose phosphates are then processed into lactate, glucose and fatty acids to serve as metabolic substrates in other cells of the body. With small oral loads, fructose is mainly metabolized in the small bowel, while with larger loads fructose reaches the portal circulation and is largely extracted by the liver. A small portion, however, escapes liver extraction and is metabolized either in the kidneys or in other tissues through yet unspecified pathways. In sedentary subjects, consumption of a fructose‐rich diet for several days stimulates hepaticde novolipogenesis, increases intrahepatic fat and blood triglyceride concentrations, and impairs insulin effects on hepatic glucose production. All these effects can be prevented when high fructose intake is associated with increased levels of physical activity. There is also evidence that, during exercise, fructose carbons are efficiently transferred to skeletal muscle as glucose and lactate to be used for energy production. Glucose and lactate formed from fructose can also contribute to the re‐synthesis of muscle glycogen after exercise. We therefore propose that the deleterious health effects of fructose are tightly related to an imbalance between fructose energy intake on one hand, and whole‐body energy output related to a low physical activity on the other hand.

image
Memoria de un olvido. La exclusión de mujeres de la memoria fundacional del pentecostalismo chileno (1909-1915)
Authors: Mansilla Miguel Ángel
Published: May 2019

Las reconstrucciones que la historia apologética pentecostal, la teología y las ciencias sociales han realizado sobre los orígenes del pentecostalismo chileno, se caracterizan por una limitación significativa: la elaboración de una imagen negativa o el olvido de las mujeres de su memoria fundacional. El objetivo de este artículo es describir y analizar este fenómeno. A partir del análisis de fuentes primarias y secundarias, mostraremos que este olvido y difamación de la imagen femenina no se debe solo a una limitación metodológico-epistemológica, sino que obedece a una estrategia de poder liderada por pastores posicionados en los centros hegemónicos del pentecostalismo chileno.
Las tentaciones de la mentira
Authors: Heuer Wolfgang
Published: May 2019

La mentira no es nada nuevo en la existencia humana, ni en la filosofía ni en la ciencia política, pero solo el análisis fenomenológico de Arendt revela con particular énfasis la tensión permanente entre verdad y mentira en el espacio político, y la debilidad estructural de la verdad frente a la mentira. Esta perspectiva arendtiana ayuda a comprender la tentación del nuevo fenómeno de la llamada posverdad, que se manifiesta en las fake news (noticias falsas), las teorías conspirativas y la propaganda populista. El presente artículo trata de explicar las condiciones políticas y sociales del nacimiento de esta posverdad, las diferencias respecto a la mentira política, que Arendt enfrentó en Estados Unidos en los años sesenta del siglo XX, y ofrece una reflexión sobre el concepto arendtiano de una pluralidad cualitativa como medida contra la a-mundialidad de la posverdad.
Multidisciplinary Design of Electric Vehicles Based on Hierarchical Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Ramakrishnan Kesavan , Mastinu Gianpiero , Gobbi Massimiliano
Published: May 2019

A method for the optimal design of complex systems is developed by effectively combining multi-objective optimization and analytical target cascading techniques. The complex systems with high dimensionality are partitioned into manageable subsystems that can be optimized using dedicated algorithms. The multiple objective functions in each subsystem are treated simultaneously, and the interactions between subsystems are managed using linking variables and shared variables. The analytical target cascading algorithm ensures the convergence of the optimal solution that meets the system level targets while complying with the subsystem level constraints. A design optimization of electric vehicles with in-wheel motors is formulated as a two-level hierarchical scheme where the top level has a model representing the electric vehicle and the bottom level contains models of battery and suspension. The vehicle model includes an electric motor model and a power electronics model. Pareto-optimal solutions are derived holistically. The effectiveness of the proposed method for optimizing the complex systems is compared against the conventional all-in-one optimization approach.
Direct MBE growth of metamorphic nBn infrared photodetectors on 150 mm Ge-Si substrates for heterogeneous integration
Authors: Fastenau Joel M. , Lubyshev Dmitri , Nelson Scott A. , Fetters Matthew , Krysiak Hubert , Zeng Joe , Kattner Michael , Frey P. , Liu Amy W. K. , Morgan Aled O. , Edwards Stuart A. , Dennis Richard , Beech Kim , Burrows Doug , Patnaude Kelly , Faska Ross , Bundas Jason , Reisinger Alex , Sundaram Mani
Published: May 2019

GaSb-based infrared (IR) photodetector structures were grown on large diameter, 150 mm, Si substrates using a multistep metamorphic buffer architecture process. A standard bulk InAsSb/AlAsSb barrier detector design with a cutoff wavelength of ∼4 μm was used as a test vehicle for this growth process. First, a Ge layer was deposited by chemical vapor deposition, creating a Ge-Si substrate for the subsequent molecular beam epitaxy growth of the remaining III–V buffer and device layers. X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements demonstrated high crystal quality and excellent cross-wafer uniformity of the device epiwafer characteristics. Microscopy evaluation revealed a moundlike surface morphology with a low root-mean-square roughness value below 2 nm, suitable for focal plane array (FPA) fabrication. Large-area mesa diode test devices measured dark currents of 5 × 10−5 A/cm2 and a quantum efficiency of 60% for the Sb-detector grown on Ge–Si. The same structure was fully fabricated into a standard FPA and produced good imagery resolution with high operability. These excellent results for this first FPA manufactured from an Sb-photodetector grown on Si using this Ge-Si architecture demonstrate a promising path in the progression of Sb-IR technology as it transitions from development to next-generation, large-format IR manufacturing with an eye toward potential heterogeneous integration with silicon.
Computer vision and machine learning in science fiction
Authors: Murphy Robin R.
Published: May 2019

Science fiction has a cautionary view of computer vision and machine learning.
Augmentation of HIV-specific T cell function by immediate treatment of hyperacute HIV-1 infection
Authors: Ndhlovu Zaza M. , Kazer Samuel W. , Nkosi Thandeka , Ogunshola Funsho , Muema Daniel M. , Anmole Gursev , Swann Shayda A. , Moodley Amber , Dong Krista , Reddy Tarylee , Brockman Mark A. , Shalek Alex K. , Ndung’u Thumbi , Walker Bruce D.
Published: May 2019

Immediate initiation of antiviral therapy in acute HIV infection results in functional and persistent T cell responses.
Efficacy of a Multimechanistic Monoclonal Antibody Combination against Staphylococcus aureus Surgical Site Infections in Mice
Authors: Ortines Roger V. , Wang Yu , Liu Haiyun , Dikeman Dustin A. , Pinsker Bret L. , Miller Robert J. , Kim Sophia E. , Ackerman Nicole E. , Rizkallah Joe F. , Marcello LeeAnn T. , Cohen Taylor S. , Tkaczyk Christine , Sellman Bret R. , Miller Lloyd S.
Published: May 2019

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are commonly caused by
Staphylococcus aureus
. We report that a combination of three monoclonal antibodies (MEDI6389) that neutralize
S. aureus
alpha-toxin, clumping factor A, and four leukocidins (LukSF, LukED, HlgAB, and HlgCB) plus vancomycin had enhanced efficacy compared with control antibody plus vancomycin in two mouse models of
S. aureus
SSI.
Lichtheimia corymbifera Colonization Leading to Pulmonary Infection Can Be Prevented with Liposomal Amphotericin B in a New Murine Model
Authors: Brunet Thomas , Brunet Kévin , Jouvion Grégory , Cateau Estelle , Marchand Sandrine , Rammaert Blandine
Published: May 2019

The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis is constantly increasing, especially in hematological patients staying in high-efficiency particulate air-filtered rooms. Pulmonary inhalation of spores may occur outside the hospital, leading to invasive disease once patients received chemotherapies.
New Microbial Lineages Capable of Carbon Fixation and Nutrient Cycling in Deep-Sea Sediments of the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Huang Jiao-Mei , Baker Brett J. , Li Jiang-Tao , Wang Yong
Published: May 2019

Sedimentary microorganisms in the South China Sea (SCS) remain largely unknown due to the complexity of sediment communities impacted by continent rifting and extension. Distinct geochemical environments may breed special microbial communities including microbes that are still enigmatic. Functional inference of their metabolisms and transcriptional activity provides insight in the ecological roles and substrate-based interactivity of these uncultured
Archaea
and
Bacteria
. These microorganisms play different roles in utilizing inorganic carbon and scavenging diverse organic compounds involved in the deep-sea carbon cycle. The genomes recovered here contributed undescribed species to the tree of life and laid the foundation for future study on these novel phyla persisting in marginal sediments of the SCS.
A Novel Method for Sampling and Long-Term Monitoring of Microbes That Uses Stickers of Plain Paper
Authors: Bobal Martin , Witte Anna Kristina , Mester Patrick , Fister Susanne , Schoder Dagmar , Rossmanith Peter
Published: May 2019

As a ubiquitous bacterium,
Listeria monocytogenes
has a propensity to enter food production areas inadvertently via fomites such as door handles and switches. While the bacterium might not be in direct contact with the food products, knowing the microbial status of the surroundings is essential for risk assessment. Our investigation into a novel quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based sampling system with the highest sensitivity and ability to monitor over long periods of time, yet based on paper, proved to be cost-effective and reasonably convenient to handle.
A Decrease in Serine Levels during Growth Transition Triggers Biofilm Formation in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Greenwich Jennifer , Reverdy Alicyn , Gozzi Kevin , Di Cecco Grace , Tashjian Tommy , Godoy-Carter Veronica , Chai Yunrong
Published: May 2019

In
Bacillus subtilis
, biofilm formation is triggered in response to environmental and cellular signals. It was proposed that serine limitation acts as a proxy for nutrient status and triggers biofilm formation at the onset of biofilm entry through a novel signaling mechanism caused by global ribosome pausing on selective serine codons. In this study, we reveal that serine levels decrease at the biofilm entry due to catabolite control and a serine shunt mechanism. We also show that levels of five serine tRNA isoacceptors are differentially decreased in stationary phase compared with exponential phase; three isoacceptors recognizing UCN serine codons are reduced much more than the two recognizing AGC and AGU codons. This finding indicates a possible mechanism for selective ribosome pausing.
Rescue of Infectious Recombinant Hazara Nairovirus from cDNA Reveals the Nucleocapsid Protein DQVD Caspase Cleavage Motif Performs an Essential Role other than Cleavage
Authors: Fuller J. , Surtees R. A. , Slack G. S. , Mankouri J. , Hewson R. , Barr J. N.
Published: May 2019

HAZV is classified within the
Nairoviridae
family with CCHFV, which is one of the most lethal human pathogens in existence, requiring the highest biosafety level (BSL) containment (BSL4). In contrast, HAZV is not associated with human disease and thus can be studied using less-restrictive BSL2 protocols. Here, we report a system that is able to rescue HAZV from cDNAs, thus permitting reverse genetic interrogation of the HAZV replication cycle. We used this system to examine the role of a caspase cleavage site, DQVD, within the HAZV nucleocapsid protein that is also conserved in CCHFV. By engineering mutant viruses, we showed caspase cleavage at this site was not required for productive infection and this sequence performs a critical role in the virus life cycle aside from caspase cleavage. This system will accelerate nairovirus research due to its efficiency and utility under amenable BSL2 protocols.
Small Interfering RNA Screening for the Small GTPase Rab Proteins Identifies Rab5B as a Major Regulator of Hepatitis B Virus Production
Authors: Inoue Jun , Ninomiya Masashi , Umetsu Teruyuki , Nakamura Takuya , Kogure Takayuki , Kakazu Eiji , Iwata Tomoaki , Takai Satoshi , Sano Akitoshi , Fukuda Mitsunori , Watashi Koichi , Isogawa Masanori , Tanaka Yasuhito , Shimosegawa Tooru , McNiven Mark A. , Masamune Atsushi
Published: May 2019

HBV infection is a worldwide health problem, but the mechanisms of how HBV utilizes cellular machinery for its life cycle are poorly understood. In particular, it has been unclear how the viral components and virions are transported among the organelles. The HBV budding site has been reported to be the ER or MVB, but it has not been clearly determined. In this study, siRNA-based screening of Rab proteins using HBV-expressing cells showed that Rab5B, one of the Rab5 isoforms, has important roles in late steps of the HBV life cycle. Although Rab5 is known to work on early endosomes, this study showed that Rab5B plays a role in the transport of LHBs between the ER and MVB. Furthermore, it affects the transcription of LHBs. This is the first report on the mechanisms of HBV envelope protein transport among the organelles, and the results provide important insights into the therapeutic control of HBV infection.
Complete Genome Sequence of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacillus pumilus TUAT1
Authors: Okazaki Shin , Sano Naoto , Yamada Tetsuya , Ishii Kazuo , Kojima Katsuhiro , Djedidi Salem , Artigas Ramírez María D. , Yuan Kun , Kanekatsu Motoki , Ohkama-Ohtsu Naoko , Hirose Yuu , Oshima Kenshiro , Hattori Masahira , Yokoyama Tadashi
Published: May 2019

Bacillus pumilus
TUAT1 was isolated from soil in a university research field. Strain TUAT1 has the ability to promote the growth of plants, including that of rice, and has been commercialized as a biofertilizer.
Granular zircon from Vredefort granophyre (South Africa) confirms the deep injection model for impact melt in large impact structures
Authors: Kovaleva Elizaveta , Zamyatin Dmitry A. , Habler Gerlinde
Published: May 2019

The Vredefort impact structure, South Africa, is a 2.02 Ga deeply eroded meteorite scar that provides an opportunity to study large impact craters at their lower stratigraphic levels. A series of anomalous granophyre dikes in the core of the structure are believed to be composed of an impact melt, which intruded downwards from the crater floor, exploiting fractures in basement rocks. However, the melt emplacement mechanisms and timing are not constrained. The granophyre dikes contain supracrustal xenoliths captured at higher levels, presently eroded. By studying these clasts and shocked minerals within, we can better understand the nature of dikes, magnitude of impact melt movement, conditions that affected target rocks near the impacted surface, and erosional rates. We report “former reidite in granular neoblastic” (FRIGN) zircon within a granite clast enclosed in the granophyre. High-pressure zircon transformation to reidite (ZrSiO4) and reversion to zircon resulted in zircon grains composed of fine neoblasts (∼0.5–3 µm) with two or three orthogonal orientations. Our finding provides new independent constraints on the emplacement history of Vredefort granophyre dikes. Based on the environment, where other FRIGN zircons are found (impact glasses and melts), the clast was possibly captured near the top of the impact melt sheet and transported to the lowermost levels of the structure, traveling some 8–10 km. Our finding not only provides the highest-pressure shock estimates thus far discovered in the Vredefort structure (≥30 GPa), but also shows that microscopic evidence of high shock pressures can be found within large eroded craters at their lowest stratigraphic levels.
Plume-modified mantle flow in the northern Basin and Range and southern Cascadia back-arc region since ca. 12 Ma
Authors: Camp Victor E.
Published: May 2019

Bimodal volcanism and rhyolite migration along the High Lava Plains in central Oregon (United States) lie above a broader feature defined by low seismic velocity in the upper mantle that emanates from the Yellowstone hotspot (northwest United States) and extends westward across the northern Basin and Range. It was emplaced by a westward current, driven in part by rapid buoyancy-driven flow across the east-west cratonic boundary of North America. Geothermometry studies and geochemical considerations suggest that the low-velocity feature may be composed of moderately hot, low-density mantle derived from the Yellowstone plume but diluted by thermomechanical erosion and entrainment of colder mantle lithosphere. Finger-like conduits of plume-modified mantle beneath Quaternary eruption sites delineate flow-line channels that have developed across the broader mantle structure since 2 Ma. These channels have allowed low-density mantle to accumulate against the Cascades arc, thus providing a heated mantle source for mafic magmatism in the Newberry (Oregon) and Medicine Lake (California) volcanic fields.
Bird’s-eye view of an Ediacaran subglacial landscape
Authors: Le Heron Daniel Paul , Vandyk Thomas Matthew , Kuang Hongwei , Liu Yongqing , Chen Xiaoshuai , Wang Yuchong , Yang Zhenrui , Scharfenberg Lars , Davies Bethan , Shields Graham
Published: May 2019

Depositional evidence for glaciation (dropstones, diamictites) is common in Neoproterozoic strata, and often debated, but erosional evidence (e.g., unconformities cut directly by ice) is rare. Only two such unconformities are known to have been well preserved globally from the Ediacaran Period (in western Australia and central China). This paper provides the first full description of a spectacular subglacial landscape carved beneath ice masses in the Shimengou area of central China, with classical subglacial bed forms including general faceted forms, müschelbruche, cavetto, spindle forms, and striations that testify to an abundance of meltwater during subglacial erosion. These features were produced during the southward, somewhat sinuous, flow of a temperate to polythermal ice mass.
Dressler’s syndrome: are we underdiagnosing what we think to be rare?
Authors: Campos Isabel Durães , Salgado Alberto , Azevedo Pedro , Vieira Catarina
Published: May 2019

A 46-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with fever and pleuritic thoracic pain. Six weeks prior to admission, the patient had undergone cardiac surgery. The ECG showed diffuse ST segment elevation and PR segment depression. The blood tests revealed increased inflammatory markers and negative myocardial necrosis markers. Pericardial and left-sided pleural effusion were noted. Sterile blood cultures were negative. Hence, the hypothesis of Dressler’s syndrome was established. The patient improved clinically and analytically with a short course of anti-inflammatory therapy and was discharged with colchicine and acetylsalicylic acid. A thoracic radiography performed 2 months after showed complete remission of pleural effusion.
Late dumping syndrome in an infant on feeding jejunostomy
Authors: Jain Agam , Gupta Aditya Kumar , Jat Kana Ram , Kabra Sushil Kumar
Published: May 2019

This article presents the case of a 3-month-old male child, who while on bolus jejunostomy tube feeds, developed recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia. This infant had presented with failure to thrive with moderate gastroesophageal reflux necessitating a feeding jejunostomy. The infant was started on bolus feeds through the jejunostomy tube but developed recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia. On evaluation, these episodes were hyperinsulinaemic and the baby was subsequently diagnosed with a late dumping syndrome. On changing the feeds to a continuous infusion and by eliminating added sugar from the feeds, the glucose fluctuations resolved. Dumping syndrome is a well-known complication in adults undergoing gastric surgeries. In the paediatric age group, dumping syndrome has been reported rarely, most commonly as a complication of Nissen fundoplication.
Long-term outcomes following resection-recession versus plication-recession in children with intermittent exotropia
Authors: Lee Haeng-Jin , Kim Seong-Joon
Published: May 2019

Background/Aims

To compare the long-term surgical outcomes between unilateral lateral rectus recession-medial rectus resection (RR) and lateral rectus recession-medial rectus plication (RP) in children with intermittent exotropia.

Methods

Children who underwent RR or RP for intermittent exotropia between January 2008 and July 2016, with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative angle of deviations and clinical factors including sex, age, refractive errors, preoperative angle of deviation, types of exotropia and stereopsis were investigated. Based on the angle of deviation at year 2, surgical outcomes were classified into two groups as follows: success (esodeviation ≤5 prism dioptres (PD) to exodeviation ≤10 PD) and failure (overcorrection (esodeviation >5 PD) and undercorrection or recurrence (exodeviation >10 PD)).

Results

Of the 186 patients, 114 underwent RR and 72 underwent RP. The angle of exodeviation steadily increased over time in both groups after surgery. The durations of exodrift were longer in the RP group than in the RR group. The surgical success at postoperative year 2 was 55.3% in the RR group and 27.8% in the RP group (p<0.001). The amount of overcorrection was associated with successful outcomes in both groups.

Conclusions

In children with intermittent exotropia, RR group presented better surgical outcomes than RP group. The amount of initial overcorrection was important to achieve favourable outcomes in children with intermittent exotropia.
Optical coherence tomography angiography in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: van de Kreeke Jacoba Alida , Nguyen Hoang-Ton , Konijnenberg Elles , Tomassen Jori , den Braber Anouk , ten Kate Mara , Yaqub Maqsood , van Berckel Bart , Lammertsma Adriaan A , Boomsma Dorret I , Tan Stevie H , Verbraak Frank , Visser Pieter Jelle
Published: May 2019

Background/aims

As a protrusion from the brain, the retina might reflect the status of the brain. Previous studies showed a decrease in vessel density and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) enlargement on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aims to assess whether such changes are already present in preclinical stages of AD, in a population of monozygotic (MZ) twins.

Methods

124 cognitively healthy individuals (MZ twins, ages 60–93 years) underwent [18F]flutemetamol amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and OCTA. PET scans were visually rated for cortical amyloid-beta (Aβ) positivity. Parametric global cortical non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) was used as a continuous measure for Aβ aggregation. FAZ size and vessel densities for the inner and outer ring of the macular ETDRS grid and in a 3–6 mm ring around the optic nerve head (ONH) were measured.

OCTA measures were associated with visual Aβ score,BPNDand amyloid load estimated by twin concordance on visual Aβ score. Twin correlations were estimated as a measure of maximum heritability of OCTA measures.

Results

13 of 124 participants were Aβ+. Aβ+ individuals had significantly higher vessel density than Aβ– individuals in all regions but did not differ in FAZ size. Twin analyses showed a positive association between and vessel densities in all regions.BPNDtended to be associated with higher vessel density in the inner ring. Twin correlations were moderate/high for all OCTA parameters except vessel density around the ONH, which correlated weakly.

Conclusion

Retinal vessel density was higher in individuals with preclinical AD.